华尔街中级英语Lesson 22

52. Hello, Clive! John here! Look, I’m sorry about all this. I had got a quarter when I tried to call you first,
53. But I got a cross line, you see, so I lost it – the quarter, I mean -  and then,
54. When I got though to you, I’d forgotten that I hadn’t got any more money,
55. So I got cut off, and then I had to call the operator², and –
56. It’s alright, John. You needn’t give a long explanation.
57. It’s the sort of thing I expect from you. How are you keeping, anyway? How’s the plastic box business?
58. Oh, I’ve moved out of plastic boxes, Clive. I’m in the entertainment business now.
59. Are you really.
60. In fact, that’s what I’m calling you about.
61. You see, I’m agenting this pop group, and I thought they could maybe play at your club.
62. I see. It’s not exactly my club, by the way, I’m just the entertainment secretary.
63. But you do have music and dancing evenings, don’t you?
64. Yes, we do. Each Friday evening we have ballroom³ dancing, a singer or two; and a bit of light entertainment, you know.
65. But tell me about this group: what are they called?
66. Oh! I’ve forgotten. I’m afraid.
67. That’s a good start. Well, what kind of music do they play?
68. Gee, I don’t really know. I’m sorry.
69. Come on John, how the hell¹ do you expect me to book them if you don’t know anything about them?
70. Really! I mean what instruments do they play? Piano, guitar, what? I mean, do you really know these guys?
71. Oh, yes, I’ve seen them alright, I’ve spoken to them.
72. You see, I’ve just been to this amazing seminar⁴, and then I saw this advertisement in a record shop window, which said.
73. Can we keep to the point, please?  I’d like to help you John, but you’re not giving me very much to go on.
74. Can’t you tell me anything at all?
75. Er… hey, yes! One of them said she thought Tony Moroni was fantastic!
76. Well, why didn’t you say so before? They’re a sort of Tony Moroni – style group, aren’t they?
77. That’s fine: good clean family entertainment. Just tell them to play a few Moroni songs, ok?
78. How much do they charge for, say, 2 hours, with a 15 minutes break in the middle?
79. Oh, er, I hadn’t really thought about that.
80. It had better be not too much; after all, they’ve completely⁵ unknown artists. Shall we say - $50?
81. Oh! Oh alright, if you say so.
82. Fine! Well, I’ll book them for Friday night, then.
83. I’ll send you a map, showing you how to get to the club, ok?
84. Ok, thanks Clive.
85. And I’ll look forward to see you on Friday. Byebye, John.
86. Yeah! You, you’re gonna be, you’re gonna be someone, you’re…

1 hell   

n.地狱，阴间；用以咒骂或表示愤怒，不满

参考例句：

• It's a hell of a hike from Sydney to Perth.从悉尼到珀斯的徒步旅行简直苦死了。
• The boss really gave me hell today.老板今天着实数落了我一通。

2 operator   

n.（机器、设备等的）操作员；电话接线员

参考例句：

• He is a computer operator.他是个电脑操作员。
• The telephone operator connected us.话务员给我们接通了电话。

3 ballroom   

n.舞厅

参考例句：

• The boss of the ballroom excused them the fee.舞厅老板给他们免费。
• I go ballroom dancing twice a week.我一个星期跳两次交际舞。

4 seminar   

n.研究小组，研讨会，(大学的)研究班

参考例句：

• The seminar aims to provide an overview on new media publishing.研讨会旨在综览新兴的媒体出版。
• The seminar was to discuss diversification of agriculture.该研讨会讨论的是农业多种经营。

5 completely   

adv.完全地，十分地，全然

参考例句：

• She never completely gave up hope.她从不完全放弃希望。
• I feel completely in the dark on this question.这件事使我感到茫然。