托福TPO12 Conversation2

TPO 12 Conversation 2 Narrator Listen to a conversation between a student and a Department Secretary. Student Hi. Miss Hendrix. Secretary Hi Brad, how are you? Student I’m fine; except I have a question about my paycheck. Secretary Sure. What’ up? Student Well it’s already been several weeks into the semester and my paycheck was supposed to go directly into my bank account, but there haven’t been any deposits. Secretary That’s odd. Student Yea, I thought graduate teaching assistants will automatically put on the payroll at the beginning of the semester. Secretary They are. Let’s see did you complete all the forms for payroll? Student I filled in whatever they sent me, and I returned like at the end of August. Secretary Hmm, well, you definitely should have been paid by now. At least two pay periods have passed since then. Student I asked the bank and they didn’t know anything. Who should I talk to about this, payroll? Secretary I’m going to contact them for you. There was a problem in processing some of the graduate student payroll paperwork. ‘Cause their computer program crashed after all the information was processed. And some people’s information couldn’t be retrieved. Student Oh. But why didn’t anyone let me know? Secretary I don’t know how they work over there, ‘cause they couldn’t even figure out whose information was missing. And this isn’t the first time, seems like something like this happens every semester. Student So how do I find out if my information was lost? Secretary I will contact them tomorrow morning to see if you’re in the system. But you’re probably not. Student Well, then, what will I need to do? Secretary Sorry but you will need to fill out those forms again and then I will fax them over to the payroll office. Student And then what… Well, what I really need to know is how long till I get some money, I’m already a month behind in my bills and my tuition’s due soon. Secretary They’ll get you into the system the same day they receive your paperwork. So if you do that tomorrow, you’ll get paid next Friday. Student That’s a long time from now. Will that paycheck include all the money I am owed? Secretary It should. I will double check with the payroll department. Student And another thing, Is there any way I could get paid sooner, I have been teaching all these weeks… Secretary I know it’s not fair but I don’t think they can do anything; all the checks are computed automatically in the system. They can’t just write checks. Student But they are the ones that made a mistake. And they never told me! Woman I understand how you feel. If I were you, I’d be upset too. I’ll tell you what: when I call them, I will explain the situation and ask if there is any way you could be paid sooner. But I have to tell you that based on past experiences you shouldn’t count on it. Student (Sigh) I understand thanks. I know it’s’ not your fault and that you’re doing everything you can. Secretary Well, what I CAN do is make sure that your first check for the total amount that the university owes you. Student That’ll be great! Thank you. I will be on campus about 10 tomorrow morning and I will come by to see you then.