English At Work - BBC ( 25) - The big cheese

Narrator: Hello again. Things haven’t been going well at Tip Top Trading. There was a fire in the warehouse, caused by my Mr Ingle’s cigarette and now Mr Socrates – the big boss from America – has turned up unexpectedly.
Mr S: So honey, you are…?
Anna: Anna. I’m Anna, I work here as a sales executive. We haven’t met before.
Mr S: We sure ain’t. Looks like I’ve arrived just in the nick of time.
Paul: (Out of breath)…what’s going on…..oh, Mr Socrates! Golly gosh, what an unexpected pleasure.
Mr S: Unexpected alright. Looks like this company is in a mess.
Paul: Err yes. It was OK when I popped out for some biscuits….erm, would you like one?
Mr S: Biscuits?! They’re cookies man. Look, now what do I have to do to get a triple-shot, organic, skinny cappuccino round here?
Anna: I’ll get you one Mr Socrates.
Mr S: It’s OK honey. I need you to book me a hotel room. You…what’s your name again…Paul…you can fetch me one.
Narrator: Right Anna. Booking a room for Mr Socrates. This is something you can’t get wrong.
Anna: Well I’ve never done it before.
Narrator: I’m sure you’ll be OK. When you book a room, here’s what you could say:
Hello, I’d like to check availability and prices for a room please.
Does the price include breakfast?
Are there any business facilities such as internet and wi-fi?
I’d like to go ahead and make the reservation please.
Anna: OK I’ll give it a try. But where shall I look?
Narrator: Try searching on the internet. Look for a five-star hotel. He is a five-star guest after all. Good luck.
Anna: Thanks. I better get back to the office and get started.
Tom: Hi Anna.
Anna: Oh hi Tom. Well done for saving Mr Ingle in that fire. You were very brave.
Tom: It was nothing really. So…err…what are you doing?
Anna: I’ve got to book a hotel for Mr Socrates.
Tom: No! You know, we must be in trouble. He never visits.
Anna: Really? So where shall I book him in to?
Tom: Well my friend runs a fantastic hotel – it’s five star! It’s called the Royal Imperial. Look, I’ve got his number. Give him a call, mention my name. You’re bound to get a special rate.
Anna: Thanks Tom.
Tom: No problem. Oh but don’t forget, I’ve heard Mr S only likes a room with a single bed in it. He gets spooked out if there’s another empty bed.
Anna: Oh right. OK, I might as well give it a try.
DIALLING NUMBER ON PHONE
Receptionist: Hello. Royal Imperial Hotel.
Anna: Oh, hello. I’d like to check availability and rates for a room.
Receptionist: When for?
Anna: For three nights from tonight. Your best room please!
Receptionist: All our rooms are the best! But…yes, we have one. It’s £100 a night.
Anna: Right. I work with Tom…Tom Darcy…his friend runs the hotel. I wondered if you could offer me a special rate?
Receptionist: Tom Darcy? No I’ve never heard of him. Sorry, it’s still £100.
Anna: Does the price include breakfast?
Receptionist: Yes. We offer a full continental breakfast of toast, or bread, oh, and tea…or coffee….and cereal.
Anna: Oh. And do you have any business facilities?
Receptionist: Well, we’ve got paper and pens.
Anna: I was thinking, internet, wi-fi… shoe-shine?
Receptionist: Yes. We’ve got that.
Anna: Good. And most importantly, is this a single room?
Receptionist: We’ve only got twin rooms.
Anna: Twins? You’ve only got room for twins?
Receptionist: No. We could take a bed out and just leave one in, if you want?
Anna: Oh that would be perfect. In that case, I’d like to go ahead and make a reservation please.
Receptionist: Good. How would you like to pay?
Narrator: Well done Anna for booking the hotel but I have a feeling Tom’s recommendation may not be as luxurious as he says. Let’s hear the phrases Anna used when booking a hotel:
Hello, I’d like to check availability and prices for a room please.
Does the price include breakfast?
Are there any business facilities such as internet and wi-fi?
I’d like to go ahead and make the reservation please.
So the room is booked. I wonder what Mr Socrates will think of it? He’s a particularly fussy man as we’ll find out next time. Bye!