The Wedding (2)

　　《365个英语小故事》:实用简洁的小故事，都是日常生活小故事，在学习英语的同时了解美国文化，循序渐进，轻松掌握。

　　The next day, Harlan called Nevin to thank him for coming to the wedding. By the way, how was your steak? he asked. Ernie told me his steak was tough, and so did several others.

　　Mine was tough, Nevin said. It looked and smelled good, but it was tough. I needed a steak knife, because my butter knife wasnt working out. But they didnt have any steak knives on the table. I guess thats part of our war against terrorists. So, I ate about a fourth of it, and left the rest on the plate. Janelles was a little tough, too. She switched it for salmon.

　　Nevin went on. Also, as you probably know, the only urinal was busted. It had an out of order sign on it. One of the two soap dispensers in the mens room was completely empty of soap. On the plus side, the wait staff served the food without coughing on it or getting their fingers all over the plates or glasses. And they always said sir, maam, please, thank you, and youre welcome. And, perhaps most important to me, I never had to ask to have my coffee cup refilled.

　　Harlan asked Nevin to write a letter to the Cowfish about how tough his steak was, and about the other negatives he had just mentioned. Nevin asked how much Harlan was hoping to get refunded. Well, I think theyre going to get four or five complaint letters. If they dont refund me at least $2,000, Ill tell them that Im going to hire a lawyer.

　　Well, I hope the rest of the evening went better than the dinner, Nevin said.

　　Oh, yes, said Harlan. I was online all last night and found a great deal on a cruise to Panama. Well save 50 percent if we go during the rainy season and if we take the cabin nearest to the engine room, so I signed us up.