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

Yes, of course...

But let's pay attention - let's be very careful and watch how this time thing is working today!

Those simulposts can be vicious.

[]

Alright - first the simulposts, as you call them.
That's another part of the magic of this island - you can see parallel universes - just sometimes.
Off the island - those parallel worlds are there all the time - but you can't see them.
You know - the world where you missed the bus ...
the world where you didn't argue with your lover ....
they are all there - but you are trapped in the one you're in.
Here - we can see some of them - but yes, we must be carefl. Right now, I like the probability that I'm in.
Now bcak to the treasure hunt ...

Right. I took compass bearings on landmarks when I re-hid the chest. To get back to the chest, we have to start at the landmarks, and reverse the bearings OK?
I'll set the heading - you be my "piece of string" - walk in the direction I say, trailing this stick in the sand - that will give us a vector.
Right - first bearing was taken on the lone tree (walks to tree). Bearing from the treasure was N, so from here back must be S - that way - keep going til you reach the sea, then come back to me.

Well, Kes - it's not that much a matter of vectors, angles and lengths, you see...

I remember where you and Galaxy were when you covered it up...[I almost woke up once or twice, but that was a heavy heavy sleep back then...]

* She points to a spot where the sand seems to have been revolved and stomped on...

But, of course, we can still do it your way

True - but it's a big patch to dig - I spread it out on purpose! See - your line goers through it. Let's just make sure ...

Good. The treasure is somewhere along that line.
Next (runs over to the rocks) next bearing was to these rocks - NE.
Reverse the direction, and from rocks to treasure is SW
Peaceful - walk that way, and mark your track. Good.

Just one more thing - bear with me

* PE follows Kes' instructions, and the search continues...

OK - the two lines cross - treasure should be there, but just in case we made a mistake - the third bearing - from the cape. Well, we won't walk that far! Just at the beach - line up with the cape, and trail a line ... a bit N of W.

There - they all cross!

Yes , you're right, they should all meet at one point. They don't quite - that's error.
See the triangle they make? Sailors get that when they plot positions on charts, and they name it after the three-pointed hat the officers wore - a small mistake that puts things ... in a cocked hat.
Here - hold my shirt - give me the shovel - I'll dig.

That was really good, Kes... I can help you dig after a while... I we divide the treasure, we might as well divide the job, you know...

At times like this, I suddenly miss small things, like a huge portion of chips covered in mayonnaise, don't you?

*The comment about dividing the treasure should have set alarm bells ringing, but Kes's mind was thinking of the future - it wasn't concentrating on the present*

*He digs for a couple of minutes, then pauses*
Whew! OK - if you're sure - don't overdo it. I'll get some water. You have a dig. Back in a moment ...

* PE was feeling a bit hungry, she noticed she'd just devoured a letter "f".

* She hoped the slumpering survivors were alright. A little sleep does wonders...

* PE did some digging and some thinking...

* Until she was able to find her billionaire parents again, she really wasn't a rich scientist... just an ordinary poor and lovely scientist. Telling Kes she'd divide the treasure had been the right thing to do.

* Not easy. But still the right thing. She thought of Lintilla... practically still a baby, and having to take care of herself, + with a terrible inclination to toy with pyrotechnics... she would need a lot of money - either to invest in psychological help - or explosives... No, the right thing would be to divide the treasure...

* If it was really a treasure. She remembered the strange dream she'd had, while sleeping very heavily... It had seemed like an enchanted sleep... A dream turning into a nightmare...

* She thought she remembered... maybe she did... ox had had a dream too... maybe all this meant something...

*Kes returned, with water and some of the berries. For some reason, the thought of salad dressing flashed through his mind, but was rapidly dispelled by the vision of Peaceful exercising her gorgeously proportioned muscles by digging through the sand*
Wow! Mine eyes have seen the glory .....
Mine eyes = mayonaise
Take a break - my turn. We're nearly there.

Kes, will you wait a minute, I want to check out how the others are doing...

I they're ok... but I have to look... hold on a sec.

* She strolls leisurely towards the sleeping crowd...

*Kes doesn't resume digging immediately. He watches Peaceful striding away. Is she too good to be true? Difficult to work out while looking at something that's too good ...*

Resuming work, he digs to the chest, disgs a little way past it - aware that several people will probably want to get at it - and lifts the lid. All there! He calls out*
Peaceful - you're right about Lintilla - we should take some for her - you choose what is easiest to carry and most valuable - gold and jewels, probably .. but pick something small and pretty too - she'll enjoy having a toy.
After that - take whatever you want ...
*He twiddles the two rings, torn between returning them, ... and the hope that they might soon be put to use ...*

* After some walking and thinking, she arrives...

* Nothing seems to have changed. ddgb sleeps very deeply inded... a lot to think about. Kiddo, with his usual simple, brave manner, slumbers with an unconcerned smile on his lips...

* The child clings to the angel. There is a look of trust and hope on her youthful face, also slightly angelic.

* But the angel hasn't recovered yet. PE gets the impression the angel is 'in conference' somewhere high above...

* She walks back towards Kes... [no sign of the stamp near Lintilla, though}

*Kes has reached the chest, dug a little way past it - aware that several people will probably want to get at it - and lifted the lid*
Peaceful - you're right about Lintilla - we should take some for her - you choose what is easiest to carry and most valuable - gold and jewels, probably .. but pick something small and pretty too - she'll enjoy having a toy.
After that - take whatever you want ...
*He twiddles the two rings, torn between returning them, ... and the hope that they might soon be put to use ...*

* Arrives in time to see Kes twiddling the two rings, a funny look in his face... an expression of...

* PE is also filled with strange feelings... what if they? ...after all this surviving... a little peace... true love? Can it ever happen? Does it ever happen?

* The treasure seems unimportant now... those rings shine so -- in the tropical light...

I think we'd better take the lighter stuff first, you know...

Do you think it's real? I don't have the slightest idea...

* The treasure starts to glitter in the light...