The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Page #3

Crowded flat. Everyone is in costume. Loud music BLARES.

ARTHUR (V.O.)

I can't bear those sort of parties, didn't

want to go, would have much rather stayed

home and, I don't know, brush the dog.

Anything. But there I was -- and then,

there she was...

Arthur, dressed in safari attire complete with pith helmet,

sits off to the side, observing, looking miserable.

TRICIA (O.S.)

Who are you?

Arthur looks up. TRICIA MCMILLAN is dressed in a mid

19th century mens suit with mutton chop sideburns and is

holding a taxidermy beagle -- and she still looks

beautiful. Arthur, ever the gentleman, stands.

ARTHUR:

I'm Arthur. Arthur Dent.

TRICIA:

No, I mean who are you?

ARTHUR:

Oh, the costume. Right. Er, um...

(sheepishly tipping his hat)

Livingston, I presume.

(pointing to her attire)

Granted. Not as clever as Darwin, but the

best I could do on short notice.

TRICIA:

You're the first person who's got it

right. Everyone keeps calling me

Sherlock.

ARTHUR:

Really? I thought the beagle made it

rather obvious.

(CONTINUED)

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ARTHUR:

Really? I thought the beagle made it

rather obvious.

He pets the dog. She smiles. He smiles back.

9 A CAMERA FLASH FLASHES. JUMP CUT to... 9

THE BALCONY -- Arthur has just taken a digital photo of

he and Tricia on his cell phone. They look at the screen

image and laugh.

ARTHUR (V.O.) (CONT'D)

She was amazing, Ford. Witty, and

beautiful, and brilliant. Four or five

degrees. One in math, one in astrophysics,

another in biology...

TRICIA:

I've got so many degrees I am officially

unemployable. Let's drink to that!

They clink their wine glasses, take sips, continue to chat.

ARTHUR (V.O.)

And just as I was asking myself, "Why is

this stunning and intelligent woman even

giving me the time of day, out of nowhere

she says...

TRICIA:

Let's go somewhere.

ARTHUR:

Yeah. It is a bit noisy. There's a

lovely little cafe around the corner...

TRICIA:

I was thinking Madagascar.

ARTHUR:

Is that a new club on Dean Street?

TRICIA:

No. It's a country. Off the coast of

Africa.

ARTHUR:

Oh, that Madagascar. Right, off we go

then.

(then realizing...)

Good God, you're serious.

(CONTINUED)

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She nods. Arthur isn't sure how to react.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

Well...that's...an extraordinary

proposition. But...I can't just up and

go. What about my job?

TRICIA:

Quit. Get a new one when we return.

ARTHUR:

I can't just...what about my house? Who

would feed my dog?

TRICIA:

Bring him with.

ARTHUR:

He's a Welsh Collie. He'd feel all out of

place in Madagascar.

Trillian forces a smile, clearly disappointed.

ZAPHOD (O.S.)

You don't want to go to Madagascar.

They both turn to face ZAPHOD BEEBLEBROX - very charming,

extremely handsome - whose attire seems very "other

worldly." Knee high boots, a yellow sash...

ZAPHOD (CONT'D)

Hi. I'm Zaphod Beeblebrox, President of

the Galaxy -- of course, you probably

already know that. I'm headed for a lost

and distant planet. Would you like to see

my spaceship?

ARTHUR (V.O.)

I went to refresh our drinks. When I came

back, she was gone.

10 EXT. BACK IK THE PUB - CONTINUOUS 10

Arthur stares into his beer, plagued by this loss.

ARTHUR:

"Would you like to see my spaceship?"

Really, what sort of chat up line is that?

FORD:

More popular than you'd think.

ARTHUR:

I've left messages, sent letters... It's

like she's vanished off the face of the

earth.

(CONTINUED)

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10 CONTINUED:
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FORD:

Hey, it happens. Speaking of...

(pulling a blinking electronic

device from his satchel)

We've got two minutes. So drink up.

There's a ROAR OF ENGINES and a LOUD CRASH outside.

Arthur and everyone else in the pub look up.

ARTHUR:

My house!

He runs out. Ford rises, grabs two handfuls of peanuts from

the bowl, tosses the barman all the money in his pocket.

FORD:

A round for everyone, on me.

BARMAN:

You really think the world's going to end?

(Ford nods)

Shouldn't we lie down or put a bag over

our heads or something?

FORD:

If you want.

BARMAN:

Will it help?

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