Idealism and Pragmatism for Beginners is a Stranger Mission Strand (Side Questline) in Red Dead Redemption 2. This Walkthrough shows how to complete the Stranger Missions.
Quest Giver: Mayor Henri Lemieux
Region: north-western Saint Denis, during night-time
Requirements: having finished The Gilded Cage (early Chapter 4) and received Lemieux’ letter
To be able to start this quest, keep a lookout for an on-screen-message about unopened mail in the top left corner.
Travel to any Post Office and get your mail. After reading the letter by Lemieux, you can meet him in his residence at night-time.
Idealism and Pragmatism for Beginners Starting Location
After having met the Mayor in an earlier quest, we are the perfect man to solve some of his political problems in unpolitical ways at night-time.
Lemieux needs us to revise someone’s opinion about the authenticity of some pictures.
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Hop in the carriage with Jean-Marc, the Mayor’s assistant – he will tell us about the things we need to know along the way.
The professor, who needs to change his view on the facts, will be at the Art Gallery in Town. Once he leaves, we can follow him to a more private area with no witnesses in the backyards.
Simply confront him and use any means necessary to make him change his mind. Once done, return to Jean-Marc and report to him. He already fears the worst.
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Part II
A few days after the first mission and after receiving a second invitation letter, we can meet up with the Mayor at night-time once again.
This time he needs help to raise funds for a Library. He and Jean-Marc point us to a carriage from a wealthy man, who needs some persuading.
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Ride to the northern edge of the town and hop on 
the driving coach. Have a little chat with the victim and threaten him by nearly throwing him out of the carriage.
Of course, this will change his mind about things and he is willing to donate. Easy to make a philanthropist out of anybody!
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When the next night falls, head back to Lemieux and report about your successful campaigning.
Part III
Lemieux will be happy about your results, but has another problem at hand. Jean-Marc. He has been against all of the Mayor’s crooked decisions and poses a threat to him. Or so he thinks at least.
He tells us his address and wants us to confront him.
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Arthur chooses the easy way and knocks Jean-Marc out and wants to carry him over to the Mayor’s residence so the can talk things out.
Beware of the Lawmen on the way back. Check their field of view on the minimap. You have to cut through the park in front of you to reach the destination without being seen.
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In the backyard of the Mayor’s residence, the two talk to each other, but the Mayor only sees one way out: He wants us to kill Jean-Marc and heads inside.
Jean-Marc begs for mercy and it is up to you, how to proceed.
Spare him by holstering the weapon and walking away gives a bit of honor, while killing and disposing of him makes your honor go down a bit but gives a 10% discount in all of Saint Denis’ shops.
No matter what you do, you won’t cross paths with him again.
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This concludes the “Idealism and Pragmatism for Beginners” Stranger Mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2). For all other Stranger Missions check out the full Red Dead Redemption 2 Stranger Missions Walkthrough.
this is total crap, I came here to find out if there would be any consequence for killing him, ie would it lock you out of any future missions. You could at least provide this for players because I’m sure others are here for the same reason
If Jean-Marc was an important Character, I would have mentioned that the final decision was an important one.
He won’t be seen again, no matter what you choose.
The only thing which can have an impact on future missions (loss of honor when killing) was already outlined.
Having not enough honor can lock you out of missions, which is outlined in the general Trophy Guide.
I saw the letter only after the end of Chapter 4, and now the task does not appear on the map. can i get platinum without it?
Make sure you look at night, it’s only available at night.
DEAD,
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I was in Chapter 5 and thought I lost that side mission but I waited until night and it is still available. You’re awesome!!
So I shot him because I was desperate for money, and seeing as the mayor promised to pay me “handsomely” I shot him, yet when the mission concluded, I hadn’t been paid anything. Is this a glitch or do you not just get paid?
No you get a 10% discount at all stores in st. denis
I received a letter from one “Jean-Marc Mercier”, telling me that he was the new mayor of Saint Denis, and that they were grateful for what I’ve done for the city.
Not sure if it’s the same Jean-Marc though.
It is
Will I still get paid if I spare him?
If you spare him, you will later receive a mail from The Mayor’s Office (collectable at post office) with expressing gratitude for your help.
It will become evident that Jean-Marc is the new Mayor.
Why did I get a bounty are sparing Jean Marc’s life? Weird.
Oddly enough, I got the same thing and ended up with a $240 bounty in Lemoyne State. I got it when I rode past Jean-Marc’s home in Saint Denis.
Can i do that mission im epilog 1 ?
Yes you can, i did after finishing the game
The important thing is whether or not the Jean Marc living or dying has anything to do with Albronte?
He had the mayor in his pocket, so does this choice have any effect on that?
Honestly if your looking for the more canon choice spare him which is what I did. Like Arthur says when you spare him is I’m not paid killer which can is true, so sparing him is the better choice.
if i complete this as Arthur does John still get the discount? im assuming yes?