1) I signed on with Demetre to go with the Crimson Caravan on the 17th. I showed up there (he just keeps telling me to go) and I went to the very top of the Hub also where all the caravan drivers and Mat are. No one seems to tell me anything that I want to hear. Like *how exactly* do you start off with the caravan? It is the 17th and I kept advancing the clock all day and no one said a thing.
2) Where *exactly* is the Maltese Falcon? Please - which exact name for the part of town and what building is it next to and on what part of the map? The Faq says where I should find it, but sometimes I feel like I can't get to all the places in a particular section. I'm playing with it patched with all the 'appropriate' mods at 800x600. Thanks. *a lot*.

Across the street from the 'General Store' is a very large building with the Crimson Caravan at the very north end, a casino at the southern end and in between a lot of rooms or offices. Is this the Maltese Falcon? In the middle between the casino and the Crimson caravan? I don't see a sign. I don't see who I'm supposed to talk to... Same thing goes with my other question. Who the heck am I going to talk to that triggers the actual caravan leaving the town with me in it? I'm signed on and everything, it's just that on the proper day no one responds.
While I'm on the subject, this game has the most finicky dialogue tree I've ever experienced. I feel like just forgetting about doing any quests 'cause if you look at someone sideways they start a fight with you for nothing, or you say something wrong and then a quest won't 'trigger'. I feel like just going on a rampage and killing everyone I see (in the game, of course ;)). Or just giving up entirely. Many thanks from a gamer who is starting to get just a Leeeeeeeeeetle bit frustrated with this.
:)

The casino is The Maltese Falcon.
Once you signed with a caravan you have to go again TO THE BUILDING on the correct date to confirm the departure and they'll tell you everything is ready to go. You only have to leave The Hub and the travel begins. Like you signed with the Crimson Caravan there will be a hard fight before you get to destiny.
Quoted for true.