blowing won't fix it

The inside of the workshop is dark as the door creaks open. [[flip on light switch|workshop]]

The light flickers on, revealing a well intentioned workshop that hasn't been used since Unreal Engine didn't have a number after it. You lay down the NES cartridge and tools on the table. You flip the five screw cartridge face down and reach over to grab the screwdriver. [[grab phillips head screwdriver|correct tool]] [[grab hex screwdriver|wrong tool]]

Well you got the right tool. Now just don't strip the screws and this shouldn't take too long. [[remove first screw]]

No wait, this is the wrong screwdriver. They didn't start using the hex screws until the three screw cartridges. It's been so long you don't even remember the right tool to use. Are you sure you can do this? Even if you aren't, you have to get this working. [[grab phillips head screwdriver|correct tool]]

Okay, going good. One down, four to go. You used to do this all the time, it's like riding a bike, right? [[remove second screw]]

Second one went just fine. Pretty soon the game will be working just fine again. Maybe you'll actually play the whole thing again? [[remove third screw]]

Over halfway done now, doing great. You didn't need to fix this cartridge. After all, how many times do you own this digitally? [[remove fourth screw]]

Add to that you own it physically on Gameboy Advance and Gamecube, yet here you are. [[remove fifth screw]]

You lift the back off the cartridge and notice something very odd sitting above the board. [[grab the booklet from inside the cartridge|manual]] [[ignore it and do what you're here for|lifting the board]]

You chuckle to yourself as you pick up the game manual. Dad always said he put it in a safe place. And, as he was prone to do, immediately forgot where he left it. [[flip through the pages|inside manual]] [[set it aside|lifting the board]]

You lift the circuit board gently out of place. It's definitely seen better days. When was the last time you even looked at it. It had to be before the accident. [[grab the brass polish|brass polish]] [[grab the rubbing alcohol|rubbing alcohol]] [[grab the beer|beer]]

You gotta give Dad credit, the manual still looks great. The game case sure did keep it safe. Even if you can't get the game working, you at least have this now. [[set the manual aside and lift the board|lifting the board]]

Rubbing alcohol just won't get the job done. You apply the brass polish carefully and set the cartridge aside to dry. [[leave it to dry]]

Some people say rubbing alcohol is bad for the cartridge, but really the problem is the water in it. You use over 90%, it's always worked before. You gently apply the q-tip to the board and lightly remove the dirt. After a few passes, the board looks much cleaner. The room may smell terrible, but the board is clean. [[leave it to dry]]

You crack open the cold drink and take a good long sip. You knew the emotions of this would be harder than the actual fix, but you can't go back now. [[grab the brass polish|brass polish]] [[grab the rubbing alcohol|rubbing alcohol]]

You head out of the workshop for a few minutes while the board dries. You pass by it on your way to the kitchen. You always pass by it but never look at it. It hurts too much to look at it. Maybe somedays, but now you just need another drink. [[get a beer from the kitchen]] [[get some water from the kitchen]]

You crack open another beer and lean back against the counter. You're not an alcoholic right? I mean sure, your therapist is worried, but that's her job. Beer is just tasty. You can face your grief at any time. [[face your grief]] [[at any time|check on the board]]

The therapist did say to be careful with drinking right now. You've never really been an alcoholic, but if there was ever a time to start, it would be now. Actively choosing water is a good sign. You make a note to remember to mention this in therapy. [[think about what was in the hall]] [[check on the board]]

The urn has just been sitting there for months. The only thing of note is the design. In all honestly, it was incredibly ugly, but that's what he wanted. He saw it years ago and said that's what he wanted to have his ashes in. We thought it was a joke at the time, but the crazy kook put it in his will. Maybe you should have had that beer. [[check on the board]]

You walk down the hall with tunnel vision: eyes forward. You head back into the workshop and sit down with the cartridge. It seems dry. [[put the board back in place]]

He had only had one drink. That's what you kept telling the cops. Over and over they asked. They wanted to blame it on that, they wanted to let the other driver off the hook. They didn't want the police chief's son getting a record, so they looked for any reason to blame your dad. It was just. one. beer [[finish your second beer]] [[check on the board]]

You slam back the rest of the can and toss it away. Maybe your therapist has a point? you'll remember to mention this. [[check on the board]]

Well, it should be okay now. All that's left to do is put the game together and give it a shot. [[replace the fifth screw]]

You always put things back together in reverse order. It was a habit you picked up from him. [[replace the fourth screw]]

This thing better work, the emotional labor was more than the physical. [[replace the third screw]]

Over halfway done now. This is a proud moment, you should be proud. [[replace the second screw]]

This is what he would have wanted. He always wanted you to play. [[replace the first screw]]

And not just the game. He wanted you to play in life. He wanted you to be happy. He showed you exactly how to live, you just have to follow the steps. [[take the game upstairs]]

You head back to the living room and put the game in. This is the moment of truth. [[press the power button]] [[wait a little longer]]

You press the button and without hesitation the familiar tune springs to life. Before you is the triforce, and you just have to grab it. [[press start]]

You sit for a moment and reflect. This wasn't that hard. You put it off for months, and this is all the time it took? Maybe things aren't as hard as they seem. Maybe you can get the rest of his affairs in order. Maybe you can. [[press the power button]]

Two save states are filled. What do you do now? [[open yours]] [[open his]] [[begin a new game]]

You open your save file and you're just at the entrance of Death Mountain. You always said it was just too hard. This time, you're not going to let anything stop you. This is your journey, and you're going to see it through. [[continue]]

You open the game file and you're back at the start. He always wanted you to do the second quest for him. You always told him it would be too tough. You know it will be harder than anything you've done before, but you know you're ready. Because you're not alone, he gave you everything you need. [[continue]]

Sometimes in life, starting over is the easiest. It may seem like quitting, but a fresh start with a fresh mind can be all you need to move forward. [[continue]]

THE END This game is dedicated to everyone who has ever lost their player 2. [[new game plus|game start]]