欢乐美语:Power of the Press 报纸显神通

INTRODUCTION¹ TO ACT I

Today on TUNING² IN THE U.S.A., Susan Stewart is at her parents’ home in Riverdale. There is a special reason for her visit today. A newspaper reporter from the Riverdale paper is coming to talk to her. He wants to know about Susan’s program to give toys to sick children in hospitals. Susan is excited about the reporter’s visit. And his visit will be important to Robbie, too.

ACT I

Susan: [She hears the doorbell.] Mom, can you get the door? I’m still brushing my hair.

Robbie: Mom’s not here. She went next door.

Susan: Well, Robbie, will you answer the door?

Robbie: Please?

Susan: Come on, Robbie! Please! It’s a newspaper reporter.

Robbie: A newspaper reporter?

Susan: Yes, it’s about my program to give toys to children in hospitals. Come on, Robbie. Hurry up, please!

Robbie: OK. All right. [He answers the door.] Hi.

Bill: Hello, I’m Bill MacDonald.

Robbie: Are you here to see my sister?

Bill: Susan Stewart?

Robbie: Yes. She’s here. Won’t you come in? I’ll call her.

Bill: Thank you.

Susan: No need to call anyone. I’m right here. How do you do, Mr. MacDonald?

Bi: I’m fine, thank you. And very pleased to meet you.

Su: I see you brought a tape recorder. Do you need to sit at a table, or shall we sit in the living room?

Bi: In the living room is fine.

Su: I made some iced tea. Can I get you a glass?

Bi: Thank you. That sounds delicious.

Su: Why don’t you sit in here, and I’ll be right back with the tea? [She leaves.]

Ro: May I ask you a question?

Bi: Of course.

Ro: Do most reporters use tape recorders in interview situations?

Bi: Some do. It’s a great tool for me. I find it helps me a lot in my work. I can give my readers the exact words from my interviews.

Ro: And some reporters don’t use a tape recorder?

Bi: That’s right. They just take notes.

Bo: Don’t they miss a lot that way?

Bi: They might miss a word or two, but a good reporter won’t ever miss an important idea.

Robbie: I’m thinking about working as a reporter. I write for the school paper.

Bi: Do you? Well, it’s a great job! There are always interesting stories to cover.

Su: [She enters with a tray⁴ of iced tea.] Here we are.

Bi: And there are important people to meet.

Su: I hope you’re talking about me!

Ro: Are you, Mr. MacDonald? Is Susan an important person?

Bi: [He laughs.] In this town she is, Robbie.

Robbie: Really?

Bill: Sure. She is creating a wonderful program. Those toys will make a lot of sick children very happy. What could be more important than that?

Su: Thank you.

Bi: I want to learn all about it. How did you get the idea? May I turn on the tape?

Su: Of course. Well, I was in Chicago at a toymakers’ convention⁵. And you know that my dad is a doctor for children, a pediatrician. Well, an idea came to me…

INTRODUCTION TO ACT II

This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Susan and Robbie Stewart are meeting for lunch. They meet at a restaurant that serves food to people in a hurry-a fast-food restaurant. Susan is excited. Her program to give toys to children in hospital is a success. And one reason for that success is a newspaper story about her idea. Some young readers read the story and sent Susan a letter. And Susan wants Robbie to read it.

ACT II

Counter-person: [to a customer in the restaurant] Here you go. Two hamburgers, water, and a soda⁶.

Customer: Thank you.

Counter-person: Next. You’ve been standing⁷ here quite a while. What can I get you?

Robbie: Oh, nothing, thanks. I’m waiting for someone. My sister.

Counter-person: Maybe she forgot your meeting.

Robbie: No. She just called me this morning. She was all excited about something. She really wanted to meet me.

Counter-person: You want to order something now?

Robbie: Well, those burgers smell really good. But, no thanks. I’ll wait for her. She’ll be here soon.

Counter-person: Next.

Susan: [She enters.] Hi, Robbie. Sorry I’m late. I had a business appointment this morning. It ran late. I’m sorry. Let me buy you lunch.

Robbie: Great! I’m starving. How about a large burger, some fries, and a cola.

Susan: OK. I’ll get it. Oh, I have something to show you.

Robbie: What is it?

Susan: It’s a letter.

Counter-person: [to Susan and Robbie] Are you folks⁸ ready?

Susan: Yes, we are. Go on, Robbie. Read it. There’s free table by the window. I’ll meet you there with the food.

Co³: [to Susan] What’ll it be, miss?

Person: Umm. We’ll have two large hamburgers, one large and one small bag of French fries, and two colas.

Co: What size colas?

Su: One large, one medium.

Co: Ok. That’s two burgers, large and small fries, large and medium colas. [She totals the amount on the cash register⁹.]. That’s five twenty. Out of ten. Here’s your change. Four-eighty. Thank you. Next?

Susan: [to Roobie] Here’s your burger.

Ro: And here’s your letter. You should be proud. And all this happened because of that article?

Su: Isn’t it great? Did you read this part? [She reads] “We are a local Girl Scout¹⁰ troop¹¹. We read the newspaper article about your idea.”

Ro: Yeah, I know. They want to help with your hospital program.

Su: They are going to organize other troops¹² of Scouts¹³ to visit with the children in the hospitals. Well, what do you think?

Ro: [eating] This burger tastes great.

Su: Come on, Robbie. Not the burger-the letter!

Ro: I think it’s totally amazing.

Su: What’s amazing? That I created the program? Or that it’s working? What’s so amazing?

Ro: Writing an article for a newspaper. It really works¹⁴!

1 introduction   

n.(to)介绍；传入，引进；导言，导论，绪论

参考例句：

• The introduction tells you how to use the book.引言告诉你怎样使用这本书。
• A letter of introduction will ensure you an interview.凭一封介绍信准保会接待你。

2 tuning   

n.调谐，调整，调音v.调音( tune的现在分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• They are tuning up a plane on the flight line. 他们正在机场的飞机跑道上调试一架飞机。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The orchestra are tuning up. 管弦乐队在定弦。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 co   

abbr.Colombia 哥伦比亚；Cash Order 现付票；Certificate of Origin 货源证书

参考例句：

• She was co-opted onto the board. 她获增选为董事会成员。
• a new movie in which Johnny Depp co-stars with Winona Ryder 由约翰尼∙德普与薇诺娜∙赖德联袂主演的一部新电影

4 tray   

n.盘，托盘，碟

参考例句：

• There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
• A waitress came in,carrying tea on a tray.一名女侍者走进来，手端放着茶的托盘。

5 convention   

n.惯例，习俗，常规，会议，大会

参考例句：

• How many delegates have checked in at the convention?大会已有多少代表报到？
• He sets at naught every convention of society.他轻视所有的社会习俗。

6 soda   

n.苏打水；汽水

参考例句：

• She doesn't enjoy drinking chocolate soda.她不喜欢喝巧克力汽水。
• I will freshen your drink with more soda and ice cubes.我给你的饮料重加一些苏打水和冰块。

7 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

8 folks   

n.人们；父母；亲人；家属；人们( folk的名词复数 )；亲属；大伙儿；民间音乐

参考例句：

• Ask yourself what the folks in Peoria will think of it. 想一想皮奥里亚的人会如何看待这件事。
• When good folks meet, evil men keep their distance. 好人相逢，恶人远离。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 register   

n.登记簿，花名册，注册员；v.登记，注册

参考例句：

• Please list your name in the attendance register.请在点名册上登记你的名字。
• He was looking over a hotel register.他正在仔细检查旅馆住宿登记表。

10 scout   

n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索

参考例句：

• He was mistaken for an enemy scout and badly wounded.他被误认为是敌人的侦察兵，受了重伤。
• The scout made a stealthy approach to the enemy position.侦察兵偷偷地靠近敌军阵地。

11 troop   

n.群，组，多数，军队；vi. 群集，结队，成群而行

参考例句：

• The general has removed the troop to the front.将军已把这支部队调往前线。
• He came out with a troop of followers.他带着一大群随从走出来。

12 troops   

n.troop(复数)部队,军队

参考例句：

• troops on active service 现役部队
• The troops were ordered back to barracks . 士兵们被命令返回营房。

13 scouts   

侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员

参考例句：

• to join the Scouts 参加童子军
• The scouts paired off and began to patrol the area. 巡逻人员两个一组，然后开始巡逻这个地区。

14 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。