Part 1: Whenever I Smell Asphalt

I dunno, I think there's something familiar about those clouds.





Ben: And the first thing I saw when I woke up was her face. She said she'd fix my bike. Free. No strings attatched. I should have known then that things are never that simple. Yeah, when I think of Maureen I think of two things: asphalt... and trouble.


You can't tell right now, but that's a hover-car.









Ripburger: I am not waiting for you to die!

Corley: You know I've never liked you, Rip, but you have business know-how and killer instincts that I respect.

R: Why, thank you sir...



C: Riding up to our shareholders' meeting with a gang of bikers? Who do you think you're fooling?

R: The Shareholders, sir! It's good PR to be seen hobnobbing with real Corley Motors customers.

C: What do you know about our customers, Adrian? You've never even been on a bike!



C: Aw, your ears are fine. It's what's between them that scares me.





The bike crushes the tiny Tim Schafer angel hood ornament.







That's our protagonist, Ben. You can tell he's cool because he smokes.



You might have heard of this guy. He voices Ripberger, and a couple other characters who we'll meet later. Ben is voiced by Roy Conrad, who does an amazing job. You really want to watch the video at the bottom of the update and hear the voice-acting for yourself.



This shot is dark because it's fading in.





Biker: ... and if some cash doesn't come our way soon, we're in big trouble.

Ben: Relax. I have a feeling something's coming our way. Something big.



Corley: Eh, you'd better stay out here, Rip. This place is "Bikers Only."











Thin one: Yeah, maybe they took the old guy out back and worked him over with a two-by-four!

Ripburger: Hmmm... An appealing notion, but improbable. More likely he's boring them to death with some tales of the glory days...



Ben: But, Malcolm, isn't that illegal?!?

Corley: Not back then it wasn't!

Ben: So, who do you ride with these days?


Ripburger: Although I'm sure he'd much rather be riding with your little club.

Corley: I told you to wait out in the limo, Ripburger!

R: I thought you might like some help with your sales pitch, Sir.







Ripburger: You would be well compensated for your time, of course.

Ben: Not interested.

R: It's fairly obvious that you could use the money...

B: Listen, I said we're not for rent.



Take note of the guy on the left's tattoo for the next update. Also: take notice of the guy on the right's beard. Seriously, look at it.

Ripburger: Not even if it were Malcolm Corley's dying wish?

Corley: RIPBURGER! That does it! I'm gonna-

Ben: Hold on there, Malcolm. If you don't mind, I'd like to step outside with Mr.Ripburger for a little chat.

R: Excellent idea.



Ben: That's bad news for all of us. He's not just a nice guy...
He's also the last motorcycle maker in the country. What happens to Corley Motors if he dies?

Ripburger: Don't worry, I have a plan. And if you come to the shareholders' meeting with us, you'll find out what it is.

B: No dice, Ripburger. The Polecats are not thugs for rent. If you want to buy muscle, you should go find the Rottwheelers.

R: The old man says it's the Polecats of nothing.

B: Then I guess it'll have to be nothing.

R: Hmmm... and that's your last word? Well, I'd like to make you just one final offer...



Ben gets wacked with a two-by-four from behind.



Bolus is the fat one.



Corley: Boy, is he in for a surprise!

*Ben's motorcycle drives off*

Biker: Where's Ben going?

Ripburger: Your colleague has decided to accept our generous offer after all. As a matter of fact, he's gone on ahead to scout out the route.

C: Well then, let's roll 'em, boys!









Next up: Ben beats some people up.

Bonus!
Video version of the entire intro here.