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

Hello,

I know that it is never actually said in the books, but I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard exactly how Ford and Arthur met. I'm wondering if Douglas has ever said anything about it in an interview or anything.

Shy.

I don't think it ever come out.

But, to spectulate, since Ford was pretending to be an actor, and Arthur was 'something' at the BBC, it would not be unreasonable to suppose that they might have met at the BBC.

Or at the pub, maybe.


Geggs

At a party in Islington, perhaps?

That's an interesting idea.

But hold on, surely Ford would have recognised Zaphod at the party, and would therefore know that ZB had been to Earth?


Geggs

Ah, good point. Hadn't Zaphod assumed some sort of disguise though? One of his heads under a parrot cage as I recall.

Not to exclude the possibility of Ford having had one too many Ol' Janx Spirits to recognise anyone

Ah yes, the birdcage. I think the other head was fully exposed, though. And he only had the two arms at the time. And a nice chat-up line.

"Hey doll, come along with me, I've got my own spaceship!"


Geggs

Ah, yes! And wasn't 'Is this guy boring you?' in there somewhere?

Yeah. I think Arthur was in full flow, when Zaphon interrupted with 'Is this guy boring you? Come along with me..." etc. And he was called himself something more Earth-like at the time - Steve, I think.


Geggs

Isn't it "Why doncha come and talk to me, I'm from a different planet?"...genius!

Err... I'm becoming unsure now. Has anyone got a copy of the book to hand?

The actually lines come out when Arthur meets Zaphod on the Heart of Gold, I think.

"Arthur, this is..."

"We've met!"

"But you can't have! This is Zaphod!"

"Well, he was calling himself Steve when we met, but it's definately him!"


Geggs

Didn't he call himself Phil?

Am i just being a pedantic sod?!

As I say, I can't rightly remember. But Phil does seem more right than Steve, I must admit.


Geggs

How old is Rolf then Geggs?!

74, according to the Ananova list.


Geggs

I believe it's Phil in the radio series. It may well be Steve in the book, but I don't have a copy to hand.

I've found the relevant section in the book. Zaphod called himself Phil.

Zaphod's chatup line is :
'Hey doll, is this guy boring you?
Why don't you talk to me instead?
I'm from a different planet'

Also, the lines Geggs gives are not quite right. The first two 'Arthur, this is...' and 'We've met' are exactly what's in the book. The third is probably this line (to which I add Arthur's reply, and have removed some description):

'What do you mean you've met?'
'This is Zaphod Beeblebox from Betelgeuse Five, you know, not bloody Martin Smith from Croydon'
'I don't care, We've met, haven't we Zaphod Beeblebrox - or should I say ... Phil?'

The forth one is probably this one, from later in the conversation (after explaning what Zaphod was doing on Earth):
'Zaphod?' exclaimed Ford.
'Yes,' said Arthur ...'He only had the two arms and the one head and he called himself Phil, but ...'
'But you must admit he did turn out to be from another plantet,' said Trillian ...

I've added a bit more to put it in context.

Thank you!

I kinda suspected I was commiting several errors, but it's difficult to check up while I'm at work.


Geggs

"I've added a bit more to put it in context."

Like the first 't' in planet, perhaps?

B

What about Martin Smith from Croydon???