Conversation Reconstruction – “The Missed Presentation”

Scene: Lucas and Julia are coworkers having coffee on Monday morning. Julia missed a big presentation on Friday.

Lucas: I didn’t see you at the presentation on Friday. What happened?
Julia: It was a disaster. My computer crashed, and I couldn’t finish the slides. If my laptop (not / break), I (be able) to present on time.

Lucas: Oh no! What did your boss say?
Julia: He wasn’t happy. He told me I (need) to check my equipment before every meeting.

Lucas: That sounds serious. Did he say anything else?
Julia: Yeah. He said he (expect) me to email the slides as soon as they were ready.

Lucas: So did you send them?
Julia: Of course! I sent them right after lunch. But then he asked why I (not / prepare) a backup copy.

Lucas: Ouch… If you (save) the file on the cloud, you (avoid) all that stress.

Julia: True! I’ll never make that mistake again. I told him I (learn) from it.

Lucas: I bet he believed you. He’s usually fair.
Julia: Yes, he said he (appreciate) my honesty, but he also reminded me that deadlines are important.

Lucas: Well, if I (be) your boss, I (do) the same thing. You’re lucky he gave you another chance.

Julia: Definitely. If he hadn’t, I (look) for a new job this weekend!