011 The working lunch
Dialogue 1
A: Excuse me, Don? I hate to bother you, but I need your help on something. Do you have time to brief me on the Martin account today?
B: Oh, that's right. You are supposed to deliver a brief on that account tomorrow. I know there are some things I need to share with you about that. But, gosh, I don't know.... Things are really busy for me today, the only time I can manage to squeeze out might be over lunch break....
A: I hate to make you work through your lunch break with how busy you are....
B: It's okay.... I've already had several days in a row working through lunch....
A: How about this.... We can make it a working lunch this afternoon, and I'll order some Chinese food for delivery. It'll be my treat.
B: You don't have to do that....
A: I insist. I really appreciate you taking time to work with me in. What is your favorite fast food? I'll cater to your taste.
B: Actually I do like Chinese.... Let's make it a date for Chop Suey and the Martin account at about 12:30. Does that sound good?
A: Great. I'll bring the food.
Dialogue 2
A: For our lunch meeting with the investors, do we have to make a reservation at the restaurant or do we just show up?
B: Usually for lunch, we don't have to reserve a table, they should allow walk-ins. But to be on the safe side, I'll order a table for half-past twelve. Will that suit your schedule?
A: I've arranged to meet them at the restaurant at twelve. Can you make the reservation a little earlier? If we start earlier, it will give us more time for a longer lunch.
B: Are you planning on treating the investors to a full-course meal?
A: Yes, we'll start with appetizers, follow with a soup and salad course, then main dishes of prime rib or cordon bleu chicken, and finish up with a delicious rich dessert of some sort.
B: That'll be pretty heavy for a mid-day meal, don't you think?
A: As along as we stay away from anything alcoholic, we should be okay.
B: With your prime rib and chicken choices, you'd better hope nobody's vegetarian.
A: We can make some special arrangement if we need to. After all, it's the company who is footing the bill.
