Caps n' glamour

### Part One

*Gideon was in his room, dancing to some classic music he had put on a restored record player. Most of his belongings had been requested, paying a scavenge team to comb through the wastes for the things he asked for. Surprisingly, he got most of what he asked for, and he enjoyed using everything he got. Nikolai knocked on the door, opened it and walked in. Gideon asked,* “What brings you here?”, *Nikolai replied,* “I need your view on a few things.”. *Gideon smiled,* “Not getting the answers you want, hmm? Need a bit of madness to clear things up?”. *Nikolai explained a few things, then Gideon answered,* “Monochrome…? I remember a few rumors. I was far from Vegas at the time, but I heard the news when he attacked the Strip 6 years ago. And you believe he’s back, yes? He’s been here for 2 days and done nothing, so he clearly doesn’t have a course of action. The corruption must surely make his programming difficult to work and he won’t be able to efficiently make decisions. Constantly falling apart, so he constantly changes his code and rearranges himself to stay in some sort of shape, even if he becomes an unorganized mess. Using that against him is the best way to defeat him if the need arises, make him overload without any intervention.”. *Nikolai thought over what Gideon said, then said,* “That’ll work I suppose. How’d you figure all that out?”. *Gideon replied,* “It’s simple… A lot of us aren’t quite right in the head, and somehow because of that we can see things and do things that normal people can’t see or do. Are we crazy? No, no no no… *Never call us crazy unless you have a death wish.* We’re just different, blessed with a little madness in our life thanks to that one mysterious fellow… Anyways, would you like a drink? Plenty bottles on the shelf, music will be rolling for hours, and we could chat about anything you like!”. *Nikolai accepted,* “I could use a break from work. How about you tell me more about yourself? I’ve been curious to learn more.”. *Gideon smiled,* “Now that’s a topic I love to talk about. I’ll grab us some drinks, you go make yourself comfortable, pick any seat you like.”. *Nikolai sat down, Gideon was pouring them some drinks. Nikolai asked,* “How’d you get this successful?”. *Gideon replied,* “I met a strange man a year or so ago. He said I could have anything and everything I’ve ever desired. I asked simply for fame and fortune. And here I am, dancing to music, caps overflowing and drinking sherry everyday. And don’t get me started on the sherry… 10,000 caps I spent on scavenging teams, sending them as close as just outside the Vegas border, and as far as the scorched lands of California just to get some decent liquor to enjoy. So much better than the cheap garbage they sell at the casino bars, or any bar really. Working with House really does come with acceptable benefits. I mean, imagen living under the NCR, or the Legion? What benefits would we get from them? Nothing! They take and take and take, and rarely give anything back. But House and the Enclave? They give. They take what they can from the wastes and give it all to us!”. *Nikolai asked,* “What and who were you before you came to Vegas?”, *Gideon replied,* “A wanderer. A rather rich one, of course, but I was a wanderer… Out there, no home, just trying to survive. I had a trade business, made most my money from the various settlements in California before the state went up in nuclear hellfire again, I pushed eastward and found this shining jewel of a city.”. *Gideon paused, then continued,* “It’s like some say… Video killed the radio star…”. *Nikolai remembered a news broadcast that once aired or New Vegas radio, he asked,* “Wait, are you… Huxley?”. *Gideon beamed with joy,* “Yes! Yes I am! I thought that name had gone down in flames along with my old station. How do you know me that way?”. *Nikolai replied,* “I used to listen to you all the time some years back. Sure, New Vegas radio is good, but I loved your station.”. *Gideon had an idea,* “What would you think about me being back on the air again? I can set up a new place here in Vegas, you could be my assistant! Don’t worry about the funding, I have millions to spare.”. *Gideon chuckled about his wealth. Nikolai said,* “Oh I don’t know… I guess I could help? It would be nice having you back.”. *Gideon beamed once more,* “Then let’s get started my fine fellow! We’ve much work to do! Would you like some more sherry? I’ve got a lovely bottle of amontillado, aged beyond reason and its taste is worth more than House’s career.”. *A perfect, groovy song started playing on the record player and Gideon naturally started dancing once again. Vegas really is the city where one can begin again…*

### Pt 2 sneak peak:

*Mr New Vegas spoke on the radio,* "Mr New Vegas here and I've got some news. A new signal just started broadcasting earlier today and I have no idea where it's coming from. I do know that whatever it is, it seems to be a grand return of the famous host, Gideon Huxley. After his old station, Huxley Radio, burned down 7 years ago, he's been silent ever since and presumed dead. But he's alive and well, and best of all he's back on air. It seems that Gideon is the guy that's been investing in everything around Vegas and working for Robert House. Who would've thought the radio star himself was walking amongst us and we had no clue? Anyways, if anyone is interested in hearing what he's doing, tune it to 21.6 on the nearest radio. That's all I had to say, back to the music."

### Pt 2

Gideon said, "It's a good thing the NCR doesn't need the Embassy anymore. I'll probably burn it down and build something new, set up my new station there. Oh, and speaking of new things, I just bought out the Tops casino! I'm only in it for the caps, not looking to rule it or anything. Benny still runs the place, but now a hefty amount of the casino's money will be flowing my way. Which means even more money to spend on booze and decorations!". Nikolai noticed a small badge on Gideon's coat and asked, "What's with the pin?". Gideon replied, "Long story, that one... I did some business with the New Order.". Nikolai said, "You do know they were fucked up, right?". Gideon replied, "I had no interest in their motives, nor did I care what they did. I'm a business man, not some fascist madman.", "Then why'd you murder someone in '83?". Gideon seemed distressed from hearing that, "I... I didn't murder anyone... It was an accident.". Nikolai said, "You were holding the gun, and you pulled the trigger.". Gideon replied, "Let's not talk about this, please...". Some random person ran up and attempted to attack him, but Gideon whipped out his pistol and shot the person in the head. Nikolai said, "And you say you didn't murder anyone.". Gideon replied, "That was obviously self defense. Vegas is a free-fire zone, I can do whatever I feel necessary. Now, back to business. If we start now, I think we'll be done by dinnertime.".

(A few hours later)

"Mr New Vegas here, just reminding you all to tune in to 21.6 to listen to what the new station has to say. If some of you don't want to, then leave the radio how it is.".

Some radios were changed and some weren't changed, but the radios that were changed crackled with this message, "Some of you may wonder just who am I? Or what is this? You're listening to the return of Huxley radio! Hosted by the one and only, Gideon Huxley! It's been some years, I won't deny. And oh how I miss doing this... Anyways, I received a letter today, and I suppose I’ll make this the topic of the day. I was asked about my old station that had burned down back in ‘83. It was truly a tragedy, I can tell you all that. All that was my career went up in flames and I could do nothing about it. But I didn’t let some stupid fire stop me, I came back after 7 years and I set of a new studio! Anyways, I got a perfect line of songs to play for this celebration. Huxley, signing off…”.

It was late at night and Gideon was still in the studio. He actually moved in and planned to live there from now on, he still owns a room in the Lucky 38 though. Someone had stepped out of the shadows and grabbed hold of Gideon’s arm. Gideon yelled, “Wha- LET GO OF ME!”. The stranger replied, “You died in that fire, I saw you with my own eyes… So tell me, Huxley, how the hell are you standing here without a single scratch?”. Gideon reasoned, “I have no idea what you're talking about! I’m clearly not dead, nor did I ever become dead. I don’t even know who you are!”. The stranger asked, You don’t remember me? Not after the all the time we spent together?”. Gideon seemed distressed, “I’m afraid I don’t. I can’t remember much of the past, I’m sorry.”. The stranger sighed and said, “We built Huxley radio, together… It all started with an idea you had and you explained it all out to me. I decided to help you make that idea a reality and you got famous because of it. And I just stood aside, letting you take all the credit… I thought we had something special, Gideon. But once the station got big you were rich and stuff, It felt like I was just being left behind. That night in '83, I managed to walk away with a few burns, but you get away completely unharmed. How?”. Gideon thought about it for a few minutes, “I… I remember the fire… I was outside at the time, so I wouldn’t have been hurt, but when I saw it all, I was terrified… I picked a direction and ran, didn’t care where I ended up… There was enough dirt on my name back then and I didn’t want the fire added to it. I faked my death, got a new job, and tossed the name “Huxley” into the fire that burned long that night…”. The stranger walked to the door, “Well, if you remember, give me a holler.”, the stranger went outside and walked away. A few seconds later, Gideon had remembered who that strange was… He rushed to the door, opened it and was about to holler their name, but they were gone… His foot hit something when he stepped out, he looked down to find a small box filled with strawberries… He picked up the box and brought it inside the studio. He placed the box on top the recording table and he sat down in his chair. He grabbed a strawberry and ate it. Only then did he fully remember, and remembering felt just as sweet as the strawberries tasted…