經典科幻文學:《銀河系漫遊指南》第35章END

That night, as the Heart of Gold was busy putting a few light years between itself and the Horsehead Nebula, Zaphod lounged under the small palm tree on the bridge trying to bang his brain into shape with massive Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters; Ford and Trillian sat in a corner discussing life and matters arising from it; and Arthur took to his bed to flip through Ford's copy of The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Since he was going to live in the place, he reasoned, he'd better start finding out something about it. + He came across this entry.
It said: 'The History of every major Galactic Civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why and Where phases."For instance, the first phase is characterized by the question How can we eat? the second by the question Why do we eat? and the third by the question Where shall we have lunch?"
He got no further before the ship's intercom buzzed into life.
"Hey Earthman? You hungry kid?" said Zaphod's voice.
"Er, well yes, a little peckish I suppose," said Arthur.
"OK baby, hold tight," said Zaphod. "We'll take in a quick bite at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe."

那個晚上，當“黃金之心”號忙着在自己和馬頭星雲之間拉開數光年的距離時，贊福德懶洋洋的躺在控制橋裏的那株小棕櫚樹下面，試圖藉助強力的泛銀河系含漱爆破藥來整理自己的思路：福特和崔莉恩坐在一個角落裏討論生命以及由此而引發的一系列問題：阿瑟躺在牀上翻看福特的那本《銀河系漫遊指南》。既然自己從此以後就必須在這個空間內生活了，他覺得，最好還是開始瞭解一下這地方。他偶然翻到了這樣一個條目。
它說：“銀河系每一個主要文明的歷史都會經歷三個可以清晰辨識的階段，即生存、質疑和詭辯，或者也被稱爲如何、爲何以及向何處去三階段。比如，第一個階段的特徵是這樣的問題：我們如何才能吃到東西？第二個階段則是：我們爲何要吃東西？第三個階段就變成了：我們到何處吃午餐呢？”
這時，飛船的對講系統嗡嗡的響了起來，他也就沒有再繼續看下去了。
“嘿，地球人？你餓了嗎，夥計？”贊福德的聲音傳來。
“喔，好吧，是的，我想我是有點兒餓了。”阿瑟回答說。
“那好，夥計，再稍微忍忍吧。”贊福德說。“我們很快就可以到一家餐館美美的吃上一頓了，就在宇宙的盡頭。”