当有人用枪来得到他们想要的东西的时候,你该如何阻止他们呢?如果他们要什么,你就给什么,他们定会心花怒放——而且,更会得寸进尺,变本加厉。如果你不交出他们想要的东西,那么,就可能会惹恼他们——他们可能会杀了你。很难说到底该怎么办才好。 When people use guns to take what they want, how do you stop them? If you give them what they want, they will be happy—and they will use their guns again, and again. If you don't give them what they want, then they will be angry—and they will kill. It is not easy to decide what to do. 在这个故事中,面对这个两难境地的是首相,一位政府首脑。但首相也是和我们一样的普通人——有家庭,有孩子。 In this story, the person who has to decide is the Prime Minister, the head of the government. But the Prime Minister is also an ordinary person, just like the rest of us—a person with a family and children. 如果有人拿枪对着你的家人,你怎样才能让头脑保持清醒呢?你该怎么做呢?你采纳别人的建议,跟劫机者展开对话,搞清楚他们到底想要什么,你尽力让大家保持冷静,你慢慢地采取行动。但是,恐怖分子可不愿意等你,迟早你得决定到底该怎么办…… How can you think clearly, if someone is pointing a gun at your family? What do you do? You take advice, you talk to the hijackers, you find out what they want, you keep everybody calm, you try to move slowly. But terrorists don't like waiting, and sooner or later, you have to decide what to do...
Helen Sandberg stood up to welcome the American and British Ambassadors. The two men were very different. The American Ambassador was a short round man with a loud voice which Helen disliked very much. He often wore open-necked shirts, and he had a very hairy chest. She disliked that too. The British Ambassador — a tall thin Scotsman from Edinburgh — was always quiet, polite and well-dressed, but she did not always believe what he said. Once — a year ago — he had lied to her and she could never forget that.
But most of all, she disliked them because they were both military men and their countries were much bigger than hers. They wanted military bases for their soldiers in her country and she did not want them.
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“好吧,先生们,我能为你们做些什么?”
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So, gentlemen, what can I do for you?’
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美国大使首先开口讲话:“嗯,夫人,有一名美国乘客死了……”
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The American spoke first. ’Well, ma’am, an American passenger is dead...’
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“是的,我知道。我对此非常遗憾。我希望不会再有人死去。”
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Yes, I know. I am very sorry about that. I hope no more will die.’
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“我也希望如此,夫人。那架飞机上共有28名美国乘客,我国政府希望保证他们的生命安全。”
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I hope so too, ma’am. There are twenty-eight US passengers on that plane and my Government wants to keep them alive.’
There are a hundred and seven passengers on that plane, Ambassador, and my Government wants them all alive,’ Helen answered quietly. But the Ambassador did not listen.
So the US Government is going to help you, ma’am. We have fifty US Marines at the US Embassy, and they can be here in one hour from now. Then they’ll just take that goddam plane apart.’
The Scotsman smiled. ’Excuse me, Ambassador, but perhaps one hour from now will be too late. One man is already dead. But, er... perhaps you don’t know this, Prime Minister, but this week six SAS soldiers are visiting the British Embassy, and they’re waiting outside in my car now. These men know a lot about hijacks; much more than the US Marines or, probably, your own soldiers, Prime Minister. They know exactly what to do. So...’
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“等等!”美国大使插话道,“美国海军陆战队是……”
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Now just a moment!’ The American interrupted. ’The US Marines are...’
Gentlemen!’ Helen’s clear, hard voice stopped them. ’There’s no time to argue. Firstly, I didn’t know about the SAS soldiers in the British Embassy, and I am very surprised about it. Very surprised indeed, Ambassador. Secondly, I do not think it is a good idea to attack a plane with a hundred and seven passengers in it, and "take it apart" as you say. I want these people to live, not die. So I thank you for your ideas, but remember that this small country is ours, not yours. We will manage this problem in our own way, with our own people, thank you very much. Now you must excuse me, I am busy.’
At the door, the Scotsman turned back. ’Prime Minister, I know you want to save lives,’ he said. ’I understand that. But these hijackers must not go free. My Government does not want that. No Government in the world wants that.’
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“我明白,大使,”海伦平静地回答,“我非常清楚这一点。’
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I know that, Ambassador,’ Helen answered quietly. ’I know that very well.’
As they went out, the phone rang. Michael picked it up. Helen sat down at the table and watched him. His face was very serious. He wrote on a piece of paper and then put the phone down. For a moment, he did not look at her.
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“怎么了,迈克尔?告诉我。”
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What is it, Michael? Tell me.’
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“是飞机上发来的一个无线电信息,首相。”
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It was a radio message from the plane, Prime Minister.’
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“怎么了?他们说什么?他们不想和我对话吗?”
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Well? What did they say? Didn’t they want to talk to me?’
No, Prime Minister. Just the message. It says: "We love our brothers. We hope the Prime Minister loves her husband. He is on the plane, just behind the door."’
For a long moment she stared at Michael, but she did not speak. A picture of the American passenger appeared in her head. She saw him jumping out of the door and the girl shooting him. Shooting him for ten, maybe fifteen long seconds.
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“我感到很遗憾,首相。”迈克尔轻轻地说。
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I’m sorry, Prime Minister,’ said Michael softly.
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“什么?是的,我也很遗憾。我原以为也许……也许劫机犯不知道卡尔是我的丈夫。但现在他们知道了。”
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What? Yes, so am I. I thought perhaps... perhaps the hijackers didn’t know Carl was my husband. But now they do know.’
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她用手拢了拢头发,随后看了看手表。可是她的手颤抖得太厉害了,根本看不清时间。
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She ran her hand through her hair and then looked at her watch. But her hand was shaking so much that she could not tell the time.
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电话又响了。迈克尔接听。
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The phone rang again. Michael picked it up.
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“首相,卡特上校在外面。”他注视着她,等着她的回答,“我让他等等,好吗?”
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ColonelCarter is outside, Prime Minister.’ He watched her, waiting for an answer. ’I’ll tell him to wait, shall I?’
She put her hands flat on the table and stood up. ’Yes. Yes, Michael. Tell him to wait two minutes, that’s all.’ She walked to the window and stared out at the plane. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass and for two minutes she did not move. Then she turned round and smiled at Michael.
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“但愿卡特上校已经想出了一个好计划,对吗?让他进来。”
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Let’s just hope Colonel Carter’s plan is a good one, shall we? Show him in.’