恒星英语听力网
恒星英语听力网
学习啦在线学习网 恒星英语听力网的英语听力材料。下面是学习啦小编给大家整理的恒星英语听力网的相关知识，供大家参阅!
恒星英语听力网听力篇1
Lesson Thirty-Six
Section One:
学习啦在线学习网 A. Making a Reservation:
学习啦在线学习网 Robert Gordon is phoning to book a hotel room in Paris.
学习啦在线学习网 Receptionist: 45-21-64. Allo?Robert: Is that the Saint-Martine Hotel?
Receptionist: Oui. Yes, it is. Can I help you?
学习啦在线学习网 Robert: Have you got a double room for the night of 23rd July?
Receptionist: One moment please. I'll just have a look.
Yes, we have got a double room on that date.Robert: Has it got a double bed or two singles?
Receptionist: Two singles, monsieur.
Robert: And is that with or without bath?
Receptionist: It's a room with shower and toilet, monsieur.
Robert: That sounds fine. Is there a TV?
学习啦在线学习网 Receptionist: Could you repeat that, please?
学习啦在线学习网 Robert: Is there a color television in the room?
学习啦在线学习网 Receptionist: Yes, but of course. And a video, if you choose.Robert: How much will it be for one night?
Receptionist: About four hundred francs.Robert: And what does that include?
Receptionist: It includes morning newspaper, continental breakfast and service.
Robert: Where is the nearest metro?
学习啦在线学习网 Receptionist: Opera, monsieur. It's only five minutes from here.
学习啦在线学习网 Robert: And is there an extra charge for children?
Receptionist: If the child is under sixteen and we put an extra bed in your room,the charge is seventy-five francs. Do you want the room?
学习啦在线学习网 Robert: Yes, for one night--23rd July.
Receptionist: Oui, monsieur. May I have your name, please?
学习啦在线学习网 Robert: Actually, iris for my wife and two daughters, Mrs. Jean Gordon, Linda and Maggie.
Receptionist: Yes, monsieur. So you need an extra bed. And what time will they be arriving on July 23rd ...
B. Vet:
Interviewer: Now you've been a veterinary doctor for some thirty years; what was it that made you become a vet in the first place?
Vet: Well, I studied as an ordinary doctor in the beginning but I slowly realised that I liked animals very much.
学习啦在线学习网 I almost prefer animals to people. So I took an extra course in animal medicine.
It's as simple as that really.Interviewer: And you still enjoy working with animals?Vet: Oh, yes, very much so. In fact, more than ever now.
I've got to know animals much better, you see, and I get on better with them in every way.
Their owners sometimes get on my nerves,though.
Interviewer: Oh ... and why is that?
学习啦在线学习网 Vet: Well, some people know very little about animals and keep them in the wrong conditions.
Interviewer: What sort of conditions?
Vet: Oh, you know, some people buy a large dog and then try to keep it ina small flat;they don't take it out enough to give it proper exercise.
学习啦在线学习网 Other people have a cat and try to keep it in the house all day,
but a cat needs to get out and be free to come and go as it pleases.
A lot of people don't feed their animals properly.
It's very common to give pets too much food which is very bad for them, especially if they're not getting enough exercise.
Or not to feed them regularly, which is equally bad.
学习啦在线学习网 An animal is a responsibility which is something many people don't seem to realise.
学习啦在线学习网 Interviewer: You mean people keep pets for the wrong reasons?Vet: Yes,
some people want a pet because they're lonely, or simply for decoration, or just to show how rich they are.
Interviewer: And just how do you deal with these people?
Vet: Well, I try to tell them what the animal needs; what is the right sort of food, the proper exercise.
I try to teach them that animals are not toys and if they're to be healthy, they have to be happy.Interviewer: Yes, I suppose you're right.
学习啦在线学习网 In your thirty years as a vet you must have come across some interesting cases?
Vet: Oh yes, there are lots of interesting cases.
I was once called to a lioness who was giving birth and having difficulty.
学习啦在线学习网 Now that was really interesting.
Section Two:A. Monologue:
Well, now, ladies and gentlemen, that was our last item,
and all that remains for me to do is to thank our performers sincerely on behalf of us all for the pleasure they have given us this evening.
学习啦在线学习网 And of course I must express thanks to those who've worked behind the scenes.
学习啦在线学习网 And especially our producer.
But most of all I want to say thank you to all of you for coming here this evening and supporting this event, especially in such weather.
I think perhaps I should take this opportunity to-renew my sincere apologies to those sitting in the back rows.
We've made temporary repairs to the roof, but unfortunately the rain tonight was unexpectedly heavy,
学习啦在线学习网 and we're grateful to you for your understanding and cheerful good humor.
I may say that we had hoped that temporary repairs would suffice.
But we were recently informed by our surveyor that the whole roof will have to be replaced: which is of course a severe blow when you think it's only five years since we replaced the roof of the church itself.
And so we shall be having another concert soon, I hope.
B. Wrinkles:
Manager: Good morning, madam. And what can we do for you?
Woman: What can you do for me?
学习啦在线学习网 Manager: Yes, madam, what can we do for you?Woman: You've already done it, thank you very much.
And I want something done about what youtve done for me.
学习啦在线学习网 Manager: Is something the matter, madam?Woman: I'll say there is; I want to see the manager.
Mafiager: I'm the manager, madam. Now ... now what seems, to be therouble?
学习啦在线学习网 Woman: Look at my face!Manager:You face? Ah yes. Oh dear. Well, never mind.What's wrong with your face? What exactly am I supposed to be looking at?Woman:My lines,my wrinkles.
Manager:Well,we can soon put that right,Madam.
学习啦在线学习网 You need a bottle of our New Generation Wrinkle Cream.With this wonderful new cream your lines and wrinkles just...Woman:Shut up!
Manager:...just disap...I beg your pardon?
学习啦在线学习网 Woman:I said shut up!I was silly enough to listen to you before.I'll listen to no more of it.
Manager:You say you've been here before,madam.I'm afraid I don't recognise you.
Woman:Of course you don't recognise me!Last time I came in here I was a very attractive middle-aged woman.
学习啦在线学习网 Now I look old enough to be even your grandmother.
Manager: Well, yes ... er ... some of us do age quicker then others.Woman: It's not a question of age, my man, it's a question of your cream.
学习啦在线学习网 I used it for two small lines under my eyes and I woke up next morning looking like Lady Frankenstein.
学习啦在线学习网 Your advertisement says "Lose ten years overnight. For only five pounds you can look young and attractive again.
Tried by thousands. Money back guarantee". Well, I want more than my money back.
学习啦在线学习网 I want you to pay for me to have plastic surgery.
Manager: But, madam, there must be some mistake.Woman: I'll say there's been a mistake.
学习啦在线学习网 My mistake was believing your advert and buying your silly cream.
It can do the same for you, too, it said. Well, it's certainly done something for me, but now what it did for the lady in the picture.
Manager: But our product is tested and approved by doctors.
It was thoroughly tested on thousands of volunteers by experts before it was allowed to be sold on the market.
学习啦在线学习网 This is the first complaint we've had.
Woman: I told you, I want you to pay for a face lift or ltm taking you to court! So there!
学习啦在线学习网 Manager: Er, do you happen to have a ... a recent photograph, madam?
Woman: What ... whatever do you want with a photograph? You can see the way I look.
Manager: I mean a photograph of you just before you used the cream.
学习啦在线学习网 Woman: Do you think I go to the photographers every day? (Pause) Look, just give me the five pounds, will you?
Manager: Do you have your receipt with you, madam?
学习啦在线学习网 Woman: Er ... just a minute ... let me have a look. (Rummages in bag) Er ... no.
No, I seem to have lost it?Manager: Then there's nothing I can do, madam. Sorry.Woman: (Furious) I'll take you to court. I'll take you to court.Manager: You can do as you please, madam. Good morning.
C. Shopping:
学习啦在线学习网 Right, what do you want me to get then?
Right, er ... well, go to the green grocer's first.
Yeah, the green grocer's. Right, OK.
学习啦在线学习网 er,let me see, potatoes, but new potatoes,not mottled ones.I mean they're really not very good any more.Urm,three pounds...Hang on.I'm trying to write this down,New otatoes....Right....three pounds.Yes.
Spring onions, one bunch.
学习啦在线学习网 One bunch of spring onions.
学习啦在线学习网 Yeah.OK.
And ... a pound Of bananas.
And a pound of bananas. Right.
And then, could you go to the supermarket as well?
Yes, yes.
Mm, let me see. A packet of sugar cubes.A packet of sugar cubes.
Yeah. Cubes, mind you, not the other stuff.Right.Coffee, instant coffee, but yeah, get Nescafe, Nescafe gold blend.Nescafe?
学习啦在线学习网 Yeah. I don't really like other kinds.OK. Nescafe ... what did you say?Gold blend.
Gold blend. Yeah.You know one of those eightounce jars.
Eight ounces. Yes, yes.Cooking oil.Cooking oil.
学习啦在线学习网 Sunflower ... you see, I need it for ...What is it? What's that?Sunflower.Sunflower?
学习啦在线学习网 I need it for a special recipe.Never heard of that.Sunflower cooking oil.Yeah.Right.Wine.
Any special kind?
学习啦在线学习网 Any dry white.
Dry white wine. Yeah.And some bread.
Some bread. Any, again, any particular kind?No, any kind.Any kind?Any kind, yeah.
学习啦在线学习网 OK. Yeah. Anything else?
No, I don't think. Oh yes, hang on. I forget apples. Golden delicious, urm, from the green grocer's
Golden delicious apples. How many?
学习啦在线学习网 Two pounds.
Two pounds.Yes.
Hi, l'm back.Ah, good. Right, well, let's see what you've got then.
Right, let's see what we have got here. Three pounds of potatoes.
Oh look. These're old potatoes. I did say new potatoes.These, these are no good.
Oh, ltm sorry. It doesn't make much difference.Yes, it does.
l'm sorry. Well, actually,I couldn't,I didn't see any new potatoes.Mm, alright. What are these, onions?Onions, yes.
学习啦在线学习网 But these are not spring onions.Oh, they are nice, nice big ones, though, aren't they?
Yeah, but not spring onions.Oh, sorry. I didn't, I didn't really know what spring onions were.Well, you know, there's long ones ...Oh, they have all sorts. ...thin ones.Right. Some bananas.
学习啦在线学习网 That, yeah, they are fine. Great.Good. Two pounds of apples.
Cooking apples? I did say golden delicious. These are for cooking. I wanted some for eating. You know, for ...oh well ...Oh well, I didn't know. I thought they would do. They look nice.Mm, no.
Right. A bottle of wine. Riesling, OK?Yeah, fine, great. That's fine. And sugar cubes here.Great.Yes, yes.OK.
Right. Now they didn't have any Nescafe Gold Blend, so I got Maxwell House. That's all they had.Alright, all right. Never mind.Yeah. And oil.But not Sunflower oil.
I couldn't see that. I got this. I think it's good stuff, good quality.Yes, it is good, but it's olive oil and that's not what my recipe wanted. I need Sunflower oil.
Well, I don't think you'll find it. And a loaf of bread.That's fine. All right. Well, I suppose I'll have to go out myself again then.Well, sorry, but I don't think it's my fault.Mm.
学习啦在线学习网 Section Three:
学习啦在线学习网 A. Success and Failure:
学习啦在线学习网 Hugh is on the telephone. Listen to his conversation with Herr Kohler.
Secretary: I have a call for you on line one, Mr. Gibbs. It's Mandred Kohler in Dusseldort.
Hugh: Oh, yes. Put him through. Hello, Herr Kohler. How are you?
Kohler: Very well, thank you. And you?
学习啦在线学习网 Hugh: Just fine.
Kohler: Glad to hear it ... uh ... l'll come straight to the point, if you don't mind. I'm sure you know why I'm phoning.
Hugh: Yes, of course. About the ...Kohler: Exactly. Are you in a position to give us a definite assurance that the goods will be delivered on time?
学习啦在线学习网 Hugh: Well, um ... you can count on us to do our very best, however ...Kohler: Hmm. Excuse me, Mr. Gibbs but I'm afraid that really isn't good enough ... I beg your pardon,
I don't mean your best isn't good enough, but will you meet the deadline or won't you?
Hugh: I ... I was coming to that, Herr Kohler. I must be frank with you.We've run into a few problems.
Kohler: Problems? What kind of problems?
学习啦在线学习网 Hugh: Technical problems. Nothing very serious. There's no need to worry.
学习啦在线学习网 Kohler: I hope not, Mr. Gibbs, for your sake as well as ours.
I'm sure you're aware that there's a penalty in your contract with us for late delivery and we'll ...Hugh: Yes, Herr Kohler, I'm perfectly aware of that.
But do you need the whole order by the 24th?
Kohler:'We would certainly prefer the whole order to be delivered by then, yes.Hugh: Yes, but do you need the whole order then?
Kohler: What exactly are you suggesting?
Hugh: You can count on us to get half of the order to you by then.
Kohler: Hmm ... and how long before the other half is delivered?Hugh: Another week at the most!
学习啦在线学习网 Kohler: Hmm ... you're sure that's all?Hugh:. Yes, absolutely! You can depend on us to get half the order to you by the 24th and the other half within a week.
Kohler: Hmm ... yes, that should be alt right ... but there must be no, further delays! Hugh: There won't be! You can count on that.
Kohler: Very well, Mr. Gibbs.Hugh: Thank you! You've been very understanding.Kohler: Goodbye, Mr. Gibbs.Hugh: Goodby, Herr Kohler.
学习啦在线学习网 And thank you again!Phew!Well .... that's at least one problem out of the way!
B. EIvis Presley:
学习啦在线学习网 When Elvis Presley died on 16th August, 1977, radio and television' programs all over the world were interrupted to give the news of-his death.
President Carter was asked to declare a day of national mourning.
学习啦在线学习网 Carter said: "Elvis Presle changed the face of American popular culture....He was unique and irreplaceable.'
学习啦在线学习网 Eighty thousand people attended his funeral.
The streets were jammed with cars, and Elvis Presley films were shown on television,
and his records were played on the radio all day.
学习啦在线学习网 In the year after his death, one hundred million Presley LPs were sold.
Elvis Presley was born on January 8th, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi.
学习啦在线学习网 His twin brother, Jesse Garon, died at birth.
学习啦在线学习网 His parents were very poor and Elvis never had music Lessons,
but he was surrounded by music from an early age.
His parents were very religious, and Elvis regularly sang at church services.
In 1948, when he was thirteen, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee.
He left school in 1953 and got a job as a truck driver.
学习啦在线学习网 In the summer of 1953 Elvis paid four dollars and recorded two songs for his mother's birthday at Sam Phillips' Sun Records studio.
Sam Phillips heard Elvis and asked him to record "That's All Right" in July 1954.
Twenty thousand copies were sold, mainly in and around Memphis.
He made five more records for Sun, and in July 1955 he met Colonel Tom Parker, who became his manager in November.
Parker sold Elvigs contract to RCA Records.
Sun Records got thirty-five thousand dollars and Elvis got five thousand dollars.
学习啦在线学习网 With the money he bought a pink Cadillac for his mother.
学习啦在线学习网 On January 10th, 1956, Elvis recorded "Heartbreak Hotel",
学习啦在线学习网 and a million copies were sold. In the next fourteen months he made another fourteen records,
and they were all big hits. In 1956 he also made his first film in Hollywood.
学习啦在线学习网 In March, 1958, Elvis had to join the army.
He wanted to be an ordinary soldier.
When his hair was cut thousands of women cried.
学习啦在线学习网 He spent the next two years in Germany, where he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who became his wife eight years later on May 1st, 1967.
学习啦在线学习网 In 1960 he loft the army and went to Hollywood where he made several films during the next few years.
By 1968 many people had become tired of Elvis. He hadn't performed live since 1960.
But he recorded a new LP "From Elvis in Memphis" and appeared in a special television program.
学习啦在线学习网 He became popular again, and went to Las Vegas, where he was paid seven hundred fifty thousand dollars for four weeks.
In 1972 his wife left him, and they were divorced in October, 1973.
学习啦在线学习网 He died from a heart attack.
学习啦在线学习网 He had been working too hard, and eating and drinking too much for several years.
学习啦在线学习网 He left all his money to his only daughter,
恒星英语听力网听力篇2
—Can I see Zulu on Sunday?
学习啦在线学习网 —I'm not sure.
学习啦在线学习网 —Do you like football?
学习啦在线学习网 —Yes, very much.
学习啦在线学习网 —Would you like to go to a match on the 18th of December?
学习啦在线学习网 —I'd like to see Coming Home at the Royal Theatre.
学习啦在线学习网 —What a good idea! Do you know what time it starts?
学习啦在线学习网 —I think it starts at 8 pm.
—Tomorrow is the third of December. It's my birthday and I'm going to the George and Dragon. Would you like to come?
学习啦在线学习网 —To celebrate your birthday? Of course I would. What group's playing?
学习啦在线学习网 —The Riverside Stompers, I think.
—I like organ music. Do you know where I can hear a recital?
学习啦在线学习网 —Try St. Mary's Church. I know they have a beautiful organ.
—I'd like to go to a recital on the 16th of December, but I'm working from ten to four. Do you know what time the recital begins?
—Sorry, I'm afraid I don't. Why don't you look at your "What's on"?
学习啦在线学习网 1st Student: Well, first of all, I'm intending to have a good holiday abroad, just traveling round Europe, and then when I get tired of traveling I'm going to—well, come back and start looking for a job. I haven't quite decided yet what job, but I'm probably going to try and get a job in advertising of some kind.
学习啦在线学习网 2nd Student: Well, eventually I'm planning to open my own restaurant. Only I haven't got enough money to do that at the moment, of course, so I've decided to get a temporary job for a year or so, and I'm going to work really hard and try and save as much money as possible. Actually, I'm thinking of working as a waiter, or some job in a restaurant anyway ...
学习啦在线学习网 Male Voice: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Victoria Hall for our annual presentation of the Nurse of the Year Award. First I'd like to introduce Dame Alice Thornton. Dame Alice is now retired after more than forty years of dedicated service to the public and the nursing profession. Dame Alice Thornton.
Male Voice: Dame Alice, you were the first nurse of the year. That was thirty years ago. Would you now announce this year's winner?
Dame Alice: Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to introduce our nurse of the year, Miss Helen Taylor.
Dame Alice: Miss Taylor, you have been awarded this prize as a result of recommendations from your senior officers, your colleagues and the parents of the children you nurse. Here are some of the recommendations: 'efficient but patient', 'helpful and happy', 'strict but caring', 'human and interested'. These are the greatest recommendations any nurse could receive. I congratulate you!
Jerry: Could I speak to you for a few minutes, Mr. Sherwin?
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: I'm very busy at the moment. Can't it wait until tomorrow?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: Uh, ... well, it's rather urgent. And it won't take long.
Sherwin: Oh, all right, then. What is it?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: It's a personal matter. Uh, you see, my wife is ill and has to go into hospital.
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: Sorry to hear that. But why do you want to talk to me about it?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: Because ... because we have a baby and there's nobody to look after her while she's in hospital.
Sherwin: Who? Your wife?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: No, no. My daughter.
Sherwin: Oh, I see. But I still don't understand what all this has to do with me.
Jerry: But that's what I'm trying to explain. I'd like to stay at home for a few days.
Sherwin: But why?
Jerry: To look after my daughter, of course.
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: I thought you said she was going to hospital. They'll look after her there, won't they?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: No, no, no! It's my wife who's going to hospital! Not my daughter.
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: Really? I thought you said it was your daughter. You are not explaining this very well.
Here is an alternative dialogue between Jerry and Mr. Sherwin. Listen.
Jerry: Uh ... excuse me, Mr. Sherwin, but I was wondering if I could speak to you for a few minutes.
Sherwin: Well, I'm rather busy at the moment, Jerry. Is it urgent?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: Uh, yes, I ... I'm afraid it is. It's a personal matter.
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: Oh, well, then, we'd better discuss it now. Sit down.
Jerry: Thank you. Uh ... you see, it's about my wife. She ... uh ... well ... she ...
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: Yes, go on, Jerry. I'm listening.
Jerry: She's ill and has to go to hospital tomorrow. But we have a young baby, you know.
Sherwin: Yes, I know that, Jerry. You must be rather worried. Is it anything serious? Your wife's illness, I mean?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: The doctors say it's just a minor operation. But it has to be done as soon as possible. And ... well ... the problem is my daughter. The baby. That's the problem.
Sherwin: In what way, Jerry? I'm not quite sure if I understand.
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: Well, as I said, my wife'll be in hospital for several days, so there's nobody to look after her.
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: You mean, nobody to look after your daughter, is that it?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: Yes, exactly. Both our parents live rather far away, and ...and that's why I'd like to have a few days off. From tomorrow.
Sherwin: I see. I think I understand now. You need a few days off to look after your daughter while your wife is in hospital.
Jerry: Yes, yes. That's it. I'm not explaining this very well.
Sherwin: No, no. On the contrary. I just want to be sure I understand completely. That's all.
Jerry: Will ... will that be all right?
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: Yes, I'm sure it will, Jerry. All I want to do now is make sure that there's someone to cover for you while you're away. Uh ... how long did you say you'll need?
学习啦在线学习网 Jerry: Just a few days. She ... my wife, I mean ... should be out of hospital by next Thursday, so I can be back on Friday.
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: Well, perhaps you'd better stay at home on Friday, as well. Just to give your wife a few extra days to rest after the operation.
Jerry: That's very kind of you, Mr. Sherwin.
学习啦在线学习网 Sherwin: Don't mention it.
Landlady: 447 4716.
Student: Hello. Is that Mrs. Davies?
Landlady: Speaking.
Student: Good afternoon. My name's Stephen Brent. I was given your address by the student accommodation agency. I understand you have a room to let.
学习啦在线学习网 Landlady: Yes, that's right. I've just got one room still vacant. It's an attic room, on the second floor. It's rather small, but I'm sure you'll find it's very comfortable.
Student: I see. And how much do you charge for it?
学习啦在线学习网 Landlady: The rent's twenty-five pounds a week. That includes electricity, but not gas.
Student: Has the room got central heating?
Landlady: No, it's got a gas fire which keeps the room very warm.
Student: I see ... And what about furniture? It is furnished, isn't it?
Landlady: Oh yes ... Er ... There's a divan bed in the corner with a new mattress on it. Er ... Let me see ... There's a small wardrobe, an armchair, a coffee table, a bookshelf ...
Student: Is there a desk?
Landlady: Yes, there's one under the window. It's got plenty of drawers and there's a lamp on it.
Student: Oh good ... Is there a washbasin in the room?
Landlady: No, I'm afraid there isn't a washbasin. But there's a bathroom just across the corridor, and that's got a washbasin and a shower as well as a bath. You share the bathroom with the people in the other rooms. The toilet is separate, but unfortunately it's on the floor below.
学习啦在线学习网 Student: Oh, that's all right. ... What about cooking? Can I cook my own meals?
Landlady: Well, there's a little kitchenette next to your room. It hasn't got a proper cooker in it, but there's a gas ring and an electric kettle by the sink. I find my students prefer to eat at the university.
学习啦在线学习网 Student: I see. And is the room fairly quiet?
学习啦在线学习网 Landlady: Oh yes. It's at the back of the house. It looks onto the garden and it faces south, so it's bright and sunny, too. It's very attractive, really. And it's just under the roof, so it's got a low, sloping ceiling. Would you like to come and see it? I'll be in for the rest of the day.
Student: Yes, I'm very interested. It sounds like the kind of room I'm looking for. Can you tell me how to get there?
Landlady: Oh, it's very easy. The house is only five minutes' walk from Finchley Road tube station. Turn right outside the station, and then it's the third street on the left. You can't miss it. It's got the number on the gate. It's exactly opposite the cemetery.
Frankly, I've been delighted. As you know, I decided to give it up ten years ago. I put them all in the attic—all fifty or sixty of them—to gather dust, and forgot about them. Then I just happened to meet him one day in a bar, entirely by chance, and we got talking about this and that, and, well—to cut a long story short—he went to have a look at them, and this is the result. It's for two weeks. And it's devoted entirely to my work. Doing very well, too, as you can see from the little tickets on about half of them. You know, now that they're hanging on the wall like this, with all the clever lighting, and glossy catalogue, and the smart people, they really don't seem anything to do with me. It's a bit like seeing old friends in new circumstances where they fit and you don't. Now, you see her? She's already bought three. Heard her saying one day she's 'dying to meet the man'. Afraid she'd be very disappointed if she did. Interesting, though, some of the things you overhear. Some know something about it. Others know nothing and admit it. Others know nothing and don't. By the way, I heard someone say the other day that the 'Portrait of a Woman' reminded her of you, you know. So you see, you're not only very famous, but—as I keep on telling you—you haven't changed a bit.
Ours is a very expensive perfume. When people see it or hear the name we want them to think of luxury. There are many ways to do this. You show a woman in a fur coat, in a silk evening dress, maybe covered in diamonds. You can show an expensive car, an expensive restaurant, or a man in a tuxedo. We decided to do something different. We show a beautiful woman, simply but elegantly dressed, beside a series of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, and it works. Because she is wearing the perfume, and because she is next to expensive and beautiful paintings, our perfume must be beautiful and expensive too. It does work.