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They found a coin and helped him to the telescope. He complained and insulted them, but they helped him look at each individual letter in turn. The first letter was a ‘w,’ the second an ‘e.’ Then there was a gap. An ‘a’ followed, then a ‘p,’ an ‘o,’ and an ‘l.’Marvin paused for a rest.After a few moments they resumed and let him see the ‘o,’ the ‘g,’ the ‘i,’ the ‘z,’ and the ‘e.’The next two words were ‘for’ and ‘the.’ The last one was a long one, and Marvin needed another rest before the could tackle it.It started with ‘i,’ then ‘n,’ then ‘c.’ Next came an ‘o’ and an ‘n,’ followed by a ‘v,’ an ‘e,’ another ‘n,’ and an ‘i.’After a final pause, Marvin gathered his strength for the last stretch.He read the ‘e,’ the ‘n,’ the ‘c,’ and at last the final ‘e,’ and staggered back into their arms.’I think,’ he murmured at last from deep within his corroding, rattling thorax, ‘I feel good about it.’The lights went out in his eyes for absolutely the very last time ever.
