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47 The Meeting
会议
“Come in,” said Congressman Jones.
“请进。”琼斯议员说道。
Jones has been a member of the congress for 20 years.
琼斯已经做了20年的议会成员。
In that time, he had made numerous influential connections and had become wealth enough to be a connoisseur of fine wines.
20年间，他结识了无数有影响力的关系户，并日益富足，成为品尝佳酿的专家。
He offered some to his guest. “What can I do for you?” Jones asked the man in the suit.
他请客热喝了点好酒。“我能为你做点什么？”琼斯向那个西装革履的男人问道。
“I am the lawyer for a conglomerate in your district who is very interested in submitting some special legislation,” the suited man said.
“我是您所在地区的一家联合大企业的律师，我们公司很想提交一些特殊的法律议案。”那个穿西装的人说道。
“I hope you're not expecting me to conjure a yes vote on legislation that only serves the nest interested of bug business,” said the Congressman.
“您可别指望我会为那些专为大企业谋利的法律变出一张赞成票。”议员说道。
“Not at all,” said the lawyer. “All we need is your influence and backdoor connections to get it passed.”
“完全没有，”律师道，“您只需运用您的影响力和各种后门关系使这一法律得以通过就行。”
“It sounds to me like a connivance,” the Congressman replied.
“你看这似乎是共谋吧，”议员回答道，
“I'm a very conscientious legislator and I have a serious conscience.”
“我是一名尽职尽责的立法者，我有一颗严正良心。”
“We already know that about you, Congressman Jones,” said the lawyer.
“这些我们早就知道，琼斯议员。”律师说道。
“It may seem that I'm thinking like a man who had lost consciousness in an accident.
“也许我的思维方式看起来像个在事故中失去知觉的人。
In fact, it was conscious decision on your part to choose someone like you to help us.”
事实上，我方是有意识地选择五任当选议员的。
“Listen, I didn't get elected to five consecutive terms by conniving with people like you.
“听着，我可不是靠同你们这样的人搞些阴谋才连续五任当选议员的。
I only connect with influential people to help my community.
我跟权势交往不过是为了帮助我所在的社区。
People respect my congressional achievements.
人们尊敬我是因为议会取得了不少成就。
They know that I do not make conjectural judgments and consequently, they reelect me every time.
他们知道我不会做些主观臆测的决断，因此我每次都能重新当选。
People congregate to hear me speak.
人们聚集在一起听我演说。
I've even helped them consecrate a church.”
我甚至帮助他们为教堂祝圣。”
“Trust me Congressman Jones,” the lawyer said with a smile.
“相信我，琼斯议员，”律师微笑着说，
“Your assistance in our Save the Whale's legislation won't result in any negative consequences.”
“就我们提出的‘拯救鲸鱼'法案来说，您的协助不会带来任何负面后果。”
“Why didn't you say it was to save the whales?” Jones said with a laugh. “I'd love to help.”
“你怎末不早说要是拯救鲸鱼呢？”琼斯微笑到，“我很愿意帮忙。”
