101 Conversations in Intermediate English

69. Donnie

Laura and Peter are listening to the audio file which has Chief Inspector Turner negotiating with the kidnappers who are going to take the girl in Knightsbridge. Laura has heard something on the recording that has caught her attention, so they play it again…

Laura: Yes, he says “Donnie”.

Peter: Who is Donnie?

Laura: You are very young… There was a case about fifteen years ago. Donald Johnson, known by everyone as “Donnie”. He was one of those crooks who love variety…

Peter: Variety?

Laura: Yes, he and his sidekicks would commit the most random crimes: illegal gambling, drugs, smuggling, extortion, and finally, kidnapping. One time he was paid to kidnap the girlfriend of an important politician, and when he realised how much money he could make from kidnapping, he started to do it more and more.

Peter: And he was never caught?

Laura: Yes, of course he went to prison. I think he was sentenced to about twenty years in the slammer. He must have been let out on good behaviour because he’s out early…