經典科幻文學:《 基本上無害 Mostly Harmless》 第14章2

‘Make the most of it,’ said Ford. ‘Because what I want you to do is to nursemaid that package out of the building. They’ll probably incinerate you when they find you, and I won’t be here to help. It will be very, very nasty for you, and that’s just too bad. Got it?’

“盡情享受吧。”福特說，“因爲我要你照顧那個包裹，保證它寄出大樓。等他們找到你多半會把你燒成灰，而我又不在，幫不了你什麼忙。對於你那會非常非常的糟糕，真是太可惜了但也沒辦法。明白了？”

‘I gurgle with pleasure,’ said Colin.

“我快樂得直冒泡泡。”科林說。

‘Go!’ said Ford.

“去吧！”福特道。

Colin obediently dived down the mail chute in pursuit of his charge. Now Ford had only himself to worry about, but that was still quite a substantial worry. There were noises of heavy running footsteps outside the door, which he had taken the precaution of locking and shifting a large filing cabinet in front of.

科林順從地一頭扎進郵遞通道，追趕福特的包裹去了。現在福特需要擔心的只剩下他自己，不過這仍然是相當實質性的憂慮。門外有急促沉重的腳步聲，但他早有防備，不僅上了鎖，還把一個老大的文件櫃推過去抵住了門。

He was worried that everything had gone so smoothly. Everything had fitted terribly well. He had hurtled through the day with reckless abandon and yet everything had worked out with uncanny neatness. Except for his shoe. He was bitter about his shoe. That was an account that was going to have to be settled.

他擔心的是一切都進行得過於順當。一切都配合得太過於天衣無縫。他不管不顧地一頭扎進了這堆麻煩裏，結果所有問題都迎刃而解，漂亮得有些離奇。只除了他的鞋子。想起那隻鞋他就心頭髮苦。這筆賬一定要算。

With a deafening roar the door exploded inwards. In the turmoil of smoke and dust he could see large, slug-like creatures hurrying through.

一聲震耳欲聾的巨響，門朝屋裏炸開了。透過混沌的濃煙和灰塵，他看見不少鼻涕蟲模樣的大塊頭飛快地衝進屋裏。

So everything was going well was it? Everything was working out as if the most extraordinary luck was on his side? Well, he’d see about that.

不是說一切都很順當嗎，恩？一切問題都迎刃而解，就好像超乎尋常的好運站在了他這邊？好吧，那就試試看。

In a spirit of scientific enquiry he hurled himself out of the window again.

懷抱着對科學研究的熱情，福特再次從窗口一躍而下。