Fred is late. As he hurries to college, he talks to Rita on the mobile phone in his right hand. In his left hand is a letter for posting.


Fred: It’s been a crazy morning! I’m applying for a summer job and the deadline is tomorrow. And I’m late for college!

Fred approaches a post-box. At that moment the bus for college comes around the corner.

Fred: Listen, I’ve got to go. I need to run to catch my bus.

Distracted by the bus, Fred posts what he thinks is the letter into the box. He then runs to catch his bus.

Later he meets Rita outside their classroom.

Rita: Don’t you need to post that?

Fred: What? Looks down at the letter and realises his mistake. Oh no! I’ve posted the phone instead!

Rita: You put the phone in the letter box?

Fred: I had it my hand. I’ll have to go back and try and get it after class.

Rita: I’ll go with you.

After the class they return to the post-box. They look at the collection times

Fred: Oh no! We’ve just missed the collection! Now I’ll never get it back!

Rita: It may be still be in there. I’ll call your phone.

Rita uses her mobile to ring Fred’s. The phone rings. It is still ringing inside the box as the postman arrives.

Fred: That’s my phone is in there.

Laughing, the postman unlocks the box and retrieves the phone. He hands it to Fred.

Postman: Laughing There’s a call for you.

Crossword
Which Phone?
Prize Draw

The Fred and Rita dialogues come with a glossary and activities. They first appeared in Ming Pao Daily in 2008.

Text: © 2009 Kieran McGovern
Illustrations: © 2009 George Hayford-Taylor