How to Complete the Perfect Bog Fondue Side Job in Mouse: P.I. for Hire

We can be honest at this point; most of the side jobs in Mouse: P.I. for Hire aren't exactly labor-intensive. You'll clear some DOOM-like arenas, blast away dozens of monochromatic crooked mice, and grab something on your way to bring back to whichever NPC has asked something extra of you.

But! What if I told you that the Perfect Bog Fondue side job was quite easily the most complicated of the group yet? In fact, on my first playthrough, I had to perform a decent amount of backtracking just to complete this one.

Let me save you the trouble. Here's how to complete Perfect Bog Fondue in Mouse: P.I.

Starting the Side Job

Perfect Bog Fondue is in the back half of the game, so you'll have to wait a bit for this side job. Specifically, it's immediately available after you unlock and can access the Damp Evidence main job. Speak with John Bar, the barkeep at Little & Big, and he'll have the details for you.

He's looking for a new recipe for the bar, and the Far Wetlands apparently have just what he needs. After speaking with him, you're ready to be on your way.

Completing the Side Job

With the side job now active in your quest log, it's time to head to the Far Wetlands. Get ready for some... wet lands!

Find the Old Cheeselegger

This time around, it's not quite as simple as "Complete main job as normal, grab single item along the way," no siree. First, you'll have to track down the Old Cheeselegger, a shrew that seems a few marbles short of a match. Find him, speak/listen to him sing, and he'll send you on a trek to find three of "them thingies" in exchange for the recipe that John is after. Sure, buddy.

There's a chance, however, that you won't find the Old Cheeselegger naturally, as the Far Wetlands is a more open area in the game, and our friend isn't precisely on the critical path.

Instead, look for the shack in the image above. You can't miss the shack itself, as you'll discover it directly in front of you in the first third of the job. Poke around the shack, and you'll find him waiting for you inside.

Them Thingies #1

Now to the business of them thingies. They actually show up in the game as a cardboard filing box with a lid each time, so that's what you're looking for.

The first one is in the mine, which you'll enter as part of the main quest. At the top, there's an elevator shaft, as well as two grapple points to your left. To find your first item, you need to jump down and to the left, landing on a ledge on the very left side of this mine cave.

The picture above shows the view you'll see after you've jumped down here successfully, so if your screen looks something like this, you're in the right spot.

Ahead on this ledge is a cave, and if you look closely, you can see box number one of them thingies waiting for you. Pick it up. Two more to go.

Them Thingies #2

The second box is absolutely the easiest, so you don't have to stress much over this one. It's located directly on the main job's critical path, so you can't miss the room.

You'll eventually enter the creepy dining room pictured above, complete with working fireplace. Fancy! Take a look to the right side of this dining room.

Box number two of them thingies is ready and waiting. One more!

Them Thingies #3

Box number three is the one I originally missed and had to double back for. It's actually in a very easy to spot location, however. You're looking for this giant, crashed steamboat, which will also be on your main path for your big objective.

Box number three of them thingies is on the roof, somewhat tucked under the ramp on the top of the steamboat. You'll have to platform up there in order to collect this final box.

To make this easier, there are actually some trampolines near the nose of the boat that you can use to reach the roof. Put these to use if you're struggling.

You're done! Just kidding. We still need to track down our old friend within the level before we head back home.

Back to the Old Cheeselegger

Thankfully, the Old Cheeselegger isn't actually all the way back at his original location. He apparently has the power of teleportation, or at least is privy to the warp pipes we've just started using in this level too.

To find his final location and turn all of them thingies in, you need to get to the very end of the main job. Before you exit the stage, you'll be directed to a waiting airplane to make your escape back home. STOP RIGHT HERE. Turn around directly from the airplane and walk straight backwards.

Inside of the backside of the building you're now right next to, you'll find the Old Cheeselegger waiting for you. Speak with him, hear some more of his cheesy dialogue, and he'll finally hand over the recipe that John Brown is waiting for back at the bar.

Phew. Now all that's left is to head back to the airplane and get out of here. Oh, except there's now a boss fight to manage. Did I mention that before? Good luck!

Rewards for the Side Job

Safely back home, head back to John at the bar. Give him the recipe, and he'll fork over another Spike-D prize token, which is used to unlock the game's final gun, the X-1 Demousifier, as soon as you collect 20 tokens.