Episode 21: A Big Fish in a Little Pond

A Big Fish in a Little Pond
Act 1.
Michelle: I really like this one Susan. Do you?
Susan: Turn around, Michelle. Let me see the back of it. I like it a lot. It fits well. It doesn't need any alterations. We must've bought the right size.
Harry: I like the color. She looks good in blue.
Michelle: I like blue, too, Daddy.
Susan: Try on the skirt and blouse outfit, Michelle-the one that Daddy wanted you to wear.
Michelle: OK.
Harry: Michelle has been a different kid since we've been married. She's never been happier.
Susan: And I've never been happier, Harry. I love her very much.She's been a joy.
Harry: We're very lucky, the three of us...and becoming part of the Stewart family, too.
Susan: We couldn't ask for anything more, could we?
Harry: Well...
Susan: Well...? Could we ask for anything more?
Harry: Well...we...
Michelle: How do you like it, Daddy?
Harry: It's my favorite outfit.
Susan: It's good for every day. It will be good for school, Michelle.
Michelle: I like it, too. I always like skirts that go like this. Do you want to see the winter jacket on me, Susan?
Susan: Yes, I do. Change back into your jeans, and put on the new winter jacket we bought today.
Michelle: OK.
Susan: What did you mean by"well...?" You had something on your mind when I said we couldn't ask for anything more.
Michelle: Is everything all right?
Harry: Everything is fine, Michelle.
Susan: Let's take a look at the winter jacket. Come on over here, Honey.
Michelle: It's kind of warm.
Susan: It is. That's why we bought it for you. This will be a perfect jacket for the wintertime when it's very cold out. But it's kind of small also. We must've bought the wrong
size.
Harry: Looks like we should've bought a bigger one. I guess we'll have to exchange it, too. I'm sure the store has others.
Michelle: I look silly! It is too small!
Susan: You're growing so fast, Michelle.
Michelle: Can I take it off? I'm hot!
Susan: Sure. Put it back in your room, and we'll hang everything up later.
Susan: Well, are you going to tell me what's on you mind, Harry?
Harry: I have been offered a job with a major accounting company in Los Angeles. I have been offered a job with a major accounting company in Los Angeles.
Susan: Los Angeles? That's a big decision.
Harry: I know. It will also affect you and your job, if we decide to go.
Susan: Wow! It sure will. But first tell me about the job, Harry. If it's a good one, then we'll make it work for us.
Harry: I have a client in the garment business, on Seventh Avenue. I do his taxes every year. He has a big sales office in Los Angeles, and the company in Los Angeles that does his major accounting work is looking for an executive. And he recommended me.
Susan: That's wonderful, Harry.
Harry: Yes, but it would mean that we'd have to move to L.A.
Susan: What about the salary?
Harry: The real discussion comes tomorrow. Susan, I don't plan to make any decisons until I have a chance to talk with you about it.
Susan: I understand, Harry.
Harry: And I don't have to make a quick decision. They know that I'm married and that I have a family.
Susan: Well, there's a lot to think about. If it's a good job, then I've got to do some thinking about my career opportunities in Los Angeles.
Michelle: Is everything OK?
Susan: Yes, honey.

Act 2.
Grandpa: Hello. Hello there. Are you ready for lunch with your grandpa?
Susan: Oh! Hi, Grandpa. Yes, of course, I am, but my mind isn't.
Grandpa: What's the matter, Susan?
Susan: A real dilemma.
Grandpa: Does it have anything to do with you and Harry?
Susan: Yes, but I don't know where to start.
Grandpa: Maybe I can help. Tell me what it is, Susan.
Susan: Thanks, Grandpa. Please sit down, Oh! Harry has been offered a job in Los Angeles.
Grandpa: Well, this something to think about.
Susan: There are so many things to consider. There's Michelle. I wonder if a move would be a bad thing for her. And my job. I don't know if I can get a good job in Los Angeles. And what about our family?
Grandpa: Can I tell you what I think?
Susan: Tell me.
Grandpa: I think that you're very successful and that you have a fantastic reputation in the toy industry. I think you could talk to Mr. Marchetta, and I think he could help you find a real good job in Los Angeles. He was very helpful to me, remember?
Susan: I suppose I could call him. But I'm not so sure that I want to leave New York, you, and the rest of our family.
Grandpa: Well, I'm not going to kid you, Susan. You know we'd all miss you. But this should be your decision. It's something that only you and Harry can work out.
Susan: If moving to L.A.is in Harry's best interest, I have to do what I can do to support him.
Grandpa: In every marriage, sacrifices have to be made by one partner from time to time.
Susan: And what about Michelle?
Grandpa: Well, What do you think?
Susan: I think Michelle is better off staying where she is.
Grandpa: What does she think?
Susan: I don't know for sure.
Grandpa: Well, you'll have to ask her.
Susan: I think I'm going to have a talk with Mr. Marchetta and get his feelings about my leaving. And about helping me find a job in Los Angeles.
Grandpa: Good idea.
Susan: I'll call him right now. No point in delaying. Thanks.Grandpa.
Bill: Harry, it's the perfect job for you. You'll love it.
Harry: It's a big decision for me, Bill. And I have to discuss it with my wife. I don't know if it's right for her.
BIll: She'll love it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime offer, Harry.
Harry: OK. Tell it to me again.
BIll: The company is Craft and Craft, the biggest accounting company in the country.
Harry: I know the company well. It's big.
Bill: The biggest.
Harry: Yeah, yeah. The biggest. When do I have to let you know?
Bill: Talk it over. Think it over. Let me know by the end of the week.
Harry: When would we have to move?
Bill: As soon as possible.
Harry: I also have my daughter to consider. I don't want to interrupt her school year.
Bill: Let me know by the end of the week. It's a great opportunity for you, Harry. Believe me.
Harry: I know.
BIll: Craft and Craft is the biggest in the country.
Harry: Yeah, I know. The biggest.
Susan: I think Michelle is asleep now. Let's talk.
Harry: I met with Bill York today.
Susan: And I talked with Mr. Marchetta. Did York make the offer?
Harry: Yup. He asked me if I want the job.
Susan: That's exciting, Harry. What was it?
Harry: A vice-presidency with the biggest accounting company in th country-Craft and Craft.
Susan: Aren't you excited about that?
Harry: Sure I am. But there's so much more to consider.
Susan: I talked to Mr. Marchtta.
Harry: What did he say? Did you tell him about me?
Susan: Of course, Harry. I want what's best for you, and I think I can get a good job through Mr. Marchetta inoios Amgeles also.
Harry: You're kidding.
Susan: No, I'm not kidding. I talked with him, and he understands completely. He has a major toy buyer in Los Angeles, and he's pretty sure that I can get a good job there.
Harry: Unbelievable!
Susan: But I think we should talk to Michelle about all of this.
Harry: You're right. We'll talk to her about it.
Susan: And how do you feel about taking the job in Los Angeles?
Harry: How should I feel? It's the biggest company in the country.
Susan: Well, then you feel good about taking it?
Harry: Well... I feel fine about it. Why shouldn't I?

Act 3.
Michelle: I love my school. I have so many good friends there now. I wouldn't miss a day even if I were really sick.
Susan: Come and sit down for a minute, Michelle. I'd like to talk to you about something. Something important.
Michelle: What's wrong, Susan?
Susan: Oh, there's nothing wrong, Michelle. But your dady and I are talking about something that I'd like your opinion about.
Michelle: I know. I heard you talking about it the other night when I was trying on my new clothes. It's about moving to Los Angeles.
Susan: You're right. How do you feel about it?
Michelle: Well, I really wouldn't want to move, but...
Susan: But?
Michelle: But if you and Daddy wanted to, I guess you know what's best for the family and for me.
Susan: That's very considerate of you, Michelle. But what about your friends?
Michelle: I'd miss them a lot, but I know what it feels like to miss someone.
Susan: Honey, we don't have to move if you're no going to be happy about it.
Michelle: Does Daddy want to move?
Susan: I think so. He's going to tell us tonight about the job offer.
Harry: Well, how was everybody's day today?
Susan: Michelle was chosen to do the school poster for the play this year.
Harry: Congratulations, Michelle! That's something! And how was your day, Susan?
Susan: I see you're in a good mood. Why don't you tell us about your day.
Harry: I met with Bill York.
Susan: It's OK to talk about it, Harry. Michelle knows all about it.
Harry: Really?
Susan: Really, Harry. Michelle and I have all kinds of feelings about leaving New York, the family, and friends. But is you think you should take the job, we're behind you.
Harry: What about Michelle's school?
Susan: We'll move after the school term.
Harry: What about her new friends?
Michelle: I'll make new friends wherever we are as lon as we're together.
Susan: We're a family, Harry. Whatever you think is right for you is right for us.
Harry: I am so touched. The two of you are really something.
Michelle: We love you, Daddy.
Harry: And I love you.
Susan: OK. Now, tell us about your talk with Mr. York. Did you take the job?
Harry: Nope.
Michelle: What?
Susan: No? You didn't take it?
Harry: No, I did not take the job.
Michelle: But, Daddy, I thought...
Susan: Harry, you didn't turn it down because of me...
Michelle: Or me?
Harry: No, no. I turned it down because of me.
Susan: How's that?
Harry: Well, I began to think about you and about Michelle, and then I asked myself, do I really want to work for the biggest company in the country?
Susan: And?
Harry: And I don't. I went into business for myself because I like being my own boss. I run my own company. I'm a big fish in a little pond. I'm not really sure I want to be a little fish in a big pond.
Michelle: Oh, Daddy, does that mean we don't have to move?
Harry: That's right, sweetheart.
Susan: Are you sure?
Harry: I couldn't be more sure, Susan.
Susan: I'm glad if you are, Harry.
Harry: And besides, how could I live in Los Angeles when all my favorite people live here?
Susan: Your favorite people?
Michelle: Who's that?
Harry: The Stewart family, of course.

小池塘里的大鱼

ACT 1
米歇尔：苏珊，我真喜欢这一件，你喜欢不喜欢？
苏珊：米歇尔，你转过身去，让我看看背后[米歇尔转过身去。]我很喜欢它，它很合身，不需要任何改动，我们显然买对了尺码了。
哈里：我喜欢这颜色，她穿蓝色很好看。
米歇尔：我也喜欢蓝色，爸爸。
苏珊：米歇尔，你试一下那套衬衫和裙子套服——就是你爸爸要你穿的那一套。
米歇尔：好吧。[她出去了。]
哈里：从我们结婚以来，米歇尔似乎变了一个人，她从未像现在这样高兴过。
苏珊：我也从未像现在这样高兴过，哈里。[她吻他。]我非常爱她，她是个讨人喜欢的孩子。
哈里：我们三个人很有福气……而且我们还成为了斯图尔特家庭的成员。
苏珊：我们不能要求更多的幸福了，是不是？
哈里：嗯……
苏珊：嗯……？我们还有什么不足的？
哈里：噢……我们……
米歇尔：[她着新衬衫和裙子进屋来了。]爸爸，你喜欢这一身吗？
哈里：这是我最喜欢的一套。
苏珊：它适合日常穿，上学穿它很好，米歇尔。
米歇尔：我也喜欢它，我一直喜欢这样飘动的裙子。[她旋转身躯来显示裙子如何飘动。]你想看看我穿上冬季夹克什么样吗？
苏珊：是的，我想看看。再换上你的牛仔裤，穿上我们今天买的冬季夹克。
米歇尔：好。[她出去了。]
苏珊：[对哈里说]你刚才说“嗯……？”是什么意思？我说我们不能要求更多的幸福了，那时你显然心里有事。
米歇尔：[她进来了。]有什么事不对吗？
哈里：没有什么事，米歇尔。
苏珊：让我们看一看这件冬季夹克。亲爱的，你过这边来。
米歇尔：它很暖和。
苏珊：是很暖和，我们给你买它就是为了这个。冬天外面很冷的时候这将是最理想的夹克。可是它也有点儿小，我们一定买错了尺码了。
哈里：看来我们本该买一件大一点儿的。我想这一件我们也得去换掉，我敢说店里还有别的。
米歇尔：我看起来多傻气！这太小了。
苏珊：米歇尔，你长得太快了。
米歇尔：我把它脱了行吗？我热！
苏珊：当然行。把它放回你屋里去，我们过一会再把衣服都挂好。
[米歇尔出去了。]
苏珊：[对哈里说]好，你要不要把你心上的事跟我说一下，哈里？
哈里：洛杉矶一家大会计公司要我去工作。[重复一下]洛杉矶一家大会计公司向我提供一个职位。
苏珊：洛杉矶？这可是个重大的决定。
哈里：我知道。如果我们决定去的话，这事也会影响你和你的工作。
苏珊：哇！这肯定会影响我的。可是哈里，你先把工作的情况给我说说。如果这工作不错我们就接受下来。
哈里：我有个经营成衣业的客户，在第7街，我每年为他处理申报税款工作。他在洛杉矶有个很大的销售办事处，而洛杉矶承办他主要的会计工作的公司正在物色一名主管人员。他就推荐了我。
苏珊：那好极了，哈里。
哈里：是的，可那意味着我们得搬家到洛杉矶去。
苏珊：工资怎么样？
哈里：明天才正式谈。苏珊，在没和你谈过之前，我不打算做出任何决定。
苏珊：我理解，哈里。
哈里：而且我也不需要迅速做出决定，他们知道我已经结了婚，有了家。
苏珊：嗯，有许多问题需要想一下。如果这职务不错的话，那么我就得想一想我在洛杉矶的事业机会了。
米歇尔：[她又进来了。]一切都没事吧？
苏珊：没事，亲爱的。

ACT 2
爷爷：喂，你好。[他拥抱了苏珊。]你准备好同你爷爷一起去吃午饭吗？
苏珊：噢！嗨，爷爷。当然准备好了，可我的心没有准备好。
爷爷：怎么了，苏珊？
苏珊：我遇到真正的进退两难的困境了。
爷爷：是同你和哈里的关系有关的事吗？
苏珊：是的，可是我不知从何说起。
爷爷：也许我能帮忙。告诉我是什么事，苏珊.
苏珊：谢谢你，爷爷，请坐下。噢！[她拿起椅子上的玩具恐龙，好让爷爷能坐下。]人家要请哈里到洛杉矶去工作.
爷爷：哦，这确实是个需要想一想的问题。
苏珊：要考虑的事情太多了。首先是米歇尔的事，我不知道搬到别的地方去住对她来说是否是件坏事。还有我的工作，我不知道我在洛杉矶是否能得到好的工作。再说，咱们的一家人又会怎样？
爷爷：我可以告诉你我的看法吗？
苏珊：告诉我吧。
爷爷：我认为你事业很成功，你在玩具业里有非常好的声誉。我认为你可以同马凯塔先生谈一谈，我还想他能帮你在洛杉矶找到一个真正的好工作。记得吗，他对我是很帮忙的。
苏珊：我想我可以给他打个电话。但是我不太能确定我真想离开纽约，离开你和咱们家的其它人。
爷爷：好，我不想哄你，苏珊，你知道我们都会想念你的。但这个决定应当由你们来做出，这是一件只有你和哈里才能解决的事。
苏珊：如果搬到洛杉矶对哈里最为有利的话，我该竭尽全力支持他。
爷爷：在所有的婚姻里，时不时总得有一方做出牺牲的。
苏珊：那么米歇尔怎么办呢？
爷爷：嗯，你怎样看？
苏珊：我认为米歇尔呆在这里可以生活得更好。
爷爷：她自己是怎么想的？
苏珊：我不确切知道。
爷爷：说起来，你得问问她。
苏珊：我想我要去和马凯塔先生好好谈一谈，听听他对我离开的意见，还要谈谈他帮我在洛杉矶找个工作的问题。
爷爷：这主意不错。
苏珊：我马上就给他打电话，没有理由拖下去。谢谢你，爷爷。[她给马凯塔先生打电话。]
当天稍后的时候，哈里和他的业务上的朋友比尔•约克在餐馆里吃午饭，比尔在谈有关洛杉矶工作的事。
比尔：哈里，那工作对你再适合不过了，你会很喜欢它的。
哈里：比尔，这对于我来说是个重大的决定。我得和我妻子讨论一下，我不知道这对于她是否合适。
比尔：她会很喜欢的。这是千载难逢的好机会，哈里。
哈里：好，你再和我详细说说。
比尔：这公司叫克拉夫特及克拉夫特公司，是全国最大的会计公司。
哈里：我很了解这个公司，确实很大。
比尔：是最大的。
哈里：对，对，最大的。我什么时候得给你回话？
比尔：先和她好好谈谈，你好好考虑考虑，在周末以前告诉我。
哈里：什么时候我们得搬到洛杉矶去？
比尔：越快越好。
哈里：我还有女儿的事得考虑，我不想让她在学期中间辍学搬家。
比尔：在周末以前告诉我。这对你是个极好的机会，哈里，请相信我。[他准备离去，和哈里握手。]
哈里：我明白。
比尔：克拉夫特及克拉夫特公司是全国最大的会计公司。[他走了。]
哈里：对，我知道，最大的。
当天晚上，在苏珊和哈里的公寓套房里，苏珊和哈里在讨论洛杉矶聘请哈里的事。
苏珊：我想米歇尔已经睡着了，咱俩谈谈吧。
哈里：我今天和比尔•约克会面了。
苏珊：我也和马凯塔先生谈过了。约克提出聘请了吗？
哈里：对，他问我要不要这职务。
苏珊：这很叫人激动，哈里，是什么职务？
哈里：克拉夫特及克拉夫特公司——全国最大的会计公司的副总裁。
苏珊：这事你不感到激动吗？
哈里：当然了。可是需要考虑的事太多了。
苏珊：我跟马凯塔先生谈过了。
哈里：他怎么说的？你跟他谈了我的事吗？
苏珊：当然了，哈里。我想要你得到对你最有益的职务，我想我也能通过马凯塔先生在洛杉矶找到一个好工作。
哈里：你是在哄我。
苏珊：不，我不是在哄你，我和他谈了，他完全理解。他在洛杉矶有个玩具大买主，他相当肯定我能在那儿得到一个好职务。
哈里：简直令人难以相信！
苏珊：可是我想我们应该跟米歇尔好好谈一下这件事。
哈里：你说得对，我们要和她谈一谈。
苏珊：你对于接受洛杉矶的职务是怎样想的？
哈里：我应该怎样想？那是全国最大的会计公司啊。
苏珊：那么说，你对接受这职务感到很好啦？
哈里：嗯……我觉得很好，我为什么不应该觉得好呢？

ACT 3
米歇尔：我很喜欢我的学校，现在我在那儿有许多好朋友了，我就是真的病了，也不想缺一天课。苏珊：过来，坐下一会儿，米歇尔。我想和你谈一件事，一件重要的事。
米歇尔：出什么事了，苏珊？
苏珊：噢，没有出事，米歇尔。只是你爸爸和我在谈一件事，想听听你的意见。米歇尔：我知道。那天晚上我试穿新衣服时听见你们在谈这件事，是关于要搬家到洛杉矶去。苏珊：就是这件事，你对这事怎么想的？
米歇尔：嗯，说真的我是不想搬走的，可是……
苏珊：可是什么？
米歇尔：可是如果你和爸爸想要去的话，我想你们俩人知道怎样做对咱们家和对我才是最好的。苏珊：米歇尔，你真能体谅人，可是你的朋友们呢？
米歇尔：我会很挂念他们的，可是我也明白想念一个人是什么滋味。
苏珊：亲爱的，假如你会为这件事不高兴，我们就不一定要搬走。
米歇尔：爸爸想搬到那儿去吗？
苏珊：我想是的，他今天晚上要告诉我们人家想聘用他的事。
当晚稍后的时间，哈里到家了，他已准备好同家里人一起进晚餐。
哈里：嗯，今天大家都过得怎么样？
苏珊：米歇尔被选中给今年学校演剧绘制招贴画了。
哈里：祝贺你，米歇尔！这太好了！你今天过得怎么样，苏珊？
苏珊：我看得出你现在情绪很好，你何不把你今天的事给我们谈一谈呢？
哈里：我同比尔•约克见面了。
苏珊：你谈吧，不碍事，哈里。米歇尔都知道了。
哈里：真的？
苏珊：哈里，是真的。米歇尔和我对于离开纽约，离开家里人和朋友们，心情很复杂。可是如果你认为你应当接受这一工作，那我们支持你。
哈里：米歇尔上学校怎么办？
苏珊：我们到学期结束再搬家。
哈里：她新交的朋友们怎么办？
米歇尔：只要我们三个人能在一起，无论到哪儿我都可以交到新朋友。
苏珊：哈里，我们是一家人，凡是你认为对于你是正确的作法，对于我们也是正确的。哈里：我真感动，你们两个人真是了不起。
米歇尔：我们爱你，爸爸。
哈里：我也爱你们。
苏珊：好啦，现在给我们说说你同约克先生的谈话，你接受了那工作吗？
哈里：没有。
米歇尔：什么？
苏珊：没有？你没有接受？
哈里：没有，我没有接受那份工作。
米歇尔：可是，爸爸，我还以为……
苏珊：哈里，你不是为了我而拒绝的吧……
米歇尔：也不是为了我吧？
哈里：不是，不是，我是为了我自己而拒绝的。
苏珊：这是怎么回事？
哈里：是这么着，我开始考虑你，考虑米歇尔，然后我问自己，我是否真的要想给全国最大的会计公司工作？
苏珊：结论呢？
哈里：结论是我不想。我自行经营是因为我喜欢自己当自己的老板。我是小池塘里的大鱼，我并不真的认为我情愿当大池塘里的小鱼。
米歇尔：噢，爸爸，这是不是说我们不需要搬家了。
哈里：你说对了，亲爱的。
苏珊：你肯定吗？
哈里：我再肯定不过了，苏珊。
苏珊：只要你高兴，我就高兴，哈里。
哈里：再说，我最喜欢的人都住在这里，我怎么能住到洛杉矶去？
苏珊：你最喜欢的人？
米歇尔：那些人是谁啊？
哈里：当然是斯图尔特一家人了。

Act1
Act2
Act3