Michael: Why the long face?
Billy: I feel stupid.
Michael: Why do you say that?
Billy: My office just installed voice mail, but I don't know how to use it.
Michael: Isn't voice mail just like an answering machine?
Billy: No way. You are way off. We had better learn about voice mail together.
Michael: Now I feel stupid.
迈克尔：你为什么拉长了脸？
比利：我觉得自己很傻。
迈克尔：你为什么这么说呢？
比利：我的办公室刚刚安装了电话留言机，但我不知道怎么用。
迈克尔：电话留言机不就是象一个电话应答机吗？
比利：不对，差远了。我们最好还是在一起学习一些关于电话留言机的知识吧。
迈克尔：现在，我也觉得自己很傻。
NEW WORDS 新单词
1) Calling Card（电话卡）: a card that allows you to make a phone call
I will charge the call to my calling card.
我用我的电话卡付电话费。
2) Extension number (EXT)（分机号码）: branch number, personal code
Hello, secretary, please patch me through to Mr. Smith's extension.
喂，秘书，请给我接通史密斯先生的分机。
3) Hold（稍等）: wait, don't go away
Sir, please hold while I search for the proper extension.
先生，请稍等，我在查找分机号。
4) Patch me through（转接）: put me through, transfer
Patch me through to your boss this instant!
立刻给我接通你们老板的电话。
5) Voice Mail（电话留言）: messages and more through the phone
Tom wasn't at his office, but I left a message on his voice mail.
汤姆不在他的办公室，但是，我在他的电话留言机上留了信息。
LESSON 课文
Voice Mail and Calling Cards 电话留言机和电话卡
1) Voice mail is starting to replace answering machines. The popularity of voice mail has come about because of its many benefits. The main advantages are:
电话留言机正在取代电话应答机。电话留言机的普及是因为它具有很多的好处。它的主要优势有以下几点：
a) Voice mail records messages when you are out of the office.
b) You can make separate messages for separate callers.
c) You can check your voice mail from remote locations.
当你不在办公室的时候，电话留言机可以录下信息。
你可以将不同的电话分开。
你可以从很远的地方查看你的电话留言。
2) Calling cards are cards with numbers on them. The number codes are read by the phone when the entire card is put in or "swiped." Once a month the calling card company will send you a bill.
电话卡是一些带有号码的卡。当你把电话卡全部插进电话机或是“刷卡”的时候，电话机就可以读取这些代码。每个月，电话卡公司都会给你送去话费单。
3) Calling cards can be used on a friend's home phone or any private as well as any public phone. If there is no card slot, you will just have to type in the code yourself.
你可以在朋友家或任何私人场合或公共场合的电话使用电话卡。如果没有插卡槽，你就得自己输入卡号。
4) Calling cards are cheaper than putting change into a public phone. They are a lot cheaper than calling collect.
使用电话卡比使用公共电话便宜。比对方付费的电话便宜得多。
5) A phone card is different, as it is only a one-use card. You must also pay in advance to use a phone card.
还有一种电话卡与上述的电话卡不同。因为它是一次性电话卡，因此，你得先付费才能使用。
Dialogue 对话
Gordon's voice mail: Hi, this is Gordon, I am not in the office at the moment. You have reached Gordon's voicemail. If you are calling for an appointment, press 1. If your are calling from IBM, press 2. If you are making a personal, call press 3.
Beth : I need an appointment, so I'll press number 1.
Gordon: You have chosen number 1, an appointment.
Beth : That is correct.
Gordon: Welcome to the appointment section. If you want an appointment this week, press 1. If you want an appointment after this week, press 2.
Beth : I need an appointment this week, so I will press 1.
Gordon: You have chosen an appointment for this week. After the beep, please leave a message including your name and contact info. Press the pound (#) key when you are finished.
Beth : Hello, I am Beth Kelly. I need an appointment ASAP to talk with you about the media contract. Call me at 410-555-1212. Thanks for your time. Now I will press the pound key. (#)
Gordon: Thank you for leaving a message. I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
戈登的电话留言：喂，我是戈登，我现在不在办公室。你现在听到的是戈登的电话留言。如果你想安排一个约会，请按1。如果是IBM公司打来的电话，请按2。如果是私人电话，请按3。
贝思：我想安排个约会，所以我应该按1。
戈登：你选择了1键，安排约会。
贝思：没错。
戈登：欢迎来到安排约会的电话留言区。如果是本周的约会请按1。如果是本周以后的约会，请按2。
贝思：我想在这个星期定个约会，所以，我应该按1。
戈登：你选择了本周约会。在嘀声响过之后，请留下包括你的姓名、联系方法在内的信息。结束时，请按#号键。
贝思：你好，我是贝思·凯丽。我希望尽快和你见面，商讨订立媒体合同一事。我的电话号码是410-555-1212。谢谢。现在，我要按#号键。
戈登：感谢你留下信息。我会尽快和你联系的。