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I:There are some minor details I’d like to mention.

S:Yes?

I:We think you’d like to taste some Beijing roast duck while you’re in Beijing.

S:Oh,that would be great!

L:Then we’ll have dinner together on the evening of the 14th,that is the evening of Mr.Watson’s arrival.

I:And would you be interested in Beijing opera?

T:I wouldn’t mind taking in some Beijing opera.Would you,Mr.Smith?

S:No,I’d like it.But I hear it is hard to understand.

I:Don’t worry.I’ll take care of that.

S:Thanks.So our evenings will be quite full then?

I:Oh,no,we’ll leave some evenings free,that is if it’s all right with you.

S:Oh,sure,that’s what I wanted to suggest.We’d have to compare notes on what we’ve discussed during the day.

I:Right.Let’s see what we can work out.

L:Is there anything special we can help to arrange?

S:There is,if it can be arranged...

L:Yes?

T:We’d like to visit a few of your watch factories.

L:That can be easily arranged.Anything else?

S:If it is not too much trouble,we would like to talk to some of the technicians.

L:That could be done when you visit the factories.

T:Good!

L:We’ll take it,then,that the day after Mr.Watson arrives,we’ll have a briefing session,so you’ll know what we want and we’ll know what you have to offer.Will that do?

S:Sure.That’ll put us both in the picture.

L:The day after that—should we continue with our talks or would you...

S:Look,couldn’t you arrange a visit to one of your factories on that day? Then we’d have some ideas of what you want.

L:I can’t say for certain off-hand.But I think it can be arranged for Mr.Watson to visit the Beijing Watch Factory while you and Mr.Thompson visit the Tiantan Watch Factory in the afternoon,that is,if it’s convenient for you.

S:That’s ideal! Better have something we can get our hands on rather than just spend all our time talking.

L:And after that we’ll continue with our talks.You’ll have some first-hand knowledge of the situation by then.

S:Yes,it’ll be easier for us to get down to facts then.We’ll be having talks for a couple of days.I believe,there’re a lot of things to go over.

L:We thought you might like to see the sights of Beijing between talks.

S:Thanks,maybe later.Let’s get business over first.

L:Well,we thought a sightseeing trip between talks would be a welcome diversion.Business can be combined with pleasure,you know.

S:Of course.I’d appreciate it,if you’ll arrange it.

L:All right.Then I believe that’s settled.

S:By the way,Mr.Lin,can you recommend a good restaurant? We’d like to give a dinner for you too.

L:Thank you.When the time comes,I’ll ask the interpreter to make the necessary reservations on behalf of you.

S:Thanks.

T:And would you please see to it that our plane tickets are booked for Tuesday,20th of March,the day after we wind up our talks.

I:Sure.

L:But wouldn’t you like to spend an extra day or two in Beijing?

S:I’m afraid that won’t be possible,much as we’d like to.You see,we’ve got to report back to the head office.

L:Oh,I see.Maybe some other time then.

S:We’re sure we’ll be in and out of Beijing pretty often in the future.

T:Then it’s all settled.Thank you for your cooperation.I’m sure the talks will go well.We’ve arranged our schedule without any trouble.