“Press your luck at the casinos, let the good times roll! There's no telling what new treasures this beach haven will hold.”— Answer the Call of Vault 76 trailer
Atlantic City is a seaside city in the former state of New Jersey. It is located east of Appalachia.
Incorporated in 1854,[3] Atlantic City was known before the Great War for its immense boardwalk and the Casino Quarter, a recreational and entertainment district stretching on a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Pine Barrens and the Atlantic Ocean. Its last pre-War mayor was Carly Day, a career politician who set up the city hall so that professionals handled all of the municipal affairs, leaving her as an idle figurehead enjoying her free time, riding the mediocrity gradient to a cushy retirement.[4]
It remained a popular tourist destination up into the Great War, with legalized gambling leading to the emergence of numerous casinos and other tourist attractions, such as the Aquarium of the Atlantic, drawing in visitors from the wartime United States. The city heavily invested in automation in its more affluent regions, with the Casino Quarter featuring ranks of RobCoProtectrons used as law enforcement and drivers for delivery trucks, public busses, monorails, and more.[5]
When the Great War struck, the city was spared a direct impact. Instead, it suffered severe flooding in the wake of the detonations, with floodwaters rushing into the city at high speeds, destroying everything in their path.[6] The devastation was significant, further worsened by shipping vessels smashed by the waves into the coastal regions of the city.[7] When the waters settled, they reached up as far as the second floor, particularly in the ruined city center.[8]
By a stroke of luck, the Casino Quarter located deeper inland was spared and remained dry.[9] However, Day remained unprepared for the emergency situation, as she dismissed the looming threat of nuclear war as political posturing.[10] She went through the motions, instituting rationing of food stockpiled in the city, but was incapable of organizing any large-scale relief effort without access to her staff. Those who remained did their best,[11] but were unable to salvage the situation and Day found herself relying increasingly on the mob controlling the Casino Quarter. By February 2078, shortages were apparent,[12] and the rations finally ran dry in May 2078, with Day accepting the mob's offer to strongarm farms on the outskirts to provide food for the city.[13] Starvation started to set in and even Day's secretary started to warn her of the consequences.[14] Mayor Day had nothing to offer but words of encouragement and propaganda, isolated from city affairs and the deteriorating situation on the streets. Her staff either died off or resigned,[15] but Day failed to act, even when her own secretary begged her for scraps to make sure he could take care of his daughter.[16]
The situation in the city continued to deteriorate over the next several years, until the mob finally targeted Timothy Lane's farm.[17] Unaware of the situation in the city, Timothy and his wife, Frieda, managed to restart agriculture and purify the soil of nuclear fallout,[18] but were unaware of just how bad the situation was. After dispatching the raiding team,[19] Timothy marched on the city hall, witnessing starvation, lack of water, and a blacked-out city deprived of electricity, with the mafia and the Showmen running rampant. The people were on the verge of rioting and taking Day out themselves, and Lane met no resistance as he delivered his ultimatum and took power. The official version was that Day transferred power to him and fled the city.[20][21][22] Together with other like-minded citizens, Lane and his wife reorganized the municipal government to bring some semblance of order to Atlantic City over the next twenty years.[20] Frieda's know-how about purifying soil to sustain crops was instrumental.[19]
The Munis, as the Showmen and the Family call them, took on all the government responsibilities,[21] including keeping the power flowing, the water clean, firefighting, medical care, and perimeter defense. They delegated keeping the peace, gambling, and managing the flow of alcohol, drugs, and other chemical entertainment[23] to the Lombardi Family, with the Showmen providing legendary entertainment and attracting visitors.[24] The unholy alliance is a pragmatic decision by Lane, as he and his wife decided that Atlantic City wasn't, isn't, and won't be heaven. As such, they opted to make it a piece of civilized hell, where the rich grow fat and vices are commonplace, but the worst excesses are curbed and everyone has food, water, electricity, and security. The Munis levy taxes to bankroll municipal operations and maintain trade routes. While both the mafia and the Showmen try to weasel out of paying them all the time, they ultimately pay, coerced by the all-powerful IRS under Buttercup.[25] The peace deal between the triad, as it's called, is more than just assigning responsibilities: Part of the peace deal is paying equal dues to each other, with the right to kill anyone who's responsible for violations.[26]
While griping is common, Atlantic City is one of the most prosperous places in the East, thanks to Tim's realpolitik.[27] The only major threat to threaten the City in recent years is the sudden increase in the number of Overgrown. Neglected by the Munis for years due to their apparent low threat, their emergence has blindsided the government and put it on the defensive.[28] However, the average denizen of Acee is unaware of that threat, enjoying the splendor of the Neapolitan Casino[29] and/or Quentino's Night Club.
The other threats are the recent disagreements between the factions. While Lane's plan was to make sure that the triad relied on each other and needed one another for the city to survive, disagreements are appearing and cracks are starting to appear.[30]
The Road to Atlantic City trailer also featured several other names on signs at the boardwalk, including Lady Luck, Ground Zero, and Gobs Saloon. None of these appeared in the final version of the game.
↑Vault 76 dweller: "So what happened then? How does a farmer become a mayor?" Mayor Timothy Lane: "By convincing my livestock to vote for me.No, in all seriousness, the situation in Atlantic City after the bombs was grim.The previous mayor was a woman named Carly Day. She was elected mayor during the before times, and it just carried over.But she was doing nothing, letting everyone starve and crime skyrocket. People were getting desperate.Soon, there wasn't enough food even for the kingpins. That's when the Family came knocking at my door." (Timothy Lane's dialogue)
↑ 19.019.1Vault 76 dweller: "Did the Family try to rob you?" Mayor Timothy Lane: "Keyword there is 'try.' My wife's an engineer, and managed to keep the soil on our land purified.We had some of the only viable crops in the area. The Family wanted it all for themselves.They were pretty surprised when I took all but one of their raiding party out with my shotgun.Then, it became more of a negotiation. The one fellow I left alive told me about how bad things had gotten in the city proper.I knew if I didn't do something, Atlantic City would crumble." (Timothy Lane's dialogue)
↑ 20.020.1Vault 76 dweller: "So what changed? How did you end up here?" Frieda Lane: "Ha! Now that's a story. Back in the day, the mayor was a woman named Carly Day. A bland career politician. And a notorious coward.When the bombs dropped, she let the mafia and the entertainers who would become the Showmen run wild doing whatever they wanted.People were starving and getting sick from dirty water. There was no electricity. They were ready to riot.Turns out, entertainment doesn't matter much when you're on death's door. The Family got desperate, and they came knocking on the farms for food.They underestimated Tim, that's for sure. After he shot their whole raiding party, they got on their knees and pleaded for food.So he marched over to City Hall and confronted Carly. Shotgun in hand. Needless to say, she stepped down, and he stepped up.I came with him to help, obviously. We got a group of charitable Samaritans to join up. We've been running things around here ever since." Vault 76 dweller: "So what happened to Carly?" Frieda Lane: "She fled the city. Least, that's what Tim told me. Like I said, she wasn't the bravest. She knew she couldn't handle it.Dunno where she went. I haven't seen her since." (Frieda Lane's dialogue)
↑ 21.021.1Vault 76 dweller: "How did you come into power, then?" Mayor Timothy Lane: "I made my way down to the city proper, and marched on in to City Hall. Met with Carly Day.She wasn't willing to listen to reason. So, I gave her an ultimatum.Either she agrees to start doing her job, or gets the hell out of Dodge and lets someone else do it.In a moment of divine inspiration she...chose to flee. No one else wanted to take over her job.You've got the threat of the mafia breathing down your neck, and the Showmen were just forming around that time, too.So, I stepped up to the plate. And that was the start of Atlantic City's rebirth." (Timothy Lane's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "What's the point of the Mayor's Office?" Buttercup: "The...point? The point is to keep people alive, numbskull.Most people can't even tie their shoes. You really think they'll be able to survive out there on their own?We keep everyone fed, hydrated...alive. Without us, there'd be no running water or electricity in AC.Consider yourself lucky that you came here after Tim took over, and not before." (Buttercup's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "Like...?" Billy Beltbuckles: "Well, we run all the casinos and basically own the Entertainment District. So there's that!Gambling and hotels? Check!We also regulate the flow of booze and chems in and out of Atlantic City. Nothing is made or sold without our involvement.Some may say they're dicey industries, but I can assure you that we keep everything aboveboard!" (Billy Beltbuckles' dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "Emergency situations?" Mayor Timothy Lane: "The Mayor's Office is responsible for the city's upkeep.We keep the power and water flowing and appetites satiated.But we've also gotta care for the sick, the injured. You name it.And of course, we've gotta put out fires when they crop up.Only thing we don't do is entertain." (Timothy Lane's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "How does the Mayor's Office deal with the mafia and the Showmen?" Mayor Timothy Lane: "With an immense amount of patience. They're both more concerned with making money above all else.They're meant to keep the peace on the streets if any... emergencies come up.Heh. Usually they're the ones causing trouble. That, and they love to weasel their way out of paying their taxes.Buttercup takes care of that." Vault 76 dweller: "I'm surprised the government is allied with organized crime." Mayor Timothy Lane: "Atlantic City is a city of sin and vice. That's just its nature. We don't aim for heaven, but rather, a civilized hell.When you live in hell, do you try to change the Devil, knowing another one will just take its place if you succeed?No. You work with it in an attempt to mitigate its evil. That's just what life in Atlantic City is like." (Timothy Lane's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "The Wise Guys let the Showmen into the casino, just like that?" Billy Beltbuckles: "The triad have a peace deal. We can't disallow any Munis or Showmen from being on our turf.They can't ban us from theirs, either. Trouble is, they've overstayed their welcome.They found things they didn't like, and now they want to kill me." Vault 76 dweller: "If there's a peace deal, why are they allowed to kill you?" Billy Beltbuckles: "See, uh, part of that peace deal talks about us paying equal dues to each other.If that is violated, then the harmed parties are allowed to whack whoever's responsible.And uh...I'm responsible." (Billy Beltbuckles' dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "What were things like before Tim became mayor?" Buttercup: "Bad. Pretty damn bad.Previous mayor was a hack named Carly Day. She was the mayor before the bombs, and after, she just...stayed.But she didn't do anything. Crime was rampant. People were dropping off like flies.Since Tim took over, it's been like a whole new city. Sure, we may gripe and moan.But for the most part, we're well taken care of, and safe." (Buttercup's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "What does the Mayor's Office do around here?" Mayor Timothy Lane: "A bit of this and a lot of that. My wife Frieda could probably give you a more cohesive breakdown.Easy answer is, we make sure everyone is fed, watered, safe, and comfortable.We grow the food and promote trade in and out of the city, as well as handle the water purification and the electricity output.And, more recently, we've been taking care of the Overgrown issue. I like to call it trimming the hedges." (Timothy Lane's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "How does the Family deal with them?" Billy Beltbuckles: "Well, we all have a peace deal! We don't attack each other outright.See, the city survives because we all rely on each other. Without one, the others would all crumble.So we've gotta respect that. Even if we don't always agree with each other.It's probably the only reason I'm still alive!" (Billy Beltbuckles' dialogue)
