Have we met before? Unit 1 Part 1Top Notch 2

Summary

In this transcript, a brief interaction unfolds between Miss Novak, a newcomer from Paris, and Marie, a receptionist at a museum. The two exchange pleasantries, with Miss Novak feeling a sense of familiarity toward Marie. Despite her insistence that they've met before, Marie denies it. Miss Novak recalls various improbable scenarios in which they might have crossed paths—like working as a waitress, pilot, or bus driver in far-flung places—but none seem to match. The twist is revealed when Miss Novak connects their relationship through her sister, Katarina, who had lived in Paris and shared photos, creating a surprising connection.

Takeaways

• 😀 A person named Marie, who works as a receptionist, meets Miss Novak from Chicago at the Field Museum.
• 😀 Marie does not recognize Miss Novak, although Miss Novak insists that she has met Marie before.
• 😀 Miss Novak goes on to list a series of places and professions (taxi driver in Egypt, pilot in China, etc.) where she might have met Marie, but Marie denies all of them.
• 😀 Miss Novak believes in remembering faces and insists she has met Marie in some capacity.
• 😀 Marie reveals that she only arrived from Paris a year ago, which contradicts Miss Novak's assumption that they've met before.
• 😀 Miss Novak realizes that her sister, Katarina Karina Novak, lived in Paris for a year and must have been in pictures with Marie.
• 😀 The coincidence of Katarina's presence in Paris is the breakthrough moment where Miss Novak feels she can place Marie's face.
• 😀 Miss Novak’s strong belief in never forgetting a face plays a central role in the interaction.
• 😀 The script conveys a playful, mysterious tone where Miss Novak tries to connect with Marie based on an odd sense of familiarity.
• 😀 The exchange highlights the idea of recognizing someone based on indirect connections (through Katarina, for example), rather than direct memories.
• 😀 The conversation ends with the resolution that Miss Novak recognizes Marie not from personal experience, but from photos involving her sister Katarina.

Q & A

Who is Marie in the script?

Marie is the receptionist at the location where the interaction takes place. She is introduced to the other character, Miss Novak.

How does Marie react when she is told she looks familiar?

Marie denies looking familiar, stating that she doesn't think they've met before.

What does Miss Novak claim about her memory?

Miss Novak claims that she never forgets a face and insists she knows Marie from somewhere.

What examples does Miss Novak give to try to jog Marie’s memory?

Miss Novak asks Marie if she has ever been a waitress near the Art Institute in Chicago, a taxi driver in Egypt, a pilot in China, or if she has ever gone snorkeling in Australia or driven a bus in Peru.

What is Marie's response to Miss Novak's questions about these specific memories?

Marie denies being involved in any of the activities or roles that Miss Novak mentions, such as being a waitress or a pilot.

What does Miss Novak reveal about her past?

Miss Novak reveals that she came to her current location only a year ago from Paris.

How is Miss Novak connected to Katarina?

Miss Novak was acquainted with Katarina, who lived in Paris for a year and sent pictures home, where Miss Novak appeared in those photos.

What is the significance of the mention of Katarina?

The mention of Katarina highlights the coincidence that Miss Novak and Marie, who had never met before, have a connection through Katarina's time in Paris.

What does Miss Novak’s statement about never forgetting a face suggest about her character?

Miss Novak's statement suggests that she has a strong memory and a keen attention to detail, as she believes she can recall faces from past encounters.

What does the conversation suggest about the connection between Miss Novak and Marie?

The conversation suggests that although they initially seem unfamiliar with each other, they share a connection through Katarina, which is revealed as the conversation progresses.