After speaking with Master Pokey, I wandered around Fourside a bit, and got kinda lost. I remember only playing to this part once before and I couldn’t recall what to do. I kept knocking on the door of the Department store, but they wouldn’t let me in. I finally resorted to the one thing, I always hated to do before – talk to the Hint man! Yes, I did it. Terrible, I know. But, I parted with my hard-earned bucks to figure out where to go next. And, you know what? He told me to go back to the Desert! What! I just came from there! I think my problem was, I saw a   treasure-like thing in the backyard of the Department store and figured that would pay for the Runaway Five’s debt. /sigh So, I went back to the desert, found the Gold Mine dig site crowded with bystanders, mopped my brow with a Wet Towel, and headed into the giant hole.

Moles, lots of moles. Actually, five of them. However, they are all quite confused. You see, each claims that they are the 3 strongest mole, in their own special way. Fortunately, all five of them melted away to Paula’s Psi Freeze Gamma. Boom. Feels good. So, I grabbed some more loot, headed out and got a diamond from the dig site foreman, who chased after me in his backhoe.

Back in Fourside, I took the diamond to the Topolla Theater, paid off the Runaway Five… again. Finally, I get to go to the Department store and buy awesome stuff! It’s always good to get new equipment and see those little numbers increase, even better, though, is when you find an item that Rocks! Big Bottle Rockets for $139? That’s a steal, especially at this stage in the game! I stocked up and headed out of the store – only to be stopped! The lights turned off, a blur ran by, and Paula was gone! Kidnapped! Egad! Well, I took Ness & Jeff back up to the 4 floor to rescue her. Unfortunately, the crazy enemies kicked my butt! And wiped me… yep, I said it. This almost happened twice, but I decided to use a Cup of Lifenoodles on my fallen comrade, Jeff, and squeaked past the Scalding Cup of Coffee to the boss. The Department Store Spook mirthfully quipped about me burning in heaven and then got death handed to him from Psi Rockin Beta and a Big Bottle Rocket. But, Paula! Where’s my missing Paula! Oh, what to do?

Sounds like you haven't been experimenting with Paula's praying. Sadface. That Scalding Cup of Coffee was always a mega pain in the ass. Glad you picked up on the "Burn in hell-Wait, you're too good for that!" Makes me love this game so much.

Ugh, the department store part of Earthbound is ridiculously hard. Jeff dies fast enough as it is, add in how one of the enemies hits you and Ness at the same time while having an incredibly high speed that can't be matched at this point in the game. Those bottle rockets were a godsend though, wish I used them when I was younger.