Shivon: This bad economy is really taking its toll.

萧条的经济真的造成了损失。

Lex: Tell me about it! My company has already laid off 20% of its workforce, and now themanagement is talking about cutting salaries. It goes without saying that there won’t be anybonuses this year.

和我说说。我所在的公司已经解雇了20%的工人，现在管理部门正在商讨减薪。不用说今年不会有奖金了。

Shivon: What are you complaining about? At least you still have a job. Try working as afreelancer. I’ve had to cut my hourly rate to compete with all of the people flooding the jobmarket.

你抱怨什么?至少你还有工作，还能做名自由作家。我必须缩减 每小时的花费来和那些涌向工作市场的人们竞争。

Lex: At least you’re still able to pick and choose your clients. I have to do what my bosses tellme, no matter what. If they say I have to work overtime, that’s what I have to do. I don’t evenget compensated for it! You can bill by the hour.

至少你还能挑选员工。我必须完成老板吩咐的活儿，无论那是什么活儿。如果他们说我得加班，我就必须加班，而且加班连补偿都没有。你还能按小时付费。

Shivon: What’s the good of billing by the hour if I don’t have any clients? You don’t know howgood you have it. I don’t want to hear another word until you walk a mile in my shoes!

如果我不雇人，按小时付费又有什么用?你不知道你的状况有多好。等你处在我的位置并能维持下去，我再听你说。

Lex: Ditto!

同上。