Finally in the Strip

Finally in the Strip

As the gate from Freeside opened, its loud metallic grinding revealed a scene of amazement. People were thick on the streets. And all different types of people. Madeline had been used to the sometimes crowded vault where the size meant the limited numbers gave an inflated idea of the population. Here though, the wide open streets and glittering lights showed life in abundance.

No wonder they were restrictive on who could enter the Strip--this would be a prime target for anyone looking for easy loot. Madeline walked half stunned down the paved road that seemed well maintained. She saw security robots patrolling with that unsettling grin of a face in their mid section. She saw what must have been soldiers from the NCR who were on leave stumbling down the street. Criers hustled patrons to come inside their establishments. Two female criers outside the Gomorrah were almost entirely naked and Madeline saw them easily usher some not-so sober NCR soldiers inside.

Besides the Gomorra there was a giant tower labeled Lucky 38, though it didn't appear to have much foot traffic. The Ultra-Lux was nearby with all kinds of fancily dressed patrons entering and leaving.

Madeline peered around for the Vault she had heard about. When she couldn't spot it she asked someone who looked as though they hadn't been hitting the bottle too hard.

"Excuse me," she said slowly "But do you know where the Vault is around here?"

"The Vault?" the man in a ragged coat said as he considered Madeline "Oh Vault 21--its just over there beyond that other gate. Don't waste all your money darling."

He gave her a grin that said he wanted to see what was under her clothes but he didn't press her and continued on his way.

Madeline's heart pumped. She would soon be able to find the Electromagnetic Motion Refiner Array (EMRA) or at least she hoped. Would this Vault 21 have an extra one? She found herself moving quickly to the next gate.

Madeline was able to easily find the sign to Vault 21. Though it looked very...different. She would have expected its large cog like gate to have been closed. But maybe this vault had chosen to remerge as it made sense. She double checked her eyes.

"Vault 21...Hotel?" Madeline said aloud as in confusion. She approached with a mix of hope and dread. What if this is just something people called a vault? She moved faster, almost running in the street.

A number of other people had entered before her and she followed. She finally found someone wearing a vault jumpsuit and a sigh of relief was audible from her lips.

"A fellow vault dweller!" Madeline said, her excitement couldn't be contained. Having started her journey so long ago she was so relieved to have met a fellow vault dweller.

The woman, with dusty blonde hair cut short, looked at Madeline in amazement.

"You are from a vault?" she then shook her head. "I am sorry, where are my manners? Welcome to Vault 21 Hotel and Casino, how may I help you?"

"This is a hotel? I thought it was vault?" Madeline said, her face visibly troubled.

"Well its both actually." the woman said "I am Sarah Weintraub. I run this hotel and this little gift shop."

Madeline just now looked around and saw that she was indeed in some kind of store from the old videos--a tourist shop of some kind. When Sarah saw the confusion on Madeline's face she continued with a smile.

"This Vault used to be fully functional. And my family lived in it for generations. Now its a hotel and a casino."

"But...how did that happen?" Madeline asked intrigued.

Sarah proceeded to tell Madeline a brief history of Vault 21; that the Strip had been spared much of the nuclear devastation thanks to the inventions of Mr. House--an AI or computer of some sort that lives in the Lucky 38. He united the nearby tribes after the major fallout settled and they formed the three largest casinos. The Omertas run the Gomorrah, the Chairmen the Tops, and the White Glove Society run the Ultra-Luxe. Mr. House negotiated with the residents of Vault 21 to open their gates and share in the prosperity of New Vegas.

"The inhabitants agreed with Mr. House's deal--though that was only after a very tense game of blackjack. You see" Sarah continued "in Vault 21 everyone was equal, and everything was decided by chance. Gambling was how things were decided in Vault 21. And considering the history this area it all made sense."

"I am from a vault far to the south. I..." Madeline hesitated but knew she had to ask she had come too far "I am in search of an Electromagnetic Motion Refiner Array. Does your Vault have an extra one?"

"Oh my," Sarah said "you really are from a vault. Lots of people come in here trying to get discounts or talk big. But not many people know about the ERMA that is some real mundane vault gear."

"Do you....do you have one?" Madeline said almost pleading.

"I am so sorry dear," Sarah shook her head slowly in real sympathy. "I am afraid that Mr. House stripped most of the vault of tech, filled it with concrete and left only the casino and hotel floor here. All major services are run through Mr. House's infrastructure."

Madeline placed her hands on the counter near Sarah. She hung her head low. Taking a deep breath in and out a small stream of tears touched her face. She hadn't expected them.

"All that for nothing." Madeline said to herself.

"Now now honey." Sarah said soothingly "It will be alright."

Madeline lifted her head, her eyes water and looked at Sarah.

"No its won't!" She said in a hushed **** sigh. "My vault cannot last for another year without the Electromagnetic Motion Refiner Array. I was supposed to find one. I don't know where else to go. I have failed. I have failed them."

Tears again they wouldn't stop, though Madeline fought against breaking down and sobbing completely.

Sarah came around the counter and gave Madeline a hug.

"Look." She said giving Madeline's shoulders a comforting squeeze "I don't know how to help your Vault. I wish I could. I can tell you aren't just a shyster--they wouldn't have let you through the gate and I can tell you are from a vault. I have a spare room you can have. Spend the night. Get a shower and get some rest. We will see what we can do about your problem in the morning."

Madeline didn't even remember walking to the room with Sarah. But once there she curled up into the soft--incredibly soft bed. She hadn't had a decent nice sleep in ages. Bunks and makeshift beds or the ground had been rough. She didn't know how many weeks it had even been. Maybe months.

She found sweet oblivion after sobbing herself to sleep...