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

Can you have a pet where you're living now Bagpuss?

Hum. I'd have to check the contract. Not that I was planning on getting one, so I don't need one of your s posted to me.

I remember that you're allergic to cats. I was thinking of one of the racoons.

I could never part with any of my cats. What a thought.

Well, you know I'd love to have one, but I bet there's some law about owning exotic pets.

But they're so cute.

Would they let you have a possum?

Actually it doesn't seem that difficult to get a licence - according to some recent research there's dozens of tigers and similar numbers of other weird and wonderful creatures registered in the UK (and not in public zoos either). I bet the licences are expensive though.

Wow! So, are you allergic to tigers?

I've never found out...

Did you find your way home

I did, though due to the lack of buses on Boxing Day, I had to take a taxi.

Are taxis really expensive there? They cost quite a lot here.

Cost me a tenner. I'm guessing that was double the ordinary rate, and I think the full-sized taxi taxis are more expensive than cars, but that didn't occur to me at the time. For comparison I think the bus would be £1.50.

The cost of public transport rose at New Year in a lot of places, leading newspapers to point out that five people wanting to travel across London would be well advised to take a taxi instead of the tube.