ESL Podcast 576 – Using Unfair Influence

Josey: Hello, I’m Josey Kim.

Curt¹: Hi, I’m Curt West. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.

Josey: You mentioned on the phone that you can help us get that government contract we’re bidding on, is that right?

Curt: Absolutely. I’m sure I can be of service to your company and secure that contract without too much difficulty.

Josey: I appreciate your confidence, but can you tell me more about how you plan to do that?

Curt: I think the less said the better. Let’s just say that I have friends in high places.

Josey: I’m not sure I understand you.

Curt: Come on, you know how business is done on Capitol Hill. If you line the right pockets, it’s not difficult to pull some strings² to get what you want.

Josey: Are you suggesting that our company use bribery³ to get preferential treatment on our bid?

Curt: I’m simply saying that backroom deals are business as usual in the government.

Josey: If you’re suggesting that we hire you to do influence peddling⁴, I can tell you now that we’re not interested. Corruption⁵ may be rampant⁶ in government, but we’re not willing to do anything unethical to get a contract.

Curt: Suit yourself, but without somebody like me doing your dirty work, there’s no way you’re going to win that contract.

Josey: That may be, Mr. West, but that’s a chance we’re willing to take.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 curt   

adj.简短的，草率的

参考例句：

• He gave me an extremely curt answer.他对我作了极为草率的答复。
• He rapped out a series of curt commands.他大声发出了一连串简短的命令。

2 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

3 bribery   

n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿

参考例句：

• FBI found out that the senator committed bribery.美国联邦调查局查明这个参议员有受贿行为。
• He was charged with bribery.他被指控受贿。

4 peddling   

忙于琐事的，无关紧要的

参考例句：

• He worked as a door-to-door salesman peddling cloths and brushes. 他的工作是上门推销抹布和刷子。
• "If he doesn't like peddling, why doesn't he practice law? "要是他不高兴卖柴火，干吗不当律师呢？

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 rampant   

adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的

参考例句：

• Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
• You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。