Merk

Merk is the head of organized crime in Shady Sands in 2241.

Background
Though in the grand scheme of the world a small-time crook, the lawful environment of NCR made for little competition, elevating Merk to what is essentially the status of a local crime boss. In order to avoid the prying eyes of the vast NCR police force, Merk usually holds court in a saloon located in the outer Bazaar area of NCR. The Rawhide Saloon, well-known for its rough clientele, is a frequent haunt of Merk, who used its back room.

Gaining access to Merk is not particularly easy, however; crime bosses who have an open-door policy generally do not enjoy a long life, so Merk is accompanied at all times by bodyguards who bar the casual visitor from entry to Merk's "office." However, the right connections - or an impressive show of force - catch the crime boss's attention. Typically, however, a show of force would involve the participation of the bar's resident tough guy, a super mutant named Lenny; not an easy prospect for most humans.

Despite his relative "small fry" status as far as the wasteland would consider him, Merk nevertheless is quite entrepreneurial, and runs many operations in NCR. Perhaps the highest profile is a backroom gambling establishment within the walls of NCR itself. Permission to enter the gambling den has to come from Merk himself, and anyone without the proper pass phrase was turned away.

However, the lawful mindset of NCR's government hampers Merk's efforts to build a criminal empire, leaving him seeking for outside solutions to internal problems.

Interactions with the player character
Merk's primary annoyance is a Hubologist who set up a church in NCR. Although Merk desperately wants the missionary eliminated, using one of his own men would only cause a great deal of trouble with the NCR police. Consequently, Merk views the Chosen One as the perfect solution: a loner nobody knows, apparently experienced in killing, and willing to trade services for profit. But first he needs proof that this independent contractor can handle the job: beating Lenny, the super-mutant bar patron, in a fight.

Once the Chosen One proves he can handle combat, Merk provides a quest: Kill Hubologist in NCR for Merk.

Appearances
Merk appears only in Fallout 2.