1. You learn a lot about Ford's motivations, thus making for a more cohesive, internally consistent story line.
2. Oh, right. You're more interested in puzzle solutions. The entire point of this scene is acquiring one particular item for use on the Heart of Gold.
3. It's in the satchel.
4. It's the satchel fluff.
5. There's a way to transfer it to something, other than the satchel, so that it will be accessible when you get back to the Heart of Gold.
6. That something is Arthur Dent.
7. Give the fluff to Arthur.
8. This is a rather weird action, and Arthur won't accept the fluff until he's had enough beer.
9. After Arthur runs back to his house (now rubble), follow him and give him the fluff. He'll accept it at this point and put it in his pocket. Then just wait for events to run their course, and you'll soon find yourself back in Dark. When you get back to the Heart of Gold, the satchel fluff should be in the pocket of your gown.
