If you don’t feel better in a couple of days,

come back to see me.

P: Thanks.

Twelve

Clerk: How can I help you today?

Mario: We need to open a checking account.

C: Well, there are two options.

First, our standard checking account has no minimum balance requirement,

but there’s a monthly service fee of ten dollars.

Laura: What about the other option?

C: Our golden checking account

has a minimum balance requirement of one thousand dollars,

but there’s no monthly service fee.

Money orders and travelers’ checks are free as well.

M: Which choice would you prefer?

L: A ten dollar service fee is a lot of money,

but I think we should take the standard checking account anyway.

M: I agree.

C: Do you want this to be a joint account?

L: Yes, please.

C: Please fill out these forms. Also, I need two forms of identification.

M: Whose name will appear on the checks?

C: Both of your names.

L: Can we get two ATM cards with this account?

C: Certainly.

Thirteen

Tom: How about chicken for dinner tonight?

Kathy: Sounds good. Do you have the shopping list?

T: No, I don’t.

K: I don’t either. It’s probably at home on the kitchen counter.

T: Great! Do you have any idea what we need?

K: Well, the chicken and something to serve on the side.

T: How about vegetables and rice?

K: Fine. I’ll get some carrots and a package of rice.

T: I think we’re out of milk. I’ll get some.

K: Oh. And let’s get some eggs for tomorrow morning.

T: You’re not supposed to eat so many eggs. It’s not good for you.

K: Look who’s talking. With your usual diet of meat and potatoes,

you’re a real health nut.

Cashier: Your total is twenty three eighty three.

K: Here you go.

C: Out of thirty. Six dollars and seventeen cents is your change.

T: Oh, no!

K: What?

T: The chicken!

Fourteen

Lady: Hello?

Mark: Hi! Is the apartment you advertised in the paper still available?

L: Yes.

M: May I ask a few questions?

L: Certainly.

M: How big is the apartment?

L: It has one bedroom, a living area, a kitchen, and a small den.

The den used to be a separate bedroom,

but the former tenant decided to tear the wall down.

M: Does it get any light?

L: Oh, yes. The apartment faces south.

M: How much is the rent?

L: Nine fifty a month plus one month’s rent as a security deposit.

M: One last question. Why did the last tenant leave?

L: His company offered him a job in New York. He moved to the east coast last month.

M: That’s where I’m from. I just moved here a week ago.

L: What a coincidence!

M: Yes. Can I see the apartment?

L: Sure. How about tomorrow at four thirty?

M: That sounds great. See you then.

Fifteen

Ana: Excuse me. Can I interrupt you?

Jim: Sure, what can I do for you?

A: I’m Ana, the new tenant in apartment six F.

J: Oh right. Someone told me that we had a new neighbor. I’m Jim.

A: Nice to meet you. I’m still somewhat unfamiliar with this area.