ACT 3-1 “ 我能为你们做些什么？”
【故事梗概】
Marilyn 和 Richard正在银行里。银行的贷款负责人Ralph Riley先生在询问他们现在的住房情况、职业及收入情况。
Mr. Riley: How do you do?
Richard: Hello.
Mr. Riley: I’m Ralph Riley.
Richard: I’m Richard Stewart, and this is my wife, Marilyn.
Mr. Riley: Pleased to meet you.
Marilyn: Likewise, Mr. Riley.
Mr. Riley: Please, sit down. What can I do for you?
Richard: We’d like to discuss a mortgage.
Marilyn: For a house.
Mr. Riley: Fine. Are you buying a house or are you refinancing your present home?
Richard: We’re planning to buy a house.
Marilyn: And we’d like to find out about a mortgage.
Richard: We are customers of the bank. As a matter of fact, my whole family banks here.
Mr. Riley: I have some questions to ask. Do you own your house or do you rent?
Richard: Neither. We live with my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Philip Stewart.
Mr. Riley: And how old are you?
Marilyn: I’m twenty-nine.
Richard: I’m thirty.
Mr. Riley: And, Mr. Stewart, what is your occupation?
Richard: I’m a freelance photographer.
Mr. Riley: And, Mrs. Stewart, are you working?
Marilyn: Yes. I’m a designer, and I work in a boutique.
Mr. Riley: Did you bring any savings or salary information? Last year’s tax forms?
Richard: Yes. Here they are.
【语言点精讲】
1. Likewise, Mr. Riley.
我也很高兴见到你，Riley先生。这是对于“Pleased to meet you.”的一种回答方式。 likewise也可以说 the same here，两者都是非正式的说法。
2. What can I do for you?
我能为你们做些什么？这是营业人员或服务员接待顾客时常用的套语。
3. Are you buying a house or are you refinancing your present home?
你们是想新购住房，还是要再次申请新的贷款？
Are you buying… or are you refinancing…: 这里使用现在进行时，是表示当时当地的行为，“你们此次光临是为了……还是为了……？”
refinancing: 重新按揭，重新安排按揭，把旧贷款还清后重新申请（买房）贷款。
4. As a matter of fact, my whole family banks here.
事实上，我们全家都是同这家银行来往的。
as a matter of fact: 事实上，实际上。
bank: 这里用作动词，指“存款于银行”。
5. I’m a freelance photographer.
我是自由摄影师。
freelance: （从事）自由职业（的人。Richard 不为某家公司工作，他把他的摄影作品卖给不同公司。
6. Did you bring any savings or salary information? Last year’s tax forms?
你们有没有带来储蓄或工资方面的材料？比如说去年的纳税申报表？
tax form: 纳税申报表。在美国，个人所得税的多少依每人的年收入而定。每年在4月15日前，人们必须填好 tax form交到国家税务局。
