Source:www.englishonline.org.cn
Series Two, Episode Eight: Happy New Year!
Johnny: So, after our successful Christmas, what are we going to do for New Year’s Eve?
Sarah: When is New Year’s Eve?
Harry: Tomorrow!
Sarah: New Year already! Christmas has only just finished!
Magda: Strictly speaking, Sarah, it still is Christmas – Christmas goes on until January 6th. New Year’s Eve is part of Christmas.
Sarah: Wow, it never ends...
Carlos: I can cook again! Is there a special dinner for New Year in Britain?
Harry: Not really
Johnny: In China there are lots of processions in the streets. Are there processions here?
Olivia: Not really
Sarah: In China New Year is a very important holiday. Is it very important in Britain?
Fadi: Not really
Johnny (sighs): So what do people do for New Year?
Harry: Depends...some people have parties, some people go to a pub or a club and drink a lot.
Olivia: Some people go and stand outside – quite a lot of people go to Trafalgar Square in the centre of London...
Johnny: Let’s do that!
Harry: No way! It’s too cold!
Fadi: And usually raining!
Olivia: And too chaotic!
Sarah: Do people drink a lot?
Harry: Some do.
Sarah: I hate drinking beer.
Harry: A lot of people stay at home and watch tv.
Olivia: Then sing a song at midnight
Sarah: What’s the song?
Olivia: It’s a Scottish song really... (sings a bit of Auld Lang Syne)
Sarah: That’s nice. What do the words mean?
Olivia: Erm, well, no one really knows...
Harry: Some people know..,
Fadi: In Scotland, probably.
Johnny: So what shall we do, then?
Sarah: I don’t want to go to a pub and get drunk.
Fadi: We could go to a club – I know some great places – we can go out dancing till dawn! Great music, lots of girls...
Olivia: You and your girlfriends...
Fadi: Ok, ok...let’s forget that idea then.
Harry: No, it’s not for me...I don’t think Bindyu would like it...
Fadi: Come on Harry, you can’t let Bindyu organise your life!
Harry: She doesn’t organise my life! I like being with her, and I like doing the things she wants to do...
Fadi (sighs): I’ve lost you, mate!
Harry (laughing): I think you need a girlfriend too!
Fadi: Hey! No way! I’ve got lots of girls...!
Johnny: Oh yeah? How come I’ve never met them?
Fadi: Well, erm, hey, erm...you know how it is....
Johnny: I think we should have a procession...
Olivia: Where?
Magda: Just around the café.
Tony: What’s that? A procession in my café?! Forget it! Anyway, I close early on New Year’s Eve, so you lot will need to find something else to do.
Johnny: We have to decide now then – what are we going to do on New Year’s Eve?
Harry: I’m going to see Bindyu. I think we’ll stay at home.
Olivia: I’m going to stay at home too. My sister’s going to a party with her husband, so I have to look after my nephew Joe.
Fadi: Now you tell me!
Olivia: Sorry...listen – why don’t you come round?
Fadi: Erm...ok then....
Carlos: Sarah...erm...I...er...would you like to come out with me?
Sarah: I can’t leave my friend Magda on her own!
Johnny: And hang on – what about me, too!?
Olivia: Ok, everyone...I guess you can all come to my house...but only until midnight! Then you all have to go home!
All: Hooray! Great idea! Happy New Year!!!!
(英國使館文化教育處提供)