On December 23rd last year Mr Jack Samways was driving home from an office Christmas party—Between Watermouth and his home in Ringbourne a police car stopped him—One of his rear lights1 wasn't working.The policeman smelled alcohol2 on Mr Samways's breath, and asked him to take a breath test. Mr Samways blew into a breathalyser3. The test was positive. The policeman looked at Mr Samways.
　　“All right. How much have you drunk this evening?”
　　“Oh, not much, officer. Just a bottle of wine. Oh, and a couple of gin4 and tonics5 ... and brandy6 with coffee. Just two or three brandies, that's all.”
　　“I see,” said the policeman.“Can I see your driving licence7 and your insurance8?”
　　Mr Samways couldn't find them. The policeman took him to the police station. He put him in a small room.
　　“The  police  doctor is going to give you a blood test—He isn't here at the moment. Wait in here,”said the policeman.
　　Mr Samways sat down. He thought about his new car. He thought about his job. He needed the car for his job. In England, you lose your driving licence for one year for drinking too much before driving a car.
　　“I'm  going  to  lose   my   licence, and my car, and my job,” he thought.
　　The police station was very noisy. It was the Friday before Christmas, and the police were very busy. Suddenly the door opened, and two huge policemen pushed a man into the room. The man was wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans, and a T-shirt. The T-shirt had writing on it. It said,“I hate the pigs.”
　　There was a picture of a pig on the T-shirt. The pig was wearing a police helmet9. The policemen shut the door. The man kicked the door, then threw a chair at the wall. Mr Samways was afraid. The man turned round and looked at Mr Samways.
　　“Hello, mate10,” he said.“What did you do, eh?”
　　“Er...drinking and driving,” said Mr Samways.
　　“Oh, dear. You're going to lose your licence,” said the man, “and you're going to pay about ￡200.”
　　“I know,” said Mr Samways sadly.“What about you?”
　　“Me? Nothing. I was walking along the street, and I saw a fight. Five or six men were fighting.  The police arrived and arrested about ten people. They arrested me because of my T-shirt. I'm not worried. They're going to release11 me in the morning.”
　　“Oh. You're lucky,”  said Mr Samways.
　　“Have   you   had   a   blood test?” asked the man.
       “No. I'm going to have one later.”
　　“I've got an idea,” said the man.“I haven't had a drink for several days. The police doctor doesn't know you. He can test my blood.”
　　“We can't do that!  It's ... it's ...wrong,” said Mr Samways.
　　“Think about it,”  said the man.  “It's  your  licence, your car ...”
　　“And my job,” said Mr Samways.
　　“Look, give me ten pounds, and I'll do it,” said the man.
　　“It's impossible ... I'm sure it's impossible.”
　　Just at that moment the door opened. A man with a brown bag came in.
　　“I'm the police doctor, Doctor Cole. Which one of you is Mr Samways?”
　　“Me,” said the man in the leather jacket. Mr Samways didn't speak. He looked at the door.
　　“Take off your jacket,” said the doctor. He took a blood test.
　　“All right. Put on your jacket. You can go home.”
　　“Thanks, doc,” said the man,“and Happy Christmas. Oh, goodbye, mate. Happy Christmas to you too.”
　　The doctor and the man walked out. Mr Samways wanted to call them back, but he didn't. He sat down on the chair, put his head on the table and fell asleep.
　　When he woke up, a police sergeant was standing next to him.
　　“So, you're Lomax,” he said.
　　“Lomax?”said Mr Samways.“Er...”
　　Another policeman came into the room.
　　“Er ... what did I do?” he asked. “Can I go home now?”
　　“Go home?” said the policeman.“You're going downstairs to the prison cells12. There wasn't enough room last night.”
　　“But ... what did I do?”
　　“Come on, Lomax. You stole a car, broke the window of a jeweller's shop, crashed13 into a police car, and hit three policemen. You're going to prison for a very long time.”
　　“But I can explain everything ...”
　　Mr. Samways was still shouting this three hours later.
 

1． rear  light 后车灯
2． alcohol  n． 酒，酒精
3． breathalyser  n． 呼气测醉器
4． gin  n． 杜松子酒
5． tonic  n． 滋补酒
6． brandy  n． 白兰地酒
7． driving licence  驾驶执照
8． insurance  n． 保险单
9． helmet  n． 头盔，钢盔
10． mate [meit] n． 伙计
11． release  v． 放，释放

12． cell [sel] n． （监狱的）单人房间
13． crash  v． 碰撞