Chapter 8: A Shot of Whiskey

I left the plant and walked to the bar.

"Well, if it ain't Mrs. Fixer Upper?" I heard a thick Irish accent.

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh, it's you. My, I haven't seen you since you were a wee baby."

"I don't remember you. I was born in the vault."

"The name's Moriarty, thanks for asking. And you can believe what you want. I know more than you do. And I know what you want to know."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I know yer father."

"You do? Can you please tell me where he went? Did he come here?''

"My memory is a bit foggy, lass. Maybe something can freshen it up?"

"How much?"

"A hundred caps."

"Done. Now tell me."

"Oh, lass. I need to see it for myself."

I groaned and pulled out a large bag I used for what I could.

I counted out the caps and handed them to him.

"Now, tell me."

"Alright, don't get yer panties in a twist. Yeah, yer father came here. And I know where he went. He went to GNR Radio in D.C.. I don't recommend you going straight after him though. The capital is full of nasty things."

"How long ago did he leave?"

"About an hour before you got to town."

An hour? He got here an hour before me?

"I think I'm just gonna have a drink." I mumbled.

"That's the spirit, lass. No pun intended."

"Gob?"

"Yeah, friend?"

"Can I have a bottle of whiskey?"

He looked at me the way you look at a crying child.

"Sure, thing, Eleanor."

I paid for the bottle and sat down in front of him.

"I'm sorry to hear about your father."

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I've never even been further than Springvale."

"I'll let you in on some advice. There's a place in the Capital. It's called Underworld, the City of Ghouls. That's where I'm from. There's a man by the name of Charon, he's another ghoul. He's a hard ass but he's a real good protector. I say you should go get him when you have the resource and he'll take care of you."

"Where is that?"

"Hand me your wrist thing, I'll check the map."

I handed him my Pipboy and he put the location in. Along with several others around the area.

"That's all I really know."

"Thank you. Do you know how to get there?"

"I say follow the river until you see a large monument. It's the Jefferson Memorial. From there, go to Rivet City and talk with some people. Stay there for a few days and stock up on things. And once you're ready to leave, take Anacostia to the Mall. Follow the signs with a gear with wings. It will take you to the Washington Memorial. It lets out right in front of the Museum of History. Don't let Willow get to you. And don't get away from the Museum, there's too many super mutants."

"What even is a super mutant?"

"They were human once. They had some kind of experiment that went wrong and they went crazy. They're bigger than humans and they're a nasty yellow color. Their mouths are always open, too."

That painted a good enough picture for me.

"Oh. Who else is in Underworld?"

"Well, there's Carol and Greta. They own a little bed and breakfast. Before you leave for there, I have a letter for Carol. She's like a mom to me. And then there's Winthrop who keeps everything maintained. Tulip is a sweet girl. She owns a clothing store. Graves and Barrows work the clinic. Don't be fooled by the name. Snowflake does hair." He stopped to remember everyone. "Nice hair, by the way. Uh, Ahzrukahl has Charon's contract and owns the bar. And then there's Quinn who scavenges. That's about it."

That's a lot of names to remember.

"I think I'll go next week. I don't know."

"That soon?"

"Yeah. I'll make it."