Idealism and Pragmatism For Beginners - Red Dead Redemption 2 Guide - IGN (2024)

Idealism and Pragmatism For Beginners is a Stranger mission in Red Dead Redemption 2. Available sometime after completing The Gilded Cage in Chapter 4, Arthur is forced to do the bidding of Henri Lemieux--the mayor of Saint Denis.

After completing The Gilded Cage, Arthur receives an letter from Henri Lemieux, inviting him to drop by the mayoral residence at night. The quest marker for Henri Lemieux will then appear at nighttime in northwest Saint Denis, where the mission can be started.

Part I

Go to the marker for Henri Lemieux in northwest Saint Denis.

Arthur is brought into the mayoral residence, where Mayor Lemieux immediately accuses him of theft and questions his alias. For the moment, Mayor Lemieux is content to use Arthur for his gain, and he tasks Arthur (whom he calls by name) with intimidating a visiting appraiser so Lemieux's art collection will fetch more value on the market.

With no time like the present, Arthur and Lemieux's assistant quickly depart for the art gallery to see the professor performing the appraisal.

Upon arriving, the professor is seen leaving the gallery, and Arthur must tail him to a secluded spot. Fortunatley, the nearby NPCs dissipate pretty quickly and the walk is a short one.

Confront Professor Shiftacre, and proceed to threaten and beat him until he relents.

After more threats in a cutscene, the professor finally gives in and agrees to endorse the authenticity of the mayor's collection. Relay this back to Lemieux's assistant to complete this initial favor for the mayor.

Part II

Some days later, you will receive another letter in the mail from Mayor Lemieux, informing you of the prior scheme's success, and inviting you back to the mayoral residence in the cover of night.

This time, the mayor needs a little "persuasion" to convince a donor to fund his local library. He sends you to intercept a stagecoach outside of Saint Denis, and make him see reason.

Head northwest, and the stagecoach will spawn on your way over. Simply callout to stop the coach, then hop inside to speak to the prospective donor.

The in-game note says you can board the coach by jumping from your horse, but this one you'll have to call out to stop the driver, then hop inside.

The onscreen prompts will lead you to threaten the passenger, who eventually relents and agrees to fund the mayor's project.

Apparently successful, you'll disembark the coach, and have to update the mayor under cover of darkness once again.

Part III

At nightfall (or 9pm), you can return to the mayoral residence to update Mayor Lemieux of his newfound support for the library.

With the previous philanthropy successful, new books for the library abound (and Lemieux gives you one as a keepsake). However, now Lemieux needs his insubordinate assistant Jean-Marc reigned in: he is about to go public about Lemiuex's corruption and Arthur's real identity.

Jean-Marc's house is a short ride away, and Arthur intimidates and knocks him out in a cutscene. However, you will have to return to the mayoral residence without being seen.

Here is one possible path (starting from the green dot, ending at the yellow destination):

Once back to the mayors' house, follow him to the backyard, where Lemieux decides that Arthur should execute Jean-Marc, promising to make it worth your while.

You have a choice how to end the quest (with different outcomes depending on your choice):

• Execute Jean Marc: You can execute Jean Marc, and then dump his body off the back of the mayor's house to finish the quest. Nets negative honor.
• Let Jean Marc go free: Holster your weapon, and Jean-Marc will run away and escape with his life. Nets positive honor.

This completes the Idealism and Pragmatism For Beginners stranger mission questline.

Aftermath

As always the in-game newspapers chronicle your major activities, but depending on whether Jean-Marc is executed or goes free, a number of events happen.

• If you executed Jean Marc: In a letter received after the mission, you learn that Henri Lemieux managed to remain mayor, as well you receive a permanent 10% discount on all purchases in Saint Denis for your assistance. There is also an incredible easter egg: Tap to Reveal
• If you freed Jean Marc: You can read in the next Saint Denis newpaper about mayor Lemieux's resignation, and how Jean Marc took his post. Jean Marc sends you a letter as well, suggesting he will continue to fight corruption. Although there is no special discount, positive honor can easily outweigh the possible discount from helping Lemieux.