Story of Speak English Like an American (9)

Lesson 9 Nicole For President!

Nicole discusses her plans to run for student body president.
Nicole wants Ted to ask his friens to vote for her.
Ted agrees in exchange for Nicole's help with doing his homework.

Nicole: I've decided to run for student body president! If I am going to become a senator one day, I should get some experient under my belt now.

Ted: Andrea Jenkins is also running. She'll give you a run for your money.

Nicole: Andrea Jenkins is an idiot. I am by far the better candidate.

Ted: Don't be so full of yourself! I might vote for Andrea.

Nicole: Stop kidding around! Let's go down to business. I need your help!

Ted: You want me to help you? 

Nicole: Yes, I need you to talk your friends into voting for me.

Ted: But you never give my friends the time of day. All you give them is the cold shoulders.  

Nicole: That's because they've got blue hair and nose rings!

Ted:They're better than your friends -- a bunch of goody-goodies and brown-nosers!

Nicole: That's beside the point. Let's talk about your friends and their votes.

Ted: Ok, you're scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. If you do my chemistry homework, I'll help you get the votes.

Nicole: I am not crazy about that idea. But ok, that's the deal. I hope I can count on you!

Idioms

brown-noser [slang] - a person who's constantly trying to win favor with people above them, such as teachers or bosses

by far - by a wide margin; by a great difference

(to) count on someone - to depend or rely on someone

(to be) crazy about - see lesson 3

full of oneself - to think too much of oneself

(to) get down to business - ot get serious about a task

(to) get or to have under one's belt - to have or to get experience

(to) give (someone) a run for (one's ) money - to be strong competition

(to) give (someone) a run for (one's) money - to be strong competition

(to) give someone the cold shoulder - to be cold to somoeone on purpose; to snub omeone

(to not) give someone the time of day - to ignore someone; to refuse ot pay any attention to someone

goody-goody - self-righteously or smugly good

it's a deal - I agree (to a proposal or offer)

(to) kid around - to joke around; to tease

(to) talk into - to presuade; to convince

you cratch my back and I'll scratch yours - if you do me a favor; I'll do yo a favor; let's cooperate