Pulowski Preservation shelters are coin-operated, one-person fallout shelters found on street corners throughout the more urban areas of the Commonwealth, provided by Pulowski Preservation Services. They act as sources of loot and potential hiding spots against enemies.
Background[]
These shelters were created by Pulowski Preservation Services, advertised as "an affordable line of personal protection products to make sure no one gets left behind," and a viable alternative to Vaults available to the common man when they're "actually needed." Taking exact change[Non-game 1] (¢25, with no dimes or nickels accepted),[1] they were a fallout shelter to be used during a nuclear strike to protect against radiation, rather than the blast wave or heat. Occupants were instructed to remain inside until radiation clears and "enjoy their stay."[2] Extended stay was impossible, as the shelter contained no provisions and no amenities beyond ventilation, a suction hose for bodily waste,[3] lights, and breathing masks at most.[4] When occupied, some models would display a lit "Occupied" signal.[5]
Pulowski heavily marketed their shelters, also partnering with companies for cross-promotions. In the Boston area partners included Slocum's Joe, the "Bostoner's choice,"[6] Yawk Brats,[7] and Fallon's.[8] Celebrities like Dick Shale were also hired to promote the shelters through competitions such as the Pulowski Preservation Shelter Squat contest.[9]
Effectiveness[]
The actual effectiveness of the shelters is dubious. A large number of shelters found after the Great War contain the corpses of their occupants, and seem to have become defunct, as they no longer require any change to function. However, they do protect against wild animals and non-nuclear weapons, as Bryan Wilks in 2277 was able to hide from the fire ants besieging Grayditch in one.[10] Some have found unorthodox uses for Pulowski shelters, such as the slavers of Paradise Falls: A Pulowski unit installed in the old strip mall was repurposed for solitary confinement of rebellious slaves, known as "The Box," used since the days of Herbert Dashwood,[11] and lockable from the outside.
They're also synonymous with confined spaces in general. Something is considered brief, if it ends "faster than a knife fight in a Pulowski."[12]
Gameplay[]
In Fallout 4, the shelters have a different appearance, colored a bright blue with a more detailed interior which includes breathing masks, a control panel, and an animated internal vent. They play pre-recorded sound clips welcoming occupants. They are reused as source of loot and references, and are also slightly larger. While they still protect from any and all attacks when inside, the door can be operated by other characters, making it less viable as a hiding spot. Furthermore, the light will affect sneaking, making the player easier to discover when it is opened.
Locations[]
- Beantown Brewery - On the south road from the bridge, there are five shelters in a group.
- Boston Public Library - Left of the statue in the courtyard and across the street. Contains a skeleton clutching onto 3 overdue books and a pair of eyeglasses.
- Two east of Boston Public Library.
- Bunker Hill - To the south, under an overpass. It contains a plastic pumpkin filled with bubblegum and other minor food items, toothbrush, and a baseball cap.
- C.I.T. ruins - Two located to the west of the C.I.T. rotunda building.
- North of Cabot House.
- Two to the east of Cambridge Polymer Labs.
- College Square - Novice locked, contains a feral ghoul.
- Combat Zone - Next to the broken building. This one has a urinal in it.
- Concord - To the north a short walk from the Museum of Freedom.
- Corvega assembly plant - Contains a mini nuke.
- South of Croup Manor, on the road side.
- D.B. Technical High School - Contains a dead feral ghoul with overdue book.
- One at the Dartmouth Professional Building.
- One at the East Boston police station.
- One outside the East C.I.T. raider camp's entrance.
- Fallon's department store - Outside near the main entrance. Contains a mannequin with pre-war clothes.
- Forest Grove Marsh - To the south, near the outskirts of the town.
- General Atomics Galleria - Outside Pinelli's Bakery, contains a woman's skeleton and several bakery tickets.
- Southeast of Greenetech Genetics.
- Two east of Gunners plaza, against the building.
- To the southwest in Hardware Town.
- Two to the west of Hangman's Alley.
- Jamaica Plain - In front of the town hall.
- South of the HalluciGen, Inc. entrance.
- To the southeast in Lexington.
- North of Longneck Lukowski's Cannery, next to a busstop at the roadside.
- One outside Malden Center.
- Two near the Mass Bay Medical Center.
- North of Monsignor Plaza.
- One in Natick Banks.
- One under the overpass east pf Parsons Creamery
- Two uder the overpass in Quincy ruins.
- At the Slocum's Joe Corporate HQ.
- Near Trinity Tower.
- East of Wilson Atomatoys corporate HQ.
Northeast of Eagle's Cove Tannery - Contains a mannequin holding a camera.
Nuka-Cola bottling plant - Next to the shipping area outside, contains Rad-X and a Nuka-Cola.- Hubologist's camp - Two at the south edge of the camp.
Appearances[]
Pulowski Preservation shelters appear in Fallout 4 and its add-ons Far Harbor and Nuka-World.
Behind the scenes[]
- In Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, the Pulowski Preservation shelters are voiced by Elmarie Wendel.
- The skeleton inside the Pulowski Preservation shelter at Boston Public Library may be a reference to "Time Enough at Last," an episode of the anthology television series The Twilight Zone.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Fallout 3 shelter concept art.
- ↑ Fallout 3 shelter interior texture.
- ↑ Bryan Wilks: "What's this funny suction hose for?"
(Bryan Wilks' dialogue) - ↑ Fallout 4 shelter interior shot.
- ↑ Fallout 3 shelter behavior.
- ↑ Pulowski advertisement: "Boy, I sure could go for a cup about now. Stop in at Slocum's Joe, the Bostoner's choice."
- ↑ Pulowski advertisement: "Getting hungry? Try a Yawk Brat once this whole thing blows over."
- ↑ Pulowski advertisement: "Need a fresh start? Try a fresh suit from Fallon's. Tell 'em Pulowski sent ya!"
- ↑ The Golden Holotape
- ↑ The events of the quest Those! in Fallout 3.
- ↑ Galaxy News Radio; The Adventures of Herbert "Daring" Dashwood and his Ghoul Manservant Argyle; Escape from Paradise Falls!: "All right. She's locked in there. They call it... "the box." First, we need to remove that guard..."
- ↑ The Sole Survivor: "Because we're a team, and we need to stick together."
Cait: "I don't know. I feel like I've heard all this before, but you still let me down."
The Sole Survivor: "Because I don't want to be alone."
Cait: "I don't know. You're the one that got us here in the first place."
The Sole Survivor: "Because I have feelings for you."
Cait: "I... I don't know... Half of me wants to hug you, the other half of me wants to rip out your throat."
Cait: "Sigh. Look, I'll cut you a deal. If you start makin' things right with me, I'll stick around. But if you're fuckin' with me, our little partnership is goin' to end faster than a knife fight in a Pulowski. Now let's get movin'."
(Cait's dialogue) Note: These are the lines spoken should the player's affinity with Cait go from Distain to Hatred and she is convinced to stay with the player with a Red Charisma check.
Non-game
- ↑ Fallout 3 Advert: Pulowski Preservation Services: "Before we begin this episode of The Adventures of Captain cosmos we've got a message from the fine folks at Pulowski Preservation Services, purveyors of products there when you actually need them. It seems there's been a lot of talk these days about Vault life but not all of us have the luxury to spend so much on something that, frankly, we may not actually need. Unlike those other guys, the sensible folks in Pulowski Preservation Services have created an affordable line of personal protection products to make sure no one gets left behind. Personal protection there when you actually need it. Remember, that's Pulowski preservation shelters, simply there when you actually need them. Exact change only. And now on to our show The Adventures of Captain Cosmos, co-starring Jangles the moon monkey."