Fallout Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Fallout Wiki

I'm incredibly busy. Please come back another time.

Frank Carlson is a politician and the vice president of the New California Republic in 2241. He is a minor character in Fallout 2.

Background[]

A frail, elderly man with a moral strength and determination completely at odds with his physical qualities,[2] Carlson is the vice president of the New California Republic during President Tandi's tenth term in office. He is a popular figure on the NCR's political scene, fondly referred to as Old Man Carlson,[3] and represents right-wing elements within the NCR. His popularity is enough that his assassination would become a rallying call for extremists seeking to set the NCR on path to military rule.[4]

He is a stubborn,[5] vocal opponent of any attempts at rapprochement or even alliance with New Reno, which contributes to his popularity.[6] President Tandi is aware of his opposition, but still enters negotiations with New Reno's Bishops over his objections.[3] His opposition has caused John Bishop to mark him for death, ensuring that yet another obstacle to integrating New Reno into the NCR, and thus opening up even more opportunities for his crime family, would be removed.[7] Carlson is aware of the scheming and thus rarely leaves the Presidential House in the Congressional district of the NCR's capital.[8] His attitude borders on paranoia, but is effective at keeping potential assassins at bay.[9] It also allows him to scheme against President Tandi, looking for any vulnerabilities should her policy of diplomatic expansion fail. It has little to do with actual morals: Carlson wants to seize power, secure it, and then use his position to line his own pockets, rather than expand NCR's territory and bring civilization to the wastelands.[10]

On a personal side, Carlson is a widower. He has a seven or eight year old son,[1] who is spoiled rotten.[11][12] It does seem that infidelity is his game, though, as he does make use of prostitutes.[13]

Eventually, it seems that Carlson either died or fell out of favor, as Tandi's last, eleventh term had Joanna Tibbett as vice president.[Non-game 1]

Interactions with the player character[]

Interactions overview[]

Interactions
FO76 ui icon quest
This character is involved in quests.

Quests[]

  • Murder Carlson in NCR: John Bishop's second assignment entails taking out Frank Carlson, as an obstacle to his plans. The assassination paves the way for a very dark future, as if Tandi's policies fail and Carlson is assassinated, it paves the way for a right-wing takeover of the NCR, military rule, and admission of Enclave survivors into its ranks.

Inventory[]

Appearances[]

Frank Carlson appears only in Fallout 2.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Chosen One: "{413}{}{This guy got any kin, any family? Any witnesses I got to worry about?}"
    John Bishop: "{640}{}{His wife's dead, but he's got a son, only seven or eight years old, that lives in the mansion with him...(Thinks.)...the place is bound to be guarded, though, so keep an eye out for security.}"
    (John Bishop's dialogue)
  2. Frank Carlson's character description: "{100}{}{You seen an elderly, frail man.}"
    "{101}{}{It's Vice-President Carlson.}"
    "{102}{}{Though physically weak, his eyes reveal a powerful moral strength. This is a determined man.}"
    (Frank Carlson's dialogue)
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Chosen One: "{162}{}{What you can tell me about Carlson?}"
    Tandi: "{223}{tand23}{Stubborn as a mule... but a good man. Why?}"
    The Chosen One: "{227}{}{I'm curious about some work.}"
    Tandi: "{228}{tand24}{Seems to me that you've got enough on your plate already.}"
    The Chosen One: "{230}{}{Yeah, you're right.}"
    Tandi: "{231}{tand25}{Ever since Westin died, Carlson's been holed up in his office. Probably won't see you, but you can talk to his boys.}"
    The Chosen One: "{232}{}{Ok.}"
    Tandi: "{233}{tand26}{Listen. Lots of folks, me included, like old man Carlson even if we don't agree on New Reno. Something happens to him, we won't take kindly to it. Anyone thinking his or her life would be easier if he was gone is very, very wrong. Understand?}"
    The Chosen One: "{235}{}{Yes, I understand.}"
    (Tandi's dialogue) Note: This conversation can only happen should Councilman Roger Westin have been murdered during the quest to assassinate him.
  4. Fallout 2 endings: "Shaken by the assassination of Vice-President Carlson, right-wing elements seize control of the Congress and set the New California Republic on a path to military rule. Eventually the survivors of the Enclave found a new home in the ranks of the NCR."
    Note: Non-canon endings explain the circumstances in which Enclave members would be permitted to integrate without problem, noting explicitly that right-wing politics are a precondition.
  5. The Chosen One: "{162}{}{What you can tell me about Carlson?}"
    Tandi: "{223}{tand23}{Stubborn as a mule... but a good man. Why?}"
    (Tandi's dialogue)
  6. The Chosen One: "{200}{}{I'm looking for info on Vice-President Carlson.}"
    Merk: "{218}{}{As a good citizen, I applaud Carlson's opposition to any New Reno influence around here. Now that Westin's dead, I've been helping out with security for the Vice President.}"
    The Chosen One: "{219}{}{Oh, well, I guess I'll never get to meet the man. I've heard a lot about him, too.}"
    (Merk's dialogue) Note: This conversation can only happen should Councilman Roger Westin have been murdered during the quest to assassinate him.
  7. John Bishop: "{315}{}{Hold on a minute there, tribal…(Smiles, taps briefcase.) Ol' Tomcat says you're a team player. I need people like that. I got a job for you, if you're interested.}"
    The Chosen One: "{316}{}{I'm listening.}"
    John Bishop: "{552}{}{I have another…'problem' down in NCR. Nail one, another pops up. This dead man's name is Carlson. He don't know he's dead yet. }"
    The Chosen One: "{556}{}{ANOTHER murder?}"
    John Bishop: "{565}{}{Ain't murder. Murder's an ugly word. This is business. Politics, if you will. Both two respectable institutions. You want the job or what?}"
    (John Bishop's dialogue)
  8. The Chosen One: "{125}{}{Where can I find Frank Carlson?}"
    Duppo: "{130}{}{He's the vice-president; I know that much. Otherwise, can't tell you anything, really. Spends all his time at the Presidential House. Hardly ever comes out, especially now what with all the trouble we've been having.}"
    (Duppo's dialogue)
  9. The Chosen One: "{414}{}{What's this guy's health like? Any illnesses?}"
    John Bishop: "{660}{}{No, nothing like that…that I KNOW of. He's a paranoid bastard, sure, but I don't think he's sick or nothing. (Frowns.) Then again, he's a pretty OLD guy, so his health can't be that great.}"
    (John Bishop's dialogue)
  10. Fallout 2 endings: "Already weakened by the failure to annex Vault 15, President Tandi was forced to retire when her own Vice-President Carlson accused her of complicity in Councilman Westin's death. As President, Carlson wasted no time in securing his grip on power. Under his rule, expansion slowed, since he was more concerned about lining his own pockets than furthering the cause of civilization."
    Note: Non-canon endings explains his true priorities.
  11. Carlson's kid's character description: "{100}{}{You see a snot-nosed little kid.}"
    "{101}{}{It's Vice-President Carlson's kid}"
    "{102}{}{Looks like a spoiled little runt. Fat, too.}"
    (Carlson's kid's dialogue)
  12. Carlson's kid: "{103}{}{My dad's Vice-President Carlson, so you better treat me nice! Who are you?}"
    (Carlson's kid's dialogue)
  13. Merk: "{113}{}{Hey baby, nice tracts you got. Carlson's taste's improving.}"
    (Merk's dialogue) Note: This line is spoken when [clarification needed].

Non-game

  1. Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.458: "2248 President Tandi takes ill and dies at the age of 103. Her presidency has lasted 52 years. Vice-President Joanna Tibbett assumes office."
    (Behind the Bright Lights & Big City)
FNV NCR Flag
Fo2 NCR Seal
Advertisement