"You're not Brotherhood, are you," says Dr. D flatly.

Ellen shakes her head. "He's a friend of mine and a close ally."

"Ah. Well. Redding is the site of a major vein of gold, which was the basis of NCR's currency for years. Note the use of the word 'was'. They've been running on paper money backed solely by the full faith and credit of the NCR government ever since the Brotherhood collapsed the gold mines."