English at Work – Episode 25 : The big cheese
Transcript of the podcast
Narrator: Hello again. Things haven’t been going well at Tip Top Trading. There was a fire in the warehouse, caused by my Mr Ingle’s cigarette and now Mr Socrates – the big boss from America – has turned up unexpectedly
?…Mr S: So honey, you are
.Anna: Anna. I’m Anna, I work here as a sales executive. We haven’t met before
.Mr S: We sure ain’t. Looks like I’ve arrived just in the nick of time
.Paul: (Out of breath)…what’s going on…..oh, Mr Socrates! Golly gosh, what an unexpected pleasure
.Mr S: Unexpected alright. Looks like this company is in a mess
?Paul: Err yes. It was OK when I popped out for some biscuits….erm, would you like one
Mr S: Biscuits?! They’re cookies man. Look, now what do I have to do to get a triple-shot, organic, skinny cappuccino round here
.Anna: I’ll get you one Mr Socrates
Mr S: It’s OK honey. I need you to book me a hotel room. You…what’s your name again…Paul…you can fetch me one
.Narrator: Right Anna. Booking a room for Mr Socrates. This is something you can’t get wrong
.Anna: Well I’ve never done it before
:Narrator: I’m sure you’ll be OK. When you book a room, here’s what you could say
.Hello, I’d like to check availability and prices for a room please
?Does the price include breakfast
?Are there any business facilities such as internet and wi-fi
.I’d like to go ahead and make the reservation please
?Anna: OK I’ll give it a try. But where shall I look
Narrator: Try searching on the internet. Look for a five-star hotel. He is a five-star guest after all. Good luck
.Anna: Thanks. I better get back to the office and get started
.Tom: Hi Anna
.Anna: Oh hi Tom. Well done for saving Mr Ingle in that fire. You were very brave
?Tom: It was nothing really. So…err…what are you doing
.Anna: I’ve got to book a hotel for Mr Socrates
.Tom: No! You know, we must be in trouble. He never visits
?Anna: Really? So where shall I book him in to
Tom: Well my friend runs a fantastic hotel – it’s five star! It’s called the Royal Imperial. Look, I’ve got his number. Give him a call, mention my name. You’re bound to get a special rate
.Anna: Thanks Tom
Tom: No problem. Oh but don’t forget, I’ve heard Mr S only likes a room with a single bed in it. He gets spooked out if there’s another empty bed
.Anna: Oh right. OK, I might as well give it a try
DIALLING NUMBER ON PHONE
.Receptionist: Hello. Royal Imperial Hotel
.Anna: Oh, hello. I’d like to check availability and rates for a room
?Receptionist: When for
!Anna: For three nights from tonight. Your best room please
.Receptionist: All our rooms are the best! But…yes, we have one. It’s £100 a night
Anna: Right. I work with Tom…Tom Darcy…his friend runs the hotel. I wondered if you could offer me a special rate
.Receptionist: Tom Darcy? No I’ve never heard of him. Sorry, it’s still £100
?Anna: Does the price include breakfast
Receptionist: Yes. We offer a full continental breakfast of toast, or bread, oh, and tea…or coffee….and cereal
?Anna: Oh. And do you have any business facilities
.Receptionist: Well, we’ve got paper and pens
?Anna: I was thinking, internet, wi-fi… shoe-shine
.Receptionist: Yes. We’ve got that
?Anna: Good. And most importantly, is this a single room
.Receptionist: We’ve only got twin rooms
?Anna: Twins? You’ve only got room for twins
?Receptionist: No. We could take a bed out and just leave one in, if you want
,Anna: Oh that would be perfect. In that case, I’d like to go ahead and make a reservation please
?Receptionist: Good. How would you like to pay
Narrator: Well done Anna for booking the hotel but I have a feeling Tom’s recommendation may not be as luxurious as he says. Let’s hear the phrases Anna used when booking a hotel
.Hello, I’d like to check availability and prices for a room please
?Does the price include breakfast
?Are there any business facilities such as internet and wi-fi
.I’d like to go ahead and make the reservation please
So the room is booked. I wonder what Mr Socrates will think of it? He’s a particularly fussy man as we’ll find out next time. Bye
