Learning notes
Transcript
Melanie:
Melanie here from the Department of Oz-Speak. 'Understanding tenants’ rights'.
Lily sits across Mariam.
Lily:
Michael has taken ma for a walk, so we have to be quick. She can not know about this discussion.
Mariam:
Why not?
Lily:
If she thinks that the shop is not going to happen, she will go back to China.
Mariam:
Then I am sorry for your goodbyes. We will be giving the shop to our son.
Lily:
But you already have a shop.
Mariam:
This is not his shop.
Lily:
He can have yours when you retire.
Mariam:
Hmm, my retirement will be my funeral. It makes sense for us to have the shop, we can afford to fit it out
properly.
Lily:
It’s the perfect height for my rolls of fabric.
Mariam:
What will you do with the shop?
Lily:
We will open a contemporary Chinese fabric shop. Good for ma to feel at home.
Mariam:
Hmm. I’m sorry, Lily. It’s just business. I hope you understand.
Mariam walks away.
Lily:
I come here for a better life, and now I’m feuding with a kebab dictator!
Lily dials a number.
Lily:
Oh, hello. Hello, Mr Dean. This is Lily Chang again. Can we arrange a time for me to look at the property? Tomorrow, yes. What time works for you? Yes, 2pm is good. Thank you. See you then.
Lily is with the landlord. She looks about the empty shop.
Landlord:
There’s a storage room and parking out back.
Mariam enters the shop.
Landlord (cont'd):
Ah, Mrs Daknache! This is –
Mariam:
Mrs Chang. Yes.
Landlord:
Ah, you’ve met before.
Mariam:
Unfortunately.
Landlord:
I just need to make a phone call.
The Landlord exits.
Mariam:
This feels like a set up.
Lily:
It looks like the landlord wants us to compete. Will you keep being stubborn?
Mariam:
Hmm, will you?
Lily:
What do I need to do to convince you to let me have this shop?
Mariam:
We’ve already discussed my funeral. Actually, I’ve spoken with my son –
Mariam pauses, fiddling with the air-con remote control.
Mariam (cont'd):
This isn’t working.
Lily:
Correct, you refuse to see reason...It needs a repair. Could it reduce the lease?
Mariam:
Reduce it? No, it has to be repaired before it can be leased at all!
Just then, the Landlord re-enters.
Mariam (cont'd):
Is it possible to fix this?
Landlord:
Fix what?
Mariam:
The air conditioning. I - we - do not feel comfortable with this being broken.
Landlord:
Look, if you’re not happy with the space, then you shouldn’t lease it. There’s always someone else who
will.
Melanie appears in a circle.
Melanie:
Landlords can be asked to do repairs on such things as airconditioning, plumbing or electrical problems. Be smart like these two ladies and know how to ask your landlord for what you need.
Back to scene.
Lily:
Will you give me the lease?
Landlord:
If you want it.
Lily:
I will accept it if you reduce the price.
Landlord:
No. That’s not possible.
Lily:
Then, no. And we will make sure anyone else who comes after us will know about this. You will have no tenants!
The Landlord sees Mariam and Lily out.
Landlord:
I’ll get my guy to come out and fix the air-con. I’ll be in contact.
The Landlord leaves.
Mariam:
Very impressive.
Lily:
You’re impressive. I would have taken it if he reduced the price. We will return to our feud next week, when it is fixed.
Mariam:
Or...Or we can invest.
Lily:
In what?
Mariam:
I am interested in your fabric...venture. We can help make the shop suitable for your business.
Lily:
What about your son’s kebab shop?
Mariam:
He doesn’t want it. That’s what I tried to tell you before. I can not force him. Well, I can, but I won’t. Maybe. Not unless you wanted a business partner for your store.
Lily:
I was thinking of how to bring your funeral early, just one hour ago. How about you fit out the shop for a 20%
share of the business?
Mariam:
That could work.
Lily:
Deal.
Melanie strolls into the shot.
Melanie:
How exciting! These two inspiring women know how to ask for things as tenants! Landlords can be asked to do repairs on such things as air conditioning, plumbing and electrical problems. Be smart like these two ladies and know how to ask your landlord for what you need.
END
Watch with subtitles
Select your language using the subtitles settings in the video below.
Credits
Produced by SBS with assistance by
Video production company: Studio Gilay
Director: James Hackett
Educational consultant: Natalie Oostergo - International Education Services
