12:10

Jimmy Leggio

That'll be just great, Mr. Johnson. Thank you, James," the regulator replied, smiling.

"No problem, my man. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm a bit peckish." Jimmy turned and made his way to the diner. Laura would still be asleep, normally until early afternoon she slept. Jimmy pulled a pack of cigarettes and as he was making his way to the diner he saw the boy and his damn mutt.

"Pawnee," Jimmy muttered, sliding past the boy who was speaking to Rennie. The boy then began seemingly making his way out of the town. Just as Jimmy was about to light up he heard someone behind him.

"Hey people!Come take a look at these crops!You never seen such a thing in your life,I guarantee it!"

Jimmy looked around and saw the oldish man, the drifter, standing before what seemed like... indeed crops. Crops that looked over a foot high. Impossible, Jimmy thought and made his way towards the man. When he approached the saw that these crops, the ones not present yesterday were indeed there today.

"Jesus Christ, old boy. How did you do this?" Jimmy asked, offering the man a cigarette.

Duncan Talson
Early afternoon

As Duncan made his way down the street he took a good look at the town, wow, it's gonna need a lot of paint to not look like a scrapyard he thought to himself no matter I've stayed in worse places. As he made his way to the trader he was so preoccupied he nearly walked straight into another man and would have to if he hadn't of looked up at the last second. Duncan regarded the man for a second and saw that he was Short and slim, but toned, with short hair and eyes as dark as the night sky. It took a few moments to click but Duncan recognized him as the man from the diner earlier today. "Well sorry Stranger, he said jovially afterall when building alliances what better way to win them over than to act like you didn't hide anything "I was just looking over the town and nearly done right bumped into ya, was just thinking how she cou....." Duncan trailed off then extended his hand towards the diner patron "Where are my manners, the names Duncan Talson, just got into to town a couple of hours ago and set up my tent down the street and who just might you be? by the way you hold yourself you must be important."

Before the man could reply Duncan heard a shout

"Hey people!Come take a look at these crops!You never seen such a thing in your life,I guarantee it!"

what impossible, just this morning that place was a dustbowl and without the proper irrigation nothing could have sprouted he didn't let anything show on his face and kept his hand extended, deciding to only make his second move after the man in front made his.

'Cris' Cristian Ramesh
Grayditch, outside
Morning

[OOC: Much thanks to Kettle for clearing up the appearance of Vee to the group. My first time RPing, I think I wasn't clear enough.]

“Good to meet you folks." Jesse replied, nodding to each one in turn.

“A pleasure meeting you both,” Vee replied.

A man approached. “Hello, sorry to interrupt, the name James Wilson, if you’re the doctor Mr Ramesh I need some stimpacks”, pointing at his broken arm. Whilst waiting for a reply , James turned to the regulator “ hello, Jessie is it, I heard you are bulid a town wall, need any help, also you can borrow my generator to power any powertools if you want.”

Cris took a look at the arm in question, his blue eyes squinting behind his glasses. “Hold on a moment, Mr. Wilson, the powertools can wait,” he said. “Have you been able to move the arm at all? Tingling, numbness?”

James paused before he replied, “Lots of pain, a little numbness.”

Cris rummaged around in his doctor’s bag for a moment before emerging with a stimpak. Checking the gauge first, he swiftly stuck the needle into James’ arm. “Well, I think you’ve got a clean break, no open fractures.” He wrapped some bandages around the arm. “Take it easy on this arm for a bit, but it’ll be ready to go soon.”

James Wilson – grayditch wall – early afternoon

Well, I think you’ve got a clean break, no open fractures.” He wrapped some bandages around the arm. “Take it easy on this arm for a bit, but it’ll be ready to go soon.”

“Thanks mr Ramesh, A talon company merc hit me with a sledgehammer a couple days ago and Doc Hoff is more of a drug dealer that doctor…. His mind flashed back to the talon company ambush.

“[censored] , get to cover" James yelled as six talon mercs jumped out onto the road, ambushing james cavaran. A ton of bullets were flying in the air, when a merc whacked James in the arm with a sledgehammer. Two brahimn , eddie, Mike and mcmurphy, shorty after died that day…

Shaking out of his flashback james paid mr Ramesh 50 caps “here for your help, also if you if ever need so high-qaulity firepower or want to sell anything come by my store “Grayditch arms”, you too ma'am Vivienne”

Just then the dirfter called out...

"Hey people!Come take a look at these crops!You never seen such a thing in your life,I guarantee it!"

James turned around and saw the drifter, standing before Crops that were over a foot high , grown in just one day.."wow drifter, How did you do this?" James asked in utter shock.

Drifter beamed with pride.Even though he didn't do anything but find the serum,he still felt mighty proud of those crops.

"Well..." He said,debating whether he should keep it quiet or not.It wasn't in his nature to kiss and tell.With a twinkle in his eye,he stated loudly, "Let's just say there's a little magic in the air."

Old and tired,Drifter was beginning to feel strange.He had never felt accepted like this before,treated as an equal and not some pimple on the ass of the wasteland.

He would settle down here,and live the rest of his life happy.These people had grown on him already,a new passion in his life.He felt that his mother would be proud.

On the spot,he split a cigarette,dumped a fair amount of "Vegas Baby" into the paper,and twisted it up.

Sparking the doobie with his weathered zippo,he blew the smoke into the sky and offered it to his fellow settlers.

"Life's short and rough in the wasteland,but we've found our niche.Toke to your heart's content,and lets all give thanks to the people who started this town."

Joe Rennie. Outside the Celeste's diner. :biggrin: Early afternoon.

"Well, since we got the manpower, let's get to it! I doubt it'll take more than a day now!" Jesse exclaimed excitedly as Joe walked away.

A day! A [censored] day! That's too fast. I hope Leggio is smart enough to keep his men with him. Can't have the regulator finishing too quickly.

He was lost in thought as he tried to form a plan. In his distracted state he almost collided with someone. The man appeared to be a bit of a bruiser. The man had a shaveen head and a crooked nose. When he spoke Joe could see he was missing several teeth.

"Well sorry Stranger," the man said jovially, "I was just looking over the town and nearly done right bumped into ya, was just thinking how she cou....." He trailed off then extended his hand towards Joe. "Where are my manners, the names Duncan Talson, just got into to town a couple of hours ago and set up my tent down the street and who just might you be? by the way you hold yourself you must be important."

Important? I'm [censored] busy is what I am. Pawnee said the trader was holding my package. I don't have time for chitchat. Make an excuse Joe.

Joe smiled and grasped Talson's calloused hand. Giving it a firm shake. "Pleasure to meet you Duncan," he said warmly. "Joe Rennie's the name. I don't know if I'm all that important. I'm the head of town security."

And I'm sure as hell not offering you a job. You look just dumb enough to be good at it.

"Speaking of security, what's that Drifter is shouting about?" Joe asked as he leaned round the newcomer. Drifter was hopping about as best as his bad leg would allow, pointing at the security shack. Joe looked in that direction, seeing the [censored] wooden fence outside. The battered rusted panels that made up the walls. The fresh crops growing behind it.

Where the hell did they come from? There is more than enough to feed everyone there.

"Well would you look at that. I wonder how the crazy old bastard managed that." How can I use this.

Joe glanced toward the trader and caught the man's eye. He raised his arm, signaling him to come over. As the man approached Joe turned back to Duncan. "Sorry about this. I've just got to collect my mail. I don't mean to be rude. I'm assisting with setting up the town,"

And the slave trade. I'll need to talk to Leggio and find out when he plans to have his "Family outing". Speaking of Leggio.

Joe saw the man himself standing beside Drifter. As Joe watched this the courier appeared next to him holding two battered leather bundles and a letter. "Joe Rennie?" the burly caravaneer asked, Joe nodded.

"Man, I've been asking about you al..." Joe cut him off by taking the packages from the man's hands. "Thank you." He muttered, tipping the guy a couple of caps.

"I truly am sorry for that. I'm very busy at the moment and I've got to go see what the commotion is. But if you walk with me I'll be happy to talk for a moment. So where are you from Duncan?"

Be nice to this one Joe. He seems to be one of the "Good ole boys". Friendly, open and approachable. That's how to play this guy. Probably

Ah hell. I clicked answer instead of edit. :facepalm: Sorry.

Vivienne "Vee" Winters
Grayditch, outside Celeste's Diner / inside Celeste's Diner
Late morning/early afternoon

“Thanks Mr Ramesh, A talon company merc hit me with a sledgehammer a couple days ago and Doc Hoff is more of a drug dealer than doctor…” James seemed to trail off.

“Ah yes, sledgehammers will tend to do that… Break bones, that is. Lots of that going around these days,” Cris muttered to himself, noting that James seemed to be preoccupied in thought. Vivienne gave him a look.

Not seeming to have heard him, James suddenly came to, handing Cris a handful of caps. “Here for your help, also if you if ever need so high-quality firepower or want to sell anything come by my store ‘Grayditch Arms’ -- you too ma'am Vivienne.”

Cris nodded in thanks. “We’ll be delighted to come by,” Vee purred, smiling.

"Howdy mam," a young man exited from the ruined diner, gave her a curt bow and seemed to look her up and down curiously. He then peered over at the man next to her, "Sir."

Vee curtsied in response, knowing why he was giving her an extra long look. She gave him a winning smile and tossed her locks.

“Hey people! Come take a look at these crops! You never seen such a thing in your life, I guarantee it!"

Vee and Cris along with a few others looked around and saw an excited older man standing before crops over a foot high.

"Jesus Christ, old boy. How did you do this?" a slim man in a dirty business suit asked, offering the older man a cigarette.

Cris’ brows knit in suspicion. Vivienne noticed and quietly mused, “Hmm, it’s hard enough to get much to grow out of soil like this. I wonder how long they’ve been tilling the grounds here, considering it doesn’t seem they’re been around long… Radiation perhaps?”

“Ooh, mutated killer corn… My favourite,” Cris retorted.

“Better watch out… Or what you eat may eat you,” Vee joked. “Speaking of tasty morsels of mutation, let’s find a proper place to deliver this,” she raised a slightly moist package heavily from her pack and headed into the diner just as a tall, blonde woman was leaving. Vee immediately recognized something different about her disciplined bearing, but her eyes narrowed slightly when she noticed a plasma pistol strapped at her side.

A plasma pistol… Well, well, what dust covered bunker did you roll out of? Haven’t gotten my hands on one of those for ages… I’d love to take that thing apart.

Vee managed a quick smile at the woman, who seemed a little unnerved, and entered the diner. A short, busty young woman was behind the bar chatting animatedly to that huge brute of a man they’d witnessed taking the butt of his gun to a ghoul’s skull the night before, and in contrast, a pasty-skinned, chubbier man in a labcoat. At his side hummed what Vee recognized as an Enclave Eyebot, though it behaved differently, issuing no propaganda. Cris raised a concerned eyebrow at Vee, who shook her head casually and smiled. He relaxed a bit, though his attention was then turned to the big guy that he’d instantly taken a disliking to.

It seemed that someone had cleaned the interior up a bit already, certain surfaces sparkling, and unlike other buildings, most of the clouds of dust had been swept away.

Vivienne sashayed toward the girl and placed the heavy moist package she was carrying down on the bar between them.

“A token of friendship for you and the new citizens of Grayditch, my dear. My name’s Vivienne Winters. We’re here to help with the rebuilding and settle down ourselves, my friend here and I.”

Cris offered a small, polite smile. “I’m Cristian Ramesh, a doctor by trade.”

Motioning to the package, Vee said warmly “Softshell mirelurk meat, enough for a small feast. It’s quite the treat, I’m sure you know. There's also a food sanitizer in there in case you'd like it, works like a charm. Excellent work with the place so far, may I say.”

“Yes, wonderfully… Err… Quaint atmosphere,” Cris struggled, his eye wandering around the diner. “A scotch on the rocks, please.. Make that a double.”

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Early Afternoon

She had set Harold up with a Nuka Cola and some mac 'n' cheese, though it was closer to having forced it on him than he really wanted either. Drifter was calling from outside, but Celeste was just too busy at her stove and bar to be able to leave it -- she'd have to ask him what was going on a bit later. After gathering the dirty pots once more, she turned to the diner patrons once more and noticed the woman from earlier, whose hand Joe had kissed. She was accompanied by a tall man with dark hair, and a couple things struck Celeste all at once.

First, she had a sense that these were very refined people. The woman's hair and makeup looked divine, and the man didn't have a single fold of clothing out of place.

Second, the woman was clothed entirely from head to toe. Celeste couldn't imagine wearing so much clothing when the weather was so hot and dry, and wondered how she could do it.

Celeste hoped they didn't notice she was staring and immediately smiled. The woman spoke first and gently placed a carefully wrapped package onto the bar. “A token of friendship for you and the new citizens of Grayditch, my dear. My name’s Vivienne Winters. We’re here to help with the rebuilding and settle down ourselves, my friend here and I.”

The gentleman smiled and spoke next.“I’m Cristian Ramesh, a doctor by trade.”

Motioning to the package, Vee continued, “Softshell mirelurk meat, enough for a small feast. It’s quite the treat, I’m sure you know. There's also a food sanitizer in there in case you'd like it, works like a charm. Excellent work with the place so far, may I say.”

“Yes, wonderfully… Err… Quaint atmosphere,” Cris added, his eye wandering around the diner. “A scotch on the rocks, please.. Make that a double.”

"Celeste Brown, welcoming committee," she introduced herself. "Welcome to Grayditch!" She smiled at Vee and carefully accepted the package. "This is a very generous token, Ms. Winters, thank you very much." I have no idea what to do with this...I'll have to ask Joe later.

Celeste turned her attention to Cris, not needing to watch as she took out a glass and poured his scotch. "I'm afraid I'm not able to give you any ice just yet, Mr. Ramesh, my fridge is missing its door." She cocked her head to the side, indicating the dilapidated appliance behind her. Offering the man a smile, she slid the glass towards him. "It's only proper that I offer you a discount, so I'll only charge you as though it were a single," she winked.

...that gives me an idea. Harold doesn't seem busy right now.

"Ms. Winters, I will be right back to take your order," she purred and walked towards Harold. Despite having had to push the food and drink onto him, his Cola bottle stood empty and the bowl had a thin residue of cheese sauce on its bottom. "Harold, I need your help. As you can tell, this fridge is total garbage, and I have a bar to run, here. Can you either find a way to fix it, or find one that works, and bring it in here? You don't want to have to keep drinking your Nuka warm, right?" she fluttered her eyelashes at him, before remembering that Harold was immune to feminine wiles.

He narrowed his eyebrows but didn't reply. She continued. "I could also use a cabinet, and a lock, so I can keep the booze stored safely. I'd hate for someone to steal from dad, wouldn't you?"

Harold didn't seem to be able to argue with that point, but still didn't move.

She sighed. "I won't charge you for whatever you eat and drink for the rest of the day. How's that? I really need a working fridge and a storage cabinet, Harold. Please."

Without so much as a grunt, the large man stood up and left the diner. Celeste could only hope he was running her errand. Rolling her shoulders back, she looked between the man in the lab coat who had yet to introduce himself, and Vee. "Anything I can get for you?" she addressed to them openly.

Duncan Talson

(sorry Kettle for the teeny bit of character control)

The man returned Duncan’s hand shake and replied to him with a sense of warmth "Pleasure to meet you Duncan, Joe Rennie's the name. I don't know if I'm all that important. I'm the head of town security."
He was about to respond when Joe also picked up on the shouts coming from the ‘farm’ "Speaking of security, what's that Drifter is shouting about? Well would you look at that. I wonder how the crazy old bastard managed that." Once again Duncan wasn’t quick enough as a courier ran up to Joe and started going on about letters.

He looked aside and saw just why there was such a commotion, at first he thought the old man was getting all excited about a few sprouts but what Duncan saw was nearly impossible to fathom. The plants were huge considering they had been nothing but seeds hours ago.

He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard Joe speak to him "I truly am sorry for that. I'm very busy at the moment and I've got to go see what the commotion is. But if you walk with me I'll be happy to talk for a moment. So where are you from Duncan?"

Duncan shook his head as if he’d just come out of a daze and turned to the man “Well lead on then Joe and i’ll try to be quick, after all security ain’t nothing to take lightly in a town like this.” As the men began to walk Duncan gave Joe the bits that would be most useful to helping him at least get a Job and if Joe wanted more detail, he would have to weigh him up and see if he was a man of good sorts.

“Well Joe, I came from Canterbury Commons, which no doubt you’ve heard of. lived there for twenty odd years first as a caravan guard then as a driver, got a lot of connections all over the wasteland. Been as far west as California and up north to. You wouldn’t believe some of the things I’ve seen.”

The men came to the ‘farm’ and Joe stopped recounting his history, after all the man had only asked where he had come from. “Well would you look at that!” he said in astonishment. These were some of the biggest vegetables he had ever seen. He turned to the man who was ecstatic at his achievements “Very good work old boy” Duncan said with respect “I’m amazed that anyone could grow something from this dirt patch and they look so healthy as well” Duncan gawked at the plants and thought uneasily to himself whatever the man used it cannot be good for humans, nothing should grow that fast

He decided to let the thought slide for the time being, after all this looked like the happiest the man had been in awhile.

Jesse Christophe - Grayditch Front Wall - Noon (Passive Post)

Rolling up the sleeves of his duster, Jesse continued working on the front wall. With the added help, it would be finished within a matter of hours. He remained in this state of affairs until called for otherwise.

OOC:

Since I hadn't posted in a while, I just thought I'd put up this filler. Unless another character requires him, he'll stay like this until called lunch time which I would assume is around 2-ish.

James wilson- Grayditch Front Wall - Noon

Walking towards the drifter james could see all types of crops a foot high,Taking off his sunglasses, James inspected the plants and thought to himself: nothing usually grows this fast what did the drifter use?, better let him take the first bite.

Walking back to the wall , james could see the Jesse hard at work, taking off his jacket and Rolling up this sleeves, Jame started to help him on the front wall.With the added help, it would be finished within a matter of hours, instead of days.

FRIEDA ~~ Spark and Flame ~~ Late afternoon

Frieda and Vict found what could be turned into a perfect shop/workshop, but it needed a lot of work. The stairwell had fallen down, and the upper floor of the house was completely gone, but the result was a large, fairly open space on the main floor, and opportunity to install a ventilation system. The fans were more important due to the hot nature of Vict's work, but would hopefully help keep Frieda cool, too.

Before they could dream of fabricating and installing such a thing, though, the house had to be cleared of all its trash. Ruined furniture and skeletons (human and beast) were the major items that needed to be cleared out. Frieda hauled the items into the rubble-filled back yard while Vict installed a simple lock on the front and back doors. Following that, she began pulling the boards off the windows to help air the place out, and finally tackled the basemant.

There weren't any ghouls or roaches in the basemant, but it was in general disarray. She found a few food rations and a couple bottles of alcohol, but also usable shelves, much to her delight. She spent the rest of the afternoon setting the shelves back up, and stripping the ruined electrical and electronic items for parts. Vict had left after installing the locks to scavenge some scrap from the various rubble heaps lying around the town, leaving Frieda to her own devices.

Her mind wandered back to the hovering robot that accompanied the man in the lab coat. Frieda tried desperately to remember everything about what she saw in her mind after the very brief encounter, but it was gone. She decided not to think any more about it.

By the time she had cleared out the garbage, and straightened the basemant, it was early evening. Her stomach growled and she realized she hadn't eaten a thing all day. Frieda looked at herself and saw her hands and arms were grimy and dusty, and she could only assume that her face must look the same. She washed up in the still working sink in what was the old house's kitchen, then locked up.

Celeste was fiddling with a small radio in the diner. Frieda looked around and could see that Celeste had also been busy: all the surfaces were now shining like the bar was that morning, there was a whole fridge behind the bar, and a cabinet as well. The smell of detergent hung in the air. I'll try to loosen her up. "Need a little help with that?" she asked.

Celeste looked up from shaking the radio. "Oh, hi Frieda. Did you have a good day? Can I get you a drink?" The short woman's shirt was streaked with dirt and grime, but also with some food and drink splatter. Her hair was a little frizzy and her face looked a bit puffy, but her disposition was as upbeat as ever.

"I'll have a vodka and tonic, please." Frieda perched onto the same bar stool she had occupied earlier. "You didn't answer my question, though. Something wrong with your radio?"

"Yeah," Celeste replied tiredly. "James dropped it off yesterday, but it doesn't work now."

"Let me take a look." Frieda picked up the radio and turned it over in her hands. She turned its dial and the radio sprung to life. The voice of Three Dog filled the diner. Frieda blinked.

Celeste passed Frieda her drink and stared. "What did you do...?"

If I tell her all I did was turn it back on, she's going to be so embarrassed. I should just lie to save her feelings. "Well, I guess it just had a loose connection or something, but it's working now."

"Oh. Well, thanks for that. Don't worry about the drink." Celeste turned and walked away. Frieda left three caps on the bar and moved to a booth in the far corner to watch the day wind down.

Jimmy Leggio - Noon

After complimenting the man he learned was actually named Drifter, he decided he would wake Laura and Lucille and prepare them for the journey to the place called Springvale. Jimmy didn't know the exact location of the town, so he would just head to Megaton as Harold said it was between there and Grayditch and if he didn't find Springvale, he would ask Moriarty. Besides, he couldn't exactly march his wife and child into a town before enslaving and looting it clean, they needed somewhere to stay.

Jimmy entered the house he was staying at. Laura was awake and cradling Lucille in the kitchen downstairs.

"How are you, sweetness?" Jimmy asked lovingly, pecking her on the forehead and pulling a small wooden chair from the corner of the room next to her.

Laura smiled. "I'm good. How's Grayditch?"

Jimmy shrugged. "I was wondering if you wanted to go on a trip? To Megaton. The boys and I have business nearby."

Laura considered it for a moment. "What is your business?"

"A town named Springvale," Jimmy replied casually.

"I don't think we should hoof it all the way to Megaton, Lucille and I."

"I understand, but I promise you'll be safe, and--"

"I want to get to know the people around here," Laura interrupted.

Jimmy sat quietly for a moment before responding. "All right, you stay here. Just tell anybody who bothers asking that we are all gone to discuss clothes with Moriarty."


After saying his goodbyes to Laura Jimmy left the house. He went to the house next to his own and knocked on the door. Petey answered.

"We're going on a trip, Petey boy. Round up the soldiers."


Once everybody was rounded up, Jimmy marched through the town with his small army.

"Better to be safe than sorry," Jimmy mumbled as he made his way out of Grayditch.

OOC: leaving any details about the wall part blank until holy assassin posts about it's Condition

James Wilson - grayditch arms- late afternoon/ early evening


After helping Jessie build the wall......................... (blank space)..............................................

James had return to shop, taken some heart pills and for the last hour had been tutoring Sue how to spell and write correctly. “Welcome is spelt with “o” not a “u”

When James had first found met Sue, could barely write or spell even her own name but now she was roughly on par with a 10 year old, luckily however her reading skills were a lot better. “I think that enough for today, lets go and get something to eat”

Walking out of their shop James had noticed Freda and vict had set up a shop next door and had a lock on their door. Might get Vict to install a lock on my door tomorrow.

Inside the diner, the fridge had been fixed, a cabinet was also there and the radio, James had brought in yesterday was now working. Whilst Sue sat in an empty booth, James went up to the counter “ Hello Celeste, looks like you got the radio working again.Too bad it’s Three dog, I liked that enclave guy, anyway what’s for dinner today?”

Drifter - Late Afternoon - Garden/Backyard

Drifter took another drag off the joint and smiled as he blew the smoke through a gap where a tooth had once resided.He sauntered over to the Diner,stubbing out his doobie and sticking it behind his ear before walking in.As he sat down,he pulled a piece of broken glass out of the window frame,to use as a makeshift mirror.

Old and wrinkled,dirty and unshaven.Still,he felt great.

Leaning back in his booth,he drifted off into a blissful catnap.

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Late Afternoon

Celeste had to admit she was impressed with how quickly Frieda got the radio to work again. She had become fond of GNR, the radio station of choice back in her dad's saloon in Megaton, where she had worked for a week before moving to Grayditch. I guess that's why she's the expert and I'm not!

Sue walked in and sat in an empty booth. James approached the counter, and Celeste noticed his sling was gone. The new doctor must have fixed it up for him. “ Hello Celeste, looks like you got the radio working again.Too bad it’s Three dog, I liked that enclave guy, anyway what’s for dinner today?”

"I like Three Dog!" she giggled. "I wonder if he's good looking, I mean, just listen to his voice," she gushed. Celeste wiped up some spilled liquid off the counter. "I experimented with a stir fry featuring wild punga fruit and some strips of brahmin steak, on some noodles. Five caps a plate, two for eight. How does that sound?"

--Outer D.C. Ruins--

--Late Afternoon--

--Pawnee--

Pawnee had been walking through the desert for less than half an hour when he came upon a small row of houses that lay on the very edge of D.C. He was intrigued by the houses. Unlike larger structures, like the abandoned Corvega factory, many houses were still un-scavenged and full of hidden treasures.

Pawnee walked around the complex, scanning each house's fa?ade. Two of the three houses looked like they had been looted. Their windows were broken and when Pawnee peered through them he could see trash and detritus scattered around their interior. The house on the end looked untouched - one of the adjacent buildings had collapsed into it, sealing off the front door and most of the windows under a pile of rubble.

While Buck busied himself chasing rad-roaches up and down the street, Pawnee began to remove the rubble from in front of one of the windows, brick-by-brick, piece-by-piece. After several minutes, he had cleared out a small hole, large enough for him to squeeze through.

"Tick-tick-tick!" Pawnee clicked his tongue against his cheek, beckoning Buck back towards him, "here boy!"

Buck watched as Pawnee shimmed into the house through the tiny gap. After he disappeared, Buck began to whine.

The interior of the house was pitch black. Pawnee had a lighter in his pocket and flicked it on, scanning his surroundings by the meager flame. An old newspaper was lying on the floor by his boots and he twisted it into a long tube and lit the tip of it like a torch.

Inside of the house was a minuscule kitchen, a cramped breakfast nook and a small living room. There was a set of stairs, but they were blocked by jagged blocks of concrete and completely inaccessible.

The house had green wallpaper which was still vibrant, having been kept away from sunlight for centuries. A pristine television sat facing a garish, yellow couch. Next to the couch, at the back of the living room, was a tall black metal box that looked like a filing cabinet.

Pawnee approached the filing cabinet and immediately realized that it wasn't a filing cabinet.

It was a giant, man-sized safe.

That is a big [censored] safe. . .

Pawnee tried out the handle. The safe was sealed. It had a dial-combination lock.

Damnit. . .I bet Lakota could get this open in five minutes. . .just gota feel for the click.

Pawnee held his ear up to the safe door and slowly spun the dial. His oldest brother had become an expert at cracking safes such as this one, but Pawnee had never picked up the skill.

After a few minutes he gave up.

Could be a mountain of caps inside of that thing. . .or maybe nothing at all. . .

Pawnee wrinkled his brow, trying to think of how he could get it open.

A welding torch? Maybe that could burn through the lock? Could take hours though, and it would probably light this place on fire first. Some kind of explosive maybe? Could blow up whatever's inside. . .wait what about that thing a doctor uses. . .?

Pawnee racked his brain for the word.

A. . .a. . .stealth-a-scope. . .no. . .staph-e-scope. . .stethoscope - yeah stethoscope! Wait. . .where the [censored] would I get one of those?

Pawnee spent another ten minutes in the little house, glaring at the safe, before he wiggled his way back outside and began to walk towards Greydicth.

Gotta find me a welding torch, some explosives, and a stethoscope. . . .

***

--Early Evening--

--Celeste's Diner--

Pawnee walked inside of the diner and searched its interior for Celeste. She was fluttering between the kitchen and several tables, madly absorbed in her work. When she made eye-contact with him he called out to her.

"Hey there Celeste," Pawnee smiled, "I got a question for you. You seem to know everyone from here to Megaton. I saw a man and woman come into town earlier - the man was looking at someone's arm. He looked like a doctor or something. Any idea where I could find him? And do you know anyone around here who sells explosives or guns? I. . .need to stock up."

James Wilson – Celeste dinner – late afternoon/early evening

I like Three Dog!" she giggled. "I wonder if he's good looking, I mean, just listen to his voice," she gushed. Celeste wiped up some spilled liquid off the counter. "I experimented with a stir fry featuring wild punga fruit and some strips of brahmin steak, on some noodles. Five caps a plate, two for eight. How does that sound?"

“I take two plates, and two whiskey for me & Sue please” giving Celeste eight caps ”u know I met three dog once, he’s very uhh charming…”

Sitting back down in his booth, the boy, Pawnee and his dog had entered the diiner
.
Hey there Celeste," Pawnee smiled, "I got a question for you. You seem to know everyone from here to Megaton. I saw a man and woman come into town earlier - the man was examining someone's arm. He looked like a doctor or something. Any idea where I could find him? And do you know anyone around here who sells explosives or guns? I. . .need to stock up."

My first customer

“ Hello sorry to interrupt, Pawnee isn’t I’m James Wilson, I currently run “grayditch arm” selling high-qaulity firepower, come over and sit down, tell me what you wish want to buy?”

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Early evening

James ordered two dinners and two drinks. She nodded as she made a mental note of the order and reached down for some glasses. As she was pouring, Pawnee walked in and straight up to the counter.

"Hey there Celeste," Pawnee smiled, "I got a question for you. You seem to know everyone from here to Megaton. I saw a man and woman come into town earlier - the man was examining someone's arm. He looked like a doctor or something. Any idea where I could find him? And do you know anyone around here who sells explosives or guns? I. . .need to stock up."

Before she could reply, James, who had been listening, responded.

“ Hello sorry to interrupt, Pawnee isn’t I’m James Wilson, I currently run “grayditch arm” selling high-qaulity firepower, come over and sit down, tell me what you wish want to buy?”

Celeste gave Pawnee a half shrug as if to say "well, there you go". "Can I get you something to eat or drink, honey?" she asked him. While waiting for Pawnee's reply, she plated James and Sue's dinners, fetched some cutlery, and walked the two steaming plates to their table. "Four caps for both drinks, when you're ready," she beamed and returned to her place behind the bar. She hoped Joe would come by soon.

--Early Evening--

--Celeste's Diner--

--Pawnee--

“Hello sorry to interrupt, Pawnee isn’t it? I’m James Wilson, I currently run 'Grayditch arm' selling high-quality firepower, come over and sit down, tell me what you wish want to buy?”

"Sure," Pawnee stammered. He then winked to Celeste, "I'll take a nuka-cola to hold me over. Don't go running away though."

Pawnee sat down across from James and then eyed him for a moment.

If I tell him about the safe, he's going to want a share of whatever's in it. . .I'll play it cool for the moment.

"Hey there, James," Pawnee shook his hand, "was wondering. Do you have any explosives on hand? I found a door I can't open and I want to blast it open without blowing up what's on the other side."

James Wilson- Celeste's Dinner- early evening

Celeste had placed James and Sue’s dinner on the table asking for “four caps for both drinks, when you're ready," when pawnne had sat down, shaking James hand he asked “was wondering. Do you have any explosives on hand? I found a door I can't open and I want to blast it open without blowing up what's on the other side."


i'm sure He’s lying, he does look like the hustling type and he have beening following Fredia around everywhere, maybe I should follow him and see this “door” of his


"Well Pawnee I have some dynamite for sale in my shop, 10 caps per stick, I fetch some after dinner but be careful, you could blow your hand off."

--Early Evening--

--Celeste's Diner--

--Pawnee--

"Well Pawnee I have some dynamite for sale in my shop," James smiled, "ten caps per stick. I'll fetch some after dinner but be careful, you could blow your hand off."

"Sounds like a deal," Pawnee nodded, "I think I've seen where you're living so I'll be by later to pick some up. And remind me to ask you about that guy who looked at your arm. I need to find that doctor. Ask him for some. . .advice."

Pawnee slunk away from where James was sitting, waiting for his drink. As he did, he watched Celeste while she worked. The woman seemed tireless, like a one-woman army. A machine. She had spent the last two days taking care of everyone's needs and hadn't so much as cracked a frown or uttered a single complaint.

Reminds me of my mom. . .God I miss her. . .she ain't a mom though. Ain't that old. . .just. . .just really nice. . .really sweet. . .

Pawnee swallowed the thought. He dug around in his bag for a moment, in search of caps with which to pay James for the dynamite. Sitting near the top of his pack was the music box.

Pawnee pulled the music box out of his bag and opened it, letting its somber tune echo across the diner for a brief moment. He then shut it and walked over to the front counter, coming face to face with Celeste.

"Hey," Pawnee began, putting on the warmest smile possible, "I've seen a lot of people barking out orders to you, and calling you mam - which I can tell you don't like - and you've been busting your butt cleaning up this old dump since I got here and I just wanted to say. . .thanks. I really appreciate having somewhere nice like this to come back to after spending time out in the wastes. I think you've done a great a job with this place, a really great job and. . ."

Pawnee bit his tongue. He wasn't very good at this. This wasn't a hustle or an idle flirt. This was something real. It felt strange.

"I don't know where you're staying in town, but for what you've done for everyone - including feeding me when I first got here - I wanted to give you something."

Pawnee put the music box on the counter and opened it. It began to chime.

"Its a music box. Frieda fixed it up for me. I want to give it to you as a. . .housewarming present," Pawnee locked eyes with Celeste, "I ain't good at giving gifts though. Only every gave them to one other girl before and she's dead so. . .so. . .do you like it? Will you accept it?"

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Early evening

Phew, am I getting tired. Been a good, busy day, she thought absently to herself while she stacked some dirty dishes behind the bar. Where the hell am I going to wash these? I guess I will take them back to my house. ...where am I going to sleep tonight? I need to talk to Joe.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the re-appearance of Pawnee at the bar. He seemed a little awkward, saying so much to her. He hadn't said more than five words to her that day, seemingly more interested in pursuing his...friendship with Frieda. He was complimenting her on the state of the diner and put a music box on the bar. It played a pretty, though slightly haunting tune.

"Its a music box. Frieda fixed it up for me. I want to give it to you as a. . .housewarming present," Pawnee locked eyes with Celeste, "I ain't good at giving gifts though. Only every gave them to one other girl before and she's dead so. . .so. . .do you like it? Will you accept it?"

"Aren't you the sweetest?" she replied softly, wiping her hands on a nearby, fairly clean rag, before picking it up. Celeste held it up to her ear to get a better listen for a moment, before clicking it closed and placing it into her liquor cabinet and locking it inside. "I will be very happy to put that on a shelf in my house. ...when I have a house." She smiled. Her heart had melted a little, then. Not even Joe had been in since earlier that morning to see the progress she'd made, and most people just treated her like any other bar maid.

It felt good to be appreciated.

"I bet you're hungry," Celeste began. "Why don't you sit and eat some dinner with me and tell me about your day? You go ahead and settle into a booth and I'll bring you a plate, hmm? Go on." She busied herself with gathering a couple of plates for her and Pawnee, but not before handing him a shot of whiskey and grinning again.

Drifter - Early Evening - The Diner


Drifter woke up to a beautiful,eerie tune emanating from a music box on the counter.He blinked a few times,and saw Pawnee talking to Celeste and a man he hadn't met yet.

Drifter coughed and addressed them.

"Hey Pawnee...Celeste." He yawned and continued, "I never noticed how clean the place was...great job hon'.Those crops should be ready by tomorrow,and we can have that town dinner we've been talking about."

He gazed out of the window at the night sky before speaking again.

"Pawnee,get that dog of yours and let's go for a walk.There's something I'd like to show you."

Drifter stood up and walked to the counter.

"And Celeste honey,could we borrow a bottle of whiskey for the walk?"