unit 05

Unit 5: An Invitation

Video Story
Introduction
Sally went out with Phil for the first time, and she thinks he’s really cute. For
the moment, at least, she has forgotten all the advice her friend Gina gave her.
Gina, too, has decided to let things take their natural course. It is nearly Easter.
Sally had promised her parents she would spend the long weekend in Los
Angeles with them, but that was before she started dating Philip.

Sally: How did you learn to cook like that, Gina? That pasta sauce was
to die for!
Gina: Well, I’ve had really good teachers in Mom and Nana. In Italy,
food plays a very important part in life. If you like, I could show
you how to do a few recipes, and in no time you’ll be a gourmet
cook, just like me!
Sally: I’d like to take you up on that, if you really mean it.
Gina: Of course I do. How about starting next week, when you come
back after the Easter weekend?
Sally: OK, you’re on! Oh, is that the time? Phil’s coming over. We’re
going to watch a video. Why don’t you join us? I’m sure he
wouldn’t mind.
Gina: Thanks, but it’s my yoga class tonight. Pete’s picking me up just
before 8.
Sally: Oh, of course, it’s Tuesday. Oh my gosh! I have so much to do
before the weekend. You know, I’m really looking forward to
spending Easter with Mom and Dad. I miss them a lot since I
moved here.
Gina: Well, is there anything I can do to help you out?
Sally: Not really. Well, actually, there is one thing. Do you think you
could keep an eye on Felix while I’m gone? He just gets fed once
a day. Oh, and would you mind checking that he always has
water, too?
Gina: Of course, no problem. I’d do that anyway. Anything else?
Sally: No, that’s it. Except, well, I was wondering if I could possibly
borrow your black capri pants? I’ll take care of them, I promise.
Gina: Let me think about it. I suppose you could. On one condition —
you bring me back some duty-free perfume on your the way
home.
Sally: OK. It’s a deal. Let me know what kind you like before I go.
Gina: Sure! By the way, I couldn’t borrow your laptop while you’re
gone, could I?
Sally: Sorry, I’m afraid it’s not working. I need to get it fixed.
Gina: Oh well. Too bad! (door bell) I’ll get it. Oh, hi, Pete.
Peter: Hi there. Sorry I’m late. We’ve only got ten minutes before the
class starts. Are you ready?
Sally: Oh, hi, Phil. Come in.
Gina: Bye you two. (door shuts)
Sally: Gina and I were just talking about the weekend. I’m off to my parents for Easter. What are you doing?
Philip: Nothing much.
Sally: Why don’t you come with me?
Philip: Well, thanks for the invitation, but I’d never get a flight now anyway. It’s way too late.
Sally: Oh, come on. You’ll never know if you don’t give it a try!
Philip: Alright. Why not?
Sally: Great! That’s settled. Now, how about that video?

 

 

 

Cultural Commentary

Introduction
Eye on the Street: Interview about Relationships
Interview with a twenty-nine-year-old vivacious American woman.

Interviewer: Ann, are you married or single?
Ann: I’m married.
Interviewer: Where did you meet your husband?
Ann: I met John in Vancouver. I had just finished university up there. I was
sharing a house, a big five-bedroom house, with three other girls and we
decided we wanted a guy to rent the other bedroom. My future husband
answered the newspaper ad.
Interviewer: What attracted you to him?
Ann: His legs! (Laughs) Beautiful legs! I love dark tanned legs with blonde
hairs.
Interviewer: Anything else?
Ann: (Laughs) The rest of him was nice too! Oh, and he could cook. We asked
for a guy who could cook in the ad. He still cooks!
Interviewer: How long did you go out before you got married?
Ann: Well, we both moved up to Lake Tahoe for jobs as ski instructors and
then we lived together for two years before we were married.
Interviewer: Did you get engaged?
Ann: No, the thought never occurred to us. No diamond ring!
Interviewer: Why did you get married?
Ann: We got married because we decided that we wanted babies.
Interviewer: Did John propose to you?
Ann: No, he didn’t. We always assumed that we would get married, so there
was never a need for it. However, I wanted to get married before having babies.
Interviewer: Interviewer How long have you been married?
Ann: Four years.
Interviewer: If you had the chance to do it all over again, is there anything you
would change?
Ann: Well, I would love a big diamond ring, so if I had to do it again, I’d get
formally engaged.
Interviewer: Thank you very much, Ann.
Ann: Thank you.

Interviewer: Do you think that you would choose the path that Ann took or
would you prefer to do things in a more traditional way: formal engagement and
a ring, followed by a wedding?

 

 

 

 

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