Album 22：Career Choices - ACT2_走遍美国

ellen: there's your teddy bear, max.

ellen: he just loves that teddy bear that grandpa philip bought for him.

marilyn: i took him to philip's office yesterday for a checkup. you should have seen the look on his face when molly gave him the injection.

ellen: oh, did he cry?

marilyn: no, my dear little boy just looked up at me as if to say, "mama, what are they doing to me? help!"

ellen: how did you feel? tell the truth didn't you feel terrible?

marilyn: i sure did. i held him closely. i kissed the top of his dear little head. he looked up at me. he tried to smile. being with him helped.

ellen: helped him? or helped you?

marilyn: being a mother is not easy, if that's what you mean.

ellen: speaking of being a mother, i've been meaning to ask you what you were thinking about regarding going back to work. i know rita mae called. i can imagine what is going through your head.

marilyn: i'm sure you can, ellen.

ellen: there are so many things to consider. one thing that makes it easier for you is that you have us. max will always have a family member to watch over him while you're at work. i didn't have that when richard and susan were born.

marilyn: what did you do?

ellen: i chose to continue with my career as a music teacher. we hired a woman to watch richard and then susan, and i continued with my career.

marilyn: do you think you made the right decision?

ellen: i think i did. but when robbie was born, i decided to give fulltime attention to raising robbie. i felt differently at that time.

marilyn: and you gave up your career as a music teacher?

ellen: not exactly. i continued to teach piano lessons at home.

marilyn: how did you feel about being away when susan and richard were babies?

ellen: i think i did the right thing for them and for myself and for philip. we needed the money. remember?

marilyn: well, we do too, ellen. everything i earn helps us towards getting that house we want and need.

susan: i can't wait till he's just a little older. our toy company makes the most wonderful toys for kids.

marilyn: max thanks you. i thank you. and ricard thanks you. now may i please say hello?

susan: hello. hello. i miss max and think about him all week long. we talk about him at dinnertime.

ellen: will you please try to relax? i've never seen you so wound up.

marilyn: you seem to be enjoying the pressure.

susan: the truth is, i am. my job is not an easy one, but i really enjoy it.

marilyn: that is exactly what i wanted to talk to you about, susan.

susan: what's the problem?

ellen: marilyn's career.

marilyn: well, my choice of careers.

susan: choice?

marilyn: my career as a fashion designer versus my career as a mother.

susan: why does it have to be one or the other?

ellen: that's what i said.

marilyn: how's that?

susan: why can't you do both?

ellen: she's right.

marilyn: both?

susan: well, that's what i do. i have a job, and i have michelle. i take care of both to the best of my ability. it's not easy, but what is?

ellen: and that's what i did. i did both with richard and susan, and i did both with robbie.

marilyn: i thought you stayed home with robbie?

ellen: i did. but i was lucky enough to have a career as a music teacher which i could continue at home.

susan: why can't you work at home, marilyn? you're very talented. designing dresses is a career you could establish out of your home, couldn't you?

marilyn: i don't know why i didn't think of it. it seems so simple now.for a year or two i could stay at home with max and do my dress designs.

ellen: and you could make your dresses at home.

susan: sounds like a great way to solve the problem.

ellen: that could solve your problem, marilyn.

marilyn: i'm going to call rita mae at home and ask her come by and talk about it. she want to see max, anyway.

susan: i think that really answers your questions, marilyn. you can do it.do your designs at home-here.

marilyn: and let rita mae do the selling at the boutique.

ellen: and you can both benefit financially.

marilyn: i'm going to call rita mae right now. oh, susan, thank you so much for coming all this way form the city to talk to me about it. i hope you don't mind having taken so much time away from your busy schedule.

susan: are you kidding? i don't mind at all. as a matter of fact, i came to spend some time with my favorite nephew.

ellen: i think you should call rita mae right now. i think your idea of working at home is perfect.

marilyn: i don't know what i would do without you. i'm lucky to have you all.

ellen: we are lucky to have you, marilyn.

susan: and so is max.