Of course he was. Why wouldn't there be plastic bags around his hands. Ford notices this detail when he rolls up to the park, wonders at it for a moment, and then moves on. He's seen weirder.

"Maurice! You needed me for something?"

Frankly he's just curious about what it is exactly he's supposed to be helping with, because while it's not unusual for people to ask him for help with things (surely one of his PhDs will cover their issue) it is unusual for them to be reticent to give full details.