This will be the last time I request a companion for Fallout

[Sniffles]

You have to go through an extensive dialogue with Darlene at 249, 499, 749 and after a double time period, 999. I think when you reach each step you have to trigger her with a like.

[Slash]

That's simply not worth it to me. It makes no sense, no logical explanation for those extensive wait times. I used to get frustrated with Vilja as well- wait for one more day, take her out to dinner, send my Wolfcry out to the dry cleaners, have her sit in my lap and wrinkle my newly pressed armor, and watch her dance on the table 5 times before she'd tell me she got a letter from her Mother. At least that was logical, because she had to wait for the letter because her isp was down for an upgrade. But DDDarlene... wait 30 days? And the only response I'd get from her was that her mind was as empty as a leaking bottle of Belchmeister Stout? Nah! No logic there. And the author never did explain why there were all those waiting times. Shoot- by the time the waiting was over, I would have completed the main quest five times over! By that time, there was no point in having DDDarlene explain why she was such an airhead. By that time, I'd have jumped back to Skyrim for some refreshing hack 'n slash and a nice, cold quaff of Blackbrier Reserve. Now I know why DDDarlene hates her apartment- her cat wouldn't put up with her drivel either... and her cat is essential. Pfft- I'm gonna play The Machine and Her again... at least there was some logic to that. And... why would Piper say she's seen birds land on a Corvega and burst into flame? On rust? And why did Dr. Forsythe say, "A secret Vault? Good Lord, I've never heard of such a thing!" Well Duh... it was secret. (Can't wait till Bethesda releases "Starfield", "I don't like space; always hard to breath up here." Yeah, maybe you should respond to your idiot-light that's saying "Your door is ajar.")

[Sniffles]

Did you install the Darlene Shorter Timer esp? It helps a little though that wait time is ridiculous. Anyone can finish the main question and develop all the settlements before she comes around.