Slow dialogue: 1:32
Explanations: 3:20
Fast dialogue: 15:21

Spiro: Hey, watch out!

Nancy: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there. I thought I would be the only person up at the crack of dawn. What are you doing sitting on the stoop at this ungodly hour?

Spiro: I’m trying to turn over a new leaf.

Nancy: What do you mean?

Spiro: I’m in the habit of staying up until all hours of the night. I hardly ever get enough sleep and walk around all day sleep-deprived. I’m trying to see if I can make the switch from being a night owl to an early riser. I’m hoping the new hours will make me a changed man.

Nancy: That sounds very commendable, but that still doesn’t answer my question. What are you doing sitting out here?

Spiro: I’m waiting for the coffee shop to open.

Nancy: Can you eat breakfast this early in the morning?

Spiro: No, but I can drink coffee, lots and lots of coffee.

Nancy: You’ll definitely be the first one in line.

Spiro: I guess what they say is true: the early bird gets the worm.

Nancy: I don’t know about worms, but the early bird will definitely get the first dose of caffeine!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
national park
developed
valley
striking
cliff
animal rights
suffering
factory farm
tactic
fur
undercover
arson
to rebuild
to reshape
to mind your P’s and Q’s
tag questions

Slow dialogue: 1:16
Explanations: 4:03
Fast dialogue: 19:28

On my way home from work, I stopped at the supermarket. My doctor has been telling me to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, so I finally decided to follow her advice. I resolved to eat better, so I could feel better. I made a beeline for the produce department.

First, I looked at some bananas. Since they ripen off the vine, I picked out some that were already ripe and others that were still green. Next, I looked for some tomatoes.
They looked picked over, but then I saw some organic tomatoes and decided to give those a try. Then, I went to look for the spinach. I found it, but it didn’t look fresh at all. The leaves were brown and wilted. I decided to pass on the spinach and checked out the mushrooms. The mushrooms didn’t look any better. In fact, some were beginning to rot. I picked up some lettuce instead and headed for the checkout stand.

I was feeling pretty good about my new decision to eat better. But then, I passed the cookie aisle. My resolve weakened. I spotted my favorite type of cookies. Before I knew what I was doing, I’d put a bag of those cookies in my cart.

I know I should be able to resist impulse buys, especially of things I’m likely to eat all in one sitting, but don’t forget, I’m eating more fruits and vegetables. With my new healthy diet, aren’t I allowed to fall off the wagon now and then?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:21
Fast dialogue: 18:55

Hector: Can you believe James? All evening, he tried to tell me how this country would be better if we had no social classes. He's out of his mind.

Sophia: He was just trying to get a rise out of you. We all know that the two of you don't see eye to eye.

Hector: He thinks that just because he comes from a working-class background, he can criticize anyone who is middle class or upper class. I just can't stand his holier-than-thou attitude.

Sophia: He knows you, and he knows which buttons to push to get you worked up. I don't think he was serious when he said he thought class warfare was a good idea.

Hector: Well, he was downright insulting. He talks as though we have no sense of social responsibility. We do our share for the poor. What more does he want from me?

Sophia: I think he has a chip on his shoulder, because his parents are blue collar and he now lives in a white-collar world. He feels he has to stand up for the marginalized people in our society.

Hector: Okay, but does that mean I have to allow him to insult me under my own roof?

Sophia: Of course not. Next week, we’re having dinner at their house.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
musical
adapted
uninhibited
recurring
to cross-dress
no-nonsense
to be nominated
space
in orbit
shuttle
launch
unmanned
to think on (one’s) feet
recognition
acknowledgement

Slow dialogue: 1:48
Explanations: 3:35
Fast dialogue: 15:40

Becky: What are we going to do?

Saeed: I don't know. I need time to think about the ramifications of blowing the whistle.

Becky: There are no two ways about it. If we step up and do the right thing, we are putting our jobs on the line.

Saeed: But we can't keep quiet about this. If it gets out, and we knew about it all along, we’ll get in to even more trouble. And plus, think of how many people would be hurt if we kept our mouths shut. Could we live with that?

Becky: Maybe there is a way for us to protect our interests and still do the right thing. Maybe we could be anonymous whistleblowers.

Saeed: Don't count on being able to remain anonymous. When this thing blows up, we’ll be in knee-deep. There's only one thing to do.

Becky: What?

Saeed: I have to put my money where my mouth is and go public with what we know. I’ll just have to let the chips fall where they may.

Becky: Don’t be too hasty. Let's sleep on it and talk about it tomorrow.

Saeed: You can do that if you want to, but I've made up my mind. The question is: Are you with me?

Tarik: Are you okay?

Stacey: Yeah, I think so. I’m just a little shaken up, but look at my car!

Tarik: Mine is in pretty bad shape, too. Good thing, though, it wasn’t totaled.

Stacey: Okay, let’s exchange insurance information, so we can both get out of here.

Tarik: Right. I’ll put in a claim today and your insurance should pay to repair both of our cars.

Stacey: What? This accident wasn’t my fault. You crashed into me! You rear ended me!

Tarik: That’s only because you swerved in front of me and slammed on your brakes!

Stacey: I did no such thing. I changed lanes and you began tailgating me. That’s why you rear ended me. I’m not to blame here.

Tarik: That’s your account of what happened, and it doesn’t jibe with mine. I say we each call our respective insurance companies and let them battle it out.

Stacey: Fine. There’s no point in arguing with someone who won’t own up to his mistakes.

Tarik: Those are my thoughts exactly.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 3:04
Fast dialogue: 16:16

Tarik: Are you okay?

Stacey: Yeah, I think so. I’m just a little shaken up, but look at my car!

Tarik: Mine is in pretty bad shape, too. Good thing, though, it wasn’t totaled.

Stacey: Okay, let’s exchange insurance information, so we can both get out of here.

Tarik: Right. I’ll put in a claim today and your insurance should pay to repair both of our cars.

Stacey: What? This accident wasn’t my fault. You crashed into me! You rear ended me!

Tarik: That’s only because you swerved in front of me and slammed on your brakes!

Stacey: I did no such thing. I changed lanes and you began tailgating me. That’s why you rear ended me. I’m not to blame here.

Tarik: That’s your account of what happened, and it doesn’t jibe with mine. I say we each call our respective insurance companies and let them battle it out.

Stacey: Fine. There’s no point in arguing with someone who won’t own up to his mistakes.

Tarik: Those are my thoughts exactly.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
tense
tone
inflection
bits and pieces
from the heart
to provide for
trustworthy
foster
as if
to regard
to consider
to remember
to memorize
knock on wood

Slow dialogue: 1:19
Explanations: 3:08
Fast dialogue: 15:32

Angela: Hey, look at this. This restaurant is holding a contest. If you can guess the number of marbles in this bowl, you’ll get a free meal every day for one year!

Dwight: I’ll take a stab at it.

Angela: So will I. Let’s see, I think there must be close to 1,000 or 1,200 marbles in there. What are you doing?

Dwight: I’m doing some calculations in my head. The bowl is about 75 percent full, and it’s 15 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches (15”x12”x6”). The marbles are about 3/4 of an inch in diameter...

Angela: Are you actually trying to figure out the capacity by crunching the numbers? This is a game. You’re supposed to guess.

Dwight: I know it’s a game, but I want to increase my chances by making an educated guess. Hold on, I just need to do one more calculation and I’ll have the magic number.

Angela: That’s cheating.

Dwight: No way! I’m just using what God gave me to beat you out of a year’s worth of meals.

Angela: Bring it on. I’ll pit my random guess against your educated guess any day!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:18
Explanations: 3:30
Fast dialogue: 18:44

Ray: I have a great idea for your next vacation. You should go on a singles cruise.

Samantha: I’m not going on a singles cruise. Everybody will be on the make.

Ray: That’s the point, isn’t it? You can take your pick of single guys. What could be better?

Samantha: I’m not interested in having a fling!

Ray: You’ll never meet anybody if you don’t get out there and mingle. Look, here’s a 10-day tour through Asia and the tour company will even match you with someone before the trip. You can use the time on the tour to get better acquainted.

Samantha: That sounds awful. What if I don’t like the person I’m matched with? I’m stuck with him for 10 days, and we’ll both be miserable.

Ray: Okay, here’s something you’ll like – a single’s adventure vacation. You can enjoy the great outdoors, while you get to know the single guys on the tour. The worst case scenario is that you don’t meet a guy you like. You’ll still have a great vacation. What do you have to lose?

Samantha: My peace of mind! Okay, you’re my brother, and you’re trying to look out for me, but leave me alone and stop trying to marry me off. I’m happy being single. Can’t you get that through your thick skull?

Ray: Sure, you’re happy. That’s why you’re always such a ray of sunshine!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
prison
to pose a threat
solitary confinement
cell
incarceration
probation
overcrowded
parole
sentence
music venue
campus
bumper sticker
for the world to owe (one) something

Slow dialogue: 1:29
Explanations: 3:19
Fast dialogue: 16:42

Clint: Anya! Long time no see. Let me buy you a drink. I’m celebrating.

Anya: Oh, yeah? What’s the good news?

Clint: My company has had a banner month. Since we launched our new line of software, we’re having trouble keeping up with demand. Every product is flying off the shelves.

Anya: Wow, that’s great news. Everybody I talk to is singing a different tune. Foot traffic is down and business is slow – really slow.

Clint: That’s too bad. I thought that Yao’s company was doing brisk business. Six months ago, he was selling a line of cell phones that was all the rage, and customers were beating down his door to get one.

Anya: That was six months ago. It’s a different story now. Those cell phones are now considered passé, and he has inventory he can’t unload. You know how fickle the market is.

Clint: I’m sorry to hear that. How about you? How’s the travel business?

Anya: Why do you think I’m sitting here crying in my beer? Pull up a chair and I’ll tell you my sob story.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 3:03
Fast dialogue: 13:02

George: You’re just in time. There’s only another 20 minutes until the end of visiting hours.

Inez: I got here as soon as I could. How is Uncle Peter?

George: They moved him from the emergency ward to the intensive care unit. He’s on life support.

Inez: How could this have happened? How could somebody in the prime of his life collapse suddenly like that?

George: They’ve been running tests all day, and the doctor is supposed to come by after her rounds to talk to us. Hopefully, we’ll get some answers then, and she’ll give us an update on Uncle Peter’s condition. Come on, I’ll take you to the ICU.

Inez: Okay, but I really dread seeing him on a respirator and hooked up to monitors.

George: This is it, room 323.

Inez: Oh, look at him. What are all of these IV drips for? He looks so lifeless in that hospital bed. Is he under sedation?

George: Yeah, I think so. We’ll know more when the doctor gets here. Oh, here she is.

Inez: Let’s hope she has some answers for us.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
game show
classic
on the air
to make a comeback
contestant
showcase
deal
newlywed
to make whoopee
sister city
ties
waste
beyond a reasonable doubt
infinite
permanent
eternal
forward / forwards

Slow dialogue: 1:11
Explanations: 3:05
Fast dialogue: 16:15

Paula: Okay, let’s get this party started!

Mitch: I really don’t think having a party is such a good idea. We’re supposed to be house-sitting, and I’m sure the Abrahams wouldn’t want their house used for a big blowout.

Paula: Ignorance is bliss. They’ll never know. Stop being such a goody two-shoes and help me set up.

Mitch: What if something gets broken or damaged? Things usually get out of hand when people start pounding back a few.

Paula: What do you think I’m doing? I’m moving the breakables to the other room. Nothing will happen.

Mitch: How can you say that? At Kyle’s party last month, two guys got into it and ended up trashing his parents’ house!

Paula: That’s because they didn’t have Babbit.

Mitch: What’s a Babbit?

Paula: Babbit is the name of an old high school friend of mine and he’s tough as nails. He’ll be here to bust heads and to keep everybody in line. Trust me. Nothing bad will happen with Babbit playing bouncer. Where are you going?

Mitch: I’m getting out while I can. This is a disaster waiting to happen.

Paula: You’re not staying for the party? You’re leaving?

Mitch: Wouldn’t you, if you were on the Titanic?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:31
Fast dialogue: 20:02

Fareed: Where are you going?

Amber: I’m going to meet Peter.

Fareed: When are you going to tell Lily?

Amber: Tell her what?

Fareed: You know what – that you’re dating her ex. She’s not going to take it well.

Amber: I don’t know why she would object. They broke up over a year ago and they’ve both moved on.

Fareed: Peter has moved on, but Lily still has a thing for him. You know that as well as I do.

Amber: She never said that he was off-limits. It’s not like we’re sneaking around behind her back.

Fareed: Aren’t you? She’s one of your best friends and you haven’t clued her in on the two of you yet. If you don’t tell her soon, when she finds out, all hell is going to break loose.

Amber: That’s not fair. If there were a statute of limitations on ex-boyfriends, then we’re well past that. He’s fair game.

Fareed: That’s not how she’s going to see it. If you ask me, you have two options: break it off with Peter or tell Lily now, before she finds out from someone else. Tell her the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

Amber: That’s easy for you to say. You’re not facing Lily’s wrath. I think I’ll keep this under wraps for now, thank you very much.

Fareed: Fine, but it’s your funeral.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
talent
to make (one’s) debut
jazz legend
to bill (oneself)
executioner
to revive
landmark status
to play a pivotal role
suffrage
wage equality
temperance movement
to advocate
to talk down to
to bail on
had better
would rather

Slow dialogue: 1:17
Explanations: 3:00
Fast dialogue: 17:20

I was working in the lab, as usual, when my colleague brought his three-year-old son into work.
...

Tony: Hi, Gale. This is my son, Philippe. There was a problem with his daycare today, so he’ll be spending the day here with me. I’ll teach him all about doing research.

Gale: I’m not sure this is a good place for a toddler. Should he be playing with the microscope like that?

Tony: Oh, he’ll be fine. I’ll just keep the beakers and test tubes out of his reach and he’ll be all right.

Gale: Whoa, he almost tipped over that tray of Petri dishes. I’m using those for the experiment I’m running, and there are some pretty dangerous chemicals in them.

Tony: Good thing you saw him before he could do any real damage. I think he just wants to help, right? You just want to collect some data for Gale, right?

Gale: Don’t look now but he’s emptying those solutions into the pockets of your lab coat.

Tony: Oh, you silly goose! You’re just trying to make work more fun and interesting for us, aren’t you?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 3:30
Fast dialogue: 15:16

Roland: If we want to save enough money to buy a house, we need to get serious about our finances and do some financial planning. I think the first step is to create a household budget.

Ginger: Okay by me. You know that I’m all about the bottom line.

Roland: Yeah, right. I think we have a pretty good idea of our spending patterns, so it shouldn’t be too hard to come up with a budget that we can both live with.

Ginger: Right.

Roland: Okay, one thing we need to keep in mind is that we tend to underestimate our monthly expenses. If you look at our discretionary spending on this spreadsheet I created, you’ll be surprised at how much money we spend on nonessentials.

Ginger: Okay, I can cut back on nonessentials.

Roland: You can?

Ginger: Sure, instead of getting my nails done every week, I’ll get them done only three times a month.

Roland: Well, that’s a start…

Ginger: And instead of buying a new 60-inch TV, we can get a 52-inch one instead. That should save us a lot of money.

Roland: I think you need to do the math. If we don’t cut back much more drastically, we’ll be ready for retirement by the time we can afford a house!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
godparent
mafia
bribery
corruption
brutal
to legitimize
stillborn
sideburns
the rest is history
mansion
recording studio
artifact
to hinder
to hamper
to impede
the hunt is on
quick and dirty tips

Slow dialogue: 1:22
Explanations: 2:53
Fast dialogue: 15:28

Lindsay: Look at this designer bag I bought. It was such a steal!

Rafael: Let me see that. You do know that this is an imitation, not the real thing, right?

Lindsay: What do you mean? Of course it’s real.

Rafael: Where did you buy it?

Lindsay: Well, there was a guy on the street selling all of these genuine designer bags. He said he got them straight from the factory, and that’s why he could sell them at such a markdown.

Rafael: The reason he could sell it dirt cheap is because this is a knockoff. I know you’re a sucker for a bargain, but I can’t believe you fell for his line.

Lindsay: How do you know this is a knockoff? Are you an expert on women’s handbags? I still think this is real, and I’m sure I didn’t get ripped off.

Rafael: Whatever you say. As they say, there’s a sucker born every minute!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:13
Explanations: 3:16
Fast dialogue: 15:25

Charlize: You won’t forget that we’re going over to the Wong’s for dinner tomorrow night, will you?

Pete: It’s etched in my brain. I won’t forget.

Charlize: It slipped your mind last week that we were meeting Donna at the movies, remember?

Pete: I was preoccupied last week, but I won’t forget about tomorrow night.

Charlize: I’m reminding you because the week before that, you forgot to cash that check at the bank. Remember that?

Pete: I didn’t forget. I was just a little wrapped up in work that week. I’m not usually absentminded, you know.

Charlize: Right. Do you want me to send you an email tomorrow morning to jog your memory?

Pete: That won’t be necessary. I have the day, time, and even their address committed to memory. Do you want to test me?

Charlize: No, I don’t, but I just want to make sure we don’t have a repeat of what happened last month. You were supposed to meet me at the Donnelly’s at 8:00 and you never showed up. Remember that?

Pete: No, I don’t. I have amnesia. I won’t remember any other incident you want to throw in my face. I thought last week you said you would stop giving me a hard time about my bad memory. Remember that?

Charlize: Uh, no, I don’t.

Pete: I guess I’m not the only one who’s scatterbrained!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to scratch the surface
there’s no telling
wild, wild west
tremendous
social media
to enhance
credibility
thought leadership
buddy
to dictate
to come back
permanency
immediacy
Go ahead, make my day
years old
year old

Slow dialogue: 1:27
Explanations: 3:30
Fast dialogue: 16:53

I was happy to finally get a job, but I wasn’t ready for a first day of work like this one.
...

Boss: This is your first day and my job is to give you the rundown on how we do things around here. This is a well-oiled machine. Everybody has to pull his or her weight, or things don’t run smoothly. Got that?

Olivia: Yes, I do. I’m here to learn and to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

Boss: Good. I expect you to know the drill and be able to fall in line by the end of the week.

Olivia: I will do my very best.

Boss: We don’t like surprises around here, so we’ve built our workday around a lot of routines that every employee follows. We expect people to arrive at 8:30 on the nose. That’s our start time and there is no leeway whatsoever. If you’re habitually late, you’re out. Got that?

Olivia: Got it.

Boss: We’re no run-of-the-mill company. We have a tried and true system here and we expect all of our employees to follow lockstep. Got that?

Olivia: Yes, sir.
...

I needed a job, but when I was offered this one, I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for. I didn’t have a new boss. I had a drill sergeant!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:20
Explanations: 3:20
Fast dialogue: 15:11

Server: Can I clear these plates and get them out of your way?

Alvin: Sure, we’re all done. Can I get the rest of that in a doggie bag?

Server: No problem. I’ll wrap it up for you. Is there anything else I can get you? Did you leave room for dessert? How about some coffee or tea?

Alvin: No, I’m stuffed. Just the check for me, thanks.

Server: Sure, coming right up.
...

Server: Here’s your check. I’ll take that when you’re ready.

Alvin: Do you accept personal checks?

Server: No, I’m afraid we don’t.

Alvin: How about credit cards?

Server: Yes, we do accept credit cards.

Alvin: Here’s my Discover card.

Server: Oh, we don’t accept that one.

Alvin: Okay, here’s my American Express.

Server: Sorry, but we don’t take that one either. We only accept Visa or MasterCard.

Alvin: I don’t have a Visa or MasterCard.

Server: We also accept cash, of course.

Alvin: I don’t have any cash on me. Is there an ATM nearby?

Server: There’s one about three blocks away, but you’ll need to leave something with us so we know you’re not running out on the check.

Alvin: How about my doggie bag?

Server: How about your cell phone or your driver’s license?

Alvin: Okay, here’s my cell phone. I’ll be back ASAP.

Server: No rush. I’ll be right here making a few calls to Bora Bora.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to be billed as
concert-goer
hippy
mud
bell-bottoms
documentary
flagship
veteran
wounded
in battle
rehabilitation
neglect
a lot
a load
to indicate
to signify
Hispanic
Spanish

Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 3:39
Fast dialogue: 18:03

Allison: I’m almost ready for my granddaughter’s visit. She’ll be here tomorrow and I want everything to be perfect.

Ola: What do you have planned?

Allison: I’m going to spoil her rotten. My daughter is very strict and doesn’t allow her to do anything that a normal 10-year-old wants to do.

Ola: Like what?

Allison: Well, her time is very structured and regimented. She’s never allowed any time for just frivolous fun.

Ola: And you’re taking off the shackles.

Allison: That’s right. She can play as much as she wants to for the next week. I don’t want her to miss out on any experiences just because her mother is overprotective. There will be no curfews and no time schedules.

Ola: Are you sure that’s a good idea? I’m sure your daughter has instructions about how your granddaughter should behave and the punishments she should get if she misbehaves.

Allison: You’re right about that. I’m expecting a long list of rules for my granddaughter while she’s here, but she shouldn’t expect me to toe the line. I’m the grandmother after all, so I have special privileges. Nobody tells me what to do with my own granddaughter.

Ola: How did a free spirit like you end up with a daughter who is so uptight?

Allison: Beats me.

Ola: She’s not going to thank you for spoiling her daughter, you know.

Allison: I know, but I’m her mother and there’s still a thing or two I can teach her about raising a daughter!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:14
Explanations: 3:15
Fast dialogue: 16:45

Clerk: Yes, can I help you?

Orlando: I want to get a passport.

Clerk: Have you filled out the application?

Orlando: No, I haven’t.

Clerk: Come back when you’ve filled it out.

Orlando: Okay, I’ve completed the application.

Clerk: Let me see it. You need to fill in your Social Security number here and you need to provide evidence of your citizenship. Have you ever had a passport before?

Orlando: No, I haven’t.

Clerk: In that case, you’ll need to submit a copy of your birth certificate, or if you were born outside of the country, a copy of your Naturalization Certificate or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

Orlando: I don’t have those documents with me.

Clerk: Come back when you do.

Orlando: Okay, I’m back. I have a copy of my birth certificate.

Clerk: All right. Let me see some identification.

Orlando: Identification?

Clerk: Yes, I need to see a valid driver’s license, a government ID, or a military ID.

Orlando: I’ll be right back.

Clerk: Yes?

Orlando: Here’s my military ID.

Clerk: Where are you passport photos?

Orlando: Passport photos?

Clerk: Yes, you need two identical passport photos.

Orlando: I’ll be right back.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
brewery
on the shores of
waterway
per-capita
violent
crime
suspicious
to intervene
citizen’s arrest
felony
sign
to deter
to look
to look like
not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin
pretty

Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 3:33
Fast dialogue: 15:45

Ann: Hello.

Serge: Hi, Ann. It’s Serge. I’m calling to make an appointment for LeeAnn. She wants to meet with Miles next week sometime.

Ann: Let me take a look at his appointment schedule. Let’s see, can LeeAnn be here on Tuesday at 2:00?

Serge: No, she’s tied up all Tuesday afternoon, but I could shuffle around some of her commitments to free her up on Tuesday morning, if that helps.

Ann: Unfortunately, Tuesday morning is out. I could bump someone on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00. Can LeeAnn be here at that time?

Serge: She has an appointment at 2:30 in this office, but it shouldn’t last more than a half hour. She should be able to make it by 3:00 if she’s not running late. Better yet, I may be able to finagle something, maybe push back that appointment until she gets back to the office. Why don’t you pencil her in for now?

Ann: Okay, I’ll do that, but can you confirm with me by Monday?

Serge: Sure, I’ll give you a heads up no later than noon on Monday if I can’t push back her other appointment.

Ann: Okay, sounds good. Tell me, do you ever feel like we’re spinning our wheels, spending our days making, changing, and canceling appointments?

Serge: Yeah, every single day!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:19
Explanations: 2:50
Fast dialogue: 14:22

Elizabeth: You’re full of it!

Leo: I’m telling you the God’s honest truth. Why would I eat the last piece of cake when I know that you had your heart set on it?

Elizabeth: That’s the question, isn’t it? Why would you go behind my back and eat it, and then try to put one over on me?

Leo: Would I be able to look you in the eye if I were lying? Look at me. I’m the picture of Honest Abe.

Elizabeth: Do you expect me to believe that?

Leo: There’s not a dishonest bone in my body. I may tell a white lie here and there, but I would never try to tell you a bald-faced lie like this.

Elizabeth: Oh, really? Do you swear?

Leo: I swear that I didn’t eat the last piece of cake.

Elizabeth: There’s something fishy about the way you said that.

Leo: I don’t know what you mean.

Elizabeth: You didn’t eat the last piece of cake, but you know who did.

Leo: I’m pleading the Fifth.

Elizabeth: Spill it, Abe!

Leo: Not on your life!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
patriotic
to bless
prayer
national anthem
prairie
foam
ocean current
hall
to seat
acoustics
to be lined with
to be engaged in
grande
venti
troop
troops
ghostwritten

Slow dialogue: 1:10
Explanations: 3:18
Fast dialogue: 16:22

I was nearly asleep in my seat when I heard this announcement:

“Folks, this is the captain speaking from the cockpit. We are experiencing a lot of turbulence and I’m turning on the fasten seatbelt sign. Please remain in your seats.”

I didn’t think anything of it until a few minutes later when I heard this announcement:

“This is your captain speaking again. Due to extreme weather conditions, we may need to make an emergency landing. The cabin crew will review the emergency procedures, and give you instructions on how to use the floatation devices and the oxygen masks. Please stay calm.”

This is when I started to freak out. What if we crash-land? What if we dive into the ocean? Who would rescue us here in the middle of nowhere?

Then, I heard this announcement:

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain again. It seems that we had an instrument malfunction, and no emergency landing will be necessary. Sorry to alarm you, and please go back to sleep.”

Go back to sleep?! Is he kidding? How can anyone sleep after that?! I’m still watching my life flash before my eyes!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:19
Explanations: 2:33
Fast dialog: 14:19

Cuca: What possessed you to agree to become the head of the homeowners’ association?

Emiliano: I’m just tired of all of the waste and not having a say. Our dues keep going up and there seems to be special assessments every year. I’m not even sure the association is following the bylaws anymore. I just felt I had to step up.

Cuca: That’s really admirable, but I hope you know what you’re getting into. There’s been a lot of mismanagement, and you’ll have to do battle with some entrenched members. They’re not going to look kindly on the tough questions you’ll be asking.

Emiliano: Believe me, I’m not looking forward to it, but it’s got to be done.

Cuca: Talk about a thankless job.

Emiliano: Don’t I know it. I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
vampire
to suck
stake
genre
trilogy
to be torn between
to slay
craze
to crave
improv
to rehearse
scripted
to sway
to persuade
to convince
get a life!
to ramp up

Slow dialogue: 1:33
Explanations: 3:08
Fast dialogue: 14:56

Missy: Okay, let’s sort this stack of applications into three piles: good candidates, those worth a second look, and definite “no’s.”

Jonathan: Well, that didn’t take long. With this poor economy, I thought we’d get an embarrassment of riches, but these applications are pretty pathetic. I only see two of these people as employee material.

Missy: Yeah, well, it might have something to do with the salary we’re offering. Not everybody is willing to work for peanuts.

Jonathan: Isn’t that the truth! Some of these applicants have never held down a job before and don’t have a single reference. These others don’t seem to be able to hold on to a job, job-hopping every few months.

Missy: Well, at least we have these two standouts. They both have the right educational background and level of experience. Should we call them in for interviews?

Jonathan: Yeah, and I hope they haven’t already been snatched up by another company.

Missy: You and me, both.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:36
Explanations: 3:57
Fast dialogue: 15:33

I needed to make an appointment with a doctor so I called my health plan’s phone number for new patients. Before I could schedule my appointment, I had to listen to several recorded messages to be routed to the right medical office. The recording said to stay on the line for assistance.

Clerk: Hello, Western Medical Group.

Damien: Hello, I’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Gupta.

Clerk: Are you a new patient or a returning patient?

Damien: I’m a new patient.

Clerk: Who referred you to Dr. Gupta?

Damien: No one. One of the health benefits of my plan is that I can self-refer to some specialists.

Clerk: What is the name of your plan and your medical record number?

Damien: It’s Waiser and my medical record number is 23456789.

Clerk: It looks like Dr. Gupta is booked up for the next three weeks. She has an opening on March 2nd, at 4:30 p.m.

Damien: I was hoping to get an early morning appointment.

Clerk: The next morning appointment won’t be until March 18th, at 11:00. You’ll need to check in at 10:45 to fill out paperwork. Should I put you down for that?

Damien: Is it possible to get an even earlier appointment?

Clerk: Dr. Gupta doesn’t begin seeing patients until 10:30.

Damien: 10:30? Isn’t that pretty late?

Clerk: Dr. Gupta likes to play golf in the mornings.

Damien: Why do you think I want an early morning appointment? Doesn’t she know that some of her patients prefer late-morning golf?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to earn a living
to come down to
paycheck
hustle
greatly
debt
to pay off
chain
defined
imaginative
apart from
in terms of
off the cuff
also
as well

Slow dialogue: 1:22
Explanations: 3:41
Fast dialogue: 17:00

Lauren: Did you see what Stephanie was wearing? She looked like a wet dog!

Quentin: Why do women do that?

Lauren: Do what?

Quentin: Why do women put other women down? Is it to make themselves feel superior?

Lauren: It was only a joke. I didn’t mean anything by it.

Quentin: Do you really think she would find it funny if she had heard you?

Lauren: What about you men? You guys are always bantering and trying to one-up each other. Aren’t you guys trying to see who’s superior and who’s inferior?

Quentin: Women are catty and talk behind each other’s backs. We men make fun of each other in a good-natured way while we’re together. That’s the difference: You women are laughing at each other and we men are laughing with each other.

Lauren: Oh yeah? Was Tim laughing with you guys when you threw him into the lake last weekend?

Quentin: That was very funny, and yes, he thought it was funny, too. What you women don’t understand is that we give as good as we get. Next time, Tim will play a trick on someone else.

Lauren: So it’s a vicious cycle of pranks.

Quentin: Yeah, you could say that. That’s how men bond. That’s something you women don’t seem to understand.

Lauren: We understand, all right. You take turns torturing each other and call it male bonding.

Quentin: See what I mean? You women stick to your ways and we’ll stick to ours.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:17
Explanations: 2:49
Fast dialogue: 12:32

Ingrid: I don’t mind lending you my camera for the trip, but first, let me show you how to use it.

Deng: No need to do that. I took a photography class in high school, and I pretty much know all there is to know about taking pictures.

Ingrid: Wasn’t that a long time ago? This is a digital camera with some new features. For instance, this camera has auto zoom, image stabilization, and a memory card.

Deng: It can’t be that different from the camera I used 15 years ago. This looks like a point-and-shoot. You look through the viewer and push the button, right?

Ingrid: Well, not quite. You can adjust the flash and shutter speed, see? You can also attach a lens for wide-angle or close-up shots. You can even review your photos, saving the ones you like or deleting the ones you don’t want anymore.

Deng: Okay, I got it. By the way you’re talking, you’d think I was born yesterday. Just show me where to load the film!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
gay
rights
spouse
civil union
to object
military
sexual orientation
media personality
talk show
influential
to endorse
philanthropic
sneak preview
instead of
rather than
lots / a lot

Slow dialogue: 1:46
Explanations: 3:55
Fast dialogue: 18:09

Mr. Mann: Why are all these people milling around doing no work? Laura! You’re in charge when I’m out of the office and you’re incompetent!

Laura: Mr. Mann, we need to talk in private. Let’s go into your office.

Mr. Mann: What is this about?

Laura: Mr. Mann, I’ve tried to do my job the best I can, but I won’t tolerate your verbal abuse any longer.

Mr. Mann: Verbal abuse?! I’m just telling it like it is. It’s my…it’s my…management style. This is business. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Laura: If I thought this was about my performance, I would certainly take any constructive criticism, but this is really about your inappropriate behavior.

Mr. Mann: What inappropriate behavior? You’re questioning my behavior?

Laura: Yes, I’ve held my tongue long enough. Every day, you come back to the office tipsy from a three-martini lunch, and you go off on me in front of the other employees. That undermines my authority and puts me in an impossible position.

Mr. Mann: I’m your boss and you have no right to question the way I run this house…I mean, department.

Laura: With all due respect, this is no way to run a department.

Mr. Mann: And how dare you suggest that I’m drunk? You don’t know who you’re dealing with.

Laura: Oh, yes I do. You’re my ex-boss. I’ve had enough. I quit!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:20
Explanations: 3:15
Fast dialogue: 16:16

Christine: What do you think of this one?

Eric: We’re here to buy hats to protect us from the sun while we’re on vacation. Do you think a beret will do that?

Christine: No, but it looks great on me, don’t you think? Isn’t it great to be getting away to the beach in the middle of winter! I already picked out a straw hat with a wide, floppy brim, so I’m all set for the trip.

Eric: In that case, help me pick one out. How about this baseball cap?

Christine: Well, the brim gives your face plenty of shade, but it leaves the back of your head exposed. How about this helmet?

Eric: Very funny. Do you want me to suffocate in this thing? Okay, hand me that cowboy hat.

Christine: That looks cute on you, but it’s huge and it’s going to get squished in the luggage. Hey, try these two hats on!

Eric: Stop messing around. I don’t need a top hat, and that one looks like a bonnet!

Christine: Okay, okay, how about this straw hat? Like mine, it’s soft enough to travel in a suitcase.

Eric: Hey, this one isn’t bad. How do I look?

Christine: Just like the tourist that you are, but that makes two of us.

Eric: I couldn’t care less. I don’t care if I look cool on vacation as long as I am cool!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
hip hop
DJ
to rap
graffiti
breakdancing / breaking
oppressive
stock exchange
stock
trading floor
NYSE Composite Index
base value
panic
effectiveness
efficiency
jilted
hence
thus

Kyoko: We’re not supposed to be here. I think we should leave and let our real estate agent hold the open house without us looking over her shoulder.

Ernie: We’re not looking over her shoulder. I just want to sit in this car to see how many people go in and out.

Kyoko: You know, there’ll be a lot of lookie-loos. And plus, there’ll be a sign-in sheet, so we’ll be able to see afterwards how many people stopped in.

Ernie: Hey, someone’s coming in now.

Kyoko: That’s the stager. She’s making some last-minute changes.

Ernie: She really doesn’t need to do anything else. We did everything our agent told us to do. We made cosmetic repairs, painted, and de-cluttered. What more could they ask for?

Kyoko: She’s just doing some minor landscaping, putting some plants along the front path and around the front door. Let’s get out of here before people start showing up. I don’t want to seem like I’m spying on my own house.

Ernie: What does it matter? Hand me the fact sheet for our house. I want to read it through again to make sure the agent didn’t miss anything. Okay, the square footage on the house and the lot are correct, she noted that our addition is permitted, and she mentioned the upgrades – good. Where are you going?

Kyoko: I’m not going to sit in this car for the next four hours. Let’s go to visit our neighbors’ open houses.

Ernie: Good idea. We’ll see what our competition is and maybe we can steal some of their open house ideas!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Caitland: How are you planning on getting to school and to your job without a car?

Bruno: I’ve got it covered. I have my skateboard.

Caitland: Your skateboard won’t be any use on those dirt roads.

Bruno: No big thing. I’ll just take my bike.

Caitland: Your bike was stolen, along with your rollerblades, remember?

Bruno: Oh, yeah. Maybe I’ll save up and buy a Segway.

Caitland: Those things are really expensive. What’ll you do in the meantime?

Bruno: Maybe I’ll take the bus. Worst case scenario, I give myself more time and I walk. Why are you so interested in how I’m going to commute? Fess up.

Caitland: I care about your well-being, that’s all.

Bruno: Oh, yeah? I don’t buy it. There’s got to be an ulterior motive.

Caitland: Well, I do have an old scooter that would be just what you need to get back and forth from school and work. It uses very little gas and I’ll let you have it for next to nothing.

Bruno: I knew it. You’re trying to pawn off that old scooter on me. Forget it!

Caitland: I’m just looking out for your best interest, that’s all.

Bruno: Isn’t that what all con artists say?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
social networking
application
post
to keep in touch
privacy
discreet
lottery
scratcher / scratch-it ticket / scratch card
chance
jackpot
lump sum
annuity
to travel by/in
individual
personal

Adrina: So this is your new home office. It’s nice.

Victor: It’s functional, and I like it. When my company decided to lower its overhead by decentralizing, it gave employees the option to work from home. When I heard that, I didn’t think twice about making the change.

Adrina: I’m not surprised. Lots of people would kill to work from home. Did you have to get dedicated phone and fax lines?

Victor: No, I already have a company cell phone, and I mainly use email to communicate with the office.

Adrina: I assume you get to set your own schedule. Do you find it hard to concentrate on your work? I know I’d be distracted all the time if I had a home office.

Victor: It’s true that there are a lot more distractions at home, but I try to block them out. For me, it’s not getting down to work that’s a problem, it’s getting myself to stop thinking about work all the time! That’s one of the drawbacks of working where you live. I’m more productive, but I’m also more work-centered.

Adrina: I can see that, though I’d still take working from home over working at the office any day.

Victor: I thought you had a home office for your real estate business.

Adrina: I do, but it’s not very conducive to getting any work done.

Victor: Why’s that?

Adrina: My home office doubles as the guestroom and the kids’ playroom!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Giles: Do you really think we’ll be able to renovate this place and turn it into a restaurant?

Julia: It’s not so bad. I know it smells a little stale and musty in here, but all we need to do is air it out.

Giles: Air it out? This place needs a lot more than an airing out. The kitchen smells putrid. I wonder what died in there.

Julia: There is a faint smell of something nasty in there, but I don’t think it permeates through the rest of the building, do you?

Giles: No, but there are different nasty smells in other parts of the building. Oh! There’s a really strong burnt, smoky smell in this corner. Hold your breath!

Julia: This is a restaurant. I’m sure a thorough cleaning will make all the difference.

Giles: That might be true for the kitchen, but what will you do in the dining room? An entire truckload of scented candles or bottles of perfume couldn’t mask those foul smells. This place just stinks, from top to bottom!

Julia: All right, I’ll look for another building, but this place is cheap and within our budget.

Giles: Yes, but if I had to work here, I’d first have to lose my sense of smell!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
denomination
angel
revelation
polygamy
mob
to distance (oneself) from
afterlife
tithe
missionary
to go hungry
surplus
corndog
to punch
to smack
to touch
to tap
to fall off
to fall down
a dollar down and a dollar a week

Brenda: I have to return these movies in the drop box today or I’ll have late fees. Can I get you anything while I’m out?

Jang: Are you still renting movies from the video store? I use a service that delivers the movies to my mailbox. There are never any late fees.

Brenda: I’ve thought about subscribing to one of those services, but I think I would really miss browsing at the video store. I like checking out the new releases and staff picks, and you never know what you’ll find to buy in the bargain bins.

Jang: Renting movies online is so much quicker and easier. I can browse the titles quickly, read the descriptions, read reviews, and sometimes even watch a trailer. Then, all I need to do is put the movie in my queue, and as soon as I mail one movie back, they send me another one. It’s that simple.

Brenda: It does sound easy, but not everything that’s easy is better. Some of us like to take our time to make our selections.

Jang: Whatever. If you want to spend your time looking for movies rather than watching them, that’s your prerogative.

Brenda: Are you really going to let me off so easily? I thought I was in for another one of your lectures.

Jang: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

I have always wanted to be a news reporter. When I was about 10 years old, I would write my own news stories and publish them in my own newspaper. In reality, the newspaper was just a piece of paper on which I’d written my stories and drew my pictures, but it was my first taste of the power of the press.

When I got to college, I worked on the university newspaper and started out as a copy editor, editing stories and writing headlines. Then, I began to cover news events, getting my first bylines. I can’t tell you how excited I was to see my name in print for the first time!

Since then, I’ve worked at several newspapers. I started out at the bottom, writing obituaries and news briefs. Then, I got a regular beat and wrote some features and investigative reports. I’ve even written the occasional editorial.

What next? You never know in the newspaper business, but I’m shooting for a Pulitzer!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
dominant
programming
to turn to (something)
as opposed to
to cut across generational lines
tech-savvy
I can’t say
probability
indestructible
to come on the scene
to search
to look for
to seek
to push up daisies
Do you have any idea…?

Zoila: I haven’t seen you around lately. What have you been up to?

Leo: My business partners and I have been putting the final touches on our new line of energy drinks.

Zoila: Really? I didn’t even know that you were in the beverage business.

Leo: Yeah, we’ve branched out into a few other areas. We’re going to start promoting the new drinks very soon. We’re working with an advertising agency and we’ll start with sponsoring a couple of sporting events.

Zoila: Wow, when am I going to start seeing ads on TV?

Leo: I don’t think we’re going to go that route just yet.

Zoila: Are you taking the new products to trade shows?

Leo: No, no trade shows for us. We’re working on product placement in some music videos and maybe a TV show or two.

Zoila: That’s great. What about tie-ins with other products or with a movie? I see those everywhere.

Leo: We’re considering it. We’re working on a couple of endorsement deals right now. Once we have some celebrities on board, we’ll do even more.

Zoila: It would be great if you could get Jeff McQuillan to endorse your products. Everybody knows he’s the greatest baseball player who ever lived. With him plugging your energy drinks, sales will go through the roof.

Leo: Yeah, but I think we’d be shooting too high. We might have to settle for someone a little less famous – like David Beckham or Lance Armstrong.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Cat: Business
Image: Business

12/21/09
Some people will do anything to sell their product. Learn how you can do it, too, in this episode.

Slow dialogue: 1:36
Explanations: 3:52
Fast dialogue: 16:24

Zoila: I haven’t seen you around lately. What have you been up to?

Leo: My business partners and I have been putting the final touches on our new line of energy drinks.

Zoila: Really? I didn’t even know that you were in the beverage business.

Leo: Yeah, we’ve branched out into a few other areas. We’re going to start promoting the new drinks very soon. We’re working with an advertising agency and we’ll start with sponsoring a couple of sporting events.

Zoila: Wow, when am I going to start seeing ads on TV?

Leo: I don’t think we’re going to go that route just yet.

Zoila: Are you taking the new products to trade shows?

Leo: No, no trade shows for us. We’re working on product placement in some music videos and maybe a TV show or two.

Zoila: That’s great. What about tie-ins with other products or with a movie? I see those everywhere.

Leo: We’re considering it. We’re working on a couple of endorsement deals right now. Once we have some celebrities on board, we’ll do even more.

Zoila: It would be great if you could get Jeff McQuillan to endorse your products. Everybody knows he’s the greatest baseball player who ever lived. With him plugging your energy drinks, sales will go through the roof.

Leo: Yeah, but I think we’d be shooting too high. We might have to settle for someone a little less famous – like David Beckham or Lance Armstrong.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Claus: Go home. You need to spend more time with your loved ones before they report you missing.

Marcia: This is the busy season. Do you think I have time to stop to smell the roses when I have work coming out of my ears?

Claus: It’s true we’re busy, but you get too wrapped up in your work. How old are your daughters?

Marcia: They’re six and nine.

Claus: Right. Before you know it, they’ll be grown and you’ll have missed out on their childhood. Take it from someone who knows. Don’t take your family for granted.

Marcia: I know you’re right. I need to spend more quality time with them – just as soon as the busy season is over.

Claus: Time slips by while you’re not paying attention. Look at me. I worked my butt off to get where I am now, but at what cost? My wife and I are practically strangers and I barely know my children. You don’t want to end up like me.

Marcia: So I should see you as a cautionary tale?

Claus: Yup. Consider this a public service announcement.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
theme park
ride
fantasy
frontier
to seize
property
tied to
to make way for
auction
bid
surplus goods
proceeds
state
to be on the prowl
time after time

Fae: Help! I still need to buy a gift for my mother and I can’t seem to think of the perfect present, something that’ll really knock her socks off.

Pablo: Why don’t you just get her a gift certificate or a gift card? That way, she can pick out her own gift.

Fae: Oh, she would hate that. She would think that I didn’t put any thought into buying her a present at all, while I’ve been racking my brain to think of something she’ll like. Maybe I should buy her a car!

Pablo: Now, don’t get carried away. You get like this every year. I know you want to please your mother, but remember, it’s the thought that counts.

Fae: I wish that were true. If I get her the wrong gift, I’m afraid she’ll be disappointed, or worse, she’ll hold it against me for the rest of my life.

Pablo: It boggles my mind how you can work yourself up like this every year.

Fae: How can I not? You know my mother.

Pablo: Yes, I do, and I have one piece of advice for you: Buy her a gift she can return.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Luiz: Where are you going?

Iona: I’m going to the bank to open an account.

Luiz: What kind of account: a savings account, a checking account, or a CD?

Iona: Um, I’m not sure, but I’m sure someone at the bank can help me decide.

Luiz: You’ll also need to decide if you want an interest-earning account or not, and don’t forget to ask for free checking. Pick a bank that doesn’t have monthly service charges.

Iona: Okay, thanks…

Luiz: And make sure you know if there’s a minimum balance required, because if the account dips below that minimum, you’ll be charged a fee.

Iona: Yes, right, I’ll be sure to do that. Well, I’d better get going…

Luiz: You probably want to open a checking and a savings account, so make sure you link those accounts. That should give you overdraft protection, in case you ever bounce a check.

Iona: Okay, I’ll definitely keep all of that in mind. I’d better go. Samil is waiting for me.

Luiz: Are you thinking of opening a joint account with your boyfriend?

Iona: We’re considering it…

Luiz: Pool your money and open a CD. That way, you’ll lock in a good interest rate and neither of you can touch the money until the CD matures.

Iona: We’ll think about it. Thanks.

Luiz: Oh, and…

Iona: Would you like to come with us to the bank and help us open our accounts?

Luiz: Really? But I don’t want to interfere.

Iona: You, interfere? I can’t imagine you ever trying to interfere.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
medical properties
chemotherapy
nausea
appetite
to prescribe
dispensary
cannabis club
screenwriter
one-liner
stand-up comedian
caption
dark
sky
skies
meltdown
crack down
more is less
less is more

Leslie: This keyboard is so hard to use. I can’t find where anything is!

Dave: It’s a standard QWERTY keyboard. The layout may be a little different, with the function keys on the right-hand side instead of on the top, but you’ll get used to it in no time.

Leslie: That’s what you think. I don’t need an ergonomic wireless keyboard. I liked my old one.

Dave: Everybody in the office is getting one, so you weren’t singled out. Okay, let me give you a quick orientation. This keyboard has a built-in number pad, and all you need to do is press the “num lock” key to use it. The escape (“esc”) key is over here, and the “control,” “alt,” and “shift” keys are on the bottom.

Leslie: Where’s the “caps lock”?

Dave: It’s on your left.

Leslie: But my old keyboard had a bunch of hotkeys. What am I supposed to do without them?

Dave: You can program your function keys to act as hotkeys. Do you want me to show you how to do that?

Leslie: I guess so. Since I’m stuck with this keyboard, I guess I have to live with it.

Dave: That’s the spirit!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Chiu: Come on, slowpoke, hurry up! We’ll never get to the top of the hill if you don’t get a move on.

Sarah: There’s no way you’re going to get me to move at breakneck speed. I’ve gone up at least 500 steps already, and my legs are about to fall off. Tell me again why we’re trudging up this hill?

Chiu: It’s the only way to the ruins and the view from there will really be worth your while. Trust me. Pick up the pace or we won’t get there before sunset!

Sarah: It’s not like I’m dawdling here. I may be moving at a snail’s pace, but this is as fast as I can manage without keeling over. If you’re in such a hurry, you can sprint up there by yourself. Go ahead. Impress me with your blinding speed.

Chiu: I’m not about to leave you here all by yourself.

Sarah: Why? Do you feel sorry for me?

Chiu: Yes, I always feel sorry for the physically challenged.

Sarah: Oh, yeah? Better physically challenged than mentally challenged!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
sitcom
scrubs
on the fringe
widow
weed
trek
mountaineering
to climb
peak
route
summit
to stretch
highest
tallest
CEO
CFO
CIO

Bobbie: I’ve always pegged you as the non-violent type. What’s with your fascination with guns and that sort of thing?

Emmanuel: I come from a long line of military officers and I grew up with all of it. Believe it or not, I learned how to fire pistols and rifles before I was 10 years old, and by the time I was 14, I was a pretty good shot.

Bobbie: I hope you fired at targets and not at people.

Emmanuel: No, not people. We did do some hunting when I was young, but I mainly honed my skills with target practice.

Bobbie: I’d like to try target practice – with a machine gun or a grenade launcher! I’m sure I’d at least hit something.

Emmanuel: Yeah, right. What really interests me are the big weapons, like missiles – you know, like antiballistic missiles and torpedoes.

Bobbie: You can have all of the missiles you want. I’ll be hiding in the tank!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Reiko: When I die, I want a big funeral. The more mourners the better!

Lucas: Not me. I’m just the opposite. I don’t want any kind of funeral or wake. I just want to be cremated and have my ashes scattered.

Reiko: What? You don’t want to be buried in a beautiful casket with a big headstone? Better yet, how about being interred in a mausoleum?

Lucas: You’ve got to be kidding me! Why would I all want all of that hoopla? I’m dead. What difference would it make to me?

Reiko: It’s not for you. It’s for the mourners. Having a ceremony and a burial will help them grieve.

Lucas: Not my friends and family. The less fuss the better for them. Most of my family is buried in simple gravesites in non-denominational cemeteries.

Reiko: What’s the fun in that?

Lucas: I think you’re forgetting one thing: we’re talking about death. It’s not supposed to be fun and games!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
pretty much
anecdotally
largely
half-eaten
buffet
to shift
to graze
shift worker
disruption
metabolic change
to slip through (one's) fingers
drink
beverage
individually
separately
independently

Luigi: What do you think of this new email program?

Selma: I don’t know yet. I just started using it. The interface is pretty intuitive, but I haven’t figured out how to sort my inbox by date.

Luigi: That’s easy. Let me show you. All you have to do is hit one of these buttons and it’ll sort automatically.

Selma: Oh, I see. Let me try to compose a message. I’ll cc: myself and I’ll bcc: you to make sure it goes through. It looks like if I don’t want to send it right away, I can save the message as a draft. If I do send it, does it save a copy?

Luigi: Yes, it should. Refresh the page and it should show up in “sent mail.”

Selma: Oh, yeah, there it is. Let’s see, I can also archive messages or mark them as junk or send them straight to trash. How do I add contacts?

Luigi: You can put contacts into your address book by dragging an email address into your “contacts” folder, like this.

Selma: Okay, one more thing: I want to set up spam filters and some other filters to block unwanted emails.

Luigi: You can do that in this window, see? Whose emails are you blocking?

Selma: Yours, if don’t stop forwarding all of those stupid jokes every day.

Luigi: And deprive you of the fun? Never!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Gerry: That’s an eyesore. I prefer something a little more subtle.

Ruth: Subtle? What’s fun about subtle? I want something bold and that’ll make a statement. How about this one with the polka dots?

Gerry: You’ve got to be kidding! That pattern is so busy, if I had to look at that every day, I’d go crazy.

Ruth: All right, what do you think of this one with the stripes?

Gerry: I’m not crazy about it, but it’s not as tacky as the others ones.

Ruth: Okay then, you pick one out.

Gerry: Fine. Let me see…Now this is a sight for sore eyes!

Ruth: But that has no pattern at all! It’s a solid blue color, and a boring shade of blue to boot.

Gerry: That’s right. That’s what I call a classic.

Ruth: And that’s what I call dull!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
performance-enhancing drug
steroid
bodybuilder
dose
acne
to cheat
to dope
prestigious
audition
humanities
to rehearse
composer
shell-shocked
way to go
be good

Ethan: You missed a spot.

Marie: Hold on. When we made our bet for the loser to wash the winner’s car, it didn’t include the other person being there and being a pain in the neck.

Ethan: I’m just here to make sure everything gets washed properly, from the hood to the taillights.

Marie: Don’t you worry. See how carefully I’m washing the windshield, side mirrors, and headlights? I bet they’ve never been cleaner.

Ethan: When are you going to get to the tires and the hubcaps? And I think you forgot the tailpipe.

Marie: Will you get lost? I’ll do a better job without you looking over my shoulder.

Ethan: I doubt that. If I weren’t here, who would remind you to clean the roof rack and the windshield wipers? I bet you would have forgotten those, for sure.

Marie: I’m going to forget about this whole thing if you don’t shut up.

Ethan: Nah uh. That’s not an option. When you lose a bet, you have to pay the price.

Marie: Well, I’m willing to be a graceful loser if you’ll stop gloating.

Ethan: Not a chance! Don’t forget the grills!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Lourdes: Do you see those teenagers over there? They’re making trouble again.

Nick: Those kids are just messing around. When they get bored, they’ll pipe down and go home.

Lourdes: They’re really getting on my nerves, playing loud music and making all that noise. They’re a disgrace.

Nick: Get away from that window before they see you. If they see that they can’t get a rise out of us, they’ll move along. What are you doing? What are you planning to do with that broom?

Lourdes: I’m going to use it to wave them off.

Nick: I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Teenagers can be unpredictable. You don’t know if a small slight might set them off. Insult them and you’re asking for trouble.

Lourdes: I don’t care. I’m doing it anyway.

Nick: Great! Now you have their attention. They’re flipping us off!

Lourdes: Yeah, well, two can play that game. Take that!

Nick: Are you crazy?!

Lourdes: No, I’m just giving as good as I get. Look what they’re doing now!

Nick: They’re mooning us!

Lourdes: Well, two can play that game, too!

Nick: What?! Are you nuts?! You can’t moon them back.

Lourdes: Oh, no? Watch me!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to be named after
oilfield
cultural offering
urban sprawl
lot size
low/high urban density
forensics
ride-along
endurance
drug test
background check
police academy
incredible
unbelievable
to rule the roost
to sort out

Renaldo: Hello, may I speak to Simone Otto?

Simone: This is Simone. May I ask who’s calling?

Renaldo: This is Renaldo Garcia at Cinetect. You interviewed for a position with me last week.

Simone: Oh, yes, of course. How are you?

Renaldo: I’m doing well. The reason I’m calling is that I was very impressed with you last week, and I’d like to offer you the job.

Simone: Thank you very much. I’m delighted to hear it. I really appreciate the job offer.

Renaldo: I think we now need to talk about salary. What are your salary requirements?

Simone: Well, for this type of position, I would be looking for a salary range between $60,000 and $65,000.

Renaldo: Hmm, that’s a bit higher than I was thinking, given our budget constraints. Perhaps we can give you an attractive compensation package if the salary isn’t quite what you’re looking for.

Simone: I’m certainly open to negotiations, though I think that the salary range I named is comparable to that of similar positions in the field.

Renaldo: All right. Why don’t you consider this: I can give you a salary of $50,000 and I’ll increase your annual vacation time from two weeks to three weeks.

Simone: Hmm, I’ll need to think about that...

Renaldo: In this economy, it’s a salary that many people would jump at.

Simone: I understand that, but I also know that I have a lot to offer your company.

Renaldo: That’s certainly true, and I don’t you to walk away from this job if there’s any way we can close the gap in salary.

Simone: If you’re willing to up the offer to $60,000, then I think it may be doable.

Renaldo: Well, $60,000 is really the ceiling for that position. I’ll have to give it some thought and call you back.

Simone: Please do, and again, thank you very much for the offer. It would be an honor to work with you and to work at Cinetect.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Justin: What are you ogling at?

Katrina: I’m watching those guys working across the street.

Justin: Those construction workers?

Katrina: Yeah, those prime examples of manhood. There’s not a flabby gut in the bunch.

Justin: I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t appreciate you watching them as though they were pieces of meat. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to objectify the opposite sex?

Katrina: What? I’m not objectifying anybody. I’m just admiring their six-packs and guns. Look at those long, lean bodies.

Justin: Stop it! It’s demeaning, and on behalf of all men out there, I’m really offended. It’s disgusting.

Katrina: Is it disgusting to have a picture of Megan Fox on the wall in your office?

Justin: That’s different!

Katrina: How?

Justin: It’s her personality I admire.

Katrina: You could’ve fooled me.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
whole number
to make change
to round up/down
chain
soap opera
longest-running
bizarre
plot twist
clone
to come back from the dead
of all time
coma
target
objective
purpose
slumber
plumber
there, there

Gabby: Another birthday! I’m going to stop celebrating. What’s there to celebrate – getting old and decrepit?

Cherif: Are you kidding me? We’re in the prime of our lives. Who’s decrepit? I’m not.

Gabby: If I’m in my prime, then why do I feel so middle age?

Cherif: It’s a matter of perspective. It’s true that we’re not spring chickens anymore, but who wants all of the angst of youth? Not me. I like living these mature years without the insecurity and uncertainty of youth.

Gabby: It’s not that. I don’t miss the awkwardness of my teenage years, and I definitely don’t miss the struggles I had to go through in my 20s. What I miss is the excitement of seeing and experiencing things for the first time. If I’m nostalgic, then I’m nostalgic for the innocence of youth.

Cherif: Come on. There’s nothing stopping you from seeing and trying new things now. Don’t tell me that you’ve seen and done everything.

Gabby: No, I haven’t.

Cherif: Then you’ll come with me next Saturday, and I guarantee you a new experience.

Gabby: What new experience?

Cherif: Have you ever tried skydiving?

Gabby: No, I haven’t and I don’t plan to now. I may be old, but I’m not ready to kick the bucket yet!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

I was absent at last month’s meeting, so imagine my surprise when I found out that I had been elected the committee’s secretary! As part of my duties, I have to take minutes at each meeting. Taking minutes means I have to pay attention and try my best to transcribe what each person says, or at least do my best to summarize.

At yesterday’s meeting, the chair called the meeting to order and I conducted a roll call. Then, the chair went over the agenda and we discussed old business. We needed to vote on a couple of proposals from the past meeting, and it was my job to ask for a show of hands of those in favor of and those opposed to each one.

After that was done, we went on to new business. We talked about the first item of business for 20 minutes when someone suggested that we table the topic until the following meeting, and the participants agreed. After another long discussion about the second agenda item, we ran out of time. The chair adjourned the meeting.

Phew! That first meeting taught me a very good lesson. Never miss a meeting when new officers are being chosen!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
misfit
fanatic
devout
grotesque
posthumous
on the air
prime time
investigative journalism
to catch (someone) off guard
to go too far
libel
theme music
red state
blue state

Alice: Ooh, look at these! Don’t I look great? I’ve always wanted sunglasses like these.

Pierre: You’re supposed to be here helping me pick out frames for my new bifocals.

Alice: I don’t know why you won’t get progressives. That’s what everybody is getting these days.

Pierre: I’ve always had bifocals and that’s what I’m going to get.

Alice: Are you going to get metal, plastic, or rimless frames?

Pierre: I’m not sure. The optician said that with my prescription, I could get any kind.

Alice: Okay, try these. How do they feel?

Pierre: I like the way the hinges move, but they’re too small for my head. Hey, these are nice. I think I’ll go with these.

Alice: There’s no accounting for taste! Okay, but what about the lenses? There are so many options. You can get ones that reduce glare, ones that darken automatically, ones with anti-scratch coating…

Pierre: I want to keep it nice and simple. I don’t need want any of those options.

Alice: How about these for a backup pair? They’re designer frames.

Pierre: Give me those. I should have known better than to let you tag along. What was I thinking?!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Yoshi: Can you hold my jacket while I try to get my roller bag down the aisle?

Tatiana: All right, but I have to roll my own bag down the aisle, you know.

Yoshi: Fine, give it back to me. All of these overhead bins are full. Where are we supposed to store them?

Tatiana: Look, there are two spaces in the back of the plane. You put our big bags in those bins, and I’ll put our carry-ons under the seats in front of us.

Yoshi: Fine, but these seats are already cramped, and now, I’ll have no legroom for the entire flight. Great! That’s what we get for not getting seats in the emergency exit row.

Tatiana: If we had seats in the emergency exit row, you’d be complaining about not being able to recline in your seat right now. At least we don’t have bulkhead seats. Stop grumbling and get moving before somebody else snags those overhead bins and we have to check those bags.

Yoshi: Whose idea was it to go on vacation?

Tatiana: It was mine. We both need some time to get away and unwind.

Yoshi: Yeah, right, I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to get out in front
tone of voice
on the go
slower-paced
courtesy
detrimental
put off by
captive audience
to take up
to give way to
analogue
sour
tart
(something) is king
thorough
comprehensive

Dr. Chung: Hello, Luis, I’m Dr. Chung. You’re here for a check-up and a cleaning, is that right?

Luis: Yes, that’s right.

Dr. Chung: Okay, let’s take a look. Have you had your wisdom teeth taken out?

Luis: No, I haven’t.

Dr. Chung: Hmm…You may need to do that soon. You’ve had a root canal?

Luis: Yes, about three years ago.

Dr. Chung: Does that hurt?

Luis: Ow!

Dr. Chung: I guess I hit a nerve. The bad news is that you may need another root canal soon. Let’s see if you have any cavities. Oh, I think there’s one here in your left molar. You’ll need to come back for a filling. Are you experiencing any sensitivity?

Luis: Yes, I am!

Dr. Chung: I’m not surprised. Your gums have receded and some of the root is showing. Do you use dental floss?

Luis: Um, yes.

Dr. Chung: I’ll have the dental hygienist show you how to brush and floss better so you can prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Any questions for me before the hygienist starts on your cleaning?

Luis: No, I’m just glad you didn’t say I need dentures!

Dr. Chung: No, you don’t. Not yet.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Kazuko: I really appreciate you helping with the training of the newbies. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Martin: Don’t mention it. I remember when I was still wet behind the ears and the veterans in the company gave me the benefit of their time and expertise. They propped me up until I could stand on my own two feet.

Kazuko: I can’t imagine you as a novice. Everybody here thinks of you as the cornerstone of the institution.

Martin: Well, that may be, but you should have seen me in the early years. I was naive and reckless. I may be more adept at my job now, but I felt inept for years.

Kazuko: I saw you talking with some of the new recruits. What advice did you give them?

Martin: I gave them the same advice that an old hand gave me when I first started: Take every piece of advice you get with a grain of salt!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
cross
crescent
humanitarian
victim
natural disaster
blood drive
first aid
shelter
to be set in
to be wanted by
to admit
plot
to estimate
to evaluate
to appreciate
to let (someone/something) be
aim
goal

Ms. Sanchez: Okay, kids. I’m Ms. Sanchez, your substitute for this week. I’m taking all of you on the field trip tomorrow. Listen up. There are some ground rules we need to go over. First, each of you will have a partner and you will hold hands while we cross the streets.

Student: Ms. Sanchez...?

Ms. Sanchez: I’ll take questions later. Let me get through all of my instructions first. Remember, don’t talk to strangers. There are predators out there who are looking to lure children away from their family and friends and to abduct them, so don’t let your guard down.

Student: Ms. Sanchez...

Ms. Sanchez: As I said, I’ll take questions later. If you need to step away from the group, ask permission first. If a stranger tries to accost or waylay you, run away as fast as you can.

Student: Uh, Ms. Sanchez?

Ms. Sanchez: Yes?

Student: I think you’ve got the wrong classroom. We’re the eighth graders. The first graders are on the second floor.

Ms. Sanchez: Where are my glasses? Oh, here they are. Oh! You’re not my first-graders! Why didn’t anyone say anything earlier?!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Britney: I was thinking of hitting up Jane for a little loan. You know her better than I do. What are the chances she’ll spot me a couple hundred dollars until next month?

Salvador: I think that’s a pipe dream. I wouldn’t exactly call her a cheapskate, but she’s not known for her generosity.

Britney: What about Frank? He’s rolling in it. He could easily part with a couple hundred bucks without giving it a second thought.

Salvador: You’ve got your work cut out for you if you think you can borrow money from Frank. He’s always been a penny-pincher and he always will be.

Britney: Okay, then help me think. Who do we know who isn’t stingy? Who do we know who is big-hearted and charitable?

Salvador: What the heck. Here’s $150 to tide you over until your next payday.

Britney: Wow, thanks! You know, another $100 would really come in handy.

Salvador: I really think you should quit while you’re ahead.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
fraternity
sorority
rush
to pledge
initiation ceremony
service organization
hazing
exclusionary
to take (someone) in
foster care
to adopt
to get stuck in
scholarship
grant
commie

I went to visit my old friend, Mina, whom I hadn’t seen in several years. It was one of the strangest afternoons of my life!

Dan: Hi, Mina, it’s really good to see you.

Mina: Dan, come in. Hurry!

Dan: Uh, okay. Why do you have four locks on your door, and why are all of the curtains drawn?

Mina: I like my privacy. And anyway, I think there’s a peeping Tom around this apartment building and I don’t want him to get a peek into my apartment.

Dan: Oh, okay. I noticed that your name isn’t on your mailbox. I wasn’t sure I had the right apartment number.

Mina: Do you think I would voluntarily give people that information? They are constantly trying to invade my privacy. All I want is anonymity, but I have to be on guard all of the time. These days, I only give out personal information on a need-to-know basis.

Dan: No offense, but isn’t that a little paranoid? You act as though everybody is out to get you.

Mina: Aren’t they? Haven’t you noticed? We constantly have to disclose our most personal information on forms and to anyone who comes to our door. If I didn’t know you were coming today, I wouldn’t have opened my door at all.

Dan: You mean you live here in seclusion, like a hermit?

Mina: Of course not! I have plenty of friends. Come and meet them all.

Dan: Wow, you must have 10 birds and 20 cats!

Mina: Yes, that’s right. But, rest assured, none of them will breathe a word of what you say here today!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Dennis: Oh, why did I let my temper get the best of me? I never should have said those things to the new client!

Nora: Don’t freak out. I’m sure you didn’t do any damage that can’t be rectified. It’s true that, in retrospect, you probably shouldn’t have called Nathan, the head of the project, a twerp.

Dennis: Don’t remind me of what I said! Hindsight is 20/20. Now they’re going to think we’re running a dog and pony show.

Nora: No, they’re not. Nathan was being unreasonable and you tried to sugarcoat your objections the best you could. Everybody could see that you were trying to pull your punches, but that guy just wouldn’t give an inch.

Dennis: Nevertheless, this is going to have repercussions.

Nora: Oh, here comes the boss now. I think she wants to talk to you.

Dennis: I’ve no doubt about that.

Nora: What do you suppose she’s going to say?

Dennis: I know exactly what she’s going to say: “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!”

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to escape
guard
jailbreak
cover-up
cell
haunted
animated
dysfunctional family
troublemaker
pacifier
merchandise
lexicon
heaven
heavens
kind of
sort of
type of

Connie: I’m so excited! We’re finally taking a cruise. Are you sure this is the embarkation area?

Robert: Yes, I’m sure. We go on board right here, see? Come on, let’s find our cabin.

Connie: Okay, but I want to go up on deck as soon as possible and look around the entire ship. Do you think they’ll let us go on the bridge and meet the captain?

Robert: I don’t think so. You know, I think we’re going the wrong way. I can’t find our cabin number.

Connie: Let’s see if we can find the purser or a steward to help us. Oh, never mind, here it is! Wow, this cabin is really small.

Robert: No worries. We won’t be spending much time in the cabin. When do we eat?

Connie: We can go down to the buffet right now for lunch, and I put us down for the main seating at 7:00 for dinner.

Robert: Whoa, what’s that?!

Connie: That’s the ship setting sail. You’re not going to be seasick, are you?

Robert: I don’t think so, but I’m really looking forward to our first port of call!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

I spent the day helping my friend, Babbit, on his farm. When I got home, my wife said, “You stink!” I headed straight for the shower.

I ran the water, closed the shower curtain, and adjusted the showerhead. I worked the soap into a lather and scrubbed from head to toe. I rinsed off the soap and toweled off.

When I went back into the living room, my wife said, “You still stink! You need to soak in a bath!”

I went back into the bathroom, put the stopper in the bathtub, and turned on the faucet. I didn’t want to take any chances. I took some of my wife’s bubble bath and poured it into the bathtub. When the bath was ready, I got in. I soaked for a half hour and I washed every nook and cranny.

When I went back into the living room, my wife said, “Wow, you smell as pretty as a flower!” That wasn’t exactly what I was going for, but I’d rather smell like flowers than pigs!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
outer space
to spur on
space race
advocate
to orbit
height of (something)
league
segregated
fan
racial slur
to unify
prestigious
meeting
conference
session
second to none
narrative
story

George: What are you doing?

Joan: I’m looking through these magazines to try and decide which plastic surgery procedures I should have next year.

George: You’re not thinking of going under the knife.

Joan: Yes, I am. I’ve always wanted to improve on the way I look, and I’m tired of these wrinkles and sagging skin. I want to look 25 again!

George: That’s ridiculous. Nobody who is 45 can look 25. People who get Botox, have facelifts, or tummy tucks look weird.

Joan: That’s because they didn’t go to the best plastic surgeons. I won’t make that mistake. Help me decide. Should I get liposuction and a nose job, or should I go all out and get breast implants, too?

George: I think you’ve gone off the deep end. We’ve been friends for over 20 years and you don’t need any cosmetic surgery. You’re perfect the way you are.

Joan: You can’t be serious!

George: I’m dead serious, and if you get all of that plastic surgery, you’ll look like an over-the-hill Barbie doll, and I’m not going to be seen in public with you.

Joan: What’s wrong with a little plastic surgery? I just want to feel better about myself.

George: You don’t need plastic surgery to do that. You just need to spend more time with me and your other friends who like you just the way you are!

Joan: Sagging skin and all?

George: What sagging skin?

Joan: I feel younger already.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Laura: I think that’s all we need to talk about regarding last month’s report. Let’s turn to this month’s report, shall we? I didn’t get a copy of it. Could someone hand me one?

Gaius: By the way, I have just one last comment before we shift our focus to this month’s report. It seems to me that we need more information on how the Duluth office is doing. Could we ask for more info to be included in next month’s report?

Laura: I’m sure we can. Incidentally, Dee is quitting and Kara will be taking her place. This is off the record, of course. Okay, now back to this month’s report...

Gaius: Speaking of personnel changes, did you know that Lee is being promoted to V.P. next month?

Laura: I hadn’t heard that, but I’m not surprised. She’s been in line for that job for years. Okay, we need to get back to this month’s report…

Gaius: Something just occurred to me. If Lee is being promoted, what will happen to the Baseship project?

Laura: I think it’s being put on the back burner for now. All right, could someone hand me a copy of this month’s report?

Gaius: I don’t mean to change the subject but…

Laura: I think that’s precisely what you’re trying to do. What’s the matter with this month’s report?

Gaius: It’s not quite finished. It’ll be on your desk this afternoon.

Laura: Is that what this tap dance has been about? All right, we’ll talk about it at tomorrow’s meeting. Next time, just give it to me straight, okay?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
handmaiden
keystone
interaction
consistently
to give care
to pull (someone) through
to come up to (someone)
to proceed
to measure
to specialize
out in
acute-care
responsible
accountable
-wise
to double back

Enrique: I don’t know how you talked me into coming with you to Dan’s apartment to rifle through his papers. This snooping is stupid! If you have suspicions, you should just talk to him.

Stella: Confront him without any evidence? That would be the height of stupidity.

Enrique: Instead, we’re holed up in this closet until he leaves. I thought you said he wouldn’t be home until 6:00.

Stella: That’s what I thought. Just sit tight. I think he just came home to pick something up. He’ll be gone in a minute.

Enrique: I don’t like confined spaces. If we don’t make a break for it soon, I’m going to suffocate.

Stella: Stop your kvetching. Now that we’re here, maybe we can do better than looking through his papers. We can eavesdrop on his conversations.

Enrique: Have you lost your mind? Do you know what he would do to us if he found us here?

Stella: No guts, no glory!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Ellen: What are you wearing to the party?

Hiro: Your guess is as good as mine.

Ellen: Let’s look through your closet and I’ll help you pick something out.

Hiro: Okay, but I have to warn you. I have a pretty limited wardrobe.

Ellen: Let’s see, these black pants are nice, but they’re frayed on the bottom. How about these jeans?

Hiro: You don’t think they’re too faded? There’s also a rip in the back.

Ellen: No, I guess those jeans won’t work. I like this shirt, though.

Hiro: Did you see the stain on the front? The zipper is also stuck, I think.

Ellen: How about shoes? Do you have any shoes that are presentable?

Hiro: Well, I always wear these, but they’re scuffed on the top and the sole is pretty worn.

Ellen: Okay, desperate times call for desperate measures. Come on!

Hiro: Where are we going?

Ellen: We’re going to a magical place with brand spanking new clothes and where everything is flawless.

Hiro: Where’s that?

Ellen: The mall!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
beauty pageant
to be judged
contestant
articulate
talent
poise
crown
sash
demeaning
forecast
warning
to disseminate
like
same as
How do you do?
what’s up?
have a good one

I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for a long time now, and after talking to my friend Traver, a popular blogger, I’ve decided to take the leap.

Traver got me started with a basic template, but I wanted to customize the blog to give it my own flavor before launching it. I already have my first few posts ready to go, and I plan to update it a few times a week.

Traver told me that it may take a little time for my blog to catch on and become known in the blogosphere. He suggested I do some basic self-promotion. He told me to register my website with the major search engines and to swap links with other bloggers writing on similar topics. He gave me some other advice to increase hits and I’m taking it all to heart.

I can’t wait to get my first comments and to start talking to other people about our common interest: Our love of cats!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Goran: Who do you think will be appointed to succeed Ramon on the board?

Anne: I don’t know whom they’ll pick to fill the position, but I know who the candidates are. The higher ups have been quietly vetting three people to make sure they don’t have any skeletons in their closets.

Goran: Really? Who are they?

Anne: I’m not at liberty to say, but I think at least two of the candidates are people outside of the inner circle.

Goran: You mean we might actually get a new board member who’s not buddy-buddy with the higher ups?

Anne: All I can say is that two outsiders are under consideration.

Goran: Wow, that’s huge. Can you at least tell me if the remaining candidate is the interim board member? Everybody thinks he has the inside track.

Anne: I can’t tell you that. The selection is being kept under wraps until next Thursday. I’ve already let slip too much.

Goran: Don’t worry. My lips are sealed.

Anne: They’d better be. You know what they say about loose lips.

Goran: Yeah, and I’m not sinking this ship.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
cinema
silent movie
of all time
classic
studio
to have (someone) on salary
controversy
desegregated
predominantly
inconvenient
white flight
suburbs
as well
to take into account
why

Bruno: Hey, what are you doing? Give me back that remote!

Tamara: The movie I want to watch is on right now. Do you mind?

Bruno: Of course I mind! I’m watching the playoffs. Can’t you see that?

Tamara: The playoffs? Oh, I’ll watch with you.

Bruno: You? You don’t know anything about sports.

Tamara: It doesn’t matter. I always root for the underdog. Our team will be victorious! Go team!

Bruno: Fine, but I’m rooting for the other team. Let’s just watch the game, okay?

Tamara: Your team is going to get pounded. We will be the champions!

Bruno: Please, can I just watch this game in peace? I’ve been waiting for it all season.

Tamara: Oooh, somebody is a little testy. I think it’s because you know you’re backing a losing team. You can’t stand being on the losing side. Am I right? Your players are running scared already. I can tell.

Bruno: I’m just trying to follow the game.

Tamara: Look at that! Your best player just choked. How could he have missed such an easy shot?

Bruno: If you don’t be quiet, I’ll show you what it feels like to get choked!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Teacher: Welcome, everybody, to this self-defense class. Today, you’ll learn how to size up a situation and how to tell the difference between a harmless situation and a threatening one. You’ll also begin to learn some hand-to-hand combat moves to defend yourselves.

Amy: Oh, good. I can’t wait to learn some martial arts so I can beat up anyone who tries anything.

Teacher: Well, the best thing we can do in a dangerous situation is to avoid having to fight. It’s not a good idea to confront someone pumped up on adrenaline. If you can defuse the situation or run away, that would be the best strategy.

Amy: All right, but if someone is harassing me, I want to be ready to do some damage.

Teacher: I’m not sure if that’s the right mindset…

Amy: I always trust my instincts. If my intuition tells me that someone may be dangerous, I want to get in the first punch.

Teacher: Whoa, that’s not the purpose of this class. You’re here to learn defense, remember?

Amy: Yes, but you know what they say: The best defense is a good offense!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
appointed
resident
mainland
diaspora
celebrity
in the spotlight
to work behind the scenes
agent
publicist
stylist
personal assistant
entourage
cooperation
collaboration
instance
instantaneous
instant

Eri: What’s that?

James: It’s an invitation to a family reunion. Once every five years or so, someone in the family organizes one.

Eri: Are you going?

James: I’m not sure. It’s always a little awkward seeing extended family. Did you know that there used to be a big feud between my father and his brother?

Eri: No, what happened?

James: I’m not sure, but it was something that happened before they got married. My father held a grudge for years. Then, about eight years ago, they made up. There’s still no love lost between their wives, but at least there are no hard feelings between the two of them any longer.

Eri: So you’ll go to the reunion?

James: I’m not sure. My mother’s side of the family has always looked down on my father’s. She comes from old money and they didn’t approve of her marrying my father. It was really hard on my mother. She really looked up to her mother and they were really close before my father came along.

Eri: But that’s ancient history, isn’t it? Considering how things turned out, your grandmother can’t hold it against your mother for marrying your father.

James: You’ve never met my grandmother. One thing everyone knows about her is this: She doesn’t know the words to forgive and forget.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Getting along with your family can sometimes be difficult. Learn how to talk about family relations in English in this episode.

Receptionist: So the meeting is set for 2:00 on Thursday. Do you know how to get to our offices?

Asha: No, I don’t. Could you give me directions?

Receptionist: Certainly. We’re located on Main Street. The cross street is Udall. If you’re taking the freeway, the best exit to take is Udall East. Once you’re on Udall, head east for about two miles and when you reach the bend, veer right. If you veer left, you’ll run into a dead end. After you veer right, you’ll be on Monroe Avenue and it’s a one-way street. Our building is on the right-hand side, past the light. If you pass Elm Street, you’ve gone too far.

Asha: Okay, I think I’ve got all that. Is there parking available?

Receptionist: Unfortunately, there’s only street parking. There is valet parking for the building next door, but they charge $12 and we don’t validate. There are meters on the street and on the side streets, but you may need to circle the block a few times to find an available meter.

Asha: All right, and thanks for the information. I guess I need to leave early to have plenty of time to find the building and to find parking.

Receptionist: I tell everybody to count on getting lost and having to hunt for parking.

Asha: Thanks for the heads up!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
reparations
to make up for (something)
descent
to disburse
heir
slave
host
testimonial
interactive voice response
impulse buy
to regret
to flip through the channels
neither do I
so do I
either I
to talk with
to talk to
to put the cart before the horse (to put the horse before the cart)

Blaire: Do you have any idea what he’s saying?

Antonio: It’s Greek to me. You’re supposed to be the one who’s fluent. Can’t you make out what he’s saying?

Blaire: I never said I was fluent. I said I could get by in the language. There’s a big difference.

Antonio: Why don’t you try saying something to him?

Blaire: What should I say?

Antonio: How about, “I don’t have a good command of the language. Could you please speak more slowly?”

Blaire: I don’t think speaking more slowing will help my comprehension. Besides, I only know a few stock phrases, and even those I can only say haltingly, if I don’t freeze up altogether.

Antonio: Give me the phrase book. I’ll see if I can get through to him.

Blaire: What are you going to say?

Antonio: I don’t know, but we’re two fairly articulate people. We should be able to cobble together a few sentences to get our point across, don’t you think?

Blaire: Okay, I’ll follow your lead, but, um, just don’t say anything insulting...like last time.

Antonio: Are you bringing that up again?! It’s not my fault that the entire town misinterpreted what I said! I was trying to compliment the women, not insult them.

Blaire: Tell that to the men who ran you out of town!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Lorelai: I just finished reading a book about how to get the most out of life. Starting today, I’m going to live life to its fullest.

Luke: Oh no, not another one of your fads. Weren’t you eating only blue- and red-colored foods a couple of months ago?

Lorelai: This is not a fad! I’m changing my lifestyle so I’ll be able to live a happier and more fulfilling life.

Luke: And didn’t you go through a phase where you spoke only to animals?

Lorelai: I’m not listening to you, and I’m not dwelling on the past. I’m living in the moment and enjoying everything around me. I’m ignoring your negativity and concentrating on appreciating the moment.

Luke: What are you doing now?

Lorelai: I’m practicing mindfulness. I’m repeating my mantra and calming my mind. You should try meditation. It may help you with your problems.

Luke: What problems?

Lorelai: We could start with your judgmental attitude and your close-mindedness. How’s that?

Luke: Forget it! Nothing can get me to buy your latest hocus pocus!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
marketing
produce
to establish
brand
in turn
down
agriculture
to barter
quaint
charming
initiative
to wait
to await

Lorenzo: Have you bought a new television yet?

Katia: No, I’m still looking at consumer reviews and weighing my options. I’m not sure yet what size I want or what features I need. I’m keeping my options open for now.

Lorenzo: I thought your old TV stopped working three weeks ago. You still haven’t made up your mind about buying a new one?

Katia: Oh, I’ve decided to buy a new one. It’s which one I’m going to buy that’s making me hesitate. There are so many options to choose from. I want to approach this logically and decide only after I’ve done the proper analysis.

Lorenzo: It’s only a TV. It’s not like it’s a house or even a car.

Katia: I know, but I’m the one who has to live with the decision. I’ll look at it every day, and if I don’t make the right decision, it’ll haunt me for years.

Lorenzo: You know what I think?

Katia: What?

Lorenzo: I think you’re crippled by indecision, and you’re stalling. The sooner you make a decision and buy a new TV, the better.

Katia: Hey, what are you doing? Where are you taking me?

Lorenzo: We’re going to the electronics store this minute, and you’re buying a TV – today!

Katia: What if I regret my decision?

Lorenzo: Then I’ll buy you a new one.

Katia: Fine, but I’m holding you to that!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Akiko: How did your presentation go over this morning at the meeting?

Gerry: It was a complete flop!

Akiko: I don’t believe it. You spent weeks working on that presentation.

Gerry: It wasn’t the presentation that bombed. It was my big idea. Leona called it a retread of what I presented last year, and she was not in the least impressed.

Akiko: Ouch, that’s pretty harsh. What did the others say?

Gerry: Overall, the response was dismal. Everyone else was trying to be tactful, but it boiled down to the fact that they thought it was pathetic.

Akiko: I’m sure that’s not true. And if they didn’t jump up and down about the idea right away, they’re bound to come around after you give them more details.

Gerry: I don’t know…

Akiko: Come on, aren’t you the same guy who told me that you didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit’?

Gerry: That was before this morning’s presentation.

Akiko: Are you giving up on your great idea?

Gerry: No, I guess not, but it’ll take some reworking…

Akiko: Good, then you won’t give up?

Gerry: I guess not. What the heck? I’m only risking more humiliation and failure, right?

Akiko: That’s the spirit!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
blues
to catch the attention of
lead singer
solo artist
to struggle with
to relapse
compulsory
to play hooky
to skip school
truancy
detention
mandate
to bask
to palm off
to follow one’s hunch(es)

Maya: What are those?

Jorge: They’re pictures from our ski trip last weekend.

Maya: Is there any reason you’re staring at the ones with Jessica in them? I think you’ve got a crush on her.

Jorge: I’m not 10 years old. I don’t get crushes.

Maya: Then, I think you’re falling head over heels for her.

Jorge: Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve only just met her.

Maya: I knew it was love at first sight when I introduced you at Yannick’s party. I could see the sparks fly. I couldn’t miss her blush or your silly grin. There was certainly a lot of chemistry between the two of you, that’s for sure.

Jorge: I hardly talked to her at the party.

Maya: Yes, but I could see her stealing glances at you all night.

Jorge: That must have been a figment of your imagination.

Maya: Oh, really?

Jorge: Okay, I won’t deny that I’m attracted to Jessica, but I can’t speak for her.

Maya: Yes, but I can.

Jorge: What?

Maya: She asked me about you.

Jorge: When?

Maya: Yesterday, at lunch.

Jorge: What did she say? What did you say?

Maya: That’s for me to know and for you to find out!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

I’ve always been a pretty cautious investor. I like my investments to be conservative and I usually invest only in sure things. Recently, though, I’ve been tempted to take more risk.

My friend, Bernie, is a very successful fund manager and he is willing to let me get in on one of his schemes. According to Bernie, he has a way to take advantage of the current economic climate so that he and his investors aren’t susceptible to the same market forces affecting other investors. Barring any significant changes to the current economy, I should be raking it in before the end of the year.

Bernie isn’t someone who shoots from the hip, so if he says that this investment is going to be profitable, who am I to ask questions? I’m very tempted to throw caution to the wind and to take a chance. After all, it’s only money, right?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
deaf
blind
sign language
palm
Braille
magna cum laude
companion
advocate
thoroughbred
rare
derby
to sponsor
opposable thumb
due to
because of
Mc

Hung: I can’t believe that the famous food critic, Julia Schilds, will be eating in my restaurant tomorrow night. I need to prepare a gourmet menu that’s going to be mind-blowing.

Padma: She wouldn’t be coming here if she didn’t already know that your cuisine is considered some of the best food in the city.

Hung: That may be so, but you’re only as good as your last meal. I need to think of some delicacies that will really impress her. Let’s see, I think we should offer two new hors d’oeuvres, in addition to the ones already on the menu.

Padma: Are you sure the chefs in the kitchen will be able to handle making six different hors d’oeuvres?

Hung: Hmm, maybe not.

Padma: Why don’t you concentrate on the entrees? I’m sure you could come up with one or two new dishes that will really impress her.

Hung: Okay, but I don’t want to put all of my eggs in one basket. I need to have dishes in every course that are out of this world.

Padma: Come on. You’re a great chef. What’s the worst she could say?

Hung: Lots of things. She could say that this is a run-of-the-mill restaurant with mediocre food that she wouldn’t even feed to her cat!

Padma: Okay, yes, she could say those things but she won’t. Your food will be mouthwatering and delectable, and her taste buds will thank you for it!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Mickey: Hello, McQuillan Plumbing.

Colleen: Hi, I’m having a lot of plumbing problems. Can you send a plumber out to my house right away?

Mickey: Yes, we can. But first, let’s find out what the problems are.

Colleen: Well, to start, my toilet won’t flush and it’s overflowing.

Mickey: An overflowing toilet – check. What else?

Colleen: The sink in the bathroom is stopped up and the pipes underneath the sink are leaking.

Mickey: A stopped up sink and leaking pipes – check. What else?

Colleen: The garbage disposal in the kitchen is making funny noises and the water won’t drain.

Mickey: A busted garbage disposal – check. Is that all?

Colleen: No, the faucet in the shower is stuck and I can’t shut off the water.

Mickey: A stuck faucet – got it. What else?

Colleen: That’s it.

Mickey: You’ve got some really big problems there.

Colleen: Yes, I know. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Can you send someone out right away?

Mickey: Sure, no problem. How about next Tuesday?

Colleen: Next Tuesday?! Didn’t you hear me? These are emergencies!

Mickey: Yes, but all of our plumbers are booked up until next Tuesday. Should I put you down for a morning appointment?

Colleen: Forget it! By next Tuesday, I’ll be under 10 feet of water!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to appeal
Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justices
to take (one’s) place
to appoint
to bork
credit
borrower
collateral
to pioneer
entrepreneur
to alleviate
less than 30 days
up to 30 days
mainstream
account

Anne: Where were you this past weekend? I tried calling you on Friday to see if you wanted to go to the movies with me.

Jurgen: I was in Chicago for a long weekend.

Anne: Chicago? I didn’t know you were planning a trip. I thought you were pretty strapped this month. A ticket to Chicago would set you back at least $300.

Jurgen: I am pretty strapped, but I wanted to go to my friend Rachel’s wedding. I was able to use my frequent flyer miles to get a ticket. I was lucky that those weren’t blackout dates.

Anne: Oh, that explains it. You’ve been traveling a lot using your frequent flyer miles. How do you rack up so many miles? I’m enrolled in the frequent flyer programs of three different airlines, but I never seem to have enough miles to redeem them for a ticket or even an upgrade.

Jurgen: The trick is to get a credit card that gives you miles. For every dollar I charge on my credit card, I get one mile. Since I use my credit card for a lot of business purchases, the miles add up pretty quickly. I also use a lot of the hotels and restaurants that partner with the airlines, and doing that gives me bonus miles.

Anne: Aren’t there a lot of restrictions? Do you ever have problems redeeming the miles?

Jurgen: Yeah, there are some restrictions, but I work around them. There are fewer restrictions if you have elite status, but I’m a long way from that.

Anne: So I need to get a credit card that gives me frequent flyer miles.

Jurgen: Yeah, but a word to the wise: spend carefully. You don’t want to rack up credit card debt for the sake of racking up frequent flyer miles!

Anne: Point taken. Thanks for the tip.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Roberto: Hey, Loreto. Got a minute?

Loreto: I’m going to a meeting off-site, but we can talk if you don’t mind walking me to my car.

Roberto: Sure, okay. I just wanted to ask if you’re interested in carpooling to work. We only live a few blocks from each other.

Loreto: Thanks for asking, but I’m not sure carpooling would work for me. Sometimes I run late in the morning and I wouldn’t want to hold you up.

Roberto: We wouldn’t have to commute together every day, only on those days that are convenient for both of us. Carpooling has its advantages, too. In addition to doing our part for the environment, we could use the high-occupancy carpool lanes. That’ll save time, especially if there’s a lot of traffic congestion.

Loreto: Yeah, I guess that could cut down on our commute time.

Roberto: We also get preferential treatment for parking on the days we carpool.

Loreto: How would it work? Do we set up a schedule and take turns driving?

Roberto: Why don’t I swing by and pick you up tomorrow morning and we can talk more about it?

Loreto: If you don’t mind picking me up en route, that would be great. By the way, how do you know where I live?

Roberto: Oh, I asked around. See you tomorrow.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
convention center
trade show
barbeque
Bible Belt
evangelicalism
vocal
fundamentalist
conservative
Christian right
strict
code of conduct
dress code
to wear (someone) out
shrink
already

Victoria: I see that you have a really extensive music collection.

J.D.: Yeah, I like a lot of different genres of music.

Victoria: Do you have the new J.McQ album? He’s my favorite artist. I just got it and I like all of the tracks on it.

J.D.: No, I haven’t heard it yet. Do you have it on your MP3 player?

Victoria: Yeah, here, I’ve cued up the first track.

J.D.: Hmm…I like the beat of the first song, but I’m not blown away by the rest of it. It’s also a really bad mix. The bass is up too high; you can hardly hear the treble. Is the whole album like that?

Victoria: Yeah, I guess so. I didn’t notice. Maybe the volume wasn’t up high enough.

J.D.: No, it was up high enough. Maybe he’s just not that good a vocalist and the sound engineers are trying to cover it up in the mixing.

Victoria: Are you kidding? He’s an amazing singer. Come on, listen to another track. I’m sure you’ll change your mind.

J.D.: No, thanks. I’d rather listen to a bunch of fighting cats than listen to anymore of J.McQ!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Iktinos: I can’t believe we’re in one of the world’s most famous structures. Look at this architecture!

Pinda: Yeah, great, another old building. I’m going to sit in that bay window and rest my feet while you walk around.

Iktinos: Come on, come with me. Just look at these columns and beams. They’re over 2,000 years old!

Pinda: Right, they’re old. Everything we’ve seen these past two weeks has been old. What’s so special about this?

Iktinos: Are you trying to tell me that you don’t think this dome is impressive? It’s one of the largest in the world. Look at those cornices and skylights. I’ve never seen anything like them.

Pinda: This building has a good facade, with nice balance and symmetry, but I’m so tired of looking at the same style of building, one after another. Aren’t we going to see anything else today?

Iktinos: We are seeing some of the most important monuments to human ingenuity.

Pinda: You’re right, but I’m too tired to walk up and down all three stories. You go. I’ll stay here on this balcony.

Iktinos: What are you going to do here?

Pinda: I’m going to think about how I’d remodel the building to bring it up to date.

Iktinos: You’re hopeless!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
semiautomatic
round
to ban
outlawed
to arm
social issue
law-abiding
hunting
high heels
part of the equation
north of
compulsory
mandatory
obligatory
mayday

Danny: You’re going to the prom. How exciting! How should we style you hair?

Clarissa: I’m really not sure. I was hoping you would have some ideas.

Danny: I do, but first we need to see if we have the right tools. Let’s look in your bathroom. Here’s some shampoo and conditioner, but where are the gel, mousse, and hairspray?

Clarissa: Here, they’re on this shelf. Here’s a hairdryer and some rollers, too. Do you think we’ll need the curling iron or the flat iron?

Danny: I’m not sure, but put them here, just in case. Okay, now I need a brush and comb, and some bobby pins. We’ll need some elastic bands, too, to pull your hair back.

Clarissa: Here, they’re all in this drawer.

Danny: Oh, this is a pretty barrette, but we won’t need it for tonight. Okay, ready for the transformation?

Clarissa: I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

Danny: Okay, let the fun begin!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Emil: Have a seat. As you know, we need to talk about your annual performance evaluation. Is there anything you’d like to say before we get started?

Sandra: Yes, there is. I’ve tried really hard this year to improve on some of the shortcomings identified in my evaluation last year.

Emil: Hmm, I’m afraid that’s not reflected in this year’s evaluation. Your supervisor noted on the report that you’ve been performing below par for several months now, and your productivity is down, too.

Sandra: I can’t imagine why she would say that. If I haven’t excelled on the new project, I’ve at least pulled my weight. I don’t think she can fault me on that.

Emil: On the contrary, she thinks that you’ve been slacking off and not giving 100 percent.

Sandra: I have had some personal issues, but I didn’t think they had been affecting my work. I guess I’ve let them bring down my performance.

Emil: This was a hard decision, but we’re putting you on probation for the next three months. You’ll have another evaluation at the end of that time. If your performance isn’t up to par by that time, we’ll have to think about letting you go.

Sandra: That won’t happen. I’m going to pull out all the stops to prove myself.

Emil: Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
comic strip
bent
commentary
wry
editorial pages
registry
sex-offender
parental consent
abused
neglected
suspicion
uncalled for
status
state
as though

Edward: Would you dance with me?

Bella: Me? I’d like to, but I don’t dance.

Edward: Why?

Bella: I have two left feet. I’m so clumsy, first I’d step all over your feet, and then I’d stumble all over the dance floor.

Edward: I don’t believe that. I bet you’re very graceful on the dance floor. You wouldn’t stumble; you’d glide across that floor.

Bella: I’m the most uncoordinated person alive. When I was little, I was even more awkward. My mother hated taking me shopping because I was so accident-prone. Everywhere we’d go, I was like a bull in a china shop. I’m not like Rosalie. Look at her. She’s so elegant.

Edward: Rosalie has nothing on you. Dance with me and I promise to catch you if you trip.

Bella: What if I step all over your feet?

Edward: You won’t get the chance. My feet will be moving so quickly, I will dazzle you with my agility and finesse.

Bella: Okay, you asked for it!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Gail: Oh!

Mike: Are you okay?

Gail: Yeah, I’m just not used to these crutches yet. The doctor said I should start using them if I ever want to get out of this wheelchair, but I don’t have the strength to stand up.

Mike: You’ll get the hang of it. Don’t lose heart.

Gail: It should be easy now that my arm is out of the cast, but it just seems impossible. I feel I’m going to lose my balance each time I try to stand up.

Mike: Try again, and this time lean on me and I’ll try to serve as your legs until you can find your balance.

Gail: I wish I didn’t feel so utterly useless. It’s so frustrating!

Mike: I know. Just keep your eye on the ball and give it another try. The next thing you know, you’ll be limping along and then running a marathon. It’s just a matter of time before you get your mobility back.

Gail: Yeah, right. Okay, first things first. Let’s see if these useless legs of mine will cooperate this time.

Script by Dr Lucy Tse

Words:
royalties
intellectual property
copyright
cause
estate
to enforce
to swap
stranger
to match up
arrangement
housing market
desperate
to hop in
to pop in
to drop in

Sheila: Where are you going?

Rudy: I’m going to the video store to rent a movie for tonight. Do you want to come?

Sheila: You don’t need to do that. We can watch nearly any movie you want online.

Rudy: Oh, you mean we can pay to download it?

Sheila: Yeah, we can download it, but we don’t have to pay for it.

Rudy: What do you mean? You’re not using a file-sharing site, are you?

Sheila: Of course, I am. Everybody is doing it.

Rudy: Aside from the ethical issues, it’s so frustrating watching videos online. The ones that stream are constantly pausing to buffer. The interruptions drive me crazy!

Sheila: Yeah, sometimes, but there’s usually a workaround.

Rudy: Even so, the movies are usually pirated and they’re so grainy. I want to watch something in high definition. Come on, let’s go to the video store. It’ll be my treat.

Sheila: All right, if you insist, but why can’t we just pay to download it right here at home?

Rudy: We could do that, but where would we get the popcorn?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Michael: I have some qualms about how we’re handling these accounts.

Leona: What do you mean?

Michael: There are strict regulations governing what we can and cannot do, and I think we’re violating those regulations.

Leona: Listen, it’s a matter of interpretation. We’re not flouting any regulations. We’re just not following the letter of the law.

Michael: I, for one, think that we’ve crossed the line. I’m not against some creative accounting, but what we’re doing is bordering on criminal.

Leona: Aren’t you blowing things out of proportion? The government makes laws knowing that people are going to try to get around them. There are always loopholes and that’s why they turn a blind eye to most of these types of activities. As long as we comply with most of the regulations, we’re not going to get into any hot water.

Michael: I appreciate your confidence, but I don’t share it. I think we’re in for some major problems if we don’t change the way we do business.

Leona: Come on, let’s go get some coffee and see what we can do about that overactive conscience of yours.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to credited (someone) with (something)
to spark
aviation
glider
kite
hall of fame
to induct
controversial
criticism
big-name
exhibit
to reflect
each day
every day
everyday
to spare (someone) (something)

Anton: Look at that guy. He’s been in town two weeks and he’s already throwing his money around.

Vanessa: You know as well as I do that money talks. He’s just trying to make a splash in the business community.

Anton: If that were all he was doing then I wouldn’t say anything, but he’s a social climber of the worst kind. Who does he think he is?

Vanessa: He’s someone who’s used to getting his way, that’s obvious. He’s not the first affluent person to try to buy influence and social standing in a community.

Anton: Yeah, but look at all of the people in this town throwing themselves at him!

Vanessa: He has donated generously to the town and given to the arts. He’s even given money toward building the new community center, and it wasn’t chump change either. If he wants to be a patron in this town, who are we to look a gift horse in the mouth?

Anton: Right, so spreading money around gives him the right to walk around like he owns this town?

Vanessa: Is this a case of sour grapes?

Anton: Ha, right! Haven’t you heard? Money is the root of all evil!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Ryan: It’s really nice of you to make dinner for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal.

Corrie: I’m happy to do it. First, though, let’s see what you have in your fridge.

Ryan: I have tons of food in there.

Corrie: What is that? It looks moldy.

Ryan: Oh, that’s cheese. I’m sure it’s still good, if we just cut off the moldy parts.

Corrie: Okay, but look at the “best if used by” date. This expired three months ago. What about this?

Ryan: That’s hamburger. Maybe you could make some spaghetti with meatballs.

Corrie: Not with this rotten meat. It’s definitely gone bad. Can’t you tell by the discoloration? Meat isn’t supposed to be gray.

Ryan: I guess you’re right. I bet this milk isn’t any good either, is it?

Corrie: Nope. It’s gone sour, and you might as well throw out this bread, too. It’s stale.

Ryan: Isn’t there anything you can use in this kitchen?

Corrie: Well, this oil is rancid, this butter looks tainted, the vegetables are wilted, and even your canned goods are rusted. You do have a lot of food in your kitchen, but it’s been here a long, long time.

Ryan: I don’t like things to go to waste.

Corrie: I guess not. I’m still willing to make you dinner, but we’ll have to do some shopping. My cooking isn’t the best, but I don’t usually give people food poisoning, and I don’t want to start now.

Ryan: Okay, okay, give me a list and I’ll go to the market.

Corrie: And while you’re there, I’ll see what I can do about getting rid of all of this hazardous waste!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to observe
spectacle
to count (something) as (something)
racetrack
lap
canal
second only to
based in
implication
fake
outlier
influential
to brush up on
to polish up
to come off
a matter of

Alberto: What was that ear-splitting scream?!

Melissa: That little girl over there is having a temper tantrum.

Alberto: Oh, great! The movie hasn’t even started and that kid is already acting up.

Melissa: I hope she’s okay. She looks miserable. Maybe her parents can distract her somehow.

Alberto: She’s fine. She’s just looking for attention or frustrated she didn’t get what she wanted. If parents didn’t give in every time their child wanted something, kids wouldn’t throw tantrums.

Melissa: I don’t know. When my son was little, he used to throw tantrums when he didn’t know how to tell us what he needed. He got frustrated and sometimes, he would start kicking and screaming.

Alberto: Well, I don’t think that’s the case here. Look at those parents. They’re going to buy the girl some candy to quiet her down. That’s just rewarding her for her misbehavior.

Melissa: What would you do instead?

Alberto: I would set limits so that things like this never happened. In this case, I would give that girl a spanking. It’s all about having consequences for bad behavior.

Melissa: Oh, yeah? Did that work with your children?

Alberto: Uh, I don’t have any kids.

Melissa: That’s what I thought!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Giselle: Good morning, Brian. This is Giselle calling from Intergroup in Kansas City.

Brian: Hi, Giselle. How are you?

Giselle: I’m great, thanks. Listen, the reason I’m calling is that I wanted to touch base with you about the new proposed regulations. Have you had a chance to review them?

Brian: We’ve only had time to give them a cursory look, but I think we have a grasp on what the changes will be. I don’t think that most of the new regulations would apply to our class of cargo. As long as our certificates of origin are in order and our shipping agents are well informed of the changes, we won’t have anything to be concerned about. Rest assured we’ll take care of all that.

Giselle: That’s good to hear. Won’t the customs procedures be different, though? I understand that there are changes to the regulations affecting which containers we can use and how we transport our freight.

Brian: No, lucky for us, all we need to do is to put some additional information on our waybills and make sure our packing lists reflect the same information.

Giselle: I’m relieved to hear that. You’ve really put my mind at ease, thanks.

Brian: Don’t mention it. While I have you on the phone, do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions about the latest order?

Giselle: No, not at all. Fire away.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to come in
standard
to acclimate
captain
representation
apparent
to work against
to evolve
to defy
paradise lost
to go off
trip
journey
voyage
to travel

Employee: Welcome to Grubway. What can I get for you?

Jared: I’m still deciding. I’m trying to lose weight and I hear that eating a sandwich for lunch every day will help me do that. Do you guys have a BLT or a club?

Employee: We don’t have a BLT, but we do have a ham or turkey club.

Jared: Okay, I’ll take the club.

Employee: Ham or turkey?

Jared: Can I get half and half, or better yet, can I get double ham and double turkey?

Employee: Sure, no problem.

Jared: I’d like cheese on that, too.

Employee: Would you like your bread toasted and the cheese melted?

Jared: Uh, sure.

Employee: What else would you like on your sandwich, the works?

Jared: What comes with the works?

Employee: It includes lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, olives, and pickles, and any spreads, condiments, or seasonings you’d like.

Jared: Oh, okay. I’ll have the works, but hold the pickles and olives. I’d like mayonnaise on the side, too, please. You know what? I’d like to add some chicken to that.

Employee: That’ll be $1.20 additional.

Jared: That’s fine. I’d also like extra cheese, and why don’t you add some roast beef, too?

Employee: Okay, I can do that. Will that be all?

Jared: Yeah, but while you’re at it, throw in two bags of chips and a couple of cookies.

Employee: Okay, I can ring you up down here.

Jared: Hey, tell me, how long before I start losing weight?

Employee: Well, that’s hard to say. You may want to look at the nutritional information chart to determine that.

Jared: Nah, I can already feel the pounds coming off!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Hamid: I just finished a really good book. I thought the characters were headed toward a tragic ending, but there was a twist near the end, and everything turned out well. It was so satisfying!

Rachel: It sounds sappy to me.

Hamid: It wasn’t sappy at all. It was just a happy ending. I know what you like. You like those disaster movies with catastrophic endings where everyone dies.

Rachel: At least that would be more realistic than everyone living happily ever after. I just saw the series finale of my favorite TV show. You know what they did? They ended the series with a cliffhanger. Nothing was resolved.

Hamid: That’s horrible! How could they leave people hanging like that? Weren’t you just a little mad?

Rachel: No, I wasn’t. The ending stayed true to the spirit of the show. It was a dark show and the ending was equally dark.

Hamid: Well, I bet they ended the series that way so they could make a movie sequel.

Rachel: Yeah, maybe, but I don’t care either way. Life doesn’t end neatly and neither should a good story.

Hamid: Remind me never to read any stories you write or any movies you make!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
currency
to counterfeit
agent
to shield
assassination
bravery
to lay (one's) life on the line
tween
buying power
controversial
distinct
clothing line
upon
“My God”
“Jesus Christ”
evidence
proof

Ali: It’s just our luck that as soon as we arrive here for our island vacation, there’s a hurricane warning!

Mariela: It’s uncanny, isn’t it? On last year’s vacation, we crossed paths with a tornado and now this.

Ali: Yeah, that tornado was something. I had experienced windstorms before with really strong gusts of wind, but it was nothing like that tornado. Do you remember the way all of the windows, doors, and even walls rattled? The tornado blew down power lines and uprooted trees!

Mariela: That was terrifying. Do you think we’ll have another experience like that this time?

Ali: I really hope not. We came for ocean breezes, but if the hurricane makes landfall, we’ll have gale winds of up to 50 miles per hour!

Mariela: And we’re trapped here! What should we do?

Ali: We’ll just buckle down and wait it out. With any luck, the hurricane will miss the island altogether.

Mariela: With our luck, what’s the likelihood of that happening?!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Michael: Shall we?

Robin: Oh, this is nice. Did you get a new car?

Michael: No, this is a company car. Getting to drive one is one of the perks of my new job.

Robin: Does your new position call for a lot of driving?

Michael: It does. As the regional supervisor, I have to cover a large territory. I’ll be visiting all of the affiliates across the state.

Robin: Does that mean you can drive the company car anytime, anywhere?

Michael: Well, I’m only supposed to use it for official business since the company deducts the standard mileage allowance on their taxes, but there are ways to account for any extra miles I log.

Robin: You mean you fudge the mileage numbers?

Michael: You could say that. It’s no big deal. Everybody does it, or so I’ve heard. You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Do you want to go with me to San Diego this weekend?

Robin: That depends. Are you taking your company car?

Michael: I was thinking about it.

Robin: In that case, no, thanks. I don’t want to be an accessory to whatever rules you’re breaking.

Michael: Suit yourself, but what’s a company perk if you can’t take full advantage of it?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
musical
parody
cult film
costume
squirt gun
fraudulent
demonstration
march
crack
nonviolent
repression
civil
disobedience
evening
night
starring
to force
to enforce
to reinforce

Xavier: Thanks for helping me decorate my new apartment. Hey, where are you going?

Crystal: I’m going to the bedding department. Now that you have a new bed, you’ll need new bedding.

Xavier: Right, okay, but can’t I just get some sheets, a couple of pillows, and a blanket?

Crystal: That’s only the beginning. Oh, feel these sheets. No wonder they’re so soft. They have a very high thread count.

Xavier: Thread count?

Crystal: You’ll need a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and pillowcases. Did you get a queen- or a king-size bed?

Xavier: It’s a full-size bed.

Crystal: Okay, you’ll need a comforter and a duvet cover, too, and this bed skirt will make your bed look really nice.

Xavier: Bed skirt?

Crystal: Of course! You can’t leave your mattress exposed. That would look so tacky.

Xavier: If you say so...

Crystal: Wow, look at these canopies. Don’t you think...?

Xavier: You want to put a canopy over my bed?! No, that’s where I draw the line.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Dmitry: Stan is really miffed at you. All of that teasing at lunch really upset him.

Charlene: What? I was just poking fun at him for trying to hit on the new, young receptionist.

Dmitry: You called him an old goat.

Charlene: I said that tongue in cheek. If he didn’t find that funny, then he can’t take a joke.

Dmitry: What about last week when you told that joke about fat people trying to dance and you made him the butt of the joke?

Charlene: Everybody knows I’m the class clown around here, and I make wisecracks about everybody. Nobody else is as thin-skinned as Stan.

Dmitry: I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I suggest you watch your back. The next joke may be on you.

Charlene: Why? What have you heard?

Dmitry: Oh, nothing. I just think it may be time for some payback – big time!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
renovation
wing
head of state
press briefing room
china set
to bark
pow
bam
thud
splat
clank
ding
document
documentation
to have to do with (something)
god-awfully (gawd-awfully)

Liza: Isn’t Jesse wonderful? I’m so glad you got to meet him last night.

Sinobu: Uh, he’s a little young for you, don’t you think? I know you’ve had boy toys in the past, but he takes the cake.

Liza: He’s no boy toy! It’s true that there’s a 30-year age difference, but who cares about age when you’re talking about love?

Sinobu: Well, he’s certainly dressed for the part, with all of that bling. That watch must have set him back a couple of grand, at least.

Liza: Oh, that was a little token of my affection for our one-month anniversary. I just wanted him to know how much I cared about him.

Sinobu: Well, he certainly knows now who holds the purse strings, if he didn’t before. I only hope he’s not preying on you.

Liza: How can you say that? I’ve never met anyone more honest or sincere.

Sinobu: He has you wrapped around his little finger, that’s for sure. I hope, for your sake, he’s not a gold digger, or that you see his true colors before you make it to the altar – again.

Liza: Oh, I knew it was a mistake talking to you about Jesse. You’re such a cynic!

Sinobu: And you’re a hopeless romantic!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Shirley: Yeah, thanks for agreeing to meet me here. I’m told you’re the best sniper in the business and you can be discreet. I need a hitman who can do a job, then make himself scarce.

Gus: I’m your man. Tell me about it.

Shirley: There’s someone who’s been a thorn in my side, keeping me up at night, and it’s time to take him out.

Gus: Taking care of problems is my specialty. I’ll need a down payment now and the balance when I finish him off. We shouldn’t meet again, so I’ll tell you later where to make a drop.

Shirley: All right.

Gus: Good. How will I be able to spot the target?

Shirley: Here’s a picture. He’s usually in the yard in the afternoons.

Gus: You want me to kill a dog?!

Shirley: Right, he’s my neighbor’s dog and he keeps me up every night. Is that a problem?

Gus: You bet it is. Who do you think I am? People are disposable, but dogs? They’re a man’s best friend.

Shirley: Are you kidding me? You won’t take the job?

Gus: Nope, I won’t. If you want to pay good money to take out a dog, then that’s your prerogative, but I have my standards!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
monopoly
competitor
antitrust law
sanctioned
to break up
to appeal
lyrics
kindergarten
to catch on
copyrighted
royalties
commonplace
while
whilst
to blow away

Luis: So, how are the newlyweds doing?

Stevie: Oh, we’re great. I’m just a little tired.

Luis: Well, that goes with the territory, right?

Stevie: No, that’s not what I mean. Patrick has been keeping me up with his snoring.

Luis: Oh, that’s a bummer.

Stevie: Yeah, it really is. I’m usually awakened soon after I fall asleep, and then I toss and turn all night. That’s not all. Patrick also talks in his sleep.

Luis: Wow, that’s terrible. I’d make a beeline for some sleeping pills, if I were you.

Stevie: I took some one night last week, but I woke up groggy and disoriented. I’d rather have insomnia than load up on drugs.

Luis: Have you tried waking him up when he snores or talks in his sleep?

Stevie: I tried that one night, but he just ended up sleepwalking!

Luis: Geez, what are you going to do?

Stevie: I wish I knew.

Luis: It’s a little early in your marriage for separate bedrooms, but I wouldn’t rule it out.

Stevie: I’ll keep it in mind. If I don’t get a good night’s sleep soon, separate bedrooms will be the least of our problems!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Kadir: Stop that! Stop snickering! Gabriel Voltaire is an author of great acclaim. You should show a little reverence.

Melissa: Yes, but he seems to have a bad case of stage fright. I know it’s an honor to hear him speak, but it’s hard to show reverence when the man is sweating like a pig!

Kadir: He’s not sweating like a pig. He’s just talking passionately about his writing. I, for one, appreciate his level of dedication to his work.

Melissa: I admire his work, too, but he’s making a fool of himself. Really, who can pay attention to what he’s saying when he’s stuttering like that.

Kadir: Unlike you, I can listen to the genius of his words without worrying about a little stuttering.

Melissa: The man is making a spectacle of himself. I think he needs to stick to writing and give up public speaking.

Kadir: Shh! That’s enough. I won’t hear another word said against him.

Melissa: Whatever you say. I’ll leave you to your hero worship. For me, enough is enough!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to test (one's) limits
TV production
wrestling
choir
to come down here
to host (someone)
famine
drought
to take (one’s) place
unity
begs the question
face value
at the time
then

Simone: They’re about to introduce you. You’re on next. Are you ready?

Gabriel: No...yes...no!

Simone: You don’t look so well. Are you all right?

Gabriel: I don’t know. My palms are clammy, I’m breaking out into a cold sweat, and my legs feel like jelly.

Simone: It sounds like a bad case of stage fright, that’s all. Just take a deep breath. You’ll be fine.

Gabriel: I have butterflies in my stomach and my mouth is dry. Where can I get a glass of water?

Simone: I don’t know and there isn’t time.

Gabriel: Oh God, if I go out there, I’m going to freeze up or get tongue-tied. I just know it.

Simone: Get a hold of yourself. You’re well prepared and you’ll do a great job. Okay, they’ve just announced your name. Get out there!

Gabriel: I can’t!

Simone: The entire audience is waiting for you. Pull yourself together and get out there!

Gabriel: Here goes nothing!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Erin: So I told Joey that I had no intention of letting him use my car again. Can you believe the nerve of that guy, after what he did?

Curran: That’s terrible, but I’m going to have to let you go. I have an appointment...

Erin: But I didn’t tell you what else he said. He said that running over my cat was just an accident. That’s bull. He said I should be thankful that he took Fifi to a veterinarian!

Curran: Yeah, I can see why you’re mad. I think I have a call on the other line...

Erin: Well, I’m glad you agree with me. I said to him that Fifi may be as good as new now, but that is no thanks to him! He’s never liked Fifi and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was gunning for her when he ran her over. He should count himself lucky he’s getting off scot-free for trying to kill my cat. I said...

Curran: Sorry to have to cut this short, but I really have to get going.

Erin: Oh, sure, but just let me tell you what I plan to do if he asks me again.

Curran: I really want to hear all about it, but...but...nature calls!

Erin: Oh, okay, call me back. I haven’t even told you what Sam told me about Ben yesterday. It’s a real shocker!

Curran: Uh...right. I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
moderate climate
urban renewal
defense
pharmaceutical
press
tabloids
headlines
shocking
slander
libel
to sue
to go over the line
under (someone’s) thumb
precision
accuracy
coming to you from

Lee: I’m reading this article about the new season of our favorite show. It’s premiering next week.

Kira: Don’t tell me anything about it, especially spoilers.

Lee: But don't you want to know which guest stars will be making appearances and the plot twists that are coming up?

Kira: No, I don’t! I don’t watch movie trailers and I don’t read reviews. It spoils the fun when you already know what’s going to happen. Where’s the suspense?

Lee: The blogs and reviews I read all have “spoiler alerts” and I avoid reading those sections. Let me just tell you one thing I read...

Kira: Stop right there! I’m covering my ears. I want to stay in the dark, completely in the dark. Got it?

Lee: Okay, I won’t let the cat out of the bag, but we’re in for a wild ride this season.

Kira: I’m not listening! I’m not listening!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Amy: I think rearranging the furniture will make the living room look more spacious. Don’t you?

Jacob: Uh, sure.

Amy: Can you help me move this couch against this wall?

Jacob: Okay, but are you sure you want it over there? Because it’s really heavy and a pain to move.

Amy: I’m sure. Let’s move the loveseat across from it. Now, can you move the recliner into the corner?

Jacob: Uh! Here?

Amy: Umm...a little to the left. Perfect!

Jacob: Are you sure?

Amy: Absolutely! Okay, the end tables go on each side of the couch, and the coffee table goes between the couch and the loveseat.

Jacob: Where do you want the ottoman and where do the lamps go?

Amy: Put the ottoman next to the loveseat. The table lamps go on the end tables and the floor lamp should go next to the recliner.

Jacob: There’s no room for the rocking chair.

Amy: Hmm…I guess the rocking chair can go into the guestroom.

Jacob: What about the credenza?

Amy: You’re right. This new configuration won’t work.

Jacob: You mean you want to put everything back to where it was?

Amy: Yup, we’re back to square one!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
property tax
appraised value
due
utility
sales tax
income tax
to throw (someone) a party
wedding/bridal shower
baby shower
gift registry
scanner
bar code
leverage
to dig
to guess
to think
to believe

I have a very disorganized office. My co-workers have been making jokes about my office for a long time, and my boss finally cracked down on me. He told me: “Get the office organized by Friday – no excuses!” What choice did I have?

I’ve always been a pack rat. I hate to throw anything out, but I was determined to turn over a new leaf. It’s true I’ve worked in the same office for four years and have accumulated a lot of paper, but if I put my mind to it, I’m sure I could get rid of all of the clutter.

There are piles of paper and files all over my desk and sorting them out won’t be easy. All I need to do, though, is to purge my filing cabinets of old files to make room for new ones. I also need to triage the papers on my desk, on the floor, and in my overflowing inbox. Then, I only need to make new files and label them. Finally, I’ll only keep those things on my desk that are essential and get rid of anything that isn’t.

That’s a pretty good plan, don’t you think? I’ve already made a to-do list. Now all I need to do is start on those tasks!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Francesca: Hurry up! Come out of that fitting room so I can see how the dress shirt fits.

Eddie: The first one didn’t fit at all. The sleeves were too short and it was too form fitting. I like my shirts to be on the roomy side. I’m trying on the second one.

Francesca: Come on, let me see. Okay, I think this one fits you pretty well. The collar is the right size, not too loose or tight. The cuffs on this one fall at just the right place, don’t you think?

Eddie: Yeah, it’s fine.

Francesca: Try on the T-shirts.

Eddie: Okay, but I’m not trying on the fancy ones with a V-neck. I like my T-shirts the old-fashioned way – with a crew neck.

Francesca: All right, but try on the short-sleeve and the long-sleeve ones, too. Hurry up.

Eddie: Hold on, I’m changing as fast as I can. Oh, geez. I’ve heard of oversized T-shirts, but this is ridiculous.

Francesca: Let me see. You’re right. You’ve got enough room in there for two people!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to gamble
casino
autonomy
reservation
income
heritage
to upload
excerpt
to be copyrighted
to sue
offensive content
to flag
impact
influence
created by
created in
created on
so far
to date

Cho: I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a doctor.

Joy: I think you’ll be great. I’ve seen you with patients and you have a great bedside manner – not like Gregory.

Cho: Why? What’s wrong with his bedside manner?

Joy: I’ve seen him with patients and he can be really callous. For instance, I was in the room last week when he was telling one of his patients that she was taking a turn for the worse.

Cho: What did he say?

Joy: He just blurted it out. He told her the diagnosis, and he didn’t even try to soften the news when she asked about her prognosis. He did absolutely nothing to try to comfort or reassure her.

Cho: I feel sorry for the patient.

Joy: That’s the point. Gregory didn’t, and it didn’t seem to faze him that the patient was very upset and close to hysterics.

Cho: That’s terrible. I’ll try to remember to be more compassionate with my patients.

Joy: Don’t worry. It’s against your nature to be anything but considerate.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Ina: It was a great idea to split up to go see different movies. I really liked The McQuillanator!

Paco: I’m glad to hear it. You made a better choice than I did. The biopic I saw was mind-numbing. I was bored to death!

Ina: Really? My movie was great. It was action-packed and fast-paced. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

Paco: I wish I had been. My movie moved at a snail’s pace and what was supposed to be dramatic was just repetitive. I can’t believe I sat through that entire thing. I’m sure I nodded off more than once.

Ina: That’s too bad. You should have abandoned your theater and joined me in mine. I’m still feeling the adrenaline rush.

Paco: Yeah, but instead I got a good nap. What a waste of money!

Ina: Just consider it a good lesson learned.

Paco: What lesson?

Ina: Let me pick the movies. I know a good bang for the buck!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
collectively
to be offended
ancient
soul
homemaker
dual-income
childcare
mobile
nanny
daycare
stimulation
babysitter
totally
to own (someone)
to owned (someone)
bad news

Foreman: Okay, people. Listen up.

This is your first day on the job in this warehouse and you need to know what we do here. This warehouse keeps all of the stock for the 10 stores in this region. We get merchandise from the supplier and it’s our job to organize it and store it until it goes to the retail outlets. One of the reasons our stores can offer such low prices is that they operate on the principles of economies of scale. This means that we buy in bulk and there’s a lot to catalogue and store. We even have some stock on consignment, so it’s all the more important that we’re able to keep track of any merchandise that comes through here. Any questions?

Carla: Yeah, are we the end of the supply chain or do we send merchandise to other warehouses?

Foreman: We are it. Merchandise comes to us from suppliers and we distribute it to the stores. Any other questions?

Carla: Does merchandise ever go missing?

Foreman: It better not go missing under my watch. That’s why we do an inventory twice a year. If anything is unaccounted for, I won’t be a happy camper. Okay, people, line up to get your assignments...

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

I was driving down the road when I saw a group of teenagers holding up signs for a fundraising car wash for their school. My car was very dirty, so I pulled over and paid for a car wash and a wax.

I think that the students had more enthusiasm than car washing skills. Yes, they had hoses, buckets filled with soapy water, and sponges, but they seemed more interested in getting each other wet than in getting the dirt off the car. I kept wanting to jump up and say, “Hey, you missed a spot!” but I didn’t.

After washing the car, they rinsed it and dried it with towels. They also vacuumed the interior and washed the windows. At least the windows were spotless. Finally, they waxed and polished the car, and were finished.

I went over to inspect the washed car. All I can say is I’m glad this was a fundraiser to support their school. If these students do as well in their classes as they did on my car, they need all the education they can get!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
public service
wheeling and dealing
to trade
campaign contribution
in exchange
bribe
extortion
conflict of interest
to pursue
public interest
to shape
to distort
have to
must
what about
how about
worthy
necessary

Charlotte: What are you doing in here? The entire wedding party is looking for you.

Chris: Yeah, I know.

Charlotte: Well, what’s the matter? You’re not getting cold feet, are you?

Chris: That’s just it. I’m really having doubts about getting married. What am I doing here? I think I’m about to make the biggest mistake of my life!

Charlotte: Whoa, slow down. You’re just a little freaked out right now. That’s understandable. Just don’t do anything rash.

Chris: I have an irresistible impulse to run. I’ve got to get out of here!

Charlotte: You’d better do some serious soul-searching before you decide to leave Kerry at the altar. It would be a life-altering experience for her and for you. She may never get over it.

Chris: You’re right, but what can I do? If I go through with this, I may regret it for the rest of my life.

Charlotte: Sit down and stay put. I’m going to get someone who’ll set you straight.

Chris: Who?

Charlotte: Kerry!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Nicki: Wow, did you buy out the bookstore?!

Tony: Very funny. I just got a few guidebooks for our trip to Vancouver. I want to study up on what the must-see sights are, and then decide whether we can do some self-guided tours or need to book guided tours.

Nicki: That’s very conscientious of you. The trip isn’t for three months.

Tony: I know, but I want to start sketching out an itinerary now. I’m going to start out by reading the orientation chapters so I get a feel for the city.

Nicki: Good, then at least one of us will know where to go and what to do.

Tony: After that, I’m going to read the helpful hints in the accommodations section. I want to make sure we stay in the heart of the city with plenty of nightlife. I’ll read the section on day trips, too, in case we have some extra time.

Nicki: It sounds like you’ve got it covered.

Tony: I do. I also want to spend some time learning some survival phrases so I can talk to the locals.

Nicki: Survival phrases? To visit Vancouver?

Tony: Yeah, we won’t be able to get around without learning some French, you know.

Nicki: Really? Hmm. I think you’d better keep reading.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
territory
southern hemisphere
indigenous
to occupy
remote
cannery
solo
maneuvers
endorsement
flying hours
commercial pilot
military
objective
subjective
to be flanked by
power
empowerment
to delegate
to defer

Shivon: This bad economy is really taking its toll.

Lex: Tell me about it! My company has already laid off 20% of its workforce, and now the management is talking about cutting salaries. It goes without saying that there won’t be any bonuses this year.

Shivon: What are you complaining about? At least you still have a job. Try working as a freelancer. I’ve had to cut my hourly rate to compete with all of the people flooding the job market.

Lex: At least you’re still able to pick and choose your clients. I have to do what my bosses tell me, no matter what. If they say I have to work overtime, that’s what I have to do. I don’t even get compensated for it! You can bill by the hour.

Shivon: What’s the good of billing by the hour if I don’t have any clients? You don’t know how good you have it. I don’t want to hear another word until you walk a mile in my shoes!

Lex: Ditto!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Laura: I really don’t like these political commentary shows. They purportedly present both sides of an issue, but the commentator is always biased.

Joon: Oh, I don’t think so. Each show invites pundits on each side of the political spectrum. In this show, for instance, the pundits each take turns presenting their arguments.

Laura: You mean they each present the party line, right? I find it so predictable what each side will say, since they always invite people who have opinions that are poles apart.

Joon: That’s not always true. This other show has a roundtable format. Each person listens to the others and they debate the issues.

Laura: On that show, it’s not what they say, but how they say it. They treat the others’ opinions with such contempt. You can hear the loathing in their voices and they constantly talk over each other. I’m surprised you can bear to watch it.

Joon: I find it stimulating. I like a good fight.

Laura: I guess it’s better for them to do it on screen than on the streets!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
health insurance
to give rise to
to be treated
regulated
inferior
warehouse
to pass the savings on
to afford
to carry
in bulk
unit price
pantry
to
to yell
to be depended on
to last
kind
kindly

My wife was out of town on business and our nanny was sick, so I took the day off from work to take care of our two kids: Livia, who is two, and Augustus, who is three and a half. I thought that going to the playground would be a good thing to do, but it turned out to be an accident waiting to happen.

When we got to the playground, the kids jumped out of the car. Livia got onto the merry-go-round, pushing it as hard as she could. The trouble was, there were a couple of toddlers playing on it and they fell backwards, getting the wind knocked out of them.

Augustus, on the other hand, ran straight for the swing set and almost got decapitated! Then he went over to the see-saw and almost got smashed when he tried to run under it! He ran out of my grasp and onto the jungle gym. He started hanging off the monkey bars. I caught him just in time as he fell!

When I turned around, I saw that Livia had got onto the slide and slid head first into the sandbox! Good thing she wasn’t hurt.

By this time, I realized my mistake. Far from a safe place to play, for two lively kids and one father, the playground was a deathtrap!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

I really blew it last night. I finally asked my neighbor, Fatima, out on a date and she walked out on me in the middle of it.

I didn’t blame her. I wanted to make a good impression on her, but I felt I was floundering a half an hour into the date. I decided to liven things up a bit with a few drinks. I got carried away and got stinking drunk. What an idiot! I had to call her to apologize.

Fatima: Hello.

Rob: Uh, hi, Fatima. This is Rob calling.

Fatima: Oh.

Rob: Please don’t hang up. I need to apologize for my atrocious behavior last night. I was a real jerk and I’m really, really sorry.

Fatima: I appreciate the apology. Thanks, but I have to go now.

Rob: Hold on one second, please! I want to explain. I thought I was boring you at the beginning of the date and that’s why I started in on the drinks. I’m not normally a lush, really! I was nervous and worried that things weren’t going well, and I thought a couple of drinks would loosen me up.

Fatima: Okay, I understand that, but that doesn’t excuse the groping.

Rob: Groping? What groping?

Fatima: You don’t remember? You insisted on a goodnight kiss.

Rob: I did? It’s all a blur. I don’t remember anything after you called me a creep.

Fatima: You tried to kiss me and I walked out. Can you blame me?

Rob: No, I can’t. I deserved much worse. After that, I can also understand why you’d never want to speak to me again. Is there any way I can make it up to you?

Fatima: I really don’t know...

Rob: I promise not to have a drop of alcohol.

Fatima: I’ll have to think about it.

Rob: And I’ll have both of my hands tied behind my back the entire time.

Fatima: Maybe. Let me sleep on it.

At least it wasn’t a “no.” There’s a glimmer of hope for a second chance!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
miscegenation
to frown upon
interracial marriage
slavery
to abolish
to repeal
high-tech
headquarters
venture capitalist
triangle
to recruit
affordable housing
to advance (one’s) career
freeway / highway / expressway
to sport
dosey doe

Maria: I need this package to arrive in Tulsa by next Wednesday.

Sam: Sure, I’ll send it UPS or FedEx using their ground service. It’ll be cheaper than sending it using their overnight service and we can still track it. Is it going to a business?

Maria: Yes, it is.

Sam: Okay, I’ll mark that it’s going to a commercial address.

Maria: That’s fine. I’ll also need these contracts to get to Tokyo by Friday. Send it to the home of the president of the company.

Sam: I’ll send it DHL and use the residential delivery service. This seems like a large package for just contracts.

Maria: I’m also including a gift for the president’s wife.

Sam: If it’s breakable, I’ll pack it really well and then get it insured. What’s the declared value?

Maria: It’s about $700. Oh, and I want this box to go to Olten, Switzerland, but just send it regular mail through the post office. Make sure I get delivery confirmation, though.

Sam: No problem. I’ll just need to fill out a customs declaration form. What are the contents?

Maria: They’re books.

Sam: Okay, I’ll take care of it.

Maria: Thanks. What would I do without you?

Sam: The real question is, what would the mail services do without you?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

I was on a date from hell.

I agreed to go out with this guy who lives in the same apartment building as I do, but he’s turned out to be a real creep. He was nice enough at the start of the date, but then he started drinking. Now he’s drunk and I’m miserable.

I wanted to let him down gently since I’d be seeing him around the apartment building, but I didn’t want to spend another minute with him.

Fatima: Listen, Rob, I just don’t think we’re hitting it off. You’re a really nice guy, but I just don’t think we have much chemistry.

Rob: Are you kidding? I’m having the time of my life. We’re just getting started here. Bartender, another round!

I realized that I needed to be more straightforward with him in case I was giving him mixed signals.

Fatima: I’m sorry, Rob, but I think this is the end of the road for this date. Thanks a lot for the drinks and I’ll see you around.

Rob: What? You’re leaving? How about a goodnight kiss? Come over here and give me that kiss.

I wanted to keep my cool, but when he tried to kiss me, that did it!

Fatima: You’re stinking drunk and this date is over. Capisce?

I got up and left. What is it about alcohol that turns Prince Charming into a frog?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
to leave your mark on (something)
expedition
uncharted territory
trapper
to negotiate
racetrack
ratings
to sanction
series
prize money
trophy
collision
to take its toll (on someone)
whatever
whatsoever

My company sent me on my first business trip, and I was supposed to travel around the city in taxis. Having never ridden in a taxi before, I had problems from start to finish.

First, I had trouble hailing a cab. I didn’t realize that when the taxi’s light is off that the cabbie is off duty. No wonder they took no notice of me.

Then, a cab did pull over and I told him where I wanted to go. He said, though, that he wouldn’t take me because he wouldn’t be able to get a return fare!

I was looking around for a taxi stand when another cab pulled over, but my troubles didn’t stop there.

Cabbie: Where to?

Ignacio: I’d like to go the Hamilton Building downtown. There’s a flat rate, isn’t there?

Cabbie: No, we don’t have flat rates.

Ignacio: But a flat rate to downtown is required by law, isn’t it?

Cabbie: Do you want to go downtown or not? I’ve already started the meter.

Ignacio: Where are your posted rates?

Cabbie: We don’t have any. The first mile is $3.50 and each quarter mile is $2.00.

Ignacio: That doesn’t sound right to me. I think I’ll try another cab.

Cabbie: Suit yourself!

I remembered what my co-worker told me. She said to steer clear of private cabs, like this one. The cabbies don’t have licenses and some of them will really take you for a ride – and not the kind you want!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Operator: Emergency operator. State your emergency.

Dirk: We need an ambulance right away.

Operator: What is your name?

Dirk: Dirk, Dirk Omora.

Operator: Can you tell me what happened?

Dirk: There was a car accident.

Operator: Where are you?

Dirk: I’m not sure. I was driving in my car when I saw the pileup. I’m somewhere on Blossom Road. Can you trace my location?

Operator: Yes, we’ll try to do that. Can you see if anyone is hurt?

Dirk: One of the drivers is lying on the ground unconscious, and the other one is bleeding. There’s someone trapped in the back of her car, too. We need to rescue her before the car explodes! I’m going to see if I can help.

Operator: Sir, I need you to stay on the line. I’m sending an ambulance right now, and they’ll have the Jaws of Life and other equipment to do the job. The paramedics will be there very soon.

Dirk: Okay, but hurry!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Words:
first and foremost
to free up
housework
to come in
to speak to (something)
to wonder
excess
to shift
to downsize
china
thought process
global warming
fluorescent
rethinking
volume
issue
version

Asa: I don’t know how we got stuck with reviewing employee complaints. This has got to be the worst job ever.

Samantha: This is important work, and somebody has to do it. Come on, let’s get started.

Asa: I think it’s bad for morale to allow employees to file complaints. We’re all overworked and underpaid, and most of us are burned out.

Samantha: How else are disgruntled employees going to voice their grievances?

Asa: Personally, I think it’s stupid for employees to put their complaints on paper. Aren’t they worried about retaliation from the management?

Samantha: I don’t think that’s going to happen. The whole point of having this system is to resolve any problems before they get blown out of proportion. It’s to everybody’s benefit to try to make this work.

Asa: On the contrary, I think it makes for a dysfunctional workplace, employees thinking of things to complain about and the management with their backs up against the wall. I just don’t get it.

Samantha: No, I guess you don’t. If you don’t like how things are done around here, I’ve got a suggestion for you.

Asa: What?

Samantha: File a complaint!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Agent: Hello, Krashit Insurance.

Jackie: Hi, I wanted to get a quote for car insurance.

Agent: Sure, I can help you with that. I assume you want liability insurance, but what other coverage would you like to get?

Jackie: Umm…I’m not sure. This is my first car.

Agent: In that case, let me make a few suggestions. You’ll definitely want collision insurance. It pays to fix your car if you hit another car or run into something.

Jackie: Okay, sure, I want that.

Agent: