But at that moment the door opened. Zaphod span round to see the man who had pursued him standing there. He carried a large briefcase. He was smartly dressed, and his hair was short. He had no beard and no long fingernails.
“Zaphod Beeblebrox,” he said, “My name is Zarniwoop. I believe you wanted to see me.”
Zaphod Beeblebrox wittered. His mouths said foolish things. He dropped into a chair.
“Oh man, oh man, where did you spring from?” he said.
“I’ve been waiting here for you,” he said in a businesslike tone.
He put the briefcase down and sat in another chair.
“I am glad you followed instructions,” he said, “I was a bit nervous that you might have left my office by the door rather than the window. Then you would have been in trouble.”
Zaphod shook his heads at him and burbled.
“When you entered the door of my office, you entered my electronically synthesized Universe,” he explained, “if you had left by the door you would have been back in the real one. The artificial one works from here.”
He patted the briefcase smugly.
Zaphod glared at him with resentment and loathing.
“What’s the difference?” he muttered.
“Nothing,” said Zarniwoop, “they are identical. Oh – except that I think the Frogstar Fighters are grey in the real Universe.”
“What’s going on?” spat Zaphod.
“Simple,” said Zarniwoop. His self assurance and smugness made Zaphod seethe.
“Very simple,” repeated Zarniwoop, “I discovered the coordinated at which this man could be found – the man who rules the Universe, and discovered that his world was protected by an Unprobability field. To protect my secret – and myself – I retreated to the safety of this totally artificial Universe and hid myself away in a forgotten cruise liner. I was secure. Meanwhile, you and I…”
“You and I?” said Zaphod angrily, “you mean I knew you?”
“Yes,” said Zarniwoop, “we knew each other well.”
“I had no taste,” said Zaphod and resumed a sullen silence.
“Meanwhile, you and I arranged that you would steal the Improbability Drive ship – the only one which could reach the ruler’s world – and bring it to me here. This you have now done I trust, and I congratulate you.” He smiled a tight little smile which Zaphod wanted to hit with a brick.
“Oh, and in case you were wondering,” added Zarniwoop, “this Universe was created specifically for you to come to. You are therefore the most important person in this Universe. You would never,” he said with an even more brickable smile, “have survived the Total Perspective Vortex in the real one. Shall we go?”
“Where?” said Zaphod sullenly. He felt collapsed.
“To your ship. The Heart of Gold. You did bring it I trust?”
“No.”