Book excerpt: The pace of the conversational exchanges creates an illusion of real time, as the characters deal with the most everyday of situations and encounters. The characters are thus effectively developed and rounded, engaging the reader. The dramatic format ensures that the reader's attention is focused on the language. This is effectively conveyed, including many colloquialisms that cannot be learned at school. This piece should prove an effective learning aid, both of the English language and the American way of life.