I've seen a little kid, in the botanical garden, who looks around a little bit then heads off screen. What is his purpose?? There's got to be some reason he shows up...

Something else I've been curious on, I was borderline shocked when I got scrap metal at the mess hall, wasn't expecting that at all. Is there a chance that each is possible at a salvage point but the probability is higher for certain things in certain areas? I was surprised that I got 9 straight scrap metal in places where I wouldn't expect it much...

yeah man. i wonder it too 

There is a list of probabilities of salvageable items at each salvage point in the fan made guide.

Spoiler Alert: If you want to enjoy the game without spoilers I would not recommend looking at the guide.

Also, the guide is updated as the game is updated as well.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q_5mCZTfUktk5-g5E-d7Ut78hQuXiSjO/view

There is a 5% chance to get a scrap metal at the mess hall. The guide refers to it as cafeteria if you want to look for yourself.  Page 40.