Bad Day on the Midway

Bad Day on the Midway

References
Letters


Remember that this game is designed with a probability- based
variable character interaction element. This means that if you
follow the exact same path as you did in a previous game, you'll
most likely meet new characters, discover new story lines, etc. As
each character has his/her own agenda, you may begin the game
unveiling the problems/goals of one particular character, then
switch characters and discover an entirely different set of
problems. The characters' stories are intertwined to one degree or
another, so only by playing many times does one begin to discover
the many subplots involved in the game.

So, let me attempt to offer a few tips on viewing some of the
different areas/attractions/characters: You enter the game as the
sweet, innocent Timmy. His face is in the crystal ball, indicating
which character you are currently assuming. His thoughts trail
along the bottom of the screen. The thoughts are location based
("Wow! A shooting gallery"), character based ("That guy sure looks
tired"), and random ("That reminds me of the time Thomas stepped
on a nail and it went all the way through his foot!"). Madame
Mandrake is the first attraction you see upon entering the midway.
She serves as a sort of help function. In times of great need, she
may offer some great advice (or not). At other times, she does a
great job of inventing beautifully twisted words of wisdom.

To begin, you may want to visit with Dixie. Facing Madame
Mandrake, turn to the left and proceed to the first attraction,
the Kill-A-Commie Shooting Gallery. Facing the Gallery, Dixie will
very likely appear (she didn't in two consecutive games I recently
played) and greet Timmy. After she speaks, notice that the cursor,
placed on Dixie, turns into an eye. This allows you to become
Dixie. In this case remain as Timmy. Enter the shooting gallery
and turn to the right. Approach the gun on the right and watch
artist Steve Cerio's interpretation of this crazy attraction.
Proceed to the room in the back of the gallery. Approach the man
in bed and click on him to watch his "coma dream." After the
dream, turn to the right and, if Dixie is in the room, listen to
her story.
If you decide to become Dixie.....Wander the Midway and speak to
as many characters as possible. Around 4 pm, you'll probably run
into the IRS Man, who will inform you that he's giving you two
hours to find all of the Midway's tax records for the past 5
years. Where did Ike (the midway owner now in a coma) hide them?
This is one of the subplots. For more details of Dixie's dilemma,
head to the room above the Three-Headed Abominable Snowman
Skeleton exhibit. Watch the survelliance camera tapes and, if
Jocko appears, enjoy the plot as it thickens beyond any Twin Peaks
episode ever written.
If you continue your journey as Timmy.... a trip thru Lottie the
Human Log's cabin is fun (her story is hilarious - click on the
screen at the back of the room to launch the tale). Note that the
room in the back is Ted's realm (Nice butterfly collection). As
Timmy, scoot over to the Warehouse (across from the Shooting
Gallery) and wander about. You may meet Ted who will tell you
about his disturbing upbringing (visually interpreted by Dave
McKean, cover artist for Neil Gaiman's graphic novels "Sandman"
and "Mr. Punch." Entering the warehouse as any other character
could result in quite unpleasant circumstances! At this point,
I'll stop. The narratives get so complex that I could fill many a
page. A few final fun tips: - Briefly, several other subplots
include: - Otto loses his prized only friend, Oscar the Racing
Rat, and must find him before Oscar takes out his revenge on the
human race (see his story for background)....
- Become Oscar the Racing Rat to experience, as the Inscape crew
describes it, "Rat-Cam." (Watch out for Oscar's bite - it could
result in a very ugly reaction).
- If odd story lines pop up unexpectedly (i.e. characters start
dying for unexplained reasons), remember that much is happening
around the midway that you can only discover by jumping around
from character to character in order to unravel the subplots.
Eventually, it will all make sense.
- Save your game often. You never know what outcome or bizarre
story line lies around the bend.
- To see each character's story without searching for each in the
midway, exit to the credits and click on the characters on the
border.