英语听力突破掌上宝reading-第9章

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and　admit　her　superior　strength；　hoping　to　prevent　pain　and　further　
humiliation。　
Margo　was　sipping　some　water　and　toweling　off　her　face。　Larry　
approached　her；　realizing　for　the　first　time　just　how　wide　her　shoulders　
were。　〃Margo；〃　he　began；　〃uh；　I'm　sorry　I　doubted　you　were　stronger　
than　me。　I　concede；　you　win。〃　
Margo　turned　and　scowled　menacingly。　〃Oh；　no　you　don't；　you　wimpy　
little　shit。　You　agreed　to　all　this；　and　you're　not　getting　off　that　easy。　
I'm　going　to　beat　you　in　all　the　other　contests；　too。〃　She　smiled　
tauntingly。　〃Besides；　it's　only　two　to　nothing；　you've　still　got　a　chance　to　
win　if　you　beat　me　three　in　a　row。〃　The　women　sitting　nearby　laughed　
at　this。　Margo　glanced　at　them　and　grinned。　〃Well；　it's　not　very　much　of　
a　chance；　I'll　grant　you；〃　she　added；　causing　even　more　laughter。　
〃Come　on；　Margo；　I　give；〃　said　Larry。　〃You're　stronger　than　I　am；　I　
admit　it。　Isn't　that　what　this　is　about？〃　
Margo　moved　closer；　her　face　only　inches　from　his。　Larry　saw　no　pity　
in　her　cool　gray　eyes。　〃You　might　have　thought　so；　skinny；〃　she　replied　
in　a　low　voice。　〃For　me；　it's　a　chance　to　humiliate　another　weak　male　
who　thought　he　was　better　than　me。　I　really　get　off　on　making　my　
victims　beg　for　mercy。〃　Margo　licked　her　lips。　〃You　wouldn't　want　to　
deprive　me　of　my　little　pleasures；　would　you？〃　she　went　on。　〃I　might　
get　upset　and　decide　to　really　hurt　you。〃　
〃Come　on；　you　two；〃　called　Dominique　from　the　ring；　〃we're　ready　for　
you。〃　
Margo　slapped　Larry's　face　lightly。　〃Now　be　a　good　boy　and　get　in　the　
ring　so　I　don't　lose　my　temper；〃　she　purred　sexily。　〃You　wouldn't　last　
more　than　a　minute　if　I　decided　to　really　get　rough；　and　it　wouldn't　be　
any　fun；　at　least　not　for　you。〃　She　smiled　wickedly　at　his　discomfort。　
〃And　you'd　better　really　try　to　win　the　tug　of　war；　or　I'll　really　make　you　
suffer　in　the　last　two　events。〃　
Margo　took　Larry　by　the　shoulder　and　turned　him　toward　the　ring；　then　
gave　him　a　push；　which　amused　the　spectators。　Larry　tried　to　resist　as　
Margo　propelled　him　toward　the　ring；　but　Margo's　strength　prevailed。　
He　found　himself　stumbling　against　the　edge　of　the　ring　as　she　gave　him　
a　final　push。　Once　again　he　climbed　the　steps　to　the　arena　and　
clambered　between　the　ropes；　while　Margo　effortlessly　jumped　onto　the　
apron　and　vaulted　into　the　ring。　
Dominique　awaited　them　in　the　center　of　the　ring。　There　were　three　
lines　of　tape　on　the　ring　floor。　One　was　set　up　so　that　it　stretched　
between　two　opposite　corners。　The　other　two　were　set　about　five　feet　on　
either　side　of　the　first。　A　rope　with　a　rag　tied　around　the　middle　crossed　
the　three　tape　lines。　
〃The　rules　for　the　tug　of　war　are　simple；〃　Dominique　explained。　〃You　
start　behind　the　tape　nearest　the　corners　and　you　each　grab　an　end　of　the　
rope。　You　can't　tie　it　around　you；　but　you　can　wrap　it　around　your　arm　if　
you　want　to。　I'll　position　the　flag　over　the　middle　line　and　when　I　say　
'go'；　you　pull　like　hell。〃　She　smiled　and　continued；　〃The　object　is　to　pull　
the　flag　past　the　line　on　your　side　of　the　ring。〃　
Margo　nodded　and　busied　herself　in　wrapping　her　end　of　the　rope　around　
her　right　arm。　Larry　picked　the　rope　up　in　his　hands　and　set　himself。　
〃By　the　way；〃　Dominique　added；　〃if　the　rope　slips　out　of　your　hands；　
we'll　start　again。〃　
Larry　quickly　wrapped　the　rope　around　his　bare　arm；　wishing　he'd　worn　
long　sleeves。　Dominique　grabbed　the　rope　where　the　flag　was　fastened　
and　positioned　it　to　her　satisfaction　over　the　center　line。　〃Take　up　the　
slack；〃　she　ordered。　Margo　and　Larry　obeyed；　pulling　the　rope　in　until　it　
was　taut。　〃Get　ready；〃　Dominique　called。　With　a　quick　glance　at　Margo　
and　Larry；　she　released　the　rope　and　called；　〃GO！〃　
Larry　put　his　entire　body　into　the　effort；　using　all　the　strength　of　his　
arms；　back；　and　legs　in　an　attempt　to　pull　the　flag　across　the　line　on　his　
side　of　the　ring；　but　the　flag　didn't　move　a　millimeter。　Sweat　broke　out　
on　his　forehead　and　dripped　into　his　eyes　as　he　strained　to　pull　Margo　
across　the　ring。　He　looked　up　and　saw　Margo　just　standing　there；　a　
mocking　smile　on　her　pretty　face；　totally　at　ease；　as　she　withstood　his　
best　pull　without　strain。　Now　the　rough　rope　began　to　cut　into　his　arm　
and　hands；　burning　and　bruising　the　flesh。　He　redoubled　his　efforts；　
grunting　as　he　tugged　and　pulled；　but　the　only　effect　on　Margo　was　a　
broader　smile。　To　anyone　watching　only　him；　it　might　have　looked　as　if　
Larry　was　pulling　on　a　rope　tied　to　a　large　tree。　
Margo　called；　〃Are　you　having　fun　yet？〃　The　crowd　of　women　laughed　
at　that。　Margo　turned　to　the　bleachers　and　asked；　〃Has　he　started　to　
pull？〃　Once　again　the　crowd　responded　with　amusement。　〃Well；　I　
might　as　well　finish　this；〃　said　Margo。　
Even　through　her　sweatshirt；　Larry　could　see　the　muscles　in　Margo's　
arms　bulge　as　she　started　to　pull　for　the　first　time。　Hand　over　hand　she　
hauled　in　the　rope；　with　Larry　desperately　trying　to　resist　her　pull。　〃Just　
like　reeling　in　a　little　fish；〃　crowed　Margo　as　Larry　was　dragged　across　
the　ring。　Margo　pulled　Larry　toward　her　with　only　the　power　in　her　
arms。　Those　huge；　sinewy　legs　never　moved；　and　she　never　seemed　to　
need　to　put　her　back　into　the　effort。　First　the　flag；　then　Larry　himself；　
were　pulled　across　the　tape　on　Margo's　side　of　the　ring。　
〃Margo　wins　again；〃　called　Dominique；　sounding　somewhat　bored。　
Larry　slumped　to　the　canvas　covering　the　ring　as　Margo　shook　loose　the　
coils　of　rope　and　again　raised　her　arms　over　her　head　in　a　victory　pose。　
Disdainfully；　Margo　looked　down　at　Larry　groveling　at　her　feet。　〃That's　
where　you　belong；　you　know；〃　she　said　as　she　stepped　across　his　body　to　
chalk　up　another　mark　under　her　name。　
〃The　score　is　Margo　three；　Larry　nothing；〃　called　Dominique。　〃By　the　
rules；　Margo　wins　the　test　of　strength；　but　Larry　still　has　to　compete　in　
the　last　two　events。〃　
Margo　walked　over　to　Dominique　and　whispered　to　her。　〃Well；　now；　
that's　mighty　generous　of　you；〃　said　Dominique。　〃Margo　says　if　Larry　
can　win　even　one　of　the　remaining　events；　he'll　win　the　whole　thing。〃　
She　looked　at　Larry；　then　turned　back　to　Margo。　〃I　still　like　your　
chances；　Margo；〃　she　said。　The　spectators　erupted　in　laughter。　〃We'll　
get　the　ring　ready　for　the　last　two　events。〃　
Margo　vaulted　out　of　the　ring　and　picked　up　her　towel；　drying　a　thin　
sheen　of　perspiration　from　her　upper　lip。　Larry　slowly　pulled　himself　up　
to　his　feet　using　the　ropes。　Dominique's　two　assistants　were　busy　
removing　the　tape　and　rope　from　the　ring。　
Dominique　walked　over　to　Larry；　an　amused　look　on　her　pretty　face。　
〃You　look　like　you've　just　about　had　it；　buddy；〃　she　said。　〃There's　a　
water　cooler　just　outside　the　door　over　there；〃　she　continued。　〃Why　
don't　you　get　yourself　a　drink　and　relax　for　a　minute？〃　
As　Larry　crawled　out　of　the　ring　and　staggered　toward　the　door；　
Dominique　followed　him　with　her　eyes。　〃You're　out　of　your　league；　
skinny；〃　she　muttered。　
Larry　drank　deeply　from　the　water　cooler；　then　rinsed　his　sore　arms；　
trying　to　take　the　sting　out　of　the　rope　burns。　He　thought　about　running　
down　the　stairs　and　out　the　door；　but　a　quick　glance　back　into　the　gym　
showed　that　Margo　was　watching　him　closely。　He　took　a　deep　breath　
and　went　back　in。　
〃I　thought　you　might　try　to　escape；　Larry；〃　said　Margo。　It's　a　good　thing　
for　you　that　you　didn't。　If　I　had　to　catch　you　and　bring　you　back　here；　it　
might　have　made　me　mad。〃　She　leaned　closer　and　whispered；　〃And　
you'd　better　not　quit　on　me；　Babycakes。　If　I　think　you're　not　trying；　I'll　
make　you　wish　you'd　never　been　born。〃　
Margo　turned　away　and　pulled　her　sweatshirt　over　her　head。　Larry　was　
astounded　by　the　big　woman's　muscular　development。　Bulging　muscles　
covered　her　back；　and　her　arms　were　massive。　Her　wide　shoulders　
tapered　to　her　narrow　waist。　As　she　turned　to　face　him；　he　saw　that　her　
chest　was　thick　and　powerful。　Even　the　breasts　under　her　bikini　top　
looked　firm。　
〃Now　do　you　understand？〃　asked　Margo。　〃I've　been　holding　back　
whenever　we　competed　so　you'd　feel　that　you　might　be　able　to　beat　me。　
Now　you　can　see　what　you're　really　up　against。〃　She　flexed　her　arms　
and　chest　in　a　〃most　muscular〃　pose。　The　sinews　danced　under　her　
glistening　skin。　〃Eighteen　inch　biceps；　Larry；〃　went　on　Margo；　〃and　a　
forty…six　inch　chest。　Thighs　that　are　bigger　than　your　waist。　All　of　it；　
hard　as　granite。〃　Now　she　flexed　her　biceps　so　they　bulged　like　
cannonballs。　〃And　you　really　thought　you　had　a　chance？〃　Margo　shook　
her　head　in　mock　pity。　〃Tsk；　tsk；　tsk。　You　were　dead　meat　from　the　
minute　you　and　I　met。　Now　get　in　the　ring　and　take　your　punishment。〃　
Larry　clambered　slowly　into　the　ring。　He　knew　that　Margo　was　deadly　
serious　about　this　contest；　and　he　also　knew　that　he　was　overmatched。　
He　also　knew　that　there　was　no　escape。　He　turned　slowly　to　face　his　
massive　female　opponent　as　Dominique　explained　the　rules　of　the　fourth　
contest。　
〃You　get　each　other　in　a　bear　hug；　with　your　right　arm　over　the　other　
person's　left　arm。　Lock　your　hands　together　and　squeeze。　To　give　up　
you　must　say　the　words　'I　quit'　so　I　can　hear　them。〃　Dominique　looked　
at　them　both。　〃That　is；　if　you've　got　the　breath　to　speak。　If　you　can't　
speak；　let　go　of　your　hold。　Are　you　ready？〃　she　asked。　
Larry　gulped　and　nodded。　〃Let's　do　it；〃　growled　Margo。　
They　stood　chest　to　chest　and　secured　the　bear　hugs。　Larry　had　to　tilt　
his　head　back　to　look　into　Margo's　eyes；　which　showed　no　pity。　He　could　
feel　the　awesome　power　in　Margo's　arms　first　hand　now；　and　it　
frightened　him。　Larry　could　barely　stretch　his　arms　out　far　enough　to　
clasp　his　own　hands　behind　Margo's　broad　back。　
〃GO！〃　called　Dominique。　Even　though　he　knew　it　was　useless；　Larry　
put　all　his　strength　into　his　arms；　trying　to　squeeze　the　breath　out　of　
Margo's　body。　He　tried　desperately　to　force　the　big　woman　to　concede；　
but　made　no　impression　on　her。　Margo　deliberately　increased　the　
pressure　of　her　brawny　arms；　until　she　could　feel　Larry　beginning　to　
have　trouble　breathing。　She　held　there；　waiting；　secure　in　the　knowledge　
that　she　could　crush　Larry　at　any　time　she　wished。　
Larry　was　unable　to　cause　Margo　any　discomfort　at　all；　while　she　had　
nearly　cut　off　his　breath。　He　began　to　gasp　for　air；　bringing　a　smile　to　
Margo's　lips。　Margo　slowly　lifted　Larry's　hundred　and　seventy…one　
pounds　off　the　floor　until　his　feet　were　dangling　helplessly。　She　kept　
intensifying　the　power　of　her　arms；　tightening　the　circle　surrounding　
Larry's　torso；　until　he　gasped　in　pain。　
〃Aaarrgghhh！〃　Larry　moaned。　He　tried　to　say　〃I　quit〃；　but　didn't　have　
the　air　in　his　lungs。　Margo's　brawny　arms　continued　the　crushing　
pressure　on　Larry's　trapped　body　until　he　was　sure　his　ribs　were　
breaking。　He　started　to　black　out；　his　brain　starved　for　oxygen。　
〃You'd　better　give　up；　Larry；〃　murmured　Margo；　〃or　I'll　have　to　really　
squeeze。　I'm　barely　using　half　my　strength　at　the　moment。〃　She　gave　
him　a　quick　jolt　of　even　greater　force；　forcing　another　groan　from　his　
mouth。　〃I　could　hold　you　up　here　and　keep　squeezing　forever。　If　you　
can't　speak；　let　go　of　your　hold；　dummy。〃　
Larry　dimly　remembered　that　his　arms　were　still　wrapped　loosely　around　
Margo's　body。　He　released　his　grasp　just　as　he　completely