The Basement served as a secure underground shelter located in Delaware, designed to provide safety for high-ranking officials during a nuclear crisis. It was intended to accommodate the First Lady, the president's young son, cabinet members, and staff, with the hope of protecting them from the devastating effects of a nuclear attack, except in the case of a direct hit from a powerful one-megaton warhead.

This setting underscores the theme of survival and the struggle for safety amidst chaos, highlighting the tensions and fears present during the Cold War era. The characters' reliance on this shelter reflects their desperation and the lengths they would go to in order to shield themselves from catastrophic events.