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Ketamine

Ketamine is the sedative that the handlers in Jan's Conspiracy use to keep the ape-men of the Dahlonega gold mines docile and focused, and that Kurt Larson turns against them to get the party past a mining shift.
Type Item (drug)
Holder Clive (the handler's stock); Kurt Larson (a share)
Used by The ape-men's handlers; Kurt
First appearance Appalachia 09

Description

Clive keeps ketamine as a powder, which the operation normally mixes into the ape-men's food. He carries it with a clicker and a shotgun. When he is asked to drug the shift on the spot, he explains, "The ketamine's usually in the food. I just have the powder." (Appalachia 09)

Properties

  • The ape-men are kept addicted to it. Clive says that without it "they kill each other, they tear up the enclosures, and they don't focus". They like food and ketamine and dislike loud noises. (Appalachia 09)
  • It is used together with clicker training, positive and negative reinforcement, and demonstration. (Appalachia 09)
  • It numbs pain. During the run from Big Bob, Dante says, "thank god I'm on ketamine and I don't feel that shit." (Appalachia 09)

History

Clive's stock

After meeting Clive in the kennel security office, the party learns that the operation has run for a year and a half and that the ape-men arrive looking about six and are full-grown in about two months. Clive offers the party some ketamine. Kurt says he has "sworn off" it, and the others decline. Clive adds that there is a finite amount of ketamine a person can buy from large-animal vets before they get suspicious. (Appalachia 09)

The Combos plan

The party plans to drug the next shift and then leave through the mines by way of the gold room. Clive has already fed the shift their treats and has only the powder. Preparedness rolls turn up snacks: Andrew has Corn Nuts, and Kurt, on a mixed success, has Combos. They hollow out the Combos and pack them with a ketamine paste, while the sheriff keeps watch. (Appalachia 09)

Facing the mining shift, Kurt walks out, eats a spiked Combo and mimes ecstasy, getting high himself. His Manipulate Someone roll is an 11. The ape-men advance aggressively, see his face relax as the drug hits, and "immediately get it". They spoon ketamine into their mouths, one pulls him into an affectionate shove, and another gently hands him a jackhammer. (Appalachia 09)

Epilogue

In the epilogue, Kurt tells Jan that the ketamine and shotguns made it "not a good night", and asks where Jan got it. Jan answers, "One of the high schoolers sells it to me." Kurt also jokes about giving ketamine to a nuisance named Chester. (Walkers 01)

Trivia

  • Kurt says ketamine "might be the only drug I have a problem with", and later, running from Big Bob, "Racehorses take this stuff. I'm like a racehorse." (Appalachia 09)
  • Dante's performance for the ape-men: "Mmm, mmm, mmm, fellas, you have gotta try this stuff. Oh my god. That is some good ketamine." (Appalachia 09)
  • Earlier in the episode, Dante mentions that Kurt's CIA days included failed attempts with "ketamine teeth". (Appalachia 09)

Appearances