Decision time 决策关头

Narrator: 你好！欢迎收听《白领英语》的大结局。上集节目中我们听到大老板 Mr Socrates 解雇了 Paul, 然后给 Anna 了一个升职做老板的机会。但是 Anna 会接受这个工作吗？怎么了，Anna？

Anna: I feel bad about replacing Paul. He’s been good to me.

Narrator: 这可是残酷的商场啊! Paul 现在已经不能胜任这份工作了，但是你可以！

Anna: Thanks. But why me? Can I do the job? I’m not as experienced as Tom.

Narrator: 过去一年中你已经完全证明了你的经验比 Tom 要丰富很多！Anna 加油，你肯定没问题的。

Anna: Hmmm.

Mr Socrates: (On the phone) So Anna… what do you say? Will you replace Paul as the new boss of Tip Top Trading? Come on Anna. This promotion recognises your achievements at the company. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.

Anna: I know.

Mr Socrates: You’ll be my right-hand man.

Narrator: 我觉他的意思是 ‘right-hand woman’ 右手的女人 – 意思就说你会成为他完全信得过的得力的助手。

Anna: I see.

Narrator: Anna 如果你需要些时间再考虑考虑的话，你可以说 ‘thank you for your kind words’ 谢谢你对我的认可，‘could I have some time to consider your offer?’能不能再给我一些时间，让我考虑一下这个工作机会？

Anna: Erm, Mr Socrates. This news has come as a bit of a shock. Thank you for your kind words but please could I have some time to consider your offer?

Mr Socrates: Oh… OK Anna. But please don’t leave it too long. I have a habit of changing my mind.

Anna: OK, Mr Socrates… I mean Brad… I’ll call you back soon. Bye.

(Anna puts the phone down)

Tom: Oh… has Mr S offered you Paul’s job by any chance?

Anna: Yes!

Tom: And you said you’d think about it?

Anna: Yes. I’m not sure if I can take on that much responsibility.

Tom: It’s easy peasy. I could do it standing on my head!

Denise: But he’s not offering you the job Tom.

Anna: Please don’t mention this to Paul… not yet… he’s very upset.

Tom: I know nothing!

Anna: You know nothing… about what?

Tom: I mean, I’ll remain tight lipped… I won’t say a word… until it’s all official like. You can count on me.

Anna: "You can count on me"!

Tom: Uh?

Anna: "You can count on me". That was the message with that that bunch of flowers someone sent me. It was you, wasn’t it?!

Tom: Well… err… I suppose… yes… it was me Anna. I couldn’t help it. I… I… love you Anna.

Anna: Do you know what Tom… I quite like you too… I think you’re… sweet. Now come on and give me a kiss.

(Door opens)

Paul: Oh crumbs, shall I come back later?!

Tom: No it’s OK Paul. We’re just… getting to know each other a bit better. In fact, Anna… I’d like to ask you something.

Denise: Oh, why is Tom getting down on one knee?

Paul: I expect he’s dropped one of his contact lenses.

Tom: No it’s not that. Anna, I’d like to ask you something… err… will you… will you marry me?

Anna: What?!

Denise: I don’t believe it!

Narrator: 唉呀，真是左右为难。Anna 眼前有两个非常重要的问题在等着她回答。她会接受这个工作成为 Tip Top 贸易公司最年轻的经理吗？Anna 会和 Tom 结婚吗？我们再来听一遍 Mr Socrates 给 Anna 工作机会时用到的语言：

This promotion recognises your achievements at the company.

It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.

You would be my right-hand man.

Narrator: 如果 Anna 接受这个工作，她可以用以下的表达：

I’d be delighted to accept. Thank you.

When would I start?

Could we discuss the terms and conditions of the new job?

Narrator: 下面我们赶快来听听 Anna 的回答是什么。

Anna: …oh Tom, I don’t know what to say. It’s come as a bit of a shock. Can I have some time to think about it?

Tom: I suppose.

Paul: Well, while you think about that, I’ve got some good news. I’ve been offered a new job.

Denise: That’s fantastic news Paul. What is it?

Paul: It’s to be Head Taster at a company called Better Biscuits.

Anna: That’s fantastic news Paul.

Tom: Yeah well done Paul. That’s right up your street.

Denise: So Anna, does that mean you’ll do Paul’s job now?

Tom: Don’t answer that. Answer my proposal first.

Denise: No, I think she should sort out her work first.

Tom: But I’ve been waiting to ask her for months.

Paul: I think it’s up to Anna to say what she wants.

Anna: Quiet! Look everyone, I can’t decide what to say to you Tom, or Mr Socrates. So I’ve decided I’m going to take a short holiday to have some time to think.

Tom: Good idea. Where shall we go to?

Anna: On my own Tom. When I return I will give you my answers.

Paul: Crumbs! I’d better go and get a biscuit.

Narrator: 这个办法不错 Anna. 不过我们得等 Anna 休假回来后才能知道她最终的决定。过去一年中 Anna 在 Tip Top 贸易公司做得很辛苦，也该去度个假，放松放松。希望你在过去的一年中学到了一些能在工作中使用的语言。我和 Tip Top 贸易公司的全体成员感谢你的收听，再见！

相关阅读

On the up 好改观

“全力以赴”

White elephant 华而不实的东西

《北京遇上西雅图》英语文化解析：什么是DB？