The White Elephant 24: Honesty
| Ceilia: | How are you today, Peter? |
| Peter: | Very good thank you ... Actually not very good – thank you for asking. |
| Ceilia: | Why? What's the matter? |
| Peter: | Last night, I was walking home when I crossed the road and I was almost hit by a burger van. |
| Mary: | Oh no, Peter, that's terrible. Are you OK? |
| Peter: | Just a bit shaken. He was going so fast! |
| Ceilia: | Why don't you come and sit down in the office until you feel a bit better. |
| Peter: | OK |
| Gordon: | Sorry I'm late – I had some extra-curricular activities. To be honest, I overslept – I've been working late doing another job. |
| Mary: | You're moonlighting Gordon? Do you really need a second job? |
| Gordon: | This is not any old job, sweetheart – this is an opportunity to manage a high-class American-themed restaurant. This is my future! |
| Mary: | Are you sure? |
| Gordon: | God's honest truth! |
| Mary: | Hmm really. Look, I think you should tell Ceilia – to avoid any problems – honesty is the best policy. |
| Gordon: | No no, I don't think we should tell her. Let's keep it our little secret. Anyway, I don't want her thinking I'm just working here out of sympathy. |
| Mary: | No, of course not. Anyway, where is this 'high-class' restaurant? |
| Gordon: | Oh, well, you wouldn't know where it is. |
| Mary: | Try me. |
| Gordon: | Well, it's currently parked ... I mean located ... on Canal Street, near the park. |
| Peter: | That's where I was almost hit by that burger van. Look, I've got a photo of the van on my phone. |
| Ceilia: | That's strange – that van's parked outside our restaurant. Maybe I ought to call the police? |
| Gordon: | Let's not be too hasty. I'm sure there's a simple explanation. |
| Mary: | Yes ... I think there might be. Gordon, you may as well come clean. This high-class restaurant you're managing – it's a burger van, isn't it? |
| Ceilia: | What's that Gordon? Flipping burgers in your spare time? How would you like to flip burgers full-time instead of working here? |
| Gordon: | Let's not be too hasty. I'm just trying to make an honest living. |
| Ceilia: | Well, if you're a decent and honest man, why don't you compensate Peter for the stress that you've caused him? |
| Peter: | Thank you! |
| Mary: | Now everything is open and above board – perhaps we could book a table at your 'restaurant' tonight?! |
Vocabulary