INTRODUCTION

Part 1

This is the story of an impact business trip. It begins with two companies, Yamashita Limited and Advanced Technologies. The main characters of this story are Charles Blake and Mike Epstein. My name is Charles Blake. I work for a Japanese company, Yamashita Limited. Our head office is in Tokyo, Japan. We manufacture industrial equipment and robots. At this time 100 per cent of our sales of industrial robot is in Japan.

Hi, I’m Mike Epstein. I work for Advanced Technologies, an American company. Our head office is in Son Francisco, California. We manufacture Electronic components and office computers. Eight per cent of our sales are in U .S., and twenty per cent are overseas and in Canada.

Part 2

Charles Blake

I graduated from Columbia University in 1971. I studied international relations and a little Japanese. After graduation 1 worked for a small import-Maori company In Dew York. I was with their salesforce for about five years. ‘Then, in 1976, l began working for Yamashita, a Japanese company. I am currently with their head office in Tokyo. My’ responsibility is to begin the export of industrial robots to North America. I live in Tokyo and I’m married to a Japanese woman. We have a chard, a son. I enjoy playing golf and tennis, but I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of spare time.

Mike Epstein

I graduated from Stanford University in 1973. I studied electrical engineering. After graduation I went to work for a company in San Francisco for two years. Then in 1976, I went back to school and l got my MBA. In 1978 I went to work for Advanced Technologies Incorporated. I’m now a systems engineer. It’s my responsibility to help cut the production costs for a new factory that’s going to be built near San Francisco. I want to increase the use of industrial robots to cut costs and improve productivity. I am divorced and I have no children. I enjoy playing golf, when I have the time.

Part 3

The story

‘The story began two months ago, in April. Here is more information about the story. Two months ago, in April, Mike Epstein of Advanced Technologies went to Tokyo, Japan. He attended a trade show and saw many industrial robots. At the trade show he was very interested in the industrial robots made by Yamashita Limited. Then he met: Charles Blake, of Yamashita Limited and they talked about Yamashita’s robots. After the trade show, Mr. Epstein and Mr. Blake played golf together and then Mr. Epstein returned to the U.S.

Last month, in May, Mr. Blake of Yamashita Ltd., wrote a letter to Mr. Epstein. He said he would be in the U .S. in June, from June 10th through June 20^th if possible, he wanted to meet with Mr. Epstein. Mr. Epstein wrote back and invited him to come to Advanced Technologies in San Francisco. Mr. Epstein wants to meet with Mr. Blake several times between June 11dh end Juan 14^th. Mr. Epstein is very interested in buying Yamashita’ s robots. This is the end of the Introductorv Unit.

EPISODE 1 Checking In

A. Story Update

It is Monday, June 10^th. Mr. Blake, from Yamashita Ltd., is in San Francisco. He wants to meet with Mr. Epstein of Advanced Technologies. Mr. Blake arrived in San Francisco this afternoon on a flight from Tokyo, Japan. He is now checking into the Embassy Suites Hotel in Silicon Valley which is south of San Francisco. It is four-fifteen in the afternoon.

CLERK: Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Embassy Suites Hotel. Can I help yam?

BLAKE: Yeah, my name is Blake, Charles Blake. I have a confirmed reservation.

CLERK: Mr. Blake. Yes. And the reservation number?

BLAKE: Let’s see. Er, here it is-l 4589.

CLERK: 14689. Let me check. Yes, sir. We have your reservation right here. That’s for June 10^th through the 13^th, Monday through Thursday night. Is that correct?

BLAKE: Yes, that’s fine.

CLERK: Okay, and the room sir is 685 on the 6^th floor. I’ve got the key right here and I’ll get a bellman for you right away.

BLAKE: Okay. What was the price of the room again?

CI.ERK: That room is $120 a night.

BLAKE; Okay, fine. Can I use my American Express card for that?

CLERK: Yes, certainly, sir. Can I make a print of your card before we check you in?

BLAKE. Sure. there you are.

CLERK: Okay, thank you. All right, fine. We’re all set here Mr. Blake, and I’U get the bellman right away. We’ll get you to your room.

BLAKE: Oh, by she way, there’s a chance l will be staying one more day, so l might be leaving on Saturday. Is that okay?

CLERK: Let me check. Well sir, lent afraid we’re all booked up for Friday night, but something may open up. Can I let you know?

BLAKE: Okay, if you could let me know as soon as possible, I would appreciate it.

CLARK: Yes, we can do that for you, sir. Okay, and here’s your key, sir. I’ll get the bellman. Bellman, front

Variation: Cashing a Check   (Functional Phrases)t

BANK TELLER: May l help you?

CUSTOMER: Yes. Can I change British pounds for American dollars here?

BANK.TELLER: Yes, certainly, sir. How much would you like to change?

CUSTOMER: One hundred pounds please. Also, could I cash this personal check from my London Bank?

BANK TELLER: I am afraid that isn’t possible. Our policy is that we do not cash out of town checks.

CUSTOMER: It’s very important that I cash the check...

BANK TELLER: Yes, I understand, but the bank policy...

CUSTOMER: Could I see the manager please?

BANK TELLER: I’m sorry, but She manager, Mr. Grover, is out right now. The Assistant Manager, Ms. Grace is in. Would that be all right?

CUSTOMER: Yes. That’s fine. Thank you.

BANK TELLER: Certainly. One moment please.

EPISODE 2 Making an Appointment

A. Story Update

Mr. Blake is now at the Embassy Suites Hotel, south of San Francisco, in Silicon Valley. He checked into the hotel a few minutes ago. Now he wants to make an appointment with Mr. Mike Epstein of Advanced Technologies. He wants to make the appointment for tomorrow, Tuesday, Juno 11th. Mr. Epstein knows Blake’s schedule and is expecting his call.

RECEPTIONIST: Advanced Technologies. May I help you?

BLAKE: Yes. Thin is Charles Blake from Yamashita Limited and I’d like to speak with Mike Epstein, please.

RECEPTIONIST: Just a minute and I’ll put you through.

EPSTEIN: Epstein.

RECEPTIONIST: Mr. Epstein, I have a Mr. Blake from Yamashita on the line.

FPSTEIN: Okay. Thanks. Mr. Blake.

BLAKE: Hello, Mr. Epstein. How are you?

BLAKE. Great. I had a nice flight and it was on time.

EPSTEIN: When did you get into San Francisco?

BLAKE: I just arrived a few moments ago.

E.PSTEIN: Say, when shall we get together?

BLAKE: Well. I was hoping that we could perhaps arrange a meeting for tomorrow sometime.

EPSTEEIN: Uh. I’ll tell you what. I’m free after eleven o’clock. How’s that sounds?

BLAKE: That sounds fine with me.

EPSTEIN: Okay. Uh, where are you staying?

BLAKE: I’m staying at the Embassy Suites. It’s about twenty minutes south of the airport.

EPSTEIN: Uh, that’s real close to nay office here. I’ll tell you what, uh, I’ll meet you tomorrow around 11:15. Then we can go to lunch and then I’ll show you around San Francisco.

BLAKE: That sounds very nice.

EPSTEIN: Great. Uh, just one other thing . . . I would like to introduce you to one of our

Vice-Presidents, Ms. Shirley Graham. Now she’s the manager of the project that I’m working on and I was wondering if we could get together again, say Wednesday?

BLAKE: Ah-h. I have no plans on Wednesday, and 1 would like to meet her.

EPSTEIN: Okay, uh. if you could keep your schedule free around lunchtime on

Wednesday and then I’ll finalize that appointment with her.

BLAKE: Okay, very good.

EPSTEIN: All right. I’ll look forward to seeing son tomorrow morning.

BLAKE: Okay. That’s tomorrow, 11:15 at the hotel.

EPSTEIN: Yes. Okay.

BLAKE: I’m looking forward to seeing you too.

EPSTEIN: Okay, see you then.

BLAKE: Bye-bye.

EPSTEIN: Bye-bye.