A：The charges vary according to the types of call you make．Thecheapest is a station-to-station call，then a person-to-personcall．The mini charge will apply for the first three minutes，theneach additional minute will be charged．
B：Oh，let me think of it…Could you put through a collect call forme？
A：Certainly．Who are you calling？
B：It's a Mrs．Peters．Marilgyn Peters．
A：And what's the number you are calling？
B：It's London，9981-6432．
A：And your name and number？
B：My name's Ron Smith and the phone number is 356-2210．
A：Hang up and I'll call you back in a few minutes．(Pause)．
Hello．This is the operator．You have a collect call from a Mr．Ron Smith in Chicago．Will you accept the charges？
C：Yes，I will．
(Ring)
B：Yes，it is．
A：I have your call on the line．Go ahead，please．
B：Thank you very much．
…
Words and Expressions
oversea(s) a．海外的；往海外的
operator n．操作者；工作者；接线员
collect call 对方付费电话
area n．面积；地区；区域
code n．法典；法规；规章；代码
sight-seeing 观光，游览
beach n．海滨；湖滨；海滩
downtown ad．在商业区；向商业区；在市区；
museum n．博物馆；(美)展览馆
Australia n．澳大利亚；澳洲
direct a．径直的；直线的；直接的
international a．国际的
prefix n．字首，前缀
dial n．1．[钟表的]面；标度盘
2．[自动电话]拨号盘
rate／reit／ v．拨电话
n．规定的费用或价格
apply vi．适用；应用；使用
charge v．要价，收费
front desk 柜台
clerk n．办事员
afterwards ad．后来；以后
distance n．1．距离；2．远方；远景
3．[时间的]间隔；[时日的]经过
according adj．根据……所说的
mini a．微型的；最低的
additional a．附加的；另外的
Chicago (地名)芝加哥