Lesson 3

Barbie sipped her latte as she sat across from her new date from Match.com and inquired, “So tell me a little about you.”

“Well, I read War & Peace over the weekend.” Ken answered as he slipped three packets of Equal into his tea.

The coffee shop hummed with people seeking free Wifi, and small groups of college students huddled nearby to get a quick warm-up from the cold outdoors. It was standing room only.

Barbie licked latte foam from her lips. “How’d you like it?”

“Yeah, war and then peace. What’s not to like? How about you – what did you do this past weekend?”

“I also read a book…Atlas Shrugged. Just finished it last night”. Barbie took out a compact and checked her face and then applied pink lip-gloss.

Ken checked out the giggling group nearby before asking, “What are your thoughts on it?”

Barbie shrugged. “Very powerful. I just don’t know why Atlas went to all that trouble with the railroad and all.” Barbie tossed the compact into her purse and pulled out her cell phone. She was oblivious to the whispering students and the other chatter in the shop.

“Absolutely. That’s how I felt about Les Miserables with all its cheery characters singing about their woes.” Ken blew into his tea before taking a sip. This time he did not look at the pesky group that had moved in closer.

“How long did it take to finish that book?” Barbie checks messages on her phone, her pink painted thumb nails working furiously.

“One day. I read the French version. It was amazing, but it was an easy read.” Ken used a napkin to blot his chin of dribbled tea.

“I didn’t know you knew French. It wasn’t on your profile.” Barbie said.

“I don’t – I just figured it out. Like I said, easy read. The guy steals bread and later becomes a hero. Nothing to it,” said Ken adding another packet of Equal to his tea. Ken ignored the giggling girls, but noticed the scent of Chanel.

“Well, you should read War and Peace – the Russian version. Much better than the English version by a long shot. Napoleon…you gotta love that guy.” Barbie replied and continued texting on her phone.

Ken is thoughtful for a moment and said, “Good point…but I think I’ll read The Blah Story, next. It’s supposed to be rich in character.”

Barbie stopped texting. “I don’t think I’ve heard of that one. Author?”

“Nigel Tomm…It’s 23 volumes,” said Ken smiling proudly. “It can’t take that long.” The girl with the froggy laughter was beginning to annoy him.

Barbie’s face goes blank and her eyes glaze over. “I think I'll wait for the movie version. Who do you think will play the main character?”

Ken can barely hear Barbie speak as the other coffee clutchers roar with laughter.


Dialogue #3 – Conversation between two liars regarding the reading of some of the longest novels they never read.



Four year old, Zachary spent the day with his Grandma Gold. Zachary made known to anyone who would listen that he was hungry after their visit to the zoo, Grandma Gold took her grandson to the Country Restaurant. Grandma asked, “What do you want to eat, Zack?”

“Hmm-Um,” Zack held the two-foot plastic laminated menu in front of him and studied it, as if he could read. “Well, um, this picture looks really good. I want dis one.” He pointed to the object of his desire.

“Ah, good choice. I’ll have that, too!” Grandma gave the waitress their order and she returned with coffee for grandma and orange juice for Zachary.

The young boy sipped his juice and then shivered all over, and made a sour face. “Gamma, what’s this stuff in my juice?” He tilted the glass toward her with his little hand.

Grandma looked puzzled. “What stuff?”

Zachary pointed and put his finger inside the glass. “This lumpy stuff.”

“Oh…that’s the pulp from the orange. It’s fine. It’s what happens when you squeeze oranges to make orange juice. Don’t you drink orange juice at home?”

“Yup, but it comes in a juice box with a straw,” said Zachary with a cheerful grin.

“Okay. That’s not orange juice. That's just sugar water.” Grandma put on her eye-glasses

“Mommy calls it orange juice…she said so.” Zachary lisped back.

“Of course she did.”

The waitress came and set their plates down with a clatter. Zachary has been waiting with his fork in hand and his eyes grow to the size of quarters. He immediately digs in.

“Mmmm. This is so good, Gam.” Zack stuffs his mouth with more food, and has another forkful ready. He wipes his mouth with back of his other hand.

Grandma smiles and tells him to slow down and use his napkin like a gentleman.

“But, Gamma this is so good. What’s it called?” Zachary mumbles with a mouth full.

“French toast,” she said.

“Nuh-uh!”

“What do you mean?” Grandma frowns.

“Mommy’s comes out of the toaster. It never tastes this good. We have to tell mommy to make it like this,” Zachary claps with excitement. “We have to tell her to put nanas and whippy cream on it…like in the picture, too, so she knows. You tell her for me, okay, Gamma. Okay?” He pauses to lick his fingers, “And I’ll tell her to make real juice instead of sugar water...like you said, Gamma.”

“Oy vey!”



Dialogue #7 – Write a dialogue between two genders (Grandma and grandson) having a meal.