Chapter 33 Summary

Intervention comes in the form of a sudden silence. When Ford ventures out to do some scouting, they find the two cops collapsed in a heap. Ford's examination reveals that the two men were methane-breathing life forms, requiring a life-support system computer attached to a space suit for survival in the oxygen atmosphere of Magrathea. Unfortunately, the life-support computers seemed to have given out quite suddenly. Taking advantage of the fortunate (for them) situation, the four comrades find Slartibartfast's aircar waiting for them, with a note pinned to its instrument panel. It has an arrow drawn on it, and the words, "This is probably the best button to press."

Chapter 33 Analysis

The mice have antagonized Slartibartfast by withdrawing their order of a new Earth, which turns out to be a good thing for the crew of the Heart of Gold. Evidently they can...