Ben Canning

Ben Canning is a water beggar found at random locations in the Capital Wasteland in 2277.

Background
Unlike other water beggars in the Capital Wasteland, Ben does not sit outside of a settlement. Rather, he is a friendly wasteland traveler who has ventured out sorely unprepared, leaving him dehydrated after running out of water. He does not expect help from other wasteland travelers, and if someone were to donate him some water, he would be pleasantly surprised.

Other interactions
Ben Canning appears in a random encounter. Upon meeting, the Lone Wanderer may choose to give him water or let him die. Unlike the water beggars found outside Megaton, Tenpenny Tower, and Rivet City who will only accept purified water, Ben will also accept dirty water. However, he will not accept Aqua Pura, Aqua Cura, or holy water.

If one has both purified and dirty water in their inventory, the game will prioritize the latter over the former. If given water, he proceeds to drink it repeatedly; when activated, he apologetically tells the character that he's not up to traveling yet. Standing after a minute or two, he simply says "Good to see you again, friend!" If one refuses to give him water, he will ask them to shoot him in the head, because he is out of ammunition, or else he would do it himself. If one grants this request, they will receive negative Karma.

Effects of player's actions

 * If he is given water, he will follow the same looping route as the caravan merchants.
 * If he is not given water, he will die.

Appearances
Ben Canning appears only in Fallout 3.

Bugs

 * He may be hostile upon first meeting him.
 * When joining the caravan route he may take the place of a caravan merchant, leaving one of the existing merchants 'stuck' at their current stop.