Bent was the classic homebody techie who frequently had a few screws loose.
It was for this reason that he was one of the first to be laid off by the Department of Defense.
Without a job, he had used up his meagre savings after a few months.
When he heard that there would be an area for independent booths at the expo, Bent took out the odd things he had invented to try and sell them so that he could go home and continue inventing.
As long as he sold enough this time, the guy wouldn't mind being holed up at home for a few more years.
Also, Bent didn't want Damon's money. He firmly believed that he wasn't a beggar, but a scientist; there would always be people who admired his skills.
This "taser" that he had invented was no more lethal than an ordinary taser, but it was very technologically unique, which was why Bent had been let into the expo.
