Page 1 ... CHRIS. Come on, I don't think you'll get anywhere if that's your attitude.
... aim in life helps a lot... you have to find your own way and get over the past.
Episode 2 level 1
JOHN (on
Benny, listen... No. I’m telling you once again: no. No, forget it. There’s no
the phone)
point talking about it any more. My answer won’t change. When I was your age... Benny, don’t you dare talk to me like that, I’m your father! And don’t hang up on me (hangs up) He hung up, the idiot!
CHRIS
John, is everything all right? You look a bit upset. I hope nothing serious has happened...
JOHN
No, it’s not, everything is all wrong...
CHRIS
Is there anything I can do?
JOHN
No, thanks... I’m not even hungry any more... oh why do I have such a stubborn son?
AMIR
I’m sure you were just as stubborn at his age… I mean, you’re his father! I bet you were talking about…
JOHN
Yes, about the car that he wants me to buy him with the money I don’t have… I’m exhausted, really… are there any biscuits left?
CHRIS
No... sorry... I ate the last one just a minute ago. It was delicious, coated in really lovely dark chocolate!
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Episode 2 level 1 JOHN
Now I’m really depressed… the cinnamon ones are finished as well! I can’t believe it… I’ll order a pizza then… Extra large, with anchovies and chili peppers. (sighs)
HANNAH
At this time of day? John, it’s 9.30 in the morning! That’s disgusting! How can you think of eating something like that so early in the morning. Although if you had a pizza with salami, it would be sort of like eating ham and eggs, a traditional English breakfast.
JOHN
I don’t like salami… (sighs) When I was his age I was already working here and earning my living without asking anybody for anything …
AMIR
That’s what all fathers say... Mine can’t wait for me to move out... he would be happy to pack up my things for me...
JOHN
That might be a good idea…
(sighs)
CHRIS
What’s the problem with your son, John?
JOHN
He’s no good...
CHRIS
Come on, I don’t think you’ll get anywhere if that’s your attitude. You have to try and understand him. You should talk to him more, find out what he’s thinking, his plans and dreams for the future… and it’s very important to be ready to listen when your son wants to talk to you.
JOHN
Benny talks to me. When he needs something. Like now: he wants a car. And I talk to him and say: no car.
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Episode 2 level 1
CHRIS
Oh John, that’s not what I meant...you understand quite well what I was saying!
JOHN
Listen, Benny has been living with me for five years now, ever since the divorce. In all that time I’ve done everything I could, but it’s been a waste of effort. Maybe I left him alone too much when he was younger, but what could I do?
CHRIS
These situations are always difficult, but everybody just has to manage the best they can. What does Benny do? Does he work?
JOHN
No, he’s a student... when he’s not hanging around with certain people...
CHRIS
What does he study?
JOHN
Computer science. He’s in his third year at University. He argues a lot with his mother as well. I mean, I don’t like the fact that she has remarried and has two stepchildren either, but five years is a long time. He should just accept it like I have.
CHRIS
It’s not always easy to accept changes in your life. I think I can understand him. It must be hard for him.
JOHN
Of course it is... But he should concentrate more on his studies... Having an aim in life helps a lot... you have to find your own way and get over the past.
AMIR
That’s right!
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Episode 2 level 1
CHRIS
I agree, but sometimes that’s easier said than done! How is he doing at university?
JOHN
Well, actually, that’s the strangest part, he gets pretty high marks, he’s a good student.
CHRIS
Well then what’s the problem, John? You should be proud of him!
JOHN
Of course I am! If only he were less stubborn… He always makes me mad!
CHRIS
But maybe you should try to look at it from another point of view. Benny is an adult. He’ll find his own way.
AMIR
I agree.
JOHN
Hey, you like to think positive, don’t you?
CHRIS
Yes, I think it’s always the best thing to do. And it certainly helps me to get on with my life, without wasting my time worrying about what might never happen!
JOHN
When you are my age, we’ll talk about it again, ok?
CHRIS
John...
AMIR
John, maybe you should just order your pizza now, it might help you calm down. Or maybe two pizzas, to be sure?
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Episode 2 level 1
THE BOSS
As said by the French Gourmet & lawyer Anthelme Brillat-Savarin “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” Or the motto: “you are what you eat”
AMIR
Or more simply: “you are what you eat”
CHRIS
Hi everybody! My name’s Chris, I work at the Daily Spectator with Hannah.
EMILY
Oh hi Chris! I’m Emily.
JULIE
Hey Chris. I’m Julie.
CHRIS
Nice to meet you all! I heard you’ll be playing in the contest tonight! Congratulations! Are you nervous? I’m really looking forward to hearing you play!
EMILY
Well, yes, actually… It’s our first concert. But I think we’ll manage. At least I hope so…
JULIE
A little stage fright is normal... We should actually have another rehearsal before we go on stage. It would make us feel much more confident. But…
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Episode 2 level 1
HANNAH
But… But what? What’s the problem?
EMILY
The problem is that we can’t get started because Benny isn’t here yet, which is strange, he’s always on time
JULIE
He should have got here one hour ago. We had an appointment.
HANNAH
Where is he then?
JULIE
We don’t know…he’s disappeared… gone, vanished..
EMILY
Maybe it has something to do with his University work.
JULIE
You mean the exams?
CHRIS
Oh, yes, he’s studying computer science at the university. John told me… maybe he’s studying, or maybe he’s got an exam…
EMILY
That’s possible… the University exams have just started, and it’s normal to be under pressure. I remember when my brother had to do his driving test, he was so nervous that he forgot to refuel and he ran out of petrol during the test …………it was so embarrassing for him! He had to walk to the nearest service station, buy some petrol, walk back to the car … When he got there, the examiner was sitting waiting... It was terrible.
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Episode 2 level 1
JULIE
I have some bad memories as well! I had an English Literature test and I hadn’t slept all night, and I actually fell asleep during the test! And the worst part was that I even started to snore!! My classmates were laughing at me for months!! Anyway… I’m getting impatient… he should come here and forget his exams for a couple of hours… we have a concert!
CHRIS
Shall we try to get in touch with him?
EMILY
I have a strange feeling…
JULIE
What do you mean?
EMILY
I don’t know… No idea. It’s about our performance.
JULIE
Oh come on, Stop worrying, otherwise I’ll get even more nervous. I’ll call him later.
HANNAH
Maybe John knows something…
CHRIS
No, I don’t think so…
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Episode 2 level 1
Dr MUSTERMAN
Yes, you mean the article in “College International”... about the new
(on the phone)
structure of the first and second year mathematics modules … I am in favour of structured lessons in accordance with the Bologna directives of course… with a standardized timetable for the whole semester… Yes, exactly… although I’m still critical about a few aspects of the reform… yes, I know… that’s exactly what I think … students will only pass their exams if they study hard and consistently… with greater concentration, yes… no, we’re at university, they’re not primary school students. I’m glad to hear you agree with me… Well, then, it was nice talking to you again… I’ll talk to you soon then, take care, bye!
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Episode 2 level 1
CHRIS
Good morning. Dr Mustermann?
Dr MUSTERMANN
Good morning. Yes, that’s me. What can I do for you?
CHRIS
Ehm, well I’m looking for a computer science student. I was told that I could perhaps find him here. So I thought that you might know where he is…
Dr MUSTERMANN
Who are you?
CHRIS
My name is Cristina Poggi.
Dr MUSTERMANN
Are you a student here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.
CHRIS
No, I’m not. I’m just looking for someone....
Dr MUSTERMANN
Who would that be, then?
CHRIS
His name is Benny Smith. A friend of his told me I might find him here.
Dr MUSTERMANN
Benny Smith? Is he in the third year?
CHRIS
Yes, that’s right… Have you seen him?
Dr MUSTERMANN
I’m sorry, I haven’t seen him for a few days now.
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Episode 2 level 1
CHRIS
Dr Mustermann, do you have any idea where I could find him?
Dr MUSTERMANN
Well, I think that most students are slogging away at their books right now. And so is Benny, I’m sure. But why are you looking for him, young lady? Has anything happened? Are you a relative of his?
CHRIS
No, not exactly… To be honest, I’m… I don’t know him personally. A colleague of mine is looking for him. There’s an urgent problem ....... I really have to find him!
Dr MUSTERMANN
If it’s a private matter I don’t want to hear anything about it. I don’t get mixed up in my students’ private lives! That’s my rule!
CHRIS
No, Dr Mustermann, I can assure you…
Dr MUSTERMANN
You see, Cristina, I don’t have much time. I have a lot of work to do, and I clearly can’t help you any further…
CHRIS
Benny isn’t at home. We’ve already tried looking for him there.
Dr MUSTERMANN
You seem to be very stubborn. Are you some kind of private detective? What’s this story all about?
CHRIS
Private detective? No, no, I’m a trainee at the Daily Spectator, I want to become a journalist…
Dr MUSTERMANN
Oh, so you’re not a detective… although a good journalist also needs
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Episode 2 level 1 to have some investigative skills. At first I thought you were a detective… You know, good detectives are also good mathematicians. I love crime novels, for example…
CHRIS
Dr Mustermann, we’ve been looking for Benny for quite a while now. Since the other members of his band couldn’t find him, I offered to help them, as a favour. They say it’s very strange that he has disappeared like this. And we thought he might be here because of…
Dr MUSTERMANN
Well, but he’s not here… And I don’t know where else he could be… really… I’m sorry.
CHRIS
Thank you very much for you time anyway, Dr Mustermann… Sorry I disturbed you.
Dr MUSTERMANN
That’s all right, … Don’t worry too much about him, I’m sure everything will be all right in the end …
CHRIS
Thank you and goodbye…
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