The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, version 1.0, has this to say on the subject of Earthlings, Encountering:
There is an easy way to know if the being you are encountering is an Earthling. Ask yourself the question, 'Am I on Earth?' The answer to that question will be the same as the first question.
The 2.0 version, however, includes the following addendum by Senior Field Researcher Ford Prefect:
On certain rare occasions, you may actually encounter Earthlings elsewhere than the planet Earth. To spot them is still fairly simple, however, as their desire not to appear out of place will generally draw attention to them.
It is because of this that when Ford Prefect hears a female laugh and instinctively turns in that direction, he picks out the two figures instantly. He does not get a good look at the woman before she is whisked away, but the man does look a bit familiar, now that you mention it
( ... )
Now there's a name he wasn't expecting to hear on this side of the galaxy.
"Only if they catch me," he says with a slight grin, shifting his weight onto the balls of his feet, just in case. "You're a little too... well, not blue to be from there, so how is it you know me? Have we met? You do look a bit familiar."
Ford leans forward, putting his hand on the "king's" shoulder and says softly, "I hate to break it to you, buddy, but I've met him. He's a good deal cuter than you; sorry. But good luck using that one on the ladies here -- they love royalty."
Ford nods a greeting to the young woman, smiling charmingly.
"I was just saying that he was cuter before he changed his hair," he says, thinking quickly. The lady might or might not know who this really was. In either case, Ford makes a mental note to speak to Max alone later.
"He's got funny hair anyhow," says Aster Laure, reporter and photographer extraordinaire (because she's anything from ordinary), sitting on top of the bar grinning and ruffling it.
"Girls he came here with didn't as much. Pretty odd, I'll say, but they had normal hair."
Ford eyes Max, then returns his attention to Aster. "Girls he came here with, you say? You catch any of their names, by any chance? Might be some old friends I'd want to catch up with."
"Trill's here?" Ford asks, perking up. Just hearing her name is enough to have him completely miss the 'batshit' part of the comment. Besides, she is, rather. It's part of why he loves her.
He puts an arm around Max and leans in closely, grinning conspiratorially. "Okay," he says softly. "I won't tell anyone -- by which I mean your Slayer girlfriend -- about you gallivating around on an alien planet with a pretty young thing that isn't her if you tell me very quickly where Trillian is."
Ford looks around, hopefully. Then back to Max, face falling.
"Right in front of me is you, smart guy. I know you've got this brainmeld thing happening, but considering I want to kiss the hell out of her, I'm reasonably certain you'd rather not have to pass that bit on yourself."
There is an easy way to know if the being you are encountering is an Earthling. Ask yourself the question, 'Am I on Earth?' The answer to that question will be the same as the first question.
The 2.0 version, however, includes the following addendum by Senior Field Researcher Ford Prefect:
On certain rare occasions, you may actually encounter Earthlings elsewhere than the planet Earth. To spot them is still fairly simple, however, as their desire not to appear out of place will generally draw attention to them.
It is because of this that when Ford Prefect hears a female laugh and instinctively turns in that direction, he picks out the two figures instantly. He does not get a good look at the woman before she is whisked away, but the man does look a bit familiar, now that you mention it ( ... )
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Max -- rather, Edmund Hastings, as he's introduced himself -- grins.
"It is Captain Prefect, of Antar, yes?"
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"Only if they catch me," he says with a slight grin, shifting his weight onto the balls of his feet, just in case. "You're a little too... well, not blue to be from there, so how is it you know me? Have we met? You do look a bit familiar."
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"Well. If you promise not to tell anyone," Max says under his breath, "I'm the king."
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He wins.
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"You're still cuter the other way."
10 out of 10 for style, Ford.
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The girl from before's around again, trying her best not to laugh hysterically.
"And who's your friend?"
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"Ford Prefect, Aster Laure."
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"I was just saying that he was cuter before he changed his hair," he says, thinking quickly. The lady might or might not know who this really was. In either case, Ford makes a mental note to speak to Max alone later.
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"Girls he came here with didn't as much. Pretty odd, I'll say, but they had normal hair."
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She gets smacked by Max.
"Ow! Ass. Stop it."
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He puts an arm around Max and leans in closely, grinning conspiratorially. "Okay," he says softly. "I won't tell anyone -- by which I mean your Slayer girlfriend -- about you gallivating around on an alien planet with a pretty young thing that isn't her if you tell me very quickly where Trillian is."
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"Right in front of you."
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"Right in front of me is you, smart guy. I know you've got this brainmeld thing happening, but considering I want to kiss the hell out of her, I'm reasonably certain you'd rather not have to pass that bit on yourself."
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