Bridges

The Longest Journey

The Bridges area in The Longest Journey.

The Bridges are network of steel gangways above one section of the Venice canals. Something of a tourist attraction due to the clock in the center of the bridges - which still displays the time (about 4:20) of the infamous Venice Massacre of 2109 - the Bridges link the Border House with the Fringe Cafe, the Metro Line, and Florence Park. Not visible at eye level, but shown when April Ryan first walks onto the Bridges, are the enormous skyscrapers and industrial chimneys overhead. A boy carrying a skateboard is often seen wandering around, although he is later arrested as skateboarding is illegal.

The Bridges are not a particularly notable location in The Longest Journey, but April does see the rubber ducky sailing down the canals below at one point, enabling her to follow it to the Fringe Cafe. They also serve as an escape route when she is running from the Vanguard.

Dreamfall

The Bridges area of Venice, in Dreamfall.

When Zoë Castillo arrives in Venice 10 years later the water has left the canals and the Bridges have become covered in makeshift shelters for the homeless population on Venice's streets, as well as the Chinaman's 'store'. One of the bridges has been blocked off by a police barrier for some reason. The well-to-do Zoë is shocked by the condition of the people and surroundings on the Bridges; she wonders why the big corporations let them live like this without doing anything to help.

trivia

• April's description about how the clock is stopped makes fun of the game's use of stills as backgrounds, common amongst games at the time. Because of this, the clock would've remained the same regardless of her description.
• The establishing shot greatly resembles the film Blade Runner.
• The skateboarders are a reference to the "Skateboarding is not a crime" movement against having areas where skateboarding is prohibited.