女记者Zoe与Frank的那些羁绊(1)

在美剧《纸牌屋》当中，主角Francis Underwood自始至终有着多位对手，他们有的诡计多端 有的时敌时友 有的心狠手辣 有的风情万种。今天我就向大家再现女记者Zoe Barnes在S01E01里第一次拜访Frank的场景。


段落1：凸显自己的特别以获准进门面谈

25'

Frank: Who are you?

Zoe: My name is Zoe Barnes, I'm a reporter at the Washington Herald.

Frank: It is after 10:30 at night and this is my home. I do not allow any...

Zoe: We are part of a mutual admiration society.

Frank: You're a fan of the symphony.

Zoe: One more for the people watching than the music.

Frank: It's all right, Steve. Come on in, Miss Barnes.

注：Zoe用之前其他记者拍摄到的一张在出席Jefferson舞会时 Frank无意中打量自己的照片（下图）和一句精妙的"One more for the people watching than the music.
"迅速拉近了和之前素未谋面、被冒昧造访的Frank的距离。

段落2：睿智机敏的回答赢得了大人物的理解

114'

Zoe: It's strong.

Frank: You preferred weak?

Zoe: No, the stronger the better. There's no harm in looking.

Frank: It's a cheap ploy.

Zoe: It's cheap, but effective.

Frank: Well, you certainly have my undivided attention.

Zoe: Good. The reason I'm here...

Frank: Oh, is foreplay over?

Zoe: I read somewhere that JFK never lasted more than three minutes.

Frank: The point being?

Zoe: Time is precious. Powerful people don't have the luxury of foreplay.

Frank: OK, so why are you here, Ms. Barnes?

Zoe: I need somebody I can talk to.

Frank: We're talking. Tell me what we're talking about.

Zoe: I protect your identity. I print whatever you tell me. And I'll never ask any questions.

Frank: And what makes you think I don't already have such an arrangement with one of your colleagues.

Zoe: Because if you did, you wouldn't have let me through the door.

Frank: I've led a very long, very successful career avoiding this sort of intrigue with the press. I can't see any advantage in starting now.

Zoe: But is there any disadvantage?

Frank: Sloppiness, for one.

Zoe: I promise you absolute discretion.

Frank: So, we're talking about trust.

Zoe: Use whatever word you like.

Frank: Words matter very much, Ms. Barnes. You should care more about them, given your profession.

Zoe: Then, yes. Your trust.

Frank: So, which Zoey Barnes am I to trust? The one who wrote about the fireman that married the meter maid? Or the one who authored a very fine article on a new jogging path in Rockcreek Park? Don't be flattered. I read everything.

Zoe: I'm better than what they have me doing. You know what that feels like.

Frank: Do I?

Zoe: You would've made a great Secretary of State.

注：最后的那句，由于刚刚晋升国务卿受挫，被Zoe又以恰到好处的方式引用来回答该问题，Frank与Zoe瞬间产生了共鸣从而打开了进一步沟通的大门。


段落3：完成首次拜访

46'

Frank: How exactly may I help you, Miss Barnes?

Zoe: You must know the administration legislative agenda. What's coming up first?

Frank: I may.

Zoe: Will you tell me?

Frank: What would be your guess?

Zoe: Education.

Frank: Why?

Zoe: Immigration is too controversial. A tax reform isn't sexy enough. Everyone can get behind children. Is it education?

Frank: You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

Zoe: A hint.

Frank: It's late, Miss Barnes.

Zoe: Can we talk again?

Frank: I hope you'll understand that I want to sleep on all of this. I never make such big decision so long after sunset and so far from dawn.

注：经典表述，
1. You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment. 源于原著的名句，意思明确不赘述。
2. I never make such big decision so long after sunset and so far from dawn.

虽然Zoe的首次拜访并没有获得实质性的内幕消息，但非常成功地与大人物Frank建立起了联系和信任的基础却是最重要的收获。