(Ms Sarah Brook, the credit controller of ACC International, gives a phone call to Robert Thompson, a Canadian buyer, about the outstanding payment.)

场景：两间财务办公室   人物：Sarah、Robert

Robert: Hello.

Sarah: Good morning, may I speak to Mr Thompson, Mr. Robert Thompson?

Robert: Yes, this is Robert speaking.
Sarah: Hello, Robert! This is Sarah, the credit controller of ACC International. How are things going?
Robert: Hi, Sarah. Not bad. How about yourself?
Sarah: I'm doing fine. Thank you. Robert, I am calling about the contract No. GY206 in which you bought 100 cases of glass vases from us. Have you received the contracted goods?

Robert: Yes, we have.
Sarah: As indicated in the document the goods were dispatched on April 5^th. When did they reach you?

Robert: Er...the goods arrived on... April 10^th, I believe.

Sarah: That’s good. How about the goods? Have you ever inspected the goods after taking delivery of them.

Robert: We have, Yes. The packing of the goods is in sound condition. The quality and quantity are all in conformity with those stipulated in the contract.
Sarah: I’m happy to hear that. As you are usually very prompt in settling your accounts, we wonder whether there is any special reason why we have not received your payment for the above contract, already a month overdue.

Robert: Yes, I’m very sorry about this. But to tell you the truth, we are facing some difficulties in operation right now. And we really just are in a tight budget.
Sarah: We understand your situation, and we’d like to try our best to help you, but you know, we have to pay our suppliers, too.
Robert: I see. I see, but...

Sarah: You know we have to pay our outstanding debts. And I hope you can find some way to solve this problem.

Robert: Sure. Yes, I know how that is. We are trying to get the money—excuse me, we are trying to get more credit from the bank now.
Sarah: It will certainly help. But you understand that we are in urgent need of this sum of money to pay our outstanding debts, we are not able to allow you credit for a longer time.

Robert: Yes, I understand. Then when do you suggest we pay you?
Sarah: Well, please try your best to remit the payment to our account at the end of this month. There are still two weeks to go. That’s what we can help.

Robert: Thank you. We will try our best. We are not willing to lose you as a trading partner.

Sarah: We hope this will not happen again. Goodbye.

Robert: Bye bye. Thank you.