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儿童英语读物 The Radio Mystery CHAPTER 3 Starring — The Alden Kids!

时间:2017-11-09 05:22来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

Violet clapped her hands over her ears. The screaming sound was awful! It sounded as if it came from every direction at once and it seemed to go on forever. Worst of all, it was painfully loud.

Sean clicked on a flashlight. The wavering light flashed across the pale, frightened faces of the other actors huddled1 in the darkened soundstage.

Suddenly the screeching2 noise stopped. Avery pushed buttons on the console and music came from the speakers. The lights flickered3 back on.

DeeDee yelled, “The ghost is back!”

The other actors nodded grimly.

Frances rushed into the soundstage. “Thank heavens I got the lights back on. It wasn’t a power outage — some joker just turned them off. And then the ghost came.”

Henry said, “That was no ghost. It was obviously a tape of someone screaming.”

Avery tapped on the window of his booth, pointing toward the clock.

“We need to get back on the air,” Frances said. “Everything’s all right now. Actors — Gwen — take your places. Let’s start again.”

“I can’t,” said Gwen from her corner.

“What’s wrong?” Henry asked, twisting around. Like the actors, the Alden children had frozen in their spots when the lights went out.

Gwen’s hand passed through the empty air in front of her. “My microphone is gone. Somebody stole it!”

Jocelyn had just stepped into the room. She put her hand to her forehead. “Not another one!”

The Aldens ran over to Gwen.

“Did you hear anything?” Benny asked.

Gwen shook her head. “Who could hear anything over that racket?”

“Did you see anything when Sean turned on the flashlight?” Jessie said.

Gwen shook her head. “The thief must have slipped in while the lights were off,” she said.

“He — or she — was really quick,” Henry concluded.

“Ghosts are quick,” DeeDee said.

Gwen checked the items in her box. “At least none of my props4 are missing. But this is the second standing5 mike that’s been stolen.” She looked up at her grandmother. “What will we do, Gran?”

Jocelyn stood straighter. Her face looked determined6. “We covered the delay with some music,” she said. “Now we must go on with the show. For today, you can share a microphone with DeeDee.”

“You can have the whole thing,” said DeeDee. “I quit. I’m not working in a haunted radio station!”

“All right, we’ll recast DeeDee’s role,” said Frances. “Gayle, could you read both your part and DeeDee’s today?”

“I don’t think so, Frances,” said Gayle. She turned to Jocelyn and smiled apologetically. “I don’t want to work at a haunted radio station, either.”

“It’s not worth the trouble,” Sean added. “We do the radio show because it’s fun. But it’s not fun anymore with everything going wrong. I’m sorry, Jocelyn.”

Jocelyn threw up her hands. “Are you all quitting?”

“Yes,” said DeeDee, speaking for the group. “As long as strange things keep happening in this station, we won’t be back.”

With that, the entire cast walked out of the soundstage.

Jaunty7 music poured from the speakers. Avery Drake came in. “Where is everyone going?”

“They quit,” said Frances. “Which is what I ought to do, too.”

“Earl Biggs of Earl’s Auto8 Sales just called,” said Avery. “He’s furious. He said he’s not paying top advertising9 dollars for us to play music during the Mystery Theater time slot.”

“You’ll have to cancel the show,” Frances said, turning to Jocelyn. “We can’t put on a radio drama without a cast. And you can’t afford to hire actors.”

Henry said, “If we find the fake ghost, do you think the cast will come back?”

Jocelyn nodded. “I think they will. They really like doing the show. If we can keep the program going somehow until then.”

Violet had an idea. She whispered something to her sister and brothers. They nodded.

“What about us?” Violet said.

Jocelyn stared at her. “What do you mean?”

“We’ll act in a play,” Violet explained. “Frances could write a mystery show with us in it this week.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Frances snorted. “You’re kids.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” Grandfather said. “You could do a mystery program for kids!”

They all looked at Jocelyn. “Violet, that’s a terrific idea, thank you. I’m all for it — it might save the station.”

“Well you can get another writer,” Frances said. “I only write adult scripts.”

“Please? This will be fun,” Benny said.

“I’m not writing a kids’ program!” Frances insisted.

Jessie and Henry glanced at each other and she knew they were thinking the same thing. Why didn’t Frances want to write a kids’ show? Was she hoping this would be the end of the station?

“Your contract says you must write five programs a week,” Jocelyn reminded Frances firmly. Then she turned to the Aldens. “Looks like you children are going to be radio stars!”

That afternoon, Gwen told the Aldens everything they’d need to know about the live radio show.

“First you read your scripts. Then we do a rehearsal,” she explained. “While you’re learning your lines, I come up with ideas for sound effects. Then we’re ready for the live broadcast.”

“What do you do with all this stuff?” Benny asked, looking through Gwen’s box. Inside there were spoons, aluminum10 foil, rocks, paper, wooden blocks, a hammer, and even a pair of men’s shoes.

“That’s the stuff I use to make sound effects,” Gwen replied. “I use tapes for sounds like creaking doors and barking dogs. But a lot of the noises, I make myself, just like they used to on the old radio shows, before they had tape players. It’s fun.”

“Make one for us,” Jessie said.

“Okay. Close your eyes.” The Aldens shut their eyes and listened. Gwen picked up a sheet of paper and rattled11 it around.

Henry opened his eyes. “It sounds like a crackling fire.”

“Exactly!” Gwen put down the paper. “My favorite sound effects are the simple ones.”

“That’s so cool! Show us another one,” Benny said.

Gwen thought for a second, then began walking in place. At first her footsteps were heavy. Then they got lighter12 and lighter.

Benny scratched his head. “A march?”

“Fading footsteps,” Gwen said. “Like somebody is walking out of the room.”

“What a cool job!” Violet said admiringly.

Gwen smiled shyly. “A lot of the sound effects I learned from my grandfather. He was teaching me to be a DJ, too. He loved this station.” Gwen’s face looked sad. “It would be too bad if Gran had to give it up or change it.”

“We’ll catch that ghost,” Benny promised.

They all stood quietly for a minute. Then Gwen glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly supper time. We’d better go meet Gran and your grandfather at the diner.”

“Good idea!” said Benny.

The Aldens followed Gwen down the station’s narrow hallway. As they passed the control booth, they met Avery getting ready for his dinner break. A pet expert program played from the speakers. Avery had changed into shorts, a T-shirt, and well-worn running shoes. His office shirt and slacks hung in the curtained cubby.

“Are you going to eat at the diner, too?” Benny asked him.

Avery held up his sports duffel. “I’m going running like I do every evening. I’ll eat later. See you all tomorrow morning. Don’t worry about Frances — she’ll write a great script for you.”

The Aldens and Gwen said good-bye to Avery, then walked out of the station toward the diner. The Route 11 Diner was just down the block from the radio station.

“Somebody in the station is playing tricks,” Henry said as they walked down Main Street.

“But who?” asked Benny. “We were right there when the ghost came, and I didn’t see anything.”

“Gwen, you’ve been there before when the ghost has struck,” Violet said. “Have you ever noticed anything strange?”

“I do notice things,” Gwen snapped. “Just not when the lights go out.”

The Aldens exchanged glances. Why was Gwen so touchy13?

When the children entered the diner, Grandfather and Jocelyn waved from a large table by the window.

“I was wondering something,” Jessie said to Jocelyn. “Avery told us he thought he saw someone go out the side door after the records were stolen. Is that door locked?”

“Not from the inside,” Jocelyn replied. “But you need a key to get in from the outside. The door automatically locks behind you.”

“Who has keys?” Henry asked.

“I do,” Gwen said. “Avery, Frances, and Gran, of course. And Earl Biggs.”

“Who’s he?” asked Benny.

“Earl is the owner of Earl’s Auto Sales,” said Jocelyn. “The car lot is right next door to the station.”

“I think we heard his commercial playing on the radio,” Violet said.

Jocelyn nodded. “You probably did. He sponsors the live mystery show and some of our other programs, too.”

“Didn’t you and Luther and Earl go to school together?” Grandfather asked.

Jocelyn smiled. “Yes. We were all good friends. Right before we graduated, Earl asked me to marry him. But I married Luther instead.”

Just then, DeeDee walked over with menus. The red ribbon above her name tag matched the red paper place mats.

“Hello, everyone,” DeeDee greeted them. Jocelyn introduced her to Grandfather.

“DeeDee, I was surprised you and the others quit the show today,” said Grandfather.

“Well,” DeeDee said defensively, “we can’t work in a place that’s haunted.”

“You know perfectly14 well the station is not haunted,” Jocelyn said.

“Everybody in town knows the story of Daphne Owens,” the waitress said. “If Daphne’s ghost isn’t haunting the station, then who is doing those things?”

“Ghosts aren’t real,” Violet told her. “There has to be a logical explanation.”

“And we’ll find it,” Henry added.

Suddenly businesslike, DeeDee pulled out her pad and pencil and reeled off the daily specials. When she had taken their orders, she left to fetch their drinks.

“Let’s go wash our hands,” Jessie suggested.

The rest rooms were near the kitchen.

As Violet was coming out of the ladies’ room, DeeDee walked toward her hefting a tray of soft drinks and coffee cups.

“You know,” DeeDee said, her voice low. “The station really is haunted. You can look for logical explanations all you want, but I’m telling you now, it’s Daphne Owens’s ghost. You and your sister and brothers better watch out!”

Before Violet could respond, DeeDee left to carry the tray to their table.

Violet waited for Jessie to come out of the rest room, then told her about DeeDee’s warning. “Why would she say that?” Violet finished.

“Maybe she just wants to stir things up,” Jessie suggested. “Telling ghost stories gives her something to talk about. Maybe she thinks it’s funny.”

“Maybe.” Violet wasn’t so sure.

Despite their worries about the trouble at the station, the Aldens, Gwen, and Jocelyn enjoyed their supper.

When it was time to leave, Grandfather drove everyone back to Jocelyn’s in the Aldens’ minivan.

Jessie, who was sitting by a window, noticed a man jogging on one of the paths in the park. She leaned closer. Was that Avery Drake? Jessie recognized his blue duffel bag.

Strange, Jessie thought. Why would Avery be running with his bag?


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 huddled 39b87f9ca342d61fe478b5034beb4139     
挤在一起(huddle的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
  • We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。
2 screeching 8bf34b298a2d512e9b6787a29dc6c5f0     
v.发出尖叫声( screech的现在分词 );发出粗而刺耳的声音;高叫
参考例句:
  • Monkeys were screeching in the trees. 猴子在树上吱吱地叫着。
  • the unedifying sight of the two party leaders screeching at each other 两党党魁狺狺对吠的讨厌情景
3 flickered 93ec527d68268e88777d6ca26683cc82     
(通常指灯光)闪烁,摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The lights flickered and went out. 灯光闪了闪就熄了。
  • These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which have gone mad. 这些灯象发狂的交通灯一样不停地闪动着。
4 props 50fe03ab7bf37089a7e88da9b31ffb3b     
小道具; 支柱( prop的名词复数 ); 支持者; 道具; (橄榄球中的)支柱前锋
参考例句:
  • Rescuers used props to stop the roof of the tunnel collapsing. 救援人员用支柱防止隧道顶塌陷。
  • The government props up the prices of farm products to support farmers' incomes. 政府保持农产品价格不变以保障农民们的收入。
5 standing 2hCzgo     
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。
6 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
7 jaunty x3kyn     
adj.愉快的,满足的;adv.心满意足地,洋洋得意地;n.心满意足;洋洋得意
参考例句:
  • She cocked her hat at a jaunty angle.她把帽子歪戴成俏皮的样子。
  • The happy boy walked with jaunty steps.这个快乐的孩子以轻快活泼的步子走着。
8 auto ZOnyW     
n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车
参考例句:
  • Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
  • The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。
9 advertising 1zjzi3     
n.广告业;广告活动 a.广告的;广告业务的
参考例句:
  • Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
  • The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。
10 aluminum 9xhzP     
n.(aluminium)铝
参考例句:
  • The aluminum sheets cannot be too much thicker than 0.04 inches.铝板厚度不能超过0.04英寸。
  • During the launch phase,it would ride in a protective aluminum shell.在发射阶段,它盛在一只保护的铝壳里。
11 rattled b4606e4247aadf3467575ffedf66305b     
慌乱的,恼火的
参考例句:
  • The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground. 卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。
  • Every time a bus went past, the windows rattled. 每逢公共汽车经过这里,窗户都格格作响。
12 lighter 5pPzPR     
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级
参考例句:
  • The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色,色调明朗了一些。
  • The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。
13 touchy PJfz6     
adj.易怒的;棘手的
参考例句:
  • Be careful what you say because he's touchy.你说话小心,因为他容易生气。
  • He's a little touchy about his weight.他对自己的体重感到有点儿苦恼。
14 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
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