Mario was exasperated beyond endurance, but there was no
time to waste. He chased after the giant monkey, climbing
ever higher. “You, you – Donkey Kong,” he screamed
into the night sky.

At least 50 meters above the ground now, the giant gorilla
dropped Pauline atop another steel platform. Tired and
weak, she used the last of her strength to scream. “Up here,
Mario! Help! Help!”

The gorilla looked down at Mario, daring him to climb. From
this perspective, the mighty ape looked almost regal – like a
hirsute king in a jungle kingdom of concrete and steel. Mario
surveyed his surroundings. There were machines and
conveyor belts all around. Strange elevators and bouncing
rivets threatened his progress. Red and white strobe lights
flashed brightly, and dangerous fireballs moved around the
girders with a machine-like precision. He trudged onward in
the direction of Pauline, jumping and climbing as he scaled
the hazardous setting.

When he reached the highest ladder, he fell to his knees.