THE MILLION POUND BANK NOTE课文文本

Narrator:it is the summer of 1903.two old and wealthy brothers,Roderick and Oliver,have made a bet.Oliver believes that with a million pound bank note a man could survive a month in London.his brother Roderick doubts it.At this moment, they see a penniless young man wandering on the pavement outside their house.it is Henry Adams,an American businessman,who is lost in London and does not know what he should do.Roderick :young man,would you step inside a moment,please?Henry : who?Me,sir?Roderick : yes,you.Oliver: through the front door on your left.Henry: (a servant opens the door)thanks.Servant: good morning.sir.would you please come in? Permit me to lead the way, sir.Oliver: (henry enters)thank you,james. That will be all.Roderick: how do you do,Mr.er.?Henry: Adams, Henry Adams.Oliver: come and sit down,Mr Adams.Henry: thank you.Roderick :you are an American?Henry: Thats right,from San Francisco.Roderick :how well do you know London?Henry: not at all.its my first trip here.Roderick :I wonder,Mr Adams,if you d mind us asking you a few questions.Henry: not at all.go right ahead.Roderick :May we ask what youre doing in this city and what your plans are?Henry: well,I cant say that I have any plans.Im hoping to find work.As a matter of fact,I landed in Britain by accident.Oliver: How is that possible?Henry: well, you see, back home I had my own boat.About a month ago,I was sailing out of the bay.(his eyes stare at what is left of the brothers dinner on the table)Oliver: well,go on.Henry: Oh, yes. Well, towards nightfall I found myself carried out to sea by a strong wind. It was all my fault I didnt know whether I could survive until morning. The next morning Id just about given myself up for lost when I was spotted by a ship.Oliver: And it was the ship that brought you to England.Henry: yes, the fact is that I earned my passage by working as an unpaid hand, which accounts for my appearance.I went to the American embassy to seek help, but.( the brothers smile at each other.) Roderick :well, you mustnt worry about that. Its an advantage.Henry: Im afraid I dont follow you, sir.Roderick :Tell us, Mr Adams, what sort of work did you do in America?Henry: I worked for a mining company.Could you offer me some kind of work here?Roderick : Patience, Mr Adams. If you dont mind, may I ask you how much money you have?Henry: Well, to be honest, I have none.Oliver: (happily)What luck! Brother,what luck!(clap his hands together)Henry: Well, it may seem lucky to you but not to me! On the contrary, in fact. If this is your idea of some kind of joke, I dont think its very funny.(Henry stands up to leave)Now if youll excuse me, I think Ill be on my way.Roderick : please dont go,Mr Adams.You mustnt think we dont care about you.Oliver, give him the letter .Oliver: yes,the letter.9gets it from a desk and gives it to Henry like a gift) The letter.Henry: (taking it carefully)For me?Roderick : For you. (Henry starts to open it.)Oh,no,you mustnt open it. Not yet. You cant open it until two oclock. Henry: Oh,this is silly.Roderick : not silly.theres money in it.(calls to the servant)James?Henry: Oh,no.I dont want your charity. I just want an honest job.Roderick : We know you are hard-working.Thats why weve given you the letter. James,show Mr Adams out. Oliver: Good luck,Mr Adams.Henry: Well,why dont you explain what is all about?Roderick : Youll soon know.(looks at the clock)In exactly an hour and a half.Servant : This way,sir.Roderick : Mr Adams, not until 2oclock.Promise?Henry: Promise.Goodbye.