(W) Are you going to the meeting, or do you have too much work to do? We’d better leave soon if we don’t want to be late.

(M) I’ve got to finish typing this letter, and then I’ll come. I’ll probably be about 10 minutes late.

(W) Well, if you’re sure. I’ll just see you there. I don’t think the others will be too pleased, though. You were late last time, too.

(M) I know, but I have to finish this first.

(M) I haven’t seen you in the office all week. Have you been following the recent business reports out of Asia?

(W) No, I’ve been at a conference all week. I haven’t had the time.

(M) You might want to take a look at them. There are copies in the conference room. It might be a good idea to go check them out before you start on anything else.

(W) That sounds ominous. Something bad always happens when I leave the office for a few days.

(W) Is that the new computer the office bought for you? It looks pretty nice. I hadn’t realized they were going to buy laptops.

(M) Yes, I love it. It’s so much faster than my old one, and I can just take it home with me if I want to get something finished instead of staying late at the office. I’ve only had it a week, but it has already made my life so much easier.

(W) Great. I’m on the list to get one, too. I can’t wait to start using it.