Lucy: What? Oh, I sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.
Jeff: You seem preoccupied today. What’s up?
Lucy: Oh, it’s this guy I know from this class I’m taking. His name is Richard. I think I’ve mentioned him before.
Jeff: Yeah, sure, the guy you’re working on a project with. Right?
Lucy: Yeah, that’s him. The four of us are supposed to be working as a team on this project and I’m having a lot of trouble dealing with him.
Jeff: What do you mean?
Lucy: Well, he doesn’t know how to express his opinion without putting other people down. And, he always has to be right.
Jeff: He sounds a little immature.
Lucy: Yeah, I think it’s partly that. He doesn’t know how to be diplomatic with people.
Jeff: He doesn’t know how or he doesn’t want to.
Lucy: I don’t know, but I do know that sometimes he really gets the better of me.
Jeff: Well, he sounds pretty hard to get along with. Are the other people in your group feeling the same way?
Lucy: Yeah, in fact, they’re fed up with him. I keep having to run interference when our discussions get too heated. Actually, I feel really sorry for the guy. He doesn’t seem to have too many friends and he always seems so unhappy.
Jeff: Well, I think you’re helping just by putting up with him.
Lucy: Thanks for trying to make me feel better. Ok, now what were you saying?