DAY FOUR: KATHMANDU
No, that's your mush, pal. PHEW!!
No. Smell is of baked goodies. Maybe we find donuts?
First things first. We need to find a way out of here or get some petrol and a few strong bodies to help swing the Yankee Eagle around.
Welcome to sunny Kathmandu! Let's get our bearings. The fort on the top right houses Bojon, the current ruler of Kathmandu. The temple at the top of the mountain is where we'll find the Lama. The building by its lonesome on the left is the local tavern. There's an exit on the leftmost of the screen to a junkyard. The rightmost house in the foreground is Ama's, and the Exit icon is pointing to the telegraph office. Let's start there.
For some fun, I'll have Chi talk to the telegraph operator first.
Hi, babe.
Was talking about friend.
Him? Cute? To each his own.
So, cutie, I get off work at five.
Heh, heh. I probably busy.
Here, Lucky. You take over.
Sure, Chi. Women... they're my specialty.
Switching to Lucky...
Would stranger like to send telegram?
So this is a telegraph office?
You quick.
Yeah well Wu did make the comparison to eggplants.
Hm?
So would like to send telegram or not? Nalini very busy.
Hold your horses, I'm trying to figure out who I want to send telegrams to.
Horses?
Do you think I should send something to Trixie?
Trixie? Is that your horse?
Ah, scratch Trixie. I like what I'm seeing with Kate. Okay, I want you to send a telegram to E.A. Lomax in Hong Kong.
Ran into trouble. Stop. Had to fly Kathmandu. Stop. Kate fine. Stop. Will get back Hong Kong ASAP. Stop. Lucky.
Lucky should read paper now and then.
DAMN!!! I can't believe it! Well, we can't go back to Hong Kong now.
That means refueling in Istanbul. I hate to risk it, but then again that's just the kind of guy I am!
This foreshadowing will make more sense in the next update.
So you send telegraph or not.
Yeah, yeah... send this.
Ran into trouble. Stop. Had to fly Kathmandu. Stop. Kate fine. Stop. Read paper. Stop. Will contact re new destination. Stop. Lucky.
Check. I send off right away.
For some additional fun, we can talk to Nalini again.
Nalini not send that!
What do you mean, Nalini not send?
Find pigeon if want to send message like that to mother!
What's wrong with what I said? Sheesh!
Ah well, no allowance for Lucky. Heading back to the town center...
Smell a storm? And it's going to hit at 3:15 p.m.? Funny, I hear a storm, but to me, sounds like it'll hit at 3:19 p.m. and 23 seconds. Sheesh!!!
Remember when I said not to waste time in Kathmandu? that's why. You can waste a day talking and/or drinking with Ama, and another one in the local prison. Either by itself won't be the end of the world. Waste BOTH days however and the storm hits, taking the Eagle with it.
To illustrate this point, we will go visit Bojon, using a save in which Lucky did NOT befriend Ama (see last update, where he gets dragged by the ears). The distinction is important.
Yeah, it ain't exactly the friendliest Tourist Information Office.
Stature? Chi, doesn't that look like an usher's uniform to you?
Yes. But I think...
You idiots! I am Bojon, ruler of Kathmandu. I will not warn again, OUT!!!
The presence of this gun will take on some importance later on.
Oh my! I go hide. HA HA HA!!!
Well, if this doesn't sound like an invitation to get another game over, I don't know what is... so let's head back in.
Oh my! I go hide. HA HA HA!!!
54 to 48, I lead, with... 9,375 cat games. What we play for again? I forget.
If you win, I owe you a 40 foot maple bar. If I win, you arrange a date with the Chinese National Women's Gymnastic team.
You still want?
Are you kidding me?! (cough, cough, wheeze) Next game!
Now, let's take a hypothetical situation, in which, instead of being on good terms with Ama, we accept to get drunk with her, or tell her Lucky's life story. THEN we get imprisoned for the first time by Bojon. As before he releases us... but since we're now two days later, the storm has hit...
AND for all my troubles, I going to get absolutely nothing. Splendid, simply splendid!
Notice how Lucky starting to talk like locals.
Damn, my ass is killing me!!!
Butthurt detected
Now let's roll back all the way to the telegraph and leave Bojon alone for now. Let's do what Ama suggested and visit the Lama instead.
Well, yeah, I was looking for the Lama's house.
Ah, tourist, yes? You want llamas to ride, yes? Can find back in town.
Boy, you yes men sure start young. HA, HA, HA.... Ahem. Don't you get it? Yes men?
No.
You still with us Crooked Bee?
Well, never mind. Anyway, no, I'm not interested in riding a llama.
I'm interested in TALKING to one. You know, the kind without humps.
From what I gather he's a brainy guy, probably wears his flowing robes kind of high.
Yeah, I'm not typing that.
The Wala... Wally Lama? Yeah, I bet that's the guy.
Lama not GUY. And what could YOU possibly want with THE Walallamallajan Lama?
No.
I can believe it! Can you believe it?
Uh, no.
You would think that the carrier pigeon would have gotten here by now.
Pigeons! Can never trust them. You know what I mean?
Yes, pigeons.
Anyway, I have some urgent news for The Wally Lama.
Oh, then please follow me.
And we're off to see the
wizard Lama!
Huh? How do you know my name?
I am the Walallamallajan Lama. This is your answer.
Wow! I heard you were pretty wise and all but I didn't quite expect this.
And sorry about duping your disciple. I just really needed to see you.
My disciple understands principles not people. He will learn.
And you, Lucky Jake Masters, understand people not principles.
Let us both hope that you learn that people and principles are part of the same truth.
Heh, heh, that wasn't exactly true. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
Ahmmm. Ahmmm.
Ahmmm. Ahmmm.
The Walallamallajan Lama prays now. Perhaps we come back later.
In the meantime, why not go check on Kate, like Ama suggested?
For all the wind-blowing, you nice, sensitive boy.
Mother, grandmother teach well.
Yeah, well let's not get too mushy about this. I just dropped in to say hi.
Go ahead. Do not be so shy, talk with woman friend. Go ahead, now. She not fertile forever, you know.
Okay, already. Sheesh, you sound like Grandma Masters!
Hi. Thanks for stopping by.
Now that you ask, simply rejuvenated.
What is it with you women? I open my mouth, and you're all over me.
Well, you don't have the most poetic tongue in the world.
In fact, it bears a rather striking resemblance to a gym sock.
I'm sorry, you didn't deserve that. So what if your tongue isn't dulcet like the morning sun?
Huh?
Nothing.
So how are you feeling? You okay?
I'm doing better, thanks.
She isn't force-feeding you any of her special soups, I hope.
Ama's been an absolute dear.
An absolute dear? Huh. Well, that's good.
How are you and Chi holding up?
Like rocks of granite. We'll have everything taken care of in a couple of shakes.
Just get yourself better so we can get you home.
Okay.
Well, uh, I guess me and Chi will mosey on now. Take care.
Thanks for stopping by.... Oh, I completely forgot. Jake, thanks for saving my life.
No problem. See ya.
Let's see if the Lama is done with his prayer.
You mean that ahmmm nonsense was just a game to teach me a lesson?
Aren't you the tricky Lama.
The Walallamallajan Lama does not play games. Earlier, you told me a falsehood.
I was praying for your soul. That you were patient tells me that hope does, indeed, spring eternal.
Hope? about what?
You.
Thanks, but... why me? I mean, I was kind of a jerk, lying and all.
It is you who will free the people of Kathmandu from the shackles of fear. That is my vision.
Are you sure that's me in your vision? I'm the one who needs help.
This I know. By passion you are bound. Help my people. By passion you are set free. They will help you.
Ah hah! I get it. Now, you said something about shackles of fear.
Bojon, the petty and corrupt leader of Kathmandu, has enslaved my people with guns and a sacred scroll which he stole from this holy place.
He said that if anyone opposes his will, he will burn the sacred scroll.
The people fear for their spirit, and Bojon exploits this fear and oppresses my people.
I've always said the only thing to fear is fear by its lonesome.
With passion and wiles, prove to my people this principle. Recover the scroll, and they will help you in return.
I'll give it a shot.
Hey, you know what would be a REALLY stupid thing to do? Barge into Bojon's and demand he hand over the scroll.
Need I ask if you want me to do it?
No, out at once tourists!
We're not tourists. We're your worst nightmare. Now hand over the sacred scroll!
HA! You think you can come in to Bojon's office and just like that he roll over and play dead?
I suppose that was a bit optimistic on my part.
You think?
Jyapu, imprison these fools!!!
Notice this option wasn't there when we visited before learning about the scroll. Hey, it sounds like a REALLY supid thing to do! Let's try it!
Reloading, we pick a slightly less stupid (and much funnier) option.
President is Hoover. You stupid and foolish!!
Remember how, when I showed Lucky and Chi being captured the first time, I said they had NOT befriended Ama? This time, they have. Notice the difference.
Partner? What are you talking about?
Oh my! I go hide. HA HA HA!!!
This is another branching that I have no idea about. As you will soon see it doesn't block off anything, and in fact it's just optional content that doesn't get you anywhere. No idea why it's there.
There's only one person that can help you, and that's Ama.
Not so lucky. Was imprisoned by Bojon.
Bojon?! That good for nothing nephew of mine!!!
He your nephew?
Yes. Son of my brother, Pyanu. He black yak of family. Has screw loose or something.
No wonder Bojon turn out so rotten!
Think you can appearl to Bojon for family favor, ask to let Lucky free?
Think can put Bojon over knee if not let Lucky free!
Cut crap, nephew. You imprison friend. I want you to let free at once!
If you mean partner of that one, sorry but...
You no hear well, is that problem?
YOWWW!!!! But Auntie Ama. OUCH! Okay, just let go!
Most welcome. Ama always happy to save you, cutie.
Of course, I could have escaped myself.
Oh shut up already.
In fact, just as you arrived, I was in the process of putting my plan into effect...
See, I was going to...
Hush, Ama rush home now to woman friend, and also left kettle of chicken braind noodles soup on stove.
How's she doing?
She better. Ready to leave in not too long.
Come by later, visit with lady friend, try soup. Brain noodles melt in mouth. Mmmm, mmmm, good!
Oooo. Sounds yummy. Maybe we'll swing by later. Tell Kate, uh... hi.
Hi?
Well, why don't you chime in some sentiments for us?
Ama cross toes for you two!
He's not joking either. If you try to go into his office again, Lucky and Chi get shot dead.
Now, while this is my favorite scene in the game, it does raise a big plot hole: why doesn't Ama just waltz in and demand Bojon give her the scroll?
Instead, we'll have to start the Revolution!
We first try to chat up the barman.
What does stranger want?
A shot of scotch. No, make it a double.
And what can you tell me about this Bojon character?
Know nothing.
What's wrong, cat got your tongue?
Come on, I want to help you get your scroll back.
Well, that didn't go too well. There's only one other person you can talk to here, Sardar, who's sitting on the left side.
I'm not a...
Sardar not care what you are. GET LOST!!!
Maybe you should. I've come to help you regain your sacred scroll.
You've come to kill yourself then.
No. Fear gun or never fear again. Bojon have gun.
I have gun, too. And, like me, it's BIG!
But he will burn sacred scroll.
Why would want to do that?
Precisely my point.
What point?
About burying your head in the sand just because you fear fear.
Fear fear?
Okay, so my sentence structure is a little sloppy, shoot me, why don't you?
You have Sardar shoot you?
Go ahead! It certainly would take me out of my misery! I'm getting nowhere here!
Prove principle to Sardar. Understand that nothing to fear but fear itself.
Huh? Oh, yeah, great. By the way, that's "nothing to fear but fear by its lonesome."
Sardar understand. Heart beats with courage. But still we need method.
Pretty obvious isn't it? They need something to counteract the gun. How about another gun?
Now the people of Kathmandu have a gun!
The People's Revolution is about to throw away the tyrannical bourgeois! /commie
Yes. We return to The Walallamallajan Lama's, and then we almost home.
Yeah, knock on wood. I was just waiting for some other disaster to complicate things for us. Chi, ol' buddy, I think we're finally out of the woods.
Now if we can just get some gas for the Yankee Eagle, we're out of here.
You can't really give it back, as the Lama is now officially away, but things will take care of themselves automatically. Now let's find some gas.
First, let's go take a quick peak into the tavern.
I'm not going to find any gas here.
At least none that the Yankee Eagle can use!
See you later guys. I got some more superhero stuff to do.
Well there's only one place we haven't visited, so the laws of adventure games say the gas must be there.
Before talking to the boy, let's take the box and have a look at it.
"...to toy with" is a not-very-subtle hint about what we'll need it for. Now let's talk to the kid.
What's it to you, kid?
My petroleum, so if you want, you give what Kubla ask.
Oh, is that right? And what does Kubla ask?
Want to go with Birdman away from here.
Sorry, kid, I'm not a babysitter.
Am not baby! Am man! Man with petroleum!
Okay, take it easy, would ya? Sure, you're plenty grown-up and all...
But kid, I mean, we're talking life and death adventure. And what would your parents say?
Who care? Kubla no longer want parents!
Now there's a more direct way to get petroleum from him, but the long way is more fun, which is why I'll take it.
Kubla know. Father and mother do it, and that make me.
How old did you say you were?
Kubla ten. So Birdman take me or not?
You just like rest of grown-ups. Kubla no give petro!
Typo not mine.
Now if we leave the screen and come back, Kubla's gone but has left a message.
OK, so maybe Chi should read it instead...
Oh great, the kid's run away. Now what?
Must find. We responsible.
On a hunch, I head back to Ama's...
Huh? What, have you been dipping into the tumba again?
Get in here right now!
My isn't she a bossy one.
Apologize?
Apologize or else!
Okay. Calm down. Sheesh!
What you want?
I, uh, wanted to apologize.
That mean nothing to Kubla.
Look, kid, I don't want to hear any belly-aching about not being able to fly away with me!
Be nice to Kubla or you fly out of Ama's pretty darn fast!
Just relax, would ya, Ama!
Okay, Kubla, my friend, the fact is I can't take you with me even if I wanted to. Your parents love you and all.
So.
Soooo... they would be crushed if you left. You love your parents, don't you?
Yeah.
And you wouldn't want to hurt them, to make them cry, would you?
No.
Okay, then. Maybe when you're older, you can fly away to distant lands. For now, enjoy being a kid. You're going to miss it one day!
Maybe Birdman right, but I no give petroleum away for nothing. What you barter with?
He's a kid. What could he possibly want? Hey, remember the box description? Maybe a toy would do. The box itself isn't enough, but what else have we got...
Chi's been carrying the chopsticks and coins since forever. It's about time they were used. Let's put the chopsticks through the box.
And now we attach the coins, which have this convenient opening in their center...
Tada!
We've got gas!
If for some reason you never enter the telegraph office, Kubla will show up here with a paper and Lucky will have the same monologue about going to Paris via Istanbul. However, since the telegraph was never sent, this will slightly affect a future conversation (though not in any significant way).
Notice we now have a new party member!