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

The atelier continues to expand physically, in response to popular demand, and I have decided to order in a piano cos I like the one I saw at the cafe. The veranda is about to be enhanced, too.

Mindspring the sloth continues to doze her life away (which is to say, she is a very successful sloth) in front of the fire, Pierrot is keeping close company with Garius Lupus, Violet has moved out to the veranda, the cleaning bot Minoova is being upgraded by CLI to maid-of-all-work, and Styx doesn't tell us what he's doing.

*helps self to fresh tea in lieu of a FttA prize, since there isn't one. Or is there?*

*The doors to the service lift open and GL steps out, leading Minoova, who is now "dressed" in a short black skirt and black blouse with a white frilly apron over top. She is wearing a white lacy maid's hat and is exuding quiet obsequeousness. She rolls ahead of GL to Lil.*

'ello Mizz. I am ready to zerve you. I 'ave been upgraded and can now do any of zee domeztic work.

*Minoova waits patiently for instructions.*

So, here she is, Lil. She can do just about anything now. Just don't press the orange button on her back - it's not working properly and has produced some weird behaviour in the lab downstairs. I would have fixed it, but I figured you would want her back soon. I'll fix it another time. I did manage to get the French accent, though.

*wolf-whistles in appreciation*
Wow, Garius, I'm impressed. The outfit is just amazing and that accent! Hold me back, I think I'm falling in love. LOL

*floating in, in her usual vague, elf-like manner*

Hi all! Wow Lil, your atelier is really a busy place, I've been reading the back log for - well, quite some time...

*heads for fridge, mixing champagne and OJ, dubious look at Minoova..*

Yes, I enhanced her ... um ... shape a little too.

Hi Titania.
Yes Garius, I had noticed
btw, there's a canister of Helium belonging to CLI by the stairs. I borrowed it last week to blow up the balloons for QMike's party, could you take it down with you. I forgot. Or would you like me to drop it in later?

Why is there always an orange button. A CLI product always has an orange button, or something quite like it. *thinks then a look of awe spreads across her face*

You've found a way to harness the planned obsolescence! Or you almost have. I AM impressed.

Titania, welcome back. I never got a chance to ask you how the folk festival went.

Minoova, would you take tea down to the gentleman in the Barsoom Room please. If he doesn't move, just leave it there for him.

Yez, Ma'am. Right away.

*Minoova zooms off to the kitchen. The men's eyes all follow her. A few minutes later, she zooms past with a tea tray. The men's eyes follow again.*

I might develop tennis neck, at this rate.

Back again. I see you found your way to the proper thread, so no need for me to post the URL. I'll post my comments on it right here, since I'm trying to avoid coloring their perceptions. This is what I've gathered from the reactions so far:

Does it remind you of a swastika straight off?: Yes.
Do you mind?: Responses range from "Not Particularly" to "To Hell With Them If They're Offended."
Overall reaction: Moderately pleased with the result.
Why not totally pleased?: They fell in love with the original design... especially the bit about Scopes the Monkey touching himself... very irreverent. If your central figure were incorporated into the original concept, I think we'd all flip. I think the version as it is now would be perfect for display on people's homepages, and the grander design would work out well on the FFFF page. What say you?

*a bit annoyed, getting TCP-ERROR-messages when trying to reply*

Hi Lil! Thank's for asking, I had a great time! Most exceptional was the band from Tuvinia (end of Trans Siberian Railway, and a bit further) who's singing has been described as "with stomach muscles pressing forth a deep bordun tone, and with the size and shape of the mouth forming melodies" both at the same time, from same throat! Sound like something between a bag pipe and a ? (sorry, don't know the English word for metal piece with vibrating tounge stuck into your mouth to enhance the sound...)

*drifting off to the Barsoom Room, to se if she can revive Bahb*

I say send me the original design as an attachment so I can see these animals that were designed by consensus.

*Minoova returns empty-handed and Lil regards the pneumatic bot wryly*

That little bit of jounce shows your love of, ah, scientific detail, Garius. Minoova, was the gentleman conscious?

M: Non madame.

Styx smelled blue dust, but it must only be a trace because the bots aren't affected. But I think he will be OK. That blue dust is amazing and probably has incredible homeopathic powers.

Hey you've ordered a piano!! Mind if I play?

I sent it off to your sprynet address.

Colonel Sellers, off with more ammunition in yet another of his endless religion debates.

A piano is a very nice touch here! What a wonderful idea.

I was a bit late coming back with the melons, so I appear to have missed Styx. Would anyone else like some melon? I've got watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe.

*picks up a basket full of melons at her feet and moves off in search of something to cut them with*

G7

* stands up and grabs coat*
No thanks Gw7en, time for me to bow out for the evening. See you all later.
*pops on trenchcoat and dark glasses and prepares to depart*
If Garius doesn't take that canister with him, I'll do it tomorrow. ok?
* heads off down the stairs*

Good night, Babel!

*cuts a big juicy slice of watermelon and places it next to Styx's kibble bowl*

Anyone else? And don't spit the seeds on the floor just to see Minoova lean over to pick them up, gentlemen!

G7

So thats what Garius gets up to downstairs then is it

*floating away from the Barsoom Room, unable to get any reation from Bahb*

Hey! How about keeping Tweetie's party going until she's back from her holiday?

*drifting off, in her usual v.e.l.manner*

*A loud wolf whistle is heard as the man from downunder spots the new maid*

Nice melons.