第22课：职业选择《走遍美国》

ACT 1-1  “我左右为难。”

【故事梗概】

自从儿子出生后，Marilyn一直呆在家里照顾孩子。她一方面想回去工作，另一方面又舍不得儿子。

[Marilyn Stewart is singing a popular lullaby to her baby, Max.]

Marilyn:

Rock-a-bye, baby, on the tree top,

When the wind blows,

The cradle will rock.

When the bough breaks,

The cradle will fall,

And down will come baby,

Cradle and all.

[Marilyn is in the living room. She is looking at the fashion designs she has drawn. ]

Richard: Hi, Marilyn. What are you doing?

Marilyn: Just sketching. I've been thinking a lot about our responsibilities in the past few weeks.

Richard: I never stop thinking about them.

Marilyn: I've been wrestling with the question of whether I go back to work or not.

Richard: I see.

Marilyn: And I'm torn. I really want to go back to work, use my talents, and pursue my career in fashion design like we always thought I would. But now… I want to be with Max as a full-time mother, especially when he's a baby.

Richard: I really understand, Marilyn But you never have to worry about Max. There's Mother and Grandpa… and I can always arrange my photo schedule around your schedule, if that will help.

Marilyn: It's not the same, Richard.

Richard: Have you discussed going back to work with your boss?

【语言点精讲】

1. Marilyn Stewart is singing a popular lullaby to her baby, Max.

Marilyn Stewart在给她宝宝Max唱一首广泛流行的摇篮曲。

lullaby: 催眠曲，摇篮曲。

2. Rock-a-bye, baby, on the tree top, / When the wind blows, / The cradle will rock. / When the bough breaks, / The cradle will fall, / And down will come baby, / Cradle and all.

摇呀摇，宝贝，安睡在树梢，/刮起了风时，/小摇篮就摇。/刮断了树枝，/摇篮往下掉，/连摇篮带宝贝，/摔了一大交。

Rock-a-bye: 摇呀摇。

cradle: 摇篮。

bough: 大树枝。

3. I've been wrestling with the question of whether I go back to work or not.

我在左思右想，是否要回去工作。

wrestling with the question: 遇到难题而左思右想。

whether … or not: 是否。用whether时句尾可用or not，但以if代替whether时，比较保守的语法家认为不应加上or not。

4. And I'm torn. I really want to go back to work, use my talents, and pursue my career in fashion design like we always thought I would. 

我左右为难了。我真的想回去工作，使用我的才智，像我们一直想的那样从事我时装设计的事业。

I’m torn: 我左右为难。我不确定该做怎样的决定。凡因疑难而感到焦虑或形成分裂，常可用这个表达。torn是tear的过去分词，意指两个想法把自己向不用的方向牵扯。

pursue: 追求，继续，从事。

fashion design: 时装设计。

5. I can always arrange my photo schedule around your schedule, if that will help.

再说我总是可以避开你的工作时间来安排我的摄影工作，假使这样做有用的话。

around: 表示设法安排以适应或避开。

6. It's not the same. 

那是不一样的。

ACT 1-2  “你也得为你自己设想才是。”

【故事梗概】

一天前，Marilyn的雇主Rita Mae打电话来问她什么时候可以回去工作。Marilyn很难决定是选择作为一个时装设计师的职业还是选择作为一个妈妈。

Marilyn: Rita Mae called yesterday.

Richard: Ah! That's what's got you thinking, isn't it?

Marilyn: She wants to know when I think I'll be returning to the boutique.

Richard: And you said?

Marilyn: I said I'd give her an answer in a few days… that I wasn't sure.

Richard: I'm sure Rita Mae will understand and wait until you're ready to go back to work.

Marilyn: Well, maybe she will, and maybe she won't. Who knows? If I don't accept her offer, maybe she'll find someone else in the meantime, and when I'm ready to go back, there won't be a job for me.

Richard: That's something to consider. You've got yourself to think about, too.

Marilyn: But I am thinking about myself. Don't you see?

Richard: What do you mean?

Marilyn: It's not just the job. It's also my career as Max's mother. That's the way I 1ook at it. I have two career opportunities at the same time. My career as a fashion designer and my career as a mother.

Richard: I never really thought about being a mother as a career. I guess you do have two career opportunities and a decision to make.

[They hear the baby cry.]

Marilyn: I hear Max.

Richard: I'll go to him.

Marilyn: No, that's Ok. I'll do it.

【语言点精讲】

1. That's what's got you thinking, isn't it?

就是那件事勾起你的心事了，是不是？

get sb. doing: 表示使人或物开始行动。

2. If I don't accept her offer, maybe she'll find someone else in the meantime, and when I'm ready to go back, there won't be a job for me.

如果我不接受她的工作，也许她会在这段时间里另找个人，那样等到我能够回去时，就没有我的工作了。

accept her offer: accept表示“接受”，与receive表示“接到”不同。

in the meantime: 同时，在这段时间。

3. That's something to consider. You've got yourself to think about, too.

这倒是一个需要考虑的问题，你也得为你自己设想才是。

get yourself to think about: 替自己考虑，为自己设想。

4. I never really thought about being a mother as a career. I guess you do have two career opportunities and a decision to make.

我从来没有真正地把当母亲作为一种事业前途来考虑过。我想你现在有两种事业机会，需要作出一个决定来。

think about A as B: 是把A当作B来考虑。

5. I hear Max.

我听到 Max（哭了）。

ACT 2-1  “做母亲可真不容易。”

【故事梗概】

星期六的早上，Ellen和Marilyn在一起照看Max。Marilyn讲起了带Max去打针的故事。

Ellen: [She puts Max's teddy bear in his playpen.]There's your teddy bear, Max. He just loves that teddy bear that Grandpa Philip bought for him.

Marilyn: I took him to Philip's office yesterday for a checkup. You should have seen the look on his face when Molly gave him the injection.

Ellen: Oh, did he cry?

Marilyn: No. My dear little boy just looked up at me as if to say,“Mama, what are they doing to me? Help!”

Ellen: How did you feel? Tell the truth. Didn't you feel terrible?

Marilyn: I sure did. I held him closely. I kissed the top of his dear little head. He looked up at me. He tried to smile. Being with him helped.

Ellen: Helped him? Or helped you?

Marilyn: Being a mother is not easy, if that's what you mean.

【语言点精讲】

1. He just loves that teddy bear that Grandpa Philip bought for him.

他就是喜欢祖父Philip给他买的这只玩具熊。

2. I took him to Philip's office yesterday for a checkup. You should have seen the look on his face when Molly gave him the injection.

我昨天带他去菲利普的诊室里去检查身体。当莫莉给他注射的时候，他脸上的那表情，可惜你没看见。

checkup: 身体检查。

should have done sth.: 表示本应该做某事，但是没有做成。常含有遗憾、责备等感情色彩。

injection: 注射。

3. Tell me the truth. Didn't you feel terrible?

实话告诉我，你没感到很害怕吗？

tell me the truth: 和我说实话。告诉我实话。

4. Being with him helped.

这句话中，being是动名词，充当句子的主语。但这句话因为helped后面没有宾语，所以意思就模棱两可了，因此Ellen才问: “Helped him? Or helped you?”如果说: “My being with him helped.”就可以明白是helped him.

5. Being a mother is not easy, if that's what you mean.

做母亲可真不容易，也许你是这个意思。

ACT 2-2  “不尽然。”

【故事梗概】

Ellen问起了Marilyn是否决定回去工作的事情。Marilyn问起了Ellen当时是如何在工作和照顾孩子之间进行选择的。

Ellen: Speaking of being a mother, I've been meaning to ask you what you were thinking about regarding going back to work. I know Rita Mae called I can imagine what is going through your head.

Marilyn: I'm sure you can, Ellen.

Ellen: There are so many things to consider. One thing that makes it easier for you is that you have us. Max will always have a family member to watch over him while you're at work. I didn't have that when Richard and Susan were born.

Marilyn: What did you do?

Ellen: I chose to continue with my career as a music teacher. We hired a woman to watch Richard and then Susan, and I continued with my career.

Marilyn: Do you think you made the right decision?

Ellen: I think I did. But when Robbie was born, I decided to give full-time attention to raising Robbie. I felt differently at that time.

Marilyn: And you gave up your career as a music teacher?

Ellen: Not exactly. I continued to teach piano lessons at home.

【语言点精讲】

1. Speaking of being a mother, I've been meaning to ask you what you were thinking about regarding going back to work.

至于说做母亲嘛，我一直想问问你，关于回去工作的问题你是怎样考虑的？

speaking of: 说到，谈到，至于。用于引出一个与前面提到的事有联系的新话题。

I've been meaning to ask you…: 动词的完成进行时态，强调从某时起一直延续到说话时（并可能还要继续进行下去）的动作。这是比较生动，富有感情色彩的时态。

mean to do sth.: 欲想，打算。

to ask you what you were thinking about…: 在从疑问句转变过来的名词从句里，要用陈述句语序，因此what were you…变为what you were… 了。

regarding: 关于。

2. I know Rita Mae called I can imagine what is going through your head.

我知道Rita Mae来过电话了，我能猜想出你都想了些什么。

go through: 经过（思虑）。

3. Max will always have a family member to watch over him while you're at work. 

在你工作的时候，Max总能有家里人在照看他。

watch over: 照看，照顾。

at work: 上班，工作。

4. We hired a woman to watch Richard and then Susan, and I continued with my career.

我们请了个保姆来照看Richard，后来是照看Susan，我继续从事我的事业。

We hired a woman to…: 这里指的是雇用全天工作的保姆，而不是短时间的baby-sitter。

continue with sth.: 继续。相当于keep doing。

5. But when Robbie was born, I decided to give full-time attention to raising Robbie. I felt differently at that time.

可是Robbie出生时，我决定把全部时间和注意力都用来抚育Robbie。那时候我的心情已经变了。

give full-time attention to doing sth.: 集中注意力做某事。

raise: 养育，抚养。也可以用 bring up。

6. Not exactly.

不尽然。不尽是这样。

ACT 2-3  “事实上，我的确如此。”

【故事梗概】

Susan加入了Ellen和Marilyn。Susan说她一整周都在惦记Max。

Marilyn: How did you feel about being away when Susan and Richard were babies?

Ellen: I think I did the right thing for them and for myself and for Philip. We needed the money. Remember?

Marilyn: Well, we do too, Ellen. Everything I earn helps us towards getting that house we want and need.

[Susan joins Ellen, Marilyn, and Max on the patio.]

Susan: I can't wait till he's just a little older. Our toy company makes the most wonderful toys for kids.

Marilyn: Max thanks you. I thank you. And Richard thanks you. Now may I please say hello?

Susan: [to Marilyn] Hello.[to Ellen] Hello. I miss Max and think about him all week long. We talk about him at dinner time.

Ellen: Will you please try to relax? I've never seen you so wound up.

Marilyn: You seem to be enjoying the pressure.

Susan: The truth is, I am. My job is not an easy one, but I really enjoy it.

Marilyn: That is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, Susan.

【语言点精讲】

1. How did you feel about being away when Susan and Richard were babies?

Susan和 Richard小的时候，你（把他们放在家里）自己出去工作，当时你的心情如何？

2. I think I did the right thing for them and for myself and for Philip. We needed the money. Remember?

我认为我为他们做了一件正确的事，也为我自己和Philip做了一件正确的事。我们当时需要那笔收入，记得吗？

Remember？: 问人是否remember，常带有较微妙的含义，其实有“这事我提到过，别忘了，你该知道，你不该不明白”，等意思。这里Ellen是意在强调她当时景况还不富裕，需要去工作。此事Marilyn是知道的，现在又提一下。因此这个remember有“恕我又提到你已经知道的事”的含意。

3. I can't wait till he's just a little older. Our toy company makes the most wonderful toys for kids.

我迫不及待地希望他长大一些，我们的玩具公司为小孩子们制造了最好的玩具。

can't wait till …: 不能等到……时候，迫不及待。

4. I miss Max and think about him all week long.

我想念Max，整个一星期都在想他。

miss sb.和think about sb.都是“想念某人，惦记某人”的意思。

5. Will you please try to relax? I've never seen you so wound up.

你能不能努力放松一下？我从来没有看见过你这么紧张。

wound up: 非常兴奋，紧张。原形为 wind up。

6. The truth is, I am.

事实上，我的确如此。I am是“I am enjoying the pressure.”的省略。

ACT 2-4  “为什么必须有这个就没有那个？”

【故事梗概】

Marilyn把自己在工作和孩子间不知该如何选择的问题讲给了Susan。Susan认为她可以同时选择这两者，因为她可以在家里工作。

Susan: What's the problem?

Ellen: Marilyn's career.

Marilyn: Well, my choice of careers.

Susan: Choice?

Marilyn: My career as a fashion designer versus my career as a mother.

Susan: Why does it have to be one or the other?

Ellen: That's what I said.

Marilyn: How's that?

Susan: Why can't you do both?

Ellen: She's right.

Marilyn: Both?

Susan: Well, that's what I do. I have a job, and I have Michelle. I take care of both to the best of my ability. It's not easy, but what is?

Ellen: And that's what I did. I did both with Richard and Susan, and did both with Robbie.

Marilyn: I thought you stayed home with Robbie.

Ellen: I did. But I was lucky enough to have a career as a music teacher which I could continue at home.

Susan: Why can't you work at home, Marilyn? You're very talented. Designing dresses is a career you could establish out of your home, couldn't you?

【语言点精讲】

1. My career as a fashion designer versus my career as a mother.

一个事业是当时装设计师，另一个是当母亲。

versus:与……相对；对照着。

2. Why does it have to be one or the other?

为什么必须有这个就没有那个？

one or the other: 指从两者中选择其一。

3. How's that?

那是怎么说？

4. Well, that's what I do. I have a job, and I have Michelle. I take care of both to the best of my ability.

不错，我就是那样做的。我有工作，我还有Michele，我尽我所能把两方面都照顾好。

to the best of my ability: 尽我所能。相当于as well as I can。

5. It's not easy, but what is?

这是不容易，可什么事容易呀？

what is的后面省略了easy。

6. I thought you stayed home with Robbie.

我原以为你是呆在家里照顾Robie的。

stay home: 呆在家里。

7. Designing dresses is a career you could establish out of your home, couldn't you?

时装设计是一种你可以在家里创立起来的事业，不是吗？

establish: 开办，建立。

out of: 在这里是以……为基地或中心进行活动的意思。

ACT 2-5  “我为什么没有想到这一点。”

【故事梗概】

Susan的建议点醒了Marilyn。困扰了Marilyn几个月的难题似乎一下子变得简单了。

Marilyn: I don't know why I didn't think of it. It seems so simple now. For a year or two I could stay at home with Max and do my dress designs.

Ellen: And you could make your dresses at home,

Susan: Sounds like a great way to solve the problem.

Ellen: That could solve your problem, Marilyn.

Marilyn: I'm going to call Rita Mae at home and ask her to come by and talk about it. She wants to see Max, anyway.

Susan: I think that really answers your questions, Marilyn. You can do it. Do your designs at home here.

Marilyn: And let Rita Mae do the selling at the boutique.

Ellen: And you can both benefit financially.

Marilyn: I'm going to call Rita Mae right now. Oh, Susan, thank you so much for coming all this way from the city to talk to me about it. I hope you don't mind having taken so much time away from your busy schedule.

Susan: Are you kidding? I don't mind at all. As a matter of fact, I came to spend some time with my favorite nephew. [She bends over the playpen.]

Ellen: I think you should call Rita Mae right now. I think your idea of working at home is perfect.

Marilyn: I don't know what I would do without you I'm lucky to have you all.

Ellen: We are lucky to have you, Marilyn.

Susan: And so is Max.

【语言点精讲】

1. I don't know why I didn't think of it. It seems so simple now.

搞不懂，我为什么没有想到这一点。现在好像问题很简单了。

在讨论问题时，这句话，以及后文出现的“Sounds like a great way to solve the problem.（听起来像是一个极好的解决问题的方法。）”和“I think that really answers your questions.（这能够解决你的问题。）”都可以用来表示某人对某个建议表示赞同，认为其有助于解决问题。

2. I'm going to call Rita Mae at home and ask her to come by and talk about it. She wants to see Max, anyway.

我要给Rita Mae家里打电话，请她过来谈这件事，反正她也想看看Max呢。

call sb. at home: 打电话到某人家里。

anyway: 无论如何（反正）。

3. And let Rita Mae do the selling at the boutique.

让Rita Mae在时装屋负责销售那一头的事。

do the selling: 负责（销售）。

4. And you can both benefit financially.

而你们双方都能得到经济效益。

benefit financially: 挣得利润。

5. Oh, Susan, thank you so much for coming all this way from the city to talk to me about it. I hope you don't mind having taken so much time away from your busy schedule.

噢，Susan，真感谢你从城里大老远来到这儿和我谈这件事。你那么忙，却为我花了那么多时间，望你不要为此介意。

6. As a matter of fact, I came to spend some time with my favorite nephew．

事实上，我是来与我心爱的小侄子呆一会儿的。

as a matter of fact: 事实上，实际上。

7. I don't know what I would do without you I'm lucky to have you all.

我真不知道我没有你们该怎么办，我有你们大家，真是幸运。

这句话是用来表达自己的感谢之情的常用语。

ACT 3-1  “这是个好兆头。”

【故事梗概】

星期六的晚上， Marilyn和Ellen 在和Max玩儿的时候，Marilyn的雇主Rita Mae来了。

Ellen: [She looks at Max in his playpen.] Hi, big guy.

[The doorbell rings.]

Marilyn: That must be Rita Mae.

Ellen: She sure got here quickly. That's a good sign. She must like you and your work, Marilyn.

Marilyn: I think she's just anxious to see Max. She loves children. [She goes to the door.]

Rita Mae: Hi, Marilyn.

Marilyn: Welcome. It's so nice of you to come.

Rita Mae: Oh, I just wanted to see your baby, Max.

Ellen: Hello, Rita Mae.

Rita Mae: [to Ellen] I haven't seen yon since the hospital.

Ellen: I'm Ellen Stewart, Marilyn's mother-in-law.

[She shakes Rita Mae's hand.]

Rita Mae: We met at the hospital. Hello. How are you?

Ellen: I remember. How are you?

Rita Mae: Oh, and there is Max! Oh! My, how he's grown! [She give Marilyn a present.] A little present for Max.

Marilyn: [She opens the present. It is a silver spoon.]Oh, it's beautiful, Rita Mae! You shouldn't have.

Rita Mae: It's nothing. It's just a little present for Max.

【语言点精讲】

1. Hi, big guy.

嗨，小家伙。这里故意把这小男孩称为“big guy”。

2. She sure got here quickly. That's a good sign.

她来得真快。这是个好兆头。

a good sign: 一个好兆头。

3. I think she's just anxious to see Max. She loves children.

我想她只是渴望看到Max，她最喜欢孩子们了。

be anxious to do sth.: 急切、渴望做某事。anxious与eager相较，口气稍重。eager是渴望、巴不得怎样，而anxious则常是焦虑、急切的意思。be anxious to do something则常是和eager同义，但更强调其急切。

4. It's so nice of you to come.

你能来真是太好了。

5. I haven't seen yon since the hospital.

我从上次在医院见到你一次之后，一直还没有见到你呢。

since the hospital: 相当于“since I met you at the hospital”。 the hospital指Marilyn生Max后大家去医院看望一事。

6. My, how he's grown!

噢，天啊，他长得这么大了！

My: 在这里用来表示惊讶。

how he's grown: 在惊叹句中常省略表示所惊讶的性质的形容词或副词，这里是how big的意思。

7. [She opens the present. It is a silver spoon.]Oh, it's beautiful, Rita Mae! You shouldn't have.

[她打开礼物，是一把小银匙。]噢，美极了，Rita Mae！你不该这样破费的。

She opens the present. It is a silver spoon. : 西方人的一个传统的习惯是，当你接受了礼物时，一定要当场打开。在你表示了你对礼物的欣赏之情之后，向送礼者当面道谢。这是一种礼节。银勺或银杯是送给新生儿的很传统的礼物，因为这是婴儿需要的第一个用具。通常父母们都会把银勺、银杯珍藏起来做为纪念。

You shouldn't have. : 你不该买礼物。你不该破费。这是别人送重礼时常说的客气话。should not have done sth. 这里的动词是过去虚拟语气，指本不该做某事（但是已经做了）。

ACT 3-2  “如果你需要什么就告诉我。”

【故事梗概】

Marilyn对Rita Mae讲了自己打算在家里工作的构想，Rita Mae对此很感兴趣。

Ellen: Can I get you some coffee or tea or a cold drink, Rita Mae?

Rita Mae: Oh, nothing, thank you.

Ellen: Well, I will leave you two to talk. [to Max]Come on, you big guy. Yes, come on. [She picks up the baby.] That's it.

Ellen: [to Rita Mae] It's nice seeing you. Let me know if you need anything. [She leaves.]

Rita Mae: Thanks, Ellen.

Marilyn: Thanks, Ellen

Rita Mae: OK, Marilyn. You sounded like you've made a decision when you called me. I'm all ears.

Marilyn: I have made a decision, Rita Mae. I've decided to stay at home and be a full-time mother.

Rita Mae: I'm disappointed, but I respect your decision. If I had a child as cute as Max, I might do the same thing.

Marilyn: But I haven't finished telling you the other half of my decision.

Rita Mae: The other half?

Marilyn: Yes. I think I can stay at home and take care of Max and continue my career.

Rita Mae: Sounds interesting. Let me hear it.

【语言点精讲】

1. Can I get you some coffee or tea or a cold drink? -- Oh, nothing, thank you. 

你要点咖啡、茶或冷饮吗？-- 噢，不要了，谢谢你。

a cold drink: 冷饮，指的是类似可乐的软饮料。

Oh, nothing, thank you. : 西方社交礼节，如客人拒绝，主人即不再问。因此到他们家中作客时，如主人问要不要吃喝什么，想要宜直接说要，否则就会挨饿忍渴。

2. Well, I will leave you two to talk. [to Max]Come on, you big guy. Yes, come on. [She picks up the baby.] That's it.

好，我走开，让你们俩谈谈吧。[对Max说]来吧，你这个小大人。对，来吧。[她抱起婴儿。]行了。

I will leave you two to talk. : 我走开，你们俩谈吧。

That's it. : 这里的it指想做的事或希望发生的事。在忙乎一阵后终于做好一件事时常这样说。如进餐时上完最后一道菜，出门前给孩子穿戴打扮好，上场前化妆完毕穿好戏中服装，经过摆姿势打灯光最后按下相机的快门，等等。这个it常重读。

3. Let me know if you need anything．

如果你需要什么就告诉我。

4. You sounded like you've made a decision when you called me. I'm all ears. 

你给我打电话时的口气听起来好像你已做出了决定。我现在洗耳恭听。

I'm all ears. : 我洗耳恭听。我迫切想听听。

类似的说法还有，

She was all smiles．（她满面堆笑。）

The children were all eyes at the zoo．（孩子们在动物园里眼睛都忙不过来。）

5. I'm disappointed, but I respect your decision. 

我很失望，但我尊重你的决定。

I'm disappointed: 我很失望。如说He's a disappointing boy，则是令人失望的意思。

6. If I had a child as cute as Max, I might do the same thing.

我要是有个像Max一样可爱的孩子，我可能也会这样做的。

这是一个虚拟语气的句子，从句if用过去式had，表示和现在事实相反。

7. Sounds interesting. Let me hear it.

听起来很有意思，跟我说说。

ACT 3-3  “我正是这样想的。”

【故事梗概】

Marilyn打算在家里做定制婚纱，Rita Mae认为这是一个很好的想法。

Marilyn: Do you remember our talks about custom-designed dresses for the boutique?

Rita Mae: I sure do.

Marilyn: Why can't I design dresses for you here at home? And make them here. Have the fittings here, too.

Rita Mae: And I could do the selling and the pricing at the boutique.

Marilyn: Exactly.

Rita Mae: Oh! What kind of dresses would you design?

Marilyn: I've thought about that for some time.

Rita Mae: Yes?

Marilyn: Wedding dresses.

Rita Mae: Wedding dresses? Brilliant idea! There's a big market today in wedding dresses.

Marilyn: That's what I thought.

Rita Mae: I like the idea very much. And if it's successful, we can expand to all kinds of dresses.

Marilyn: That's what I thought.

【语言点精讲】

1. Do you remember our talks about custom-designed dresses for the boutique?

你还记得吗？我们谈过时装屋可以搞为个别顾客专门设计的时装。

custom-designed: 为顾客特别要求设计的；定制的。

2. Why can't I design dresses for you here at home? And make them here. Have the fittings here, too.

我为什么不可以在家里为你设计时装呢？也在家里缝制时装，连试样子都在这里。

fittings: 试衣，试穿。定制衣服必需在半成品时进行试穿，视是否适合而改正瘦长短，称为fittings。

3. And I could do the selling and the pricing at the boutique.

我可以在时装屋里管销售、定价那一头。

pricing: 做价，定价。

4. Brilliant idea! There's a big market today in wedding dresses.

这主意真高明！现在结婚礼服的需求量很大。

Brilliant idea! 这主意真高明！

There's a big market for…: 表示有销路，需求量大。

5. That's what I thought.

我正是这样想的。

用来表示赞同对方的话。

6. I like the idea very much. And if it's successful, we can expand to all kinds of dresses.

我很喜欢这主意，如果它成功了，我们可以扩展到各种时装。

expand: 扩大，发展。

ACT 3-4  “你这话当真？”

【故事梗概】

Rita Mae希望Marilyn为自己的一个侄女设计一件婚纱，这将是Marilyn的第一个客户。

Rita Mae: As a matter of fact, I have a customer for your first wedding dress. My niece is getting married, and I've been trying to find just the right thing for her. Marilyn, you're going to design my niece's dress. That'll be our first one, and then we'll use it to sell others.

Marilyn: Do you really mean it?

Rita Mae: I really mean it. It's a simple idea, and it will work. You can certainly design dresses. I know that. And there's no reason why you can't do it from your home.

Marilyn: I'm so excited! I can't wait to tell Richard!

Rita Mae: If I had a baby like Max, I'd want to stay home and be near him all the time, too. You're making the right decision for Max and for yourself too, Marilyn.

Marilyn: It all sounds so easy.

Rita Mae: Now the hard work begins.

Marilyn: Would you like to see some of my designs that I've been working on?

Rita Mae: I'd love to. [She begins to look at Marilyn's dress designs. ] Ooh! Oh, that's wonderful! Ooh…

【语言点精讲】

1. As a matter of fact, I have a customer for your first wedding dress.

事实上，我已经为你的第一件结婚礼服找到了一个顾客。

as a matter of fact: 事实上，实际上。

2. Do you really mean it? 

你这话当真？

Rita Mae很痛快就同意了Marilyn在家里工作的想法，还给她介绍了第一位客人，一切顺利得令Marlyn不敢相信。这句问话就表达出了Marilyn的难以置信的感觉。

3. I really mean it. It's a simple idea, and it will work. You can certainly design dresses. I know that. And there's no reason why you can't do it from your home.

我是真心实意的。这是个简单的想法，而它会成功的。你肯定是个设计服装的能手，这我很清楚。没有什么理由说你不能在家里设计出来。

I really mean it. : 相当于I mean what I said.

there’s no reason why you can’t do it: 这是一个双重否定句，强调肯定的语气。

4. I can't wait to tell Richard!

我迫不及待地想告诉Richard！

can’t wait to do sth. : 迫不及待地要做某事。

5. If I had a baby like Max, I'd want to stay home and be near him all the time, too.

我若是有个像Max那样的宝宝，我也会想要呆在家里一刻不离开他的。

这句话用了虚拟语气，表示与现在的事实相反的假设。

6. Now the hard work begins.

现在要开始艰苦的工作了。