Got–duped-by-my-co-worker
Nikki:hi
Bobby:Hi-Nikki
Nikki:how-are-u?????
Bobby:Good。Long-time–no-type!
『Input』比较正规一点的说法是:Long–time-no-see。但是网络聊天就是有这样一个现象，就是语言比较随意，不拘泥于一个固定的表达方式。
Nikki:are-u-working-now??
Bobby:Ja，on-the–‘night-shift’『夜班』right-now–in-the-‘cyber–cafe’。『网吧、网咖』
『Input』原来我一直把网吧说成是net-bar，直到后来和这个Nikki聊了几次，她表达这个词的时候说的是cyber-cafe，这时我才恍然大悟。
Nikki:i–m-fine-here-just-a-bit–busy-b4–the-new-semester『学期』-how–about-u?
Bobby:what–time-is-it-there?
Nikki:its-almost-10am–now-i-m–in-New-Zealand。
Bobby:i-rent-an–apartment-near–where-I-work。
Bobby:are-you-at-home?
Nikki:yes-i–m-home。
Bobby:are-you-with-your-folks『亲属、家属』?
Nikki:is-it-5:55am-in-China?
Nikki:tell-me-how-is-ur-job?
Nikki:paid-good?
『Input』按照语法来说，应该是paid-well。但是我写这本书的目的是为了让大家突破口语，并不是突破语法，所以这里并不作过多的评述。
Nikki:I-missed-u。
Bobby:it-is-4:57am-up-here。
Bobby:I–missed-you-very-very-much，cutie。
Nikki:oh–yes-we–are-in-Daylight-Saving–Time-System-now。
Bobby:are-you-with-your-family?
Nikki:i–sent-u-several-emails。
Nikki:but-u-didn‘t-reply。
Nikki:only-with-my-sisters，dad&mom-are-in-usa。
Nikki:u-r-now-in-the-middle-of-the-nite?why-still-working?will–customers-come-to-ur-shop-at–this-hour-of-night???
Bobby:It’s-less-expensive-when-surfing-through–the-night。Some-customers-prefer-to-go-surfing『冲浪』during-the-night–so-as-to-cut–the-expense。『花费』
Nikki:i-see。So-will-i-be–able-to-chat-with–u-at-this-time-everyday?
Nikki:will-u–be-here–log-on-everyday??
Bobby:i-will-try–to-be-back-on–more-often。
Nikki:good
Nikki:ok-i-will-start-working–an-hour-later
『Input』记得刚下决心学英语的时候，因为英语还很生疏，所以就先到国内的英语聊天室锻炼锻炼，有一次我说了句:I’ll-be-leaving-for-Guang-dong-3-days-later。这时聊天室的管理员说，你说错了，不应该用later，应该是：I’ll-be-leaving–for-Guang–dong-in-3-days。今天这个Nikki用的也是Later。可以看出，中国人的语法比外国人的好多了。
Bobby:will-you-be-here-to–log-on–every-morning?
Nikki:i-will–try-to。
Nikki:recently-i-have-to-work–over-nite-too
Nikki:bcos–the-studio-is–too-busy-during-the–day-time
Bobby:we-finally–have-some-common-slot–over-here，lol
Nikki:i-came–home-at-5am-this-morning
Nikki:u-should–have-told-me-in-ur-email
Bobby:are-you-still–doing-the-same-old–job-of-modelling?
Nikki:i-sent–several-to-u–but-no-reply
Nikki:yes
Nikki:thats–the-only-thing-i–know-how-to–do-properly
Bobby:Actually-I’ve-messaged-u-back-in–December-or-January
『Points』这里也可以说：emailed-u–back-or–written-u-back，总之，大家在词汇的选择上要尽量多样性，这样你的口语会更有张力，更有弹性。
Bobby:maybe-something–was-wrong–with-the-internet-traffic。『通信』
Nikki:nvm
Nikki:i-m-not-complaining。
Bobby:I-know。
Nikki:but-no–reply-from-u–made-me-worry–about-u。
Bobby:i-am–fine-i-am–much-obliged『感激的、感谢的』to-u-for-what-you’ve-done。
Bobby:hold–on-a-sec
Bobby:someone-came-by-the-counter。
Nikki:ok
Bobby:I-bought-a–pc-from–one-of-my-colleagues『同事』days-ago。
Nikki:yea?can-i-see-it?
Bobby:turns-out-it’s-impaired。『受损的』
『Notes』Turn-out证明是、结果是；E。g。I-was-exultant『兴高采烈的』to-go-over-to-one-of-my–best-friends’wedding-party，and-it–turned-out-that–he-dismissed-me-out-of-hand，‘I’ll-be-damned!’『真让我吃惊』
『Notes』dismiss…out-of-hand置之不理、予以摒弃;E。g。The–side-effect-of-economic-development-shouldn’t-be-dismissed-out–of-hand-by–‘the-public’。『大众』
Nikki:oh
Nikki:can-u-do-something
Bobby:my–‘co-worker’-coaxed『劝诱』me-into–buying-a-ratty『糟糕的、状况差的』computer-from-him，at-considerable-cost-to–his-‘good-name’。『名声、声誉』
Nikki:how-can-he-do-a–thing-like-that？
Nikki:did–the-boss-know？
Bobby:nope，the-boss-didn’t-interfere『干预、介入』in-our-personal-affairs，It’s–not-like-he’ll-be-overly-concerned。『担忧的』
Bobby:and-the–guy-resigned『辞职』on-the–nail-and–headed-home-not-a-moment-too–late-after-he–closed-the-deal-with-me。
Nikki:dont-let–the-same–thing-happen-again。
Nikki:oh-u–should-be–more-careful。
Nikki:did-he-cheat-the–boss-too?
Nikki:i–mean-the-shop‘s-money?
Bobby:no–he-did-not-cheat–the-boss，he-didn’t-have–the-balls『勇气』for-that。
Bobby:and-i-paid-600rmb-for-that-worthless-junk。『废品』
Nikki:woooow-u-have-to–pay-back-the-600。don’t-u?
Bobby:yes，I’m-supposed-to-stay-starved-for–food-for–quite-a–while-now。
Nikki:poor-u
Bobby:do–you-know-how-much-I’ve–earned-every-month?
Bobby:it‘s-around-800-per-month。
Nikki:and-u–have-to-stay-starving-for–at-least-2-months??
『Input』这里我不知道Nikki是怎么算的，难道是把600看成了1600?
Bobby:I-do-have–to-budget『预算』，but-I-will–have-to–give-up-a–lot-in–order-to–‘scrapeby’『糊口』on-my-limited-savings。
Nikki:have-u–paid-all-that-back-now?
Bobby:Pretty-much-so，It’s-a–lucky-thing–that-Igot-into–the-habit-of–saving-money。
『Notes』get-into-the-habit-of…习惯于…E。g。I-get-into-the-habit–of-washing-hands-as-soon–as-I-get-home。
Bobby:But–I-am–trying-to-find-something–‘on-the-side’『副业、兼职』atm。(atthemoment)
Nikki:like-what-could-u-do?Get-an-extra-job?but-thats–is-hard-to-find，i-know。
Bobby:surely–it-is-terribly–hard-to-get-a–new-job-nowadays。
Nikki:and-u-can‘t-afford『提供』the–time-to-get–an-extra-job。
『Points』有很多英语单词能表达几种意思，比如这里的afford就有买得起、承担、提供、给予等多种意思，一定要结合具体的语境去理解，不要机械性的记忆单词，一想起afford，就一定是买得起，不是这样的。
Nikki:if–u-r–good-at-the-computer–or-programming。『编程』
Nikki:u-can-help-the-customers–to-solve-their-personal-computer-problemse。g。repairing-to-earn–some-extra-money!!!!
Bobby:what‘s-a-e。g。
Nikki:hehehe-e。g。=example
Bobby:that‘s-a-good-point。I-remember-being-rewarded『奖励』with-a-bottle-of-beverage『饮料』back-in-the-day-when-i-helped–a-customer-finish-downloading-some-pop-songs-that–he-wanted。
Bobby:but-i–cannot-expect-to-be-rewarded-handsomely–just-for-providing–some-very–basic-service。
『Notes』Reward-handsomely=reward-with-a-lot-of-money。E。g。Americans-tend–to-tip『小费』handsomely-to–people-who–‘wait-on’『招待、服侍』them。
Nikki:u-can-also–help-them-to–download-programmes，songs，etc。or-to–burn-discs–for-them-and-earn–some-extramoney
Nikki:if-not-at-least-u-can-get-some–more-friends-and-who-knows-they–may-help-u-back–in-future。
Nikki:maybe-free-meals-next–time-when–u-are-starving。hehehehheeeee
Bobby:Nikki，I-have-a-plan。
Nikki:tell-me。
Bobby:I’d-like-to-run『经营』my-own–business-by-the-time-I’m-equipped『装备、配备』with-enough-funds。『资金』
Nikki:that’s-a–good-idea
Bobby:I’ve-always–been-fascinated『入迷的』by-the-idea–of-running-my-own–cyber-cafe–in-my-hometown-or-something-like-that。
Nikki:but-u–need-to–plan-it–well-b4-hand
Nikki:do-some-marketing『营销』work
Nikki:see-if-u-will–have-enough-customers-in–that-area
Nikki:find-out:is–there-any-other–net-café-around-there??
Bobby:nice-proposal『建议』，you-are-reading–my-mind。
Nikki:1-more-thing
Nikki:find-out:Why-dont–the-others–do-it–before-u-do?Why?
Nikki:there–may-be–some-hidden『隐藏的』problems-that-u–don’t-know
Nikki:such-as–the-local-governments-influence。『影响力』
Nikki:the-local-police-force
Nikki:they-are-greedy–u-know
Bobby:do–you-know-what‘s-the-priority『优先事项』around?
Nikki:?
Bobby:don‘t–be-CAPTURED『捕获、抓住』by-the-police。
Bobby:hahaaha
Nikki:hahahha
Nikki:thats-ture。
Nikki:do–u-need-a-licence?『执照、证件』
Bobby:i-can‘t–afford-to-hold『拥有、持有』a–licence-in–any-circumstance。
『Notes』In-any-circumstance在任何情况下
Bobby:it-would-cost-me-like400，000rmb–to-‘apply-for’『申请』one-of-those，which-is-practically–impossible-for-me–to-handle。『搞定』
Nikki:wah!
Bobby:there’s-no–way-I-can-afford-it。
Nikki:then-u‘ll-have-to–run-ur–shop-undercover?『私底下、秘密的』
Bobby:You-hit-the-nail–on-the-head。
Bobby:I–know-it’s-way-too-risky。『冒风险的』
Bobby:but-there’s-no-help-for-it。
『Notes』Hit-the-nail-on–the-head说到点子上了；There’s–no-help–for-it别无选择
『Points』英语里面有很多的词组或者说习语(idioms)，大家可以多记一下。因为你掌握的习语越多，需要你自己组合、加工的词汇就越少，那么你犯错的机会也就越少，讲话自然就更轻松，更容易了。
Nikki:but-u-will-be-needing-connections『关系』，right?
Nikki:meaning:bribery『贿赂』
Bobby:well，the–‘big-chief’『主管』in-this-cafe-whispered–exactly-the–same-thing-to-me–as-u-do。
Nikki:thats-why–u-need–friends-and-u–need-‘a-load–of’『许多、大量』friends。
Bobby:I-think–I-still–need-to-‘hunt-out’『搜寻、寻找』a-safe–hidden-place，I-guess-security『安全』is-high–on-the-list-of-priorities–right-now。
Nikki:i–think-u-still-need-to–bribe-the-local『当地的』authorities『当权者』
Nikki:maybe-some–of-ur-friends‘–father-is–working-in-the-local-Police-or-Army-force
Nikki:hhahaha-thats–the-connection-i-meant
Nikki:u-need–someone-to–back-u-up
『Notes』Back-up支持、支援；E。g。In-order–for-this-book-to-come–on-the-market，I-need–someone-to-back-me-up。
Nikki:cos-u-can‘t-hide
Nikki:once-ur–business-is-on
Nikki:the-news–will-spread『蔓延、传播』
Bobby:u-seem-to-be-experienced。hehe
Bobby:what-a–shame-you-don‘t-start–your-own-business-lol
『Input』Shame除了表示耻辱之外，还有‘可惜’之意。
Nikki:my-bosses–have-business-in-china
Nikki:and-we–have-chinese-clients『当事人』here-too
Nikki:thats–what-they–told-me
Nikki:we–shoot『拍摄』-photos-for-some-Chinese-products-『产品』too
Nikki:im-no–business-person
Nikki:i-cannot-even-keep-my-own–account-balanced『平衡的』
Nikki:i-will–lose-all-my–money-if-i–run-my-own-business
Bobby:does-that–mean-i-can-see-you-in-their-advertisement?『广告』
Bobby:what-chinese-products-were–you-promoting『促销、推销』at-that-time?
Nikki:some-Chinese-furnitures『家具』，i–forgot-the-name。
Nikki:that-was-years-ago
Bobby:can-i-get–to-see-your–pictures-over-their-products-today?
『Points』这里的today并不是指今天，而是指现在、如今。大家在学英语的时候，一定要注意，千万不要望文生义，遇见一个单词，要先去结合语境，在那个语言环境里面去思考，多揣摩。实在拿不准主意，再去查阅词典，这样对单词的理解会更透彻。E。g。Children-today–‘tend-to’『趋向』have-an-old-brain-on–young-shoulders。
Nikki:hehehe-i-dont-think-so。
Nikki:cos-that-was–almost-2-yrs(years)ago
Nikki:they–should-have-changed-everything-by-now
『Points』这里的by有到…时候，应该…样之意，还是那句话，大家要多在英文的环境里面去思考，思维。不要把思维切换到中文，用中文想清楚了，再切换到英文，这样对学习其实是一种阻碍。E。g。If-it-wasn’t–for-the–‘traffic-jam’『交通堵塞』，our-English–teacher-should’ve-showed-up『出现、露面』for–class-by-now。
Bobby:you‘re-a–piece-of-work!you‘re-cool!
『Notes』A–piece-of-work大作、大家（大人物）；既可以表物，也可以表人，这里有一点戏虐的成分。E。g。You’ve–been-waiting-for–years-for-this-job-opportunity『机会』to-come，and-you–just-turned-it–down-because-you-can’t-stand『忍受』getting-up-early-to-rush-to-work，you-are-a-piece-of-work。
『Notes』Turn…down拒绝、顶回（提议、建议）E。g。I-invited-her–to-go-out-for-a-drink，but-she-turned–me-down。
『Input』Stand一般用于否定句居多。很早的时候，有一次章子怡接受外媒采访，结束的时候，她说了一句客气话：I-hope–you-can-stand–my-poor-English。这里可以用endure或者put-up-with来代替stand。
Nikki:i-m–old-la
Bobby:don‘t-say-that，don’t-say-it-to–my-face，becos(because)i‘m-older-thn(than)u
Nikki:u-r–only-22
Nikki:i-guess-right?
Bobby:no
Bobby:im-26
Bobby:you-wound『伤害』my-feelings
Bobby:hahaa
Nikki:hahaha-u-never–told-ur-age?did-u?
Nikki:oh-u-not-old-at-all
Bobby:u-never-asked-of-course
Nikki:i-call-that-more-mature。『成熟』
Nikki:bcos-i-think-age-is–the-last-thing–to-be-counted-if-we-are-friends
『Input』The-last-thing并不是指最后一个，而是说最不可能的一个。E。g。A-suicide-is-the-last–thing-that-we–ask-for-as-we–are-forced–into-a-corner。
Bobby:I-‘go-along’『赞同』-with-that。Sometimes-I-feel–like-there’s-a-kind-of–chemistry-between-us，I–can-easily-put-myself-at–ease-when-I-strike-up-a-conversation-with-you
『Notes』Chemistry化学反应；就像姚明先生常说的，我们（和队友）之间缺少化学反应;Put–somebody-at-ease使舒服，使自在，不受约束;Strike-up-a-conversation交谈起来
Nikki:so–u-better-get-online-more-often–to-keep-your-hand-in，you-can’t-let-urself–go-lazy-anymore，okay?
『Notes』keep-your-hand-in偶尔操作以保持熟练
Bobby:Okay，whatever-you-say，you-are-the-boss。:)
『Input』you–are-the-boss意思是说：听你的，你说了算，并不是说真的把她当老板。
Nikki::)
Bobby:Nikki，I’m-sorry，I–gotta-go，the-internet-will-be‘switched-off’『关闭』soon-in-an-hour，I-need-to–make-some–preparations-‘in-advance’『事先、预先』before-that，hope-to-see-u-soon。
Nikki:alright-take-careeee–seeeee-u-later。
Bobby:byebye-see-u-soon。
『Explanations』Daylight-Saving-Time=夏令时，nite=nightnvm=never-mind，sec=second，B4hand=beforehand，urself=yourself。
