Mayor McDonough, also known as M7-62, is the mayor of Diamond City and an agent for the Institute in 2287.
Background
McDonough is a third-generation synth living in Diamond City. He impersonates the brother of John McDonough, his human counterpart that grew up in Diamond City. As part of his infiltration, he had his eyes set on the office of the mayor. He was elected to the position by fear-mongering against the city's ghoul population, and promising to expel them from the city as part of his "Mankind for McDonough" platform. His anti-ghoul campaign strategy won him the election and the city turned on the ghoul population, alienating McDonough from his brother John, who tried to save as many ghouls as he could from dying out in the ruins.
Since his election, McDonough has been a popular mayor among merchants due to his emphasis on keeping Diamond City prosperous and safe, but something of a conflicted figure among the Lower Field population due to the circumstances of his election and his refusal to investigate the spate of kidnappings. He has a particular vendetta with Piper Wright, due to the nature of her newspaper, Publick Occurrences, and has temporarily banned her from the city. Specifically, Piper has published an article (truthfully) accusing McDonough of being a synth.
Interactions with the player character
Interactions overview
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This character is essential. Essential characters cannot be killed. | |
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This character is a permanent companion. They grant the - perk. | |
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This character is a temporary companion. | |
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This character starts quests. |
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This character is involved in quests. | |
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This character is a doctor. |
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This character is a merchant. |  -Sells: - |
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This character can repair items. | Max Repair condition: - |
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This character can modify weapons. |
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This character rents beds. | -.
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Quests
- Jewel of the Commonwealth: McDonough is first met in the entrance to Diamond City and gets into an argument with Piper Wright. If the Sole Survivor passes a Speech check, McDonough can direct them to Valentine Detective Agency.
- Getting a Clue: McDonough can be convinced to hand over the key to Kellogg's house.
- Political Leanings: The Sole Survivor must obtain McDonough's report and deliver it to Justin Ayo.
- In Sheep's Clothing: McDonough is confronted in his office after it's revealed that he is a synth and is holding Geneva hostage. The Sole Survivor can convince him with a medium Speech check to release his hostage to prevent her from being harmed.
Inventory
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items | On death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patched suit Crumpled fedora |
Pipe gun | Kellogg's house key | Synth component |
Notes
- If Piper is brought into his office, he will shout at her to get out.
- One can learn that he is a synth upon reaching level 30 (after the completion of the main quest on the side of anyone but the Institute) and traveling to Diamond City, starting the quest In Sheep's Clothing, by being given the side quest Political Leanings from Justin Ayo, or by reading a SRB terminal within the Institute.
- McDonough has shown a desire to join the SRB of the Institute as a courser; however, terminals show that McDonough's synth body would be incompatible with the lifestyle of a courser, and imply that he will be disposed of when he outlives his usefulness. The SRB states that he has an estimated lifespan of two weeks maximum.
- If the player character enters his room they can see two mannequins in a corner, one is dressed in a sweater vest and one is dressed in a red coat. This is possibly a reference to him and John Hancock.
- While listening to John Hancock describe his childhood with McDonough, he starts several sentences with "Guy". This was originally thought to be Mayor McDonough's first name, however, similar sentences start that way in later dialogue.
- If you listen to the Mayor's second response to Piper being in the room, when he says NOT, his voice will sound slightly robotic with a louder tune. This is an early give away that he is a synth.
Appearances
Mayor McDonough appears only in Fallout 4.
Behind the scenes
 | The following is based on unverified behind the scenes information and may be inaccurate. |
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Piper's interactions with Mayor McDonough seem to be inspired by Bob Woodward's and Carl Bernstein's reporting of the Watergate scandal which eventually led to the resignation of President Nixon. This is further lampshaded by Mayor McDonough's "I Am Not a Synth" speech.
| End of information based on unverified behind the scenes information |
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