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

Chapter 17

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In the days that followed, strange things continued to arrive at Blemnox, courtesy of Viola’s father’s wild imagination and inventive prowess. There was the merry-go-round that featured unicorns and centaurs and dragonflies. Then there was a miniature model of Mount Everest with an ice cream parlor at the back. A coffee shop disguised as a pyramid arrived the day after that.

“Why would my father invent all these things?” Viola wondered as she sat on the veranda with Grandpa. “This family can’t possibly use all of them.”

“Seems pretty clear to me,” said a voice to their right. Coming up the walk was Cousin Yolanda, accompanied by Sparky – the dog that she had rescued from Viola’s house in Badkarmastan – and a young man in a business suit. “He expected to inherit this place some day, and he was getting ready to turn it into a theme park,” Yolanda explained. “Then he got shot into space and there was nowhere to deliver these things to except here.”

“He told me about his plans, but I couldn’t see how they would be practical,” Grandpa said. “Why would anyone want to come here, even with these contraptions to see?”

“I expect a lot of people will, once they’ve seen the new book about the Blemnox Family,” said the young man, shaking hands all around. “I’m Yolanda’s brother. My name is Scribner Random Blemnox, but everyone calls me Scribbles. I run a publishing house that is releasing this book next month.” He handed copies to Viola and Grandpa.

“Blemnoxed: How I Married Into America’s Wackiest Family” was the title. On the cover was a picture of Grandma and the camel on the whaling ship, with an older version of Viola standing in front of it. She was identified as Ravena Blemnox.

“That’s my mother,” Viola exclaimed. “She must have taken that picture!”

Grandpa turned a few pages and saw something that made him turn white – well, whiter than he already was. “Viola, before you read any further, there’s something I need to tell you,” he said weakly.

But it was too late. “It says here that I married my cousin!” Viola said, putting the book down in a rage. “Grandpa, you must have known, but you never told me!”

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The plot thickens...

Deb

[Amy P]

I've gotten as far as chapter 21 now. Don't know what form the story will take after that. I have something to fall back on, though. There were five Blemnox episodes from the short short stories thread, and they led through Grandpa's death. I will probably expand them a little and use them to give the story closure.

Grandpa's death?

The mysterious wuheebies will ferry him across to the other side on their go-carts, where he will become one of them and guard Blemnox in perpetuity. Trust me, everyone connected with Blemnox will need all the help they can get!