[Let's Play] ACNH: The Prison Escape

[bobandbill]

A Let's Play experiment of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Spoiler due to switch-sized images.

Episode 1:

Spoiler:

The deal had gone sour. These things happen, I'm told. Heck, I told it to others myself. But it's different when it happens to you.

Luckily I had a fallback option. Connections are everything, and I helped this one guy out ages back. Turns out he had a way past the system, a way out of prison.

The ultimate getaway package. For all intents and purposes, I would be dead to the world, assumed to have entered jail with the key thrown away. The judge and jury had no fuss in handing over their judgement, but it would be I to have the last laugh. I just had to go to a different prison than what society intended.

Haha, of course they are. I heard about these two lackeys. Nigh inseparable, and effectively disciples of my connection.

It was an easy decision, honestly. Live on an island, and have freedom or a 6-by-8 foot room. Let's get the introductions out of the way...

Ah yes, to ensure I am the right guy, I need to give them the right answers. DOB, the new 'name' I was assigned...

Wait no, it's lowercase...

Well, I guess they're not always particular about it.

...Huh, this guy is more set up than I expected. He has these islands across the globe? Yikes.

Wow, and look, multiple islands I can pick. I knew I'd be working with the guy, but this goes beyond my expectations – picking the island!

I'll go with the bottom left. Symmetry appeals to me.

Ah yes, the final test question. The least practical choice is the right one; people trying to guess their way past security are less likely to pick that.

Hypothetical my ass. It was a test. And if you guys are coming with me, then of course you're going to ensure there'll be supplies. Not a concern.

Well, time for our flight.

Hmm, quite green. Bunch of trees and weeds. Guess we'll have to take care of that, this place is overgrown with them. There's some small tent in the centre...?

Of course, gotta make sure he's happy with my being here.

Had two other passengers. Unlike me they seemed to sign up willingly and with the luxury of choice. Unless they're really good at hiding their crimes. This guy was doing sit ups during the flight. Some exercise junkie.

Calm down, girl, I'm getting there. Stiff legs after the flight, is all. She seems ultra keen on all this.

Here's the big man himself. Or tanuki. I see he has his brand pasted on those boxes behind him.

Hmm, guess it does explain the lack of anything else I saw on the island. Well, I've roughed it out before, no biggie. Heck, sometimes I didn't have luxuries like tents on stakeouts.

Sure, thank you, sure. I appreciate the opportunity again.

I gotta make sure he remains positive on me. He's running the show, and I'm going to have to dance to his tune.

Instincts, huh? Yeah, there's something to that, alright.

Well, I mean, it is just a tent.

I figure I should chat to my new island mates some more. I caught Lyman between exercises, so I went to him first. Who knows how long it'd be before he cracks out the next gym routine...

Figures. Maybe some muscle would be wise for a friend, even here. He's serious about this stuff.

You best learn that name well.

Nah, I got it figured out.

I am honestly tired already but I do need to keep making a good first impression. I learnt a little on how these things are run. One person gets to be the representative, meaning they make the decisions working under Nook.

Now, I'm all for working under Nook. Guy with his sort of pull on things, like getting a guy like me out of prison? I'd be a fool to pass up this sort of opportunity, given the circumstances.

Yeah, I can take a hint. This supports my suspicions the others are just innocent bystanders. Lyman must have bought into this island thing as a way to reinvent his physique or somesuch. Phoebe... it's harder to get a read on her. But either way, they both lack that determined no-nonsense approach a guy likes me has. Get a job, get it done, no matter how gruesome.

Yeah, no, that's not going to work, Phoebe.

That was easy.

Nah, Lyman, here's no good – that tree will not support your chin-ups anyway. I'll get you a spot by the river, swimming's good for you.

Nice, now to set them up.

You could say that.

Oh?

Oh. Well, sure, that makes sense.

Oh, this is good news. Already I'm singled out. And I do not mind a snack, if I say so myself.

Certainly, sir.

Uh, thanks for the advice, Lyman.

Sure you do.

Nook tells me to get some branches. Easy enough.

Bit of an odd sense of humour. Whatever, I'll laugh.

Hey, what do the little ones want?

Oh yes, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Nook is well known for turning a profit despite his seemingly unusual methods. No interest on loans? You gotta know there's something fishy behind it. So if they can pull a profit from mere weeds, well, I'll help them out.

And there's a lot of weeds about.

Damn straight, I'm a good islander. Yes Nook, yes Nook, three bags full.

No need to go light on the praise either.

Ah, you're so funny, sir.

Yeah, about that... well ahead of you.

Yeah, I have this in the bag.

Fire's always nice. A good friend for some I know.

Hmm, certainly true. My knowledge of Nook is that he had success in retail, and then turned to real estate with a roaring success. I suppose he's the kind not satisfied to sit in the same place though.

Oh? That's interesting to hear. Well, I guess he also aims high. I'd say three people on this island alone is fine enough.

Truth be told I zoned out a little. That plane trip sure took it out of me, never mind gathering supplies for everyone.

Oh, a naming competition. Hmm. I know he has an odd sense of humour, and he of course knows my situation. Let's try...

Man, these other names suck.

Hah, I knew he'd like it.

Well, we're going with Prison then? Why not, the circumstances leading to this were sure a joke, let's keep it going.

Well, that was quicker than I expected. But I'm all for it.

Let's keep the dad humour coming, Nook's eating it up.

Wish someone had packed something stronger, but this juice will have to do. I guess we could turn the apples into cider down the track...

Damn straight, Lyman. Stick with me and you'll do fine.

Phoebe seems to like the name.

Tommy knows of course, the little rascal.

Yeah, no, I think I'm going to crash for a bit now. Glad you understand, Nook.

See, I knew they'd have supplies. Tent, a bed...

Oh yeah, I never did check it out.

Eh, was never much for the radio. Same crap songs over and over.

I guess this'll do for now...

Prison... I think I'll enjoy this.

 

[bobandbill]

Part 2.

Spoiler:

Man, I have a headache. Weird hella dream I had…

Dreamt K.K. was telling me about choosing to be here - hah. I can't argue with my dreamself being told to make friends, but I already knew that.

Hmm, about that…

Oh, no wonder I dreamt of K.K., his music was playing! Dang radio.

Wait, it is? Christ, that was much more then I intended. And it's already getting dark? Jetlag is a pain, I can tell you that much.

Huh, we get reception here? Or, wait, you have your own system set up, don't you.

Yeah, figures. You're a wily one, sir.

Normally I don't just because it's easy to get traced, but I know the gist. I suppose it'd be safe using this one…

And obviously I spoke too soon. Sure, it's not a worry for the feds to track me down - but Nook can keep his eyes on me through this. And of course a deal like this never comes for free.

Come again?

Sorry, I'm still kinda woozy. Please explain.

Ahh, your own… currency system. Interesting. Can't get taxed if you own the system, I suppose. ...Are you treating these islands as your own country, Nook?

Yeah, if I never heard of it…

Miles? You want me to start doing laps or something?

Of course. He'll reward me with miles the more I help him out on this island. Figures. Very well Nook, I'll play your game.

I just hope it won't be as hard as making 5,000 miles on foot. I hate running for the sake of it. Give me a target to chase after, sure.

Let's take a look…

Rewards for catching bugs? What a weirdo. Photos as well, hmm. I guess there's some advantage for him in my using the camera on this phone. Oh hey, a digital 'passport'... I'll be needing this.

Well, guess that's my mug shot. I added that message, to see if Nook reacts to my messing about on the phone.

Oh damn, Nook got me a Nintendo Switch. Guess that'll be something I can do on the island in my downtime. But for now, time to get some work. It'll help me with adjusting to the time zone change and all.

Hey Lyman, good to hear.

He seems to have a sense of humour. And hey, I guess the hat will help, at least when it's sunny.

Interesting. Guess I better go find out how I can help out and earn those miles.

Phoebe seems happy enough too.

Huh, something to make. I'll give it a shot. Time to check Nook...

Well, at least he's honest here. Bet he didn't say that when he was in the real estate business though.

I see. Timmy, listen to the man. Except when I'm selling you stuff.

Nook gives me a lesson on crafting. I've used a few tools before, although maybe not quite in the creative department like here. Things I made turned out pretty red, on that note.

Ah yeah, teach a man to fish, and he'll earn his keep getting Nook Miles, huh? We go through the song and dance with some branches I had picked up earlier.

Nook gives me a new app, obviously to keep track of what recipes I end up learning.

I make a few other things in the meantime.

I then sell some of my apples and other junk for these Bells of Nook. I can't say I have much of a handle on the currency exchange value yet.

It's already pretty late, but I know I won't be able to sleep after my near full day's rest just yet. Time to burn some energy catching stuff.

I was surprised at the app buzzing a message at me once I caught something. Cheap thrill indeed - not really a fan of this work, and I could do with the bad puns. Nook seems ready to fly with these jokes.

Hmm, guess I might have hurt his feelings if I hadn't put it on.

Damn mosquitos. Hate their buzzing. One stakeout there was a swarm of the bloody buggers, and I couldn't do anything about them. Worst night ever. I should have packed some bug spray.

Now then, this is odd. A tire… so either Nook was here earlier, or someone else was. I rather doubt this got washed up so far away. But then who was here before?

Well, at least something is alive in this river.

I decide to amble down to the airport. Not thinking or breaking out of course, that'd be madness - but some other building might help break the monotony of all this fishing and bug catching…

Figures. I'd say work on your security, but I don't know how to make off with your planes anyhow.

I head back to show Nook what I've been up to and notice the, uh, notice board. That info sounds important, but I'm sceptical.

Tires, apparently. Know anything about that?

Nook already bringing in connections into conversations. This man moves fast. Sure, take the fish. I'm not hungry.

Yeah, I bet it isn't.

An electronic shopping service for the island, and what amounts to a bank? I shouldn't be surprised at this rate, but here I am.

And of course, to encourage keeping an eye on everyone, rewards for checking in daily. That much doesn't surprise me.

Well, I guess we're all starting from the bottom. I had to pass on my assets for the move, lest the authorities seize them, and it would have been foolish trying to bring too much here.

After making more progress, Nook gives me a recipe for an axe. Hmm...

Yes, it feels… very familiar. The weight just feels right in my hands. The axe may be shoddy but the rock is certainly hard enough. I place my palm against the edge; nice and sharp.

It all comes back to me now, how the last job went down. A chase, quite the frantic one. There was no escape however.

The gap between quarry and predator was shortening quickly. It just takes a quick, sharp swing-

-Oh. Uh, hi, Tommy. And Lyman. Ehehe…

I try to focus on something else. I check the map. I can't say I'm keen to go swimming to explore the rest of the island now, so maybe I'll save that for another day. I decide to give Nook some more of the creatures I had found.

Wonder who your accountant is? I bet they're quite well off.

He suddenly takes a call from Blathers. They talk about the animals I caught for them.

Huh, so another person to join our island. Or animal, I suppose.

Another job, huh? Certainly, sir. Can't say I haven't been helping out at least.

All coming together…

I muse on those words as I scout a spot for this Blathers. I mean, obviously there would be some sort of financial incentive for Nook - his MO has always involved getting rich off his schemes. But he is unlike most of the others. He does things oddly, as if there's another point to his plan. And making a bunch of islands and renovating them like this doesn't really make that much sense.

But then what is Nook's plan? Why does it involve a guy who runs a museum, a pair of dodos, and makes use of people like me?

And- why does this axe suck? Barely swung the thing!

Anyways, something to think on, I suppose. I don't have much choice as it is, and it's something to do.

Yeah, about that… I really won't be getting back to sleep anytime soon. And this goal seems pretty achievable. Back to the grind.

Okay, have… fun with that, Lyman. I suppose we all have to dig away at our debts.

That's the nook phone talking, not me. I don't get this one, Nook.

This I do get, but… whatever, I'll pretend to laugh.

I check in on Phoebe again. She has a point, but it doesn't bother me. I slept like a log too! Still, more to do would be nice…

Well, Nook's phone doesn't offer an explanation on this either. Someone's boot just… washed up. What on earth was going on?

...

Well, let's go and hand in those Nook miles.

Uhh…

Oh, I see. You know, I'll play it straight. I mean, it's a tent. I've done rougher before, but if I'm to live here…

I still wonder if that's the only reason…

Here's that real estate side coming out. I mentioned him being famous for interest free loans and still making a killing out of it. Can't deny I'm interested if it means an upgrade.

Sure, whatever, I bet you can make use out of your own economy better than me.

He upgraded me? Nice.

Well, I think that's enough running about for today. I paid off my loan, set up another camp, and got some interesting stuff to ponder about Nook and his underlings here.

 

[Sheep]

phoebe seems so happy to be in prison

 

[Nah]

this has been an amusing read, makes me wish that this really was the premise for ACNH lol