欢乐美语:It's a Deal 一言为定

　　INTRODUCTION TO ACT I

Today on TUNING 1 IN THE U.S.A., Susan Stewart is in her office. She’s having a business meeting with a film producer named Mike Davillo. He’s making a movie. It is an animated 2 movie with cartoon characters. Mr. Davillo wants Susan to design a toy that looks and sounds like the leading character in his film. He shows her part of the film and invites her to come the movie studio in California.

Act I

Bad Character: Oh, no! It’s Maxy Manners! He’s coming in my direction. I’m getting out of here!

Maxy Manners: Good-bye, Mister 3 Meanie. Thank you for leaving and please don’t come back again.

Movie Announcer 4: So once again the kingdom was ruled by kind people, and Maxy Manners lived happily ever after.

Davillo: [he stops the film.] Well, that’s him-Maxy Manners-our lovable little character.

Susan: He’s cute. Kids will love him.

Davillo: And he’s polite! The parents will like him, too. That’s the reason we call him Maxy Manners-like “maximum manners”-the most polite of all.

Susan: Mr. Davillo, you are producing a film, an animated film, that stars this little character. And you want me to design a toy that looks like Maxy Manners?

Davillo: You got it! We want the toy to be sold in toy stores at the same time that the film is shown in theaters.

Su: Ah.

Davillo: I’ve heard that the Universe Toy Company makes the best quality toys.

Susan: Thank you, Mr. Davillo.

Davillo: We’ll need some special engineering 5 on this toy.

Su: Now I’m a little confused. Why should this toy animal require special engineering?

Da: So it can talk, of course.

Su: So you want a talking toy?

Da: Of course. He’s Maxy Manners! You see, It’s his voice. He says “please” and “thank you” very often. And that way of speaking helps make him special.

Su: Mmm, I understand. Maxy Manners isn’t himself unless he can talk.

Da: Right! Are you interested?

Su: I think my company would be interested. But I’ll need more information before I can make a presentation of the idea.

Da: I understand. If you could come to our studio in California, I think you could get all the information you need.

Su: That sounds like a good idea. Let me check my calendar. [She checks the calendar.] How about the first week of next month?

Da: Whenever you can make it.

Su: Ok. I’ll make airline reservations 6 for that first Monday.

Da: We’re all set. Thank you, Ms. Stewart.

Susan: Thank you Mr. Davillo. Will I get to meet the man behind Maxy’s voice?

Da: Ah…you’ve already met him!

Susan: [she is surprised.] You’re Maxy!

Da: Yeah! [They both laugh.]

INTRODUCTION TO ACT II

This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Susan Stewart is at a movie studio in Los Angeles, California. She is there to do business with a film producer, Mike Davillo. But before they begin working, they watch the making of a movie. Later, Susan and Mike talk about ideas for a special toy. It will be a talking toy animal that looks like a character in Mike Davillo’s new movie.

Act II

[They are both walking]

Davillo: Can I carry that bag for you, Ms. Stewart?

Susan: Thank you. But call me Su, Please.

Da: All right, Susan. And I’m Mike. Well, this bag isn’t too heavy.

Susan: I’ve brought some things to show you. They are examples of toys that talk or make sounds.

Davillo: Have you ever been to a film studio before?

Susan: No. This is big building! What happens behind all these closed doors?

Da: Movies are made. Do you want to look in on one? [He opens the door to a sound stage.] They’re about to finish shooting this picture. You might recognize some of the stars.

Su: Oh! Isn’t that Linda Barrett, the actress from Lost Romance 7?

Da: Yeah, that’s her.

Director: [calling] Actors, take your places!

Da: She’s the director. Want to stay and watch a minute? We’ll have to be quiet.

Susan: Yes, I’d love to.

Director: [calling] quiet on the set! Take two. Cameras, roll. Action!

Actor: But I can’t leave you here alone! It’s not safe! The storm is getting worse!

Actress: You have to leave me! You must to! The rescue team will never find the cabin 8. Only you know the way.

Actor: All right. I’ll go! But just remember. I love you!

Director: [calling] Cut! Let’s take that again.

Susan: Oh, this work looks like fun.

Da: It can be. Shall we go meet Maxy Manners now?

Susan: What a great idea! [They leave to see Maxy Manners.] I’m hungry, Mama.

Talking Toy: [It laughs.]

Susan: So, you see, there are a few ways to give sounds and voices to toys.

Da: I like the way this one works 9.

Talking Toy: I’m Captain Xenon. Captain Xenon, here.

Susan: The voice on that one is easy to understand. I think that’s a good choice, Mike.

Davillo: These are drawings I promised you. I think they should give you a good picture of Maxy Manners.

Su: They look fine. Can I take these drawings back to New York?

Da: They’re for you. Along with this. [He gives her a cassette 10.]

Maxy Manners: [he speaks on tape.] “It is my pleasure.”

Susan: A tape of Maxy Manners’ voice. Thank you. That will help a lot.

Da: You’re welcome. Or, as Maxy says, “It is my pleasure.”