Throw out a brick to attract jade or gem [1]  抛砖引玉 [一]

Last week I went to the theatre. You went to the cinema. He went to the super market. She went to the beauty salon. We went to the railway station. You went to the post office. They went to the department store.

I had a very good seat. You had a very good position. He had a lot of money with him. She had a very good massagist. We had very good berths. You had very good stamps. They had very good clothes.

The play was very interesting. The film was very funny. The market was very crowded. The massage was very comfortable. They passengers were very excited. The stamps were very beautiful. The clothes were very fashionable.

I didn’t enjoy it. You didn’t have a good time. He didn’t buy anything. She didn’t have a good massage. We didn’t have a good trip. You didn’t send your letters. They didn’t buy the clothes.

A young man and a young woman were sitting behind me. An old man and an old woman were sitting in front of me. The cashier didn’t work well. The expenditure was too high. The train didn’t arrive on time. The post office workers were on strike. The clerk didn’t offer a good service.

They were talking loudly. They were coughing loudly. She didn’t return the change to him. The massagist asked her to tip before hand. We waited and waited. The letter wouldn’t be sent out immediately. She glanced at the costumers scornfully.

I got very angry. You got very impatient. He got very helpless. She got very embarrassed. We got very worried. You got very anxious. They got very offended.

I couldn’t hear the actors. You couldn’t enjoy the film. He couldn’t pay the taxi with the change. She couldn’t get up from the massage bed. We couldn’t get home in time. You couldn’t let your families know you were all right. They couldn’t possess new clothes.

I turned round and looked at the man and the woman angrily. You patted the old man on the shoulder and entreated him to be quiet. He begged the cashier pardon and asked her for his change. She lay on the bed and intended to see the manager. We looked for the director of the station and inquired him. You went to the union and talked to the leader. They threatened to complaint and asked the clerk to say sorry to them.

But they didn’t pay any attention. But they took no notice of you. But the cashier refused to repay the change. But the massagist said that the manager was absent. But the director said he could do nothing. But the leader said that the strike wouldn’t stop until a general agreement was reached. But the clerk said she didn’t care of that.

I turned round again. You patted the old man again. He asked the cashier for the change again. She called the manager again. We entreated the director again. You talked to the leader again. They threatened the clerk again.

‘I can’t hear a word.’ I said angrily. ‘I want to enjoy the film.’ You said impatiently. ‘I want my change.’ He said to the cashier. ‘I want to go home.’ She said in a low voice. ‘We want to go home by train.’ We said in a high voice. ‘We want to send the letters.’ You said to the leader of the union. ‘We want the nice clothes.’ They said to the clerk.

‘It’s none of your business. This is a private conversation.’ The young man said rudely. ‘We couldn’t help coughing. This is our right.’ The old man said angrily. ‘I have no change for you. This is not my mistake.’ The cashier said audaciously. ‘You must pay me the tip. It is what I deserve.’ The massagist said gallantly. ‘The train will arrive sooner or later. You’d better be quiet.’ The director said arrogantly ‘The strike will end and your letters will be home later.’ The leader said with placating tone. ‘The clothes have been sold out. You have to wait until something new arrives.’ The clerk snapped.