Looking for puzzle inspiration whilst writing a game. Stethoscope required.

[joeflint82]

In my game, my character needs a stethoscope to prove that he's a doctor. What can I use as a makeshift stethoscope.

I am adding this as a late addition to the story in an attempt to increase puzzle depth / game difficulty. I don't wish to add a new location unless the puzzle is expanded considerably. (I already have a scenario where he gets a Doctors Coat & a Name Badge).

My current scenes are:
Hospital (car park, toilet & reception area are accessible prior to getting stethoscope)
Car Impound (by main gate & up close to cars)
Games Arcade
Coffee Stall
Jail Cell
Street Scene.

I am happy to take suggestions for another item that a Doctor might need, which would offer other puzzle opportunites in my game.

[mkennedy]

Maybe one of those headbands with the mirror on it, though I imagine trying rig up either that or a stethoscope would be tricky, you might just want to have your character 'borrow' them from somebody else in the time honored adventure game tradition.

[Mr Flibble]

Hosepipe, headphones, coffee cup saucer.

Unless it needs to WORK as well...

[joeflint82]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. My character is time-travelling back to 1981, so I did consider the use of headphones, but apparently they were invented in 1937, so would be unlikely to fool anyone in the 80's (maybe I'm being a little too perfectionist in my requirements).

I suppose modern day head-phones are possibly smaller.

And the headphones are for appearance only (don't need to work), too convince someone you are a doctor. The situation is, the hospital receptionist won't let you into the ward as you aren't a relation of the person who's ill, nor are you a doctor. You need to get to the person in the ward as it is pretty much the whole point/mission of the game. I started with just requiring a coat, I've managed to find a logical way to add getting a name badge, and figured I'd shoot for the typical adventure game setup of having to acquire 3 (or more) seperate items to achieve a final goal. Stethoscope seemed the most 'Doctor-ie' item.

[tzachs]

In the toilet of the hospital there could be another doctor and you can steal it from him with some other puzzle...

[Ali]

Maybe the third thing should just be some information, rather than a stethoscope?

The player could have to work out which ward/room the patient is in, or discover the name of a visiting doctor which none of the staff have seen before.

[Charity]

I gotta say, if you are going for realism, a sane person is probably just going to buy, steal, or borrow a real stethoscope.  The shapes are specific enough that someone who works with them all the time will almost certainly notice a fake (if they are looking).  I mean, my guess is that having a fake looking stethoscope would be worse than having no stethoscope in this sort of situation, unless you can guarantee that no one will actually examine it.

That said, sometimes sacrificing realism makes for more interesting puzzles.

Here's a link for making a homemade stethoscope in the real world.  Might give ideas?

http://www.ehow.com/how_4809745_homemade-stethoscope.html

EDIT: Thin plastic tubes or electrical tape plus earbud headphones (if they existed) or wire might be your best bet for the visual.  Dunno what to suggest for the end piece.  Some round bobble.  Paperweight, magnet, etc.

Still will look fake on close examination, though, for sure.

[auriond]

Another vote for having the character steal/borrow a stethoscope.

But an alternative is having a toy shop somewhere along the street. The character would then buy a toy stethoscope and paint it black and silver. In dim light, I suppose he could fool even some professionals who wouldn't be looking for such a stupid trick.

[Chicky]

Promotional tournament for the release of Doctor Doctor: Freelance Surgeon, in the local arcade, including real life nurses! Winner takes away coveted stethoscope + stand trophy, signed by the lead game designer: joeflint82.

Just draw a new arcade machine, make a mini-game and add some characters. Job done!

[GarageGothic]

This kind of puzzles is the reason I loathe most post-LucasArts adventure games. I mean, either the secretary believes you're a doctor or she doesn't - if she's skeptical enough not to let you in wearing a white coat and a badge, t's not like a stethoscope will change her mind. Wouldn't it make more sense to have to find a surgical mask and a shower cap or something else that hides your identity, so she doesn't recognize you as the guy she's turned away five times before?

[Anian]

I mean, either the secretary believes you're a doctor or she doesn't - if she's skeptical enough not to let you in wearing a white coat and a badge, t's not like a stethoscope will change her mind. Wouldn't it make more sense to have to find a surgical mask and a shower cap or something else that hides your identity, so she doesn't recognize you as the guy she's turned away five times before?

Seconded. If you're not let in in a coat and a badge, it'll more likely be due to she not knowing who you are (thus the surgical mask is not a bad idea) rather than missing a stethoscope or, even worse, having something that looks like a toy stethoscope.
Maybe there's an elderly lady always walking around and you grab her and say "let's get you back to your room mrs. granny"...or something.

In any case you get a badge and a coat, why do you need more of a "puzzle"?

[Mr Flibble]

You could avoid the plothole by having the character refuse to go anywhere near the receptionist without a disguise.

[GarageGothic]

You could avoid the plothole by having the character refuse to go anywhere near the receptionist without a disguise.

And then, when you finally get to her, discover that she's blind 

[joeflint82]

Promotional tournament for the release of Doctor Doctor: Freelance Surgeon, in the local arcade, including real life nurses! Winner takes away coveted stethoscope + stand trophy, signed by the lead game designer: joeflint82.

Just draw a new arcade machine, make a mini-game and add some characters. Job done!

Been shopping all day, and whilst out I was inspired to add one of those 'Claw/Toy Grab' machines which contained a Kids Stethoscope as a prize.

Many thanks to everyone who offered a suggestion.