Zaphod peered nervously inside. The chamber was very small. It was steel-lined and there was hardly space in it for more than one man.
“It… er… it doesn’t look like any kind of Vortex to me,” said Zaphod.
“It isn’t,” said Gargravarr, “it’s just the elevator. Enter.”
With infinite trepidation Zaphod stepped into it. He was aware of Gargravarr being in the elevator with him, though the disembodied man was not for the moment speaking.
The elevator began its descent.
“I must get myself into the right frame of mind for this,” muttered Zaphod.
“There is no right frame of mind,” said Gargravarr sternly.
“You really know how to make a guy feel inadequate.”
“I don’t. The Vortex does.”
At the bottom of the shaft, the rear of the elevator opened up and Zaphod stumbled out into a smallish, functional, steel-lined chamber.
At the far side of it stood a single upright steel box, just large enough for a man to stand in.
It was that simple.
It connected to a small pile of components and instruments via a single thick wire.
“Is that it?” said Zaphod in surprise.
“That is it.”
Didn’t look too bad, thought Zaphod.
“And I get in there do I?” said Zaphod.
“You get in there,” said Gargravarr, “and I’m afraid you must do it now.”
“OK, OK,” said Zaphod. He opened the door of the box and stepped in.
Inside the box he waited.
After five seconds there was a click, and the entire Universe was there in the box with him.