365个英语简短小故事-279. Let’s Go to Vegas

Sandra had not been to Las Vegas in more than a year. She was excited. Her sister Janice was coming by to pick her up in about ten minutes. Sandra finished putting her toothbrush and toothpaste into her travel bag; those were the last two items¹ on her “to pack” list.

She had called ahead, of course, to get a room for Janice and herself. The hotel told her that no more rooms were available at the price that was advertised² in the newspaper. This was no surprise to Sandra. So, she put down a $100 nonrefundable deposit³ on a room for two nights. The cost for both nights was going to be $200 plus taxes, surcharges, and other fees⁴.

She looked at her watch. Janice was late, of course. Sandra had forgotten to remind Janice of today’s departure⁵ time. To put it kindly⁶, Janice was not exactly the most organized person in the world. Sandra called Janice up. She left a short message: “Where are you? It’s time to go to Vegas!”

A few minutes later, Janice called back. She had a big problem—a schedule conflict⁷. She had already promised to attend her daughter’s eighth-grade graduation ceremony this very weekend.

“Oh, Sandra, I’m so sorry,” Janice said. “I know how much you had wanted to do this. I thought Alice’s graduation ceremony and party were next week. I get so confused⁸ sometimes. I’ll make this up to you, I promise. Maybe you can call up Lily; she might be available, even though it’s really short notice. If not, don’t worry, I’ll pay you for everything and we can make plans again.”

Sandra sighed and dialed her friend Lily. She wondered how Janice had made it through life so unorganized.

 

1 items   

n.物料项目 （任何一种自制或采购的零部件或组装件，如最终产品、部件、子部件、零件或原材料）；条( item的名词复数 )；一项；一则；一件商品（或物品）

参考例句：

• Bulky items will be collected separately. 大件物品将分开收集。
• Customers with ten items or less can use the express lane. 购买十件商品以内的顾客可使用快速购物通道。

2 advertised   

v.公布( advertise的过去式和过去分词 )；宣传；展现；宣传（自己的事）

参考例句：

• The news of his appointment filtered out before it was officially advertised. 他被任命的消息在还没正式公布前就被透漏出去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They advertised their goods. 他们为他们的商品做广告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 deposit   

n.定金，存款，矿藏；vt.使沉淀，寄存，储蓄

参考例句：

• There is too much deposit in a bottle of wine.酒瓶里有太多的沉淀物。
• The hotel requires a deposit for all advance bookings.旅馆规定凡预订房间都要先付订金。

4 fees   

费用； （加入组织或做某事付的）费( fee的名词复数 )； 专业服务费； 咨询费； 报酬

参考例句：

• Employees are reimbursed for any legal fees incurred when they relocate. 员工调往异地工作时，他们可以报销由此产生的所有法律服务费用。
• As a scholar you will not have to pay college fees. 作为接受奖学金的学生，你不必付大学的费用。

5 departure   

n.离开，起程；背离，违反

参考例句：

• Do you know what lies behind her sudden departure for London?你知道她突然去伦敦的原因吗？
• She took over his work after his departure.他离开以后，她接替了他的工作。

6 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

7 conflict   

n.冲突，矛盾，争执；vi.争执，撞斗，冲突，抵触

参考例句：

• Your statement is in conflict with the rest of the evidence.你的陈述同其余证据有矛盾。
• The conflict between them seems ceaseless.他们之间冲突似乎没个止息。

8 confused   

adj.困惑的，烦恼的

参考例句：

• They asked so many questions that they confused me.他们问了许多问题，都把我弄糊涂了。
• A wise man is never confused.智者不惑。