James Baquet

    Sunil, from India, walks into the common room of their dorm and sees Mark laughing as he looks at his laptop.

    Sunny: What are you watching, Mark?

    Mark: (Pausing the show) Oh, hi, Sunny. You know that show, "The Big Bang Theory?"

    Sunny: About the four geeks? Yeah, it's a hoot!

    Mark: For sure. Who would have thought nerds could be so funny?

    Sunny: Come on. Don't tell me you didn't laugh at the smart kids at school?

    Mark: Well, yeah, I kind of did. But not like I laugh at these guys!

    Sunny: I know. And that Penny: what a babe!

    Mark: No lie. You know, I went out with her once.

    Sunny: Really?

    Mark: Bazinga!

    Sunny: Oh, you got me! But I think you said you ate once at the Cheesecake Factory?

    Mark: Sure, lots of times. I grew up in Pasadena, where the show is set. I even went to a crummy college near Cal Tech!

    Sunny: Really! So you knew guys like that?

    Mark: Yeah, but like I said, they're not so funny in real life.

    Sunny: Oh, come on! They have to be!

    Mark: Question: Can you talk to women without being drunk?

    Sunny: Yeah…

    Mark: Well, Raj, the Indian guy on the show, can't! It's just TV, not reality.

    Sunny: I guess you're right. Well, I have to go.

    Mark: OK, back to the show! (Pressing "Play.")

    Notes on the dialogue:

    — Pausing the show: On a DVD player (or software in the computer) we can "pause" the program without stopping it completely.

    — "The Big Bang Theory": or "TBBT," a popular American TV show watched by many young people in China, about four young scientists working in Pasadena, California.

    — Geek: A smart person with poor social skills.

    — It's a hoot: It's very funny.

    — For sure: Strong agreement.

    — Nerd: Like a geek.

    — Don't tell me: Used to introduce what the speaker believes is the opposite of the truth. You have one roommate; your orange juice is missing. He denies that he drank it. You say: "Don't tell me you didn't drink it!" Can also be used with what happened to accuse someone in the first place: "Where's my orange juice? Don't tell me you drank it!"

    — A babe: An attractive girl or guy.

    — No lie: Strong agreement. "You're not lying."

    — Bazinga!: A word used by Sheldon, the most popular character on "TBBT," when he has tricked someone.

    — You got me: You tricked me.

    — Where the show is set: Where the story on the show takes place.

    — Crummy: Poor, low-quality.

    — Question: Introduces a question, sometimes a challenge.