Can You Get Lewis’ Shorts Without Befriending Marnie in Stardew Valley?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to obtain Mayor Lewis’s infamous purple shorts from Marnie’s bedroom in Stardew Valley without being friends with her. While the game initially suggests that access to Marnie’s room is tied to a higher friendship level, there is a sneaky workaround that many players utilize. This method involves timing your entry when Marnie is out of the house, specifically, on a Tuesday.
The Sneaky Tuesday Trick
The most common and easiest way to get into Marnie’s room without a high friendship level is to take advantage of her schedule. Marnie is often at Pierre’s General Store on Tuesdays, doing her exercise routine. This absence from her ranch creates an opportune moment for players to bypass the typical friendship requirement.
Here’s how to execute this plan:
- Wait for a Tuesday: Ensure you have a Tuesday on the calendar to begin.
- Go to Marnie’s Ranch: Make your way to Marnie’s Ranch sometime during the day. It is generally open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on most days, even if Marnie isn’t physically there.
- Enter Marnie’s Room: Head to the door that leads into her bedroom; it’s typically located on the right side of the main building. Because Marnie is away, the door is not locked, allowing you to enter freely.
- Grab the Shorts: Once inside, you’ll find the purple shorts and can pick them up.
- Get your Reward: Once you get the shorts, you can give them to Lewis for 750 gold.
This is a quick and simple way to get Mayor Lewis’ shorts, allowing you to complete the quest early in the game, without investing a significant amount of time into friendship building.
The Misconception of Friendship Requirements
The confusion over the need for a friendship to access Marnie’s room often comes from in-game hints. Players initially believe access to Marnie’s personal space is restricted to those who have developed a relationship with her, implying a certain heart level. While it is true that befriending Marnie grants you easier access to her home and unlocks heart events, it is not a prerequisite for retrieving the shorts.
The misconception stems from a narrative hint. However, using Marnie’s schedule to your advantage makes getting the shorts easy.
Why the Shorts are in Marnie’s Room
The presence of Mayor Lewis’s shorts in Marnie’s room is not a mere accident. It’s a playful hint at a secret romantic relationship between Marnie and Mayor Lewis. This romance is further confirmed through in-game heart events, revealing that they have a connection that they prefer to keep private. The shorts become a tangible, humorous symbol of their hidden affair. The game drops clues to the romance through dialogue, heart events, and of course, the location of those purple shorts.
The Consequences of Giving the Shorts Back and Other Actions
There are multiple consequences associated with retrieving the shorts and interacting with the characters in specific ways:
- Returning the Shorts to Lewis: Giving the shorts back to Mayor Lewis completes the quest and provides a reward of 750 gold and one friendship point.
- Giving the Shorts to Marnie: Presenting the shorts to Marnie triggers special dialogue. However, the narrative response will depend on the context and the heart events you have unlocked.
- Putting the Shorts in the Luau Soup: Adding the shorts to the Luau soup at the annual festival will prompt a unique reaction from the Governor and Lewis. This action is known to create a comical and memorable moment in the game.
- Lewis wearing the Shorts as Beach Attire: If you give the shorts to Lewis while he’s visiting Ginger Island, he’ll wear them as beachwear for 28 days which is a funny visual reward.
- Keeping the Secret: Discovering the romance between Lewis and Marnie can bring up a decision point. If you tell people about the relationship, Lewis will react negatively. If you keep the secret, he will appreciate your discretion and give thanks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to getting Lewis’s shorts, friendship with Marnie and Lewis, and the story details involved:
1. How do I increase friendship with Marnie quickly?
Giving Marnie loved gifts is the most effective way to increase friendship. Some ideal options include Farmer’s Lunch, Pink Cake, and any Universal Loves like Prismatic Shards and Rabbit’s Feet. Giving her gifts up to twice a week will help you build friendship quickly.
2. What is the best gift to give Marnie?
The best gifts to give Marnie are Farmer’s Lunch and Pink Cake, as they give a significant boost to your friendship with her. She also loves all universally loved items.
3. What gifts should I avoid giving to Marnie?
Avoid giving Marnie items she dislikes or hates. For example, trash, most foraged items, and most minerals will lower your relationship points.
4. Is it better to keep Lewis and Marnie’s relationship a secret?
The consequences are minimal. The choice depends on how you want the story to unfold. If you keep the secret, Lewis is grateful. However, if you tell people, Lewis becomes distraught, affecting your friendship negatively.
5. Can I marry Marnie in Stardew Valley?
No, you cannot marry Marnie in Stardew Valley. You can only marry the eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in the town.
6. Who is Jas to Marnie?
Jas is Marnie’s niece, not her daughter, as some players initially believe. She lives with Marnie on the ranch.
7. What does Secret Note 20 mean in Stardew Valley?
Secret Note 20 leads you to a special interaction where you can trade a Rabbit’s Foot for a Special Charm, which permanently improves your daily luck.
8. What happens if you give Marnie a Cave Carrot?
After reaching 3 friendship hearts with Marnie, she will request that you bring her a Cave Carrot in the “Marnie’s Request” quest. This nets you 100 friendship points with Marnie.
9. How do I befriend Mayor Lewis?
You can befriend Mayor Lewis by giving him gifts he likes. He loves most cooked goods (except Fried Egg, Bread, and Strange Bun), and most flowers (except Poppy). Also, choosing to keep his and Marnie’s secret will improve your friendship with him.
10. What are Mayor Lewis’s favorite gifts?
Mayor Lewis loves all cooked goods except Fried Egg, Bread, and Strange Bun. He also enjoys most flowers, except Poppy.
11. What happens if you put Mayor Lewis’s shorts in the soup?
Adding Mayor Lewis’ shorts to the Luau soup triggers a unique and humorous reaction from the Governor and Lewis. It doesn’t affect friendship levels with anyone in the game.
12. How many friendship points do I need for a heart with Marnie?
You need 250 friendship points to earn one heart with Marnie. It takes a total of 1000 points to get to 4 hearts and you would need 2000 to get to 8 hearts.
13. Can you gift the shorts to Mayor Lewis at any time?
Yes, you can give Mayor Lewis his shorts at any point in the game after retrieving them from Marnie’s room. He will reward you with 750 gold and one friendship point.
14. Does putting the shorts in the soup affect friendship with Lewis or the governor?
No, putting the shorts in the soup does not affect your friendship with Lewis or the governor. The response is purely for amusement.
15. What are some good gifts to give Marnie for Secret Santa?
Good gifts to give Marnie for Secret Santa include Wine, Jelly, Pickles, Honey, and gemstones like Ruby, Emerald, and Topaz.
By using the Tuesday trick, any player can acquire Mayor Lewis’s shorts without focusing on friendship building with Marnie. The game’s many interactive elements, along with its quirky secrets, make it an engaging experience for all players.