How do I get the characters to fight back in the game? There's nothing listed in the settings section. Also how do I get character to handle items and use gun and ice pick? Thanks for the information.

To fight, you first have to draw your weapon (Tab key). If no weapon is equipped, you can fight with your fists, but I wouldn't recommend it. Then attack with the left mouse button as usual.

As far as "handling items" goes, you pick up objects with E and once they show up in your inventory, you equip/use them by clicking on them. I must've missed the ice pick item, though

Thanks for the response. Does anyone know how to use ice picks on barrels and houses? How do you use the hands to open bends on the side of the road and to fetch water and to fuss around in the lab? I go up to items that are glowing and click on E but nothing happens. Is that right?

Only lockpicks work on doors - one uses the shoot key I believe.

A number of objects do light up - but they only work with certain inventory items or scripted events (so you'll probably have to wait). The same thing goes for some plot-line related doors which are locked (and which can't be opened using lockpicks).