Sound natural in English

Story — just say it

Watch Ana try to tell a messy week at the counter. Dee wants the short, natural lines.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

1. Late afternoon light on the counter. Dee already has the pot.
2. DeeLong week, hon?She thinks Ana had a hard week.
3. AnaTo be honest, the studio and the three-flat both piled up.She tells the true thought: work and home both got hard.
4. DeeMarcus again, or Kowalski?She asks if the problem is the boss or the landlord.
5. AnaKind of, but not exactly.It is a little true, not fully true.
6. DeeSo what was it, then? Hon, you can just say it.She wants the real story in a short, natural line.
7. AnaLet's put it this way. The work ran long, and then the sink backed up.She will say it in simpler words, then she names work and the sink.
8. Murray looks over from his two stools. His coffee is still full.
9. MurrayWell, a sink never waits.He says a broken sink will not wait.
10. DeeSo you told Kowalski?She asks if Ana already called the landlord.
11. AnaHere's the thing. I still haven't told him, so I guess I should call before I lose my nerve.She names the important part, then she thinks she should call, but she is not sure.
12. DeeYou may be right, but he'll want a call today.She accepts part of the idea, but she still thinks he wants a call today.
13. The jukebox by the door clicks, then plays nothing. Dee does not look at it.
14. MurrayYou know, it clicked last night too. Then nothing.He says the machine clicked and played nothing.
15. DeeAnyway, that's the main point. Call him, hon.She goes back to the important idea, then she tells Ana to call.
16. AnaFair enough.She accepts Dee's reason.
17. MurrayI guess he'll pick up.He thinks this, but he is not sure: Kowalski will answer.
18. DeeTake care of that sink, sweetie.She tells Ana to handle the sink.