At the Filling Station

Samuel: Fill it up, please.

Attendant: High-test or regular, Mr. Bradley?

S.: Regular, please. Why should I pay 3 cents a gallon extra for high-test gasoline when I really don't notice any difference?

A.: They say the high-test has a little more power and causes less carbon.

S.: I've tried both kinds many times and as to power, the regular gasoline seems to be just as good as the high-test. It's possible the high-test leaves less carbon, but I turn my car in every year or two anyway, so I'm never bothered by any carbon.

A.: Shall I check the oil?

S.: Yes, please. By the way, next week my wife and I are going down South for a month. So you might look at the battery too.

A.: The battery is full. As to the oil, it's OK, so far. But you may come in tomorrow to have the car greased before the long trip.

S.: Sure, and you can change the oil at the same time.

A.: How about the tires? Do they need air? I may as well check them... Oh, I'm afraid, I'll have to fill them... (fills the tires with air) Well, here you are. I'll clean the windshield for you now and you'll be all set. That will be 3 dollars and ten cents, Mr. Bradley.

S.: You didn't check the air in the spare tire, did you? That's the tire you fixed for me about a fortnight ago - remember? It had a puncture in it - a slow leak. I want to be sure it's all right.

A.: Let me have the trunk key, I'll check it with tire gauge. It seems to be all right. Shall I give you the map so that you could choose the best route for your trip?

S.: Don't bother now. I'll come in again just before I leave and you can help me find the route with the best highways and mark it on the map.

A.: Certainly, Mr. Bradley. I'll be glad to. By the way, did you see the wreck down the road this mornine?

S.: I saw a car lying more or less in the ditch there.

A.: A fellow skidded off the highway late last night during that rainstorm. He was doing about 60 miles an hour and apparently couldn't make

the curve. He hit a tree.

S.: Was he hurt badly?

A.: They took him to the hospital, but they seem to think he'll be all right. The car is pretty smashed up. We've sent a tow-car down there this morning to pull the car out, but it's wrapped around that tree so tight that it took us a couple of hours to budge it.

S.: I'm lucky, my wife Juliet didn't come in here with me and didn't see that car. Though I drive very carefully, she's afraid of getting in the accident, so she would be grumbling all the time during the trip: "Be careful now! Watch out for that car ahead! The traffic lights are about to change! Don't drive so fast!"

A.: Can your wife drive a car?

S.: She's learning to...

A.: How long has she been learning?

S.: It'll be exactly ten years next July.

A.: (smiling) Women certainly don't seem to make very good drivers.

S.: I agree with you. I know that whenever I'm driving and see a woman going toward me in the opposite direction, I always make sure to give her at least half of the road.

A.: But how can you tell which half of the road she wants?