Business English in Fiction. Практикум

Unit 7

Richard picked up the phone. “International operator, please. What time is it in London?”

“Seven minutes past nine.”

Richard flicked through his personal phone book and said, “Please connect me to 01 -735-7227.”

He waited impatiently. A voice came on the line. “Bank of America.”

“Put me through to Jonathan Coleman, please.” Another wait.

“Jonathan Coleman.”

“Good morning, Jonathan, it’s Richard Kane.”

“Nice to hear from you, Richard. What are you up to?”

“I need some information urgently. Which bank is Colin Dudley chairman of?”

“Hold on a minute, Richard, and I'll look him up in the Bankers’ Year Book.” Richard could hear the pages turning.

“Robert Fraser and Company,” came back the reply “Only now he’s Sir Colin Dudley.”

“What’s his number?” “493-3211”

“'Thank you, Jonathan. I'll give you a call when I'm next in London.”

Richard wrote the number on the corner of an envelope and dialed the international operator again as Florentyna came into the bedroom.

“Getting anywhere?”

“I’m about to find out. Operator, can you please get me a number in London, 493-3211.”

“Robert Fraser and Company.”

“May I speak to Sir Colin Dudley, please.” “Who shall I say is calling, sir?”

“Richard Kane of the Baron Group, New York.” “Hold on please, sir.”

Richard waited again.

“Good morning. Dudley here.”

“Good morning, Sir Colin. My name is Richard Kane. I think you knew my father?”

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“Of course. We were at Harvard together. Good chap, your old man. I was very sad to read about his death. Wrote to your mother at the time. Where are you calling from?”

“New York.”

“Get up early, you Americans, don’t you? So what can I do for you?”

“Do you still own two per cent of Lester’s Bank shares?” Richard held his breath again.

“Yes, I do. Paid a bloody king’s ransom for them. Still, can’t complain. Your father did me a few favours in his time.”

“Would you consider selling them, Sir Colin?” “If you’re willing to offer me a sensible price.” “How much would you consider sensible?”

There was a long pause. “Eight hundred thousand dollars.” “I accept,” said Richard, without hesitation, “but I must be

able to pick them up tomorrow, and I'm not risking a courier service, if I bank-transfer the money, can you have all the paperwork done by the time I arrive?”

“Simple, dear boy,” Dudley said without demur. “I’ll also have a car meet you at the airport and put at your disposal while you’re in London.”

“Thank you, Sir Colin.”

“Go easy with the “Sir”, young fellow. I’ve reached that age when I prefer to be called by my Christian name. Just let me know when you expect to arrive and everything will be ready for you.”

“Thank you . . . Colin.” Richard put the phone down.

By six o’clock, Richard was booked on the nine fifteen flight from Kennedy Airport. He had also booked himself on a return flight the following morning at eleven arriving back in New York by one thirty-five the following afternoon, giving him twenty-four hours to spare before the stockholders’ meeting at two o’clock on Wednesday.

“Running things a bit close, aren’t we?” said Florentyna, “but, fear not, I believe in you. By the way, William is expecting you to bring him back a model of a red London bus.”

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“You’re always making these major commitments on my behalf. It’s a heavy load I carry as the chief executive of your group.”

“I know, dear, and to think it’s only because you sleep with the chairman.”

By seven Richard was seated at his office desk writing explicit instructions for the transfer of the eight hundred thousand dollars by telex to Robert Fraser and Company, Albemarle Street, London W.I. Richard knew the money would be in Sir Colin Dudley's bank long before he was. At seven thirty he was driven to the airport and he checked in. The 747 took off on time and he arrived at London’s Heathrow at ten o’clock that night. Sir Colin Dudley had been as good as his word. A driver was waiting to pick him up and whisk him off to the Baron. The manager had put him in the Davis Leroy Suite. The Presidential Suite, he explained, was already occupied by Mr. Jagger. The rest of his group had taken over the ninth floor.

“I don’t think I know the group,” said Richard. “What area do they specialize in?”

“Singing,” said the manager.

When Richard checked at the reception desk, there was a message waiting for him from Sir Colin suggesting they meet at the bank at nine the following morning.

Richard dined quietly in his rooms and called Florentyna to bring her up to date before going to bed.

“Hang in there, Mr. Kane. We’re all depending on you.” Richard woke at seven and packed before going down to

breakfast.

As nine o’clock struck, Richard walked in the front door of Robert Fraser and Company in Albemarle Street only a few hundred yards from the Baron. A secretary ushered him through to Sir Colin Dudley's office.

“Had a feeling you’d be on time, old fellow, so I have everything prepared for you. Your eight hundred thousand dollars

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arrived before close of business yesterday so all I have to do is sign the share certificates over to you in the presence of a witness.” Sir Colin flicked a switch. “Can you come in, Margaret?” Sir Colin's private secretary watched the chairman of one bank sign the transfer certificates so that the recipient could become the chairman of another bank.

Richard checked over the documents, carefully signed his part of the agreement and was handed a receipt for eight hundred thousand dollars.

“Well, I hope that all the trouble you’ve taken in coming yourself will ensure that you become the chairman of Lester's, old chap.”

Comprehension Check

Answer the following questions about the text, use the bold words and expressions.

1.Why did Richard call Jonathan Coleman?

2.What expressions did Coleman use to greet Richard?

3.How did Coleman obtain the information Richard wanted?

4.Why did Richard want to get in touch with Sir Colin Dudley?

5.What did you learn from their conversation about Sir Colin’s relationship with Richard’s father?

6.What price did Sir Colin consider sensible for his shares of Lester’s Bank?

7.What kind of share transfer procedure did they agree about?

8.What did Sir Colin offer to put at Richard’s disposal?

9.What travel arrangements did Richard make before his departure to London?

10.Is it true that Sir Coin was as good as his word? Why?

11.What business operations did the deal involve?

12.What did Sir Colin suggest Richard should do to make the stockholder’s meeting of Lester’s Bank in New York?

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Unit 7

Section II. Speaking

Roleplay

(for four participants: A, B, C, D)

Background information.

Переговоры по телефону о назначении деловой встречи и предварительное обсуждение условий сделки о покупке- продаже акций или других ценных бумаг.

А: Вы пытаетесь связаться по телефону с интересую- щим вас лицом. Вы звоните через оператора. После того, как вас соединяют с офисом нужного вам сотрудника, вы бесе- дуете с его секретарем, сообщаете ему свое имя, место рабо- ты, должность, цель звонка. Затем вы беседуете с сотрудни- ком фирмы (банка), обращаетесь к нему с предложением о покупке (продаже) акций или других ценных бумаг, обсуж- даете условия, получаете предварительное согласие, дого- вариваетесь о встрече.

В: Вы – оператор. Спросите, с каким номером соединить абонента. Сообщите о соединении.

С: Вы – секретарь. Представьте свою компанию. Спроси- те о том, кто звонит. Попросите подождать у телефона.

D: Вы – сотрудник фирмы (банка), к которому обра- щаются с предложением купить (продать) акции или дру- гие ценные бумаги. Поинтересуйтесь условиями (цена, сро- ки, количество, способ передачи). Дайте согласие. Догово- ритесь о встрече. Узнав, что собеседник ваш бывший однокурсник, предложите ему называть вас просто по име- ни.

Он приезжает к вам из другого города. Предложите зака- зать для него номер в гостинице, предоставить в его распоря- жение машину с шофером, которая заедет за ним в аэропорт и доставит в гостиницу и в офис.

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Section III. Writing

Vocabulary Practice

Translate the following sentences into English in writing. Use the Vocabulary list for the translation of the bold

words and expressions.

1.Когда господин Браун прибыл в гостиницу, он подо-

шел к столу администратора, чтобы зарегистрироваться, и

спросил, нет ли для него каких-либо сообщений.

2.– Почему он называет нашего директора просто по

имени?

–Они давно друг друга знают. Они еще в университе-

те вместе учились.

3.Вы не могли бы сделать мне одолжение и заехать за

мной в гостиницу?

4.Вам не следует давать обещания от моего имени.

5.Когда представители вашей фирмы приедут в Моск-

ву, мы предоставим в их распоряжение машину с шофером

ипереводчиком.

6.Он поинтересовался, может ли он заказать билет на

обратный рейс.

7.Важного свидетеля похитили и потребовали за него огромный выкуп.

8.Мне срочно нужна информация по этому вопросу. Вы не могли бы ввести меня в курс дела?

9.Я передал им документы и потребовал расписку в по-

лучении.

10.– Он обещал продать нам свои акции. Вы уверены, что он нас не подведет?

–Нет, он сдержит слово. Он уже договорился с банком. На завтра вам назначена встреча, на которой будут подписаны акционерные сертификаты и свидетельство о передаче акций.

11.Получатель должен расписаться здесь.

12.– Вы не могли бы сказать, когда сегодня отправляется рейс на … ?

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Unit 7

–Подождите минутку, сейчас посмотрю (в расписа-

нии)… В 13.50.

–А рейс не задерживается?

–Нет, самолет отправляется вовремя.

–Ой, боюсь не успею.

13.– Вы не могли бы соединить меня с начальником от- дела продаж?

–Как вас представить?

–Это Джон Блейк из компании “…” .

–Подождите минуту у телефона. Соединяю.

Test

1.

Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right.

2.

Match the words on the left with the words they are most likely to be associated with on the right.

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3.

Fill in the gaps with prepositions from the list below. (Some of the propositions can be used more than once.)

1.Put me … to Mr. Black, please.

2.Connect me … 01-780-7235.

3.You can call me … my Christian name.

4.Nice to hear …you.

5.Shall I pick you … at the hotel?

6.Did you book yourself … a return flight?

7.If you hurry up you will be able to make … the meeting.

8.We can put the car … your disposal.

9.Why did you make this commitment … my behalf?

10.You should check … these papers very carefully before you sign them.

11.The plane took … on time.

12.I don’t know anything about it. Can you bring me … to date?

13.Do you think we can arrive … the airport in time for the flight?

14.He arrived at the hotel at 9, came up to the reception desk and checked … .

1.—

2.at

3.by

4.on

5.to

6.over

7.through

8.off

9.in

10.up

11.from

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Unit 8

Unit 8

Skills: Reading, Speaking, Writing

Section I. Reading

Background information to the extract from J. Grisham’s novel “The Firm”.

Выпускник Гарвардского университета (Mitchell Y.McDeere), юрист по образованию, ищет работу. Он уже полу- чил три предложения – одно из Чикаго и два из Нью-Йорка – от самых престижных фирм в стране. Поэтому предложение от небольшой и не очень известной юридической фирмы в Мемфисе мало его интересует. И все же, он решает принять их приглашение пройти собеседование, просто из любопытства.

Vocabulary Guide

Here is the list of words and expressions commonly used in business communication. You will come across these words in the text that follows.

Look through the list carefully before you read the text. It will help you to understand the text adequately.

Learn these words and use them in the conversation you will have to make up as a business communication assignment in the Roleplay Section of the unit.

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