Chapter 16 Summary

Even Arthur wakens now, and joins the others on the bridge to argue over whether the planet below them actually is the legendary Magrathea. Zaphod is positive he has found it, but Ford is skeptical it even exists. Trillian has to explain the entire concept to Arthur, as he is in his usual clueless state, wishing he could just have a cup of tea. Still, he's held in suspense, as is the reader, and it's at this point that story narration is introduced to relieve this. "Stress and nervous tension are now serious social problems in all parts of the Galaxy," it says, "and it is in order that this situation should not be in any way exacerbated that the following facts will now be revealed in advance." Then the reader is told that the planet IS Magrathea, and that it will shortly...