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

*the stranger from yesterday, still in trenchcoat and dark glasses, but with a better, more firmly fixed beard, appears at the top of the stairs. Spying nobody about, he leaves another of these behind:
{[B17]} and trudges downstairs again*

I got the furniture up here the easy way, Sporky, via the service lift at the end of the hall, which I reckon is how Garius will take Minoova down to the lab for enhancements.

Actually, I like the veranda so much that I may extend it and put an another entrance at the top of the stairs.

Clouds are gathering, though. Time to go in.

The only problem with spending the day out on the veranda is nobody knows you're here.

And I left you alone all day, eh Springie?
*Mindspring continues to sleep in front of the fire*
I think I'll get some baking done, now that the leftovers are pretty much used up. The cafe needs fresh mbougatses, and maybe Pierrot will come back the next Garius is here. They've been travelling everywhere together this week.

*goes to work in kitchen, generating heat and good smells*

it is rather eerily quiet. No phil, no babel... where has everyone gone off to?

Hello, where is everybody. I saw there were people out on the verrandah earlier, but no more. I was working hard yesterday, and probably again today. At least I've not been woken up too much this week (I'm on call till friday).

*Gets some OJ and waits for anyone else to turn up*

I've been drinking my tea right out here all evening

*Hears a call from the verandah and goes to investigate*

Hello Sporky, didn't realise you were still here.

*hears voices on the veranda and comes out from private apartments*

No doubt, it will have to be extended, this veranda. I'll be with y'all in a minute, when I get my coffee and feed Springie. Did you notice whether Styx was there?

Phil, topica is still offline overhauling itself until 5300 PDT. Then I can get your alternate addy rolling. Watch for the invite later this afternoon, after I see to RL errands.

Thanks Lil, though it will probably be tomorrow (here) when it's all sorted as I'll be off for a rocking night out - Alice Cooper's playing tonight and me and a mate will be going. I hink he's only over for the open anyway

Just done a quick look up of the word veranda to check if it was a or ah on the end and dear old websters gives it as both Also notes it's of hindi origin, brought into english use back in about 1711, when the new colonies still had a king

One of the many gifts from Hindu civilisation the the English. I didn't know that, but I did know about the alternate spelling. Well, I reckon if I extend the veranda, nobody will be more pleased than Violet.

Phil, have you seen the portrait of Styx that's hanging in the gallery as of yesterday? Here's the shortcut - http://www.h2g2.com/A396858 .

Nice pic you done there Lil. I'm sure both QMike and Styx will be pleased with it.

If Styx can be pleased with anything.

Just this moment, I put your other email address in with Topica. And now it's time to extend the veranda. This little guardrail will have to come down. And there are stairs at the north end, that give access to the back lawn.

*waves to Ferrari, who is mowing the lawn the old fashioned way*

*floating in, in her usual v.e.l.manner*
*leaving a [T] on the table*
*drifting off, in - well, you know what...*

*wanders in via the service lift, spies Minoova who indicates the way to the veranda.*
Thank you Min...
Oh blow this for a lark.
*takes off trenchcoat and glasses, but leaves beard on as it is too tricky to fiddle with. Hands coat to Minoova*
Thanks Minoova, could I have a fresh tea on the veranda please.
*makes way out onto veranda*
Hi folks, how are things?

*scrabble of claws on flagstones*
Ow! I don't like sunshine!
*darts under Lil's chair*

Good Food Lady!
Like the picture of me. Good picture.
Eat now?

Hi Babel! So that WAS you in the cafe! I won't tell. But expect that coat to be dry-cleaned when it comes back; Minoova is only field-adjusted so far, and is due to be taken downstairs for a more through refit.

*looks under chair* Hello, not so little rat! I saw those notches on your gnawing stick and I'm glad you're thinking forward.

Ammmmpton! Go to the kitchen with Styx and let him decide what he wants, but make sure he gets some kibble too. For the vitamins and minerals. If you're going to be lean and mean and boney, let's have you be sleek and healthy with it.

*to Babel, as Styx darts into hallway behind Ampton* Can something be sleek and boney at the same time?

Dang, I directed him again. Last time I did that he made fun of me in front of QMike.

*Minoova comes in with tea and Babel's coat in shrinkwrap*

*falls headfirst through a suddenly appearing rift in space-time and is instantly knocked unconscious.*

Thank you Minoova *takes tea and rests coat over railing*
Hi Styx, keeping mean?
*to Lil* Sleek and Boney? I always imagine that Death in TP's Discworld would epitomise sleek and boney

*in kitchen* thanks pal
*eats up then washes face and hands and whiskers*
*goes to nest and puts self to sleep with gnawing stick*

*stubbornly persists in his state of total unconciousness*