"The Universe...!" said Loonquawl.
"And Everything...!"
"Shhh," said Loonquawl with a slight gesture. "I think Deep Thought is
preparing to speak!"
There was a moment's expectant pause while panels slowly came to
life on the front of the console. Lights flashed on and off
experimentally and settled down into a businesslike pattern. A soft low
hum came from the communication channel.
"Good Morning," said Deep Thought at last.
"Er..good morning, O Deep Thought" said Loonquawl nervously, "do
you have...er, that is..."
"An Answer for you?" interrupted Deep Thought majestically. "Yes, I
have."
The two men shivered with expectancy. Their waiting had not been in
vain.
"There really is one?" breathed Phouchg.
"There really is one," confirmed Deep Thought.
"To Everything? To the great Question of Life, the Universe and
everything?"
"Yes."
Both of the men had been trained for this moment; their lives had
been a
preparation for it; they had been selected at birth as those who would
witness the answer, but even so they found themselves gasping and
squirming like excited children.
"And you're ready to give it to us?" urged Loonsuawl.
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