[originaltext]M: I really don’t know what to do this summer. I can’t afford to

M: I really don’t know what to do this summer. I can’t afford to just sit around, and there don’t seem to be any jobs available.
W: Why don’t you try house-sitting? Last summer my friend Margaret house-sat for the Dodds when they went away on vacation. Mr. Dodd hired Margaret to stay in their house because he didn’t want it left empty.
M: You mean the Dodds paid Margaret just to live in their house?
W: It wasn’t that easy. She had to water the houseplants. And when Eric house-sat for Mr. Cohen, he had to take care of his pets.
M: House-sitting sounds like a good job. I guess it’s a little like baby-sitting--except you’re taking care of a house instead of children.
W: The student employment office still has a few jobs posted.
M: Do I just have to fill out an application?
W: Margaret and Eric had to interview with the homeowners and provide three references each.
M: That seems like a lot of trouble for a summer job.
W: The homeowners want some guarantee that they can trust the house-sitter. You know, they want to make sure you’re not the type who will throw wild parties in their house, or move groups of friends in with you.
M: House-sitters who do that sort of things probably won’t be paid.
W: Usually they are paid anyway just because the homeowners don’t want to make a fuss. But if the homeowners report it, and then the house-sitter wouldn’t be able to get another job. So why don’t you apply?