1. Pizza

Bob: What’s for dinner?

Ben: Let’s get a pizza.

Bob: We just had one yesterday. We can’t eat pizza day in and day out.

Ben: We don’t eat pizza all the time. We’ve only had two so far this week.

Bob: Look, eating a pizza every now and then, maybe once a month or two, is OK. But it’s not good for our health if we eat it all the time. In the long run, we’ll be healthier when we’re old if we stop eating so many pizzas now.

Ben: Are you suggesting that we stop eating pizza forever? Can you really quit eating pizza for good? No more tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni for the rest of your life?

Bob: Uh... I don’t think I said that, exactly. But since we’ve already had two this week, for the time being we shouldn’t have another one. That’s all I meant. We’ll just wait a little bit.

Ben: Hot, spicy sauce...melted mozzarella cheese...crispy crust...

Bob: Stop it. You’re making me hungry...OK, OK. Let’s go.

Ben: Really?

Bob: Yes. But immediately. We’ll have to go right away, before I reconsider.

2. That Terrible Bus

Kathy: Sam, you are really late. You’ve been late three times this week.

Sam: I know. But it’s not my fault.

Kathy: Why aren’t you on time this morning?

Sam: It’s my bus. I missed it. I think the bus arrived ahead of time. I thought I was 5 minutes early.

Kathy: From now on, you should leave your house in time to catch your bus.

Sam: Yeah, I know. You’re right.

Kathy: It might even be nice if you arrived early off and on. Maybe not every day, but you should get to work on time occasionally.

Sam: I know that. I don’t try to be late.

Kathy: I know that, but I heard that in time, after you get more experience, you’re expected to take a lot of responsibility in this company. Decisions on promotions are just around the corner, maybe even next month. I just want you to get a good recommendation.

Sam: So do I. But every so often, I wonder whether I’ll ever be promoted.

Kathy: Sure you will. But maybe you should buy a car, just to be sure.

Sam: I’m not so sure that I want a car. It’s really a problem finding a place to park day in and day out.

Kathy: That’s true. So far this week, I’ve only been able to park my car by the stadium. That’s a pretty long walk every morning and afternoon.

Sam: Yeah, but it isn’t only that. Parking a car is a lot more expensive than riding a bus. In the long run, I’m probably going to save enough money to buy a house.

Kathy: Ha, ha. I’m not sure about that. Well, maybe a small one.

Sam: No, I mean it. The more I think about it, the smarter it seems to continue taking the bus for good. It will always be a better deal than a car.

Kathy: Well, maybe it seems like a good idea for the time being, but you’re going to have to think about your professional future too. If you continue to come to work late, you’ll wish you’d gotten a car right away instead of waiting.

Exercise 2.