Anachronox/The Bricks (1)

Rowdy's Bar
As the opening cutscene ends, you begin the game in Rowdy's bar and are tasked with finding some work to pay off Boots' debt. There are a few things to take care of first, and Fatima won't let you leave the area until you do.

First, turn around and head up the ramp to Boots' office. Grab the Cordicam Digital Camera off your desk (you'll be using this soon). Click on the Broadband Scanner for some information you'll need 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.

There are a few NPCs here of interest. Marina and Mardoman, the folks at the table near the ramp, are with a resistance movement. Talk to Marina to begin a side questline. Valesta, the woman at the bar, mentions her friend Deanamo getting hired for a job, and that she might need a hand. Your lead currently resides in Frank's Flophouse.

Dim Jose, the guy at the table, wants to know if he should keep or sell his slag of MysTech (not sure 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
On your way out, you'll pass an Aewa ("floater") named K'jagra Khk, who eventually asks you to visit his cousin, K'Conrad. He'll be at the Fountain Overlook.

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 (the woman at the fork will give you directions). 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 Temple of Beating.

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"), and 2 HealGrease Plus. Afterwards, you have the option of taking two more tutorials by speaking to Jack again (the last one will give you 3 Bindlebags, one of which you'll be forced to use).

Once you're finished, 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 Mound  in the corner (this will become relevant later on). For now, take the gravpath to the Casinox Area.

Casinox Area
Take the lift down and talk to Maria Black, standing by the TimeMinder. You won't get a quest note, but you can help her out. Go through the door down the hall and meet K'Conrad Khk, the cousin mentioned before. You're going to need some good information to give him before you'll get anything out of him, though.

Down the next lift, a NoxGuard asks if you've seen Marina - Answer "Nope. Never seen her". 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
Go straight ahead (behind the blue sign) and get the envelope with $50 inside from the chest. Then enter Ghalla's through the door next to the TimeMinder. You can buy some items here, but it may be wiser to save your cash for now. Head up the ramp on the right, all the way to the back of the corridor to find your first TACO.

Back outside, continue down the road and fight off a couple of Alley Goons (there's a  White Mound  on the right). Photograph the two Brebulans and the Anachronox Symbol over the sign for the Tenements Area, and continue on.

Tenements Area
When you enter, turn around and photograph the Anachronox Symbol, then head to the right and photograph the Brebulan. If you head all the way down the stairs, there's a HealGrease at the bottom. You'll also find an NPC who tells you "Eddie knows". This will be important later.

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, head right and down the ramp to the same room (Room 06) and grab the TACO on the dresser. You can then head back upstairs and pick the locks of the other rooms.

You'll find Deanamo in Room A, who's had an unfortunate accident during the job. During the cutscene, she'll point you in the direction of her employer - you'll find him in Building 5. You'll find Valesta's Bracelet in the room as well (Deanamo will ask you to take it back to her, but it's not necessary). Rooms B and E have NPCs to talk with, Room D has a HealGrease on the bed, and the lock to Room C is beyond your skill to pick right now.

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.

After exploring the other rooms, head up to Level 4, Room 19. In the ensuing cutscene, you'll meet Grumpos, who won't allow you to help him unless you find him his desired helmet.