Trainer: Good morning. What can I do for you two today?
Maria: We would like to buy a membership.
Trainer: Alright. A gym membership just for two people?
Maria: Yes, please.
Trainer: Would you like to get a trainer to help you reach your
personal health goals as well?
Mike: No, thank you. We'll just get the membership for right now.
Maria: Maybe later on.
Trainer: Alright, not a problem. Please fill out these forms, and we'll
get you two started in no time.
(Mike and Maria fill out the proper forms.)
Mike: Are you sure you're ready to make this commitment, Maria? We're signing a
contract for a whole year!
Maria: Yes, Mike. I want to start exercising.
Mike: I hope you don't change your mind.
(Mike and Maria turn in the forms and pay for their membership.)
Trainer: Thank you very much. You two are now welcome to use the
equipment any time, twenty-four hours a day.
Maria: Great! Let's go run on the treadmills!
(Mike isn't so excited.)
Mike: Yeah, terrific. I guess let's do this.
Maria: We'll run for fifteen minutes as a warm-up.
Mike: I'll follow your lead.
(Mike and Maria run for fifteen minutes. They step off the machine both sweating
and gasping for air.)
Mike: I can't breathe, Maria!
Maria: Don't be a wimp, Mike! Hang in there. We're just getting started.
Mike: Can we just a take a break for ten minutes. I can't remember the last time
I ran for that long.
Maria: Alright, we'll take a break. But just for ten minutes. Then we'll start
working on our upper bodies.
Mike: How often are we going to do this?
Maria: At least three times a week.
Mike: I hope I don't collapse!
(Maria gives him one of those looks. Mike knows he'll be getting into better shape, whether he likes it or not.)