Ben Canning

Ben Canning is man found at seemingly random locations in the Capital Wasteland, sitting and begging for water. However, unlike the water-beggars found outside some towns, he only seems to take one bottle of any water (Purified Water or Dirty Water). After being given one, 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 he is nearby while you are fighting, he will rush to help you, although his usefulness is questionable.

Ben is armed with a Laser Pistol, but (like many NPCs) is unable to use it because he has no ammo for it (he carries Microfusion Cells instead of Energy Cells), resulting in him rushing into combat with his fists. Not surprisingly, he dies pretty quickly. If you want, you can give him a better gun and ammo for it (and, while you're at it, better armor and some stimpacks) by reverse-pickpocketing him. (yes he dies if you "give" him frags) Since he wanders the Wasteland like the Caravan Merchants after you rescue him, he does have some small usefulness in fighting random enemies for you.

Interestingly, Ben Canning is a leveled character with tagged skills in Small Arms, Big Guns, and Melee Weapons.

He can be mezzed, therefore, he can be enslaved.

YouTube video:
 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwn4THb2Ips

Locations
Ben Canning is one of a multitude of random encounters in the game, and he may appear at any one of the assigned random encounter locations. If he is resuscitated with water, he will follow the same looping route as the Caravan Merchants.

Loot
If you find him dead, you will find:
 * Dirty Water or Purified Water, depending on what you gave him
 * Head Wrap
 * Laser Pistol
 * Microfusion Cell (5)
 * Roving Trader Outfit

Appearances
only appears in Fallout 3.