Lois is browsing around a used-car dealership in Columbia, South Carolina when Murray, the dealer, approaches her.

　　M:That coupe's a beauty, isn't it? Forty percent cheaper than the sticker price, and only two years old. Low mileage, too.

　　L:Hmm ... it is well below the industry standard of twelve thousand miles per year. Could I have the original owner's phone number, so I can checksintosthe car's history?

　　M:I'm afraid you can't. We have a confidentiality agreement.

　　L:How about written documentation of the car's service and repair history?

　　M:Ah ... we don't have it here. This car camesintosour Charleston lot.

　　L:Wasn't Charleston severely flooded this spring?

　　M:Yeah. ... Oh, you think I'm trying to sell you a flood-damaged car?

　　L:It does smell rather musty. Can my mechanic check it out?

　　M:Er ... we have our own mechanic, ma'am. He'll tell you it's a good car.

　　L:I'm sure he will.

　　M:I can come down on the price a little, if that's what you want. And if you pay an extra seven hundred dollars, we can give you full dealer-certification.

　　L:But a two-year-old car should still be under the manufacturer's warranty. Forget it. The deal's gone sour. I know a lemon when I see one!

　　--- by Charles Yonts




Lemon Aid：精明选购二手车
　　洛伊斯正在南卡罗莱纳州哥伦比亚市的二手车市场四处看。这时销售员默里走过来。

　　默里：那辆双门车真美，是吧？比标价还要便宜四成而且还只是两年车。里程数也低。

　　洛伊斯：嗯......那比这行的标准每年1，200英里低很多。我可不可以要原车主的电话，好查一下这辆车的记录？

　　默里：恐怕不行。我们有保密协议。

　　洛伊斯：那么有关这辆车的服务和维修记录的书面文件呢?

　　默里：啊......我们手边没有。这辆车是进到我们在查尔斯顿的车场的。

　　洛伊斯：查尔斯顿今年春天水灾不是很严重吗？

　　默里：是啊。......噢，你以为我想卖给你一辆被洪水泡过的车吗？

　　洛伊斯：它闻起来霉味的确很重。可以让我的机械师检查一下吗？

　　默里：呃......我们有专门的机械师，小姐。他会告诉你那是一辆好车。

　　洛伊斯：我相信他一定会这么说。

　　默里：如果你真想要这部车，我可以降一点价。要是你再多付700元，我们就可以给你完整的经销商开出的品质保证书。

　　洛伊斯：但是一辆出厂两年的车子应该还在保修期内。算了。这笔买卖不行。对没有价值的东西，我一眼就看得出来！