Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Mei: Hi, Mum and Dad. I hope you're both well. I'm fine – things are actually going really well now. I didn't want to worry you before, but things were very difficult for me at work at first. But now I'm much happier and I feel more confident. I've got some good friends now, so I don't miss home quite so much. I've told you all about Milton and Robert before. We go out together quite a lot. Last night they both came around to my house for dinner. I cooked duck and vegetables – with your special rice, Mum.
Milton: Mmm, Mei – this is delicious. How did you cook the duck?
Mei: In the oven. Roasted, for quite a long time, with some Chinese spices.
Robert: I want the recipe.
Mei: It's my mum's recipe. I'll give it to you.
Milton: Mmmm. I love food!
Robert: What do you mean, you love food?
Milton: It helps. I mean, we've all got so many things to think about and worry about, but we sit down and eat this delicious duck and everything's OK.
Mei: Well, you and Robert have to make important decisions, but I don't. I'm quite happy at the moment. I'm not 'maybe going to Brazil' or 'maybe living with Chico' or 'maybe going to Florida' or 'maybe getting a real job as an actor'.
Robert: Well, that's true. You really are the lucky one! So give me some advice. What do you both think? Option A: I can go to Brazil – if I can pass the Portuguese test, of course. I can be the manager of a hotel in Rio de Janeiro. But the person I wanted to find in Brazil, Chico, is now coming here to London. I don't have to go to Brazil to find him. So option B: I can stay in London. I can keep the job I have now and I can share a flat with Chico. And see how things work out. What do you think?
Mei: Go to Brazil. You'll love the job.
Milton: Stay in London. Follow your heart.
Robert: Very helpful! Your turn, Milton.
Milton: OK. Option 1. My mother is ill. She lives in Florida. She has her husband Henry and my brother Alfredo to look after her. Alfredo told me she's getting better – the doctors say she's going to be OK. But she's still ill and I know she'd like to see me – and I'd like to see her. So do I go to Florida? Option 2. My dream is to be an actor – to get a real job as an actor. I have the chance of a part in a TV series. If I take the job, I can't go to Florida. What shall I do?
Mei: Go to Florida. Family is the most important.
Robert: Take the job – it's your dream.
Milton: Thanks!
Mei: So there you are – everything's decided. Now it's my turn.
Robert: But you haven't got a difficult decision to make. Have you?
Mei: Well, no … but … I do need some help.
Milton: What?
Mei: If you could invent an app – anything at all – an app that doesn't exist yet, well, what would it be? Tell me about an app that you'd like to have. I need some ideas for a project.
Robert: OK. I'll tell you what I'd like to see. You know when you're watching a film – or a TV series – and you see an actor and you don't remember their name? Well, I'd like to point my phone at the actor and the app will recognise the face and tell me their name and what other things they've appeared in. That might be you one day, Milton! 'Hey, that soldier in Game of Thrones looks familiar! Where have I seen him? Let me check with my app! Oh, of course! He won an Oscar last year for best actor! It's Milton da Silva!'
(Mei and Milton laugh.)
Mei: OK. Good idea. Milton?
Milton: Good idea.
Mei: And yours, Milton?
Milton: OK. Toilets.
Mei and Robert: Toilets?
Milton: Yep. Public toilets. When you're out in the street and you really need to, you know, pee. Your app will tell you where the nearest public toilet is and it will tell you how many stars the toilet has!
Robert: Stars?
Mei: Yes! I understand! Is the toilet clean?! People who use the toilet give it stars on the app. Brilliant idea, Milton!
Robert: And you, Mei? Have you got any ideas?
Mei: Well, I've got an idea, but I'm not sure if it's possible. Living in London, there's so much history to see – all the old streets and old houses. I want to point my phone at a street or a house and see all the photographs of how it looked in the past. The people and everything.
Robert: Brilliant idea! I'm sure there are hundreds of old pictures of London – if you could use them.
Milton: It's a really good idea, Mei. I'd buy it.
Robert: So would I. And your toilet app, Milton. There you are, Mei – three brilliant app ideas. Now you just have to choose one. I know! Let's have a toast to the future. We don't know what's going to happen, what we're going to do or where we'll be this time next year …
Milton: This time next month! But we know that it'll be good!
Robert: Hear, hear! Raise your glasses! The future!
Mei and Milton: The future!
Mei: I'll write to you again soon, but goodbye for now.
Hello, am Shalome from Rwanda I've really enjoy this series so much!! and I hope this is not the last episode for whole story. couse I'd like know what Milton, and Robert decide between those Important options.
Thank you.
Hello Ishimwe,
Thanks for letting us know! I'm afraid we're not working on a next series at the moment, but it's good to know that you are interested and we'll definitely make note of it.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Hi Team,
I have been learning and using this website a lot.
There are fantastic stories: Big city small world, Writing home, Starting out, Word on the street,...etc.
Especially I love this story!
I am hoping you could make another one.
Thanks.
Hello Beautypink,
We're so glad that you enjoyed listening to and watching our audio and video series. We don't have any new series in the works right now, but we're always glad to hear what our users enjoy and will make a note of your request.
Thanks again very much for getting in touch!
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
I think that Robert should stay in London and share a flat with his friend because he wanted to go to Brazil to find his friend, but his friend is already in London, so he dosen't have to go.
- I think robert he will stay in uk and sharing a room with his friend chico and he will not going to brazil because it doesn't make sense
- milton i think he will stay and go to florida for me it's a bad decision because the dream become true for him and game of thrones is a big TV show no one can refused him
Option 1. Thanks a lot for this usefull and fine podcast. I start to understand speaking of people more
Option 2. I think Milton should take part in the TV series, because i am sure his mother want to see him happy. And this job will do it. About Robert. I sure he must to stay in the London.He have good job, friends and Chico here and I am not sure he can well speak on Portuguese: it will be problem for him in the Brasil
I think Robert should stay in London. The main reason for him was to find Chico, but his childhood friend is coming to London. So he has no real reason to go to Brazil. Milton has to go to Florida to see his mum and he can do the test (that audition) online from there. So he won’t have many regrets regarding a possible acting job.
I loved very much this series. I'd like it goes on. I can't wait to read and listen to new episodes from forward series ! Thank you a lot for all your work and for this beautiful series !
Well, although both of it are very difficult decisions to make, I think Robert should stay in London because he wanted to go to Brazil in order to find his childhood friend as the main reason to go there, so if Chico it's going to stay in London he should stay too.
The decision for Milton is more difficult because he'll have only one mother in his life so, maybe he should go and visit her while he can do it, he always would find another job to continue his acting career.
Thanks for the episode.
Great site!