Episode 22: Career Choices

Career Choices
Act 1.
Marilyn: "Rock-a-bye, baby, on the tree top, When the wind blows. The cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, The cradle will fall, And down will come baby, Cradle and all."
Richard: Hi, Marilyn. What are you doing?
Marilyn: Just sketching. I've been thinking a lot about our responsibilities in the past few weeks.
Richard: I never stop thinking about them.
Marilyn: I've been wrestling with question of whether I go back to work or not.
Richard: I see.
Marilyn: And I'm torn. I really want to go back to work, use my talents, and pursue my career in fashion design like we as a fulltime mother, especially when he's a baby.
Richard: I really understand, Marilyn, But you never have to worry about Max. There's Mother and Grandpa...and I can always arrange my photo schedule around your schedule, if that will help.
Marilyn: It's not the same, Richard.
Richard: Have you discussed going back to work with your boss?
Marilyn: Rita Mae called yesterday.
Richard: Ah! That's what's got you thinking, isn't it?
Marilyn: She wants to know when I think I'll be returning to the boutique.
Richard: And you said...?
Marilyn: I said I'd give her an answer in a few days...that I wasn't sure.
Richard: I'm sure Rita Mae will understand and wait until you're ready to go back to work.
Marilyn: Well, maybe she will, and maybe she won't. Who knows? If I don't accept her offer, maybe she'll find someone else in the meantime, and when I'm ready to go back, there won't be a job for me.
Richard: That's something to consider. You've got yourself to think about, too.
Marilyn: But I am thinking about myself. Don't you see?
Richard: What do you mean?
Marilyn: It's not just the job. It's also my career as Max's mother. That's the way I look at it. I have two career opportunities at the same time. My career as a fashion Designer and my career as a mother.
Richard: I never really thought about being a mother as a career. I guess you do have two career opportunities and a decision to make.
Marilyn: I hear Max.
Richard: I'll go to him.
Marilyn: No, that's OK. I'll do it.

Act 2.
Ellen: There's your teddy bear, Max.
Ellen: He just loves that teddy bear that Grandpa Philip bought for him.
Marilyn: I took him to Philip's office yesterday for a checkup. You should have seen the look on his face when Molly gave him the injection.
Ellen: Oh, did he cry?
Marilyn: No, My dear little boy just looked up at me as if to say, "Mama, what are they doing to me? Help!"
Ellen: How did you feel? Tell the truth didn't you feel terrible?
Marilyn: I sure did. I held him closely. I kissed the top of his dear little head. He looked up at me. He tried to smile. Being with him helped.
Ellen: Helped him? Or helped you?
Marilyn: Being a mother is not easy, if that's what you mean.
Ellen: Speaking of being a mother, I've been meaning to ask you what you were thinking about regarding going back to work. I know Rita Mae called. I can imagine what is going through your head.
Marilyn: I'm sure you can, Ellen.
Ellen: There are so many things to consider. One thing that makes it easier for you is that you have us. Max will always have a family member to watch over him while you're at work. I didn't have that when Richard and Susan were born.
Marilyn: What did you do?
Ellen: I chose to continue with my career as a music teacher. We hired a woman to watch Richard and then Susan, and I continued with my career.
Marilyn: Do you think you made the right decision?
Ellen: I think I did. But when Robbie was born, I decided to give fulltime attention to raising Robbie. I felt differently at that time.
Marilyn: And you gave up your career as a music teacher?
Ellen: Not exactly. I continued to teach piano lessons at home.
Marilyn: How did you feel about being away when Susan and Richard were babies?
Ellen: I think I did the right thing for them and for myself and for Philip. We needed the money. Remember?
Marilyn: Well, we do too, Ellen. Everything I earn helps us towards getting that house we want and need.
Susan: I can't wait till he's just a little older. Our toy company makes the most wonderful toys for kids.
Marilyn: Max thanks you. I thank you. And Ricard thanks you. Now may I please say hello?
Susan: Hello. Hello. I miss Max and think about him all week long. We talk about him at dinnertime.
Ellen: Will you please try to relax? I've never seen you so wound up.
Marilyn: You seem to be enjoying the pressure.
Susan: The truth is, I am. My job is not an easy one, but I really enjoy it.
Marilyn: That is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, Susan.
Susan: What's the problem?
Ellen: Marilyn's career.
Marilyn: Well, my choice of careers.
Susan: Choice?
Marilyn: My career as a fashion designer versus my career as a mother.
Susan: Why does it have to be one or the other?
Ellen: That's what I said.
Marilyn: How's that?
Susan: Why can't you do both?
Ellen: She's right.
Marilyn: Both?
Susan: Well, that's what I do. I have a job, and I have Michelle. I take care of both to the best of my ability. It's not easy, but what is?
Ellen: And that's what I did. I did both with Richard and Susan, and I did both with Robbie.
Marilyn: I thought you stayed home with Robbie?
Ellen: I did. But I was lucky enough to have a career as a music teacher which I could continue at home.
Susan: Why can't you work at home, Marilyn? You're very talented. Designing dresses is a career you could establish out of your home, couldn't you?
Marilyn: I don't know why I didn't think of it. It seems so simple now.for a year or two I could stay at home with Max and do my dress designs.
Ellen: And you could make your dresses at home.
Susan: Sounds like a great way to solve the problem.
Ellen: That could solve your problem, Marilyn.
Marilyn: I'm going to call rita Mae at home and ask her come by and talk about it. She want to see Max, anyway.
Susan: I think that really answers your questions, Marilyn. You can do it.Do your designs at home-here.
Marilyn: And let Rita Mae do the selling at the boutique.
Ellen: And you can both benefit financially.
Marilyn: I'm going to call Rita Mae right now. Oh, Susan, thank you so much for coming all this way form the city to talk to me about it. I hope you don't mind having taken so much time away from your busy schedule.
Susan: Are you kidding? I don't mind at all. As a matter of fact, I came to spend some time with my favorite nephew.
Ellen: I think you should call Rita Mae right now. I think your idea of working at home is perfect.
Marilyn: I don't know what I would do without you. I'm lucky to have you all.
Ellen: We are lucky to have you, Marilyn.
Susan: And so is Max.

Act 3.
Ellen: Hi, big guy.
Marilyn: That must be Rita Mae.
Ellen: She sure got here quickly. That's a good sign. She must like you and your work, Marilyn.
Marilyn: I think she's just anxious to see Max. She loves children.
Rita Mae: Hi, Marilyn.
Marilyn: Welcome. It's so nice of you to come.
Rita Mae: Oh, I just wanted to see your baby, Max.
Ellen: Hello, Rita Mae.
Rita Mae: I haven't seen you since the hospital.
Ellen: I'm Ellen Stewart, Marilyn's mother-in-law.
Rita Mae: We met at the hospital. Hello. How are you?
Ellen: I remember. How are you?
Rita Mae: Oh, and there is Max! Oh! My, how he's grown! A little present for Max.
Marilyn: Oh, it's beautiful, Rita Mae! You shouldn't have.
Rita Mae: It's nothing. It's just a little present for Max.
Ellen: Can I get you some coffee or tea a cold drink, Rita Mae?
Rita Mae: Oh, nothing, thank you.
Ellen: Well, I will leave you two to talk. Come on, you big guy. Yes, come on. That's it.
Eleln: It's nice seeing you. Let me know if you need anything.
Rita Mae: Thanks, Ellen.
Marilyn: Thanks, Ellen.
Rita Mae: OK, Marilyn. You sounded like you've made a decision when you called me. I'm all ears.
Marilyn: I have made a decision, Rita Mae. I've decided to stay at home and be a full-time mother.
Rita Mae: I'm disappointed, but I respect your decision. If I had a child as cute as Max, I might do the same thing.
Marilyn: But I haven't finished telling you the other half of my decision.
Rita Mae: The other half?
Marilyn: Yes. I think I can stay at home and take care of Max and continue my career.
Rita Mae: Sounds interesting. Let me hear it.
Marilyn: Do you remember our talks about custom-designed dresses for the boutique?
Rita Mae: I sure do.
Marilyn: Why can't I design dresses for you here at home? And make them here. Have the fittings here, too.
Rita Mae: And I could do the selling and the pricing at the boutique.
Marilyn: Exactly.
Rita Mae: Oh! What kind of dresses would you design?
Marilyn: I've thought about that for some time.
Rita Mae: Yes?
Marilyn: Wedding dresses.
Rita Mae: Wedding dresses? Brilliant idea! There's a big market today in wedding dresses.
Marilyn: That's what I thought.
Rita Mae: I like the idea very much. And if it's successful, we can expand to all kinds dresses.
Marilyn: That's what I thought.
Rita Mae: As a matter of fact, I have a customer for your first wedding dress. My niece is getting married, and I've been trying to find just the right thing for her. Marilyn, you're going to design my niece's dress. That'll be our first one, and then we'll use it to sell others.
Marilyn: Do you really mean it?
Rita Mae: I really mean it. It's a simple idea, and it will work. You can certainly design dresses. I know that. And there's no reason why you can't do it from your home.
Marilyn: I'm so excited! I can't wait to tell Richard!
Rita Mae: If I had a baby like Max, I'd want to stay home and be near him all the time, too. You're making the right decision for Max and for yourself too, Marilyn.
Marilyn: It all sounds so easy.
Rita Mae: Now the hard work begins.
Marilyn: Would you like to see some of my designs that I've been working on?
Rita Mae: I'd love to . Ooh! Oh, that's wonderful! Ooh...

职业选择

ACT 1
玛丽琳：“摇呀摇，宝贝，安睡在树梢，
刮起了风时，
小摇篮就摇。
刮断了树枝，
摇篮往下掉，
连摇篮带宝贝，
摔了一大交。”
当天夜间，玛丽琳在起居室里，她在看她画好的时装设计图样，理查德进来了。
理查德：嗨，玛丽琳，你在干什么？
玛丽琳：只是在画草图。过去几周以来我一直在想我们的责任，想了很多。
理查德：我也是想个不停。
玛丽琳：我在左思右想，是否要回去工作。
理查德：我明白了。
玛丽琳：我左右为难了。我真的想回去工作，使用我的才智，像我们一直想的那样从事我时装设计的事业。可是现在……我想作为一个全职的母亲，和小马克斯在一起，特别是在他还是小娃娃的时候。
理查德：我真的理解你，玛丽琳。可是你根本不必为马克斯担心，有妈妈，还有爷爷……再说我总是可以避开你的工作时间来安排我的摄影工作，假使这样做有用的话。
玛丽琳：可是那是不一样的，理查德。
理查德：你有没有和你们老板讨论过回去工作的问题？
玛丽琳：丽塔•梅昨天来过电话了。
理查德：啊！就是那件事勾起你的心事了，是不是？
玛丽琳：她想知道我认为什么时候可以回到时装屋去。
理查德：而你说的是……？
玛丽琳：我说我几天内给她答复……我说我不能肯定。
理查德：我相信丽塔•梅会理解的，她会等到你准备好回去工作的时候。
玛丽琳：嗯，也许她会等，也许她不会等。谁知道呢？如果我不接受她的建议，也许她会在这段时间里另找个人，那样等到我能够回去时，就没有我的工作了。
理查德：这倒是一个需要考虑的问题，你也得为你自己设想才是。
玛丽琳：可是你难道不明白，我正是在为我自己设想呀？
理查德：你是什么意思？
玛丽琳：重要的不光是我的职业问题，我作为马克斯的母亲这一事业也很重要。我就是这样看待这一问题的，我同时兼有两个事业机会，一个是当时装设计师，另一个是当母亲。
理查德：我从来没有真正地把当母亲作为一种事业前途来考虑过。我想你现在有两种事业机会，需要作出一个决定来。
[他们听见小宝宝哭了]
玛丽琳：我听见马克斯哭了。
理查德：我去看他。
玛丽琳：不用，没事，我去吧。

ACT 2
埃伦：[她把马克斯的毛毛熊放在他的游戏围栏里。]马克斯，给你你的毛毛熊。
埃伦：他最喜欢菲利普爷爷给他买的毛毛熊了。
玛丽琳：我昨天带他去菲利普的诊室里去检查身体。当莫莉给他注射的时候，他脸上的那表情，你可惜没看见。
埃伦：噢，他哭了没有？
玛丽琳：没有哭。我的乖儿子只是抬眼看着我，好像是在说，“妈妈，他们在对我干什么呢？救救我！”
埃伦：你当时怎样感觉的？实话告诉我，你没感到很难过吗？
玛丽琳：我真是感到难过。我紧紧地搂着他，我亲他可爱的小脑袋瓜，他翻眼朝我看着，还想笑。和他在一起是对他有帮助的。
埃伦：是对他有帮助，还是对你自己有帮助？
玛丽琳：做母亲可真不容易，也许你是这个意思。
埃伦：至于说做母亲嘛，我一直想问问你，关于回去工作的问题你是怎样考虑的？我知道丽塔•梅来过电话了，我能猜想出你都想了些什么。
玛丽琳：我敢说你能猜想到，埃伦。
埃伦：有那么多的事情需要考虑。有一件事能帮你减少一些困难，就是你有我们来搭一把手。在你工作的时候，马克斯总能有家里人在照看他。我生理查德和苏珊的时候却没有这个条件。
玛丽琳：那时候你是怎么办的？
埃伦：我选择了继续从事音乐教师的事业，我们请了个妇女来照看理查德，后来是照看苏珊。我继续从事我的事业.
玛丽琳：你认为你做出的决定正确吗？
埃伦：我认为是的。可是生下罗比时，我决定把全部时间和注意力都用来抚育罗比。那时候我的心情已经变了。
玛丽琳：因此你就放弃了音乐教师的事业？
埃伦：不尽是这样，我继续在家里教钢琴。
玛丽琳：苏珊和理查德小的时候，你离开家出去工作，当时你的心情如何？
埃伦：我认为我为他们做了一件正确的事，也为我自己和菲利普做了一件正确的事。我们当时需要那笔收入，记得吗？
玛丽琳：嗯，我们也需要，埃伦。我所挣到的每一笔钱都能帮助我们早些得到我们想要也需要的房子。
星期六午后，埃伦、玛丽琳和马克斯在廊坪上，苏珊到来和他们在一起。
苏珊：我迫不及待地希望他长大一些，我们的玩具公司为小孩子们制造了最好的玩具。
玛丽琳：马克斯感谢你，我感谢你，理查德也感谢你。现在可以让我向你说声“你好”了吧？
苏珊：[对玛丽琳说]你好。[对埃伦说]你好。我整个星期都想念马克斯，老惦记着他。我和哈里、米歇尔在吃晚饭时就谈他。
埃伦：你能不能努力放松一下？我从来没有看见过你这么紧张。
玛丽琳：你似乎很喜欢这种压力。
苏珊：事实上，我的确如此。我的工作不容易，可是我从中得到乐趣。
玛丽琳：苏珊，这正是我想同你谈的事。
苏珊：有什么问题吗？
埃伦：玛丽琳的事业前途。
玛丽琳：也可以说，我该选择哪一个事业。
苏珊：选择事业？
玛丽琳：一个事业是当时装设计师，另一个是当母亲。
苏珊：为什么必须不是这个就是那个？
埃伦：我就是这样说的。
玛丽琳：那是怎么说？
苏珊：你为什么不能二者兼顾？
埃伦：苏珊说得对。
玛丽琳：二者兼顾？
苏珊：不错，我就是那样做的。我有工作，我还有米歇尔，我尽我所能把两方面都照顾好。这确实不容易，可什么事容易啊？
埃伦：当初我也是那样做的。我带苏珊和理查德的时候就是二者兼顾，我带罗比的时候也是二者兼顾。
玛丽琳：我以为你是呆在家里照顾罗比的？
埃伦：我是那样做的。但是我很幸运有个当音乐教师的事业，能在家里继续工作。
苏珊：玛丽琳，你为什么不能在家里工作呢？你非常有才气，时装设计是一种你可以在家里创立起来的事业，不是吗？
玛丽琳：我不知道我为什么没有想到这一点，现在好像问题很简单了。我可以有一两年留在家里照顾马克斯，同时进行我的时装设计。
埃伦：而且你还可以在家里缝制时装。
苏珊：听起来像是一个极好的解决问题的方法。
埃伦：这能够解决你的问题，玛丽琳。
玛丽琳：我要给丽塔•梅家里打电话，请她过来谈这件事，反正她也想看看马克斯呢。
苏珊：我想这办法真的解答了你的难题，玛丽琳。你能做好的，在家里做你的时装设计吧——就在这儿。
玛丽琳：让丽塔•梅在时装屋负责销售那一头的事。
埃伦：而你们双方都能得到经济效益。
玛丽琳：我现在马上就给丽塔•梅打电话。噢，苏珊，真感谢你从城里大老远来到这儿和我谈这件事。你那么忙，却为我花了那么多时间，望你不要为此介意。
苏珊：你在说玩笑话吗？我一点儿不介意。事实上，我是来同我心爱的小侄子呆一会儿的。[她俯身在游戏围栏上。]埃伦：我想你应该马上给丽塔•梅打电话。我认为你那个在家里干工作的主意好极了。
玛丽琳：我真不知道我没有你们该怎么办，我有你们大家，真是福气。
埃伦：我们有了你才是福气呢，玛丽琳。
苏珊：马克斯也是这样啊。

ACT 3
埃伦：[她看着围栏里的马克斯。]嗨，小大人。
[门铃响了。]
玛丽琳：一定是丽塔•梅来了。
埃伦：她来得真快，这是个好兆头。她一定喜欢你，也喜欢你干出的活，玛丽琳。
玛丽琳：我想她只是渴望看到马克斯，她最喜欢孩子们了。[她去开门。]
丽塔•梅：嗨，玛丽琳。
玛丽琳：欢迎，你能来真是太好了。
丽塔•梅：噢，我只是想看看你的宝宝马克斯。
埃伦：你好，丽塔•梅。
丽塔•梅：[对埃伦说]我从上次在医院见到你一次之后，一直还没有见到你呢。
埃伦：我是埃伦•斯图尔特，玛丽琳的婆婆。[她和丽塔•梅握手。]
丽塔•梅：我们在医院已经认识了。你好，你身体好吗？
埃伦：我记得在医院见到你。你身体好吗？
丽塔•梅：噢，这就是马克斯！噢！天哪，他长得这么大了。[她交给玛丽琳一件礼物。]这是给马克斯的一件小礼物。
玛丽琳：[她打开礼物匣，是一把小银匙。]噢，美极了，丽塔•梅！你不该这样破费的。
丽塔•梅：小意思，这只是给马克斯的一件小礼物。
埃伦：你要点儿咖啡、茶或冷饮吗，丽塔•梅？
丽塔•梅：噢，不要了，谢谢你。
埃伦：好，我走开，让你们俩谈谈吧。[对马克斯说]来吧，你这个小大人。对，来吧[她抱起小娃娃。]行了。
埃伦：[对丽塔•梅说]能见到你很高兴，如果你需要什么就告诉我。[她走了。]
丽塔•梅：谢谢，埃伦。
玛丽琳：谢谢，埃伦。
丽塔•梅：好吧，玛丽琳。你给我打电话时的口气好像你已经做出了决定，我迫切想听听。
玛丽琳：我确实已经做出决定了，丽塔•梅。我已经决定留在家里当个全职的母亲。
丽塔•梅：我很失望，但我尊重你的决定。我要是有个像马克斯一样可爱的孩子，我可能也会这样做的。
玛丽琳：可我还没有谈完我决定的另外一半呢。
丽塔•梅：另外一半？
玛丽琳：是的。我认为我能呆在家里照顾马克斯，同时还继续我的事业。
丽塔•梅：听起来很有兴趣，跟我说说。
玛丽琳：你还记得吗？我们谈过时装屋可以搞为个别顾客专门设计的时装。
丽塔•梅：我当然记得。
玛丽琳：我为什么不可以在家里为你设计时装呢？也在家里缝制时装，连试样子都在这里。
丽塔•梅：我可以在时装屋里管销售、定价那一头。
玛丽琳：一点不错。
丽塔•梅：噢！你将设计什么样的时装？
玛丽琳：这事我想了一些时间了。
丽塔•梅：比如说？
玛丽琳：结婚礼服。
丽塔•梅：结婚礼服？这主意真高明！现在结婚礼服的需求量很大。
玛丽琳：我正是这样想的。
丽塔•梅：我很喜欢这主意，如果它成功了，我们可以扩展到各种时装。
玛丽琳：我也正是这样想的。
丽塔•梅：事实上，我已经为你的第一件结婚礼服找到了一个顾客。我侄女要结婚了，我一直在努力寻找适合她穿的结婚礼服。玛丽琳，我侄女的结婚礼服就由你来设计了。这将是我们的头一件活，然后我们就借助它来卖别的礼服.
玛丽琳：你这话当真？
丽塔•梅：我是真心实意的。这是个简单的想法，而它会成功的。你肯定是个设计服装的能手，这我很清楚。没有什么理由说你不能在家里设计出来。
玛丽琳：我激动极了！我迫不及待地想告诉理查德！
丽塔•梅：我若是有个像马克斯那样的宝宝，我也会想要呆在家里一刻不离开他的。玛丽琳，你为马克斯也为了你自己做出了正确的决定。
玛丽琳：这事听起来太容易了。
丽塔•梅：现在要开始艰苦的工作了。
玛丽琳：你想不想看看我近日在搞的一些服装图样？
丽塔•梅：我很愿意。[她开始看玛丽琳的服装设计图样。]噢！噢，那一件好极了！噢……

Act1
Act2
Act3