I really like the 2nd idea, what would you rather do? Keep working a terrible job and living a terrible life in a post-nuclear wasteland or follow some dashing heroic-type on a crazy half-assed adventure? Worked for John Cassidy, Ian, Vic, Sulik, Kitsune, Tycho, Katja, Kitsune, Dexter, Marcus, Jules, Davin, Maria, Goris, Lenny, Myron and Skynet. Why shouldn't it work for some dopey farmer?
I'd personally would really like to stumble across a half-dead farm, workers are slaving away while some asshole's chill out in the ranch. You walk on up to some dude.
A Handsome Black OneAnd you work your speech charm and convince this dude to follow you on your adventure. Skills are of-course determined by occupation and what sprites they have. You lead your new pal and maybe some other chumps on a wild adventure just like Fallout 2. Maybe add permanent death and give random quote bubbles and personalities to each character. Sort of a way to add attachment like your companions from Fallout and so you don't just use them as cannon fodder like your slaves.