One Thursday lunchtime, the Earth is unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. Luckily for Arthur, his friend Ford Prefect turns out to be from somewhere in the vicinity of Betelguese and not from Guilford like he usually claimed. They escape the destruction of the planet only to be discovered by the captain who plans to throw them off the ship. Or if they're really unlucky, he may read them some of his poetry first...

Arthur Dent is worried about the demolition of his house, whereas visiting alien Ford Prefect is more worried about the demolition of the whole planet by the Vogons, one of the most unpleasant races in the galaxy (not actually evil, but bad tempered, bureaucratic, officious and callous).

To avoid being blown up with the rest of Earth, Arthur and Ford hitchhike on one of the vessels of the Vogon Constructor Fleet, where Ford offers Arthur the chance of following him as he files entries for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

However, Arthur and Ford are captured by the Vogons. Two things can happen: either they are thrown into the vacuum of space, or (even worse) they are forced to listen to Vogon poetry.