A：I've been waiting for an hour! Where have you been?

B：I got stuck in traffic on the way back from Joe's office.

A：Okay. Tell me exactly what Joe said. Don't beat around the bush. Give it to me straight.

B：Hold your horses! I'll tell you in a minute. Let me catch my breath. I just got here and I told you traffic was terrible.

A：You can do that later. Tell me. What did Joe say?

B：Do you really want to know? Even if it's bad news?

A：Of course I do. Just tell me.

B：Okay. If you really want to know. He said you always try to pull the wool over his eyes. He thinks you are dishonest.

A：What? That's not true! Perhaps I exaggerate a little. But that's all. I've never tried to deceive him.

B：Why don't you do what I do?

A：What's that?

B：Take his remark with a grain of salt.

A：That's easy for you to say, he's not your boss!

B：Yeah, but I've known him for ten years. I'm telling you, his comment isn't worth worrying about.

A：I hope you're right.