looks like a scape! generally, they’re harvested a bit earlier (before that bulb that will be flowers or mini-bulbils has gotten that big around) in order to maximize the amount of stalk that’s tender enough to be eaten.
as to why, i don’t know! i’ve only ever grown hardneck varieties, and have no experience with softnecks. sometimes weird shit happens!
He is really smart. And a dolphin. It makes sense his invention would bring in thousands of fish.