World Watch OnLine: The Buckaroo Banzai Mailing List
#  50  - 15 July 1998
Submissions: WWatchOne@aol.com
Editor: WWatchOne@aol.com
Archives: http://members.aol.com/wwatchone
                ftp://members.aol.com/wwatchone/download
FAQ: http://www.slip.net/~figment/bb/bbindex.shtml


Number of subscribers: 522
(NOTE: anyone who doesn't have an "@something" behind their name is
from 'aol.com.')

Contents:
Greetings
Re: World Watch OnLine 50 - 28 June 1998
Re: World Watch OnLine 50 - 28 June 1998
Selling Book and Video
Re: World Watch OnLine 50 - 28 June 1998
WW1 submission - The Reluctant Fan
Web site officially open for business July 1
Scott Adams Text Adventure Game "Buckaroo Banzai" Found!
BB
Images of 6 of the 8 Buckaroo Banzai Jacket Patches available

"The Whisper"

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Greetings,

Welcome to the REAL ish number 50 (no matter what the
subject line of the last one said...can you tell where
my head was at?)

So anyway...
Set your Way-Back machines with me for a moment, and
cast you minds back to a time when a movie came out...
It was about a hero. 
A world class adventurer who just happened to be master
of a dozen different disciplines, including brain
surgery.
He travelled the globe, righting wrongs and punishing
evildoers with the help of an eccentric band of aids,
each experts in their chosen field.
It was a rousing adventure, which ended with the promise
of more to come.
The movie bombed.
A small band remembered it though, and kept the flame
burning even as those around them turned up their noses
at it.
It was relegated to late night cable viewings.
And then, to surprised whispers, it happened. 
And it is now available on laserdisc in a glorious 
letterboxed transfer - 
"Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze."
(wha? what were you expecting me to say?)

Anyway, while it's not the greatest film, and in a lot
of ways it's nothing like the source material, it's still
a fun film and got me on a 20+ year journey which lead
pretty directly to this thing you're reading right now.

Hope everyone had a nice, safe holiday weekend for the
4th (those that wanted to, at least) and sorry I didn't
get this one out last weekend. Also sorry that it's the
50th and I have nothing extra special save the announcement
of a new addition to the World Watch page. Not much there
now, but the image gallery is up and running. 

Later...
ArcLight

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Subj:	 Re: World Watch OnLine 50 - 28 June 1998
Date:	98-06-28 15:53:33 EDT
From:	lister@vcn.bc.ca (Paul Cote)

Hello fellow BBI's,

I'm rather new to the mailing list and was wondering if anyone could find
me a good copy of the Buckaroo Banzai novel, which I can't find anywhere.
So I'm sending out a distress call to all of you to assist a fan in need.

Thanks,

Paul

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Subj:	 Re: World Watch OnLine 50 - 28 June 1998
Date:	98-06-28 18:15:33 EDT
From:	garner@interlog.com (Garner R. Haines)

Does anyone have the Buckaroo Banzai title font, or for that matter, any of
the other fonts used in the movie? I can take PC or Mac formats.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Garner R. Haines, Etobicoke, ON, Canada

http://www.interlog.com/~garner/wedding/mexico.html

--------------------------------------------------------------

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Subj:	 Selling Book and Video
Date:	98-06-28 21:51:08 EDT
From:	markatnicgiants@webtv.net (mark crusoe)

Hello!  I really enjoy  World Watch One ...Look forward to  reading it
every week. I have been a fan since  almost the beginning and was
pleasantly surprised  at  how many remain  faithful after all these
years!  Sadly,  money being the curse that it is,  I am looking into
selling my copy of the  BB book  and a copy of the video which is still
unopened ( its a long story)  Anyway, I would be most grateful if you
could  give  me any info  you may have as to where online to sell them,
how to go about it, etc.  Thank you in advance for your trouble,
Sincerely, Kathi Crusoe

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Subj:	Re: World Watch OnLine 50 - 28 June 1998
Date:	98-06-28 23:14:54 EDT
From:	BanzaiSGI

BanzaiSGI sends this to all BB followers...go to your local
paperback store and rummage around their comic book bins if they have one.
You may be surprised to find BB comics and the paperback as most bookdealers
combine anything that has to do with movies or comic characters.
I found 3 sets of BB comics and two books, which were turned around to a
friend who has Beanie Babies....the secret isn't to go for money value, it is
to network...or what used to be called bartering....everyone wants
something....
As far as videotapes go, I found my three local video stores willing to part
with their copies of BB for $5 each. These were also turned around to trade
for items online from other BB fans....
Never Never Never Never Never Give Up! When you least expect it...BB is
there!

**** I have to second this. I once found a copy of the
novel in the children's section of a used book store
for something like two bucks. It can be done. - ArcLight ****

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Subj:	 WW1 submission - The Reluctant Fan
Date:	98-06-29 10:14:27 EDT
From:	deas@u-c-s.com (Jason Deas)

ArcLight was complaining that the most recent issue was pretty quiet, so 
I thought I'd liven things up a bit by telling my story.

I remember when TABB was released in the theaters.  "This situation is 
explo-SEEVE" was about the only thing I took with me from the TV ad, but 
it piqued my interest.  I kinda wanted to go see it, but never did.  As 
we all know, TABB had a pitifully short theater time.

Cut to a few years later, and my father and I are at a video cassette 
dealership cleaning out his inventory.  Seems this guy was a bank 
customer of Dad's and had gone out of business.  His offer to pappa-san 
was any tape we wanted at $5.00 a pop.  It was hard not to go a little 
nuts, but I managed some restraint.  One of the tapes I got was a copy of 
The Film, sorta half-heartily tossed into the pile as "Oh yeah...that 
movie.  Eh...why the hell not?" <toss>

I didn't even watch it until maybe a year later when a friend pulled it 
out of my video tape library.  "Oh, let's watch THIS," says David.  
Again, the only response I could muster was "Why the hell not?"

I found out "why the hell not" after we watched it.  

I hated it.

Really.  I didn't have much of a clue what was happening.  I was so 
confused that I thought John Parker was human and accidentally got turned 
into his 'lectroid form.  I had no idea about Dr. Lizardo/Lord Whorfin, 
and Buckaroo and the gang were a total mystery to me.

I don't remember how I ended up seeing it a second time, but I was able 
to pick up bits and pieces here and there.  I didn't HATE it like last 
time, but I still didn't get it.  By this time, I'm a freshman in college 
and most of my friends are just like me...computer/science/game geeks 
with a love of Star Trek and fantasy.  I think it was around this 
time...maybe during that Christmas break, that I watched The Film for a 
third time.

And I got it.

Somehow, it all clicked for me.  I understood it all.  The Jet 
Car...Planet 10 via the 8th dimension...a girl named John...Declaration 
of War (the short form)...leaving "reel sune"...it all made sense some 
how.  And, of course, Buckaroo was my new hero.  Someone who, like 
myself, could somehow go several different directions at once while 
keeping himself together.  Someone who could unify chaos into order.  
Someone who proved that "knowledge is power" and the best resource in the 
world is a group of loyal friends.

Well that was it for me.  In time, I collected t-shirts, The Book, 
posters, patches, a jacket, a headband, and even a box of "Jet Car 
through the mountain" toys.  Yes, I still have and treasure them all.  
Recently, I've been able to lay hands on the paper BBI newsletters and 
(thanks to lady Sarah) a copy of the soundtrack.

The Film did more than give me another icon to place next to my primary 
faves of Superman and Batman.  Over time I gained further appreciation 
for science and math (I'm a writer, not a number cruncher, but I love the 
logic of it all!), Japanese (and later Chinese) culture, martial arts, 
and brotherhood in general.  (Be cool...but care!)

I also learned of Buckaroo's literary predecessor Doc Savage, and gained 
another new hero in the process.  Then from him The Shadow, G-8, and The 
Avenger.  I was also clued in to the movie "Jake Speed," and gained 
additional appriciation for "Big Trouble In Little China".

Friends, I could go on, but I think you see my point; It's a rare thing 
when something as simple as a Hollywood film can expose you to so much 
and open your eyes to other parts of the world you might have disregarded 
before.  But as we all know, TABB is a rare film, and deserves the 
respect we have chosen to show it.  Thank you for your time.

And thank you, Buckaroo, for doing what a hero does best - being there 
when we need you.

Respectfully submitted,
-Jason (Doc) Deas
Green Lantern, sector 70001

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Subj:	 Web site officially open for business July 1
Date:	98-06-30 20:50:44 EDT
From:	bnelso01@mail.win.org (Becky Nelson)

The site is now open.

If you've lost the URL, here it is again:

http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/gernsback/207/index.html

This is now the official version of the main page, not the old
placeholder page.

Replay

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Subj:	 Scott Adams Text Adventure Game "Buckaroo Banzai" Found!
Date:	98-07-01 17:52:03 EDT
From:	silveri@mgmtscience.com (Ian F. Silver)

If this is old news, or covered in issues of World Watch One from way-back,
I apologize for the duplication in advance.

Some of you who go back with computers might remember a little company
called "Adventure International" run by Scott Adams.  He produced text
adventures for a few platforms including the Apple, and the Radio Shack
Model I/III/IV series of microcomputers.

Well, his games have been resurrected.

There's an interpreter program for his text adventure games for windows 95,
as well as a dos, and Mac, and a couple of other platforms.

The complete set of games is also available.

Go to PDD's adventure page at:

http://www2.rz.hu-berlin.de/inside/angl/people/pdd/advent.html

Scroll down to the Adventure international section, and pick yourself up
one of the interpreters.

The windows 95 version is at:

http://www2.rz.hu-berlin.de/angl/people/pdd/hoard/advin.zip

Then, pick up the "Scott Adams Adventures".

http://www2.rz.hu-berlin.de/angl/people/pdd/hoard/adams.zip

Game 14b, is "Buckaroo Banzai".

Happy adventuring!

Blue Blaze Irregular AgTiger
(The man who dug up the two scripts for BBATWCL when they went missing LAST
time...)  :-)


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Subj:	 BB
Date:	98-07-02 11:29:35 EDT
From:	seillean@hotmail.com (Sabine Schlag)

FIRST OF ALL: PLEASE CONTACT ME UNDER "Seillean@hotmail.com" (whoever 
finds out what that means gets a free tankard of dark beer)
Hi there - even if I probably join late and only got to know about the 
film, cartoon etc. in 96, 
I am now the proud owner of my own computer and internet access (some 
might say, a 
computer is essential stuff these days, but if you have already a flat 
in an expensive place 
such as Munich, Bavaria, and a motorbike, and you love travelling as 
well - then it might be 
understandable that it took some time to get the money together for a 
decent machine!)
Sorry my sentences are always too long but that comes from my loving to 
talk and write in 
another language than my mother tongue which is obviously not English. 
Again, hi to all of you - if anybody can help me to get the English 
video version of BB, I'd 
be most delighted and not unwilling to pay the relevant amount (no NTSC, 
though!)
All the best to all of you - and please remember to contact me under 
Seillean@hotmail.com.
      )
:-) 
      )

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Subj:	 Images of 6 of the 8 Buckaroo Banzai Jacket Patches available
Date:	98-07-07 17:48:20 EDT
From:	silveri@mgmtscience.com (Ian F. Silver)

If all goes well, this will be my second submission to World Watch One in
one issue.

I just received 3/4 of my order from Star-Land, that being 6 of the 8
Buckaroo Banzai jacket patches.  I have scanned the images in, and would
like to offer said images to any interested Buckaroo Banzai Website
Webmasters.

Here's the listing:

Byte     Filename

201304   Buckaroo Banzai Rectangular Patch.jpg
106995   Double B Circular Patch.jpg
108960   Banzai Institute Circular Patch.jpg
119388   HB88 Jetcar Symbol Circular Patch.jpg
317088   Team Banzai Large Jacket-Back Rectangular Patch.jpg
121843   Team Banzai Circular Patch with Slight Rectangular Protrusions.jpg

Total of 7 file(s) at 975578 bytes

All the files are scanned at 300 DPI except the large jacket-back
rectangular patch, which was scanned at 280.

As soon as I receive the other two patches (backordered), I'll scan those
in and send them along as well.

Blue Blaze Irregular AgTiger

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Subj:	 
Date:	98-07-10 10:55:54 EDT
From:	voval@hotmail.com (Rich Drees)
To:	WWatchOne@aol.com

They say weird synchronicities come in 3s (or is that celebrity 
deaths?). . .

Anyway, in the last two weeks, I came across a pair of Buckaroo Banzai 
actors on tv when I wasn't expecting to. . .

First off, about two weeks ago Comedy Central reran John Lithgow's 
appearance on Saturday Night Live where he opened the show doing a 
characticture of Lord Whorfin/Dr. Lizardo.  Unfortunately, I surfed in 
about a minute into the sketch so I didn't get it on tape. DAMN!!!!

The following Monday (June 29) on the SCI-FI Channel's new episode of 
Sliders, Pepe RENO Serna guest starred. (Man did he get grey. But he 
also looked a lot bulkier.) Once again we see him getting shot in the 
arm and running through an industrial complex that looks a bit like a 
power plant/ something else with big honking pipes.

The third incidnet in this little trioka?

The 50th issue of the newsletter. Congratulations!

Delivery

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"Buckaroo Banzai" and related characters and concepts are copyright   Generale Bank, Nederland (or at least, that's what we think ...).  The story, on the other hand, is copyright 1997-98 and possibly into the next millennium by me, that is BBI Red Di ("Chicago Red's second cousin") (reddi@sirius.com), and cannot be re-distributed or archived anywhere without askin' me nice first (except, of course, in World Watch One archives, which doesn't have to ask).  This story may contain language and action which some may find PG-13; I'll try to keep it at that level.  Not being entirely familiar with the complete BB Institute background, Red Di welcomes any helpful comments about what happened when and where.  

This story is set after the return of Peggy/Peggy as documented in Ernest Cline's screenplay for "Buckaroo Banzai Against the World Crime League", in which Penny is revealed to be Peggy (sorry, hope that didn't spoil it for everyone).

(Copies of earlier chapters may possibly be found in the Archives, definitely by writing RedDi@sirius.com)

	Buckaroo, sucker in hand, found his mind wandering once again as people
filtered into the Bunkhouse for the meeting.  It was his greatest friend and mentor,
Professor Hikita, who brought him out of his reverie.  "Buckaroo," he said, "I am
concerned about those men that the police are taking away."
	"Well, there's not a lot we can do about it, Hikita-San," shrugged Buckaroo.  "If
those men won't talk to us, it's up to the police to take over."
	"But The Whisper will almost certainly not allow them to live," pointed out
Professor Hikita.  
	Rawhide nodded in agreement, but again Buckaroo shrugged.  "Well, you win
some - " Buckaroo said.  
	It was then that his sly smile gave his thoughts away.  Rawhide shook his head. 
"You're a tricky devil, partner."
	Buckaroo leaned in to Professor Hikita.  "I'm counting on more of the Whisper's
men to show up in transport.  Sam and Billy are riding back-up.  I wanted to send Reno,
but we need him here for the meeting."
	Professor Hikita looked up at the wise eyes that still looked to him or approval
and guidance, those eyes that had seen so much for such a young man.  He shook his
head.  "Buckaroo, I am pleased - and proud - to see that you have not forgotten that just
because a man cannot assist your cause, you do not send him away to certain death.  We
learn much more by observing than we do by turning our backs."
	Buckaroo added, "I have a feeling that once The Whisper shows his true colors,
those men will be ready and willing to talk to us."  He saw that Peggy and New Jersey
had arrived, and the meeting was ready to start, and was more than a little relieved to see
with his own eyes that his wife was all right.  "Hey, Peg," he said, kissing her a brief
hello.  "How's Chicago Red doing, New Jersey?"
	"She's fine," New Jersey said, adding, "She'll be up and cranky as ever in a few
hours."
	"Good.  Except for the cranky part," Buckaroo replied.  "well, everyone, things
are heating up with The Whisper and the Chicago Crime League.  I'm convinced that they
weren't simply after Chicago Red today, but more important, they were after Will
Chang."
	"Little old me?" asked Will, wearing his usual black outfit and standing almost as
tall as the door frame itself.  "How did they know about me and Red, anyway?"
	"Which brings me to my next point.  The Whisper must have an inside source,
maybe one of the interns or hired hands," Buckaroo replied.
	Perfect Tommy shook his head glumly.  "I hate to think that, Buckaroo.  They're
all like family.  What about a bug?"
	Pinky Carruthers spoke up then.  "Nuh-uh.  Me and Chicago Red went over this
joint from top to bottom.  Unless it's microscopic or freakin' alive, it doesn't exist."
	"The fact remains," continued Buckaroo, "that The Whisper would rather risk five
men than take a chance that Sihing Will might figure out what's up with those codes. 
Which means we need to go into Saturday with as much information as we  can get about
those codes.  We can do that best by winning over some of The Whisper's men. 
Hopefully, the ones who were here earlier today."
	"Do we have anything actually planned for Saturday?" New Jersey asked.  
	"Yes, we do.  We've reserved a few rooms of our own.  And there's a band playing
that night that I think we'll want to check out."
	"Not us?" Pecos asked, confused.
	"No.  As a matter of fact, Shorty Burke requested this band by name.  It seems he
saw the band in Chicago and has a thing for the lead singer, Raven Tibbs."  Buckaroo
looked at Peggy then, knowing that she would recognize the name.
	Peggy's eyes widened.  "Oh, Buckaroo, not Zuzu's Petals!"
	Buckaroo shrugged.  "Look, they may know about Chicago Red being in the band,
and they obviously know that she's on Team Sobriquet.  Or they may not.  In any case,
that was their move, and I say we play along, see what they're trying to do.  It's a perfect
set-up for us, really, considering it puts Chicago Red at sound board central.  She can
have wires running wherever she wants and no one will care; they'll think it's for the
band."
	"But Buckaroo, we've almost gotten her killed twice in two days."
	"And both times she's done admirably well for herself.  Okay, except for maybe
running in front of that bullet.  But I know she'll be ready for action by the weekend.  And
you know the band will love it; she's been asking us to listen to them play for a long
time."
	Peggy knew that Buckaroo's plans had been laid, and that of course Chicago Red
would side with him.  "So what are these great plans of yours?"
	"Simple."  Buckaroo addressed the whole room now, noticing more than the usual
perplexed squint from New Jersey.  "We set up the wires in advance in both the
conference room and lounge, as well as the suites reserved by The Whisper's men for
their guests.  Perfect Tommy, Chicago Red will want a team to help her set up those
wires, so get some people in mind.  We split up into teams, with those recognizable
among us waiting backstage."
	"Backstage?"  Reno asked.
	"Well, and under the stage.  Depends on your preference."
	"Back, thanks," Reno replied.  
	"Dibs on backstage also," chimed in Perfect Tommy.  "Hey, I don't crawl around."
	"Okay, Fonz," Buckaroo agreed, his grin creeping back.  "We'll need two strike
teams to cover the entrances on command.  Pecos, I want you to handle that this time. 
Perfect Tommy gets a little trigger happy."
	"Jeez, one nuclear scare and they never let you forget it," grumbled Perfect
Tommy.  
	Mrs. Johnson, taking copious notes as always, let out a loud laugh at this.  "Well,
Perfect Tommy, you'll be glad to know that Team Sobriquet picked up anchor earlier
today and is jetting their way over here to help out right now.  They'll be in range of the
visa-phone in a few hours, Buckaroo, for instructions."
	"Great."  He turned back to the group.  "Team Sobriquet is figuring largely in
Saturday's strike.  Most of them are unrecognizable to the Crime League, so they'll be our
floor operators.  I'm working on a few other details-"
	" - Like what we're supposed to do once we get there - " Rawhide suggested.
	"As I said, we need some more information before we can do this right.  I'm
counting on all of you to be here for it."  Buckaroo looked around the room, and received
nothing but looks of support and encouragement.  "Okay, then.  I'll have assignments
posted in the morning, so enjoy what's left of this Sunday before I get you for the rest of
the week."  The meeting broke up then, with Perfect Tommy and Reno heading off to
resume their earlier discussions about The Whisper.  Pecos and Will Chang went to the
gym to practice their Tai Kwon Do and Kung Fu, respectively, while Rawhide and New
Jersey spoke with Buckaroo and Peggy.
	Buckaroo spoke first to New Jersey.  "Get a copy of the minutes of today's
meeting from Mrs. Johnson.  Chicago Red will need a briefing when she's up later, so
why not pass the information along?"
	"Will do, Buckaroo.  I've got to get to the lab and see if they've figured out exactly
what Red was administered earlier.  I know it wasn't anything too terrible, but I'd feel
better about it if I could identify it for certain."  He glanced at Peggy then, and she
nodded encouragingly as he walked away.  
	"Speaking of briefing," added the always observant Rawhide, "I told Big Norse I'd
fill her in on the latest developments after the meeting.  She had to check something out
at World Watch One earlier."
	"Brief away, my friend," Buckaroo told him as Rawhide headed out the door.  
	"Men," sighed Peggy, shaking her head.  
	"And you, where were you today?" Buckaroo quizzed her.  
	"I went to the city to pick up a few things for Chicago Red.  She didn't pack many
clothes, and basically wrecked her only pair of trousers last night.  So I figured I'd get her
a few things."
	Buckaroo studied his wife for a brief moment.  "You must know someone pretty
well if you can buy them clothes off the rack."
	She laughed then.  "I can't say as I'd be able to buy anything for you off the rack,
Buckaroo.  You move too quickly for anyone to get a handle on your measurements." 
She saw the familiar green glow of his beeper through his shirt pocket, and grinned. 
"You're, uh, flashing at me, dear."
	He quickly took out his go-phone and turned the receiver on.  "Yeah, Buckaroo
here."
	It was Rawhide; apparently, his briefing did not have a chance to take place. 
"World Watch One got a handle on Billy and Sam."
	"No kidding?  Already?"
	"Yessir.  They just bagged themselves a few assassins and changed the minds of
our boys from the Crime League about talkin' to us in one fell swoop."
	Buckaroo smiled at Professor Hikita, who looked up at him them from his papers. 
"Rawhide, remind me to give those boys extra ice cream with their dessert.  Have them
tell the police we're dropping the charges and see what they can do about getting those
fellas back here in one piece.  Tell them to be quick; Whisper won't let this sit too long."
	"I'm on it, Buckaroo.  They'll be ready to sing by morning."
	"I don't doubt it."  He also didn't doubt that Mr. Lucky was in no hurry to break
this latest failing to The Whisper.


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