我家附近最近在造新房子。今天早上送郑轶嘉上学,路过工地的时候看到他们正好在浇筑driveway,于是就停下来带郑轶嘉看了一会儿。一边看,一边跟旁边举着Stop/Slow牌子的一个工人进行了一段对话:
工人:Do you know what's the difference between concrete and asphalt?
我:I guess concrete is harder.
工人:Yup. Any other difference?
我:I guess concrete will last longer?
工人:That's true. Asphalt are more likely to crack.
我:That's why they keep repaving the roads!
工人:Yup. Any other difference?
我:Don't know.
工人:Concrete raises tax.
我:Tax?
工人:Yup. Concrete (driveway) is a part of the house. It raises your property tax. Asphalt (driveway) is not a part of the house.
我:Really!
工人:Yup. Do you know who told me that?
我:Your dad?
工人:The concrete man.
我:Of course. (After a pause) I guess that's why many houses are still using asphalt for driveway. (After another pause) But I guess higher tax isn't really a bad thing. It's good for the country.
工人:No!
我:I thought property tax funds the school.
工人:That's what they say!
我:Well, I guess at least some of it goes to the school.
工人:That's what they say! Do you know where the lottery money goes to?
我:Don't know.
工人:When they started the lottery …
我:Like thirty years ago?
工人:Maybe. They said the money would go to the school. That's what they said when they started. But later … (他做了一个把钱塞进自己口袋的动作)
我:Lottery is no good. Lottery is a tax especially on low income people.
工人:(沉默)
我:Well, we gonna go.
工人:Did you have a good time?
我:Yeah! Have a good day!
工人:You too!