He is in fact from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse and is a roving researcher for The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy ... friend's lack of comprehension and just gives up.

Ford isn't convinced but a run-in with an ancient security system tells him otherwise. Upon landing, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian explore the bowels of the planet and Arthur meets Slartibartfast, an ...