ESL Podcast 914 – Wanting Peace and Quiet

 　　After three days of travel and meetings, I returned to my hotel room ready for some downtime. All I wanted was some peace and quiet so I could get a good night’s sleep.

　　...

　　[phone rings] Carl: Hello.

　　Hotel staff: Hello, Mr. Mendez. I’m calling to welcome you to our hotel. I hope you’re finding¹ everything to your satisfaction.

　　Carl: Yes, yes. Everything’s fine. I just want to get some rest right now.

　　Hotel staff: Of course, Mr. Mendez. If there’s anything we can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.

　　...

　　I hung up the phone and turned off the ringer. I didn’t want any more unsolicited phone calls. But then, there was a knock on the door.

　　...

　　Hotel staff: Hello, sir. I’m here to turn down your bed. May I come in?

　　Carl: I don’t need the bed turned down, thanks.

　　...

　　Before I closed the door, I put the do-not- disturb sign on my door. I wanted no more interruptions².

　　All of a sudden, a loud alarm went off. I opened my door and a hotel employee was explaining that there was a small fire in the kitchen and that the guests were being evacuated³. We would have to leave the building immediately.

　　I left my hotel room and wondered if there was a vast conspiracy⁴ to rob me of my sleep or if I’m just the unluckiest guy in the world!

1 finding   

n.发现，发现物；调查的结果

参考例句：

• The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
• That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。

2 interruptions   

n.中断( interruption的名词复数 )；打断；障碍物；打岔的事

参考例句：

• Many interruptions have prevented me from finishing the work. 许多打岔的事使得我未能完成这项工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I could not say all I wished because of the interruptions. 由于他不断的插话，我无法把想说的话都说出来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 evacuated   

撤退者的

参考例句：

• Police evacuated nearby buildings. 警方已将附近大楼的居民疏散。
• The fireman evacuated the guests from the burning hotel. 消防队员把客人们从燃烧着的旅馆中撤出来。

4 conspiracy   

n.阴谋，密谋，共谋

参考例句：

• The men were found guilty of conspiracy to murder.这些人被裁决犯有阴谋杀人罪。
• He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.他声称这一切都是一场针对他的阴谋。