The Office Karaoke Night
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 4 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Alma freezes during a karaoke song at the office party until a quiet coworker joins her on stage.
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The office party is on Friday evening. The big meeting room has a small stage and a karaoke machine. Alma's boss says, "Everyone sings tonight. No excuses."
Alma does not like singing. At home, she sings only in the shower. Tonight there is no shower, and forty people watch. Her friend from the sales team gives her a thumbs-up. She picks an old, slow song and hopes it goes well.
When her name comes up, she walks to the stage. Her hands are cold. The first line is too high, and her voice cracks. A few people look at their drinks. She wants to put the microphone down and leave.
Then the music reaches the second half of the song. Someone walks onto the stage. It is Mikko, a quiet man from accounting. His desk is two desks away from hers. He says very little at work.
He holds a second microphone. "I know this one," he whispers.
They sing the second half together. Mikko sings badly too, in a low, flat voice. Alma starts to laugh, and the whole room laughs with her. Someone at the back claps along.
When the song ends, everyone cheers. Mikko hands her a glass of water.
"Next time, you choose a different song," he says.
"Next time?" Alma asks.
"Yes," he says. "I know about ten more."
