World Watch OnLine: The Unofficial Buckaroo Banzai Mailing List
#  78 (28 March 1999)
Submissions: WWatchOne@aol.com
Editor: WWatchOne@aol.com
Homepage: http://come.to/BuckarooBanzai
FAQ: http://www.figmentfly.com/bb/bbindex.shtml

Number of subscribers: 543
(NOTE: anyone who doesn't have an "@something" behind their name is
from 'aol.com.')

Contents:
Greetings
It's safe to come out and play now.
Re:  8th dimension posts
Re: The Buckaroo Banzai/Mel Gibson Conspiracy
Re: World Watch OnLine 77 - 21 March 1999
Pecos and Mr. Lithgow's album
Re: World Watch OnLine 77 - 21 March 1999
Re: World Watch OnLine 77 - 21 March 1999
Can it be like THAT?
Banzai History for April
Re: BB on DVD
Lock and Key, Ch.6 pt.2

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Greetings,

Caught something interesting over at Aint It Cool News: 

http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=3299

It includes a link to: http://www.VFXPro.com/scripts/cp.exe?getarticle?317616129?http://www.VFXPro.com/Articles/Main.shtml

which includes what may be "test footage" of the Jetcar for the series. Whether thats it, or its just folks that work there having fun showing off the technology, I cant say for sure, but it looks cool.

And a wierd link I found when doing my semi-weekly Banzai Browse.

It linked me to the American Dental Association web page at www.ada.org.

Didn't scour the page to find out how BB was represented, but I thought I'd
mention it.

Sorry about the double and/or triple posts the last two times. Apparently AOL
has improved their software, so I can get a message that says cannot complete
your request, try again later and it leaves the message in my outgoing box.
Sure, it gives the anti-AOLers out there something else to laugh about, but in
all my years online, Ive had less trouble out of AOL than I have out of the
various real ISPs Ive tried. Again, to those who kindly informed me of the
problems, thank you and Im sorry. To those who *werent* so kind, yes, I did
it on purpose.

Made some minor tweaks to the site again. Main change was taking down the 
Virtual Places page. Couldnt find a good link to get the software anymore, so
I trashed it. If anyone out there is still using it and want the page back, Ill gladly
put it back up. In the meantime, the ICQ numbers I have were moved to the
Other BBI page.

Later...
ArcLight

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Subj:	 It's safe to come out and play now.
Date:	3/21/99 6:40:31 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	alandsmith@uswest.net

Hi there ArcLight,
BBI's Dragon and Abacus are back after a long stint underground. We'd
love to get the World Watch Online!!!
Dragon talking: If I can jump start the brain cells that contain the
Banzai stuff, I might be able to recall a few stories and info from them
to share.
A short introduction would be that Abacus & I used to try to keep the
TABB fans in contact  and in the know,  for a few years anyway. That was
back before Web sites and email. Back then we put together several
issues of the WW1 using an electric typewriter & Whiteout, as well as
formed a BBI troop called the Cascade Rangers. From there we started to
help run local science fiction conventions. That lasted about 5 years
including a small relaxed con named "CascadeCon" that the troop and
others did with several "Banzai" events and activities. We got out of
running conventions about 4 years ago when it stopped being fun and have
since started in on such pursuits as gardening, our pond, relaxing and
cutting stress from our lives. We still have a wired hair fox terrier
named "Buckaroo", drive a car with the plates that read "JET CAR" and
enjoy the friendships that we formed back in the "Banzai years". I'm
looking forward to being back in touch with the Blue Blaze Irregulars!

Always True Blue,
BBI Dragon.

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Subj:	 Re:  8th dimension posts
Date:	3/21/99 9:14:02 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	rmartin@cps.cmich.edu (Ron Martin)

Hello.

There is much debate about time being the fourth dimension.  Here is a
quote you should be familiar with:

"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once."
	-B. Banzai

Ron

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Subj:	Re: The Buckaroo Banzai/Mel Gibson Conspiracy
Date:	3/22/99 6:08:57 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	Tonkatron

In another example of someone having a whole lot of time on their hands,
several meticulous connections were found between the films of Mel Gibson and
the crew personnel of Buckaroo Banzai. This is merely because L.A. (and the
industry as a whole) is really a small town, and everybody works on
everything. 

If you're looking at foley artists, production coordinators and stuntmen,
heck, I can connect any films you want! I can connect the Muppet Movies with
the Batman Movies. These basic crew people are constantly crossing paths, and
while some would like to think that Banzai has some superior influence over
the vast forces of nature known as coincidence and the law of averages, I
think these connections are just that.

Cory Edwards

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Subj:	Re: World Watch OnLine 77 - 21 March 1999
Date:	3/22/99 2:50:52 AM Eastern Standard Time
From:	Lord TZer0

Synth Angel,

Read the book.
It will answer your questions about Pecos

T

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Subj:	 Pecos and Mr. Lithgow's album
Date:	3/22/99 11:13:40 AM Eastern Standard Time
From:	ebony@cyberramp.net (Draco Draconis Ebenium)

Not related, just responding to both at once.

    As was said earlier, Pecos is undeniably female in Mr. Rauch's literary
transcription
of the adventure in the 8th Dimension.  For further evidence, one must turn
to the press
release for the film, which was transcribed on Rafterman's BBI Annex (the
URL escapes
me; if you would, Arclight?)... 

**** Gladly - http://members.xoom.com/datamouse/ is the home of 
Blue Blaze Station #23. Go there soon. Great site. - ArcLight ****

... where it details not only her gender but that
her name is 'Kim,'
although it doesn't say _which_ name that might be.

    As for John Lithgow's album, I had the pleasure of catching a tune or
two off of it on the
radio last week.  The morning DJs were poking not-so-gentle fun at the
music, but I found
what I had heard to be very funny and fun.  If you can get to a Blockbuster
Music, or other
music store that allows you to listen to the music before you buy it, you
might want to take
in an earful.  As for Dr. Lizardo making a guest appearance, I can't say,
but if any of the
songs call for a creepy Italian megalomaniac, I'm sure he'll volunteer.

Draco Draconis Ebenium
aka Ebony the Black Dragon
known to the BBI as Aaron F. Johnson
(BBI's only Dragon)

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Subj:	Re: World Watch OnLine 77 - 21 March 1999
Date:	3/22/99 6:16:42 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	Tonkatron

In a message dated 3/21/99 4:52:06 PM, WWatchOne writes:

<<Well, this should be subtitled The Eighth Dimension Issue >>

Or a better title might be, "Everyone Shows Off Their Brains". We're all very
impressed by the paragraphs of dimensional and mathematical theories everyone
regurgitated, along with enough big words to lose some of us and make you
feel like "nuclear geniuses". But isn't this fan base more about Buckaroo,
his friends and their world? Ease up on the egghead speak! At least don't
fill an entire issue with it. I just found myself scrolling down the page
after a while, saying, yadda, yadda, yadda. "Buckaroo Banzai" is a story
about larger than life stuff that has fun with bits and pieces of science.
Richter and Mac Rauch might be a little overwhelmed by how picked apart their
creation actually has become. Just have fun with it, man.

Be cool but care,

Cory Edwards

**** Point taken, but a lot of having fun with it is picking over it, at least for
some. Obviously, from the number of doctors and other scientist types on the
List, the science is an important part. Important enough that they put out a 
flyer about the science behind it with the original publicity. One of the nicest 
things about TABB is that it literally has something for everyone. Sorry 
this something wasnt for you. - ArcLight ****

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Subj:	Re: World Watch OnLine 77 - 21 March 1999
Date:	3/23/99 8:52:29 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	PRHLAR

Hi guys-

Well, I read all that from relayer, and I have to say that I was under the
impression that a p-brane was, like, a really stupid dog.  And I think we all
probably have our own ideas regarding the F-theory...

                                                    ...Pam

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Subj:	 Can it be like THAT?
Date:	3/24/99 3:57:22 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	drcavena@uncg.edu (Fairlane)

	We all knew there was a connection, but I didn't think it was, is
or could possibly be like this.

From the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com): 
"W.D. Richter, the director of "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across
the Eighth Dimension," had originally penned a script for the oft-wondered
about but unfilmed sequel, "Buckaroo Banzai Against The World Crime
League." When that project fell through due to production conflicts the
script was retooled for John Carpenter and Kurt Russell and became 
"Big Trouble in Little China."

BBI Fairlane
Strike Team FIXIT

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Subj:	 Banzai History for April
Date:	3/27/99 8:11:24 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	camelot@amigo.net (Scott Tate)

For anyone keeping track, we have a couple of Blue Blaze birthdays to
celebrate in April.  Penny Priddy ... or is it Peggy? ... well, either
way, Ellen Barkin blows out her candles on the 16th.  Behind the
cameras, TABB computer effects supervisor & computer video consultant
Steve Grumette turns 52 on the 22nd.  As always, happy birthday to those
who helped make the docudrama what it is!

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Subj:	 Re: BB on DVD
Date:	3/27/99 1:10:53 AM Eastern Standard Time
From:	ryenna@world.std.com (Lady Blue)

Okee then, the last I heard, Banzai will almost definitely be coming out
on DVD some time this summer.  I dun have dates or anything, just the
knowledge that someone out there in DVD land wants Banzai available in
that format.  No idea what specials will be on it (mebbe a soundtrack?
that'd be nice eh?) but apparently it is as sure a thing as these things
can be.

 -Ry

**** Havent heard anything specific about when its coming out on
DVD, just that they want to do it. But right now, Richter and Mac Rauch
have their hands full with getting the script through FOX, so I suppose
getting the flick retooled for DVD will have to wait. Ill wait gladly, as long
as theyre involved with it when it happens. - ArcLight ****

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Subj:	 Lock and Key, Ch.6 pt.2
Date:	3/14/99 7:11:36 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	jetlightfoot@juno.com (Becky M Nelson)
To:	WWatchOne@aol.com

Disclaimer/Author Notes:

This story takes place in Spring 1987 (between the events of the movie
and Rafterman's proposed script for the sequel, from which it takes a few
plot cues). It's written from Reno Nevada's point of view much after the
fact, which seemed the best way to avoid getting flamed by folks who own
the book, and lets me pick up a few details from there more easily as
well. 

Characters and concepts related to Buckaroo Banzai belong to other
people. See disclaimer on Chapter One for full info. In any event, the
author has no intent to make any money hereby and is just having fun.
Don't complain if details here don't coincide with the TV pilot/series;
this was started before the pilot script.

Plot elements and other characters are copyright 1998-??? and
1990-infinity, respectively, and are the property of Replay, except
T-Bear (who belongs to Lynx, Trouble, himself, and several cats at last
check). ArcLight has permission to archive the text version of this story
as part of the newsletter. Strike Team Renegade has permission to include
an HTML version in their archives on a delayed basis. All others should
e-mail me at BBI_Replay@yahoo.com first. Comments and questions should be
routed to the same address.

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

Previously--

After an explosion wreaks havoc on their hotel rooms, Team Banzai has
relocated rather hastily to a former school at the edge of the metro
area. Their only wounded from the incident is Replay, who has now been
exposed to talava for the second time. She regains consciousness after
being comatose for 3 days, but proves to be far from her normal self.
Only she and Buckaroo are aware that she has no recollection of Team
Banzai in general and only a very slight recall of Rawhide, whom she'd
once drawn. Perfect Tommy, unaware of her memory loss, informs Reno of
the situation, then "drafts" the Institute's chief pilot, Lindbergh, to
keep an eye on Replay so Buckaroo can rest. Pecos informs a concerned
Buckaroo that Reno and Wayback have already departed. Buckaroo asks her
to set up a meeting. In Sabah, Hanoi Xan receives news from his spies.
Meanwhile back in St. Louis, Reno and Wayback have ventured out to deal
with issues related to the canceled concerts and seminar and are caught
out in an extremely peculiar thunderstorm -- Big Norse admits it to be a
good thing that storms can't be aimed. At Team Banzai's safehouse, Replay
notices the storm abruptly, and is escorted down to the boiler room by
Rawhide, who is much better equipped to deal with her distaste for the
weather. At the hotel, the police are still collecting evidence when the
storm begins to threaten them as well. Reno and Wayback discuss Replay's
condition in the restaurant. At the safehouse, Buckaroo starts the
meeting, only to have it interupted. When Big Norse reports
communications are being jammed and people at the briefing discover
they're 'locked' in, they assume the worst. Downstairs, Rawhide realizes
how uncertain they all are of Replay/Jet's situation just before the
power goes out. One of Hanoi Xan's spies, under direct control, makes an
unsuccessful bit to get at Replay, much to the consternation of the
Cavaliers. 

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

Lock and Key
Chapter Six, pt.2

Apart from such operators as commercial airlines and major freight
shippers, relatively few of the aircraft one sees bearing corporate logos
these days actually belong to the companies they purport to represent.
There are few enterprises which can justify the expense of operating and
maintaining large planes, especially those which are only needed
occasionally. It is therefore common practice among the corporate sector
to lease aircraft if needed, often with a flight crew as part of the
contract. This is especially true if the corporation involved expects to
need the plane on an infrequent basis over a long period, where tax
considerations also come into play.

Among his other flying jobs, Lindbergh had been the junior man on one
such flight crew before joining us, taking his orders from a major
brewery. It had been a position where his youth had counted against him
in several respects, foremost among them being that he lacked the years
of experience as an aerial bus-driver that might have put him in line to
captain his own plane. We had no problems with his youth or his peculiar
sense of humor, and although he had yet to make residency, he'd been
de-facto captain of the Institute's 727 almost since joining us. As we'd
had no pilots among us qualified to handle that plane since Flyboy's
untimely demise, his appointment to the position freed us from the
necessity of relying on a combination of Blue Blaze Irregulars unable to
leave their current jobs permanently, hired talent, and commercial
airlines. He'd even managed to find us a permanent co-pilot after only a
few pointed words with one of his former employers.

When Buckaroo left him without specific orders, it was in the belief that
Lindbergh had arrangements of his own to attend to. It was altogether
possible that Xan's bravos would harry us all the way to Lambert, in
which case it would be a very good idea to have the 727 in a position for
a quick departure. If that could be set up at all with our communications
apparently down, the pilot was the man for the job; some of the C-130
runs he'd accomplished for the Army were proof enough of that. He may
have enjoyed getting reactions from his passengers almost as much as he
liked the flying, but playing head games with the real opposition was a
challenge he took more seriously.

Circumstances being what they were, however, Lindbergh's priorities
didn't quite match up with Buckaroo's expectations. As the others
dispersed to their various assignments, he turned back into the lounge in
search of ideas. It seemed to him that the first item on the agenda was
to get back in touch with the outside world in some way, and when he
noticed the telephone sitting on the floor in one corner, he had to pick
up the receiver and put it to his ear. The utter lack of dial tone that
greeted him was no real surprise, but sometimes one has to go through the
motions, and once he cradled the handset, he picked up the whole phone,
then followed the cord to where it vanished into the wall. "I shoulda
known," he said to himself when he saw that, although realistically it
would make things easier than dealing with a modular jack since he was
going to have to strip wires anyway. Typical of the Church's much
stereotyped (and occasionally real) penny-pinching attitude where
relatively durable goods were concerned, it was an old black rotary
phone, heavier than he'd remembered from his mis-spent childhood, and he
wouldn't have been surprised to find out it was still there because it
had always been leased, never purchased. He leaned over, put it down for
a moment, and cut it loose from the wall without a second thought.

When he went out into the rain, he had the phone in one hand, cord
wrapped around his wrist, and the Beretta ready in the other. Somewhere
near the driveway he remembered seeing a junction box where the
building's phone wiring met with a main cable. If he could find it and
hotwire a connection without electrocuting himself, he could call the
local police and get us some backup. He'd see about getting in touch with
folks at the airport if his luck held long enough. Even without bravos to
worry about, things were going to be tough enough.

***

Perfect Tommy arrived back at the bus at a dead run, slipping sideways
between the opening doors with a dexterity that many a pro runningback
would have envied. This didn't prevent him from becoming soaked to the
skin long before he reached his goal, but the water trail he left on his
way to operations was a scant trickle of what it might have been if he'd
been moving slow enough to notice things like Lindbergh's own dash for
the road. Someone threw a towel at him before he got that far, and he was
rubbing down his hair by the time he reached the communications post.
Mouse, a brightly red-haired intern some 3 weeks short of being able to
test for residency, began her report before he could open his mouth to
ask what they'd tried already. "We're being jammed on all frequencies,"
she began, unaware of exactly how much he already knew. "Very powerful
equipment, probably no more than a couple blocks away, maybe as close as
the bottom of the bus. Comm's down completely, and we're down to groping
in the dark with the radar. If I had more people and the equipment, we'd
be a lot closer to solving the problem, but right now, I don't even know
what kind of hardware we're looking for. It could be masquerading as just
about anything bigger than a lunchbox."

"So there's no way we can warn Reno and Wayback," said Tommy. "And we're
blind."

"I haven't seen a pay phone around here, and even if we put all hands on
a picket line, trouble would see us first. Short of that, I'm out of
ideas."

"Everybody's headed back this way. That help the manpower issue?" 

"Maybe," she allowed. "But what do I tell them? Look for anything out of
place? Right, like us Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and heathens
are supposed to know what a defunct Catholic school ought to look like."
Mercifully, she stopped short of adding 'Not.'

"No possibility anyone could have planted something on the bus? I hope."

"Underneath, maybe; we'd probably have missed them coming the way it's
been raining. About five minutes ago, you might not have gotten here
yourself. Probably would have drowned waiting for T-Bear to open up."
That was probably a bit of an exaggeration, but Tommy wasn't willing to
put money on that, although it would not have been wholely out of
character for the other man to leave him standing in the rain a few
seconds longer than absolutely necessary.

"Mouse, I'm wounded," T-Bear called back to them, distress and
disappointment in his voice. "I'd never do a thing like that."

"No, you'd drown him personal-like, right?"

"Absolutely." It would have been quite impossible to listen to that part
of the conversation and assume he meant it; ever since T-Bear had taken
over as official crew chief for the Jet Car, he and Perfect Tommy had
worked together considerably, and sniped good-naturedly at each other
whenever they weren't both up to the elbows in automotive equipment. When
it came to cars, trucks, or busses, however, T-Bear was seriousness
itself. "If I find out someone's been tampering with the bus," he said in
a much different tone, "they're gonna wish they were history." However
upset the idea had him, he had at least part of his mind on immediate
business; he'd left his driver's seat long enough to retrieve his Smith &
Wesson, and a stack of towels, while pestering Tommy.

He also found he'd returned to it just in time to open the door for the
first group of interns Buckaroo had dispatched. A few of them were
already armed, and had possesed the forethought to drape various
lightweight plastic bags over their sidearms for the trip from building
to bus. Towels and information were passed around with equal informality,
and the first returnees had scarcely stopped dripping when New Jersey
brought his group in. "Where's Lindbergh?" New Jersey asked immediately.

"I thought he was with one of you guys," said Perfect Tommy. "You don't
suppose...?" The words had scarcely left his mouth when the distorted but
recognizable crack of a single gunshot echoed from the general direction
of the building.


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