I routinely design and run mathematical paradigms based on global, political, and socioeconomic conditions in an effort to predict future events. And one spring morning, the data coalesced. And told me in no uncertain terms that the world would...well, end.
The date of the end of the world may not interest you, Mister Howard. But the date that data coalesced might. April 14th, 2065. At 5:17 AM. Is that date of any interest to you?
That is vexingly curious, isn't it? More curious is that you were not meant to come to Las Vegas this weekend. Your wife Barbara was meant to come alone. The moment you bought your ticket to Las Vegas, the date the world was going to end jumped forward by one month.
I am a mathematician, a roboticist, and a casino owner. And I don't know yet how you figure into all of this, but you most certainly do. And I don't like unknown variables. Irksome, not knowing exactly how you play a part in ending the world.
No. No, the bombs will not be dropped by me or any of the idiots in that meeting. I believe there is another player at the table. The same unknown entity responsible for your demon in the snow.
And it does. I'm making sure of it by making use of every single piece of technology at my disposal. [genuinely frightened] But..but what if I'm not the House? What if someone else is?
I'm a lunatic? I would encourage you to gaze inward, Mister Howard. To your small life. Spending your days pretending to be a cowboy, while your wife is making apocalyptic proposals at board meetings! And I'm building a missile system to defend this glorious city from what's coming! But from whom, Mister Howard?! From whom?!
Who ends the world Mister Howard? Is it you? What if it is you?! I don't think you're a cowboy at all! No! I think you're a killer! I think I know exactly who you are!
But the rest of them? They are nuts. They bet their whole lives on Bud's weird multi-millennial plan. And if they find out you took that from them? There's no telling what they'll do. Sorry, that came across as a little dramatic. But in my defense, I did just see the world end a week ago.
The bad news is that the water chips have a 30% fail rate. But the good news is we'll know which ones fail before installation. So, we get to choose who runs out of water. Any preferences?
Our internal early alert system gives us, at minimum, 30 minutes from notice to ignition in downtown Los Angeles. We'd be crazy not to offer specialized freeway lanes to our premium customers. That's just money on the table right there.
Last night, I was thinking about when I proposed to you. Catalina. We walked out to that romantic point. The rocks were all covered in seagull shit. I'll never forget the sound it made when I took a knee. You know the thing that I can't figure out? Were you a monster back then? Or did you become one later?
Can't disagree with you there. What aspect upset you most? To me, what was most troubling was that everyone seemed to be fighting over nothing. The French, the German, what was the difference between really? Other than the uniforms? I saw the same thing up on the Surface. People fighting over the most petty things. Like bottle caps. Is that what you saw when you were there? But you know, some things just never change. People just want to kill each other, don't they? I think it's the only way people feel safe. It's ironic. To feel safe, we have to hurt people. Even kill them.
I'm bringing you back to Vault 33 to face justice for murdering the citizens of Shady Sands. You have the right to remain silent until the Vault Council assigns you a legal counselor.
I did what I did to protect you. But maybe it came at too high a price. And there comes a time in man's life when he has to take responsibility for what he's done. And for me that time has come. You have come, Sugarbomb.
The Vault Dweller? [scoffs] Yeah, I'd be a good person too if I grew up on top of a mountain of food and supplies in some cozy little impenetrable home. I wouldn't look like this, that's for sure. Wouldn't have to steal, and stab, and fib all the goddamn time just to get by. But if we sell it, guess what? Then we'll be rich. And then we'll have the means to be one of those "good people" you're talking about. I've seen a lot of things. Crazy things. But good people? No.
[trying to fight off going feral] Cooper. My name is Cooper Howard. I have a daughter. Her name is Janey. Janey Howard. She's alive. My daughter's alive.
Actually, this is still America, so yes we do! We're all down here because of who our parents were! And who their parents were! Our ancestors put themselves first. And you know what, that worked out for them. And for us. I'm not ashamed of that anymore.
