Tutorial

In the tutorial shift, Rebecca arrives at the River Fields Mortuary during daytime to complete her final assessment for full-time employment. The tutorial will always be the first shift of a new set of Save Data. It can also be accessed again at any time by selecting Reset Intro in the Options menu.

This tutorial page explains the entire experience of the first day shift, which includes the added prompts that explain each step of the cadaver preparation process. For a more concise list of the tasks for each cadaver, see the page for the embalming process.

After exiting her vehicle, Rebecca enters the front door and sees a note on the examination room hallway door written by Zoey that reads "Rebecca! One last thing I forgot to give to you. Please grab a pencil from my desk and sign. Thanks! -Zoey P.S. Good luck!". After retrieving the pencil from Zoey's desk, a prompt is shown to explain the Quick Inventory:

* Access quick inventory (default Right Mouse Button) and choose the item you wish to use. Most (but not all) places where items can be used will cause the use item icon to appear.

After using the pencil on the paperwork attached to the door, the hallway to the examination room will be unlocked. Rebecca proceeds, sees her first cadaver (Oswald Dalton), and is greeted by Raymond. He states that the embalming process for Mr. Dalton is complete, and Rebecca is to use the gurney to return his cadaver to cold storage and bring the next cadaver (Dorothy Page) into the examination room. A prompt is then shown to explain the operation of the gurney:

* MOVING THE DECEASED - Use the gurney by standing behind it and pressing the gurney interaction key (default E). Then, walk backwards with the gurney down the hall.

Upon entering the cold storage room, a prompt is shown to explain the operation of the cold storage doors and racks.

* COLD STORAGE - To bring a body in or out of cold storage, open the bay with the body's name, pull out the rack, then move the cart over to it.

Further tutorial prompts show that the racks are operated by pressing and holding the interact button (default Left Mouse Button), then moving outward or turning to extend the rack completely. Rebecca returns Mr. Dalton's cadaver into storage, places Ms. Page's cadaver on the gurney, then brings her back to the examination room, locking the gurney in place in the middle to begin examination. Raymond explains that the next step is to pick up the clipboard and start recording identifying marks. A prompt is shown to explain the process:

* INSPECTING A BODY - Hover the cursor over unique markings such as moles, scratches, bruises and interact with them to record them to the clipboard.

During the inspection, the open window suddenly slams shut, which is potentially Rebecca's first experience with a haunt. Raymond tries to explain it away by stating "Hmm. These old windows never stay latched." After completing the inspection, Raymond beckons Rebecca to the computer to begin entering the information into the Record System, adding "Don't forget to take the printout to the front desk so Zoe can add it to the packet for the family. After that, we'll get started." Rebecca unlocks the computer and begins reading the explanation of the Record System, then hears a whisper that says "You'll die here". She asks Raymond what that was, and he denies saying or hearing anything. The prompt explains the Record System usage:

* RIVER FIELDS NETWORK HOW TO - To enter cadaver information: -Click the Record System icon to open the program. -Match the sections on your clipboard to the corresponding sections on the computer. Once all findings have been entered into the system. Click "SUMBIT" to print out embalming records. Then file the records up front to begin the embalming."

Rebecca then enters Ms. Page's identifying mark information and submits it to print out the report. It must be picked up in order to proceed. A glowing foot path will light up to show where to place the report. The report is placed in the filing section on the wall near the front desk by using it from the Quick Inventory. When Rebecca returns to the examination room, Raymond states that it's time to proceed with the embalming process and that he will monitor. He reminds Rebecca that the full task list can be checked at any time by viewing the clipboard (accessed by default key Space Bar or the Quick Inventory). In the tutorial, all of the tools are laid out near the window. In subsequent night shifts, the tools will be placed on different surfaces and in different cabinets. This is explained in the patch notes for version 1.0.40 by Zoey receiving new supplies during the day and being unsure where they belong.

The first item on the task list for embalming is "Wire jaw shut with the Needle Injector and Settings Needles". Rebecca will need to pick up the injector and needles, then use the interact button while looking at the cadaver's face. An explanation prompt will show up:

* SETTING THE FACE - Pull the manipulator up and press the injector button to drive barbs into the skull. Then twist the wires to shut the jaw.

The second task is "Insert Eye Caps to keep eyes shut". Rebecca locates the caps and then once again interacts with the cadaver's face, then the caps are explained:

* PLACING EYE CAPS - Use the manipulator to open the eye lid completely. Interact with the eye to place the cap. Then close the eye.

The third task is to "Mix embalming fluid in pump. Glutaraldehyde, Methanol, Humectant, and Formaldehyde." (Note: In future night shifts, this task will also require the inclusion of the Baleful Reagent.) When Rebecca picks up the first ingredient, some supplies spontaneously and violently fly across the room. Raymond explains by stating "Hmm. Sometimes we get chemicals that haven't been stored properly, and it can make them pop like that. Just keep doing your thing, I'll get it." The pump must be opened with the interact button, then each fluid must be placed in the pump one at a time, due to the fact that they are large items. The fluids can be added in any order.

The fourth task is "Make an incision in the carotid artery and jugular vein with Scalpel". This can be quickly followed by the fifth task, "Use Forceps to clamp Tubing to both veins and connect to embalming pump" since all three items can be held at once, due to the fact that the tubing is the only large item among the three. The neck area must be interacted with in order to use the scalpel, then an explanation will be shown to describe using items directly on the body from the Quick Inventory:

* USING ITEMS - Some items need to be used directly on the body. To use an item, open quick inventory and select the item needed.

While still interacting with the neck area, the Forceps will need to be used from the Quick Inventory, then the Tubing can be attached.

The sixth step is "Engage pump and let the body drain." Interact with the pump to begin the process. The draining process will take approximately 30 seconds. During this process, if Rebecca looks down the hall into the cold storage room, a shadowy figure can be seen walking from right to left. Neither Rebecca nor Raymond noticeably react to it. The sound of the pump will change once it's complete, indicating the seventh step is ready, "Turn off pump, remove tubes, and close incision." The pump can be turned off with the interact button, then interact with the neck area again. The Forceps and Tubing can be removed with another interact button press, and the wound can be closed with the manipulator. If Rebecca looks away from the window and then back at it after turning off the pump, the Shadow Man can be spotted peering in from outside and will quickly disappear after looking directly at him.

The eighth step is "Fill an empty IV Reservoir Bag with Cavity Fluid then insert Trocar into the abdominal cavity." After picking up these three items, interact with the cadaver's abdomen. A prompt will appear and explain the process:

* FILLING BODY CAVITIES - Insert the trocar until it stops to begin the flow of embalming fluid. Once that cavity is full, pull the trocar back, rotate it, then re-insert until the reservoir bag is empty.

The ninth step is "Mix cleaners in the bathroom closet to create Tank Cleaner then pour into the embalming pump." Another glowing foot path will guide the way to the supplies. Rebecca will first need to pick up the Cleaner Base, then look at the mixing tank to the left and use the Cleaner Base from the Quick Inventory to create Tank Cleaner. Back in the embalming room, the pump will need to be opened, then the Tank Cleaner must be placed into it with the Quick Inventory. The pump will then engage and run for 20 seconds. Once this process is complete, the task will be checked off.

The final embalming task is "Apply Moisturizer to facial features." Interact with the cadaver's face, and the explanation prompt will show:

* MOISTURIZING - Move the wipe across facial features while holding down interact until the lotion is used up.

About two thirds of the way through using the moisturizing wipe, Rebecca will be interrupted by Ms. Page's cadaver turning to a dark, desiccated tone, opening its mouth, and moving slowly toward Rebecca. Raymond snaps her out of it by saying "Tell you what. Why don't you go ahead and head out? I'll take over from here." Rebecca states that she just arrived and wants to confirm he's sure. Raymond reassures her and encourages her to leave for the day, adding that he will contact her when the mortuary receives new cadavers.

Rebecca then exits via the front door, which concludes the first day shift tutorial and transitions into the first apartment cutscene.