The Office - I need an assistant!

(C0004)

A: ...like I told you before, we just dont have the re-

sources to hire you an assistant.

B: I understand that, but the fact is were under-

staffed.

A: The timing is just not right. The economy is bad,

and its too risky to take on new staff.

B: Yeah, I guess youre right.... heres an idea, what

if we hire an intern? She would take some of the
weight off my shoulders.

A: She?

B: Yeah, you know, a recent graduate. She could

give me a hand with some of these projects and
we could keep our costs down.

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 A: That sounds reasonable... let me see what I can
do.

A: Tony, Id like to introduce you to your new assis-

tant.

B: OK, great! Lets meet her!

C: Hi, Im Adam.

B: Oh... hi... Im Tony...

Key Vocabulary

resources common money

noun, plu-
ral

understaffed Adjective not enough people to do

the job

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 the timing is phrase it is not a good time
just not right now

weight off my phrase remove pressure or

shoulders stress

give me a phrase help

hand

that sounds phrase is OK

reasonable

Supplementary Vocabulary

recruit principle hire

verb, infini-
tive

overworked Adjective working too much

short staffed Adjective not enough people to do

the job

cut costs phrase reduce spending

overstaffed Adjective having too many em-

ployees

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