7.2. At the Hotel

At about I o’clock in the afternoon Mister Galkin arrived at the Tavistock Hotel. A hotel-porter took Galkins suit-case and showed him to the reception-desk. Galkin told the receptionist that the Russian Trade Delegation had reserved a room in his name a few days before. The receptionist checked that and said that they could let him have a nice room on the third floor. After that the receptionist gave Mister Galkin a form and asked him to fill it in.

Mister Galkin wrote his name, address, nationality and occupation on the form and gave it back. Then the porter took the key to Galkin room and they went to the lift. In a minute they were on the third floor. The porter unlocked the door, brought in the suit-case and asked if that was all. Galkin thanked him, gave him a tip and the porter went out. Galkin unpacked his suit-case and rang the bell for a chambermaid because he wanted to have his suit pressed.

Chambermaid:	Good afternoon, sir. What can I do for you?
Galkin:	Good afternoon. Could I have my jacket and trousers pressed?
Chambermaid:	Very good, sir. I think I can do it right away.
Galkin:	Thank you. By the way, could I have an extra blanket? I’m afraid I’ll be cold at night as the weather is damp to-day.
Chambermaid:	I’ll attend to it, sir.
Galkin:	Thank you. I wonder if the restaurant is open now.
Chambermaid:	Yes, sir. The restaurant serves breakfast from eight to ten, lunch from twelve to two thirty and dinner from six to eight.
Galkin:	Thank you very much.

9.1.Telephone Conversation

A:	Priority Investments. Can I help you?
B:	Yes, this is George Biederbeke. Could I speak to someone in your corporate finance department?
A:	Just a moment, I’ll put you through.
C:	Daniel speaking.
B:	My name is George Biederbeke from the Austin Corporation. I’d like to make an appointment to see your Corporate Finance Manager.
C:	Yes. Could you tell me what exactly you want to talk about?
B:	Well, we are approaching a number of investment companies with a view to placing business with them.
C:	I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.
B:	I said that we are interested in your investment services.
C:	I see, and you would like to meet our Corporate Finance Manager?
B:	That’s right.
C:	When would be convenient for you?
B:	Friday, 28 June would suit me - in the afternoon.
C:	Just a moment, I’ll check with Mr. Foster - our Corporate Finance Manager.
B:	I’m sorry, I didn’t catch his name.
C:	Foster.
B:	Right.
C:	Just a moment, let me check...Yes, that’ll be fine, about 2 p.m Could I have your name again?
B:	Biederbeke.
C	Could you spell that, please?
B:	B, I, E, D, E, R, B, E, K, E.
C:	Right, I’ve got that. We’d like to send you a copy of our current prospectus if you give me your address...
B:	Of course. It’s the Austin Corporation, 514 Sea-view...
C:	514 Sea-new.
B:	No, it’s Sea-view.
C:	Right, I’ve got that.
B:	2952 Seattle.
C:	2952 Seattle. Right, let me just repeat that, Mr. Biederbeke.
	Austin Corporation. 514 Sea-view, 2952 Seattle.
B:	Right.
C:	And your telephone number, Mr. Biederbeke?
B:	It’s (1452) 67791.
C:	(1452)67791. Right. We’ll get the prospectus in the post to you today.
B:	Good. Let me just confirm the appointment. Friday, 28 June, at 2 o’ clock.
C:	Fine, we look forward to seeing you then.
B:	Good-bye.
C:	Good-bye.

9.2. Getting people to do things (from Leo Jones, Richard Alexander)