The office party is on Friday evening. The big meeting room has a small stage and a karaoke machine. Alma's boss says, "Everyone sings tonight. No excuses."
公司聚会在星期五晚上举行。大会议室里有一个小舞台和一台卡拉OK机。阿尔玛的老板说：“今晚每个人都要唱，不许找借口。”
Alma does not like singing. At home, she sings only in the shower. Tonight there is no shower, and forty people watch. Her friend from the sales team gives her a thumbs-up. She picks an old, slow song and hopes it goes well.
阿尔玛不喜欢唱歌。在家里，她只在淋浴时唱。今晚没有淋浴，还有四十个人在看着。销售组的朋友朝她竖起大拇指。她挑了一首老旧的慢歌，希望一切顺利。
When her name comes up, she walks to the stage. Her hands are cold. The first line is too high, and her voice cracks. A few people look at their drinks. She wants to put the microphone down and leave.
轮到她的名字时，她走上舞台。她的手冰凉。第一句就太高了，她的嗓子破了音。有几个人低头看着自己的饮料。她想放下麦克风，一走了之。
Then the music reaches the second half of the song. Someone walks onto the stage. It is Mikko, a quiet man from accounting. His desk is two desks away from hers. He says very little at work.
这时音乐唱到了歌曲的后半段。有个人走上了舞台，是会计部一位安静的男人米科。他的办公桌离她的隔了两张桌子。他在工作中话很少。
He holds a second microphone. "I know this one," he whispers.
他拿着第二支麦克风。“这首歌我会，”他低声说。
They sing the second half together. Mikko sings badly too, in a low, flat voice. Alma starts to laugh, and the whole room laughs with her. Someone at the back claps along.
他们一起唱完了后半段。米科唱得也很糟，声音低沉又平。阿尔玛笑了起来，整个房间的人都跟着她笑。后面有人拍起了手。
When the song ends, everyone cheers. Mikko hands her a glass of water.
歌曲结束时，大家一起欢呼。米科递给她一杯水。
"Next time, you choose a different song," he says.
“下次你选一首别的歌，”他说。
"Next time?" Alma asks.
“下次？”阿尔玛问。
"Yes," he says. "I know about ten more."
“是啊，”他说，“我还会大概十首。”
