Robert回公司呈报了Dan的提案后，老板很满意对方的采购计划，但在折扣方面则希望Robert能继续维持强硬的态度，尽量探出对方的底线。就在这七上八下的价格翘翘板上，双方是否能找到彼此的平衡点呢？请看他们的过招经过：

R: Even with volume sales, our coats for the Exec-U-Ciser won't go down much.

D: Just what are you proposing?

R: We could take a cut（降低）on the price. But 25% would slash our profit margin（毛利率）.We suggest a compromise--10%.

D: That's a big change from 25! 10 is beyond my negotiating limit. (pause) Any other ideas?

R: I don't think I can change it right now. Why don't we talk again tomorrow?

D: Sure. I must talk to my office anyway. I hope we can find some common ground（共同信念）on this.

NEXT DAY

D: Robert, I've been instructed to reject the numbers you proposed; but we can try to come up with some thing else.

R: I hope so, Dan. My instructions are to negotiate hard on this deal--but I'm trying very hard to reach some middle ground（互相妥协）.

D: I understand. We propose a structured deal（阶段式和约）. For the first six months, we get a discount of 20%, and the next six months we get 15%.

R: Dan, I can't bring those numbers back to my office--they'll turn it down flat（断然拒绝）.

D: Then you'll have to think of something better, Robert.

（来源：英文锁定 英语点津 Annabel 编辑）