Original artwork, not a still
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy · 1979
And no sneaky knocking down Mr. Dent's house whilst he's away, alright?
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the story's first joke in miniature: a man trades his house for a drink, on a promise nobody could keep because the planet is about to vanish anyway. Fans quote it as peak Ford, the alien who passes for a normal bloke and looks after his friend in the smallest possible way. The line is Ford's, not Adams speaking in his own voice, which is why the speaker has been corrected.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyShow the scene
On the morning the Earth is due to be demolished, council foreman Mr. Prosser is ready to bulldoze Arthur Dent's house for a bypass while Arthur lies in the mud in protest. Ford Prefect, Arthur's friend of five years or so, talks Prosser into lying down in Arthur's place so the two of them can slip off to the pub. Once Prosser agrees, Ford adds this parting instruction, and Prosser swears the thought had not even begun to cross his mind. Over their pints Ford then tells Arthur the world is about to end.
Sources (1)
- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy script (davesource)opening scenesReference checked
Context reviewed
