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- Good heavens! It’s Kristi!
- I don’t believe it! It’s Marco!
- What are you doing here?
- I’m here on business, the company I work for is holding a conference here in Washdon, what about you?
- Yes, I’m here for work too, look, Marco, I haven’t eaten yet, and I’ve also got to go over a few papers.
- Why don’t we meet at the bar later on? Say, about ten thirty?
Can you manage that?
- Oh, yes, certainly!
- Great! Well, see you later then.
- Hello, Marco, sorry I couldn’t make it earlier, I had all these boring documents to get through.
- That’s alright. I’ve only been here since half past nine. Well, what can I get you to drink?
- I’ll have a vodka and tonic.
- A vodka and tonic, please, and another large scotch.
- Alright, I’m doing my best!
- So, Marco, you’re not a student any more, obviously.
- No, certainly not! I’m working in the computer industry now, for ECS, Electronic Control and Security, in fact.
- They’re a multinational corporation, their headquarter is in Los Angeles, and they have branches all over the world.
- Yes, I’ve heard of ECS, of course. What do you do for them, then? Are you some sort of computer buff?
- Certainly not! Here, take a look at my card.
- “Marco Benini, Assistant Marketing Manager, Central Italy.” Good for you, Marco!
- I expect you get a pretty good income, too.
- It’s not bad – what’s left of it after I’ve paid tax.
- I thought Italians hardly ever paid tax.
- Ah, no. it’s only the very rich who manage that these days. But tell me about yourself, anyway, what are do up to?
- Well, I’m still working for North German TV. I’m in charge of the News Department now.
- Really? So we both seem to be doing pretty well then.
- Here are your drinks, sir. That’ll be $7.75.
- Put it on my bill, please. The company will pay. They look after their staff, you see.
- Will you sign here, please?
- I’ll put it down as “entertaining foreign clients”.
- I think the barman wants something, Marco.
- Can I have your signature, please, sir? On this bill?
- Here you go.
- Thank you very much, sir.
- Well, here’s to success!
- Cheers, Marco! How about your private life, then?
- Is there a Mrs. Benini yet, sitting at home making much of spaghetti for her Marco?
- No, I’m not quite ready for that yet, although I’m engaged.
- What does your fiancée? Do?
- Oh, she doesn’t have to earn her living at all, her surname is Strapieno.
- As a strapieno, the chocolate manufacturers?
- That’s right, her father’s the owner of the firm.
- Good for you! When are you getting married?
- Oh, we haven’t fixed a date yet.
- But it doesn’t mean that …you know…
- It doesn’t mean what?
- It doesn’t mean I can’t have a bit of fun when I’m away on business, if you see what I mean.
- Anyway, how about you, Kristi? You’re against marriage and having children and all these boring old things anyway.
- Aren’t you? Or have you changed?
- It’s not that I’m against it, I’m quite fond of children, but I don’t really feel like having any of my own.
- As far as marriage is concerned, well, the only interesting men I meet these days all seem to be unavailable or uninteresting.
- Oh, really? I hope you don’t think that I’m like uninteresting, I mean.
- Don’t worry, Marco, I’ve always thought of you as 100% interesting and I’m sure you still are.
- You bet! Both available and interesting! I need another drink. How about you, Kristi?
- Yes, I wouldn’t mind. But I was just thinking…
- Yes?
- I don’t really like this bar; the lights are much too bright.
- I know what you mean.
- So why don’t we go to my room, and maybe get something from the mini-bar?
- Nice idea, Kristi.
- Come on, then.
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