Elementary - I’m in Debt (B0014)

Elementary - I’m in Debt (B0014)

A: Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Corleone.

B: Right this way, sir.

C: Charlie! What can I do for you?

B: Mr. Corlone, I’m really sorry to trouble you, but I need your help.

C: Anything for you, Charlie! Your father was like a brother to me.

B: Well, sir, you see, this recession has hit me pretty hard; I lost my job and I’m in a lot of debt.

C: I see. . . . . .

B: Yeah, you know, I’ve got credit card bills, car payments, I’ve got to pay my mortgage; and on top of all that, I have to pay my son’s college tuition.

C: So you’re asking for a loan.

B: Well, I just thought maybe you could help me out.

C: What? At a time like this? I’m broke too, you know! You’re not the only one who has been hit by the recession! I lost half my money in the stock market crash! Go on! Get outa here!

Key Vocabulary

trouble 

Verb, Present Simple

disturb or bother

recession 

Noun (singular)

a period of time when the economy of a country is bad

hit me pretty hard 

Phrase 

had a strong, negative affect on me

debt 

Noun (noncount)

the amount of money you owe to a person, bank, company, etc.

on top of all that 

Phrase 

besides that, in addition to

broke 

Adjective 

not have any money

Supplementary Vocabulary

borrow 

Verb,Present Simple

take and use some money, and return the equal amount of money at a later time

pay back 

Phrase 

return the money you borrowed

a loan 

Noun (singular)

amount of money borrowed

take out a loan 

Phrase

borrow money

unemployed 

Adjective 

having no job 

downturn 

Noun (singular)

a time when the economy is worse than usual