Lesson 1: You're so difficult to get through to!

A: Did you call Ben last night?

B: Yes. I tried to get a hold of him last night, but it was so difficult to get through.

A: That's strange. Maybe he was on the Net.

B: That's probably it! No wonder the line was busy all the time! Maybe he ought to get another line.

A: Or he should get call-waiting.

Lesson 2: I kept getting a busy signal.

A: Why didn't you call me yesterday?

B: I tried to get a hold of you, but I couldn't get through.

A: What time did you call?

B: I tried all morning.

A: Then I can't understand why you couldn't get through.

B: I kept getting a busy signal.

A: Hmmmm.....

Lesson 3: Is your phone out of order?

A: Is your phone out of order?

B: What do you mean?

A: I tried calling you all last night, but I couldn't get through.

B: Oh, I was on the phone all night. Sorry about that.

A: Well, you might wanna add call-waiting to your phone service if you're always on the phone

B: I guess so.

Lesson 4: My telephone was disconnected

A: What's wrong with your phone, B? I tried to call you all night last night.

B: I'm sorry. No one was able to get through yesterday. My telephone was disconnected by the phone company.

A: What happened? Didn't you pay the bill?

B: Well...er...I forgot.

Lesson 5: We seem to have a bad connection on this phone.

A: I can hardly hear you, B!

B: Oh, we seem to have a bad connection on this phone.

A: Could you speak up, please?

B: I'm talking as loud as I can.

A: I'm going to hang up and call again.

B: All right!

Lesson 6: Would you care to leave a message?

A: Hello, may I speak to Mr. Brown?

B: He just left.

A: When do you expect him back?

B: I'm sorry, but he's gone for the day. Would you care to leave a message?

A: Could you tell him that A Smith called and have him call me back tomorrow?

B: Sure. May I have your phone number?

A: I think he has my number.

B: Thank you, Mr. Smith. I'll tell him you called.

A: Thanks.

Lesson 7: Let me get back to you in a few minutes.

A: B, can you come to a meeting on Friday?

B: I'm not sure. Let me check my schedule. When are you having it?

A: We're planning on having it around noon.

B: Let me get back to you in a few minutes.

A: Sure. If I'm not in, could you leave a message on my answering machine?

B: Sure thing.

Lesson 8: I've put him on hold.

A: B, there's a Mr. Miller on the phone who wants to talk to you.

B: I'm busy at the moment. Can you ask him to hold? Tell him I'll talk with him in a few seconds.

A: Sure. He's on Line 2.

B: Thanks, A.

Lesson 9: I'd like to get telephone service.

A: Pacific Bell. May I help you?

B: Yes. I'd like to set up a telephone service, please.

A: Do you presently have service?

B: No. This is new.

Opeator: All right. I'll connect you with our customer service department. Please hold.

B: Thanks.

Lesson 10: I'd like to have a phone installed.

A: I'd like to have a phone installed, please.

B: May I have your name and address, please?

A: Sure. My name is A Kobluk. K-O-B-L-U-K. My address is 1600 Iowa Avenue, Apartment 16.

B: May I have you date of birth and your social security number, please?

A: Sure. My date of birth is June 11, 1980. My Social Security Number is 554-66-9980.

B: Thank you very much. The earliest day for connection is this Friday. Is that OK?

A: That's fine. Thanks.

B: Thank you very much, Mr. Kobluk. Have a nice day!

Lesson 11: I'd like to have my phone disconnected.

A:

Pacific Bell. May I help you?

B:

I'd like to have my phone disconnected.

A:

May I ask why?

B:

Well, I'm graduated and am moving to California for a new job there.

A:

Congratulations!

B:

Thanks.

A:

All right. May I have your phone number, please?

B:

Sure. My phone number is 377-765-8769.

A:

And the name on the account, please?

B:

My name is B Schaefer.

A:

For security purposes, Mr. Schaefer, may I have your date of birth, please?

B:

It's June 5, 1978.

A:

Thank you. Now, when would you like it to be disconnected?

B:

Tomorrow by 5:00 PM.

A:

Sure. The telephone will be disconnected at 5:00 PM tomorrow.

Lesson 12: Don't beat about the bush!

A: B, may I talk with you for a minute?

B: Sure. What's on your mind?

A: Hm...nothing, really. Hey! Nice weather, isn't it?

B: Come on. Don't beat about the bush. Just tell me what's on your mind.