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Complete: Screenshot placeholders and accuracy check for Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders

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@@ -67,38 +67,38 @@ This exemplifies Multi-Faceted Plan design: items gathered in any order but synt
### Solution ### Solution
Whiskey intoxicates sentry, gate opens, wire cutters disable fence, four stonehenge components are placed on altar and scroll is read—yellow crystal appears as puzzle solution. Whiskey intoxicates sentry at Stonehenge gate, switch in guard hut deactivates electric fence, four components (crystal shards, flagpole, scroll) are placed on central altar triggering yellow crystal manifestation [TKroon].
### Steps ### Steps
1. As Zak in Miami, give book to homeless person at airport 1. As Zak in Miami, give book to homeless person at airport
2. Receive bottle of whiskey from bum in exchange for book 2. Receive bottle of whiskey from bum in exchange for book
3. Transport whiskey to London via airline terminal 3. Transport whiskey to London via airline terminal
4. Give all items to Annie: whiskey, flagpole (from Katmandu), both crystal shards (Egypt/Peru) 4. As Zak in Katmandu (Nepal Monastery): burn hay with lighter, obtain flagpole revealed underneath
5. Switch to Annie; exit London airport terminal building 5. Give all items to Annie: whiskey, flagpole, both crystal shards, scroll (from Peru bird temple)
6. Approach Stonehenge site and give whiskey bottle to sentry/hawk guarding gate 6. Switch to Annie; exit London airport terminal building
7. Sentry becomes intoxicated from whiskey consumption 7. Approach Stonehenge gate and give whiskey bottle to sentry/hawk guarding entrance
8. Enter guard hut where fallen sentry left access switch 8. Sentry becomes intoxicated from whiskey consumption
9. Pull switch in hut to lower electric fence around Stonehenge stones 9. Enter guard hut where fallen sentry left access switch
10. Use wire cutters on remaining fence section (if still active) 10. Pull switch in hut to deactivate electric fence around Stonehenge stones
11. Walk through deactivated fence to altar stone at center of circle 11. Walk through lowered fence to altar stone at center of circle
12. Place both crystal shards on the flat altar surface 12. Place both crystal shards on the flat altar surface
13. Insert flagpole vertically into altar's pole socket 13. Insert flagpole vertically into altar's pole socket
14. Pick up and read scroll aloud (obtained from Peru bird temple via Zak) 14. Pick up and read scroll aloud (scroll obtained from Peru bird temple)
15. Yellow crystal materializes on altar; pick it up immediately 15. Yellow crystal materializes on altar; pick it up immediately
16. Return to London airport; give crystal to Zak for final machine assembly 16. Return to London airport terminal; give crystal to Zak for final machine assembly
[Multi-Faceted Plan](../puzzles/multi-faceted-plan.md) — Four distinct items collected across separate continents with no dependency chain but requiring simultaneous presence at conclusion, differentiating from Meta-Puzzle Construction where sequential output-to-input relationships mandate strict ordering. [Multi-Faceted Plan](../puzzles/multi-faceted-plan.md) — Four distinct items collected across separate continents with no dependency chain but requiring simultaneous presence at conclusion, differentiating from Meta-Puzzle Construction where sequential output-to-input relationships mandate strict ordering.
--- ---
## Puzzle 3: Pyramid Interior Map via Multi-Character Timed Coordination and Symbol Translation ## Puzzle 3: Pyramid Interior Access via Multi-Character Timed Coordination and Symbol Translation
### Problem ### Problem
The Great Pyramid interior requires four characters to simultaneously insert tokens into a tram system while one character navigates inner chambers—Leslie must push the sarcophagus feet to open a trapdoor, Zak must hold position at pyramid stairs, Melissa provides golden key from Mars, all within precise sequence. The pyramid maze itself uses hieroglyphics read by Annie (translating strange markings seen on Mars statues), creating a symbol translation layer before physical coordination even begins [WBennett]. The Great Pyramid interior requires four characters to operate a tram system synchronously while navigating inner chambers—Leslie must push sarcophagus feet to open trapdoor, Zak must insert token at precise timing, Melissa provides golden key from Mars ankh puzzle, all within rapid character-switching sequence. The pyramid access itself uses hieroglyphics Annie translates after Zak reads strange markings on Mars statues, creating a symbol translation prerequisite before multi-character coordination even begins [WBennett][TKroon].
![Great Pyramid entrance with tram token slot—the timed coordination point requiring character switching](./zak-mckracken-puzzle3.png) ![Great Pyramid tram entrance showing token slot and four characters at monolith—the rapid character-switching coordination point](./zak-mckracken-puzzle3.png)
### What Makes It Rewarding ### What Makes It Rewarding
@@ -112,24 +112,25 @@ Hieroglyphics decoded in Sphinx allow pyramid entry; four characters simultaneou
1. As Annie in London, acquire guitar from Lou's Loans 1. As Annie in London, acquire guitar from Lou's Loans
2. Play guitar on bus in San Francisco to obtain cashcard 2. Play guitar on bus in San Francisco to obtain cashcard
3. Fly to London then Cairo; enter Sphinx interior 3. Fly to Cairo; enter Sphinx interior through leg opening (requires crayon drawing of Martian markings Zak saw)
4. Use crayon on strange markings at Sphinx leg entrance (draw Egyptian hieroglyphs read by Zak) 4. Navigate through sun-marked doors until reaching two-eyes chamber
5. Navigate through sun-marked doors until reaching two-eyes chamber 5. Push buttons in sequence shown by hieroglyphics read at Mars map room
6. Push buttons in sequence shown by hieroglyphics 6. Exit Sphinx; return to Cairo airport
7. Exit Sphinx; return to Cairo airport, fly back to Mars via Zaire and Peru teleport sequence 7. As Zak at Mars, examine card room and second statue carvings to record hieroglyphic sequences
8. As Zak at Mars map room, examine sphinx carvings to read Martians markings 8. Use yellow crystal to teleport from Egypt via Zaire to pyramid area
9. Teleport back to Egypt pyramid area; locate tram entrance with token slot 9. At pyramid tram entrance: switch to Melissa; use cashcard on monolith for token
10. Switch to Melanie; use cashcard on monolith, receive tram token 10. Insert Melissa's token into tram slot rapidly
11. Insert token into tram slot while switching characters rapidly 11. Switch to Leslie immediately; insert her token in second slot
12. Switch to Leslie; insert her token in adjacent slot immediately 12. Switch to Zak immediately; insert his token in third slot
13. Switch to Zak; stand inside pyramid at staircase entry point 13. Zak stands at pyramid staircase entry point inside
14. Switch to Melissa; provide golden key obtained from Mars ankh puzzle 14. Leslie uses broom alien on sand near entrance (optional speed boost)
15. Leslie inside: push feet of sarcophagus to trigger trapdoor mechanism 15. Leslie enters pyramid, walks right to doorway, pushes feet of sarcophagus to trigger trapdoor
16. Trapdoor opens, revealing interior chamber with crystal pedestal 16. Trapdoor opens, revealing interior chamber with crystal pedestal
17. Melissa enters and uses golden key in box at chamber center 17. Switch to Melissa; enter through newly opened passage
18. Push button to activate white crystal retrieval sequence 18. Melissa uses golden key (from Mars ankh puzzle) in box at chamber center
19. Zak stands before white crystal as energy field activates 19. Push button to activate white crystal retrieval sequence
20. All characters escape before chamber seals; final machine components assembled 20. Zak stands before white crystal as energy field activates; pick up crystal quickly
21. Teleport to Egypt machine assembly point; all components now gathered
[Multi-Character Coordination](../puzzles/multi-character-coordination.md) — Four-character simultaneous action requirement with precise timing window, distinguishing from Timed Consequence where deadline is explicit timer versus coordination-dependent execution rhythm. [Multi-Character Coordination](../puzzles/multi-character-coordination.md) — Four-character simultaneous action requirement with precise timing window, distinguishing from Timed Consequence where deadline is explicit timer versus coordination-dependent execution rhythm.