Paris Scene 1

Come on, Stephen.

I’m coming!

We’re going on a trip to Paris. It’s a very short train ride from London and it’s a chance to experience some French culture and do some shopping.

Ashlie’s never been to Paris before. I’ve been loads of times and I’m looking forward to practising my French.

Come on, you. You can practise your French on the train. Paris, here we come!

Avez-vous, avez-vous—

That’s good, Stephen, good to see you making an effort.

Merci beaucoup – that’s ‘thank you’ in French.

Right. So how long does it take? About two and a half hours? So we will be in Paris just in time for dinner.

We can get something to eat on the train.

No, let’s wait until we get to Paris. French food is fantastic. I want to eat in a French café. I don’t want to eat a train sandwich when I could eat a lovely French meal.

OK, then.

Oh, and you can order the food in French.

Great, I’m going to practise. What’s French for ‘dinner’?

Wow, here we are. Ooh, it’s so exciting to be in Paris. Right, we need to get a taxi. I want to see the Eiffel Tower first and then we can have something to eat.

There aren’t any taxis here. Let me ask someone. Excusez-moi.

Oui?

Où est le taxi?

Il y en a juste là-bas là.

Merci.

Merci.

See, Ashlie, you would never have found a taxi without me.

Yeah, yeah, come on!

Right, now we’ve done some sightseeing, it’s time for something to eat.

What do you want, Ash? Here comes the waiter.

Erm, can I have one of those, please?

Are you sure?

Yes, I’m sure.

Bonsoir. Je voudrais un steak-frites, deux cafés au lait et un escargots.

OK. Des escargots, un steak-frites, deux cafés au lait.

Erm, yes. Oui. C’est tout.

Merci.

That’s great, Ash, he understood.

Well, I certainly didn’t. That’s good, Stephen. It’s so good to see you trying to practise your French.

Well, I need to work on my pronunciation. I didn’t sound very French, did I?

You got the food, that’s the important thing. Well done!

Well, I think it’s polite. You have to try and speak the language of the country you’re visiting. You’ve got to practise if you want to learn.

Yeah, I suppose you’re right.

What are they? They look like snails. I didn’t order those!

Yes, you did. That’s what you pointed to in the menu.

Stephen! I haven’t eaten snails before.

Well, try them. You might like them. Bon appétit!

Hmm, they’re good. But I’m going to make sure I know what I’m ordering next time – so when I go shopping, I don’t make any mistakes.