English conversation - AT THE POLICE STATION

Mrs. Gayathri : Good morning Inspector! I’d like to report a missing handbag.

Inspector : Good morning madam. Sit down and give me the details as to where you lost the handbag, when you came to know it was lost and how it can be identified.

Mrs. Gayathri : Sir, I was in the ‘Route 23A’ bus this morning. As it was the peak hour, the bus was packed. When the bus reached my stop at Egmore I had to get down jostling
through the standees with the handbag on my shoulder and a few files in my arms. I was pushed along till I reached the footboard and managed to get down just as the driver drove off. It was only then I real sed that my handbag was missing.

Inspector : Please describe your handbag, ma’am?

Mrs. Gayathri : It is a black rectangular leather bag with a long tabular strap of the same material. It is of patent leather with a glossy finish. The bag is about 18" x 12" in size with three compartments. The centre compartment has a zip while each of the outer ones is
closed with flaps and brass clasps. In the centre of the clasps are five red stones in a ring. In the right hand corner of one side is stuck a tiny cluster of yellow plastic flowers with green velvety felt leaves. The compartment on this side contains my phone-book, diary, several old bills and receipts. The compartment on the other side contains a Revlon  Burgundy red lipstick, a beige face compact, a small square pocket mirror, a packet of Premier paper handkerchiefs and a pair of round sunglasses in its case. In the centre
compartment are my HSBC credit card, ICICI ATM Card and an SBI Debit-cum- ATM Card. My office ID card and a copy of my salary slip are in a zipped pouch along with Rs. 1500/- in cash of hundred rupees denomination. There may be other items like a Cello gripper blue ball-point pen, some hairclips. toothpicks - I’m not too sure!

Inspector : OK Ma’am. You have given us a fairly good description. We’ll do our best to
help you. Just hand in a formal complaint to the constable who is seated in the next
room and get a copy of the First Information Report.

Mrs. Gayathri : Thank you. Sir!

Inspector : And don’t forget to leave your phone number and address for contact.

Mrs. Gayathri : Of course! 1 shan’t forget! Thank you once again.