一个人在告诉他的朋友他有多忙。 

 

A: Hi, Kim. How’s it going? I’ve got a problem. 

 

 

B: What’s bothering you Stone? You look stressed. 

 

 

A: I always bite off more than I can chew. I agreed to speak at an international conference in Shanghai next Monday. Now I won’t be able to do it. 

 

 

B: Why not? What happened? 

 

 

A: I’m going to Beijing that day. I have an important speech and TV interview there. I forgot all about it. I don’t have the heart to tell the conference now. It’s the second time I’ve done this. How can I save face? I feel terrible. 

 

 

B: Don’t worry about it. They’d have to search high and low to find a better speaker. And they know it. They need someone who can speak good English and Chinese. 

 

 

A: Thank you. But I doubt that. I’m sure they’d prefer someone who keeps his word. I’ve got to talk to my assistant. He’s always messing up my schedule! 

 

 

B: Forget it. They know you’re not leading them on. They’ll ask you again, I’m sure. These things happen. You’re a busy guy. 

 

 

A: Thanks for saying that, Kim. I feel a lot better. 

 

 

B: That’s what friends are for. Besides, I’m sure it’s not easy being so famous!