白領的一天場景141:從權威地位退下 Stepping aside

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Narrator: 大家好，歡迎收聽《白領英語》節目。上集節目裏我們聽到 Tip Top 貿易公司的一些員工在新產品塑料茄子發佈會上衝動的舉動。Tom 把一個塑料茄子砸向 Dave,雖然沒砸上人，可是砸破了一扇窗戶的玻璃。老闆 Paul 可要訓話了。

(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: 他的意思是說大老闆正在審查公司的營運情況和今後的發展方向。

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 是個委婉的說法，意思就是從現任的職務上退下。

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 的職位是 surplus to requirement, 也就是說公司不再需要他的技能了。這可不是什麼好消息。

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: 聽起來是有點兒奇怪。總之，Paul 從職位上退下的消息讓大家都很吃驚。下面我們再來聽一遍大老闆 Mr Socrates 是怎麼告訴 Paul 這個噩耗的。

I’ve been doing a strategic review of the company. 我在審查公司的經營策略。
I need to downsize. 我需要縮小公司的規模。
I need you to step aside. 我需要你讓位。
The company needs new direction and more dynamic leadership. 公司需要全新的發展方向和更有活力的領導層。
You are surplus to requirement. 你的技能將不再需要。

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: 多麼好的一個機會呀！Anna 可一定得抓住這個機會。不過她會接受這個工作嗎？還有到底是誰送花兒給 Anna 並且說 'you can count on me 我是你的依靠，你可以指望我'？下集我們將揭曉 Anna 是否接受大老闆的提拔。再會。