The lifts have broken down again

The Browns have lived in their new flat in London for three months now. Bill Brown has just got home.

Bill: Hello, darling, did you have a good day?

Sheila: No, it was terrible.

Bill: Yes, I saw the lifts have broken down again.

Sheila: Yes, they broke down this morning. They're a terrible problem. I had to walk down. That wasn't so bad, but it was so difficult to get up again with the shopping.

Bill: Oh, you poor thing.

Sheila: Yes. Last week it was the lights in all the corridors which went out, today it was the lifts - for the fifth time.

Bill: Did anyone telephone the council?

Sheila: Oh, yes. Tom Johnson rang them up immediately.

Bill: What did they say?

Sheila: They can't come and mend until next week. Marvelous, isn't it?

Bill: It's terrible! It's unfair on the old people, like Mrs Turner.

Sheila: Yes, she couldn't go out today. She had to stay up in her flat alone again, and she wanted to go to the cinema with a friend of hers.

Bill: Perhaps she needs some help.

Sheila: I asked her this morning. I'm going shopping for her tomorrow. She needs something to eat for supper.

Bill: That's very good of you.

Sheila: Well, in this place we all have to help each other. But I wish we didn't live here. Sometimes I get so tired of it. Like today.

Bill: But don't you like the flat?

Sheila: No, I hate it. I noted it when we first came here, and I still hate it. It's lonely. I only know one or two neighbours. I can't walk anywhere except the car parks and the streets. There's no garden. And there's not enough room in the flat. Ever; thing's so crowded.

Bill: Oh, it's not as bad as that.

Sheila: It is. It's all right for you. You go out to work, I don't. I here all day and it's boring.

Bill: Well, perhaps we can go out more.

Sheila: We don't have the money, you know that. Really, Bill, I can't stand this flat much longer. It's driving me mad.

Working day (flat)

Nina: Hallo, Mary.

Mary: Hallo, come in. Don't mind the mess. I'm just doing the room.

Nina: Oh, what a pity you are busy! Look! I've got two tickets for the cinema. The show begins at five sharp.

Mary: Don't worry. We have time enough for everything. We still have an hour before the show. It never takes me much time to tidy up my room.

Nina: Let me help you. What am I to do?

Mary: If you don't mind, you water the flowers and dust the books while I sweep the floor and put everything in its place.

Nina: Where am I to put this flower-pot?

Mary: Somewhere on the window-sill.

Nina: Don't you want to air the room? Do you mind if I open the window?

Mary: Oh, no. I don't mind it a bit!

Nina: Now the room looks quite tidy. There is nothing else to do. Let's go.

Mary: Wait a moment. I have to wash up the dishes.

Nina: Somebody else can do it, I think.

Mary: Certainly, anybody can, but today it's my turn to do it. We all help Mother about the house as much as we can.

Nina: And who dues the shopping in your family?

Mary: As a rule, Mother goes shopping after work. Oh, that reminds me. I must buy something for supper, as Mother has a lecture tonight.

Nina: I see!