Mayor Timothy Lane, also known simply as Mayor Tim, is the mayor of Atlantic City and the head of the city's municipal government in Fallout 76, introduced in the Expeditions: Atlantic City update part two, America's Playground.
Background[]
Timothy Lane comes from a family that has been farming the land on Atlantic City outskirts for generations. Tim inherited the family farm and business after high school, using the profits to pay for his wife's engineering degree. He and Frieda met in high school, and rather than force her to choose between her love and career, Tim stepped up and promised to help her pursue a degree. He kept his word after the wedding and Frieda Lane was able to become a fully qualified engineer. Her expertise gave the farm a competitive edge in the area.[1]
Frieda's education became essential after the Great War devastated Atlantic City and nuclear fallout blanketed the land. She managed to purge the radiation from the soil and maintain viable crops, leaving the Lane farm as one of the only sources of food in the area. The Lanes were aware that the situation in Acee was bad,[2] but the scale of the issues didn't dawn on either until a mafia raiding party appeared on their doorstep, demanding a portion of their harvest on behalf of the starving kingpins. They were desperate: Under the rule of pre-War mayor, Carly Day, Acee was rife with starvation, sickness, and crime.[3]
Rather than bend the knee and surrender his harvest, Lane grabbed his shotgun and shot the raiders, leaving a single survivor alive for interrogation. The Lanes learned how bad the situation got, and Timothy resolved to save Acee before it was driven completely into the ground by Day's ineptitude.[2] He marched down into the Atlantic City hall to deliver an ultimatum to the mayor. He wound up killing her on the spot. He and Buttercup disposed of the body, creating a cover story about how she fled the city. As nobody liked Day due to her ineptitude and Lane offered a clear path forward, they accepted the lie. Lane immediately set about reorganizing the City government, with him as the new mayor. [4][5]
The new municipal government would serve the people and restore the city. The Munis, as they were soon nicknamed by the other factions, started working on restoring power, water, and food supply, restoring medical care, emergency services, and every other unglamorous yet essential element of civilized society.[6] Lane also made a pragmatic choice regarding the mafia and the Showmen: Rather than go to war against them, he formed an unholy alliance. The municipal government handles public services, while the Lombardi Family and The Showmen focus on providing entertainment that will draw survivors to the city, attracted by the promise of experiencing pre-War splendor once more. In his own words, rather than aiming for heaven, they opted for a civilized hell. To Lane it's a simple matter of fact: He can't change Atlantic City, so instead he works with the devils to rein them in.[7]
The plan worked and by the early 22nd century Atlantic City was one of the most prosperous cities in the East, with working electricity, a stable supply of water and food, trade routes, and all kinds of sin to draw people in. Lane has displayed an unflinching attitude in the face of problems, leading the Munis with calm and determination. Although overworked, understaffed, and underappreciated,[8] Lane is an inspiration to others, even the most unlikely people, like the mob's main accountant.[9]
However, he is not infallible. He has underestimated the threat of the Overgrown for years, considering the plantfolk a temporary problem.[10] The newly formed Forestry Division under Chief Sloane Cao does their best to hold the line, but Lane still has to step in to remind her that all of Acee needs protection,[11] and arrange for external help to deal with the infestation.[12]
Personality[]
Calm, relaxed, and humble, Tim Lane is the leader of the chaotic[13] Atlantic City,[14] determined to keep the city and its denizens alive whatever the cost.[15] So much that even his wife jokes that their relationship is more like a ménage à trois, including Acee.[16] Tim has the utmost respect for Frieda's intellect and courage, in particular the way she motivates him to stay sharp to keep up with her.[17] The sentiment is mutual: She respects him for his courage and backbone, vital in a city where good men are hard to find.[18] While she has suggested abandoning Acee and returning to the farm,[19] and Lane does sometimes miss the simpler farm life,[20][21] he resolved to stay and help.[15]
He looks after his fellow Munis and is on good terms with them, in particular since high-risk divisions like Chief Sloane's Forestry, operate on a strictly volunteer basis (which leads to understaffing).[22] He provided Anna Barone with breathing exercises to help manage stress, though it seems she hasn't given them much thought,[23] and his collected demeanor is an inspiration to others, like Pete Rutledge.[24] Apart from Frieda, he's closest with Buttercup. He's one of the few people to earn Buttercup's friendship and loyalty, and the respect is mutual.[25] Buttercup is one of the only people to know what happened to Carly Day, and out of loyalty to Lane, he wants to make damn sure the truth stays buried.[26][27]
Much of his attitude stems from realizing that much of the Acee population is posturing. He knew them when they were starving and much less prone to complaints. As such, the daily flood of complaints means that he's doing his job right, as they have the time and energy to file them.[28] He himself projects an appearance of toughness, realizing that it's necessary to maintain the respect of the Family and the Showmen.[29] He has succeeded: Both factions generally listen to his requests (including Mother Charlotte when he asks her to stop blowing patrons up for art purposes),[30] though there is friction. Especially with Quentino Lombardi.[31] Lane realized that Quentino passed after receiving a letter from him, actually penned by his sister.[32] He used this opportunity to have Buttercup's auditors collect outstanding dues, exploiting the Family's weakness to even the odds and gather funds to maintain the city.[33]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
| Interactions | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
This character starts quests. | |
Quests[]
- The Human Condition: Tim Lane invites the dwellers to help out with a crisis that broke out in the flooded city center.
Inventory[]
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items |
|---|---|---|
| Fisherman's outfit Straw hat |
Appearances[]
Mayor Timothy Lane appears only in Fallout 76, introduced in the Expeditions: Atlantic City update part two, America's Playground. He was first mentioned in dialogue introduced in the Boardwalk Paradise update, before appearing fully with the America's Playground update.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "What did you two do before he became mayor?"
Frieda Lane: "We were farmers. Lived on the outskirts of Atlantic City. He was my high school sweetheart. Tim's family had been farmers for generations, and he was set to take over the family farm. I felt stuck. I felt I had to choose between him and pursuing my engineering degree. But we made it work. Tim promised to help me pay for my degree with the profits from the farm. So we married, and he kept his word. I ended up using my expertise to fix up our equipment. It gave us a competitive edge in the area." - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Vault 76 dweller: "Did the Family try to rob you?"
Mayor Timothy Lane: "Keyword there is 'try.' My wife's an engineer, and managed to keep the soil on our land purified. We had some of the only viable crops in the area. The Family wanted it all for themselves. They were pretty surprised when I took all but one of their raiding party out with my shotgun. Then, it became more of a negotiation. The one fellow I left alive told me about how bad things had gotten in the city proper. I knew if I didn't do something, Atlantic City would crumble."
(Timothy Lane's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "So what happened then? How does a farmer become a mayor?"
Mayor Timothy Lane: "By convincing my livestock to vote for me. No, in all seriousness, the situation in Atlantic City after the bombs was grim. The previous mayor was a woman named Carly Day. She was elected mayor during the before times, and it just carried over. But she was doing nothing, letting everyone starve and crime skyrocket. People were getting desperate. Soon, there wasn't enough food even for the kingpins. That's when the Family came knocking at my door."
(Timothy Lane's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "How did you come into power, then?"
Mayor Timothy Lane: "I made my way down to the city proper, and marched on in to City Hall. Met with Carly Day. She wasn't willing to listen to reason. So, I gave her an ultimatum. Either she agrees to start doing her job, or gets the hell out of Dodge and lets someone else do it. In a moment of divine inspiration she...chose to flee. No one else wanted to take over her job. You've got the threat of the mafia breathing down your neck, and the Showmen were just forming around that time, too. So, I stepped up to the plate. And that was the start of Atlantic City's rebirth."
(Timothy Lane's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "So what changed? How did you end up here?"
Frieda Lane: "Ha! Now that's a story. Back in the day, the mayor was a woman named Carly Day. A bland career politician. And a notorious coward. When the bombs dropped, she let the mafia and the entertainers who would become the Showmen run wild doing whatever they wanted. People were starving and getting sick from dirty water. There was no electricity. They were ready to riot. Turns out, entertainment doesn't matter much when you're on death's door. The Family got desperate, and they came knocking on the farms for food. They underestimated Tim, that's for sure. After he shot their whole raiding party, they got on their knees and pleaded for food. So he marched over to City Hall and confronted Carly. Shotgun in hand. Needless to say, she stepped down, and he stepped up. I came with him to help, obviously. We got a group of charitable Samaritans to join up. We've been running things around here ever since."
Vault 76 dweller: "So what happened to Carly?"
Frieda Lane: "She fled the city. Least, that's what Tim told me. Like I said, she wasn't the bravest. She knew she couldn't handle it. Dunno where she went. I haven't seen her since."
(Frieda Lane's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "Emergency situations?"
Mayor Timothy Lane: "The Mayor's Office is responsible for the city's upkeep. We keep the power and water flowing and appetites satiated. But we've also gotta care for the sick, the injured. You name it. And of course, we've gotta put out fires when they crop up. Only thing we don't do is entertain."
(Timothy Lane's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "How does the Mayor's Office deal with the mafia and the Showmen?"
Mayor Timothy Lane: "With an immense amount of patience. They're both more concerned with making money above all else. They're meant to keep the peace on the streets if any... emergencies come up. Heh. Usually they're the ones causing trouble. That, and they love to weasel their way out of paying their taxes. Buttercup takes care of that."
Vault 76 dweller: "I'm surprised the government is allied with organized crime."
Mayor Timothy Lane: "Atlantic City is a city of sin and vice. That's just its nature. We don't aim for heaven, but rather, a civilized hell. When you live in hell, do you try to change the Devil, knowing another one will just take its place if you succeed? No. You work with it in an attempt to mitigate its evil. That's just what life in Atlantic City is like."
(Timothy Lane's dialogue) - ↑ City hall terminal entries; Dispatch terminal, Lane, Timothy: Hang in there!
- ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "What's your take on the Munis?"
Billy Beltbuckles: "The Munis? If their auditors weren't always trying to ki-I mean, talk to me, I'd love them. They keep this city running and all of our customers alive. And we don't even have to lift a finger. It's great! Mayor Tim is in charge of 'em all. I've never met him personally, but I hear he's a great guy. You don't wanna mess with him though. He's tough as nails." - ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "The plantfolk from the Barrens will pass, as do all other things. Don't waste your time worrying about a temporary problem. 'An everything in this world's temporary far as I know."
- ↑ Perimeter breach
- ↑ The Human Condition
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "Calm day today. Haven't seen a single fire outside."
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "I'm Mayor Tim, the front runner if you will of this humble metropolis."
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mayor Timothy Lane: "I won't give up on this city. Not now, not ever."
- ↑ Frieda Lane: "Occasionally it feels like Tim and I aren't a couple, but a throuple. The third being Atlantic City, of course."
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "I guess you could say I'm the executor 'round here. But my other half, Frieda, is the one with the brains. Only reason I am where I am is because I gotta stay sharp enough to keep up with her."
- ↑ Frieda Lane: "Tim's a good man. And you'd do well to know this city's in short supply of good men. Just go take a walk in the Entertainment District."
- ↑ No place like home
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "There's times I miss farm life. Everything was so much simpler back then."
- ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "Have you always been Mayor?"
Mayor Timothy Lane: "No, no I wasn't. I used to be a farmer, if you can believe that. Yup, used to reap the land on the outskirts of Atlantic City. Just my wife Frieda and I. Doomsday sort of ruined my retirement." - ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "Can't seem to find enough volunteers for the rangers. Doesn't surprise me. Who would want to square off with the plantfolk every day?"
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "Don't think Anna's doing those breathing exercises I gave her. I can see her hyperventilating from here."
- ↑ Pete Rutledge: "Another day, another crisis. And Tim's calm as ever."
- ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "Buttercup seems a tad violent."
Mayor Timothy Lane: "*laughs* Oh, pay him no mind. He's a whole lot of bark, that one. But also bite. He won't try anything on you, so long as you pay your taxes. Truthfully, he's a loyal and generous friend. Says his "love language" is gift giving. Unfortunately, his idea of a "gift" is the severed head of your enemy, or a bloody cleaver."
(Timothy Lane's dialogue) - ↑ Unnecessary questions
- ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "Where can I find Buttercup?"
Mayor Timothy Lane: "Ah, that rascal. He should be upstairs in the Internal Revenue Services office. Pacing around, as he does. He's the big, tough one who looks like he belongs in a pre-war action movie. But he's harmless. S'long as you don't cross him, that is."
(Timothy Lane's dialogue) - ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "Folks here like to act tough 'an posture about. When they're starving they'll feel differently. So the fact they're still posturing's a real good sign I'm doing my job right."
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "I don't care for violence, but in order to survive in a place like Atlantic City, sometimes you have to play dirty."
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "I'm going to need to remind Mother Charlotte again that she can't keep blowing up her patrons for "art.""
- ↑ Mayor Timothy Lane: "Haven't heard from Quentino in a while. I know we've had our differences, but this does not bode well."
- ↑ Nothing to see here
- ↑ Q