欢乐美语:Two for the Road 结伴同行

INTRODUCTIN TO ACT I

Today on TUNING¹ IN THE U.S.A., we’re outside the Stewarts’ house. Grandpa Stewart is helping² Richard to prepare his car for a long trip. It will be a working trip, a chance for Richard to take photographs for his book FAMILY ALBUM³, U.S.A. It’s a book about the United⁴ States. Grandpa repairs the radio in Richard’s old car. At the same time, Richard is packing the trunk of his car. Alexandra, the Stewarts’ young friend from Greece, soon arrives. And she brings some interesting news.

ACT I

Grandpa: How’s it going, Richard? Can you fit it all in the trunk?

Richard: Uh, I think so, Grandpa. How’s the radio?

Grandpa: I think I can fix it. [He tries.] Oh! That did it. A wire was loose.

Richard: Hey, good job. [He puts on loud music.] Hear that, Grandpa? The old radio works⁵ beautifully.

Grandpa: Beautifully?

Richard: Well, let’s say it works perfectly⁶. Sorry about that. You can change it.

Grandpa: [He selects a classical⁷ music station.] Oh, I know this music! Your grandmother loved this piano piece.

Richard: Uh, the packing is done! That’s--- Oh, no! Here’s my tent.

Grandpa: You forgot to pack it?

Richard: Yup.

Grandpa: You must take your tent. Then you can sleep anywhere. Don’t worry. We’ll find room for it. I’m good at packing cars. I traveled a lot in my business. There. See? The tent fits in the corner.

Richard: You’re great, Grandpa. Thanks. For a while, it looked like I had a real problem.

Alexandra: [She enters.] Hi! What problem are you talking about?

Richard: Oh, hey there, Alexandra! Where did you come from?

Alexandra: I came from the train station. Hi, Mr. Stewart.

Grandpa: Hello, Alexandra.

Alexandra: What’s the problem?

Richard: No problem. Grandpa solved it. He fit all my things in the trunk of my car.

Alexandra: Oh, you’re leaving on your trip. What are you taking with you?

Richard: I’m taking cameras, a tent, a sleeping bag, clothes to wear, my new tape recorder…

Grandpa: And your new harmonica.

Richard: It’s right here in my pocket. See? [He plays the harmonica for a moment. They all laugh.] By the way, Alexandra, what were you doing at the train station?

Alexandra: Saying good-bye to my cousin Andreas. He’s taking the train to Nashville.

Richard: Nashville, Tennessee?

Alexandra: Yes. His train comes in about a half an hour.

Richard: But I will be going to Nashville! He should travel with me!

Alexandra: You can give him a ride?

Richard: I would love to travel with someone. C’mon, Grandpa. Alexandra! Let’s hurry to the station and find Andreas. We don’t have a minute to lose.

Grandpa: Climb in, Alexandra! Let’s go!

INTRODUCTION⁸ TO ACT II

This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Richard and Grandpa Stewart and Alexandra Pappas are hurrying to the train station. Alexandra’s cousin Andreas is there, waiting for a train to take him to Nashville, Tennessee. By chance, Richard is also planning a trip to Nashville. And instead of traveling by himself, Richard wants to offer Andreas a ride in his car. Richard, Grandpa, and Alexandra hurry to the train station. But there is a lot of traffic. The train is coming very soon. Will Andreas still be at the station?

ACT II

Alexandra: I think we’re going to miss the train. Must we go this slowly?

Richard: Yes, we must. As they say,” It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Alexandra: What does that mean?

Richard: It means⁹ we don’t want to have an accident.

Grandpa: Richard, I think you missed the turn.

Richard: No, Grandpa. There are still four or five blocks to go. Then we have to turn right.

Grandpa: Doesn’t Ellen always turn next to the school?

Richard: Sometimes, Grandpa. But that’s a slow way to go. We’re in a hurry.

Al: Oh no! There’s another traffic light ahead. I hope the light stays green.

Ri: Oh no! There is goes. A red light and we have to stop for red light.

Al: Do you think we’ll make it to the station in time?

Ri: I don’t know, Alexandra. How long will we wait at this light? What time do you have, Grandpa?

Grandpa: Ten minutes to three.

Ri: Oh, no! I don’t think we’re going to make it.

Gr: Relax, Richard. It doesn’t help to get upset.

Ri: You’re right, Grandpa. Maybe I should turn on the radio.

[At the train station. Andreas is waiting for the train.]

Andreas: [To the train agent] Excuse me. I’m taking the three o’clock train. When will it arrive?

Agent: It should be here very soon. It’s on time. It’s five minutes to three. It should be here in about five minutes. Where you going?

An: I’m going to Nashville, Tennessee.

Ag: Is Nashville your home?

An: Oh, no. I’m from Greece. I’m here visiting my cousin. I’m touring around the United States.

[A train whistle¹⁰ sounds.]

Ag: Ahh, there’s your train now. You should hurry up. Have a nice trip to Nashville.

An: Thanks a lot. And good-bye.

Al: [calling] Andreas! Andreas!

[She and Richard run toward¹¹ Andreas.]

An: Alexandra? Richard? [The train arrives]

Al: Oh, just in time. I’m glad we caught you. Richard has a great idea. I told him you are going to Nashville and…

Ri: And I’m going, too. Why don’t you come with me? We can drive together. What do you say?

An: That sounds great to me.

1 tuning   

n.调谐，调整，调音v.调音( tune的现在分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• They are tuning up a plane on the flight line. 他们正在机场的飞机跑道上调试一架飞机。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The orchestra are tuning up. 管弦乐队在定弦。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 album   

n.集子，粘贴集，影集，邮集，歌曲集

参考例句：

• The photos belong in an album.这些照片应该放在相册里。
• Will you look over his album?你要不要去看看他的歌集唱片？

4 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

5 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

6 perfectly   

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。

7 classical   

adj.古典的；古典文学的；正统派的；古典主义的

参考例句：

• This classical poem is hard to understand.这首古诗很费解。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

8 introduction   

n.(to)介绍；传入，引进；导言，导论，绪论

参考例句：

• The introduction tells you how to use the book.引言告诉你怎样使用这本书。
• A letter of introduction will ensure you an interview.凭一封介绍信准保会接待你。

9 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

10 whistle   

n.口哨，汽笛，啸啸声，口哨声；vi. 吹口哨，鸣汽笛，发嘘嘘声；vt.用口哨通知

参考例句：

• We heard the whistle of a train.我们听到了火车的汽笛声。
• He gave a loud whistle of surprise.他吹了一声响亮的口哨表示惊讶。

11 toward   

prep.对于，关于，接近，将近，向，朝

参考例句：

• Suddenly I saw a tall figure approaching toward the policeman.突然间我看到一个高大的身影朝警察靠近。
• Upon seeing her,I smiled and ran toward her. 看到她我笑了，并跑了过去。