A conversation between a bookstore sales clerk and a student

Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a bookstore sales clerk and a student.

Clerk: Can I help you? Are you looking for something in particular?

Student: Yes, well... first I'm looking for the foreign language section.

C: Oh, it's right down here. Here we are. "Foreign Languages". What course are you taking?

S: Spanish Four Thirty-one.

C: You need the Intermediate Spanish textbook?

S: No, I still have that from Four Thirty. What I'm looking for is the novel we're supposed to read: Garcia Marquez's 'Cien años de soledad'-- 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'.

C: 'Garcia Marquez', 'Garcia Marquez'. Hmm. No... Oh, here it is, under 'Marquez'. Here you are.

S: Eighteen dollars? The price is right, but, erm, it's just the text. There don't seem to be any footnotes or any glossary.

C: Ah.

S: This is the only edition you have?

C: Yes, it is. Sorry.

S: Hmm. How many copies do you have left? Just those on the shelf?

C: Yes, uh, four-- no, five copies.

S: Jeez, those'll be gone by Friday for sure. Our class is really full. What's your return policy? Would it be OK if I bought this now, and then returned it if I can find an annotated edition on the internet?

C: Yes, certainly. But you'll need to keep your receipt, of course, and be sure that the book is not marked up or damaged in any way.

S: Sure, that's fair enough.

C: Did you want me to check whether we can find you another edition?

S: I don't think I have time. It usually takes so long to get a book through a bookstore.

C: (laughs) Unfortunately, that's often true.

S: Thanks anyway. I'll take this then, and say-- you have, uh, sweatshirts, don't you?

C: Sweatshirts? Yes, in the 'School Spirit' section. Over this way. And down here. Um. Here you are.

S: Ah. Yes. Hmm....that's not much of a school crest.

C: Oh. (laughs) There's a bigger one on the back, see?

S: Oh, yeah, of course. I see. Uh, this is a medium. I need a large, and uh...I think...in green.

C: Medium, medium...here, is this a large? Yes, large. Here you go.

S: Yeah, that's good. Say, do you know what our motto means, anyway? "Ex Pertinacia Veritas". "Out of something....something-or-other."

C: "From Determination comes Truth". It's been SU's motto since it was founded in 1894. And this crest is "an American bison couchant upon a tome vert".

S: What in heck does that mean?

C: A buffalo lying on a green book. I think the idea was that this new pioneer state was getting its first institution of higher education-- the buffalo represents the prairies-- the green of the book-- and the book represents learning.

S: Huh. That's really interesting. I'll wear it with pride-- and hope for some of that determination! How much is this?

C: $39.95 plus tax.

S: Fine. Uh, what else do I need now? Mmm.... I guess that's it, then: the sweatshirt and the book.

C: And there's no tax on the book.

S: Where's your register?

C: Just take them up to the cashier at the front, please. Over there.

S: Oh, OK. Thanks a lot for your help.

C: Thank you. Have a nice day.