RotDS v2.9.8 download

I can't seem to replicated the freeze. I'm at the same point here in the game right after Zozo, I do the desert chime quest then leave town and come back and all is good. Is there any other details you can think of that might help to figure this out? I even tried doing the chime quest before Zozo, after Zozo, after talking to the Impressario to trigger the Opera House, and after the Magitek Factory even. I'll of course keep trying here, but as it is I'm able to do the quest and leave the town and come back and the NPC is gone and the town does not freeze, and the event code certainly looks to reflect this.

Might you happen to have that save from earlier or I suppose anywhere if it's still in the WoB that you could send me, that may help speed this along.
Also, did you mention that you're on a new game +? That shouldn't matter, but since I can't seem to replicate it I'd like to take all things into account. Perhaps if the New Game + was used on previous save data and crossed over to v2.4 this becomes an issue. Again I doubt it, but *shrugs*.