Unit 8 / Listening 4B

Simon: The thing is, the original topic for the documentary was supposed to be raw materials – you know, all the oil and gas they've got out there, and the difficulties involved in extracting it in such a harsh climate – but I ended up investigating tuberculosis.

Caroline: How come?

Simon: The Mayor of the village I was staying at said they had a high rate of TB there, due to certain strains of the disease which are resistant to antibiotics. So he wanted me to do that instead. No one would watch a programme about oil, he said. Far too dull, it would bore people to tears. He was quite a persuasive individual – very friendly, though. He kept on hugging me and practically forcing litres of vodka down my throat.

Caroline: So where did it all go wrong? Why weren't you able to get back home as planned?

Simon: Well, apart from the setback with the broken aeroplane and the strike, I didn't actually leave the village until far later than expected. The spring in Siberia is usually very beautiful –wild flowers, forests, the countryside coming back to life and so on. But the winter was so harsh this year, the spring was delayed, which meant my connecting boat couldn't leave because it didn't have special reinforcements to sail through icy water. So I just had to wait it out. And believe me, Siberia's very picturesque, but a two week wait is longer there than anywhere else in the world.

Caroline: What did you do for two weeks?

Simon: Well, I ate a lot of traditional Siberian food.

Caroline: Does that taste as unappetising as it sounds?

Simon: Well, I got quite fond of lard on toast after a while. It certainly helps with the cold.

Caroline: I think I'd have to be hypothermic before I tried that!

Simon: We played a lot of football. But we had to adapt to the conditions. We only played 20 minute games, because our feet would get too cold and we had to play wearing ice grips – basically a set of spikes attached to our shoes – which meant we couldn't tackle each other properly for fear of causing serious injury.

Caroline: Ok, I get the picture. Well, I'm sorry you were so delayed. Especially as it meant Tom had to find a replacement in the form that ‘assistant' of his.

Simon: I'm sure it's a perfectly professional partnership.

Caroline: The thing is, even if I trusted Tom, I don't know this Gina girl. I mean, Gina? What kind of name is that? I'm sure she's a man-eater.

Simon: Oh, come on! You can't judge some one from their name! (laughs)

Caroline: Well, if anything happens, I'll blame her.

Simon: Do you fancy another drink? The same again?

Caroline: No, I don't think I should. I think I've had a few too many already.

Simon: Did you get round to talking with Tom?

Caroline: I suppose it depends on how you define ‘talking with Tom'. I talked to Tom.

Simon: So what does he think about the production company?

Caroline: Well, he sounded quite pleased for me, but he didn't say he was excited about getting involved himself. In fact he didn't really commit himself at all. I'm so fed up with him.

Simon: Right, let's get you home before you start getting angry. It's totally pointless, you know.

Caroline: Yes, I know. Sometimes I think I just ought to forget him. Do you want to stop by for a coffee?