A: And therefore, global warming is the greatest deception of the early 21st century. Questions?

B: Uh… yeah. In the lecture you said there’s more evidence in the scientific record supporting global cooling?

A: Well, yes, essentially, the historical record supports a theory of climate cycles. Warming and cooling are cooperating processes in the planetary eco-system.

B: If that’s true and the planet is getting cooler, what explains the rapid melting of the polar ice caps and the dramatic rise in the global average temperatures?

A: But are global temperatures rising? If you look at the data from nineteen seventy-five you’ll…

B: You’ll be misled. If you were serious, you would look at the record starting in the 1880’s. Then you would see how dramatically the earth’s temperature has changed.

A: Young lady, I beg to differ. Look, the point of the lecture was to emphasize that there is evidence for both sides, and I'm putting forth the argument that there's greater evidence in support of the global cooling hypothesis. Look, it's an indisputable fact that the public is being manipulated and scared into believing there’s some kind of climate crisis; this scaremongering is done, quite simply, for political reasons.

B: But even without the uncomfortable reality that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide contribute to global warming, isn’t the topic appropriate for politicians to discuss?

A: Not if they want to use your tax dollars and mine to fund completely unnecessary initiatives.

B: Yeah, like conservation, protecting endangered species and investing in renewable energy. At the very least, you have to concede that this debate has the potential to end our dependence on foreign oil. Buying oil supports autocratic countries that use these revenues to devastating ends.

A: Why, I’ve never been so disrespected in all of my days. I’m a professor, a scientist and researcher of high regard.

B: Yeah, and a duplicitous one at that. Everyone knows you’re in the pocket of the oil lobby. Why should we trust your so-called findings more than tobacco institute studies which say smoking doesn’t harm health? You’re full of it.

A: Some people just cannot handle civil debate!

A: Hello, ma'am, can I help you find something?

B: Yes, actually I'm looking to buy a camera.

A: We've got a wide selection do you know if you'd like a point-and-shoot, or something a little fancier? Are you shopping for yourself or for someone else?

B: Actually I'm buying a camera for my husband.

A: Ah, well then I'd recommend a nice entry-level digital SLR.

B: Yeah? Can I take a look at the SLRs you carry?

A: Sure thing, follow me. This here is the....

B: The Canon Eos. Yeah it's ok, but I'm looking for something that performs better in low light, has a better display panel, and longer battery life.

A: Oh, ah, um the Nikon D60 is a nice option.

B: Yeah, but what kit lens does this camera come with? I don't want some bulky telephoto lens.

A: Oh, well this one has the, uh.

B: Looks to me like an 18-55mm lens. Pretty standard, that will do. Not like my husband will be stalking celebrities or anything!

A: So, ahem, can I interest you in any acc...

B: Accessories? Do you carry polarizing filters?

A: Polarizing filter um we should! I'm sorry, ma'am. Looks like we're sold out.

B: No you're not! There are some right here!

A: Oh, well, would you look at that! Po-la-ri-zing filters.

B: Thanks for your help, Ralph!

A: No problem, ma'am.

A: ... Now that we have been over the gory details of our disastrous first quarter, Ed! Give us some good news. How are things looking for us in terms of sales this month?

B: Uh well...would you like the bad news first or the really bad news?

A: What? Ed, don't tell me you only have bad news!

B: Well sir, our sales have dropped, no plunged, fifty percent in the past month alone. We are currently overstocked and overstaffed and our profits are falling fast. The market is in recession and we have no way of moving our inventory, or getting rid of our staff. If we consider redundancies, it would cost us a fortune because of the new regulations governing compensation packages. It's a real mess.

A: For crying out loud... How fast are we losing money?

B: Um...how can I put this? Let's just say that at this pace, we will be filing for Chapter eleven in less than three months.

A: What! Geez! How could this have happened? So what's the bad news?

B: Oh, that's the really bad news. Our supplier suffered QC problems and, well, half of our production is faulty. We're going to have to recall all items sold in the last quarter. And the worst part? We're going to have to shoulder this cost.

A: Are you joking? Get the supplier on the line now! They have to assume the costs of this mess!

B: We tried that, sir. The factory has gone under and the owner apparently has fled the country.

A: We're doomed!

B: There is some really good news though!

A: Really? What!

B: I got offered a new job!

A: Hello everyone and welcome to our CPR for beginners course. First of all, does anyone know what CPR stands for?

B: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation!

A: That's right! We apply CPR in the case of cardiac arrest or pulmonary arrest.

B: What does that mean?

A: Well, basically if your heart stops pumping blood, or your lungs stop pumping air, then we need to get them going again! That's when we have to apply this procedure. Let's begin! I need a volunteer.

B: Me! Me!

A: Alright, come here and lay flat on your back. Let's suppose this young woman has stopped breathing. We must lift the person's chin so that we clear a pathway for air to get into the lungs. Then we place our mouth over the other person's mouth and blow air two or three times, like this.

B: Wait, what are you doing? I'm a married woman! You can't just try to kiss me like this!

A: Ma’ am I'm not trying to kiss you! I am trying to demonstrate how to apply CPR in the case of an emergency.

B: Well, ok. But no French kissing!

A: As I was saying, we blow air through the mouth in this manner. Once this is done, we must try to get the heart going again. To do this, we place our hands over the person's chest, and press down firmly two or three times.

B: Wait, what are you doing! You can't just kiss me then go for second base!

A: Where is everyone? We were supposed to start fifteen minutes ago!

B: Jo called and said she'd be here in a sec. She said she got tied up with a client.

C: Sorry I'm late everyone. There was a huge traffic jam on the highway this morning.

D: Morning everyone! Were you stuck in traffic as well, Jess? There was a huge pileup on the highway and traffic was backed up for miles.

B: Scott just called and said that he's running late. His last meeting ran over, but he's on his way now.

A: Guys, this is not acceptable. If I say the meeting starts at ten, the meeting starts at ten. Not ten-oh-one! And definitely not ten-twenty! All right. Let's get started. So the first thing I want to talk about is our...

E: I'm really sorry, everyone! I know I'm late. But really, it's not my fault. I was getting a coffee at Starbucks, and the line was way too long. I was waiting for twenty minutes to get my coffee!

A: OK class, settle down. I have the results of your individual personality tests. I am going to hand them out and if you'dlike, you can read them out loud to the rest of the class.

B: I'll read mine!

A: OK, go ahead.

B: It says here that I am adventurous, outgoing and easy-going. It says that I am a little superstitious and occasionally naive! That's not true!

A: The test isn't one-hundred percent accurate. Is that all it says?

B: No! It also says that I am open-minded with great ambition but that I can also be reckless and clumsy. This is stupid!

A: Ok, anyone else want to read theirs?

C: I'll go! It says that I am an extroverted, well-balanced person. It says I am generous, outspoken, and very diligent. This is so true! It also says that I am magnanimous, eloquent and daring! This is totally me!

A: Pfft whatever, these tests are bologna!

A: I'm hungry, let's grab a bite to eat.

B: Sure! How about we go home and prepare a couple of sandwiches?

A: Nah! Let's go get a burger and fries.

B: All you ever do is have unhealthy fast food Pizza, fries, burgers and hot dogs! You have to start eating better!

A: What are you talking about? I have salads sometimes.

B: Yeah right! I'm serious! You should also cut down on your sugar intake as well. You drink carbonated drinks that are high in fructose syrup! It's really not healthy!

A: Fine! I'll start drinking and having home cooked meals that are low in fat. Are you happy now?

B: It's a start, but I'll be happy when I see you stick to your promise!

Mr. Parsons: Come in.

Rebecca Carlyle: Mr Parsons ?

Mr. Parsons: Ah, you must be Rebecca. Please do come in.

Rebecca Carlyle: Thank you for making some time to see me Mr Parsons. It's a pleasure to meet you finally.

Mr. Parsons: The pleasure's all mine Rebecca. Have a seat please . Now would you like any refreshments? Tea or coffee?

Rebecca Carlyle: A coffee would be lovely thank you. Black, no sugar.

Mr. Parsons: No problem. Sally can we have two coffees please One, no milk or sugar?

Sally: Certainly Mr Parsons .

Mr. Parsons: So Rebecca, I understand you had a first interview with Miss Childs last week.

Rebecca Carlyle: Yes that's correct. She filled me in onthe details ofthe job onthe telephone.

Mr. Parsons: Great. Well, I'm glad to say she recommended you for a 2nd interview, and here we are. Perhaps we can start by discussing your background and resume details a little?

Rebecca Carlyle: Yes , of course.