279. Sandra had not been to Las Vegas in more than a year. She was excited. Her sister Janice was coming by to pick her up in about ten minutes. Sandra finished putting her toothbrush and toothpaste into her travel bag; those were the last two items on her "to pack" list.

She had called ahead, of course, to get a room for Janice and herself. The hotel told her that no more rooms were available at the price that was advertised in the newspaper. This was no surprise to Sandra. So, she put down a $100 nonrefundable deposit on a room for two nights. The cost for both nights was going to be $200 plus taxes, surcharges, and other fees.

She looked at her watch. Janice was late, of course. Sandra had forgotten to remind Janice of today's departure time. To put it kindly, Janice was not exactly the most organized person in the world. Sandra called Janice up. She left a short message: "Where are you? It's time to go to Vegas!"

A few minutes later, Janice called back. She had a big problem—a schedule conflict. She had already promised to attend her daughter's eighth‐grade graduation ceremony "this very weekend!"

"Oh, Sandra, I'm so sorry," Janice said. "I know how much you had wanted to do this. I thought Alice's graduation ceremony and party were next week. I get so confused sometimes. I'll make this up to you, I promise. Maybe you can call up Lily. She might be available, even though it's really short notice. If not, don't worry, I'll pay you for everything and we can make plans again."

Sandra sighed and dialed her friend Lily. She wondered how Janice had made it through life so unorganized.

4.8, 77.7, 3%, 10.3, 291
Vocabulary: advertise ceremony conflict confuse departure deposit graduation kindly promise refund schedule sigh surcharge toothpaste PLUS again ahead available back both call course daughter dial down eighth exactly excite fee forget go grade herself hotel how item leave life Lily make maybe message night notice organize other party pay plan price put really short sister sometimes sorry surprise tax those travel Vegas very watch week where wonder worry