Olivia: Oh hi Magda! How was your first day?
Magda: Fantastic!
Olivia: Really? Im amazed.
Sarah: Yeah, you were so worried about your new job.
Magda: Well, I had some good news.
Olivia: Yeah? What?(enter Johnny)
All: Hi Johnny!
Johnny: Hi! Ive got some good news.
Sarah: 1)Makes two of you then!
Johnny: At least I think its good news...Im not really sure.
Olivia: Tell us!
Magda: Cant I tell you my good news first?
Sarah: Wow, this is getting complicated...and Im afraid Ive only got some bad news.
Magda: Oh no...2)what a shame! Whats the problem?
Olivia: Yeah, go on, bad news first, then the good news will cheer us up!
Sarah: OK, well, I 3)had a row with my landlord, finally! And Im moving out.
Magda: Oh no!
Sarah: Oh yes! So, I need a new flat.
Olivia: Again!
Magda: Oh dear...
Olivia: What a shame. I hoped it was going to work out.
Sarah: Yeah, but I didnt get on with the landlord.
Magda: Have you told Fadi yet?
Sarah: No. Im worried what he might think. The landlord is his cousin, after all.
Olivia: Well, lets just wait until he comes in. I was going to tell him you werent happy—now Ill tell him youre leaving!
Magda: Is it good news time yet? Sarah: Yes! Go on! Whats your good news?
Magda: Ive been offered a job! Johnny: Me too!
Olivia: Hang on! Wait a minute! Youve already got a job, havent you Magda?
Sarah: And you have too, Johnny, havent you? You talk about it all the time.
Magda/Johnny: But...
Magda: Go on...
Johnny: No, you first, please...
Magda: Ive been offered a 4)permanent job, with the same company! Ill be a proper architect! Olivia: Wow! Thats fantastic!
Magda: But...
Olivia: Theres always a “but”...
Magda: I have to get a 5)distinction in my masters degree.
Sarah: Phew...thats not easy.
Magda: No, but Im doing well.
Olivia: 6)Fingers crossed then.
Sarah: Lets hope!
Johnny: Thats amazing—Ive got the same news!
Olivia: What? Youre going to be an architect?
Johnny: No!
Sarah: Youre doing a masters degree?
Johnny: No!
Magda: What then?
Johnny: A job...Ive been offered a new job!
Olivia: Oh yes, you said.
Johnny: And theres a “but”...
Olivia: I told you there was always a “but”...
Johnny: Its not in London.
Olivia: Youd have to leave.
Johnny: Yeah...
Olivia: Well, where is it? New York?
Johnny: No.
Magda: Paris? Berlin? Where?
Johnny: Its back in China.
Sarah: Oh...Beijing? Shanghai?
Johnny: No, its in Chongqing.
Olivia: Where?
Johnny: Chongqing!
Magda: Wheres that?
Sarah: Southwest China. Its a really interesting place...growing really quickly.
Johnny: Yeah, its a great opportunity.
Olivia: But?
Johnny: But I love it here so much. Im not sure I want to go back to China yet—Id miss all my friends.
Olivia: Youll have to choose!
Sarah: Its big decision time! Oh no...here comes Fadi and Harry.(enter Fadi and Harry)
All: Hi Fadi! Hi Harry!
Fadi: Hows it going everyone?
Olivia: Dont ask.
Magda: Ive been offered a new job, a really good job—if I get a good degree!
Johnny: Ive been offered a new job, a really good job—but I have to go back to China!
Harry: Wow! Busy day everyones having...Ive got some news too.
Olivia: Oh no.
Harry: Oh yes—I been 7)sacked!
Magda: “Sacked”?
Harry: Yes—Ive lost my job, been made 8)redundant, unemployed, no longer working!
Magda: Oh no!
Harry: Dont worry—I dont care. I hated that job anyway. Ill soon find another job. A man with my skills and abilities is always in demand!
Johnny: Somebody from my company sacked you? Why?
Harry: I told them I wasnt going to work at the weekend—Saturdays and Sundays. If I worked on Saturday and Sunday, when could I play football!? So I said “no”, and they said“goodbye”.
Magda: What will you do now?
Harry: I have absolutely no idea! The future is an open book.
Sarah: Very poetic!
Fadi: Well Sarah, at least youre OK...with your new flat and everything.
Sarah: Oh...er..well...
Olivia: Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that...cousin.
Fadi: You wanted to talk to me?
Olivia: (whispering) Yeah, well, you see, Sarahs a bit embarrassed.
Fadi: (whispering) Whats up?
Olivia: She wants to leave the new flat...she doesnt get on well with the landlord.
Fadi: My cousin?
Olivia: Yes, your cousin.
Fadi: Im not surprised!
Olivia: Eh?
Fadi: I said Im not surprised! My cousins horrible! I cant stand him!
Olivia: (laughs) Oh thats a relief.
Fadi: Sarah—Im sorry if I got you involved with my cousin. I thought you were desperate for a place to live. I know my cousins horrible!
Sarah: Oh, never mind Fadi—thanks for trying to help anyway...Now I need a new place to live though.
Magda: If I get this job, Ill have more money—we could get a place together.
Sarah: Thatd be great.
Johnny: If I take the job in China, Ill have to leave my flat.
Sarah: And we could move in.
Olivia: What a lot of “ifs”.
Sarah: Its exciting.
Magda: But also worrying.
Johnny: And confusing.
Harry: And thats not all.
Fadi: What?
Harry: Ive just been speaking to the owner of the café.
Oliva: And?
Harry: Theyre closing down—next week!
All: What? Oh no...
Johnny: Thats terrible.
All: What are we all going to do?