Unit7ALifestyle活法.docVIP

Unit 7 A Lifestyle 活法 1 In my youth, before becoming a farmer and cattleman, I was a bank employee. This is how it all came about: I was twenty-four years old at the time and was living in this same little apartment on Santa Fe Avenue. Now, it’s well known that accidents can happen even in such a small space. In my case, it was a tiny accident; when I tried to open the door to go to work, the key broke off in the lock. While waiting for the locksmith, I informed the bank I would be coming in a bit late. Fortunately, the locksmith arrived quite promptly. Through the peephole I said to him, “My key broke off in the lock.” He looked annoyed. “On the inside? In that case, it’s going to take me at least three hours, and I’ll have to charge you about…” He estimated a terribly high price. “I don’t have that much money in the house right now,” I replied. “But as soon as I get out, I’ll go to the bank and pay you.”“I’m very sorry, sir,” he articulated with instructive courtesy. “But I am not only a charter member of the Argentine Locksmiths’ Union, but also one of the principal framers of the Magna Carta of our organization, in which the chapter dedicated to ‘Basic Maxims’ states that the perfect locksmith is prohibited from collecting subsequent to the conclusion of the work.”??I smiled, incredulous. “You’re joking, of course.” 2 “My dear sir, the subject of the Magna Carta of the Argentine Locksmiths’ Union is no joking matter. The writing of our Magna Carta, in which no detail has been overlooked, took us years of arduous study. Of course, not everyone can understand it; nevertheless, I believe you will understand Clause 7 of our Introduction: ‘Gold shall open doors, and the doors shall adore it.’ ” 3 “Please,” I said to him. “Be reasonable. Open the door for me, and I’ll pay you at once.” 4 “I’m sorry, sir. There are ethics in every profession, and in the locksmiths’ profession they are inflexible. Good day, sir.” 5 And, with that, he left. 6 I stood there for