Phong

Name: Phong; named after the old 1970s computer game Pong or perhaps Mathematician Phong Bui-Tuong who described a better method for shading polygons in the CACM in June 1975. His method produces more realistic images than Gourand shading. [Joe's Unofficial Site]

Format: wizened sprite, assistant (?) to command.com, and philosopher advisor

Age: unknown; definately old, perhaps 60s in human terms, oldest sprite in Mainframe

Appearance: "His body looks like something that came out of the Stanford AI Lab in the 1970's; primitive locomotion (single roller), rudimentary hands (three-pronged grabber). His gold head is bald on top and he wears a port-red tunic with Chinese dragons embroidered on it. Instead of the usual diamond icon, Phong has a Chinese Yin/Yang symbol" [Joe's Unoffical Site]

An ongoing theme of these character profiles has been that each are complex individuals with histories with holes that make them at least somewhat myserious. Phong, the wise old sprite of Mainframe, surely fits the bill, including having a past we know nearly nothing about. His exact role in Mainframe is not even totally clear. Phong is some kind of executive assistant to the command.com, but appears to be the one who appointed Dot command.com when Bob is sent into the web. His important leadership role in the city has led some to suggest Phong himself secretly might be the command.com or leader of Mainframe. Phong also has a unique look to him, antiquated and almost robotlike (both Phong and Hack and Slack have wheels for locomotion). Furthermore, he is clearly very knowledgeable and wise, and probably had an exciting past (he was the original command.com of Mainframe), as suggested by his friendship with Codemaster Talon / Old Man Pearson. Others on the show lead more exciting lives, but Phong is clearly an important (and slightly mysterious) leader of all in Mainframe.

I find it hard to write that much about Phong, since he is more of a presence on most of the shows than much of an active participant. He starts off as a somewhat silly and absent minded old sprite, who requires a seeker of his knowledge to beat him at Pong (Bob has no problem doing so, Enzo can not), but this goes the way of the early overly silly nature of the other main characters rather quickly. He does remain somewhat absent minded (see his attempt at a public reading in "Talent Night" and idea of a computer friend for Enzo in "AndrAIa"). Phong also has a tendency of giving pithy advice that he does not quite know the meaning of, such as when Enzo asks how to get Bob and Dot together again in "The Tiff." Nonetheless, the advice is useful and he shows his wisdom teaching Enzo a lesson in "Enzo the Smart" and Dot in "The Identity Crisis," as well showing his computer savvy throughout the show. He also provides a calm voice of reason as compared to somewhat hyperactive younger sprites he has to deal with be it fly by the seat of his pants Bob or typical Class A personality Dot Matrix. This is made clear when Dot needs his support once Bob leaves, as well as when Bob forgets that he is not "in the supercomputer" anymore.

Phong is in fact if not in name the chief executive or mayor of Mainframe, the ultimate source of authority, as well as a tie to the past. He is a good man, who has given his life to lead Mainframe in the best way his is able, and is willing (and does) sacrifice himself for its own good. Phong is passionate about protecting Mainframe, as shown by his refusal to surrender to Megabyte (and hestitation of working with him during the Web Wars), the energy shown to defend it, and Phong's anger whenever talking to Megabyte. He might be old, but still is full of energy when the time calls for it. Phong also is loyal and keeps his promises, as shown by his determination to keep the true identity of Code Master Talon secret. Finally, he has a passion for hot chocolate (as does the younger sister of Sela Ward on "Once and Again" to completely speak off topic). Phong's past might be mysterious, but his present in less so: he is ultimately the sprite who holds everything together.

A couple more interesting facts about Phong. He has a special ying and yang icon, the meaning of which is not explained. He sometimes goes into games to provide assistance. The episode "Infected" also causally gives out the fact that Megabyte can not infect Phong, but can read his "read only memory," a fact made clear when Phong is tortured into giving up the codes to form a portal to the Web. Does Phong have some special quality that makes him impervious to the infection of viruses? The password to get into the Read Only File Room is "yada yada yada," to enable a transporter field "Zip, Zip, Zoom," and don't forget the "Evacuation code 9713".

"a broken friendship is best mended by tragedy or apology"

"you cannot infect me, virus"

"Unforgettable... I have no idea how the rest goes."

"Would you like to see my windshield collection? I have many kinds!" [possible future, "Identity Crisis: Part 2"]

"chance has nothing to do with it, child; the future is not determined by the throw of the dice"

"You will never win virus"

"My child, you mourn the loss of innocence, but hope still lives and burns brightly inside you. You are the commander of this system and you must be strong for all our sakes. For Bob's sake." [Game Over]

"My child, the game has barely begun! Even allowing for the time discrepancies between virtual-space and game-space, ther is still a finite time we must wait! Be patient. (pauses a moment, then impatienly...) What does someone have to do to get a cup of cocoa around here??"

"Thank you, boys. I was feeling half the sprite I used to be." [after Hack and Slash find the bottom half of his body]

"I am sorry, my children, but Mainframe is dying. We have stopped the bleeding but the patient is too far gone to save." [End Prog]

Credits: The picture on this page comes from Mainframe.ca, while Joe's Unofficial Site was useful for many of the interesting details and quotes.