Lilac and Gooseberries opening quest. Fist Fight bug, can't continue: any ideas to fix?

[puggy]

I have done everything I could to troubleshoot the problem, nothing has worked.

In the first fist fight you get into, 1 out of the 3 characters immediately loses all his HP and stands still not taking any damage or initiating any dialogue.

So whether I talk to the 3 guys or use a sign on the one, the game bugs out and puts me in eternal fist fight mode. I can't continue the game because I am afraid that I will waste time with not enjoying the opening by hearing horses neighing repeatedly and people in the background screaming since I'm still in a fight mode.

Can anyone suggest something I may have overlooked?

I've done previous saves, different combinations of save, different dialogue actions, etc.

Please assist.

[puggy]

A full reinstall fixed it.