本文是经典爱情电影听力系列The Lake House(湖边小屋,又叫“触不到的恋人”)的第十段对白听力。
面对这样的感情,Kate不知该如何面对,但妈妈似乎没有意识到严重性,以为仅仅是细节问题。而Kate也不知道该如何跟妈妈解释这件事情,只能无可奈何。
Alex也终于有机会和父亲谈话。当父亲问起这些年他都在做什么时,他终于说出,他一直在努力忘记父亲,因为在他眼里,父亲是个很成功的男人,却是个失败的父亲,他似乎对父亲一直有一种怨恨,但是对父亲的爱也确实大过恨,于是,就在这爱与恨之间,他很矛盾。父亲正在写回忆录,对儿子的这种心理也是很内疚……
Kate:So, what do you think?
Kate's Mom:He sounds like a nice boy.
Kate:Sounds like a nice boy. Anything else?
Kate's Mom:He has wonderful penmanship.
Kate:Mother, look at the date on the letter. The date.
Kate's Mom:You mean the time thing?
Kate:Yes.
Kate's Mom:That's just a detail.
Kate:Just a detail?
Alex's Dad:About the...the other day...it was not a good moment. I was in a hell of a hurry.
Alex:Of course. You've got some nice pieces here.
Alex's Dad:Oh, yeah. Music's fine, music helps. It's like Nietzsche says "life would be senseless"
Alex:Without music.
Alex's Dad:I guess I told you that, huh? Pour yourself a drink. Can you appreciate a good wine by now?
Alex:You bet.
Alex's Dad:You know, you'll have to forgive your father for being curious but... where have you been all these years? I thought your Kerouac days were behind you.
Alex:I'm sorry, what?
Alex's Dad:What? Oh, you can come up, if you like.
Alex:What are you working on?
Alex's Dad:Oh, I'm just - I'm just remembering things. It's not such an easy job, let me tell you. Nor is it particuIarly innocent, in my case. Your father is writing his memoirs.
Alex:Are we in it?
Alex's Dad:What do you think? Do you wanna be?
Alex:Do you?
Alex's Dad:Of course. You were all a part of your father's life.
Alex:Why are you talking to me in the third person?
Alex's Dad:Well, I - I don't - Because I'm writing about myself, I suppose. Why, doesn't it suit you?
Alex:I thought you might like these.
Alex's Dad:What are these? Something you've been working on?
Alex:No, they're- They're yours. From a house I just bought on the lake.
Alex's Dad:Oh, yes, I heard. They said some sleazy little condo developer had snapped it up. Oh, come on. Indulge your father. Can't you take a little joke, for God's sake? Come on. Tell me. Where have you been? I really want to know.
Alex:I was trying to forget you. Or forgive you.
Alex's Dad:Did you succeed?
Alex:No. let me know if you need any help remembering.
Alex's Dad:Oh, yeah, I will.
注释:
1. penmanship:n. 书法
2. in hell of:表示程度。非常
2. Nietzsche:尼采,德国哲学家。这里引用尼采的一句名言:Life would be senseless without music. 如果没有音乐,生活就毫无意义。
4. You bet. :非常口语化的短语,“当然了”。
5. I thought your Kerouac days were behind you. :这句话的意思是Alex的父亲觉得Alex在外漂泊了这么久,应该安定下来了,Kerouac指的是美国著名流行作家Jack Kerouac写的经典小说《在路上》(On The Road)中的一群年轻人。这部小说以作家本人为原型描写了一群年轻人的旅行经历,他们的行径很像“嬉皮士”,包括偷车、裸游等,举止相当另类。
6. memoir:回忆录
7. the third person:第三人称
8. for God's sake:看在上帝的面子上,务必