The wax cylinder is a bonus puzzle item and collectible, which can be used in conjunction with a phonograph machine to play a recording of dialogue. It is an optional item, not needed to progress the campaign of Amnesia: Justine. When used, it simply reveals additional backstory and color to the characters of both Basile Giroux and Justine Florbelle. If the wax cylinder is not used on the available phonograph in the hallway after leaving the Cells, then once the player advances through to the next level (the Library), there will not be another opportunity to play the wax cylinder available for the entire remainder of the game.
Description[]
The wax cylinder is, as the name suggests, a cylindrical object with an outside sheet of pale wax. The wax phonograph was known to be invented by Alexander Graham Bell's laboratory circa 1887 CE and was the most widespread technology for sound recording during the end of the 19th century, quickly commercialized by Bell and by Thomas Edison.[1] The technology would undergo some revisions in various aspects, including switching from soft waxes to hard waxes, then later to plastic, but cylindrical phonograph records would be largely replaced in the 1910s by various forms of disc-shaped records.[1]
Wax Cylinder: Basile[]
Justine
[laughter] Speak into the phonograph, Basile, mon chéri.
Basile
[groans] What did you put into the wine?
Justine
Absinthe, silly Basile, strong men like you don't drink wine – wine is for helpless women like myself.
Basile
My head, what is this thing, get me out. I'm not up for your games.
Justine
No, you have to say it first. How beautiful am I?
Basile
Plenty, now let me out of this thing?
Justine
No, that is not what you say!
Basile
[annoyed groan] Your beauty is blinding. [screams] Aah! My eyes! What have you done to my eyes!? Justine, this isn't funny, you blinded me!
