2 Workbook Audioscript
Hee-Soo: Yes, it is. Do you want to come
01
Unit 1, page 7, Listening
Interviewer: Hi, can I ask you some
questions about your lifestyle?
Rob: Sure.
Interviewer: What are your names?
Rob: My names Rob.
Karen: Im Karen.
Interviewer: Nice to meet you. Now what
time do you usually get up?
Rob: I always get up at 7 oclock.
Interviewer: Really? Thats early!
Rob: Yeah, well I usually go jogging in the
morning before work.
Interviewer: Right.
Rob: And I start work at 8:30.
Interview: What about you, Karen?
Karen: Well, I get up early too. I often get
up at 7 oclock too but on weekends
I sometimes get up at 8 oclock.
Interviewer: And do you go jogging in the
morning?
Karen: No, I dont. I check my e-mail and
have breakfast.
Rob: I never eat breakfast. I dont have
time.
Interviewer: Do you ever drink coffee?
Rob: No, I never drink coffee. It isnt
healthy.
Karen: Oh, I have two cups every
morning.
Interviewer: What time do you go to
work, Karen?
Karen: I dont work. Im a student.
02
Unit 1, page 7, Pronunciation
1 What do you do in the evenings?
2 Do you always get up early?
3 What time do you usually get up?
4 How often do you go out with friends?
5 Do you often skip lunch?
6 How often do you cook dinner?
03
Unit 2, page 11, Listening
Jane: Hi, Hee-Soo. What are you doing
tonight?
Hee-Soo: Im going to the movies.
Jane: Really? That sounds like fun.
listening to my baby crying, but she only
with me, Jane?
Jane: Sure. I love going to the movies.
Hee-Soo: I always go to the movies on
Friday night.
Jane: What do you usually do on weekends?
Hee-Soo: Well, on Saturday, I always go
shopping, and I usually go to the tness
center.
Jane: Oh! I dont like going to the tness
center, but I love shopping.
Hee-Soo: I love shopping for clothes, but
I dont like shopping for food.
Jane: Do you like cooking?
Hee-Soo: No, I dont, I hate it. I really
like going out and having a meal in a
restaurant.
Jane: I dont mind eating out, but I prefer
staying in and cooking at home.
Hee-Soo: Well, on Sunday I usually go out
and eat at a restaurant, and then I go to a
karaoke bar.
Jane: Oh, I hate karaoke!
04
Unit 2, page 11, Pronunciation
1 barbecue
2 fitness
3 computer
4 karaoke
5 jogging
6 internet
05
Unit 3, page 15, Listening
1 than ve hundred really good pictures in
Im a student and I live in a small
apartment in the city center. The
problem is my neighbors. Theyre always
complaining that my music is too loud.
They are very rude. They dont come over
and ask me to turn it down, they just
bang on the wall! If they came over and
asked me politely I wouldnt mind.
2 3
I have a young baby, shes only two
months old. When my neighbor plays his
music it always wakes my baby up. I keep
on asking him to turn his music down
but he doesnt listen to me. He says he
plays his music so loud because he hates
cries because shes tired, and shes only
tired because she cant sleep. Why cant
she sleep? Because of his loud music!
3
We live next door to some students and
its terrible. They often have parties until
really late, you know, until three or four
in the morning. They leave their windows
open and you cant get to sleep.
4
My wife isnt very well and she needs her
sleep. The worst thing though is how
rude they are. Sometimes I go over and
ask them to turn down their music, but
they shout at me.
06
Unit 3, page 15, Pronunciation
1 Would you mind taking out the garbage?
2 Im sorry, but can you turn the music
down?
3 Could you tell me the way to the movie
theater, please?
4 Can you close the door, please?
5 Do you mind if l turn the TV off?
5 Is it OK if I take off my coat?
07
Unit 4, page 19, Listening
1
Pedro: Hi, Im Pedro. I started my
hobby about three years ago. Im really
interested in photography. I like to take
pictures of people and I now have more
my collection.
2
Mark: My names Mark and one of my
interests is watching movies. I really enjoy
science fiction movies, like Star Wars.
I usually go to the movie theater three
times a week. I started about six years
ago.
Maggie: My names Maggie Wu and Im
19. I first started my hobby when I was
ten years old. Lots of people think its
strange that a girl likes karate, but I love
it. I started because my brother was
interested.
1
2 Workbook Audioscript
4 5 nervous
Isabella: My names Isabella and Im from
Brazil. My friends think Im crazy because
of my hobby. I collect pets. I have two
dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and some sh.
I started collecting pets when I was six
years old. When I nish college l want to
work with animals.
08
Unit 4, page 19, Pronunciation
1 read b said
2 ate d played
3 wrote e spoke
4 thought a bought
5 shut c worried
09
Unit 5, page 23, Listening
Man: The last time I was nervous
was when I had an English test.
The funny thing was that I did really
well and there was nothing to be nervous
about.
Woman: Yes, but I always get nervous
when I have a test as well. Its normal.
When was the last time you were
impatient?
Man: Oh, thats easy. It was when I was
waiting for you last night.
Woman: Do you often get scared?
Man: Yes, I do, but Im too embarrassed
to tell you.
Woman: Please, Im really interested.
Man: Okay, but you must promise not
to laugh. Im frightened of the dark so
I often get scared at night. I usually sleep
with the lights on. Last Saturday I was
really excited.
Woman: Why?
Man: I was taking my new girlfriend out
for a meal.
Woman: How did it go?
Man: It wasnt very good. I dont know
what happened but I think I embarrassed
her.
10
Unit 5, page 23, Pronunciation
1 upset
2 disappointed
3 embarrassed
4 excited
2
6 pleased
7 relaxed
8 bored
11
Unit 6, page 27, Listening
Woman: Next week its my daughters
birthday. Shes going to be six. Were
going to have a big party for her and lots
of her friends are going to come. Were
going to have a cake with six candles on it
and were going to have lots of food and
drink but no champagne. Were not going
to have balloons because shes scared
when they burst. My daughter wanted to
have fireworks but we wont because they
will frighten her as well. Of course shell
have lots of cards and presents. Well also
have decorations around the house. Im
sure shell have a lot of fun.
12
Unit 6, page 27, Pronunciation
1 I really like Valentines Day.
2 Do you want me to help with anything?
3 Are you going to have a party?
4 What are you going to do tonight?
5 What are you going to wear?
6 I have a costume you can borrow.
13
Unit 7, page 31, Listening
Man: Right, so what do we need for the
meal tonight?
Woman: We dont have any cheese so we
need to buy some.
Man: How much do we need?
Woman: Quite a lot because we need it
for the sauce.
Man: Okay, so, a lot of cheese.
Woman: Yes. And we need some
tomatoes and some mushrooms.
Man: Just tomatoes. We have
mushrooms at home. Do we need any
potatoes?
Woman: No, we have potatoes at home
too.
Man: We need some meat as well, dont
we?
Woman: Yeah, you can get a little ham
and a couple of chickens. Oh, I almost
forgot. We need some eggs as well.
Man: How many eggs do you want?
Woman: Can you get ten? Six isnt
enough.
Man: And what about to drink?
Woman: Lets get a bottle of wine and
some cartons of fruit juice.
Man: Id like to get a couple of bottles of
wine.
Woman: Okay, get one red bottle and
one white.
Man: And what are we having for
dessert?
Woman: How about chocolate ice-
cream?
Man: Chocolates?
Woman: No, chocolate ice-cream.
Man: Yes, that sounds nice. I can make
some coffee.
Woman: I dont think we have any coffee
at home so youll have to buy some.
14
Unit 7, page 31, Pronunciation
bananas
broccoli
cabbage
melons
oranges
potatoes
sausage
strawberries
15
Unit 8, page 35, Listening
Man: Good afternoon. Where are you
going to?
Woman: To Boston.
Man: Okay, flight number 117.
Woman: I thought it was flight
number 170.
Man: No, thats to New York.
Woman: Oh, right, so its flight 117.
Man: Thats right. Can I see your ticket,
please?
Woman: Here you are.
Man: And do you have any baggage?
Woman: Yes, these three bags here and
these two as carry-on baggage.
Man: Im sorry but youll have to pay $50.
Woman: Why?
Man: Your bags are too heavy so its $50
for the excess baggage. Can I have your
passport, please?
Woman: Sure, here it is.
Man: And do you have your visa for the
USA?
Woman: No. Do I have to have a visa?
Man: Yes, you do. Im sorry but you cant
travel if you dont have a visa.
Woman: Oh dear! Thats terrible news!
16
Unit 8, page 35, Pronunciation
1 Its my birthday on Friday.
2 Would you like tea or coffee?
3 Its broken. Can you throw it away?
4 Im sorry but its too expensive.
5 Ill see you on Saturday evening.
6 Can you arrange the party?
7 Im busy on Saturday but Im free on
Sunday.
17
Unit 9, page 39, Listening
Woman: I love vacations!
Man: What do you usually do when you
go on vacation?
Woman: I always try to do some
adventurous sports.
Man: Really? What kinds of sports?
Woman: Last year I went to New Zealand
and it was great. I went hang-gliding. That
was really exciting! Then I went skydiving.
Man: Ive never been skydiving. It sounds
scary.
Woman: Yes it is, but I enjoyed it a lot.
Man: The last thing I did was mountain
biking.
Woman: Wow. Was that tiring?
Man: No, not really, but it was quite
dangerous.
Woman: Have you ever been sailing?
Man: No, I havent.
Woman: Would you like to try?
Man: Not really. I think its boring.
Woman: No, its fun!
Man: Really? Have you been sailing?
Woman: Yes, I have. I went last year.
18
Unit 9, page 39, Pronunciation
1 Have you ever tried scuba diving?
2 I havent ever lost something
important.
3 I have never drunk champagne.
4 She hasnt been to Japan before.
5 Have you ever been to a foreign country?
6 I have.
7 He hasnt tried an adventurous sport.
19
Unit 10, page 43, Listening
Man: Excuse me. Im doing a survey
about how healthy people are. Can I ask
you some questions?
Woman: Sure!
Man: How many times have you been
sick in the last year?
Woman: Three times I think.
Man: And do you often feel stressed out?
Woman: Yes, quite often.
Man: Do you ever have problems
sleeping?
Woman: No, not at all.
Man: When did you last see a doctor?
Woman: Oh, last week.
Man: Really? Can I ask you why?
Woman: Sure! I had a stomachache.
Man: Oh dear, I hope it wasnt too bad.
Woman: No, Im better now.
Man: Do you have headaches often?
Woman: Sometimes.
Man: Have you done any exercise lately?
Woman: Yes, this morning.
Man: And what do you do to keep
healthy?
Woman: I bike to work, go swimming and
go to the gym every day.
Man: Wow, thats a lot.
Woman: Not really. I work in a gym. Im
a fitness instructor.
20
Unit 10, page 43, Pronunciation
1 What should I do?
2 You shouldnt forget to take your
medicine.
3 You should relax as much as you can.
4 You shouldnt drink in the evening.
5 You shouldnt worry.
6 Maybe you should go to work. It might
help.
7 You shouldnt go to bed.
21
Unit 11, page 47, Listening
Kevin: Hows the new job, Alison? Are you
enjoying it?
Alison: Yeah, I guess. Its going OK.
Kevin: Hmm. It doesnt sound as if you
really like it.
Alison: Well, in some ways its not as
good as my old job. I have to work from
eight until five rather than four every
afternoon.
Kevin: Oh, I see.
Alison: And the pay is worse.
Kevin: What? Thats terrible. So, why did
you take the job?
Alison: Its closer to my home than where
I was working before. It took me over an
hour to drive to work, but now I can walk
in just ten minutes.
Kevin: Wow. Thats a big difference.
Alison: Yes. And the best thing is the
people Im working with there are
really easygoing. Not like where I was.
Everyone was always so irritable and bad-
tempered.
Kevin: Yeah. You seem more relaxed.
You were really stressed all the time
before.
Alison: Thats right. Its more fun, anyway.
And my office is better too, with a window,
air-conditioning and a bigger desk.
Kevin: Great. How about your boss?
Alison: She isnt stingy like my old one.
So, whenever I need more money, I can
just stay longer in the office.
Kevin: Thats pretty flexible!
Alison: Yes. Shes quite strict, though,
about time. We have to be punctual.
Kevin: Hmm.
Alison: Maybe its not as bad as I thought.
I guess its not the best job Ive ever had,
but its not the worst either.
Kevin: No, it sounds OK actually. Good
luck settling in!
22
Unit 11, page 47, Pronunciation
1
stingysociablemoody
2
outgoingefficienteasygoing
3
creativepunctualsensitive
4
reliableenergeticdependable
5
livelyoutgoingbad-tempered
6
optimisticenergeticirritable
3
2 Workbook Audioscript
station, carrying a small bag.
23 He was wearing black gloves, and a long
coat, and he was covered from head to
Unit 12, page 51, Listening
foot. His hat hid his face and you could
Woman: Wow! That looks like a good cell only see the shiny, pink end of his nose.
phone. He threw open the front door of the
Man: Yes, Ive just bought it. But I dont Coach and Horses, and walked in.
know how everything works. A fire! he called, And quickly, please.
Woman: Have you read the instructions? A room and a fire!
Man: No, not yet. But it shouldnt be He followed the landlady Mrs. Hall into
difficult to use anyway. the guests lounge, paid her the two
Woman: I guess it was expensive. pounds she asked for, and sat down.
Man: No, not really. It was less than a Mrs. Hall started to light the fire. Mrs.
hundred dollars. Hall left him by the fire and went to the
Woman: Thats good. But its got a very kitchen to cook him a meal. This stranger
small screen. was excellent news for her. Visitors were
Man: I know. But the one with the bigger rare in the village of Iping in winter, and
screen was $50 more. visitors with money were rare at any time.
Woman: Thats a lot. She started her cooking and then picked
Man: This one has lots of functions. up some plates and a glass and carried
Theres even a little camera so you can them through to the table in the guests
see who youre speaking to. lounge. The fire was burning brightly and
Woman: No, they can see you but you can she was surprised to see that her visitor
only see them if they have a camera too. was still wearing his coat and hat. He was
Man: Oh, yes. I didnt think of that. standing by the window with his back to
Woman: What does that button do? her, and he was watching the snow falling
Man: Im not sure. Lets see. Oh no! The in the garden.
screens just gone blank! Can I take your hat and coat, sir?
Woman: Dont worry. Press the button she asked. I can put them to dry in the
again and see what happens. kitchen.
Man: Nothing. I think Ive broken it! No, the stranger answered, I prefer to
Woman: Its always the same with these keep them on.
new gadgets. They look good but they He turned to look at her, and she saw
never work well! that he was wearing dark glasses. He had
a thick beard and she could not see his
24
face at all.
Unit 12, page 51, Pronunciation As you like, sir, she answered.
He did not answer, and he turned his
1 large
face away again. She finished with the
2 use
3 yet table. She left the room, and returned to
4 enjoy the kitchen. When she came back with
5 Tuesday his food he was still looking out of the
6 new window.
7 juice Your lunch is ready, sir, said Mrs. Hall.
8 year Thank you, answered the stranger.
She left, closing the door. But when she
25 got back to the kitchen, she saw that she
had forgotten the bread. She picked up
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, the bread and returned to the lounge. She
page 64 knocked on the door, and walked straight
1 in. The stranger moved quickly and she
The Arrival of the Strange Man saw something white. She put down the
The stranger arrived early in February, on bread and then saw that his wet coat and
a day of cold wind and snow. He walked hat were on a chair by the fire. His wet
over the hill from Bramblehurst railway boots were standing beside them.
4
Ill take these now, to dry, said Mrs.
Hall, and she started to pick them up.
Leave the hat! he said suddenly, and
she turned to look at him. For a moment
she was too surprised to speak. He was
holding a white handkerchief over his
mouth. But what really surprised Mrs.
Hall was the bandage. It covered all of
his face above his dark glasses. Another
bandage covered his ears. All she could
see of him was the end of his shiny pink
nose. He was wearing a dark brown
jacket which covered him up to his
neck, and she could see beard and hair
between the bandages and the jacket.
He was still wearing gloves, and was
holding a handkerchief in front of his
mouth. Leave the hat! he said again.
Nervously she put the hat back on the
chair. I didnt know, she began, that
and she stopped, embarrassed.
Thank you, he said, and he looked at
the door, and then back at her.
Theyll be dry soon, she said, and left
the room with his coat and boots.
The visitor sat for a moment without
moving. He looked across at the window,
stood up, and walked over to close the
curtains. The room was now almost dark.
He returned to the table and continued
eating.
Hes had an accident or something,
poor man, Mrs. Hall said to herself in
the kitchen. And those dark glasses. And
the handkerchief in front of his mouth.
Perhaps hes hurt his mouth as well.
A few minutes later Mrs. Hall returned
to the lounge to clear the table. The
stranger was sitting by the fire and
seemed to be more relaxed. But his
mouth was still covered.
I have left some bags and boxes at
Bramblehurst station, he said. Can
somebody go and get them for me?
We can get them for you tomorrow, sir,
she answered.
Could somebody get them for me
today? he asked.
I dont think so, sir. Theres a lot of
snow. Last year my sisters son had an
accident in the snow on that road. He
hurt his head very badly. He had to wear
a lot of bandages, and my sister helped
him to take them on and off every day.
Mrs. Hall looked at him closely. Sir, if
 Thank you, said the visitor. And he
turned away.
Mrs. Hall was angry with the stranger.
But then she remembered the money.
She left the room and returned quietly to
the kitchen.
The stranger stayed in the lounge until
four oclock. He sat by the fire and the
room grew darker and darker.
_____________
At four oclock in the afternoon, Teddy
Henfrey came into the Coach and
Horses.
Good evening, Teddy, said Mrs. Hall.
Im glad youre here. Weve got a problem bandaged face.
with the clock in the guests lounge. The
minute hand is fine, but the hour hand
doesnt move. It just sits on six. Could you
look at it? I know youre good with clocks.
Certainly, said Teddy, and he followed
her to the lounge.
The stranger was sitting in the armchair
by the fire, and seemed to be asleep.
The only light in the room came from the
fire, so the room was dark and red. For
a moment it seemed to Mrs. Hall that
the stranger had a very big mouth. It was
wide open and seemed to take up all the
bottom of his face. Then
the stranger woke up, and his hand,
with the handkerchief, went up to his
mouth.
Excuse me, sir, she said. This man
needs to look at the clock in this room.
Look at the clock? he answered.
Certainly.
Mrs. Hall went to get a lamp, and the
visitor stood up. When she returned
with the lamp, and the room was
brighter, Teddy Henfrey was surprised
to see the big dark glasses and the white
bandages.
The stranger turned to Mrs. Hall. Im
glad that someone is going to look at the
clock, he said. But usually I dont want
people coming into this room. Have my
things arrived?
Tomorrow morning, sir, answered Mrs.
Hall.
I must explain, continued the stranger.
Im a scientist. I need to do some
experiments, and everything I need is
in my boxes. Its important that I can do
my experiments alone, and that nobody
comes into the room. Also, I have had
an accident and I have to be very careful
with my eyes. Sometimes I need to be in
the dark. I hope you understand. That will
be all, and he turned away.
Mrs. Hall left the room. I was right
about the accident, she thought. But
really, this visitor was not very polite.
Teddy started to work on the clock. He
took off the minute hand and the hour
hand. He saw the problem immediately,
but he wanted to talk to this stranger,
so he started to push at things inside
the clock. The stranger just stood and
watched him with his big eyes and
Cold today, isnt it? Teddy said.
Why dont you just finish? said the
stranger, angrily. You just need to fix the
hour hand. Youre playing.
Certainly, sir, said Teddy. Oh yes, I see
the problem now.
He fixed the two hands back quickly,
packed up his things and went. He
walked back through the village feeling
angry with the stranger. He turned a
corner and met Mrs. Halls husband, on
his way home.
Good evening Teddy, said Mr. Hall.
Good evening, answered Teddy. Youve
got a strange man staying with you at
the Coach and Horses. He told Mr. Hall
about the visitor. I think hes hiding
something, Teddy continued. Perhaps
the police are after him. I certainly
wouldnt want a man like that staying in
my house. And he walked off into the
night.
When he arrived home, Mr. Hall tried
to discuss the stranger with his wife.
But she did not want to listen. She was
worried about the stranger, too, but
he had money, and that was the most
important thing.
2 have my things.
One Thousand and One Bottles
The strangers bags and boxes arrived
in Iping the next day by horse and cart.
There were bags of clothes, and there
was also a big box of books fat books
with strange writing. And there were at
least ten boxes of glass bottles. Mr. Hall
stood outside the Coach and Horses
talking to the driver of the cart. He was
also looking with interest at the bags
and boxes. The stranger was getting
impatient, so he came outside dressed in
his coat, hat and gloves. He did not see
the carters dog under the cart.
Can you get my boxes in quickly? he
said. Ive been waiting for a long time. He
walked to the back of the cart and picked
up one of the smaller boxes.
The dog did not like this. He jumped up
at the stranger, biting first his hand, and
then the leg of his trousers.
Lie down! shouted the carter to his
dog. Then he jumped down from his
cart and pulled the dog away. The
stranger looked down at his glove and his
trousers, and then ran back inside and
went to his room.
It bit him! said Mr. Hall. I must go and
see if hes all right.
He ran inside and up the stairs to the
strangers bedroom. The door was open
so Mr. Hall went straight in.
It was dark in the room, but Mr. Hall
thought he saw something very strange.
There was a mans arm without a hand at
the end. Then he was pushed out of the
room and the door was locked behind
him. He stood outside the door for a
moment, trying to understand what he
had seen. Then he went back outside.
Is he all right? asked the carter.
Mr. Hall could not speak for a minute.
He wanted to describe what he had seen
in the bedroom, but he did not know
how.
Yes, he said. He doesnt need any help.
Lets get these boxes inside quickly.
A few minutes later the stranger came
back outside, wearing new trousers and
gloves.
Im sorry, sir, said the carter. Are you
all right?
Im fine, said the stranger, angrily. It
didnt break the skin. Now please can I
As soon as the boxes were in the
lounge the stranger opened them and
began to take bottles out. There were
hundreds. Small, fat, red bottles, small,
thin bottles with a white liquid inside,
blue bottles with poison28 written on
them, large, green bottles, large, white
bottles, small, yellow bottles, heavy
brown bottles. The stranger opened box
after box, and put the bottles carefully on
5
2 Workbook Audioscript
the shelves, on the tables, on the desk,
on the floor. Then he sat down at the
desk under the window and started to
work.
He was so busy with his writing and his
bottles that when Mrs. Hall brought in his
lunch he did not hear her. She put the
plate down on the table noisily and he
half turned his head. He was not wearing
his glasses, and it seemed to her that
his eyes were very big. Then he put his
glasses on.
Please knock before you come in, he
said.
I did knock, sir, but perhaps you didnt
hear. You can lock the door if you prefer,
said Mrs. Hall.
A good idea, he said.
And, sir, all these bottles, said Mrs. Hall.
How can I clean the room? Can I
No! Dont touch them, answered the
stranger. If its a problem, I can pay. Is a
shilling enough?
A shilling! Certainly, sir, said Mrs. Hall.
_____________
He worked all afternoon with the door
locked. Most of the time the room was
quiet. Once Mrs. Hall heard a noise;
a bottle broke, and then the stranger
walked quickly around the room. She
put her ear to the door. He was talking
to himself: I cant go on, he said. I need
years, years. Its impossible!
At five oclock Mrs. Hall took in his tea.
There was broken glass in the corner of
the room and a blue liquid on the floor.
I know, I know, said the stranger,
angrily. Put it on my bill. If I break
anything just put it on my bill.
_____________
The stranger arrived in early February
and for a few weeks there were no real
problems. Mrs. Hall talked to him several
times about cleaning and noise. Put it
on my bill, said the stranger every time.
He paid his bill every week and that was
enough for Mrs. Hall. Mr. Hall did not like
him, but he just stayed away.
The stranger spent most days working
in the lounge. Some days he came
down early and worked without a break
until the evening. Other days he got up
late, walked around the room talking to
himself, sat by the fire and went to bed
early. Nobody visited him. He received
6
no letters, and he did not write any. He
got angry quickly. And although Mrs. Hall
listened carefully outside the door when
he was talking to himself, she understood
nothing.
He did not often go out during the
day. He preferred to go out in the early
evening, and he was always very well
covered. He frightened all the children
that he met, and some adults, too,
especially in the dark.
The people in the village did not agree
about the stranger. Mrs. Hall seemed
to like him. Or perhaps she just liked
his money. She told people that he
was a scientist, and that he was doing
important research. He had had an
accident, she explained, so his hands and
face were a strange color, and he did not
want people to see them.
Others in the village had different
ideas. Some people thought he was on
the run from the police. They read the
newspapers carefully, looking for news of
a serious crime, but there was nothing.
Others just thought that the man was
mad. In general the stranger was not
popular. People moved away when he
walked through the village.
The local doctor, Dr Cuss, really wanted
to find out more about the stranger.
During May, he finally found a reason to up suddenly; she heard the bedroom
visit him. He wanted to bring a nurse to
live and work in the village, and he was
going around asking everyone for money
to pay her. He talked to Mrs. Hall for a
minute, and then knocked on the lounge
door. Excuse me! he said, and entered
the room, closing the door behind him.
Mrs. Hall was listening carefully to the
two men talking. Then, after about ten
minutes she heard a sudden shout of
surprise. She heard the stranger laugh,
then a chair fell over. The door opened
and Dr Cuss came out of the lounge
and ran outside. He went straight up
the street, past the church, to the vicars
house.
Mr. Bunting! he shouted to the vicar.
Am I mad? His eyes were wide and
excited.
Whats happened? asked the vicar.
I went to see the stranger at the Coach
and Horses. I wanted to ask him for some
money for the village nurse. I went into
the guests lounge and I asked him about
his research. Is it slow? I asked. Yes,
he answered. And then suddenly he told
me his story. Somebody told him how to
make a very special liquid. There were
five different things in it and he had it all
written on a piece of paper. In January
he had everything he needed and he
started to make the liquid. He put the
paper down. The window was open, and
the wind picked up the paper. It fell into
the fire.
Dr Cuss continued, looking hard at the
vicar. I didnt really understand what
the man was saying, and he saw it. So
then, in the guests lounge, the stranger
lifted up his arm, and took off his glove.
There was nothing there. Nothing! Then
suddenly I felt a hand on my nose, pulling
it. But there was nothing to see. I hit out
and I felt an arm, but I couldnt see it.
Then I ran!
Mr. Bunting looked at Dr Cuss.
Interesting, he said. Very interesting.
A very strange story.
3
The Burglary at the Buntings'
It was early one Monday morning and
the vicar, Mr. Bunting, and his wife were
asleep in their house. Mrs. Bunting woke
door open and close. She listened, and
heard the sound of feet walking out of
the room and going down the stairs. She
woke her husband. They both listened for
a moment and then he got out of bed,
picked up a heavy poker, and followed
the sounds. He heard somebody
downstairs trying to open his desk in the
study and then there was a loud sneeze.
It was very early in the morning and
there was just a little light in the sky. The
vicar walked quietly through the house
with his poker in his hand. His wife
followed him. There was a loud noise in
the study, and the desk doors flew open.
Then a match lit, and there was a sudden
yellow light. Through the door Mr.
Bunting could see a lamp burning, and
the desk with its doors wide open. But he
could not see a burglar. He stood still for
a moment.
Then he heard the sound of money. The
burglar had found his money; he had two
pounds and ten shillings in his desk! Now
the vicar was angry. He ran into the room
with his poker ready. Mrs. Bunting ran in
after him.
Stop, now! he shouted. The room was
empty. Mr. and Mrs. Bunting looked all
around the room, behind the curtains,
and even under the desk.
Who lit the lamp? asked Mr. Bunting.
And wheres our money? Its gone! cried your bill?
his wife.
There was a sudden sneeze just outside
the door. They ran towards it. The kitchen
door opened and closed. They ran into
the kitchen. The door into the garden
opened and closed, and they were alone
in the house.
_____________
At about the same time on Monday
morning, Mr. Hall was also awake. The
door of the strangers bedroom was
open, and Mr. Hall went downstairs and
saw that the front door was not locked.
He went back up to the bedroom and
looked inside. It was empty. He called
his wife. As she came out of their room,
somebody sneezed. They went into the
bedroom.
She put her hand in the bed. Its cold,
she said. And look! His clothes are still
there, on that chair. Theres his hat!
Suddenly the blankets on the bed
started to move.
Something took hold of them in the
center, picked them up and threw them
over the end of the bed. Then, suddenly,
the strangers hat flew up, around in a
circle, and into Mrs. Halls face. Then a
chair jumped up, laughed (with a laugh
very like the strangers), and started to
chase her. She ran out of the room, and
her husband followed her. The door
closed loudly and they heard the key
turn.
A few minutes later they heard the door
open again. The stranger came quickly
down the stairs from his bedroom, into
the guests lounge. Mr. Hall knocked on
the door and opened it.
Excuse me he began.
Go away, shouted the stranger. And
close that door behind you.
_____________
The stranger had gone down to the
lounge at about half-past five in the
morning. He rang three times for food, Jaffers legs, but Jaffers did not let go. Hall
but Mrs. Hall did not answer. Listening at took the knife and threw it to the floor.
the door, she could hear the noise of the Get his feet! shouted the policeman,
glass bottles and the stranger talking to and Mr. Hall tried to hold them. Suddenly
himself. the stranger stopped moving.
At twelve oclock he opened the door, All right, he said. I wont fight you. Ive
and called out in an angry voice, Mrs. done nothing wrong. Im all here, but Im
Hall! invisible. I dont like it, but I am. But its
Yes, sir, she answered. Do you want not a crime to be invisible.
No, its not, said Jaffers. Thats not the
Wheres my breakfast? Do you think crime. Im looking for a burglar. You must
I can live without food? asked the come with me.
stranger. He was shouting now. Ill come with you, said the stranger.
You havent paid your bill, she But no handcuffs.
answered. Ive been waiting for five days. Then suddenly the stranger sat down,
I told you on Saturday, said the and started to take his clothes off.
stranger. Im waiting for some money to Stop him! shouted Jaffers. If he takes all
come to me. And its arrived. his clothes off
Has it? asked Mrs. Hall. And where did But he was too late. The clothes were
you get this money? on the floor and, somewhere in the room
You havent had any letters. I have quite was the invisible stranger. Jaffers found
a lot of questions to ask you. First him, and held him. But the stranger was
The stranger raised his hands in the air. fighting wildly, and it is very difficult to
Stop! he shouted. You dont understand fight an Invisible Man. In a moment the
who I am. Ill have to show you. stranger was out of the door, and Jaffers
Mr. Hall and one or two other people was lying on the kitchen floor.
were now standing behind Mrs. Hall.
Suddenly the stranger moved forwards
and gave something to her. She took
it and then she cried out and let go;
a pink nose fell to the ground. Then
the stranger removed his hat and his
bandages, his hair and his beard. And
there was nothing. They could see his
clothes from the neck down, but, from
the neck up, there was nothing.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall could not move for a
moment. They stood with their mouths
and eyes wide open. Then they turned
and ran out into the street. Two minutes
later, Mr. Hall returned with Bobby
Jaffers, the village policeman.
Head or no head, said Jaffers. I must
arrest him. He was ready with his
handcuffs.
Jaffers and Mr. Hall went into the Coach
and Horses. A man without a head was in
the kitchen, holding some bread and
a piece of cheese.
Thats him, said Mr. Hall.
Sir! said Jaffers. I must arrest you.
The stranger picked up a knife. Jaffers
took him by the arm, and, with his
other hand, tried to catch the strangers
invisible neck. The stranger kicked out at