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

Yes, thanks - I'll have a coffee, please. Is the Grand Opening *still* on?

Thanks WM.
I will scuttle off and read it...

Hey, Kitty, there's a feature on ice age glaciations!

*Affy takes the copy of Xyzzy News*

Aha! Here it is!

*Points at an article*

"Return To Zork: Another Story"! I helped with that game. I'm gonna put this in my scrap book when I get back to CLI.

Free coffee with purchase, Peet, so you're covered. Help yourself, the cups are right next to the coffee machine.

Bye Ændr, see you later.

Affy, you're a celebrity! Is your photo in there, too? Sign a copy and I'll hang it up on the wall behind the counter.

Well, my photo isn't exactly in there. As an Afgncaap I'm not very photogenic. Anyway, I'm listed there as a Beta Tester, and they do mention that one of the characters is based on me (Apparently, Angus is supposed to be some form of medievel corruption of me.), and they have something resembling Lil's pictures of me, so that's about as close as you'll get. Here, I'll sign one for you.

*Take another copy of Xyzzy News, and signs the article*

There you go. Personally, I can't wait until the game's released.

Cool, Affy.

*Trims the article neatly and inserts it in a document frame. Polishes the glass and hangs it up on the wall. Stands back to admire it.*

*Basks in the glow of Affy's fame.*

Oh, come on. I'm not famous. If I'm really famous, tell me my real name.

*flips through a copy of Xyzzy News looking for the Return to Zork article*

*flips through again*

Wait a minute...

*looks really closely*

... this says "the most current issue online is #18, August 1999!

Affy, am I looking in the right place?
http://www.xyzzynews.com/

Yes, you are. Didn't I tell you that I've been looking for a new issue for almost a year now? The copy I just purchased is fictitious. However, the video game I'm talking about is real.

You got me!

I did see a couple of references to the game. Isn't it entered in some kind of competition? I did find these:

[Broken link removed by Moderator]
and
[Broken link removed by Moderator]

Ahh, I see you are well acquainted with
The great Underground Empire.

Incidentally, Affy, did you ever find out what was up with the spacial rift in the crisper in Lil's fridge?

You will keep me informed if there's a recall, won't you?

Yes, I'll be sure to let you know. Actually, I think that the rift is a unique case, partially caused by the Infinite Capacity programming (don't worry, you've got an upgraded version of that one), and Styx's inquisitive need to explore. I don't think we've got anything to worry about.

Oh, and just so you know, yes, I'm a big fan of the Zork game. I play it mroe than is healthy. I'm a 'zorkologist', if you will.

hello again, Witty.
just browsing this time...

*waves to Ændr*

Hiya!

books!
bokks, books, books, books, books.....
and a erm punt pole - do you deliver?

Ændr, if I've got it in the store, I'll deliver it. But you're going to have to translate 'punt pole' into American English for me.

Actually, I'm a little confused by the books, books, books part, too. Care to elaborate?

um, I'll just take your entire of stock of Science Fiction - if I've read it before I'll donate it to something.
Punt pole. Well, you see yesterday I went punting for the day - left at 9:30, returned at 8.
A punt is a flat bottom boat, found predominantly in Oxford and Cambridge. It is propelled and steered by using a long pole to push against the bottom of the river. This takes some skill, though it looks fairly easy. With a sticky bottomed river, it is likely to get the pole stuck in the mud - which either causes the puntsman to remain with the pole and get wet or to let go and have to paddle back to get the pole.
[Broken link removed by Moderator]
http://www.oxford-info.com/University.htm
A punt pole is about 18 foot long, made of metal or wood. The wooden ones has a claw at the "bottom" end - useful for the twist technique which means the good puntsman does not get his/her pole stuck.

*comprehension becomes apparent on WM's face as Ændr explains*

I saw punting on a Public Television program. The host is a professional back-packer named Rick Steves and he produces travel shows. One show was about day trips out of London, and he was punting at Cambridge.

Are you planning to punt on the h2g2 river? I don't have any punt poles in stock right now, but I can order a few. You might start a new trend around here. It would certainly be entertaining to watch people learning the technique!

*nips into the back room and grabs a carton, also makes a mental note to re-order sci fi books as they are very popular here*

I'll put the books you want in here. Have you read the Hyperion series by Dan Simmons? It's one of my favorites. Do you want this delivered to the Servery or to Your Space?

hmm now that's an idea
but I wouldn't want to the hirer outer, they aren't usually nice people.

um... deliver the books to myspace, except for those that you think kitty will want to read

I'll let you know about the punt pole delivery place by the time you get some in stock... actually can I order a number of punts [the traditional ones], wooden poles, bailers, paddles, sets of punt cushions and towels... about 10 punts and 15 of each of the rest, except for towels. I mean, only the bad researchers won't have their own towels, but punting can get very wet... so can I order in some h2g2 punting towels? a good number...

do you take cakes as an alternative payment?

I say we make pastries the official currency of h2g2.