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

The Squirrels of Marduk, Nutshel 22

Professor Crossbridge was busy teaching when we arrived at Wand and Potion, so we sat around on dark walnut benches in the reception area. Walnut paneling covered the walls, with vintage inset windows. Candles burned in sconces between the windows. Stuffed owls were arranged in nooks here and there. A magic wand hung in mid air above Crossbridge's receptionist's head.

Actually, the receptionist was worth looking at, not because she was attractive, but because we weren't sure what species she was. The wings had colored sections that would have made her a butterfly or fairy, but there was also a green scaly tail, albeit a small one. She had a beautiful human face, that we could all agree on, except for the nose, which resembled a bird's beak. Hippogrypherflyrie? Dragonharpy? She smiled in our direction every time we thought about her, so maybe she could read minds. Not good!

At last professor Crossbridge entered with his teaching assistant, who happened to be a dog. At least the dog didn't have feathers or scales or fins.

Actually, the dog seemed familiar. Then it hit me: He was Spot the Wonder dog!

"Spot, I didn't know that you taught at Wand and Potion," Sibyl exclaimed, realizing too late that this was a bit rude, as we had not yet greeted Crossbridge, whose office we were waiting in.

Crossbridge began to frown at the slight, then made a realization of his own. "You know Spot?" he said.

"We love Spot!" Faun said happily.

"We met Spot when we visited a planet called Marduk," I said. "He was our tour guide -- a very fine guide, too. We assumed that he lived on Marduk."

"I actually live here at Wand and Potion," Spot explained. "I work as an emissary to many worlds, using my talents to bring them together."

"Spot, we need to bring some worlds together, and fast," Peregrine exclaimed.