隨手記錄

ADSE - 05 - A Day in the Life of a Typical American White Collar Worker

Don't Ever Study English

Listening Comprehension Tape

Tape 1 A Day in the Life of a Typical American White Collar Worker

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 1 Getting Up in the Morning

        (The alarm clock rings.)

Catherine: Honey, it's seven o'clock. Time to get up.

  James: Okay, just a few more minutes.

Catherine: No. You told me to make sure you were up by seven.

  James: I know but I can sleep till seven-thirty if I don't take a shower.

 

Catherine: James, you know that's impossible. You have a meeting with your boss and later with an important client.

 

  James: Christ, I almost forgot. That's what happens when I don't get enough sleep.

 

Catherine: Enough sleep? You went to bed at ten. That's nine hours.

 

  James: Do you have to be right all the time? But you are right; I'm getting up.

 

Catherine: Jump in the shower, that will make you feel better. And I'll make a pot of strong coffee, but what do you want for breakfast?

 

  James: Something simple. How about a bagel and cream cheese.

 

Catherine: No problem. It'll be ready before you are.

 

  James: Don't be so sure.

 

Catherine: Why wouldn't I be? You haven't beaten me yet.

 

  James: True. But there's a first time for everything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 2 Breakfast

 

  James: Ah... The coffee smells great. Is that bagel ready? I'm starving.

 

Catherine: It's ready just like it always is and just like I told you it would be.

 

  James: What would I do without you? You're the best. (Takes a sip of coffee.) And this coffee is pretty good, too.

 

Catherine: We both know you just like me for my cooking.

 

  James: That's not so. In fact, I'm the one who made dinner of the last two nights.

 

Catherine: Oh yeah. I guess that means it's my turn tonight.

 

  James: Only if you want to. I don't mind cooking once a day, especially when the weather is nice / and I can barbecue.

 

Catherine: Okay, but let's get back to breakfast; can I get you anything else?

 

  James: A little more coffee would [will] be great, with a little more sugar in it this time, please.

 

Catherine: Sure. Do you want another bagel or some fruit?

 

  James: No, thanks. I'm just not that hungry in the morning. You know that.

 

Catherine: I know, but I was reading in a magazine that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

 

  James: I've heard that too, but I just can't force myself to eat when I'm not hungry.

 

Catherine: Why don't I pack you a snack for later in the morning? You could eat it around ten when you get hungry.

 

  James: That's a great idea. I always regret not eating breakfast right at ten o'clock.

 

Catherine: What shall I make?

 

  James: How about a beer?

 

Catherine: James, be serious.

 

  James: Okay, how about an apple and some cheese?

 

Catherine: That's better. Just give me a minute to get it packed.

 

  James: Take your time. I'm still early.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 3 Driving to Work

 

Catherine: Here it is James. Now get going, I don't want you to be late.

 

  James: Thanks, dear. I'll be home a little late tonight. Remember the client.

 

Catherine: Okay, but call if you are going to be home after ten.

 

  James: I will. Bye.

 

Catherine: Bye.

 

        (James gets in the car and leaves for work. He turns on the news.)

 

  News: ...and there was an accident on highway 99. A truck turned over blocking westbound traffic for about two miles. Drivers on highway 99 west might want to take local road to work this morning. The current time is seven forty-three on this sunny morning, and the temperature is seventy-six degrees. The weather forecast for late today is mostly sunny, with some clouds forming in the afternoon and a slight chance of showers in the early evening. We'll keep you updated with more traffic and weather throughout the day, but now let's enjoy forty-five minutes of commercial-free rock and roll.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 4 The Gas Station

 

  James: Damn, I'm almost out of gas.

 

        (James pulls into a gas station.)

 

Attendant: What can I do for you?

 

  James: Fill it up with unleaded, please. And can you check the oil, too?

 

Attendant: Sure, pal.

 

        (He opens the hood and checks the oil.)

 

Attendant: You're about a quart low, shall I put a quart in for you?

 

  James: Please.

 

Attendant: You know, you could really use a new set of tires. The ones you have are badly worn. I could do that for you right now; it wouldn't take more than thirty minutes.

 

  James: And the price?

 

Attendant: Well... that depends on how good a set of tires you want.

 

  James: No. I'm late for work anyway. I'll just take the gas and oil today. How much will that be?

 

Attendant: Let's see. Forteen for the gas / and two-fifty for the oil / makes sisteen dollars and fifty cents.

 

  James: Do you take credit cards?

 

Attendant: Only Visa and Master Card, not American Express.

 

  James: Fine, here's my Visa.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 5 Arriving at Work

 

Steve: Good morning, James. You're early. What's up?

 

James: Morning, Steve. Early is right. I've got two important meetings today; one with the boss and one with a client. You're pretty early yourself, something important?

 

Steve: Yeah, I'm meeting a client, too. Someone from a big computer company. I think their headquarters are in Taiwan, but this guy runs the New York office.

 

James: Wang Computers. That's my client, too. But I think the owner is a Chinese-American; I'm not sure if they even have an office in Taiwan. I guess we're working on this account together.

 

Steve: Good. To tell you the truth / I was a little scared. The account is really big; it's just too much work for one man. Say, what time do you meet with the boss, Mr. Barnes?

 

James: Ten-thirty, Why?

 

Steve: I was right. We are on this account together. I'm scheduled to meet with Mr. Barnes at ten-thirty, too.

 

James: Well then, partner, let's get busy preparing something for the meeting.

 

Steve: Good idea. Where should we begin?

 

James: I don't know about you / but I always begin big projects by going to the bathroom, and then with a hot cup of coffee. Can you wait for me?

 

Steve: Just hurry. I'll get the coffee ready.

 

James: That sounds like an excellent plan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 6 Planning for the Meeting

 

James: I'm back.

 

Steve: Here is your coffee. You feeling better?

 

James: I feel like a Champ. Where should we begin?

 

Steve: As always, it's best to begin at the beginning. What have you prepared for your meeting with Wang?

 

James: Basically, I just have an outline of a presentation of our company's new software. I think our product is high quality and that the people from Wang will realize that once they hear a description of it.

 

Steve: Well James, that is a little too simple. We know the product is good, but we have to convince them of that too. Luckily, I put together a vedio presentation on my notebook computer using our software. If they like the presentation, and I am confident they will, then that automatically means that they like our company's product.

 

James: Steve, that's why you are at the top of sales. You think of everything in advance. I'm really just a computer software engineer; I can make this stuff but I can't sell it.

 

Steve: Of course you can't. That's why Mr. Barnes put us together. I'll take care of selling the software, and you can answer any tough technical question that the people from Wang might ask. I'm as bad at science as you are at sales.

 

James: Steve, you're too modest. You're great at sales, but I know you know something about computers too. I still remember when we first started working here; you taught me a thing or two about Apple Macintosh computers.

 

Steve: Sure I know about Macs, but that's just because I used one all through college. Plus, any dummy can use a Mac.

 

James: I couldn't.

 

Steve: Not at first. But after about three days, you were already better than me.

 

James: Okay, okay. So I'm a computer nerd.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 7 The Secretary

 

Steve: I'll call my secretary and have her make copies of your outline.

 

James: Are you sure that's okay? I mean, she doesn't really work for me. What if she gets angry.

 

Steve: No problem. She works for me, and you and I are working on this project together. Watch and learn. (Steve picks up the phone.) Lisa, could you come in here please?

 

Lisa: I can but I won't. It's only eight fifty-five and I don't start work until nine o'clock.

 

James: Well, Steve, I guess she knows who's the boss.

 

Steve: Very funny. We'll just have to wait for five minutes, That's all.

 

James: Whatever you say.

 

    (At two minutes after nine o'clock.)

 

Steve: Lisa, do you think you could come in here now?

 

Lisa: Of course, Mr. Dawson; I'll be right in. (Lisa comes into the office.) What do you need, sir?

 

Steve: Could you make Mr. Goddard here about twenty copies of his outline.

 

Lisa: Why, doesn't he have a secretary?

 

Steve: (A little angry.) Of course he does, but we're working on a project together and I would really appreciate it if you would just cooperate with me right now.

 

Lisa: All right, all right. You don't have to get mad. Did you say ten or twenty copies?

 

James: Actually, ten will be fine. It's a small group today.

 

Steve: But I said twenty, so make it twenty.

 

Lisa: Yes, sir, Mr. Dawson.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 8 Meeting the Boss

 

        (Mr. Barnes calls Steve on the intraoffice phone)

 

Mr. Barnes: Dawson?

 

  Steve: Yes, this is he.

 

Mr. Barnes: Contact Goddard and come up to my office immediately. I wanna go over today's meeting in advance.

 

  Steve: Mr. Goddard is with me now; we'll come up right away. (Steve to James.) Well, that was the old man; It's show time. And he sounds a little nervous, which means we have to be even more careful.

 

  James: I'll be extremely careful. I just don't want him to yell at me again. I'm an engineer, not a secretary.

 

  Steve: Be careful. Lisa might hear you. Anyway, let's go.

 

        (Steve and James go up to Mr. Barnes' office and his secretary sends them in. They knock on the door.)

 

Mr. Barnes: Come in.

 

  James: Good morning, sir.

 

  Steve: Good morning, Mr. Barnes. How are you?

 

Mr. Barnes: I'll be a lot better after this meeting is over. I hope you two have done your homework / because this is a huge deal. If we can convince Wang / about our company / then larger computer firms will follow. I don't have to tell either of you that could mean millions of dollars. I'm counting on you.

 

  Steve: Don't worry, Mr. Barnes. Sir, you can depend on us. Isn't that right, James?

 

  James: Yes, I think, I mean of course you can.

 

Mr. Barnes: I had better be able to. And if you two do / a good job, I won't forget it when it comes time for promotions either. I put you on this assignment / because you are my two best men; I know you won't disappoint me. Well, let's hear about your ideas for the presentation. Goddard, would you like to start?

 

  James: I think it might be best to let Mr. Dawson begin; he is the expert at sales.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 9 Going to Lunch

 

  Steve: Wow, that went pretty well. Mr. Barnes was easy today.

 

  James: Easy on you maybe. I don't think he likes me.

 

  Steve: Don't be ridiculous. He likes you, but he's a businessman like me / and so I know how to talk to him.

 

  James: I'm not so sure.

 

  Steve: Well, I'm sure that I'm hungry. Why don't we continue talking over lunch?

 

  James: That sounds great; I'm starving.

 

      (They walk outside the building to a restaurant.)

 

  Steve: Do you like Italian food? This place is terrific.

 

  James: Like it? I love it. Let's go in.

 

      (They sit down and look at the menu for a while, then the waitress comes.)

 

  Steve: What are your specials today?

 

Waitress: Today we have roasted lamb and vegetable lasagna, I highly recommend the lasagna.

 

  James: The lasagna sounds good; I'll have that.

 

Waitress: And you, sir?

 

  Steve: No. No vegetables for me. I want some meat. I'll try the lamb, please.

 

Waitress: Also an excellent choice. Would you care for anything the drink?

 

  Steve: Yes, I'll have a double martini.

 

  James: Steve, what about the meeting?

 

  Steve: Oh. Yes. Better make that / a mineral water.

 

  James: I'll have some lemonade, please. And could you bring us some bread to start.

 

Waitress: Of course, I'll be right back with that.

 

  James: I like this place. They have really good service.

 

  Steve: Just follow me and you won't go wrong.

 

  James: Not with restaurants, at least.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 10 The Meeting

 

  Steve: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Today my colleague, Mr. Goddard and I will be introducing you to a revolutionary new software program. It combines all the functions of various other programs -- word processing, translating, financial management, graphic design / and more -- into one. I will be leading the first part of the presentation, while Mr. Goddard will be answering technical questions at the end.

 

Mr. Wang: I have a question from the beginning.

 

  Steve: Yes. Please go ahead.

 

Mr. Wang: I'm wondering about the price of your program. In other words, will it be cheaper to buy your product, or / should we just buy all the others separately?

 

  Steve: I'm glad you asked that question, Mr. Wang. I was going to save this part until the end of the meeting, but since you asked / I will tell you. Our program is on average forty percent less expensive than it would be to buy the programs it replaces separately.

 

Mr. Wang: And what about after-service and upgrades?

 

  Steve: All our products are guaranteed for one year. As for upgrades, they will also be free for one year and can be downloaded / from the internet.

 

Mr. Wang: I am also curious about compatibility with Apple computers. Do you have a separate product for Apple or...?

 

  Steve: Perhaps my colleague should answer that, as it is more on the techinal side.

 

  James: Mr. Wang, I developed this product to work on both PC's and Macs. I assume your company is mainly interested in the PC version, but I assure you Mac users will have no problems with our product either.

 

Mr. Wang: That's what I was afraid of. I want Mac users to have problems. Otherwise / they'll keep buying from Apple / and not / from my company.

 

  Steve: I apologize, sir, but I cannot help you with that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 11 With a Co-Worker

 

Larry: Steve, James, how did the presentation go?

 

Steve: Don't ask.

 

James: Oh, it wasn't that bad. Steve did really well; I think they are sold.

 

Steve: They were until you told them that we were making the same product for their competitors. You never tell them that.

 

James: I am sorry, but I cannot lie just to make a sale. Maybe that's why I'm terrible at sales.

 

Steve: Yeah, that's right. From now on you just stick to designing and programming, and leave the selling to me.

 

Larry: Don't be too hard on him, Steve. Mr. Wang might appreciate his honesty. Even if you have lied to him, he's a smart guy, especially when it comes to computers, and he probably would have known anyway. Now he knows you guys and our company are honest; we'll just see what happens.

 

James: True. And besides, Apple is really a tiny company when compared to all these PC giants. I don't think Mr. Wang feels threatened by them.

 

Steve: I am sure we'll know soon enough.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 12 Backing the Boss's Office

 

Mr. Barnes: (Seeming quite upset) I hope you two know what you have done.

 

  James: I'm sorry, Mr. Barnes. It was all my fault. Steve was doing just fine until I opened my big mouth. I take full responsibility.

 

  Steve: Yes, sir. I told him to keep quiet about that Mac stuff / and just let me do the talking.

 

Mr. Barnes: Is that so?

 

  James: Yes, sir.

 

Mr. Barnes: (Now seeming quite happy) Well, that's interesting since Mr. Wang has just signed a contract to order fifty-thousand units. Good job, Goddard. He said he was impressed both by your technical knowledge / and your honesty. As for you Dawson, we'll talk tomorrow; right now, I'm too happy to think about anything negative.

 

  Steve: But, Mr. Barnes, sir.

 

Mr. Barnes: That will be all.

 

  James: Come on, Steve. You can only make it worse by talking now. Good-bye, Mr. Barnes, and thank you.

 

Mr. Barnes: No, thank you, Goddard. You did a fine job today. This company needs more men like you. We may be talking about a promotion soon. Now get out here.

 

James/Steve: Yes, sir. Good-bye.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 13 In the Parking Lot

 

Steve: James, wait. I really want to say I'm sorry for my behavior before.

 

James: Don't mention it.

 

Steve: No, really, I did a rotten thing back there and I just wanted to apologize.

 

James: Forget about it. You are under a lot of pressure over the last few weeks, I know how important this project was to you.

 

Steve: Yeah, but it was important to you too, and I shouldn't have turned on you like that.

 

James: Well, you may have a chance to make it up to me.

 

Steve: How?

 

James: If I become vice president I'll need my own good men to work for me.

 

Steve: Would you do that for me?

 

James: Of course I would. I've seen you work, and you're very talented. Even today you were much better prepared than I was, I just got lucky.

 

Steve: It wasn't all luck. You have so much more technical knowledge than I do, and you're not afraid to tell the truth.

 

James: Exactly, and that's why, like today, we make a good team. I'd hate to lose you and I know the company would too.

 

Steve: I'm not so sure about that after hearing Mr. Barnes today.

 

James: That's nonsense. He just tried to scare you. And besides, if he's so happy with my performance, he'll have to listen when I tell him you're one of the best men at his company.

 

Steve: I hope you're right.

 

James: You know I'm right. Would you like something to drink?

 

Steve: Not only would I like it, I need it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 14 In a Bar

 

Bartender: What can I get for you / gentlemen tonight?

 

  James: I'd like a gin and tonic, please.

 

  Steve: Make mine a double scotch, straight up.

 

Bartender: Did you have a rough day?

 

  Steve: I don't want to talk about it? but let's just say you should keep the bottle close at hand.

 

Bartender: Now I understand.

 

  James: Hey, where's my gin and tonic?

 

Bartender: Okay, okey. Just give me a second here.

 

        (Bartender goes to make the drinks.)

 

  Steve: Man, I just wanted to apologize again for...

 

  James: (Cutting Steve off.) Stop. We're at a bar now, not at the office, and I don't want to talk about work. I said it was okay and I meant it. If it's really still bothering you we can talk about it on Monday.

 

  Steve: You are right. I'll shut up now.

 

Bartender: (Returning with a drink in each hand.) Here's a gin and tonic for you, and a double scotch, straight up, for my friend who had the hard day. I hope this helps.

 

  Steve: You know it will. James, a toast to your coming promotion.

 

  James: No, you are getting ahead of yourself. First, let's drink to our successful deal today. Cheers.

 

        (They touch glasses.)

 

  Steve: Cheers, to a good day's work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 15 Back at Home

 

Catherine: Wow, you're home early. It's only eight forty-five.

 

  James: Yeah, it was a strange day at the office.

 

Catherine: Why? Did your presentation go poorly?

 

  James: No. Nothing like that. In fact, it went really well. It's just that I had some trouble with a colleague.

 

Catherine: Who?

 

  James: Do you remember Steve Dawson?

 

Catherine: Let me think. Didn't I meet him at the Christmas party?

 

  James: Yes. That's him.

 

Catherine: That's fine. I told you to be careful when working with him. He seems so aggressive. What did he do?

 

  James: Oh, nothing really. I just thought we were supposed to be working together, but he seemed to be working against me.

 

Catherine: I told you to watch out for him. I remember I said...

 

  James: (Cutting her off.) Yes, you told me. But I don't want to talk about it now. Tomorrow is Saturday and I just want to rest. Besides, we haven't had much time together either. How was your day?

 

Catherine: The same as always. I like teaching but sometimes the children are so wild.

 

  James: But they love you and need you, just like me.

 

Catherine: Oh, stop. And, anyway, I don't want to talk about my day either. Have you eaten?

 

  James: Not since lunch. You?

 

Catherine: I was waiting for you. I thought you might be home early.

 

  James: Great. What do you want?

 

Catherine: Let's order some Chinese food. I feel like staying at home and watching a vedio.

 

  James: Perfect.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 16 Getting up in the Morning

 

        (The alarm goes off but James is already up.)

 

  James: Catherine, are you going to sleep all day or do I get some breakfast?

 

Catherine: Ah... What are you doing up so early? You never get up before me!

 

  James: I'm so excited about the deal with Wang yesterday / that I'm actually looking forward to going to work.

 

Catherine: James honey, It is so nice to see you happy about your job. I know how long you have been waiting for some recognition from your boss. And look, now your honesty and hard work are paying off.

 

  James: Well, are you just going to lie in bed? Why don't you make some eggs, toast and coffee while I take a shower?

 

Catherine: All right, all right, I'm getting up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 17 Breakfast

 

Catherine: Are two eggs going to be enough?

 

  James: Plenty. I wouldn't mind another cup of coffee, though.

 

Catherine: You should eat a little more. It looks like you are going to have a big day at the office.

 

  James: You may be right. But I can't really think of food right now, I've got too many other things on my mind.

 

Catherine: I just don't want you to run out of energy today.

 

  James: Don't worry. I'll stop off on the way to the office at Dunkin Donuts and pick up a few donuts in case I get hungry between now and lunch.

 

Catherine: Oh, James! Donuts? Why don't you eat a more nutritious breakfast? You are not a college kid anymore.

 

  James: You're right, but the fact is I love donuts; always have, always will. Well, I should get going. I want to get to the office a little early today, I have to figure out a way to smooth things out between Steve and Mr. Barnes.

 

Catherine: Okay, honey. Have a good day. Ah... What time will you be home?

 

  James: I have a feeling Mr. Barnes is planning to take us out to dinner tonight to celebrate yesterday's deal.

 

Catherine: Would it do any good for me to ask you not to drink too much at the dinner tonight?

 

  James: Probably not.

 

Catherine: Hn... I didn't think so, but you know I had to ask anyway.

 

  James: Don't worry honey. If I drink tonight I'll take a texi home.

 

Catherine: Okay. Have a good day. I'll see you tonight.

 

  James: See you tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 18 At Dunkin Donuts

 

    (James enters Dunkin Donuts.)

 

Clerk: Good morning. Welcome to Dunkin Donuts.

 

James: Good morning. Are the donuts fresh this morning?

 

Clerk: Yes sir, we made them about an hour ago.

 

James: Good. In that case I'd better pick up a few for the rest of guys at the office. Do you have a special if I order more than a dozen?

 

Clerk: As a matter of fact, we are having a September special. For every dozen donuts you order we'll give you a thirteenth donut free.

 

James: In that case, give me a dozen chocolate and a dozen jelly filled?

 

Clerk: Yes sir, here you are. Will that be all?

 

James: Also, would you fill my thermos up with coffee? We have a coffee machine at the office, but it's not as good as your coffee.

 

Clerk: There you are, sir. Two dozen donuts / and one thermos of coffee. That will be six dollars and seventy-five cents.

 

James: All I have is a fifty dollar bill. Can you make change this early in the morning?

 

Clerk: No problem. Here is your change. Have a nice day.

 

James: Thanks. You too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 19 At the Office

 

    (When James arrives at the office his secretary is already there.)

 

James: Good morning, Stacy.

 

Stacy: Good morning, Mr. Goddard. Mr. Barnes asked to see as soon as you got in.

 

James: Did he say what it is about?

 

Stacy: No, but he said to ask you to come up to his office as soon as you arrive. I assume it's about the Wang account.

 

James: I'm sure you are right. Thank you, Stacy. By the way, I brought some donuts. Feel free to help yourself.

 

Stacy: Mr. Goddard! You know I'm trying to watch my weight.

 

James: I forgot. Anyway, why don't you put them out so everyone in the office can help themselves.

 

Stacy: What's the special occasion? I don't recall you ever bringing donuts for everyone before.

 

James: Let's just say that I'm in a good mood today. Well, I'd better get up to Mr. Barnes' office. Wish me luck.

 

Stacy: Good luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 20 Mr. Barnes' Office

 

        (James knocks on Mr. Barnes' door and enters his office.)

 

  James: You asked for me, sir?

 

Mr. Barnes: Ah, Goddard. Good, come right in. Listen, I want to ask your opinion about a few things. First, let me tell you again how pleased I am at the way you handled the Wang account. As you know this is a huge account / and it's going to require its own management team.

 

  James: Thank you, sir.

 

Mr. Barnes: Wang computers wants us to not only develop a new set of software for the new operating system we are designing for them, but they also wants us to develop new marketing strategies for this system. Something similar to what Apple did with their new line of Macintosh computers. That was a brilliant marketing idea to build the processor right into the monitor. And you know how successful they were in developing great advertising for their new products.

 

  James: Yes sir. Apple was able to regain their share of the market with the combination of a great product and good advertising.

 

Mr. Barnes: Well, Goddard. I need the team that can do the same thing for us and Wang computers. I am thinking of making you the man in charge of putting this team together and managing it. Do you think you could handle an assignment like that?

 

  James: Do you mean that I could choose my own team?

 

Mr. Barnes: With my approval of course.

 

  James: Yes sir. I think with the right people working with me, that I can make the most of our partnership with Wang computers.

 

Mr. Barnes: Good. That's what I wanted to hear. I am promoting you to the Executive Director in charge of the Wang account. Now, you are going to need a good assistant. Do you have anyone in mind?

 

  James: Yes sir, I do. Steve Dawson.

 

Mr. Barnes: Dawson!? From what I saw at the meeting yesterday, he didn't seem to be a team player. He was looking out for his own interest.

 

  James: Well, yes. It did seem that way, but there are a few things you should know about Steve Dawson, sir. First, he has been with the company much longer than I have without a promotion / and the Wang account was his big chance. That is why he was so aggressive. Second, when I came into the company, there were so many things that I didn't know. Steve was never selfish with his time and he taught me a lot. Third, I think if he is given a chance, he can develop a great advertising package for the new system we are developing for our partnership with Wang computers. Last but not least, Steve and I really work well together.

 

Mr. Barnes: I must say, I am impressed with your loyalty. All right then, I want you to take Dawson to lunch today / and inform him of his promotion / to Assistant Executive Director in charge of the Wang deal.

 

  James: Thank you, sir. I can assure you that you won't regret your decision.

 

Mr. Barnes: All right, Goddard. That's all. You can go.

 

  James: Yes, sir.

 

Mr. Barnes: Oh, Goddard, one more thing.

 

  James: Sir?

 

Mr. Barnes: You can put the lunch bill on your new executive expense account.

 

  James: Yes, sir!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 21 James' Office

 

James: Stacy, would you get Steve Dawson on the line for me, please?

 

Stacy: Right away, Mr. Goddard. (Dials Steve's extension) Mr. Dawson, this is Mr. Goddard's office, please hold for Mr. Goddard.

 

James: (Speaking on the phone) Good morning Steve, how's it going?

 

Steve: James! Yeah... I'm okay. How are you?

 

James: I'm doing pretty well this morning. But you don't sound so good. Is something wrong?

 

Steve: Well, it's just that I've been worrying all night about what happened yesterday. I still feel terrible about the way I acted in the meeting.

 

James: Listen, I told you last night to forget about it.

 

Steve: I know you did. But I can't get over it so easily. I really feel like I let you down yesterday.

 

James: Look, do you have any plans for lunch today?

 

Steve: Nothing special, why?

 

James: Then why don't you let me buy you lunch today?

 

Steve: Actually, I feel like I should buy you lunch.

 

James: No, today lunch will be on me. Shall we meet at twelve o'clock, then?

 

Steve: All right, I'll see you at noon.

 

James: See you then, Bye.

 

Steve: Bye.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 22 At the Restaurant

 

  Steve: Wow, this is a really expensive place. Are you sure you want to eat here? Why don't we just go get a couple of sandwiches?

 

  James: Don't worry about that.

 

      (The waitress greets them.)

 

Waitress: Good afternoon. How many people today?

 

  James: Just the two of us.

 

Waitress: Would you like a booth?

 

  James: That will be fine, thank you.

 

Waitress: All right, follow me please.

 

      (James and Steve are seated.)

 

Waitress: Here is our lunch menu with the specials listed on the right. I would especially like to recommend the steak and lobster combination. The lobster is very fresh.

 

  Steve: I think I will just have the soup and salad special, please.

 

  James: What are you talking about? Why don't we both get the steak and lobster special? It sounds great.

 

  Steve: But James, that will be a sixty dollar lunch bill. I know what your salary is / and you can't afford lunches like this.

 

  James: Don't worry about it. This goes on a company credit card.

 

  Steve: But / we don't have company credit cards.

 

  James: As of today, I have one.

 

  Steve: James! That mean that you got a promotion?

 

  James: Let's order first, then I'll tell you all about it. Waitress, We'd like two of the steak and lobster specials.

 

Waitress: Yes, sir. And how would you like your steak?

 

  James: Medium rare, please.

 

Waitress: And you, sir?

 

  Steve: Make mine medium well, please.

 

Waitress: Fine. Anything to drink today?

 

  James: Yes, I believe we will have two glasses of your best red wine.

 

Waitress: Very good. Will that be all?

 

  James: Yes, Thank you.

 

  Steve: Would you tell me what's going on? I'm dying of curiously.

 

  James: I met Mr. Barnes this morning and we had a very interesting talk about the Wang account.

 

  Steve: What did he say?

 

  James: Well, first of all, you are looking at a new Executive Director in charge of the Wang account development team.

 

  Steve: Are you serious? Congratulations James, you really deserve it. Wow! An executive position, I can't believe it.

 

  James: That's not all. Mr. Barnes thinks that what this account really needs is not only technical support / but a new promotional strategy to emphasize the strengths of our software and Wang's operating systems. My new job is to put together and supervise team / to continue technical development and support. In addition, as I just mentioned, the team will have to come up with a new and innovative marketing strategy for the product.

 

  Steve: That all sounds great, James. I'm really happy for you. If I been just a little more of a team player, perhaps Mr. Barnes would promoted me to the team as well. I guess I really missed my chance yesterday.

 

  James: Well, that is what I wanted to talk to you about over lunch today. Even though things didn't go that well for you yesterday, I understand why it happened. I know how much stress you've been under at work to bring in a big contract.

 

  Steve: To be honest, I haven't been sleeping very well because of the stress.

 

  James: Also, I remember how much you helped me when I first joined the company. That is why I want you to be my right hand man on the new team. Mr. Barnes authorized me to offer you the Assistant Executive Director's position.

 

  Steve: You're not joking, are you? You are being serious with me?

 

  James: I'm being totally serious.

 

  Steve: I can't believe it. This is the chance I've been waiting for. But, I don't understand. Yesterday Mr. Barnes looked like he was ready to fire me. What changed his mind?

 

  James: I don't think he was really that mad at you. But he did ask me who I wanted to be second hand command on my team / and I said that I wanted you.

 

  Steve: After yesterday you would still do this for me?

 

  James: Like I said before, I understand why you acted the way you did yesterday. I also need your advertising expertise on the team.

 

  Steve: I don't know what to say. This is the promotion I've been waiting for.

 

  James: Congratulations, Steve.

 

      (Waitress brings the food and drinks.)

 

Waitress: Here are your orders and your drinks. Enjoy your meal.

 

James/Steve: Thank you.

 

Waitress: If there is anything else I can get you, please let me know.

 

      (James picks up his wine glass.)

 

  James: Let's make a toast to our new team.

 

  Steve: Cheers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Situation 23 Back at the Office

 

James: Stacy, could you come in to my office for a minute?

 

Stacy: I'll be right there, Mr. Goddard.

 

James: Sit down, Stacy.

 

Stacy: Thank you.

 

James: Stacy, do you like working for me?

 

Stacy: Yes, Mr. Goddard. Very much.

 

James: Well, I have been promoted to executive position, and I'm going to need a secretary that can handle the pressure. Do you think you can do the job? Of course there would be a raise with the new job.

 

Stacy: Congratulations, Mr. Goddard! That's a great news! Of course I would like to continue to work for you in your new position. And don't worry, I can handle it.

 

James: Good, that's settled then. Just one thing, if I need you to start working before nine o'clock, I hope you don't complain.

 

Stacy: Of course, Mr. Goddard. You won't hear me complain.

 

James: Good, then let's start packing for the move to our new office.