花了将近两小时读和翻译。 原文有些单词不对劲，可能是typo.对各种教会名称不太熟
悉，有些自己知道，有些查阅了洪恩在线词典或者m-w.
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“对,” 菲利普先生说，“ 我们是一座教堂城市。”
西西莉娅点点头，顺着他手指的方向看。街道两边都密密匝匝的立着教堂，五花八门的建
筑风格肩并着肩。贝索浸信教会边上是圣弥赛亚自由浸信教会，
圣保罗主教会紧贴着恩慈福音集会所，然后是第一基督科学教会，神殿教会，众灵教会，
“胜利女神”教堂，还有圣徒公所。传统建筑顶着的塔尖和阁楼同充满幻想味儿的宽大高
楼牢牢挤作一堆。
“这里的每个人都对教堂充满兴趣，” 菲利普先生说。
我呆这儿合适吗？ 西西莉娅犹疑着。她原本是打算到普雷斯特来开家汽车租赁行的。
“我可不怎么信教”，她跟菲利普先生这个房地产商人讲。
“现在是不信”， 他接腔说，“还没有信。不过我们这儿的不少年青人都不错，你很快
就会和社区打成一片的。目前最紧要的问题是你打算住哪儿？大多数人，” 他说“ 都住
在他们自己的教堂里面。 我们所有的教堂都有多余出来的房间，我有些钟楼公寓可以给
你看看。你考虑的价位是多少？”
他们转过一个街角，迎头撞上更多教堂。他们经过圣路加教会，主临教会，乌克兰东
正教全圣教会，圣克力门多教会，泉水浸礼教会，公理教联会，圣安拉该瑞教会，伊曼纽
神庙，第一改革基督教会。所有的教堂都大张着嘴，可以看见里面黯淡的灯光。
“我最多付得起一百一，“ 西西莉娅说，”你有什么不是教堂的房子吗？“
“没有，” 菲利普先生说，“ 当然，我们有不少教堂结构都很不错，可以用来做其它
事儿。“ 他示意了一下一个体面的乔治时代模样的楼面。 ”那一个，” 他说，“装着
卫理工会和教育委员会。再边上那个，是安提阿五旬节教堂，里面有个理发店。
是这么回事儿。一个红白条子的理发店灯柱不太醒目的粘在安提阿五旬节教堂的正面
。
“这里是不是有很多人来租车？”西西莉亚问道，“或者说，他们会不会，如果这儿
有一个租车的方便地儿？”
“欧，这我不知道。要租辆车就意味着你想去什么地方。大多数人在这儿呆着挺
满意的。我们有不少活动。如果初来乍到，我可不会挑租车这么档子生意。不过你不用担
心。” 他指给她看一个极为现代的，有着一个风格拘谨的砖钢玻璃表面的小房子。“那
是圣巴拿巴教会。一些友善的人，非常不错的意大利面晚餐。”
西西莉亚可以看见一串脑袋探在窗口外面。不过一发现她正盯着他们瞧，那些脑袋就消失
了。
“你觉得这么多教堂堆在这儿合适吗？” 她问自己的向导，“这看起来不怎么―――匀
称，如果你明白我是什么意思。“
“我们因为教堂而出名，“ 菲利普先生答道，”这没什么。我们这就到了。”
————————————
他打开一扇门，然后他们开始往很多节灰尘密布的楼梯上面爬。爬到尽头，他们进了个大
小正好的房间，方方正正，四面墙壁上都有窗户。有一张床，一张桌子和两把椅子，还有
几个台灯和一方地毯。四个巨大的铜钟挂在房间正中央。
“多好看的景致！” 西西莉娅大叫。“来看！”
“他们真的敲这些钟吗？”西西莉娅问。
“一天三次，” 菲利普先生笑着说，“早上，中午，再就是晚上。当然敲钟的时候你
得赶快躲开。要不就会给这些家伙撞着脑袋，她就是这么写的。（？）
“神啦，” 西西莉亚不太情愿的说。接着她又说：“没人愿意住钟楼公寓里面，所以
它们才空着。“
“你这样觉得吗？” 菲利普先生说。
“你只好把它们租给新来的。“ 西西莉亚指责道。
“ 我才不会做这种事，“ 菲利普先生说，”这不合基督教团的精神。“
“这个镇子有点阴森，你知道吗？”
“可能吧，不过这还轮不到你来说，对不对？我是说，你才刚来呢。我在中基督长老教
会有间地下室。你得和人同住，已经有两个女人住那了。“
“我不想合住，“西西莉娅说，”我想有个自己的地方。“
“为什么？“房地产商好奇的问。”有什么原因吗？“
“原因？“ 西西莉娅问道。”没什么特别原因。我就是乐意――“
“在这里这没什么特别的。大多数人都和别人一起住。丈夫和妻子，儿子和母亲。大
家都有房伴儿。这就是寻常的形式。“
“不管怎么说，我还是情愿有个自己的地方。“
“这是很寻常的。“
“你有这种地方吗？ 除了钟楼，我是说？“
“我猜有一些，“菲利普先生说，明显他不太情愿。”我想可以给你看一两个。“
他停顿了一下。
“可能只不过是我们这里周围的社区有不同的价值观，“他解释道。”我们经常被报导
。有一次“CBS晚间新闻”给我们弄了个四分钟的节目。三四年以前。‘教堂城市’，这
个节目就叫。“
“不错，有个我自己的地方是很关键的，”西西莉娅说，“如果我想在这儿生存的话。”
“这个态度有点滑稽，”菲利普先生说。“你是什么教派的？”
西西莉娅一声不吭。事实情况是，她什么教派都不是。
“我问你，是什么教派的？” 菲利普先生重复道。
“我可以做梦，”西西莉娅说。”我可以梦见任何我想梦到的东西。如果我想梦到自己正
在过好时光，在巴黎或者其它什么城市，我只需要睡觉就可以梦到了。我可以梦见任何我
想梦到的东西。“
“那你通常都梦见什么呢？” 菲利普先生说，一面细细打量她。
“通常都是些性的玩意儿，”她说。她才不怕他呢。
“普雷斯特可不是那种地方，”菲利普先生看着别处说。
——————————————————————
街道两边教堂的门都打开了。一小群一小群的人走出来立在教堂前面，盯着西西莉娅和
菲利普先生。
一个年轻男人走上前来嚷道，“这个镇子里谁都有车！住在这镇子里的没人没有车！”
“是这么回事吗？”西西莉娅问菲利普先生。
“是的，”他说。“是这么回事。没人会来租车。一百年都不会。”
“那我就不在这儿呆了，”她说，“我要去个别的什么地方。”
“你必须留下来，”他说。“已经给你准备好一个租车行了。在芒特莫里阿浸信会，在门
厅那一层。那儿有一个柜台，一个电话和一挂车钥匙。还有个日历。”
“我才不留下来，”她说。“如果没什么说得过去的生意原因值得留下来。”
“我们需要你，”菲利普先生说。“我们需要你站在租车行的柜台后面，在通常的工作时
间。这样这个镇子就全齐了。”
“我才不，”她说，“别找我。”
“你必须。这很关键。”
“我会做梦，梦到那些你讨厌的东西。”
“我们很不安，非常，非常的不安。有什么东西不对劲。”
“我会梦见那个秘密，” 她说，“你会后悔的。”
“我们就像其它那些镇子一样，只不过我们是完美的，” 他说。“只有完美才能止住我
们的不安。我们需要一个租车女郎。必须有人站在那个柜台后面。”
“我会梦到那种你最恐惧的生活，”西西莉娅威胁说。
“你是我们的，” 他抓住她胳膊说。“我们的租车女郎，乖一点。你无计可施了。“
“等着瞧吧，“ 西西莉娅说。
A City of Churches: Donald Barthelme
"Yes," Mr. Phillips said, "ours is a city of churches all right."
Cecelia nodded, following his pointing hand. Both sides of the street
were solidly lines with churches, standing shoulder to shoulder in a variety
of architectural styles. The Bethel Baptist stood next to the Holy Messiah
Free Baptist, Saint Paul's Episcopal next to Grace Evangelical Covenant. Then
came the First Christian Science, the Church of God, All Souls, Our Lady of
Victory, and the Church of the Holy Apostles. The spires and steeples of the
traditional buildings were jammed in next to the broad imaginative flights of
the "contemporary" designs.
"Everyone here takes great interest in church matters," Mr. Philips said.
Will I fit in, Cecelia wondered. She had come to Prester to open a branch
office of a car-rental concern.
"I'm not especially religious," she said to Mr. Philips, who was in the
real-estate business.
"Not now," he answered. "Not yet. But we have many fine young people
here. You'll get integrated into the community soon enough. The immediate
problem is where are you to live? Most people," he said, "live in the church
of their choice. All of our churches have many extra rooms. I have a few
belfry apartments that I can show you. What price range were you thinking of?"
They turned a corner and were confronted with more churches. They passed
Saint Luke's, the Church of the Epiphany, All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox, Saint
Clement's, Fountain Baptist, Union Congregational, Saint Anargyri's, Temple
Emanuel, the First Church of Christ Reformed. The mouths of all the churches
were gaping open. Inside, lights could be seen dimly.
"I can go up to a hundred and ten," Cecelia said. "Do you have any
buildings that are not churches?"
"None," said Mr. Philips. "Oh course, many of our fine church structures
also do double duty as something else." He indicated an handsome Georgian
facade. "That one," he said, "houses the United Methodist and the Board of
Education. The one next to it, which is the Antioch Pentecostal, has the
barbershop."
It was true. A red-and-white striped barber pole was attached
inconspicuously to the front of the Antioch Pentecostal.
"Do many people rent cars here?" Cecelia asked. "Or would they, if there
was a handy place to rent them?"
"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Philips. "Renting a car implies that you
want to go somewhere. Most people are pretty content right here. We have a lot
of activities. I don't think I'd pick the car-rental business if i was just
starting out in Prester. But you'll do fin." He showed her a small, extremely
modern building with a severe brick, steele, and glass front. "That's Saint
Barnabas. Nice bunch of people over there. Wonderful spaghetti suppers."
Cecelia could see a number of hears looking out of the windows. But when
they saw that she was staring at them, the heads disappeared.
"Do you think it's healthy for so many churches to be gathered together
in one place?" she asked her guide. "It doesn't seem...balanced, if you know
what i mean."
"We are famous for our churches," Mr. Philips replied. "They are
harmless. Here we are now."
-----
He opened a door and they began climbing many flights of dusty stairs.
At the end of the climb they entered a good-sized room, square, with windows
on all four sides. There was a bed, a table, and two chairs, lamps, a rug.
Four very large brass bells hung in the exact center of the room.
"What a view!" Mr. Philips exclaimed. "Come here and look."
"Do they actually ring these bells?" Cecelia asked.
"Three times a day," Mr. Philips said, smiling. "Morning, noon, and
night. Of course when they're rung you have to be pretty quick at getting out
of the way. You get hit in the head with one of these babies and that's all
she wrote."
"God Almighty," said Cecelia involuntarily. Then she said, "Nobody lives
in belfry apartments. That's why they're empty."
"You think so?" Mr. Philips said.
"You can only rent them to new people in town," she said accusingly.
"I wouldn't do that," Mr. Philips said. "It would go against the spirit
of Christian fellowship."
"This town in a little creepy, you know that?"
"That may be, but it's not for you to say, is it? I mean, you're new
here. You should walk cautiously, for a while. If you don't want an upper
apartment, I have a basement over at Central Presbyterian. You'd have to
share it. There are two women in there now."
"I don't want to share," Cecelia said. "I want a place of my own."
"Why?" the real-estate man asked curiously. "For what purpose?"
"Purpose?" asked Cecelia. "There is no particular purpose. I just want-"
"That's not unusual here. Most people live with other people. Husbands
and wives. Sons with their mothers. People have roommates. That's the usual
pattern."
"Still, I prefer a place of my own."
"It's very unusual."
"Do you have any such places? Besides bell towers, I mean?"
"I guess there are a few," Mr. Philips said, with clear reluctance. "I
can show you one or two, I suppose."
He paused for a moment.
"It's just that we have different values, maybe, from some of the
surrounding communities," he explained. "We've been written up a lot. We had
four minutes on the 'CBS Evening News' one time. Tree of four years ago. 'A
City of Churches,' it was called."
"Yes, a place of my own is essential," Cecelia said, "if I am to survive
here."
"That's kind of a funny attitude to take," Mr. Philips said. "What
denomination are you?"
Cecelia was silent. The truth was, she wasn't anything.
" I said, what denomination are you?" Mr. Philips repeated.
"I can will my dreams," Cecelia said. "I can dream whatever I want. If I
want to dream that i'm having a good time, in Paris or some other city, all I
have to do is go to sleep and I will dream that dream. I can dream whatever I
want."
"What do you dream, then, mostly?" Mr. Philips said, looking at her
closely.
"Mostly sexual things," she said. She was not afraid of him.
"Prester is not that kind of town," Mr. Philips said, looking away.
-----
The doors of the churches were opening, on both sides of the street. Small
groups of people came out and stood there, in front of the churches, gazing at
Cecelia and Mr. Philips.
A young man stepped forward and shouted, "Everyone in this town already
has a car! There is no one in this town who doesn't have a car!"
"Is that true?" Cecelia asked Mr. Philips.
"Yes," he said. "It's true. No one would rent a car here. Not in a
hundred years."
Then I won't stay," she said. "I'll go somewhere else."
"You must stay," he said. "There is already a car-rental office for you.
In Mount Moriah Baptist, on the lobby floor. There is a counter and a
telephone and a rack of car keys. And a calendar."
"I won't stay," she said. "Not if there isn't any sound business reason
for staying."
"We want you," said Mr. Philips. "We want you standing behind the counter
of the car-rental agency, during regular business hours. It will make the town
complete."
"I won't," she said. "Not me."
"You must. It's essential."
"I'll dream," she said. "Things you won't like."
"We are discontented," said Mr. Philips. "Terrible, terribly
discontented. Something is wrong."
"I'll dream the Secret," she said. "You'll be sorry."
"We are like other towns, except that we are perfect," he said. "Our
discontent can only be held in check be perfection. We need a car rental girl.
Someone must stand behind that counter."
"I'll dream the life you are most afraid of," Cecelia threatened.
"You are ours," he said, gripping her arm. "Our car rental girl. Be nice.
There is nothing you can do."
"Wait and see," Cecelia said.