Be Prepared

Too often I’m caught off guard in conversation; not anticipating what the other person will say. I fumble and stumble through my side of the dialogue, and instead of coming across articulate and witty (my hope), I come across bland and possibly sounding like a seven-year-old (I like popsicles!). To alleviate this problem, I like to rehearse potential friendly banter that might actually occur in my life. Today, I had an imaginary conversation with Dule Hill. It went like this:
Me: Whoa! You’re Dule Hill
Dule Hill: Um, yes. (Looking for the exit)
Me: Sorry, I didn’t mean to give you a whole “celebrity stalker” vibe there. Just surprised to see you. I’m Zach.
Dule: (Shaking hands) Nice to meet you.
Me: I really like your work. Especially the dynamic between you and James Roday.
Dule: It’s pronounced Roday. And thanks.
Me: So what are you doing in the area?
Dule: I’m working on a period piece about the early years of the steel boom. We’re filming close to here.
Me: That sounds cool. How long are you shooting for?
Dule: The next month or so. Hey is there anything to do around here?
Me: Well…uh…Do you have kids with you?
Dule: No. Why?
Me: I was going to suggest you could go to the Crayola factory in Easton. Actually, it still might be cool to go by your…probably not though. You know what? You’re like an hour from Philly, you should just go down there.
Dule: How close is New York?
Me: New York? That place sucks. Don’t go there.
At which point Dule excuses himself to take a phone call and I have to use the bathroom. When I come back, he’s gone.
Now as long as neither of us veer off-script I’ll be fine. Otherwise I might end up telling him how much I like popsicles.