Can You Speak Over the Telephone. Как вести беседу по телефону - страница 34

Denton: Jordache?[138] That you?

Rudolph[139]: Yes. Who’s this?

Denton: Denton, Professor Denton.

Rudolph: Oh, how are you, sir?

Denton: I hate to bother you. But can I see you sometime today?

Rudolph: Of course. I’m in the store all day.

Denton: I’d prefer it if we could meet somewhere besides the store. Are you free for lunch?

Rudolph: I just take forty-five minutes…

Denton: That’s all right. We’ll make it someplace near you. How about Ripley’s? That’s just around the corner from you, isn’t it?

Rudolph: Yes. Is twelve-fifteen all right?

Denton: I’ll be there, Jordache. Thank you, thank you. It’s most kind of you. Until twelve-fifteen, then. I can’t tell you how I appreciate…

(He seemed to hang up in the middle of his last sentence.)

The telephone went in the hall. “I expect that’s Sarah[140] now,” my mother said; and my father said: “If it’s anyone for me, say I’m out and ‘ll call them back in fifteen minutes.” “Deborah[141],” said the voice of my elder sister, when I lifted the receiver, “whatever time d’you get back these days?”

Deborah: Thursday is sometimes a bit hectic. Why?

Sarah: I’m giving a party tomorrow to celebrate — just a couple of dozen people — eight o’clock. Any hopes?

Deborah: Well… thanks. Did Erica suggest me?

Sarah: Of course not, you ape. D’you think I take notice of her suggestions anyhow?

Deborah: What is it, a dance?

Sarah: In a three-roomed flat? But of course. With the band of the Grenadier Guards.

Deborah: Seriously. Shall I know anybody?

Sarah: Well, there’s me and Arabella. Fruits of the same womb. You’ll recognise me by the red rose. Well?

Deborah: Thanks. Thank you, darling. I’d adore to come. What sort of clothes?

Sarah: Moderately smart. I’m sick of these sordid affairs where everyone comes looking as if they’ve washed up with the local sewage.

Deborah: Lovely. What time did you say?

Sarah: Eight or thereabouts. Don’t eat because we’ll eat.

Leigh[142]: Look, are you free this coming Saturday? I’m a member of the Seven Arts Club and we have a film show every Sunday evening. It’d be interesting this week -

Deborah: Sorry. I’m already booked up.

Leigh: Oh. Pity.

Deborah: Yes. Thanks all the same.

Leigh: That’s, a pity because it’s a Picasso film — it’s an old one, made ten years or more ago, but I’ve never seen it. People who’ve seen it rave about it,

Deborah: Oh… Yes, I have heard of it.

Leigh: We wouldn’t need to get there till nine. What hopes?

Deborah: No hopes… Sorry again. I must ring off now, as I left a kettle on.

Leigh: О. K… Deborah?

Deborah: Yes?

Leigh: When is your next free Sunday?

Deborah: Well… I’m not absolutely sure. Perhaps next month.

Leigh: As long as that? Anyway, I’ll ring again.

Deborah: Yes, all right. Goodbye.

Leigh: Bye.

Willie: Yes?

Jack: (from the reception desk): Captain Abbot?

Willie: Yes.

Jack: We believe there is a young lady in your room.

Willie: I believe there is. What of it?

Jack: You have a single room for the occupancy of one individual.

Willie: All right. Give me a double room. What’s the number?

Jack: I’m sorry, every room is occupied. We’re booked until November

Willie: Let’s you and I pretend this is a double room, Jack. Put it on my bill.

Jack: I’m afraid I can’t do that. Room 777 is definitely a single room for a single occupancy. I’m afraid the young lady will have to leave.

Willie: The young lady isn’t living here, Jack. She isn’t occupying anything. She’s visiting me. Anyway, she’s my wife.

Jack: Do you have a marriage certificate, Captain?

(After a pause.)

Willie: She left it home. We’ll show it to you tomorrow. I’ll have it sent down by special delivery.

Jack: Captain, young ladies are against the rules of the establishment.