ACT 1-1 “这是你应得的。”
【故事梗概】
在纽约的一家美术馆里，出版商Carlson先生和他的助手Tom正在为Richard的摄影展Family Album, U.S.A.做准备。
Carlson: A little further to the right, Tom.
Tom: Is this OK?
Carlson: Good. What do you think, Richard?
Richard: I like it there.
Carlson: It’s the first thing people will see when they come in. It sets the tone for the whole show. The next thing they’ll see is this enlargement with the words Family Album, U. S. A.
Richard: I can’t believe this is really happening!
Carlson: You’ve earned it. Years of work went into these pictures.
Richard: I know, but it’s still a dream come true.
Carlson: Well, remember, we’re not sure what the critics are going to write about your show yet. And you never know what the man from the Now York Times is going to say about it.
Richard: Are you worried?
Carlson: I always worry. The reviews of this show are important for the sales of your book.
【语言点精讲】
1. A little further to the right.
再多向右移一下。
further: 更多的，进一步的。far的比较级有两种形式，further和farther。在表示真正的地理距离“更远一些”时通常用 farther。在表示“更多，更进一步”时，只能用further。本例中的further 不是“更远一些”，而是“更靠右一些”，故用 further。
2. It’s the first thing people will see when they come in. It sets the tone for the whole show.
人们一进来，头一个看到的就是它，它为整个的展出定下基调。
set the tone: 定下基调。
3. The next thing they’ll see is this enlargement with the words Family Album, U. S. A.
他们看到的下一张就是这张放大的照片，上面写着“走遍美国”。
enlargement: 放大，放大的照片。
4. I can’t believe this is really happening!
我不敢相信这一切真的发生了。
口语中经常用 can’t believe 之类的话表示惊讶。
5. You’ve earned it. Years of work went into these pictures.
这是你应得的，你在这些照片里投入了多年的工作。
You’ve earned it. : 这是你应得的。意思是你费了自己的力气或由于自己的良好品德而得到报偿，不是不劳而获或侥幸得到的。earn表示靠劳动、努力等而赢得。
6. I know, but it’s still a dream come true.
我知道，可是这仍然是一件梦想成真的事。
a dream come true: 梦想成真。这里的come意思是 become, 是系动词，带形容词表语true。
7. Well, remember, we’re not sure what the critics are going to write about your show yet. And you never know what the man from the Now York Times is going to say about it.
嗯，别忘了，我们还不能肯定评论家们将对你的展览写出什么样的评述。而且那位《纽约时报》的先生会说些什么，那是谁也说不准的。
critics: （文学、艺术等）评论家。
8. The reviews of this show are important for the sales of your book.
关于这次展览的报刊评论对于你的书的销售是非常重要的。
reviews: （文学、艺术的）评论，书评。
ACT 1-2 “惯例如此。”
【故事梗概】
Richard和Carlson先生在谈论即将开始的展览。一切的准备都是为了促进Richard的新书的销售。
Richard: When do we see the reviews?
Carlson: Soon. One of the critics is coming over this morning for a preview. I hope he’s in a good mood.
Richard: So do I. Marilyn and I hope to use money from the sales of this book to buy a new house.
Carlson: The book will be a success. And the show will help promote it.
Richard: Speaking of promoting the book, do I really have to autograph copies for the guests at the opening?
Carlson: It’s common practice.
Richard: I feel uncomfortable about it.
Carlson: A lot of people come to openings just so they can get the autograph of somebody who may be famous someday.
Richard: Couldn’t we wait until I’m famous?
Carlson: That might be sooner than you think.
【语言点精讲】
1. One of the critics is coming over this morning for a preview. I hope he’s in a good mood.
有一位评论家今天上午就要来看预展，我希望他今天情绪很好。
preview: 指影剧的预演或展览的预展。
in a good mood: 心情不错，情绪很好。
2. Marilyn and I hope to use money from the sales of this book to buy a new house.
Marilyn和我希望能用这本书的售款来买一处新房子。
sales: 销售额，销售收入。
3. The book will be a success. And the show will help promote it.
这本书会成功的，这次展览会促进于它的销售。
promote: 促销。
4. Speaking of promoting the book, do I really have to autograph copies for the guests at the opening?
说起这本书的促销工作，在展览会开幕式上我真的必须为客人们在书上签名吗？
speaking of: 说到，谈到。
autograph: 在……上签名。在此处作动词。
opening: 展览会开幕仪式。
5. It’s common practice.
惯例如此。
common practice: 惯例。practice 原意为“实践”，引为“惯做的事”及“练习”。
6. A lot of people come to openings just so they can get the autograph of somebody who may be famous someday.
很多人来参加展览会开幕式的目的，就是要得到一位有朝一日可能会成名的人的亲笔签名。
autograph: 亲笔签名。在此处用作名词。
ACT 1-3 “我都害怕得要死了。”
【故事梗概】
Richard面对即将开始的展览感到非常紧张。他希望自己的家人会为自己的喜欢自己的作品。
Tom: [He indicates a photo that is sitting on an easel.] This one over here, Mr. Carlson?
Carlson: A little further back, Tom. It’s too close to the refreshments.
Richard: No, I think this one belongs in the “people-at-work” section.
Carlson: You may be right. Try it there, Tom.
Tom: Right.
Carlson: [to Richard] Nervous about the opening tonight？
Richard: Nervous? Me? No. I’m scared to death.
Carlson: How about guests? How many people will you be bringing?
Richard: Well, my family, I guess. My wife Marilyn, my father and mother, my brother Robbie, my sister and her husband and their daughter. And my grandfather. Is that too many?
Carlson: No such thing as “too many” at an opening.
Richard: I hope they like it.
Carlson: Your family or the public?
Richard: Everybody. But especially my family. They’ve stood by me through all this.
Carlson: I’m sure they’ll like it.
【语言点精讲】
1. He indicates a photo that is sitting on an easel.
他指着在一个画架上的一幅照片。
easel: 画架。
2. It’s too close to the refreshments.
现在这样离茶点太近了。
refreshments: 茶点。
3. No, I think this one belongs in the “people-at-work” section.
不对，我想这张应当归到“人们在工作”那一部分。
belong in: 意思是“应归于……之内”，或“应放在某处”。
4. Nervous about the opening tonight?
你对今晚的开幕式感到紧张吗？
是”Are you nervous about the opening tonight?”的简略说法。be nervous about sth. : 意思是“对……感到紧张”。
5. I’m scared to death.
我都害怕得要死了。
scared to death: 害怕得要命。
6. No such thing as “too many” at an opening．
在这样的开幕式上怎么会嫌人太多呢？
No such thing as … : 没有像……这样的事。这是一个常用的句式，等同于There’s no such thing as…
7. They’ve stood by me through all this.
他们在艰苦的全部过程中都支持了我。
stand by: 在这里的意思是“支持；在困难时提供帮助；支持某人度过艰苦困难”。
through: 常表示“历尽艰险”，如: My mother has been through a lot.
ACT 1-4 “请随便。”
【故事梗概】
一家报纸的著名的艺术评论员Mitchell Johnson 来到了展览的现场。他在画廊里巡视，参观Richard的摄影作品。
Mitchell: Harvey, how are you?
Carlson: Mitchell, so nice of you to come. [to Richard] Richard, this is Mitchell Johnson. Mitchell is one of the most important syndicated reviewers in the country.
Mitchell: Well, you’re the young man who did all this.
Richard: I’m afraid so.
Mitchell: Nice to meet you.
Richard: Nice to meet you, Mr. Johnson.
Carlson: Mitchell has always encouraged new talent.
Mitchell: Well… you mind if I look around and see what it says to me?
Carlson: Be our guest.
[Mitchell Johnson walks around the gallery and looks at Richard’s photographs.]
【语言点精讲】
1. So nice of you to come.
你能来真是太好了。
也可译为“欢迎光临”。相当于“It is so nice that you have come.”
2. Mitchell is one of the most important syndicated reviewers in the country.
Mitchell是国内最重要的联刊专栏评论家之一。
syndicated: 在很多报纸上发表（评论等）的。动词原形syndicate的原义是“通过报业辛迪加（报团）在多家报刊上同时发表（的文章等）”。
3. I’m afraid so.
是的。
Richard用这个表达法，而不直接说 Yes, I am，表明他很客气、很谦虚。
4. Mitchell has always encouraged new talent.
Mitchell一向是提携新人的。
encourage new talent: 鼓励新人。
5. Well… you mind if I look around and see what it says to me?
嗯……我想四处走走瞧瞧，看它给我的印象如何，你们不介意吧？
what it says to me: 它给我的印象或感觉。相当于“what I think of it; how it impresses me”。
6. Be our guest.
请随便。
在主人表示客人可以做他要求做的事时，常这样说。例如：
A: May I have some more of this?
B: Be my guest.
ACT 1-5 “如果你说的是真心话。”
【故事梗概】
Mitchell看展览时的反应让Richard和Carlson先生琢磨不透他的想法。Carlson先生的助手Tom则告诉Richard，他非常欣赏Richard的作品。
Mitchell: Mm-hmm, hmm, uh-huh.
Richard: [to Carlson] What does that mean when he goes, “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm”?
Carlson: It probably means he’s clearing his throat. I don’t know.
Tom: I don’t care what the critics say, Mr. Stewart. Your work is brilliant.
Richard: Thank you, Tom.
Carlson: Tom is studying photography at NYU. He’s working with me during the summer months as an interrn.
Richard: Oh, really? I’d like to see your work
Tom: It’s not good enough to show. I’m still learning.
Richard: Oh, I’d still like to see your work. You may be the next Ansel Adams and not even know it.
Tom: If you really mean it, I’ll bring some of my pictures into the gallery.
Richard: I do mean it.
【语言点精讲】
1. Mm-hmm, hmm, uh-huh.
Mitchell Johnson看画展时发出这些声音表示他对作品有想法和体会。但他心里到底想什么则不得而知。
2. It probably means he’s clearing his throat.
可能是他在清嗓子吧。
clear one’s throat: 清嗓子。
3. I don’t care what the critics say, Mr. Stewart. Your work is brilliant.
我不管评论家们怎么说，Stewart先生，你的作品非常杰出。
4. Tom is studying photography at NYU. He’s working with me during the summer months as an interrn.
Tom在纽约大学学习摄影艺术，他在暑期的几个月间在我这里工作，当实习生。
NYU: 指的是New York University。
intern: 实习生。
5. It’s not good enough to show. I’m still learning.
还不够给人看的水平。我还在学习。
It’s not good enough to show. : 还不够给人看的水平。enough修饰形容词和副词时放在被修饰词后面。
6. Oh, I’d still like to see your work. You may be the next Ansel Adams and not even know it.
噢，我还是愿意看看你的作品，你可能会成为下一位Ansel Adams，而自己还不知道呢。
Ansel Adams: 美国著名的摄影家(1902—1984)。他以拍摄美国西部的黑白照片而闻名。他一生拍摄了大量大幅风景图片，其中包括美国国家公园里的大森林和山岳。
7. If you really mean it, I’ll bring some of my pictures into the gallery.
如果你真心想看，我要带几张我的照片到画廊来。
If you really mean it: 如果你说的是真心话。
ACT 1-6 “希望运气好吧。”
【故事梗概】
Mitchell参观过展览后，表示愿意评论Richard的作品。他要了一本Richard的作品集，要回去后仔细研究。
Mitchell: [He returns.] Very interesting pictures, Mr. Stewart. You have a most unusual eye.
Richard: Thank you. I hope that’s a compliment.
Mitchell: It is.
Carlson: Are you going to be reviewing the show, Mitchell?
Mitchell: Oh, yes. It’s definitely worth reviewing.
Carlson: Favorably?
Mitchell: Oh, you know I never answer that question, Harvey. I’d like an advance copy of the book, though, so I can study it.
Carlson: I have an autographed one in my office. Tom, would you give Mr. Johnson the copy of Richard’s book on my desk?
Tom: Just follow me, Mr. Johnson.
Mitchell: Sure. [He leaves with Tom.]
Richard: Do you think he liked my photographs?
Carlson: We’ll know when tonight’s papers come out. Keep your fingers crossed. [He crosses his fingers for good luck.]
【语言点精讲】
1. You have a most unusual eye.
你的艺术眼光真是不同一般。
a most unusual eye: 这里 eye 指摄影家的眼光，但 unusual 本身并不明确地表示赞美或贬抑。
2. I hope that’s a compliment.
我希望这是称赞的话。
compliment: 称赞。
3. It’s definitely worth reviewing.
它确实值得评论。
sth. be worth doing: 意思是“某事值得做”。
4. Favorably?
是赞许的评论吗？
favorably: 正面地，积极地，好意地，赞许地。
5. Oh, you know I never answer that question, Harvey. I’d like an advance copy of the book, though, so I can study it.
噢，Harvey，你知道我一向是不回答这个问题的。然而我想要得到一册这本书的预发行的版本，好研究一下。
an advance copy of the book: 这本书的预售版。
6. We’ll know when tonight’s papers come out. Keep your fingers crossed.
到今天晚上的报纸出来的时候我们就知道了。把你的食指中指交叉着，希望运气好吧。come out: 出刊，出 版。
Keep your fingers crossed. : 希望一切尽如人意。意思相当于”Hope for the best.” 在美国，人们通常用这句话或做这样的动作（中指和食指交叉）表示希望一切顺利。