I am replaying Scratches - Director's Cut (haven't played it again since it first arrived at BFG) and even though I have looked at the GB walkthroughs, I am having a problem.

I can't get past Monday, 1 p.m., specifically - the loose board under the nightstand in the maid's room in still inactive and can't be moved.

What necessary action triggers the board to be loose?

Here's what I have so far:

I've done everything in the greenhouse, chapel, and crypt.
I've read all journals in study, living room, and all newspapers.
I've opened the box in the locked drawer in the study.
I've been under the chapel and read about the curse and amulet preparation.
I've read the letters in the secret room with the mask and also in the study desk drawer.
I've gathered the exotic plant leaves, branch from under chapel, claw from gallery (already ground up in coffee grinder).
I've put the stove together with paint can lid and wire, but haven't lit it yet.

I'm still unable to call Jerry again or Police Chief Bailey, even though I have read the June 1963 newspaper which gave me Bailey's phone number. (I did call the banker earlier and have read all three newspaper articles). Of course, there's nothing in the mailbox yet, since I can't call Jerry. I won't be able to do that or get the car battery recharged or use the shovel to dig out in the yard till 4 p.m. So finding that photo in the maid's room seems to be key in moving the clock forward, but there is no active hand yet at the rectangular board which should be loose.

Sorry to be bringing up such an old subject, but at this point I'm wandering from one location to another wondering what I've missed.

Thanks for your time.

Hi LadyCav,

The trigger for this is after receiving back the Italian translation of the paper. Did you do that yet? The translation gives the info about the loose board.

Ah, so that's the trigger!

Well - I've checked the mailbox half a dozen times and still empty. I was expecting the eviction notice.

I did put the Italian paper in the envelope and mailed to Barbara after the phone conversation with her.

I've tried to call Barbara but am told she is off on Mondays after I was unable to call Jerry or Bailey.

So how to trigger the Italian translation?

Thanks so much, Rushes, for taking the time to look these things up for me. I appreciate it.

Oh gosh, I'm not sure what exactly you might have missed. It's probably just a tiny thing that's stopping the clock from moving forward (and accordingly, the translated paper appearing in the mailbox).

Have you used the typewriter recently, to write more story?

Have you thoroughly searched inside the garage? And likewise the cellar?

Have you read all papers/documents/journals completely?

Rushes,

Oh good heavens! I have been retracing my steps to see what I missed - went back to the attic to read the newspaper articles again. I compared my notes with the article and (extreme blushing here) I had been trying to dial 62517 instead of 65217! (You have no idea how many times I tried to call Jerry and Bailey after wandering through each location!)

I now have the completely assembled amulet. Now to summon the courage to do the scary bits next.

Thanks so very much for helping me figure out what I needed to progress further!

Ahh, so that's what it was! I'm glad that you're progressing now.

Good luck with the scary bits!!

I'm finished now, and thanks again for your help, Rushes. (dumb mistake!)
Not quite as scary as I remembered, since I knew what was coming.
Looking forward to Asylum now, which is supposed to be much scarier.

You're welcome.

I remember the first time I played this game -- the cellar absolutely terrified me.

I agree completely Rushes!

The first time I played the game - having to open that door to the cellar in the middle of the night and then having to crawl through the boiler, I was saying "...oh no, no, no... please, PLEASE don't make me do this!!!"