Fit the Nineteenth is the nineteenth episode or 'fit' of the radio series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the first in the Quandary Phase.
Story summary[]
Arthur, hitchhiking the Galaxy, has discovered that the Guide entry on Earth has been replaced with the original, long, version written by Ford Prefect. He has worked his way back to the Earth, and arrives in a lonely country road in Somerset, in the rain.
He tries to find a lift back to his house in Cottington. He gets a short lift with Rob McKenna, the Rain God, but soon realises that he is going the wrong way, and is pleased and relieved to get out.
He manages to hitch a lift with a car going the other way, driven by Russell. He sees a woman asleep on the back seat of the car, and Russell tells him that it is Fenny, his sister. Arthur quickly falls in love, but Russell claims she is mad, and has been since the hallucinations. Arthur questions the hallucinations, and Russell explains, yes, the big yellow ships were hallucinations.
Aboard the Vogon Constructor Fleet, a crew member notices that the Earth has reappeared. Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz declares that he saw it destroyed himself.
Meanwhile, Ford is in the Old Pink Dog Bar, struggling with a large drinks bill and a barman who refuses to accept American Express cards as payment. He placates the barman by offering to write an entry on the bar in the Guide.
He leaves, and is asked by a hooker whether he is rich. He replies that he might be, because he is owed fifteen years back pay for writing two words. He shows her the entry in the Guide, and it is updated as they watch. He is shocked to discover that the update is his original full entry. He decides to go to Earth to see whether it is really there.
Cast and characters[]
- The Guide and narrator - William Franklyn
- Arthur Dent - Simon Jones
- Ford Prefect - Geoffrey McGivern
- Fenchurch - Jane Horrocks
- Rob McKenna - Bill Paterson
- Russell - Rupert Degas
- Barman - Arthur Smith
- Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz - Toby Longworth
- Vogon Guard - Bob Golding
- Vogon Helmsman - Michael Cule
- Stewardess - Alison Pettitt
- Hooker - Fiona Carew
- Evil-looking bird/Canis Pontiff - Chris Emmett
- Announcer - John Marsh