Ben, Wayne and Darren
were high school
classmates, and used to hang out very often. But
after graduating from the school, they headed for
different cities for study; and then after study,
Darren started to work in another country.
So, Ben and Wayne then gradually lost
contact with Darren. Today, they finally get the
chance to catch up with each other at their class
reunion.
Darren:
Ben! Wanye!
Ben:
Darren! It's so good to see you!
Wayne:
Hi, Darren! Happy new year! You finally decided
to front up for the reunion!
Darren:
Happy new year! How are you guys doing?
Ben:
Not good, actually. Wayne and I were just talking about
our plans for the Chinese New Year holiday.
Darren:
That's good! What are your plans?
Ben:
Well, if you think staying home
and watch TV is not a bit
of a drag when everybody is going
out for fun, then it won't be that bad
to be a
couch potato for the whole holiday.
Darren:
Don't be a couch potato! I don't wanna see you become
a fat boy again!
Wayne:
His end-year
bonus was
cut by fifty percent. So, he'd better not to get
any more damaged from giving Red
Bags to
children of friends.
Darren:
Oh... I'm sorry. But you've still got the bonus. It's
better than nothing.
Ben:
I may really get nothing at all soon. My supervisor
just got
sacked last month.
The whole division which I worked in was shut down
because the company wanted to wipe
out unnecessary personnel,
especially those who got high pays. I can see
the writing on the wall so I'd better get mentally
and financially prepared when the situation is still hanging
in the balance.
Wayne:
At least your company has got half of bonus paid
in a lump sum before
the new year. I've already had 2 days of unpaid
leave per week for
3 months. And last week, my boss told us the bonus
would be paid in full amount.
Darren & Ben:
That's great! So?
Wayne:
But the truth is the bonus won't be paid
at one time. That is, before the
holiday, the first quarter will be paid, and then
after the holiday, the rest will be paid every two
months. So, for the bonus, I'll get only half
of my monthly pay. My boss is a genius,
right? How am I going
to make
ends meet? All those Red Bags!
Annual insurance fee! bra...bra...bra...
Darren:
It's obvious that your boss is trying to refrain
you from quitting the
job with a full
pocket.
Ben:
That's so pathetic to turn back
on the employees for protecting his own benefits.
Wayne:
So, for the holiday, I'd better do something which
won't be beyond my means,
like backpacking, camping
or cycling. Anyway.....
How about you, Darren? What's your plan?
Darren:
Well, My wife and I will fly to Fiji tomorrow
for our second honey moon. It's really exciting. We
booked the tour just
last week.
Ben & Wayne:
You what!
Ben:
You must have got a big bonus! How much have you got?
Darren:
23 months' salary.
Wayne:
Where do you work?
Darren:
Giant. Haven't I mentioned that?
Ben:
No, you haven't.
Wayne:
It's not fair that you're going to travel with my money!