Narrator: 大家好。 还记得上次Anna正接到Lime 先生的电话，请她吃午饭。现在Anna正和Denise 说起这件事儿呢。

Denise: ...and before you know it, he'll be asking you to marry him! Trust me Anna, this has happened to me dozens of times!

Anna: But I thought he was only interested in the lemons! Please promise me you won’t mention this to anyone.

Denise: OK, I promise.

Anna: Oh, shhhh!

Tom: Good morning ladies. What's going on?

Denise: Mr Lime has asked Anna to lunch!

Anna: Please-

Tom: And?

Denise: And it's not to talk business! I saw him looking at her with big eyes, from the moment he first saw her!

Anna: Denise!

Tom: Old Slimy Limey eh? Lucky Anna!

Anna: He's not slimy, it's just-

Tom: Don't tell me you said yes?

Anna: Well I didn't know what to say.

Tom: You didn't?

Anna: No, no, I said I was busy and would call back. I wanted to just say no, but with everyone complaining that I'm not polite on the phone... I just... I didn't know how to say it politely.

Tom: Ha ha, alright, I'll tell you what to say.

Anna: Hang on, let me write it down... why do all the pens keep disappearing?

Denise: Here's one.

Anna: Thanks. Okay, I'm listening Tom.

Tom: Say: go...

Anna: (writing) go...

Tom: ...away... Slimy Limey.

Anna: Go away Slimy Limey – are you sure?

Tom: Of course!

Denise: Don't listen to him Anna. This is what you say:

Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to.

Then explain why, say I'm afraid.. blah blah blah

Anna: Blah blah blah?

Denise: Say it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with clients.

Anna: Meaning?

Denise: You're not allowed to if it's not for business. Then say:

It wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no.

Anna: Okay, I think I've got that all down. Thanks. He'll be waiting for my call.

(dials number)

Mr Lime: Hello, Seb Lime speaking.

Anna: Hello Mr Lime.

Mr Lime: Anna! Please, call me Seb. So, when can I invite you to lunch?

Denise: Thank you for your offer...

Anna: Well, thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to.

Mr Lime: Oh?

Denise: I'm afraid...

Anna: I'm afraid it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with people.

Mr Lime: Really? Oh how tedious!

Denise: It wouldn't be-

Anna: Shhh!

Mr Lime: Pardon?

Anna: No, not shhh you Mr Slimy I meant shhhh Denise!

Mr Lime: Mr Slimy?

Anna: Oh no! I mean Mr Limey – Lime – er Seb! You see, it wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no.

Mr Lime: I think I've understood. Goodbye Anna.

Anna: Goodbye.

Narrator: 哎呀，他听起来挺不高兴的。不过除了一个小错误，Anna 的表现倒是很不错。以下是

Anna 回绝午餐邀请用到的一些短语：

Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to.

意思是：谢谢你的邀请。不过我真的没法儿去。

I'm afraid it’s against company policy

抱歉，这是公司的规矩，不能违反。

It wouldn't be appropriate.

这个不合适/不恰当。

With regret, I'm going to have to say no.

非常遗憾，我得说不。

Good job Anna, bad luck Mr Slimy.

Anna 做的不错。Mr 油腔滑调可是不走运啊！

听力挑战：

What excuse does Anna give Seb Lime for not going to lunch with him?

Anna 以什么理由拒绝了Lime 先生的午餐邀请？

上期答案：

What does Seb Lime want Anna to do?
Seb Lime 先生想让Anna 为他做些什么?
Answer: to go for lunch with him.
答案：和她吃午餐。