— I'd love to stay with your people tonight. Are we going to your apartment?
— Oh, no. My real home is a country house on Long Island.
— Is it very far from New York?
— No, it isn't. Most days I drive there. But a few nights a month I have to stay in my apartment.
— You have to?
— Yes, when I work late in my office. But that doesn't happen very often.
— I've heard a lot about traffic jams. Do they happen often?
— Yes, they do. And sometimes I have to take a train with thousands of other commuters.
— How long does it take to get there?
— It usually takes an hour.
— Is your house big?
— We've moved just recently. We can afford a bigger house now.
— I've heard houses are pretty expensive, aren't they?
— Yes, they are.
— Did you buy it?
— Yes, I did. But it isn't quite my own.
— What do you mean?
— I made a down payment of 30% and took out a loan from the bank.
— What's your payment plan?
— I have to pay it back over thirty years.
— But it's worth it, of course.
***
— I wish we had an office like this in Petersburg.
— I wish I hadn't said it.
— I'm sorry I didn't know about your arrival.
— It's a pity you are so short of lime. We could see some more of the city.
— I'm sorry I can't stay any longer. I've got to go.
— Too bad I can't accompany you to Washington. I'm going to be busy the whole week.
— Isn't yours as good?
— It's right, I understand.
— It's all right, Richard's 14 met me.
— I wish I could.
— That's a shame. I wish you could stay to meet the family.
— Yes, I wish we could spendmore time together.