Narrator: 大家好，欢迎收听《白领英语》节目。上集节目里我们听到 Tip Top 贸易公司的一些员工在新产品塑料茄子发布会上冲动的举动。Tom 把一个塑料茄子砸向 Dave,虽然没砸上人，可是砸破了一扇窗户的玻璃。老板 Paul 可要训话了。

(Door shuts)

Paul: That behaviour just isn’t on.

Tom: Sorry Paul… but it was quite funny wasn’t it?

Paul: No it wasn’t.

Anna: Sorry Paul, Tom was just angry with Dave. I thought he liked me but we saw him with Julie from accounts.

Paul: Really? He seemed such a decent chap… anyway, don’t do it again. OK? In the meantime, you’re going to have to pay for that broken window.

(Phone rings)

Tom: What… hey? Bbbut…

Paul: Now, excuse me, I need to take this. (Answers phone) Hello, Paul Smith speaking. Ah, Mr Socrates… yes… ah, you've heard… it was….

Tom: (Whispering) Crikey, come on we’d better go.

(Door shuts)

Denise: That was a good shot Tom! Looks like it’s made an impact on Dave. Look, he’s sent Anna some flowers.

Anna: Oh there’s a note on it… it says "You can count on me".

Denise: That's a strange thing for him to write.

Anna: Hmm, it is and it’s not his handwriting.

Tom: Maybe a secret admirer eh? I wonder who it could be?

(Door opens)

Denise: Are you OK Paul? You look as white as a sheet.

Paul: I’m not actually. Mr Socrates says he’s having a strategic review.

Anna: A what?

Narrator: 他的意思是说大老板正在审查公司的营运情况和今后的发展方向。

Anna: That sounds serious.

Paul: And as part of his review, he says he wants to downsize and he’s asked me to… ‘step aside’.

Anna: Why? What are you in the way of?

Narrator: 不是的 Anna. To step aside 是个委婉的说法，意思就是从现任的职务上退下。

Anna: Oh. I don’t understand Paul. Why?

Paul: He says the company needs new direction and more dynamic leadership.

Tom: Crumbs Paul, you can’t get more dynamic than you!

Anna: Tom! But Paul, you’ve been a great boss.

Paul: Thanks Anna. I guess it’s the economic climate, we’re not making enough money so cutting staff is inevitable.

Tom: Yeah but you cut Denise’s job.

Paul: Yes but we had to get her back because she was necessary for the smooth running of the department.

Denise: That’s right.

Paul: But Mr Socrates says I’m ‘surplus to requirement’.

Anna: Oh that doesn’t sound good does it?

Narrator: 如果 Paul 的职位是 surplus to requirement, 也就是说公司不再需要他的技能了。这可不是什么好消息。

Paul: Anyway Anna, Mr Socrates wants to know if you got his special message?

Anna: Special message. The flowers!?

Denise: That’s strange. Why is Mr Socrates sending you flowers?

Narrator: 听起来是有点儿奇怪。总之，Paul 从职位上退下的消息让大家都很吃惊。下面我们再来听一遍大老板 Mr Socrates 是怎么告诉 Paul 这个噩耗的。

I’ve been doing a strategic review of the company. 我在审查公司的经营策略。
I need to downsize. 我需要缩小公司的规模。
I need you to step aside. 我需要你让位。
The company needs new direction and more dynamic leadership. 公司需要全新的发展方向和更有活力的领导层。
You are surplus to requirement. 你的技能将不再需要。

Anna: Right, I’m going to have to call Mr Socrates and find out why he’s sent me flowers.
(Anna phones Mr Socrates)
Mr Socrates: Socrates… who wants me?
Anna: Erm… hello Mr Socrates… it’s Anna here.
Mr Socrates: Anna! My favourite girl. Please call me Brad. So glad you called.
Anna: I needed to speak to you about the flowers you sent me. I’m very flattered but I don’t think…
Mr Socrates: The flowers?! Sorry honey, I haven’t sent you any flowers but I have sent you an email – have you read it yet?
Anna: No. What did it say?
Mr Socrates: I was saying that as I’m giving Paul the chop, would you like a promotion?
Anna: A promotion?
Mr Socrates: Yes. You have been an outstanding member of the team so how would like to be the new manager of Tip Top Trading’s London office?
Narrator: 多么好的一个机会呀！Anna 可一定得抓住这个机会。不过她会接受这个工作吗？还有到底是谁送花儿给 Anna 并且说 'you can count on me 我是你的依靠，你可以指望我'？下集我们将揭晓 Anna 是否接受大老板的提拔。再会。

听力挑战：

你觉得是谁给 Anna 送的花儿？

上期答案：

在 Anna 的介绍演说中，她建议如何使用塑料茄子？
她建议用塑料茄子作咖啡馆和餐厅的装饰。