Chapter 16

           Arthurawoketothesoundofargumentandwenttothebridge.Fordwaswavinghisarmsabout.

           "You’recrazy,Zaphod,"hewassaying,"Magratheaisamyth,afairystory,it’swhatparentstelltheirkidsaboutatnightiftheywantthemtogrowuptobecomeeconomists,it’s…"

           "Andthat’swhatwearecurrentlyinorbitaround,"insistedZaphod.

           "Look,Ican’thelpwhatyoumaypersonallybeinorbitaround,"saidFord,"butthisship…"

           "Computer!"shoutedZaphod.

           "Ohno…"

           "Hithere!ThisisEddieyourshipboardcomputer,andI’mfeelingjustgreatguys,andIknowI’mjustgoingtogetabundleofkicksoutofanyprogrammeyoucaretorunthroughme."

           ArthurlookedinquiringlyatTrillian.Shemotionedhimtocomeoninbutkeepquiet.

           "Computer,"saidZaphod,"tellusagainwhatourpresenttrajectoryis."

           "Arealpleasurefeller,"itburbled,"wearecurrentlyinorbitatanaltitudeofthreehundredmilesaroundthelegendaryplanetofMagrathea."

           "Provingnothing,"saidFord."Iwouldn’ttrustthatcomputertospeakmyweight."

           "Icandothatforyou,sure,"enthusedthecomputer,punchingoutmoretickertape."Icanevenworkoutyoupersonalityproblemstotendecimalplacesifitwillhelp."

           Trillianinterrupted.

           "Zaphod,"shesaid,"anyminutenowwewillbeswingingroundtothedaylightsideofthisplanet,"adding,"whateveritturnsouttobe."

           "Hey,whatdoyoumeanbythat?Theplanet’swhereIpredicteditwouldbeisn’tit?"

           "Yes,Iknowthere’saplanetthere.I’mnotarguingwithanyone,it’sjustthatIwouldn’tknowMagratheafromanyotherlumpofcoldrock.