Dr. Horace Pinkerton, a self-described talented electrician, scientist, and surgeon,[1] is a reclusive inhabitant of Rivet City's broken bow in Fallout 3.
Background
He helped lead the remnants of the Naval Research Institute in a search for new lab space until they came across an abandoned aircraft carrier 40 years ago. After clearing out the Mirelurk infestation, he and his team moved into the carrier and set up their science lab.[2] Soon after, the population within their new home began to grow, leading Pinkerton to name the aircraft carrier Rivet City and to even form a council in 2239, which consisted of himself along with Annette Holmes and Brad Danvers.[3]
After Doctor Li arrived in Rivet City, Pinkerton's science team became enamored with Project Purity, and left Pinkerton to conduct his research on his own. Angered by this turn of events, Pinkerton expounded his views on the futility of Project Purity. Eventually, he was forced out of the Rivet City council and replaced by Doctor Li.[4] In a self-imposed exile, Pinkerton moved his home and lab into the broken bow of the ship. Years later, most of the inhabitants of Rivet City are no longer even aware of the location of Pinkerton or his hidden science lab. To many, his existence has become a legend.[Pub 1]
Pinkerton is the doctor who performed facial reconstruction surgery and a mind wipe on the android Harkness in order to help the Railroad hide him from the Institute. He also stole a mem chip from Dr. Braun,[5] and implanted the memories stored on it into Harkness.[6] A brash and talented scientist, Pinkerton is the only known person in the Capital Wasteland who has the skills to perform such complicated surgery.[7]
Publications
Interactions overview
| Interactions | ||
|---|---|---|
| This character is essential. Essential characters cannot be killed. Essential status expires when The Replicated Man and Wasteland Survival Guide are completed. | ||
| This character is involved in quests. |
| |
| This character is a doctor. |
| |
Inventory
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items | On death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasteland wanderer outfit | Assault Rifle | Android component |
Notes
Pinkerton estimates that, for the facial reconstruction he offers, there is "only" a 35% chance of death by infection.[8]
Quotes
- "This is the part where you tell me what the hell you're doing bothering an old man who obviously wants to be left alone.... get on with it already!"
- "Well, start believing or start walking! Remnants of the Naval Research Institute cleared the mirelurks off this wreck about 40 years ago. We were looking for new lab-space, and this bucket of bolts just happened to have a well-preserved science bay on it. Everything else just grew up around that lab once we got it up and running. The science team was led by one "H. Pinkerton.""
- "Who cares? It's some hydroponics pipe dream that Li's been working on forever. Waste of time and effort, I say. Apparently, though, my teams cared more about it than they did about little things like defense systems or making this ship float again. Treacherous bastards, all of them." – Pinkerton, about Project Purity
- "You're damn right she's a bitch. Ruined my whole goddamn life. But I can see you don't give a crap about any of that. Fine."
- "Oh, all right. So maybe I didn't wipe his mind, like he asked. But I buried it! Deep! Almost as good, really. But it's still there. Still accessible. All you need to do is use the recall code. Just say to him, "Activate A3-21 Recall Code Violet" and that will activate the hidden subroutines."
Appearances
Horace Pinkerton appears in Fallout 3.
Bugs
When the player chooses to get a facial reconstruction, there is a possibility that the Lasergrafter will not center on the character's face; it will only show the top half of it. When the player clicks "Done," the character view is shifted properly, but if the player selects "no" (to return to the facial editor), the view will shift back to only showing the top half of the face.- Making the Lone Wanderer's skin darker using facial reconstruction, not saving the game and loading the previous save, will result in having a dark skin color, but a much lighter colored face.
- After choosing a lighter skin tone, the right hand of the Lone Wanderer will remain dark until the game has been restarted.
References
- ↑ Lone Wanderer: "What kind of work do you do in here?"
Horace Pinkerton: "The secret kind... Well, if you must know... I'm an electrician and computer expert. AND I'm a bit of surgeon. Really, the most gifted scientist you'll find... Hmph. I'm the guy that got Rivet City up and running in the first place! And after all that Li and her gang of flunkies pushed me out. Ha! Project Purity indeed. What a bunch of morons -- they can't even clean some water."
(Horace Pinkerton's dialogue) - ↑ Lone Wanderer: "You were on the City Council? That's hard to believe."
Horace Pinkerton: "Well, start believing or start walking! Remnants of the Naval Research Institute cleared the Mirelurks off this wreck about 40 years ago. We were looking for new lab-space, and this bucket of bolts just happened to have a well-preserved science bay on it. Everything else just grew up around that lab once we got it up and running. The science team was led by one 'H. Pinkerton.'"
(Horace Pinkerton's dialogue) - ↑ Rivet City Council Minutes
- ↑ Lone Wanderer: "So, you used to be in charge? How did you end up here?"
Horace Pinkerton: "That lasted until 'bout 18 years ago, when those ambitious backbiters like Li and her little team showed up. She came in with her big "Purity Project" pipe dream, and my whole staff started working with her, those traitors! She even took my seat on the council. By then, I was glad to leave it behind. But hell if I'm leaving the city I made great!"
(Horace Pinkerton's dialogue) - ↑ Rivet City terminal entries; Pinkerton's private computer, Android log 2
- ↑ Rivet City terminal entries; Pinkerton's private computer, Android log 3
- ↑ Lone Wanderer: "Let's just say it's in your best interest to tell me what I want to know."
Horace Pinkerton: "Fine, whatever. This android, calls himself Harkness now, comes in and wants a memory job. I took new memories, and replaced his old ones. Don't believe anyone's done that before. Certainly not down here. That Commonwealth tech isn't all that fancy when it comes down to it. I'm also the only one in the wasteland with the skill and the nerve to perform facial surgery. That android flesh aint so different than ours. You want proof? I documented the whole thing. So I could rub it in the face of Dr. Li when I need to rankle her feathers. I hate that snooty bitch."
(Horace Pinkerton's dialogue) - ↑ Lone Wanderer: "You think you could perform a Facial Reconstruction on me?"
Horace Pinkerton: "And how! I AM the only one in all of the Wasteland with the skill and the guts to perform facial reconstruction, you know. Look. You're different from all those other jerkoffs, so I'll make you a deal. You want a little nip-tuck here and there, I'll do it for ya. I'll get to hone my skill, and you'll get the best surgeon around. The likelihood of death by infection at my hands is only... hmm... 35% let's say."
(Horace Pinkerton's dialogue)
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p. 76: Horace Pinkerton
"Pinkerton, 60, is a crotchety old man who helped turn Rivet City from an old aircraft carrier into a livable community. He's grown tired of people and spends the remainder of his days isolated in his Broken Bow workshop, which also serves as his quarters. Most of the residents would be surprised to find he is still on the ship, let alone living there. Belle Bonny knows he lives here. Doctor Li and Seagrave Holmes remember him from the early days but assume he left Rivet City decades ago."
(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide/Wasteland Census)
