Smith was the manager of a construction company and was taking bids on a new project.  史密斯是一家建设公司的经理，他正负责一个新工程的招标案。

The first bidder was a Polish company,  第一位投标的是一家波兰公司，

and their representative offered to do the job for $ 400,000. 他们的代表出价四十万元接那个案子。

"That seems reasonable," said Smith. "似乎很合理，"史密斯说。

"Can you give me a breakdown on that?" "你可不可以给我一张明细表呢?"

"Sure," said the Pole, " $200, 000 for labor and $ 200,000 for materials. " "当然没问题，"波兰公司代表说道，"二十万元工资，二十万元材科费。"

Next to make a bid was the Standard American Construction Company,  下一个出标的是美国标准建设公司，

which bid $ 800,000. 他们以八十万元竞标。

"Hmm, that seems a bit high," said Smith."What's the breakdown?" "嗯，这个价钱似乎有些偏高，"史密斯说道。"你们有明细表吗?'

"$ 400,000 0n materials, $ 400,000 0n labor. " "四十万元材料，四十万元工资。"

"I'll get back to you. " "我以后再同你联系。"

Finally the representative of Cohen, Goldstein and Leibowitz entered Smith's office. 最后可翰·高斯坦·雷伯威兹公司的代表走进史密斯办公室。

"$1,200,000 is our bid," said the agent." "一百二十万元是我们竞标的价码，"代表说道。

$11 200, 0001 That' s way out of line," exclaimed Smith.  "一百二十万元这个标高得太过分了，"史密斯叫道

"Can you give me a breakdown on that?" "你可以给我一张明细表吗?"

"No problem," replied the rep. "没有问题，"代表回答道。

" $400, 000 for me,$ 400 , 000 for you and $ 400，000 for the Polacks. "四十万元给我，四十万元给你，最后四十万元则给那家波兰佬开的公司。"