Pinda

Pinda is a sidekick in the Race for Atlantis ride in Caesar's Palace (1998-2004), Futuroscope (2000-2009) and Phantasialand (2005-2016). He was the clumsy assistant of the god Neptune. In the attraction, Pinda introduced the visitors to the race and gave safety instructions in form of a rap song. Later he supported the visitors during the race for Atlantis.
Pinda was played and voiced by the American actor Michael Jeter (* 1952, † 2003), who also played Eduard Delacroix in The Green Mile (1999).
== Biography ==
Pinda was the assistant of the Roman god of the sea, Neptune, who ruled Atlantis. He should introduce the riders to the upcoming race that only happens every thousand years. The god whose driver won the race would become the new ruler of Atlantis.
In the first pre-show, Pinda introduced himself after a speech by Netune by swinging his trident on a platform surrounded by columns to the visitors. With his trident, he tapped on a circle on the floor, which turned out to be a column with a map of Atlantis. When rising up, the column faltered and Pinda had to kick it to go on. He showed the start of the race marked on the column and stated that only mortals were allowed to take part in the race and that Neptune chose the visitors. Hectically, Pinda showed the race track by moving fast right and left, as well as up and down the column, till he stopped running and said that he would now show the track more detailed. He began to show some buildings around the race track and the goal, a gold-glimmering ring at the end of a bridge, that must be passed. Suddenly, a lightning hit the column. 
In the second pre-show, after Gastilius warned the visitors, it could be seen that Pinda was not affected by the lightning, but the column was destroyed by the lightning. He told the visitors that this lightning was an attack by the demon god Gastilius who planned to win the race, become ruler of Atlantis and reign in terror. Pinda warned the riders to be aware of Gastilius and rely on themselves although he would guide them till the end of the race and that they should not stand during the race. 
This warning was followed by a "safety rap" in which Pinda told the groups of people that should not take part in the race (pregnant women, people with back or neck problems, epileptic people, people who get ill or dizzy, people with heart problems, people with eating disorders) to go and that it was forbidden to smoke, eat, drink or take big objects into the racer with the help of a comedic performance. Suddenly the music stopped and surprised Pinda who nearly toppled down, but could keep himself up and announced the ending of the safety rap. 
On the column that was damaged by Gastilius in the first pre-show, a model of the racing wagon and its launcher appeared. Pinda tried to simulate the start of the race with a slingshot that was on the model. He pulled the slingshot and fired off the racer. However, the wagon got tangled with the string of the slingshot and was fired backwards, nearly hitting Pinda's head. Luckily he ducked in the right moment and the model wagon flew behind the platform, where it hit the ground with a loud thud. Pinda got up, looked behind him in astonishment and then looked back to the visitors performing a shrug. A flash appeared and Pinda was shown in a blue armor with a trident in his right hand announcing the begin of the race. Pinda put on his helmet and reminded the riders of Gastilius and the passing of the ring in the end. He also wished them courage, before putting on glasses and an oxygen mask, swinging his trident and disappearing with golden glitter, although his "Ouch" is heard in the distance.
At the start of the ride, Neptune send out for Pinda who then appeared in a helicopter-like machine in front of the racing wagon, in which the visitors were sitting. He then flew in distance of the slingshot which catapulted the wagon with a high speed, nearly hitting Pinda. He flew away on a plaza in Atlantis where he greeted the riders that followed shortly after. After some racers and Atlantean creatures went on next to the racer, Pinda was attacked by Gastilius' racer and nearly collapsed with the visitors' racer. Pinda followed the riders through the race, making them aware of Gastilius' racer who knocked out other racers. Gastilius' racer hid behind Gastilius, who then destroyed another racing wagon. As Gastilius tried to attack the visitors, Pinda flew to Gastilius and lured him away. On final spurt, he advised the visitors to not be passed by Gastilius' racer, who also was near the goal. Shortly before the visitors could reach the golden ring, Gastilius' racer flew away and let Gastilius destroy Atlantis by generating an earthquake, which caused the city to collapse and fall in the sea. Luckily, the riders were able to pass through the golden ring, winning the race for Atlantis and ensuring that Neptune would still be the ruler of Atlantis. Pinda appeared with a school of dolphins and Neptune thanked the visitors for winning the race for Atlantis.
Category:Male
Category:Live Action Heroes
Category:Adventurers
Category:Animal Kindness
Category:Bond Creators
Category:Comic Relief
Category:Harbingers
Category:Disciplinarians
Category:Karma Houdini
Category:Honest
Category:Honorable
Category:Incompetent
Category:Mischievous
Category:Mysterious
Category:Non-Action
Category:Officials
Category:Omniscient
Category:Protectors
Category:Pure Good
Category:Rescuers
Category:Selfless
Category:Sidekicks
Category:Successful
Category:Supporters
Category:Sympathetic
Category:Victims
Category:Wealthy
Category:Summoners
Category:Thrill-Seekers
Category:Reluctant Heroes