這場戲：跟鬼魂談條件分房間
第 5 章 · 共 18 章 · 2'06"
剛搬進海邊的老屋，露西就撞上了屋裡的鬼魂：你不走我不走，誰也不讓誰，最後是 make a bargain（談個條件）。格雷格還甩出一句 mealy-mouthed（滿嘴仁義道德）損人。想學怎麼不帶髒字地損人、怎麼談條件，這幾句最實用。
一句 no intention of，「根本沒打算」讓你高興
on trial 試用、考察期no intention of 根本沒打算into fits 嚇得犯病mealy-mouthed 滿嘴仁義道德
露西帶著女兒安娜搬進海邊的老屋，卻發現屋裡住著前房主格雷格船長的鬼魂。格雷格想把她嚇走，露西偏不肯讓步，兩人從各下逐客令一路談到 make a bargain（談個條件）：臥室歸他，其餘房間歸她，他的畫也得掛進臥室。格雷格嘴上不饒人，拿 mealy-mouthed（滿嘴仁義道德）譏諷那些裝正經的人，又自嘲 I always was a fool for a helpless woman（見不得無助的女人，總是犯傻）；露西一句 I'm not helpless，就把他的大男子氣概頂了回去。想學怎麼談條件、怎麼損人不帶髒字、怎麼反將一軍，整場全是現成例子。
A1–C2 是歐標等級。點一個等級後，比它高的卡片會變淡，播放到那裡不會自動暫停。
“I never frighten little girls into fits.”
我從沒把小姑娘嚇到犯病過。
一本正經地否認一項荒唐指控，越認真越滑稽。
I never ... into fits
被人冤枉、想一本正經地否認時用；也可拿來逗趣。
I've never scared a child in my life. ／ That's not the sort of thing I do.
口語
never 重讀，into fits 兩詞頓開。
I never drive anyone into fits with my singing. 我唱歌可從沒把人嚇出毛病來。
“and as for me morals, I lived a man's life, and I'm not ashamed of it.”
至於我的品行，我過的是堂堂男子漢的日子，我一點也不羞愧。
把一生攤開當辯護詞，粗聲粗氣裡全是硬氣。
as for me ..., I'm not ashamed of it
替自己或替某種活法辯護時用；語氣要坦蕩，不能心虛。
I've lived my life and I regret none of it. ／ I did things my way, and I stand by that.
口語
morals 重讀，not ashamed 頓開收重。
As for my choices, I'm not ashamed of them. 至於我的選擇，我一點也不羞愧。
“I have no body. I haven't had one for four years, is that clear?”
我沒有身體。我已經四年沒有身體了，聽明白了嗎？
用最冷靜的話說最離奇的事，結尾一句反問全是脾氣。
I haven't had ... for four years, is that clear?
強調一件事很久沒變、又被反覆誤解時用；語氣偏硬。
I've been without one for four years, understand? ／ No body, not for four years, got it?
口語
no body 重讀，is that clear 一字一頓。
I haven't had a day off for months, is that clear? 我好幾個月沒休過一天，聽明白了嗎？
“I always was a fool for a helpless woman.”
我一碰上無助的女人就犯傻，一向如此。
一句自嘲把強硬解了扣，等於承認自己心軟。
I always was a fool for ...
半自嘲地說自己吃哪一套時用；對不熟的人說會顯得輕浮。
I've always had a weakness for people in trouble. ／ I can never say no to someone in need.
口語
always 重讀，fool for 連讀。
I always was a fool for a hard-luck story. 我一聽人說可憐事就心軟。
“If you're so confoundedly competent, you'll notice your kettle's about to boil over.”
你要是真這麼能幹，就該注意到你的水壺快燒開了。
用一句現成的家務事回敬對方的逞強，俏皮又解氣。
If you're so ..., you'll notice ...
對方吹自己能幹、你想用事實回敬時用；語氣可玩笑可較真。
For someone so organized, you missed the obvious. ／ If you're that clever, you'll spot the problem yourself.
口語
confoundedly 拖長，about to 連讀後重讀。
If you're so careful, you'll notice your milk is boiling over. 你要是真細心，就該看見牛奶撲出來了。
“It's my painting. I didn't invite your criticism.”
那是我的畫。我可沒請你來評點。
兩句話把所有權和邊界擺出來，客氣地請你閉嘴。
It's my ... I didn't invite your ...
別人對你的事指手畫腳時用；語氣客氣但態度很硬。
I didn't ask for your opinion. ／ It's mine, and I'll keep it as I like.
口語
my painting 重讀，didn't invite 頓開。
It's my plan. I didn't ask for your criticism. 這是我的方案，我沒請你說三道四。
下一章 · 06as it is本來就這場戲：為砍樹拌嘴又聊起婚姻就是「談個條件、達成約定」。格雷格用它提出一個各退一步的辦法：臥室歸他，其他房間歸露西，誰也不越界。生活裡談房租、分家務、合夥做事都能用。
可以用 mealy-mouthed，形容說話不敢直說、嘴上卻漂亮的人。格雷格原話是 mealy-mouthed bluenoses，bluenose 指愛管閒事的假正經，兩個詞疊起來，損得又準又狠。
字面是「我見了無助的女人就犯傻」，其實是格雷格嘴硬心軟：他明知留下自己會吃虧，還是答應了露西。a fool for 就是「對……毫無抵抗力、吃這一套」。
字面是「保持距離」，格雷格是在讓露西別靠太近。它既能指身體上的距離，也能指感情上的分寸：想跟某人保持距離，就可以說 keep your distance。
三條：格雷格留在最好的臥室，別的房間不再進；露西的女兒永遠不必知道有他；他還要把自己那幅畫從客廳掛進臥室，並且當晚就掛。
