I think I know what is going on here - I had the same problem. It is appallingly simple really. The problem is that once you have thoroughly checked the man's cupboard, the list of available options is so long that it goes on past the bottom of the screen.

I my befuddled gameplaying state it took me ages to realise. When I finally went back tot he caravan and scrolled down on the screen, lo and behold there was a bunch of stuff I had been looking for just sitting there waiting for me!

> >
> > > >
> > > > > > Nevermind, I figured out how to feed the
> monkey but I can't figure out how to wake up the
> sleeping man or do anything else...I still haven't got the
> hat pin or feather, but here's my new inventory anyway.
> > > > > > 15 Dollars
> > > > > > Matches
> > > > > > Water
> > > > > > Powder
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Your Gun
> > > > > > Altar Cloth
> > > > > > Jerky
> > > > > > Cabbage
> > > > > >
> > > > > > And Hannibal's tied up outside.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Although the hat pin Isn't important for quite
> some time (I'm still not sure if it's important at all) if you
> really want it you can get it. Just go on home and make
> sure you get a good seat for the meeting. I meant the
> one that isn't really happening.
> > > > > Chris
> > > >
> > > > Would you give me a big hint as to how you finally
> were able to feed the monkey?
> > >
> > > The monkey's tastes lie towards something that is
> NOT in the above inventory. If you don't have it, you
> haven't searched someone's cupboards quite enough.
> > >
> > > -Mandi "he's not on the Atkins diet!" aka Chaos
> >
> > I have searched the fat man's cupboards at least 30
> or 40 times and now all I get is a splinter. Where did I
> miss something?
>
> You MUST have it in your inventory, then. Please
> repost your inventory here.
>
> Oh, and you can't feed the monkey til you know he's
> hungry. He can't tell you this, but his owner is quite
> capable of speech...
>
> -Mandi