For other characters named James, see James. |
James Hargrave is a young inhabitant of Rivet City in the year 2277.
Contents
Background
James Hargrave is one of Rivet City's few kids. He doesn't spend any more time in the cramped quarters than he has to and can usually be found in the company of his friend C.J. Young. The two of them like to play in the storage rooms or hang around on the flight deck. James is alternately sullen and wild. He will do just about anything on a dare. He is capable of holding a grudge for months. He is loyal to C.J. but picks on her mercilessly. The two don't have many other options for playmates, so C.J. tolerates the abuse. On the rare occasions when C.J. stands up for herself, James is devastated and will do anything to earn her forgiveness.[1]
James has a reputation for being an abused child and a surly troublemaker among the citizens of Rivet City. His alcoholic mother, Tammy Hargrave, presumes that his father is dead. She tells the player character that James's dad simply left the city one day and never returned. She blames James for his father abandoning them.
Relationships
James is the son of Tammy Hargrave. He also appears to be friends with C.J. Young, as they are often seen playing together.
Interactions with the player character
Interactions overview
This character is essential. Essential characters cannot be killed. | ||
This character starts quests. |
Effects of player's actions
- If the player character kills or enslaves his mother and then asks about his family he will answer, "Dead. Some asshole like you killed them."
Other interactions
- If you engage James in conversation and bring up the issue about his alcoholic mother, he gets angry. This leads to an option for you to goad James into running away from home (uses Speech skill). If successful he runs away with C.J. Young. This brings negative Karma. They can later be found at Anacostia Crossing station. After finding them, they can be lead right back to Rivet City for positive Karma.
- Players with the Child at Heart perk can ask James to steal ammunition for them. He will give the player character a random amount of ammunition of a random type once every 12 hours. There is no Karma penalty.
Inventory
Apparel | Weapon | Other items |
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Athlete of the Wastes outfit | Bubblegum Gum drops |
Notes
- James has the extremely rare gum drops item in his inventory.
- James seems to share his mother's bad reputation in the eyes of almost every citizen of Rivet City.
- Angela Staley will tell you that James may act so badly because his mom is a drunk and abuses him.
- If the Lone Wanderer tells James to run away and then immediately talk to him again he will act as if he has already run away from home. the player character can then tell him that they are sorry and gain positive Karma, although he may still run away.
Notable quotes
- "Go jump off the flight deck, asshole."
- "Hey C.J., let's play killer. You pretend to be my Mom, and I'll pretend to be a serial killer."
- "Mom, can I go to CJ's?"
- "Is that good enough for you, asshole?"
Appearances
James Hargrave appears only in Fallout 3.
Behind the scenes
![]() | The following is based on unverified behind the scenes information and is speculative and may not be accurate. |
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During some dialogue in the quest Our Little Secret, it may be implied that the residents of Andale killed a man that might have been his father. In dialogue, they'll mention having killed a man who begged for his life saying he had a son in Rivet City.
![]() | End of information based on unverified behind the scenes information. |
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Bugs
James runs away but can never be found; this is often accompanied by him also leaving C.J. behind, who continues running around Rivet City but with the player unable to interact with her in any way.[verified]