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Old Man Harris lives alone in a small shack on the perimeter of the town.[Non-game 1] His wife Gladys passed away, leaving him an unenthusiastic version of his former self.[1] He spends his time inside his home, sustained by the effort of other residents of the community.[2] Old Man Harris will share information about his past, including growing up in Andale and marrying Gladys.[3] He will relay details of his family who currently live with him in town, including his daughter Linda who has grown up to marry Jack.[3]
The conversation turns into a warning to the Lone Wanderer to leave the town as soon as they can, due to the danger the individuals living here pose to visitors.[4] He implores the player character to escape, stating that although it looks normal and everyone is nice, it is only a trick.[5] He encourages the Lone Wanderer to look into it if they need to be convinced, pointing them to the nearby basement and shed.[6] While attempting to look into Harris' concerns, the other residents of the town will dismiss him as senile, state that he is spreading rumors, or that he is joking.[7][8]
If the residents of Andale are killed, he expresses sorrow but understanding, and thanks the Lone Wanderer for their role in what transpired.[9][3] He informs the player character that he intends on raising the children himself.[10] When the children inquire about their parents, he dismisses their disappearance as their own decision to leave permanently.[11] The children are pleased with living with Harris, despite expressing confusion regarding the whereabouts of their parents.[12][13] His emotions are mixed at the turn of events, expressing shame for the past, sadness for what occurred but also hope for the children's newfound ability to lead a normal life.[14] Old Man Harris shares his optimism about his role in turning the area into a decent place, caring for the children, and working each day to clean up the mess his family caused.[9][15][16]
Killing Old Man Harris will not incur a penalty to Karma.
Even if the rest of Andale's residents are killed, Old Man Harris will continue to say things like "Don't be fooled by them!" during dialogue.
When Old Man Harris describes his past, he mentions only having one daughter, Linda. In conversation with Martha Wilson, she refers to Old Man Harris as her dad.[17]
Notable quotes
"If you know what's good for you, you'll get out as soon as you can. They're crazy! Crazy, I tell you!"
"No! Well... yes. But it's all a trick. Don't you know anything? Did you just crawl out of a vault or something? Just about everyone in the wasteland knows to avoid Andale, and they're right to do it. People wander in here, and they don't wander back out."
↑Lone Wanderer: "What's wrong with that Harris guy?" Jack Smith: "Oh, Old Man Harris? Don't mind him. He's gone, you know... a little soft in his later years. Ever since Gladys died, he just hasn't been the same." (Jack Smith's dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "Old Man Harris doesn't seen very happy." Jack Smith: "Yeah, well, he's hit it rough. Ever since his wife died, he just hasn't been enthusiastic about the Andale lifestyle anymore. He stays locked up in his house all day and the girls bring him his meals. He barely eats enough to stay alive. Poor guy, he's all skin and bones." (Jack Smith's dialogue)
↑ 3.03.13.2Lone Wanderer: "So, you grew up here too?" Old Man Harris: "Sure did. Can't say that I'm proud of it, though. It was all just normal. It's what we all did. I didn't ever think much about it. I married Gladys, just like every boy in Andale married the girl closest to his age. We had Linda and she grew up to marry Jack. It wasn't until Gladys died that I thought about what went on around here. So many people over the years... hundreds... thousands, maybe? But what could I do? I'm just an old man. But you ended it. Bless you." (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "Well, I haven't talked to anyone here but you. Are they friendly?" Old Man Harris: "No! Well... yes. But it's all a trick. Don't you know anything? Did you just crawl out of a vault or something? Just about everyone in the wasteland knows to avoid Andale, and they're right to do it. People wander in here, and they don't wander back out." (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "You know, there is something a bit 'off' about them..." Old Man Harris: "Of course there's something off about them, everyone knows to avoid Andale! The caravans know it, the Raiders know it, even the Radscorpions know it. Folks wander into this place, and they don't wander back out. Oh sure, it seems nice, a regular town of out time here, but don't let it fool you." (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "Well, I'll be careful, I guess." Old Man Harris: "You should! Otherwise, you'll end up just like the rest! What? You don't believe me? Just look in the basements! Or out in that shed! You'll see what I mean!" (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "What's wrong with that Harris guy?" Linda Smith: "Has he been spreading his stories again? Poor guy. I'll just have to have Jack give him a talking to." (Linda Smith's dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "What's wrong with that Harris guy?" Bill Wilson: "Oh, that old kidder? Whatever he's saying, he's just pulling your leg. He's always joking, that one." (Bill Wilson's dialogue)
↑ 9.09.1Old Man Harris: "I saw what happened out there, stranger. Those people may have been my family but... it had to be done. I was like them for so many years... it's... I can't even talk about it. The only thing that I can do is try to raise these kids and make Andale into a decent place." (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "What's going to happen to the kids?" Old Man Harris: "They'll stay here with me and I'll raise them myself. It's a shame that they have to grow up without their parents. But, to tell you the truth, it's a lot better than growing up with their parents, everything considered. Better an orphan than a cannibal, I guess?" (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Junior Smith: "I'm not really sure what happened. Mr. Harris said that our parents went away, and they won't be back." (Junior Smith's dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "Now what will you do?" Old Man Harris: "We'll do our best, is what we'll do. Me an the kids here in Andale... what's left of it, anyway. It'll be hard goin', but we'll do the best we can. I just hope that one day, these kids'll grow up to go some good for this place, after all the evil that's been done here." (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Old Man Harris: "This is such an ugly place... so many bad memories. But we're trying." (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Old Man Harris: "Little by little, each day, I'm trying to clean up the mess my family left." (Old Man Harris' dialogue)
↑Lone Wanderer: "What's wrong with that Harris guy?" Martha Wilson: "Well, dad always was a bit off his rocker." Lone Wanderer: "Wait... He's your dad?" Martha Wilson: "Oh dear... I let that slip didn't I? He used to be. Until I got married. I can't really say much more than that." (Martha Wilson's dialogue)
