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'Hello. Is that the police? Listen to me, someone has taken my
wife; they have kidnapped
her. There's a ransom
note on my kitchen
table that says they will kill her in twenty-four hours if I don't give
them one hundred million Yen.'
'Sir,' said the police telephone operator, 'please give me your address
and we will send a detective and CSI
team straight way. But while you are waiting, do not touch anything as
the kidnappers may have left fingerprints
or other evidence.'
'I hate him! I hate him!' Yuko said to her best friend Sayaka,
as tears streamed
down her face, 'He hit me again last night. Look at
my face. Under my make-up you can see I have a black
eye. And my ribs
are sore too.'
'Poor you! I'm so sorry Yuko. He's a brute
and you have to leave him.
What was the fight about this time?' Yuko's friend asked.
'It was about his mistress.
I'm sure I must know her, but I can't
imagine who she is. I'm so tired of everything. I just don't know what
to do. I'm
at my wit's end. But I can't leave him because I need the
money;
I'd rather die than be poor!'
'Yuko. I have an idea. I think I know a way you can leave him, and get
your hands on his money. It's a risky
plan but it might just work.
Listen to
this....'
The police detective was questioning Mr Okada about his wife's
disappearance. "Can you tell me sir, do you have any idea who could
have kidnapped your wife? Do you have any business enemies, or someone
else who may hold
a
grudge against you?'
'No one I can think of. I'm a well-known surgeon
and of course it is
possible that an
ex-patient
may be out
to get me. But I just can't think...'
'And how is your relationship with your wife? The detective enquired.
'I don't know what you mean. We have a strong relationship. Of course,
we have
our ups and downs, like anyone else. We've been married
almost thirty years. One lovely daughter, Aki. We have a
happy life. No complaints, none at all.'
'What do you think, Yuko? Are you willing to try? Sayaka asked.
Yuko replied, 'So, let me
get this straight. Your friend will come to my house, I
will go with him, but we must pretend
there was a struggle
and fight.
He will leave a note and take me to an old house in Yamanashi. Once my
husband pays the ransom,
I will pay him ten million Yen, and then get a
boat to Vietnam. He will fake
my murder by leaving some blood-stained
clothing for the police to find.'
'So, what do you think? It's your one chance Yuko. I'm your best
friend, I love you. I just want you to be happy.'
'Okay, okay. I'll do it. But when?'
'I have already spoken to my friend, and he says the 14th is a good
day.'
'This is the morning news... Early this morning, Yamanashi police found the bodies of two people in an isolated house. One body is thought to be that of Yuko Okada - the rich surgeon's wife, who was kidnapped nine days ago. The other body is thought to be that of one of her kidnappers. Both had been shot twice. The ransom money of one hundred million Yen is still missing. Her husband Dr Okada is too upset to answer questions but will hold a press conference later. We will bring you further updates in later news bulletins.
'My darling, I love you so much. I can't stand living apart
any longer. Hold me close.'
'Me too. I wish I could make Yuko disappear. I hate her so much! She's
just a greedy moneygrabber.
I wish I had never married her. But what
can we do?'
'Wait! My darling, I have a plan. I think I know a way we can get rid
of her for good.
Listen to this...'
This is the morning news. Police in Tokyo have announced that the body found floating in Tokyo Bay last night has been identified as that of Dr Okada, whose wife was kidnapped and murdered two weeks ago. Further reports to follow....'
'Welcome to Continental Airlines flight to Panama City. Would
you like wine madam?'
'I'd like champagne, please.'
'Are you going to Panama on vacation? It's a lovely country.'
'I may stay a long time. I'm tired of Tokyo, and sadly, my partner died
recently. Luckily, he left me a lot of money and jewellery.'
'Well, enjoy your trip.'
'Thank you. I will.'
Adjectives
risky:
Something bad might happen. A little dangerous.
isolated:
Far away from other things.
Verbs
kidnap:
To take someone away and ask for money to release them.
stream down:
In this case meaning 'like a river'.
to be at your wit's end:
To be very worried because you have cannot solve a problem.
get your hands on sth.:
To obtain something.
hold a grudge:
To dislike somebody for a long time because they did something bad to
you.
out to get sb. :
To plan to hurt somebody in some way.
enquire:
To ask.
have your ups and downs:
To
have good times and bad times.
get sth. straight : To make sure you
understand something.
pretend:
To behave as if something is true when it is not true.
fake:
To make a copy of something because you want to cheat somebody.
get rid of sth./sb.:
To throw something away. In this case possibly meaning 'kill'.
Nouns
a ransom note:
A note asking for money for the safe return of a prisoner.
CSI:
Crime Scene Investigation. The people who look for evidence.
a fingerprint:
The mark left by the tip of your finger. Every one's are different.
evidence:
Something that is connected to a crime, or is true.
a black eye:
When something hits your eye, the skin becomes black and hurts.
ribs:
The bones of your chest.
a brute:
A man who is violent, strong, and cruel.
a mistress:
A secret girlfriend when are already married to another woman.
a surgeon:
A doctor who performs operations on people's bodies.
an ex-patient:
Someone who is no longer a patient.
a struggle:
A long fight for something, with a lot of movement.
a ransom:
The money paid to free a prisoner.
a press conference:
A meeting in which someone tells newspaper or television reporters some
important news, and answers their questions.
an update:
New information about something you already know.
a news bulletin:
A short news programme that gives urgent news.
a moneygrabber:
Somebody who wants money very much, even by being dishonest.
Expressions
"for good":
For ever.