Sandra has decided to take a vacation. But where should she go? The question is best answered by making an appointment with a travel agent. She invites her friend, Donita to go with her. At the agency, they discuss possible journeys, the length of the travel and the cost of the trip.
Sandra: I would like to be gone at least 2 weeks,
but not more than three weeks.
Travel agent: How about a trip to Alaska?
Sandra: No, I've been there; I'd like to go
somewhere tropical.
Travel agent: Perhaps a trip to Hawaii?
Donita: No, I just went there for a wedding last
month.
Travel agent: Maybe you would like a trip to Bermuda?
You could take a ship from Florida.
Sandra: Yes! I've always wanted to go there.
Donita: That sounds good to me; cruises are a lot
of fun.
Travel agent: All right, let me check on the computer
about what is available. (She looks at the
computer screen while typing). Hmm. This
doesn't look good.
Sandra: What do you mean?
Travel agent: There is a cruise ship available for
the time you want, but... (She stops
talking and continues typing).
Sandra: But what is the problem?
Travel agent: I can't find a flight from Portland,
which is the closest airport for you. Oh,
Sorry. The computer screen shows that
someone just took the last reservation
for that cruise.
Donita: There must be something else available. It
doesn't have to be Bermuda.
Sandra: I agree. We just want to get away somewhere
warm. This winter has been so long and cold.
Travel agent: I'll keep looking. How many days can
you be gone?
Donita: I have the family trucking and ranching
business to manage, so I need to be back
in two weeks.
Sandra: I teach English at the college
and am a visiting professor. I could be
gone for 15 days. Then I need to prepare
for giving a lecture in Japan.
Travel agent: I'm still looking for trips for you; I
have good news and bad news.
Donita: Give us the good news first! (Everyone
laughs.)
Travel agent: The good news is that I found you a
wonderful cruise TO ARUBA. The bad news is
that I can't find a flight. At this time
of year, everyone wants to travel. If you
wait another week...
Sandra: What if we drive to another airport?
Travel agent: The next closest airport would be in
Seattle. (Looks at computer screen). Yes, I
can get you a flight from there.
Donita: (To Sandra.) Let's do that. We can drive
there and leave the car in long term parking.
It shouldn't cost too much.
Travel agent: There is one more problem.
Sandra: What else?
Agent: I can't get you back to the same airport.
You would fly into Portland on the return trip.
Donita: So I guess we couldn't drive to Seattle.
What about taking the train?
Sandra: It would take too long. Why don't we rent a
car, and then return it at the airport?
Donita: There are so many obstacles; maybe we
aren't supposed to go on this trip.
Sandra: But I think we can solve all of them; let's
go for it!
Donita: Only if you are willing to do the driving.
(Laughs.)
Sandra: I don't mind driving; how far is it?
Donita: It's about 250 miles from here.
Sandra: (Groans.) Oh well, it will be an adventure
for us. Maybe we will leave early in the
morning stop a few times to sight-see.
Travel agent: Well, there is another problem….
Sandra and Donita: No, now what?
Agent: The flight leaves at 7:00 a.m.
You would have to be there one hour before, so
it means you would be driving in the middle
of the night.
Sandra: I don't want to drive that far in the dark.
What about a later flight?
Agent: It isn't a non-stop flight and you would
miss the other connections.
Donita: O.K. Let's do this: find us a hotel with
shuttle service to the airport. We will go to
Seattle the day before, get a good night's rest
and be at the airport in plenty of time.
Sandra: Good idea!
Agent: That would mean you get to Florida the day
BEFORE the ship leaves. Do you want me to
make a hotel reservation in Florida, also?
Both: Yes!
Donita: So, as I understand all of this: We need to
rent a car on Thursday, drive to Seattle, stay
over-night, fly to Florida, stay over-night
again, then board the ship on Saturday, right?
Agent: Correct. Then when you return, you might
want to stay overnight again as the best flight
for you would leave the next morning.
Sandra: What time would we get to Portland?
Agent: There is a time change of three hours, so
you would get there around 3 in the afternoon.
Donita: That would be a great time to get home! I
can ask my grandson to pick us up at the
airport.
It's only an hour and a half drive from there.
Sandra: That would be great! Make the reservations
for us.
All names used in this story are fictitious.
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