How to get the mop in Return to Monkey Island
The Return to Monkey Island mop puzzle may be one of the first in the game, but as it should, it can be a bit complicated if you’re playing on hard mode. While Return to Monkey Island has a clue book that you can get from the International House of Mojo, it’s not always specific to puzzle steps and you might not want to keep checking it.
Here I explain each step of the mop puzzle so you can get your own mop and earn your place on LeChuck’s crew. This guide will include some minor details of the story. So if you want to do everything yourself or guess, it might be better to stay away from it. I’ve listed the steps below, as well as a gallery of screens you can scroll through to see some of the more difficult steps and item locations.
How to solve the Return to Monkey Island mop puzzle
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If you want to join LeChuck’s crew as Schwabbie and leave Mêlée Island, you’ll need two things: a mop and a disguise. You can find a mop in the Scumm Bar’s kitchen, but the chef won’t let you use it. Instead, you have to go to great lengths to create your own.
Here is what you need to do step by step:
1. Try to get a job on LeChuck’s ship by talking to the Quartermaster
2. Read the Carla re-election poster on the docks for her slogan
3. Try borrowing the mop from the chef at the Scumm Bar
4. Grab the knotted line on the pier next to the Scumm Bar kitchen
5. Read the plaque on Carla’s statue on Low Street for a location
6. Buy the knife and forgiveness frog at the International House of Mojo, also on Low Street
7. Go to the Governor’s Mansion and try to borrow the “Ingredients” book
Now you must apologize to Carla using the Forgiveness Frog and the Quill in your inventory. You must select a series of sentences, but the third and fourth phrases change with each playthrough.
The first two sentences are always:
Dear Carla…
I’m sorry I lost the borrowed book…
The third sentence is the slogan on her re-election poster, and the fourth sentence is the place mentioned on her statue’s plaque. The last sentence doesn’t seem to matter, but I used:
I promise to do better in the future.
Give the finished frog to Carla and she will let you borrow the Ingredient book.
Where can I find the mop tree?
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Now that you have Carla’s ingredient book, here’s what you need to do:
1. Give the book to the chef in the Scumm Bar
2. Use your knife to carve a splinter out of his mop now that he’s distracted
3. Give the Wood Splinter to Wally at Maps-n-More on Low Street
Wally will give you a map showing where to find the mop tree. Enter the deep dark forest near the Museum of Pirate Lore and open the map. The correct path is marked by one of three plants: a flycatcher, a purple flower, or some glowing mushrooms. It’s important to note that the order of plants changes with each playthrough, so you need to get your own card. Follow the route shown, then use your knife to carve the mop tree.
The last step is to combine the tangled cord with the carved handle in your inventory and voila, you have your very own mop. Now all you need is this disguise.