《彼岸是天堂》：天堂若梦，缩影人生

Cast

Joanna Vanderham...Denise Lovett

Emun Elliott...John Moray

Elaine Cassidy...Katherine Glendenning Sarah Lancashire...Miss Audrey

Peter Wight...Edmund Lovett

Matthew McNulty...Dudley

David Hayman...Jonas

Stephen Wight...Sam

Sonya Cassidy...Clara

Ruby Bentall...Pauline

Finn Burridge...Arthur

Patrick Malahide...Lord Glendenning

《彼岸是天堂》（又译《女人天堂》）是BBC在2012年推出的新剧集，改编自法国著名自然主义作家左拉（émile Zola，1840-1902）的小说《妇女乐园》。故事讲述了年轻的乡下姑娘德妮丝来到城里投靠叔叔埃德蒙，但整条街上的商铺逐渐走向没落，客人全被埃德蒙店铺对门的天堂百货店抢走了，她只好去天堂百货工作，成了女装部的员工。商店以及城市的一切都让德妮丝无比着迷，而她的商业才华和机敏聪慧很快就吸引了老板约翰·莫里的注意……

Arthur: What are you doing, Mr. Moray, sir?

John: Im thinking, Arthur.

Arthur: What are you thinking about, Mr. Moray, sir?

John: Proof. I must prove that The Paradise can conquer[征服] this whole city.

Arthur: Is it hard thinking about proof, sir? It looks mighty painful. Do you want me to do some thinking for you? Im mighty good at thinking, me.

John: Ill manage, thank you, Arthur. Something will come to me. (gives Arthur some coins)

Arthur: Thanks.

John: Edmund! Im pleased to say your niece seems to be doing well at The Paradise.

Edmund: She should be working here, with me, her family. And she will be, soon enough.

John: The days of the small shop are dying, Edmund. She sees that.

Edmund: That place of yours is no more than a

phantom[幻象], Moray, a daydream[白日梦] folks will soon

wake up from.

John: If you want to fight me, Edmund, you will lose. Because it is not a man youre taking on. It is progress. Edmund: What are they to you, Moray? Cattle[牛群] to herd[放牧] through your door? Sell cheap? Is that all that matters to you? You think thats what they really want? Tempt[吸引] them with cheaper and cheaper? Ill tell you what will win in the end: one person serving another.

John: (comes up with a great idea) Thank you, Edmund!

[Back at The Paradise.]

Dudley: Moray, this is ten times our weekly orders.

John: I want to fill the store to bursting[爆炸]. Every department, every counter, every inch.

Dudley: Why would you want to do that?

John: We will announce that the price of everything is to be greatly reduced.

Dudley: Ah, I see. Splendid[极好的] notion[想法]! If Im allowed to sound just a slight note of caution[谨慎], why so much? Why dont we order what we can afford and put on a reduced price sale in one department, perhaps two?

John: Ah, yes! Yes! Yes, of course! I see it now! “The Paradise announces a small sale.” We could do that if we wanted a small outcome, a small reward. Really, Dudley, do you want to live in a small world?

Dudley: Forgive my naivety[天真], Moray. You are right because, well, you are always right. Ill get these orders sent off directly. Arthur?

Arthur: Mr. Dudley, sir?

Dudley: Before I send these off, one tiny, possibly irritating[恼人的], difficulty occurs to me. How do we pay our suppliers for these mountains of goods?

John: We dont. We take delivery and we stall[拖延] until after the sale.

Dudley: Why?

John: Tell him why, Arthur.

Arthur: Proof, sir.

John: To prove to Glendenning The Paradise can woo[吸引注意] every woman in this city through our door. Dudley: Its a gamble.

John: Its a necessary gamble.

Dudley: Slow down. That is all Im asking. Theres no need for such haste.

John: Men who slow down, Dudley, men who take their time, they come second. I do not do that.

Denise: Oh, excuse me. I think it must be the wrong size. It wont go on properly.

Katherine: I cannot imagine why you would think I could wear such a thing.

Audrey: It is the model, madam. She does not know how to exhibit the dress properly.

Katherine: I have seen enough. Thank you.

Denise: Maam, if I may, what does it matter how I look in the dress? It only matters how you will look in it. Mr. Moray himself went to Paris to seek out the latest fashion. I dont mind looking a fool in a dress two sizes too small, but I wouldnt be doing my job if I allowed you to leave without explaining to you why you should buy it.

Katherine: You are rather forthright[直率的], girl. Denise: That is only because I believe you will look wonderful in this dress, maam. And if Im wrong, Miss Audrey will relieve me of my position. The dress is called the tea gown[礼服], maam, because its worn without a corset[紧身胸衣], for comfort, for day-time entertaining[待客]. The soft lines give the dress an especially feminine[女性的] quality. In France, it is known as the “cinq à sept,”the hours when a lady might receive suitors[求婚者]. It is beautiful, maam, with its lace edging and dome[圆顶形物], silk-covered buttons, silk bows on the front and on the cuffs[袖口]. Im sure we could have it delivered to your home for you to try on, so you could see how it might look on you. In a month, this dress will be the talk of the town, just as its the talk of Paris now.

口语锦囊

除了常见的形容词词性以外，“mighty”在口语中还可以作为副词，意思是“极，很”，例如：

Hes mighty pleased with himself. （他洋洋得意。）

和语音相对单一的影视作品相比，这部英剧由于涉及到多个社会阶层，而且故事背景设在英国北部的纽卡斯尔市，从贵族富翁到三教九流，很多角色来自英国的不同地区，说话时带有明显的口音，真可谓“英音大杂烩”。无论是不是“英音控”，你都可以好好利用本期的“口语角”进行辨音练习——毕竟在现实生活中，不是每个英国人都有一口流利的伦敦腔或者标准发音呢！

Audrey: I saw it in your face today with the child, that a babe in your arms was not fulfillment.

Denise: There is too much else first.

Audrey: Perhaps there will be too much else always. I received several offers of marriage in my youth. One in particular—we were fond, very fond. But a married woman may not be employed in a shop. And after every offer, I would return to my work, and the answer would come to me before I had even asked myself the question, “I choose this, over him.” Over everything, I choose this. I have never regretted my choice. I have loved my work, and cherished[珍惜] it, and forsaken[抛弃] all others to cleave to it. I will never let it be taken from me.

Denise: Miss Audrey, if you are seeking assurance[保证] that I will not take my ideas to Mr. Moray…

Audrey: Even if the ideas come from me, he will know they are yours. There is a difference in the order of our minds. I see that now. My notions are small, insular[狭隘的], “We shall be as a meadow[草地].” Yours are as quick and as vital[充满活力的] as the world to which they are a response. So, I have decided. There will be no more ideas, no more thoughts.

Denise: I am to stop thinking?

Audrey: If you wish to remain at The Paradise. There are things, Denise, he will not tolerate, even from a favourite. You must make certain you never stand accused of them. Dont mistake me. I have no wish to lose you. But I refuse to lose this. Now, run along. Between Paulines snoring[打鼾], the babys crying, and embarrassment[尴尬] over your uncles ridiculous[荒谬的] antics[可笑举动], you are like to have an unsettled night.

Denise: You say you dont regret your choice. But what if you did not have to choose? What if you could have both?

Audrey: No more thoughts, Denise. No ideas, no questions, no what-ifs. Just willing hands and an empty mind.

口语锦囊

“cinq à sept”直译为英文就是“five to seven”，指的是傍晚五点到七点。这个法语词组在过去是一个暗喻，当时的法国绅士常常在这个时间前去拜访自己的恋人。今天的cinq à sept指的是一种在下班后晚餐前——也就是大约五点到七点举行的社交聚会，可以是比较正式的画廊、校园或者私人会所活动，也可以是很不正式的酒吧小聚。

另外，由于故事主要围绕德妮丝所在的女装部展开，本剧出现了不少服饰词汇，在接下来的选段中都用红色字标出，感兴趣的同学不妨收集起来，便于记忆。

John: Gentlemens Afternoon was your idea, wasnt it?

Denise: Yes, sir. It was, sir.

John: And you know why it wouldnt work, dont you? Denise: I do now, sir.

John: And you have an idea how I might remedy[补救] my reputation[名声] with the ladies. Your loyalty[忠心] is to me, not to Miss Audrey, isnt it?

Denise: Yes, sir.

John: Then you must tell me.

Denise: The lingerie[女用内衣] you brought from Paris—the garments[衣服] are so beautiful, so…seductive[有诱惑力的]. But the ladies find it discomfiting to be seen considering them. If we were to make it fun, entertaining, sir, what I thought was...Ladies After Dark.

John: Ladies After Dark?

Denise: After the store is closed, it would be by invitation only.

John: Exclusive[独享的].

Denise: The ladies would have the store to themselves.

John: We could decorate[装饰] Ladieswear for them.

Denise: Yes, candles, low lamps.

John: So they can try on the lingerie.

Denise: Or have it modeled for them. We might make quite an event of it.

John: Because what women want is to be desired.

Denise: To be adored.

John: Ladies After Dark. Denise, you are my little champion.

口语锦囊

“cleave to sb./sth.”一般用于文学作品或过去的语境，意思是“忠于（某人、某种信仰），沿袭（某种风俗），坚守”，例如：

She promised to cleave only to him for the rest of her life. （她发誓此生只对他忠贞不贰。）

约翰夜里巡店，发现德妮丝还留在女装部……

口语锦囊

又是role-play时间啦！和你的搭档跟读熟练之后，将这段对话表演出来，注意演员是如何通过语音语调的转换来体现德妮丝从低落到振作、约翰从郁闷到兴奋这种心情变化的。

John: Denise? What are you doing here?

Denise: Im sorry, sir. I know I shouldnt be in the store at this time. Ill go now.

John: Wait! All the other girls have gone out for the evening. Youre here, at work.

Denise: It isnt work, sir.

John: You are a curiosity[让人稀奇的人或物], Denise. What brought you here?

Denise: Since I was a girl,

living in a small town, it

wasnt enough. I always

wanted...more.

John: It is a wonderful

feeling—more. I know it

well.

Denise: I feel as though

I belong in The Paradise.

I feel as though I am part

of something, something so thrilling[激动人心的]! Its as though I can see the world changing before my eyes! And I can touch it! I can make it happen!

John: I shall have to keep my eye on you, Denise, or youll be the one who steals my throne[宝座] from me. (Both laugh.) Come on. We must put Ladieswear back in proper order, or you will be in terrible trouble with Miss Audrey in the morning.

口语锦囊

听完本期的“口语角”，德妮丝一定给大家留下了很深的印象吧？你对这个有勇有谋、敢闯敢拼的女孩有什么看法呢？如果处在她的境况之下，你会怎么做？你从她身上学到了什么？从头到尾再听一遍选段，边听边做笔记，然后用3分钟和你的搭档交流一下自己的感受。

亚瑟：你在做什么，莫里先生？

约翰：我在思考，亚瑟。

亚瑟：你在思考什么呢，莫里先生？

约翰：证明。我必须证明天堂百货可以征服整座城市。

亚瑟：思考这个证明很难吗，先生？你看起来很痛苦。需要我帮你思考一下吗？我可善于思考呢。

约翰：我能搞定，谢谢你，亚瑟。我会想到法子的。（打赏亚瑟几个硬币）

亚瑟：谢谢。

约翰：埃德蒙！很高兴告诉你，你的侄女似乎在天堂百货干得不错。

埃德蒙：她本该在我这儿工作，和她的家人在一起。她很快就会回来的。

约翰：小商店的时代快要过去了，埃德蒙。她能看到这一点。

埃德蒙：你那地方只是一个幻象，莫里，人们很快就会从这个白日梦中醒过来。

约翰：如果你想和我斗，埃德蒙，你一定会输。因为你的对手不是一个人，而是时代的进步。

埃德蒙：他们对你来说到底是什么，莫里？被驱赶进门的牲畜吗？低价出售？你只关心这个吗？你以为他们真想要这些吗？以越来越低的价格吸引他们？告诉你怎样才能笑到最后吧：为大家提供一对一的服务。

约翰：（灵机一动）谢了，埃德蒙！

[回到天堂百货。]

达德利：莫里，这是我们每周订单的十倍。

约翰：我想把店里填满，每个部门，每个柜台，每一寸地方。

达德利：为什么要这么做？

约翰：我们要宣布所有商品都将大减价。达德利：啊，我明白了，好主意！请容许我谨慎那么一点点，为什么订这么多货？为何不按我们的支付能力订货，然后在一个部门搞减价促销，两个也行？

约翰：喔，是啊！没错！当然了！我明白了！“天堂百货宣布小规模减价。”我们当然可以那样做，如果我们想要的只是小胜一场和蝇头小利的话。不是吧，达德利，你想活在狭小的世界里吗？

达德利：原谅我的天真，莫里。你是对的，因为你总是对的。我马上把这些订单发出去。亚瑟？

亚瑟：达德利先生？

达德利：在把这些发出去之前，我还有一个小小的、可能有点恼人的问题。这一堆堆的货物，我们拿什么付钱给供货商？

约翰：不给呗。我们收了货，拖到大甩卖之后再给钱。

达德利：为什么？

约翰：告诉他为什么，亚瑟。

亚瑟：证明，先生。

约翰：向格伦德宁证明天堂百货能将城里所有的女人引上门。

达德利：这是赌博。

约翰：必要的赌博。

达德利：悠着点，我只有这么一个要求。没必要操之过急嘛。

约翰：那些慢慢来的人，达德利，那些不慌不忙的人，他们只能当老二。我不会那样做。

德妮丝：噢，抱歉，我想一定是拿错码了，我穿不上。

凯瑟琳：我无法想象你们竟然认为我会穿这玩意儿。

奥德丽：是模特的问题，女士。她不知道怎样正确展示这条裙子。

凯瑟琳：我看够了，谢谢。

德妮丝：女士，恕我直言，我穿成怎样又有什么关系？关键是您穿起来的效果。莫里先生亲自去巴黎挑选最时尚的服装呢。我不介意穿着小两号的裙子，像个傻子一样。但如果我不向您说明您应该买下它的理由，就这样任您离开，那我就太失职了。

凯瑟琳：你还真直接，姑娘。

德妮丝：那只是因为我相信您穿上这裙子会明艳动人，女士。如果我错了，奥德丽小姐就会辞退我。这裙子叫茶会礼服，女士，因为穿着它就不用穿胸衣，穿着舒适，适合白天会客。柔软的线条让裙子平添一分特别的女人味。在法国，这被称为“黄昏幽会时”，也就是淑女被人求婚的时刻。它真的很美，女士，蕾丝镶边，丝绸包裹的半圆纽扣，正面和袖口处还有丝绸蝴蝶结。我想我们可以把它送到府上让您试穿，这样您就可以看到穿在身上的效果了。不出一个月，这条裙子就会成为城中热话，就像它现在风靡巴黎一样。

奥德丽：今天我看到你和那孩子在一起时的表情，抱着婴儿并不能满足你。

德妮丝：还有太多要做的事情。

奥德丽：也许总会有太多要做的事情。年轻的时候，有好几个人向我求过婚。其中有一个，我们彼此喜欢，非常喜欢对方。但商店可能不会聘用已婚妇女。每次有人求婚，我总会回到岗位上——我还没问自己，就已经知道答案了：“我选择工作，而不是他。”放弃了一切，我选择了这份工作。我从不后悔自己的选择。我热爱这份工作，珍而视之，为了守住它，我舍弃了其他一切。我不会让人夺走它的。

德妮丝：奥德丽小姐，如果你是想让我保证不再向莫里先生提出我的想法……奥德丽：即使是从我嘴里说出来的，他也会知道那是你的主意。我们的思维方式不一样。我现在算是明白了。我的想法渺小狭隘：“我们这儿就像一片草地。”而你思维敏捷，就像这个社会一样充满活力，能跟得上社会变化。所以我决定了。不准再有什么创意，不准再有想法。

德妮丝：这是要我停止思考吗？

奥德丽：如果你还想留在天堂百货的话。德妮丝，有些事情是他不能容忍的，即便是最喜欢的员工也不行。你必须确保自己不会栽在这上面。别误会，我并不想失去你。但我拒绝失去这份工作。好了，走吧。葆琳的呼噜声、婴儿的哭声，还有你叔叔的荒谬行为造成的尴尬，你恐怕要过上一个不眠之夜呢。德妮丝：你说不后悔自己的选择。但如果你无需选择呢？如果你能两者兼顾呢？

奥德丽：不准再有想法，德妮丝。没有主意，没有疑问，没有如果，只需要勤快的双手和空空的脑袋。

约翰：“绅士午后”是你的主意，对吧？德妮丝：是的，先生。是我的主意，先生。

约翰：那你知道它为什么不可行了，对吧？德妮丝：我现在知道了，先生。

约翰：而你有办法挽救我在女士当中的名声。你忠诚的对象是我，而不是奥德丽小姐，对吧？

德妮丝：是的，先生。

约翰：那你就要告诉我。

德妮丝：您从巴黎带回来的内衣——那些衣服非常漂亮，非常……诱人。但被人看见自己考虑买内衣，女士们会觉得很不自在。如果我们要把这事弄得有趣一些，更有娱乐性，先生，我想到的是……“淑女之夜”。

约翰：“淑女之夜”？

德妮丝：商店关门以后，只对接到邀请的人开放。

约翰：专享独有。

德妮丝：让女士们独享天堂百货。

约翰：我们可以为她们布置女装部。

德妮丝：没错，蜡烛，还有低脚灯。

约翰：让她们试穿内衣。

德妮丝：或者让模特穿给她们看，或者把它做成一个活动。

约翰：因为女人们想要的就是被人渴求。德妮丝：被人爱慕。

约翰：“淑女之夜”。德妮丝，你真是我的小冠军。

约翰：德妮丝？你在这儿做什么？

德妮丝：对不起，先生。我知道这么晚不该呆在店里，我这就走。

约翰：等等！其他女孩晚上都出去玩了，你却在这儿工作。

德妮丝：这不是工作，先生。

约翰：你真是个稀奇宝贝，德妮丝。你为

什么会来这里？

德妮丝：打从小时候起，我并不满足于小镇的生活。我总是想要……更多。

约翰：更多——确实是很美妙的感觉，我深有体会。德妮丝：我仿佛觉得天堂百货就是我

的归宿。我仿佛觉得自己也是其中的一份子，也能做出激动人心的事！这种感觉就像我能看到世界在我的眼前改变一样！而且触手可及！我可以让它成真！

约翰：我可要盯紧你，德妮丝，不然你就要取代我的位置了。（两人笑。）好了，我们得把女装部收拾好，不然奥德丽小姐早上可不饶你呢。