Scripts for lesson 23

The photo captures the interior of a train in Japan.
It appears to be currently stopped at a station, as seen by the view through the doors and windows.
The absence of sunlight suggests that it's an underground subway.
All four passengers are seated, immersed in their smartphones.

Starting from the far-left seat, there's a woman in a white blouse with a short ponytail, wearing a mask.
She has placed a musical instrument case on the floor and is holding it upright with her knees.
Her smartphone is resting on top of the case, and she's texting on it with both hands.

(102 words)

Next to the lady on the far left with the ponytail is an older man with gray hair parted on the left.
He's wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a suit jacket draped over his right forearm.
A red file and a business backpack rest on his lap.
He's deeply engrossed in browsing on his smartphone.

To his left, a woman is seated with black hair, wearing a black and white striped skirt paired with a light blue long-sleeved sweater.
She's wearing a mask and slouching in the chair.
Additionally, she's using a paper shopping bag on her knee as a makeshift stand for her smartphone.

(105 words)

In the seat on the far right, sits a woman with long bangs.
Her ears are exposed and she isn't wearing a mask.
She's wearing a wristwatch on her left arm and holding a smartphone with an orange case.
A pair of wired earphones are plugged into her phone, and she seems to be listening to music.
Unfortunately, details about her outfit are somewhat unclear due to a red backpack carried by what seems to be a delivery guy in the foreground.
In front of the four seated passengers, we see a black backpack suggesting it might be being held in front of another passenger's body.
The absence of advertisements inside the train and the lack of visible handrails in the photo give it a somewhat sterile feel.

(128 words)

As a cultural note, it's common practice in Japan to hold backpacks in front of oneself to avoid bumping into or pushing others.
Additionally, due to the ongoing impact of COVID, many people in Japan still wear masks, especially inside trains.
The absence of advertisements suggests economic challenges, and the reduced number of commuters makes the scene feel somewhat gloomy.
From the passengers' perspective, a moderate level of crowding is sometimes preferred.
Having a seat while traveling is obviously more comfortable, but moderate crowding is less likely to lead to incidents of crime, making it a more desirable environment.

(99 words)

In the photo, we see a dapper couple chilling in a convertible, they gaze out from their parked car.
The man in the passenger seat has well-groomed stubble, his hair is neatly slicked back, and he dons black sunglasses.
Additionally, he has accessorized with chains around his neck.
Dressed in a navy custom-tailored suit over a light blue collar shirt, he maintains a refined yet relaxed look by leaving a few buttons undone for a laid-back vibe. The woman in the driver's seat has cascading blonde hair with graceful wavy ends.
Her makeup makes her eyes look lifted, giving off a sharp and intense expression.
She casually rests her right arm on the man's left shoulder.

(116 words)

Taking a look at the car, we see a shiny, sleek silver two-seater convertible.
The burgundy leather seats are adorned with a chic diamond-pattern quilted stitch.
They offer a comfy, custom-molded design that wraps around the body for a snug feel.
Between the seats, you can spot a parking brake and cup holders that match the leather interior.
With the passenger-side tinted window down and the convertible roof open, the lush grass behind the car alludes to pleasant weather.
It seems to be a perfect day for a carefree, open-air, top-down drive.
However, the reality on the road might not be as smooth.
They could run into traffic jams or unexpected situations once they start driving.

(116 words)

Now, shifting the focus to the passenger seat, the door is wide open, perhaps an invitation for a pet to join them.
However, the man is wearing a fancy tailored jacket, indicating he's likely concerned about pet fur getting on it.
Both of their gazes are directed down at something on the ground on the passenger side, but the absence of smiles suggests it may not be a situation where they're waiting for a pet.
Alternatively, their pet might be hesitant to come out of its kennel, it could be attempting to escape or simply be ignoring their instruction.
Deciphering the exact nature of this situation becomes a bit challenging.

(110 words)

In the photo, a man with a quiff hairstyle whispers into a woman's ear while holding an acoustic guitar.
They're both wearing sunglasses and are casually leaning against a yellow Vespa.
The scooter, with a large transparent windshield, gives it a rounded, streamlined appearance.
Upon closer inspection, there appears to be a thin white plate behind them attached to the windshield, but I'm not sure what it is.

The man, dressed in a fashionable black leather jacket over a white T-shirt with rolled-up distressed jeans, perches on the scooter seat, balancing on one leg.
Notably, the guitar strap isn't around his neck, suggesting he's simply holding it rather than playing.
Perhaps amidst a live music performance, he whispers to her due to the loud surrounding noise.

(126 words)

Meanwhile, the woman has her hair tied up in a large bun atop her head, dressed in a floral jacket paired with a yellow short skirt that matches the scooter's color.
However, it might just be a coincidence, as he's the one sitting on the Vespa, creating the impression that he's the scooter's owner.

She leans forward with both hands on the seat and smiles while attentively listening to him, suggesting the possibility of being invited for a drive later on.
Conversely, if the Vespa were really hers, he might be asking for a ride home.
It's unclear whether she's enthusiastic about his proposal or simply casually engaged in the conversation.

(111 words)

Let me mention one more thing I observed.
I find myself wondering what he does with his guitar when driving with her, as there's no apparent case or space for it to be stowed.
I think it could be a bit snug for two people to sit on this Vespa without even including the guitar.

Behind him is an old, worn-out yellow container, and directly ahead is a wall mural featuring what appears to be either a massive roller coaster or a suspension bridge.
The light is bright and throws a gleam across the upper right part of the mural, it also reflects off the black, inorganic concrete floor.

(109 words)