What are the chances I'll botch the same procedure twice in one day?
”— Ada Straus
Ada Straus is a drug dealer,[1] medical supplies merchant, and "doctor" plying her trade in the town of Novac in Fallout: New Vegas. She and her entourage circle the area west of the motel.
Despite an almost complete lack of medical education, Ada Straus is the "doctor" who can be found working in Novac. Despite not having a medical degree, this drug dealer will still perform the medical procedures that someone might need; such as general practice, radiation and or addiction removal, while giving horrible advice afterward. She does not keep care of her medical supplies,[2] and bolsters her income by trafficking drugs and selling salvaged weapons, like laser pistols and energy cells. Her bodyguards have taken a notice to her peculiar practices, particularly her apparent lack of knowledge of medicine or disinclination to pay them for her practices.
It seems the drugs she uses to treat people with are effective, as nobody has ran her out of town yet, even if her response to exposure to radiation includes suggestions that irradiation helps with reading at night, can be removed with baths in tomato juice, or inquiries about using the irradiated person as a makeshift oven for toast.
Straus Calls: Ada can provide medical assistance at reduced rates.
Effects of the player's interactions[]
If the player has a 'Wild Child' reputation in Novac, Ada remarks that "it's great for business" and to "keep it up". She will also provide a discount on her services.[3]
"I've gotta hand it to you. You've done good things for Novac, but you've also got 'em a little scared of you. And that's great for business. As long as you keep it coming, I'll get you some things a little cheaper than they should be."(Wild child reputation in Novac)
"Darn it! That money was going to help pay to get me some medical training."(The Courier refusing medical treatment from her.)
"Hey, pipe down. We can't talk about that here, out in the open. Oh, you mean you want a cure. Oh."(The Courier asking for help removing an addiction.)
"Let's see... Physically, you're fine. Emotionally... well, I'm not the right kind of doctor for that."(The Courier asking to be healed when nothing is wrong with them.)
"That's not so bad. I'll have you looking good as new. I mean, what are the chances of me botching another routine procedure in the same day?"
"Yeah, and I need sterile medical supplies. But let's see what I have with me."(The Courier requesting medical supplies.)
"That's not so bad. I'll have you looking good as new. I mean, what are the chances of me botching another routine procedure in the same day?"(After the Courier requests medical care.)
"Unless you dipped that in cheese fondue, I'd say it's infected. Let me fix that up for you."(After the Courier requests medical care.)
"Jesus, I don't think that's supposed to just dangle like that. And what the hell is that thing there? It's gonna be expensive. Try not to speak. Just nod yes or no."(After the Courier requests medical care.)
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Behind the scenes[]
Dr. Ada Straus may be a reference to Flowers for Algernon, a Daniel Keyes novel with a doctor of the same name.
↑The Courier: "I think I might be addicted to something." Ada Straus: "Hey, pipe down. We can't talk about that here, out in the open. Oh, you mean you want a cure. Oh." (Ada Straus' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "I need medical supplies." Ada Straus: "Yeah, and I need sterile medical supplies. But let's see what I have with me." (Ada Straus' dialogue)
↑Ada Straus: "I've gotta hand it to you. You've done good things for Novac, but you've also got 'em a little scared of you. And that's great for business. As long as you keep it coming, I'll get you some things a little cheaper than they should be." (Ada Straus' dialogue)
