for those with house of dead 2 and 3, some help requested! :)

[ericuf]

I just got this game and very much like it, although i'm wondering
a) how DO I know where the parts are that I can branch out of, and what can I do to branch?
b) how can I find items for the original mode? Can I do it ONLY when playing original, or is it in arcade too? how do I know if I found something?
c) is there anyway to see what my score is????