2015年ESL之商务英语 18 Missing a Deadline

Missing a Deadline 

Oliver: I’ve just had to tell a client that I’m running behind and I won’t make the deadline. 

Alena: How did she take it? 

Oliver: Not so well, at first. I knew she wouldn’t be happy, so I’ve been in a dilemma¹ for days: Should I tell her now that I’m going to miss the deadline, or wait until the deadline has passed. 

Alena: For what it’s worth, I think you did the right thing. It gives her advance notice in case it affects other parts of her project. 

Oliver: That’s what I thought, too. I also offered to make up for any inconvenience the delay would cause. 

Alena: Did she take you up on it? 

Oliver: No, she said that giving me a three-day extension wouldn’t set her back, but if it dragged on for longer than that, it would put her in an awkward spot, and she would let me know. 

Alena: I’m glad you came to an understanding. So you’ll have it done by the new deadline, right? 

Oliver: Yes, even if I have to do without sleep, food, or bathroom breaks for the next week. 

Alena: That’s very dedicated² of you, though potentially messy. 

 

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse 

1 dilemma   

n.困境，进退两难的局面

参考例句：

• I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.这件事使我进退两难。
• He was thrown into a dilemma.他陷入困境。

2 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。