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

Really. Well I never. You managed to complete that quickly didn't you.
As I said earlier, I think you aught to sit down and cool off for a bit. All that running around in the heat can't do you much good.

*hears voices down by the service lift, and leaves the kitchen to investigate*

Ah, Garius, there you are. I'm going to extend the veranda right round the back and have french doors put in where the window near the hearth is. Do you mind? Violet will love it.

*pauses* Why are you smiling like that? What have you done?

*floating in, in her usual v.e.l.manner*

Hi all!

Minoova, could I have mbougatse and champagne please
Minoova: oui, ma reine

*T walks over to service elevator, curious of what GL has accomplished*

Well, Lil, notice anything different with the floor selector?

*Lil momentarily looks puzzled then surprised*

Yes, it now has 2nd floor, 1st floor and .... Lower Level! The lower level is just a small landing right now where the elevator and stairs come out, but it serves as the entrance to the new tunnel to the Cafe. I drilled it this morning and used our new insta-plast to line it. It is lit using light tubes up to the surface, so it looks like daylight down there during the day. It also has regular lights for night. The light tubes double as vents, so it will smell like the balsam firs above. It comes out in the basement of the Cafe. We can try it out if you want.

I'd love to. Lead the way. *Steps into lift and waits for GL to be guide* Are you coming Titania?

Oh, wait! *steps out* Ook, quick, come here, something new!

*Ook knuckles round the corner from the veranda and joins Lil in the left*

OK, ready.

*Closes gate after all are aboard. Pulls the floor selector lever to the LL mark. The elevator descends smoothly and stops. GL opens the gate and leads the tourists into a small circular room. The room has 2 exits besides the elevator - the stairs and the entrance to a round tunnel. GL leads the way across the brightly lit room into the brightly lit tunnel. The tunnel walls are smooth and glistening white with a purple horizontal stripe running down the length. The stripe is broken at intervals by the CLI logo. The group walk the short way to a bend in the tunnel. Rounding the bend, the end of the tunnel is seen a short way ahead and they soon emerge into the basement of the Cafe.*

Shall we go up, or should we go back to the Atelier?

Back to the atelier, would be best. But Ook, you go on up. I can't, dear, I'm already there.

When my nephew gets back from Oz, we may have some inline skating tracks down here.

* Ook recognises his surroundings and lopes up the steps*

Garius, this is splendid. I need never be rained on again! But I shall make a trail, a little woodlandy one, for good days. Once the Woods settle and aren't so, so fecund. Right now a trail would sort of bounce off!

Okay, back to the Atelier it is.

I was thinking that we may expand this tunnel into a system of tunnels some time. Then we could get around even easier. Although I must admit it is already pretty easy now!

{[B17]}

Hmm... it is quite smoldering out the window... I take it that I slept through something- again?

One always has wishful thinking.

But there is something satisfying about seeing a narrative unfold gracefully, with a minimum of impossibilities.

*they re-enter the lift and rise back to the atelier*
*Mindspring is waiting when the door opens*

Ah, I think she misses Ook. Shall we get tea in the salon? Is Phil still here? Come on Springie...

*also returning to the atelier, not being sure if she's already in the Cafe or not...*

Tea sounds lovely. I recently found a new source for some lovely biscuits, too.

G7

G'night all, time to go to bed, past midnight CET!

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

Finally at home, in the salon, with the fire burning cheerily and the rat and the sloth curled up in their respective favourite spots.

And a maid! *Minoova serves tea* I wonder if Looney will drop by this evening. I rather put him with my tales of Chinese restaurants and their *remembers Styx is at home* menus.

G'morning all (Saturday).

Lil has the Atelier got a TV? NZ are playing SA at rugby this afternoon. Could be an interesting game coming close on the heels of the soccer World Cup venue debacle.

Sips tea.

I call that really bad timing. Is that what you have planned for the day, watching the rugby in anticipation of bloodshed?

There was a big fire here last night, when some customers at the Aroma Cafe decided to have a fireworks party. Took us much of the day and a bunch of magic acorns to put things to rights. I'd rather have sat about discussing the election campaign or something.

*Ding Dong. A happy looking young man steps from the elevator*

Evening all, and morning to you Loony.
Well I think tonight is a good night (even if I fancy SA for the rugby )
I must say I'm most impressed with the verandah Lil. When I get my own house I think there will be some decking or a verandah out the back (along with a big brick barbie further along the garden).

And the other thing is that I wonder what people's thoughts are about these new H2G2 gurus as advertised from the front page. I'm almost considering it but then again...

I think I've already made my mind up, but I just would like to hear what other's might like to say. If you don't want to say it here then mail me on [email protected] I might put up a summary on this (or my own) site but privacy would be upheld at all times.