Lesson 8

DRIVER : Have some whisky.
PETER : No thanks. Are you sure you ought to drink when you’re driving?
DRIVER : How d’you mean?
PETER : Well, you know all this ‘Don’t drink and drive campaign. They say it can be dangerous.
DRIVER : I find I drive better when I’ve had something to drink, whatever they say.
PAMELA : Oh, surely not!
DRIVER : Look. See how steady I am.
PETER : Yes, steady as a rock.
DRIVER : Sixty miles an hour on a bend. Not bad eh
PAMELA : yes. You don’t need to convince us
DRIVER : You aren’t scared are you?
PETER : No… no, I think my wife is a bit scared. D you think you could go a little slower?
DRIVER : I thought she was! But I’m in a hurry. We are all in a hurry. That’s modern life.
PAMELA : Yes, but I’m feeling a bit dizzy.
DRIVER : Perhaps we should go really fast. Then you feel exhilarated instead.
PETER : I’ve had enough of this!
DRIVER : Enough of what? This happens to be my car
PAMELA : Please Peter! No, it’s just that I don’t see why we shouldn’t have a pleasant journey together I’m having a pleasant journey.
DRIVER : I’m having a pleasant journey.
PAMELA : Yes, of course. But if you go too fast on the narrow roads, anything could happen.
DRIVER : Oh, I can assure you I’m a good enough driver to judge that.
PAMELA : Of course. I can see you’re an excellent driver. There’s no doubt about that, is there Peter?
METER : No. No. No doubt whatsoever.
PAMELA : But supposing another driver coming the other way makes a mistake, you won’t have time to avoid him.

DRIVER : Few people have such quick reactions as I have.
PETER : But is it worth the risk? Supposing we all end in the cemetery?
DRIVER : Oh, I couldn’t care less.
PAMELA : Why not? You’re still young.
DRIVER : The only thing I’d worry about would be spoiling my car. It’s the thing I love best in the world.
PAMELA : What about your family?
PETER : They might never get over it.
PAMELA : You wouldn’t like that would you?
DRIVER : Oh, no one would miss me. My wife left this morning.
PAMELA : Oh, I am sorry. I think I’m going to be sick
DRIVER : What?
PAMELA : Yes. Quick. I don’t want to spoil your car.
DRIVER : My car! Get out at once. Really! Hitch-hikers

1. Who says drinking and driving are dangerous?
2. When is the driver drinking?
3. Why does he think drinking is good for him?
4. When does Peter get angry with the driver?
5. Why do Peter and Pamela say the driver is excellent?
6. How might there be an accident?
7. What does the driver worry about most of all?
8. Why doesn’t he worry about his own safety?
9. How does Pamela get the driver to stop his car?

EXPRESSIONS OF TACTFUL PERSUASION .?

Are You Sure…..? Oh, I can assure you … Do you think you Are you sure could…? There’s no doubt whatsoever. You wouldn’t like that, would you? Perhaps we should… I don’t see why we shouldn’t…

How d’you mean? :  Please explain
campaign : planned a series of activities
Surely not : That can’t be so
steady (steady as a rock) : balanced, secure
Not bad, eh? : Not bad, don’t you think?
scare : frighten
flat out : at full speed
dizzy : unbalanced, as if everything is turning round
exhilarate full : of high spirits, and very happy
the other way in : the opposite direction
end up : finish
cemetery : area of land where people are buried
I couldn’t care less : and am not a bit worried
get over something : to recover from
leave someone : to separate from one’s spouse
hitch-hikers : person who begs for a ride