مکالمه ی دوم

Conversation 2:

Listen to a conversation between a student and her French professor.

Student: Hello, Professor Wallace.

Professor: Hello, Nancy. Sorry to keep you waiting. What a morning! I put in a film request at the Media Center weeks ago for a copy of the French Revolution. I mean, the actual film reels, you know. I thought I made myself really clear, but they just didn’t get it, what I was saying. So this morning they called me to say that my copy of the videotape is ready for pickup. The video! Unbelievable!

Student: You mean the videotape isn’t the same thing?

Professor: As the film? the actual film reel run on a projector? shown on a large screen? It’s like day and night. No, no, no. It’s a totally different experience to watch the original film on a large screen rather than on a television. I mean, the video version is better than nothing I suppose, but, no, it’s like listening to a tape recording of a symphony compared to hearing a live orchestra. What I finally managed to make the Media Center people understand that I need the actual film because I’d like my students to have the full experience. It wasn’t easy though.

They’ll have to borrow it from another school, but thankfully, we will have it by Friday.Anyway, I’m sorry. Where were we? You wanted to see me about…?

Student: Actually, about that film, because this Friday afternoon, well, maybe you didn’t realize it, but the film is scheduled to be shown during parents’ weekend.

Professor: During what?

Student: Parents’ weekend. You know, when our parents come to see what campus life is like.

Professor: Oh, really? This is the weekend parents come? No, I hadn’t heard that.

But is that a problem?

Student: Well, it’s kind of bad timing. I mean, a lot of us will be spending time with our parents that afternoon, and this film…

Professor: Okay, but classes aren’t suspended just because your parents happen to be visiting.

Student: No, of course not. But our class doesn’t usually meet on Fridays.

Professor: Look, the film is required viewing for French 207, and since I couldn’t schedule a one-hour film during our regular 50-minute class. I know it’s short notice, but I’ll only have the film for a few days.

Student: It’s just that I already told my parents.

Professor: You know, parents’ weekend isn’t listed on the academic calendar.

Student: That’s true, but…

Professor: I actually wasn’t even aware of when it was. I understand this may not be convenient for you, but I couldn’t possibly reschedule the film. The whole thing’s give me enough trouble already. I had to reserve the film weeks in advance and they still got it wrong.

Student: But what if some of us can’t make it? Is there some other time we can watch it?

Professor: The videotape is available, but, well, that would be a shame. Hey, why not invite your parents to join us? There are plenty of extra seats.

Student: But isn’t it in French?

Professor: Yes, but with subtitles in English.

Student: Well, that might just work out.

forgot about everything else.