Losing Your Grip walkthrough

"Losing your Grip" step-by-step solution by PJG with suggested improvements by D.J. Picton.
Conversion to HTML document, and minor editing, by Magnum.

For game Version 4 (1998, Nov. 29). Other game releases may be slightly different.
(Version 1 gives different points in the Hospital Fit).

This is not the "official" solution. Please register this game to get the official game package.

Feel free to write and upload a better solution if you want to. Otherwise, corrective modifications to this solution are welcomed and encouraged.

This game is a series of dreamlike states involving "memories" of events concerning your father.

There are 2 different 2nd Fits as well as 2 different 4th Fits.

If you get stuck then consult the relevant section of the solution for help.

You will earn 20 points in each of the 5 fits.

Note by Magnum regarding 'Save' filenames: The original walkthrough seemed to follow a loose naming convention based on your points. I.E.: The number part of the filename would be the amount of points you have so far in the game. I have altered the naming convention so that it no longer uses points. Instead, it just counts by 10 in each 'section' of the game. This should give you plenty of freedom to perform saves in between the recommended locations. The file names I used can be sorted alphabetically and will match the game chronology. Of course, you can use whatever file names you want! :)

Index

Fit the First: Replevin

Interlude (One)

Fit the Second: Revisit (College version)

Fit the Second: Revisit (Hospital version)

Interlude (Two)

Fit the Third: Renascence

Interlude (Three)

Fit the Fourth: Recognizance

Fit the Fourth (Clock Room version)

Fit the Fourth (Dome Room version)

Interlude (Four)

Fit the Fifth: Revelation

Epilog: Release

Fit the First: Replevin
Register	Instructions on registering this game. (Optional).
NE	You see a head in the mud. Is this man your conscience?
X man	"X" is a short-form for "Examine".
Ask man about me
Pull man
Dig	Oh well...
Kick man	(Optional).
NE. N. NW
X clock	You must note the time on all of the stopped clocks.
SE	A pyramid may fall.
Get pyramid	The objects that fall from the sky are "intrusions" of the real world into your dream world.
N. E
X clock
N. W. W. D
X clock	Frankie will, eventually, ask you to help him.
Ask Frankie about Frankie
Ask him about avalanche
Ask him about project
Ask him about pile	After Fit 5 you may be able to figure out who buried the spheres...
Get sphere
Get sphere	(Again). A puppy will appear.
Dog, follow me	The puppy moves randomly.
Name dog "Max"	Name the puppy anything that you want.
X dog then pet it
Ask Frankie about rucksack
Get sack
Put sack on dog
X Frankie
Read notebook
Ask Frankie about sunglasses
Frankie, give glasses to me	Frankie will give you a task to do before giving them to you.
U. E. NW
X clock
S. W
X clock
X sentinel
X sentinel's arms
Move sentinel's hands
Raise hands
Put sphere in hands
Look in drawer
Get list, sphere
E. N. E. E. S. E
X clock
Raise hands
Put sphere in hands
Get single, sphere
W. N. SW. W. D
Give list, book to Frankie
Wear glasses
Save	"1Fit_10"
X tables
Look under tables
X junction
Ask Frankie about junction
Turn on junction
Ask Frankie about power
Ask Frankie about breakers
U. E. N
X clock
E
X clock
Get coat, gloves	(or "Get all").
Wear gloves
X radio	(Optional).
Listen to radio	(Optional).
Turn knob	(Optional).
W. S. NW. W
X coat
X stitching
Pull stitching
Pull stitching	(Again).
X insulation	You need three tufts of insulation.
Get mass then put insulation in coat	[+2 points = 2]
Get mass then put insulation in coat	(Again).
Get mass then put insulation in coat	(And again).
Wear coat
E. D. S. S
Save	"1Fit_20"
S	[+5 points = 7]
NW. N
X line
X fence
Untie rope then get it
E. E. S	A cube may fall.
Get cube	The cube contains a hint about the upcoming interlude.
X building
Open box
Read list	You have seen all 8 clocks. Remember what Frankie said about reapplying power?
Flip 2, 8, 6, 7
Flip 4, 3, 5, 1	[+5 points = 12]
SW. N. N. N. W. D
Turn on junction	[+1 point = 13]. Some sludge will eventually come out of the drain.
Save	"1Fit_30"
X east wheel
Turn east wheel clockwise
Turn east wheel clockwise	(Again).
Turn east wheel clockwise	It will not turn, informing you that you have turned it as far as it will go. (Optional).
Turn south wheel counterclockwise
Turn south wheel counterclockwise	(Again).
Turn south wheel counterclockwise	(And again).
Turn south wheel counterclockwise	It will not turn, informing you that you have turned it as far as it will go. (Optional).
	The sludge should be collecting in the SE corner.
Ask Frankie about sludge
X heater
Push heater east	[+7 points = 20]. You must be wearing the gloves! The heater will consume the sludge.
Get dark sphere
Put dark, rope in sack	The dog needs to be in the room, of course.
U. E. S. S
Save	"1Fit_40"
S	Notice the dog! I think of the Grey Man as "Guilt".
NE	The avalanche will begin. A sphere will appear.
Get sphere	Ouch!
N
X post	Remember what Frankie said about the junction box?
Get lower
Get upper	End of Fit the First. [20 Points]. Go to Interlude (One).

Interlude (One)
	Back to reality. Remember what the cube by the breaker box said?
Save	"1Int_10"
Get up	(or "Stand").
X monitors
Turn it off
Remove leads
Get IV
N. W	You must hide and get back on the drug.
Open door
S
Push chair North
Push chair North	(Again).
Stand on chair
Pull cord
Get down
Push chair South
Push chair South	(Again).
N
Close door
N
Save	"1Int_20"
	To play the College version of Fit the Second, continue in that section (click here).
	To play the Hospital version of Fit the Second, continue in that section (click here).

Fit the Second: Revisit (College version)
U	...Finishing Interlude (One)
Close ladder
Put needle in arm	End of Interlude (One).
	Fit the Second: Revisit
Save	"2Fit_C10"
NE. SE	You need to find "Buddy".
X Erin	Erin wants a book.
Ask Erin about shelf	(Optional).
Kiss Erin	(Optional).
Ask Buddy about shelf	Assuming he is present. If not, waste time until he shows up.
NW	Buddy has caused an accident that the Janitor comes to clean up.
NE	You want to find the Janitor's unattended cart. He usually comes from the NE.
X cart	If it's not here, find it quick!
Get keys	[+5 points = 25]
NW. SW	You should meet your dog.
Get rope from sack	Assuming your dog is present.
NW	You will meet the Grey Man.
X man
NE
Get box
SW. SE
Unlock door with keys
NE
Get square, cylinder	(or "Get all").
SW
Save	"2Fit_C20"
X pipe	The pipe drips intermittently.
X box
Put box under pipe
X cylinder
Put cylinder under pipe
X needle	You must examine the needle until it wiggles, then...
Push button	[+5 points = 30]. You will capture a water droplet.
Get globe	It will "melt" after a short while.
SW. SW
Unlock SE door
SE
X grate
X padlock
Put globe in padlock
Put square on padlock
Z	"Z" is short for "Wait".
Z	(Again). You must wait until the water drips from the padlock.
Flip switch
Z	The ice will break the padlock.
Z	(Again).
Z	[+5 points = 35]
Save	"2Fit_C30"
Open grate	A pyramid may appear, you can ignore it or...
Get pyramid	They found you in the attic.
Push box in shaft
D. D. D
X plate
X protrusion
Tie rope to it
X opening
Put rope on pulley	"Tie Rope..." won't work.
Pull rope	[+5 points = 40]
Open grate
Push box west
E. W. W	You will find the book box here.
Push box NE	Erin will take a book.
Save	"2Fit_C40"
Z	Buddy will run off to investigate the shaft. No sense waiting if you plan to fool around (below) though...
Z	You should go and rescue buddy; He will be injured if you don't, but game will continue.
NW. SW	[Optional section to experience deja-vu of sitting in classroom lecture.]
Unlock NW door then open it	Unlock a door in front of the Janitor and he will take the keys back!
NW	(You could have taken a break to explore this room earlier, and it wouldn't harm Buddy.)
Sit desk
Listen	Repeat about 9 times.
Stand
SE. NE. SE	[End Optional section]
Get bottle	You had to wait for Erin to leave it behind before you could take it.
SW
Put lotion on buddy	Crunch! (If you were late). End of Fit the Second. [40 Points]. Go to Interlude (Two).
Push Buddy	Crunch! (Your hands). End of Fit the Second. [40 Points]. Go to Interlude (Two).

Fit the Second: Revisit (Hospital version)
Open door	...Finishing Interlude (One).
E
Close door then lock it
X supplies
X crates
Enter cubby
Put needle in arm	End of Interlude (One).
	Fit the Second: Revisit
Save	"2Fit_H10"
X woman
W. N	The Grey Man will appear.
Z
Open small door	It's locked, the nurse is inside.
S
S. E	This, OR Is a dream within a dream? -You may want to stay and watch.
X doors
Get key
Unlock doors with key
Drop key
N. E. E. S
Get cane
N. N	Notice that the room occupant is gone.
S. W. S	You meet your dog here.
Get rope, sunglasses
Tie rope to dog
Wear glasses	You now look like a blind person.
N
Save	"2Fit_H20"
Z. Z. Z. Z	Wait for your nurse friend Eileen to appear from the small door room.
X nurse
Z. Z. Z. Z
Z. Z. Z. Z	Eileen will eventually ask you to hold a bag.
Get bag
Z. Z. Z	Wait for Eileen to return.
Z	Eileen will give you a hall pass and ask you to get her BP cuff. [+5 points = 25]
Ask Eileen about old woman	You get a clue about what to do with the old woman.
W. S. W. N
Get vial	Oops!
Dog, get vial	[+7 points = 32]
Get vial	A pyramid may appear (They've found you)..
Untie rope
Drop rope, cane, glasses
X vial
Read label	A drug that makes you insensitive to pain.
N. N
Get cuff
S. E
Kiss woman	(Optional).
Push wheelchair West
Push it SW
Push it SE
Push it East
Push it East	(Again). The doors must be unlocked.
Show pass to attendant	You can now push the old woman past her.
Push wheelchair North
Give cuff to Eileen	[+1 point = 33]
Push wheelchair East
Push it North
Save	"2Fit_H30"
Say "Help"	The old woman will need help.
Perform CPR	A doctor will appear.
Z. Z
X cart, ECG, syringe, defibrillator	You need the syringe.
Turn dial to 200
Turn dial to 260
Turn dial to 360
Get syringe	[+7 points = 40]
Z	You will need to be escorted out. The old woman has been saved.
Save	"2Fit_H40"
E. S
Put syringe in vial
Put needle in hand
Get globe
Z. Z. Z. Z	End of Fit the Second. [40 Points]. Go to Interlude (Two).

Interlude (Two)
Save	"2Int_10"
Put needle in hand	Back in reality, but not for long... Proceed to Fit the Third.

Fit the Third: Renascence
Save	"3Fit_10"
Get up	or "Stand"
Read mythology	The rivers are a clue to Fit the Fourth.
Read faeries	The clover is an important clue.
Open window
X bed
Get sheet
Tie sheet to bed
Get books	(Optional).
Throw books through window	(Optional).
W
Get books	(Optional).
X grass
Search clover
N	You will see and hear 3 faeries.
Z. Z. Z	The faeries will move into the shed.
E
Get box, flyer	The box is used in one of the Fourth Fits.
Get hat then wear it	The faeries will fly away.
Say "I'm after!"	[+5 points = 45]. You will fly to the faery cave.
N
Z. Z. Z. Z
Z. Z. Z	The faeries will send you on a quest.
U	You will meet your dog.
Put all but jar is sack
W. SE. E. S. S
Get stone
N. E
X mushrooms
X single
Knock on door	The pixie will tell you things.
Save	"3Fit_20"
Ask pixie about jar
Wear boots
Ask him about stone
Ask him about laurel
N
X boy	Mean kid.
Get knife
Dog, attack boy	[+5 points = 50]
Get knife	The trees will talk.
Ask oak for staff
Ask ash for laurel
Get staff, laurel	You need the blood of another.
S. W. W. W. W	You will meet your father.
Give knife to father
Get knife
Put laurel in blood
Get pyramid	A pyramid may appear.
Wear laurel
E
Dog, follow me
E. E. E. N. N
Rub stone
Rub stone	(Again).
Rub stone	(And again). You will sneeze.
Save	"3Fit_30"
E	If you did everything right, the dragon won't notice you.
Kick dragon	[+5 points = 55]. You must be holding the jar.
Kiss dragon	(Optional).
W
Get cube	Another cube may appear.
S. W. W. N. D. N	Uh, oh!
S. U	The Grey Man will grab you.
X man	Notice his eyes.
Z	He wants to throw you over the cliff.
Z	Wait until his grip has loosened.
Break jar OR Attack man with knife	[+5 points = 60]. You end up dangling over the edge of the cliff.
Save	"3Fit_40"
X cage
	At this point, you can do any one of the following:
U	Save yourself.
Open cage	Save the faeries.
Z. Z. Z. Z	Do nothing.
	End of Fit the Third. [60 Points]. Proceed to Interlude (Three)

Interlude (Three)
	There is nothing to do but read the caption then continue.
	Interlude, Again
Save	"3Int_10"
Z. Z. Z. Z. Z	End of Interlude (Three). Proceed to Fit the Fourth.

Fit the Fourth: Recognizance
Save	"4Fit_10"
	Fit the Fourth is the hardest and the most peculiar.
	You will be asked a series of questions.
	You can choose to answer in Jefrey's favor, or Marie's favor; which will determine how you advance.
Get rucksack then wear it	At some point before answering a question, do this.
	Some of the typical answers to the questions are:
Say "Yes" or "No"	...or the name that represents your choice. Example: "Introvert" or "Extrovert".
Look <left or right>	Use the descriptive names when possible to avoid follow-up 'specify' questions.
X <left or right>
Get <left or right>
Listen to <first or second>
	Some optional things you may try for entertainment before answering all questions:
Kiss Marie
Kiss Jefrey
Get drink then drink drink	When the Tuxedo man serves them.
Get canape then eat canape	When the Tuxedo man serves them.

	If you answered in Marie's favor, then you will find yourself in the Clock Room.
	If you answered in Jefrey's favor, then you will find yourself in the Dome Room.

Fit the Fourth (Clock Room version)
Save	"4Fit_C10"
X woman
Touch woman	or "Kiss woman"
N	What are the three monkeys doing?
Give dark to monkeys	[+5 points = 65]
Get dark then put it in sack	(Optional).
E	The woman is trying to make the chains resume their normal operation. She needs your help to do it.
X balance
Get doll	The woman will pull you with her, but fear stops you from following her completely.
Save	"4Fit_C20"
X doll	The Dolls
Open doll then I	"I" is short for "Inventory".
	Inside a large wooden doll.
Open doll then I	(Again).
Get copy then X it	Note the phrase "stare down"
Drop copy
Drop all then stare down
	Inside an enormous wooden doll. "You see a giant twin..."
Open doll then I
Get copy then drop it
Drop all then stare down
	Inside a doll of staggering proportions. "You see a brobdingnagian..."
Open doll then I
Get copy then drop it
Drop all then stare down
	Inside a doll of staggering proportions. "You see a gargantuan..."
Open doll then I
Get copy then drop it
Drop all then stare down
	Inside a doll of staggering proportions. "You see two titanic pillars..."
I	You are empty-handed.
Stare up
	Inside a doll of staggering proportions. "You see a gargantuan..."
Get copy, lower, lid
Close doll then throw it in large doll
Stare up
	Inside a doll of staggering proportions. "You see a brobdingnagian..."
Get copy, lower, lid
Close doll then throw it in large doll
Stare up
	Inside an enormous wooden doll. "You see a giant twin..."
Get copy, lower, lid
Close doll then throw it in large doll
Stare up
	Inside a large wooden doll.
Get copy, lower, lid
Close doll then drop it	[+5 points = 70]
E. S
X sink
Turn on left handle	Mythology book clue.
Drink water
Turn off left handle
Save	"4Fit_C30"
N. W. N. N. N	You will find the woman here.
Get strands
Get strands	Keep getting strands until you have the "restart" and "chain" strands.
S. S. S. E	The woman should follow you.
Give restart strand to woman	We will force the game to ask us about the strands.
Give chain strand to woman	[+5 points = 75]
Save	"4Fit_C40"
Z. Z. Z	The woman walks South.
S	You will be "forced" to sit on the sofa.
Sit on sofa
Z	The woman will take a brief break, then leave.
Stand
N	Hmm, you can't leave using the Northern door.
X sink
Get spoons
Wait	The spoons will twitch.
Drop spoons	The spoons should form a line pointing West.
X spoons
W	[+5 points = 80]
N
Read note
Get flask
E. S
Turn on right handle	Left is 'Forget', right is 'Remember'.
Fill flask with water
Turn off right handle
N. W. N
Save	"4Fit_C50"
Drink flask	End of Fit the Fourth. [80 Points]. Go to Interlude (Four).

Fit the Fourth (Dome Room version)

Save

"4Fit_D10"

Orange crystal.

Enter door

X shelf

Each layer of the box has 5 cubicles in it. The top and bottom layer cubicles are arranged in a + shape. The middle layer cubicles are arranged in an X shape.

Get orange

Put it on bottom middle

Exit

X panel then read plaque

You must perform some special movements on the orange piece to get it.

Push left button

You want the first operation to be TR, a West, North, Up movement.

Push middle button

You want the second operation to be ROT, a clockwise rotation.

Push right button

You want the final operation to be INV, an inside-outside.

Pull lever

Enter door. Exit

(Optional).

Pull lever

Enter door. Exit

(Optional).

Pull lever

[+4 points =64]

Get orange

Put orange on red crystal

Save

"4Fit_D20"

Yellow crystal.

Get belt then wear it

Do you remember the ghost scene from "Perdition's Flames"?

X belt

Red is EW, Green is NS, Blue is UD, Grey is plus/minus time.

Read flyer

Get box. N

Put box on cube. X needle

Remember this West number!

Get box. E

Put box on cube. X needle

Remember this Bottom number!

Get box. S

Put box on cube. X needle

Remember this South number!

Flip switch

Turn grey dial to 111

Turn the grey dial to anything except 612.

You may have to round your numbers here:

Turn red dial to <(West/10)+200>

Do the actual math to get the number.

Turn blue dial to <(Bottom/10)+200>

Do the actual math to get the number.

Turn green dial to <(South/10)+200>

Do the actual math to get the number.

Turn grey dial to 612

You are inside the cavity in the cube.

Get yellow

[+4 points = 68]

Turn grey dial to 999

Turn red dial to 700

Turn blue dial to 1

Turn green dial to 1

Turn grey dial to 612

Flip switch

Remove belt then drop it

Put yellow on orange

Save

"4Fit_D30"

Green crystal.

Feel rectangle

Feel patch

You must push the raised patches in the floor in the order: Rough, Fairly Rough, Barely Rough, Barely Smooth, Fairly Smooth, Smooth.

NW >>	R	BS	<< NE
W >>	S	BR	<< E
SW >>	FR	FS	<< SE

NW. Push patch

The "Rough" patch is in the NW corner.

S. S. Push patch

The "Fairly Rough" patch is in the SW corner.

NE. Push patch

The "Barely Rough" patch is on the East side.

N. Push patch

The "Barely Smooth" patch is in the NE corner.

S. S. Push patch

The "Fairly Smooth" patch is in the SE corner.

NW. Push patch

The "Smooth" patch is on the West side. [+4 points = 72].

Get green

E. E

Put green on yellow

Save

"4Fit_D40"

Blue crystal

N. U. D

You are inside a sphere, on the bottom. In the middle of the sphere is a large cube. On the ceiling of the cube is a crate with the blue crystal.

Push crate South

Notice how the crate spun. You must give the crate the correct orientation.

U. S. N

Push crate East

S. NE. W

Push crate North

E. NW. S

Push crate down

N. D. U

X crate

Push button

[+4 points = 76]

Get blue

D. NE

Put blue on green

Save

"4Fit_D50"

Violet crystal. Notice the ripples.

X box

Push button

Look

You can move West or East to experiment.

Jump

Push button

Look

Get violet

[+4 points = 80]

E. U

Put violet on blue

End of Fit the Fourth. [80 Points]. Go to Interlude (Four).

Interlude (Four)
	There is nothing to do but read the caption then continue.
	End of Interlude (Four). Proceed to Fit the Fifth.

Fit the Fifth: Revelation
Save	"5Fit_10"
Pet dog
Wait	You father will appear...
Wait	...and kills your dog.
Wait	Listen to the advice from the voice in your head. Notice the hand that your father looks at.
	Do one of the following:
Clench left fist	This will kill your father. End of Fit the Fifth. Go to Epilog.
Relax hands	This will defeat your father.
Save	"5Fit_20"
	As per usual when wasting time, you can do what you want. X string, X father. Replacing the last "Z" with "Kiss father" can be touching. The original walkthrough reported 20 points for certain actions, but none are reported during game.
Z. Z. Z. Z. Z	End of Fit the Fifth. Go to Epilog.

Epilog: Release
	Your points now read 100, although the game does not inform you of the increase for action performed.
Save	"5Wrap_10"
Xyzzy	"A fool" lands in your hands.
Listen to Muzak
X fool
Z. Z. Z	End of Epilog. End of game. [100 Points].
	Note by Magnum: I saw no evidence of the last 20 points being awarded, except as noted above.

Some questions to ponder:

Who was the man in the mud?
Who was Frankie?
What were the spheres?
Who buried the spheres?
What was the sludge?
Who was Sam?
Who was the Grey Man?
Who was the man with the white hair?
Who was the man in the hospital room?
Who are Jefrey and Marie?
How accurate were the memories of your father?

For fun, have you...:

played with the radio?
put the black sphere in the hands?
kissed Erin, Jefrey or Marie?
sat at a desk in college and listened to the past?
found out who Mr. Jeffers is?
stayed in the operating room?
kissed the Dragon?
found out who Bob and Phil are?
seen the flipping bird?

This file was last modified 2001.08.20 by Magnum.