Chapter 31 Summary

Arthur and Slartibartfast arrive at the design center waiting room where they meet up with Ford, Trillian and Zaphod who are devouring the exotic dishes that have been laid out for them. Trillian introduces Arthur to "her" two white mice, "Benjy mouse" and "Frankie mouse." The mice are inside motion devices that look like whisky glasses. When their whiskers stroke a touch sensitive panel inside the glass, it moves. The mice dismiss Slartibartfast, after telling him they have decided they won't need the new Earth any longer. Slartibartfast leaves the room, aghast and saddened to think how much time he has put into developing Africa.

The mice are ready to get down to business. They can't return to their dimension without the Ultimate Question. But they don't want to return to Earth all over again, because they've been offered a 5D chat show...