Bob the can man

We have an individual that comes in our offices at least once a week to collect cans. We tried getting him into programs, but his schizotypal personality will not hold sanity at bay at any point in time so we decided to let him be. When we had housing on the upper floors of our building, he used to stay there so he could stay out of trouble. When those were turned into offices about ten years ago, he found housing at a homeless shelter nearby. He likes his independence and likes to make money by collecting cans to buy the things he needs, and if they don't get stolen by his housemates, he can (sort of) survive.

However, Bob has become sort of a mascot to us. He comes in for some coffee and to collect the cans we have saved for him, he talks disjointedly about his ongoings and such and then he leaves. No matter what time of year it is, hes known for wearing this tall, colorful woolen cap with a large fluffy ball on top. He is a loud but kind gentleman, but riled easily. He tends to never sit still and he could probably have a short conversation with you as long as he could pace and flap his hands continually. He has been coming here for at least ten years or so, and everyone pretty much tolerates him and some people even, *gasp* dare to speak to him. (Even though this is an agency that works with disabilities, some still think they are not classified as real people) When our new CEO came to occupy this agency, Bob was mad that the coffee machine did not have large size cups, and happened to bump into him:

Bob: Do you fill the coffee cups in the vending machine?
CEO Dressed in business attire: *cringing* No, I certainly do not.
Bob: Well what do you do?
CEO: I am the CEO of *name of place omitted*
Bob: Well what does that mean?
CEO: It means that I'm the boss of everybody.
Bob: *looking disjointed* Oh, is that all. *walks away*

It seems he knows more then most people give him credit for.

Anyway, a few months back, Bob disappeared. No one had seen him in the agency or out on the streets. Because he is a low functioning schizophrenic, it is very possible for him to come across some serious harm such as being beaten, mugged or hit by a car. We had no contact information for him so all we could really do is wait and ponder on what had happened to him. He counted on aluminum cans for his income and we had quite a few piling up for him. Finally he did show up. He stated that he was in the hospital because he had contracted a "super bug" as he calls it, the first in the state and he was down for quite awhile. When he was asked if he had received a flu shot this year, he asked quizzically, "now what would I need that for? I got a S-U-P-E-R B-U-G!" and then ran out, his large bag of cans in hand.