We invited you to write an episode of The Flatmates with the help of other learners around the world.
BBC Learning English started the competition with the first line of dialogue. Each day for two weeks, from all the next lines sent to us, we picked one line to continue the story. We also published some of the best other lines every day. By the end of this competition we had a fantastic episode of The Flatmates!
Here's your completed story:
Alice: Are you sure about this?
Tim: Oh yes! I've made up my mind.
Helen: Do you really think so? Life here will be much quieter without you.
Alice: I can't believe you are off for a year. Is that such a good opportunity?
Paul: I'm not sure if it's good or not but opportunities don't knock often.
Tim: Then I am definitely going to take this one. Where do you think I should go?
Alice: Why don't you think of starting a business on your own instead of working for someone else?
Helen: Since you know a lot about watches, I think you can set-up your own luxury watch retail store.
Tim: It could be an excellent idea but I need some money to invest in it.
Alice: All you need to do is to win the National Lottery! Oh, hang on a second, I must check something...
(Alice rifles through her handbag) Here, it is, a lottery ticket for you - if it wins today, the money will be yours!
Thank you for sending your entries. This competition has now closed.
Day 9
Alice: All you need to do is to win the National Lottery! Oh, hang on a second, I must check something...
(Alice rifles through her handbag)
Here, it is, a lottery ticket for you - if it wins today, the money will be yours!
Nuala says:
Congratulations to Ana Nikulina from Russia for the final winning line today!
The episode finished on a high note of co-operation, luck and excitement. We'll all be keeping our fingers crossed that they win the lottery now!
We hope you all enjoyed working together and we'd like to thank all of you who wrote over the last two weeks to make this the first ever world-wide, collaborative episode of The Flatmates! Congratulations to each and every one of you.
Our other favourite final lines are:
Michelle, China
Alice: Alice: Let's build up a Flatmates fund for Tim's business investment.
Julio, Brazil
Alice and Helen: You've already got the investment, Tim. Mrs. Janet Hall called us this morning and she will help you to start your own business.
Yuri, Bulgaria
Boss (in a letter from prison): "...and you know, Tim – most people are not sufficiently sophisticated to understand that money is all around. I’ll wait for you behind the state bank at midnight!...”
Ehsernta, Hong Kong
Helen: Well, Tim, since I'm your real pal I am going to lend u some money but don't forget us when you become the great businessman.
Farhana, India
Alice : Yes Time let's get going and make your dreams come true. We friends will contribute for you, as time and tide wait for no-one.
Anikó, Hungary
Helen: You don't have to go to the bank. I'd rather you got married to me. My father has money. He'll give us a wedding present. I could set-up the business. I'm not adept in business but I'm so beautiful.
Eszter, Hungary
Helen: It is just the right time you took the plunge and ask for a bank loan. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Michelle, Malaysia
Helen: How about if we all chip in to help with the capital?
Ricardo, Colombia
Paul: Are you ready, Tim? The taxi is here. Go around the world and make your dreams come true.
Ricardo, Colombia
Paul: Are you ready, Tim? The taxi is here. Go around the world and make your dreams come true.
That's all folks!
Day 8
Tim: It could be an excellent idea but I need some money to invest in it.
Nuala says:
Congratulations to Silvia from Argentina for the winning line today!
Now we're coming up to the last line of this special 2nd anniversary episode. So we're looking for something that will round off this story and finish the episode off well. Good luck with your final lines!
Our other favourite lines are here below:
Michelle, Malaysia
Alice: That's a brilliant idea! Oh, Tim.. please say you'll at least think about it.
Maxhiro, Taiwan
Tim: Oh! No, it’s too terrible before that’s experience to me. I want to forget it.
Henry, Indonesia
Tim : Set-up a retail store? Unbelievable! I don't even have money at all.
Pepe, Spain
Tim: do you believe? does a bank give me a loan?
Ralph, Hong Kong
Tim: I am not sure about it. I certainly have the experience but I think I'd better start small.
Banafshe, Persia
Khalid: Oh, you could call it WATIM watch shop. You'd make a bundle.
Good luck with your final lines! And don't forget to tell us which character is supposed to be saying your line
Day 7
Helen: Since you know a lot about watches, I think you can set-up your own luxury watch retail store.
Nuala says:
Congratulations to Rajveer, another winner from India today! But what will Tim think about Helen's business plan?
Our other favourite lines are:
Michelle, Malaysia
Tim: Well, I have actually thought of that as well, but.. I don't know.. starting a business is not a simple thing. Perhaps getting some experience before jumping straight into it would be a safer bet.
Diego, Venezuela
Helen: Wonderful idea Alice! I firmly believe that Tim will be successful as entrepreneur because he has the right attitude which is essential in order to have a business on your own.
Maxhiro, Taiwan
Tim: That way is impossible to me, I am a poor wretch.
Silvia, Italy
What kind of business... I'm not good at anything!
Angela, Romania
Tim: You might be right; it's high time I be my own master...I always wanted to do
Haymar Win Tun, Myanmar
Yeah, she is right, Tim. You had suffered enough in your past working experience. Why don't you turn a new leaf in your life?
Good luck with the rest of the episode! And don't forget to tell us which character is supposed to be saying your line.
Day 6
Alice: Why don't you think of starting a business on your own instead of working for someone else?
Nuala says:
Congratulations to Vinee from India – again - for this winning entry today! So now we need to find what kind of business Tim's going to start.
Our other favourite lines are:
Jack, UK
Helen: Hawaii! It is such an exciting place. Working there won't be dull.
Rajveer, India
Paul: The Incredible India! There's the Taj Mahal and Ayurvedic Spa's to calm your nerves. Plus, you might actually get a date with Ms., err.. "Dr." Shilpa Shetty!
Yaya, Taiwan
Alice: It doesn't matter where you should go if you are not make sure of what's you really want to be.
Kristel, Colombia
Khalid: Hey! Not so fast! Living abroad is hard and you can't afford to fail.
R.V.V.G.Dattu, India
Helen: If I were you........(Alice breaks in).
Day 5
Tim: Then I am definitely going to take this one. Where do you think I should go?
Nuala says:
Congratulations to David from the USA for this winning entry today! Now we need to find out where Tim's going and what he's going to do.
Our other favourite lines are:
Maxhiro, Taiwan
Khalid: Hiya folks....What's up, why do you all look so serious?
Goi, Thailand
Helen: You're right. You should grab it. But we're going to miss you.
Diego, Venezuela
Helen: You are really right Tim about life's opportunities. I am sure you will be successful because I've never seen you as sure as this time.
Day 4
Paul: I'm not sure if it's good or not but opportunities don't knock often.
Nuala says:
Congratulations to Vinee from India for this winning entry today! It's a lovely line which brings Dr Laver into the conversation and still leaves us wondering what Tim's going to get up to.
Our other favourite lines are:
Jim, USA
Tim: Yes, I am really excited. I will call you once I get to Paris.
Maxhiro, Taiwan
Tim: This decision let me think a long time, maybe that way is best to me.
Haymar Win Tun, Myanmar
Tim: If you think it's not a good opportunity to go, what else can I do here?
Day 3 Alice: I can't believe you are off for a year. Is that such a good opportunity?
Nuala says:
Congratulations to Eva from France for this winning entry today! This is a great line which opens up all sorts of possibilities for Tim. Where is he going? Who's he going with? What's he going to do? Will any of the flatmates go with him? And will anyone miss him?
Our other favourite lines are:
Brian, USA
Tim (grinning): Ahh! So finally, you are starting to appreciate my presence.
Ralph, Hong Kong
Tim: I have decided. You don’t expect me and my girlfriend to live here with you guys, do you?
Cohay, Japan
Tim: Thanks Helen, but Janet's been and gone to somewhere without telling me.
Day 2
Helen: Do you really think so? Life here will be much quieter without you.
Nuala says:
Congratulations to Ralph from Hong Kong. You're our winner today! This is a lovely line which brings Helen into the story and still leaves all sorts of things open about what Tim is planning.
Our other favourite lines are:
Karin, Germany
Tim: I´m going to take up that job.
Rapul, India
But I don't think he will allow you to do this.
Day 1
Tim: Oh, yes! I've made up my mind.
Nuala says:
Congratulations Tiago! You're our first winner. This is a lovely line that opens up all sorts of possibilities for the rest of the story!
Our other favourite lines are here below but don't forget to tell us which character is supposed to be saying your line:
Elisa, France
Yes of course! I saw him with black glasses yesterday.
Fran, Spain
What do you think? Of course I'm sure.
Jimmy, Hong Kong
Tim; I don't know. Once can never be too sure. What do you think?
The rules
The competition is open to any English language learner.
The judges reserve the right to amend or adapt entries for clarity, style, length or accuracy.
The judges' decision is final.
Entries must be the entrant's own original work and they must not defame any living person or corporate body nor infringe or breach any rights of copyright.
BBC staff members or their immediate families are not eligible to enter.
