The 1,000,000 Bank-Note
-----by Mark Twain
(旁白) Two rich brothers were wondering what might be the fate of a stranger in London without a friend or any money but a million-pound bank-note. Brother A said he would starve to death; Brother B said he wouldn't. Finally they made a bet, and then sat at the window a whole day watching for the right man. Finally, they chose Henry. Henry Adams，25 years old, was wandering in London street, hungry and penniless, with his clothes ragged and shabby. The two rich brothers gave the million-pound band-note to Henry to see how he could live in London for a month with only a million-pound bank-note. Henry was tramping the streets and stopped in front of a tailor’ shop. He wanted to change his shabby clothes into some decent ones, so he stepped into the shop. Could he afford it with nothing in the world but the million-pound note? What will happen next?
Henry: Ur...I’d like to have a suit. I think you may have something ready-made. First Assistant: he will attend to you. (The fellow Henry spoke to nodded his head towards another fellow, Henry went to the indicated fellow) Henry: I want a suit please, ur… something I can wear to walk out. Second Assistant: Ready-made suits, down the stairs.
Henry: oh, thank you. ( to Tod) Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but
would you like to show me some ready-made suits?
Tod: Yes, I dare say we can fit you up, Sir. This way, please.
Henry: I thought you might have something that was ill-made up, so you want
to throw it away.
Tod: We don’t go in for that sort of thing here. Oh, here we are, the very thing. Reid (the tailor): Tell Tod to serve him quickly and get him out of the side door. First assistant: Yes, Sir.
Henry: is this the sort of thing that is worn in England nowadays? Tod: Oh, yes sir, that’s all the fashion. Try the trousers.
First Assistant: Tod, Mr. Reid says you get him out of the side door, be quick. Tod; I know what I’m doing. I have got eyes, haven’t I? Henry: it’s … ur… a little small in size… Ok, I will take it. Tod: Shall I wrap it, Sir?
Henry: Oh no…I will wear it. Ur… I’d rather not pay for it now, if you don’t
mind. You see… ur… I don’t happen to have any small change.
Tod: Oh, you haven't? Well, of course, I suppose gentlemen like you can only
carry large change.
Henry: well, my friend, you shouldn't judge a stranger always by the clothes he
wears. I simply didn't wish to put you to the trouble of changing a large note.
Tod: Oh, I didn't mean any particular harm, but what made you think we can’t
change your note? As a matter of fact, we can.\"
Henry: (handing the note to Tod) very well. In that case there is no problem. Tod: Oh! (Tod received it with a smile, one of those large smiles which goes all
around over. But when he took a glimpse of the bill, his smile froze solid. He is holding the note with eyes wide open.)
Reid: well, what’s up? What’s the trouble? What’s wanting? Henry: There isn't any trouble. I'm waiting for my change.
Reid: Come, come; get him his change, Tod; get him his change.
Tod: Get him his change! It's easy to say, sir; but look at the bill yourself.
Reid: (Looking at the note). Oh, six zeros! Sell a millionaire such an suit as that!
Tod's a fool - a born fool. Get Jack, Arthur and William. Allow me Sir, this way please. This way please. Ah, here's the thing I am after. Please get those things off, sir, and throw them in the fire. Do me the favor to put on this shirt and this suit; it's just the thing, the very thing, then the coat - Lord! Look at that, now! Perfect - the whole thing! ( Henry expressed his satisfaction.)
Reid: Quite right, sir, quite right; But wait till you see what we'll made to your
own measure. Come, Tod, book and pen; get at it. Length of leg, 32 - and waist, 35.... (Before Henry could get in a word he had measured him, and was giving orders for morning suits, shirts, and all sorts of things.) Henry: But, I can't afford these orders, unless you can wait or change the bill. Reid: We can wait sir. We can wait. Tod, wrap those things, and send them to
the gentleman's address without any waste of time. Let the minor customers wait. Set down the gentleman's address and--
Henry: I'm changing my address. I will drop in and leave the new address. Reid: Quite right, sir, quite right. One moment - let me show you out, sir. -
good day, sir, good day.