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

*finds that she has absent-mindedly followed Witty and Ti into the library*

We lost a good scholar and a wry wit when MR moved on.

Well, it was quite interesting to discuss Swedish witch burnings over a chat with MR - in the very late night hours. To come across a USian who knew so much about European medieval tradtions was fascinating, to say the least...

And yes, I'm aware that was her area of expertise, but the level of details...

*is watching unusual perturbations in the rift, beyond the warning barrier*

Ripley? Here, to me, now!

*Ripley hurries to his elve's side*

*eyes the unau sternly*

I knew you were somewhere around!

But... what is that? *gazes in the same direction as Lil*

It seems to be forming a passage! And... there's someone at the other end.

*Waves happily and starts to walk forward. Bumps into something invisible, blocking the passage. The transparent barrier slowly turns opaque, as Garius slowly panics, pounding his fists on the wall. Just before he dissappears, Garius' mouth forms the word: Rosebud.*

Wait! Was that GL? Where did he go? Should we go after him? *starting to panic a bit*

Ripley? Here! Stay close to me!

But can we get past that barrier? Is it something Hypatia set up?

*A book falls off a shelf near the passageway. It's title: Famous Craters.*

*almost jumps out of her skin when the book falls*

*picks it up after having calmed down*

'Famous Craters' - hmmm... *starts leafing through the book*

*Cranes her neck to attempt to peer over Ti's shoulder.*

Is that crater as in "Tyco" or as in "Judge Joseph"?

*slowly regains consciousness and looks around in puzzlement*

What the...where am I?

I'm thinking more along the line of 'Craters Inc' actually...

*helps Hyp to get up on her feet*

Hyp, you're in the safest place you can possibly be... the Atelier library.

*falls silent considering what she just said and regarding the rift*

What I actually menat, before Hyp distracted me was that the title of this book appears to be 'Crater Labs Inc' but the contents seem to be encrypted - does this pattern make any sense to either of you, Lil, Witty?

How odd... the title on the back of the book seems to be shifting - should I hurl it into the rift, mayhaps?

Garius and Affi always encrypt their stuff. May I have a look at the book?

*has a quick shufty*

Oh, that's Garius's CLI passport! See if you can throw it to him. I'll be right back, we need to order some tea and shortcake. *heads for the kitchen*

{B4 blunders in, holding a book. The title reads, "And Another Thing." He notices the other Salonistas standing within, seemingly in suspended animation, and stops dead in his tracks.}

Maybe this isn't the best time for me to lay out my thoughts on this book...

{He backs out of the doorway and closes it quietly.}

B4iinterruptthedoingsofalongforgottenstoryline

>-crickets-<