SCENE 3

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 1763.

PAUL: Just look at this mess. It's hard to know where Tom's in-tray starts and his out-tray ends.

JACK: Any sign of the letter?

PAUL: It doesn't look like it. Look, you rummage round here and I'll see if I can find those accounts.

JACK: Any luck?

PAUL: No, not where I usually put them, but then again who knows where they might have gone to while I was in Dabu. Oh let's have the fan on. It's so hot here.

JACK: Maybe Tom found them at the last minute.

PAUL: Probably, anyway they're only copies. The original is safe at the bank.

JACK: Eh, you don't think young Barratt took them, do you?

PAUL: What on earth for? He could buy а copy from the Government Auditors'

Office if he was that desperate.

JACK: Well, maybe he thought he could get hold of some juicy bits to impress his father.

PAUL: Barratt, the industrial spy eh? But I can't really see our Diana letting him get away with it.

JACK: You never know - a good looking lad like that with a flashy car - he might have won her over.

PAUL: Come on, Jack! Diana risk her first job? Anyway look, enough of this. I've got till eight to convince you about exporting.

JACK: Of course, but that doesn't mean Barratt didn't take something when she wasn't looking.

PAUL: Jack, sit down and listen. This is important. ...We'll have to tackle the problems of exporting step by step. And the first move, as I see it, is to get an up-to-date picture of where we stand at the moment.

JACK: Why don't we just concentrate on expanding here at home?

PAUL: Right. Of course we should hold on to our position here and we will - that Barratt problem will have to be sorted out for a start - but you must admit the market here is limited.

JACK: Yes, but it's safe. The government keeps out foreigners with import controls - though I must admit, I feel sure we could hold our own against foreign bikes.

PAUL: I agree! That's why I'm suggesting exporting, because I feel we can compete with the best of them.

JACK: Just let me get this right. What you are really saying is that we'd make

more profit by selling bikes in Industria where we have a cost advantage and can charge higher prices.

PAUL: Exactly.

JACK: Ah, but wait a minute. Packaging, shipping, finance, not to mention the need to hire more staff, will push up our costs and we could end up no better off, maybe worse off.

PAUL: OK, now there are extra costs involved, but if we do it right they can be built into the price of the bike and we can still be competitive.

JACK: How sure are you about our chances of success in the market?

PAUL: Well, that's the sticky one. It's going to need a lot of research. I'm hoping to get the help of the Export Development Office in Dabu... Well come on, Jack. Is it worth it or not?

JACK: There'll be a lot of problems.

PAUL: Nothing we can't handle.

JACK: Mmm, I'm not that hopeful. But yes, I think we should go ahead with а feasibility study.

PAUL: Marvellous Jack, I was hoping you'd be on my side.

JACK: It's not just for you. I've always wanted to see how my bikes match up to competition in the big wide world – а question of professional pride!

PAUL: I'm sure it'll be a success. Look, it's going to be difficult persuading the rest of the board and I'd like to get on with it straight away. What do you say to a board meeting early next week?

JACK: Sounds fine. Is there anything you want me to do?

PAUL: Well, there is one thing - I'd like you to look at the production and transportation problems.

JACK: OK, it's a deal. If this idea is to work, you're going to need as much support as you can get...

UNIT 2

SCENE 1 (for listening)