經典科幻文學:《宇宙盡頭的餐館》第14章4

“Perhaps,” interrupted the green blur who had by this time resolved into the shape of a small wizened dark-suited green waiter, “perhaps you would care to discuss the matter over Drinks…”
“Drinks!” cried Zaphod, “that was it! See what you miss if you don’t stay alert.”
“Indeed sir,” said the waiter patiently. “If the lady and gentlemen would care to order drinks before dinner…”
“Dinner!” Zaphod exclaimed with passion, “Listen, little green person, my stomach could take you home and cuddle you all night for the mere idea.”
“… and the Universe,” concluded the waiter, determined not to be deflected on his home stretch, “will explode later for your pleasure.”
Ford’s head swivelled towards him. He spoke with feeling.
“Wow,” he said, “What sort of drinks do you serve in this place?”
The waiter laughed a polite little waiter’s laugh.
“Ah,” he said, “I think sir has perhaps misunderstood me.”
“Oh, I hope not,” breathed Ford.
The waiter coughed a polite little waiter’s cough.
“It is not unusual for our customers to be a little disoriented by the time journey,” he said, “so if I might suggest…”
“Time journey?” said Zaphod.
“Time journey?” said Ford.
“Time journey?” said Trillian.
“You mean this isn’t the afterlife?” said Arthur.

“也許，”那個綠色斑點現在已經變成了一個穿着黑色制服的瘦小的綠色侍者，他打斷他們說，“也許諸位可以點過飲料之後，再接着討論這個問題”
“飲料！”贊福德叫了起來，“就是這個！看見了嗎，如果不保持警覺的話，你們就會漏掉這麼重要的話。”
“完全正確，先生。”侍者耐着性子說，“如果這位女士和先生們想在晚餐之前喝點兒什麼的話”
“晚餐！”贊福德充滿激情地叫道，“聽着，小綠人，以我的腸胃的名義，哪怕僅僅只爲了這一個主意，我也會把你帶回家，整晚擁抱你。”
侍者則下定決心，絕不偏離自己回家的方向。“宇宙盡頭餐館將竭盡全力使您滿意。”
他的話裏充滿感情。
“哦，”他說，“你們這兒都提供些什麼飲料呢？”
這個侍者笑了一聲。有禮貌的小個子侍者都是這種笑法。
“哦，”他說，“我想這位先生也許誤會了我的意思。”
“噢，我希望沒有。”
這個侍者咳了一聲。福特喘息着。
“我們的客人常常因爲時間旅行而感到有點兒不適，”他說“所以，如果允許我推薦——”
“時間旅行？”贊福德說。
“時間旅行？”福特說。
“時間旅行。”崔莉恩說。
“你的意思是說這不是來世？”阿瑟問。