Ryan: Hey, Alex. You [?] really exhausted. What gives?
Alex: You don't want to know. I mean, I've been [?] away at my nickel-and-dime job just to keep my head above water. [Really.] I mean some people think I'm a workaholic, [Who?] Well, everyone, but I have to put in a lot of overtime just to make [?] meet.
Ryan: Well, why don't you ask your boss for a raise?
Alex: Huh? The last guy that did that got the [?], an' he was in line for a promotion to supervisor.
Ryan: Well, you just can't keep working your [?] to the bone for peanuts. [I know, but . . .] Hey. Look. I have connections with a guy who works for a computer company, an' he owes me a favor, and he might be able to [?] a few strings an' line you up for an interview.
Alex: What? You mean like to last job you helped me get, an' then the company went [?] up after only a week? I mean [?] chance. I'm not going to try selling electronic toilet paper dispensers again.[Hey, that was cool.]
Ryan: No, that was different.
Alex: Ah, man. Hey, thanks, but I'm still looking, and I'm not going to get my hopes up just because a few other job searches haven't [?] out. I'm going to look at my options.

[ The conversation continues. ]