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Chapter 11
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In May of 1950, the powers that be decided1 that the roof of the licence-plate factory ought to be resurfaced with roofing tar2. They wanted it done before it got too hot up there, and they sued for volunteers for the work, which was planned to take about a week. More than seventy men spoke3 up, because it was outside work and May is one damn fine month for outside work. Nine or ten names were drawn4 out of a hat, and two of them happened to be Andy's and my own.
For the next week we'd be marched out to the exercise yard after breakfast, with two guards up front and two more behind ... plus all the guards in the towers keeping a weather eye on the proceedings5 through their field-glasses for good measure.
Four of us would be carrying a big extension ladder on those morning marches -I always got a kick out of the way Dickie Betts, who was on that job, called that sort of  ladder an extensible - and we'd put it up against the side of that low, lit building. Then we'd start bucket-brigading hot buckets of tar up to the roof. Spill that shit on you and you'd jitterbug all the way to the infirmary.
There were six guards on the project, all of them picked on the basis of seniority. It was almost as good as a week's vacation, because instead of sweating it out in the laundry or the plate-shop or standing7 over a bunch of cons8 cutting pulp9 or brush somewhere out in the willy wags, they were having a regular May holiday in the sun, just sitting there with their backs up against the low parapet, shooting the bull back and forth10.
They didn't even have to keep more than half an eye on us, because the south wall sentry11 post was close enough so that the fellows up there could have spit their chews on us, if they’d wanted to. If anyone on the roof-sealing party had made one funny move, it would take four seconds to cut him smack12 in two with .45 caliber13 machine-gun bullets. So those screws just sat there and took their ease. All they needed was a couple of six-packs buried in crushed ice, and they would have been the lords of  all creation.
One of them was a fellow named Byron Hadley, and in that year of 1950, he'd been at Shawshank longer than I had. Longer than the last two wardens15 put together, as a matter of fact. The fellow running the show in 1950 was a prissy-looking downcast Yankee named George Dunahy. He had a degree in penal16 administration. No one liked him, as far as I could tell, except the people who had gotten him his appointment. I heard that he wasn't interested in anything but compiling statistics for a book (which was later published by a small New England outfit17 called Light Side Press, where he probably had to pay to have it done), who won the intramural baseball championship each September, and getting a death-penalty law passed in Maine. A regular bear for the death-penalty was George Dunahy. He was fired off the job in 1953, when it came out he was running a discount auto18 repair service down in the prison garage and splitting the profits with Byron Hadley and Greg Stammas. Hadley and Stammas came out of that one okay - they were old hands at keeping their asses6 covered - but Dunahy took a walk. No one was sorry to see him go, but nobody was exactly pleased to see Greg Stammas step into his shoes, either. He was a short man with a tight, hard gut19 and the coldest brown eyes you ever saw. He always had a painful, pursed little grin on his face, as if he had to go to the bathroom and couldn't quite manage it. During Stammas's tenure20 as warden14 there was a lot of brutality21 at Shawshank, and although I have no proof, I believe there were maybe half a dozen moonlight burials in the stand of scrub forest that lies east of the prison. Dunahy was bad, but Greg Stammas was a cruel, wretched, cold-hearted man.
He and Byron Hadley were good friends. As warden, George Dunahy was nothing but a posturing22 figurehead; it was Stammas, and through him, Hadley, who actually administered the prison.
Hadley was a tail, shambling man with thinning red hair. He sunburned easily and he talked loud and if you didn't move fast enough to suit him, he'd clout23 you with his stick. On that day, our third on the roof, he was talking to another guard named Mert Entwhistle.
Hadley had gotten some amazingly good news, so he was griping about it. That was his style - he was a thankless man with not a good word for anyone, a man who was convinced that the whole world was against him. The world had cheated him out of the best years of his life, and the world would be more than happy to cheat him out of the rest. I have seen some screws that I thought were almost saintly, and I think I know why that happens - they are able to see the difference between their own lives, poor and struggling as they might be, and the lives of the men they are paid by the state to watch over. These guards are able to formulate24 a comparison concerning pain. Others can't, or won't.
For Byron Hadley there was no basis of comparison. He could sit there, cool and at his ease under the warm May sun and find the gall25 to mourn his own good luck while less than ten feet away a bunch of men were working and sweating and burning their hands on great big buckets filled with bubbling tar, men who had to work so hard in their ordinary round of days that this looked like a respite26. You may remember the old question, the one that's supposed to define your outlook on life when you answer it. For Byron Hadley the answer would always be half empty, the glass is half empty. Forever and ever, amen. If you gave him a cool drink of apple cider, he'd think about vinegar. If you told him his wife had always been faithful to him, he'd tell you it was because she was so damn ugly.
So there he sat, talking to Mert Entwhistle loud enough for all of us to hear, his broad white forehead already starting to redden with the sun. He had one hand thrown back over the low parapet surrounding the roof. The other was on the butt27 of his .38.
We all got the story along with Mert. It seemed that Hadley's older brother had gone off to Texas some fourteen years ago and the rest of the family hadn't heard from the son of a bitch since. They had all assumed he was dead, and good riddance. Then, a week and a half ago, a lawyer had called them long-distance from Austin. It seemed that Hadley's brother had died four months ago, and a rich man at that ('It's frigging incredible how lucky some assholes can get,' this paragon28 of gratitude29 on the plate-shop roof said). The money had come as a result of oil and oil-leases, and there was close to a million dollars.
No, Hadley wasn't a millionaire - that might have made even him happy, at least for a while - but the brother had left a pretty damned decent bequest30 of thirty-five thousand dollars to each surviving member of his family back in Maine, if they could be found. Not bad. Like getting lucky and winning a sweepstakes.

  一九五〇年五月,上面决定要翻修监狱车牌工厂的屋顶。他们打算在天气还没有太热时做完,征求自愿去做这份工作的人,整个工程预计要做一个星期。有七十多个人愿意去,因为可以借机到户外透透气,而且五月正是适合户外工作的宜人季节。上面以抽签方式选了九或十个人,其中两个正好是安迪和我。
  接下来那个星期,每天早饭后,警卫两个在前,两个在后,押着我们浩浩荡荡穿过运动场,瞭望塔上所有的警卫都用望远镜远远监视着我们。
  早晨行进的时候,我们之中有四个人负责拿梯子,把梯子架在平顶建筑物旁边,然后开始以人龙把一桶桶热腾腾的沥青传到屋顶上,只要泼一点那玩意儿在你身上,你就得一路狂跳着去医务室找医生。
  有六个警卫监督我们,全是老经验的警卫。对他们而言,那个星期简直像度假一样,比起在洗衣房或打造车牌的工厂中汗如雨下,又或者是站着看管一群囚犯做工扫地,他们现在正在阳光下享受正常人的五月假期,坐在那儿,背靠着栏杆,大摆龙门阵。
  他们甚至只需要用半只眼睛盯着我们就行了,因为南面墙上的警卫岗哨离我们很近,近到那些警卫甚至可以把口水吐到我们身上,如果他们要这么做的话。要是有哪个在屋顶上工作的囚犯敢轻举妄动,只消四秒钟,就会被点四五口径的机关枪扫成马蜂窝,所以那些警卫都很悠闲地坐在那里;如果还有几罐埋在碎冰里的啤酒可以喝,就简直是快活似神仙了。
  其中有个警卫名叫拜伦·哈力,他在肖申克的时间比我还长,事实上,比此前两任典狱长加起来的任期还长。一九五〇年的时候,典狱长是个叫乔治·邓纳海的北方佬,他拿了个狱政学的学位。就我所知,除了任命他的那些人之外,没有人喜欢他。我听说他只对三件事有兴趣:第一是收集统计资料来编他的书(这本书后来由一家叫“粉轻松”的小出版社出版,很可能是他自费出版的),其次是关心每年九月哪个球队赢得监狱棒球联谊赛冠军,第三是推动缅因州通过死刑法。他在一九五三年被革职了,因为他在监狱的汽车修理厂中经营地下修车服务,并且和哈力以及史特马分红。哈力和史特马因为经验老到,知道如何不留把柄,但邓纳海便得走路。没有人因为邓纳海走路而感到难过,但也没有人真的高兴看见史特马坐上他的位子。史特马五短身材,一双冷冰冰的棕色眼睛,脸上永远带着一种痛苦的微笑,就好像他已经憋不住了、非上厕所不可、却又拉不出来的表情。在史特马任期内,肖申克酷刑不断,虽然我没有确切的证据,不过我相信监狱东边的灌木林中,可能发生过五、六次月夜中掩埋尸体的事情。邓纳海不是好人,但史特马更是个残忍冷血的卑鄙小人。
  史特马和哈力是好朋友。邓纳海当典狱长的时候,不过是个装腔作势的傀儡,真正在管事的人是史特马和哈力。
  哈力是高个子,走起路来摇摇晃晃,有一头稀疏的红发。他很容易晒得红彤彤的,喜欢大呼小叫。如果你的动作配合不上他要求的速度,他会用棍子猛敲你。在我们修屋顶的第三天,他在和另一个名叫麦德·安惠的警卫聊天。
  哈力听到了一个天大的好消息,所以正在那儿发牢骚。这是哈力的典型作风,他是个不知感恩的人,对任何人从来没有一句好话,认定全世界都跟他作对:这个世界骗走了他一生中的黄金岁月,而且会把他下半辈子也榨干。我见过一些几乎像圣人般品德高尚的狱卒,我知道他们为什么如此——他们明白自己的生活虽然贫困艰难,却仍然比州政府付钱请他们看守的这群囚犯好得多。这些狱卒能够把痛苦做个比较,其他人却不能,也不会这么做。
  对哈力而言,没什么好比较的。他可以在五月温暖的阳光下悠闲地坐在那儿,慨叹自己的好运,而无视于不到十英尺外,一些人正在挥汗工作,一桶桶滚烫的沥青几乎要灼伤他们的双手,但是对于平日需要辛苦工作的人而言,这份工作已经等于在休息了。或许你还记得大家常问的那个“半杯水”老问题,你的答案正反映了你的人生观。像哈力这种人,他的答案绝对是:有一半是空的,装了水的玻璃杯永远有一半是空的。如果你给他一杯冰凉的苹果汁,他会想要一杯醋。如果你告诉他,他的老婆总是对他忠贞不贰,他会说,那是因为她像无盐嫫母一样丑。
  于是,他就坐在那儿和麦德聊天,声音大得我们所有人都听得到,宽大的前额已经开始晒得发红。他一只手扶在屋顶四周的矮栏杆上,另一只手按在点三八口径手枪的枪柄上。
  我们都听到他的事了。事情是这样的,哈力的大哥在十四年前到德州去,自此音讯全无,全家人都以为他已经死了,真是一大解脱。一星期前,有个律师从奥斯汀打长途电话来,他老兄四个月前过世了,留下了差不多一百万美元的遗产,他是搞石油生意发的财。“真难以置信有些笨瓜有多走运。”这个该死没良心的家伙站在工厂屋顶上说。
  不过,哈力并未成为百万富翁——如果真的成了百万富翁,即使是哈力这种人,可能都会感到很快乐,至少会快乐一阵子——他哥哥留给缅因州老家每个还活在世上的家人每人三万五千美元,真不赖,跟中了彩券一样。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
2 tar 1qOwD     
n.柏油,焦油;vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于
参考例句:
  • The roof was covered with tar.屋顶涂抹了一层沥青。
  • We use tar to make roads.我们用沥青铺路。
3 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
4 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
5 proceedings Wk2zvX     
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
  • to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼
6 asses asses     
n. 驴,愚蠢的人,臀部 adv. (常用作后置)用于贬损或骂人
参考例句:
  • Sometimes I got to kick asses to make this place run right. 有时我为了把这个地方搞得像个样子,也不得不踢踢别人的屁股。 来自教父部分
  • Those were wild asses maybe, or zebras flying around in herds. 那些也许是野驴或斑马在成群地奔跑。
7 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
8 cons eec38a6d10735a91d1247a80b5e213a6     
n.欺骗,骗局( con的名词复数 )v.诈骗,哄骗( con的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The pros and cons cancel out. 正反两种意见抵消。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • We should hear all the pros and cons of the matter before we make a decision. 我们在对这事做出决定之前,应该先听取正反两方面的意见。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 pulp Qt4y9     
n.果肉,纸浆;v.化成纸浆,除去...果肉,制成纸浆
参考例句:
  • The pulp of this watermelon is too spongy.这西瓜瓤儿太肉了。
  • The company manufactures pulp and paper products.这个公司制造纸浆和纸产品。
10 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
11 sentry TDPzV     
n.哨兵,警卫
参考例句:
  • They often stood sentry on snowy nights.他们常常在雪夜放哨。
  • The sentry challenged anyone approaching the tent.哨兵查问任一接近帐篷的人。
12 smack XEqzV     
vt.拍,打,掴;咂嘴;vi.含有…意味;n.拍
参考例句:
  • She gave him a smack on the face.她打了他一个嘴巴。
  • I gave the fly a smack with the magazine.我用杂志拍了一下苍蝇。
13 caliber JsFzO     
n.能力;水准
参考例句:
  • They ought to win with players of such high caliber.他们选手的能力这样高,应该获胜。
  • We are always trying to improve the caliber of our schools.我们一直在想方设法提高我们学校的水平。
14 warden jMszo     
n.监察员,监狱长,看守人,监护人
参考例句:
  • He is the warden of an old people's home.他是一家养老院的管理员。
  • The warden of the prison signed the release.监狱长签发释放令。
15 wardens e2599ddd0efb9a7622608a7c43692b1e     
n.看守人( warden的名词复数 );管理员;监察员;监察官
参考例句:
  • Air raid wardens in tin hats self-importantly stalked the streets. 空袭民防队员戴着钢盔神气活现地走在街上昂首阔步。 来自辞典例句
  • The game wardens tranquillized the rhinoceros with a drugged dart. 猎物保护区管理员用麻醉射器让犀牛静了下来。 来自辞典例句
16 penal OSBzn     
adj.刑罚的;刑法上的
参考例句:
  • I hope you're familiar with penal code.我希望你们熟悉本州法律规则。
  • He underwent nineteen years of penal servitude for theft.他因犯了大窃案受过十九年的苦刑。
17 outfit YJTxC     
n.(为特殊用途的)全套装备,全套服装
参考例句:
  • Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
  • His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。
18 auto ZOnyW     
n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车
参考例句:
  • Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
  • The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。
19 gut MezzP     
n.[pl.]胆量;内脏;adj.本能的;vt.取出内脏
参考例句:
  • It is not always necessary to gut the fish prior to freezing.冷冻鱼之前并不总是需要先把内脏掏空。
  • My immediate gut feeling was to refuse.我本能的直接反应是拒绝。
20 tenure Uqjy2     
n.终身职位;任期;(土地)保有权,保有期
参考例句:
  • He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
  • Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。
21 brutality MSbyb     
n.野蛮的行为,残忍,野蛮
参考例句:
  • The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之残暴使公众大为震惊。
  • a general who was infamous for his brutality 因残忍而恶名昭彰的将军
22 posturing 1785febcc47e6193be90be621fdf70d9     
做出某种姿势( posture的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • She was posturing a model. 她正在摆模特儿的姿势。
  • She says the President may just be posturing. 她说总统也许只是在做样子而已。
23 clout GXhzG     
n.用手猛击;权力,影响力
参考例句:
  • The queen may have privilege but she has no real political clout.女王有特权,但无真正的政治影响力。
  • He gave the little boy a clout on the head.他在那小男孩的头部打了一下。
24 formulate L66yt     
v.用公式表示;规划;设计;系统地阐述
参考例句:
  • He took care to formulate his reply very clearly.他字斟句酌,清楚地做了回答。
  • I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.他陈述观点的方式让我印象深刻。
25 gall jhXxC     
v.使烦恼,使焦躁,难堪;n.磨难
参考例句:
  • It galled him to have to ask for a loan.必须向人借钱使他感到难堪。
  • No gall,no glory.没有磨难,何来荣耀。
26 respite BWaxa     
n.休息,中止,暂缓
参考例句:
  • She was interrogated without respite for twenty-four hours.她被不间断地审问了二十四小时。
  • Devaluation would only give the economy a brief respite.贬值只能让经济得到暂时的缓解。
27 butt uSjyM     
n.笑柄;烟蒂;枪托;臀部;v.用头撞或顶
参考例句:
  • The water butt catches the overflow from this pipe.大水桶盛接管子里流出的东西。
  • He was the butt of their jokes.他是他们的笑柄。
28 paragon 1KexV     
n.模范,典型
参考例句:
  • He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
  • Man is the paragon of animals.人是万物之灵。
29 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
30 bequest dWPzq     
n.遗赠;遗产,遗物
参考例句:
  • In his will he made a substantial bequest to his wife.在遗嘱里他给妻子留下了一大笔遗产。
  • The library has received a generous bequest from a local businessman.图书馆从当地一位商人那里得到了一大笔遗赠。


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