罗伯茨一家最终看中了鲁宾逊花园的房子。他们决定把它租下来。但是他们觉得租金太高了，还想把墙纸换一换。于是罗伯茨一家通过代理和业主进行了协商。

A--Agent Mr. Chen 物业代理陈先生
B--Client 1 Mr. Roberts 客户一 罗伯茨先生
C--Client 2 Mrs. Roberts 客户二 罗伯茨太太

A: Mr. Roberts, I am so glad that your family likes the unit so much.
罗伯茨先生，我很高兴你的家人喜欢这房子。

B: Mr. Chen, we have seen many apartments, and finally agreed to rent the Robinson Garden flat.
陈先生，我们已经看过很多公寓了，最后我们同意租鲁宾逊花园的房子。

C: The appliances¹ and furniture suit our taste. Also, the rooms are big enough for our kids. However, could you help us to negotiate² a better rent with the landlord³?
用具和室内家具很符合我们的品味。而且，对我的孩子来说，房子也够大。但是，你可以帮我们和业主商量一个合理的租金吗？

A: How much is it?
你认为多少呢？

B: I would like to reduce the rent to forty thousand HK dollars per month. Also, is there any rent-free period?
我希望把每月租金减到四万港币。另外，有没有免租期呢?

A: I'll have to discuss it with the landlord first.
这个问题我必须先与业主协商。

(After half an hour, the Roberts' family comes back to the ABC properties Company Agency)
（半小时后，罗伯茨一家回到ABC物业代理公司。）

B: Any good news for me?
有没有好消息呢？

A: Yes, after a long talk with the landlord, he promised to reduce the monthly⁴ rent to forty- three thousand HK dollars. The rent-free period is fourteen days. These are very reasonable terms. What do you think?
有的，和业主协商后，他答应每月租金减到四万三千港币。免租期为十四天。这些条件非常合理，你认为怎样？

B: Well, let me see. The total for the monthly rent, management fee and government rates will be forty-five thousand dollars. I think it is still too high. What if the rent includes the government fees?
让我想一想。租金，管理费加上政府税金，每个月总共是四万五千港币。我觉得还是高了些。 租金能不能包括政府税金？

C: Also, is it possible for me to have painted walls instead of the wallpaper?
另外，墙壁能否刷漆来代替墙纸呢？

A: Let me call the landlord now. Please have a seat.
我立刻联系业主，请坐一下。

(After ten minutes, they finally agree to the lease⁵ terms.)
（十分钟后，双方同意所有租赁条件。）

A: The landlord will come to my office in fifteen minutes. Both parties have to sign a provisional tenancy agreement.
业主十五分钟后会到公司。然后双方签订一份临时租约。

C: Great. Thank you, Mr. Chen.
太好了，谢谢，陈先生。

A: You're welcome.
不用客气。

改编自：英语周报