[中学]《说一口地道的美式英语》Speak English Like an American文库

[中学]《说一口地道的美式英语》Speak English Like an American文库 《说一口地道的美式英语》Speak English Like an American文库 Bob works as a manager in a furniture store. Peter, his boss, is not happy about sales. Bob’s new advertising campaign hasn’t helped. Peter decides to fire him. Peter: Bob, I hate to break the news, but our sales were down again last month. Bob: Down again, Peter? Peter: Yeah. These days, everybody’s shopping at our competition, Honest Abe’s Furniture Store. Bob: But everything in there costs an arm and a leg! Peter: That’s true. They do charge top dollar. Bob: And their salespeople are very strange. They really give me the creeps! Peter: Well, they must be doing something right over there. Meanwhile, we’re about to go belly-up. Bob: I’m sorry to hear that. I thought my new advertising campaign would save the day. Peter: Let’s face it: your advertising campaign was a real flop. Bob: Well then I’ll go back to the drawing board. Peter: It’s too late for that. You’re fired! Bob: What? You’re giving me the ax? Peter: Yes. I’ve already found a new manager. She’s as sharp as a tack. Bob: Can’t we even talk this over? After all, I’ve been working here for 10 years. Peter: There’s no point in arguing, Bob. I’ve already made up my mind. Bob: Oh well, at least I won’t have to put up with your nonsense anymore! Goodbye to you and goodbye to this dead-end job. Peter: Please leave before I lose my temper! Lesson 2 Bob Returns Home with Bad News Bob tells his wife Susan that lost he lost his job. Susan suggests that he start his own business. Susan: What’s the matter, dear? Bob: Susan, I got canned today at work. Susan: But Bob, you were Peter’s right-hand man! Bob: Yes, and he stabbed me in the back. Susan: Keep your chin up. Maybe he’ll change his mind and take you back. Bob: When pigs fly! Once he makes up his mind, he never changes it. Besides, I took him off. Susan: Look on the bright side: you won’t have to set eyes on Peter ever again. Bob: Thank goodness for that! Susan: Hang in there. I’m sure you won’t be out of work for long. Bob: In the meantime, we’l have to live from hand to mouth. Susan: Don’t get too stressed out, Bob. We’ll make ends meet. Bob: I can always get a job at McDonald’s as a last resort. Susan: I don’t think they’re hiring right now. Bob: If worse comes to worst, we can sell our home and move into a tent. Susan: Let’s think big! Maybe you can start your own business. Bob: Easier said than done! (to) keep one's chin up——to stay positive (to) think big——to set high goals (to) stab someone in the back——to betray someone Lesson 3 Ted’s Day at School Ted tells his parents he did poorly on his chemistry test. They tell him he needs to get serious and study more. Susan: How was your day at school today, Ted? Ted: Bad. I had a chemistry test, and I blew it! Susan: Maybe if you didn’t cut class so often, you’d do better. Bob: That’s right, son. Stop slacking off and start hitting the books! Ted: But I can’t stand chemistry class. Besides, it's a lost cause. That class is way over my head. Susan: You need to buckle down. Ted: When I’m a famous musician, people won’t give a hoot about my knowledge of atoms and molecules. Bob: That’s beside the point. Susan: We know you have your heart set on going to New York University. Bob: And you don’t stand a chance of getting in there with such poor grades! (to) Blow something----to spoil or botch something. (to) buckle down——to start working seriously Get real!——be serious or realistic about what's going on (to) have one's heart set on——to really want something (to) hit the books——to start studying (to) slack off——to waste time (to) stand a chance——to have the possibility of success over one's head——beyond one's understanding (to) not give a hoot——to not care about Lost cause——something hopeless Lesson 4 Nicole’s Day at School Nicole tells her mother Susan about her successful presentation at school. Her brother Ted overhears and interrupts the conversation. Susan: How was your day at school today, Nicole? Nicole: It was great, Mom. I gave a presentation on Hillary Clinton in government class. Afterwards, my teacher paid me a compliment. Susan: What did she say? Nicole:She said my presentation was head and shoulders above the others. Susan: Way to go! Nicole: She also said I should go into politics, just like Hillary. Ted: You’re so gung ho about school. It drives me crazy. Nicole: Ted, don’t butt in! You’re just jealous. Ted: Right. You hit the nail on the head. I’m green with envy. Nicole: Would you just shut up? You’re on thin ice with me right now. Ted: Oh no! Look at me. I’m shaking in my shoes! (to) butt in [slang]———to interrupt; to interfere (to) go into——to enter a profession green with envy——desiring another's advantages or things gung ho——very enthusiastic; very excited (about something) Head and shoulders above——far superior to (to) hit the nail on the head——to be right (to be) on thin ice (with someone)——to be in a dangerous position; to be temporarily on somebody's bad side (to) pay (someone) a compliment——to give someone a compliment; to offer someone an admiring commet (to) shake in one's shoes——to tremble with fear; to be afraid Way to go!——Good work! Lesson 5 Ted Goes out for the Evening Ted leaves to go visit his girlfriend Amber. Ted’s mother Susan says she doesn’t really like Amber. She wishes him a good time anyway. Ted: See you later, Mom! Susan: Where are you going, Ted? Ted: I told Amber I’d drop by. Susan: What are you two going to do, Ted: Maybe go to the movies or to a party. Our plans are still up in the air. Susan: Why don’t you invite her over here? Ted: I don’t want to hang around here. Dad is really down in the Dumps. Susan: Is Amber the girl with the nose ring and the purple hair? Ted: Yeah. I’m crazy about her! Susan: Don’t take this the wrong way, but she’s not exactly my cup of tea. Ted: Take it easy, Mom. We’re not about to get married. We just enjoy hanging out together. Susan: I guess there’s no accounting for taste. Have a good time. Ted: Don’t worry. We’ll have a blast! Susan: (under her breath) That’s what I’m afraid of! cup of tea——the type of person or thing that one generally likes (to be) down in the dumps——to feel sad; to be depressed (to) hang around——to spend time idly; to linger (to) hang out———to spend time(often doing nothing) (to) have a blast [slang]——to enjoy oneself very much (to) take something the wrong way——to take offense there's no accounting for taste——it's impossible to explain individual likes and dislikes under one's breath——quietly; in a whisper (to be) up in the air———not yet determined; uncertain Lesson 6 Susan Stays Home and Bakes Cookies Susan decides to cheer up her husband. Bob loves her homemade cookies. Nicole suggests she start a cookie business. Susan: Bob, I bake cookies for you. Bob: That was so nice of you, dear. You’ve got a heart of gold! Susan: Go ahead and pig out! Bob: There are delicious! Susan: I thought they might cheer you up. You’ve been in a bad mood Lately. Bob: I guess I have been a little on edge. But these cookies are just what the doctor ordered! Nicole: Do I smell cookies? Susan: Yes, Nicole. Help yourself. Nicole: Yum-yum. These are out of this world. You could go into Business selling these. Bob: You could call them Susan’s Scrumptious Cookies. You’d make a Bundle. Susan: Good thinking! Nicole: Don’t forget to give me credit for the idea after you’re rich and famous! Yum-yum: this is said when something is delicious. You can also say “mmm, mmm”or “mmm-mmm, good.” (to) give (someone) credit——to acknowledge sb's contribution; to recognize a positive trait in someone (to) give credit where credit is due——to give thanks or acknowledgement to the person who deserves it (to) go into business——to start a business (to) have a heart of gold——to be very kind and giving just what the doctor ordered——exactly what was needed (to) make a bundle——to make a lot of money (to be) on edge——nervous; irritable (to) pig out [slang]———to eat greedily; to stuff oneself Lesson 7 Susan Hires Bob to Run her Business Susan stays up all night thinking about her cookies business. In the morning, she discusses it with Bob. Bob agrees to work for her. Bob: You’re up bright and early this morning, Susan. Susan: I didn’t sleep a wink. I was awake all night thinking about the new business. Bob: Running your own business is lots of work. Are you prepared to work like a dog? Susan: No. But I am prepared to hire you to run the business. Bob: You want me to run a cookies business? Fat chance! Susan: Why not? Bob: I don’t have a clue about making cookies. I don’t even know how to turn the oven on! Susan: I’ll give you a crash course. Bob: Do I have to do the baking? Susan: No. You’ll just manage the business side. Bob: Needless to say, I have mixed feelings about working for you. Susan: I’ll be nice. I promise you’ll be a happy camper. Bob: Okay. Let’t give it a shot, boss! bright and early——early in the morning crash course——short and intensive instruction Fat chance!——definitely not (to) give it a shot——to try something happy camper[slang]——a happy person; a satisfied participant (to have) mixed feelings——to feel positive about one aspect of something and negative about another needless to say——obviously (to) not have a clue———to know nothing about (to) not sleep a wink—— Lesson 8 Ted Forms a Rock Band Ted plans to become a successful musician. First, he needs Susan to loan him money for a new guitar. Susan suggests that Ted bake cookies to earn to the money. Susan: You’re in good spirits today, Ted. Ted: I’ve got great news, Mom. Susan: What is it? Ted: Amber and I are going to start a rock band! Susan: Good for you! Ted: Mom, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I need to borrow $1, 000 for a new guitar. Susan: Ted, your father and I can’t shell out that much. We aren’t made of money. Ted: You’re not? I thought you were millionaires, like Donald and Ivana Trump! Susan: Ha ha. This is no time to be a wise guy! Ted: I promise I’ll pay you back. Susan: How? Ted: We’re going to take the music world by storm and make lots of money. Susan: That sounds like a pipe dream. Aren’t high school rock bands a dime a dozen? Ted: Yeah, but we’re different. With my guitar playing and Amber’s beautiful voice, we’re sure to make a splash! Susan: Well, we’re going through hard times. You’re going to have to work for that $1,000. Ted: How? Susan: You can bake cookies. Ted: I bet Mrs. Clapton never made Eric bake cookies, but I guess those are the breaks. Donald Trump is a famous American millionaire who made his money in real estate. Ivana is his ex-wife. Eri Clapton is a very popular guitarist. (to) beat around the bush——to talk around the subject; to avoid getting to the point dime a dozen——so plentiful as to be nothing special; common Good for you!——Good job! Well done! hard time——a time of difficulty pipe dream——an unrealistic hope (to be) in good spirits——happy; in a good mood made of money——very rich Lesson 9 Nicole for President! Nicole discusses her plans to run for student boby president. Nicole wants Ted to ask his friends to vote for her. Ted agrees, in exchange for Nicole’s help with his homework. Nicole: I've decided to run for student body president! If I'm going to become a senator one day, I should get some experience under my belt now. Ted: Andrea Jenking is also running. She'll give you a run for your money! Nicole: Andrea Jenkins is an idiot. I'm by far the better candidate. Ted: Don't be so full of yourself! I might vote for Andrea. Nicole: Stop kidding around. Let's get down to business. I need your help. Ted: You want me to hepl you? Nicole: Yes. I need you to talk your friends into voting for me. Ted: But you never give my friends the time of day. All you give them is the cold shoulder. Nicole: That's because they've got blue hair and nose rings! Ted: They're better than your friends——a bunch of goody-goodies and brown-nosers! Nicole: That's beside the point. Let's talk about you friends and their votes. Ted: Okay. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. If you do my chemistry homework, I'll help you get the votes. Nicole: I'm not crazy about that idea. But, okay, it's a deal. I hope I can count on you. brown-noser [slang]——a person who's constantly trying to win favor with people above them, such as teachers or bosses by far——by a wide margin; by a great difference full of oneself——to think too much of oneself (to) get down to business——to get serious about a task (to) get or to have under one's belt——to have or to get experience (to) give (sb.) a run for (one's) money——to be strong competition (to not) give someone the time of day——to ignore someone; to refuse to pay any attention to someone Lesson 10 Bob Visits the Village Market Bob goes to the Village Market, a supermarket in town. He asks Carol, the owner of the store, if she would like to sell Susan's Scrumptious Cookies. Carol agrees, but isn't able to tell Bob how much she'll pay him. Bob: Thank you for making time for me today, Carol. Carol: Don't mention it, Bob. What's up? Bob: My wife baked these cookies from scratch. Please take one. Carol: Mmmm, chewy. These are out of this world! Bob: My wife's a great cook. Carol: You can say that again. I don't want to make a pig of myself. But let me take a few more. Bob: Oink oink! Just kidding! Carol: I'd like to sell these at the Village Market. My customers will go nuts over these! Bob: How much would you pay us for each cookies? Carol: I'm not sure. I need to roll up my sleeves and figure out the finances. Bob: Can you give me a ballpark figure now? Carol: I don't want to jump the gun. Sit tight for now, and we'll talk things over this evening. Lesson 11 Bob Drives a Hard Bargain Carol from the Village Market calls Bob to discuss Susan's Scrumptious Cookies, Carol and Bob discuss how much Bob will receive for each cookie. Carol: Hi Bob. How's it going? Bob: Fine thanks, Carol. How are you? Carol: Can't complain. Bob, I've had a chance to crunch some numbers. I can pay you 50 per cookie. Bob: That's out of the question. At that price, it's not worth our while. The ingredients alone cost us 30 per cookie. Carol: Okay, let me sweeten the deal——60e per cookie? Bob: Carol, my wife and I need to make a living from this business. Carol: Okay, okay, you've twisted my arm. I'll pay you 75e per cookie. Take it or leave it ! Bob: Now you're talking! We'll take it. Carol: You drive a hard bargain, Bob. Bob: Yes, but we make a good cookie. Carol: Let's get the ball rolling. Bring me 2,000 cookies on Monday mornig by 9 a.m. Lesson 12 Bob's big cookie Order The family is gathered around the dinner table. Bob tells them about his deal with the Village Market. He asks his kids for help baking the cookies. Bob: I know I've been down in the dumps since I got fired, but things are looking up now. The Village Market wants to sell our cookies. Nicole: That's great news, Dad! Bob: We're going to have to bake like crazy over the weekend. They want 2,000 cookies by Monday. Nicole: Two thousand cookies in three days? Don't you think you've bitten off more than you can chew? Ted: Yeah, you're going to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off! Susan: Fortunately, there are four of us here. You kids will have to pitch in too. Nicole: Sorry, but I can't. I have to finish Ted's chemisty homework and then I've got to get going on my election speech. Bob: What's that about doing Ted's chemistry homework? Ted: Never mind! Ameber will help out with the cookies instead of Nicole. Susan: For heaven's sake, Nicole! It's like pulling teeth getting you to do any work around here. Lesson 13 Amber Comes over to Bake Cookies Ted's girlfriend Amber comes over to help with the cookies. Amber has experience baking cookies from a former job. Susan leaves the kitchen so they can work better. Ted: Mom, Amber is here to lend a hand with the cookies. Susan: Hi Amber. Nice to see you again. Amber: Good to see you too, Mrs. Johnson. Susan: That's an interesting hairstyle. Amber: Thanks. I'm glad you think its cool. Blue hair is all the rage this season. Susan: Well, I'm going to take a break now and let you kids take over. Ted: Don't worry, Mom. Your business is in good hands with Amber. She really knows her stuff. Amber: That's true. I used to work at Mrs. Field's Cookies in the mall. Susan: You don't work there anymore? Amber: No, I got fired. I have a real sweet tooth, and they told me I was eating too many cookies. Susan: Well, I'm sure you haven't lost your touch. Amber: I might be a bit out of practice. Ted: Mom, you can watch Amber bake if you want. You might pick up a few tricks of the trade. Amber: Yes, feel free. As a singer, I'm used to performing before an audience! Susan: Thanks, but I'm going to get out of the way. You know what they say: too many cooks spoil the broth! Amber: Will I see you later tonight? Susan: Yes, I'll be back in a few hours. Ted: Mom, why don't you just call it a night and go to bed. You've been working your tail off all day. When somebody says something is "interesting" it often means they don't like it, but they want to be polite. Mrs. Field's Cookies are gourmet cookies that are sold in malls across the United States. Lesson 14 Amber and Ted Heat up the Kitchen Amber and Ted are in the kitchen baking cookies. Amber asks Ted to give her a kiss, but Ted tells her he's too busy. Then he feels guilty and goes to her. But suddenly, theyre not alone! Amber: Ted, when I met you, it was love at first sight. Ted: I was nuts about you from the beginning too, Amber. Don't forget, I broke up with that girl Tiffany after I met you. Amber: Come here and give me a kiss. Ted: Give me a break, Amber! We don't have time for that now. We need to crank out these cookies. Amber: You don't really love me, do you? Ted: Amber, I'm head over heels in love with you. But it's crunch time with these cookies. Amber: Cookies, cookies, cookies——you've got a one-track mind. He loves cookes, yeah, yeah, yeah... Ted: Amber, I need to keep working, but you can take a break if you want. Amber: No, I'll keep plugging away...I'm just your cookies slave. Go ahead, treat me like dirt! Ted: Sorry, Amber. Come here and let me give you a quick kiss. (Susan enters the kitchen) Susan: Hey, what's going on in here? Are you two making cookies or making out? Lesson 15 Nicole Practices her Election Speech Nicole is running for student body president. She must give a speech next week. She discusses the speech with her mother. Susan: What's up, Nicole? Nicole: I pulled an all-nighter working on my election speech. Susan: No wonder you look like a basket case! Did you finish your speech? Nicole: Yes, at 6 a.m. Susan: That must be a load off your mind! Nicole: It's not. I've got to give the speech tomorrow in front of 1,500 people. I'm a nervous wreck! Susan: Just remember the old rule of thumb: Imagine your audience naked. Nicole: That's gross. Why would I want to do that? Susan: According to conventional wisdom, it'll make you less nervous. Nicole: Only practice will do the trick. Susan: Okay, let's hear the speech. Nicole: Good afternoon, everyone. There are four candidates running for president. You think you have several choices. In reality, you have just one choice: me! Susan: You can't say that. You'll turn off your audience immediately. Nicole: It sounds like I have a big head? Susan: I'll say! Lesson 16 Bob Brings the Cookies to the Village Market Bob brings Carol the cookies. He tells Carol that baking the cookies was easy because he had lots of help. Carol: Bob, how did the baking go? Bob: Slow at first, but we're getting the hang of it. Carol: Once you learn the ropes, it becomes second nature. Bob: To tell you the truth, I thought that baking 2,000 cookies would be a pain in the neck. But we managed to round up some helpers, and it was a piece of cake. Carol: Well, thanks for coming in person with the cookies. Bot: No problem. When will you need more? Carol: It depends on how many we sell today. Bob: How many do you think you'll sell? Carol: Maybe 500, maybe 2,000. Your guess is as good as mine. In any case, I'll keep you posted. Bob: Okay. Just give me a ring as soon as you know. Leeson 17 Carol Tells Bob the Good News Carol phones Bob to tell him the cookies are selling very well and that she needs another 1,000 by the morning. Bob isn't sure he can make the cookies so quickly, but Carol insists. Carol: Bob, your wife's cookies are selling like hotcakes! Bob: How many did you sell, Carol? Carol: We've sold out. I need more right away! Bring me another 1,000 by tomorrow at 9 a.m. Bob: That's a tall order, Carol. Carol: Don't blow it, Bob! Susan's Scrumptious Cookied could really take off. Bob: I know, but I'm not sure we have enough time to bake all those cookies. Carol: Bake all night if you have to. Burn the midnight oil! If you work hard now, you'll be sitting pretty in a few years. Bob: Rest assured that I'll do my best to deliver the goods. Carol: Okay, now let's stop the chitchat. You've got work to do! Lesson 18 Everyone Bakes Cookies Bob tells his family the cookies are selling well. He asks his kids to help bae more cookies for tomorrow. Nicole says she's too busy to lend a hand. Bob: The cookies are selling like hotcakes! Ted: Way to go, Dad! Bob: I need you kids to help out tonight with the cookies. We need another thousand by morning. Nicole: One thousand by tomorrow morning? That's impossible! Ted: Amber and I will lend a hand. She's a real night owl, so she won't mind staying up late. Bob: Nicole, we'll need your help too. Nicole: Bake cookies the night before the elections? Nothing doing! Ted: Lighten up, big shot! You're running for high school president, not President of the United States. Nicole: Ted, you really get on my nerves sometimes. Bob: Okay, kids, let's stop fooling around. We need to get the show on the road! Lesson 19 Nicole's Close Election Nicole loses the election at school. She doesn't want to accept it, so she looks for excuses. Ted encourages her to accept defeat and move on. Nicole: I lost the election by a hair——just 10 votes! But I'm not giving up. Ted: Give me a break, Nicole. You lost. Live with it! Nicole: But I was a sure thing! If I hadn't stayed up so late baking cookies, I wouldn't have messed up my speech. Ted: Get real, Nicole. Nicole: It's your fault, Ted. I lost because your friends didn't vote for me! Ted: Don't try to put the blame on me! I gave it my best shot. Nicole: They must've made a mistake while counting the votes. I'll demand a re-count on Monday and set the record straight. Ted: Don't make a fool of yourself, Nicole. Face it, Andrea won the election fair and square! Nicole: Well, I just don't know where I went wrong. Susan: Here, take a chocolate chip cookie. That'll cheer you up for sure! Lesson 20 Bob Gets an Angry Call from Carol Carol calls Bob to tell him that a customer found a hair in her cookie. Bob wants Carol to forget about this, but Carol thinks it's very serious. She refuses to buy any more cookies from Bob. Carol: Bob, a lady came into the Village Market today ranting and raving. Bob: Oh yeah? What happened? Carol: She found a blue hair in her chocolate chip cookie! Bob: Aha. I can see how she'd be taken aback. Carol: Does anybody in your family have blue hiar? Bob: As a matter of fact, my son's girlfriend Amber has blue hair. Carol: Bob, I can't sell your cookies anymore. Bob: Aren't you blowing things out of proportion? Carol: The health department would throw the book at me if they found out about this. Bob: Couldn't we just sweep this under the rug? Carol: No. This is too serious. Bob: But I was just getting a handle on the cookie business. Now what will I do? I don't have any other way of making a living! Carol: My heart goes out to you, Bob, but you need to get your act together. I want to sell chocolate chip cookies, not hair cookies! Bob: I guess I just knocked myself out for the past week for nothing. Carol: Clearly! Lesson 21 Susan Gets a Surprise Call Donna from the National Cookie Company calls Susan. She wants to buy out Susan's Scrumprious Cookies. Susan is very happy. Susan: Hello? Donna: Good afternoon. Are you Susan, of Susan's Scrumptious Cookies? Susan: Yes, I am. Donna: My name is Donna Jenkins, and I'm calling from the National Cookie Company. We're nuts about your cookies, and we'd like to sell them all over the country. Susan: Unfortunately, we're running on a shoestring out of our kitchen. We can't make enough cookies for you. Donna: My company wants to buy the recipe and the brand name from you. Susan: Oh yeah? Why would you want to do that? Donna: We have a successful track record of buying small companies and turning them into big ones. Susan: In that case, I'm sure we can come to an agreement. Donna: Great. You just made my day! Susan: You'll need to work out the nuts and bolts of the agreement with my husband. He's the business manager. Donna: May I speak with him now? Susan: He's at a meeting. I'll have him get in touch with you when he returns. Donna: Good. I look forward to speaking with him. Lesson 22 Susan Shares the Good News Bob tells Susan that the Village Market won't take their cookies anymore. Susan tells Bob that the National Cookie Company wants to buy out Susan's Scrumptious Cookies. Bob: Dear, I've got some bad news. Susan: What's the matter, Bob? Bob: The Village Market won't take any more of our cookies. Susan: Why not? They're selling like hotcakes! Bob: I know, but a lady found a blue hair in her cookie. Now Carol refuses to sell them. Susan: Carol is such a dragon lady! We're better off having nothing to do with her. Bob: She's not my cup of tea either, but she was selling lots of cookies. Susan: Oh well. That's the way the cookie crumbles. Ha ha. Get it? Bob: Susan, this is no laughing matter! Susan: Bob, we don't need the Village Market anymore. Bob: Why not? Susan: The National Cookie Company called. They want to buy out our business. Bob: Susan, this is a dream come true. It looks like we've struck it rich! Susan: Yes. Soon we'll be rolling in dough! Lesson 23 Bob has a Surprise Visitor Bob's former boss Peter, from the furniture store, comes to visit. He offers Bob his old job back, but Bob's not interested. Peter: Hi Bob. I was just in the neighbourhood so I thought I'd stop by. Bob: Come on in. Take a cookie. Peter: Thanks. I'm glad to see you're not holding a grudge against me for firing you. Bob: Not at all. At first, it burned me up. But I feel better now. Peter: Good. I'm glad you have no hard feelings. How would you like your old job back? Bob: What happened to your wonderful new manager? Peter: She drank at work. By five o'clock, she'd be lying under a dining room table, three sheets to the wind. Yesterday, I finally got rid of her. Bob: Let me get this straight. You replaced me with some crazy woman who got plastered every day on the job? Peter: Yeah, I lost my head. Bob: I don't think you lost your head. I just think you've got rocks in your head! Peter: Bob, I'm trying to level with you. I never shouldn've let you go. Bob: No use crying over spilt milk. Peter: So you'll come back and work for me? Bob: Not on your life! Susan and I are very well off now. We just sold our new company for a small fortune! Lesson 24 Amber Writes a Song Ted always writes the songs for the rock band. But now Amber says she wants to start writing songs too. She sings him the first lines of her new song. Amber: Ted, you know how all along you've been in charge of all the lyrics for our band? Ted: That's right, Amber. Everybody loves my songs! Amber: Well, I hope they'll love my songs too. Ted: But you don't write songs. Amber: I'm sick and tired of singing your songs all the time. I want to sing my own songs! Ted: Okay, no need to freak out! First things first. Have you written a song yet? Amber: Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. Ted: Well, let's hear it then. Amber: Okay, but it's still a work in progress. Ted: Stop trying to buy time. Let's hear the song! Amber: My boyfriend is crazy. Crazy about baking cookies. I know for sure that there is no cure... Ted: Cut it out! Stop teasing me. I am cured. Amber: All better? Ted: Yes. I'll never bake another cookie again. My parents made a fortune. Now we can all just chill out! Lesson 25 Ted Brings Home More Good News Ted tells his family that a talent agent wants to meet with him. The agent will fly Ted and Amber to New York. Nicole announces that she's been named president of the Spanish Club. Ted: Amber and I are going to break into the music business. Last night after our concert, a talent agent asked us to meet with him in New York. Susan: Congratulations! We'll give you some spending money for your trip. Ted: No need. The agent is footing the bill for everything. And when we get there, he's going to wine and dine us. Susan: He must think you're the cream of the crop. Ted: He thinks we sound like the Goo Goo Dolls. Nicole: Who are they? Ted: You're really out of it. They're a popular rock band. Nicole: Our family is certainly on a winning streak. I was elected president of the Spanish Club today. Ted: The Spanish Club? Big deal! Nicole: You don't get it, Ted. This is only the beginning. Today, president of the Spanish Club. Tomorrow, ambassador to spain! Ted: Well, Ambassador, you'll need to wrap up my chemistry homework before you leave for the Spanish Embassy. Susan: A rock star and diplomat——I'm so proud of both of you!