Mrs. Trump describes herself as a light smoker in terms of [originaltext]M: Excu

M: Excuse me, madam.
W: Yes?
M: I wonder whether you’d help us. We’re doing a survey on smokers’ habits. Would you mind...?
W: Well... I’m in a bit of a hurry actually.
M: It’ll only take a few minutes. We’d very much appreciate your help.
W: Well all right. I can spare that I suppose.
M: Thank you. You are a smoker.
W: Yes I’m afraid I am. My husband is too. As you can see... I’ve just bought the week’s ration.
M: Would you describe yourself as being a heavy smoker?
W: Heavy... no. I wouldn’t call three packets of twenty a week heavy smoking. That’s not even ten a day.
No... a light smoker. My husband... he’s different...
M: Yes?
W: I get in twice as many a week for him. He smokes twenty or more a day.
M: You wouldn’t describe him as a chain-smoker...?
W: No... he’s not as bad as that.
M: Right... Thank you Mrs...?
W: Trump. Doris Trump.
M: ... Mrs. Trump, you and your husband smoke cigarettes I see. What about cigars or a pipe? Does your husband smoke a pipe?
W: Oh he’s never smoked a pipe. He’s the restless, nervy type. I always associate pipe-smoking with people of another kind... the calm contented type... As for cigars I suppose he never smokes more than one a year—after his Christmas dinner. Of course I only smoke cigarettes.
M: Right. Now let’s keep to you Mrs. Trump. When and why—if that’s not asking too much—did you begin to smoke? Can you remember?
W: Yes... I remember very well. I’m thirty-two now... so I must have been... er... yes... seventeen... when I had my first cigarette. It was at a party and—you know—at that age you want to do everything your friends do. So when my boyfriend-not my husband-when he offered me a cigarette I accepted it. I remember feeling awfully grown-up about it. Then I started smoking. Let’s see now... just two or three a day... and I gradually increased.
M: I see. That’s very clear. Now... Might I ask if you have ever tried to give up smoking?
W: Yes—twice. The first time about six months before getting married. Oh that was because I was saving up and... yes... I used to smoke more in those days. Sometimes thirty a day. So I decided to give it up—but only succeeded I’m afraid in cutting it down. I still smoked a little...
M: And the second time?
W: Oh, the second time I did manage to give up completely for a while. I was expecting... and the doctor advised me not to smoke at all. I went for about... seven or eight months... without a single cigarette.
M: Then you took it up again.
W: Yes... a couple of weeks after the baby was born. It was all right then because the baby was being bottle fed anyway.
M: Good. That’s interesting. So if you’d been breast-feeding you would have gone for longer without smoking?
W: Definitely. It’s what the doctors advise. Though not all mothers do as their doctors say...
M: Now Mrs. Trump. When do you smoke most?
W: Erm... When I’m sitting watching TV or... or... reading a book... but especially I’m with... when I’m in company. Yes... that’s it... when I’m with friends. I never smoke when I’m doing the housework... nev-er... There’s always too much to do.
M: Do you ever smoke at meal times?
W: I always have... one cigarette after a meal. Never on an empty stomach, which reminds me—I must be going. My husband will be waiting for his lunch. And Keith... he’s my son.
M: Just one more question and that’ll be all.
W: Well if you insist.
M: How would you describe the effect that smoking has on you?
W: What do you mean?
M: Well... Does smoking-for example-make you excitable... keep you awake...?
W: Oh no—quite the contrary. As I told you before I smoke most at times when I’m most relaxed. Though quite honestly I... don’t really know whether I smoke because I’m relaxed or... er... you know... in order to relax. Now I really must be off. Please excuse me. I see you’re... you’re carrying a tape-recorder. This won’t be on the radio, will it?
M: No, Mrs. Trump ... I’m afraid not. But we do thank you all the same.
W: Right. Goodbye.
M: Goodbye, Mrs. Trump.