Miles for Edinburgh

Shadow Nguyen first. He's the helpful colleague who knows the rules; his questions are short and his advice is quick. Then take Poppy's part. Her mood swings three times: surprised ("Seriously?"), worried ("Oh no"), then delighted. Let each one show in your voice.

1. NguyenPoppy, you've flown to Sydney, what, twice a month this year?
2. PoppyAlmost. Why?
3. NguyenYou must have racked up thousands of miles. What are you doing with them?
4. PoppyNothing. I assumed they belonged to the company, since the company paid for the flights.
5. NguyenNot here in Singapore. Check the travel policy. Miles from work trips are yours to keep.
6. PoppySeriously? I've been ignoring those emails for months.
7. NguyenHow many do you have?
8. PoppyLet me look. Sixty-two thousand.
9. NguyenThat's a round trip to Europe, at least. Maybe more.
10. PoppyMy parents live in Edinburgh. I haven't been home in two years.
11. NguyenThen that's your answer. When are you thinking of flying?
12. PoppyDecember, for my dad's birthday. It's the week before Christmas.
13. NguyenCareful. A lot of airlines have blackout dates around the holidays.
14. PoppyOh no. Let me check. It says the twentieth of December to the second of January.
15. NguyenAnd his birthday is?
16. PoppyThe eighteenth. So if I fly on the fifteenth, I'm fine.
17. NguyenThen redeem them today, before the seats go.
18. PoppyI'm doing it right now. Nguyen, I owe you a coffee. Maybe a whole cake.