Shadowing Practice: Learn English the Easy Way | The Mystery Piano Music - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B1
I'm so tired.
531 sentences
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1
I'm so tired.
2
I just want some peace and quiet.
3
Long day at work?
4
The longest.
5
I just want to close my eyes and...
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Wait, do you hear that?
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Hear what?
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I don't hear anything.
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Turn down the TV.
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Listen carefully.
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Okay, I turned it down.
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Now what?
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Piano music.
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It's coming from upstairs.
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Upstairs?
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That's apartment 4B.
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Nobody lives there.
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Well, someone is playing the piano up there.
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Great.
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Just what I need.
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More noise.
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It's not noise, Tom.
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Listen, it's beautiful.
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Beautiful or not, it's 10 p.m.
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I need to sleep.
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You can't sleep at 10 anyway.
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You always watch TV until midnight.
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That's different.
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I choose the TV.
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Well, think of it as free entertainment.
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I don't want free entertainment at 10 p.m.
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You never appreciate beautiful things.
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I appreciate sleep.
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Sleep is beautiful.
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Shh.
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Listen to the melody.
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It's so sad and beautiful.
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I don't want sad and beautiful.
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I want silence.
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They keep playing the same piece over and over.
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Even worse.
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The same noise on repeat.
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That means they're practicing, not just playing.
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I don't care why.
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It's 10 p.m on a Tuesday night.
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Wait, it stopped.
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What time is it?
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11 o'clock.
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Exactly one hour.
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10 to 11.
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Like a schedule.
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A very annoying schedule.
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Or a very dedicated one.
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Dedicated?
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It's 10 p.m on a weeknight.
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Maybe they have a reason.
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Let's see if it happens again tomorrow.
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If it happens again, I'm going up there.
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Don't do anything rash, Tom.
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I'm not Rosh.
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I'm tired.
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Big difference.
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It's ten o'clock.
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Here it comes again.
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That's it.
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I'm going upstairs.
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Tom, don't be rude.
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Maybe they don't know we can hear.
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Then I'll let them know.
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Politely.
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What are you going to say?
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Excuse me.
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Please stop playing piano at night.
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Fine.
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Go ahead.
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I'll wait here.
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I knocked.
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Three times.
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Nobody answered.
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Nobody?
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But the piano's still playing.
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I knocked.
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Again.
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Louder.
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Still nothing.
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But the piano kept playing?
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Yes.
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Like nobody heard me at all.
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That's really creepy.
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I stood right at the door.
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I could hear the piano clearly.
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And nobody came to the door?
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Not a sound.
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Just the piano.
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No footsteps.
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That doesn't make sense.
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Nothing about this makes sense.
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Did you try calling out?
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I said hello twice.
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Nothing.
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That is strange.
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Who plays piano and ignores someone knocking?
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A ghost.
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A piano-playing ghost.
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Don't be silly.
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There must be an explanation.
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Then explain it.
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An empty apartment.
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A locked door.
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Piano music.
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I'll go to the building manager tomorrow.
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Good idea.
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This is getting weird.
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Don't worry.
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There must be an explanation.
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I hope so.
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I'm not sleeping well because of this.
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Because of the noise?
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Or because you're scared?
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I'm not scared.
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I'm concerned.
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There's a difference.
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Hi.
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I need to ask about apartment 4B.
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4B?
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What's the problem?
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We hear piano music from that unit every night.
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You too?
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You're not the first to complain.
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Others have complained?
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Three other tenants this week, all about the piano.
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So we're not imagining it?
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Definitely not.
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It's a real problem.
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Does anyone live in 4B?
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No, it's been empty for six months.
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But we hear it every night, from 10 to 11.
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I know.
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I went up during the day to check. And?
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What did you find?
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Nothing.
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The apartment was empty.
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Nobody there.
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Did you go inside?
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Do you have a key?
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Yes.
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I used the master key.
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The door was locked from outside.
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So nobody was inside during the day?
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Nobody.
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But there is a piano.
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The last tenant left it.
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They left an entire piano?
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Yes.
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Too expensive to move.
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So they left it.
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A piano but no person.
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That doesn't make sense.
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Someone must come at night,
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but I don't know who.
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Only the owner has a key?
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Yes.
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Only Mrs. Cooper.
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She doesn't live here.
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Can you contact her?
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I'll call her today.
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This needs to be resolved.
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Thank you.
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We just want to understand what's going on.
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I'll let you know when I hear back from her.
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How long do you think it will take?
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Hopefully by tonight.
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I'll call right after you leave.
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Thank you so much.
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This has been bothering us for days.
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You're not the only ones.
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I want to solve this too.
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Tom, the manager called me.
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He talked to Mrs. Cooper.
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What did she say?
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Who's been playing?
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It's her daughter.
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Her name is Emily.
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Her daughter?
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She has a key to the apartment?
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Yes, Mrs. Cooper gave her the key.
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So she sneaks in every night at 10.
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She doesn't sneak.
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She has a key.
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Same thing.
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Why play there and not at home?
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They live in a small house.
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The neighbors complain.
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So she comes here to bother us instead?
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She didn't know anyone could hear.
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The apartment below was empty before we moved in.
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Okay, that makes sense.
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But she still needs to stop.
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Wait, there's more.
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She's preparing for an audition.
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An audition? For what?
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The Boston Conservatory of Music.
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One of the best schools.
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Boston Conservatory?
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That's a big deal.
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She practices every night after her day job.
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After work?
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When does she sleep?
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She goes home at 11.
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That's her routine.
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Every single night?
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For three months.
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The audition is next Saturday.
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Three months?
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That explains why she plays the same piece.
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She's perfecting it.
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Every single note.
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I still think she should find a better place to practice.
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Tom, she has nowhere else to go.
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Fine, but only until the audition.
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Then it has to stop.
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That's fair.
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The audition is in one week.
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One more week of piano at 10 p.m.
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I can handle that.
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Look at you being understanding.
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Don't push it, Sarah.
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Tom, I met Emily in the hallway today.
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The piano girl?
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What is she like?
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She's 21.
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Very shy.
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She apologized right away.
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Good.
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She should apologize.
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Tom, don't be mean.
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I told her we understand.
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You told her we understand.
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I don't understand.
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She works at a grocery store during the day.
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A grocery store?
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That's a tough job.
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And then she plays piano for an hour every night.
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That's a long day, from morning to 11pm.
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She's been saving money for two years.
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That's actually pretty impressive.
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She told me her parents don't support her.
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Why not?
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They think music isn't a real career.
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That's hard.
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What does Emily think?
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She says music is all she knows, all she wants.
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Well, her parents kind of have a point.
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Tom, she's been dreaming about this since she was eight.
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Okay, okay.
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What else did she tell you?
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The audition is really competitive.
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Hundreds of people apply.
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Hundreds?
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That's a lot.
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And they only pick four students each year.
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Four?
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Out of hundreds?
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Those are tough odds.
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She says it's her only chance.
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She's been dreaming about this since she was eight.
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Since she was eight?
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That's a long dream.
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She's nervous.
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She said it's the hardest thing she's ever tried.
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I'm starting to feel bad about wanting to complain.
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The audition is her one chance.
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If she doesn't try, she'll regret it forever.
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I get that, but her parents must be worried.
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They want her to become a nurse or an accountant.
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Stable jobs, good salary.
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I can see their point.
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But that's not her dream.
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Her dream is music.
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Dreams don't pay rent, Sarah.
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Neither does giving up on yourself.
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You really care about this girl, don't you?
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I see myself in her.
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I had dreams too when I was young.
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You still have dreams, Sarah.
286
See?
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You do have a soft side.
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Don't tell anyone.
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Excuse me, are you Mrs. Cooper, Emily's mom?
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Yes, I am.
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Are you the neighbor from downstairs?
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I'm Tom.
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My wife Sarah spoke with you on the phone.
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Oh yes, I'm so sorry about the piano noise.
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It's okay.
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Sarah actually enjoys it.
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She says Emily is very talented.
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Talented?
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I don't know about that.
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You don't think so?
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Sarah says her Chopin is amazing.
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Emily is a dreamer.
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Her father and I worry about her future.
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Because of the music career?
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Yes.
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We want her to have a stable life.
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Stable how?
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A good job, health insurance, a regular paycheck.
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I understand.
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Those things matter.
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We told her to study nursing or accounting.
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Practical choices.
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What did she say?
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She said music is her life.
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Did she mean that?
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She cried for three days when we said no. Three days?
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She must really want this.
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She stopped eating.
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She stopped talking to us.
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That sounds really hard.
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For all of you.
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We finally agreed.
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But we're still scared for her.
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What are you scared of?
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What if she fails the audition?
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And if she does?
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Then what?
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No degree?
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No stable career?
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But what if she succeeds?
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We never thought about that.
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We were too busy worrying.
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Sometimes parents worry so much they forget to hope.
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That's true.
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You're right.
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I understand your worry.
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My parents worried about me too.
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What did you do?
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I followed my own path,
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and it wasn't easy, but I'm glad I did.
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You think she should try?
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I think she needs to try,
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or she'll always wonder what if.
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That's very kind of you to say.
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Thank you.
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And tell Mr. Cooper something for me.
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What?
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His daughter Chopin is beautiful.
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He should be proud.
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I'll tell him.
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He needs to hear that.
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Sarah, I met Mrs. Cooper today.
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Emily's mom?
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What did she say?
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She and her husband didn't want Emily to do the audition.
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Really?
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They don't support her?
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They want her to be a nurse or an accountant.
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That's so sad.
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Emily loves music more than anything.
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Emily cried for three days.
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She stopped eating.
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Oh no, that poor girl.
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Her parents finally agreed, but they're still worried.
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Of course they are.
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They're parents.
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You know what, Sarah?
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I feel bad now.
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Why?
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I called her music noise.
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I wanted her to stop. And now?
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Now I know she's fighting for her dream.
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All alone.
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Not all alone.
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She has us now.
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Listen, she's playing again.
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10 o'clock.
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The same Chopin Nocturne.
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Doesn't it sound different to you now?
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It does.
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It sounds like courage.
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Tom Miller.
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From annoying noise to courage.
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I'm proud of you.
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The audition is the Saturday.
386
We should do something.
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Like what?
388
Flowers.
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A good luck card.
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Let her know we believe in her.
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Tom, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said.
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Don't tell anyone.
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I have a reputation to keep.
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Your secret is safe with me.
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Listen, she's playing something new tonight.
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No, it's the same Chopin.
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But she's playing it differently.
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How?
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With more feeling, more emotion.
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She's getting better.
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I can hear it too.
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Even I can tell the difference now.
403
Hi, welcome to Petal and Bloom.
404
How can I help?
405
I need a bouquet.
406
It's for a special occasion.
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Lovely.
408
What's the occasion?
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A friend has a big audition tomorrow.
410
Piano.
411
What kind of flowers does she like?
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I don't know, actually.
413
What do you recommend?
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For good luck, I'd suggest sunflowers.
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They mean support and positivity.
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How much is the big one?
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$25.
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It's really beautiful.
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I'll take the big one.
420
Great choice.
421
Do you want to add a card?
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Yes, please.
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Can I write on it here? Of course.
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There's a pen right there.
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I'm not good at writing cards.
426
Just write from your heart.
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She'll love it.
428
Okay.
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We believe in you.
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Play your heart out.
431
That's perfect.
432
Short but powerful.
433
Do you think she'll like sunflowers?
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Everyone likes sunflowers.
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They make people happy.
436
Good.
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I want her to feel happy before the audition.
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You're a good neighbor.
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How much total?
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The bouquet and the card.
441
How much do I owe?
442
$27.
443
The card is $2 extra.
444
Here you go.
445
Keep the change.
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Thank you.
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I'm sure she'll do great.
448
Hi, Emily.
449
Sorry to bother you so late.
450
Oh, hi, Tom.
451
No problem.
452
I just finished.
453
These are for you.
454
For good luck tomorrow.
455
Sunflowers?
456
Thank you.
457
That's so kind.
458
And I owe you an apology.
459
I've wanted to complain about the piano before.
460
I know.
461
I'm sorry about the noise.
462
No, don't apologize.
463
I was wrong.
464
Thank you, Tom.
465
These sunflowers are beautiful.
466
Read the card later.
467
We believe in you.
468
I'm so nervous.
469
What if the judges don't like it?
470
Then they don't know good music.
471
We love it.
472
You really listened?
473
Every night?
474
Every night.
475
Go play your heart out tomorrow.
476
Tom, Mrs. Cooper just texted me.
477
About Emily, did she get in?
478
She got into the Boston Conservatory.
479
Full scholarship.
480
Full scholarship?
481
That's incredible.
482
She was one of four chosen, out of hundreds.
483
Hundreds and she made it?
484
That's incredible.
485
Her parents must be so proud now.
486
Even Mr. Cooper, the one who wanted her to be a nurse?
487
Mrs. Cooper said he cried when he heard.
488
The father who said no is now crying happy tears?
489
A full scholarship changes everything.
490
She proved every doubter wrong, including me.
491
She left something at our door this morning.
492
What is it?
493
A thank you card and a dried sunflower from our bouquet.
494
What does the card say?
495
Thank you for believing in me when nobody else did.
496
That is.. wow.
497
Are you crying again, Tom?
498
I'm not crying.
499
There's dust in here.
500
Sure.
501
Dust.
502
Tom, look at the clock.
503
It's 10 p.m.
504
10 o'clock, and it's quiet.
505
No piano tonight.
506
No piano any night.
507
She's gone to Boston.
508
I miss it already.
509
The man who called it annoying noise misses it.
510
It was never really noise, was it?
511
No, it was always her dream.
512
Coming through our ceiling every night.
513
And now her dream came true.
514
Because she never gave up.
515
Not once, not ever.
516
Even when her parents said no. Even when the neighbors complained.
517
Including me, I complained too.
518
But then you changed your mind.
519
She changed my mind.
520
Her music changed me.
521
Mrs. Cooper says Emily sends her love to us.
522
Tell her we're proud.
523
Tell her to keep playing.
524
We should visit her in Boston someday.
525
I'd love that.
526
See her on a real stage.
527
Not through a ceiling, but face to face.
528
From annoying noise to a trip to Boston.
529
That's the most beautiful story our building has ever told.
530
And it all started with a sound from our ceiling.
531
Thank you.
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Why practice speaking with this video?
This video provides an engaging context for english speaking practice by showcasing a conversational exchange between two characters, Tom and his friend. Their dialogue revolves around a relatable situation—trying to find peace in a noisy environment, specifically the captivating sound of a pianist playing upstairs. This scenario not only highlights everyday English expressions but also fosters an emotional connection through its theme of appreciating beauty amid distractions.
Practicing speaking by shadowing dialogue such as this can help learners improve their fluidity and intonation. The conversational nature of the exchange presents learners with opportunities to mimic the tones and rhythms of native speakers. By using a shadowing app to repeat what the characters say, you can improve your pronunciation and speaking confidence. Such activities encourage learners to produce complex sentences and develop their vocabulary while making the learning experience enjoyable.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
Pay attention to some key grammar structures and expressions in the dialogue:
- “I just want to…” - This expression conveys desire and is useful for indicating personal preferences. For example, “I just want some peace and quiet.” Practicing this structure can help you express your wishes in various contexts.
- “Listen carefully.” - Imperative sentences like this are common in spoken English, especially when giving instructions or encouragement. They are direct and effective, allowing conversation partners to understand urgency or importance.
- “That means they’re practicing…” - The use of present continuous in explanations helps convey ongoing actions and habits. Understanding its application can enhance your descriptive skills during shadow speech.
- “I appreciate…” - This phrase is a great way to express gratitude or admiration. Its versatility allows you to show appreciation in various scenarios, fostering deeper connections in conversations.
Common Pronunciation Traps
There are certain words and phrases in the video that might pose pronunciation challenges for learners:
- “Beautiful” - This word can trip up learners due to its two syllables and the 'u' sound, which can often be pronounced differently depending on the accent. Practice saying it slowly: /ˈbjuː.tɪ.fəl/.
- “Quiet” - The transition from the 'q' sound to the 't' can be tricky. Focus on how the 'u' is pronounced as a very quick sound before the 'iet' part.
- “Piano” - Many struggle with this word because of the silent 'o'. Make sure to emphasize the two syllables: /piˈæn.oʊ/.
Using pronunciation guides and tools available on a shadowing site can greatly enhance your ability to overcome these common traps. Listen carefully and repeat to master these sounds, which will boost your confidence in real-life conversations.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
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