h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The man on the red-velvet-couch watches with mounting interest

IIEM, green tea please

*The man behind the counter bops his head in time to the jazz on the speakers and watches*

*dithers between moving one pawn seven places or two pawns...*

*decides and moves one pawn seven places*

Hello, all!

Ooh. Interesting game. Best of luck to Ook and Titania.

Looney: I meant to ask you... did you change your name cuz you saw mine? If not, then ignore me. But if so, well...

Warrior Prince? Slacker Princess? We'd need to form a dynamic duo or something...

*throws dices*

3 and 6..

*Oh! Sorry Tashalls! (3 moves from Tashall's pawn making it an irrestistable temptation)*

*moving her other pawn 6 steps forward*

Hi, I'm the invisible man.

Just to be picky, the plural of dice is dice or die.

*walks head-long into the invisible man on her way to the IIEM*

Ooops. Sorry, I didn't see you there.

How'd you do that?

Ah, it's a secret.

I was known as 'Satan - Lord of the Underworld', but I decided to make myself invisible so I can spy on everyone. Bwahahaha!

*stirs from the table by the window*

It's not that big a secret, Cheezy. Try this:

http://www.h2g2.com/U149868

*throws one and three, moving single pawn away (hopefully) away from Titania's reach*

*Looks up*

Actually, singular for dice is die, dice is the plural.

Can I get a chocolate milkshake over here, IIEM?

*concentrates on game*

*Titania gently points out Tashalls' mistake*

*Tashalls turns red, and moves pawn back "home", then moves another pawn out four places*

Sorry, didn't mean to cheat - milkshake on the brain giving me headaches...

*mutters to self under breath*

Mornin'!
*no reply*

Anyone?
*still no reply*

Please?

Ook: OOK!
Hi Ook!

IIEM, coffee, please!

Hi One-eye!

Ook, that was NOT two sixes, I saw you!

IIEM, café mélange, please!

*plingeling*
*places a dripping wet umbrella in the brass umbrellastand by the door.*
Good morning!
It's a bit nippy outside today.
IIEM! A large cup of strong tea with milk and cinnamon. And a handkerchief!

Hi T, Bumble!

So it's raining in Bergen too!!
It's pouring here in Drammen!
But I guess you're used to it...

*Enters.*
*Washes up*
*Puts v/_\3 on*

Hiya BB!

c)_( please?

So hows life in your neck'o'the woods?

*Pours c)_(*
In my neck of the woods all is going well. This weekend I'm off to London for the Last Night of the Proms in Hyde Park.

*takes c)_( and sips*
mmm...

"Last Night of the Proms" eh? waz dat?

It's The Last Night of the Proms!
See:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/proms/about/index.shtml
and look around at all the sites to learn all about it.
It's the most famous musical event in the world, where everyone gathers to hear classical music and then at the end celebrate by singing:

"Land of Hope And Glory" (Elgar's "Pomp & Circumstance")

Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free,
How shall we extol thee who are born of thee?
Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set;
God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.

and "Rule Britannia" (written 1740)

When Britain first at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main,
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain:

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never will be slaves.
Rule, Britannia!, etc.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise
More dreadful from each foreign stroke.
As the loud blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root the native oak.

Rule, Britannia!, etc.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy gen'rous flame,
But work their woe and thy renown.

Rule, Britannia!, etc.

The muses still with freedom found
Shall to thy happy coast repair.
Blest Isle with matchless beauty crown'd
And manly hearts to guard the fair.

Rule, Britannia!, etc.

And "Jerusalem"

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of Fire!
I will not cease from mental fight;
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.