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Anna's New Start · Episode 2: Anna's New Start: The Room Notice September 29, 2026 · 4:42 · With Narrator, Anna, Sam, and Ms. Chen
Anna and Sam look at a room notice at the Neighborhood Job Center and call the person who posted it. Anna learns what questions to ask about rent and a deposit, then arranges a visit.
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Narrator This is Anna’s New Start. Anna has just arrived in a new city and is looking for work. Today, she is at the Neighborhood Job Center with Sam. She has brought papers for a resume workshop, but a room notice catches her attention. Before she makes a decision, she needs more information. Anna Sam, is this the room notice you told me about? It says, “Small room, close to buses.” I need a room, but I do not know what questions to ask. Sam That is the one. Let’s read it carefully. The rent is six hundred dollars a month. It says electricity and water are included, but it does not say anything about internet or a deposit. Anna What is a deposit? Is it another month of rent? Sam Sometimes. A landlord may ask for money before you move in. The money is supposed to protect the room. You may get it back when you leave, if there is no damage. Anna Six hundred dollars is already a lot for me. I cannot give six hundred more without knowing when I get it back. Sam That is a good point. We should ask. The notice has a phone number. Do you want to call, or should I call first? Anna I want to call. My English is not perfect, but I need to practice speaking for work too. Sam Okay. You can say, “Hello, my name is Anna. I am calling about the room.” Then ask if it is still available. Anna Hello, my name is Anna. I am calling about the room. Is it still available? Ms. Chen Hello, Anna. Yes, it is still available. My name is Mei Chen. I put the notice up yesterday. Anna Thank you, Ms. Chen. I have some questions. How many people live in the home? Ms. Chen I live there with my daughter. She is nine years old. The room is on the second floor, and you would share the bathroom with us. Anna I see. Is the room furnished? I have only one suitcase, so I need a bed. Ms. Chen Yes, there is a bed, a small table, and a closet. You can use the kitchen, but we keep the kitchen quiet after nine at night because my daughter sleeps early. Anna That is fine. I usually sleep early too. Are water and electricity included in the rent? Ms. Chen Yes, both are included. Internet is not included. I can show you the monthly bill, and we can share it if you want internet. Anna That sounds fair. What about the deposit? Ms. Chen The deposit is three hundred dollars. You get it back when you move out, as long as the room is clean and nothing is broken. We would write that in an agreement. Anna An agreement? Do you mean a paper with the rules and the price? Ms. Chen Exactly. It would say the rent, the deposit, the date you move in, and how much notice you give before leaving. I want everything to be clear for both of us. Sam Ms. Chen, this is Sam. Would Anna be renting the room from you directly? Ms. Chen Yes, directly from me. You are welcome to come see the room before you decide. Please do not send money before you see it. Anna Thank you. I would like to see it. I am free tomorrow afternoon, but I have the resume workshop Wednesday morning. Ms. Chen Tomorrow at four would work. The address is 18 Pine Street, apartment 2B. The blue bus stops near the corner. Anna Let me repeat that. Eighteen Pine Street, apartment 2B, tomorrow at four. I will bring my identification, but I will not bring a deposit yet. Ms. Chen That is perfect. Bring your questions too. If the room is right for you, we can talk about the next step after the visit. Anna Thank you, Ms. Chen. I will see you tomorrow. Ms. Chen You’re welcome, Anna. I will see you then. Sam You handled that very well. You asked about the people, the furniture, the bills, and the deposit. Those are important questions. Anna I was nervous, but the questions helped me. Tomorrow I will see a possible home. On Wednesday, I will work on my resume. It feels like two small steps.
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