English at Work – Episode 19 : The open window

Transcript of the podcast

.Narrator: Hello, it’s a chilly start to the day at Tip Top Trading

!Anna: Hi Denise

.Denise: Good morning Anna

.Anna: Brrr… it’s so cold in here

.Denise: The window was left open overnight

.Anna: My papers have been blown everywhere

Denise: Mine too! Tom was the last one here last night – it must’ve been him who left the window open

Anna: Brrr…. Right then, to work! Oh, there’s a note from Paul, it must’ve fallen off my desk: ‘I would like your ideas on our stock management system for our new laser-curve fruit range, so we know we can keep up with demand. Please write me a couple of pages of suggestions and leave it on my desk. I’ll be back this afternoon.’ Wow! I have to come up with ideas for a stock management system! Gosh, where do I begin

.Tom: Good morning

!Anna: Morning

!Tom: Hey, my certificate for Plastic Pear Salesman of the Year is on the floor

Anna: Right… stock management systems… stock-up on your laser-curved lemons … My first idea is to calculate the total

…Later

Narrator: Well, Anna has finished her report and left it on Paul’s desk, but things aren’t that simple. Er, Anna, there’s going to be a problem

…Anna: Oh? A problem, bbbbut

:Narrator: Let me teach you some phrases you might need to explain that there’s been a mistake

.I think there’s been a misunderstanding :Or .There’s been a bit of a mix-up

?Anna: But what misunderstanding? What mix-up

:Narrator: You could also use

…Let me explain what happened

-Anna: But

.Paul: Ah, good afternoon everyone

.All: Hello

!Paul: Tom, this is an excellent piece of work

?Tom: Sorry

.Paul: These are by far the best ideas you’ve ever had

.Tom: I don’t understand

!Paul: Our stock management system

.Tom: Can I see? … Oh, that’s not mine

?Paul: Eh

.Anna: I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I did it

?Paul+Tom: You

.Anna: I got your note Paul, here

.Paul: No, no, that note was for Tom

.Anna: Oh, then there’s been a bit of a mix up

?Tom: Did you take that note from my desk

!Anna: No, no

!Tom: I suppose you threw my pear salesman certificate on the floor at the same time too

.Anna: I didn’t! Let me explain. The wind must have blown the note for Tom under my desk

.Denise: Tom left the window open overnight. Our papers were blown all over the place

Paul: I see, well, golly gosh. In that case, well done, Anna! Excellent work, even though you weren’t meant to do it. And Tom, your ideas are still welcome of course. Thanks

.Anna: Sorry Tom

.Tom: What? Oh, I’m not bothered. I’ve still got some great ideas in my head anyway

Narrator: Yeah, right! Let’s leave Tom to get on with his ‘great ideas’ and listen again those phrases Anna used to explain the misunderstanding

.I think there’s been a misunderstanding .There’s been a bit of a mix-up .Let me explain what happened

Well, the mix-up gave Anna a chance to shine – Paul certainly seemed impressed with her work. Maybe it will bring her new opportunities. Until next time, bye