史密斯夫妇终于找到一所满意的房子。他们想买下来，但是又觉得价钱太高，因此委托代理与业主协商一下价格。

A--Agent 物业代理
B--Landlord 业主
C--Client1 客户一 Mr. Smith
D--Client2 客户二 Mrs. Smith

A: What do you think about the residential¹ flat?
你觉得这套公寓怎么样？

C: I'm so happy that my wife has finally found a flat that she likes. However, we would like to negotiate the price first. You know that three million Hong Kong dollars is too high for this location.
我非常满意，我太太终于找到一套她喜欢的房子。不过，我们希望先商谈一下价钱。你知道三百万港币在这个地段来说太高了。

A: How much do you want to offer the vendor²?
你会还多少价钱给业主呢?

D: We'll offer two million, eight hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars for the flat. Please see how that sits with the vendor, Mr. Wang. We will be back later.
这房子我们只能给二百八十万。王先生，请您问问业主的意思。我们一会儿回来。

(After the two clients left, the agent gets on line with the landlord.)
（客户离开后，代理致电业主。）

A: Hello, Mr. Johnson, this is Jiming from the ABC Properties Company.
约翰逊先生，你好，我是ABC物业代理公司的Jiming。

B: Hello, Mr. Wong, how are things going?
你好，王先生，怎么样？

A: My client checked out your flat. They were very interested and they would like to offer two million eight hundred thousand dollars for your consideration.
我的客户看过你的房子了。他们很感兴趣，还价二百八十万元，希望你考虑一下。

B: I think that is a bit too low for me. Do you know it has been below the market price? My friend told me that similar units sold for two million nine hundred thousand dollars last week. Plus, you know the condition of my flat is excellent.
我想这价钱对我来说太低了。你知道这售价是低于市价吧？我朋友告诉我上星期一个同样的公寓是二百九十万元卖出的。再者，你知道我那房子保养得很好。

A: I understand, Mr. Johnson, but they really like your flat, otherwise they would not have made an offer so soon.
约翰逊先生，这个我知道。但他们真的很喜欢你的房子，否则他们也不会这么快就还价的。

B: I know. I also want to sell it as soon as possible, but two million and eight hundred thousand dollars is below what I expected. How about two million eight hundred and thirty thousand dollars? It is my bottom line. Please try to get a good price for me. Also, they need to complete the transaction within one month.
我知道，我也希望尽快卖出房子。不过二百八十万实在比我期望的要少。二百八十三万怎么样？这是最低价了。麻烦你替我争取高一点的价钱。同时，我要求买家在一个月内完成所有手续。

A: I will discuss it with the client right now, and I will call you later. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.
我立刻和客户商量，稍后给你电话。谢谢你，约翰逊先生。

B: Thank you.
谢谢。

改编自：英语周报