情景英语：实用美语会话（三十六）

Grandpa： Hi. I'm Malcolm Stewart.

    Marchetta： John Marchetta. Sit down, sit down.

    Grandpa： Susan has told me a great deal about you.She says you're quite a man.

    Marchetta： She says a lot of wonderful things about you too, Mr. Stewart.

    Grandpa： That's always nice to hear, Mr.Marchetta.

    Marchetta： Call me John. May I call you Malcolm？

    Marchetta； Let's talk business.

    Grandpa： That's music to my ears.

    Marchetta： I understand you used to be in the construction business.

    Grandpa： Yup. Forty-three years. Here's a brief description of forty three years of on-the-job training.

    Marchetta： That is some history！ You're a valuable asset¹, Malcolm. Very valuable.

    Grandpa： Thank you. Yup. Forty-three years. Half that time in my own construction company. Big jobs-factories, shopping malls. That kind of thing.

    Marchetta： Then you retired².

    Grandpa： Yes. After my wife died, and I felt I should spend more time with my children and grandchildren³. I live in Florida, and they lived in New York.

    Marchetta： I understand. My daughter Cami lives in NewYork. I like being near her.

    Grandpa： When I came here, I planned to take a few months off. Relax with the family and then look for some work. Put my experience on the line……but, unfortunately, there isn't any work for a retired person my age.

    Marchetta： Sometimes there is, and sometimes there isn't. Well, I'm evolved⁴ with an organization, and we're trying to resolve⁵ that problem.

    Grandpa： What's that？

    Marchetta： TOPS. T-O-P-S- means⁶ Talented Older People's Society.

    Grandpa： I'd like to be a member. How much are the dues⁷？

    Marchetta： There are no dues……The organization serves major men and women like you. Experienced⁸, talented, retired. But our members want to go out there and use their talents. They want to work.

    Grandpa： That fantastic, John！

    Marchetta： I've got and idea for you, Malcolm. Just fill out this form for me. It'll only take a few minutes. Sit right here, and do it while I talk to my secretary. When I get back, we'll talk about my new factory. My company is a member of TOPS. So I try hard to find opportunities for people like it. Well, I can use your brainpower on the job right now. Have you got time this morning to go over to the construction site with me？ I'd like to have you meet my foreman-get some background on the job.

    Grandpa： I've got plenty of time.

    Marchetta： I'll be right back. We'll go over to the job site together.

    Danny： Malcolm, you worked on the Spaceport project？

    Grandpa： My company was the contractor¹⁰. I built the theater there with my own two hands, practically¹¹.

    Danny： I understand.

    Marchrtta： Well, I'm glad to see you two guys getting along so well because Danny, Malcolm is on the TOPS team. He's going to be working with you for a while. His experience will be valuable to both of us.

    Danny： Welcome aboard¹², Malcolm！

    Marchetta： I'm going back to my office. Give me a call later, Malcolm. I'll tell you the time and date of the next TOPS meeting. I'd like you to meet the group.

    Grandpa： I will, John. And again-thanks.

    Marchetta： No……thank you. And thank Susan.

    Grandpa： He's quite a man.

    Danny： A real inspiration¹³ for me.

    Grandpa： OK, Danny. I know you didn't expect to have me around, but I think I can be of some help to you.

    Danny： Let me tell you something, Malcolm. With your background and experience, I can learn something……and I do need some advice on a difficult problem. Let me show you this.

    Grandpa： I don't want to give you a final opinion without studying these building plans more carefully. But a simple solution might be to move the air-conditioning units instead of redesigning the entire system. It might be simpler and less expensive.

    Danny： You just earned your weight in gold, Malcolm. Welcome aboard！

    Grandpa： It all happened so quickly！ I can't believe it！

    Susan： I'm glad Mr. Marchetta was so helpful.

    Grandpa： He was more than helpful. He actually took me to meet his foreman.

    Susan： I'm thrilled¹⁴ for you, Grandpa.

    Grandpa： I don't know how to thank you, Susan. You're a wonderful granddaughter.

    Susan： It's good to see you so happy.

    Grandpa： I'll be at the construction site tomorrow. What are you doing tomorrow night？

    Susan： I'm not doing anything. Why？

    Grandpa： How about a date with your grandfather？ I owe⁹ you a good steak dinner.

    Susan： I'll accept. Tomorrow night. You and me. Dinner. What time？

    Grandpa： I'll pick you up here at seven. Is that OK？

    Susan： I can't wait！ And you can tell me all about your first full day back on the job.

    Grandpa： It's a deal！