Anachronox/The Bricks (1)

Rowdy's
First, turn around and head up the ramp to your office. Grab the Camera off your desk (you'll be using this soon). Click on the Broadband Scanner for some information you'll put to use later, then go to the back room door and pick the lock.

Inside, there is "Some Dough" ($20), an APE game console (which has no games now, but you can find some later), and a chest which you can't pick successfully yet. Grab the Dough and head back downstairs.

Dim Jose, the guy at the table, wants to know if he should keep or sell his slag of MysTech (I don't know if the answer has any significance). You can also play a minigame of "OX" on the game table opposite the bar (there is no reward for winning).

On your way out, use the TimeMinder to save your game.

Fountain Spiral
Continuing down, you'll encounter an Alley Goon named Ppaki, and he's not happy. A battle will immediately ensue; one you cannot win, as you'll be downed in a single hit before even having a chance to strike. Afterwards, Fatima "suggests" you visit Whackmaster Jack's for some training.

Introduction to Combat
Continuing along, grab the HealGrease Plus that Fatima points out in the hall. Don't use it now, but remember to press F5 to access your inventory.

Reaching the fork, you can't take the path down just yet, so head up to the Fountain Spiral. When you get there, turn around, look up, and take a photo of the Anachronox Symbol above the sign for the MysTech Museum sidequest.

Up the Spiral, you'll see another TimeMinder. Next it it is the entrance to Whackmaster Jack's.

Whackmaster Jack's
Jack is the guy in red by the ring upstairs. Talk to him for a combat tutorial. During this, you'll recieve an Old Vistin Pistol, a LifeCursor Shield Upgrade (teaches Boots the skill "FatimaScreen"), 2 HealGrease Plus, and 2 Bindlebags.

After the tutorial, talk to Stang (the guy with the bag on the ground next to him) for a Glodent. Also, photograph the two Brebulans (the aliens to the right of the door), and make sure to fit their whole bodies in the frame.

Nothing left to do here for now, so head back to the Spiral.

Fountain Spiral
Head up the Spiral to the next exit, with the sign for Frank's Flophouse. Get ready for your first real fight, with the same guy who beat you down before...

Afterwards, you may notice a green bug mound in the corner (this will become relevant later on). For now, take the gravpath to the Casinox Area.

Casinox Area
Down the next lift, a NoxGuard asks if you've seen Marina - Tell him "No". Continuing on, you can't go towards the Platform Area (but if you wait you can watch a guy running around on fire). Take a photo of the Anachronox Symbol and proceed into the Junkyard Area.

Junkyard Area
Continue on and fight off a couple of Alley Goons. Photograph the Brebulans and the Anachronox Symbol over the sign for the Tenements Area, and continue on.

Tenements Area
Going back along the railing, if you look out along the opposite wall, you may notice (and hear) a little red creature. That's a  Red Bipidri , and you'll want to photograph it as well.

Head back up and take the elevator down, then go into Frank's Flophouse.

Frank's Flophouse
If you're injured, rent a room for $5 to recover. If not, walk down to the same room (Room 06) and grab the TACO inside. You can then head back upstairs and pick the locks of the other rooms.

Head back outside. Down the ramp is the entrance to Building 5.

Tenement Building 5
Note the directory on the wall to your right, browse the SenderNet station if you want, then head into the Section C elevator. Most of the rooms here aren't accessible, but the ones that are are worth checking out.

So close, yet so far...