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I always knew that hanging on a rope, cleaning the windows of tall buildings involved taking some risks. I had imagined being struck by lightning in a storm; or the thin rope snapping, sending me plummeting to the ground far below; or a window smashing and being cut to pieces by the sharp broken glass. But now I'm in danger that I had never imagined. Ten minutes ago I saw something that I wasn't supposed to see, and now I'm back on the roof of the building, scared stiff in case they find me. Who finds me? Well let me tell you.
Today I'm cleaning the windows of this building for the first time, and I was lowering myself down the rope to the eighth floor, it's the offices of a Colombian import-export business, and we all know that Colombia is famous for cocaine! As I came level with their window I saw two dangerous-looking men. One of them had a case full of money, the other one had many packets of some white powder that looked like drugs to me. I immediately started climbing back up the rope but they saw me, and what's worse, I imagine they might have guns. I'm sure they are coming up to the roof to kill me.
So I'm hiding
on the roof behind some air-conditioning units, and I'm listening for
the sound of the fire-escape door opening. I might be seconds away from
death and I'm terrified!
I can hear something: I hear the sound of the heavy metal door swing
open. There are footsteps
and a voice, 'I know you are up here. Where are you?'
I crouch lower
and try
not to make a noise, but I can hear the footsteps getting closer. Oh
no! Then suddenly an angry face appears above me, it's the building's
manager! 'Why are you hiding here, you lazy
bum? Get back to work!' he shouts.
'But boss', I explain, 'there are two guys from one of the offices,
they saw me see them with drugs. They're gonna
shoot me!'
'Which floor? which office?' he asks.
'Eighth floor... Colombians... mean
looking guys they are.' I tell him.
'You idiot!
That's a
sugar company! Get back to work, you have such a vivid imagination!'
Adjectives
level (height):
The same height.
terrified:
Very scared.
mean:
Unkind and not friendly.
lazy:
Not wanting to do any work or use any energy.
Verbs
involve:
To include something.
strike (lightning):
When lightning hits you. (strike>struck>struck)
snap:
To break suddenly and with a noise.
plummet:
To fall quickly from a high place.
smash:
To break into pieces with a lot of energy.
be supposed to do sth:
When you should/shouldn't do something because of a rule, or what
someone said, or wanted.
hide:
To make it difficult for other people to see you or find you.
crouch:
To make yourself small by bending your back or knees.
Nouns
a risk:
A possible event that may be negative.
lightning:
The hot electrical light that comes from a storm cloud.
cocaine:
A powerful drug that people take up their nose.
powder:
A dry substance that has very small grains.
footsteps:
The noise that someone makes when walking.
a bum:
A bad name for a man who has no job or home and asks people for money.
an idiot:
A stupid person.