rosa, i'm still waiting for my order. what's taking so long ? it's the stove again ! the oven's not cooking my pies.

why would you make chicken pot pie the special... when you know the stove's been giving you trouble ? - it was working fine yesterday. - so what do i tell my customers "you should've been here yesterday" ? jamal, why is this problem so difficult to fix ? believe me, the problem is easy to fix. then why are my pies not cooking ? finding the problem, that's the difficult part. well, i suggest you find it, before we lose all of our customers ! i don't think it's the stove mr. brashov. people just don't go out to eat as often when the weather's like this. hi, everybody. the weather's miserable today. i knew i could count on you, my old friend. what are you talking about victor ? we were just discussing how the weather was affecting our business. - it is sort of quiet around here. - you can say that again. why would he want to say it again ? it's bad enough hearing it once. - where have you been, jess ? - i've joined a group down at the senior citizen's center. - we play chess every morning. - i thought we play chess ? we do, but sometimes you're too busy. this way i can count on a game every day.

why would you want to sit around with a bunch of old people ? because a lot of them are my age, and yours, too, victor. well, you said it yourself: "you're only as old as you feel." - well, i don't know about you but some days i feel old. - pick up ! don't tell me the pies are finally cooked. -i'm sorry ! it's not my fault. -stove giving you trouble again ? - you got it. - maybe it's time to get a new stove, victor. - i already spoke to the bank about a loan. - what did they say ? they said the cafe isn't making enough money to qualify. i have a meeting tomorrow morning with a vice president. don't let them scare you victor. just give them a firm handshake... and look them straight in the eye like this: "good morning, mr. banker. i need another loan to get a new stove for my restaurant." don't worry. you'll be all right. i hope so. but i am not looking forward to this meeting. well, the oven's working again but i'm not sure for how long. - can it be fixed, jamal ? - it's very old. i think it needs a new heat regulator.

you think ? maybe we should find a repairman who knows what he's doing ! perhaps you should mr. brashov. what is everybody staring at ? isn't there any work to be done ? do i have to go, too or can i have my coffee ? - you can stay. - thank you... i think. i don't care what digby says. we got to come up with a fresh approach here. it's got to be something creative. you know, on the cutting edge. no, i know that he's in charge of the project but as far as i'm concerned, his thinking is just a little old-fashioned. but what do you expect from someone who's over 40 if you know what i mean ? yeah. hold on a second. yeah ? okay, all right, send him in. charlie, listen, i've got to take this one. i'll get back to you, all right ?

come in ! mr. brashov, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir. i'm lewis littleton. good morning, mr. banker. i need another loan to buy a new stove for my restaurant. very direct. i like that. how much do you need ? - three thousand dollars. - have a seat, mr. brashov. i want you to know... that business at crossroads cafe is getting better every week. we have good food, good service and good prices. unfortunately, mr. brashov our records tell a different story. you're experiencing, what we in the banking business call a downward profit curve. "a downward profit curve" ? what is that, exactly ? it means that we've put a sharp pencil to the figures and your expenses are too high. "a sharp pencil" ? it's just a figure of speech if you know what i mean ? - i don't understand. - and i don't understand what there is to not understand.

let me try it this way. debits. profits. you simply must reduce your debits. now, what could be more clear than that ? i have too many "debits" ? exactly ! whatever they are, i assure you i can get rid of them. if i got rid of the flies last summer i can get rid of the debits. mr. brashov, the point is... you must reduce your expenses or this bank cannot continue to loan you money. and that may mean cutting your daily operating costs or cutting some of your employees. - please understand, mr. littlehead-- - littleton. littleton. i have only four employees and i need them all.

besides, these people are more than just employees. i feel like they are my children. well, then you better make up your mind, mr. brashov. you're either running a business or you're raising a family if you know what i mean. - how'd things go at the bank, mr. brashov ? - oh, not too badly. are you sure ? well... to tell you the truth, i don't think i impressed them very much. did you do what i told you ? i did exactly what you told me. and then he told me i'm spending too much. we have to make more money or he won't okay the loan. if we make more money, why do i need the loan ? so, we won't be able to get a new stove ? not if mr. littleton has anything to say about it. i didn't realize things were so bad. we have debits all over the place. if i could find that part that i need, then maybe we wouldn't have to get a new stove.

it's even more serious than that. the bank says we have to make more profit or else. - how do you do that ? - simple. more customers, more business, more profit. right. now, how do you attract more business ? - i say we go after a younger crowd. - young people are in school. yes, but they're always looking for a place to go after school. we can... hang guitars from the ceiling, play music put up some flashing lights. i don't know anything about the restaurant business, but i know a bad idea when i hear one. i could not work in such a noisy place. how about making crossroads cafe a family-oriented restaurant ? i could create a children's menu. we'd have to buy some high chairs for the small children. i am not going to buy high chairs. i am not going to print up new menus. and i am not going to have a bunch of little kids... running around the place spilling milk and breaking glasses. what if we have a two-for-one special ? i saw that on tv. sure. buy one lunch get the other at half price.

i could print up some flyers at school and put them up around the neighborhood. we better do something soon. mr. littleton will be coming in here tomorrow to inspect the cafe. - where are you going, jess ? - i have something to do. i'll see you later. i guess he didn't like your idea, either. -come on. let's figure out what we want to say on the flyer. -all right, let's go, come on. from the first moment of life, the aging process begins. in some cultures, older people have clearly defined roles within the family unit. but in the united states older people often live apart from their children... and other family members. as a result, their lives may take different paths.

like many seniors, petra valenzuela... and amelia acosta are experiencing life fully, working at a child care center in their community. it's very important that we have an intergenerational staff. they offer the cldren a kind of chrological perspective on lif sometimes they need affectn. sometimes they ed help. and you know that you're giving something to them, and they appreciate it. let me tell you, working and helping the children... and knowing that i'm doing something for somebody else, that's beautiful; you know giving of myself. i hold it for you. you put the shovel. and i love it because i fe that i'm still needed. as olds m getting, m stl needed. a tiger ! a tiger ! a pig ! a pig ! did you see a tiger ? you saw a tiger, and she saw a pig. see ? each of you saw something. once in awhile, you get tired, but i mean there's a reward to everything we do here for every challenge.

i don't think i would enjoy staying home. four walls, no. i'd just have to get up and go. i would definitely recommend to other seniors to get out... and start something; do any little thing they can do to help in any place. be careful. there it goes. i'm going to be 65 july the 18th. i'm going to be 77 october the 19th. and still going. and still going. may god leave me longer here. yes ! this is amazing ! i didn't think it would work. they all seem to be together. who cares ? henry did a terrific job with the flyers. henry ! i cannot thank you enough ! what are you talking about ? look what your flyers did.

my flyers didn't do this mr. brashov. i overslept this morning and never got out to deliver them. - victor, say hello to harry. - how do you do ? do well. thank you very much. harry's president of our senior citizen's group. yeah. jess told me about your situation and i talked the gang into coming here for their morning coffee break. i am very happy to have you with us. please, make yourself comfortable. well, i plan to do just that. jess says you serve a great cup of coffee. your banker should be impressed when he sees this. and we'll have an upward profit curve in no time. this is a disaster ! nobody's ordering anything. what about the guy who ordered one pancake ? oh, right. last of the big spenders.

the man at table one says his oatmeal is cold. it wasn't when i served it to him an hour and a half ago. jess, i'm afraid your idea is not working. - give it a chance, victor. - look. that man is sleeping and nobody eats. those two ladies are sharing an order of toast. i'm losing more money than ever. uh-oh. here comes mr. sharp pencil. - mr. who ? - a figure of speech if you know what i mean. welcome to crossroads cafe ! mr. brashov. well, this wasn't what i expected. - it wasn't what i expected, either. - how's that ? oh, nothing. let me show you to a table. here. please, sit. can i get you anything ? oh, a cup of coffee will be fine.

here we are. a nice fresh pot, too. mr. brashov, are you aware that there's no one eating ? why hasn't your waitress brought their orders ? i don't know but i'll find out. oh, i'll go with you. katherine, where are the customers' orders ? - they're on the tables where they're supposed to be. - no, i mean the food orders. oh, the food orders. they're coming right up. we are just cooking like crazy back here. i don't know what you're trying to pull, but there is no food being cooked in there. - i can explain, if you'll give me a moment. - go ahead. i can't explain. mr. brashov, this is not the approach to your problem. you have to take strong measures before it's too late. i'll be expecting to hear from you. - what did he mean by "strong measures" ? - i have to reduce my expenses.

which expenses do they want you to cut ? anything i can. food, utilities, napkins. napkins ? listen when these bankers start making cuts, anything that costs money is fair game. - even employees. - you really think he'd fire one of us ? - what's wrong did somebody die ? - not yet, but stick around. mr. brashov has to cut his expenses so one of us is going to lose his job. or her job. now, hold on. let's not jump to conclusions. don't worry, rosa. i'm sure i'm the one who will lose his job. mr. brashov even said he was going to hire another repairman to fix the stove. yeah, right. he was really upset. can't you fix it, jamal ? the stove is so old, they don't make parts for it anymore. that's too bad. we're all really going to miss you. - hey, he's not gone yet. - sure, it could still be one of us. great. crossroads cafe, an equal opportunity "un-employer."

think about the events of the past week. can you tell me what happened ? who said what to whom ? if so, you will be reporting information.

repeating what someone said or told is one way to report information. this is your friendly professor reporting from word play central. and now, back to the story. henry, shut the door ! it's freezing in here !

i just wanted to make sure that the sidewalk was clear. that was a pretty big storm we had last night. i'm sure mr. brashov will appreciate all your hard work... when you tell him about it. - i'm just doing my job. - sure. you're just worried about getting fired. i still think it's probably going to be me. mr. brashov can cook. not as good as i can but he can cook. what about jamal ? he thinks he's the one. and mr. brashov sure was mad at him. come to think of it, where is jamal ? i haven't seen him for two days. - maybe he's sick. - no, he's not sick. i called his home. jihan thought he was here at work. - where could he be ? - probably out looking for another job. that's what we all should be doing. - i tried answering an ad for a chef at a fancy restaurant. - what happened ? just because of my accent the owner assumed i could only cook burritos and enchiladas. if he only knew. here's a good job for you, katherine. "help wanted. cafeteria manager...

who is not afraid to take control, get tough and be the boss." that sounds perfect. what's the name of the company ? the lincoln hills state prison. very funny. - how's everyone today ? - just terrific. - sorry i asked. - want to know what i think ? this shouldn't take too long. this is the day someone's going to be fired. what a day brightener you are ! laid off, maybe. fired, never. - what's the difference ? - laid off means the job's gone. fired means you're gone. laid off ? fired ? when there's not enough money to pay the rent, it doesn't matter what you call it. where's the boss ? still in his office ? - i don't think he's ever coming out. - let's see what i can do. come in. oh, it's you, jess. now, that's what i call a greeting. i'm sorry. i have a lot on my mind. you've been locked in here for two days, victor. i miss my chess partner.

what about your new friends at the senior citizen's center ? why don't you play with them ? i hate to tell you this, but you're a better chess player. thank you, my friend. but playing chess is the least of my worries. that guy at the bank was kind of rough on you huh, victor ? when he looked at me he didn't see crossroads cafe. he didn't see the faces of the people who work here. or the people who eat here. all he saw was victor brashov a stupid, old man who couldn't run his business and make a profit. i could see it in his eyes, jess. he thought i was a fool. sometimes young people grow impatient with older folks. they don't realize that with the years comes experience. all they see is the gray hair.

so, what am i supposed to do ? the bank will never give me a loan now. if this business is causing you more worry than pleasure - maybe you should think about selling it. - and then what would i do ? you could start another business. doing what ? this was my dream. then i guess you'll just have to fight for it. i like your idea. i just don't know what weapons to use. i'll get it ! crossroads cafe ? yes, of course. one moment, please. mr. brashov, it's mr. littleton from the bank again. i'm sorry. mr. brashov stepped out for a moment. but i'll make sure that i give him the message. yes, of course i'm sure ! you're welcome. good-bye. - you're going to have to talk

to him sooner or later. - i know. but not until i figure out what to do. what are you going to do ? i mean, about us ? i don't understand. - which one of us are you going to let go ? - we need to know, mr. brashov. is it jamal ? where is jamal ? - we haven't seen him. - but he isn't sick. we think he's out looking for another job. is he the one you're firing ? believe me, i don't want to let anyone go. i'm trying to come up with a solution. i just haven't thought of one yet. - i have another idea. - what is it ? - you know my senior citizen's group ? - who could forget them ? well, they hold a bingo tournament every thursday at noon, and i was thinking-- no ! no more old people. victor, you sound just like your banker. forget the gray hair and keep an open mind. what's your idea, jess ? tomorrow's the day they have lunch and play bingo. i think i can talk them into making crossroads cafe their regular meeting place. -but this time they order something to eat, right ? -oh, sure, everybody eats lunch.

we could create a section of the menu with dishes that are low fat, low salt and low sugar. what do you think, victor ? i think i do not have a better idea. i-27 ! g-49 ! bingo ! this is wonderful ! everybody is eating ! that man just ordered a second helping of rosa's low-cal bread pudding. just think we could do this every week. i hope the stove holds up. it's getting quite a workout and jamal still isn't here. - i am starting to get worried. - jihan says he comes home every night but he won't tell her where he's been. this is very strange. g-71 ! mr. littleton, what are you doing here ? well, you never returned my phone calls. i was trying to save money. every

call adds up. i thought you were trying to avoid me. how could you think such a thing ? the bank doesn't want to put you on the spot, mr. brashov, but if you don't cooperate with us, we have no choice but to demand full repayment on your existing loan. g-52 ! bingo ! more senior citizens ? yes, but this is different. look at all the food on the tables ! pick up ! four orders for table number six ! well, this is more like it. and they're going to be here every week from now on. we're talking to other organizations about holding their meetings here also. we are ? yes, we are ! that's a great idea. well, if you keep this up, we just might consider giving you that loan after all. - jamal ! are you all right ? - we've been worried about you. where have you been ? searching every junkyard in the city looking for this. what is this ? it's a replacement for the heat regulator. now i can fix the stove and you won't need to get a new one.

- and who is this ? - i am jamal al-jibali. - how do you do ? - jamal is our handyman. - technical engineer. - technical engineer ? yes. i graduated second in my class from the university of cairo. this is wonderful news ! well mr. littleton, i guess i will not need that loan after all. - if jamal is right. - of course ! i would bet my job on it. that's good enough for me. well, perhaps i can interest you in a credit card ? no, thank you. mr. brashov. n-42 ! - that was great, jamal ! - perfect timing ! crossroads cafe can remain in business. how can i thank you enough my friend ? never underestimate "gray power." and, jamal, don't you ever disappear like that again ! i need you here ! i promise, mr. brashov. as a matter of fact, i need all of you here !

closed-captioned by captions, inc. los angeles crossroads cafe is a series that teaches english... to speakers of other languages.

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