Taking and Passing Messages（IV）

    Last time Mrs Ballito rang up Mr Ballito, but he wasn' t there. Opal had to take a message. She knew that Mr Ballito was at the Dorigali Development Corporation, so she telephoned him there and  passed on the message.Here is Opal asking Melita to telephone Mrs　Ballito to let her know that her message has been passed on.

    OPAL: Now I want you to ring Mrs Ballito and tell her that her husband has received the message.

    MELITA: Right, What's her telephone number?

    OPAL: How would you find the telephone number if I wasn't here?

    MELITA: I'd look it up in the telephone directory.

    OPAL: That would take too long. Names　and numbers that we often use are in the office address book. Here it is.

    MELITA: Thank you. Oh yes, it's much easier to look up numbers in the address book than in the directory. Here we are B…Ballito Dongali 75381. Right.

    (SPOT: RECEIVER)

    OPAL: Hey, hold on a minute Before you dial the number you should decide what you are going to say.

    (SPOT: RECEIVER REPLACED)

    MELITA: Yes, that's a good idea. Shall I say "Mr Ballito's got your message, Mrs Ballito?"

    OPAL: Well, you could say that, but it would sound better if you . told her that we have given Mr Ballito the message, and that he will collect their daughter from school on his way home at lunch time.

    MELITA: I hope I can remember all that,

    OPAL: Why don' t you write it down?

    MELITA: Right, I'll say, "We have given Mr Ballito your message and he will collect your daughter from school on his way home at lunch time. How about that?

    OPAL: Yes, that's all right. But first of all you must say who is speaking.

    MELITA: Shall I say "This is Melita"?

    OPAL: No, Mrs Ballito may not know who you are. Say"This is Mr Ballito's office."

    MELITA: Right. Dongali 75381

    (SPOT: RECEIVER DIALS)

    MRS BALLITO: Dongali 75381

    MELITA: Good morning, this is Mr Ballito's office. Who's that?

    MRS BALLITO: Mrs Ballito. (SURPRISED)

    MELITA: We have given Mr Ballit your message, Mrs Ballita and he will collect you daughter from school on his way home at lunch-time.

    MRS BALLITO: Oh thank you for phoning me.

    MELITA: Goodbye.

    MRS BALLITO: Goodbye.

    (SPOT: RECEIVER)

    MELITA: Was that all right?

    OPAL: Fine, but you must never say 'Who' s that?" Melita. It' s much better to say something like "Who's speaking,please? or "Would you mind telling me your name please? I or "Is that Mrs Ballito speaking? ' Not"Who' s that?" It sound, impolite.