Intermediate English Course
Programme 14
Text Three

Out of Luck

Bill I suppose you heard about that great chunk of concrete falling onto a car in South Street yesterday, didn't you, Ted?
Ted Yes, I saw it in the paper. From a two hundred and fifty foot high building, wasn't it? I gather the driver had just got out or he'd have been killed, wouldn't he?
Bill Oh yes. I saw the car; it was a complete wreck.
Ted You usually park your car around there, don't you, Bin?
Bill Yes, I left it in .that very spot a couple of days ago, but yesterday it was parked up the road a bit.
Ted You were in luck then, weren't you, Bill?
Bill Out of luck, you mean! I'd be very pleased if my old car were smashed to bits. I could claim from the insurance company then, couldn't I?
Ted But you used to be so proud of your car, didn't you Bill?
Bill I used to be years ago, but now there are all sorts of repairs to be done, and I just haven't got enough spare cash to put it right.
Ted You can always sell it, can't you, Bill?
Bill Few people are stupid enough to buy a car in that state, are they?
Ted The chap whose car was crushed yesterday was very annoyed about it. He'll be given a new car by the builders, though.
Bill Yes, but his car was a specially-built model that can't be replaced, and there was hardly anything wrong with it, was there?
Ted Well, that's life! When people actually want to get rid of their cars, this sort of thing seldom happens, does it?

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