"Life in the office" - chapter 6

Christmas is coming, isn't it?

JANE:      Hi Mary. How are you today?

MARY:    Just perfect! Christmas is coming, isn't it?  Everyone should be jolly!

JANE:      I don't think Steve is going to be happy this Christmas.

MARY:     Oh! You are talking about this row he had with our new boss the other day, aren't you.

JANE:       Yes and no. They had had another argument just before Robert left for the States.

MARY:     When? I know nothing about it.

JANE:      Well! Robert was leaving on Sunday. On Friday  he asked Steve to join him for lunch. They were supposed to discuss that new sales strategy they had been talking about for the last few weeks. Anyway, Steve came back from lunch so furious that  we were afraid he might end up with the coronary or a nervous breakdown. He was swearing like a trooper and getting at people around him. It has been the worst afternoon in that department since Robert came here. I think Robert and Steve are not getting along very well and I believe one of them will have to go.

MARY:   I am sure it's not going to be Robert, right?

JANE:    Robert is a great boss and he is really doing the best he can to save our company.

MARY:     I know, I know. Steve is tough and he doesn't like to be bossed around. To tell you the truth, I believe that Steve aimed for the promotion but now, with this personality clash, he is sure not getting one.

JANE:      Oh! Well! He will have to change himself or the job. Let's change the subject. Do you know of any good catering company that is not very expensive.

MARY:     As a matter of fact, I do.  It's called "Peggy's food" and it's great.

JANE:     Do you really recommend it?

MARY:     I most certainly do. Peggy is my sister. Here is the number. Why do you need catering?

JANE:     Christmas party my dear. Robert asked me to organize something.

MARY:    Wonderful! Call her right away. She's got a lot of work, so tell her that you've got her number from me.

FEW MINUTES LATER

PEGGY:    Peggy's food! May I help you?

JANE:      Hello Peggy. This is Jane from XYZ Company. I've got your number from your sister and she told me that you might help us.

PEGGY:    OK! I will try. What can I do for you?

JANE:      A Christmas party for about 50 people on the 18^th .

PEGGY:    Where?

JANE:      Here, in the company.

PEGGY:   18^th that is Friday, isn't it?  OK, I think I can do that. I have another party at 6 pm but I will get some help and I can do both.

JANE:     Super. So, Friday, the 18^th at 6 pm as well?

PEGGY:   Sure. What about food? Any special orders?

JANE:       I don't know. Something typical for Christmas.

PEGGY:     All right. I suggest small mushroom dumplings,  Russian dumplings, a beetroot soup,  herring salad or herring in oil,  poppy-seed cake, eggnog. I will think about it today and I mail you Christmas menu with my calculation tonight.

JANE:       Super. Thank you very much. I will talk to you later then.

VOCABULARY:

to have a row - pokłócić  się

to be furious - być wściekłym

a coronary - zawał

a nervous breakdown - załamanie nerwowe

to swear like a trooper - przeklinać aż uszy więdną

to get at Sb - czepiać się kogoś

not to get along - nie dogadywać się

personality clash - konflikt charakterów

dumplings - pierożki

a beetroot soup - barszcz czerwony

herring - śledź

poppy-seed cake - makowiec

eggnog - ajerkoniak