This dialogue is between roommates discussing the payment of shared monthly bills. It provides great practice for requesting payments, justifying costs, and setting up clear financial agreements.
Setting: The shared kitchen of an apartment. Maya is looking at a tablet.
**(MAYA is looking at a tablet, frowning. BEN is eating cereal. SARAH enters, scrolling on her phone.)**
MAYA: Hey guys, can we talk about the **electricity bill**? It was **due** yesterday, and I still haven't received Ben or Sarah's **share**. I need to pay it today to avoid a problem.
BEN: Oh, Maya, I'm so sorry! I meant to do it after my shift. It totally **slipped my mind**. I'll **transfer** the money tonight, I promise.
SARAH: Is it really due already? I feel like we just paid the last one. And why is my portion $150? I've been really careful this month.
MAYA: Yes, it’s due, and it’s now officially **overdue**. That means if I don't pay it by 5 PM, the company hits us with a **late fee**. That fee is $25, and I don't think it's fair for me to cover it alone.
BEN: You're absolutely right. That’s completely my fault. I’ll pay my share plus a third of that late fee, just in case. Just tell me the total amount I need to send.
SARAH: Wait, before we calculate the fee, I need to understand this bill. I barely cook dinner here, and I always wear sweaters instead of turning up the heat. I think my usage is lower.
MAYA: We agreed in the **lease agreement** to **split** all **utilities** three ways equally, Sarah. We all use the shared spaces—the living room, the kitchen, the water heater. The price is high because the central heating was running constantly during that cold snap last week.
BEN: And I probably left the PlayStation running overnight a couple of times. I’m responsible for some of that high usage, too. Maya, I'm transferring my portion now, plus $8.33 for my part of the potential late fee.
SARAH: I still think that’s **excessive**. If I’m hardly ever home, shouldn't my share be lower? It really impacts my personal **budget**.
MAYA: The agreement was an even split to keep things simple. If we start tracking everyone's individual usage, we'll spend hours on spreadsheets every month. But look, I understand you’re worried about the high amount. We definitely need a system that works better for everyone.
BEN: How about we change the process? Maya, you’re so good at organizing. Could you set up a shared digital **budget** sheet so we all see the bill amount and the exact due date a week in advance?
SARAH: I like that. And let’s set an **internal deadline**. If the bill is always due on the 10th, we all agree to send the money to Maya by the **7th** of every month. That gives you a buffer to process the payment and avoid any fees.
MAYA: (Nods, typing on her tablet) That's a much better solution. A clear, **binding timeline** for internal payment. I’ll send out the new rules and the link to the shared sheet this afternoon. But please, if you know you'll be late, communicate with me *before* the 7th. It saves everyone stress and money.
SARAH: Agreed. And I'll review the new budget sheet. Thanks, Maya, for **prioritizing** this payment.
BEN: Payment sent! Thanks for keeping us on track.
— THE END —