Frankfurt Earrings - Bookworm. Oxford English-Chinese Bilingual Readers (Level 2 suitable for 8th and 9th graders)

Author: (English) Wright
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Kelly is not a very decent person, and I really don’t like him. I’ve been working for him for a year now. This job was found for me by my father—he told me to work diligently and not to ask too many questions. Kelly often loses his temper, and whenever this happens, he turns red and shouts at everyone. I’m afraid of him, but I don’t want to lose this job. I need money, and it’s not that easy to find another job. Richard started working for Kelly about a month ago. We are good friends, but we rarely talk about work. People who work for Kelly never talk about work. We don’t really know what kind of business he is in. He owns two auto repair shops in the city and deals in used cars. However, he also trades in all sorts of other goods, such as furniture, antique paintings, jewelry, etc. I think some of these things must be stolen, but I never ask about it. Ten days ago, Kelly called me into his office. I stood in the room, waiting for him to speak. He started telling me some things, but then stopped. He looked down at some documents, then took out his diary and opened it.
“Wendy, what do you plan to do this weekend?”
“I’m not quite sure yet, Mr. Kelly.”
“How about going on a trip? Of course, I’ll compensate you for it.”
His words surprised me, and I didn’t answer immediately. I asked, “Mr. Kelly, are you asking me to go on a trip?”
“Yes, to Germany—returning the same day. This task isn’t difficult, but it’s very important. What do you think?”
I know very little about the kind of business Kelly is in, but I find these trips to other countries a bit suspicious. Similar situations happen every two or three months, and afterward, there’s always a secret meeting in the office, usually late at night. I decided not to go on the trip to Germany.
“But, but I’ve never been to Germany. So, don’t you think, perhaps you could send someone else?”
“Wendy, I’m sending you. I said this task is very important, and I hope you’ll complete it.”
I wanted to say something, but he kept talking:
“I have a friend in Frankfurt who wants to give me something. They’ll give you three small boxes, like egg cartons, and you just bring them back. It’s not that hard, is it?”
I said nothing.
“Wendy, are you listening to me?” he asked. “I need you to do this for me.”
His voice started to get louder. I looked at his face.
“I’m very sorry, Mr. Kelly. I just remembered that I’m very busy this weekend, and I’m afraid I can’t go on the trip.”
P33-35