Hints and Clues
Source: Jean-François Podevin
CAUTION: Do not read this section unless you get stuck!
Saied's Request
Q. Is it absolutely vital that I get the package for Saied?
A. Nothing in life is absolute. However, getting the package for Saied provides a clue for later in the game. You wouldn't want to insult your best friend, would you?
Q. Help! I'm at the Café de la Fée Blanche, but Fuad's not here.
A. Maybe somebody at the cafe knows where he's gone. Ask about him.
Q. I finally tracked down Fuad, but he didn't give me the package.
A. That son of a donkey has a bad memory. Maybe you should ask him about it—or about who wants the package.
Q. I've got the package. Now what do I do?
A. Saied gave you his new commcode number. Use your belt phone to call him. Recall events if you don't remember the number.
Q. What do I do with the package when I find Saied?
A. He's impatient for the package. Why don't you just give it to him?
Q. What happened to the daddy he gave me?
A. Have you checked your chip rack?
Q. Okay, I've given Saied the package. Now what do I do?
A. Relax. Have a drink, perhaps. Something's bound to happen sooner or later in the Budayeen.
Retrieving the Notebook
Q. I got the call. How do I find the apartment to pick up the notebook?
A. You could try calling there first. Check the Budayeen directory.
Q. The commcode number doesn't work.
A. It's an old directory. Sorry. At least you can find the address of the building.
Q. I finally got to the building. Now what?
A. You could look around.
Q. Ow! I got jumped. Who was that guy in the apartment?
A. That's for you to find out.
Q. I just regained consciousness. What do I do now?
A. Check out the apartment. Maybe there are some clues there you can take.
Q. Great! Now I've been arrested by the police.
A. Hang in there. You've got influential friends.
Q. What happened to the answering machine and the holodisk?
A. They're police evidence now. You'd better go talk to your "benefactor" right away.
Q. I'm in the taxi, but nothing's happening.
A. You have to tell the driver where you want to go. Once you reach your destination, exit the taxi.
Q. I'm stuck waiting for Papa.
A. Get used to it. Anyway, maybe he's available to talk now.
Q. Papa's given me my orders. What do I do now?
A. Papa has influence with the police. Maybe you should check out the police station. Check "Actions" when you get there.
Q. I tried to use the police computer, but I was kicked off.
A. You'll have to get around the police somehow. Perhaps you can find something in the Budayeen to help you—something that will make you look official when you try to use the computer. Maybe you should talk to Lt. Hajjar while you're here.
Q. What should I ask Hajjar about?
A. The time of day, perhaps. Seriously, do you remember what was scrawled on the wall of the apartment? Perhaps it's a name. You could also ask about the deceased. Maybe they have some of his effects at the station.
Q. I've got the answering machine chip, but I have no way to play it.
A. Perhaps you can find an answering machine in the Budayeen.
Q. I can't get anything out of the attendant at the morgue.
A. You'll need a police pass to check out the deceased's effects.
Q. Help! I gave the pass to the attendant and he won't give it back.
A. Don't be so anxious to give things away. Show objects to characters first.
Q. Okay, I've got the disk. How do I view it?
A. There's an acute shortage of portable holodisk viewers in the Budayeen. Still, there are establishments that have such viewers. Check around.
Q. The pawn shop is closed!
A. Establishments come and go quickly in the Budayeen. Ask around to see if anyone knows what happened to the pawn shop.
Q. I can't understand the whole phone message.
A. A language chip will help you translate the message. Check out the various establishments and street dealers for such chips.
Q. I know the language chip I need, but no one seems to have it.
A. It looks like the last one's been sold to someone in the Budayeen. Did you pay attention to what Laila told you? She's a jewel.
Q. The store owner won't give me the chip I need.
A. Once you complete the task he gave you, you'll get the chip. You might wish to investigate the suspect the owner described. Do you remember any distinguishing marks or characteristics?
Q. What do I do now?
A. You've got a number of leads to follow up on...
- Who or what is "McDix"?
- What is the rest of the message on the answering machine disk?
- Where can you use the pawnshop ticket?
- Who robbed the jeweler?
General Clues in No Particular Order
Q. Where do I look for sharks in the Budayeen?
A. Obviously, there's no aquarium in the Budayeen. Perhaps Franco didn't mean a shark that swims. What other kind of sharks are there? Ask other characters about the suspect.
Q. Heidi didn't give me much help.
A. Sure she did. Remember that in the world of the Budayeen you can change any parts of your body as you wish. The "ayes" have it.
Q. Who has red hair and green eyes?
A. Look around. Examine the characters and read their descriptions.
Q. What do I do with half a ring?
A. Find the other half. You might consider showing both halves to one of your suspects' previous employers.
Q. How do I get back on the computer?
A. You can use your belt phone. Of course, you'll need help connecting to the computer.
Q. How do I contact the drunken American who's running around the Budayeen?
A. He likes the odd pleasures afforded by the Budayeen. Check out locations where such pleasures are available. Remember that most Americans can't speak Arabic.
Q. I keep running out of kiam.
A. You'll be paid by certain characters for helping them. You can also give your benefactor a call. The street scum who try to mug you may in turn be mugged. If all else fails, you can go gambling. But first, be sure you have a good position saved in case you blow your bankroll.
Q. A lot of characters demand bribes for their cooperation.
A. The preferred term is "baksheesh." Yes, they do. Dole out your kiam carefully. They'll tell you when they're satisfied.
Q. How do I open the crate?
A. It's tied up with rope. Cut the rope.
Q. Where do I find the black key?
A. If you know who the right suspect is, you'll find it in that person's residence or shop—preferably while the person is out.
Q. How do I break into places?
A. Use your brains—or add-ons to your brains.
Q. What can I do with the holo pictures I've taken?
A. Frame them. Hang them on your wall. They'll make your apartment look better. Of course, there's no place to get the pictures developed in the Budayeen.
Q. I'm having trouble collecting the things I need to blow something up.
A. First, you'll need the knowledge of someone familiar with explosives. Once you have the knowledge, you'll be able to collect the items you need.
Q. I can't find the residence where one of my suspects lives. It isn't listed in the Budayeen directory.
A. As we said, it's an old directory. Many numbers have changed. Perhaps some names have changed as well. Other sources of information on addresses may also be outdated.
Q. I'm having trouble getting the earrings.
A. The owner wants something very specific in return for the earrings. Check out the shops of the Budayeen for something the same color as the earrings.
Q. What do I do with the bullet?
A. Show it to people who know about firearms. They might give you useful information.
Q. How do I go about rescuing the kidnap victim?
A. You could get the handwriting on the note analyzed, if anyone in the Budayeen could do such a thing. Since no one can, you might check the note again. Do you smell a clue here?
Q. How can I show people the picture on the holodisk?
A. Get a holodisk viewer. They're in short supply in the Budayeen, but there is one available—though you'll have to get a good way through the game before you find it.
Q. I can't get into the establishment where the flowers I need are located.
A. You'll need help. Try humming "Climb Every Mountain" until the answer comes to you. Use your brains.
Q. I can't find the woman who picked up the cologne.
A. How "odd" you should say that. You can ask other characters about her. Do you remember what was on the receipt?
Q. The cops are after me!
A. You're supposed to be an upright citizen of the Budayeen. Engaging in indiscriminate slaughter is not the way to survive in this world.
Q. I think I need a weapon.
A. Buy one. There's a weapons shop in the Budayeen. Also, certain freelance entrepreneurs have been known to peddle weapons.
Q. Will drugs do anything for me?
A. Just say no! Besides, Papa won't like it.
Q. Help! It looks like a suspect has left town.
A. Ask Chiri about your suspect—she's a great source of information.