Missing a Deadline
错过截止日期
Oliver: I’ve just had to tell a client that I’m running behind and I won’t make the deadline.
奥利弗：我刚刚告诉客户我要晚点了，在截止日期前我完不成了。
Alena: How did she take it?
埃莱娜：客户什么反映?
Oliver: Not so well, at first. I knew she wouldn’t be happy, so I’ve been in a dilemma for days: Should I tell her now that I’m going to miss the deadline, or wait until the deadline has passed.
奥利弗：起初，不太好。我知道她会不高兴。我也纠结了很多天：我现在是不是应该告诉她我要错过最后的期限了，还是应该等到截止期限后告诉她啊?
Alena: For what it’s worth, I think you did the right thing. It gives her advance notice in case it affects other parts of her project.
埃莱娜：无论如何，我认为你认为你做的是正确的。这能让她提前知道，以防影响她其他的工作。
Oliver: That’s what I thought, too. I also offered to make up for any inconvenience the delay would cause.
奥利弗：我也是这么想的。我也愿意弥补推迟所造成的各种的不便。
Alena: Did she take you up on it?
埃莱娜:她接受了吗?
Oliver: No, she said that giving me a three-day extension wouldn’t set her back, but if it dragged on for longer than that, it would put her in an awkward spot, and she would let me know.
奥利弗：她说时间可以再延长3天，但是不能再往后拖了。否则的话，她也会很为难。这样她也会通知我的。
Alena: I’m glad you came to an understanding. So you’ll have it done by the new deadline, right?
埃莱娜:我非常高兴你能理解。所以你会在新的截止日期前完成，对吗?
Oliver: Yes, even if I have to do without sleep, food, or bathroom breaks for the next week.
奥利弗：对啊!即使下周不睡觉、不吃饭、不洗澡，也要完成。
Alena: That’s very dedicated of you, though potentially messy.
埃莱娜：尽管那样会很邋遢，但是你也太拼了。
注释：
deadline.n.最后期限; 截止期限
例句：We were not able to meet the deadline because of manufacturing delays.
因为制造方面的延误，我们没能赶上最后期限。
dilemma.n.窘境，困境; 进退两难
例句：I didn't have a ready answer for this dilemma.
我没有想出解决这个困境的现成答案。
extension.n.延长，延期;
例句：After a further four-month extension of her probation period, she was sacked.
在又试用了4个月后，她被开除了。
awkward.adj.令人尴尬的; 难对付的;
例句： Unfortunately, Grandma always seems to awaken at awkward moments.
不幸的是，奶奶好像总是醒来的不是时候