2009/06/05

Snake blacks out Missouri Capitol, pays price害密蘇里州議會停電的蛇為此付出代價

◎ 張沛元

Missouri legislators spent about an hour in the dark because of a power outage at the state Capitol - and a snake took all the blame and paid the price.

密蘇里州的立法諸公在黑暗中待了一小時,因為州議會大樓停電——而罪魁禍首是一隻蛇,牠也為此付出代價。

The electricity went out at noon while lawmakers were debating legislation and scores of schoolchildren were touring the building.

停電發生於正午時分,當時立法諸公正在辯論立法,還有數十名學生在州議會大樓內參觀。

Several people were stuck in elevators, but Capitol Police Chief Todd Hurt said they all were freed within 20 minutes and no injuries were reported. Power was back on after about an hour.

有些人被困在電梯裡,但州議會警察首長塔德.赫特說,這些人在20分鐘內便全數脫困,沒有接獲有人受傷的報告。電力在約一小時後恢復。

The problem was a reptile that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

問題出在一隻爬蟲類,牠在錯誤的時間出現在錯誤的地方。

AmerenUE spokeswoman Susan Gallagher said the black snake got into underground electrical cables near the Capitol and shorted out two cables.

AmerenUE電力公司女發言人蘇珊.賈蘭格說,這隻黑蛇溜進靠近州議會大樓的地下電纜,並且造成兩條電纜短路。

The snake was electrocuted.

這隻蛇已因觸電死亡。

The blackout also affected the Governor’s Mansion and other downtown buildings.

這場停電還影響州長的官邸以及其他市區裡的建築。

新聞辭典

black out:停電;昏倒,失去知覺。例句:I think I am going to black out.(我覺得我快昏倒了。)

take the blame (for doing something):俚語,承擔過錯。例句:I’ll never take the blame for something I didn’t do just to keep the peace.(我才不會為了和諧而去承擔我沒做過的事的罪名。)

pay the price :付出代價;承受做了某事或冒某險的後果。例句:You will be paying the price for smoking too much someday.(你總有一天得為抽太多菸付出代價。)

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