Boy Hi! How are you?

Jean I’m good! Hi! My name’s Jean. I’m a student in London. I’m from San Diego in California, but now I live here.

Jean It isn’t easy to find a flat in London. Oh no. There are many different kinds of home – flats (we Americans call them ‘apartments’), terraced houses, semi-detached or detached houses. Some people even live on houseboats!

Jean The student flats in London are usually small, very expensive, and they’re often a long way from the city centre. But I am really lucky. I’ve got a fantastic flat at a good price, just two minutes away from my college and next to a park… a great location! And it’s quite cheap. So I’m really happy! Hey! Come with me and have a look.

Jean Well, this is it! Come in. You can rent or buy a home. If you rent, like me, you have to pay some money before you can move in. It’s called a deposit.

Jean Now then, this is the hall… mmm, this summer, when my boyfriend comes to stay, I’ll ask him to help me paint the flat.

Jean The kitchen is through here… it’s wonderful! Look, it’s got everything I need: a cooker, a fridge, a microwave over there… a kettle for making tea, a cupboard above the sideboard… there’s no dishwasher, but that’s OK…

Jean Ah… time for a quick coffee break… water, milk, instant coffee and sugar… my favourite mug, stir it all up, pop it into the microwave…… and, hey, a minute later, you’ve got a lovely cup of hot coffee. Magic!

Jean Now, this is the lounge! As you can see, there’s a colour TV in the corner, two nice sofas, a portable stereo on the table, lots and lots of nice paintings on the walls, and a bookcase on the right. So there’s plenty of room for all my things. Now, the bathroom is behind this door… It isn’t exactly a luxury bathroom, of  course, but it’s fine for me… and my flatmate, Jerry.

Jean Can you get through the door? Good. Now, there’s a sink, bath and shower, then there’s a bathroom cabinet… a laundry basket under the sink – everything I need!

Jean Last but not least… here on the right… my bedroom! Ta – da! Oh! Sorry about the mess… I’m a very tidy person really… but I’m very busy. We have to study really hard… Mmm, that’s better.

Jean There’s a lovely big bed!.. comfy, too… Those are my pictures on the walls. This is where I keep my clothes. It isn’t exactly a wardrobe, of course, but I’m a student, so I don’t have many… I’ve got a chest of drawers, too. So this place is great. Oh, my coffee. Hang on a sec.

Jerry Oh, hi Jean. You’re back early. How about a cup of tea?

Jean Er, no thanks, Jerry.

Jerry Oh… hey… what’s this? Is this a film? Wow! Hello there, I’m Jerry. So what… what… what’s going on exactly?… This is fun…

Jean Well, nothing’s perfect!