Ian and Algernon

[Xavierblazer]

In the "Old Joe" .MSG file(Ian IRL, BTW) It mentions him being an "Idiot Savant":

I always thought an idiot savant was a retarded person(Retarded as in mentally handicapped, INT<4 kinda thing) whom had one skill they did perfectly, usually not really understanding what they are doing or why they are doing it. Algernon in the New Reno Arms basement is a perfect example(retard who is good at fixing up guns)

id·i·ot sa·vant
–noun, plural id·i·ot sa·vants, French. id·i·ots sa·vants
a mentally defective person with an exceptional skill or talent in a special field, as a highly developed ability to play music or to solve complex mathematical problems mentally at great speed.

Old Joe seems pretty intelligent, except for the bad eyesight/memory thing. He also doesnt seem to have any particular skill.

So, is this just a vocabulary slip up, or is there something Im not understanding because I was locked in a cage for ten years or something.


Heres the file, vcoldjoe.msg

{100}{}{You see an old man with a crazy gleam in his eye.}
{101}{}{You see Old Joe, the local idiot savant.}
{102}{}{Hello. Haven't seen you in a while.}
{103}{}{Do I know you?}
{104}{}{Ah, yeah. It's been a while. What have you been doing?}
{105}{}{Well, it has been a while. What have you been up to?}
{106}{}{This and that. Where do you know me from?}
{107}{}{Look, old man, I don't know who the hell you are.}
{108}{}{Sure has. Well, I've been around; finally ended up here in this god-forsaken place. Not like the
good old days. No sir.}
{109}{}{Yeah, the good old days. Remember that time we...}
{110}{}{It hasn't been the same lately, that's for sure. Now... what did we do together?}
{111}{}{Don't remember me, do you? Well, you do seem to be a bit young.}
{112}{}{What are you trying to tell me?}
{113}{}{You look so familiar, though. Ah, must be my old eyes. Well, good day to you.}
{114}{}{Uh, yeah... goodbye.}
{115}{}{Yeah, we sure gave the Master hell, didn't we? Shit fell apart after you left, though. Had to
move around and change my name. Where'd you end up?}
{116}{}{I've been living up in a small village.}
{117}{}{Well, you better be careful around here. Things ain't as clear as they once were. You best watch
your back.}
{118}{}{Okay, thanks.}
{119}{}{Yeah, I looked for your Vault for a while, but never found it. So you got any good stories for
your old friend Ian?}
{120}{}{Ian?}
{121}{}{Yeah, Ian. Don't you remember me? It's been a bunch of years. You'd think someone wouldn't
forget his best buddy. Well... except for the shooting in the back thing. Sorry about that again.}
{122}{}{I am sorry, but you must think I am the Vault Dweller. My village was founded by the one who
came from the Vault.}
{123}{}{Well, that makes a bit more sense. Well, it's good to hear my friend did well. Well, old Ian's
got some advice for you. You be careful out there. This place ain't as peachy as it seems. }
{124}{}{What's going on here?}
{125}{}{Well, the Vault Citizens think very highly of their bloodline and don't care much for
people like me and you. You take this gun. It'll protect you if things get a little out of control.
You probably shouldn't be seen talking with this crazy old man. Best get on your way.}
{126}{}{Thanks for your help.}
{127}{}{Let an old man rest.}
{128}{}{So familiar...}
{129}{}{Leave me be now.}
{130}{}{You better get going.}
{131}{}{They'll get suspicious if we talk anymore.}
{132}{}{Go on, get. Make my old friend proud.}

 

[Davy Crockett]

Ok, but where is the OLD JOE located? I can't seem to recall to know where he is.

 

[Tagaziel]

Old Joe was supposed to be implemented in the Abbey, but was later moved to Vault City. Either by omission or deliberate cutting, he didn't appear in vanilla Fallout 2, but Killap put him back in.

As for him being the local idiot savant... he's old and keeps talking about the good old times. Or, he might just be using that as a disguise. Though this is a moot point, since, officially, he was burned to death in Bakersfield, back in 2161.