Fabula
Object
Object

Indy's Fifth of Bourbon

Indiana Jones drains this fifth of bourbon at a smoke-filled Cairo bar counter while confronting Belloq, its near-emptiness marking his drunken grief over recent losses. The Arab bartender responds by placing a fresh bottle before him amid rising tension with German henchmen and indifferent Arab patrons watching.
3 appearances

Purpose

Alcohol consumption to induce intoxication

Significance

Signals Indy's emotional vulnerability and impaired judgment during a pivotal rivalry confrontation, heightening stakes before his chaotic escape.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments
S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
Cornered by Belloq: The Transmitter Revealed

Indy's nearly finished fifth of bourbon establishes his drunken vulnerability and fuels the fatalism that prevents him from fighting. It frames his emotional state and sets up Belloq's psychological advantages.

Before: Nearly finished in Indy's hand at the bar; emptying bottle indicating deep intoxication.
After: Consumed/finished during the confrontation; functionally empty and no longer a source of comfort for Indy.
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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
Belloq's Transmitter and the Children's Escape

Indy's nearly finished fifth of bourbon establishes his intoxicated, vulnerable state; it functions narratively as the prop that explains his impaired judgment and reluctance to fight, and helps Belloq gauge and taunt his weakness.

Before: Partially consumed, on the bar in front of Indy; bottle nearly empty marking Indy's drunkenness.
After: Taken by Indy when he moves to Belloq’s table; remains in his possession as he sits and drinks during the exchange, then leaves with him as he exits with the children.
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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
Belloq's Revelation and a Child-Crowd Escape

Indy's nearly finished fifth of bourbon establishes his drunken state and grief; he drinks from it as he confronts Belloq, its emptiness signaling emotional depletion and injured competence during the exchange.

Before: Nearly empty in Indy's hand/counter, consumed during his solitary drinking prior to the confrontation.
After: Consumed/near-empty, physical evidence of Indy's impaired state as he leaves with Sallah's children.
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