Maniac Mansion - Using Other Characters

                  Sent in by Dave Barker

@~Dave's solution was printed in Issue 5 and used Dave, Syd and
@~Michael as the three characters. As there are six (apart from
@~Dave) in all to choose from, we wondered whether it was possible
@~to finish using any combination, and, if so, how differently the
@~game would play. Just to stress, the other alternatives listed
@~here haven't been checked, they have just been compiled from
@~other sources, so if you can confirm or add to them, please do!

The choices mainly revolve around the end game and how you tackle
the purple meteor and the purple tentacle that guards it. With
regard to the purple meteor I know of two options. Firstly Bernard
can use the radio to call the Meteor Police who come and take it
away. Else, one of the other characters has to take the meteor,
put it in the trunk of the rocket car and send it into space.

On the matter of the purple tentacle, if the Meteor Policeman is
called, he will drop his badge. Giving this to the purple tentacle
will send it into a panic as it believes you are also in the
Galactic Law Enforcement Agency. All other options seem to involve
dealing with the purple tentacle prior to sending the meteor into
orbit. My previous solution used Michael who, by using his
photography skills, makes friends with Weird Ed who then protects
you from the purple tentacle.

By using Razor or Syd it is possible to make friends with the
green tentacle. It is an aspiring rock star who will be your
friend for life should you be able to fix a recording contract for
it, and will protect you from its purple cousin. To do this,
rather than just opening the envelope that is delivered and
contains the quarter for the video machine (as you do in the
Michael solution), you must put the envelope and a glass of water
in the microwave which will enable you to open the envelope using
steam without damaging it.  Remember to wait after the microwave
"pings" or you'll get blasted by steam!

Razor can play the piano. Get her to do so and tape it, then play
it to the green tentacle who will give her his demo. If she
watches TV, she'll see a talent show and if she uses the undamaged
envelope in the typewriter, puts stamps on it, inserts the green
tentacle's tape, puts it in the mailbox, lifts the flag and waits
some time, a contract will be delivered.

Now there seems to be a discrepancy as there seems to be two
possible outcomes. It looks as though the contract can be in
either the green tentacle's name or that of the meteor! If it's in
the meteor's name and she shows it to the green tentacle, the
tentacle will kill her for being on the meteor's side. However, if
it's in the meteor's name and is shown to the purple tentacle, the
purple tentacle will let you pass if you show it to him. Possibly
one of these outcomes (ie whose name the contract is in) relates
to Razor, the other to Syd? Can Syd also play the piano and then
get the tentacle's demo tape?

There are hints to the solution that uses Wendy. It appears that
only she can read the manuscript that is in the drawer in the
medical room. It is the memoirs of a meteor and very badly
written. Apparently she must use it in the typewriter, presumably
to correct it and this will, I assume, help you deal with the
meteor.

As for Jeff, no references can be found anywhere to his special
abilities so I have no idea how a solution involving him would
differ from the others.

From all the above it is obvious that using Bernard is the
simplest option and makes your choice for the third member of the
party irrelevant.

@~Don't forget, if you can clarify any of these alternatives,
@~please write in and let me know so I can put it in a future
@~issue.