Lou is the criminal mastermind at the top of the Wanted list (1,500 bounty) and only shows up after you buy the Business Permit. If you don't report her, she leaves and never comes back. If you do report her you get the 1,500 — then her revenge: a planted (fake) bomb, a toy box you must leave completely untouched until she collects it (trash it or take anything = a real bomb and the run ends), and finally a 1,500-credit demand. Since patch 1.0.0.2 she can't be shot.
The short version
Your choice
What happens
Don’t report her
She buys her items and leaves. She never comes back. No risk
Patch 1.0.0.1 removed the old penalty: reporting Lou no longer lowers your Black Market reputation.
When she shows up
Lou only appears after you buy the Business Permit (sold from around Day 38; enforced from Day 45 — see loans and rent). On her first visit she buys melee weapons and tools like Screwdrivers and Plasma Cutters, with about a 250-credit budget.
If you report her: the revenge arc
She comes back about three days later. You can’t dismiss or shoot her.
A bomb is planted in your shop — it’s a fake, found in your deepest containers.
She leaves a toy box. Keep the box and everything inside it untouched for about three days until she collects it. Throwing it away or taking anything out triggers a real bomb — run over.
A disguised Security “inspection” visit.
She demands 1,500 credits with a seven-day countdown.
⚠️ How the 1,500 is settled is disputed (see FAQ). Having 1,500 in cash and firearms on hand covers every version.
After that, a fan guide says an assassination story runs in the newspaper and the extortion ends.
Lou’s toy box softlock
A few players found the box never got collected. One posted a save-file edit (isLouBoxNotPlaced) as a workaround on the Steam forum; editing saves can break a run, so back up first.
All the ways a run can end, including both Lou bombs: endings
FAQ
Should I report Lou?
Only if you want her storyline and can handle the risk. Reporting pays 1,500 (2,250 with Model Citizen) but starts an extortion arc that ends with her demanding 1,500 back. If you don't report her, she simply leaves and never returns — a safe, quiet run.
When does Lou appear?
Only after you own the Business Permit (sold from about Day 38). One player first met her on Day 48. A datamined fan guide says she's triggered when your cash drops under 75, when you can't pay rent on a due day, or after 14 eligible days.
Can you kill Lou?
No. Patch 1.0.0.2 (Oct 28) made it so 'Lou can no longer be shot during any of her visits'.
What do I do with Lou's toy box?
Nothing. Leave it, and everything in it, exactly where it is for about three days until she collects it. Players who threw it in the trash were blown up — it's one of the game's losing endings.
What happens if I can't pay Lou the 1,500?
Sources disagree. allthings.how lists a 'Bombed' ending if you can't pay. A datamined fan guide says weapons, ammo and medical supplies count toward it and you only get the real bomb if the total is under 500. One Steam player says she just takes 1,500 credits and you can't refuse. Keep 1,500 in cash or guns ready to be safe.
Checked against the current version on · Medium confidence — consistent community reports, not officially confirmed. Spotted something outdated? Tell us.
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