Have just left the Morgue and went to the bar in the Blue Casket and then to Manny's office to get a letter and a book. For the life of me cannot find either one. Have traveled around that room so much am dizzy and have gotten stuck playing the gamboling game to the point I have a save just before Manny gets stuck so I can resume looking for letter and book. Where are they?

I'm not sure I have you at the right place, but I don't think you are supposed to pick up a paper. Just a pen...
You might try checking another WT to see if there is a difference.
Kay

EDIT: Ok, I think I know where you are now. The letter and the book should be in your inventory, aka Manny's jacket. Take a look and see if you have it in inventory.

Lilac, I'm not sure exactly where you are, but in addition to the two walkthroughs here at GameBoomers, you can find three more at The Spoiler Centre and one at Bert Jamin's site .

Maybe one of them will answer your question--if not, give us a little more information as to where you are and what you've already done...

If you are having trouble accessing inventory easily, try hitting the "I" key -- then you can scroll quickly through the items using the right and left arrow keys.

Just to expand on Becky's advice--when you open the inventory, the last item you looked at will be the one that comes up, so if you know you're going to need something, cycle through ahead of time until you get to what you are going to need. That way it will be right there when you open the inventory...

I was stuck at the hut where you were supposed to dope Naranja's drink. I used a saved file to get by this and when I opened the saved file I was in the morgue. I checked several WTs and the saved game seems to have worked well. I did everything in the morgue, got Naranja reported dead and then re the WTs was supposed to go to the Blue Casket bar and show the letter on the three men at the back of the bar. WT then says - oh you forgot the letter - go to Manny's office pick up letter and a book on the table. Will check more WTs but the ones I have all say the same thing. Even checked the Universal Hint system but seemed to get to more info. And I have gone through all Manny has in inventory but no letter and no book. I believe the save has not left something out.

PS - The WTs are mentioning Salvador as the person who gave the letter to Manny and then it supposedly appears in Manny's office. So maybe in this save I have used, the person forgot to get the paper from Salvador. Anyone know who and where Salavor is? May need to back track and see if I can pick up that letter. So far have not found the name Salvador in any WT.

Lilac, as I said before, it's been a long time since I played GF, but wasn't Salvador the guy who was the leader of the rebels? You got the pigeon eggs for him so he could establish a system for sending messages, remember....

You're right Jenny. Sal is the leader of the rebels and Manny meets him in the first part of the game before he goes off to any other part of the world.
Kay

Gosh when I left off GF - I had done nothing around Salvador. I was stuck on getting Naranja to drink that soda so he would go to sleep so I could something from him. Then when I resumed GF game I used the last save sent me to get me by Naranja bit and I was thrown into the morgue where Manny gets to put dog tags on Naranja and he then is declared dead. All of this went well until the WT then said go to Manny's office for that letter and book.

So since the letter is NOT there then that save I used must have not contacted Salvador. I have yet to hear about him, the pigeon eggs etc. Maybe I need to backtrack a bit into my saved games sent me and see if I can do better about being positioned just after the Naranja bit where he drinks the spiked soda.

Too bad I had to redo my 98 PC because though I saved all my games and those sent me, did not keep track of what was what and so here I am wondering where in the heck I am at:)

DL, my thought is that since you missed the part with Salvador which is in the first part of the game, maybe you should start over from the beginning. I'm not sure you can go back to that place from where you are now. Sorry you have had so much trouble but keep us in the loop.
Kay

Lilac, I'm a little confused here, because I don't see how you could have gotten out of year one without doing the stuff with Sal. Maybe you should read over one of the walkthroughs and see if it doesn't bring back some memories, because I don't think the game would let you advance to the second year without having done these things...

You are so right Jenny. Did just that and it did bring back the memory of Sal etc. So now what I have done is to install GR fresh on my XP and then used MY saved games as starter places so that using someone else's saved game will not throw me off. Was successful and played through getting the metal detector, going to the morgue and getting Naranja declared dead! So now I am elated - rushed up to Manny's office because I thought for sure the paper and book would be there - imagine my disappointment when it is just as bare as before when I was using others' saved games. So wonder what I have done wrong or missed? Like you do not believe I would be in year two if I had not gotten that letter etc. So am totally confounded now. Have to sleep on it and see what pops up in my tiny befuddled brain:)

DL, now that you have the game setup the way you want it, did you think to check the inventory in Manny's jacket? Click on 'I' and go through the inventory to see if the letter is there. You may have to float the cursor over the items to see what they are. It you have been through the part with Sal then the letter should be in Manny's jacket.
Kay

Have done that until I am blue in the face - so unless I do not recognize the letter, it is not there. How can one float the cursor over the items when the cursor is not used in this game? Is there another way to tell me what the items are? A certain key perhaps? The WTs say the letter is supposed to be on the desk and not in the inventory. May have to go waaaaaaay back in my saved games into year 1 to see if I can find that confounded letter:) Unless someone else has some great ideas?

The letters from Salvador are in Manny's office on the table against the back wall. When you pick them up, you hear Salvador's voice reading the letters.

The book is in the Blue Casket. You get it from the beatnik-types at the table after you show them Manny's letters. They're happy to let you have it.

(I hope I'm in the same place in the game as you.)

Ah ha Melia - will have to find a way to get to that table then. So far have not been able to get near it for some reason. And will get book elsewhere then. I take it I am in the right place for the office of Manny - up the stairs in the Calavara Cafe right? Or is there a room downstairs where all the tables and piano are? And thanks soooo very much for the tip.

Still can't get to that table. Sooooooo went on my XP and replayed the game all the way up to where Manny met with Salvador, did the pigeon egg business and teeth mold thing but there was nothing about a paper from Salvador. So do not thnk I missed anything after all. Soooo back to the 98 and trying to get to that table. What is the secret or what am I missing. When I try to walk Manny over there he turns around and comes back. Have tried from several angles but no go so far:(

Lilac, I just checked a little more on the letter from Salvatore. It comes right at the very beginning of year 2:

"· You now find yourself standing on a balcony overlooking the night line of Rubacava.Lupe, the coat check girl, comes out and tells you there is someone inside you might like to see.
· Go inside.
· There is a table with a note on it.
· Pick it up. It’s from Sal."

So you are doing fine with your W98 game and that's also how you were able to get into year two--I thought you got it in year one, but I was obviously mistaken...

That rings a bell. Have gone back to the 98 now and am playing where I left off. Have tried using a saved game but for some reason they are not working - keeping throwing me back to the beginning of the game despite my renumbering them. How frustrating.

Tryng to see if I can get back to just after I got into year two but so far no go - never had trouble with using saved games before so not sure where I am messing up now. Have saved games up the boocoo but every time I try to use one, it does not come up as a saved game - very strange. But still plugging away.

Could go back to XP and continue that game but there are two spots there I could never get around and had used saved games before. So since I am having problems using saved games on 98 not sure if the problem will persist on XP. Grrrrrrrrrrr:)

Oh good, Lilac--Kay can probably sort you out!

And that section that I quoted for you was the very first thing that happened in year two...

Ok, DL, I played where Manny picked up the letter on the table in his office. It looks like a grocery store receipt. I played on to get back closer to where you are but finally stopped just after Manny talks to Membrillo at the morgue. He needs to know who the two dead people are on the tables. Manny goes back to the High Rollers lounge and he is going to talk to Nick about needing a lawyer. I stopped there and I'm going to send you a save. I played this on XP so I hope it works for you.
Kay

I take it the email I just received for the save is from you despite the differences in names. Also noted that you sent the gsv file as well as the log file. Maybe that is where I am going wrong in using saves - need to put both into the GF folder?

Also will try on my own going back to High Roller lounge and talking with Nick for another ID for the second person in the morgue as I understand your message.

By hook or crook I will get through this game on either xp or win98:) Certainly has been a challenge.

Yes DL, the save is from me. If you continue without my save take a look in Manny's inventory and see if you have something that looks like a grocery store receipt. If so, that is the letter from Sal. I didn't realize that until I played it last night. If you do use my save just start from the instructions in my email and follow MaGs WT.
Kay

I tried your save but it threw me into a sewer and I became totally lost as the WTs I am following do not mention this nor have I found it yet anywhere. Will look at MaGs WT.

Another friend sent me a save and I finally got that letter but like you it looks like a grocery receipt. Now I have had that all along and tried to use it once on the beatniks but it did nothing then do threw me off completely Also the saved from my other friend was good in that I could proceed and us the letter BUT he had NOTHING in his inventory!!! Don't understand how he proceeded in the game!!!! When I started to go using his saved game I could do nothing because had nothing in inventory. Very weird. So am going way back to where I first had that strange letter and see if I can get it to be used on the beatniks. Will keep on keepin' on

Finally resolved the letter issue but now cannot get that book to be on the table of the beatniks. So wandered around and around talking to everyone, doing things but no luck. Can't seem to get that book to appear on the table.

So still at it:)

Lilac, there is a walkthrough here that lays it out in a bare bones fashion. Why don't you check it to be sure you've done everything necessary up to the book. There really isn't that much to do between picking up the letter and getting the book...

Finally got it through my thick resistent little head how this game is programmed. One can go back and pick up inventory items evidently as long as one is in the year you are playing. So even though the saved games I have been using lack some inventory items (drives me nuts going around to get them) I can pick them up and use where needed. And evidently the game is not that linear but there are spots where an item is needed and you must have it to progress. So am off and running again but trying to get Manny to put that drug in Naranja's bottle is a trying aspect - not figured it out quite yet. He keeps saying "I don't want to do that" or "they will see me". And after all that work to find that baster and put the drug into it - grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Are you opening the refrigerator door, Lilac--and making sure it stays open...

Yes, I finally found the way to do that but it was still no go. However, after much copy/paste, copy/paste of saved games finally found one that got me up to the office of Manny and could push the button that caused the casino to be shut down and Manny and Grottis are off into Year 3! At long last!!!!!!!!!!! Wondering if anyone else using saved games had this trouble or is it the saved games I got from this particular fellow. It drove me crazy having to run around and get things for the inventory when in my last game I was carrying everything. Can't decide whether he played the game all on his own whereas I did also but followed a WT to make sure I was collecting all the inventory items needed to smoothly play along. Must say the game is constructed well so that you can go back and get needed items unlike a game I just had where if you missed something, made a mistake you had to start all over again! I may live yet through this:)

This is one of the hazards of saved games, Lilac--unless the game is very linear you will probably have to either backtrack or miss something.

But at least you're moving again...

Just goes to show one, here I have been complaining about games being so linear and then when one comes along I don't recognize the advantage of if being non linear. So I complain about having to retrace to get inventory things after using a saved game. Do human beings ever quit complaining:)

And as you say Jenny, I am off and running now. Mostly "off" though

Am stuck trying to get anchors coordianated with Manny to hook to his sycthe. Have anchor raised but he fails to hook it each time. The WTs I am following are not definitive enough FOR ME (the all time klutz at these things) so am lost. Some talk about a starboard side for pushing a button but only see one button is there another for the other (left) side?

Here are some pretty definite directions, Lilac--I hope they help:

Push the red button on the starboard side (right). This raises the anchor.
· Look at the controls. Press ‘u’ while looking at them.
· Pull down the right control by pushing the right arrow key.
· Back away from the controls. (Press ‘u’)
· Press the starboard button again.
· Press it one more time to raise it. It will hook on to the port anchor.
· Look out the starboard porthole.
· Use your scythe on the anchor. It will hook on to the porthole.
· Press the port side button.
· Use the controls again.
· Pull down both controls (Press the down arrow.) The ship rips in half and then sinks...

Morning desertlilac,
Did Jenny's Step by step help?
I can't belive no one else has posted !
If this just a girl help thing, with just you and Jenny, I will step aside. If not, there is much to do, after you go under the sea. This is a top ten game for keeps !!

Could be I have a glitch here? Have tried 3 WTs and following them best to my 'girl ablity' re controls etc. and still never see the chains hooked together outside the ship. I always get the anchor raised (not sure starboard or port) and Manny never hooks it to side of the porthole.

Have tried on my own futzzzing around with the controls and still never see the chains hooked together. So maybe need saved game at this point. Anyone have same? Meantime will still run back and forth between the red button and controls to see if I get lucky.

Love this game - the concept, story line is a hoot and the dialgue just kills me. And I loved the music when in Rubaclava - miss that horn playing!

Guess what gang!!!!! Fianally found that other button for the starboard side. Thought there must be two buttons - port and starboard but could not see/find the second button. When I finally did and followed directions - blew us all to smithereens:) So am now at the bottom of the sea glub glub and once again under way - just not breathing right now:)

Great going! There are so many things to admire about this game (you listed some of the same things I admire about it) that it IS worth putting up with some frustration. It IS hard to tell when Manny's head is turning to look at things, isn't it?

I agree re the good things/frustrations of this game. Yes, his head turns pretty fast. Sometimes one misses it. Am at the door with the tumbler lock - probably will be here for some time:)

Evening desertlilac,
There is no easy/quick solution here. You see how you must try to get the cylinders to a flat spot, like a bank vault, to open it. The tuff part is how to set them top to bottom or bottom to top,I cannot say as your having too much fun. The only hint for now is when you think you have them all in the open position, put Manny's
Scythe in the flat side of the tumblers to hold them open.

Got it and am now on the beach but stuck here due to a glitch I think. Am climbing the ladder but just about get to the top when I am thrown to the desktop. Have tried 5/6 times now and each time cannot proceed. Anyone else have this problem and if so what did they do? Am I going to need a saved game to get by this part?

Hi Lilac,
Can you enlighten me about the ladder? Where is it? What are you attempting to do on the beach?
Kay

Am not stuck in the game itself. The game keeps throwing me to the desktop so that I cannot proceed. Have climbed up the big machine like apparatus and am headed toward a ladder but I cannot do anything/go an further because the game blacks out and I am back on the desktop.

Things I have tried to correct situation:
adjusted hardware settings
adjusted color settings

all made matters worse - got thrown into soft mode or the launch window would not work at all.

See if Glitches can help or do a search on glitches to see if there's a previous problem that can give some ideas.

Have already done so but so far no 'takers'. Maybe game is so old people have forgotten it.

Am underway again!!!! Found a patch that corrected this problem. Evidently a glitch does exist at the exact spot I am at on fast PCs. The patch updated the game and I am merrily underway again. Hope this helps other either playing or going to play this excellent game.

DesertLilac says:

"Am almost to end of third year - at the place rescuing Menche and working with tumblers. Have a WT that gives very very clear directions. But I cannot get it to work despite following the directions to the last turn.

Anyone succeded here and what did you do? Generally directions I have are right, left, right, left but they do not seem to follow the turning tumblers."

This is a tricky part--Lilac; as I remember, the pieces don't look exactly lined up when they are. These are the best directions I've found: SPOILER
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Turn the wheel to the right until all four of the tumblers are moving. Stop the wheel when the topmost tumbler is lined up with the door jamb (i.e. there's a gap between them). Now, turn the wheel to the left until the second tumbler is lined up. If you go too far, you'll have to start over. Now, back to the right to line up the third one, and then back to the left for the bottom one. Step away from the wheel and look at it. Manny will tell you if they're lined up or not...

Ah ha - your directions are different than mine Jenny - maybe I can get that door open now. Thanks for the info.

Hi DL
Are you going to Manny's office ? (Not the office from the beginning of the game ). You take the elevator up (beside the Blue Casket) and go around the elevator and up the stairs. The letter should be on the table in his office.
Cathy

DesertLilac says: "I do not recognize any of these posts as being pertinent to Grim Fandango + the fact there are none of my posts here regarding this game. Was told to stay with this thread until I finished the game.

Will post my present problem. Have manny on the ledge in the tunnel with the big alligator. My WT says to walk him to the end of the ledge, have his remote out, climb half way down the ladder and use remote on alligator.

First problem is I can get Manny to take out the remote but he puts it away BEFORE he starts down the ladder. After he starts down, can't get him to take out remote as he keeps saying 'not right now'.

Thus I end up with the alligator turning on Manny and he runs up the ladder and back down the ledge toward the bone wagon.

Not sure how to proceed here.

Again am lost as to where I should be on posting."

Lilac, check this old thread for some hints on getting past that alligator.

And you can always find your old threads by putting your member number in the last white box of the search engine...

Hi desertlilac

I found getting through this puzzle required you to have the remote control to hand at the right times AND required you to act quickly.

When you enter the tunnel where the aligator lives, you have to first make absolutely sure that Glottis has driven the car into the tunnel as far as it will go.
Then use the remote to lift the car up.
Then jump out onto the ledge and go to the ladder at the other end.

This is where you must act quickly.....
Start down the ladder and the aligator will turn round to face you.
Now quickly go back up the ladder and use the remote to lower the car onto the aligator's tail - whilst it is still facing you.

Hope that helps

Cheers.

Mad