Future Imperfect

Future Imperfect is a main quest in Fallout 3. For completing this quest, you get The G.O.A.T. Whisperer which is an achievement on the Xbox 360 and PC; and a bronze trophy on the PlayStation 3.

Walkthrough
The quest starts after a talk with your dad, during which you're told you have to go to class and take the G.O.A.T. test. Bobblehead - Medicine is on his desk; this is one of only four opportunities to take it. Just outside the classroom, Amata is being harassed by Butch DeLoria and his gang, the Tunnel Snakes. There are a variety of choices that can be taken here.

The player may pass a speech check warning Butch that the Overseer will come down on the Tunnel Snakes if he continues his actions. This will earn good Karma. Also for good Karma, Wally Mack may be convinced that he is being used by Butch as a lackey, which causes him and Paul Hannon to leave the group. More good karmic options include Butch being told off, or fighting Butch and his gang. If the latter is chosen, then once either the player or Butch is reduced to 50% health, the fight will stop (alternatively you can start the fight and run into the class room or to James' office. This will stop the fight and still give you good Karma). The only bad karmic option here is telling Butch that Amata is sensitive about her weight, giving him more ideas to make fun of her. Wally Mack may still be convinced to leave Butch's gang after doing this. Alternatively, the player may ignore the incident completely for no change in Karma. Keep in mind that the path you take here will determine your initial Karma levels in the game, and it will be very difficult to change your alignment afterwards (the Karma shift is quite high).

Mr. Brotch will approach the player as they enter. If asked whether you really have to take the test, he will allow you to skip it, and select your tag skills directly. The player may also ask Mr. Brotch to fill out the G.O.A.T, whereupon he will ask what the player likes and will assign tag skills accordingly. This won't earn the achievement, though. Otherwise, the player is to sit down at a desk, after which the G.O.A.T will begin. See the G.O.A.T article for information on the questions and how the answers given influence the results. If the tag skills given are undesired, they may be changed by speaking with Mr. Brotch after the test.

Walking out of the classroom after setting your tag skills will move the game onto the next quest, Escape! (the first main quest), which occurs after a three year transition.

Transition quotes

 * "Boys and girls have different parts, right? Now listen closely." - Dad
 * "So, what is your problem anyway? Like, I'm the Overseer's daughter. So what? Like I get any kind of special treatment or anything..." - Amata
 * "No, now that is not correct. Tell me what is..." - Mr. Brotch
 * "Remember, Revelation 21:6 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end..." - Dad

Behind the scenes

 * The quest's name derives from the "future imperfect" tense, which describes ongoing action in the future: "I will be running."
 * The Fallout 3 achievement, The G.O.A.T Whisperer, which can be gained from completing this quest (If the player sits through the whole test) is most likely a reference to animal whispering or a TV show titled Ghost Whisperer.

Bugs

 * The test may fail to begin after the player sits in a desk. Some students may be scribbling some answers on their papers but nothing else will happen, requiring a reload. This commonly happens after fighting the Tunnel Snakes gang outside the door. If you wish to get the good Karma, talk to them instead.
 * Mr. Brotch may not address the player after entering the classroom. This may happen if you have knocked out more than one of the Tunnel Snakes in the hallway when they were teasing Amata.
 * After the blinding light appears right before the quest begins, you can see your father examining you, but he has stretched and bent fingers.
 * If you knock out all the Tunnel Snakes and sit in the last seat on the right and right when the test starts you can get up and leave the room to skip the test.