Dot – Red
Carnegie – Black
Vernon – Blue

DOT

Welcome to Dot’s Diner, how can I help you?

Your name’s Dot? Like on the sign?
Actually, my name’s Emma. But I can’t change the sign, so I figured, might as well change my name.

How’s business?
Better, now that you’re here. But don’t worry, we’re not starving for customers.
The diner’s not really a business. It’s just something to keep busy.

What made you open this diner?
Well, when I first found the place, I was just looking for a place to spend the night. But I thought, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 
We don’t actually have lemonade on the menu, just to be clear.

Where do you get your supplies?
Carnegie makes a trip over to the towers every so often to collect their trash. The people there toss away more food than we could ever serve.

Hellos
Welcome back. What can I do for you?
Back again, huh. What can I get you?
It’s hot enough to roast a squirrel on the pavement. Believe me, I’ve done it.

Goodbyes
Don’t be a stranger.
Come back any time.

What have you got for sale?
Everything you see here.
Hot meals and cold drinks. Well, more like warm everything.

Do you take care of everyone here?
Ha, you make it sound like we’re a family. I suppose it does feel like that sometimes.
I think Carnegie’s a little too hard on Jessica though. She’s a runaway, and girls like that have been through hell and back.
I just try and give her space and let her know I’m here if she needs me.

Scene 1

Hey Emma…

It’s Dot now, remember? You’re gonna confuse the customers if you keep calling me that.

Sorry.  Last time. I swear.

Ha, that’s what you said yesterday, and the day before that. 

Yeah. Knowing me, you might have an easier time changing the sign.

Scene 2

Need anything from the tower?

Whatever they toss, really. No point spending caps on what you can get for free.

But the bins might not have what you need.

Then we’ll change the menu until they do. Stick to the lemons, Carnegie, that’s all I can afford.

Well, what if I bought it out of my own pocket?

Now why would you do that?

No reason. I…better get going.

if payphone ringing

(sleepy) Huh?

Do you hear the phone ringing?
(sleepy) Phone? I don’t hear anything…

Quest 

What was that noise?

Don’t be alarmed, but I think it sounded like a scream.

Oh my god, is someone hurt? Where’s Jessica?

Shit, I’ll go check her camper!

run to camper, find Jessica dead.

Damn…

How could this happen?

Whatever got to her, it wasn’t human. Her guts are torn out.

(yao guai is a type of mutated bear)
What could have done this? Yao guai?

No, They’re too big to get inside this camper.

It’s the phone! Someone picked up the phone!

What are you talking about? What phone?

Every night, it rings right around this time! Whoever picked it up must have let something out!

Oh Jesus Christ Vernon, not again with this bullshit!

It’s not bullshit! Someone must’ve picked it up!

to player

You! You picked it up, right?

player admits to picking it up

Enough! Whatever we’re dealing with is real, and ignoring some Pre-War junk isn’t going to stop it!

Then where is it? Where’s this vicious, bloodthirsty animal you keep talking about?

I don’t know. Maybe we spooked it. Or maybe it was raiders. We all know Jessica wasn’t part of any choir.

Raiders? Since when do raiders run from anything? 

Will you two stop arguing? Something’s out there, and we need to protect ourselves.

Dot’s right. I’ll start sleeping during the day so I can guard the camp at night.
The rest of you should arm yourself in case this thing isn’t nocturnal.

And what if the phone rings again?

It won’t.

after Jessica dead

I’m sorry, I don’t want to talk right now. Maybe in the morning.

I can’t believe what happened..poor Jessica…she was still so young.

She was a chem addict. She had her whole two months ahead of her.
I know she was using, but she was trying to quit. It just isn’t easy for someone with her history.

Jessica meant a lot to you, didn’t she.
She did. I never got married, so she was the closest thing I had to a daughter.

Don’t worry, we’ll find who did this to her.
Thank you. I know you’re new here, but it means a lot that you’re willing to help.

I know. I feel like I hardly knew her. Probably because we never met.
I guess she never really came out of her camper. She didn’t like being around the others. The poor thing.

What do you think about Vernon’s theory?
You mean that business about the phone?
Look, I know Vernon means well, but I have to agree with Carnegie on this one. It’s just…too out there.

What can you tell me about the history of the diner?
Are you asking if it’s built on some holy ground? I wouldn’t know.
But I’ve slept here every night for about a year now, and outside of what Vernon says, I haven’t noticed anything unusual.

What about the previous owners? Anything about them?
(Suspicious/Agitated)
What do you mean? There are no previous owners, so I don’t know what are you talking about.
(Realizes you’re referring to the original Dot)
Oh wait, do you mean Dot? I thought you were…oh never mind.
Dot hasn’t owned this place for two hundred years. I don’t know if she was into the occult, but judging by the decor, I doubt it.

Thanks. When will the diner open up again?
I need a few days to grieve. Carnegie said he was going to clean up the camper if you wanted to stay the night.
I don’t know if I’d be comfortable sleeping there though, a little creepy if you ask me. But if you want, you can use one of the booths.

I’ll let you know when the diner re-opens. If you want to help, talk to Carnegie.

1am, she brings Carnegie some coffee

Hey, I brought you some coffee.

Thanks. You should go back to sleep.

Who can sleep after all that’s happened?

I guess you have a point, and I can’t say I’m mad about the company. But you don’t believe this nonsense about the phone, do you?

No, don’t worry, I haven’t lost my mind yet.

Well good, because according to Vernon, it’ll start ringing at any moment.

(They both pause to look at the phone).

Pfffff! (This is a snort/snicker/laugh)

Pffffff! (This is a snort/snicker/laugh)

Go easy on Vernon, his heart’s in the right place.

I’ll try. But I’m not gonna encourage him, not when-

phone starts ringing.

(scared) Oh my god…Vernon was right…it’s ringing!

How…how is that even possible?

See! I told you! I told you it rings!

What is this, some sort of trick?

You think this is some kind of hoax? Jesus Carnegie, Jessica’s dead!

Yeah, and it hasn’t gotten shit to do with that phone! Hell, I’ll prove it!

picks up phone

See! What did I tell you? Nothing.

Carnegie, I…I think I heard something.

What do you mean?

When you picked up the phone, I heard a voice, telling me to go back to the diner.

Oh no…you’ve really done it now. We’re done for. We’re fucking dead!

Calm the fuck down Vernon! Now if someone’s in that diner, then the way I see it, we have him cornered.

to player

Since we’re the only ones with guns, I think you should lead the way, and I’ll cover the rear. What do you think?

Of course. I’ll take the lead.
Thanks. If anyone tries to sneak up on us, I’ve got your back.

Okay, you two get behind our friend here! I’ll cover the rear!

How about you take the lead, and I go home?
Christ, you’re worse than Vernon.
All right, I’m taking the lead, everyone else stay behind me!

It’s best if I cover the rear.
Fine. It’s been a while since my paramilitary days, so I’ll defer to you.

I’m not taking orders from you. From now on I’m listening to Vernon.
That dumbshit coward may have been right about the phone ringing, but he’s no soldier. Right now, I think it’s best if you take charge.

hellos

You have to help us! I don’t want to die!

Oh god oh god oh god….

enter diner, it’s covered in bodies and blood

No…this can’t be real…

We must be in hell…this is literally hell.

Well, wherever we are, we got company!

Combat

Take that!

Die you fucking ghouls!

There’s no end to them!

Agh!

ghouls killed

That looks like the last of them. We better check on the others, make sure they’re okay.

dot and vernon talking in diner

What do you mean, a message?

It was written on the walls…something about the trash…

No…it can’t be….

I’m telling you, it was there! I saw it!

You didn’t see a goddamn thing!

You can’t be serious! You heard the phone! You saw the diner!

It doesn’t matter what I saw. I want you all to pack your things. We’re leaving.

I understand if you both want to go. But I’m staying. 

Emma, no…

My name’s Dot! Same as on the sign. And I’ve put to much into this place to leave now.

But think about what you’re saying. You can’t stay here, not after all this.

I can and I will. If Vernon’s right about the phone, then all we have to do is not answer it.

(Sigh) To be honest, I think you’re crazy. But if you’re that determined to stay, then I’m staying too.

But what about the message? It might be a clue.

Even if it was, there’s no point poking the deathclaw when we don’t have to.
Now if you want to leave, you’re welcome to. No one will call you a coward, not after tonight.

I’m not a coward, and I’ve put just as much work into this place as you or Dot. I’m staying too.

Then you take your own advice and don’t answer the phone. Just sleep through it.
Which is what I suggest for all of you. Get some sleep. We’ll talk about it more tomorrow.

hellos

This can’t be happening…

I’m telling you, I saw a message on the wall. Something about the trash….

After this, the others are finally gonna start listening to what I have to say. 

I thought about cutting the cord, but Carnegie says we shouldn’t touch the phone. For once, I agree with him.

What we saw in the diner was probably some sort of mass hallucination. I wouldn’t concern yourself with it.

Thanks for your help. Without you, we’d would’ve been overrun.

The ghouls could have come from the Dunwich building to the south. I’ve heard that place is infested.

Thanks so much for staying. You saved me and the diner.

What do you make of Vernon’s message?
(nervous, as she knows message was for her but doesn’t want to reveal that)
I didn’t see anything, but it was a lot to process. 
Still, Carnegie’s right. This thing, whatever it is, wants to kill us. So why should we listen to anything it has to say?

What if a customer decides to stay the night and picks up the phone?
Carnegie will make sure that doesn’t happen. He’ll shoot somebody in the leg if he has to.

Do you mind if I take a look in your trash bin?
Why would you want to do that? 
Well, it doesn’t matter, I lost the key to that years ago. We burn all our trash now.

Why is the trash bin locked?
To keep molerats and other vermin away. Look, I don’t know what you think you’ll find in there, but it’s private property.
You shouldn’t just go rummaging through other people’s things.

Thanks again for stopping those ghouls.

I could never leave this place. The life I had before was ten times worse than what we’re dealing with here.

player finds corpse in dumpster

I figured someone would open that dumpster up sooner or later.
Hmph, truth is, Vernon wasn’t the first person to hear that phone ring. It was me.

Why didn’t you say anything?
Because I knew who it was after. And as wrong as it sounds, I chose to side with the person I love.

When did you first hear it ring?
It was about a year ago. Emma had just taken over the diner and asked me to come help her set up.
I was real late. I’d spent all night patching a hole in my camper when it started to ring. And without thinking, I walked over and picked it up.

Did anything happen?
Yeah. When I first picked it up, there was a voice on the other end, telling me to check the dumpster.
When I found the body, it was pretty easy to figure out who killed her.

Why not burn or bury the corpse?
I don’t know. It just felt awkward, giving her a proper burial knowing the truth.
And part of me thought if I left it here, one day Emma would trust me enough to tell me the truth.

Who was this woman?
From what I could piece together, she used to live here. Slept on the same mattress Emma uses now. Might’ve even called herself Dot.
But she was also old and stubborn. She couldn’t have had more than five years left.
If she just let Emma use the diner this never would’ve happened.

So what are my choices now?
You can move on. Pretend you never saw it. I’ll guard the phone every night and make sure nobody else gets hurt.
But if you’re going to make trouble, then I’m letting you know now: I’ll fight you with every last bullet.

Remember what I said. No need to start anything now that things have settled down.

I’m glad you didn’t mention the body to Emma. Even if you can keep a secret, she didn’t need the stress.

You didn’t have to mention the body. But what’s done is done. Hopefully you’re someone we can trust.

talk to dot

Sticking around, huh? We ought to get you a trailer, you’ve more than earned it.

I’m actually on my way out. Just wanted to say goodbye.
Well, I’m gonna be sad to see you go.
And I’d be a poor host if I let you go on an empty stomach, so here. Some food for the road.

Thanks. It’ll come in handy.
It’s the least I can do. You saved my life.
Now I know this is goodbye, but I hope it’s not goodbye forever.
You’re going to come back and visit us, right?

I will.
Then it’s a promise. In the meantime, you take care, and good luck.

I can’t be sure.
Well, I hope you do. I know it’s hard sometimes to stay in one place, but everyone needs somewhere they can call home.
But wherever you go, you take care, and good luck.

No, I don’t think I’ll ever be coming back here again.
After everything that’s happened, I guess I don’t blame you. But you take care, and good luck.

Good timing. I could do with a hot meal.
I put it in a little of both. Some fried iguana for now, and some snacks for later.

I appreciate it, but I’d rather just have caps.
Ha, far be it for me to argue with my best customer. Here you go.

Eh, I don’t like it. Hope you don’t mind if I, you know, toss it in the trash.
Well then, I’ll just take that back. Trash attracts molerats, and molerats attract scorpions.

It was just a joke, sorry. I meant nothing by it.
Well I don’t think it was very funny. Still, you’ve earned the right to step on a few toes around here.
How about I just give you some caps and you can buy what you want.
In fact, be sure to stop by whenever you can. When you’re this far out, sometimes it’s just nice to see a familiar face.

I know about the dumpster, Dot.
What dumpster? I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Don’t play dumb. I know about the corpse.
I’m not playing anything! What is it you’re trying to say?

You killed that old woman. Now she wants her vengeance.
I’m not even going to dignify that with a response. Leave.

I have nothing to say to you.

You’re not welcome here.

Neither do I. I don’t know why I mentioned it, to be honest.
Well, you definitely had me going there for a second.
I thought you were going to say you found a ghost inside.
In any case, thanks again. We all owe you a lot. And if you’re ever in the area, be sure to stop by and say hello. 

There’s a body there. Carnegie’s trying to set you up.
No, you got it all wrong. Carnegie’s a sweet man. He’s been looking out for me ever since we were teenagers.
It was me. I killed her.

Jessica’s dead and we could’ve died too. It’s time to come clean.
Jessica…that poor woman. She’d still be alive if it weren’t for me.
You’re right. It’s time I came clean.
It was me. I killed her. And it’s my fault Jessica’s dead.

Who was this old woman?
I don’t know. She was living here when I found the diner.
At first I tried to convince her to use the trailers, but she wouldn’t leave.
I mean, she wasn’t right in the head. Plus she was old and rude and…I know it just sounds like I’m making excuses but…
What I’m trying to say is, I’m not a murderer. I just…did what had to be done.

You are a murderer, and that woman deserves her vengeance.
And are you the one who’s going to give it to her? Can you really do that? I mean, look at me. I’m no soldier. I’m helpless.

So was she, and you had no problem killing her.
Hmph, maybe you’re right. But she was old, mad and dying. It’s not the same.
But I know better than anyone that there’s no point in begging.
And I’ve been through way too much to let some stranger walk in here and take this diner away from me!

combat

We all have to do things we don’t like to survive.
You’re right. I didn’t want to do it, but she left me no choice.
I can’t go back to wandering the wastes, and I can’t go back to town. I need this diner. There’s nowhere else.

Right or wrong, there are still consequences for your decisions. I’m sorry.
You know, I thought you were different. But it turns out you’re just as judgmental as everyone else.
Well, I may not be a soldier, but I’ll be damned if I let you just walk in here and take what’s mine!

I agree. You’ve built a good home here. One mistake doesn’t change that.
I know. It doesn’t make the burden any easier, but that’s mine to bear.
Not Vernon’s, not Carnegie’s, not Jessica’s. And certainly not yours.
So I thank you for being so understanding. It’s hard carving a life out here in the wastes, and not every decision is easy.
Believe me, I know.

(hello)
Thanks again for understanding. I really appreciate it.

Why was this diner so important? Why not live somewhere else?
There’s nowhere else for someone like me. It was safe, quiet, and far away from home.
I couldn’t go back to town. Not after what happened. I needed this place. It had to be here.

I really don’t care about your motivations. I just want to prevent more deaths.
Then you can start with preventing mine. If this was just about me, then why did it kill Jessica?
The only way to stop people from dying is to leave well enough alone.

Being a murderer is nothing to be ashamed of. Wear it proudly, like a notch on your belt.
I’m not ashamed of what I did, but I’m not proud of it. And I’m not murderer. You and me are nothing alike.

We are. And that’s why I’m letting you live.
Well, if that’s your choice, I’m not gonna argue with it.
But I don’t think you should come around here anymore either. We’re good, honest folks here. I think it’s best if we keep it that way. Goodbye.

Maybe, maybe not. You die either way.
Hmph. It must be nice to just pass judgment on people like you’re some kind of god.
Well, I may not be a soldier, but I’ll be damned if I let you just walk in here and take what’s mine!

Post-quest

Thanks again for helping us out.

Here’s a little something on the house.

Have there been any more incidents?
Carnegie’s watching over that phone like bloodhound. Hasn’t rung yet, so I think we’re in the clear.

So the diner’s back open?
Yeah. I think the best way to get over what happened is to get back to work.