The Science of Discworld IV by Ian Stewart Terry Pratchett & Jack Cohen

Author:Ian Stewart Terry Pratchett & Jack Cohen [Terry Pratchett, Ian Stewart]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Ebury Press
Published: 2015-08-15T14:45:04.257368+00:00

THIRTEEN

* * *

RINCEWIND’S ADVENTURES IN ROUNDWORLD

The arrival into Roundworld was always a hit-or-miss business these days, Rincewind knew. The people in the Inadvisably Applied Magic group had a word for it – or, more accurately, a number of equations, which you would see on the walls, being drawn and then subsequently redrawn by the next researcher, or survivor. But the Dean said that he knew what he was doing, and landed them in the middle of London; regrettably during a race, which Rincewind inadvertently won; and he had to submit to multiple slaps on the back, admiration for his wizard’s outfit, and many thanks from the organisers for helping the Orangutan Foundation to raise so much money.

He was surprised, as well, when someone he had thought was the Librarian turned out to be a young woman in an outfit, which led to hilarious misunderstanding as a result of which both he and the Dean had to run a little further.

They found a pleasant park with trees, and ducks in the pond, and considered their circumstances. After a while Rincewind said, ‘I told you about the automobiles, didn’t I? Terrible waste of resources. Honestly, is this really Homo sapiens? Horses breed other horses, eat grass and you get fertiliser as well; don’t you remember the street cries of “Tuppence a bucket, well stamped down”?’

‘Yes,’ said the Dean. ‘I also remember “gardyloo”, and it wasn’t very pleasant. I must admit, though, that they have progressed in this era – but I think at enormous cost, which most of them don’t recognise, although right now I see people in very decent health: lots of colour, no heads on railings … all in all, if you don’t think too hard … though we know what’s coming their way.’ Then the Dean pointed to a building in the distance and said, ‘Fairly big place there; I’m sure I’ve seen it before.’

‘You have,’ said Rincewind. ‘You remember the Great Fire of London? We helped Mister Pepys to bury his Parmesan cheese.’

‘Oh, right. I wonder if the fellow got it back again?’

‘No,’ said Rincewind. ‘I asked him where he put it, and I couldn’t remember either, so I went back to the moment when he buried it and doubled up myself; if you remember, Mrs Whitlow was very happy to see it. I figured that since he was going to forget the cheese anyway … well, it would be such a wicked shame to let it go to waste.’

‘It was a bad move,’ said the Dean. ‘Causality, you see.’

‘Don’t talk to me about causality,’ said Rincewind. ‘It hasn’t done me that many favours, what with one thing and another. But since we are here and chatting, I have to ask: well, what did you do to make this place? I mean, you say you just put your hand in some firmament and, if I may quote, you “wiggled it about”. I must say, I can understand that in a slightly not understanding way, but what about the

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