Curly
Role
Captain of the Tulpar spaceship, responsible for overall command and decision-making aboard the vessel.
Appearance
Before the crash, Curly was an average-build man with tired yet determined blue eyes and wavy blond hair. He wore the Pony Express coveralls over a red and yellow tee, reflecting his role as a captain.
After the crash, Curly's appearance drastically changed. He is wrapped in bandages with exposed flesh and muscle visible through gaps. Notably, he has no hands and feet. Due to the vessel's lack of fresh gauze bandages, his dressings and the hospital gown he wears over them are heavily blood-soaked. His jaw and one lidless eyeball are exposed, giving him a haunting appearance.
On the day of judgment, Curly's appearance remains largely the same as after the crash, with one significant difference: his right leg is cut off just below the knee, further emphasizing the toll of his journey.
Personality
Curly is a complex character with a dependable and ambitious nature. As a promising man with a bright future, he initially embraces his role as captain. However, over time, he grows discontent, questioning if being a captain is all he'll ever achieve. This introspection leads him to wonder if he chose the wrong career path. Despite these doubts, Curly deeply cares for his friends and crewmates, showing a strong sense of loyalty. His crew respects and loves him, often referring to him as a 'great captain'. Curly's relationship with his friend and co-pilot Jimmy is complicated, marked by both admiration and envy from Jimmy's side. As a leader, Curly is responsible yet lenient, always striving to see the best in everyone. This positive outlook, while admirable, sometimes leads him to overlook conflicts on the ship. Curly tends to focus on the bigger picture, often ignoring inconvenient details. This trait is symbolically represented when he fails to notice a dead pixel on a monitor, and more directly when he chooses to turn a blind eye to Jimmy's assault on Anya.
History
Little is known about Curly's life prior to the events of the game. However, it's established that he has been working for Pony Express for a considerable time, rising to the top position as mentioned by Jimmy in Chapter 4. This progression hints at Curly's dedication and skill in his field.
During the game 'Mouthwashing', Curly's role as the captain of the Pony Express vessel is central to the narrative. His leadership is tested through various challenges, culminating in a catastrophic crash that dramatically alters the course of events and the lives of all crew members.
Relationships
Jimmy
Curly and Jimmy share a long-standing friendship predating the game's events. Curly helped Jimmy secure his co-pilot position, demonstrating their close bond. However, their relationship is complex and strained. Curly often overlooks Jimmy's violent tendencies, even after serious incidents like Jimmy's assault on Anya. Post-crash, their dynamic shifts dramatically, with Curly becoming fearful of Jimmy due to constant abuse and horrific acts, including forced cannibalism. Despite this, Jimmy ultimately places Curly in the last cryopod before taking his own life.
Swansea
Curly's relationship with Swansea is professional, characterized by mutual respect. Curly trusts Swansea with responsibilities, such as keeping the axe after a critical incident. While Swansea sometimes complains about Curly's authority, he seems to prefer Curly's leadership to Jimmy's, hinting at a underlying respect for Curly.
Anya
Curly and Anya have a trusting relationship, spending time together on the ship. Anya confides in Curly about her problems, including Jimmy's assault. However, Curly's response to this reveals his conflicted loyalties. Despite the crew blaming Curly for the crash, Anya maintains her care for him, believing that one's worst moment doesn't define them. Their relationship takes a tragic turn when Anya commits suicide using Curly's painkillers.
Daisuke
Curly and Daisuke have a typical working relationship with few personal interactions. Curly generally leaves Daisuke's management to Swansea. He expresses some regret about not protesting more against the company's decision to add Daisuke to the four-person ship, indicating some tension in their professional dynamic.
Trivia
The opioid Curly receives throughout the game is Oxycodone, a highly addictive painkiller. Its common side effects include euphoria, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, drowsiness, dizziness, itching, dry mouth, and sweating. More serious side effects can include addiction, dependence, substance abuse, irritability, depression, mania, delirium, hallucinations, hypoventilation, gastroparesis, bradycardia, and hypotension.
When Oxycodone runs out, Curly is given 500mg Paracetamol (acetaminophen), an over-the-counter pain reliever used to treat mild to moderate pain. Although paracetamol rarely causes side effects when taken at the right dosage, possible side effects include drowsiness, tiredness, rashes, and itches.
Curly's face is first shown prior to the crash in Chapter 20, providing players with a visual reference for his pre-crash appearance.
Curly is his surname. His first name, partially visible on his ID card, is possibly 'Grant', though this hasn't been officially confirmed. This adds an element of mystery to his character.
Curly appears as a character in another game titled 'how fish is made', suggesting a broader narrative universe and potentially linking different game worlds.