$24.

95

It was many years ago that I got out of a crew truck in the national forest and ran toward a large glowing object hovering in the darkening Arizona sky. But when I made that fateful choice to leave the truck, I was leaving behind more than just my six fellow workmen. I was leaving behind forever all semblance of a normal life, running headlong toward an ex erience so overwhelmingly mind! rending in its effects, so devastating in its aftermath, that my life would never"could never " be the same again. # Travis Walton

ri!ona observe" a strange, unusuall# bright light in the s$#. %ne of those men, Travis Walton, re&$lessl# left the safet# of their tru&$ to ta$e a &loser loo$. 'u""enl#, as he (al$e" to(ar" the light, Walton (as blaste" ba&$ b# a bolt of m#sterious energ#. )is &ompanions fle" in fear. When the# reporte" an en&ounter (ith a *+%something the# (oul" have &onsi"ere" impossible if the# ha" not (itnesse" it themselvesthe men (ere suspe&te" of mur"er. +or five "a#s authorities mounte" a massive manhunt in sear&h of Walton or his bo"#. Then Walton reappeare", "isoriente" an" initiall# unable to tell the (hole stor# of his terrif#ing en&ounter.

n November 5, 1975 a group of loggers in the mountains of northeastern

FIRE IN THE SKY

FIRE
IN THE

SKY
$he %alton &x erience

Travis Walton

MARLONE & COMPANY NEW YORK

,ublishe" b# -arlo(e . /ompan# 012 2roa"(a#, 'eventh +loor Ne( 3or$, Ne( 3or$ 14412 5'ons an" 6aughters7 rt Neville8 rthel Neville89an Neville8:orraine Neville8;on /u&&ia8-al&olm 2urn < 1994 Neville -usi& . rthelian -usi& =2-9> . Neeha -usi& . /hief ?oll# -usi& = '/ ,> ll rights a"ministere" b# 9rving -usi&, 9n&. =2-9> on behalf of Neville musi& for the (orl"8 lmo -usi& /orp. = '/ ,> a"ministere" for /hief ?oll# -usi& for the (orl". ,hotographs of 6.2. '(eene# an" ;obert ,atri&$ &ourtes# of ,aramount ,i&tures < 1991 ,aramount ,i&tures. ll rights reserve". ll other photographs an" illustrations &op#right < 197@, 1990 b# -i$e ;ogers. ll rights reserve". 5+ire in the '$#7 (ritten b# ,ete Ao!a$ < 1990. ll rights reserve". /op#right < 1979, 1990 b# Travis Walton 9'2N 1B50924B@44B4 :ibrar# of /ongress /ar" /atalog numberC 90B4755@2 ,rinte" in the *nite" 'tates of meri&a

/ontents

Foreword Preface

b# Tra&# Torme b# the uthor

1 4

PART I THE INCIDENT Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter Chapter ! Chapter " Chapter # Chapter $ +irst, an %pen -in" n %r"inar# 6a# b"u&tion Night 'ear&h -anhunt Ai"napping . . . or a AillingD ;eturn The liens )uman 21 25 15 45 54 04 71 @1 91

PART II ANA%YSIS Chapter 1& Chapter 11 Euestions of 2elief The +inal 5Euestions of 2elief7 B an" /on&lusive ns(ers 114 144

'( Co)te)t* Chapter 12 'pe&ulations 151

PART III %ATER DAYS Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 1 Chapter 1! ftermath The -a$ing of +ire /on&lusion Fpilogue 175 19@ 254 255

PART I+ APPENDI, Appe)d(,?AC ,ropangan"a ?ob Arumbles 20@

FIRE IN THE SKY

+ore(or"
b# Tra&# Torme, '&reen(riter8,ro"u&er, 'ire in the (ky

9t (as November 5, 19@5, an" the signifi&an&e of the "ate ha"nGt es&ape" me. s the Hetliner "es&en"e" to(ar" the Ialle# of the 'un, m# min" reele" ba&$, ten #ears to the "a#. 9G" been sitting in the librar# at 2everl# )ills )igh =in the "a#s before its !ip &o"e be&ame a househol" (or">, listening to the ra"io on hea"phones, preten"ing to stu"#. fiveBminute ne(sbrea$ interrupte" the ro&$ an" roll, an" the last item &aught m# "istra&te" attention. . . . n ri!ona man name" Travis Walton (as missingan" his &o(or$Jers &ame up (ith the &ra!iest eK&use for his "isappearan&eC )e ha" been blaste" b# a ra# of light an" ta$en a(a# b# a fl#ing sau&er, the# sai". 9t (as &lear from the tone of the report that no one believe" them. -ur"er (as alrea"# being mentione". The lo&al ne(smen thre( in the stan"ar" line about 5little green men7 . . . then the 'tones returne" (ith a song about tumbling "i&e. 2ut 9 (asnGt listening. 9 (as thin$ing about Travis Walton. No(, ten #ears later, 9 (as tou&hing "o(n in ,hoeniK, on m# (a# to 'no(fla$e, ri!ona, an" a fa&eBtoBfa&e meeting (ith Travis. s 9 hurrie" to &at&h a &ommuter flight, 9 ran into the pilot, (ho informe" me that his plane (as groun"e". There (as a storm over the White -ountains, an" 9 (as out of lu&$. 9 offere" to "ouble the mone#. No go. 'tormD What stormD 9 loo$e" up at the &ool blue s$# in frustration. -# time (as limite"L 9 ha" to be ba&$ in :. . in three "a#s, an" 9 (as "eterB mine" to

2 Tra'(* .a/to)
rea&h 'no(fla$e. 'o 9 rente" a &ara ver# spe&ial &ar a&&or"ing to )ert!a bran"Bne( fourB (heelB"rive ,eugeotan" 9 (as off to 'no(fla$e. +or t(o hours 9 hea"e" east a&ross the "esert, enHo#ing the sunshine an" s&ener# in a (a# onl# a &it# bo# &an. n" then it starte" to sno(in a big (a#. s i&e, sleet, an" sno( pelte" m# little +ren&h &ar 9 ma"e an interesting "is&over#C The (in"shiel" (ipers "i"nGt (or$. 9 "rove on in eKasperation, sti&$ing m# hea" out the (in"o( an" tr#ing m# best to follo( the high(a#, then glan&ing ba&$ through the mist for the ra&ing flatbe" that (as sure to run me "o(n at an# moment. Near the ol" mining to(n of 'uperior, 9 pulle" off the roa" an" (aite" for the storm to abate. 9 thought of Travis an" the first time (eG" spo$en, a fe( "a#s earlier. 9G" gotten his number from 'no(fla$e 9nformationL 9 later "is&overe" it ha" been unliste" for ten #earsheG" Hust put it ba&$ in the phone boo$ a "a# or t(o before 9 &alle". 9 too$ that as a goo" omen. The &all ha" been spurre" b# a "is&ussion 9G" ha" (ith pro"u&er ;obert 'trauss a (ee$ previous. The Walton &ase (as so interesting, so spe&ta&ular, (h# ha"nGt an#one ma"e a movie about itD 9n m# preliminar# tal$s (ith Travis, the ans(er be&ame &lear. The Travis Walton 9 $ne( onl# b# voi&e seeme" eKtremel# suspi&ious of an#one from )oll#(oo". 9n fa&t, he seeme" suspi&ious of an#one, perio". 'o 9 (as Hourne#ing to 'no(fla$e for t(o maHor reasonsC to &onvin&e him that 9 (as sin&ere in m# ple"ge to ma$e a him that tol" his stor# truthfull#, an" to see for m#self if the &ase (as a hoaK. 9n m# min", the latter (asnGt a "eal brea$er. 9f the Walton in&i"ent (as an elaborate ruse, 9 still felt that ma"e for a great stor# that &oul" be translate" to the s&reen. The storm never en"e"L 9 arrive" in 'no(fla$e three hours later, half ama!e" still to be in one pie&e. %ver the &ourse of the neKt fe( "a#s an" several more trips to the area, 9 intervie(e" Travis an" 6ana Walton, -i$e ;ogers, Aenn# ,aterson, ?ohn Moulette, llen 6alis, Mlen +la$e, -arlin Millespie, et&. 9 spo$e (ith believers an" "isbelievers, (ellB(ishers an" s&ornmongers. 9n the en" there (as onl# one &on&lusion 9 &oul" possibl# rea&h. The (oo"smen ha" been telling the truth. 'omething built b# nonhuman han"s reall# "i" appear on the mountain that night. pie&e of unrealit# ha" be&ome all too real an" ha" &hange" seven #oung menGs lives forever. 9 (as ama!e" b# the s$epti&sG la&$ of a reaJsonable alternative, an" 9 (as impresse" b# the amount of suffering the inJ&i"ent ha" &ause" the (oo"smen. 'iK an" a half long #ears later, +ire in the '$# (ent into pro"u&tion. Wh# "i" it ta$e so longD 9n the film business, things that shoul" ta$e a (ee$ ta$e a month. n" ever# time (e sai", 5/oul" (e please have t(ent# million "ollars to ma$e this movieD7 . . . someone (ith t(ent# million "ollars sai" no. 9t (as m# sa" "ut# to report to Travis all the roa"blo&$s an" false alarms (e

FIRE IN THE SKY 3

eKperien&e" "uring those #ears. 9 en&ourage" him to maintain the hope an" eKpe&tation that our film (oul" eventuall# be ma"e. Travis hung in there (ith us until (e finall# hit pa# "irt. s the film (as pro"u&e", shot, an" e"ite", 9 &oul" sense his gro(ing eK&itement, as (ell as the satisfa&tion he felt at finall# having the opportunit# to have a large, nation(i"e au"ien&e vi&ariousl# relive his eKperien&e. 9 $no( this boo$ (ill enlighten an" ama!e the rea"er, Hust as the stor# of the Walton 'even first &aptivate" me, half m# lifetime ago. Travis Walton has &hange" sin&e the time 9 first met him. )is Nualities of Nuiet truthfulness an" "eep introspe&tive thin$ing are still the same, but the &hip on his shoul"er has evaporate". )e hol"s his hea" high no(, &onfronts his &riti&s "ire&tl# an" rea"il# a&&epts the fa&t that there are some (ho (ill al(a#s "isbelieve. )e is a famil# man of Nualit#, at pea&e (ith himself an" his eKperien&e. 9Gm prou" to &all him m# frien".

,refa&eC /onteKt
$o erceive is to suffer. ristotle

9t (as man# #ears ago that 9 got out of a &re( tru&$ in the national forest an" ran to(ar" a large glo(ing obHe&t hovering in the "ar$ening ri!ona s$#. 2ut (hen 9 ma"e that fateful &hoi&e to leave the tru&$, 9 (as leaving behin" more than Hust m# siK fello( (or$men. 9 (as leaving behin" forever all semblan&e of a normal life, running hea"long to(ar" an eKperien&e so over(helmingl# min"Bren"ing in its effe&ts, so "evastating in its aftermath, that m# life (oul" never&oul" never be the same again. Nothing in this naive &ountr# bo#Gs life up to that moment &oul" have prepare" me for (hat follo(e". 2ut (hat 9 "i"nGt $no( then, 9 thin$ 9 $no( no(. 9tGs been a real e"u&ationO n" (ith this ne( boo$ 9 tr# to share those insights. When 9 first (rote $he %alton &x erience =2er$le# 2oo$s, 197@>, the boo$ (hi&h ,aramount ,i&turesG movie, 'ire in the (ky, is base" on, 9 state" m# "esire that the boo$ put the rea"er (here (e (ere (hen it happene". -# hope (as that if people &oul" vi&ariousl# live itsomeho( a&tuall# eKperien&e it as if the# (ere there in m# stea"perhaps the# &oul" ta$e a more openBmin"e" an" obHe&tive approa&h to their evaluation of it all. )o(ever, nothing approa&hes the goal of allo(ing people to live someone elseGs eKperien&e nearl# so (ell as a movie. 9 thin$ most people $ne( better than to eKpe&t a "o&umentar#, an" although some "ramati& li&ense (as eKer&ise", 9 believe that the movie su&&ee"e" in &onve#ing the emotional essen&e of (hat (e (ent through. ,ubli& response to the film fulfille" all reasonable eKpe&tations of

FIRE IN THE SKY

all reasonable eKpe&tations of its ma$ers. n" it satisfie" m# goal of imparting m# eKperien&e on the gut level, so 9 feel free no( in this up"ating to emphasi!e other areas. 9 provi"e an a&&urate, un"ramati!e" &hroni&le of events, an" 9 a&&ount for the main "epartures that the film too$ from (hat a&tuall# happene". 9 tr# to satisf# the interest (hi&h so man# people have eKpresse" &on&erning (h#, after all this time, 9 finall# &onsente" to a movie being ma"e, an" (hat the pro&ess of its &reation (as li$e. %ne of the most negle&te" areas in the earlier boo$ (as the &ontrovers# surroun"ing the (hole episo"e, the atta&$s b# people (ho for various reasons felt &ompelle" to tr# to "en# that it ha" ever reall# happene". -an# of those atta&$s (ere so ri"i&ulousl# baseless that 9 naivel# believe" a &ursor# rebuttal (oul" be suffi&ient. 9 thought those in&line" to "oubt &oul" easil# be pointe" in a "ire&tion that (oul" lea" them to "is&over there (as no truth in the allege" s&enarios (hi&h ha" me or m# &o(or$ers hallu&inating on "rugs, &reating a hoaK, su""enl# be&oming ps#&hoti&, et&. 9 (rote as if all these &laims &oul" be as easil# refute" as the &harge that the report (as a &over stor# for a gor# &hainsa( mur"er. 9 &oul" not have been more mista$en. The onslaught not onl# "i" not go a(a#, it gre(. ;efute" &laims (ere &ontinuousl# resurre&te" an", li$e a &hil"Gs game of gossip, be&ame more embellishe" (ith ea&h telling. Therefore 9 "evote m# greatest efforts here to &riti&al anal#sis of the m#ria" attempts to eKplain a(a# (hat (as other(ise re&ogni!e" as the most spe&ta&ular, bestB"o&umente" *+% in&i"ent ever. nother emphasis in this boo$ is the &onteKt in (hi&h this in&re"ible event o&&urre". ,eople nee" to $no( more about the prior lives of the people involve" an" the &ommunit# in (hi&h it happene" in or"er to un"erstan" its impa&t an" aftermath. n" the #ears of the aftermath are a stor# unto themselves, a stor# so eK&ru&iating that m# memories of (hat 9 have live" through be&ause of some peopleGs rea&tion to (hat happene" are a hell (hi&h nearl# oversha"o(s the eKperien&e itself. Ta$e a sleep# little Western to(n steepe" in &onservative, tra"itional values. 6rop into its mi"st an event so sho&$ing, so anomalous, that b# its ver# nature it &hallenge" &onventional beliefs an" attitu"es, at the same time being impossible to "ismiss, "eman"ing to be &onfronte". That, par"ner, (as the ma$ings of some serious turmoil. The *+% in&i"ent &ause" me to &ome in &onta&t, "ire&tl# or in"ire&tl#, (ith man# people from all over the (orl" (hom 9 other(ise (oul" never have $no(n an#thing about. 9t so happene" that most of them &ame from the larger &ities. 9n man# of those people 9 "ete&te" the attitu"e that it (as goo" that this event o&&urre" in su&h a pla&e. 9f an#thing &oul" ma$e a bun&h of hi&$s (a$e up an" smell the &offee, ma$e them reali!e 5there are more things in heaven an" earth7 than allo(e" for in their pantheon of "ear illusions, it (as this sort of eventL it

! Tra'(* .a/to)
(as Hust (hat these &loseBmin"e" rubes nee"e" to sha$e up their smug ortho"oK#, to pull their blin"ers off so the# might also begin to see a little more of the mo"ern (orl" outsi"e their little &ornBro( rut. ,erhaps. 2ut 9 believe their attitu"e is metro&entri&, their o(n "ear illusion that small to(ns are ba&$(ar" an" &ities are populate" solel# (ith hip, sophisti&ate", openBmin"e" people (ith a mu&h more a&&urate pi&ture of 5the real (orl".7 9 have ne(s for them. 9Gve seen both si"es an" 9 &an tell #ou that rural &ommunities have no &orner on tunnel vision. "mitte"l#, these mountain &ommunities are some(hat more homogeneous in their vie(s, but there is far more "iversit# here than metrophiles assume. The# seem to forget (eGre plugge" into the same national me"ia the# are, not sitting here (at&hing reruns of lo&al ne(s from the 1954s. Mrante", people here &an be ver# &ertain of their truths, but no more so than else(here. :iving among people (ith a greater variet# of vie(points "oesnGt ne&essaril# impart an openness to consider those vie(points. Toleran&e "oesnGt translate into openBmin"e"B ness. "iversit# of selfB&ertitu"es is still selfB&ertitu"e. The more 9 "is&over of the (orl", the more 9 see ho( fun"amentall# ali$e people ever#(here a&tuall# are. 9n a broa" sense (e all share the same basi& strengths an" failings, although to var#ing "egrees. n" it is this arra# of traits (hi&h some realists regar" as being the &ause of (hat is referre" to as 5the human &on"ition.7 9Gve &ome to reali!e that the biggest problem an#(here in the (orl" is that peopleGs per&eptions of realit# are &ompulsivel# filtere" through the s&reening mesh of what they want, and do not want, to be true. ,eople see (hat the# eKpe&t to see. ,re&on&eptions seem to pre"etermine Hu"gment of ever#thing. 9tGs not solel# be&ause this human failing pla#e" su&h a big part in the eKperien&es 9 re&ount here that 9 &onsi"er it so important in the overall s&heme of things. 9f #ou loo$, #ouGll fin" this human pro&livit# at the root of ever# single personal problem or so&ial ill humanit# has ever en"ure". These mountain &ommunities are more a mi&ro&osm of the (orl" than some (oul" eKpe&t. 'no(fla$e, ri!ona. To some people from out of state, these t(o (or"s soun" li$e an oK#moron, a &ontra"i&tion in terms. -an# times 9Gve ha" to persua"e those on the other en" of longB"istan&e phone lines that 9 (as not Ho$ing. The# Hust 5$no(7 that it never sno(s here in the 6esert 'tate, an" besi"es, (ho (oul" reall# name a to(n 'no(fla$eD Well, it "oes sno(, Nuite enough, than$s. Not as mu&h as some pla&es in ri!ona, but then, that isnGt (here the name &omes from an#(a#. When 9 tell them the to(n (as name" for t(o of the foun"ing families the 'no(s an" the +la$esan" that the 'no(s have all "rifte" a(a# but there are still plent# of +la$es here, the# be&ome &ertain 9Gm $i""ing. 2ut 'no(fla$e, ever sin&e its foun"ing in 1@7@, has been a to(n that people

FIRE IN THE SKY "

have been for&e" to ta$e seriousl#. ;ugge" -ormon pioneers &ame into this area (hen it (as virtuall# (il"erness an" foun"e" a number of to(ns here on the mountain. The# hunte" game, fought off (olves, bears, an" lions, "amme" streams, &ut timber, Nuarrie" ro&$, an" built homes for their families. The# farme" the lan" an" her"e" sheep, &attle, an" horses over large tra&ts of the surroun"ing area. The# tame" their pie&e of the meri&an West at a &ost of great har"ship an" loss of life. -# (ife 6anaGs greatBgran"parents, 'mith 6. ;ogers an" Fli!a 'no( 'mith, (ere among the earliest settlers. )er gran"father Wilfor" (as bom in a log &abin here in 1@@@. 'no( ble( through &ra&$s in the &abin onto the be" (here he &ame into this (orl", as the seventh of fifteen &hil"ren, four of (hom "ie" before rea&hing a"ulthoo". )e le" a robust life full of har" (or$ in the out"oors, but ma"e time for musi& an" theater. )e survive" being buffete" b# the elements, si&$ene" b# "iptheria, rolle" over b# a horse, an" run over b# a bus. The gran" ol" man passe" a(a# a (hile ba&$ at the age of ninet#Beight, able to out(or$ most #ounger men nearl# until the en" of his life. %nl# the strongest survive". 'no(fla$e has al(a#s hel" a "isproportionate influen&e over larger to(ns in the region. high per&entage of 'no(fla$e resi"ents are "es&en"e" from the original settlers. There have been times (hen +la$es an" other 'no(fla$e foun"ingBfamil# names have fille" nearl# ever# position of po(er an" status in the &ount#. There (as on&e tal$ of moving the &ount# seat to 'no(fla$e. +or a ver# long time 'no(fla$e *nion )igh '&hool (as the onl# one, atten"e" from nearl# a "o!en of the surroun"ing to(ns, some more than thirt# miles a(a#. %ne b# one the other to(ns are buil"ing their o(n high s&hools, but the ')' :obos &ontinue to (in a larger portion of sports &ompetitions, in&lu"ing the (olfPs share of state &hampionships. ')' has also ha" great su&&ess in or&hestra, &hoir, mar&hingBban" &ompetitions, spelling bees, an" "ebate &ompetitions. The s&hool pla&es in the top three ever# time the a&a"emi& "e&athlon team &ompetes. When the *+% in&i"ent happene" in 1975, the to(nGs population (as aroun" 2,544, less than half its present si!e. -ain 'treet is still basi&all# about t(elve blo&$s longL one (hole blo&$ for the :6' =-ormon> &hur&h, one ban$, a post offi&e, a fe( small businesses. -ost of the buil"ings are singleBstor#L a fe( lots on -ain 'treet still havenGt been built on. ll but one of the four servi&e stations have been supplante" b# Nui&$Bstop miniBmarts. 'no(fla$e has #et to get its first stoplight. The #ears have seen a slo( (aning of the ol" lines of po(er. %utsi"e influen&es &ontinue to &ome in an" ta$e hol", some for the better, others not. The per&entage of nonB-ormon resi"ents has &ontinue" to gro(. -an# of the tra"itional (a#s remain, ho(ever. When 9 first move" here, t(o la(mena resi"ent &ount# "eput# an" one to(n marshal(ere all the la( enfor&ement the (hole area ha". No( thereGs a poli&e for&e of ten an" a number of resi"ent

# Tra'(* .a/to)
&ount# sheriffPs offi&ers. Fven in a to(n (here the smallest in&i"ents are reporte" =unli$e &ities (here people are so Ha"e" the# often "onGt even bother to report being the vi&tims of maHor &rimes>, 'no(fla$e still has an astonishingl# lo( &rime rate. rash of bro$en (in"o(s &an ma$e the lo&al ne(spaper. lthough "rug abuse use" to be virtuall# noneKistent here, (e still have the lo(est in&i"en&e in the state. 'ome of the $i"s ma# &omplain that 5nothing ever happens here,7 but their parents sa#, 5Than$ heavens for that.7 The train is gone no(. The 'anta +e ;ailroa" pulle" up the tra&$s through to(n a (hile ago. ;an&hing isnGt nearl# (hat it on&e (as. No( the total output raising pigs is more than "ouble that of &attleL the nationGs largest pig farm is lo&ate" here. 2ut forest pro"u&trelate" Hobs have "ominate" the areaGs e&onom# for a long time. This (a# of life ma# be in for an abrupt &hange here, along (hatGs been &alle" 5 meri&aGs last frontier,7 be&ause of timber &utba&$s "ue to environmental &on&erns. The ol" Ho$e about rolling up an" putting a(a# the si"e(al$s at nine oG&lo&$ still applies, eK&ept on 'atur"a# "an&e nights. ?ournalists an" movie people often &all this a )ast *icture (how# $in" of to(n. WesternBst#le "ress, though still popular an" in &urrent revival, no longer &ompletel# "ominates the fashion s&ene. 2ut the annual '(eet /orn +estival, ,ioneer 6a#s /elebration, an" the +ourth of ?ul# ;o"eo are still the biggest events of the #ear. The )ome&oming Mame ,ara"e gets almost as big a turnout, sin&e highB s&hool football is ta$en ver# seriousl# here. The #ear of the *+% in&i"ent, 'no(fla$e "efeate" nearb# ;oun" Ialle# "uring future gri"iron star -ar$ MastineauGs last #ear of highB s&hool pla# there. number of athletes have left here for the pros. 9 thin$ it (as ;obert 'ervi&e (ho sai" that big spa&es seem to pro"u&e big men. ri!ona has al(a#s been a pla&e of big spa&es an" probabl# al(a#s (ill be, sin&e onl# a tin# per&entage of the state is privatel# o(ne". The rest is 9n"ian reservations, state an" fe"eral lan", an" national forest. ri!ona has been &alle" a lan" of &ontrasts, an" man# of the bor"ers of those &ontrasts seem to fall in the area aroun" 'no(fla$e. The region, &alle" the White -ountain8-ogollon =moe gee on> ;im area, eKten"s from the &enter of ri!ona (here the ;im begins an" runs east(ar" into the White -ountains near the Ne( -eKi&o bor"er. 9t ranges south from the high "esert near the lo(er boun"aries of the ,etrifie" +orest, the ,ainte" 6esert, an" the NavaHo an" )opi 9n"ian ;eservations, &ontinuing south to the still higher elevations of the (etter, alpineB foreste" 'unrise '$i rea up near the timberline on the pa&he 9n"ian ;eservation. 'no(fla$e lies mi"(a#, in the s&rub &e"ar an" rolling prairie at the northern e"ge of the largest pon"erosa pine forest in the (orl". 9n ages past, 'no(fla$eGs valle# (as a vast la$e, "raine" b# a huge &ra&$ that opene" up from 'no(fla$e to the :ittle /olora"o ;iver ba&$ about the time a spa&e visitor of another sort impa&te", siKt#Bsome miles to the north(est, forming the (orl"Bfamous -eteor

FIRE IN THE SKY $

/rater. ='ome spe&ulate that the &ra&$, as (ell as the big sin$holes Hust north(est of to(n, happene" because of the meteor.> There arenGt man# su&h pla&es, (here #ou &an sno(Bs$i in the morning an" (aterBs$i in the heat of a "esert la$e the afternoon of the same "a#. Tur$e# 'prings, (here the in&re"ible series of events begins, is so high up on the -ogollon ;im that itGs often ina&&essible to (or$ers or film &re(s for three or four months of the #ear. The 7,544BfootBhigh ri"ge of the foreste" -ogollon ;im, t(ent# miles south(est of 'no(fla$e, forms a long natural barrier to the prevailing (in"s. This shiel"s the to(n an" the surroun"ing area from the brunt of storms, (hi&h ma$es for the mil"er, if "r#er, high "esert &limate. These open vistas an" (in"s(ept sagebrush grasslan"s have been &alle" lonel#. ;emote, #es. 2ut loneliness is a subHe&tive eKperien&e. man (or$ing b# himself in the forest, miles from an#thing human, &an feel more at one (ith the (orl" an" far less lonel# than another man sitting in his house in the mi""le of a &ommunit# from (hi&h he feels set apart. What is to one man a ri&h, eKpansive refuge of pea&eful, refle&tive solitu"e, is to another man a blea$ empt# prison of "rab isolate" bore"om. 'ome men live in both. ,it# the man of either perspe&tive (ho is blin" to the other. 9tGs inevitable that (e fin" ourselves on one si"e of the lo&$ or the other. Whether #ou thin$ of #ourself, or those on the other si"e, as lo&$e" in or lo&$e" out, ma# be onl# a matter of perspe&tive, (ith the one (ho seems to &ontrol the $e# being a minor irrelevan&e. The satisfie" see themselves as either sheltere" or liberate". The "issatisfie" see themselves as either inmates or eKiles. To ea&h his o(n. +all, 1975. NiKon (as out, +or" (as in, an" Watergate (oul"nGt go a(a#. The histori& pollo8'o#u! Hoint mission of G74 (as still being toaste". 'a$harov ha" Hust (on the Nobel ,ea&e ,ri!e. 2ut the to(ering threat of instant nu&lear annihilation b# a monolithi& 'oviet *nion (as still a perpetual sha"o( over the (orl". -ore than one million "ie" in the Ahmer ;ouge ta$eover of /ambo"ia. '&ientists at the *niversit# of /alifornia at 9rvine ha" re&entl# announ&e" their fin"ings that &hlorofluoro&arbons are rapi"l# "epleting the earthGs prote&tive o!one shiel" against ultraviolet ra"iation from spa&e. 'Nuea$# +romme, ,att# )earst, an" the '#mbionese :iberation rm# (ere in the ne(s. /ongress passe" the +ree"om of 9nformation &t. The movie +aws bro$e all boKBoffi&e re&or"s, an" ?a&$ Ni&holson &ame into his o(n (ith an &a"em# (ar" for ,ne 'lew ,ver the -uckoo.s /est, (hi&h also too$ 2est ,i&ture. ,ete ;ose helpe" the /in&innati ;e"s (in the Worl" 'eries, an" the ,ittsburgh 'teelers (on the 'uper 2o(l. -# best frien", -i$e ;ogers, an" 9 (ere ver# QintoQ martial arts an" still pon"ering the m#steries of the re&ent "eath of 2ru&e :ee an" the seeming invin&ibilit# of -uhamma" li. %livia Ne(tonB?ohnGs 5)ave 3ou Never 2een -ello(7 an" ?ohn 6enverGs 5Than$ Mo" 9Gm a /ountr# 2o#7 (ere at the top of

1& Tra'(* .a/to)

the pop &harts. The# (ere o$a#, but (e preferre" (hat might seem an unli$el# miK of musi& (hi&h in&lu"e" the eas# &ountr# of 6on Williams, some &lassi&al, earl# /at 'tevens, an" espe&iall# the -oo"# 2lues. 9n 'no(fla$e, so&ial tren"s have a (a# of lagging behin" the rest of the nation. Fven here, ho(ever, b# late 1975 the fashion of longer hair on men ha" lost mu&h of its siKties &ounter&ultural statement, having be&ome so mainstream that man# &ountr#B(estern musi& stars (ere letting their hair gro(. s a result, man# of the men on our (oo"s &re(, even -i$e an" me, ha" longer lo&$s than some of the more tra"itional to(n fathers &onsi"ere" respe&table for re"Bbloo"e" meri&an males, although it barel# overhung our &ollars. %nl# one of our &re(, Aen ,eterson, maintaine" the neatl# &roppe" &onventional hair&ut. We were re"B bloo"e" meri&an males, but after the *+% in&i"ent, all it too$ (ere little signs su&h as these to &onfirm the notion for man# lo&als that (e (ere some living eKample of (h# the gol"en (a#s of the past seeme" to them to be ero"ing. 9t ma# seem Nuaint to spea$ of ho( har" labor buil"s &hara&ter, but 9Gve seen the pro&ess in a&tion too mu&h not to believe in it. 9tGs more than the balan&ing effe&t on brain &hemistr# of vigorous eKer&ise. %&&asionall# men ne( to su&h (or$ &ame to us from the &it# or from lessB"eman"ing Hobs. Then the out&ome of the struggle bet(een the "eman"s of the Hob an" the &hara&ter (ith (hi&h the# arrive" (oul" pla# itself out before us. :iving on the 5mean streets7 seems to har"en onl# the exterior, the part that relates to other people, the &ultivate" loo$ of 5ba"ness.7 +or a man out there on the mountain, his battle, in a (a#, reall# isnGt (ith ba$ing sun, &hilling (in"s, steep terrain, thorn bushes, or "angerous eNuipment. )is battle isnGt (ith the rough roa"s, mu" holes, biting inse&ts, or gnarl# thi&$ets. The real struggle is (ith his inner self. /all it fiber, ba&$bone, or gritC true toughness is internal. The abilit# to $eep going (hen heGs hot, thirst#, out of breath, (hen his han"s hurt an" his mus&les a&he, (hile bar$, bugs, pine nee"les, an" sa("ust are falling "o(n his shirt to sti&$ in his s(eat. The abilit# to sa# #es to more of this an" no to the be&$oning sha"e tree, be&ause he $no(s he ought to an" be&ause thatGs (hat he sai" heG" "o. This &an help give a man the po(er to sa# #es or no in the right instan&esto Hust about an#thing an" to a&t &onsistentl# (ith (hat he sa#s. n", to &onfront "ail# the infleKible realities of a 5real (orl"7 that has teeth an" bites ba&$ (ith imme"iate logi&al &onseNuen&es, regar"less of sophisti&al argument or politi&all# &orre&t rationali!ation, &an tea&h something else no( in short suppl#&ommon sense. 9n m# &ase, hair past m# &ollar (asnGt the onl# eK&use for the lo&al establishment to loo$ a bit as$an&e at me. 9Gm going to tell #ou some things about m#self 9Gm not parti&ularl# prou" of, but 9Gll mention them onl# be&ause the# she" light on (h# 9 rea&te" to the *+% the (a# 9 "i", an" be&ause the# help eKplain to a

FIRE IN THE SKY 11

"egree the &ommunit#Gs rea&tion to (hat happene". 9 (as a little (il" in m# #ounger "a#s. 9 pulle" some ris$# stunts on m# motor&#&le that 9 &ringe to loo$ ba&$ on. 9 "rove a number of ver# fast an" uniNue &ars in those "a#sC a 1904 ,ontia& Ientura that ha" a 1@9 engine (ith a factory three 2Bbarrel &arburetor setupL a 1957 /hev# Noma" station (agon in nearl# perfe&t original &on"itionL a 1909 -ustang -a&h 9 (ith a 42@ /obra ?et engineL an", briefl#, a 190@ /orvette 'tingra# (ith the rare =544Bplus horsepo(er> :B@@ 427 engine. These (ere &ars 9 &oul" have $ept (hose &urrent (orth (oul" ma$e &olle&tors "rool. 9 (as no stranger to the NuarterBmile strips earlier generations ha" mar$e" off on the straight stret&hes of high(a# outsi"e of to(n. When m# ol"er brother (as hea"e" off to %$lahoma to atten" (orl" ro"eo &hamp ?im 'houl"ersG bullBri"ing s&hool, 9, having never ri""en a bull in m# life, Humpe" in the pi&$up (ith him an" off (e (ent. 9 ha" no "reams of being a ro"eo star m#self, but too$ a bovine beating ever# "a# for a (ee$, Hust for the eKperien&e. When 2arroom 2ra(lers promoters &ame to the mountain to stage their version of an amateur boKing, 5tough man7 &ontest, -i$e an" 9 (ent in an" signe" up. We "i" prett# (ell, so 9 also (ent an" &ompete" the neKt t(o #ears. Aarate s&hools &ame an" (ent in the White -ountain area, an" -i$e an" 9 signe" up ever# &han&e (e got, getting eKposure to a variet# of instru&tors, "ifferent martialBarts st#les, an" "ifferent &lassmates to spar (ith. 9G" ta$e off to -eKi&o or thumb m# (a# to +lori"a (ithout mu&h forethought. 9 hi$e", fishe", an" hunte" some prett# remote ri!ona ba&$ &ountr# an" 9 s&ale" some prett# "angerous ro&$ (alls in the &an#ons in the area. %ne night (hen our group &hallenge" us, a frien" an" 9 (ent over the fen&e an" &limbe" the To(er, all the (a# to the top of a mi&ro(ave antenna so high #ou &an see it from thirt# miles a(a#. =,lease, "onPt an#one else ever tr# this stupi" stunt.> stupi" stunt.> 9 "i" some part#ing an" a&ting out in (a#s 9 live" to regret. 3eah, there (ere fights. 6i" 9 al(a#s (inD 9s an#one a (inner in these $in"s of thingsD goo" (hile before the *+% in&i"ent, on another &ontra&t. -i$e an" 9 an" another &re( (ere on our (a# home from (or$ one "a#. 'u""enl# a bla&$ bear ran a&ross the roa" in front of the &re( tru&$. -i$e ha" to slam on the bra$es to avoi" hitting it. The bear stoppe" on the other si"e an" loo$e" ba&$. 9 too$ a"vantage of the tru&$ stopping to Hump out an" run straight to(ar" the &ritter, roaring li$e 9 (as an enrage" gri!!l#. The bear fle" as if its tail (ere on fire. 9 got ba&$ in the tru&$, as if nothing ha" happene", ignoring the loo$s on the gu#sG fa&es. 9 sai" in a lo(B$e# "ea"panC 5)uh. That one mustGve hear" of me.7 9t might have seeme" impressive at the moment, but it (asnGt reall# an#thing. The bear (as alrea"# intimi"ate" b# its near miss (ith the tru&$, an" b# the (a#

12 Tra'(* .a/to)
it onl# half turne" aroun", 9 &oul" tell it (as alrea"# all set to hightail it. ?ust in &ase it "i"nGt, 9 (as &arefull# gauging the relative "istan&es bet(een the bear, me, an" the safet# of m# empt# seat in the tru&$. *suall#, if a pre"ator isnGt &ornere", its refleK is to flee (hen &hase", Hust as it (ill respon" b# giving &hase if #ou run a(a# from it. -ost of the foregoing (as years before the *+% in&i"ent. 9 survive", surprisingl# enough, (ithout a single bro$en bone. 9 ha" a fe( isolate" brushes (ith the la(, mostl# traffi& offenses, but nothing that left me (ith an# re&or". 9t (as a small part of m# life, a brief phase 9 (ent through, but 9 pai" the pri&es an" reall# learne" m# lesson, an" ha" not re&eive" so mu&h as a traffi& ti&$et for a number of #ears before the *+% in&i"ent. 9n fa&t, itGs been li$e that for all of the man# #ears sin&e m# (a#(ar" phase. 9 reall# "onGt li$e having to go into events of m# (il"er "a#s. 2ut 9 &ame to reali!e that, (ithout the perspe&tive provi"e" b# $no(ing these things about me, people (ill never un"erstan" the ans(er to (hat (as for so man# one of the more m#stif#ing Nuestions raise" b# m# stor#C Wh#D The other men (ere either fro!en in terror or franti&all# tr#ing to fin" a (a# to &ra(l un"er the seats. %hy was I the only one brazenly to get out of the crew truck and a roach such a fearsome unknown0 9 $ept getting this Nuestion, over an" over again, for #ears. ,erhaps no( itGs a bit &learer (hat $in" of man it too$ to rea&t in that (a#. )o(ever, #outhful brava"o is onl# half the eKplanation for that apparent m#ster#. The a&ute embarrassment 9 feel in revie(ing that time perio" (ill also be better un"erstoo" from $no(ing something else about me. nother si"e to m# personalit# ran "eeper, more true to m# real nature. 9 (as possesse" b# a seemingl# unNuen&hable thirst for $no(le"ge, espe&iall# of a t#pe others &onsi"ere" off limitsnot ba" things, Hust things hi""en, regar"e" as best left for a fe(, or truths that man# "en# solel# from bias or fear. -# allB&onsuming &uriosit# (as more po(erful than m# o(n fear, an" at its !enith in m# life the evening of November 5, 1975. -an# of those (ho "isapprove" of m# (a#s (ere probabl# in the throes of ba&$lash to the &hanges time ha" brought to their (orl", an" nee"e" a &ulprit, as if 9 (ere an agent of those &hanges. )o( little the# reall# $ne( about me. 'mall to(ns are al(a#s "es&ribe" as pla&es (here ever#one $no(s ever#one else. &tuall#, a small to(n is a pla&e (here people onl# thin$ the# $no( ever#one. The# $no( ever#oneGs namebut not al(a#s (ho the# reall# are. 9Gve hear" man# rumors ma$e the roun"s about fol$s here that prove" to be ri"i&ulousl# false (hen 9 finall# got verifiable (or". The more hushBhush the 5s&oop,7 the further itGs li$el# to be from the truth. 9Gve learne" to hol" off on "ra(ing an# &on&lusions about lateBbrea$ing lo&al ne(s. Metting the fa&ts straight right off is so rare that it ama!es me ho( man# people are (illing to Hump prematurel# to &on&lusions that so often prove false. )o(ever, itGs human nature for most people to vie( their o(n pasts through

FIRE IN THE SKY 13

a ros# ha!e, (hile their memories of the (rongs of others are in"elible. 9 tea&h m# $i"s about the fragilit# of oneGs reputation. Ier# ol" people might forget ever#thing else about the earl# #ears, but fe( have an# trouble re&alling (hi&h girls (ere $no(n as 5eas#7 an" the name an" "ee"s of the s&hool bull#. When 9 (as in high s&hool 9 too$ part in a protest of the highBs&hool "ress &o"e. No( that 9 have a son there (ith some of the same tea&hers, itGs $in" of funn# to note the misgivings 9 felt (hen the s&hool boar" re&entl# vote" to &on&e"e an" relaK stan"ar"s on some of those same ol" issues. There (as a greatl# un"erestimate" intelle&tual si"e to me. 9 thin$ 9 &ause" a little "isma# in some of those (ho rarel# (oul" see me ta$e a teKtboo$ home, (oul" see me &ut &lass, then on +ri"a# rumble up to the high s&hool on m# motor&#&le, (al$ in, an" a&e the test. 9t seeme" a refutation of their ethi&, espe&iall# for &ertain tea&hers (ho 9Gm sure felt the# (ere seeing a living non seNuitur5,eople li$e that &anGt get high gra"es.7 'till, there (ere a fe( times 9 Hust let things sli"e. 9 a&tuall# "roppe" out of high s&hool (ith onl# a #ear to goL but 9 &ame ba&$, bu&$le" "o(n, gra"uate", an" obtaine" grants to atten" all three of the universities to (hi&h 9 applie". 9 &hose to atten" N *, Northern ri!ona *niversit# =the :umberHa&$s, of &ourseO>. 9 $ept &hanging maHorsele&troni& engineering, la(, ps#&holog#, me"i&ine, liberal stu"iesnot be&ause 9 la&$e" suffi&ient interest, but be&ause 9 (as so intereste" in everything. 9 reall# ha" no reason to eKpe&t to be seen as 9 trul# (as. 9 ma"e sure no one $ne( (hat 9 ha" been li$e before m# famil# move" to 'no(fla$e in 190@ from ,a#son, ri!ona, (here 9G" been $no(n as a goo"#Bgoo"#, sensitive, an egghea" ner"O 9 (as &alle" 5Finstein,7 5ma" s&ientist,7 an" ni&$name" 5the ,rofessor.7 'o 9 &ame here "etermine" to leave that pigeonB hole behin". 2ut 9 onl# su&&ee"e" in getting m#self into another, eNuall# illBfitting pigeonhole as a rebel. Nevertheless 9 privatel# &ontinue" m# intelle&tual inNuiries into a (i"e variet# of subHe&ts su&h as philosoph#, religion, art, languages, musi&, s&ien&e, an" literature =in&lu"ing the (or$s of #n ;an", beginning (ith Atlas (hrugged, but espe&iall# her nonfi&tion>. 9 re&all that for m# t(elfth /hristmas 9 re&eive" a &op# of 9saa& simovGs Intelligent 1an.s 2uide to (cience, the first bran"Bne( boo$ 9G" ever o(ne"L itGs still in m# personal librar#, no( gro(n to (ell over a thousan" volumes. Though mu&h of that e"ition is still relevant, itGs interesting to rea" ho( "ate" some of s&ien&e has be&ome, (hat ha"nGt #et been "is&overe", an" amusing to rea" ho( humanit# (as 5aiming firml# for the moon.7 9Gve never rea" an# of simovGs fi&tion, but 9Gve a&&umulate" Nuite a fe( of his hun"re"s of other (or$s. 9t (oul" be har" to &hara&teri!e the parti&ular subHe&ts that intrigue" me, be&ause 9 "onGt subs&ribe to the usual limits. There is nothing that shoul"nGt be eKamine". -an# people avoi" rea"ing the (or$s of those (ith (hom the# "isagree, but 9 fin" these to be some of the most stimulating.

14 Tra'(* .a/to)
9 have some /hero$ee in m# imme"iate an&estr# on m# motherGs si"e, so 9 "elve" into the language an" histor# of the /hero$ee nation. The /hero$eeGs status as one of the soB&alle" 5+ive /ivili!e" Tribes7 "i"nGt prevent ,resi"ent n"re( ?a&$son from or"ering in the 1@14s the for&e" foot mar&h of the tribe from their homelan"s on the Fast /oast to reservations half a &ontinent a(a# in %$lahoma. There (as tremen"ous suffering an" "eath among those her"e" along b# sol"iers, on (hat be&ame $no(n as the Trail of Tears. -# greatBgran"father (as a &hief (ho es&ape" the pro&ession an" settle" in Tennessee before later reHoining his people in %$lahoma. 9 be&ame a stateB&ertifie" F-T =Fmergen&# -e"i&al Te&hni&ian>. 9 (or$e" at the nearb# 'ho( :o( airport to pa# for m# privateBpilot groun" s&hool an" fl#ing lessons. 9 (or$e" on a number of inventions 9 &ame up (ith for automotive appli&ations. When mi"(ives 9 $ne( tol" me the# ha" been ta$ing the &ollege li&ensing preparation &ourse an" stu"#ing for the state mi"(ife li&ensing eKamination, 9 borro(e" their teKtboo$s a fe( "a#s before the test an" rea" them. 'in&e the statute permitte" persons (ho ha" not ta$en the &ollege &lasses to ta$e the test, 9 too$ the eKam (ith "o!ens of mi"(ives from aroun" ri!ona, some of (hom (ere registere" nurses (ho ha" alrea"# been pra&ti&ing mi"(ifer# for #ears un"er ph#si&iansG supervision. 9 re&eive" the se&on"Bhighest s&ore out of the entire group, Hust behin" a la"# (ho ha" a&tuall# ta$en the &ollege &ourse. 9 (as a person (ho seeme" to be from t(o (orl"s. ,eople from both (orl"s "i"nGt $no( Nuite ho( to ta$e me, ea&h probabl# believing 9 (as of the other. ""ing to some of the fri&tion bet(een me an" one or t(o gu#s on the &re( (as m# attitu"e to(ar" smo$ing an" "rin$ing. The# seeme" to miss the "istin&tion bet(een refusing to "rin$ (ith them an" simpl# refusing to "rin$. 'no(fla$e resi"ents, 9 thin$, vie(e" me as an outsi"er. -# moving to to(n from else(here an" m# &hur&h ina&tivit# &ontribute" greatl# to that impression. 9 never tol" an#one, but m# -ormon roots (ere as "eep as an#oneGs. The# "i"nGt $no( it but, going (a# ba&$, 9Gm a&tuall# relate" to some of them. -# greatB greatBgran"father, ?oseph Walton, (as among the pioneer families to settle the *tah Ialle# (ith 2righam 3oung. ?oseph Walton helpe" buil", an" live" in, Wor"s(orth +ort in lpine, *tah. )e serve" un"er /aptain /arlisle an" 'ergeant ?ohn :angston as a sol"ier in the +ifth Tenn, a -ormon militia &ompan#, an" later as a poli&e offi&er. )e sa( a lot of trouble (ith 9n"ian rai"s, in&lu"ing the Wal$er War an" the 2la&$ )a($ War, an" en"ure" the same har"ships as the other pioneers in taming the *tah Ialle#. )is son, m# greatBgran"father, ?ohn ?ames Walton, (or$e" in 2righam 3oungGs househol" to pa# his (a# in be&oming one of a small number in the ver# first gra"uating &lass of the 2righam 3oung &a"em#, later $no(n as 2righam 3oung *niversit#. 9Gve gone through maHor &hanges. No( that 9 bring these things out, some of (hi&h 9G" li$e to "en#, 9Gm put in the position of &ounseling m# $i"s to "o as 9

FIRE IN THE SKY 1

"o, not as 9 "i". The *+% in&i"ent (as a sharp turning point for me. There (ere other reasons, too, though ... an a&&umulation of smaller lessons, general maturit#, an" the reali!ation that su&h a ba&$groun", smo$es&reen or not, &an be the $in" of thing that &an put the la"# of #our "reams be#on" rea&h. 9 a"mit it (asnGt eas# for people to un"erstan" the &ompleKities an" apparent &ontra"i&tions of m# personalit#. )o( &oul" the sh# person the# met one time be the same gran"stan"ing gu# the# (oul" see at another timeD No( that 9 no longer have a re&$less si"e, itGs a little easier for people to un"erstan" me, or to thin$ the# "o. 9 still love an" enHo# the out"oors, although 9 havenGt been hunting in ages. 9 use" to $ill rattlesna$es (henever 9 &ame a&ross them, Hust li$e ever#one else. No( 9 Hust let them go their (a# an" 9 go mine. 9 still tr# to sta# fit an" live health#. 9Gm not so Nui&$ to anger or to tr# an" resort to ph#si&al solutions to &onfrontations. +irst 9Gll eKhaust ever# possible rational, logi&al solution, be&ause the truth is, 9Gve foun" that there usuall# is one. The thing to remember is that if #ouGre living as right as #ou $no( ho(, if someone has a problem (ith #ou, &han&es are, the problem is their o(n, (hi&h shoul" obviate emotional rea&tions born of "efensiveness. 9n other (or"s, #ou "onGt have to ta$e it personall#. 6onGt get the i"ea 9Gve lost an# spar$, ho(ever. 9Gve Hust re"ire&te" those energies into more pro"u&tive outlets. 9G" prefer to be a thin$er an" a lover than a fighterif others (ill let me. 9 (oul"nGt (ant this personal reor"ering to give the impression that 9 bu# into the antiBego "isease that is sprea"ing through so&iet#. Ianit# is a &hara&ter fla( =a&tuall# a &loa$ for lo( selfBesteem>, but ego is the (ellspring of the ps#&he. 9tGs an ines&apable fa&t of life. The person (ho &riti&i!es #ou for ta$ing pri"e in eK&elling is reall# impl#ing this illogi&al nonsenseC 53ou are sa#ing #ou are goo" relative to someone else Rprobabl# meS, an" that is bad. 9, ho(ever, am not ta$ing pri"e in m# goo" NualitiesL but that is good. Therefore, be&ause 9Gm egoless and 9 have sho(n #ou the error of #our (a#s, 9 am goo" relative to someone else Rnamel#, #ouS.7 :oggers are a &ompetitive lot, an" our &re( (as no eK&eption, espe&iall# -i$e an" me. We (ere al(a#s reall# &ompetitive on the Hoban" about the Hob itself, too. Who &oul" &ut the most trees, (ho &oul" go the longest (ithout "ulling his &hain on a ro&$, et&. The &ontra&t spe&ifi&ations base" tree si!es on 62)"iameter at breast heightbe&ause "iameters near the groun" "onGt &orrelate (ell to a&tual si!e. WeG" have mone#less (agers to see (ho &oul" most &losel# guess (hat "iameter the s&ale (oul" rea" (ithout tou&hing the tree, an" at various "istan&es from the tree. We (ere ver# &ompetitive &on&erning i"eas, too. We (oul" "ebate all $in"s of things, not Hust philosoph#. /urrent events, things going on in our lives an" in the lives of those aroun" useven HobBrelate" subHe&ts. :ogi&all# proving our o(n position (as the game, an" the struggle brought us naturall# to the rules of

1! Tra'(* .a/to)
that game. The "rives to an" from (or$ (ere al(a#s long, but (e (oul" fill the time (ith tal$ of man# fas&inating things. The gu#s on the &re( (ho "i"nGt have a taste for all that foun" some of the tal$ a little be(il"ering. 5Woul" #ou gu#s Nuit arguing, for hellGs sa$eD7 the#G" sa#L an", 5Who in hell gives a damn about (h# humans enHo# hearing musi&D Fmbr#ologi&al neuroBartifa&ts of mathemati&al harmoni&s bullshitO inGt it enough to $no( (hat soun"s goo" to #ouD Wh# "o #ou gu#s have to pr# into ever#thingD WhatGs it ever going to get #ouD ll #ou gu#s ever "o is argue.7 2ut there (ere some (ho, although surprise", too$ a li$ing to it an" Humpe" right in an" hel" their o(n. We (oul" have &hallenges to see (ho &oul" pre"i&t (here a tree (oul" fall (ithout a nu"ge. Mames of rea&tion time, little unspo$en "uels, su&h as seeing (ho &oul" $eep from being the first to sa#, 5:etGs brea$,7 or 5:etGs &all it a "a#.7 'eeing (hoG" be first to get his sa( starte" or ra&e ba&$ to the tru&$. Who &oul" most &losel# estimate the "istan&e bet(een t(o trees, or ho( man# manBhours it (oul" ta$e to &omplete a given a&reage. s a pon"erosa pine gro(s, its lo(er limbs "ie off an" ne( ones are a""e" to the top. Normall# the# get "rier an" "rier until (in" or sno( brea$s them off. s $arate pra&ti&e, (eG" have mat&hes to see (ho &oul" snapB$i&$ off the highest limb above our hea"s (ithout falling on his &an. 2eing taller, 9 al(a#s (on this one. We (oul" ta$e one of the roun" files (e sharpene" our &hains (ith an" see (ho &oul" thro( it an" sti&$ it &losest to the &enter of the en" of a log. -i$e usuall# (on this one. We (oul" &ompete to see (hoG" be fastest to get his sa( through a log. -i$e usuall# (on this one, too. 9 guess -i$e has more sa("ust in his veins. -i$eGs father, :#le, be&ame a logger in 1947, at first using the manual &ross&ut sa(s the# &alle" 5'(e"ish violins,7 sin&e engineB"riven &hainsa(s ha"nGt #et &ome into use. When -i$e (as gro(ing up, he helpe" his "a" in the (oo"s. :#le has "one tree thinning intermittentl# for the *.'. +orest 'ervi&e sin&e leaving the railroa", an" is still "oing it at the age of sevent#Bplus. -i$eGs gran"pa, Meorge )o(ar", plante" trees in the forest in Nebras$a before be&oming a forest ranger in /olora"o. fter Mran"pa Meorge left the +orest 'ervi&e, he (as in timberBrelate" (or$ the rest of his life. n" -i$eGs mother, ?o#&e, (as bom t(o months premature (hen her parents (ere sno(e" in at a ranger station near 3ampa, /olora"o, "uring the (orst storm of the #ear. 'he spent her girlhoo" living in various lumber &amps. si"e from being a born (oo"sman, all that &ompetitiveness on the Hob probabl# helpe" -i$e (hen he entere" the big lumberHa&$ &ontests, (here he "i" (ell. -i$e ha" been bi""ing *.'. +orest 'ervi&e thinning &ontra&ts sin&e he (as onl# nineteen #ears ol". 9n the fall of 1975, 9G" Hust helpe" him finish out his /an"# -ountain &ontra&t up near the 2lue Wil"erness rea. No( that (as some Hob. We (ere above 14,444 feet. There (ere times there (hen (e foun" ourselves loo$ing down at the &lou"sO 9tGs beautiful green &ountr#, thi&$ (ith

FIRE IN THE SKY 1"

(il" berries an" abun"ant (ith (il"lifebut, brotherO &an that altitu"e ma$e #ou breathe har" (hen #ou (or$. )e&$, Hust &arr#ing #our sa( ba&$ up the hill to the &re( tru&$ &an ma$e #ou gasp. No (on"er. ThatGs the altitu"e above (hi&h it is re&ommen"e" for pilots to have pressuri!e" &abins or to use supplemental oK#gen. -ost of the /an"# -ountain &re( ha" left for one reason or another, an" so for Tur$e# 'prings -i$e ha" been a""ing some men. 9n&lu"ing -i$e, there (as a total of seven of us (or$ing on that &ontra&t at the time of the in&i"ent. 9 first be&ame frien"s (ith -i$e (hile atten"ing high s&hool (ith -i$eGs #ounger brother, (hom 9 ha" Hoine" (or$ing for -i$e "uring our summer re&esses. Aen ,eterson 9G" $no(n for #ears. -i$e ha" $no(n him all his life, having gro(n up together. Fver#one al(a#s thought of Aen as a reall# "e&ent gu#. former highBs&hool athlete, he (as a Nuiet, introspe&tive sort, al(a#s polite, a real straight arro(. Ier# &onventional in his "ress, manner, an" behavior, but also a "eep thin$er, an" religiousl# a bit restless, a sear&her. )e live" b# his beliefs, but he (asnGt push# about it. )eG" spea$ up about men smo$ing or s(earing on the Hob, but it (as more in "efense of his right to his personal environment than about &onverting or imposing his beliefs on others. )e (as a stea"# (or$er an" got along (ell (ith ever#one, though he ten"e" to tal$ more (ith -i$e an" me than the others. FK&ept for me, llen 6alis ha" been there longest, outlasting a number of other men (ho &ame an" (ent over the summer. )e (as more eKperien&e", too, be&ause heG" (or$e" for -i$e before. There ha" been a fe( rough moments bet(een llen an" others on the &re(, in&lu"ing a fistfight (ith -i$e a month or so earlier. )eG" le" a trouble" life gro(ing up in ,hoeniK, but he &oul" also be a real &harmer (hen he &hose to. -# o(n troubles (ith him (ere forgotten as far as 9 (as &on&erne". )is "ar$ si"e not(ithstan"ing, he (as "o(nright li$able mu&h of the time. 2esi"es, he (as a he&$ of a goo" sa(#er. ?ohn Moulette (as the &losest thing to a si"e$i&$ for llen in the &re(. ?ohn ha" (or$e" for -i$e before on a &ouple of o&&asions (hen llen ha" also. ?ohn an" llen ha" &omplete" servi&e in the nav#, an" the# (ere frien"s, but ?ohn reall# (asnGt a lot li$e llen. lthough he $ne( ho( to have a goo" time, he (as Nuite a bit more eas#going. )e got along (ell (ith the rest of the &re(, but ten"e" to pair off (ith llen. ?ohn Moulette ha" been living in ,hoeniK an" heG" been ba&$ there the previous (ee$en". )e brought ba&$ (ith him a gangl#, siKBfootBseven gu# name" 6(a#ne 'mith, (ho (as loo$ing for a Hob. )e (as ne( to this sort of (or$ an" heG" onl# been there three "a#s, so 9 "i"nGt $no( mu&h about him. 2eing ne(, he (asnGt ver# outgoing, an" ten"e" to $eep (ith llen an" ?ohn. There (as a little he&$ling going on bet(een him an" 5the $i",7 'teve ,ier&e,

1# Tra'(* .a/to)
(ho returne" fire b# &alling 6(a#ne 5)erman -unster7 be&ause of his height. 'teveGs famil# (erenGt area natives, but his famil# o(ne" lan" east of 'no(fla$e. 'teve ha" been (ith us for a fe( (ee$s. )e (as the #oungest on the &re(, but he (as strong an" big for his age. 9t loo$e" as if he (as going to (or$ out o$a#. 'o there (e (ere. miKe" group of personalities, (ith various frien"ships an" antagonisms, all hea"e" off to(ar" (or$ in the mountains of northern ri!ona, an" the eKperien&e of a lifetime.

PART 1
The 9n&i"ent

CHAPTER 1
+irst, an %pen -in"
By reason only can we attain to a correct knowledge of the world and a solution of its great roblems. Frnst )einri&h )ae&$el

efore giving the e#eB (itness a&&ount of the sighting an" subseNuent events, 9 (ant to appeal to reason an" briefl# eKplain (h# 9 go into the matter on&e more, after so mu&h time. +or a (hile it seeme" that ever#one (ante" to $no( more about the *+% in&i"ent. The# (ante" to $no( if an#thing so in&re"ibl# bi!arre &oul" a&tuall# happen. . . Moul" itD Well, it "i", but unfortunatel#, often it (as the ten"en&# of a great man# people to &onsi"er onl# those fa&ts (hi&h supporte" their pre&on&eive" beliefsnot onl# the la# publi&, but also s&ientists, la(men, an" ne(smen. 2oth the s$epti&s an" even those (ho a&&epte" the truth of our eKperien&e (ere often guilt# of ma$ing up their min"s on the basis of onl# part of the evi"en&e. '&ientifi& testing too$ time, an" man# people "i" not (ant to (ait until all the fa&ts (ere in before rea&hing a &on&lusion. There (as 5something for ever#one7 in the earl# ne(s reports of the in&i"ent. &ontrovers# rage" that offere" evi"en&e to &onfirm an# parti&ular bias a person might &hoose, an" offering foo" for thought for the unpreHu"i&e" an" more logi&al in"ivi"uals. Fver# time 9 rea" a ne(spaper or maga!ine arti&le about m# eKperien&e, it (as (ith outrage" eKasperation. Not one of the (ritten a&&ounts of m#

22 Tra'(* .a/to)
eKperien&e (as entirel# &orre&t. 9Gm not referring onl# to reports (hi&h too$ the "isbelieving vie(point. WeGre all entitle" to our opinions in matters of opinion. )o(ever, in matters of fa&t (e are not. 9Gm referring to those reports (hi&h garble" basi& fa&ts of an in"isputable naturenames, ages, pla&es, even the se3uence of eventsL reports in (hi&h Nuotations from nearl# ever#one involve" (ere pure invention. ;eports that repeate" the vaguest rumors an" even things (hi&h a simple &he&$ &oul" have "isprove" before the# (ere put before millions of people. number of soB&alle" eKperts appeare" ver# foolish b# &oming out in the me"ia an" spea$ing too soon. The# ma"e publi& statements as if from establishe" fa&t, (hi&h (ere proven totall# false (hen the real evi"en&e (as publi&i!e". 'eeing these things, 9 (oul" tell the neKt intervie(er ho( no one ever seeme" to get it right. )e (oul" s#mpathi!e, assuring me that he (oul" straighten things out. 'ure enough, (hen his arti&le &ame out, (or"s 9 har"l# re&ogni!e" (oul" be en&lose" b# Nuotes an" labele" 5Walton sai".7 9 starte" reall# overemphasi!ing the problem, even as$ing intervie(ers to repeat the basi& fa&ts ba&$ to me. 2ut the errors &ontinue". The "iffi&ult# (as not lessene" b# the silen&e 9 maintaine", at first, to the me"ia. The# printe" (hat the# &oul" get, (hi&h (as not mu&h. 'o the problem (as not entirel# their fault, as the profession of Hournalism has its o(n builtBin &ompli&ations. n hourBlong intervie( is &on"ense" into a half page of shorthan" notes. When those are eKpan"e" an" organi!e" into a fullBlength arti&le, ho( &an it possibl# be a&&urateD The &ontrast is li$e that bet(een re&onstitute" orange Hui&e an" the freshl# sNuee!e" stuff. The general flavor is there, but something is missing. The "iffi&ulties the intervie(ers ha" be&ame even more un"erstan"able to me after 9 began this boo$. 9 ha" m# o(n share of troubles in tr#ing to a&hieve absolute a&&ura&#an" 9Gm the one it happene" to. 9n resear&hing the fa&ts, 9 foun" that peopleGs memories pose" a problem. 9f it (as onl# that their re&all ha" faded, it (oul" not be so ba". 2ut people ten" to remember things a little "ifferentl# as time goes b#. Fven if the# remember something eKa&tl# as the# eKperien&e" it, the# might not have per&eive" it &orre&tl#. "o!en people &an (itness the same automobile a&&i"ent an" all have a "ifferent re&all of the event. 9 "ealt (ith this problem b# eliminating versions that "i" not agree (ith the maHorit#, an" b# &he&$ing (ith (ritten re&or"s. 9 ra&$e" m# brain for even the most insignifi&ant "etail about the sometimes enigmati& thing that ha" happene" to me. The "es&ription of the in&i"ent an" events imme"iatel# follo(ing it is as nearl# a&&urate as 9 (as able to ma$e it, an" it is repeate" from an a&&ount that 9 (rote (hile the fa&ts (ere fresh. There (ere reasons for m# (riting this boo$ other than the nee" to set the re&or" straight. +or one thing, m# reserve" nature ma"e me (ant to avoi" being eternall# intervie(e". 2ut at the same time, 9 ha" eKperien&e" something that 9

FIRE IN THE SKY 23

felt shoul" be share" an" re&or"e". 9n this boo$ 9 satisf# both those goals. When some people eKpresse" so mu&h intense &uriosit#, an" others, out of fear, trie" to eKplain a(a# (hat ha" happene", 9 $ept thin$ing, 9f onl# the# &oul" have been thereO Therefore, 9 have trie" to relate these eKperien&es in a (a# that (ill allo( #ou, the rea"er, to relive them an" feel (hat (e felt at the time it (as all happening. Fven in parts (here 9 (as not on han", 9 have attempte", from &areful intervie(s (ith those (ho (ere there, to re&onstru&t the s&enes Hust as the# o&&urre", to impart a sense of presen&e for the rea"er. -# &o(or$ers (ere fa&e" (ith similar problems, &ontinuall# as$e" (hat the#G" seen, or (hen the# (ere tol" that the# "i" not even $no( (hat the#G" seen. To help eKplain it to others, an" to "emonstrate that the# ha" no "oubts about (hat the# ha" (itnesse", -i&hael ;ogers brought the groupGs &olle&tive "es&riptions to life in the painting entitle" $he %alton &x erience. -i$e ;ogers (as m#steriousl# inspire" to paint better than he ever ha" before. This, after not having painte" in over ten #earsO -i$e ha" at first inten"e" onl# to portra# the original in&i"ent, but (hen 9 sa( the pre&ision of "etail he eKpresse", 9 as$e" him to help me reB&reate m# eKperien&e in art form. )is most re&ent a""itions sho( ho( mu&h his abilit# has gro(n. -i$e $no(s me an" he $no(s (hat 9 mean (hen 9 "es&ribe something. 'till, in the "ra(ings of the beings 9 en&ountere", -i$e "re( over t(ent# representations, all of (hi&h fit the verbal "es&ription, before 9 pi&$e" out the one &losest to (hat the# ha" a&tuall# loo$e" li$e. 9f onl# the# &oul" have been thereO 9 thought. 9 hope that 9 have been su&&essful in &reating something that puts #ou (here (e (ere that November night. -# siK &o(or$ers an" 9 "i" not set out to 5prove7 the truth of our eKperien&e. /ir&umstan&es at the time of the in&i"ent ma"e it ne&essar# to report it to la( enfor&ement offi&ials. The me"ia pi&$e" it up an" after that, it be&ame simpl# a matter of "efen"ing ourselves against a (il" variet# of a&&usations. This is not to sa# that all the reports in the me"ia (ere negative. -ost of the ne(s reports (ere positive, or at least gave unbiase" &overage of the overall a&&ount. 2ut for the re&or", all the misinformation an" mista$en &on&lusions nee" to be set straight. 9t is eas# to s#mpathi!e (ith those (ho fin" it all "iffi&ult to a&&ept. 9f the# thin$ the# feel in&re"ulous about it, then the# shoul" be able to appre&iate ho( "iffi&ult it (as for seven treeB&utters to a"Hust to. We (ere the ones it happene" to. 3et (e ha" our o(n share of "iffi&ult# a&&epting (hat our o(n senses a"amantl# tol" us (e ha" eKperien&e". There (ere inevitabl# "eman"s for proof. With little or no remaining ph#si&al evi"en&e, absolute proof (as impossible to pro"u&e. )o(ever, as (e shall see, the a""itional testimon# b# la( enfor&ement offi&ials an" s&ientifi& resear&hers offere" over(helming evi"en&e that it "i" in"ee" happen Hust as (e reporte" it.

24 Tra'(* .a/to)
9magine our "ilemma. 9f (e &oul" have pro"u&e" har" ph#si&al proof su&h as bringing in a &rashe" sau&er on the ba&$ of a tru&$, or "ragging in an alien being in &hains, (e might possibl# have foun" ourselves in a more believable position. Fven if 9 &oul" have brought ba&$ some pie&e of ph#si&al 5proof,7 there (ere some har"B&ore "isbelievers (ho still (oul" not a&&ept it. +or eKample, there (ere man# people (ho insiste" that man (oul" never ma$e it to the moon. The# s(ore that Mo" (oul" never allo( it. ,erhaps mo"ern te&hnolog# is frightening to them. 9f man (ere meant to go to the moon, he (oul" have been put there, the# sai". When man "i" set foot on the moon in 1909, most of them &onvenientl# forgot their previous pre"i&tions. 2ut a fe( har"B&ore "isbelievers insiste" that man never "i" go to the moon an" that it (as all a television hoaK on the part of the governmentO ;eligious &onvi&tions are a &onsi"erable sour&e of bias in the matter of eKtraterrestrial visitors. 9t is not ne&essaril# a religious matterno more than the Nuestion of simple life on -ars is a religious matter. *nless #our parti&ular religion "enies that there are su&h things, it is an a&a"emi& matter rather than a religious one. Nevertheless, people ma"e unne&essar# religious interpretations, pro and &on, &on&erning the &on&ept of visitation of earth b# life from other (orl"s. The average in"ivi"ual is going to believe (hat he (ants to believe, regar"less of evi"en&e or fa&ts. Those (ho believe (e ha" a *+% eKperien&e are going to believe eKa&tl# that an" those (ho s&off (ill &ontinue to s&off. )o(ever, there is hope. There are alive to"a# totall# unbiase", rational in"ivi"uals =#ouD> (ho ma$e Hu"gments solel# on the basis of logic. ,eople (ho are a&tuall# &apable of (ithhol"ing Hu"gment indefinitely if there is insuffi&ient evi"en&e for them to base a &on&lusion on. -# siK &o(or$ers an" 9 $no( that the in&i"ent "i", in all realit#, happen. We have our memories to help us a&&ept the truth of our in&re"ible eKperien&e. 3ou are not so fortunate =or unfortunate, "epen"ing on (here #ouGre sitting>. 3ou have onl# #our po(ers of reason. )ereGs the straight of it. The &on&lusion is #ours. -ondemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance. #
Fmerson

CHAPTER 2
n %r"inar# 6a#
,ne im ulse from a vernal wood 1ay teach you more of man, ,f moral evil and of good, $han all the sages can. Wor"s(orth

t (as the morning of We"nes"a#, November 5, 1975. To us, the seven men (or$ing in pa&heB'itgreaves National +orest, it (as an or"inar# (or$"a#. There (as nothing in that sunn# fall morning to foresha"o( the tremen"ous fear, sho&$, an" &onfusion (e (oul" be feeling as "ar$ness fell. 9t often ama!es people from out of state to "is&over these forests in ri!ona the 5ari" !one.7 ri!ona &onHures up to them a hostile image of bare ro&$, &a&tus, an" san"# "eserts. 3et (e also have hun"re"s of sNuare miles of green forests. miKture of oa$, fir, an" pine &overs over a Nuarter of the state. ri!ona ;o&$# -ountain )ighO Television (esterns probabl# ma$e for some prett# (il" i"eas about the south(estern *.'. 9 on&e hear" of a la"# tourist inNuiring as to (hether (e ha" mu&h trouble (ith 9n"ian atta&$sO %ur man# pi&turesNue blue mountain la$es, forest mea"o(s, an" the star$ (hite an" emeral"Bgreen Nua$ing aspen trees are Hust not in $eeping (ith the par&he" mirage proHe&te" b# the movies. We (ere (or$ing on the Tur$e# 'prings treeBthinning &ontra&t. 2asi&all#, thinning involves spa&ing an" improving the thi&$ stan"s of smaller trees to allo( for their faster gro(th. Fven a virgin forest has "ense thi&$ets of small trees that reNuire man# #ears for natural "ominan&e to sele&t (hi&h of the trees

2! Tra'(* .a/to)
(ill survive. Thinning spee"s up the natural sele&tion b# &utting the imperfe&t, "isease", an" "amage" trees, thereb# spa&ing the remaining onesall a&&or"ing to a set of (ellBresear&he" spe&ifi&ations set "o(n in the +orest 'ervi&e gui"elines. The sign at the entran&e to pa&heB'itgreaves National +orest bears the (or"s 5:an" of -an# *ses.7 Thinning assists nearl# ever# one of the +orest 'ervi&e programs for multiuse of all the forest resour&es. The "e&rease" tree "ensit# allo(s for in&rease" gra!ing. Watershe" is in&rease" b# millions of gallons (ithout in&rease" erosion. )unting, fishing, an" even re&reation are lan"Buses that benefit from thinning. That "a#, November 5, (e (ere &utting a fuelBre"u&tion strip up the &rest of a ri"ge running south through the &ontra&t. +uel re"u&tion is the pro&ess of &utting the thinning slash into lengths an" piling it up to be burne" in the (et season. The loggers (ho ha" &ut the area before us ha" use" their bull"o!ers to push their logging slash into huge piles on the same strip. The +orest 'ervi&e burns all the piles, &arefull# $eeping them un"er &ontrol, at a time (hen fire "anger is lo(est in terms of moisture an" (in". This eliminates almost all of the flammable fuel in 154B#ar"B(i"e strips that se&tion off nearl# the entire forest. 9f a fire starts, it (ill not burn far before running into one of these fuel brea$s an", hopefull#, it (ill not be able to burn an# farther. When (e are piling, some of the men run sa(s (hile the others pile. 9 (as running a sa(, as (ere llen 6alis an" ?ohn Moulette. 6(a#ne 'mith, Aenneth ,eterson, an" 'teve ,ier&e (ere piling behin" the &utters as (e (or$e" our (a# up the strip. 'e&on" brea$ &ame =none too soon> after about three hours of (or$ sin&e first brea$. -i$e shoute" lou"l# over the noise an" gave the signal, thumbs up, then pointe" to his (at&h. We shut off our sa(s an" the forest stillness returne". +or half an hour, Nuiet (oul" reign again. 9 stoppe" an" (ipe" the s(eat off m# forehea" before &arefull# setting m# hot sa( on a nearb# stump. We &harge" "o(n the hill to the tru&$ par$e" in the roa" belo( an" grabbe" our lun&hes. 'ome of the men sat in the tru&$ an" others sat outsi"e on the &arpet of pine nee"les. Fver#one starte" eating. 9 (as starve" but that (as nothing unusual. )ar" (or$ in high, thin air &an reall# burn up the &alories. 9 (as the obHe&t of a lot of ribbing from the &re( about m# appetite on a&&ount of m# oversi!e" 5lun&hboK.7 9 began &arr#ing m# lun&h in a small suit&ase after fin"ing that even t(o or"inar# lun&hboKes &oul" not han"le the amount of foo" 9 reNuire" to be able to &ut trees all "a#. Those gu#s "i"nGt have mu&h room to tal$. The# ate a &onsi"erable amount themselvesL most of them &arrie" their o(n lun&hes in large, bro(n paper gro&er# bags. 2esi"es, 9 onl# (eighe" 105 poun"s, (hi&h (as light for m# height an" frame. We all foun" it ne&essar# to ta$e t(o lun&h brea$s "uring the "a#. 9t (as Hust too mu&h to go for t(o fourBhour stret&hes (ithout eating. 9

FIRE IN THE SKY 2"

never noti&e" an# of them "ragging their heels (hen brea$ time finall# arrive". 9 sat an" ate in the "ust# ol" (or$Btru&$. 9t (as a 1905 9nternational "ouB bleB &ab, painte" a "irt# bro(n (ith a mu"Bstaine" (hite roof an" hoo", (ith some rough (oo"en si"eboar"s on the ba&$. This "ente"Bup rattletrap (as all that stoo" bet(een us an" a long (al$ ba&$ to &ivili!ation. fter the roa"s out there at Tur$e# 'prings ha" finall# finishe" off the G72 /hevrolet van (e use" to ri"e to (or$, (e starte" using the 9nternational. 9ts first "a#s ha" establishe" a poor pre&e"ent b# (hi&h to Hu"ge its future performan&e. We ha" trouble (ith it ever# "a# for t(o (ee$s, in&lu"ing flat tires, fuelBline problems, lea$ing ra"iator hoses, thro(n fan belts, getting stu&$, an" running out of gas. 'ome of these problems resulte" in getting home Nuite late, but (orse #et (ere the long (al$s it for&e" us to ma$e. -ore than on&e (e began the tre$ up an" "o(n the hills ba&$ to )eber. Fa&h time (e (ere lu&$# enough to be pi&$e" up, tire" an" footsore, b# a passing va&ationer or one of the lo&al ran&hers. fter those first in&ommo"ious (ee$s, (e ha" no more malfun&tions. 'trangel#, the tru&$ settle" "o(n to fun&tion smoothl#, mile after rugge" mile. 9 began to pla&e a tentative trust in the (ellBseasone" ma&hine. The pi&$up (as par$e" on (hat might ver# loosel# be &alle" a primitive roa". This "irt tra&$ (as in terrible shape, as the battere" gas tan$ on the un"ersi"e of the tru&$ &oul" attest. The un"er&hassis (oul" s&rape over (aterB bars in the roa", (hi&h are &alle" 5than$B#ouBmaGams7 for some forgotten reason. =-a#be itGs be&ause of the (ham, bam #ou get from &rossing them too fast. Mratitu"e (as the least of our feelings for them.> These humps of "irt prevente" the roa" from (ashing out in the rain# seasons. 2ut the# also prevente" pra&ti&al travel of the roa" in an#thing less tena&ious than a 'herman tan$. That 5roa"7 might have been more a&&uratel# terme" 5obsta&le &ourse.7 9n a""ition to the (aterBbars, there (ere fallen logs an" large, roun" boul"ers in the pathso man#, it (as more sensible to (eave the tru&$ aroun" them than to &lear the (a#. ll this !ig!agging ma"e the half mile from the ;im ;oa" to the (or$ site half again as long. -aneuvering that long "ouB bleB&ab pi&$up over that tortuous trail (as slo( progress. The short pie&e out to the ;im ;oa" (as the (orst of the trip. +rom there it (as a some(hat better "irt roa" (in"ing the thousan" feet ba&$ "o(n to )eber, ri!ona, fifteen miles to the north, an" from there on, it (as another thirt#Bthree pave" miles east to 'no(fla$e. The &ontra&t (as bor"ere" on the south b# the ;im ;oa", (hi&h &lings to the top e"ge of the 7,544BfootBhigh -ogollon ;im, a ri"ge eKten"ing nearl# three hun"re" miles eastB(est through northern ri!ona. The -ogollon ;im a&tuall# forms a high &liff in man# pla&es, an", in the area south of Tur$e# 'prings, "rops steepl# into the pa&he 9n"ian ;eservation. :an" north of the ;im ver# gra"uall# "es&en"s into a rolling plain $no(n as the -ogollon ,lateau.

2# Tra'(* .a/to)
These &ool autumn "a#s are some of the best of the #ear for (or$ing. The la&$ of heat an" (in" allo(s us to maintain a reasonabl# &omfortable (or$ing temperature. lthough it &an get bitterl# &ol" at night, it usuall# gets up to a pleasant fort# or fift# "egrees in the mi""le of the "a#still &ool enough to be bra&ing. 6uring the summer rain# season, (e have to (orr# about getting stu&$ an" "igging the pi&$up out of mu"holes. Those unpre"i&table "o(npours (ill sometimes &ompletel# interrupt our (or$"a#, (asting our fort#BeightBmile "rive. llen 6alis an" ?ohn Moulette (ere leaning against an ol" gra# log in the sun, eating their san"(i&hes. 2oth (ere t(ent#Bone, ha" re&entl# serve" out their obligations in the nav#. The# ten"e" to $eep to themselves an" "i" not Hoin in tal$ mu&h of the time. The# preferre" to s(ap stories about the part#ing the# ha" "one an" the (omen the# ha" met in various ports overseas. Aen ,eterson (as a blon", blueBe#e" siKBfootera t#pi&al &leanB&ut, allB meri&an bo#. )e ha" been goo" in sports in high s&hool. t t(ent#BsiK he still loo$e" li$e an overgro(n $i". Aen ha" gotten more serious about life latel#. )e ha" a ne( son b# the prett# little seTorita he ha" marrie" from south of the bor"er. 9 (as engrosse" in m# apple an" "i" not Hoin in the religious "is&ussion -i$e an" Aen ha" stru&$ up. We tal$e" about ever#thing un"er the sun "uring our brea$s an" on the long "rive home. We ha" &onversations about religion, politi&s, an", of &ourse, (omen. We tal$e" about $arate a lot. We tou&he" on Hust about ever# subHe&t of interest to us. :ust# out"oor a&tivit# reall# brings the min" alive an" stimulates interest in life. 6(a#ne 'mith (as a Nuiet sortL 9 "i" not $no( too mu&h about him. )e loo$e" to be about t(ent#Bone. ?ohn ha" brought him up from ,hoeniK onl# t(o "a#s before. )e sat on a stump nearb# an" ate (ithout tal$ing mu&h. )e (as more than siK feet seven in&hes tall an" his height "i" not len" easil# to the repeate" ben"ing over involve" in piling. 2ut, for a green man, he (as "oing surprisingl# (ell. )e ha" been piling behin" me an" (as goo" at $eeping up, so far. 9 (as going to (ait to see ho( 6(a#ne panne" out. lot of ne( men Hump out there an" ma$e li$e a ball of fire to impress the boss an" the rest of the &re( (ith (hat har" (or$ers the# are. Then the# Nuit in a fe( "a#s (hen the a&&umulating fatigue (ears them "o(n. %r some hit it har", but &annot get themselves to (or$ ever# "a#. The# ma$e some eK&use to ta$e off "uring the (ee$ to re&uperate. 9 figure itGs best to hit a pa&e that is fast but still eas# enough to $eep up "a# after "a#. 'teve ,ier&e (as laughing at something ?ohn ha" sai" to llen. 'teve (as a big, hus$#, "ar$Bhaire" $i" (ho loo$e" ol"er than he (as. -i$e "i" not $no( it, but 'teve (as onl# seventeen. 'teve &ame from a famil# (ith a strong (or$ ethi&, so (hen he Nuit s&hool he ha" to fin" a Hob. The autumn sun slanting (ea$l# through the tall stan"s of pine (as failing to ta$e the fall &hill from the air. large &ro( s(oope" &lose for a &urious loo$ at

FIRE IN THE SKY 2$

us, the sunlight flashing on its shin# bla&$ feathers. 9ts hoarse &a(ing announ&e" our resting presen&e to the (hole forest =as if our sa(s ha" not alrea"# "one so> an" it flappe" higher on the &risp air. Not a solitar# &lou" &luttere" the a!ure hemisphere ar&hing overhea". +or as far as 9 &oul" see, there (as nothing but &lear blue s$#. '$# that bor"ers infinite spa&eas (e so easil# forget b# "a#. The &onversation usuall# begins to pi&$ up after (eGve eaten. 6uring the first part of our lun&h brea$s, (e &on&entrate on $no&$ing the sharp e"ge off our appetite. The bir"s slo(l# regain their &onfi"en&e an" begin &hirping an" flitting through the trees. %nl# after things reall# Nuiet "o(n "o (e be&ome &ons&ious of the everBpresent (hispering of the (in" through the treetops. ?ust about the time the (oo"s return to normal, (hen (e get &oole" "o(n, start relaKing, an" tal$ gets interesting, our brea$ en"s. bruptl# the &re( boss, -i$e ;ogers, let go an intermittent blast on the horn of the 9nternational. %ur halfBhour brea$ (as overC time to put our &oats on an" our noses ba&$ to the grin"stone. We toppe" off our gas tan$s an" &ran$e" up. This oneBpint fueling (oul" run the ma&hine for almost an hour, &utting "o(n hun"re"s of trees on less than t(ent# &entsG (orth of fuel. With all "ue respe&t for our stur"# lumberHa&$ pre"e&essors, this is not ba" effi&ien&#(hen #ou &onsi"er tr#ing to use an aKe to "o the same thing. The &hains on our sa(s are al(a#s file" ra!orBsharp for maKimum &utting spee". With five horsepo(er behin" them, those &hains &an rip a siKB in&hB "iameter tree off its stump in less than one se&on". 2uil"ing so mu&h po(er into su&h a light tool ma$es it eas# for the &hain to grab the (oo" an" $i&$ ba&$ at the operator. 9t seems that ever#one (ho (or$s ver# long (ith a &hainsa( gets &utan" a sa( bla"e &uts flesh li$e a hot $nife through butter. ne(l# hire" man usuall# &uts himself (ithin the first fe( "a#s. The ease (ith (hi&h those (hirling, $nifeli$e teeth &an mangle flesh is al(a#s a stunning revelation to the uninitiate". 'ome of the most horrible (oun"s #ou &an imagine have resulte" from &hainsa( &uts. The &hain &an shre" the mus&les in a manGs leg into hun"re"s of bloo"# strips in a split se&on". 9t is a surgeonGs nightmare to tr# to stit&h these (oun"s ba&$ together, an" the# are slo( in healing. Ne( re&ruits are reNuire" to (ear a tough guar" on their left leg for the first fe( "a#s on the Hob. The "eep slashes that a&&umulate in the guar" often fail to instill &aution in the (earer. When the guar" is remove", the man promptl# &uts himself. Then ... he learns. %ften the man never &uts himself again after that first lesson. 'ome men get a(a# (ith onl# minor ni&$s, but all the sa( operators have s&arsgruesome "iplomas of lessons in pra&ti&al eKperien&e. The boss, -i$e ;ogers, (as t(ent#Beight, the ol"est of the seven men. )e ha" been bi""ing these thinning &ontra&ts from the +orest 'ervi&e for nine #ears. That ha" been long enough to learn =the har" (a#> all the tri&$# pitfalls of the business. )e (as getting to (here he &oul" fairl# &onsistentl# gauge the pri&e per a&re that (oul" un"erbi" the other &ontra&tors an" still allo( a profit margin.

3& Tra'(* .a/to)

Tur$e# 'prings (as the best &ontra&t, profit(ise, -i$e ha" ever been a(ar"e". 9n fa&t, it pai" the highest a&reBpri&e he ha" ever re&eive". 9t is pro"u&tion in terms of a&res that "etermines ho( mu&h profit #ou &an ma$e in thinning. T(o fa&tors affe&t thisC the tree "ensit# relative to pri&eBperB a&re, an" the amount of groun" the &re( &an &over in a given span of time. -i$e hire" the fastest &utters he &oul" get an" pai" the sa(#ers an hourl# amount base" on their &utting effi&ien&# an" spee". 9 ha" (or$e" (ith -i$e off an" on "uring the seven #ears 9 ha" $no(n him. -i$e never trie" to "ominate his men, unli$e some of the other men 9 ha" (or$e" for. ;ather than or"ering his men aroun", -i$e gets &ooperation b# simpl# telling them (hat nee"s to be "one. man onl# gets pai" if he "oes his Hob, so lor"ing it over emplo#ees is an unne&essar# ego trip for a pra&ti&al man li$e -i$e. The Hob (as Hust the thing for m# in"epen"ent nature. 9 ha" live" the first half of m# life in the "esert &it# of ,hoeniK, before moving (ith m# famil# into the foreste" mountain area of the state. 2efore 9 got into thinning, 9 &ut an" loa"e" pulp(oo" logs for a #ear or t(o. )o(ever, pulp(oo", thinning, an" the other Hobs 9 ha" hel", ha" been onl# partB time (or$ after s&hool an" for summer va&ations. *p until 9 left s&hool 9 hel" a (i"e variet# of Hobs, never getting in a rut. The &hanges of pa&e (ere goo", but thinning (as al(a#s the most li$able (or$. 9t (as then pa#ing better than it ever ha", so there 9 (as at t(ent#Bt(o, thinning trees for a living. 9 enHo# seeing the "eer an" other animals in the (oo"s, but 9 (oul" see no "eer that "a#, nor an# other animal (ith an# sense. 9t (as "eerBhunting season an" the fools from the &it# (oul" shoot at an#thing that move". 9 ha" been hearing the &ra&$ of highBpo(ere" rifles from all "ire&tions that morning. The soun" of our sa(s &arries great "istan&es, but the noise "oesnGt seem to bother the hunters. t su&h times one might (on"er about the safet# of being in the (oo"s. &tuall#, itGs not that ba". )unting a&&i"ents are rare in ri!ona. There are three times as man# a&&i"ents bet(een vehi&les an" el$ along the ;im as there are firearmBrelate" hunting a&&i"ents in the entire state. These are mostl# selfB infli&te", b# shotgunners after game bir"s, an" all but one in the last five #ears (as nonfatal. 9n the entire *.'. there are almost no re&or"e" a&&i"ental shootings of people not a&&ompan#ing the hunter. n" in ri!ona there has never been a nonhunter even injured b# firearms in the (il". 9Gm sure that responsible (oo"smen eKist. . . some(here. 'tories about hunters (ho $ill livesto&$ an" mista$e other hunters for game are for the most part Hust that, stories. 2ut ever# season brings ba&$ those lunati&s (ho shoot holes in signs an" leave piles of bro$en glass bottles from their targetB pra&ti&e sessions. Fver# #ear there are those (ho leave their trash behin", even some (ho "rive home blissfull# un&on&erne" about the &ampfires left bla!ing a(a# ba&$ in the (oo"s.

FIRE IN THE SKY 31

n#one (ho thin$s 9 am overstating the natural beaut# of the forest obviousl# has not been there. Fven flo(er# (or"s &annot reB&reate the &lean, robust feeling a man &an eKperien&e (hen he is surroun"e" b# nature. 3ou "o not have to be a "aint#, "ais#Bsniffing poet to appre&iate the green planet Mo" gave us. s (ith an# manual labor, at times, thinning &an be a "rear#, assB busting, ba&$brea$ing, boneB(ear# grind. 2ut m# "eep love for the fresh (il"ness of the forest is (h# 9 &hose to (or$ there. %ne minor ha!ar" (e ha" to put up (ith is those "amne" bu&$thorn bushes, or bu&$brush. The tough, fleKible stal$s (ill not &ut (hen a &hainsa( hits them. 9nstea", the# get &aught on the &hain an" flip ba&$ at the (or$er (ith enough for&e to "rive their long thorns through a heav# glove all the (a# to the bone. The s&rat&hes an" pun&tures (e re&eive" from those poisonous spines nearl# al(a#s a&he" an" "re( bloo", even (hen Nuite minor. Whenever (e ha" to &ut trees in a pat&h of that &urse" brush, our legs an" arms (oul" start to feel li$e pin&ushions. 6(a#ne 'mith (asnGt a(are of it, but 9 ha" to be &onstantl# &areful to fell m# trees so as to miss him. )is ineKperien&e, or ma#be overeagerness, (as &ausing him to (or$ too &lose to me, instea" of allo(ing a little a&&umulation of slash to put some "istan&e bet(een us. &ouple of falling saplings boun&ing off his s$ull (oul" $no&$ a little vigilan&e into him if he (asnGt &areful. 2ut at least he (as tr#ing. 9 &oul" not sa# the same for 'teve. 9 &oul" see -i$e far ba&$ "o(n the strip, resta&$ing some slopp# piles to bring them up to spe&ifi&ation. 'teve too$ a"vantage of the bossGs absen&e to rest his &an momentaril# on a han"# log. )e (as or"inaril# a goo" (or$er, but (as a little "isgruntle" to"a# be&ause -i$e ha" blame" him for some ba" piles 6(a#ne ha" ma"e. 9 (as tr#ing to $eep m# "istan&e from the other men, but (e (ere &oming together on a thi&$ pla&e to one si"e of the piling strip. The noise of m# o(n sa( is lou" enough, even (ith earplugs, (ithout re(ing all three of them in one spot. ?ust then 9 sa( a sha"o( an" Humpe" barel# in time to es&ape a falling tree. 6amnO 9 loo$e" to see (ho ha" &ut it. llen. )is mo&$ing grin let me $no( it (as no a&&i"ent. 9 "i"nGt let on that he ha" nee"le" me. 9 move" farther up the strip to (or$. Fven (hen a&&i"ental, falling trees (ere another goo" reason not to (or$ too &lose to another man. %n&e, (hile thinning in a high (in", 9 hear" a lou" &ra&$ an" loo$e" up in time to see a giant "ea" tree blotting out the sun as it fell to(ar" me. 6ea" trees, or 5snags,7 as (oo"smen &all them, "o not have a para&hute of green limbs to slo( their fall. The an&ient bugBri""en to(er fell so Nui&$l# 9 "i"nGt have time to move. The brittle ol" tree lan"e" in the mi"st of the &re( (ith a &ra&$ling roar, shattering into "o!ens of Hagge" se&tions. The thun"erous for&e (ith (hi&h it snappe" off the smaller trees it fell on (as enough to ma$e a man nee" to &hange his pants. fter the "ust &leare" an" (e re&overe" from the sho&$, (e ma"e a

32 Tra'(* .a/to)
hea" &ount. We foun" ever#bo"# stan"ing an" in one pie&e. llen al(a#s &ut li$e a &ra!# man. )e (oul" put his hea" "o(n an" slash ever#thing in his path, not loo$ing (here the trees fell. )e (as a faster sa(#er than an#one out there, even me. )is spee" helpe" a&reBpro"u&tion, but it $ept him from being up to (or$ing ever# "a#. )is un&ontrollable temper (as probabl# (hat ma"e him sa( li$e that, ta$ing his anger out on the trees. llen ha" nearl# &ome to blo(s (ith almost ever#one on the &re(, in&lu"ing me. )e ha" a (a# of pi&$ing fights he never finishe". lthough our "ifferen&es (ere forgotten as far as 9 (as &on&erne", an" (e (ere frien"l# on the Hob, 9 suspe&te" that llen might have one or t(o lingering ba" feelings to(ar" me. The afternoon sun (as starting to &ool as it began angling steeper "o(n in the (est. 9n the mountains, sun"o(n &omes earl#. 9t gets "ar$ ver# Nui&$l# (hen ol" 'ol slips behin" the trees an" out of sight behin" the high ri"ges. That last part of the "a# al(a#s seems to &ra(l b#. The gathering &hill (as beginning to numb m# nose. We move" Nui&$l# in the lateBafterB noon nippiness. With summer en"ing, it (as starting to get "o(n to five or ten "egrees at night. &tivit# helpe" me buil" up bo"# heat insi"e m# lightB (eight, blue "enim Ha&$et. 9 (or$e" a little faster to (ar" off the &hill, eagerl# anti&ipating the reprieve of the "a#Gs &on&lusion. Not long to go before (e &oul" hea" for home an" a ni&e hot sho(er. 'unset ha" been fifteen minutes earlier, but (e $ept &utting in the (aning light. 9 &he&$e" m# (at&h again. 9t (as siK oG&lo&$ at lastO -i$e (as still "o(n the hill a little (a#, pi&$ing up an" repiling. 9 #elle" an" too$ the libert# of giving the stopB(or$ signal. The soun" of the sa(s "ie"L the final e&hoes absorbe" into the "eepening "us$. 5Time to goO7 9 announ&e" lou"l#. The tire" men (ere revitali!e" b# the prospe&t of Nuitting for the "a#, an" b# their feelings of a&&omplishment. We ha" move" a prett# goo" "istan&e up the strip in those eight hours of labor. 5:etGs go homeO7 ?ohn sai" enthusiasti&all#. llen grumble", 59tGs Gbout time.7 5We reall# hurtGem to"a#, bo#s,7 Aen eK&laime", rubbing his palms together (ith the &hara&teristi& ambitious mannerism he use" (hen he tal$e" about (or$. 5)urt me, #ou meanO7 6(a#ne sai", rubbing his lo(er ba&$. 5%ne of #ou gu#s (anna help me &arr# this stuffD7 'teve as$e", gathering up the nearl# empt# gas an" oil &ans. ?ohn grabbe" the (ater Hug an" an oil &an. 9 &arrie" the orange fiveBgallon plasti& gas &an in one han" an" m# sa( in the other as (e "es&en"e" the hill. We loa"e" the &hainsa(s an" gas an" oil &ans into the ba&$ of the tru&$. fter arranging the gas &ans so the# (oul" not tip over an" lea$ on the bumps, -i$e slamme" the tailgate tightl#. 53ou gu#s have got to start "oing a better Hob on those piles,7 -i$e sai". 5That mess 9 fiKe" up ba&$ there never (oul" have passe" inspe&tion. 9 $no(

FIRE IN THE SKY 33

(hoGs ma$ing those mista$es b# their position on the strip. 'o, not mentioning an# names, letGs tighten up on the spe&ifi&ationsall rightD7 Nobo"# sai" an#thing. )e (as right. 9f our &utting faile" to pass inspe&tion, it (oul" "ela# our pa#"a# until it "i" pass. 9t (as in our interest to get it right the first time. 5:isten to that,7 'teve sai". We &oul" still hear the faint soun" of shooting reverberating "o(n the gullies some(here in the "istan&e. 9t is illegal to hunt after sun"o(n, but there Hust arenGt enough game (ar"ens to go aroun". -a#be someone (as "oing a little target pra&ti&e. 5:etGs loa" up, men,7 -i$e sai". The "e&repit pi&$up groane" on its tire" ol" suspension as ever#one pile" in. There (as 6(a#ne b# the left rear "oor, ?ohn an" 'teve in the mi""le, an" llen b# the right rear "oor. 9n the front, 9 sat b# the "oor, ri"ing shotgun. Aen sat in the mi""le, an" of &ourse -i$e (as "riving. The seven of us usuall# sat in the same pla&e ever# "a#. Nonsmo$ers in front, smo$ers in ba&$. 5)ome, ?ames,7 someone sai", (ith mo&$ elegan&e. -i$e starte" the ol" pi&$up an" (e &limbe" north up the ri"ge to(ar" the ;im ;oa". 9t (as 0C14. 2arring an# brea$"o(ns, (e shoul" be home before 7C14. We left the (in"o(s "o(n so (e &oul" &ool off some. We (ere still (arm from laboring, in spite of the evening air. -i$e, Aen, an" 9 "o not smo$e an" (e prefer to inhale genuine, una"ulterate" air. The four in the ba&$seat lit up as soon as (e (ere in the tru&$, eager after hours (ithout a &igarette. The fresh air &oming in m# (in"o( (as bra&ing. We usuall# nap on the (a# to (or$ ever# morning, but none of us ever feels "ro(s# on the (a# ba&$ to to(n. The rousing a&tivit# on the Hob hones a $eenness that sta#s (ith us all the (a# home. 5Wh# "onGt (e all go s(imming after "inner tonightD7 9 suggeste". 6(a#ne, ne( to 'no(fla$e, loo$e" "oubtful. 53ou gu#s are &ra!#, itGs too "amn &ol" for that.7 5ThereGs a heate" pool in to(n,7 9 tol" him. 'no(fla$e (as a small to(n of onl# 2,544 then, but it a&tuall# ha" an in"oor s(imming pool. 5That (oul" be a goo" (a# to soa$ out some of the &ru" an" tire"ness 9Gm feeling,7 -i$e agree". 59Gll bring a bas$etball,7 Aen volunteere". 2oun&ing over the than$B#ouBmaGams, the tru&$ $ept bottoming out on its springs (ith a "ull &lun$ing soun". The fello(s starte" &ra&$ing Ho$es about the pi&$up. 5,e""le har"er, ever#one, (eGll ma$e it up this hill #et,7 Aen Nuippe". 5)e# -i$e, "o #ou li$e this thing better than a pi&$up tru&$D7 one of the men &alle" from the ba&$seat. The &ontinual Houn&ing an" bobbing of the vehi&le, unen&umbere" (ith sho&$ absorbers, &ause" me to a""C 5What heGs got here is a rare spe&imen of ustralian pogo tru&$O7

34 Tra'(* .a/to)
Fver#bo"# laughe". ?ust then m# e#e (as &aught b# a light &oming through the trees on the right, a hun"re" #ar"s ahea". 9 i"l# assume" that the glo( (as the sun going "o(n in the (est. Then it o&&urre" to me that the sun ha" set half an hour ago. /urious, 9 thought it might be the light of some hunters &ampe" therehea"lights or ma#be a fire. 'ome of the gu#s must have &aught sight of it too, be&ause the men on the right si"e of the tru&$ ha" fallen silent. s (e &ontinue" "riving up the roa" to(ar" the brightness, (e passe" in sight of it for an instant. We barel# got a glimpse through gnarle" bran&hes before (e rolle" past the opening in the trees. 5'on of a . . llen starte". 5What the hell (as thatD7 9 as$e". -# e#es straine" to ma$e sense of the glimmering through the "ense stan" of trees blo&$ing our vision. +rom m# open (in"o(, 9 &oul" see the #ello(ish brillian&e (ashing a&ross our path onto the roa" another fort# #ar"s ahea". 9ntrigue", 9 (as impatient to get past the intervening pines. 5)urr# upO 6rive on up there (here (e &an seeO7 somebo"# urge". +rom the "riverGs seat, -i$e &oul" not loo$ up (ith the proper angle (ithout leaning (a# over. 5What "o #ou gu#s seeD7 he "eman"e" &uriousl#. 6(a#ne ans(ere", 59 "onGt $no(but it loo$e" li$e a &rashe" plane hanging in a treeO7 +inall#, our gro(ing eK&itement spurre" -i$e into (ringing out (hat little spee" the pi&$up &oul" still a&hieve on the in&line. We rolle" past the intervening evergreen thi&$et to (here (e &oul" have an unobstru&te" vie( of the sour&e of the strange ra"ian&e. 'u""enl# (e (ere ele&trifie" b# the most a(esome, in&re"ible sight (e ha" seen in our entire lives. 5'topO7 ?ohn &rie" out. 5'top the tru&$O7 s the tru&$ s$i""e" to a "ust# halt in the ro&$# roa", 9 thre( open the "oor for a &learer vie( of the "a!!ling sight. 5-# Mo"O7 llen #elle". It.s a flying saucer4#

CHAPTER 3
b"u&tionO
+ust as yellow gold is tested by the fire, so is friendshi to be tested by adversity. %vi"

i$e shut off the engine. We (at&he", spellboun". The men on the left si"e of the tru&$ leane" over so that the# &oul" see. There, a mere ninet# feet above the groun", a strange, gol"en "is& hovere" silentl#. %ur attention (as rivete" on that obHe&t poise" in the air. 9mpale" b# the sight, (e (ere hel" transfiKe" for one long, silent moment that felt li$e an eternit#. The &ol", Harring realit# of (hat (e (ere (itnessing stru&$ fear an" a(e to the &ore of ever# one of us. 'u""enl# behol"ing its vivi", magnifi&ent stru&ture summone" all emotions at on&e. 3ou &oul" almost hear our hearts poun"ing above that suspen"e" instant of silen&e. :ess than thirt# #ar"s a(a#, the metalli& &raft hung motionless, fifteen feet above a tangle" pile of logging slash. The &raft (as stationar#, hovering (ell belo( the treetops near the &rest of the ri"ge. The har", me&hani&al pre&ision of the luminous vehi&le (as in sharp &ontrast to the primitive rugge"ness of the "ar$ surroun"ings. 9ts e"ges (ere &learl# "efine". The gol"en ma&hine (as star$l# outline" against the "eepening blue of the &lear evening s$#. The soft #ello( ha!e from the &raft "iml# illuminate" the imme"iate area (ith an eerie glo(. *n"er the (eir" light, the en&ir&ling forest too$ on bi!arre

3! Tra'(* .a/to) hues that (ere ver# "ifferent from its natural &olors. The trees, the brush, an"
the grass all refle&te" subtle, pe&uliar ne( sha"es. 9 estimate" the obHe&t to have an overall "iameter of fifteen or t(ent# feetL it (as eight or ten feet thi&$. The flattene" "is& ha" a shape li$e that of t(o giganti& pieBpans pla&e" lip to lip, (ith a small roun" bo(l turne" upsi"e "o(n on top. 2arel# visible at our angle of sight, the (hite "ome pea$e" over the upper outline of the ship. We &oul" see "ar$er stripes of a "ull silver sheen that "ivi"e" the glo(ing areas into panelBli$e se&tions. The "im #ello(ish light given off b# the surfa&e ha" the luster of hot metal, fresh from a blast furna&e. There (ere no visible antennae or protrusions of an# $in". Nothing that resemble" a hat&h, ports, or (in"o(li$e stru&tures &oul" be seen. There (as no motion an" no soun" from the &raft. 9t almost appeare" to be "ea" in the air. There (as no life visible an#(here. Nothing stirre". 9t seeme" that even the (in" hel" its breath. The entire s&ene(e the (or$ &re(, the pi&$up, an" the spe&ta&ular intru"erseeme" fro!en for a single instant. Aen shattere" the silen&e. 56amnationO This is . . . reall# . . . happeningO7 he breathe" hoarsel#, in a voi&e fraught (ith a(estru&$ fear. Those (or"s abruptl# shoo$ us from our reverie. No more than a se&on" ha" passe" sin&e 9 ha" thro(n open the "oor as the tru&$ stoppe". 9 glan&e" from one to another stri&$en fa&e. llen (as hi"ing "o(n lo( behin" the "oorsill. s 6(a#ne later eKpresse" itC 5)e $isse" his $nees.7 Turning ba&$ to that impelling spe&ta&le in the air, 9 (as su""enl# sei!e" (ith the urgen&# to see the &raft at &lose range. 9 (as afrai" it (oul" fl# a(a# an" 9 (oul" miss the &han&e of a lifetime to satisf# m# &uriosit# about it. 9 hurrie"l# got out of the tru&$ an" starte" to(ar" the hovering ship. The men (ere alarme" b# m# su""en a&tion. 5TravisO7 llen &alle", lo(. 5What "o #ou thin$ #ouGre "oingD7 -i$e "eman"e" in a lou", harsh (hisper. ,la&ing m# feet Nuietl#, 9 Nui&$l# stal$e" &loser to the m#sterious vehi&le. 'tepping over a lo(Bleaning fir sapling, 9 &arefull# pi&$e" m# (a# through the opening in the trees. 9 put m# han"s in m# po&$ets in response to the &ooler t(ilight air outsi"e the tru&$. fter 9 ha" traverse" about fifteen or t(ent# #ar"s, the men began urgentl# &alling to me, in straine", hushe" shouts, to return to the tru&$. 5TravisO7 5)e#, TravisO7 the men (arne" insistentl#. 5Met ba&$ here, manO7 one of the men &alle" in a lou"er voi&e. 9 stoppe" (al$ing for a long, hesitant moment. 9 pause" an" turne" to loo$ ba&$ at the siK men staring Nuestioningl# at me from the tru&$. The sober reali!ation of (hat 9 (as "oing abruptl# heightene" the "oubt 9 (as alrea"# (restling (ith. What shoul" 9 "oD 9 as$e" m#self. -a#be 9Gm being foolhar"#, 9 tol" m#self. 9 (onGt get too &lose . . . but (hat if thereGs somebo"# insi"e that

FIRE IN THE SKY 3"

thingD 9 faltere". +inall# 9 reassure" m#self (ithC 9 &an al(a#s run a(a#. 9 (as &ommitte". Without repl#ing to the gu#s, 9 resolutel# turne" an" &ontinue" m# bra!en approa&h. 5That &ra!# son of a bit&hO7 9 hear" someone s(ear. 9 move" more slo(l#, &autiousl# &overing the remaining "istan&e in a halfB &rou&h. 9 straightene" up as 9 entere" the "im &ir&ular halo of light softl# refle&ting onto the groun" un"er the &raft. 9 (as about siK feet from being "ire&tl# beneath the ma&hine. 2athe" in the #ello( aura, 9 stare" up at the unbelievabl# smooth, unblemishe" surfa&e of the &urving hull. 9 (as fille" (ith a tremen"ous sense of a(e an" &uriosit# as 9 pon"ere" the in&ompreBhensible m#steries possible (ithin it. 9 ha" be&ome a(are of a barel# au"ible soun" &oming from the ship. 9 &oul" "ete&t a strange blen" of lo(B an" highBpit&he" me&hani&al soun"s. There (ere intermittent high, pier&ing, beeping points overlai" on the "istant, lo( rumbling soun" of heav# ma&hiner#. The strange tones (ere so miKe" that it (as impossible to &ompare them to an# soun" 9 &oul" remember ever hearing. 5TravisO Met a(a# from thereO7 -i$e #elle" to me. 9 shot a fleeting loo$ at the pi&$up par$e" in the roa", then turne" m# attention ba&$ to stu"#ing the in&re"ible ship. 'u""enl# 9 (as startle" b# a po(erful, thun"erous s(ell in the volume of the vibrations from the &raft. 9 Humpe" at the soun", li$e that of a multitu"e of turbine generators starting up. 9 sa( the sau&er start (obbling on its aKis (ith a Nui&$ening motion, in a pattern li$e the errati& spin of an unstabili!e" top. The same si"e &ontinue" to fa&e me as the &raft remaine" hovering at approKimatel# the same height (hile it (obble". 9 "u&$e" into a &rou&h, "o(n behin" the safet# of a nearb# log. 9 eKpe&te" the sau&er to strea$ a(a#. 9t "i"nGt. /ringing there, 9 "i" some fast reassessments of m# situation. 9 resolve" to (aste no time in getting the hell out of thereO 9 rose to go an" (as half out of m# &rou&h (hen a tremen"ousl# bright, blueB green ra# shot from the bottom of the &raft. 9 sa( an" hear" nothing. ll 9 felt (as the numbing for&e of a blo( that felt li$e a highBvoltage ele&tro&ution. The intense bolt ma"e a sharp &ra&$ing, or popping, soun". The stunning &on&ussion of the footB(i"e beam stru&$ me full in the hea" an" &hest. -# min" san$ Nui&$l# into unfeeling bla&$ness. 9 "i"nGt even see (hat hit meL but from the instant 9 felt that paral#!ing blo(, 9 "i" not see, hear, or feel an#thing more. The men in the tru&$ sa( m# bo"# ar&h ba&$(ar", arms an" legs outstret&he", as the for&e of the blo( lifte" me off the groun". 9 (as hurle" ba&$(ar" through the air ten feet. The# sa( m# right shoul"er hit the har" ro&$# earth of the ri"getop. -# bo"# lan"e" limpl# an" la# motionless, sprea" out on the groun". 59t got himO7 'teve #elle". 6(a#ne s&reame"C 5:etGs get out of hereO7

3# Tra'(* .a/to)
5Met this son of a bit&h movingO7 llen shrie$e" h#steri&all#. -i$e "i" not nee" to be as$e". )e (as alrea"# "esperatel# groping, fumbling aroun" for the ignition s(it&h. )is sha$ing fingers finall# sei!e" the $e#. The engine roare" to life. )e poppe" out the &lut&h an" the tru&$ lunge" for(ar". The $nobb# mu"Ban"Bsno( tires flung ro&$s an" &lou"s of "irt ba&$(ar" as the 9nternational spun out of the &learing. -i$e gunne" the tru&$ up the boul"erB stre(n tra&$. )e franti&all# spun the steering (heel one (a#, then the other, navigating the tortuous roa". 59s it follo(ing usD7 he #elle" over his shoul"er. Nobo"# ans(ere". 59s it after usD7 he shoute" again. When again no repl# &ame, he turne" to see the loo$s of stupefie" sho&$ on the fa&es of his &re(. Their pale fa&es stare" straight ahea", blan$l#. )e $ne( then that it (as entirel# up to him to get them all to safet#. 9n rea&tion to the unbelievable horror of (hat the# ha" (itnesse", siK har"ene" (oo"smen (ere re"u&e" to min"less terror. The tru&$ boun&e" (il"l# in their pani&$e" flight. 9t s&rape" lou"l# over the ro&$# (aterBbars. -i$e sent the pi&$up &areening off the roa", &rashing over bushes an" small trees. )e turne" aroun" to fin" the tru&$ hea"ing to(ar" the thi&$ trun$ of a big pine tree. )e Her$e" the ma&hine ba&$ onto the tra&$ in a spra# of "irt an" gravel. -i$e (as fearful that the sau&er (as pursuing them. )e put his hea" out the open (in"o( to tr# to see behin" an" (as stung in the fa&e b# the sharp pine nee"les of a passing limb. )e $ept hitting boul"ers an" other obsta&les in his attempts to loo$ behin". The errati&all# vibrating rearvie( mirrors onl# pro"u&e" a blurre", fli&$ering image, a faint #ello( glo( in the bla&$ness. Moa"e" b# a surge of terror, he stompe" on the gas pe"al. The rattling tru&$ shot for(ar" at thirt#Bfive miles an hourfar too fast for the &on"ition of that roa". passing limb slamme" into the right rearvie( mirror, ben"ing it uselessl# to the si"e of the tru&$. The ol" 9nternational (ent fl#ing through the air over the "irt ramp of a high (aterB bar. s it lan"e", the pi&$up smashe" "o(n "estru&tivel# on its (ea$ene" springs (ith a terrible &rash. The po(erful Holt of metal on metal brought -i$e to his senses. )e (as grippe" b# a su""en i&# reali!ation. 9f the tru&$ bro$e "o(n, the# (oul" be stran"e" an" at the mer&# of the un$no(n threat the# (ere fleeing. )e slo(e" the tru&$ "o(n to ten miles an hour. )e (as grateful to fin" the tru&$ still (or$ing, &apable of &arr#ing them a(a#. The roa" turne" east in a tight &urve to the left. The men remaine" petrifie" in stunne" silen&e. -i$e (as still ba"l# frightene", an" apprehensive of being pursue". )e loo$e" north, ba&$ a&ross the &urve of the roa", an" sa( the startling glo( of the sau&er in the gathering "ar$ness. 9t (as still barel# visible in the same &learing, t(o hun"re" #ar"s ba&$. )e (as ver# mu&h relieve" to fin" that their ma" "ash ha" put some "istan&e bet(een them an" it.

FIRE IN THE SKY 3$

The tru&$ passe" behin" "ense thi&$ets of pine saplings, an" the ship (as on&e more lost from sight. 9n "iverting his attention from his "riving, -i$e ma"e the (rong approa&h to a (aterBbar in the roa". 9t (as the largest of the than$B #ouBmaGams an" the last one before the ;im ;oa", a hun"re" feet farther on. *nless that (aterBbar (as &rosse" at the &orre&t angle, the pi&$up (oul" highB &enter an" get stu&$ stra""ling the hump. -i$e stoppe" the tru&$ to ba&$ up an" ma$e another run at it. 59t "oesnGt loo$ li$e itGs after us,7 -i$e shu""ere" as he shove" the gearshift into reverse. The pause bro$e the men out of their sho&$e" silen&e. The# began to Habber h#steri&all#. 9nstea" of &ontinuing on over the obsta&le, the# sat there (ith the engine running. The# struggle" to &olle&t themselves an" "e&i"e (hat to "o. Fver#one (as #elling at on&e, in a &onfusion of highBpit&he" shouting. llen uttere" a lou" string of profanit#. The# (ere all either &r#ing, pra#ing, or s(earing. 'ome "i" all three. 'teve (as sobbing out a pra#er, his #oung fa&e streaming (ith tears. Aen stammere", 59 &B&anGt believe (hB(hat 9 Hust sa(O7 6(a#ne sai" in a (on"ering voi&eC 59Gve never seen a *+% beforeO7 59t lBloo$e" li$e it $B$B$ille" himO7 llen stuttere". Aen shoo$ his hea". 5That poor gu#O7 -i$e anKiousl# as$e"C 59 sa( him falling ba&$, but (hat happene" to himD7 5-an, a blue ra# Hust shot out of the bottom of that thing an" hit him all overO 9t Hust seeme" to engulf him.7 AenGs voi&e (as solemn (ith a(e. 5Moo" hellO 9t loo$e" li$e he disintegratedO7 6(a#ne eK&laime". 5No, he (as in one pie&e,7 'teve &ontra"i&te". 59 sa( him hit the groun".7 59 "o $no( one thing. 9t sure loo$e" li$e he got hit b# lightning or somethingO7 6(a#ne returne". 59 hear" a !apli$e as if he tou&he" a live (ireO7 56amnO7 ?ohn s(ore. 59t sure $no&$e" the hell out of himO7 59t loo$e" almost li$e a grena"e eKplo"e" in front of him an" Hust ble( him ba&$O7 Aen &rie". 5)e#, men, (e better go ba&$O7 someone sai". Aen agree". 53eah, he &oul" be hurt real ba"O7 5No (a#, man. 9 ainGt going ba&$ thereO7 'teve sai". 6(a#ne sai", 5No, (e better go ba&$. )e &oul" reall# nee" helpO7 )e loo$e" at 'teve. 53ou "onGt (ant to sta# here b# #ourself (hile (e go, "o #ouD7 'teve gave him a blan$ stare. 59 "onGt $no( if 9 (ant to go ba&$, eitherO7 ?ohn a"mitte". 59tGs startinG to get "ar$, ma#be (e better go get some help,7 llen faltere". 5 ll right,7 -i$e interHe&te". 5:etGs buil" a fire so the gu#s (ho "onGt (ant to go &an sta# here in the &learing (hile the rest of us go ba&$ there.7 ,rimitive instin&t ma"e the false se&urit# of a fire seem someho( &omforting. -i$e shut off the engine an" the# all got out into the "eepening "us$. Their

4& Tra'(* .a/to)

hoarse #elling gre( lou"er an" more h#steri&al (hen the# got out. The# $ept loo$ing aroun" nervousl#, up into the "ar$ening s$#. -i$e (ent to the ba&$ of the tru&$ to get gas to splash on some (oo" for a Nui&$ fire. The men follo(e". The# aime" most of their i"eas an" Nuestions about (hat the# shoul" "o at him. Fven though -i$e "i" not insist on being boss# at (or$, the# automati&all# turne" to him to tell them (hat to "o. Their "iminishe" selfBpossession &ause" them to "epen" on -i$e for ans(ers he "i" not have. ?ust as -i$e (as about to get the gas out of the ba&$, the# (ere startle" b# the su""en approa&h of hea"lights &oming (est on the ;im ;oa". The "im outline of a &amperBpi&$up &oul" be seen passing in the "ar$. 5:etGs go &at&h that pi&$up an" get helpO7 ?ohn #elpe" eK&ite"l#. 5We &anGt &at&h that gu#,7 -i$e sai", "ispirite". 5)eGs long gone b# no( but ma#be heGll stop up the roa" some(here,7 he a""e", brightening a little. 59f (e &anGt &at&h him, ma#be (e &an fin" some other hunters or somebo"#.7 53eah, letGs goO7 6(a#ne agree". Fver#bo"# pile" in the right si"e of the tru&$, 6(a#ne this time ta$ing the re&entl# va&ate" front seat, b# the "oor. s -i$e (ent aroun" the "riverGs si"e of the tru&$, he eK&laime"C 5:oo$O 6i" #ou see thatD7 The men s&ramble" to loo$. %ne of the men ran to the front of the pi&$up. 5What (as itD7 he as$e". -i$e tol" them he thought he ha" briefl# seen the outline of the gol"en "is& through the trees to the south. 9t ha" raise" itself verti&all# to treetop level an" strea$e" a(a# to(ar" the northeast at in&re"ible spee". The# got in the tru&$, -i$e pon"ering the unbelievable a&&eleration of that strea$ he ha" glimpse". )e angle" the forgiving ol" pi&$up over the high (aterB bar an" pulle" out onto the ;im ;oa", hea"ing (est. )e "rove rapi"l#, half hoping to &at&h up (ith the &amper that ha" passe". 5What "o #ou gu#s thin$ (e shoul" "oD7 -i$e as$e". 59 thin$ (e ought to go ba&$O7 Aen sai" vehementl#. llen "isagree". 5We oughta get some helpget some guns from some hunters or somebo"#before (e tr# that.7 59Gll go if (e &an sta# in the tru&$,7 'teve (hine". 59 "onGt (ant to get out.7 59 guess (e better go ba&$,7 ?ohn sai" solemnl#. )e ha"nGt sai" mu&h at all until no(. )e appeare" still to be in a mil" state of sho&$. The# argue" on, rehashing (hat ha" happene". The# "i" not fin" an# hunters, or an#one else. The# (ere still arguing a mile "o(n the roa", (here the# rea&he" the turnoff that (ent north to )eber from the ;im ;oa". There, the# finall# (or$e" their (a# aroun" to the inevitable &on&lusion. 5Aen, "o #ou thin$ itGs safe to go ba&$ an" see about TravisD7 -i$e as$e". 5ThatGs (hat 9Gve been sa#ing (e shoul" "o all alongO )e &oul" be blee"ing to "eathO -a#be he (as onl# $no&$e" "o(n b# that thing. We "onGt $no(. We ought to at least go ba&$ an" &he&$O7

FIRE IN THE SKY 41

-i$e turne" the tru&$ aroun" at the turnoff. )e sai" firml#C 5This tru&$ is going ba&$. n#bo"# (ho "oesnGt (ant to &ome &an get out right here an" no(, an" (aitO WeGve been a&ting li$e a bun&h of &o(ar"s. WeGre all s&are", thereGs no "en#ing that, but (eGve got to "o (hat (e shoul"Gve "one in the first pla&eO7 The embarrasse" men no longer proteste" returning to the site. Fven if an# (ere still relu&tant, the# (ere ashame" to sa# so. lso, the prospe&t of (aiting alone at the turnoff in the "ar$ (as mu&h (orse then going ba&$ together. Their &ourage ha" been reinfor&e" b# the time an" "istan&e a(a# from the site. )o(ever, as the# turne" left, off the ;im ;oa" to(ar" the original s&ene, their apprehension began stea"il# to rebuil". The# &oul" not stop going over an" over (hat the# ha" seen. The# began spe&ulating on the "rea"ful possibilities of (hat the# might fin" (hen the# returne". The nearer the# got, the more anKious the# be&ame. 5What if that thing is still thereD7 6(a#ne Nuestione" fearfull#. 5WeGll be able to see it before (e get there,7 -i$e sai" un&ertainl#. 59f it is still there, (eGll turn aroun" an" get the hell out of there.7 5What if (e fin" TravisGs "ea" bo"# l#ing out thereD7 (as llenGs grisl# Nuestion. Nobo"# replie"nobo"# (ante" to thin$ about the ans(er to that. The# roun"e" the &urve (here -i$e ha" last been able to see the sau&er. The# sa( nothing. The pi&$up rolle" hesitantl# on(ar". '$ittishl# the men loo$e" all about them. The# Nuiete" their motions insi"e the tru&$. Their sub"ue" &omments &ame less freNuentl#. 5Met the flashlight out of the glove boK, there,7 -i$e "ire&te". 6(a#ne han"e" it to him. 59 thin$ it (as right along here some(here, #ou gu#s, so $eep #our e#es peele".7 -i$e "rove on slo(l#, s&anning the roa"si"e. 5)ol" itO 9t (as right ba&$ thereO7 Aen eK&laime". 53eahO 9 thin$ it (as right about hereO7 6(a#ne agree". 59 re&ogni!e that pile of slash over thereO7 -i$e sent the flashlight beam stabbing out into the "ar$ness. )e &alle" lou"l#, 5T; I9' . . . O7 Fver#bo"# listene" intentl#. No ans(er. 'omebo"# suggeste" pulling the tru&$ aroun" an" pointing the hea"lights to(ar" the log pile above (hi&h the# ha" seen the hovering ship. The# ba&$e" up an" pulle" in, "riving over the fir sapling leaning in the (a#. Their e#es sear&he" the area illuminate" b# the hea"lights. The# foun" nothing. No "ea" bo"# in the &learing. 5-a#be this ainGt it,7 Aen suggeste". 5 ll these piles loo$ ali$e.7 59 thought it (as farther "o(n that (a#,7 llen sai", pointing north "o(n the ri"ge. 5Na(, if an#thing, it (as farther ba&$ up that (a#,7 Aen &ountere". 5No, 9 remember this spot,7 6(a#ne insiste". 5'ee that tree leaninG "o(n

42 Tra'(* .a/to)
over thereD7 5WeGre Hust going to have to get out an" loo$ aroun",7 -i$e &ut in. 52efore (e "o an#thing(ho allGs &oming an" (ho all is sta#ingD7 Nobo"# (ante" to remain behin" alone. The (oo"s (ere ver# "ar$. 5:eave it running,7 'teve suggeste", as the# got out of the tru&$. The# left the "oors open, tooever#one sa( the sense of a Nui&$ geta(a#. ?ust in &ase. The# sear&he" first in the se&urit# of the hea"lights. Fver#bo"# sta#e" together, hu""ling &lose behin" -i$e, (ho &arrie" the onl# flashlight. The tightl#B$nit group sear&he" the imme"iate area thoroughl#, foot b# foot. The flashlight beam probe" into the night, eKamining ever# "ar$ shape. The# sear&he" behin" ever# log, bush, an" stump. The# &alle" repeate"l#C 5TravisO . . . T; I9'OO7 FK&ept for their &alls, the (oo"s (ere "eathl# Nuiet. Their e#es straine" into the "ar$ of the surroun"ing trees. The# &ast o&&asional apprehensive glan&es s$#(ar". There (as nothing but empt#, starB "uste" s$#. Their fra#e" nerves (ere straine" to the snapping point. 5:oo$ outO7 6(a#ne &rie", Humping. Fver#one Her$e" their hea"s this (a# an" that, loo$ing aroun" them. 5WhatGs the matterD7 the others as$e" urgentl#. 5%hhhO7 6(a#ne heave" a relieve" sigh. 5That moon up there s&are" the hell out of meO7 There ha" been a ne( moon the previous -on"a#, (hi&h ha" gro(n tonight to a thin, gol"en sliver onl# a little lighter in &olor than the fl#ing sau&er. 59 &aught it out of the &orner of m# e#e an" 9 thought it (as that fl#ing sau&er &oming ba&$O7 The a"renaline that ha" surge" into ever#oneGs bloo"stream left them sha$ing un&ontrollabl#. %&&asionall# &at&hing uneKpe&te" glimpses of the moon, an" anti&ipating at an# moment the "is&over# of a &harre" &orpse in&rease" ever# manGs gut fear. The# be&ame more an" more nervous as the# sear&he". 5T; I9'O7 the# &alle" at intervals. The# loo$e" farther north, as llen ha" suggeste", but there (ere no more slashBpiles there. lso, the groun" (as steeper than the# remembere" the site being. The# sear&he" be#on" the &rest of the ri"ge an" farther south, (here there (ere more piles. None of the piles loo$e" as mu&h li$e (hat the# remembere" as the first one the# ha" investigate". 5-a#be he ran after us (hen (e too$ offO7 Aen suggeste". The# sear&he" for tra&$s in the soft, po("er# "ust of the roa". There (ere no tra&$s but those of the tru&$. :oo$ing in the trees on the steepl# sloping groun" east of the roa", the men again foun" nothing. The# foun" no sign an#(hereno foreign obHe&ts or unusual mar$ings. No burns, pa" impressions, or "isturbe" groun". Not a tra&e of tra&$s an" no evi"en&e of a struggle. 5T; I9'O7 The longer the# &ontinue", the more (orrie" -i$e be&ame, more over&ome

FIRE IN THE SKY 43

(ith emotion. )e stumble", then stoo", loo$ing "o(n, struggling to &ontrol his feelings. The loss of his frien", his guilt at "riving a(a#, an" the pressure of the lea"ership being "eman"e" of him all be&ame too mu&h to bear for a moment. )e silentl# han"e" the flashlight to Aen. 53ou all right, -i$eD7 Aen too$ him b# the shoul"er. 5Ta$e it eas#, man. /ome on, itGs going to be o$a#.7 fter a fe( moments, -i$e manage" to regain his &omposure. +inall# he &oul" spea$C 5%$a#, #ou gu#s, (eGre not "oing an# goo" here. :etGs goO7 The# got in the tru&$ an" began the long "rive ba&$ to )eber. The farther the# got from the spot, the more relieve" the# gre(. 'pee"ing slightl#, the# "rove as fast as roa" &on"itions (oul" permit. The memor# of (hat the# ha" so re&entl# (itnesse" left them (ith a spe&trum of strong emotional rea&tions. 5That ra# (as the brightest thing 9Gve ever seen in m# (hole lifeO7 "e&lare" 'teve. 59t almost blin"e" me for a se&on".7 53ouGre never gonna &at&h me out here in these (oo"s againO7 vo(e" 6(a#ne. Aen $ept sha$ing his hea". 59n&re"ible, absolutel# in&re"ible,7 he ponB "ere" alou". 2ehin" their eK&ite" tal$ing, the men (ere nagge" b# the problem the# $ne( the# (oul" have to fa&e. 5What are (e going to "o no(D7 somebo"# finall# as$e". 5:etGs get a bun&ha people together to go out there an" help us loo$,7 6(a#ne suggeste". Then Aen voi&e" the one thought the# ha" all avoi"e" so far. 5WeGre gonna have to tell the authorities about this.7 5The &opsD7 llen eK&laime". 5No (a#O The#Gll thin$ (eGre nutsO7 59f (e "onGt tell them, an" if Travis &anGt be foun", the# might suspe&t us, 7 -i$e pointe" out. 59f (e tell an#bo"# at all, the#Gre gonna thin$ (eGre &ra!#O7 'teve sai". 59 $no(O7 ?ohn sai", brightening. 5WeGll Hust sa# that Travis is lost, an" not sa# an#thing about the *+%.7 5)e might (ell onl# be "a!e" an" (an"ering aroun" out there . . . but (hat if heGs notD7 -i$e Nuestione" ominousl#. The possibilit# of (hat else in&re"ible might have happene" that this Nuestion opene" up, (as one thing the# "i" not (ant to thin$ about. 5WeG" better tell them ever#thing an" Hust pra# that the# believe usO7 sai" Aen. 5WeGve got to sta# honest all the (a# through this. 9tGs the onl# (a# (eGre going to be believe".7 ?ust then the pi&$up roun"e" the ben". The &omforting lights of )eber &ame into vie(. The oasis of &ivili!ation (as the ver# s#mbol of salvation to them at that moment. The# "rove "o(n the "ar$, Nuiet street of the sleeping to(n to the nearest telephone. The pale blue fluores&ent light of that phone booth (as a

44 Tra'(* .a/to)
(el&ome sight. The# par$e" the tru&$ an" got out. Aen pi&$e" up the &ol" bla&$ re&eiver an" "iale" %. 9t (as he (ho first bro$e the in&re"ible ne(s to the poli&e.

CHAPTER 4
Night 'ear&h
&ven the bravest are frightened by sudden terrors. Ta&itus, @7 .6.

en ,eterson (aite" nervousl# for an operator to ans(er. )e glan&e" at his (at&h. 9t (as 7C15 p.m. )e loo$e" out the (in"o(, his breath fogging the &ol" glass. ?ust outsi"e the booth, -i$e an" llen (ere pa&ing up an" "o(n, o&&asionall# &asting anKious glan&es at him. The# stampe" their feet to (ar" off the &reeping numbness of the &ol" November night. The others sat in the (arm tru&$. ll five men (aite" tensel# (hile Aen tal$e". 5WellD7 llen sai", as Aen steppe" out of the telephone booth. 5)eGs &oming,7 Aen announ&e". 5WhoGs &omingD7 -i$e as$e". 5The sheriffD7 5No6eput# Fllison,7 Aen replie". 5)e (ants us to meet him up there.7 )e pointe" to(ar" a par$ing lot a blo&$ up the street b# the high(a#. 5What "i" #ou tell himD7 -i$e as$e" impatientl#. 5Nothing,7 Aen ans(ere". 59 mean, at the last minute 9 got to thin$ing. 9f 9 (as to tell him about the *+% on the phone, he mightGve thought it (as a &ra!# Ho$e or something an" hung up on me.7 The# starte" to(ar" the pi&$up. 59 Hust tol" him one of our &re( got lost,7 he finishe" lamel#. The heaterGs nois# fan (as blo(ing lu$e(arm air into the tru&$. Theirs (as the

4! Tra'(* .a/to)
onl# vehi&le in the freshl# pave" par$ing lot. The# "i" not tal$ mu&h. The eK&itement ha" "iminishe" into the numb silen&e of sho&$. While the# (aite" for 6eput# Fllison, the# struggle" to thin$ of a (a# to present their in&re"ible report. 53ou $no(,7 6(a#ne sai" "is&ouragingl#, 5itGs gonna be a(ful har" for him to a&&ept. WeGre gonna hafta eKpe&t that.7 5)ell no, he ainGt gonna believe us,7 llen grumble". 5The pigs never believe an#thing.7 This "erogator# term for the authorities bothere" the other men. 5)ere (e are, as$ing them for help,7 Aen reproa&he" him, 5an" #ou sit here tal$ing about them li$e that.7 llen ignore" their "isapproval. 5The#Gve gotta $no( (eGre telling the truth,7 ?ohn insiste". 59 sure "onGt $no( (hat the hell (eGre gonna "o if the# "onGt.7 5Well, (eGre about to fin" out,7 -i$e sai" griml#. 5)ere he is.7 The shin# bro(n &ount# &ar (as pulling into the par$ing lot. 9t rolle" up to the "riverGs si"e of the tru&$ an" stoppe". The big "eput# steppe" out an" sauntere" aroun" the &ar. ,assing in front of the hea"lights, he sent long, shifting sha"o(s out a&ross the "eserte" high(a#. -i$e rolle" "o(n his (in"o( as the offi&er steppe" up. )e stoo" about fiveB ten, a strong t(o hun"re" poun"s. )e (ore the bro(n, (esternBst#le uniform of the NavaHo /ount# 'heriff s 6epartment. %n the lapel of his heav# &oat glinte" the gol"en star of his ba"ge. 5%$a#, (hatGs the problem hereD7 he "eman"e". There (as a tone in his voi&e that ma"e them &ertain he (oul" not believe a single (or" of (hat the# (ere about to sa#. 5Well,7 -i$e began. 5 frien" of ours is probabl# lost. t least he might be lost, an#(a#. 9 mean, he ma# be "ea"O7 FllisonGs interest sharpene". )is e#es "arte" from one fa&e to the other. 'teveGs re""ene" e#es an" tearBstrea$e" fa&e, the various pale, taut eKpressions of the others, ma"e him &ertain of at least one thing. 'omething ver# serious ha" happene". 5What "o #ou mean, U)e might be "ea"GD 3ouGll have to be a little more spe&ifi& than that,7 the "eput# sai" (ith stern authorit#. 5What ma$es #ou thin$ he might be "ea"D7 5Well, sir . . .7 -i$e grope" for (or"s. 59tGs $in"a har" to eKplain. 3ou ma# thin$ (eGre ... 9 mean ... 9 "onGt reall# $no( (here to startO7 5)o( about starting at the beginningD7 Fllison or"ere" impatientl#. Aen &ame to -i$eGs res&ue. )e began relating (hat ha" happene". AenGs (or"s (ere li$e a lea$ springing in a "am. The others Hoine" in, a""ing more information an" agreeing (ith AenGs "es&riptions. The impa&t of their re&ent eKperien&e (as fresh in ever#oneGs spee&h. Their voi&es bro$e at the re&all of their nightmarish

FIRE IN THE SKY 4"

or"eal. Fmotions overflo(e" at the first opportunit# to tell someone (ho ha" not seen (hat the# ha" seen. The "am obliterate", their (or"s (ashe" over Fllison li$e a floo" ti"e. The "eput# eKhibite" eK&eptional &ool an" reserve. )e "i" not interrupt the men the first time through the a&&ount. While the# tal$e", Fllison stu"ie" ea&h fa&e (ith narro(e" e#es. The longer the men tal$e", the more his attitu"e seeme" to &hange. What it (as &hanging to, the men &oul"nGt be &ertain. +inall#, (hen the# finishe", Aen &onfronte" the offi&er (ith (hat ever#one &onsi"ere" obvious. 53ou "onGt believe us, "o #ouD7 he as$e" fatalisti&all#. )e loo$e" Fllison sNuarel# in the e#e. 'urprise", Fllison replie"C 5No, 9 (oul"nGt sa# 9 "onGt believe #ou, though #ouGve got to a"mit it soun"s prett# (il".7 The men (ere relieve" that the "eput# (as ta$ing them seriousl#. 2ut that ha" onl# been a se&on"ar# sour&e of their apprehension. The fate of their &o(or$er (as their prime &on&ern. The "eput# &ontinue". 5No, 9 believe #ou enough to (here 9Gm going to &all in an" get some "eputies out here to loo$ for this man. 9 (ant some of #ou to &ome up on the hill (ith me. 9Gve got to ra"io in to the &entral offi&e in )olbroo$. 3es, #ou three,7 he sai", no""ing at -i$e, Aen, an" llen the more vo&al half of the group. The other three men (ere still &laime" b# stunne" silen&e for the most part. 5The rest of #ou (ait here,7 he or"ere". The three got in the poli&e &ar (ith Fllison an" ro"e the (in"ing mile (est on )igh(a# 277 to the top of the hill. The ra"io "i" not have the po(er to transmit out of the &an#on &ra"ling )eber. *p on the hill, the "eput# ha" a &learer shot at )olbroo$, the &ount# seat. Fllison ra"ioe" the "ispat&her. )e (as informe" that the sheriff (as not in the offi&e but (oul" ra"io ba&$. While Fllison (aite" for his superior to return his ra"io &all, he ha" the "ispat&her &onne&t him (ith /ount# 6eput# Mlen +la$e. )e as$e" 6eput# +la$e to &he&$ at m# home to see if 9 (as there. )e thought it (as possible that 9 ha" someho( &aught a ri"e into to(n after the others ha" left me behin". Fllison "i" not eKplain the reNuest. 2ut 6eput# +la$e reporte" ba&$ in a fe( minutes that there (ere no lights on, the house (as lo&$e" upL no one (as home. +inall# 'heriff -arlin Millespie &ame on the ra"io. Fllison tol" him that he ha" a missingBpersonGs report involving a *+%. )e briefl# relate" (hat heG" been tol". Millespie sai" he (oul" &ome out imme"iatel#. Fllison eKplaine" there (oul" be ba" roa" &on"itions. 'heriff Millespie respon"e" that he an" *n"ersheriff Aen /oplan (oul" bring the 'heriff s 6epartmentGs fourB(heelB "rive pi&$up. fter 'heriff Millespie signe" off, 6eput# Mlen +la$e &ame ba&$ on the ra"io to as$C 5What (as that 9 hear" about Travis Walton an" a *+%D7 )e inNuire" (hether an# more men (ere nee"e". Fllison tol" him that it (as best not to tal$ about the matter over the air until the# ha" &he&$e" into it further.

4# Tra'(* .a/to)
The# "i" not (ant to start a pani& (ith an# (il" rumor. 6eput# +la$e agree", but sai" he (oul" stan" b#. 6eput# Fllison "rove the three men ba&$ to the par$ing lot (here the other three men ha" remaine". The# all (aite" for 'heriff Millespie to travel the fort#B five miles from )olbroo$. n hour later, 'heriff Millespie an" his se&on"BinB&omman", *n"ersheriff /oplan, arrive" in the &ount#Gs fourB(heelB"rive pi&$up. The &amperB tru&$ (as a big ma&hine (ith at least a foot an" a half of groun" &learan&e. Aen /oplan got out an" strolle" over to (here Fllison (as Nuestioning Aen ,eterson, off to one si"e. /oplan (as a big gri!!l#, even &ompare" to the si!able Fllison. )o(ever, the trul# &omman"ing figure (as 'heriff Millespie. )is &hara&ter more than &ompensate" for his smaller frame. )e approa&he" -i$eGs (in"o(. The (ellB seasone" sheriffs eighteen #ears in la( enfor&ement ha" left little to be surprise" about, but this (as a ne( one. Millespie a""resse" the group in a &ongenial manner that smoothe" over the tough, serious un"er&urrent in his voi&e. 5Tell me again, (ho is this fella thatGs missingD7 -i$e too$ a "eep breath, loo$e" at the sheriff sNuarel# an" ans(ere", 5%ne of our &re(, Travis Walton.7 )e pause", loo$ing for some sign of ho( the sheriff (as going to ta$e (hat he (as about to sa#. With no &hange of eKpression the sheriff prompte", 5Well, letGs hear it from the start. What happene"D7 The la(man listene" &arefull# (hile the men eKplaine". )is sunB(eathere" 9rish &ompleKion (rin$le" into a har", ins&rutable eKpression as he stu"ie" the men. )e imme"iatel# note" the absen&e of an# s#mptom of intoKi&ation among them. 59tGs &ol"er than hell out here,7 he sai". 5-in" if 9 get in there a minute (hile 9 as$ #ou a fe( NuestionsD7 Millespie (al$e" aroun" the tru&$ an" sat in the right front seat. )e &ontinue" to Nuestion the men intentl#. t length he shoo$ his hea". 53ou $no(, this (hole thing soun"s &ra!#, but 9Gve got to a"mit9Gve not seen an#thing to give me a reason to "isbelieve #ouO7 +aith (as restore" for the &re(men. The# (ere no( sure that the# ha" "one the right thing in telling the truth an" reporting their problem. The sheriff ha" run into ever# sort of &ra&$pot an" &on artist in his #ears as a la( offi&er. 2# no( he ha" a goo" feel for "e&eption. None (as apparent here. These men (ere sin&ere. n" he $ne(if he ha" ever seen itthat this (as authenti& sho&$ on their fa&es. The eKisten&e of *+%s (as not so unhear"Bof to the la(man. )e relate" to them an in&i"ent he ha" eKperien&e" #ears ago in this same &ount#. The men (ere ama!e" to learn that 'heriff -arlin Millespie himself ha" eKperien&e" a &lose en&ounter (ith a large glo(ing obHe&tO 5%$a#, (eGve got to go out an" see if (e &an fin" this gu#,7 the sheriff

FIRE IN THE SKY 4$

&on&lu"e". 59f this fello( is hurt, (e nee" to fin" him as soon as possible.7 59 ainGt going ba&$ out thereO7 'teve "e&lare" emphati&all#. 5No (a#.7 )e (as fille" (ith "rea" at the prospe&t. The trauma of re&ent events ha" follo(e" a long eKhausting (or$"a#. ?ohn an" 6(a#ne (ere eNuall# firm in their resolution not to return to the forest. 5 t least some of #ou are going to have to &ome along,7 Millespie insiste". Aen, llen, an" -i$e agree" to a&&ompan# the la(men ba&$ to the site of the en&ounter. -i$e gave ?ohn permission to "rive 'teve an" 6(a#ne home to 'no(fla$e in the &re( tru&$. The three remaining men got into 6eput# FllisonGs &ar. Aen got in front an" llen an" -i$e &limbe" in the rear. Millespie "rove "o(n an" got the o(ner of the *nion 70 station out of be". The# fille" the tan$s of 6eput# FllisonGs &ar an" the fourB(heelB"rive pi&$up, then hea"e" up the "irt &an#on roa" to(ar" Tur$e# 'prings. Fllison le" the (a# (ith the "ire&tions supplie" b# the three treeB&utters. Millespie an" /oplan brought up the rear in the pi&$up. The &ount# &ar (as "esigne" for streets an" high(a#s, so the fifteen miles of rough "irt roa" (ere a little too mu&h for it. 9n "riving up the last steep hill before rea&hing the ;im ;oa", the muffler fell &ompletel# off the &ar. Fllison got out an" put the muffler in the ba&$ of the pi&$up follo(ing. The &ar roare" noisil# on up the hill (ith the tru&$ still behin". When the# rea&he" the turnoff from the ;im ;oa" to the &ontra&t, FllisonGs &ar &oul" go no farther. The than$B#ouBmaGams (ere too high for its lo( groun" &learan&e. Fllison, llen, an" Aen then &limbe" into the pa"B "#(agonBst#le &amper on the ba&$ of the pi&$up. The# sat on the t(o har" (oo"en ben&hes of the 5rolling &ell7 for the last Nuarter mile of the "ar$ forest trail. -i$e ro"e in the front seat of the pi&$up (ith 'heriff Millespie an" Aen /oplan. The gol"en sliver of the moon (hi&h ha" earlier loome" in the (estern s$#, ha" "roppe" belo( the hori!on. 9t (as pit&hB"ar$. Millespie shone the po(erful beam of the tru&$Gs spotlight to the si"es of the roa" as the# "rove. s the# neare" the ab"u&tion site, ever#one, in&lu"ing the offi&ers, &oul" not help feeling a bit uneas#. No one spo$e. %nl# the soun" of the engine an" the tires s&attering ro&$s &oul" be hear" as the# bro$e into the &learB ing. -i$e sai" softl#, 5This is the pla&e.7 The tru&$ rolle" to a stop. /oplan sent the spotlight s&anning ba&$ an" forth aroun" the empt# &learing. The# slo(l# got out an" stoo" in a &ir&le in front of the hea"lights. /ompulsivel# the# all turne" their e#es s$#(ar". The (oo"s (ere Nuiet. The ephemeral strea$ of a small meteorite silentl# &rosse" the starBstu""e" voi". Millespie &leare" his throat. 5Woun"e" animals usuall# travel "o(nhill,7 he sai". )e "is&usse" the possibilit# that 9 (as hurt an" ha" (an"ere" a(a# in the "ar$, perhaps "elirious. 9t (as li$el# that if 9 still ha" m# senses about me, 9 (oul" sta# on the roa"s (here help &oul" fin" me. 9f 9 (as ver# ba"l# hurt, the

& Tra'(* .a/to)

&han&es (ere goo" that 9 ha" not gotten far. The# loo$e" aroun" (ith apprehension at the "ar$ surroun"ing trees. With the temperature stea"il# lo(ering, the# all "esperatel# hope" the# (oul" fin" some sign of me soon. 5Fllison, #ou an" ;ogers ta$e the tru&$ an" sear&h the roa"s "o(n belo(,7 the sheriff or"ere". 5The rest of us (ill use the flashlights an" loo$ aroun" here.7 The &ontra&t (as ri""le" (ith ol" logging trails normall# impassable (ith an or"inar# vehi&le. The big fourB(heeler amble" over one rugge" trail after another. /oplan sent the spotlight boun&ing from left to right, the narro( shaft s(eeping the roa"si"es. -i$e an" the "eput#, an eKperien&e" tra&$er, $ept a &onstant vigil for footprints. The# stoppe" at intervals to &he&$ the "ust# roa" for signs. There (as no (in"L an# &reature passing over that soft groun" (oul" leave "istin&t tra&$s. +or another en"less, bitterB&ol" hour, both parties &ontinue" to sear&h (ithout su&&ess. Not a single tra&e of an#one (as foun". The t(o groups gathere" ba&$ at the &learing to eK&hange the grim ne(s. 59 thin$ (eGve "one about all (e &an "o here tonight,7 Millespie announ&e". )is statement gave the men a sin$ing feeling that the# (ere afrai" to put into (or"s. Their thoughts (ere that if 9 (as in the imme"iate area, the# (oul" have foun" me. 9 shoul" have hear" their &alls if 9 (as an#(here near. *nless 9 (as l#ing un&ons&ious in the nearb# brush. %r perhaps 9 ha" simpl# starte" running an" $ept running until 9 &ollapse". The &han&es of "#ing from eKposure at this time of #ear (ere great. 9 ha" onl# a light Ha&$et. 9 might also "ie from m# inHuries if 9 nee"e" me"i&al attention. 5We &an onl# &over so mu&h groun" in the "ar$ (ith the number of men (e have,7 the sheriff &ontinue". 59Gm going to get more men out here first thing in the morning. WeGll blan$et the (hole area. ;ight no( (e nee" to notif# WaltonGs famil#. WhoGs his neKt of $inD7 5)is mother, -ar# Aellett,7 -i$e replie". 5'heGs sta#ing in a &abin over east of %vergaar". 2ear 'prings is the pla&e.7 5%$a#,7 Millespie sai". 53ou go (ith Moplan in the tru&$ an" notif# WaltonGs mother. Fllison an" 9 (ill ta$e 6alis an" ,eterson ba&$ to 'no(fla$e.7 6uring the halfBhour "rive, /oplan remar$e"C 5This (hole thing soun"s &ra!# as hellO 9f 9 "i"nGt $no( Aen ,eterson for so long, 9G" have a he&$ of a time believinG the rest of #ou.7 )e eKplaine" that he ha" gone to s&hool (ith Aen ,etersonGs father an" ha" $no(n the famil# for #ears. 5Aen Hust (oul"nGt lie about something li$e this,7 he sai" in &on&lusion. 9t (as shortl# after one in the morning (hen the# ma"e the turn onto the last eighth of a mile to the house. 9t stoo" on the e"ge of a (i"e forest mea"o( an" (as overhung b# gran" ol" oa$s.

FIRE IN THE SKY 1

-om hear" her lopBeare" ol" houn" "og start bar$ing furiousl# as the pi&$up s(ung into the #ar". 'he a(o$e an" rushe" to the (in"o( to see (ho &oul" be arriving at her remote &abin at that hour. The tru&$ pulle" up an" pointe" its lights at the house. 'he &oul" not re&ogni!e the vehi&le through the blin"ing glare. 'he grabbe" up her trust# Win&hester from the &orner. (oman alone &oul" not be too &areful. The t(o men mounte" the steps to the front por&h. -i$e felt (eighe" "o(n b# the responsibilit# of telling m# mother (hat ha" happene" to her son. )e $ne( she (as strong enough to have raise" siK &hil"ren all b# herself. )e ha" seen her brave some prett# har" times in the eight #ears he ha" $no(n our famil#. 'he (as &ertainl# a (oman in"epen"ent enough to spen" her summers alone in this remote &abin. Not the sort of person to fl# to pie&es. 2ut, un"er the &ir&umstan&es, he "i" not $no( Nuite ho( she (oul" ta$e the ne(s. 5ThatGs far enoughO7 -om sai". 'he peere" at them over the sight of the rifle barrel thrust through the partiall# opene" "oor. Then, i"entif#ing -i$e, she lo(ere" the gun a little. 5WhoGs that (ith #ouD7 she "eman"e". 'he remaine" &autious until the man steppe" out into the hea"lights of the tru&$. The man intro"u&e" himself as NavaHo /ount# *n"ersheriff Aen /oplan. t the sight of his ba"ge her heart san$. 'he $ne( that something must be terribl# (rong. This lateBnight visit &oul" onl# mean one thing. 'he lo(ere" the gun &ompletel#. 5WhatGs (rong, -i$eD7 she as$e", bra&ing herself for the (orst. 5/oul" (e &ome in an" tal$ to #ouD7 -i$e began slo(l#. 5Who got hurtD7 she as$e", her voi&e rising slightl#. 5Well, nobo"# got hurt, eKa&tl#. . . .7 -i$e trie" to brea$ it to her easil#. 5)ave #ou seen #our son tonight, maGamD7 /oplan interHe&te". The offi&er $ne( it (oul" have been impossible for me to fin" m# (a# there on foot over those miles of rugge" terrain, espe&iall# if 9 (ere in a "a!e" or inHure" &on"ition. )e (as attempting to bring up the subHe&t in a neutral manner. 5ThereGs something (rong (ith Travis, then, isnGt thereD7 she eK&laime". 5-i$e, he (oul"nGt bring #ou here if it (asnGt TravisO7 5Well, (e "onGt $no( if heGs hurt. s far as (e $no( heGs Hust lost, but itGs a long stor#, so let me eKplain,7 -i$e began, as gentl# as he &oul". -om (as stru&$ b# the loo$ on -i$eGs fa&e. 'he ha" never seen him loo$so ba"l# upset. 9t ma"e her ver# (orrie" about (hat he ha" to tell her. 'he "i" not as$ an# more Nuestions. 'he opene" the "oor (i"e an" as$e" them to &ome in an" sit "o(n. 'he leane" the rifle in a &orner an" (ent to put a robe on over the big flannel menGs paHamas she (ore on those &ol" mountain nights. The men grope" their (a# into the "ar$ene" living room

2 Tra'(* .a/to)
an" foun" the &ou&h. 'he &ame ba&$ (ith a /oleman gas lantern. 'he thre( a &hun$ of oa$ onto the "#ing embers in the ol" iron (oo"stove. The# sat there in the "im light &oming in the (in"o( from the pi&$up, (hile -i$e began to brea$ it to her, spea$ing (ith "iffi&ult#, groping for (or"s that (oul" not overl# alarm her. 'he manage" to hol" on to her &omposure on the surfa&e, but (hile he tal$e", she &ontinue" vigorousl# pumping the han"le of the lantern long after it (as rea"# to be lit. -i$e bro$e from his narrative to suggest politel#, 5*h, "onGt #ou thin$ thatGs about enoughD7 5%h, #es. 9 guess so,7 she sai", embarrasse". 'he stru&$ a big sti&$Bmat&h an" lit the lantern. When -i$e finishe" his in&re"ible report, she as$e" him to repeat it, as though she &oul" not Nuite grasp (hat he (as sa#ing. fter he repeate" the stor#, she as$e" the "eput#C 59s this trueD7 59 guess so, maGamL (eGve been out there loo$ing for him tonight,7 /oplan affirme". Then she thre( -i$e a har" loo$. 56o #ou mean to sit here an" tell me that #ou Hust "rove off an" left himD 3ou "i"nGt tr# to help himD7 -i$e loo$e" a(a# in shame. 53eah,7 he a"mitte". 52ut (hen (e sa( (hat happene", (e pani&$e" . . . (e Hust pani&$e"O We thought it (as after us, tooO What else &oul" (e "oD We "i" go ba&$ right a(a# an" loo$ for him. . . .7 5WeGre going to resume the sear&h at "a#brea$, -rs. Aellett,7 /oplan interrupte". 5WeGll have sear&h parties out there first thing.7 59G" better get "resse" an" go to to(n, an" tell the rest of the famil#. 9Gll &all 6uane an" get him up here.7 6uane is m# brother. -# father ha" "ie" nearl# three #ears before, an" -om ha" been "ivor&e" from him long before that. 6uane ha" a&te" as father to the famil# in man# (a#s in re&ent #ears. -om eKplaine" she ha" trouble (ith night blin"ness, an" as$e" -i$e to "rive her into Ta#lor to m# sisterGs. -i$e agree", although he figure" her reNuest ha" more to "o (ith being too upset to "rive an" not (anting to be alone. 6eput# /oplan follo(e" them in his pi&$up to Ta#lor, a small to(n outsi"e 'no(fla$e. The heater "i" not (or$ in the ol" /hev# &arr#all. The t(ent#Bmile ri"e in the ol" panel tru&$ (as miserabl# &ol". -i$e got -om to the home of m# sister lison an" her husban", Mrant, at t(ent# minutes to three. /oplan an" -i$e (ent in (hile -om tol" her "aughter an" sonBinBla(, as &alml# as she &oul", (hat -i$e ha" tol" her. lison (as true to famil# &hara&ter. lthough her first rea&tion (as naturall# in&re"ulous, she "i" not get h#steri&al or brea$ "o(n.

FIRE IN THE SKY 3

-om rea&he" 6uane in ,hoeniK shortl# before 1C44 a.m. 56uane, get up here right a(a#O 'omethingGs happene" to Travis. 9t loo$s li$e a flying saucer got himO7 The tone in her voi&e Her$e" him instantl# a(a$e. 5 whatD No( sa# that againD7 When she finishe" eKplaining (hat ha" happene", he tol" her to sta# at lisonGs, that he (as leaving imme"iatel#. 9t (as nearl# t(o hun"re" miles from ,hoeniK to 'no(fla$e. 5/oul" #ou give me a ri"e over to 'no(fla$e no(D7 -i$e as$e" (earil#. 5'ure, letGs go,7 /oplan sai". 5ThatGs about all (e &an "o for tonight.7 6uane an" his (ife, /arol, (ere alrea"# spee"ing north out of the "esert &it# of ,hoeniK, (here he (or$e" as a farrier =horseshoer> an" atten"e" &ollege. 6uane ha" been a gui"ing for&e in the famil# sin&e -omGs "ivor&e from m# father. To -om, he (as se&urit# itself. 6uane is siK feet t(o in&hes tall, nearl# t(o hun"re" poun"s of soli" mus&le. T(ent#BsiK #ears ol" in 1975, he (as an amateur boKer an" ro"e bulls in ro"eos. )e (as the sort of person (ho people listene" to (hen he tal$e". s he "rove anKiousl# through the night, his brain &li&$e" off the possibilities. Was 9 hurtD /oul" 9 a&tuall# have been ab"u&te" b# alien beingsD -a#be there ha" been a mista$e. -om ha" not been too &lear on the phone about (hether or not she (as sure it ha" reall# happene". There might be a ver# simple eKplanation. The (hole thing might be resolve" (hen he got up to 'no(fla$e. ,erhaps 9 (as reall# Hust out on a "ate or something, an" someone ha" ta$en a"vantage of m# absen&e to pull off an insane pra&ti&al Ho$e. 9f that (as the &ase, there (oul" be hell to pa# if 6uane &aught the &ra!# bastar". 9t (as an eKhauste", haggar" -i$e ;ogers that *n"ersheriff Aen /oplan let off in front of ;ogersG home at three oG&lo&$ that morning. -i$e (ent in to a &ro(" of people in his front room. Aen ha" gone home to his (ife, but 6(a#ne, ?ohn, an" llen (ere there, along (ith a fe( of -i$eGs relatives an" even a neighbor. :eaving the eK&ite" Habbering, -i$e (ent to be". )e tosse" fitfull# as the guilt of aban"oning his frien" tormente" him. +inall# he san$ into the reprieve of "eep sleep shortl# before "a(n.

CHAPTER
-anhunt
'ear makes men ready to believe the worst. Euintus /urtius ;ufus

o one reste" (ell that night. 'leep for some (as th(arte" b# "ream images of shimmering metalli& &rafts blasting "estru&tive ra#s in all "ire&tions. While morning refuse" to a&&elerate its arrival, the i"ea of a manGs life hanging tenuousl# in the balan&e (eighe" too heavil# for an#one to rest eas#. -om "i" not sleep at all. fter -i$e ha" left lisonGs (ith the un"erB sheriff, -om "rove over to 'no(fla$e (here 6on, m# ol"est brother, an" his (ife -ar#anne live" (ith their t(o little girls. When he hear" the ne(s, 6on rea&te" (ith barel# &on&eale" s$epti&ism. )e imme"iatel# suspe&te" that the stor# about the fl#ing sau&er (as a &overBup for some $in" of foul pla#. )e $ne( m# frien"s an" 9 (ere al(a#s pra&ti&ing 5them fan&# fighting te&hniNues7 (e learne" in $arate &lass. )e thought that pla#ful sparring might have flare" into a serious battle. )is o(n re"hea"e" temper ha" gotten him into his share of fistfights. )e $ne( ho( that sort of thing &oul" get out of han". )e (as &areful not to eKpress his suspi&ions to -om, so as not to in&rease her anKiet#. 2ut his o(n (orr# over the possibilit# generate" some hostilit# in his attitu"e to(ar" the &re(. -om remaine" at 6onGs house for a &ouple of hours, (hile he trie" to

FIRE IN THE SKY

reassure her. Nothing &oul" be "one until morning. 9na&tion in&rease" the tension. The &lo&$ slo(l# ti&$e" off the minutes as the night "ragge" on. 'heriff Millespie ha" manage" a brief rest, but rose earl# to motivate his for&es. 2# sunrise the NavaHo /ount# 'ear&h an" ;es&ue Team ha" been alerte", the )eber +orest 'ervi&e re&ruite". 6uane arrive" at lisonGs at seven that morning to fin" no one there. )e "rove on into 'no(fla$e an" foun" ever#one at 6onGs. -om ha" enliste" the help of a famil# frien" (ith a ?eep &apable of traveling rugge" ba&$ &ountr#. With "a#light, ever#one embra&e" the relief of ta$ing a&tion. -# famil# pile" into the vehi&les an" left for -i$e ;ogersG house. 6uane arrive" at -i$eGs first. The living room there (as Hamme" (ith some of -i$eGs relatives an" most of the men from his &re(. 'teve ,ier&e (as the onl# &re(man not present. The others ha" un"erestimate" the severit# of his &on"ition the night before. )e (as still in a mil" state of sho&$. 'teve "i" not (ant to return to those (oo"s again, ever. n", for then, he refuse" even to leave his house. No one ha" (a$ene" -i$e #et. )is (ife, Aat#, ha" as$e" that he not be "isturbe" an# sooner than ne&essar# be&ause he ha" spent su&h a terrible, restless night. When 6uane &ame in, Aat# (ent to (a$e her husban". While -i$e "resse", 6uane interrogate" the other &re(men (ho (ere sitting aroun" the firepla&e. 9f the# (ere up to something, he (as "amn sure going to fin" out. )eaven help them if the# (ere &overing up for "ar$er "ee"s. -i$e &ame into the living room, puff#Be#e" an" (rung out. 5Wh# "i"nGt #ou (a$e me up (hen ever#bo"# got hereD7 he as$e" Aat#. 53ou nee"e" #our sleep,7 she replie" apologeti&all#. 5We (ante" to get ba&$ out there an" loo$ for Travis as earl# as (e &oul",7 -i$e sai" reproa&hfull#. )e e#e" the earl#Bmorning sunlight alrea"# brea$ing through the tall trees a&ross the street, pouring in the big front (in"o(s. )is agitation in&rease". 5/oplan sai" the#G" be getting the sear&h parties together in )eber at the &ra&$ of "a(nO7 -i$e loo$e" at the &lo&$. 9t (as 7C14 a.m. Fver# minute the# "ela#e" &oul" be re"u&ing their &han&es of a su&&essful res&ue. 5WeGve got to get moving right a(a#O7 5We &ertainl# "o,7 6uane agree". 52ut -a an" the rest of them (ill be here in a minute. 'o, -i$e, 9 (ant #ou an" the rest of these gu#s to tell me about (hat happene" out there.7 The men respon"e" so openl# to 6uaneGs Nuestions that his "oubts began to (aver. )e &onsi"ere" himself a goo" Hu"ge of &hara&ter, an" his assessment (as that these men (ere telling the truth. Nobo"#an" espe&iall# not these gu#s &oul" a&t that (ell. 2ut 6uane reserve" Hu"gment. )e $ne( the &oming sear&h might turn up evi"en&e of an entirel# "ifferent sort. 6uring 6onGs "rive to -i$eGs, the see"s of suspi&ion in his min" ha"

! Tra'(* .a/to)
sproute" an" gro(n into fullBblo(n &onvi&tion. )e be&ame &ertain the &re( (ere &overing up for a bloo"# &hainsa( mur"er. )e, too, ha" (or$e" in the (oo"s an" $ne( (hat a &hainsa( &oul" "o to human flesh. Mhastl# images of m# bloo"#, "ismembere" bo"# tormente" him as the horrible image gre( more fiKe" in his min". 6on (as upset an" irritable, having been a(a$ene" at three in the morning. Not $no(ing (hat (as going on in&rease" his irritation. -om ha" been able to tell him onl# part of the stor#, an" it seeme" li$e no one else (oul" tell him an#thing "efinite, either. 6eput# Mlen +la$e ha" visite" his house at nine the night before, as$ing (here he thought 9 might be. +la$e ha" been as$e" not to let out an# "etails until the report (as &onfirme", so he onl# tol" 6on to have me report to 6eput# Fllison if 9 shoul" sho( up. 6onGs temper (as beginning to boil. 6on stompe" up -i$eGs front steps an" burst in the front "oor (ithout $no&$ing. Fver#one stoppe" tal$ing. )e stoo" angril# surve#ing the group, his boots plante" (i"e, his fists at his si"es. 5 ll right, "ammit. :etGs have itO7 he "eman"e" furiousl#. No one ans(ere" him. The# Hust stare" at him in surprise. 59 (ant to $no( (hat the hell is going onO7 he rage". 59 "onGt believe this fl#ingBsau&er &rap for one "amne" minuteO What "i" #ou "o (ith TravisD7 6(a#ne 'mith flare". 59t "onGt ma$e an# "amn "ifferen&e if #ou "onGt believe usO 9t happene" Hust li$e (e sai"O7 53ou Hust $eep Nuiet, boyO7 6on pointe" his finger threateningl# at 6(a#ne 'mith. 5-a#be #ouG" li$e to ma$e something of it, cowboyO7 6(a#ne 'mith &ountere" testil#. )e slo(l# stoo" up, his siK feet an" seven in&hes to(ering over 6on. The# stoo" glaring into ea&h otherGs e#es. Fver#one else sat in stunne" silen&e at the outbursteK&ept 6uane, (ho (as faintl# amuse". 5 ll right, #ou gu#s, thatGll be enoughO7 6uane or"ere". 56on, #ouG" better get on out of here an" &ool offO7 6uane (as more po(erfull# built than an#one in the room an" his status as a boKer establishe" his ph#si&al a"vantage as a given. 2ut 6onGs anger (oul" not be Nuelle". 59 ainGt ta$ing no or"ers from an#bo"#O7 6on shot ba&$ "efiantl#. )e glo(ere" at the &re(men. 59Gll tell the rest of #ou gu#s one thing for "amn sure,7 he storme". 5 n" ea&h an" ever# one of #ou better listen up real &areful. 9f #ou gu#s have "one something to Travis, 9Gm going to personall# stomp a mu"hole in the mi""le of ever# one of #ouO7 56on, thatGs enoughO7 6uane interrupte". 53ou better Hust get on out of here an" &alm #ourself "o(nO7 6uane stoo" up. 5/ome on, 6on,7 he sai" Nuietl#, hea"ing for the "oor. 6onGs anger (asnGt &ompletel# spent, but heG" ha" his sa#. )e follo(e"

FIRE IN THE SKY "

6uane out. %n&e outsi"e, 6uane sai", 56on, 9Gm thin$ing some of the same things #ou are. 2ut starting a ru&$us right no( isnGt going to solve an#thing.7 53eah,7 6on agree". 52ut (eG" better start getting some ans(ers aroun" here.7 59f these gu#s have "one a(a# (ith Travis (eGre sure to fin" out,7 6uane pronoun&e" ominousl#. 5 n" if the# "i" . . . the#Gll have hell to pa# from both of us.7 The others arrive" an" the group prepare" to move. -i$e got into the pi&$up (ith 6uane an" -om. 6on ro"e in the ?eep. The other &re(men left in 6(a#ne 'mithGs station (agon. The &aravan set off for )eber. 2# the time the# arrive", the sheriff s posse, *.'. +orest 'ervi&e men, an" the NavaHo /ount# 'ear&h an" ;es&ue Team ha" gathere" in front of the FKKon station. ,oli&e &ars an" fourB(heelB"rives an" green government pi&$up tru&$s &ro("e" the big par$ing lot. MrimBfa&e" men pa&e" ba&$ an" forth, gathering into tense, sub"ue" hu""les. number of earl# risers (ere stan"ing aroun" (at&hing. 9t (as obvious to those &ivilians that something more than a simple lostBperson sear&h (as afoot. That none of the sear&hers (oul" tal$ to them about it onl# piNue" their interest. 6uane pulle" alongsi"e a poli&e &ar an" as$e" a "eput#C 5)o( are #ou going to organi!e this thingD7 5There are some more men &oming from )olbroo$ an" in from some of the outl#ing areas. WeGve got to get ever#bo"# gasse" up here an" (eGll meet out there. The sheriff (ill organi!e ever#bo"# an" (eGll move from there.7 5Well, (eGre going to go on out there to see (hat (e &an fin" in the meantime.7 6uaneGs pi&$up le" m# famil# an" frien"s into the (oo"s. %ne or t(o +orest 'ervi&e tru&$s Hoine" the mountainBboun" briga"e. The sear&h part# soon follo(e". When the vehi&les arrive" at Tur$e# 'prings, a number of +orest 'ervi&e tru&$s (ere par$e" un"er the pines at the turnoff to the &ontra&t. The# "rove on to the ab"u&tion site an" foun" the +orest 'ervi&e men alrea"# loo$ing aroun". -i$e an" the &re(men too$ 6uane an" -om to (here the# ha" sighte" the fl#ing sau&er. The# sho(e" them (here the tru&$ ha" stoppe" an" (ent over the pattern of events to give a fairl# &lear pi&ture of (hat ha" happene". The &aravan of sear&h parties began to arrive. The gro(ing &ro(" of vehi&les par$e" near the site in a large &learing in the trees. Tru&$ after tru&$ of sear&hers gathere" there. %ver fift# men (ere present, almost all of them traine" to han"le emergen&ies. 'heriff -arlin Millespie &alle" the men together for briefing. 5%$a#, attention ever#one, gather aroun" here. . . What (eGre loo$ing for is a man "o(n, or (an"ering aroun" "a!e"possibl# inHure". The man is about siK feet in height . . . one hun"re" siKt#Bfive poun"s . . . re" hair. )e (as last seen

# Tra'(* .a/to)
(earing :eviGs an" a blue "enim Ha&$et. :oo$ for arti&les of &lothing that ma# have been "is&ar"e". Aeep a &lose e#e out for tra&$s or an# other fresh signs. :oo$ for bloo" or an#thing unusual, an#thing out of the or"inar#. ... 9f #ou shoul" fin" an#thing at all, report ba&$ to me imme"iatel#.7 )e surve#e" the group. 5 n# NuestionsD7 Fver#one apparentl# un"erstoo". 5WeGre going to start up there at the ;im ;oa". WeGll spa&e ourselves out eNuall#, sta#ing (ithin &lose sight of the man on either si"e at all times. When (e get "o(n to the lo(er roa", (eGll regroup an" ma$e another s(eep. ll right, men, letGs go.7 -i$e (as "isplease" (hen his suggestion of using tra&$ing "ogs appeare" to be ignore". )e, the other &re(men, an" m# famil#, (ere not as$e" to Hoin the organi!e" sear&h, so the# too$ up their o(n. The professionals $ne( their Hob, but help &oul"nGt hurt. :ater that morning, a +orest 'ervi&e man (al$e" up to 6(a#ne 'mith, grabbe" his shirtfront an" t(iste" it, pulling 6(a#neGs fa&e &lose to his o(n. 5 ll right,7 he snarle", 5(hereG" #a hi"e the bo"#D7 6(a#ne proteste"C 5What bo"#D We "i"nGt $ill nobo"#. 6ammit, there (as a fl#ing sau&er here, Hust li$e (e tol" #ouO7 -# brother 6uane (al$e" up behin" the burl# forest ranger. 5)e# #ouO Ano&$ it offO7 'ome Nualit# in that Nuiet voi&e left no "oubt as to the (isest &ourse of a&tion. The man release" his grip on 6(a#ne 'mithGs shirt an" turne" aroun", still "efiant. 53ouGve got better things to "o than stan" aroun" hassling people,7 6uane suggeste". The man starte" to spea$. Then, loo$ing 6uane up an" "o(n, he &hange" his min". )e turne" an" stal$e" off. 5We "i" not $ill him,7 6(a#ne 'mith state" hotl#. )e loo$e" at the small group of sear&hers stan"ing about. 59Gll even ta$e a lieB"ete&tor test to prove itO7 53eah, (eGll ta$e lieB"ete&tor tests, truth serum, or an# "amn thing the# (ant to thro( at us, G&ause (eGre telling the truthO7 ?ohn Hoine" in. The other &re( members &hime" their agreement. -ean(hile, m# brother 6on (as &on"u&ting a ver# thorough sear&h of his o(n. )e (as "o(n on the piling strip (here (or$ ha" en"e" the night before. )e roote" aroun" in an# soil that ha" been even slightl# "isturbe". )e rolle" over big rotting logs, "rea"ing (hat he eKpe&te" to fin". 6on loo$e" into ever# hole an" hollo( log (here even a iece of a &orpse &oul" be hi""en. )e "ug into all the large slashBpiles of "ea" (oo", $i&$e" apart all the smaller green piles that ha" been sta&$e" in re&ent "a#s. That strip of piling (as &ertainl# not going to pass +orest 'ervi&e inspe&tion. 2a&$ up at the &learing, all the +orest 'ervi&e men (ere bringing in armloa"s of litter. The# (ere ta$ing a"vantage of the s(eep to &lean up the (oo"s. No( thatGs "e"i&ationO The# roun"e" up a "isgusting amount of refuse for su&h a remote area. %l"

FIRE IN THE SKY $

li&ense plates, pie&es of eKhaust pipe, pop bottles, oil &ans, even &igarette (rappers. The# put the trash in the ba&$ of their tru&$s for "isposal at the ranger station. The# ha" foun" nearl# ever# s&rap of &astBoff "ebris in that sNuare mile, but ha" not foun" hi"e nor hair of an#thing that might in"i&ate (hat ha" happene" to me. t the e"ge of the &learing, -i$e noti&e" a man in a +orest 'ervi&e uniform hol"ing some sort of a small sensing "evi&e to the groun". The "evi&e (as &onne&te" b# a &or" to a sophisti&ate"Bloo$ing ele&troni& instrument. -i$e (ent over to see (hat (as going on. 59s that one of those ra"iationB&he&$ing thingsD7 -i$e as$e". 5 Meiger &ounter, #es,7 the man &urtl# replie". 5The sheriff reNueste" it.7 The man turne" a(a#. -i$e follo(e" him into the sha"e of the nearb# pines. llen, 6uane, an" a fe( others Hoine" them. 59s that thing fin"ing an# ra"iationD7 -i$e as$e". 5No, thereGs no ra"iation here.7 The man passe" the "evi&e along the groun", then put it up to some overhanging bran&hes. 5Well, (h# are #ou &he&$ing hereD 9f there (as an# ra"iation it (oul" be over there (here the thing (as at,7 -i$e suggeste", pointing to the pile of logs a&ross the &learing. Without ans(ering, the +orest 'ervi&e man began &he&$ing the groun" about half(a# to the pile. 5Wh# "onGt #ou &he&$ right at the pileD7 6uane as$e", irritate" b# the manGs un&ooperative attitu"e. 5;a"iation (oul" be strongest at the point nearest the sour&e.7 The +orest 'ervi&e man &ontinue" to ignore the menGs suggestions an" began rolling up the &or" of his instrument, putting it a(a#. 5)e#,7 -i$e propose". 5What about testing usD7 53eahO7 llen agree". 5'ee if (e got an# on usO7 The man began unrolling the &or" again impatientl#. )e hel" the sensor up to llen an" -i$e. 5'eeD7 he sai" in an 59 tol" #ou so7 tone. 5Nothing.7 5Well, is that thing (or$ingD The "ial sa#s one an" a half(hatGs that meanD7 -i$e Nuestione". 5That one an" a half is background ra"iation. 'ee, it registers that ever#(here here.7 )e (ave" the Meiger pi&$up aroun". 5 n" #es, itGs (or$ing, an" this is the right setting,7 he a""e" testil# 59Gve got it set as high as it (ill go Hust to pi&$ up a ba&$groun" rea"ing . . . loo$ ho( it rea"s on a ra"iumB"ial (at&h.7 )e hel" the pi&$up &lose to another +orest 'ervi&e manGs (rist. The (i"el# spa&e" ti&$s &ame &loser together as the nee"le s(ung up to a rea"ing of three. 5-a#be (e "onGt have an# on us be&ause (eGve ta$en baths an" &hange" our &lothes,7 -i$e sai". 5Woul"nGt that ma$e a "ifferen&eD7 5-a#be,7 he grunte" in"ifferentl#.

!& Tra'(* .a/to)

5Well, our hats are the same as the# (ere,7 llen sai", ta$ing off his metal har" hat. -i$e remove" his o(n har" hat, of orange plasti&. 5Test these,7 -i$e offere". s the Meiger pi&$up move" &loser to the first hat, the errati& ti&$ing of the "evi&e in&rease"the nee"le s(ung all the (a# up to siKO That rea"ing (as "upli&ate" on the se&on" har" hat. The +orest 'ervi&e man gave llen an" -i$e a long, &#ni&al stare. bruptl# he rolle" up the &or" of his Meiger &ounter an" (al$e" a(a#. 5)e#, (hat about testing the tru&$D7 -i$e &alle" to the manGs retreating ba&$. The man $ept (al$ing, not even turning to loo$. *p an" "o(n the ri"ges the sear&hing s(eeps (ent on. The sear&h sprea" (i"erL still no tra&e of an#thing to raise hope. s the afternoon "ragge" past, someone brought a huge loa" of lun&hes out to the (ear# men. +ootsore groups of sear&hers stoppe" b# the &learing an" reste" their ba&$s against the trees (hile the# ate. t the en" of the "a# no one ha" foun" an#thing of signifi&an&e. When the sheriff "ismisse" the sear&hers, the# left un"er the "ar$ &lou" of a single, grim thoughtC 9f the# foun" the man (hen the sear&h resume" the neKt "a#, the# (oul" not fin" him alive. No one &oul" survive t(o nights in those (oo"s at nearB!ero temperatures. -# famil# an" the &re(men spent the evening (aiting, hoping that something (oul" happen. The tal$ late that night resemble" the mourning &onversation &arrie" on at a (a$e. No one $ne( (hat to "o. ll their hopes (ere pinne" on the sear&h still in progress. The neKt "a# -i$e an" 6uane (ent out earl# (ith a frien" in his ?eep. 6uane ha" ruine" a tire in that rugge" Tur$e# 'prings area an" left his Tru&$ in 'no(fla$e. The se&on" "a# of the sear&h (as mu&h li$e the first. '(eep after s(eep ma"e over the same groun". The onl# "ifferen&e (as the "e&line of enB riusiasm in the sear&hers. The# ha" not foun" an#thing the "a# before, in&reasing the &han&es that the se&on" "a# (oul" be the same. -om $ne( -i$e (ell enough so that after she ha" a &ouple of "a#s to thin$ about it, she ha" fe( "oubts about (hat the men ha" seen. 'he began to feel that sear&hing further (as (orthless. 9t seeme" obvious to her that if 9 ha" not been foun" right a(a# in the imme"iate vi&init#, it (as not ver# li$el# 9 (as there. That afternoon, she eKpresse" her feelings to 'heriff -arlin Millespie (ho tol" her he (as beginning to feel the same (a#. That evening, after a se&on" &omplete "a# of fruitless effort, the sheriff offi&iall# &alle" off the sear&h. +amil# an" frien"s (ent home (ith the heav# feeling that the# (oul" never see me again. The pressure an" the sleepless nights ha" begun to &at&h up (ith ever#one. -i$e ha" finall# su&&umbe", napping most of the "a# in the ba&$ of

FIRE IN THE SKY !1

the boun&ing ?eep. That evening after the# returne" to to(n, 6eput# Mlen +la$e pai" -i$e a visit. Q)ear" #ou men volunteere" for lieB"ete&tor tests,7 he began. 59s ever#B one still (illingD7 53eah,7 -i$e ans(ere". 5WeGre (illing to ta$e an# test the# (ant to give us. WeG" li$e to prove that (hat some people are sa#ing Hust isnGt trueO7 5Well, the sheriff hear" that #ou gu#s offere" an" heGs gonna ta$e #ou up on it. )eGs arrange" to give all #ou gu#s lieB"ete&tor tests.7 5Moo",7 -i$e replie". 5When are the# going to beD7 5Fight oG&lo&$ -on"a# morning. 3ouGre suppose" to sho( up at the &ourthouse in )olbroo$,7 he sai", getting up to leave. 5-a$e sure nobo"# leaves to(n, all rightD7 Q'ure, nobo"#Gs planning to go an#(here as far as 9 $no(, but 9Gll tell Pem,7 -i$e assure" 6eput# +la$e as he left. The visit ma"e -i$e feel a little less "epresse". t least the#G" have a &han&e to prove the# ha"nGt $ille" me an" that the# had seen (hat the# sai" the# ha" seen. Aen, llen, ?ohn, 'teve, an" 6(a#ne (oul" sure be gla" to hear about the lieB"ete&tor tests. -embers of m# famil# got to tal$ing things over that evening. The# began to (orr# that perhaps the sear&h ha" been &alle" off prematurel#. The possibilit# that 9 ha" onl# been inHure", that 9 might still be alive, nagge" at all of them. Fven if 9 (as l#ing "ea" out there some(here, the# (oul" at least (ant me to have a proper burial, before the bu!!ar"s arrive". ,rior to turning in for the night, the# finall# resolve" to get a (i"er sear&h goingeven if the# ha" to un"erta$e it themselves. 'atur"a# morning 6uane an" -i$e (ent to )olbroo$ to tal$ to 'heriff Millespie. The# plea"e" (ith him to rene( the sear&h. 5What if Travis is still out thereD7 the# as$e" him. 5We &anGt affor" to lose the &han&e that (e &oul" still fin" him alive.7 The# argue", perhaps more for&efull# than politel#, for another attempt to be ma"e. +inall# the sheriff agree". )e &oul" not ver# (ell refuse a reNuest from the missing manGs famil#. )e pi&$e" up the telephone an" b# four oG&lo&$ that afternoon the returning sear&h parties (ere Hoine" b# half a "o!en men on horseba&$, a &ouple of eKpertl# pilote" turbine heli&opters, an" spotters in fiKe"B (ing air&raft. The (i"est, most intensive part of the sear&h got un"er (a#. 'heriff Millespie ha" been &autious about releasing the report of the *+% ab"u&tion to the publi&. )e reali!e" the potential for pani&, or false alarm, if 9 turne" up. )e ha" obtaine" the &ooperation of the lo&al ra"io stations in putting a li" on the ne(s. The rumors that "i" lea$ out prompte" telephone &alls, fiel"e"

!2 Tra'(* .a/to)
b# ra"io stations an" the sheriffs offi&e (ith the response onl# that a sear&h (as on for a lost person. 9nevitabl#, ho(ever, the ne(s es&ape" =probabl# via people listening to poli&e s&anner ra"ios> to the larger television an" ra"io stations. The me"ia unearthe" the stor# an", (ith ele&troni& spee", the entire (orl" (as hearing the in&re"ible report. long (ith the eKpan"e" sear&h team &ame *+% investigators an" reporters from as far a(a# as :on"on, Fnglan". 'ightseers (ere un"erfoot ever#(here. %ne *+% investigator, William 'paul"ing, of Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h =M'W> of ,hoeniK, reporte" his group ha" ta$en some eKtraor"inar# ele&tromagneti& rea"ings at the slashBpile near (here the &raft ha" been an" in the area above (hi&h the &raft ha" hovere". 'paul"ing suggeste" it (as in"i&ative of the previous presen&e of a &raft, possibl# "ue to some $in" of antigravit# propulsion. )e also reporte" fin"ing resi"ual tra&es of o!one in the area. The release of the stor# to the me"ia &ause" problems (orse than sightseers getting in the (a#. The telephones at the sheriff s offi&e an" at m# sisterGs home never &ease" ringing. ll "a# the &alls $ept &oming in. 'ome &allers (ere not mere &uriosit# see$ers. -# famil#Gs bur"en (as in&rease" b# some peopleGs insane &on&ept of humor. 'ome of the pran$ &alls (ere Hust nonsense, an" easil# "ismisse". %thers &ause" the 'heriffPs 6epartment to eKpen" valuable manpo(er in tra&$ing "o(n false reports. 9 (as reporte" to have been seen strolling alone in a variet# of pla&es all over the &ount#. %ne (oman preten"e" to be -rs. Travis Walton =at that time there (as no su&h person>, an" sai" sheG" re&eive" a message from her husban"he (as safe on -ars. Ier# funn#. -an# *+% sightings (ere reporte". 9t seeme" as if ever#bo"# (as out loo$ing at the s$#. reporting ever# little thing out of the or"inar#. 'ome &alls (ere serious an" (ellBmeaning. 'everal &alls verge" on the ominous. retire" /9 offi&er (arne" the famil# of possible &overt government intervention. The man soun"e" sin&ere an" left his name an" a""ress. nurse relate" an in&i"ent in (hi&h an el"erl# &ouple reporte"l# re&overing from a *+% eKperien&e "isappeare" from a hospital (here she (as (or$ing. Their re&or"s also reporte"l# vanishe" an" the top staff a&te" as if the in&i"ent ha" never o&&urre". 6uring those he&ti& "a#s the telephone be&ame the lifeline an" the (orst enem# of ever#one involve". Fver#bo"# (as tire" from sleeplessness an" harassment. s if the sear&hers "i" not have enough problems, a horse bolte" earl# 'atur"a# evening, for no apparent reason, an" &oul" not be foun". ll "a# 'un"a# the sear&h (i"ene". The men on horseba&$ &overe" ri"ge after ri"ge. The heli&opters &ir&le" (i"er an" (i"er. :ight planes &rissB &rosse"

FIRE IN THE SKY !3

the area. The Nuest (as even broa"ene" to &over the steep rugge" terrain south of the ;im on the pa&he 9n"ian ;eservation. The "iligent res&ue teams &ombe" mile after sNuare mile of that foreste" mountain &ountr#. +inall#, (hen the sear&h (as en"e" 'un"a# evening, there (as no "oubt in an#oneGs min" that 9 (as "efinitel# not lost in the forest (il"erness. massive fourB"a# manhunt &osting ten thousan" "ollars an" involving over men ha" been fruitless. )o(ever, the sear&h ha" not been totall# useless. 9t serve" to establish one thing(here the missing man (as not. That left the obvious Nuestion. Where (as Travis WaltonD To 6uane, the ans(er (as no( as obvious as the Nuestion. )e sat (ith the group aroun" the &ampfire at the site, musing over the "a#s of sear&hing. )e sat (ith his ba&$ to the "ar$ (oo"s, staring into the "an&ing flames. )e reali!e" the rest of the famil# ha" &ome to believe that 9 (as safe someB (hereout of "esperate hope, the need to believe. )e ha" flo(n high over the area in one of the heli&opters, loo$ing "o(n (ith highBpo(ere" bino&lars. The flight ha" been nothing ne( to himL he ha" often para&hute" from heli&opters in his arm# "a#s. 2ut the ri"e ha" brought home to him the futilit# of the sear&hL also the realit# of man an" ma&hine in flight. ,ulling his &ollar up against the &ol", 6uane la# ba&$ an" ga!e" up into the night s$#. 5/oul" Travis be up there some(hereD7 he (on"ere". 53eshe must be up there.7 The i"ea appeale" to 6uaneGs a"venturous nature. 59f he is out there some(here, heGs probabl# having the eKperien&e of a lifetime.7

CHAPTER !
Ai"napping ... or a AillingD
$ruth will come to light5 murder cannot be hid long. 'ha$espeare, The -er&hant of Ieni&e

ovember 14, 1975. The "a# the final "etermination (oul" be ma"e in ans(er to the Nuestion of (hat reall# happene" at Tur$e# 'prings on the evening of November 5. The unsu&&essful sear&h ha" left onl# t(o possibilities in the min"s of the publi& an" members of the 'heriffPs 6epartment. Fither the men ha" in"ee" (itnesse" the ab"u&tion of their &o(or$er b# a *+%, or the# (ere &overing up for (hat &oul" possibl# be a gor# &hainsa( mur"er. The &re(men (ere more eager than an#one to settle that Nuestion on&e an" for all. Farl# that -on"a# morning the# gathere" at -i$e ;ogersG house, then pile" into several &ars, along (ith a fe( famil# members, hea"ing for )olbroo$. When the men got out of their &ars in the &ount# &ourthouse par$ing lot, the# (ere imme"iatel# thronge" b# ne(smen. There (ere &ro("s of ne(spaper an" maga!ine reporters, plus ra"io an" television &re(s. The enthusiasti& me"ia men shove" mi&rophones into their fa&es. The &ameras follo(e" them into the &ourthouse. The more persistent of theB ne(smen too$ up a "a#long (at&h outsi"e the 'heriffs %ffi&e buil"ing. The &re( an" their group &ro("e" into the small outer vestibule of the

FIRE IN THE SKY !

(aiting room. The Hailer8"ispat&her, at his "es$ behin" the glass, loo$e" up (ith interest at their approa&h. 5WeGre here for the pol#graph tests to be given to"a#,7 the# announ&e". 5;ight. 3ouGre eKpe&te". The eKaminer isnGt here #et,7 the "eput# replie". 53ouGll Hust have to ta$e a seat an" (ait. 9Gll tell the sheriff #ouGre here.7 The single ben&h in the little room (as not nearl# large enough for them all to 5ta$e a seat.7 The menGs (ives an" mothers alrea"# fille" the ben&h. The spa&e also serve" as a visitorsG room for the prisoners (ho (ere $ept on the other si"e of the heav# steel "oors at the en" of the room. The offi&e ha" the tire" loo$ all t(ent#BfourBhour offi&es a&Nuire. The smell of toba&&o an" "espair (afte" in from the &ellblo&$, to miK (ith the o"or of &offee an" fatigue in the offi&e. 9t (as not going to be a pleasant (ait. fter t(ent#Bfive minutes the men began to fi"get. The stan"ingBroomB onl# &on"itions aggravate" an alrea"# emotionall# loa"e" situation. Ne(sB men $ept tr#ing to shoul"er into the over&ro("e" room. 5)e#, are #ou gu#s the ones (ho thin$ the# sa( the little green menD7 one of the ne(smen as$e" sar&asti&all#. 5'ti&$ itO7 one of the &re( &alle" in return. The men starte" grumbling among themselves. 59Gm getting tire" of this (aiting businessO7 one of the men &omplaine". 59 &ame "o(n here to ta$e a pol#graph test,7 another Hoine" in, 5not to stan" aroun".7 53ou $no(, li$e (e (ere tal$ing about this morning,7 llenGs mother began. 59Gve hear" that the government tries to hush up *+% reports. 3ou shoul" be &areful. . .7 5)e#O7 somebo"# &alle" to the "eput# at the "es$. 5)o( long are (e going to have to stan" hereD7 ?ust then, 'heriff-arlin Millespie entere" the offi&e from the narro( hall(a# that le" from the rear offi&es. 5Moo" morning,7 he greete" them perfun&toril#. 59Gve been tal$ing things over (ith the pol#graph eKaminer. )eGs setting up his eNuipment in one of the ba&$ offi&es (eGll be using for a testing room. 3ou gu#s &an &ome (ith me no(.7 )e le" the men ba&$ the (a# he ha" entere", "o(n the hall(a# an" out into the sunshine at the rear of the buil"ing. 2ehin" the &ourthouse buil"ing (as an unpave" &ompoun" en&lose" b# high stone (alls an", on the opposite si"e, the Hail $it&hen. The sheriff an" a "eput# le" the group a&ross the &ourt#ar" to the $it&hen. The siK &re(men, m# brother 6uane, 'heriff Millespie, an" his "eput# Hamme" the $it&hen. 'eating themselves on tables an" ben&hes, the# (aite" to hear (hat (oul" happen neKt. The sheriff spo$e first. 59 felt (e nee"e" to have a &onferen&e before (e

!! Tra'(* .a/to)
begin, to sort of let #ou $no( ho( the testing is going to be arrange". WeGve got &ertain rules #ouGre going to have to follo(. We &an onl# test one person at a time. We (ant #ou all to remain ba&$ here an", as ea&h one of #ou is teste", #ou are to remain here. )o(ever, (e "onGt (ant the teste" people asso&iating (ith the unteste" people. 'o, (hen #ouGre finishe", sti&$ aroun". 2ut "onGt &onverse (ith the unteste" people. These tests are going to ta$e all "a#, so . . .7 Fver#bo"# groane". The# (ere all un"er a lot of pressure from the reporters as (ell as from the a&&usations of suspi&ious people. The previous "a#s ha" left them e"g#. 9t loo$e" as if it (as going to be another hell of a "a#. Millespie &ontinue"C 5WeGre going to reNuire #ou to sign a &onsent8(aiver form before testing. This statement gives us the right to test #ou an" to use the results as evi"en&e in a &ourt of la(. ?ust be sure #ou un"erstan" that (hen #ou sign. The eKaminer &an eKplain it more full# to #ou if #ou have an# Nuestions.7 )e pause" briefl#. 53ou nee" to (or$ out an or"er bet(een #ou. 9t "oesnGt matter (hi&h of #ou goes first. 'oho(ever #ou (ant to (or$ it.7 ?ust then a large, lean man (ith "ar$ bro(n hair an" a tanne", serious fa&e entere" the room. 5This is -r. /# Milson,7 the sheriff intro"u&e" the man. 5)eGs the 6epartment of ,ubli& 'afet# pol#graph eKaminer. )eGll be the one testing all of #ou.7 llen spo$e the thought that ha" been ma$ing them all uneas#. 5)o( "o (e $no( (e &an trust this gu#D WeGve hear" that the government is al(a#s tr#ing to hush these $in"a things up. )o( "o (e $no( #ouGre not gonna rig these lieB "ete&tor testsD7 The men began murmuring bet(een themselves. The# ha" nothing to lose if this gu# (as on the level, but if he (as not, the# &oul" be trie" for mur"er. The i"ea too$ hol" an" the grumbling in&rease". -r. Milson snorte" at the affront. 59Gll guarantee #ou one thing. 9f #ou gu#s are telling the truth, those &harts (ill sho( it. n" if #ouGre l#ing, 9Gll fin" that out, too.7 53our guarantee "oesnGt ne&essaril# mean an#thing,7 -i$e &ountere". 53ou (oul" sa# that even if #ouGve been bought offO7 Milson (as in"ignant. 5WhatGs #our problemD7 he shot ba&$. 5 re #ou l#ingD7 )e lightl# poppe" -i$e on the shoul"er (ith the ba&$ of his fingers. 5)ell no, (eGre not l#ingO7 -i$e returne" hotl#. 5WeGre reall# onl# (orrie" that #ouGve been bought off. 9tGs not impossible, #ou $no(. WeGve hear" that the government tries to $eep these *+% things Nuiet.7 Tempers flare" an" all of them began raising their voi&es. No one (as more angr# than Milson at the insult to his integrit#. 53ou "onGt have a single thing to (orr# aboutunless #ouGre l#ing.7 s he spo$e, Milson again slappe" -i$e on the shoul"er (ith the ba&$ of his han". 5ThereGs one (a# (e &an ma$e sure these lieB"ete&tor tests are on the upBan"B

FIRE IN THE SKY !"

up,7 6uane interHe&te". 5We &an tapeBre&or" the tests. There (as a *+% resear&her out there at the site (ho tol" me he ha" a&&ess to this ,'F &omputer thing, uha ,s#&hologi&al 'tress Fvaluation, he &alle" it. We &oul" run the tape through that &omputer to ma$e sure the lieB"ete&tor tests (ere vali". ,'F is suppose" to be oneBhun"re"Bper&ent a&&urate.7 FKaminer Milson (as outrage". 59 (ant to tell #ou men something about that ,'F. 9Gve seen a lot of resear&h on the ,'F. 9Gve even "one some resear&h on it personall#. The "ata sho(s that ,'F is (orse than (orthless itGs "o(nright "angerous. ,'F is onl# t(ent#Bper&ent a&&urate, (hereas pol#graph testing is &onsistentl# ninet#Bseven per&ent a&&urateO7 53ouGre Hust tr#ing to get out of taping,7 6uane &ut in. 59f #ou "i"nGt have something to hi"e, #ouG" allo( tapingO7 59 never allo( taping of m# tests,7 Milson retorte". 5There isnGt a single metho" of lie "ete&tion available better than the pol#graph. Wh# "o #ou thin$ itGs the metho" use" b# la( enfor&ementD7 5)eGs Hust tr#ing to hi"e something,7 6v8a#ne 'mith Heere". 5:etGs not ta$e these "amn testsO7 Fver#one starte" #elling at on&e. The situation (as getting out of &ontrol. 5 ll right,7 Millespie bro$e in. 5)ol" onO )ol" on, ever#bo"#O7 )is (or"s (ere almost as effe&tive as bullets fire" into the air. The men respe&te" 'heriff Millespie be&ause of his fair treatment of them in the (oo"s, an" the (a# he ha" han"le" the sear&h. Fver#bo"# stoppe" tal$ing an" listene". 5:etGs Hust &alm "o(n a minute here. 3ou siK men all &ame "o(n here to ta$e these lieB"ete&tor tests voluntarily,7 he reasone". 59f #ou "e&i"e not to ta$e them, no one &an stop #ou. 9f #ou (ant to pi&$ up an" leave, itGs entirel# up to #ou. 2ut 9G" li$e to point something out to #ou. lot of people are thin$ing that #ou gu#s are guilt# of mur"ering Walton. 3ou havenGt been arreste" or an#thing #et, but things &oul" be&ome prett# har" for #ou if Walton never turns upeven if #ouGre telling the truth. 9f #ou are telling the truth, then these tests are going to &lear #ou. 3ou "onGt have a thing to (orr# about from -r. Milson. 9 (ill give m# personal guarantee that these tests (ill be &on"u&te" fairl#.7 The men (ere impresse" b# the sheriffPs spee&h. Their misgivings (ere visibl# mollifie". -i$e sai", 5What "o #ou gu#s thin$D7 The approving loo$s the# eK&hange" eKpresse" their unanimous vote. 5%$a#, sir, if (e have #our guarantee, (eGll go on an" ta$e the tests,7 -i$e sai" to the sheriff. 5;emember, itGs in #our han"s, though.7 M# Milson (as still the pi&ture of outrage" in"ignation. )is honest# ha" never been so insolentl# Nuestione" in all his #ears in pol#graph#. The eKaminer stal$e" from the room (ithout another (or". 59Gm going to go help -r. Milson prepare for testing,7 sai" Millespie, stri"ing out. )e turne" at the "oor an" a""e", 53ou gu#s (or$ out the or"er #ou (ant to

!# Tra'(* .a/to)
be teste" in. WeGll be &alling for the first one right a(a#.7 fter he "eparte", the men "re( stra(s to "etermine (ho (oul" go in (hat or"er. 'teve ,ier&e (as first. fter the# (or$e" out the seNuen&e, the "eput# &ame over from the &ourthouse an" es&orte" 'teve to the testing room. /# Milson (ent over the Nuestions (ith 'teve, an" eKplaine" the pol#graph ma&hine an" pro&e"ure. Milson then sat 'teve "o(n in a &hair an" (ire" him up. The eKaminer atta&he" ele&tri&al pi&$ups to 'teveGs han" an" passe" a fleKible bla&$ rubber hose aroun" his &hest. Then the &onstri&ting ban" of the bloo" pressure &uff (as tightene" aroun" the subHe&tGs left bi&ep. 'teve starte" to feel li$e a guinea pig in an ele&tri& &hair. When 'teve &oughe" or move", the nee"les on the ma&hine s&rat&he" (il"l# ba&$ an" forth on the rolling &hart of paper. The eKaminer tol" him i" sit ver# still an" relaK. Fver# breath, ever# beat of his heart, his ever# rea&tion (oul" tra&e itself neatl# in &olore" in$. The tiniest flu&tuation in his bo"# responses (oul" be pre&isel# re&or"e" for the eKaminerGs eKpert anal#sis. 'teveGs test laste" nearl# t(o hours. t that rate it (as going to be a long "a# of (aiting for the man last in line. llen 6alisG test (as se&on". )e entere" the eKamination room Hust beB tbre noon in a ver# suspi&ious an" agitate" state. )e (as the most eK&itable member of the group. The "a#s of suspense, he&$ling b# &urious people an" ne(smen, an" a&&usations from all Nuarters, ha" rattle" him more than a little. 'eeing the *+% ha" affe&te" him more than an# of the others, eKB &ept possibl# 'teve ,ier&e. fter little more than an hour, llen storme" out of the testing room. )e lou"l# &urse" the eKaminer an" slamme" the "oor behin" him. Q9 $no( that son of a bit&h has been bought offO7 he tol" the (aiting men. Q)e $eeps a&ting li$e he thin$s 9 $ille" Travis. 9Gm "amne" sure not l#ing an" if the bastar" sa#s 9 am, then 9 know heGs the one (hoGs l#ing.7 5What ma$es #ou thin$ heGs been pai" off, llenD7 -i$e as$e". 56i" he tell #ou the results of #our testD7 5No, itGs Hust that he $eeps a&ting li$e he "onGt believe us about the *+%O7 llen fume". 5Well, llen, if he "i"nGt a&tuall# sa# #ou faile" #our test, (h# are #ou so ma"D These gu#s are probabl# suppose" to a&t li$e the# "onGt believe us,7 -i$e reasone". The other &re( members starte" grumbling an" tal$ing about "riving ba&$ to 'no(fla$e. 5)ol" on, ever#bo"#,7 -i$e sai". 5ThereGs no &all to fl# off the han"leO7 -i$e, (ho ha" "ra(n the stra( for fifth pla&e, volunteere"C 59Gll go in neKt an" have a tal$ (ith the gu#. -a#be 9 &an fin" out (hatGs going on.7 -i$e (ent into the testing room an" ha" a long tal$ (ith the eKaminer. )e eKplaine" llenGs volatilit# as simpl# being one fa&et of his usual behavior, an"

FIRE IN THE SKY !$

that llen (as still over(rought from seeing the *+%. 6uring his tal$ (ith Milson -i$e began to feel that he &oul" trust the man. -i$eGs, testing then began. te"ious hour an" a half later, three or four separate tests (ere &omplete" on -i$e, as ha" been performe" on the other t(o men. When the eKaminer (as through, he ma"e no &omment. While he (as being release" from the pol#graph ma&hineGs sensitive bla&$ tenta&les, -i$e sai", half "efiantl#C 59 tol" #ou 9 (as telling the truth.7 The po$erBfa&e" Milson still (oul"nGt ma$e an# statement as to (hat he thought the &harts sho(e". -i$e, &onfi"ent in the eKaminer an" $no(ing he (as telling the truth, "i"nGt nee" to be tol". )e (ent outsi"e into the "irt &ourt#ar" an" tol" the men that ever#thing (as all right an" to go on (ith the testing. Aen ,eterson, 6(a#ne 'mith, an" ?ohn Moulette ea&h too$ their tests in turn. The teste" men hung aroun" the &ourthouse (aiting to see (hat happene". To fill the time, the men pla#e" bas$etball an" sparre" (ith boKing glovessports eNuipment $ept in the $it&hen for the prisoner trustees. 'ome of the men pla#e" &ar"s. The "a# "ragge" on. Ne(smen, after intervie(ing the men at great length, foun" nothing better to "o (ith their time than film the men at their games. ,la#ful sparring an" bas$etball "i" not seem to be the li$el# pastimes of men being teste" for mur"er. %bviousl# the men (ere bore", not (orrie". +inall#, ?ohn Moulette &ame out. 9t ha" been a grueling thirteen hours for ever#one. The &re( ha" (aite" all "a# to hear the results of the tests. The other men (aite" in the $it&hen area (hile m# brother 6uane an" -i$e (ent into the &ourthouse to hear (hat Milson ha" to sa#. 6ar$ness ha" fallenL the s(arm of reporters ha" long sin&e "rifte" a(a#. The (oo"Bfloore" hall(a# to the testing room (as "eserte". The buil"ing (as Nuiet eK&ept for the e&hoing &oughs of a prisoner in the nearb# &ellB blo&$. The# entere" the testing room an" foun" /# Milson stan"ing behin" the (oo"en "es$, &arefull# putting a(a# his pol#graph instruments. There (as a huge sta&$ of paper &harts on the "es$the test results of siK men. The sNuiggl# tra&ings of the Hagge", &olore" in$ lines (ere unrea"able to the untraine" e#e. 5Well, (hatGs the final ver"i&tD7 6uane as$e". The eKaminer seeme" a(e", or at least perpleKe", as if he ha" uneKpe&te"l# un&overe" something profoun". 2ut (hatD 59 &anGt reall# sa# right no(,7 he began Nuietl#. 53ouGll have to (ait until 9 ma$e m# final report.7 )e turne" his attention to &arefull# removing the slen"er nee"les of the in$B tra&ing pens. -i$e an" 6uane (ere frustrate". The# ha" (aite" all "a# to hear the final (or". -r. Milson sai", 5FK&use me a minute, 9Gve got to (ash the in$ out of these before the# "r#.7 )e &arrie" the thin &hrome nee"les out the "oor. 6uane an" -i$e follo(e" him to the (ashroom at the en" of the hall.

"& Tra'(* .a/to)

5We have a right to $no( the results of these tests,7 6uane began earnestl#. 5When is #our report going to &ome outD7 Milson finishe" rinsing the &olore" in$ out of his instruments. 59 have to go over these &harts ver# &losel# first. That shoul" onl# ta$e a fe( "a#s. 9Gll probabl# sen" the sheriff m# report b# the en" of the (ee$.7 )e (al$e" ba&$ to the testing room to finish pa&$ing his eNuipment. -i$e an" 6uane "ogge"l# pursue" him. 5/oul"nGt #ou at least tell usunoffi&iall#D7 -i$e persiste". 53ou must have some i"ea of ho( the# turne" out, from (hat #ouGve seen of them so far.7 FKaminer Milson stoppe" an" loo$e" at 6uane an" -i$e. 59 guess it (oul"nGt hurt an#thing to tell #ouseeing the (a# the tests apparentl# &ame out. . . . ;eali!e this, thoughthis is Hust a preliminar# evaluation. 9 &oul" go over these &harts more &losel# an" &ome up (ith an entirel# "ifferent opinion. 'o $eep this un"er #our hat an" "onGt tell an# ne(smen until after 9 ma$e m# offi&ial report.7 )e &leare" his throat. 5+rom (hat 9Gve been able to see from these &harts, #ou men are apparentl# telling the truthO7 5Well, (eG" li$e to apologi!e for this morning,7 -i$e sai", offering his han". 59t loo$s li$e (e ba"l# misHu"ge" #ou.7 MilsonGs voi&e betra#e" his ama!ement. 5When 9 starte" testing #ou men this morning, 9 reall# eKpe&te" to fin" that a mur"er ha" been &ommitte". fter all those har" (or"s this morning, an" the (a# llen 6avis rea&te", 9 (as even more sure of foul pla#. 2ut none of the tests eK&ept llenGs sho(e" an#thing li$e that. llen (as Hust too agitate" to be teste" at all. Fven if his &harts ha" been rea"able an" sho(e" foul pla#, he &oul"nGt have &ommitte" a &rime an" ma"e up a stor# about a *+% (ithout involving five other men (hose tests &orroborate (hat the# reporte".7 /# Milson shoo$ his hea" soberl#. )e put his han" on the sta&$ of lieB "ete&tor &harts. 59n&re"ible,7 he muttere".

CHAPTER "
;eturn
%ho never doubted never half believed5 %here doubt, the truth is".tis her shadow. ,.?. 2aile#

pprehension ha" stea"il# gro(n in "ie -ogollon ;im area sin&e that fateful forest en&ounter. +ear ma"e some people prefer to believe that something as ominous as a *+% $i"napping &oul" not happen in their Nuiet little &ommunit#. 2ut as time "ragge" on after the m#sterious "isappearan&e, man# began to fa&e the more obvious possibilit# in ans(er to the grim Nuestion, 5Where is Travis WaltonD7 9t ha" been nearl# five "a#s an" siK hours sin&e the beginning of m# horrible or"eal. 9 regaine" &ons&iousness l#ing on m# stoma&h, m# hea" on m# right forearm. Mol" air brought me instantl# a(a$e. 9 loo$e" up in time to see a light turn off on the bottom of a &urve", gleaming hull. s 9G" raise" m# hea" up, a (hite light &aught m# e#e Hust before it blin$e" off. Fither a light ha" been turne" off or a hat&h ha" &lose", &utting off the light from insi"e. 9 onl# &aught a glimpse as 9 raise" m# hea"L 9 &oul" not be sure (hi&h it (as. Then 9 sa( the mirrore" outline of a roun"e", silver# "is& hovering four feet above the pave" surfa&e of the roa". 9t must have been about fort# feet in "iameter be&ause it eKten"e" several feet off the left si"e of the roa". 9t (as too large for the high(a# an" it eKten"e" past the roa"si"e to m# left to &lear a

"2 Tra'(* .a/to)

&uta(a# ro&$ emban$ment on the other si"e of the high(a#. 9t appeare" to be about fourteen feet high in the &enter. +or an instant it floate" silentl# above the roa", a "o!en #ar"s a(a#. 9 &oul" see the night s$#, the surroun"ing trees, an" the high(a# &enter line refle&te" in the &urving mirror of its hull. 9 noti&e" a faint (armth ra"iating onto m# fa&e. Then, abruptl#, it shot verti&all# into the s$#, &reating a strong bree!e that stirre" the nearb# pine boughs an" rustle" the "r# oa$ leaves that la# in the "r# grass besi"e the roa". 9t gave off no lightL an" it (as almost instantl# lost from sight. The most stri$ing thing about its "eparture (as its Nuietness. 9t seeme" impossible that something so large, moving through the atmosphere at su&h spee", (oul" not have shrie$e" through the air, or even bro$en the soun" barrier (ith a soni& boom. 3et it ha" been totall# silentO 9 s&ramble" sha$il# to m# feet. -# legs felt rubber#. 9 s(a#e", then &aught m# balan&e. 9 noti&e" the bluish (hite glo(ing "ots of a &ouple of streetlights "o(n the hill. 9 loo$e" aroun" an" re&ogni!e" the "eserte" stret&h of &urving roa" as the high(a# that (oun" "o(n the &an#on into )eber from the (est. 9 (as overHo#e" to be in familiar surroun"ings. 9t felt so goo" to have m# feet ba&$ on the s(eet earth. 9 still felt a little pain in m# hea" an" &hest, a little (ea$, but other(ise 9 (as ph#si&all# inta&t. The memor# of (hat ha" happene" to me ran through m# min" li$e a re&urring nightmare. 'truggling to grasp the thought that all this reall# ha" happene" left me "a!e" an" in a state of sho&$. 9 ran (il"l# "o(n the "eserte" high(a#, a&ross the bri"ge into )eber, stopping at the ne( buil"ing a&ross from the *nion 70 servi&e station. 'mo$e billo(e" from the &himne# an" lights bla!e" insi"e, but no one ans(ere" m# "esperate $no&$ing. No &ars passe" b#. 9 ran on "o(n the high(a#, over the se&on" bri"ge, to the ro( of telephone booths at the FKKon station. 9 entere" the first of the phone booths an" franti&all# "iale" the operator. = "ime (as not reNuire" to rea&h an operator in our part of the &ountr#.> -# pani& gre( (ith the "is&over# that the telephone (as out of or"erO Nearl# eKhauste" from m# (il" run, 9 staggere" out of that phone booth an" into the neKt, relieve" to fin" this one fun&tioning. 9 "iale" the operator an" pante" out the number of m# sister, lison Neff. 'he (as the onl# nearb# relative (ith a telephone. -# brotherBinBla( Mrant ans(ere". 9t (as 12C45 a.m. 9 (as in an in&re"ible mental state, "iffi&ult to "es&ribe. s best 9 &an remember, 9 shoute" something li$eC 5The# brought me ba&$O7 Then 9 babble", 59Gm out here in )eber, please get somebo"# to &ome an" get meO7 -# han" shoo$ as 9 hel" the &ol" re&eiver. Mrant (as not amuse" b# the pran$ &alls the famil# ha" been re&eiving. )e too$ this &all to be another &ruel Ho$e. 5*h, 9 thin$ #ou have the (rong number,7 he replie" sar&asti&all#, starting to hang up. PUWaitO 9tGs me, TravisO7 9 s&reame" h#steri&all# into the re&eiver.

FIRE IN THE SKY "3

5Where are #ouD7 he as$e", still suspi&ious of a Ho$e. 59Gm at the )eber FKKon station.7 5%$a#,7 he replie", almost apologeti&all#, #et still &autious of a pran$. 5'ta# right there. 9Gll get 6on or 6uane an" &ome an" get #ou. ?ust hang on.7 9 remember hanging up an" slumping "o(n. /ra"ling m# hea" on m# $nees, 9 hugge" m# shins. -# nerves felt fra#e"L 9 (as &ol" an" (ear#. 9 (aite" in a sort of numb "a!e, or sho&$, for help to arrive. Mrant "rove the three miles from Ta#lor over to 'no(fla$e an" foun" 6uane at -omGs house. )e tol" 6uane about the &all, an" of his "oubts it (as reall# me. 6uane, too, thought the &all might have been #et another eKample of someoneGs i"ioti& &on&ept of humor. 2ut the# "e&i"e" the# &oul"nGt ris$ not investigating. The rest of the famil# (as overHo#e". )ope (as re$in"le". Mrant an" 6uane &autione" them not to get their hopes up too high. 'in&e the# (ere not sure, the# "i" not notif# the authorities, but imme"iatel# set out for )eber, thirt#Bthree miles a(a#. :ights su""enl# shone into the phone booth. ;elief floo"e" over me (hen 9 raise" m# hea" an" sa( the hea"lights of 6uaneGs pi&$up. 6uane an" Mrant got out an" &ame to (here 9 (as still slumpe" in the phone booth. 6uane opene" the glass "oor of the booth an" helpe" me to m# feet. 5Fas#, Travis, ta$e it eas#, manO7 6uane soothe" me as 9 haltingl# trie" to spea$. 56onGt tr# to tal$ no(.7 5 m 9 ever gla" to see #ouO7 Mrant sai". 6uane helpe" me into the (arm tru&$ an" as$e" Mrant to "rive. %n the (a# to 'no(fla$e 9 trie" to tell them about (hat happene" to me, but 9 Hust &oul"nGt get it all out. 5The# (ere a(ful(hite s$ingreat big e#es ...7 9 sobbe" in horror. 5Ta$e it eas#, Travis, #ouGre all right no(. The# "i"nGt harm #ou, "i" the#D7 5No . . . but those e#es, those horrible e#esO The# Hust $ept loo$ing at meO7 9 &ho$e" out in bro$en gasps. 5?ust so #ouGre o$a#, thatGs all that &ounts,7 6uane sai". 5Fver#one has been (orrie" si&$ about #ou.7 59f itGs alrea"# after mi"night, 9 must have been un&ons&ious for a &ouple of hours,7 9 replie" sha$il#. 52e&ause 9 onl# remember about an hour or an hour an" a half insi"e that thing.7 6uane an" Mrant loo$e" at me strangel#. 5Travis, feel #our fa&e,7 6uane sai". 5Moo" hell, 9 Hust shave" this morning an" it feels li$e a (ee$Gs gro(thO7 9 eK&laime", still not &omprehen"ing. 5Travis,7 6uane sai" gentl#, 5#ouGve been missing for five "a#sO7 -# mouth "roppe" open. 9 too$ a har" loo$ at the "ate on m# (at&h. 5+9IF

"4 Tra'(* .a/to)

6 3'D7 9 s&ree&he". 5Moo" Mo"O What has happene" to meD7 9 ran m# han" again over the heav# gro(th of rough stubble on m# Ha(. 5+ive "a#sD7 9 repeate" numbl#. 5+ive "a#s.7 -# min" reele", tr#ing to &omprehen" the staggering impli&ations of this revelation. 9 muttere" in (on"er, 5That means that. . . oh no . . . that &anGt be. . . 5 s long as #ouGre all right thereGs no nee" to tal$. ?ust tr# to &alm "o(n for right no(,7 6uane sai". To Mrant he sai"C 5That &ra!# mob of reporters is not going to get ahol" of this gu#, 9Gll guarantee #ou that right no(O )eGs not in an# shape to be tal$ing to an#one. 9f the# (oul"nGt leave -om alone in the shape sheGs in, it isnGt li$el# the#Gll be an# "ifferent (ith Travis.7 )e put his arm prote&tivel# over m# shoul"ers. 9 slumpe" "o(n in the seat an" gave up on tr#ing to tal$. The ri"e ba&$ to 'no(fla$e (as an eerie one. 6uaneGs (or$ tru&$ ha" an eKtremel# loose steering me&hanism an" Mrant (as una&&ustome" to "riving it. The high spee" &ause" the tru&$ to veer (il"l# at ever# bump an" groove in the pavement. There ha" been a lot of &ontrol burning of (oo" "ebris b# the +orest 'ervi&e to the south, an" the (in" &arrie" the thi&$, pale gra# smo$e a&ross the high(a#. 9t (as li$e the (eir" groun" fog #ou (oul" see in the &emeter# of some horror movie. When (e arrive" at -omGs house, no one (as there. 6uane ha" sent his (ife /arol (ith -om over to lisonGs to be near a telephone in &ase he ha" to &all her from )eber. Mrant (ent on over to Ta#lor in his o(n &ar to get lison an" -om. While he (as gone, 6uane ha" me &hange into fresh &lothes. 6uane ha" "e&i"e" it (as best not to tell an#one #etPof m# return. )e &oul" see 9 (as a long (a# from being up to intervie(s. Ne(smen an" la( enfor&ement offi&ials (oul" insist on laun&hing a torrent of Nuestioning imme"iatel#. 6uaneGs memor# (as fresh (ith the houn"ing an" Nuestioning en"ure" b# the famil# in the pre&e"ing "a#sL he $ne( it (as &ertain to be even (orse for me. 9 (as not rea"# to go through that. 6uaneGs first priorit# (as for me to see a "o&tor imme"iatel#, but to see a lo&al "o&tor (oul" mean getting mobbe" b# the &urious. lo&al ph#si&ian (oul" mean (aiting till morning an#(a#. 2# that time (e &oul" be in ,hoeniK, (here 9 &oul" see a "o&tor un"er &onfi"ential &on"itions. s the *+% investigator William 'paul"ing ha" a"vise", a &omplete ph#si&al &he&$ for ra"iation "amage or other possible ill effe&ts of m# or"eal seeme" the most sensible first step to ta$e. While 9 (as &hanging m# &lothes in the bathroom, 6uane noti&e" a single re""ish "ot on the insi"e of m# right elbo(. 9 tol" him 9 "i"nGt $no( ho( 9 ha" re&eive" it. 9 "i"nGt remember getting pun&ture" or inHe&te" "uring m# eKperien&e, but 9 tol" him that 9 might have been po$e" b# thorns or something out at (or$. 9 "i"nGt have an# other maHor &uts, s$in lesions, or bruises. 9 (eighe" in on the bathroom s&ale at 154 poun"s. 9 ha" lost over ten poun"s

FIRE IN THE SKY "

in five "a#s. 6uane ha" me put the (or$ &lothes that 9G" remove" in a paper sa&$ for later eKamination. 9 ha" a little trouble stan"ing, but it (as probabl# from (ea$ness rather than loss of eNuilibrium. 9 no longer felt "i!!#. ll the pain in m# hea" an" &hest ha" "isappeare". 9 sat "o(n on the e"ge of the bathtub to finish &hanging. 9 (as terribl# hungr# an" thirst#. 9 "ran$ glass after glass of (ater. 9 (as ravenous, but after stuffing some &oo$ies in m# mouth an" eating some &ottage &heese, 9 felt a little nauseate". 9 la# "o(n in the be"room for a (hile, but thoughts of those horri" &reatures (oul" not let me rest. When m# mother an" sister arrive" there (as a tearful reunion, as though 9 ha" returne" from the "ea". 9 guess for them 9 ha". 9t ha" been onl# a &ouple of hours for me, but for them it ha" been a (ee$ of (orr# an" un&ertaint# that ha" slo(l# evolve" into a halfBmourning "espair. 9n spite of m# o(n &on"ition, 9 (as still ver# move" b# their &are an" b# the "epth of their suffering. n" this (as Hust the first of man# (a#s the aftermath of the in&i"ent (oul" a"", la#er upon la#er, to m# bur"en of "istress. 6uane ha" gone outsi"e to siphon some gas from one of the other &ars for the trip to ,hoeniK. There (ere no allBnight servi&e stations in 'no(fla$e. /ount# 6eput# Mlen +la$e &ame b# the house an" noti&e" the lights on. )e sa( 6uane siphoning the gas an" stoppe" to investigate. +la$e "i" not reveal that 'heriff Millespie ha" re&eive" a tip from someone at the telephone &ompan# that a &all from )eber ha" been re&eive" at the Neff resi"en&e. Millespie ha" or"ere" a &ouple of "eputies out to "ust the phone booths for fingerprints, an" &alle" 6eput# +la$e to as$ him to go over an" (at&h the high(a# from )eber. +la$e ha" apparentl# not re&eive" the &all in time, as heG" misse" our return to to(n. +la$e got out of the &ar an" as$e" 6uane (hat he (as "oing. 6uane eKplaine" truthfull# that he (as getting gas to return home to ,hoeniK. )e $ept his resolve to shiel" me an" "ela# the ne(s of m# return. The (arning &alls re&eive" from (ellB(ishers ha" plante" see"s of &aution. 9f su&h Qengineere" vanishings7 (ere real, he (as going to ma$e sure his brother "i"nGt eKperien&e one. )aving trust in lo&al offi&ials (as not suffi&ient, sin&e su&h a&tions (oul" &ome from be#on" them, an" irrespe&tive of them. 6eput# +la$e apparentl# "ismisse" the tip as another of the man# &ran$ &alls lo&al la( enfor&ement agen&ies ha" been re&eiving over the previous five "a#s. )e "i"nGt as$ to enter the house an" left (ithout further &omment. 6uane reassure" m# mother an" sister =&ontra"i&ting his o(n misgivings> that 9 (as ph#si&all# o$a#. We left for ,hoeniK. We arrive" at 6uaneGs house in the earl# morning. 9 (ent into the spare be"room an" trie" to sleep. 9 tosse" an" turne", finall# "o!ing off into a shallo( sleep. -# "reams (ere fraught (ith strange, &hal$ (hite fa&es an" huge staring e#es, an" 9 a(o$e (ith a start. 6uane &ame in. )e tol" me that (hen 9G" vanishe", he ha" &alle" William

"! Tra'(* .a/to)

'paul"ing, of a small ,hoeniKBbase" *+% resear&h group, Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h. 6uane ha" met 'paul"ing at the ab"u&tion site in the forest. t that time 'paul"ing ha" tol" 6uane to &onta&t him if 9 shoul" ever be returne" an" that his group (oul" suppl# all the me"i&al eKams an" resear&h fa&ilities ne&essar# to assure m# (ellBbeing an" to assess the tremen"ous s&ientifi& impli&ations of the in&i"ent. -r. 'paul"ing seeme" to be a &ompetent resear&her. )e ha" alrea"# issue" reports of his "is&over# of various ph#si&al tra&es left b# the &raft at the site. 6uane first attempte" to &all 2ill 'paul"ing at seven that morning, but 'paul"ingGs phone (as unliste". 6uane finall# rea&he" him at (or$ sometime after sevenBthirt#. -r. 'paul"ing (as emplo#e" b# the in"ustrial plant 9;esear&h. 6uane tol" -r. 'paul"ing that 9 ha" been returne" the night before an" eKplaine" the nee" to prevent ourselves from being mobbe". -r. 'paul"ing (as eager to be involve", an" inNuire" as to m# &on"ition. 6uane tol" him that apparentl# nothing (as seriousl# (rong (ith me but a thorough me"i&al eKamination shoul" be ma"e an#(a#. -r. 'paul"ing agree" enthusiasti&all#. )e "ire&te" us to a Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h &onsultant, 6r. :ester 'te(ar". When 9 rose to use the restroom, 6uane ha" me save the first voi"e" spe&imen of urine for anal#sis. )e ha" been a"vise" b# -r. 'paul"ing to obtain a urine sample as earl# as possible for s&ientifi& testing. 'paul"ing ha" also been the one to suggest saving m# &lothing for forensi& eKamination. Those (arning telephone &alls ma"e b# "ifferent people "uring the sear&h might have been entirel# unfoun"e", but 6uane (as ta$ing no &han&es. )e lo#all# a&&ompanie" me ever#(here as a bo"#guar" "uring the emotionall# ravaging "a#s follo(ing m# return. t about nineBfifteen that morning, 6uane &alle" 'heriff Millespie an" notifie" him of m# return. )o(ever, in $eeping (ith his "esire to shiel" me, he sai" 9 ha" been ta$en to a Tu&son hospital. 'oon after that (e left for 6r. 'te(ar"Gs offi&e, ta$ing along the urine spe&imen in a tightl# seale" Har in a bro(n paper sa&$. The first in"i&ation that something (as amiss (as the 5offi&e buil"ing7 itself. 9t (as a "ereli&t, must#, nearl# "eserte" "o(nto(n hotel. We later learne" of the hotelGs unsavor# reputation. 9t "i" not seem a suitable pla&e for a respe&table "o&torGs offi&e. We (ere not sure (e (ere in the right pla&e. 2ut (e foun" 6r. 'te(ar"Gs name on the room roster. /onfuse", (e too$ the elevator up to his floor. We (ere further perpleKe" b# the sign on his offi&e "oorC 6r. :ester 'te(ar" )#pnotherapist. WhatD -r. 'paul"ing ha" tol" us that 'te(ar" (as an 1.6. %ur uneasiness gre(, but (e "e&i"e" to go in, spe&ulating that 6r. 'te(ar" might be an -.6. in a""ition to his h#pnotherap# pra&ti&e. *pon entering (e "is&overe" a narro( oneBroom offi&e that loo$e" out over

FIRE IN THE SKY ""

the roof of a (ing of the buil"ing, (ith &heap furnishings an" a pair of ba"l# #ello(e" &urtains &overing the opene" (in"o(. The (in"o( a"mitte" enough fresh air to ma$e the la&$ of airB&on"itioning bearable. 9t (as still earl#, not #et eK&essivel# hot. Fven in November, it &an be&ome un&omfortabl# (arm "uring the mi""le of the "a# in the "esert &it# of ,hoeniK. 6r. 'te(ar" (asnGt even eKpe&ting usO 2ill 'paul"ing, "ire&tor of Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h, ha" not &alle" his &onsultant to inform him (e (ere &oming. 6uane as$e" him if he ha" hear" about the *+% in&i"ent in the ne(s. 'te(ar" sai" he ha". 6uane eKplaine" that (e ha" been sent here for a me"i&al eKamination b# M'W. 'te(ar" rea&te" as if he ha" forgotten he (as a member. 'eeing no professional volumes on the shelf nor an -.6. &ertifi&ate on the (all, 6uane as$e" 'te(ar" if he (as a "o&tor. )e replie" that, #es, he (as, but not li&ense" to pra&ti&e in ri!ona. When presse" on this point, he &onfesse" he ha" been a me"i& in the -arine /orps. )e relu&tantl# eKplaine" his rights to the title of 56o&tor7 (ith a vague referen&e to a "egree he ha" re&eive" in s&hool. 6uane as$e" him if he &oul" still "o the ph#si&al eKamination nee"e", suggesting bloo" tests an" urinal#sis. 6uane han"e" 'te(ar" the Har &ontaining m# urine spe&imen. 'te(ar" han"e" it ba&$ (ith a "istasteful eKpression. )e sai" he &oul" not "o an# of that sort of thing be&ause he "i" not at present have a&&ess to laborator# fa&ilities. )e sai" he "i", ho(ever, have a goo" frien" an" &olleague (ho might be (illing to "o the eKam. %nl# 6uaneGs eKtreme &on&ern for m# health an" his "esire for an imme"iate, thorough &he&$up &ause" him to sta# at that point. 9 (as eKhauste" from not sleeping the night beforeL m# e#es (ere re" an" stinging. 9 sat "o(n on a &hair in front of the (in"o(, hol"ing m# hea" in m# han"s. 9 let 6uane han"le things. 9 (as still feeling ver# "eh#"rate", an" as$e" for a "rin$. 'te(ar" brought me a glass of (ater. 9 (as still ver# thirst# an" as$e" for another, in spite of the greas# fingerprints all over the glass. ?ets lan"ing an" ta$ing off at the nearb# airport &ontinuall# passe" lo( over the buil"ing. 56r.7 'te(ar" &lose" the (in"o( against the noise an" telephone" his &olleague. The phone &all (as almost funn# in the (a# it further reveale" 'te(ar"Gs phoniness. 5)ello, 6r. 'oBan"Bso, this is 6r. 'te(ar".7 long pause. 56r. :ester 'te(ar", #ou remember me, "onGt #ouD7 )is soB&alle" 5frien" an" &olleague7 apparentl# "i" not remember him, an" refuse" to "o the eKaminationO Nee"less to sa#, 6uane eKtri&ate" us as Nui&$l# as possible an" (e left. 9 ha" not eaten that morning an" 9 (as ver# hungr#. We stoppe" for a large brea$fast on the (a# home. When (e arrive" ba&$ at 6uaneGs home, 9 again trie" to sleep. The telephone rang again an" again. Wor" ha" someho( gotten out that 9 ha" been returne", an" people (ante" to $no( (here 9 (as. 6uane sent them on a (il"Bgoose &hase to prote&t me from harassment, telling them, as he ha" tol" Millespie, that 9 (as in a Tu&son hospital. There (ere &onstant &alls from the ne(s me"ia, &urious

"# Tra'(* .a/to)

people, an" a &ouple of &alls from 56r.7 'te(ar". )e ha" been in &onta&t (ith 'paul"ing an" (as no( ver# eager to rea&Nuire our &ooperation for M'WGs investigation of the &ase. 6uane politel# "e&line". 'paul"ing &alle" later to suggest a meeting (ith 6r. ?. llen )#ne$. 6uane at first agree", then &hange" his min". 9 (as still ver# seriousl# upset an" "i" not (ant to have an#thing to "o (ith an#bo"# 9 believe" asso&iate" (ith M'W. /ontributing to our reservations (as an earlier eK&hange (ith 56r.7 'te(ar". 9n 'te(ar"Gs offi&e 6uane ha" tol" him that re&entl# it ha" been suggeste" that 6r. ?ames )ar"er an" 6r. )#ne$ be brought in. 'te(ar" ha" eK&laime"C 5%h, no. 3ou (ant to $eep #our brother a(a# from those t(o, the#G" reall# put him through hell. The# (oul" reall# give him a poun"ingO7 We (on"ere", 6onGt these M'W people get together on an#thingD We $ne( so little at the time that (e "i"nGt even re&ogni!e 6r. )#ne$ as an astronomer (ho (as one of the foremost investigators in the fiel" of ufolog#. We also later learne" that he (as the hea" of the /enter for *+% 'tu"ies, an in"epen"ent resear&h organi!ation not "ire&tl# affiliate" (ith M'W. 'hortl# after our reHe&tion of M'W, 2ill 'paul"ing su""enl# began maligning me to the me"ia. fter publi&i!ing his onBsite re&or"e" magneti& an" o!one rea"ings, he abruptl# reverse" his publi& stan&e (ithout eKplaining his earlier en"orsement of the &ase or offering ne( "ata to support his &hange in attitu"e. 9 "onGt $no( if this (as motivate" b# (oun"e" pri"e, or simpl# a &ontinue" "esire to &apitali!eone (a# or anotheron the intense publi&it# surroun"ing the in&i"ent. 5WeGre going to blo( this stor# out to"a#O7 he "e&lare" to reporters. Their ina&&urate assertions (ere eKpose" b# the testing subseNuentl# &arrie" out b# ,;%, the erial ,henomena ;esear&h %rgani!ation, of Tu&son. 6uane ha" also fen"e" off the me"ia b# telling them 9 ha" been ta$en to a hospital in Tu&son =although he &alle" 'heriff Millespie ba&$ an" tol" him 9 (as re&overing in a private home in the ,hoeniK area>. /oral :oren!en, 'e&retar# Treasurer of ,;%, "e&i"e" to tr# to tra&$ me "o(n. 'he &he&$e" all the Tu&son hospitals an" foun" that no one ans(ering m# "es&ription ha" been a"mitte" that morning. 'he then "e"u&e" that 9 (as li$el# a&tuall# at 6uaneGs house, so she &alle" there. -rs. :oren!en tol" 6uane that m# &ase (as one of several others &urB ren"# un"er investigation b# ,;%, an" offere" to provi"e an#thing possible that (oul" be of help. 6uane a"mitte" 9 (as there but as$e" her not to tell the me"ia. '#mpatheti& to m# &on"ition, she agree". )e tol" her he thought it (as important for me to be thoroughl# eKamine" b# a ph#si&ian as soon as possible. -rs. :oren!en assure" him that ,;% ha" the &apa&it# to &on"u&t a professional investigation an" (oul" be gla" to provi"e an eKamination. /oral :orensen then &alle" t(o reputable ph#si&ians in their ,hoeniK membership. %ne of them, 6r. ?oseph 'aults, (as offB"ut# that "a#, so she left a message (ith his se&retar# for him to &all ba&$. 'he then rea&he" the other

FIRE IN THE SKY "$

"o&tor, )o(ar" Aan"ell, at his &lini&. )e sai" he (oul" be free at 1C14 p.m. an" that he un"erstoo" the nee" for &onfi"entialit#. 'he &alle" 6uane ba&$ an" notifie" him that at least one "o&tor (oul" arrive at his home shortl# after threeB thirt#. 6r. 'aults &alle" /oral ba&$ right after that. 'he eKplaine" the situation to him an" he agree" to ma$e arrangements (ith 6r. Aan"ell to Hoin him on the house &all. The "o&tors arrive" on s&he"ule. The# agree" to 6uaneGs reNuests to &onB nne their Nuestions to m# health an" not use the tape re&or"er an" &amera the# ha" brought. n intervie( (oul" reNuire re&alling some ver# upsetting memories, an" 9 nee"e" to &alm "o(n an" &olle&t m#self. The# performe" a thorough ph#si&al eKamination. The (ritten report on the eKam (oul" be for(ar"e" to ,;% b# 6r. Aan"ell. The "o&tors too$ the urine spe&imen (ith them for anal#sis. We ma"e arrangements for the portion of the eKamination reNuiring laborator# tests to be performe" the follo(ing morning, November 12, at 6r. Aan"ellGs offi&e. That afternoon 'heriff Millespie &alle" 6uane an" reNueste" a meeting (ith me. )e (as un"erstan"abl# upset (ith us for not having imme"iatel# notifie" him of m# return. 6uane eKplaine" that 9 ha" not been &apable of being intervie(e" an" (as still too traumati!e" to be interrogate". 'heriff Millespie insiste" on meeting (ith me so that he &oul" offi&iall# &lose his missingBperson report. 6uane agree" to have him &ome alone an" see me that night. 6uane as$e" him not to inform the me"ia of m# a&tual (hereB i touts. Millespie agree". 9 (as l#ing on the &ou&h (hen he arrive" late that evening. 9t (as the first time 9 ha" relate" that mu&h of m# eKperien&e to an#one, in&lu"ing 6uane. 9t (as ver# upsetting. 9 struggle" to $eep from brea$ing "o(n an" ma"e m# ans(ers short so that 9 (oul" have to relive the nightmare as little as possible. )e "i" not rea&t negativel# or harshl# an", eK&ept for a stern remin"er of the &onseNuen&es if m# report (ere false, he seeme" s#mpatheti& to m# emotionall# fragile &on"ition. 9 tol" 'heriff Millespie 9 (ante" to ta$e a pol#graph test, but that 9 "i" not (ant to be mobbe" b# &urious people an" reporters. )e promise" to arrange a pol#graph test (hi&h the me"ia (oul" not $no( of until after it (as &omplete" an" 9 ha" returne" home. 9 than$e" him. )e left imme"iatel# for )olbroo$. 9 slept fitfull# that night. 9 tosse" an" turne". Nightmares (o$e me several times "uring the night. 9 a(o$e the neKt morning feeling little better for the nightGs rest. 9 arrive" at 6r. Aan"ellGs &lini& ver# earl#. 9 (eighe" m#self on his s&ales. The# performe" an FAM =ele&tro&ar"iogram> an" too$ V ra#s. 2loo" samples (ere ta$en. 9 (as sent over to the reno(ne" 2arro(s Neurologi&al /enter for an FFM =ele&troen&ephalogram>, a register of brainB(ave patterns. The testing "ragge" on, &onsuming the entire morning. fter returning home, 9 again trie" to rest that afternoon. The telephone rang

#& Tra'(* .a/to)

&onstantl#. Millespie ma# have $ept his (or" about not informing the me"ia of m# (hereabouts, but evi"entl# someone ha" release" the information. ;eporters repeate"l# &ame an" $no&$e" on the "oor. 6uaneGs polite refusals ne&essaril# gre( testier as the harassment &ontinue" to buil". The lo&al papers rea&te" to these rebuffs b# printing the onl# available &ommentsthose from the ver# angr# an" vo&al 2ill 'paul"ing an" :ester 'te(ar". ,;%Gs ?im :oren!en an" other ,;% s&ientifi& &onsultants =in&lu"ing the famous 6r. ?ames )ar"er, ,rofessor of /ivil Fngineering at the *niversit# of /alifornia at 2er$ele#, ,;%Gs 6ire&tor of ;esear&h> (ere on the /ational &n3uirer7s 2lue ;ibbon ,anel for *+%s. The /ational &n3uirer first &onta&te" ,;% at about noon on November 11, as$ing their opinion of the &ase. ,;% tol" them it appeare" genuine so far. The &n3uirer "oes mu&h reporting of *+% in&i"ents an" helps sponsor investigation of some &ases. -rs. :oren!en tol" them 9 (as in no emotional &on"ition to &onfront the press an" shoul" be seNuestere" for testing. ,riva&# (as rapi"l# be&oming impossible at 6uaneGs house. 'he tol" them that, although ,;% &oul" offer the servi&es of its s&ientifi& &onsultants to &on"u&t the nee"e" tests, the# &oul" not assume finan&ial responsibilit# for the hotel a&&ommo"ations an" other eKpenses ne&essar# for seNuestering me. The &n3uirer.s representative agree" to un"er(rite that part of the proHe&t. 9t (as ,aul ?en$ins of the /ational &n3uirer (ho first approa&he" us on November 11 (ith the proposal. 6uane at first too$ him for Hust another reporter an" refuse" him. 2ut ?en$ins returne" an" eKplaine" the paperGs asso&iation (ith ,;%, sa#ing that s&ientifi& testing (oul" provi"e reassuran&e as to m# &on"ition (hile granting the opportunit# for resear&h. We agree" to go to the hotel for intervie(ing an" testing. 9 hope" that an eK&lusive (ith the &n3uirer (oul" get me out of "oing hun"re"s of intervie(s (ith other reporters. 6uane an" 9 (ent to the hotel, the '&otts"ale 'heraton 9nn, that same evening. There (e met the rest of the &n3uirer reportersC ?eff Wells, Ni&$ :onghurst, an" /hris +uller. ?im :oren!en, the 9nternational 6ire&tor of the erial ,henomena ;esear&h %rgani!ation, "rove up from Tu&son that night. )e met 6r. ?ames )ar"erGs plane an" the t(o pro&ee"e" to the hotel (here 6uane an" 9 an" the &re( from the /ational &n3uirer (ere (aiting for them. 9 ha" been eKtremel# tense ever# (a$ing moment sin&e m# return. When ?im :oren!en an" 6r. )ar"er entere" the room, their first impression of me (as of a 5&age" (il"&at.7 6r. )ar"er is a s$ille" h#pnotist, but (hat he a&&omplishe" that evening (as phenomenal. The longer 6r. )ar"er tal$e", the more m# tension ease". 9 ha" been s$epti&al of h#pnosis before, but his tremen"ous &apa&it# to relaK me "eepl# impresse" me. )e is a &ertifie" h#pnotist of the respe&te" :a /rone s&hool. 6r. )ar"er "i" not attempt an# "eep h#pnosis on me that night, as it (as Nuite late an" he "i" not (ish to pressure me.

FIRE IN THE SKY #1

The neKt morning, November 14, 6uane an" 9 returne" to his house for a &hange of &lothes before hea"ing for the 6epartment of ,ubli& 'afet# hea"Nuarters, (here 'heriff Millespie ha" arrange" for a pol#graph test to be ta$en. The 6,' =state poli&e> eKaminer, /# Milson, ha" also "one the tests on m# siK &o(or$ers. ?ust as (e (ere leaving for the appointment, a reporter &alle" an" as$e" for an intervie( about the up&oming pol#graph test. 6uane hung up the phone an" sai" angril#, 59 smell a ratO7 9t appeare" the sheriff ha" not $ept his (or". 5To hell (ith it, thenO 9 tol" him 9 "i"nGt (ant all those reporters sti&$ing mi&rophones in m# fa&e,7 9 rante" sha$il#. %ur agreement ha" been &lear. 9f m# one reNuest ha"nGt been met, (hat else (oul" 9 be in forD 'o, as 9 believe (as perfe&tl# un"erstan"able un"er those &ir&umstan&es, 9 "i" not $eep the appointment. :ater (e sa( Milson on television, being intervie(e" b# man# reporters. -ention (as ma"e of m# eKpe&te" appearan&e. We "i"nGt $no( it, but 'heriff Millespie probabl# reall# ha" $ept his (or". The sheriff ha" as$e" /# Milson to $eep the tests as se&ret as possible, but the press ha" been tailing Milson that morning. =Woul" the# have surveile" him if the# ha"nGt been tippe"D> When Milson noti&e" this, he left b# the ba&$ "oor at hea"Nuarters, "rove ran"oml# aroun" the streets an" stoppe" for a (hile to ma$e sure he lost them. 2ut then he (ent "ire&tl# to the appointe" pla&ethe same lo&ation (here he usuall# gave the pol#graph tests. %ne television station alrea"# ha" a &re( an" &amera set up in an offi&e (in"o( a&ross the street. 9t seems the poli&e ha" hel" a press &onferen&e that morning, suppose"l# &on&erning onl# MilsonGs testing of the other siK men, an" (or" ha" lea$e" out from someone there about m# s&he"ule" test. We returne" to the hotel an" relate" the turn of events. The &n3uirer people (ere not unhapp#. The# preferre" an eK&lusive stor# an#(a#. The# sai" the# (oul" sponsor a pol#graph test from a private firm. 6r. )ar"er (arne" that an# test ta$en no(, so soon after su&h an or"eal (as li$el# to &ome up in&on&lusive at best. 6r. )ar"er sai" a pol#graph measures stress, not lies per se. The theor# behin" a lie "ete&tor is that people register stressful ph#siologi&al responses (hen the# lie. )e note" that 9 (as still eKtremel# agitate" (hen tal$ing about m# eKperien&e. )e &ounsele" that, if a test was performe", the results not be ta$en too seriousl#. 6espite his a"vi&e, arrangements (ere ma"e for a test. 6r. )ar"er eKplaine" the situation to the eKaminer, (ho agree" to $eep the results &onfi"ential if the# turne" out as 6r. )ar"er anti&ipate". The test #iel"e" the pre"i&te" stressful tra&ings, so the resear&hers s&rappe" it. Three ps#&hiatrists brought in b# the &n3uirer that evening eKpresse" the opinion that the test results (ere totall# meaningless. 6r. Warren Morman, 6r. ?ean ;osenbaum =(ho has testifie" in &ourt as an eKpert (itness on the

#2 Tra'(* .a/to)
pol#graph>, an" his (ife, 6r. 2er#l ;osenbaum, all &on&urre" on that point. %ther ,;% &onsultants also later affirme" their &on&lusion. fter that pol#graph eKperiment on November 15, ?ean ;osenbaum state" in a press release to 2/BTI Ne(s 1 of ,hoeniKC 5%ur &on&lusion (hi&h is absoluteis that this #oung man is not l#ingthat there is no &ollusion involve", no attempt to hoaK ... or &ollusion of the famil# or an#one else. There is a rumor aroun" that thereGs &ontra&ts. There are no su&h &ontra&tsno motivation for a lie. The results of tests sho( this is a person (ho has been going through a $in" of life &risis li$e (e all "oL for eKample, a "eath or "ivor&e or an#thing of that $in". The results of ps#&hiatri& tests an" h#pnosis sho( he reall# believes these things. )e is not l#ing.7 EuestionC 5 n# possibilit# of l#ingD ThereGs no hoaK as #ou see itD7 )is ans(erC 5None (hatsoever, thereGs no (a# he &oul" have gotten aroun" these tests, that he &oul" have gotten aroun" in parti&ular the h#pnoti& series that he (as un"er.7 long session of regressive h#pnosis ha" been performe" b# 6r. )ar"er the night before, &on&erning the "etails of m# eKperien&e aboar" the &raft. The h#pnosis (as (itnesse" b# 6r. Aan"ell, 6r. 'aults, 6r. ?ean ;osenbaum, 6r. 2er#l ;osenbaum, long time asso&iate 6r. ;obert Manelin, an" also 6uane an" the &n3uirer &re(. 6r. ;osenbaum later state" he ha" no "oubt that the h#pnosis ha" been performe" &orre&tl#. )e note" that all signs of anKiet# =e#e movement, respiration, mus&le tension, s(eat> ha" vanishe" as soon as 9 (as put un"er an" that all the appropriate tests for a "eep tran&e &he&$e" out. 9 "i" not re&all an# eKperien&es un"er h#pnosis that 9 &oul" not remember before. 6r. )ar"er "i", ho(ever, allo( me to verbali!e m# eKperien&e in greater "etail, (ithout being over(helme" b# m# heretofore &linging anKiet#. 9t (as the first time an#one ha" hear" the entire a&&ount. Fver#one in the room listene" in silent ama!ement as the stor# of m# horrible or"eal unfol"e". . .

CHAPTER #
The liens
'ear will drive men to any extreme5 and the fear ins ired by a su erior being is a mystery which cannot be reasoned away. Meorge 2ernar" 'ha(

=The a&&ount hear" b# the roomful of s&ientists an" reporters "uring the
h#pnosis (oul" onl# appear here as a long series of gentle, probing Nuestions an" terse responses. fter 9 un"er(ent the h#pnoregression, 9 &ontinue" to be able to re&all m# eKperien&es insi"e the &raft (ith greatl# re"u&e" fear. Therefore, to avoi" the te"ium of NuestionBan"Bans(er form, 9 present the a&&ount in the form of a more "etaile", smooth narrative.>

5*hnng ...7 9 moane" silentl#. -# first glimmer of slo(l# returning

&ons&iousness brought (ith it the single overpo(ering sensation of pain. 5%h, "amnO7 9 gritte" m# teeth against the agon#. The eK&ru&iating a&he almost &ause" me to lose &ons&iousness again. Tremen"ous s(ollen, tingling sensations, &entere" in m# hea" an" &hest, "iminishe" in intensit# "o(n(ar" to m# feet. 9 felt ba"l# burne", all over, even insi"e me. Fven (orse than burne"C 9t (as as if 9 ha" been bro$en into a hun"re" pie&es, ha" been literall# &rushe". %h, this "amne" painO 9 "onGt $no( if 9 &an stan" itO 9 thought "esperatel#. 9Gve got to "o somethingO 2ut 9 "i"nGt "are bu"ge for fear of in&reasing the pain. 9 (as l#ing on m# ba&$. 9 "i"nGt tr# to move or even to open m# e#es at first. 9 (as (ea$, so (ater#B(ea$, that 9 $ne( if 9 attempte" to move even m# arm 9G" lapse ba&$ into un&ons&iousness. 9 (as afrai" 9G" upset the balan&e of po(er in

#4 Tra'(* .a/to)
m# inner battle (ith the eK&ru&iating pain. 6esperatel# 9 summone" all 9 &oul" muster of the mental painB&ontrol 9 ha" learne" in $arate training. +irst managing to hol" the sensations at ba#, in&h b# in&h, 9 gaine" groun" against the tormenting a&he. ThatGs betterO 9 thought (ith relief. 9 manage" to put most of the pain out of m# min". -# hea" (as &learer an" 9 &oul" thin$ a little better, but 9 still nee"e" most of m# &on&entration to $eep the pain blo&$e" out. bitter, metalli& taste &overe" m# tongue. -# mouth (as "r# an" 9 (as ver# thirst#. %""l#, the (ea$ness in m# mus&les "i" not seem to &ome from hunger. The trembling felt o"", li$e a strange miKture of eKertion an" illness. 9 ha" never ha" a hea"a&he in m# entire life. 'omething (as terribl# (rong. Mo"O What happene" to meD 9 (on"ere" fearfull#. 9 trie" to remember. -# min" (as still some(hat grogg#. 9 &oul" not re&all an#thing. 9 sluggishl# "ragge" m# e#eli"s open. 9 &oul" not see an#thing. Then a blurre" image began to &oales&e. -# e#es struggle" against the agon#. -# sight shifte" in an" out of fo&us. -# vision slo(l# be&ame &learer. The ha!# s&intillations of light gra"uall# soli"ifie" into an image. 9 &oul" ma$e out some $in" of light sour&e above me. The fiKture (as a luminous re&tangle about three feet b# one an" a half feet. The "iffuse" light &ame from the flat, froste" surfa&e of the re&tangle. The "ire&t light sent "aggers of pain into m# hea". The fiKture gave off a &lear, soft (hite glo(. 9t (as not tremen"ousl# bright, but m# e#es &oul" not han"le it. 9 (in&e" an" blin$e", then shifte" m# ga!e to the tolerable "imness be#on" the glo(ing re&tangle. +or an instant 9 &oul" "istinguish the brushe" metal luster of a &eiling in the softer, refle&te" glo( above the light. The fiKture seeme" to be suspen"e" lo(er an" &loser to me than to the &eiling. 9 "e"u&e" from the nearness of the &eiling that the har" flat surfa&e 9 (as l#ing on (as a raise" table of some $in". WhatGs the matter (ith m# e#esD 9 as$e" m#self. The &eiling is all &roo$e". 9tGs too small on this en" an" too large on that en"O Were m# e#es pla#ing tri&$s on meD 9 &lose" them against the "is&omfort, but soon opene" them again to (ar" off the feeling of vertigo that (elle" up in me. The o""Bshape" &eiling (as in"ee" as 9 ha" per&eive" itC generall# triangular, (ith the base to(ar" m# feet. What a (eir" pla&eO 9 refle&te" (on"eringl#. 9 ha" been hurt. 3eah, that (as itO . . . 2ut (hatD 9 &oul" remember straightening up an" feeling as though somebo"# ha" (ha&$e" me (ith a baseball bat. 'u""enl#, the memor# of (hat happene" before 9G" bla&$e" out &ame rushing ba&$ (ith stunning impa&t. 9 remembere" stan"ing in the &learing in the (oo"s loo$ing up at that glo(ing sau&erO Moo" grief, (hat a sightO 9 ha" seen it move an" hear" its a(esome soun". -# approa&h ha" seeme" to &ause the thing to &ome alive. Then 9 re&alle" stan"ing up an" turning to get a(a# from it. 9 ha" been hurt someho(. . . -a#be that thing ha" hit me (ith somethingO

FIRE IN THE SKY #

Where in hell am 9D . . . %h m# Mo"the hospitalO The# brought me here to the hospitalO 9 thought. The impli&ation gave me a si&$ening feeling "eep "o(n insi"e. Through the agoni!ing a&he 9 &oul" feel that 9 (as at least still (hole an" in one pie&e. 9 nee"e" to get up an" fin" out (hat ha" happene", but 9 &oul" not move. Tr#ing onl# sappe" (hat energ# 9 ha" left. NeKt, 9 trie" to &all out. No soun" &ame. 9 thought 9 ha" better relaK an" &onserve m# strength. 9 (oul" let the "o&tors "o all the (orr#ing. 9 (as safe for no(. 9t (as ver# hot an" humi". The heav# air (as almost stifling. 9t smelle" slightl# stale an" mugg#. 9 (as s(eatingL (arm moisture bea"e" m# temples. +eeling m# Ha&$et bun&he" up un"er m# arms, 9 (on"ere" (h# a nurse ha" not remove" it. 9 still ha" all m# (or$ &lothes on, even m# boots, an" the Ha&$et (as Hust too (arm. 9 must be inHure" so ba" there (asnGt time to ta$e off m# &oat, 9 thought. -a#be 9 (as in an emergen&# room of some $in". %h great, the emergen&# roomO 9 must be hurt reall# ba"O ll 9 &oul" "o (as hope for the best. Then 9 felt something flat pressing "o(n lightl# on m# &hest. 9t felt &ool an" smooth. 9 loo$e" "o(n an" manage" to hol" m# e#es open long enough to see that m# shirt an" Ha&$et (ere pushe" up aroun" m# shoul"ers, eKposing m# &hest an" ab"omen. strange "evi&e &urve" a&ross m# bo"#. 9t (as about four or five in&hes thi&$ an" 9 &oul" feel that it eKten"e" from m# armpits to a fe( in&hes above m# belt. 9t &urve" "o(n to the mi""le of ea&h si"e of m# rib &age. 9t appeare" to be ma"e of shin#, "ar$ gra# metal or plasti&. 9 loo$e" past the upper e"ge of the "evi&e. With the shift in "istan&e m# sight momentaril# blurre" again. 9 &oul" "is&ern the in"istin&t forms of people stan"ing over me. %ne to the left of me, t(o on m# right. 9 straine" to bring them into &learer fo&us. -# vision (as getting better. 9 &oul" see the blurr# figures of the "o&tors, leaning over me (ith their (hite mas$s an" &aps. The# (ere (earing unusual, orangeB&olore" surgi&al go(ns. 9 &oul" not ma$e out their fa&es &learl#. -# bo"# a&he", but 9 &oul" not feel the "o&tors &utting or se(ing me. 9 (on"ere" (hat the# (ere "oing an" Hust ho( serious it (as. 9 felt strong enough to move, but "i"nGt, for fear of &ausing problems for the "o&tors. %h, noO 9 thought, m# min" Humping briefl# at the possibilit# of &oming out of anesthesia in the mi""le of an operation. 9 felt no in&rease in pain an" "ismisse" the thought. That $in" of stuff probabl# onl# happene" in the s&areB stories people pass aroun". 9 "e&i"e" to &onserve m# energ# for re&over#. 9 ha" never been in a ba" a&&i"ent or hurt m#self seriousl#. 9 ha" been prett# health# throughout m# life. 9 ha" not ta$en so mu&h as a single aspirin in #ears. 9 (as al(a#s &areful to avoi" inHur# of an# $in". 2ut here 9 ha" "one something reall# stupi" an" it (as too late to re&onsi"er. Wh# in hell "i" 9 have to get so &loseD That (as so dumb. 9f 9 pull out of this one, 9 thought, 9Gll have learne" m# lesson about tempering &uriosit# (ith

#! Tra'(* .a/to)
&aution. 9 loo$e" again at the vague but reassuring forms of the "o&tors aroun" me. bruptl# m# vision &leare". The su""en horror of (hat 9 sa( ro&$e" me as 9 reali!e" that 9 (as "efinitel# not in a hospital. 9 (as loo$ing sNuarel# into the fa&e of a horrible &reatureO -# senses (ere instantl# ele&trifie" to a ne( $eenness. Fver#thing &li&$e". The (eir"Bshape" room, the strange "evi&e, the o"" &lothing, all a""e" up to one ines&apable &on&lusionC Moo" Mo"O 9 must be insi"e that &raftO &reature (as loo$ing stea"il# ba&$ at me (ith huge, luminous bro(n e#es the si!e of NuartersO 9 re&oile". 9 loo$e" franti&all# aroun" me. There (ere three of themO )#steria over&ame me instantl#. 9 stru&$ out at the t(o on m# right, hitting one (ith the ba&$ of m# arm, $no&$ing it into the other one. -# s(ing (as more of push than a blo(, 9 (as so (ea$ene". The one 9 tou&he" felt soft through the &loth of its garment. The mus&les of its pun# ph#siNue #iel"e" (ith a sponginess that (as more li$e fat than sine(. The &reature (as light an" ha" fallen ba&$ easil#. 9 heave" m#self to a sitting position. The eKertion &ause" bea"s of s(eat to pop out on m# forehea". 9 lunge" unstea"il# to m# feet an" staggere" ba&$. 9 fell against a utensilBarra#e" ben&h that follo(e" the &urve of one (all. -# arm sent some of the instruments &lattering against the ba&$ of the shelf. 9 leane" there heavil#, $eeping m# e#es rivete" on those horri" entities. -# a&tion ha" &ause" the "evi&e a&ross m# &hest to &rash to the floor. No (ires or tubes &onne&te" it to me, or to an#thing else. 9t ro&$e" ba&$ an" forth on its upper si"e. The ro&$ing sent shifting beams of greenish light out onto the floor, from the un"ersi"e of the ma&hine. -# a&hing bo"# (oul" not "o (hat 9 tol" it to. -# legs felt too (ea$ to hol" me up. 9 leane" heavil# on the &ounter. The monstrous trio of humanoi"s starte" to(ar" me. Their han"s rea&he" out at me. With the superhuman effort of a &ornere" animal, 9 groun" out the strength to "efen" m#self. +ighting the splitting pain in m# s$ull, 9 grabbe" for something from the ben&h (ith (hi&h to fen" them off. -# han" sei!e" on a thin transparent &#lin"er about eighteen in&hes long. 9t (as too light to be an effe&tive &lub. 9 nee"e" something sharp. 9 trie" to brea$ the tip off the tube. 9 smashe" the en" of the glassli$e (an" "o(n on the (aistB high metal slab 9 ha" been l#ing on. 9t (oul" not brea$. 9 sprang into a fighting stan&e (ith m# legs sprea" (i"e to bra&e for the atta&$. 9 lashe" out (ith the (eapon at the a"van&ing &reatures, s&reaming "esperate, h#steri&al threats. 5Met a(a# from meO What are #ouD7 9 shoute" (il"l#, shrin$ing a(a# in revulsion. The &reatures slo(e" but &ontinue" to(ar" me, their han"s outstret&he". 5Aeep ba&$, "amn #ouO7 9 shrie$e" mena&ingl#.

FIRE IN THE SKY #"

The# halte". 9n a snarling &rou&h 9 hel" the tube threateningl# ba&$ behin" m# hea". 9 felt hopelessl# trappe". 9 (as surroun"e", (ith m# ba&$ to the (all. There (as a "oor be#on" (here the nightmarish beings stoo". To get out 9 (oul" have to go through them. 9t (as a stan"off. 9 &rou&he" slightl# on m# trembling legs, the &ol" s(eat pouring off me. -# &lamm# grip on the ro" (as too feeble to len" me mu&h reassuran&e, but 9 $ept it "ra(n ba&$ in rea"iness. -# min" (as a (hirling &onfusion of terror. 'ilen&e hung heavil# over the room. The taut emotions pra&ti&all# &ra&$le" in the air, li$e ele&tri&it#. The &reatures stoo" silentl# staring at me. 9 &oul" har"l# bear to loo$ upon them, but 9 got m# first goo" loo$. The# stoo" still, mutel#. The# (ere a little un"er five feet in height. The# ha" a basi& humanoi" formC t(o legs, t(o arms, han"s (ith five "igits ea&h, an" a hea" (ith the normal human arrangement of features. 2ut be#on" the outline, an# similarit# to humans (as terrif#ingl# absent. Their thin bones (ere &overe" (ith (hite, marshmallo(#Bloo$ing flesh. The# ha" on singleBpie&e &overallBt#pe suits ma"e of soft, sue"eli$e material, orangish bro(n in &olor. 9 &oul" not see an# grain in the material, su&h as &loth has. 9n fa&t, their &lothes "i" not appear even to have an# seams. 9 sa( no buttons, !ippers, or snaps. The# (ore no belts. The loose billo(# garments (ere gathere" at the (rists an" perhaps the an$les. The# "i"nGt have an# $in" of raise" &ollar at the ne&$. The# (ore simple pin$ish tan foot(ear. 9 &oul" not ma$e out the "etails of their shoes, but the# ha" ver# small feet, about a si!e four b# our measure. When the# eKten"e" their han"s to(ar" me, 9 noti&e" the# ha" no fingernails. Their han"s (ere small, "eli&ate, (ithout hair. Their thin roun" fingers loo$e" soft an" un(rin$le". Their smooth s$in (as so pale that it loo$e" &hal$#, li$e ivor#. The s$in (as "eli&ate an" thin to the point of translu&en&e. That subtle semitransparen&# ma"e the life flui"s Hust un"erneath the s$in falsel# suggest moistness of the surfa&e, &ontrasting its a&tual "r#ness. The thin (hite membrane stret&he" over the &urves of their small bo"ies, (ithout (rin$les. The ben"s of their fingers an" ne&$s ma"e ver# small, slightl# roun"e" fol"s instea" of sharp &reases. Their bal" hea"s (ere "isproportionatel# large for their pun# bo"ies. The# ha" bulging, oversi!e" &raniums, a small Ha( stru&ture, an" an unB"evelope" appearan&e to their features that (as almost infantile. Their thinBlippe" mouths (ere narro(L 9 never sa( them open. :#ing &lose to their hea"s on either si"e (ere tin# &rin$le" lobes of ears. Their miniature roun"e" noses ha" small oval nostrils. The onl# fa&ial feature that "i"nGt appear un"er"evelope" (ere those in&re"ible e#esO Those glistening orbs ha" bro(n irises t(i&e the si!e of those of a normal human e#eGs, nearl# an in&h in "iameterO The iris (as so large that even parts of the pupils (ere hi""en b# the li"s, giving the e#es a &ertain &atli$e

## Tra'(* .a/to)
appearan&e. There (as ver# little of the (hite part of the e#e sho(ing. The# ha" no lashes an" no e#ebro(s. The o&&asional blin$ of their e#es (as stri$ingl# &onspi&uous. Their huge li"s sli" Nui&$l# "o(n over the glass# bubbles of their e#es, then flippe" open again li$e the release of rollBup (in"o(sha"es. These huge, moist, lashless e#es an" the mil$# translu&en&e of their s$in ma"e their appearan&e sligh"# reminis&ent of a &ave salaman"er. 2ut, strangel#, in spite of m# terror, 9 felt there (as also something gentle an" familiar about them. 9t hit me. Their overall loo$ (as "isturbingl# li$e that of a human fetusO Their sharp ga!e alternatel# "arte" about, then fiKe" me (ith an intense stare a loo$ so pier&ing it seeme" the# (ere seeing right through me. 9 felt na$e" an" eKpose" un"er their s&rutin#. 9 &oul" not bear to meet their ga!e, but 9 foun" m# e#es &ontinuall# returning to loo$ into theirs. 9t (as impossible to avoi" their &ompelling stare. Those e#es (ere the &reepiest, most frightening things 9 ha" seen in m# entire life. 9Gve got to get out of hereO -# min" sei!e" on that one "riving, pani&$e" thought. 9 ha" to get a(a# from those a(ful monsters, a(a# from those horri" e#esO 9 felt "esperate to es&ape. 6esperate to return to the open forest that 9 erroneousl# thought must be some(here Hust outsi"e this stifling pla&e. With all the s&reaming an" the h#steri&al Nuestions 9 ha" thro(n at them, the# never on&e sai" an#thing to me. 9 "i" not hear them spea$ to ea&h other. Their mouths never ma"e an# $in" of soun" or motion. The onl# soun"s 9 hear" (ere those of movements, an" of m# o(n voi&e. Those three silent beings (ere bet(een me an" the onl# apparent (a# out. With the instin&ts of a trappe" beast, 9 gathere" ever# oun&e of energ# 9 ha", to fight for m# life. 9t loo$e" as though those #ears of $arate training (ere about to pa# off. lthough 9 &oul"nGt for sure $no( (hat sort of a"versar# 9 (as up against, there (as nothing parti&ularl# formi"able about the aliens in the sense of han"BtoBhan" &ombat. 'till, 9 $ne( that an un$no(n opponent &oul" hol" man# surprises. What am 9 going to "oD 9 thought (il"l#. 9 "i" not $no( (hat $in" of &ombination of pun&hing or $i&$ing te&hniNues to thro(. -# "ilemma (as li$e that of a (oman nee"ing to brash a huge hair# spi"er off her arm, but too loath to tou&h it to move. 9f 9 &an, 9Gll Hust push them out of the (a# an" run past them . . . but the thought of tou&hing them is so revoltingO 9 groane" in(ar"l#. 9 "i"nGt have the slightest i"ea of (hat the# (ere &apable of "oing to methe# &oul" be &arr#ing hi""en (eapons, or even be venomous, or something (eir" li$e that. 9 onl# $ne( 9 ha" to get out of there, an" get a(a# from them, at an# &ost, even though the prospe&t of battling m# (a# past them (as utterl# terrif#ing. ?ust as 9 gir"e" m#self to spring at them, the# abruptl# turne" an" s&urrie" from the roomO The# (ent out the open "oor, turne" right an" "isappeare". The

FIRE IN THE SKY #$

anti&limaK of their retreat (as in&re"ible. The eKtra a"renaline that ha" sNuirte" into m# bloo"stream left me trembling un&ontrollabl#. 9 &ollapse" ba&$ against the ben&h, struggling to slo( m# ra&ing heart. 9 gulpe" the heav# air in ragge" gasps. 'lo(l# 9 began to re&over. 2reathing "eepl#, 9 loo$e" aroun" me. 9 (as in an irregular room (ith metal (alls. The floor an" &eiling (ere shape" li$e a sli&e of pie (ith the point bitten off. The &eiling (as about seven feet high. Three of the (alls (ere ea&h about t(elve feet in length. T(o of these (ere straight (ith a &on&ave one bet(een. The t(o straight (alls (ere not parallel but interse&te" another smaller, &onveKl# &urve" (all, about eight feet (i"e, on the other en". 9n it an open "oor(a# gape", about three feet b# siK an" a half feet. The metal of the (alls ha" a teKture", gra# matte appearan&e, "ull an" nonrefle&tive. 9 sa( no bolts, rivets, s&re(s, or seams of an# $in". The surfa&es of the (alls, floor, an" &eiling &urve" into ea&h other. Fven the light fiKture, the &urving ben&h, an" the table, simpl# &urve" into the surfa&e to (hi&h the# (ere atta&he". 9n fa&t, ever#thing seeme" to be mol"e" out of a single, &ontinuous pie&e of materialO The room (as "evoi" of ornamentation or &olor. There (ere no (in"o(s or ventilation openings. 9 noti&e" no &upboar"s, &losets, or other "oors. 9 &oul"nGt see an# buttons, s(it&hes, or ele&tri&al re&epta&les on the (alls. The small room &ontaine" onl# the light fiKture, the table, the narro( &ounter 9 leane" on, an" the "evi&e that ha" fallen off m# &hest. The "evi&e ha" Nuit ro&$ing ba&$ an" forth b# no(. 9t la# neKt to the table. The o"" glo( still &ame from un"er its e"ges. 9t ha" hit the floor (ith a lou" noise but, &uriousl#, the floor ha" not &lange" or rung (ith the impa&t. +or a metal room, the a&ousti&s seeme" Nuite abnormalC flat an" (ithout e&ho. The floor an" table onl# thu""e" "eepl# (hen 9 steppe" on or stru&$ the surfa&es. The metal seeme" to be ver# thi&$ an" "ense. The table 9 ha" been l#ing on (as a slab, about an in&h an" a half thi&$ an" approKimatel# three feet b# siK an" a half feet in length. 9ts single roun" leg, about four in&hes in "iameter, &urve" into the floor li$e a stem. The light (as similarl# suspen"e" b# a single "es&en"ing t(oBin&h &olumn that &urve" into the surfa&es of the &eiling an" the fiKture li$e a staB la&tite formation. frai" of the aliensG return, 9 loo$e" to(ar" the "oor. No sign of an#B one. 9 nee"e" something better to "efen" m#self (ith. 9 glan&e" aroun" the room. 9 noti&e" an arra# of strange instruments l#ing on the ben&h. The ben&h (as about eighteen in&hes (i"e an" an in&h an" a half thi&$. 9ts e"ges (ere roun"e" off smoothl#. 9t (as ma"e of that same o"" gra# metalli& subB ran&e. The instruments (ere arrange" near the mi""le of the ben&h, leaving either en" of it &lear. There (as nothing 9 re&ogni!e", but some of the &hromeli$e obHe&ts remin"e" me of those in a laborator# or "o&torGs offi&e. The# (ere shin#

$& Tra'(* .a/to)

strips, ripple", or t(iste", forme" into separate implements. There (as a variet# of transparent tubes or &#lin"ers in "ifferent si!es, similar to the one 9 (as still &lut&hing. There (ere also some bla&$ re&tangular obHe&ts an" something that loo$e" li$e half of a slightl# flattene", &reamB&olore" han"ball (ith a sharp thin metal "is& sti&$ing out from the straight si"e. ll the obHe&ts (ere too small to be effe&tive as (eapons. There (as nothing that 9 &oul" "efen" m#self (ith. 9 (as more afrai" of being hurt by some of those instruments. 9 tou&he" nothing more, thro(ing the &lear tube 9 still hel" "o(n on the floor. Thin$ing 9 ha" hear" a soun", 9 (hirle", Her$ing m# hea" aroun" an" riveting m# e#es on the "oor. gain there (as nothing. %h noO What if the# &ome ba&$ here (ith (eapons or reinfor&ementsD 9 thought (il"l#. 9G" better fin" a (a# outO 'tepping over the "evi&e that ha" been on m# &hest, 9 (ent aroun" the table an" stumble" to the "oor. 9 halte" in the opening. 9 too$ a "eep breath. 9 felt a little stronger, but pain still hammere" relentlessl# in m# hea", an" espe&iall# in m# &hest. 9 (as s(eatingL the heav# air (as "iffi&ult to breathe. 9Gve got to get out of here, 9 thought franti&all# (ith a surge of "etermination. There (as a &urving hall(a# about three feet (i"e outsi"e the "oor. The &eiling of the hall gave off a faint, almost unnoti&eable illumination. 9 loo$e" to the right "o(n the narro(, "iml# lit passage in the "ire&tion the aliens ha" run. There (as no one in sight. 'eeing nothing in the passage to m# left, 9 began (al$ing that (a#. 9 bro$e into a frightene" run "o(n the narro( &orri"or. 9 have to fin" a (a# out of here, 9 thought again. -# pani& (as almost &laustrophobi&. The &rampe" hall(a# turne" &ontinuousl# in a tight &urve to the right. 9 "ashe" past an open "oor(a# on m# left (ithout loo$ing in, onl# ten feet "o(n the hall from the "oor 9 ha" Hust eKite". 9 &aught a glimpse of a room, but (as afrai" to stop. Wait Hust a "amn minute, TravisO 9 struggle" to get a grip on m# selfB&ontrol. What if 9G" misse" a &han&e at that "oor(a# to fin" a (a# out of this pla&eD 9 still "i" not $no( for sure (here in hell 9 (as. 9 &oul" be in a boat, a buil"ing, or a submarine for all 9 $ne(. 9 sa( another "oor(a# ten more feet ahea" on m# right. 9 slo(e" "o(n to a (al$ as 9 neare" it. -a#be this (oul" be m# (a# out. . .

CHAPTER $
)umanD
,, the difference of man and man4 'ha$espeare

he "oor (as onl# a fe( feet ahea" on m# right, on the insi"e &urve of the hall(a#. 9 slo(e" "o(n, turne", an" stoppe" in the opening. 9 loo$e" in &autiousl#. 9 sa( a roun" room about siKteen feet a&ross (ith a "ome" &eiling about ten feet high. FNuall# spa&e" aroun" the room (ere three re&tangular outlines resembling &lose" "oor(a#s. No one there. The room (as totall# empt# eK&ept for a single &hair that fa&e" a(a# from me. 9 loo$e" behin" me. The hall(a# (as still empt#. 9 slo(l# entere" the room. 9 hesitate" to approa&h the highBba&$e" &hair. There might be somebo"# sitting in it that 9 &oul" not see from behin". 9 &ir&le", $eeping m# "istan&e from the &hair, &he&$ing to see if an#one (as sitting in it. 9 follo(e" the &urve of the (all to get aroun" to (here 9 &oul" see. 9 (as rea"# to beat an instant retreat if 9 shoul" see one of those hi"eous &reatures again. 9 stoppe" ever# fe( steps to &rane m# ne&$ over the ba&$ of the &hair. 'eeing nobo"#, 9 &ontinue" aroun" to (here 9 &oul" as&ertain, (ith mu&h relief, that the &hair (as uno&&upie". 9t seeme" to be ma"e of the same "ull gra# metal (as almost ever#thing else. 9t ha" a single leg that &urve" into the floor li$e the leg of the table in the first

$2 Tra'(* .a/to)
room. The &hair (as angular, (ith roun"e" e"ges. There (ere some buttons an" a strange lever on the arm of it. Mlan&ing apprehensivel# to(ar" the open "oor, 9 slo(l# (ent to(ar" the &hair. s 9 gra"uall# approa&he" it, a ver# &urious thing began to happen. The &loser 9 got to it, the "ar$er the room be&ameO 'mall points of light be&ame visible on, or through, the (alls, even the floor. 9 steppe" ba&$ an" the effe&t "iminishe". 9 steppe" for(ar" an" it in&rease" again, the points of light be&oming brighter in &ontrast to the "ar$ening ba&$groun". 9t (as li$e the stars &oming into vie( in the evening, onl# ver# mu&h faster. The matte gra# of the metal (all Hust fa"e" out to be repla&e" b# the glinting, spe&$le" "eepBbla&$ of spa&e. 9 thoughtC -a#be this is a planetariumBt#pe proHe&tion or. . . Moo" griefO What if this is a&tuall# some $in" of a vie(ing s&reen sho(ing (here this thing 9Gm in isD 'pa&e. -a#be it (asnGt like the stars &oming into vie( at nightma#be it (as the stars, in the eternal voi" of spa&eO 9 (as su""enl# grippe" (ith the i&# fear that even if 9 &oul" fin" a (a# outsi"e, 9 (oul" "ie in the airlessness of spa&e. -# Mo", the s(eet earth &oul" be millions of miles a(a#O 9 &oul" see no &onstellations 9 re&ogni!e" among the m#ria" points of light. Fven if 9 &oul" fin" a "oor or a hat&h, 9 might be trappe"O. . . No. . . /oO 9 hope" an" pra#e" it (as not true. There Hust had to be a (a# outO 9 loo$e" at the &ontrols on the &hair. -a#beHust ma#beone of those buttons (oul" open a "oor or something. 9 move" &loser an" stu"ie" the arra# of s(it&hes. %n the left arm, there (as a single short thi&$ lever (ith an o""l# mol"e" han"le atop some "ar$ bro(n material. %n the right arm, there (as an illuminate", limeBgreen s&reen about five in&hesPsNuare. *n"er that, a sNuare of approKimatel# t(ent#Bfive &olore" buttons. 9 loo$e" for s#mbols or (ritten (or"s an" foun" none. The s&reen ha" a lot of bla&$ lines on it that interse&te" ea&h other at all angles. The lines ha" short little "ashes interse&ting them at regular intervals. %n some of the lines, the "ashes (ere (i"el# spa&e"L on others, there (ere man# &losel#Bspa&e" "ashes. The buttons belo( the s&reen (ere arrange" in about five verti&al ro(s, (ith one &olor for ea&h ro(C re", #ello(, green, blue, an" violet. The &olors (ere bright, lit faintl# from (ithin. The eKperiment 9 (as &onsi"ering (as ris$#, but 9 (as "esperate. 9 rea&he" out, m# finger hovering over one of the green buttons un&ertainl#. %n impulse, 9 (ent ahea" an" pushe" it. 9 loo$e" aroun" the room an" listene" &arefull# nothing happene". When 9 pushe" the button, 9 noti&e" that the segmente" lines on the s&reen ha" move". 9 re&$lessl# pushe" another green one. The lines rapi"l# &hange" angles, sli" "o(n ea&h other, then stoppe". 9 pushe" some of the other &olore" buttons. Nothing happene". Nothing move" an" no soun" &oul" be hear".

FIRE IN THE SKY $3

Trembling, 9 sat "o(n on the har", slightl#B&urve" surfa&e of the &hair. This put the short lever on m# left. 9 put m# han" onto its mol"e" TBgrip. The lever (as about an in&h in "iameter. The &ho&olateBbro(n han"le (as slightl# small for m# han". The (hole &hair seeme" a little too small. +rom (here 9 sat, 9 &oul" see stars all aroun" me, even on the (all (here 9 ha" Hust &ome through the "oor. The surfa&es of the room (ere onl# faintl# visible, but the "oor(a# 9 ha" &ome through (as as &lear to see as ever. 9 &oul" see nebulous &lou"s of tin# stars an" "ust in a ban" li$e the -il$# Wa#, onl# more "istin&t than 9 ha" ever seen it on a &lear night in the (oo"s. FK&ept for the "oor, the effe&t (as li$e sitting in a &hair in the mi""le of spa&e. QWell, here goes,7 9 sai" to m#self. 9 rotate" the han"le of the lever for(ar", feeling the slo(, even, flui" resistan&e of it. 9 felt su""enl# "isoriente" as the stars began moving "o(n(ar" in front of me, in unison. Eui&$l# 9 pulle" m# han" off the lever. The stars stoppe" moving. The han"le slo(l# returne" to its original position. The stars "i" not return to their original position, ho(ever, but remaine" (here the# (ere. 6amnO (omething has to (or$O 9 &lung to that one shre" of hope li$e a "ro(ning man. %ver&oming the momentar# gi""iness, 9 again grabbe" the han"le. 9mpulsivel#, 9 move" the han"le in a series of "ifferent "ire&tions. The han"le seeme" to rotate in"epen"entl# of the lever (hen 9 rolle" it for(ar" or to the si"es. The stars began (hirling an" &hanging "ire&tions (il"l# in response to the leverGs movements. 2ut the stars al(a#s retaine" the same patB iem in their motions. 9 pulle" m# han" a(a# from the lever an" it returne" to its original verti&al position. The stars again regaine" the position the#G" hel" (hen 9 release" m# grip on the han"le. 9f this thing is fl#ing, 9 &oul" &rash it or thro( it off &ourse an" get lost or somethingO 9 (orrie". What if it Hust eKplo"e"D 9 resolve" not to tamper (ith those &ontrols an#more. 9 might es&alate a "esperate situation into a fatal "isaster. 9 got out of the &hair an" (al$e" to the e"ge of the room. s 9 "i", the stars fa"e" out an" the surfa&es of the (all, &eiling, an" floor &ame into sight. 9 move" over to one of the re&tangles resembling &lose" "oors. 9 sear&he" the e"ges for a sign of a s(it&h or an opening me&hanism. 'eeing none, 9 ran m# han"s along the e"ges of the &ra&$. 9 &oul" not feel an# "raft through it 9 put m# e#e to the &ra&$L 9 &oul" not see an# light, either. 9 loo$e" aroun" for some $in" of s#mbol or (riting that (oul" help me figure out (here 9 (as or ho( to get out of there. None. 9 (al$e" ba&$ to the &hair an" stoo" besi"e it, loo$ing at the buttons. There (ere some 9 ha" not #et pushe". 9 (as thin$ing about pushing some of them, (hen 9 hear" a faint soun". 9 (hirle" aroun" an" loo$e" at the "oor. There, stan"ing in the open "oor(a#,

$4 Tra'(* .a/to)
(as a human beingO 9 stoo" fro!en to the spot. )e (as a man about siK feet t(o in&hes tall. )is helmete" hea" barel# &leare" the "oor(a#. )e (as eKtremel# mus&ular an" evenl# proportione". )e appeare" to (eigh about t(o hun"re" poun"s. )e (ore a tightBfitting bright blue suit of soft material li$e velour. )is feet (ere &overe" (ith bla&$ boots, a bla&$ ban" or belt (rappe" aroun" his mi""le. )e &arrie" no tools or (eapons on his belt or in his han"sL no insignia mar$e" his &lothing. Wo(O )o( "i" he get hereD 9s he from the air for&eD WhatGs going on hereD -a#be heGs from N ' O 9Gm save"O nother humanone of m# o(n $in"O ;elief floo"e" over me. Never before ha" 9 been so gla" to see a total stranger. The man gesture" (ith his right han" for me to &ome to(ar" him. )e be&$one" (ith his open han". 9 ran up to him, eK&laiming, babbling all sorts of Nuestions. 5)o( "i" #ou get in hereD Man #ou get me out of hereD There (ere these horrible things in here. . . WhatGs going onD Who are #ouD ,lease, help meO7 The man remaine" silent throughout m# verbal barrage. 9 (as (orrie" b# his silen&e. 9 loo$e" &losel# at his fa&e through the helmet. )e ha" &oarse, san"#Bblon" hair of me"ium length, &overing his ears. )e ha" a "ar$ &ompleKion, li$e a "eep, even tan. )e ha" no bear" or musta&he. 9n fa&t, 9 &oul"nGt even see stubble or "ar$ sha"o( of (his$ers. )e ha" slightl# rugge", mas&uline features an" strange e#es. The# (ere a bright, gol"en ha!el &olor but there (as something o"" about those e#es besi"es their &olor that 9 &oul" not Nuite i"entif#. )is helmet (as li$e a transparent sphere, slightl# flattene". No tubes or hoses. 9ts (i"e bla&$ rim (as set "o(n &lose over the &ontour of his shoul"er. The bla&$ rim ha" a small oval opening in it in the ba&$. The helmet might have been lightl# froste" on the ba&$, or it might have been Hust the lighting that ma"e it appear that (a#. The man "i" not offer an# a&$no(le"gment of m# Nuestions. )e onl# smile" $in"l# in a faintl# tolerant manner. )e "i"nGt appear to even be attempting to repl#. Then it hit meC ThatGs itO %f &ourse he &anGt ans(er (ith that helmet on. )e probabl# &anGt even hear meO )e too$ me firml# but gentl# b# the left arm an" gesture" for me to go (ith him. )e seeme" frien"l# enough. )e probabl# Hust (ante" to get somepla&e (here he &oul" remove his helmet. )is nee" for the helmet ma"e me some(hat uneas#. -a#be 9G" better go (ith him, the sooner to get out of this air(hi&h, even if itGs not harmful, is stiflingl# (arm an" humi". n#(a#, heGs too big to argue (ith. 9 (as anKious to have all m# Nuestions ans(ere", but 9 figure" ever#thing (oul" be eKplaine" (hen (e got to (here (e (ere going. +or the moment, 9 (as relieve" merel# to be in the &ompan# of a real human being. 9 $ne( one thing for sureC 9f 9 &oul" get mm of here an" a(a# from (here those aliens lur$e", 9 (as going to &ooperate.

FIRE IN THE SKY $

)e too$ me out of that room an" hurrie" me "o(n the narro( hall(a#, pulling me along behin" him "ue to its narro(ness. The hall(a# &ontinB ue" to &urve to our right. )e stoppe" in front of a &lose" "oor(a# that sli" open to his right, into the (all. 9 "i" not see (hat &ause" it to open. The "oor opene" into a bare room so small it (as more li$e a fo#er or se&tion of hall(a#, although it (as slightl# (i"er than the hall (e ha" Hust left. The "oor sli" shut Nui&$l# an" silentl# behin" us. gain 9 attempte" to tal$ the man as (e stoo" there. Where are (e goingD7 9 as$e" anKiousl#. No ans(er. We spent approKimatel# t(o minutes in the metal &ubi&le, no more than seven b# five b# t(elve feet. Then a "oor(a#, the same si!e as the other "oor an" "ire&tl# opposite it, sli" open, also to the right. The brilliant (arm light that &ame through the opening "oor into the airlo&$B li$e room (as almost li$e "a#light in &olor an" brightness. +resh, &ool air (afte" in, remin"ing me of springtime in the outBofB"oors, ma$ing me reali!e Hust ho( "ar$ an" stifling that pla&e ha" been. What a relief that fresh air (asO The si"e (alls of the passage outsi"e the "oor slope" "o(n at a fort#B fiveB "egree angle to meet a ramp that &ontinue" its slope. While m# e#es be&ame a&&ustome" to the bright light, 9 stoo" on the lan"ing for a moment. The air move" aroun" me in a softl# flu&tuating &urrent. 9 stoo" an" inB hale" "eepl# the &lean, &ool bree!e. The last t(inges of the a&he in m# hea" an" &hest almost &ompletel# "isappeare". 9 ha" nearl# forgotten the "isB&omfort that ha" been (ith me &onstantl# sin&e 9 ha" regaine" &ons&iousB 9 loo$e" aroun" to "is&over that, although 9 (as outsi"e that "im, humi" &raft 9 (as not outBofB"oors. 9 (as in a huge room. The &eiling (as se&B tione" into alternating re&tangles of "ar$ metal an" those that gave off light li$e the sun shining through a translu&ent panel. The alternation of the light an" "ar$ panels remin"e" me of a &he&$erboar". The &eiling itself &urve" to form one of the larger (alls in the room. The room (as shape" li$e oneBNuarter of a &#lin"er lai" on its si"e. 9 "es&en"e" the short, steep ramp seven or eight feet to the floor. The ramp seeme" as if it (oul" be "iffi&ult to (al$ "o(n at the angle it "esen"e", but it turne" out to be floore" (ith a ver# sure gripping, rubberB li$e surfa&e. The outsi"e of the &raft (e ha" Hust left (as shape" li$e the one (e ha" seen in the (oo"s, li$e t(o pie pans pla&e" lip to lip (ith a "ome on top. but (as ver# mu&h larger, about siKt# feet in "iameter an" siKteen feet high. 9t "i" not emit lightL instea" it ha" a surfa&e of shin# brushe"Bmetal luster. 9t seeme" to ra"iate a faint heat from its hull. The &raft either sat flat on its bottom or, if it ha" legs, the# (ere onl# a fe( in&hes high. 9t sat nearl# in the mi""le of the large room. %n m# left, to(ar" one en" of the large room, there (ere t(o or three ovalB shape" sau&ers, refle&ting light li$e highl# polishe" &hrome. 9 sa( be#on" the

$! Tra'(* .a/to)
e"ge of the brushe"Bmetal &raft a silver# refle&tion that &oul" have been another shin#, roun"e" &raft. 9 &oul" see t(o of them ver# &learl#. against the (all at the en" of the hangarli$e room. The# (ere about fort# or fort#Bfive feet in "iameter, Nuite a bit smaller than the angular vehi&le 9 ha" Hust &ome out of. 9 sa( no proHe&tions or brea$s in the smooth, shin#, flattene" spheres. The# sat on ver# roun"e" bottoms an" 9 &oul" not see ho( the# balan&e" that (a#. ,erhaps the# (ere bra&e" or atta&he" in some (a# to the (all behin" them. The man es&orte" me a&ross the open floor to a "oor. The "ull green floor seeme" to be ma"e of a spring#, semihar" rubber# pavement, some(hat similar to the material of an in"oor tra&$. The "oors opene" silentl# an" Nui&$l# from the mi""le out(ar". We (ere in a hall(a# about siK feet (i"e, illuminate" from the eightBfootBhigh &eiling, (hi&h (as one long panel of softl# "iffuse" light. The (alls (ere a pastel offBgreen, the floor (as the same &arpetli$e soft pavement of the large room (e ha" Hust left. The hall(a# (as straight an" perhaps eight# feet long. /lose" "ouble "oors (ere "istribute" along the &orri"or. 5When "o 9 get to go homeD7 9 as$e". 5Where are (e going no(D7 No repl#. t the en" of the hall(a#, another pair of "ouble "oors. 9 (at&he" &losel# this time. 9 "i" not see him tou&h an#thing, but again the "oors sli" silentl# ba&$ from the mi""le. We entere" a (hite room approKimatel# fifteen feeC sNuare, (ith another eightBfootBhigh &eiling. The room ha" a table an" a &hair in it. 2ut m# interest (as imme"iatel# fo&use" on the three other humansO T(o men an" a (oman (ere stan"ing aroun" the table. The# (ere all (earing velvet# blue uniforms li$e the first manGs, eK&ept that the# ha" no helmets. The uniforms (ere &uffless an" &ollarless. The# fit ver# tightl# or. the upper bo"# an" upper legs, slightl# looser on the lo(er legs. The pant legs tu&$e" loosel# into or (ere atta&he" to the short boottops. The boots (ere ma"e of a soft, "ull bla&$ material. Neither the boots nor the bar. aroun" the (aist appeare" to be ma"e of leather. The boots "i" not have a har" soleL the# (ere more li$e mo&&asins. seam or a line in the material of their uniforms ran from the mi""le of the ne&$line "o(n to the (aist. There (as no bu&$le on the ban" aroun" the mi""le, no (eapons or tools on the ban". The# also (ore no insignia. The t(o men ha" the same mus&ularit# an" the sameB mas&uline goo" loo$s as the first man. The (oman also ha" a fa&e an" figure that (as the epitome of her gen"er. The# (ere smoothBs$inne" an" blemishless. No moles, fre&$les, (rin$les, or s&ars mar$e" their s$in. The stri$ing goo" loo$s of the man 9 ha" first met be&ame more obvious on seeing them all together. The# share" a famil#Bli$e resemblan&e, although the# (ere not i"enti&al. The# all ha" the same &oarse, bro(nish blon" hair. The (oman (ore hers longer than the men, past her shoul"ers. 'he "i" not appear to be (earing ma$eup. The# all seeme" to be in their mi"Bt(enties, perhaps ol"er. ll ha"

FIRE IN THE SKY $"

those same intense, gol"en ha!el e#es. Whether it (as their brightness or some other Nualit#, something (as "efinitel# o"" about those e#esL but 9 &oul" not pin "o(n their "isturbing nature. Their most en&ouraging feature, other than appearing human, (as that the# (ore no helmets. -a#be they &oul" hear meO 9nstantl# 9 starte" tal$ing to them, tr#ing to get them to ans(er. 5Woul" somebo"# lease tell me (here 9 amD7 9 implore". 9 (as still utterl# sha$en from m# en&ounter (ith those a(ful other &reatures. 5What in hell is going onD What is this pla&eD7 The# "i"nGt ans(er me. The# onl# loo$e" at me, though not un$in"l#. The helmete" man sat me "o(n in a &hair. )e &rosse" the room to a "oor an", (hen it opene", (ent out. There (as a &orri"or outsi"e the "oorL he turne" right. The &hair he ha" seate" me in (as soft an" &omfortable. 9t (as upholstere" (ith a &loseBgraine", or (eaveless, tan fabri&. 9t (as sNuare" off, but the si"es angle" so that the bottom (as smaller than the top. 9t ha" no legsL the ba&$ (as roun"e". 9t stoo" to the right of the "oor through (hi&h 9 ha" Hust entere". The table (as a shin# bla&$ slab (ith a single silver# leg about siK in&hes in "iameter. 9t stoo" mi"(a# a&ross the room, (as about seven feet b# three an" a half feet a&ross, an" t(o in&hes thi&$, (ith roun"e" e"ges an" &orners. %ne man an" the (oman &ame aroun" the table, approa&hing me. The# stoo" on either si"e of the &hair. 5What are #ou "oingD7 9 as$e". 'ilentl# the# ea&h too$ me b# an arm an" le" me to(ar" the table. 9 "i"nGt $no( (h# 9 shoul" &ooperate (ith them. The# (oul"nGt even tell me an#thing. 2ut 9 (as in no position to argue, so 9 (ent along at first. The# lifte" me easil# onto the e"ge of the table. 9 be&ame (ar# an" starte" protesting. 5Wait a minute. ?ust tell me (hat #ou are going to "oO7 9 began to resist them, but all three began pushing me gentl# ba&$(ar" "o(n onto the table. 9 loo$e" up at the &eiling, &overe" (ith panels of softl# glo(ing (hite light (ith a faint blue &ast. 9 sa( that the (oman su""enl# ha" an obHe&t in her han" from out of no(here it loo$e" li$e one of those &lear, soft plasti& oK#gen mas$s, onl# there (ere no tubes &onne&te" to it. The onl# thing atta&he" to it (as a small bla&$ golfballB si!e" sphere. 'he presse" the mas$ "o(n over m# mouth an" nose. 9 starte" to rea&h up to pull it a(a#. 2efore 9 &oul" &omplete the motion, 9 rapi"l# be&ame (ea$. Fver#thing starte" turning gra#. Then there (as nothing at all but bla&$ oblivion. .. /ons&iousness returne" to me on the night 9 a(o$e to fin" m#self on the &ol" pavement (est of )eber, ri!ona.

PART 2
nal#sis

CHAPTER 1&
Euestion of 2elief
8ead not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, but to weigh and consider. 'ir +ran&is 2a&on

n opening this boo$ 9 in&lu"e" a "is&ussion of bias an" the nee" for an open min" in Hu"ging the vali"it# of our =mine an" m# &o(or$ersG> eKperien&e (ith the *+%. 6ue to the uniNue an" in&re"ible nature of that eKperien&e, 9 feel that man# of the Nuestions as$e" are perfe&tl# Hustifiable an" appropriate. 2ut (hen ans(ers to those Nuestions are arrive" at (ithout fair eKamination of all the evi"en&e, 9 strenuousl# obHe&t. 9 maintain that if all the evi"en&e ha" been anal#!e" (ith an open min", none of the various (il" a&&usations against m# &o(or$ers an" me ever (oul" have been ma"e. n#one un(illing to eKamine relevant evi"en&e is reall# not Hustifie" in forming an opinion about anything. While nearl# ever#one (as prematurel# ma$ing up their min"s (hether (e (ere sane or &ra!#, truthful or l#ing, the erial ,henomena ;esear&h %rgani!ation = ,;%> (ent Nuietl# about its business of assessing the vali"it# of the &ase from a s&ientifi& stan"point. ,;% performe" an eKtensive batter# of me"i&al, ps#&hiatri&, h#pnoti&, an" pol#graph eKaminations (hi&h, (ith other evi"en&e an" the ph#si&al fa&ts of the &ase, eKpose all the a&&usations as unHustifie". When 9 step ba&$ an" ta$e a loo$ at all the atta&$s ma"e on the vera&it# of m# in&i"ent over the #ears, 9 am "isturbe" b# the simple fa&t that some of this stuff (as ever Hu"ge" fit to print. To be fair, 9 have en&ountere" some eK&ellent

FIRE IN THE SKY 1&1

Hournalists, even some (ho (ere s$epti&al, (ho "i" their best to verif# their fa&ts an" present an obHe&tive, balan&e" vie(L the ones (ho "i"nGt Hust preten" to leave &on&lusions to the rea"er (hile a&tuall# ma$ing their o(n. %bHe&tivit# is the stan"ar" 9 have &ome to feel 9 shoul" strive for. 9 use" to be offen"e", even outrage", not Hust at false 5evi"en&e,7 but at "isbelief itself. 9 no( reali!e that a &ertain "egree of "isbelief is perfe&tl# un"erstan"ableL after all, people are tr#ing to Hu"ge a trul# in&re"ible report in (hat 9 fran$l# a&$no(le"ge is an absen&e of in"isputable proof. Therefore, in revie(ing these issues, 9 (ill pla# "evilGs a"vo&ate in pla&es. ;ather than sa#, 5This ainGt so G&ause 9 (as there an" 9 know ho( it reall# (as,7 9 (ill tr# to ta$e (hat is =for someone in m# pla&e> the more "iffi&ult positionC one that &onsi"ers, rather than automati&all# "ismisses, negative 5evi"en&e,7 at least for purposes of "is&ussion. 9Gll tr# to present (hat is nee"e" for an obHe&tive outsi"er to &on"u&t an informe" evaluation. 9 enter this area of "is&ussion (ith miKe" feelings be&ause here, in the mi"st of finall# having m# o(n sa#, 9Gm ina"vertentl# provi"ing an eKten"e" forum for statements b# others that shoul" never have been ma"e in the first pla&e. There is a postBWatergate mentalit# that assumes that publi& "enials =or even allegations alone> are in themselves evi"en&e of (rong"oing. 9tGs be&ome so routine to hear truste" publi& offi&ials ma$e "enials of things (e later learn are true, that (e have nearl# &ome to treat "enials as &onfessions. This situation lea"s man# a&&use" publi& figures to use the ta&ti& of avoi"ing &omment altogether, even (hen being truthful. Not me. 9Gm no longer going to let this litan# of innuen"o, this tissue of lies an" a" ho& assumptions, "ominate the floor un&hallenge". %ne thing 9Gve learne" about the me"ia is that the retra&tion usuall# gets a smaller hearing than the original error, if the retra&tion gets hear" at all. 2esi"es (on"ering ho( su&h baseless atta&$s &an ma$e it into print, 9 am further anno#e" at ho( things alrea"# "isprove" $eep being re&#&le" over the #ears. Not onl# (ere a lot of the allegations in"isputabl# refute" long ago, the# ha" been absur" right from the start. s 9 (ill "emonstrate, a momentGs thought (oul" have imme"iatel# remove" a lot of this stuff from &onsi"eration. The &re"entials an" &re"ibilit#, metho"s an" motives, of m# a"vo&ates (ere mi&ros&opi&all# s&rutini!e" (hile those of m# "etra&tors (ent un&hallenge". 9f even a fra&tion of the s$epti&ism applie" against me an" m# proponents ha" been applie" to the na#sa#ers, their &ampaign (oul" have en"e" even as it began. %ne mis&on&eption is so &ommon it (arrants being ran$e" as a &lassi& logi&al falla&#C the belief that if there are so man# "ifferent atta&$s hear" so man# times from so man# "ifferent sour&es, there must be some vali"it# to them. The truth, of &ourse, is that a billion falsehoo"s tol" a billion times b# a billion people are still false.

1&2 Tra'(* .a/to)

What ma$es this reasoning espe&iall# illogi&al is (hen the various allegations starkly contradict ea&h other. The most fun"amental test of vali"it# is the la( of &ontra"i&tioni.e., a thing &annot be both an" not . 9t is irrational to ta$e a &olle&tion of theories that are mutuall# eK&lusive an" a&t as if the# a"" up an" give (eight to ea&h other. 3et m# foremost &riti&s "o eKa&tl# that. %ne man even sai" that it (as a hoaK an" a "rug hallu&ination in one breathO :ogi&all# spea$ing, not onl# "oes a &olle&tion of in&ompatible a&&usations not have &ompoun"ing strength, ea&h &an&els the others so that the &olle&tion has less merit than an# one (oul" have if ma"e alone. This observation is espe&iall# true (hen man# "isparate allegations are put forth b# a single in"ivi"ual. Wh#D 2e&ause it be&omes apparent that the a&&user is not move" b# the for&e of evi"en&e for a spe&ifi& theor#, but instea" b# some motive receding his flurr# of ta&ti&s. Whi&h brings up the NuestionC ?ust (hat is his real motiveD 9roni&all#, (hen oneGs foremost "etra&tor ma$es an internall# in&onsistent s&attergun assault, he is a&tuall# ma$ing a perverse sort of en"orsement, be&ause it is &lear the "etra&tor himself "oesnGt believe that an# one of his atta&$s has suffi&ient merit to stan" alone. )e rather refutes his o(n position an" impugns his o(n motives. :i$e the 2ar" sa#s, 5-ethin$s he "oth protest too mu&h.7 2ut still, (e have this hail of "isparagement against (hat has other(ise been a&&laime" b# the top people in the fiel" as the most proven, best "o&umente" &ase of alien ab"u&tion in the histor# of s&ientifi& ufolog#. 'o (hat is it about this in&i"ent that "re( so mu&h fireD /oul" it have simpl# been a natural rea&tion to the bi!arreness of the reportD 9Gve seen m# eKperien&e &riti&all# "isse&te" in a maga!ine alongsi"e a s#mpatheti&, &re"ulous report of bare &laims of atta&$s b# giganti& bir"s (hi&h offere" no multiple (itnesses, no pol#graph tests, no ph#si&al evi"en&e, virtuall# no "o&umentation at all. 6onGt misun"erstan". There (ere man# people (ho never "oubte" the realit# of the stor# an" man# ne(s reports gave unbiase" a&&ounts. 2ut on the other han", others put forth absolutel# ever# &on&eivable alternative eKplanation. ttempts to eKplain it all a(a# ha" a pre"i&table, $neeBHer$ &orrelation to the na#sa#erGs fiel" of spe&ialt#. To la(men our report (as a &over stor# for mur"er. To some ne(smen it (as a publi&it# stunt. To a substan&eBabuse (or$er, the best (a# to "ismiss it (as an al&ohol or "rug hallu&ination. To a geologist, the &raft be&ame es&aping un"ergroun" gases or ball lightning generate" b# plate te&toni&s. To religious fanati&s it ha" to be either 'atanGs minions in "isguise or fier# &hariots of the go"s. To an atheist8humanist it (as the result of Nuasireligious *+% fanati&ism of 5true believers.7 To astronomers the eas# alternative (as a misi"entifie" planet. %ne ps#&hiatrist eKplaine" it as &hil"hoo" mental trauma &ulminating in a 5transitor# ps#&hosis.7 n" to a *+% 5"ebun$er,7 it (as most of these, simultaneousl#O =;ea"ers (ill noti&e that 9 put 5"ebun$er7 in Nuotation mar$s. That is be&ause the people 9 refer to "onGt so

FIRE IN THE SKY 1&3

mu&h remove bun$ as &reate it.> s 9 shall sho(, these various theories are at &omplete o""s (ith ea&h other an", more importantl#, at &omplete o""s (ith basi&, easil# verifie" fa&ts. 9tGs almost as if people (ere sa#ing, Anything but thatO No matter ho( farB fet&he", a" ho&, or poorBfitting the evi"en&e anything but thatO What the he&$ (as going on hereD /oul" it have been ba&$lash to (hat (as seen as a &hallenge to an a&&ustome" an" &omfortable (orl"vie(D Mrante", the astoun"ing nature of the in&i"ent &oul" partiall# Hustif# rea&tions, but the "esperate grasping for alternative eKplanations (hi&h transpire" reall# (ent be#on" even that. 9 believe 9Gve isolate" several &ontributing fa&tors to (h# things turne" so ineKpli&abl# negative. The &auses &omprise siK main areas. 9Gve alrea"# mentione" oneC tena&ious "efense of longBhel" beliefs. The other five areas are or"inar# fear =(hi&h nee" not be eKplaine">, ufologistsG rivalr#, me"ia fallibilit#, human sus&eptibilit#, an" the "ebun$ersG obsession. Through these fa&tors runs the &ommon threa" of &onformit#. -# ignoran&e of the fiel" let me (al$ unsuspe&ting into the &rossfire of a longBraging rivalr# among ufologists. 9n November 1970 ?esse Aornbluth publishe" an arti&le, 5The *fologist Fstablishment,7 slamming the people an" organi!ations in the fiel" of *+% stu"ies, using m# eKperien&e as the football for his $i&$off. %f m# return he (roteC . . . Travis (as ab"u&te" again, this time b# the *fologist Fstablishment . . . groups that have spa&eBage# a&ron#mi& &o"e names (hi&h rea" li$e N ' paro"ies. . . ,;% . . . N9/ ,. . . -*+%N. . . N*B +%N9N. n" li$e the offi&ial spa&e agen&#, the *+% Fstablishment has superstarsC 6r. ?. llen )#ne$, 5the ,ope of *folog#7 (ho (as for t(ent# #ears the ir +or&e &onsultant on *+%s, an" ph#si&ist 'tanton +rie"man, 5the ;alph Na"er of *+%s7 . . . Travis Walton never ha" a &han&e against this &re( . . . he en"e" up getting "evoure" b# these suppose"l# frien"l# for&es. . . ,oor Travis. Ni&e $i" but not too &lever (hen it &omes to the nitt#Bgritt# of *+% politi&$ing. . . What Travis "i"nGt reali!e, ho(ever, is that he (as little more than a pie&e of pri!e boot# in a bi!arre intraorgani!ational (ar, an" that fl#ing sau&ers ha" nothing to "o (ith it. When 9 first rea" the arti&le 9 (as in&ense" b# its untruths, its mo&$er# m# eKperien&e. The lo#alt# 9 felt to ,;% for all the# ha" "one for me in&rease" m# anger. 9 (rote a si!!ling =but neverBsent> letter of rebuttal. )o(ever 9 no( reali!e there is some truth to the part 9Gve Nuote" here, (ith t(o reservationsC the in&lusion of 'tanton +rie"man, an" m# belief that -*+%N han"le" the situation prett# (ell, given the &ir&umstan&esla&$ of information from the me"ia, an" in&orre&t information from M'W. 9 believe that mine (oul" have been &onsi"ere" an eK&eptionall# vali" b# an# one of those organi!ationsif that organi!ation ha" been the one to get primar#, or even bettereK&lusivea&&ess to the investigation. )o(ever, (hether "eliberatel#, un&ons&iousl#, or unintentionall# "ue to me"ia misinformation,

1&4 Tra'(* .a/to)

those more eK&lu"e" ten"e" to ta$e the more s$epB ti&al stan&e. That last senten&e is a vast un"erstatement in the &ase of M'W, Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h. 'paul"ing ha" never even met me or an# of the siK (itnesses. )is pseu"os&ientifi& 5bafflegab7 (as ri""le" (ith linguisti& malapropisms an" non seNuiturs, but it (as eagerl# re&eive" b# an informationBstarve" press. 9 (as "e&lining all reNuests for intervie(s, an" nature abhors a va&B Tum. The po(erful va&uum generate" b# m# silen&e ha" the unfortunate si"e effe&t of inflating a minor figure into the onl# available sour&e regar"ing a maHor onB going ne(s stor#. The fourth &ause of the negative rea&tions is me"ia fallibilit#. 9n the &ompetition for the 5s&oop7 an" the ma" "ash to meet "ea"lines, no time s allo(e" to &he&$ &re"entials or verif# even basi& fa&tsespe&iall# in the mi"st of a me"ia fee"ing fren!#. n" a little bloo" in the (ater &an "rastiB &all# transform a mil"Bmannere" reporter. %n&e a negative treatment is a"opte", man# reporters su&&umb to a mob mentalit#, follo(ing in unison the s(ell of &hanging "ire&tion li$e a s&hool of barra&u"a. To put it bluntl#, the# &rib&op# ea&h other. 9nstea" of initiating their o(n inNuiries, the# unNuestioningl# use their &olleaguesG previous reports as foun"ation for their o(n. The# rea" ea&h other an" &all it resear&h. ,eople (ho Hust 5go (ith the flo(7 shoul" be more &areful someone ma# have Hust flushe" the toilet. The fifth fa&tor &ausing the fallout, human sus&eptibilit#, refers to the beB havior of people in an" aroun" the event. That event generate" su&h inB tense emotional feelings in ever#one involve" that 9 am ama!e" so man# s$epti&al theories (ere base" upon observations of people a&ting at varian&e (ith (hat the# eKpe&te" (oul" be 5normal7 behavior. 9n the mi"st of eK&itement so intense, pressure so high, a miK of variables so &ompleK an" &irB rumstan&es so bi!arre, ho( &an an#one hol" pre&on&eive" notions about (hat a natural rea&tion (oul" beD 2eing the fo&us of all this gives me a uniNue perspe&tive, from (hi&h 9 &an, in retrospe&t, venture an anal#sis of some &ommon threa"s running through the motivations of people near the epi&enter. n earthBsha$ing event su""enl# interrupts ever#oneGs mun"ane lives, an", temporaril# suspen"ing or"inar# &on&erns, &reates a miKture of an 5air of emergen&#7 anKiet# an" a 5s&hoolGs out7 &arnival atmosphere. /ombine simultaneousl# un&ertaint# an" un"eniabilit#, stir in heaping measures of su""en sho&$, fear, strangeness, suspi&ion, an" lost sleep, an" the (hole s&ene begins to ta$e on an unreal Nualit#. n#one (ho "oesnGt live here might not be able to appre&iate Hust ho( over(helming all this upheaval (as for su&h a serenel# &onservative little rural to(n (here $i"s &omplain that 5nothing ever happens.7 Fven more than this, though, is that (hen all this fervor is fo&use" on one in"ivi"ual, (hen ever#one is a(are that ever#one elseGs eK&itement an" attention is &on&entrate" on one person, one ver# "istin&t rea&tion resultsC ,eople a&t

FIRE IN THE SKY 1&

almost &ompulsivel# someho( to fin" some (a# to thrust themselves into as "ire&t of a &onne&tion as possible (ith that &entral person. 'u&h behavior is not &onfine" to lone, starBobsesse" lateBt(enties males or to s&reaming teenage ro&$ groupies. This is a po(erful phenomenon affe&ting ever# "emographi& group, professionals in&lu"e". ,eople #ou (oul" never eKpe&t begin "oing some ver# uneKpe&te" things. n" this 5&onne&tion forging7 &an be negative or positive in nature, "epen"ing on (here that person fin"s himself relative to the &enter of it all. 'o 9 got people (ith (hom 9 ha" a rather &ool relationship &laiming (e (ere &lose frien"s, people 9Gve never met &laiming to $no( me personall# as a s&oun"rel or a saint, a number of girls falsel# &laiming the# (ere pregnant b# me, a gu# 9 on&e boKe" &laiming he $no&$e" me out, people tr#ing to ta$e &harge, eKaggerate a genuine lin$, or even invent one altogether. Fver#one be&ame an instant eKpert on me an" m# eKperien&e. 'ometimes this inventing isnGt reall# "eliberate l#ing, in the usual sense. 9 thin$ this phenomenon reall# b#passes &ons&ious thought, &oming from some(here mu&h "eeper, something primal. n" although some su&h &laims (ere "amaging =an" "iffi&ult to &ounter (hen involving those &lose to me>, 9 "onGt see this phenomenon as pathologi&al. 9 thin$ itGs natural an" probabl# nearl# universal, given a strong enough stimulus. +or those less prone to this, all it ta$es to rea&h the threshol" is for a TI &re( to eKten" a mi&rophone an" as$ a Nuestion. This is true not Hust of rural people &it# people are Hust as prone. When heretofore bore" people (ho have never even personall# seen a 5&elebrit#7 are su""enl# treate" li$e one, being intervie(e" b# a ne(s team from some eKoti& pla&e, in an atmosphere as intoKi&atingl# sensationalisti& as the one here in November 1975, some ver# surprising remar$s are &ertain to be ma"e. Fven the people ma$ing the remar$s later seeme" surprise" (hen the spell lifte". :ater on there (as a lot of retra&tion, "enial, ba&$pe"aling, apolog#, an" Hust plain embarrassment. +or as long as an#one &an remember, this problem has plague" ever# poli&e investigation that has been the fo&us of mu&h publi& attention. FKasperate" investigators have ha" to &onten" (ith a para"e of (ellBmeaning 5(itnesses,7 ea&h eNuall# &ertain of his uniNue s&enario but, often as not, ea&h at o""s (ith the unpublishe" fa&ts of the &ase. )arasse" offi&ials Hust put them in line behin" all the false &onfessors an" &op#&at perpetrators. 9t (astes a lot of time an" manpo(er, but the# have to &he&$ them all out. Ieterans learn to eKpe&t it, but roo$ies, eager to solve the &ase Nui&$l#, often get ta$en in. n# s$epti& (ho (ants to sta$e his theor# on Nuotes ta$en from this setting is being foolishl# naive if heGs sin&ere, or "ishonestl# opportunisti& if heGs not. = n asi"eC fter noting ho( so man# people lose themselves being near the spotlight, one might (on"er if 9 (as even more affe&te"L but 9Gm prou" to sa# 9 "onGt believe that 9 ever su&&umbe". 9Gm &onfi"ent those (ho $no( me best (ill

1&! Tra'(* .a/to)

vou&h for that.> The final area of "is&ussion an" a maHor fa&tor instigating negative rea&tion (as 5the "ebun$ersG obsession.7 The &arriers of that affli&tion, (hile not ultimatel# effe&tive, nevertheless have ma"e Nuite an impa&t in the past on large groups (ho (ere affe&te" b# some of the other fa&tors "is&usse" here espe&iall#, an" ironi&all#, the 5*fologist Fstablishment,7 (hen Hustifi&ation (as nee"e" for their sourBgrapes rea&tion after ,;% got the ball. 9n fa&t, the "ebun$ersG obsession is "eepl# intert(ine" (ith ever# other fa&tor involve" in ba&$lash to the in&i"ent, either b# being part of their &ause, ta$ing a"vantage of them in their ta&ti&s, or even partl# resulting from them. Therefore, the "ebun$ersG obsession (ill serve as the frame(or$ an" fo&us of eKtensive "is&ussion in later anal#sis of atta&$s on the vali"it# of the in&i"ent. /onformit# is one of humanit#Gs most po(erful motivators. The "o!en or so &ountertheories 5eKplaining7 m# &ase (ere pi&$e" up an" min"lessl# repeate". +ree(heeling, tra"itionBflaunting mo"em meri&ans are ver# fon" of thin$ing of themselves as original, in"epen"ent in"ivi"uals. Not b# a parB se&, &aptain. The truth is, man# peopleGs "esire to submerge their egos into the safe bosom of &olle&tive i"entit# is so "ominating that it permeates ever# aspe&t of their behavior. Fspe&iall# (hen the# are &onfronte" (ith something strange an" frightening that the# per&eive as a threat to their &omfortable an" a&&ustome" (orl"vie(. 3et the# believe the# ma$e up their o(n min"s. Fven (hen the# rebel, most people "o it in lo&$step. The tra"itionB"ef#ing siKties sa( millions of 5"o #our o(n thing7 fashion &lones, free spirits &hanting in unison a &horus of i"enti&al i&ono&lasti& slogans fitting their groupGs eK&lusive version of politi&al &orre&tness. Fven (hen people a&tuall# "o "epart from (hat the# per&eive to be (hat 5ever#one else thin$s,7 the# often preten" to share vie(s hel" b# the maHorit#, even (hen no parti&ular stigma or moral high groun" is asso&iate" (ith either vie(. 9t seems that in the min"s of far too man# people, their "esire to be right eK&uses itself (hen &onfronte" (ith their terror of being "ifferent. 'o (e have the so&ial s&ientists s&rat&hing their hea"s over ostensible &onformit# an" eKamples of 5fa$ing goo",7 (hen polls an" a&tual voting "iffer, surve#s an" a&tual behavior are at o""s. We all &oul" ta$e a fran$ loo$ at our o(n suppose"l# uniNue 5taste7 in &lothes, musi&, boo$s, movies, even politi&s, then as$ ourselves if itGs a &oin&i"en&e that millions of people share our taste an" that in five #ears it (ill be all "ifferent from this but itGll still all be the same. -illions of people (ill have ma"e their 5in"ivi"ual &hoi&es7 from an i"enti&al ne( menu. We might as$ ourselves, Who (rites that menuD 3ou ma# be thin$ing something li$e, )e#, if an entire her" of !ebras all brea$ an" run at on&e, the# arenGt ne&essaril# imitating ea&h other, the# might all have seen the same lion. n" this analog# (oul" illustrate a perfe&tl# a&&eptable

FIRE IN THE SKY 1&"

Hustifi&ation, if all these "isbelieving people (ere subs&ribing to a theor# that ma"e an# sense. )o(ever, #ou &an be sure this analog# "oes not eKplain their rea&tion (hen the theor# to (hi&h the# flo&$ is so pat&he" together that its form bears "istin&t artifa&ts of its originatorGs uniNue nee"s. 9tGs obvious those se&on"ing su&h a notion "i"nGt &ome up (ith something so pe&uliarl# &ustomB tailore" on their o(n. The best eKample of this is the theor# stating that although m# &o(or$ers reall# sa( me blaste" through the air b# a *+%, 9 instantl# re&overe" ph#si&all#, Nui&$l# gathere" m# (its, too$ this astoun"ing event in stri"e, an" then on the spur of the moment hat&he" a &ompleK plan to ta$e a"vantage of it. 3eah, right. With no (arning 9 su""enl# see the most sho&$ing, a(esome sight in m# entire life. Then 9Gm hit (ith a tremen"ous bolt of energ#, (hi&h sen"s me fl#ing through the air. When 9 finall# &ome to, 9Gm afoot miles from no(here. 2ut instea" of being over&ome (ith fear that the &raft (oul" fire again or, assuming it ha" left, that it (oul" return, an" instea" of (anting to hea" straight to a hospital to see if 9Gm in serious nee" of imme"iate me"i&al attention, 9 &alml# thin$ far into the future. little lightbulb in a &artoonistGs balloon blin$s on over m# hea", an" (ith a "evious &a&$le, 9 sa# to m#self, 5)e#, this has the ma$ings of a great boo$O7 or, 59Gll tea&h those gu#s a lesson for running out on me (hen 9 nee"e" them.7 'o instea" of getting help, m# first impulse is to =(ithout a light, gun, or provisions> run off into the "ar$, someho( (ithout leaving a single footprint =eK&ept those lea"ing to the spot (here 9 (as hit>, an" hi"e in the forest (ith the i"ea of later &laiming to have been aboar". This absur" s&enario "oesnGt help the ar&hs$epti&s mu&h, sin&e it a&$no(le"ges the realit# of the *+%, but it &ame to be put forth be&ause it met the spe&ial nee"s of a ver# fe( people involve" in the investigation. The first person to sa# it, probabl# 'paul"ing, ha" painte" himself into a &orner be&ause of prior statements re&or"e" in the me"ia. )e ha" alrea"# state" uneNuivo&all# man# times that he believe" the siK (itnesses ha" a&tuall# seen a *+%, an" gave "etaile" reports of o!one an" magneti& rea"ings to ba&$ it up. Then, (hen M'W lost the &ase he ma"e his angr# vo( to 5blo( this thing out to"a#O7 What &oul" he "o thenD )o( &oul" he avoi" ma$ing himself loo$ suspe&t or foolish in his reversalD This is (hat is $no(n as a" ho&, meaning 5for this &ase alone,7 spe&ial, an afterthought. se&on", absur"l# in&ompatible i"ea (as for&eBfit onto his original position. %r"inaril# the evi"en&e an" reasoning that (oul" Hustif# belief in the initial part of the in&i"ent (oul" naturall# &arr# through the entire thing, an" &onversel#, a "isbeliever (oul" or"inaril# "ismiss the entire in&i"ent. Whi&h runs &ounter to %&&amGs ;a!orB/on sunt multi licanda entia raeter necessitatem orC 5Fntities shoul" not be multiplie" be#on" ne&essit#.7

1&# Tra'(* .a/to)

%&&amGs ;a!or is a (ellB$no(n =an" often misun"erstoo"> gui"eline in reasoning (hi&h sa#s that the impulse to &ompli&ate theories nee"lessl# an" resort to unusual h#potheses in or"er to shore up an eKplanation ought not be in"ulge". ;ather, it is observe" that simpler, more &ommon theories shoul" first be pursue" to a greater eKtent, as these are more freNuentl# borne out as &orre&t. 9t is not a 5la(,7 but simpl# an observation about the o""s of su&&ess in various approa&hes to inNuir# (hi&h boils "o(n to sa#C The unusual is unli$el# an" the &ommon is, (ell, more &ommon. 5'$epti&s7 are fon" of using this as if it meant that an#thing but a prosai& eKplanation for rare events shoul" be "isregar"e", (hi&h as applie" to this "is&ussion amounts to sa#ing *+% in&i"ents "onGt happen. %r, more perversel#, the# a&t as if it means the popular vie( is al(a#s right =(hi&h is eKa&tl# the falla&# of ad o ulem>. 9roni&, an" perhaps a measure of their eKtremism, that proBrational prin&iples a&tuall# &oul" be "istorte" "ire&tl# into logi&al falla&ies. s 9Gll sho(, %&&amGs ;a!or &uts the other (a# in regar" to the mismat&he" pat&h(or$ of "esperatel# illogi&al alternative s&enarios m# &riti&s rummage" together. What reall# "isma#s me is that this o"" 5part true8part hoaK7 &onglomeration (as a"opte" b# a &ouple of people involve" in the investigation (ho are other(ise prett# levelhea"e". 2ut &ome to thin$ of it, the# (ere in a &ir&umstan&e similar to 'paul"ingGs, having ma"e earlier en"orsing statements an" nee"ing a &onvenient position to (hi&h to (ith"ra( =perhaps for some of the reasons "es&ribe" neKt>. To be fair, an" to tr# to eKhaust all possible rational eKplanations, it is possible that this $in" of reasoning, (here an in&i"ent &an be half genuine, &oul" &ome about li$e thisC The# start out (ith, 5No (a#, the# $ille" him7. Then the pol#graph tests "isprove that, #et still no Travis. 'o the# a&&ept the &re(Gs being inno&ent of mur"er an" gru"gingl# &on&e"e the possibilit# of the ab"u&tion. 2ut the evi"en&e is mounting an" the# begin to anti&ipate the &on&lusion to (hi&h itGs all lea"inga &on&lusion (ith all the &onseNuen&es "es&ribe" earlier. The# pani&L their min"s begin resisting, grasping for a (a# to avoi" a &on&lusion the# "o not (ant. The# &anGt "en# the evi"en&e so farL the fa&ts have alrea"# for&e" them to a&&ept it publi&l#, but to go further simpl# &anGt be a&&ommo"ate" in the &on&eptual frame(or$ of their min"s. +or this group, this mi"stream bailout &oul" be nothing more than a ps#&hologi&al "efense me&hanism. Fven if the# "i"nGt formulate this s&enario, hearing someone li$e 'paul"ing sa# it provi"es them (ith Hust (hat the# (ere sear&hing for. That &overs the siK main areas =plus &onformit#> 9 feel best eKplain (h# there (oul" be so mu&h atta&$ on the bestB"o&umente" su&h in&i"ent ever. Fnough generalities about (here these allegations &ame from. 2efore getting "o(n to the

FIRE IN THE SKY 1&$

nitt#Bgritt# of spe&ifi& &harges, letGs ta$e a Nui&$ revie( of the main points of the supporting evi"en&e. 'even men (itnesse" the event. Fver# one of them has stoo" b# his stor# for over t(o "e&a"es. ll passe" pol#graph tests &on&erning (hat the# sa(. There (ere simultaneous ele&tri&al outages in the nearest &ommunities an" various ph#si&al tra&es at the sight, all measure" in"epen"entl# b# persons hostile to the report. The prin&iple (itness has un"ergone not onl# positive lieB"ete&tor tests, but also voi&eBstress anal#sis, regressive h#pnosis, an" a batter# of me"i&al an" ps#&hologi&al tests. The pol#graph eKaminers have stoo" b# their truthful ver"i&ts to this "a#. n" s$epti&s have been s&rat&hing aroun" for all these #ears, $eenl# "esirous of "igging up an#thing that might remotel# support their &ase an" essentiall# &oming up (ith nothing but the garbage refute" here. 'ome people espouse" multiple eKplanations simultaneousl#. 2ut another reason there (ere so man# alternative theories &ir&ulating (as that as the &urrent pet theor# &rumble" un"er the (eight of un"eniable evi"en&e to the &ontrar#, a ne( one (as urgentl# nee"e" to fill the brea&h. +or eKample, the first maHor &harge, that m# &o(or$ers mur"ere" me, hi" m# bo"#, an" in "esperation &ame up (ith a (il" &over stor#, &ame to an abrupt an" permanent en" (hen 9 (as returne". This theor# (as seriousl# an" (i"el# hel" until the &re( passe" the state poli&e lieB"ete&tor tests. 'ome people ha" "oubts even after the tests =but before m# return>. 9 shu""er to thin$ (hat might have be&ome of m# &o(or$ers ha" 9 never been returne". =%f &ourse, 9 shu""er even more to thin$ (hat (oul" have be&ome of meO> 9 believe the# (oul" have live" un"er a sha"o( of suspi&ion for the rest of their lives"espite their pol#graphsto satisf# the preHu"i&e of some. 6r. )ar"er has pointe" out that siK (itnesses passing pol#graph tests (oul" have been more than suffi&ient evi"en&e to have &onvi&te" a person of mur"er in an meri&an &ourt of la(. 9t is alarming&hillingto thin$ that the level of evi"en&e that &an Hustif# "epriving a &onvi&te" man of his ver# life &an be so &asuall# "ismisse" Hust be&ause it pointe" to an un"esire" &on&lusion. n" ha" 9 not been returne", the reHe&tion of m# &o(or$ersG testimon# (oul" have been a&&ompanie" b# their &ontinuing to be suspe&te" of that ver# &hargemur"er. n earl# theor# of la( enfor&ementGs, after the mur"er theor# fell apart, (as that sin&e 9 ha" felt the beam as a 5blo(,7 ma#be the &re( ha" hit me on the hea" from behin", inHe&te" me (ith "rugs, an" put on mas$s or something, to in some (a# to ma$e me per&eive m# 5trip7 as one on a spa&eship. -e"i&al eKams sho(e" no evi"en&e of a blo( to the hea" or "rugs in m# bloo" or urine. :i$e most of these imaginative s&enarios, this Hust "oesnGt sNuare (ith an# of the easil# verifie" fa&ts of the situation. %ne line of reasoning propose" that (e "i"nGt $no( (hat (e sa(, that (e ha" misi"entifie" the planet ?upiter, a plasma, ball lightning, papierB ma&he, a (eather balloon, a rubber raft, a hub&ap someone ha" hung in a tree, or a sunlit

11& Tra'(* .a/to)

&lou". The sheer variet# of alternatives again points out that it (asnGt for&e of evi"en&e for an# one i"ea motivating this thin$ing, but some belief prior to the &asting about for eKplanations. ,lasmas an" ball lightning are phenomena as rare an" esoteri& =if not more so> as *+%s. 'o mu&h for %&&amGs ;a!or. The (eather ha" been &lear an" "r#. We ha"nGt seen the obHe&t in"istin&tl#, from a "istan&e. 9t (asnGt papierBma&he hanging from a treeL it (asnGt a point of light in the s$#. We sa( =an" hear"> a "istin&t, glo(ing, me&hani&al obHe&t hovering in mi"air at su&h &lose range that it (as &lear an" unmista$able. No sin&erel# openBmin"e" person &oul" suggest su&h alternatives to eKplain our per&eption. 6uring the ma$ing of the film 'ire in $he (ky, -i$e ;ogers an" 9 visite" the 9n"ustrial :ight an" -agi& &ompleK an" sa( the spe&ial effe&ts "evelope" for the movie. 9t too$ "o!ens of highl# spe&iali!e" people months an" millions of "ollars to eNual (hat (e sa(L an" then onl# through the restri&te" an" enhan&e" vie(point of the &amera. %ne lo&al el"erl# &ouple &laime" to have seen me hit&hhi$ing along the high(a# (hile the sear&h (as un"er (a#. The# sa# that (hen 9 re&ogni!e" them, 9 ran off into the (oo"s an" hi". The# &laime" to have seen me in an area that (as literall# &ra(ling (ith people sear&hing spe&ifi&all# for me, an" (here Hust about ever#one (oul" have an e#e out. The sheriff ha" issue" an allBpoints bulletin on me. n" 9Gm suppose"l# stan"ing out on a high(a# thumbing ri"es an" this &ouple are the onl# ones to see meD To(n -arshal 'anfor" +la$e, s$epti&al of the *+% report from the start, (ent over an" intervie(e" the &ouple. The# began arguing bet(een themselves about (hether it reall# ha" been me. Then the# "e&i"e" it ha" been me in "isguise, but the# still "iffere" on maHor "etails. *+% "oubter though he (as, -arshal +la$e ha" no re&ourse but to "ismiss the matter. nother eKample of human sus&eptibilit# is the 5Aoo$ 6eman"s irtime7 stor#. 2efore m# ab"u&tion, it (as sai", 9 ha" &alle" a famous ra"io tal$Bsho( host an" "eman"e" to be put on the air to tal$ about *+%s. ;ebuffe" as a 5$oo$,7 9 allege"l# &alle" ba&$ after m# return an" sai"C 5No( (hoGs a $oo$D7 +or a long time 9 believe" that this stor# ha" been invente" b# the s$epti&al "eput#, /oplan. 9t (as he (ho first publi&l# suggeste" this s&enario, but later "enie" "oing so. :ater, (hen another "eput# (as Nuote", &hara&teri!ing the stor# as 5a bun&h of bullshit, a rumor, it never happene",7 9 figure" that (as the en" of the matter. The 'heriffPs 6epartment must have loo$e" into it an" &on&lu"e" there (as nothing to it. The# ma# have "one the obviouseKamine" the stu"io tapes of the program. 'upporting this impression (as the fa&t that m# foremost "etra&tors "roppe" the issue li$e a hot ro&$though their motive for $eeping to themselves the reason for their retreat from the tale "emonstrates the ethi&al short&omings in the &on"u&t of their entire &ampaign. =)o(ever, in fairness to the "eput#, 9 (on"ere" if, b# &oin&i"en&e, before

FIRE IN THE SKY 111

November 5 some &ran$ "i" &all a ra"io sho( about *+%s an" get rebuffe". Then m# in&i"ent hit the ne(s, &reating an opportunit# for this person to &all ba&$ an" im ersonate me in or"er to tr# to avenge his earlier treatment. %r perhaps the &aller ha" onl# mentione" m# re&ent in&i"ent as an eKample to sho( the i"eas heG" eKpresse" earlier (erenGt so far out after all. Then, li$e a &hil"Gs game of gossip, it Hust gre( (ith ea&h personGs hearing an" retelling.> 9 re&entl# learne" that this stor# originate" (hen someone &onta&te" the sheriff an" &laime" to have hear" the second &all at 2C45 .-. on November 11. 'he never &laime" to have hear" the first &all, in (hi&h the &aller apparentl# never gave his name. 'o, unless there (as error or "e&eit involve" in her report itself, this fits m# earlier spe&ulation that impersonation (as involve". t the pre&ise "ate an" time of the reporte" &all 9 (as seNuestere" at the '&otts"ale 'heraton 9nn, in terrible emotional &on"ition an" &onstantl# surroun"e" b# ,;% personnel an" a team of reporters. n# longB "istan&e &all from me (oul" have ha" to pass through the hotel s(it&hboar" an" (oul" have appeare" on the hotel bill. 9 &ertainl# never ma"e su&h a &all, then or at an# other time or pla&e. The ,s#&hologi&al 'tress Fvaluation =,'F> ma# be a "ubious pro&ess, but voi&eBprint anal#sis an" i"entifi&ation is a ver# real an" highl# "evelope" s&ien&e. 9 later foun" out the sheriff did un"erta$e to obtain the tapes of the sho( for an 96 of the &aller. 9 (as unable to &onfirm or obtain "o&umentation of (hat transpire" then, but (hatever it (as le" them to &on&lu"e it (as 5a rumorit never happene".7 6eput# Aen /oplan (as also Nuote" in a variet# of (a#s, some selfB &ontra"i&tor#, &on&erning m# motherGs rea&tion (hen he an" -i$e (ent to give her the ne(s. pparentl# her failure to &r# or lose &ontrol (as not at all (hat /oplan eKpe&te". +rom the "es&riptions, it shoul" be obvious that her rea&tion (as Hust the sort #ou (oul" eKpe&t from a strong (oman in"epen"ent enough to spen" her summers alone in a remote mountain &abin. 9Gm not sure (hi&h, if an#, are a&&urate as far as (hat /oplan reall# sai", but he (as Nuote" variousl# as sa#ing m# motherGs first (or"s (ereC 5-# son is (ith Mo" on a *+%7L 5Well, thatGs Hust the (a# these things happen7L 5Well, 9Gm not the least bit surprise"7L an" a &ouple of other, eNuall# unreal an" ri"i&ulous statements. 'in&e -i$e ha" been present an" $ne( these (ere not her (or"s, he re&entl# &alle" /oplan to "etermine eKa&tl# (hat he more re&entl# R1991S reB &alls about her rea&tion. -i$e as$e" him if, in all his eKperien&e as an offi&er "elivering ba" ne(s to relatives, families always rea&te" emotionall#. /oplan ans(ere" that most of them "i"(hi&h suggests that some "i"nGtL but it also implies that he stan"s b# his feeling she shoul" have bro$en "o(n an" &rie". )o(ever, (hen -i$e sai", 5. . . 9 (as Hust (on"ering ho( #ou felt. 9n m# opinion she a&te" sort of numb, before she began to a&t li$e ever#thing (as basi&all#7 /oplan then interHe&te"C 5Well, sure, #ou $no( she (as, she (as a&ting li$e a mother that (as upset, #ou $no(, but thatGs normal.7 +inall#O )eG" a&$no(le"ge" that, although

112 Tra'(* .a/to)

she (asnGt as emotional as he ha" eKpe&te", she "i" not appear un&on&erne", an" that he &oul" see she reall# (as upset. 6eput# /oplan (as &hallenge" b# ,;% =he re&alls it (as b# the FnNuirer> to ta$e a pol#graph test &on&erning this matter an" a number of other assertions reporte" b# the ne(s me"ia that he allege"l# ma"e about the &ase. )e refuse", ho(ever, sa#ing he preferre" to forget the (hole thing. 6r. William '. 2i&$el, ph#si&s professor at the *niversit# of ri!ona, ma"e some poorl# informe" &riti&isms of the state poli&e pol#graph eKaminations on m# siK &o(or$ers, (hi&h (ere subseNuentl# (i"el# repeate". )e &laime" that the tests &onsiste" of three NuestionsC =l> Was an# (itness involve" in foul pla# or angr# at meD =2> 6i" an# (itness $no( if an#one else (as involve" in foul pla#D an" =1> What "i" ea&h (itness seeD 2i&$el falsel# &laime" that the (itnesses &oul" pass the first t(o, fail the thir", an" still get a passing gra"e on the tests. ll Nuestions must be passe" to passC llen 6alis earne" an offi&ial 5in&on&lusive7 for (al$ing out before his test (as over. -oreover, 2i&$elGs thir" Nuestion &oul" never be on an# pol#graph test, sin&e it &anGt be ans(ere" #es or no. The fa&t is the offi&ial report liste" four Nuestions or Nuestion areasL three "i" seem to fo&us on the mur"er theor#, an" the fourth (as (or"e" on the reportC 56i" #ou tell the truth about a&tuall# seeing a *+% last We"nes"a# (hen Travis Walton "isappeare"D7 'o it might appear that the primar# fo&us (as on foul pla#. )o(ever, there (ere variations in the (or"ing of the Nuestions among the siK (itnesses. =There (ere not variations (ithin the three or four runs through the &harts on one in"ivi"ual. +or purposes of &omparison, (or"ing must remain i"enti&al for ea&h personGs entire &harts.> The men later reporte" being as$e" variations of the (or"ing in the four Nuestion areas ea&h as as$e". =9 (asnGt thereL 9Gm going b# (hat 9Gve been tol". ThereGs a small possibilit# the# &onfuse" test Nuestions (ith pretest intervie( Nuestions.> %ne reporte" variation of the *+% Nuestion (asC 56o #ou believe that Travis Walton (as a&tuall# ta$en aboar" a *+% last We"nes"a#D7 lso, one of the 5foul pla#7 Nuestions56o #ou $no( if Travis WaltonGs bo"# is burie" or hi""en some(here in the Tur$e# 'prings areaD7"oubles as a Nuestion relative to the *+% hoaK issue, espe&iall# in its variationL 56o #ou $no( if Travis Walton is hi""en some(here in the Tur$e# 'prings areaD7 %ne thing to be emphasi!e" is that, in $eeping (ith stan"ar" proper pro&e"ure, ea&h man (as intervie(e" b# the eKaminer prior to being hoo$e" to the ma&hine, to ma$e sure ea&h man &learl# un"erstoo" his ans(ers represente" points "ra(n from (hat he ha" tol" the eKaminer an" other authorities in the investigation. The eKaminer ma"e sure the NuestionsG meanings (ere unambiguous an" in "ire&t &onteKt to the pretest intervie(. '$ille" eKaminers leave no room for mista$en interpretation or rationali!ation. =This in response to the uninforme" spe&ulation that the men &oul" have

TravisC Q2athe" in the #ello( aura, 9 stare" up at the unbelievabl# smooth, unblemishe" surfa&e of the &urving hull. 9 (as fille" (ith a tremen"ous sense of a(e an" &uriosit# as pon"ere" the in&omprehensible m#steries. . .Q The in&re"ible obHe&t has been ren"ere" in various progressivel# improve" representations. 3et no art &oul" ever "o Husti&e to the imposing gran"eur of (hat the seven (oo"smen (itnesse".

2lin" pani&. The gut rea&tion to (itnessing their fello( &re(men being hurle" through the air b# an a(esome blast of unearthl# energ# sent siK har"ene" (oo"smen into re&$less flight "o(n that rough mountain roa".

The monstrous trio of humanoi"s star e" to(ar" me ... 9 sprang into a fightB ng stan&e (ith m# legs sprea" (i"e to bra&e for the atta&$.7

2urne" into his memor#, some of the most traumati& images Walton struggle" to &ope (ith (ere the huge "ar$ e#es of his &aptors.

Q+rom (here 9 sat 9 &oul" see stars all aroun" me The effe&t (as li$e sitting in a &hair in the mi""le of spa&e. )earing a faint soun", 9 (hirle" aroun". There stan"ing in the open "oor(a# (as (hat appeare" to be a human beingO7

Walton re&alle" seeing t(o varieties of "is& shape" &raft insi"e a huge en&lose" stru&ture of un$no(n lo&ation. buil"ing, or part of a larger &raftD

2efore a(a$ening on the roa"(a#, WaltonPs last memB or# aboar" the &raft (as of being for&e" "o(n onto a table b# large mus&ular, humanBloo$ing beings. Q+rom out of no(here the (oman su""enl# ha" an obHe&t in her han" that loo$e" li$e one of those &lear, softBplasti& oKB#gen mas$s... she presse" the mas$ "o(n over m# mouth... then there (as nothing at all but oblivious bla&$Bness....

fter being returne" to the roa"(a# outsi"e )eber, ri!ona, Travis Walton &omp hensive arra# of h#pnoti&, pol#graphi&, me"i&al an" ps#&hiatri& eKaminations to assess the vali"it# of his eKtraor"inar# eKperien&e an" to re&or" its s&ientifi& value.

In response to overwhelming demand LIMI!E" E"I!ION PRIN!# This boo$Gs &over painting, b# -i&hael ). ;oger, is title" 5+ire 9n The '$#7. This famous image "epi&ts the beginning of Travis WaltonGs histori& eKperien&e an" (hat be&ame re&ogni!e" (orl"(i"e as the most outstan"ing a&&ount of alien ab"u&tion ever re&or"e". Witnessing the in&re"ible event some ho( inspire" the artist to begin painting (ith an un&ann# abilit# not "emonstrate" earlier in his life. 9ts stri$ing realism is eKpresse" (ith a "egree of photographi& "etail not feasible to full# repro"u&e in a boo$ Ha&$et, but faithfull# ren"ere" in these vivi"l# beautiful, originalBsi!e prints =(ithout overlain printe" title, et&.> Fa&h highBNualit# print from either oneB time limite" run is in"ivi"uall# numbere" an" signe" b# the artist an" in&lu"es a &ertifi&ate of authenti&it#. Fa&h print is also personall# autographe" b# Travis Walton Co))o(**e0r1* %(2(ted Ed(t(o) of 225 fineBart lithographs, 1@Q K 24Q on Iintage Ielvet =a high gra"e, heav# 9pt. a&i"Bfree, Nualit# paper sto&$.> 'hippe" flat. Fa&h $19@.44 Co//ector1* %(2(ted Ed(t(o) of 2444 fineBart lithographs, 1@Q K 24Q on 0pt. a&i"Bfree, satin finish, framable print sto&$. Fa&h $129.44 PO#!ER# The nine &olor illustrations in the boo$ (ere all painte" b# -i&hael ). ;ogers. The# are offere" here unautographe" an" as a set onl#. Fa&h &omplete set of nine ama!ing, fullB&olor 12Q K 10Q posters are shippe" as a single item for $59.44. $I"EO# T(o professionall# pro"u&e" vi"eo programs are offere". The first is an evening (ith Travis Walton an" -i&hael ;ogers as the# personall# present their profoun" eKperien&e in a (a# never before seen. 9ntersperse" (ith illustrations an" photos. /on&lu"es (ith a provo&ative "is&ussion of the eK&iting ne( "evelopments of their ongoing stor# as reveale" in this boo$. =This tape (ill be perio"i&all# up"ate" as "evlopments unfol".> The se&on"

vi"eo is an eK&iting behin"BtheBs&enes Hourne# through the ma$ing of the movie, 5+ire 9n The '$#7 an" their (orl" promotional tour on behalf of ,aramount 'tu"ios. Ier# &olorful an" entertaining. :ength of ea&hC t(o hours approKimate. 'pe&if# 3A Per*o)a/ Acco0)t4 or 3The 5a6()7 8f F(re49 $29.44 per tape. To or"er, sen" legible instru&tions along (ith the total for all items =in&lu"e $4.44 'hipping . )an"ling per item> (ith &he&$ or mone# or"er toC +9;F 9N T)F 'A3 ,ro"u&tions ,.%. 2oK 1472 'no(fla$e, W @5917 ,lease allo( 2 to 0 (ee$s for "eliver#

FIRE IN THE SKY 113

seen onl# the planet ?upiter, then &ons&iousl# tri&$e" the eKaminer b# thin$ing of that (hile sa#ing #es to having seen a *+%.> +inall#, the state poli&e pol#graph eKpert, /# Milson, obviousl# thought the Nuestioning a"eNuate in regar" to the *+%, be&ause he gave his opinion of its truth in his report to 'heriff Millespie. )e (rote, 5These pol#graph eKaminations prove that these five men "i" see some obHe&t the# believe to be a *+% an" that Travis Walton (as not inHure" or mur"ere" b# an# of these men on that We"nes"a# =5 November 1975>.7 )e even elaborate" on the *+% issue to refute la( enfor&ementGs hoaK theor# (ith the &on&lusion that, 59f an a&tual *+% "i" not eKist an" the *+% =in&i"ent> is a manBma"e hoaK, five of these men ha" no prior $no(le"ge of a hoaK.7 Noti&e Milson mentione" the *+% before an# referen&e to foul pla#. lso note the (or" 5prove7 (as use", an unusuall# strong term for pol#graph eKaminers. The# usuall# use (or"s li$e indicate or show, or (rite that the subHe&t 5believes7 su&h an" su&h. )e use" su&h a "efinite term be&ause &onsistent responses from su&h a large number of in"ivi"uals on a single issue raises the statisti&al reliabilit# to virtual &ertaint#. The test on one of the siK (itnesses, that of llen 6alis, (as offi&iall# rule" in&on&lusive. ,ossible eKplanations offere" b# eKperts in&lu"e"C =a> that llen perhaps felt some guilt response to a Nuestion about hostilit# to(ar" me be&ause he ma# have ha" su&h feelingsL =b> &on&eivabl#, at least in part, he ha" some guilt over re&ent unrelate" mis"ee"sL or =&> that this (as simpl# be&ause of llenGs eKtreme emotional volatilit#. The latter ma# have been eKa&erbate" b# his agitation after (itnessing the in&i"ent. 9n an# &ase, 5in&on&lusive7 means Hust thatno "etermination is possible either (a#. 9 re&entl# manage" to get ahol" of a &op# of the original poli&e report on the in&i"ent, (hi&h &ontaine" an interesting passage. %n page three of /aseBNumber 21B75B50, 6eput# Fllison (roteC 5%n -on"a#, November 14, the siK men (ho (ere (ith Walton at the time of his "isappearan&e, (ere subHe&te" to pol#graph tests at their o(n reNuest, an" of the siK all of them passe" the test (ith a positive rea"ing. The fifth man (as in&on&lusive on one phase of the test but it (as state" that he Uha" basi&all# tol" the truth.G 7 This Nuote also appeare" in one ne(s arti&le ba&$ then, but (asnGt given the attention it "eserve". llen no( a"mits to me that lingering ba" feelings to(ar" me &ause" him to $no( he (as not going to &ome out &lean on that phase of the test. )e $ne( he (as inno&ent of harming me, but felt his past misun"erstan"ings (ith me might falsel# bran" him a mur"erer. This le" to the blo(up that en"e" (ith him (al$ing out of the room before he ha" full# &omplete" histesta test on (hi&h his ans(er to the *+% Nuestion &he&$e" out. fter the mur"er theor# (as &on&lusivel# "isprove", it (oul" have been ni&e if llenGs passing of the *+% Nuestion &oul" have been ma"e offi&ial. 2ut pol#graph pro&e"ure is stri&tC 9f he &oul"nGt sit through all of his last run, the eKaminer (as boun" to offi&iall# rule it in&on&lusive. 2ut again, 5in&on&lusive7 is a neutral ver"i&t.

114 Tra'(* .a/to)

longBstan"ing assumption of *+% s$epti&s is that having prior $no(le"ge or interest in the subHe&t, an" espe&iall# having a previous sighting, impea&hes a person as a reliable (itness. )o(ever, respe&te" national polling organi!ations repeate"l# fin" that over half the people in this &ountr# believe in the possibilit# of *+%s, an" fourteen per&ent have seen them. ,rior &onsi"eration of the Nuestion is nearl# universal. ;eputable people from ever# (al$ of life report "istin&t sightings, in&lu"ing astronauts an" former *.'. presi"ents from both parties =an" several of our lo&al la( offi&ers, in&lu"ing the sheriff.> 3et s$epti&s seem to be sa#ing that a report &oming from a substantial per&entage of the population shoul" automati&all# be "is&ounte"O 6ebun$ers sa# the t#pi&al person (ho believes *+%s are real is a $oo$, a little ol" la"# in tennis shoes, or some poorl# e"u&ate" farmer. %n the &ontrar#, the truth is that polls sho( that the ol"er a person is, the less li$el# he is to a&&ept the i"ea. ,olls also sho( that the more e"u&ate" a person is, the more li$el# the# are to believe *+%s eKist. +urther, in 1979, (hen Industrial 8esearch and 6evelo ment maga!ine "i" a surve# of its rea"ership =pre"ominantl# highB te&h, ,h.6. t#pes at the ver# least>, belief in the realit# of *+%s (ent up to siKt# one per&ent of respon"ents. Fven higher per&entages (ere obtaine" in a surve# of the highB9E asso&iation, -ensa, (here the in&i"en&e of belief is siKt# four per&entmu&h higher than the general population. 2ut in the ar&hs$epti&sG t#pi&al reasoning pattern, this "oesnGt a"" &re"ibilit# to the subHe&t, it simpl# "is&re"its the intelligentsia. %""s are over(helming that #ou have tal$e" about *+%s at the "inner table, or &ommente" in response to a sho( or ne(s report on *+%s. )o( (oul" #ou feel to be tol" that simpl# rea"ing this boo$ impea&hes #ou, hen&eforth an" forever, as a reliable (itness if #ou (ere to sight su&h a &raftD What the "ebun$ers have (ith this &riterion essentiall# is a 5one si!e fits all7 eK&use to "ismiss nearl# every *+% &aseO 'o of &ourse this &riterion (as heavil# applie" to mine. 9t (as falsel# &laime" that the entire Walton famil# ha" been fanati&al *+% buffs for #ears. 9 "o not assert that m# famil# ha" never hear" of the subHe&t or spo$en of it before. The mil" "egree of interest some famil# members eKhibite" is perfe&tl# un"erstan"able in light of m# brotherGs sighting t(elve #ears prior to m# in&i"ent. 6uane has something in &ommon (ith fourteen per&ent of the population. 9f the &han&es are one in seven of an in"ivi"ual having a sighting, it means that if an event as eKtraor"inar# as mine happene" to an#one else at ran"om, o""s are over(helming the# (oul" at least have a &lose asso&iate or relative (ho ha" eKperien&e" a prior sighting. -ost people have more than seven &lose frien"s or relatives. Whether &onsi"ering a famil# of seven li$e mine, or our &re( of seven, simple arithmeti& proves that (hat some treate" as a suspi&iousl# unli$el# &oin&i"en&e (as in fa&t a nearl# inevitable li$elihoo"O 9 &an see that true 5repeaters,7 in"ivi"uals (ho report sightings &onstantl# or

FIRE IN THE SKY 11

routinel#, (oul" violate statisti&al norms =even if &onstant s$#B(at&hing &oul" measurabl# in&rease o""s>. 2ut su&h freNuen&# (oul" be negativel# signifi&ant onl# if it &oul" first be establishe" that sightings are in"ee" ran"om an" not &on&entrate" in parti&ular areas or on parti&ular in"ivi"uals "ue to some initiative on the part of the &raft o&&upants. The &ombination of (i"eBopen s$ies an" se&lusion of rural areas might &ontribute to greater freNuen&# of sightings there, but 9 $no( of no stu"ies "emonstrating this. The more eKtreme of the 5buff7 &laims asserte" that not onl# "i" 9 &ome from a 5*+% famil#,7 9 &ame from a 5*+% &ulture,7 an environment (here almost ever#one sees them all the time. 9n light of the &ommunit# rea&tion to the in&i"ent, this &harge is laughable. 9f someone ha" ma"e a surve# here before 1975, the# (oul" have "is&overe" that this area (as no more believing than the rest of the &ountr#, an" probabl# &onsi"erabl# less so. To illustrate that pointC 9n late -ar&h of 1991, Hust after the release of the film 'ire in the (ky, a huge glo(ing obHe&t passe" over the -ogollon ;im area Hust after sunset. 9t (as so large it (as &learl# visible b# (itnesses over eight# miles apart. 9t (as so huge that from m# perspe&tive it subten"e" an angular span about a fourth that of a full moon, even though simultaneous observers eighteen miles a(a# (ere telling me on the phone it (as almost "ire&tl# overhea". lo&al s&anner buff tol" me he overhear" poli&e, some from (a# over in pa&he /ount#, as$ing ea&h other, 56o #ou see (hat 9 thin$ 9 seeD7 9ts shape (as that of a sphere so flattene" it appeare" "is&li$eL four thi&$, eNuall# spa&e", legli$e appen"ages hung from the rim. 9 a"mit that (hen 9 first sa( it 9 (as prett# eK&ite", perhaps even a little alarme", an" ma"e a ma" s&ramble for the vi"eo &amera. )o(ever, through po(erful bino&ulars 9 (as rea"il# able to see "etail suffi&ient to i"entif# it &orre&tl#C a (eather balloon. 9 &oul" even ma$e out a long &able hanging from the &enter (ith a shin# unit at its en". pparentl# it (as so high that it (as bathe" in sunlight from belo( the hori!on, giving it an ethereal glo(. The poli&e soon &ame to the same &on&lusion. t the lo&al airport a report (as rela#e" from a pilot (ho ha" Hust lan"e" that he ha" seen a balBloon he estimate" =probabl# ina&&uratel#> as nearl# a Nuarter of a mile a&ross. se&on", similar balloon "rifte" a&ross the s$# at about the same time of evening on 'eptember 14, 1991, barel# generating &omment. The# (ere spe&ta&ular sights, #et there (as no rash of *+% reports in the lo&al ne(s. 9n fa&t, as far as 9 $no(, neither of these huge obHe&ts (ere even mentione" in the ri!ona me"ia. 9n spite of the re&ent release of the movie, people in the area eKhibite" no spe&ial pre"isposition to misi"entif# the obHe&t, but respon"e" Nuite rationall#. The $e# problem (ith the 5buffG Nuestion is the "efinition of the term. 9f m# being a 5buffG means ever having "is&usse" the subHe&t or seen something in the s$# 9 &oul"nGt i"entif#, then the ans(er is #es, an" 9 Hoin a maHorit# of people in

11! Tra'(* .a/to)

the &ivili!e" (orl" in being so labele". )o(ever, if it means bu#ing boo$s an" maga!ines on the subHe&t, spen"ing a lot of oneGs spare time thin$ing about it, going to *+% &onferen&es, Hoining organi!ations, being $no(le"geable about the subHe&t, then 9 &an sa# that 9Gm not even &lose to being a buff. 2efore November 5, 1975, 9 ha" never seen an#thing 9 $ne( "efinitel# to be a *+%. %ther than m# brother, no one else in the famil# has seen one. 9 have tal$e" (ith him on a &ouple of o&&asions about the subHe&t sin&e then, but (eGve never ha" a "isproportionate interest in the topi&. None of us has ever subs&ribe" to an# *+% publi&ations or Hoine" an# *+% groups. 9n fa&t, (e ha" never hear" of ,;%, M'W, /*+%', N9/ ,, -*+%N, or an# other resear&h group =in spite of the fa&t that t(o of them (ere hea"B Nuartere" in ri!ona> before all hell bro$e loose in November 1975. ,ast a&tivit# on m# part in the *+% &ommunit# (oul" have &ome to light (hen the *+% buff &harge (as ver# publi&l# "ebate". 9tGs the sort of thing that is easil# &he&$e". 56ebun$ers7 &oul" have as$e" people (ho $no( me, &he&$e" membership files, publisherGs sales re&or"s, subs&ription lists. 9Gll bet the# did &he&$ an", (hen the# &ame up empt#, "eliberatel# $ept Nuiet about their "is&overies. =-ore later on (h# 9 thin$ this is true.> 9 have a ver# (i"e set of interests an" man# are $een interests, but *+%s arenGt one of the $een ones, even no(O 9n the #ears sin&e this happene" 9Gve got to $no( a number of in"ivi"uals (ho (oul" easil# a&$no(le"ge fitting the se&on" 5buffG "es&ription given above. s$ an# of them if the# thin$ it fits me, too. To this "a# m# a&tivit# an" $no(le"ge in this area is minimal. n" the s$epti&s $no( this. 9f 9 had ha" prior *+% interest, 9 &oul" have use" the in&i"ent as a perfe&t eK&use to "ispla# a ne(foun" obsession (ith the subHe&t. 9 =an" m# 5avi" buffG famil# as (ell> &oul" have got out there an" bas$e" in the 5*+% &elebrit#7 limelight that the "ebun$ers &laim is a prime mover in su&h reports. We "i"nGt. )o(ever, 9 "onGt believe su&h a&tivit# (oul" "is&re"it m# &aseL 9 simpl# never ha" su&h an obsession in the first pla&e. The se&on" "efinition of 5*+% buffG given above is the one 9 thin$ is reasonable, an" itGs the one 9 ha" in min" (hen 9 passe" a pol#graph ans(ering no to the Nuestion 5Were #ou a *+% buffD7 The broa" variet# of m# interests, m# brotherGs sighting, an" the subHe&tGs ubiNuit# in the me"ia ma"e it &ompletel# natural for the topi& o&&asionall# to &ome up in our man# (i"eBranging, onBtheB Hob "is&ussionsespe&iall# sin&e &urrent ne(s reports (ere (hat brought it up. 9t (oul" have been strange if (e hadn.t ever spo$en of *+%s. 'till, su&h tal$ (as eKtremel# rare overall, the tiniest fra&tion of our "is&ussions. &tuall#, the 5buffG &laim (as magnifie" almost solel# from some statements attribute" to m# mother an" brother "uring a fe( of the most turbulent "a#s follo(ing the in&i"ent. ;emember, m# famil# in&lu"es five other members. None of the others ever ha" an# statements on this topi& as&ribe" to them, eK&ept

FIRE IN THE SKY 11"

=negativel#> 6on, (hose s$epti&ism le" him to tear into slashBpiles loo$ing for m# &orpse. While 9 (as missing 6uane tore the lo&$ off the "oor to a room in m# motherGs house (here 9 $ept personal belongings, so evi"entl# he (as initiall# more s$epti&al then he ha" let on. -# motherGs eKpression of belief that 9 (as not on this earth, that 9 ha" been ta$en b# a *+%, (as not improper un"er those &ir&umstan&es. This (as after a thorough but unsu&&essful sear&hL after hearing sin&ere a&&ounts from the &re(men, some of (hom she $ne( ver# (ell. 'he pla&e" great faith in 6uane, an" a&&epte" his reassuran&es. )o(ever, be#on" those fa&tors, an# &on&erne" mother (oul" prefer to believe her son (as ta$en, (ith a &han&e of return, than to believe him mur"ere" an" burie" some(here. 'he (as terribl# upset an" ha" to be se"ate". With no &orpse to finali!e matters, it (as onl# natural to hope against hope that 9 might be safe (ith nonB hostile intelligen&es. 6uaneGs harsh &riti&ism of one investigator for eKpressing "oubt &on&erning &han&es of m# return after so mu&h time, his eKpression of &onfi"en&e in m# return, his sa#ing that 9 (as having 5the eKperien&e of a lifetime,7 an" repeating 5the# "onGt $ill people7 (ere remar$s "ire&te" partiall# at bolstering m# motherGs morale. n", (hether 6uane (ants to a"mit it or not, the# (ere also aime" at &onvin&ing himself. 2ut b# no means "oes uttering su&h reassuran&es reNuire an# "eep interest in or $no(le"ge of the subHe&t of *+%s. -# mother suppose"l# sa#ing she ha" seen *+%s in the past (as in &ontrast (ith her passing a pol#graph test ans(ering no to ever having seen 5a fl#ing sau&er.7 9f she "i" ma$e the earlierBmentione" statements as immo"eratel# as (as &laime", she =if not the person retelling it> ma# have fallen pre# to human sus&eptibilit#. %r perhaps both attributions are true. 9tGs &ommon for people to see unusual movement in "istant points of light at night an" thin$ of these as *+%s, sin&e, although potentiall# preternatural, the# are uni"entifie". 2ut the term 5fl#ing sau&er7 brings to min" a "efinite image of a "is&Bshape" spa&e&raft, (hi&h har"l# &oul" be &onsi"ere" uni"entifie", an" implies mu&h &loser observation. -# motherGs pol#graph test, in a""ition to a""ressing allegations of a hoaK, in&lu"e" Nuestions about being "eepl# involve" (ith *+% phenomena. The eKaminer &on&lu"e" that 5-rs. -ar# Aellett has ans(ere" all the Nuestions truthfull# a&&or"ing to the best of her $no(le"ge an" beliefs.7 t first 9 "i"nGt believe 6uane ha" ma"e some of the remar$s attribute" to himL the# "i"nGt soun" li$e 6uane. 9 (as surprise" (hen 9 rea" tape trans&ripts of a tape ma"e at the site "uring the sear&h. When 6uane volunteere" these statements, the intervie(er reporte"l# (as irritate" that 6uane (as interrupting an intervie( (ith someone else, "es&ribing 6uane as 5push#,7 5h#pe"Bup.7 3ou ma# be thin$ing that all this amounts to is 6uaneGs having fallen pre# to the human sus&eptibilit# "is&usse" earlier. 9 &anGt "en# this (oul" a&&ount for some of 6uaneGs behavior, be&ause 9 "onGt believe an#one there (as &ompletel# free from it. +ran$l#, there (ere maHor eKaggerations in a fe( of his remar$s.

11# Tra'(* .a/to)

)o(ever, there (as alsoan" more importantl#a &ore of truth in (hat he sai". 6uane ha" alrea"# grille" the &re(L b# then he "i"nGt merel# believe it ha" happene", he felt he knew it ha" happene". )e had ha" his o(n sighting. 2ut, 9 "iml# remembere" having a &onversation (ith 6uane, #ears before the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent, about his sighting, in (hi&h 9G" Ho$ingl# remar$e" out of brava"o, 59f the# grab #ou, have Gem &ome ba&$ an" get me, too.7 This offhan" &omment (as blo(n &ompletel# out of proportion #ears later. :i$e people in an# area, those living out here in the ri!ona mountains have their o(n uniNue &hara&teristi&s. What some people vie(e" as 6uaneGs la&$ of &on&ern for me (as something that (as reall# Humpe" on. This is an eKample of Hu"ging b# a stan"ar" of 5normal rea&tion7 that has no Hustifi&ation in realit#. 9t "oesnGt ta$e into a&&ount either the spe&ial &ir&umstan&es or the uniNueness of the in"ivi"uals involve". n" 6uane Walton is an eKtraor"inar# in"ivi"ual. ,eople sometimes &ommente" on similarities bet(een him an" me, but (e are ver# "ifferent in most respe&ts. 9Gve been &alle" 5(il"7 an" 5intense7 in the past, but if #ou (ante" to see 5intense7 in those "a#s #ou (oul" have ha" to meet 6uane. 6uane al(a#s ha" a ver# stri$ing effe&t on people. )e ha" a strong 5presen&e7 about him. 'ome &alle" him overbearing or push#L he (as the t#pe of person (ho &ra&$le" (ith energ# to the point that he seeme" about to eKplo"e =not ne&essaril# in the sense of anger>. )e maintaine" his massive bo"#B(eight on surprisingl# little foo". )e $ept up a (or$ an" training s&he"ule that (oul" have $ille" most men. 9n the mi"st of stimulating events, la&$ of sleep "i"nGt slo( him "o(n a bit. -i$e re&alls that 6uane nearl# (al$e" -i$eGs legs off "uring the sear&h. 6uane (as atta&$e" for sa#ing he believe" 9 (as having 5the a"venture of a lifetime7L in a (a#, he (as the one having the a"venture of a lifetime, an" he (as irrepressible. 9nvestigators &oul" have easil# "is&overe", b# as$ing an#one (ho $ne( him, 6uane live" uns(ervingl# b# his o(n un&ompromising &o"eC No pun&hes pulle". What #ou see is (hat #ou get. Ta$e it or leave it. :et the &hips fall (here the# ma#. )e sa#s (hatGs on his min", an" (as even more forthright ba&$ in 1975. 2ut not ever#one appre&iates his bluntness as &an"or. 9 no( believe some of the impetus for negative &omments on 6uane from 'paul"ing an" a &ertain fe( la(men arose from their having felt "iminishe" b# him. 6uane is an arm# vet, a s$#"iver. What attitu"e (oul" #ou eKpe&t from a man (ho Humps out of airplanes, (ho straps himself to the ba&$ of fifteen hun"re" poun"s of raging bull for the fun of itD 3et some thought it o"" he (asnGt (ringing his han"s an" (ailing about his missing brother. 6uane (as not one to "ispla# fear or (ea$ness to an#one. 9 on&e sa( a s&reaming, furious man point a loa"e" 44 -agnum at him an" &o&$ it. 6uane "i"nGt even flin&hL he merel# &hallenge" the man to "rop his gun an" &ome get him, one on one. 9 use" to (arn him about the ris$s of his lifest#le. )e (oul" sa#C 59G" rather

FIRE IN THE SKY 11$

live a "a# as a lion than a lifetime as a lamb.7 6uane has a&&umulate" a fe( inHuries no(, an" heGs mello(e" some, but he still s$#"ives, an" brea$s an" trains horses for a living. 2ut he (as a hell of an a"venturer himself in those "a#sL so (h# (oul"nGt he sa# he envie" me 5having the a"venture of a lifetime7D )o( (oul" #ou eKpe&t a man li$e him to rea&tD number of things 6uane sai", (hi&h (ere ta$en as evi"en&e of a previous preo&&upation (ith the subHe&t, (ere a&tuall# things he ha" onl# re&entl# hear" from ufologists an" *+% buffs (ho sought him out at the site. The# (ere Nuite eager to share their $no(le"ge, giving ever#one there, in&lu"ing 6uane, a &rash &ourse in the subHe&t. 9t (oul" be onl# natural for him to have "one some thin$ing on the subHe&t after his sighting. 2ut an#one (ho $ne( 6uane then (oul" vou&h that he rarel#, if ever, spo$e on the subHe&t prior to (hat happene" to me. WhatGs reall# nonsensi&al here is that 6uaneGs remar$s (ere suppose" to be some in"i&ation that he (as part# to a s&heme a&te" out for publi& &onsumption. )eGs an intelligent man. 9f there (as an# truth to su&h suspi&ions, it (oul" be har" to eKplain (h# he "i"nGt tailor his remar$s to simulate a more eKpe&te", a&&eptable rea&tion to m# 5"isappearan&e.7 9 guess man# peopleGs &on&ept of life is so mun"ane it &an barel# a&&ommo"ate the fa&t that sometimes unusual things "o happen. n" the# barel# have room for the i"ea that the (orl" outsi"e their televisions might &ontain some eKtraor"inar# people. 2ut (hen eKtraor"inar# things happen to eKtraor"inar# people, those peopleGs min"s go into overloa". The bottom line hereC 6uane passe" t(o thorough series of pol#graph test Nuestions proving he ha" no $no(le"ge of an# hoaK an" ha" never been a *+% buff, an" ha" not even rea" a boo$ on the subHe&t. :ater 9 offer a""itional "isproof =as if it (ere nee"e"> of the irrelevant 5buff7 innuen"o, (ith the pol#graph tests 9 passe". n" it a&tuall# is irrelevant, simpl# be&ause it ignores so man# other forms of spe&ifi& evi"en&e (hi&h spea$ "ire&ti# to the &entral issue(hat (e sa( an" (hat happene". fter m# first meeting (ith 'heriff Millespie 9 sa( him Nuote" in the ne(s me"ia, &on&erning (hat 9 ha" tol" him of m# eKperien&e. The report "iffere" in a fe( "etails from (hat 9 ha" tol" Millespie, but at the time 9 "i"nGt thin$ mu&h of it be&ause almost ever# ne(s report &on&erning the episo"e &ontaine" errors. 9 figure" that (hen subseNuent a&&urate a&&ounts (ere publishe", Millespie, (ho (as as familiar as an#one (ith me"ia ina&&ura&#, (oul" reali!e the "is&repan&# ha" been an erroreither the reporterGs or his o(n. 9 foun" out later Millespie ta$es pri"e in his reputation for re&alling "etails. )e &hose to insist his retelling (as a&&urate. 9 insist he is Nuite mista$en. When Millespie arrive" at 6uaneGs home in ,hoeniK, 9 (as still in terrible shape from m# or"eal, an" 6uane (as fier&el# prote&tive. )e as$e" Millespie not to photograph or re&or" his intervie( (ith me. Millespie too$ no notes,

12& Tra'(* .a/to)

although he &laime" to have (ritten it "o(n after(ar". Millespie hear" a ver# &on"ense" version of (hat happene" to me at a time (hen 9 &oul" barel# bring m#self to tal$ about itL (ith 6uane stan"ing over him, &learl# "isplease" that the sheriff (as ma$ing me relive the or"eal. 'heriff Millespie ha" hear" a lot of people tal$ing about various other *+% &ases for seven "a#sseven "a#s "uring (hi&h he ha" been un"er tremen"ous pressure (ith ver# little sleep. *n"er su&h &on"itions, even persons (ith the best re&all (oul" naturall# ma$e more errors. *n"erstan" that this isnGt a &ase of me having sai" 9 sa( a tenBfoot ?ell#B fish from Ienus one "a#, then s(it&hing ba&$ to the real stor# the neKt. The problem is simpl# that Millespie &onfuse" the t(o t#pes of aliens an" some other minor "etails. 'o in his version, among other minor "is&repan&ies, he ha" me "es&ribing a(a$ening to fin" tall, blue suite" humanoi"s (ith helmets stan"ing over me. 9tGs one thing to misremember things relate" verball#, Nuite another to misremember events one personall# eKperien&es. 9 (as in ba" shape, but &oul" not have &onfuse" events in that (a#. )o(ever, 9Gve been intervie(e" man# times b# reporters =another profession rel#ing on a&&urate re&all> (ho "i" ta$e notes, an" most of them ma"e similar mista$es or (orseonl# 9G" be&ome (ise enough to tape the intervie(s so 9 &oul" prove they ha" erre". 6uane agrees that Millespie (as mista$en. The sheriffPs version (as the onl# one that "i"nGt agree (ith those hear" b# ever#one else aroun" me "uring those "a#s an" sin&e that time he has not, to m# $no(le"ge, mentione" it again. 2ut Millespie (as an ele&te" offi&ial, on the spot (ith that one. MillespieGs report (as in the papers(hat (oul" people thin$ if he a&$no(le"ge" his errorD 9Gm not sa#ing heGs &ons&iousl# insin&ere, onl# that the embarrassment of the a"mission might have him prefer to sti&$ b# his a&&ount. No oneGs memor# is perfe&t. )o(ever, 9 "o reali!e that the sheriff foun" himself in an a($(ar" position several times throughout the (hole affair. /omparing his a&tions to those of man# other people involve", 9 have to sa# his performan&e (as ama!ingl# professional. 9 "onGt believe an#one else involve" &oul" have han"le" the situation as &ompetentl#. %ne "evelopment that brought a lot of negative press (as m# failure to appear for the pol#graph test 'heriff Millespie ha" set up for me. 9 ha" been returne" on the morning of November 11. Millespie sa( me on the 11th an" set up the test for the follo(ing morning. 9 ha" gotten almost no sleep an" (as still in terrible shape (hen Millespie intervie(e" me, but, being ignorant of pol#graph testing, agree" to ta$e one as soon as possible. 9 subB seNuentl# learne" the har" (a# that ta$ing a test so soon, (hen 9 (as still in su&h emotional upheaval, virtuall# guarantee" stressful tra&ings. The big Nuestion in s$epti&al min"s (as, Wh# "i"nGt 9 sho(D The Nuestion that "i"nGt seem to o&&ur to an#one (asC 9f 9 ha" something to hi"e, (h# "i" I

FIRE IN THE SKY 121

reNuest the test in the first pla&eD 9 (as not un"er arrest or &harge" (ith an# &rime. This (as all stri&tl# voluntar#. 9 (as simpl# eager to prove m#self. 9 (as in no &on"ition to get mobbe" b# reporters an" ha" reNueste" there be no publi&it# about the test. Millespie ha" promise" that there (oul" be none. When (e (ere preparing to leave for the test, a reporter telephone" an" (ante" to $no( "etails about the up&oming 5se&ret7 test. Then, on television, (e sa( man# reporters at the testing lo&ation. The pol#graph eKaminer (as sho(n neKt to his ma&hine, evi"entl# insi"e the testing room. 3et Millespie insiste" he ha" $ept our agreement. )e =at the appointe" time, t(o hun"re" miles a(a# in his offi&e in )olbroo$> strenuousl# "enie" the me"ia ha" been there. 5There (as not one TI &amera, there (as not one ne(spaper man, not one, at the pla&e (here 9 tol" #ou to go.7 )e even "enie" that he ha" personall# announ&e" the up&oming test. 2ut a November 14, 1975, sso&iate" ,ress ne(spaper stor# state"C 5The sheriff sai" Walton (ill ta$e a pol#graph test to"a# as a step to(ar" proving or "isproving his stor#.7 )al 'tarr, ,;%Gs "ire&tor of publi& relations, spo$e (ith one of those reporters (ho ha" been there an" &onfirme" that man# reporters ha" a(aite" m# arrival. Fven /# Milson a"mits $no(ing of &ameras set up in offi&e (in"o(s a&ross the street. =%n -ar&h 12, 1991, ,hoeniK lo&al TI station A,)% /hannel 5Gs :arr# -artel spo$e s&athingl# of that "a#C 53ou re&all at several stage" events at (here he (as to appear, he "i" not appear.7 /ohostC 5ThatGs right, one of them being the time he (as suppose" to ta$e a lie "ete&tor applie" b# a 6,' pol#grapher an" never sho(e" up.7 :arr# -artelC 5 n" reporters s(arme" aroun" there an" (aite" an" (aite" an" (aite", but no Travis.7> Millespie later trie" to use the eK&use that even if there ha" been me"ia present, the# (oul" not have been allo(e" insi"e the testing buil"ing (hile the tests (ere a&tuall# being &on"u&te", an" that (e &oul" have gotten into the buil"ing through a si"e or rear entran&e. 'in&e Millespie (asnGt there ma#be he reall# believe" there (ere no me"ia present. -a#be those ne(s Nuotes of the sheriffPs announ&ement (ere misBattributions of statements b# someone else in his offi&e or at 6,'. ,erhaps it &oul" be &laime" his (as a legitimate misun"erstan"ing of (hat 5no me"ia7 means. 2ut it &ertainl# "i"nGt sNuare (ith (hat 9 un"erstoo" as our agreement. What little trust (e ha" ha" (as gone. %ne of the longBestablishe" beliefs &on&erning *+%s in the min"s of the meri&an publi& is that the government tries to suppress publi& $no(le"ge an" a&&eptan&e of this phenomenon. The thought ha" o&&urre" to 6uane imme"iatel# after m# return that if he (ere to put me in the han"s of authorities, it &oul" be the last heG" ever see of me alive. The previous uproar over this issue at the &re(Gs pol#graph test an" ,;%Gs &omments "i" nothing to lessen our "istrust of a governmentBsponsore" test. 9n fa&t, as state" in ,;%Gs November 14, 1975, press release, ,;% spe&ifi&all# re&ommen"e" against a pol#graph as too soon after the trauma an" be&ause of fear of a possible government &overup.

122 Tra'(* .a/to)

9n loo$ing ba&$, 9 (on"er if perhaps maintaining eK&lusivit# of the investigation an" of all test results ma# have also been a fa&tor in the min"s of those a"vising me. Millespie set up a se&on" test 9 never even learne" of until 9 rea" it reporte" in the ne(spaper. The 'heriffPs 6epartment ha" alrea"# issue" a November 14, 1975, press release sa#ing Q. . as of no(, this offi&e an" the 6epartment of ,ubli& 'afet# (ill not be &on"u&ting an# further eKaminations in this matter. . . an# further testing of Walton (ill no( be up to Walton an" a private eKaminer.7 9 ha" no a"van&e $no(le"ge of an# se&on" test, an" probabl# (oul"nGt have agree" to it an#(a#, be&ause it ha" been publi&i!e", an" be&ause m# faith ha" alrea"# been brea&he". n" 9 (as beginning to feel more apprehensive about the governmentB&onspira&# angle m#self. Nevertheless, here again (as another unfair situation 9 hel" absolutel# no responsibilit# for, resulting in another roun" of negative reports. What 9 (as fo&use" on at that time (as the me"i&al testing. Was 9 o$a#D Was 9 going to suffer horribl#, perhaps "ie, from the effe&ts of breathing some toKi& atmosphere, or ra"iation si&$ness, or some bi!arre infe&tion un$no(n to me"i&al s&ien&eD )a" the blue beam of energ# "one an# permanent "amageD These Nuestions obviousl# have long sin&e been resolve", but at that time 9 (as terrifie". Fven that terror (as nothing &ompare" to the sho&$ 9 (as "esperatel# struggling (ith. 9 (as barel# &oping (ith the ps#&hologi&al impa&t of (hat 9 ha" been through. 9 (as hanging b# a threa", "esperatel# &linging to m# senses, on the verge of "isintegrating. 9 thin$ itGs prett# unrealisti& for an#one to visuali!e themselves in m# situation, in that &on"ition, an" imagine that m# numberBone top priorit# (oul" be a pol#graph test. 9 $ne( (hat ha" reall# happene", an" 9 (as &onfi"ent of proving it in goo" time. test sponsore" b# ,;% (oul" help ensure =9 naivel# believe"> a fair out&ome. Farlier in this stor# 9 "es&ribe" the "a# of the sighting as a t#pi&al (or$"a#L (hi&h it (as, eK&ept for m# being asleep (hen the tru&$ got to the Hob site. -ost of the gu#s ha" "one this at least on&e. llen ha" ha" a si&$ hangover three or four "a#s before an" ha" sta#e" in the tru&$ all morning. t that time 9 (as not about to tell -i$e 9G" been out late (ith his sister the night before, not after ta$ing a "a# of si&$ leave. 9n $he %alton &x erience 9 (as tr#ing to sho( rea"ers (hat a t#pi&al (or$"a# (as li$eL being tire" in the morning (asnGt t#pi&al. 9 omitte" that embarrassing "etail, not thin$ing it ha" an# signifi&an&e to the sighting an" subseNuent eventsL but, sin&e a Nuestion has been raise", hereGs the straight of it. n attempt (as ma"e to bu# 'teve ,ier&eGs testimon# to "en# the realit# of the sighting, (hi&h never &ame about, as he ha" nothing to sell =an" the suborner probabl# ha" no intention of a&tuall# pa#ing>. )o(ever, he "i" &laim in his

FIRE IN THE SKY 123

&onversations (ith the person rela#ing the offer that 9 ha" not (or$e" at all that "a#, (as gone most of the "a#, an" that -i$e ;ogers ha" "isappeare" for hours that morning. 9 "onGt $no( if 'teve sti&$s b# this &laim sin&e 9 havenGt spo$en to or seen him in #ears. None of the other siK of us supports 'teveGs &laim. 3ou might be thin$ing that 9 shoul"nGt bother to go into this sin&e 'teve sai" it onl# after an attempt at aid testimon#, but 9Gve set out to &over them all. When (e "o fuel brea$, as oppose" to (hen (e "o regular thinning, (e have to sta# in a tight group be&ause the pilers have to sta&$ the slash. 9f the sa(#ers "onGt &omplete the &utting in an# given spot before moving on, our pile spa&ing (oul" be offL the trees &ut later (oul" $no&$ piles over an" there (oul" inevitabl# be material overloo$e" that nee"e" to be &ut. s is usual, the roa" parallele" the piling strip. 'in&e 9Gm too tall to lie in the tru&$ seat &omfortabl# (ith the "oor shut, the "oor (as open, fa&ing the gu#s (ho (ere al(a#s ma$ing trips ba&$ to the tru&$ for (ater, gas, sa( tools, or parts. 9 spent less than t(o hours resting. %ther(ise 9 put in as long an" har" a "a# as the others. -i$e retorte"C 59 (as not gone from the Hob that "a#, or an# other "a#, not for t(o hours or an# other amount of time. Travis ha" been si&$ the "a# before, an" he spent some time that morning l#ing in the tru&$. 2ut he spent the rest of the "a# (or$ing (ith the &re(.7 )ereGs (hat ?ohn Moulette ha" to sa# about itC 5The tru&$ is never ver# far a(a#, usuall# not even out of sight. The# move it up, $eep it &lose to the &re(. We $eep all our lun&hes an" stuff in it. That "a# 9 thin$ (e too$ t(o brea$sone half(a# through the morning, an" one half(a# through the afternoon. 5Nobo"# left the (or$ site. We (ere &utting prett# (ell all along the line. The pilers &ome up right behin" us. The# pile right behin" us. 3ou $no(, if #ouGre out (or$ing, (or$ing prett# har", an" #ou see somebo"# else goofing off, #ou $in" of noti&e if the#Gre not there. 3ou thin$ the#Gre out messing aroun". Nobo"#Gs going to put up (ith that, if #ouGre s(eating a(a# an" somebo"# else is goofing off. 5Nobo"# (as gone that "a#. 9tGs not true that Travis an" -i$e too$ off, or something, an" then &ame ba&$ a &ouple of hours later together.7 -ore later about the attempt to pa# 'teve for false testimon#. ll a publi&it# stunt, a (a# to get attentionD Nonsense. )a" 9 been see$ing publi&it#, 9 (oul" have Humpe" in, &enter stage, (hen all the reporters (ere &lamoring for an intervie(, an" grabbe" ever# in&h of print an" minute of airtime possible. 9 (oul" not have remaine" seNuestere" in the fa&e of su&h a&tive interest eKpresse" b# the me"ia. -# silen&e shifte" more attention to m# "etra&tors an" generate" mu&h negative reporting. = nother bit of me"ia (is"omC ;efusal to &omment nearl# al(a#s brings about a negative slant.> -# &ooperation (ith ,;%Gs &n3uirerBfinan&e" testing has been "enoun&e"

124 Tra'(* .a/to)

as a &ontra"i&tion to m# other efforts to avoi" the me"ia. 2ut a single intervie(, monitore" b# ,;% offi&ials in a sub"ue" an" &ontrolle" setting, (as &ompletel# in $eeping (ith m# state" obHe&tive to avoi" being mobbe" an" for&e" to fiel" a barrage of insensitive Nuestions. 9 never re&eive" the mone# offere" b# the &n3uirer for m# eK&lusive stor#. We (ere ta$en &ompletel# b# surprise (hen the publi&ationGs annual pri!e for the best *+% stor# of the #ear (as a(ar"e" to us. 9 turne" "o(n man# offers from (riters an" movie pro"u&ers. 9 avoi"e" more intervie(s than 9 gave, an" in ever# &ase it (as the# (ho sought me out. 9 never even reporte" the in&i"ent in the first pla&e. That (as out of m# han"s. To this "a#, 9 have never sought an intervie(. -e"ia presen&e $ept me from that pol#graphBtest appointment. No, if 9 (ere a hea"line grabber 9 &ertainl# (oul" not have remaine" silent so long. ll 9 (ante" after m# return (as to be left alone to thin$ things over an" a"Hust. 9 maintaine" that stan&e for #ears. 9 foun" m#self in a 5"amne" if 9 "o, "amne" if 9 "onGt7 "ilemma. 9f 9 gave intervie(s, it prove" me a publi&it# see$er. 9f 9 reHe&te" a publi& forum, 9 (as un(illing to fa&e m# "etra&tors. %ne soB&alle" "ebun$er even eK&use" his a&tions in publishing a false &harge he (as later for&e" to retra&t b# sa#ing that he ha" publishe" it long ago an" 9 ha"nGt imme"iatel# rebutte" it. 9n other (or"s, if 9 ignore m# &riti&s, the# interpret it as &on&e"ing the truth of their &harges. The#Gre going to (ish 9 ha" remaine" retire". -# atta&$ers "ug up a number of 5(itnesses7 to attempt to "is&re"it me. )ere are a &ouple more &lassi& eKamples of the human sus&eptibilit# problem. These 5&harges7 easil# &oul" have been eKpose" (ith the simplest attempt to &he&$ them out, but those "oing the reporting (ere not so "ispose". man (ho o(ns one of the lo&al motels (as Nuote" at the time of the in&i"ent as sa#ingC 52ullshitO :ong before this happene" 9 thought he an" 6uane (ere big bullshitters. The# eKaggerate" ever#thing. 9 "onGt trust them as far as 9 &an thro( them. . . 2ullshitO 9 "onGt believe it.7 This gu# has never spo$en (ith 6uane Walton in his life. 9Gll bet he never $ne( 9 ha" a thir" brother before November 1975L 9 (oul"nGt be surprise" to learn he never $ne( 9 eKiste" before then. 6uane "i" not live in 'no(fla$e, an" (hen he &ame up to visit on rare o&&asions he al(a#s sta#e" at -omGs. 9 ha"nGt seen 6uane in (ee$s (hen the *+% in&i"ent happene". 9 "i" not $no( (ho this gu# (as at that time, an" although 9 $no( (ho he is no(9 see him "o(nto(n o&&asionall#9 have never &onfronte" him. )e an" 9 both alrea"# $no( the truth &on&erning his remar$s. 2ut ho( in the (orl" &oul" 9 have ever 5bullshitte"7 or 5eKaggerate"7 anything to this gu# (hen to this "a# 9 have never spo$en (ith himD *nless the guilt# part# is (hoever first Nuote"or misNuote" him, 9 sa# he is the big bullshitter. %ver the #ears &ountless investigators, Hournalists, an" film &re(s have &ome to see me in 'no(fla$e, an" 9Gve al(a#s $no(n (here not to sen" them for a&&ommo"ations.

FIRE IN THE SKY 12

nother man hear" William 'paul"ing atta&$ing me on the ra"io an" &ame for(ar" to tell 'paul"ingGs fiel" man he ha" $no(n me sin&e 1909 =human sus&eptibilit# again>, an" that llen 6alis an" 9 ha" al(a#s been together, heavil# into "rugs, burglar#, &ar theft, an" other unsavor# a&tivities. 9 suppose"l# live" in (est ,hoeniK, atten"e"(ith llen and the 5(itness7 /arl )a#"en )igh '&hool there, earne" belo(Baverage gra"es, et&. 'paul"ingGs fiel" man tol" this man heG" sure appre&iate him &alling (ith more of 5(hatever (e &an fin" in a""ition to this, to rate it $in" of "o(n, (h# this (eGre ver# mu&h intereste" in.7 This from 'paul"ingGs same fiel" man (ho later in the same &onversation sai"C 59tGs ama!ing ho( gullible ?ohn E. ,ubli& reall# is.7 WhoGs being gullible hereD The# too$ this gu# at his (or", (hen he volunteere" from out of no(here, faile" to as$ even a single s$epti&al Nuestion, an" "i" no later &he&$ing of his tale. perfe&t eKample of sele&tive suspi&ion Nuestion ever#thing against #our position, blin"l# a&&ept all that supports it. 9 never even $ne( llen 6alis until he &ame to 'no(fla$e to (or$ for -i$e. 9 ha" eK&eptionall# high gra"es. 9 (ent to high s&hool at ,a#son an" 'no(fla$e onl#. 9 have never met the 5(itness7 'paul"ingGs fiel" man intervie(e". 9 ha"nGt atten"e" a ,hoeniK s&hool or live" there sin&e right after 9 finishe" the fifth gra"e at age eleven. What &oul" be easier to verif# than resi"en&e an" s&hool atten"an&eD 'paul"ing &oul" have ma"e simple &he&$s an" foun" out it (as slan"erous garbage, but instea" he &ir&ulate" it (i"el#. We finall# foun" out about it (hen (e (ere sent a &op# from TeKas. We then sent a &ertifie" letter of rebuttal, but never hear" (hether the# "roppe" that one, or if retra&tions follo(e". 'paul"ing investe" over a #ear tr#ing to "is&re"it me. )e publishe" reprints of the (ritings of antiB*+% "ebun$ers (ho atta&$e" me. )e gathere" irrelevant letters an" tapes he hope" (oul" in&ite legal prose&ution, sen"ing them to 'heriff Millespie (ith a letter urging &harges be file" against me, absur"l# attempting to point to a legal pre&e"ent b# &omparing m# &ase to one in (hi&h the lone female survivor of a plane &rash in the forest (as prose&ute" for setting a signal fire that got out of &ontrol. Fven though 9Gve mentione" William 'paul"ing an" Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h =M'W> before this, 9Gve "ela#e" ma$ing a &omplete rebuttal of 'paul"ingGs atta&$s. 9 pla&e this rebuttal right before m# final topi&, 5"ebun$ers,7 be&ause 'paul"ing ha" Hoine" for&es (ith a soB&alle" "ebun$er in his efforts, an" several "ebun$er &laims relie" on 'paul"ingGs in&onsistent reports. 9 ma# repeat a fe( things sai" earlier, but if 9 &an sho( that "ebun$ers rel# on statements an" eKpertise from people (ho &an be sho(n to be (ithout &re"ibilit#, so goes their &ase, too. =9n ma$ing m# &ase, 9 ma$e no personal atta&$ on an#one. 9 here a""ress onl# statements an" &re"entials "ire&tl# relate" to the issue.> 'heriff Millespie states uneNuivo&all# that M'W an" William 'paul"ing (ere not &alle" in to the investigation b# la( enfor&ement agen&ies, as M'W &laime"

12! Tra'(* .a/to)

in the +ebruar# 1970 issue of 'lying (aucer 8eview. %n the &ontrar#, on November 14, 1975, 'paul"ing sent a letter to MillespieC 5M'W offers its &omplete investigation staff at #our "isposal, R sicS if #ou feel (e &an assist #ou.7 'paul"ing (as as$e" b# 6r. ?. llen +l#ne$ to rela# information to him. )#ne$ later tol" meC 59 guess 9 sent the (rong man in on this one.7 )#ne$ also later (rote to 'paul"ing, &hastising him for his &hara&terBasB sassination ta&ti&s against me. T(o other M'W people from Ne( -eKi&o pre&e"e" him to the siteL 'paul"ing "i" not arrive on the site until November 9, the fourth an" last "a# of the sear&h =the "a# before he offere" his servi&esL itGs obvious he (asnGt 5&alle" in7 b# the sherriff.>. 'paul"ing ma"e a "etaile" gri" map of the site on (hi&h he plotte" out some eKtraor"inar# rea"ings of resi"ual magnetism, (hi&h a&&or"ing to theor# is &onsistent (ith the re&ent presen&e of eKtraterrestrial vehi&les po(ere" b# antigravit# engines. )is &harts, (hi&h he sent to ,;%, sho(e" X@ Mauss at the slashBpile near (here the &raft hovere", an" X14 to X12 Mauss in the area "ire&tl# behin" that =opposite the "ire&tion of its "eparture>. Normal rea"ings of the surroun"ing groun" an" trees range" from X1 to 2. 2ut on the si"e of the &learing a&ross from (here the &raft hovere" =in the "ire&tion it "eparte">, 'paul"ing reporte" re&or"ing a (hopping15 Mauss. N9' T- Maussmeters, mo"el numbers 25 an" 242 (ere use", but itGs not &ertain (hether 'paul"ing or his t(o fiel" people ma"e the measurements an" follo(Bups a (ee$ later, (hi&h sho(e" the anomalous rea"ings ha" "issipate" to normal. 9 "o not $no( (hat eNuipment (as use" to ta$e the o!one rea"ings. 'paul"ing never spo$e to an# of the siK &re(men, #et &laime" in the press, 5We have un&overe" some more "ata in the form of the me"i&al &on"ition of the siK (itnesses. There (as nausea, loss of a&uteness, (hi&h is temporar# blin"ness, an" a bo"# rash.7 None of the men reporte" these s#mptoms "ire&tl# to 'paul"ing. To m# $no(le"ge none ever met 'paul"ing. Nevertheless, he ma"e man# positive statements =5We foun" some interesting things up there. 9f this is a hoaK, itGs one of the best 9Gve ever seen.7> to the press &on&erning the &ase, right up until the moment he reali!e" he ha" lost m# &ooperation in investigating the &ase. )e abruptl# s(it&he" to atta&$ing the &ase (ith vague referen&es to 5some holes in the stor#7 an" 5some Nuestions7 an" other 5fa&tors7 that &ause" him to have 5"oubts.7 +rom the $ucson 6aily -itizenC 5William 'paul"ing, hea" of Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h, a ,hoeniKBbase" *+% investigation group, sai" he ha" information lea"ing him to "isbelieve WaltonGs stor#. 'paul"ing "i" not reveal the information, but sai" a statement from his group (as forth&oming.7 9 believe he "i"nGt 5reveal the information7 be&ause he "i"nGt have an# ne( information. 2ut the me"ia (ere pressing him for something spe&ifi& to eKplain his s(it&h. t first all he an" 'te(ar" &oul" &ome up (ith (as a&&usations of 5non&ooperation7 an" 5refusal to un"ergo s&ientifi& testing.7 2ut

FIRE IN THE SKY 12"

of &ourse 9 was un"ergoing eKaminationbut (ith their rival, ,;%. The# nee"e" some better argument. 'paul"ing ma"e one lastB"it&h attempt to rea&Nuire the investigation, &oming to 6uaneGs house (ith more substantial &orroboration for the &ase a small, &lear plasti& pill bottle &ontaining some unusualBloo$ing fragments. 'paul"ing &laime" he ha" pi&$e" them up at the site, from the groun" over (hi&h the *+% ha" hovere". 6uane (as suspi&ious. The sheriffPs men ha" ma"e a &areful forensi& sear&h of the area (ithout fin"ing an# similar fragments in the four "a#s before 'paul"ing arrive". No one ha" seen 'paul"ing pi&$ them up. n" he ha"nGt sai" a (or" about them to an#one before this, even though he ha" reporte" other evi"en&e of the *+%. lthough it (as possible the fragments (ere genuine, 6uane (as not persua"e"L he ma"e it &lear that ,;% (as in an" M'W out. 6uane $ept the m#ster# sample, probabl# mu&h to 'paul"ingGs "isma#. )is apologies about 5misNuotes in the press7 fell on "eaf ears. )e left angr#. 'paul"ing offere" another bat&h of vague &harges to the me"ia, a""ing the angr# threatC 5WeGre going to blo( this stor# out to"a#O7 2ut he nee"e" a &harge against us. Fven though M'WGs initial atta&$ ha"nGt mentione" 5"rug hallu&ination,7 all of a su""en 56r.7 'te(ar" 5remembere"7 "etails of our visit. ='in&e 'te(ar" &laime" to 5tea&h "rug abuse Rsi&S at -ari&opa Te&h,7 this (as the logi&al &harge.> )e tol" the ne(s me"iaC 5The stor# is an absolute hoaKL RWaltonGsS been out hallu&inating on some "rug, probabl# :'6.7 What garbage. +or all 'paul"ingGs failings, he ha" seeme" almost &lairvo#ant in giving 6uane a"vi&e &on&erning (hat to "o in the event of m# return =an event not in an# (a# &ertain at that point>C save the first voi"e" urine spe&imen, an" bag m# &lothing for forensi& anal#sis. The urine sample, 'paul"ing ha" sai", (oul" be nee"e" to &ounter (hat he anti&ipate" (oul" be a&&usations of a "rug hallu&ination. Wh# (oul" he thin$ this li$el#D ,erhaps be&ause people (ere still re&overing from the late siKties an" earl# seventies (hen ever# time something reall# bi!arre hit the ne(s it (as eKplaine" a(a# b# 5"rugs.7 2ut it (as from 'paul"ingGs organi!ation that this a&&usation soon &ame. /oin&i"en&eD :ater, after hearing about the mar$ on m# arm, 'te(ar" &laime" to have seen it "uring our visit. Then (hen it (as prove" 9 ha" (orn long sleeves to his offi&e, he falsel# &laime" that "ue to the heat 9 ha" them rolle" all the (a# up above the elbo(. )e &laime" to re&ogni!e the mar$ as an inHe&tion, #et a genuine ph#si&ian ha" note" that it (as not over an# maHor bloo" vessel. 'te(ar" &laime" to be able to tell 9 (as still heavil# un"er the influen&e from a fiveB"a# binge of hallu&inogens (hile in his offi&e, #et bloo" an" urine samples teste" a fe( hours later b# the -ari&opa /ount# -e"i&al FKaminerGs "rug s&reen sho(e" no tra&e of an# "rug. 'te(ar" then &laime" all tra&es &oul" vanish from the bo"# that Nui&$l#. 9tGs no( &ommon $no(le"ge, be&ause of (i"esprea" (or$pla&e testing, that evi"en&e of "rug use &an be "ete&te" (ee$s or months

12# Tra'(* .a/to)

later. 6rug eKpert in"ee". ;ea"ers ma# (ish to refer to the "es&riptions of these events in &hapter 7 in evaluating this part. ;e&all that (hen 6uane rene(e" &onta&t (ith -r. 'paul"ing, (ho "ire&te" us to M'W &onsultant, 56r.7 :ester 'te(ar", it (as for medical hel . 'paul"ing an" 'te(ar" (ent on to &laim variousl# that (e 5hurrie"l#7 left 'te(ar"Gs offi&e in alarm at hearing that 'te(ar" (as a "rug eKpert, or, in another version, be&ause (e (ere afrai" of h#pnosisC 5The# &anGt lie through h#pnosis.7 Then, apparentl# to &ounter the me"i&al &re"entials issue, the# &laime" the (hole reason (e ha" &ome to 'te(ar"Gs offi&e in the first pla&e (as for 5h#pnosis eKperiments.7 )o( &oul" (e be going there for h#pnosis (hile being s&are" off b# h#pnosisD 9f 9 (as so s&are" of h#pnosis, (h# "i" 9 un"ergo h#pnosis (ith ,;% onl# hours laterD 'paul"ing &laime" 9 ha" been 5interrogate"7 at M'W 5hea"Nuarters7 for hours. Totall# untrueL the timetable is "o&umente" (ith a &all to the sheriff before (e left an" one from /oral :orenB !en after our return. 9 sai" almost nothing in the brief time 9 (as in 'te(ar"Gs offi&e. 'paul"ingGs stationer# gives his home a""ress as M'W )ea"NuartersG, (here 9 have never been in m# life. =)e reall# &oul" get pretentious, putting on airs (ith importantB soun"ing language. )e tol" the press that 5M'W hea"Nuarters ha" or"ere" him to "rop the &ase.7 'paul"ing (as M'W hea"NuartersO> Wh# "i"nGt the press as$ the obvious NuestionsD 5)o( &an it be a hoaK an" a hallu&ination at the same timeD7 5)o( &an siK other men have i"enti&al hallu&inations, "o(n to the last "etailD7 5)o( &an a hoaK, (hi&h (oul" have to be planne", be part of a "rug hallu&ination, (hi&h no one &an &ontrolD7 ,resse" about his &laim to me"i&al an" "o&toral "egrees, 'te(ar" eventuall# ha" to ba&$ off 5"o&tor7 an" 5ps#&hologist,7 but &ontinue" to boast no less than three ,h.6.s, in 5health s&ien&e, ps#&holog#, an" ph#siolog#,7 from /alifornia Western *niversit# of 'anta na, /alifornia. ,;% &he&$e" it out. No /alifornia a&a"emi&s in the ,;% membership ha" ever hear" of the s&hool. When it (as lo&ate" b# telephone, B ,;%Gs &aller got an ans(ering servi&e. ,;% sent someone "o(n there. No &ampus, no &atalog, no a&&re"itation, a &laime" fa&ult# of t(elve, an" a ver# evasive spo$esman. This 5universit#7 (as onl# t(o #ears ol" in 1975. )o( "i" 'te(ar" get three ,h.6.s from a s&hool onl# t(o #ears ol"D ll three 5"egrees7 (ere base" on a single resear&h paper that (as &alle" 5freshman level7 b# in"ivi"uals "es&ribe" b# ,;% as Nualifie" a&a"emi&s (ho rea" it. 'ome eKpert. 2ill 'paul"ing ha" been bille" as an 5aerospa&e engineer.7 Fver#one a&&epte" it be&ause he (or$e" for 9;esear&h, a highBte&h aerospa&e &ompan#. 2ut b# no( he ha" reall# overh#pe" himself, as this letter from ufologist an" nu&lear ph#si&ist 'tanton T. +rie"man ma$es "amningl# &lear.

FIRE IN THE SKY 12$

Mr. William Spaulding (address) Phoenix, AZ September 10, 1979 Dear Bill !hi" i" one o# the more di##i$ult letter" % ha&e e&er 'ritten, but plea"e bear 'ith me. 1. A" (ou )no', % ha&e admired (our d(nami$ approa$h to u#olog(, (our 'illingne"" to "pea) out and to not be a $lo"et u#ologi"t or an apologi"t u#ologi"t. % am al"o all #or a "$ienti#i$ approa$h to e&aluation o# *+, photograph". % ha&e had "e&eral $on$ern", ho'e&er, about (our a$ti&itie" that led me to .ue"tion 'hether or not (ou do indeed ha&e a "$ienti#i$ ba$)ground A. /our rea"oning and a$ti&itie" in the 0a#lin pi$ture e&aluation and the Walton $a"e "tru$) me a" not being li)e tho"e o# an( o# the man( engineer" 'ith 'hom % ha&e 'or)ed o&er the (ear". B. !here "eem" to be #re.uent exaggeration in (our publi$ $ommentar(. % don1t belie&e that there are #i&e hundred pro#e""ional people a""o$iated 'ith (our group, #or example. 2. % $an1t under"tand ho' no $ollege 'a" a""o$iated 'ith (ou in the ba$)ground in the 1977 M*+,3 S(mpo"ium &olume but Bo'ling 4reen i" mentioned in 1979 and then (ou told me and other" that (ou ha&e a B.S. #rom B4. Wh( 'a"n1t it mentioned be#ore5 0o' $ome 'hen % a")ed #or the (ear, (ou "aid 196176-5 When % a")ed #or the ma8or (ou mentioned a li"t o# "ub8e$t". %t ha" been m( experien$e that e&er(bod( remember" the (ear o# their #ir"t $ollege degree and that nobod( 'ho ha" one gi&e" a $our"e li"t a" a ma8or. 9. +or the abo&e rea"on" and other":"u$h a" (our not gi&ing ade.uate $redit to other" #or the 2A*S "uit and apparentl( ta)ing $redit #or the relea"e o# do$ument" not part o# that "uit, % de$ided to do "ome $he$)ing to e&aluate m( "u"pi$ion. ;. 0ere are m( #inding" A. A$$ording to (our emplo(er (our 8ob title i" that o# a high7le&el te$hni$ian and in no 'a( implie" an engineering degree or ba$)7ground. B. A$$ording to (our emplo(er the onl( po"t high "$hool edu$ation (ou ha&e i" a one7(ear $erti#i$ate in ele$troni$" #rom 4ri"'old !e$hni$al %n"titute in 2le&eland

-.

13& Tra'(* .a/to)

2. A$$ording to 4ri"'old (ou attended a t'el&e7hour7per7 'ee) ele$troni$" $our"e #rom Mar$h to Ma( 1961, #or "e&en 'ee)", but did not $omplete the $our"e and did not re$ei&e a grade or $erti#i$ate. D. A$$ording to Bo'ling 4reen *ni&er"it( (ou ha&e not re$ei&ed an( degree" #rom them and ha&e not $ompleted an( $our"e" at an( o# their $ampu"e". <. Plea"e $orre$t an( o# the abo&e #inding" i# the( are in error. Plea"e al"o under"tand that % do not belie&e it i" ne$e""ar( to ha&e a $ollege degree to be a $ompetent *+, re"ear$her. ,ne o# the be"t bo""e" o# re"ear$h % ha&e e&er had had onl( a high7"$hool diploma and (et dire$ted man( people 'ith Ph.D.". !he point i" that apparentl( (ou ha&e "eriou"l( mi"repre"ented (our ba$)ground. % don1t belie&e that #raud "hould ha&e an( pla$e in dealing" 'ith the publi$, the media, or $olleague". % thin) (ou "hould "eriou"l( $on"ider "etting the re$ord "traight and "hould hen$e#orth $ea"e and de"i"t #rom ma)ing an( $laim" that are not totall( a$$urate. % ha&e no pre"ent plan" to ma)e m( #inding" publi$ but 'ill $on"ider doing "o "hould (ou $ontinue the mi"repre"entation. Anti$ipating (our re"pon"e and 'riting in "orro', Stan +riedman 22 Walt Andru", Dr. Bru$e Ma$$abee, Brad Spar)", Dr. =. Allen 0(ne), !ra&i" Walton, =im >oren?en, %dabel @pper"on, Aobert Pratt

'paul"ing never respon"e". *ltimatel#, even the photo anal#sis +rie"man &omplimente" 'paul"ing on (as "is&re"ite". "evastating &ritiNue of 'paul"ingGs (or$ (ritten b# ?an )err (as publishe" in the ?une 1977 ,;% 2ulletin. The 5m#ster# metal7 fragments 'paul"ing suppose"l# re&overe" from the site of the in&i"ent loo$e" li$e small &hips of shin#, silver#, gra#ish bla&$ obsi"ian, an" (oul" have noti&eabl# &ontraste" (ith the "rab tan earth at the site. The# suppose"l# turne" out, upon anal#sis, to be some $in" of highB temperature sili&onesu&h as one might fin" at a pla&e li$e 9;esear&h. 'paul"ing then reporte"l# suggeste" that 5someone7 might have "roppe" them at the site =again, (ith no one else fin"ing them in four "a#s of forensi& eKamination before 'paul"ing ha" even arrive">. 3eah, an" the# might never have been at the site. Who $no(sD 9tGs surprising ho( little interest this 5ph#si&al evi"en&e7 stimulate" in either *+% proponents or "ebun$ers. 'pea$ing of "ebun$ers, although one "ebun$er (ith (hom 'paul"ing ha" Hoine" for&es (as han"sBoff regar"ing "ubious &re"entials an" assertions &on&erning 'paul"ing or 'te(ar", it (as not out of gratitu"e for the help. 9t (as onl# to avoi" un"er&utting his o(n sta&$e" "e&$ against the &ase. 9n fa&t, this

FIRE IN THE SKY 131

"ebun$er (as un"eterre" in publishing a 'eptember 197@ 5(hite paper7 &laiming to eKpose the &laime" &re"entials of 'paul"ingGs rightBhan" man, To"" We&hel, M'W 6ire&tor of ;esear&h. 'uppose"l# We&hel &laime" to have (or$e" for the /9 an" N' for ten #ears, but the "ebun$er &laime" he ha" "is&overe" that We&hel ha" instea" spent three #ears in or"inar# arm# servi&eL siK #ears at a small fa&tor# in 2araboo, Wis&onsin, as a &arpenter an" firemanL then (or$e" in a 5seK shop7 an" pornographi& boo$store. Not long after these revelations M'W, William 'paul"ing, his "ire&tor We&hel, an" 56r.7 'te(ar" virtuall# "isappeare" from the *+% s&ene. 2oth the# an" their vi&ious atta&$s ha" been thoroughl# "is&re"ite". 2ut the "amage the# "i" to me remaine". Wh#D ,artl# be&ause the me"ia rarel# ba&$tra&$s, an" partl# be&ause the "ebun$ers (or$e" har" at $eeping those false &laims alive. Whi&h brings us to the "ebun$erGs obsessionL the last of the siK fa&tors in m# anal#sis of (h# (hat ufologists &ame to regar" as the best &ase on re&or" also be&ame the most atta&$e". +or man# #ears a number of in"ivi"uals have been #apping an" biting aroun" the e"ges of ufolog#. Their positionC Without an# "oubt there has never been a genuine *+% sighting b# an#one an#(here on ,lanet Farth in all of human histor#, an" there never (ill be, an" an#one (ho sa#s other(ise is either mentall# aberrant, foolishl# "elu"e", or "eliberatel# "e&eptivema#be all three. These people presume to title themselves 5"eB bun$ers7 or s$epti&s. 9 (ill sho( that their a&tions fail to Hustif# either term. ;ea"ers (ill noti&e that 9 put 5"ebun$er7 in Nuotation mar$s. That is be&ause the people 9 refer to "onGt so mu&h remove bun$ as &reate it. -e"ia people are fon" of trotting these people out in the name of 5balan&e.7 %ften, (hen a *+% resear&her appears, Hournalists feel obligate" to 5&ounterbalan&e7 parti&ulars within an issue b# giving a forum to people (ho "ismiss the entire issue. 'ome are of the gru"ging opinion that "ebun$ers are a ne&essar# evil, li$e h#enas trailing a her" to (ee" out the inferior animals. 9n this mo"el the ufologist an" "ebun$er are vie(e" as opposites, (ith the Hournalist in the mi""le. &tuall#, the better ufologists are in the middle, (ith the "ebun$er on one si"e, s&offing a priori at every &ase, an" the *+% &ultist on the other si"e, blin"l# a&&epting ever# *+% &laim he hears. 2lin" "isbelief isnGt a (hit better than blin" belief. Top ufologists "o their o(n Nualit# &ontrol, (ith their &ompetitive peers provi"ing a further &he&$. +or eKample, the late, great 6r. ?. llen )#ne$ at times resolve" up(ar" of 94 per&ent of re&eive" *+% reports his organi!ation investigate", re&lassif#ing them as 9+%si"entifie" fl#ing obHe&ts =the sightings having been eKplaine" in prosai& terms>. 6ebun$ers promote a m#th of ufologist gullibilit# so eKtreme that those listening onl# to their &laims (oul" be ama!e" to learn ufologists "is&over prosai& eKplanations for an# of the &ases the# investigate, let alone most of them.

132 Tra'(* .a/to)

The HournalistGs state" aim (oul" be better serve" b# in&lu"ing ufologist peers of opposing opinion in a given &ase or issue. Fven so, "ebun$ers or soB&alle" s$epti&s (oul" have a legitimate pla&e in the "is&ussion if the# (oul" a"here to the prin&iples to (hi&h the# give lip servi&e. The# "onGt, as 9 shall illustrate. %ne "ebun$er is our &hief "etra&tor an" author of the (orst &harges levele" against us. 9 embar$ here on the most thorough anal#sis ever put forth in rebuttal of his allegations. 9 (ill name this selfBpro&laime" "ebun$er an" ta$e ea&h of his &harges hea"BonC his shameless &hara&ter atta&$s, his &on&o&te" +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t Theor# atta&$s, an" the entire gamut of his "istortions of our pol#graph evi"en&e. 6o&umente" fa&ts =most never before ma"e publi&> (ill un"o his &ase. Nothing (ill be left stan"ing. lthough he is promote" as a most obHe&tive an" s&ientifi& investigator, 9 (ill full# unmas$ his motivation an" metho"s for the biase" an" uns&ientifi& sham the# are. 9 ma$e some startling revelations &on&erning him an" those in league (ith him. 9 (ill "o&ument his misrepresentations an" &on&ealment of positive evi"en&e. -oreover, 9 (ill provi"e roof of his outright falsehoo"s an" his s&an"alous misuse of "o&uments an" tape trans&ripts presente" as evi"en&e. This is far more than a routine refutation of a passing arti&le b# some misgui"e" reporter. 9t is a "etaile" eKposY of a massive, multifronte" &ampaign of &al&ulate" "isinformation perpetrate" b# a "e"i&ate" spe&ialist over a span of "e&a"es. 6ealing (ith his en"less &onvolutions an" "evious tri&$s has been li$e (restling (ith a string# mass of tar. 9n a (ar of (or"s there is an intrinsi& unfairness an" ineNualit# bet(een the positions of atta&$ an" "efense. 9tGs the prin&iple 9 eKpress as follo(sC 59t ta$es thirt# se&on"s to falsel# &laim that (hi&h reNuires thirt# minutes to &ompletel# refute.7 vast un"erstatement in the &ase of this parti&ular person. To untangle all his insi"ious minutia &omprehensivel# (oul" have ma"e it ne&essar# to eKpen" eKponentiall# more in$ than the floo" he unleashe" against us. 2ut even this measure" &ounter(or$ has be&ome trul# pro"igious. Whi&h presents a "ilemma. 'u&h a thorough a&&ounting reNuires spa&e greatl# "isproportionate to the rest of this boo$. 3et 9 "i"nGt un"erta$e this (or$ merel# to tell m# stor# #et another time. 9 (as motivate" to the tas$ b# several fa&tors, one of (hi&h (as to have nothing less than opportunit# to ans(er ever# maHor &harge against us. Therefore the remain"er of the material on this topi& begins on page 2@1 in (hat has be&ome an eKtraor"inaril# length# appen"iK. -a$e no mista$e, this anal#sis is not presente" for entertainment purposes. 9t is a mountain of "etaile" evi"en&e. +a&e" (ith a passage of su&h "epth, the &asual rea"er &oul" be forgiven for s$imming through it. 2ut in or"er full# to &omprehen" m# eKperien&e it is essential to sta# (ith me through the entire o"#sse#. 9 highl# re&ommen" rea"ing the appen"iK before &ontinuing (ith the remaining siK &hapters. +ull appre&iation of those &hapters =espe&iall# &hapters

FIRE IN THE SKY 133

11 an" 10> is ma"e possible b# important information &ontaine" in the appen"iK. 'ome surprising re(ar"s a(ait the rea"er there.

CHAPTER 11
The +inal 5Euestions of 2eliefQan" /on&lusive ns(ers
9eritatem dies a erit. :$ime discovers truth.#; 'ene&a

fter shooting began on 'ire in the (ky, 9 re&eive" a &all from Tra&# Torme, as$ing me if 9 ha" hear" of a *+% investigator name" ?err# 2la&$. 9 tol" him no, but that, sin&e 9 "onGt $eep up (ith the fiel", he might or might not be prominent. Tra&# tol" me heG" been re&eiving a series of phone &alls from 2la&$. Tra&# "es&ribe" 2la&$Gs approa&h as initiall# &ourteous, eKplaining that he (as &alling to provi"e -r. Torme (ith &ertain fa&ts of (hi&h -r. Torme evi"entl# must not be a(are, but his tone gra"uall# gre( more stri"ent. fter heG" rea" that +ire in the '$# (as in pro"u&tion, 2la&$ ha" hastene" to a"vise Tra&# of his foll#. Wh# in the (orl", 2la&$ (ante" to $no(, (oul" Torme (ant to ma$e a feature film about the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent, (hen that &ase ha" long ago been proven a hoaKD Tra&# (ante" to $no( (hat ma"e him believe that (as the &ase. 2la&$ respon"e" (ith great vehemen&e an" &ertaint#, proferring as evi"en&e some of the misinformation &larifie" in the appen"iK of this boo$. Tra&# ha" resear&he" the (hole &ase, in&lu"ing all the ol" allegations, an" (as therefore (ell a(are of the truth of the matter. 9 &an almost hear his eKasperate" sigh as he refute" 2la&$Gs &harges point b# point. lthough

FIRE IN THE SKY 13

2la&$ remaine" staun&hl# un&onvin&e" of the vera&it# of m# eKperien&e, he gra"uall# began to reali!e that it (as he (ho (as pro&ee"ing on in&orre&t or in&omplete "ata. 9 tol" Tra&# that 2la&$Gs s$epti&al litan# soun"e" a (hole lot li$e 'paul"ingGs an" ,?AGs line of nonsense. 9t turne" out that, in"ee", 2la&$ ha" been a past asso&iate of 2ill 'paul"ing an" M'W. pparentl# ,?A ha" been a maHor sour&e of misinformation-r. 2la&$ ha" even &ooperate" (ith him on another re&ent &ase that together the# ha" bran"e" a hoaK. lthough at first 2la&$Gs basi& &onvi&tion &on&erning our in&i"ent remaine" un&hange", this initial &onta&t le" to a series of long an" sometimes heate" phone &onversations bet(een himself an" Tra&#. )o(ever, unli$e other soB &alle" investigators, ?err# 2la&$ "i" something &omparativel# ra"i&alhe &he&$e" the fa&ts for himself. fter all these #ears, a 3ualtfied investigator ha" reopene" the &ase. -r. 2la&$ (ent ba&$ to the $e# sour&es of information. )e spo$e (ith former sheriff Millespie, /# Milson, -&/arth#, F!ell, -i$e ;ogers, an" the +orest 'ervi&e. )e "is&overe" for himself that the /ontra&t Theor# ='ee appen"iK> (as so full of holes it (oul"nGt hol" a "rop of (ater. %ther 5theories7 &rumble" as (ell. Ialianti# "efen"ing his s$epti&ism, he even temporaril# &onsi"ere" of all things, 'paul"ingGs half real8half hoaK s&enario. 2ut he $ept pushing an" loo$ing, an" (hat he (as gra"uall# "is&overing all on his o(n (as Hust ho( mu&h the 5true fa&ts7 ha" been obs&ure". )is "oubts began to (aiver. 'till, 2la&$ returne" to harp on &ertain points, emphasi!ing the oftB repeate" "istortions of the pol#graph evi"en&e. Tra&#Gs eKasperation eventuall# turne" to real anno#an&e. )e tol" ?err# that if he &oul"nGt &ome up (ith a plausible alternative s&enario, a series of h#potheti&al events that (oul" full# a&&ount for ever#thing the# both $ne( to be fa&t, there (asnGt an# point in &ontinuing their "is&ussions. -r. 2la&$ sai", 5'ure, thatGs eas#.7 )e trie" a &ouple of s&enarios that Tra&# imme"iatel# (as able to "emonstrate (ere ri"i&ulousl# out of s#n& (ith the in"isputable fa&ts of the &ase. Not long after first phoning me about this ne( investigator, Tra&# as$e" me to parti&ipate in a threeB(a# &onferen&e &all (ith him an" ?err# 2la&$. 6uring the &onversation 2la&$ too$ issue (ith some errors in m# first boo$. %ne (as the 5t#pi&al "a#7 9G" (ritten of to help illustrate the nature of our (or$. nother (as m# error in reporting that /# Milson rather than another pol#graph eKpert =see appen"iK> ha" peruse" ,fieferGs &harts, unoffi&iall# &on&urring (ith his &on&lusion. 2la&$ also too$ issue (ith m# assertion that the siK (itnesses ha" been given *+% Nuestions of varie" (or"ing rather than all being as$e" i"enti&all# (or"e" Nuestions. 9 emphasi!e" that, (hatever Milson remembere", all 9 &oul" "o (as a&&uratel# report (hat 9 ha" been tol" b# the siK &re(men, sin&e 9 ha" not been present. We (ent through some points about the -&/arth# test invali"it#. 2la&$

13! Tra'(* .a/to)

basi&all# agree" the test (as not &re"ibleL but he felt strongl#, as a former ,;% affiliate, that $eeping it &onfi"ential ha" been a maHor misstep of the investigation. )e then pro&ee"e" to the ol" 5"i&tate" Nuestions7 nonsense. 9 &ountere" that this obHe&tion ha" been uneNuivo&all# "is&ounte" b# ,fiefer himseif. 2la&$ &ame ba&$ (ith F!ellGs 5unoffi&ial "isavo(al7 of the ,fiefer test. 9 tol" him 9 believe" F!ellGs real motive (as to "efen" against a publi& per&eption (hi&h he believe" (oul" harm his business reputation. 9 pre"i&te" that F!ell (oul" "e&line to test an#one &on&erning *+%s, on the basis of the subHe&t alone, an" &hallenge" 2la&$ to test m# pre"i&tion. =-# assessment (as subseNuentl# borne out.> ?err# 2la&$ pla&es mu&h sto&$ in the pol#graph aspe&t of an# &ase he investigates. )is remaining suspi&ion of m# &ase &ame "o(n to the tests involve". )is gentlemanl# atta&$ &ulminate", "uring that telephone &onferen&e &all, (hen 2la&$ as$e" me if 9 (oul" be (illing to ta$e an allBne( pol#graph test. 9 as$e" him (h# 9 shoul" ta$e another test (hen 9G" alrea"# passe" one. )e &riti&i!e" the vali"it# of the ,fiefer testL 9 "efen"e" it. 9 a&$no(le"ge" that misinformation might interfere (ith an investigatorGs erce tion of the test, but that if he (oul" &he&$, heG" fin" out 9 (as right about the "ispute" points. 2la&$ persiste". What (oul" be the harm in a ne( testD ll it &oul" "o (as strengthen m# position. 9 retorte" that if 9 agree" to ne( testing, ar&hs$epti&s (oul" atta&$ ane(L then another test (oul" be "eeme" 5ne&essar#7 to "efen" the previous one, an" so on. Wh# open the "oor to thatD 2esi"es, a ne( test (oul" amount to an impli&it a"mission that the test 9 ha" alrea"# passe" ha" been someho( insuffi&ient. Wh# shoul" 9 ma$e su&h a &on&ession to m# &riti&s, (hen nothing (oul" ever satisf# them an#(a#D 9 ha" nothing to gain. 9 (oul" pass, but if the smallest thing (ent (rong (ith the (a# the test (as &on"u&te", it (oul" be Humpe" on an" magnifie" b# m# &riti&s. Fven if the test (as fla(less, it reall# (oul" a"" nothing to m# &re"ibilit# in their min"s. ?err# 2la&$ remaine" insistent. )e sai" he "i"nGt li$e it at all (hen the subHe&ts of his investigation are un(illing to ta$e a pol#graph. Their mere (illingness or un(illingness is a big fa&tor in his Hu"gment of a &ase. 9 tol" him 9 "i" not (ish m# life to be&ome one long &rossBeKamination. point is rea&he" (here one sa#sC There it is, ta$e it or leave it. 9 felt 9 ha" rea&he" that point. -# ans(ers "i"nGt seem to satisf# ?err# 2la&$, but 9 en"e" the &all (ith a repeat of m# &hallenge for him to verif# (hat 9 (as sa#ing about the ,fiefer test. )e "i"nGt ta$e me up on the part of m# &hallenge that F!ellGs problem (as (ith the *+% subHe&t, not the test results themselves, an" that as$ing F!ell to a"minister a ne( test (oul" prove that. 2la&$ sai" that, Hu"ging from his tal$s (ith F!ell, that (asnGt reall# all that implausible an#(a#. 2ut he "i" ta$e me up on verif#ing m# eKplanations about the ,fiefer test (ith ,fiefer himself. fter

FIRE IN THE SKY 13"

our &all he "i" some sleuthing aroun" an" (as finall# able to lo&ate Meorge ,fiefer, (ho "i" in"ee", ?err# tol" Tra&#, personall# verif# (hat 9 ha" sai" about ho( his tests (ere &on"u&te". Fven so, ?err# 2la&$ pursue" further pol#graph testing, s(it&hing his efforts to -i$e ;ogers. -i$e at first resiste" on groun"s similar to mine. Woul"nGt a ne( test impl# that the original tests of the siK &re(men someho( ha" been fault#D 'u&h a "oubt (oul" open the "oor to retesting all siK. What if someone &oul"nGt be foun", or "i"nGt (ant to botherD 9 too (as initiall# against ne( testing for an#one. 2ut ?err# persua"e" -i$e that at the ver# least, retesting llen 6alis (oul" "o the ol" tests no "amage. The onl# one among the nine people previousl# teste" (ho ha" not offi&iall# passe", his test (oul" serve as a ben&hmar$ to &onfirm the a"eNua&# of the *+% Nuestion in the earlier testing. ?err# 2la&$ sele&te" /# Milson as the eKaminer. 9 agree" that he (as the best logi&al &hoi&e to test llen. llenGs passing a test (ith the same eKaminer (oul" resolve his original in&on&lusive test an" &omplete the series all siK (itnesses (oul" have passe" (ith the same eKaminer. /# Milson (as no( one of the top eKaminers in the nationthe top eKaminer in ri!ona, b# virtue of his t(ent#Bt(o &ontinuous #ears of eKperien&e, siKteen of those #ears spent on &riminal testing for the 6epartment of ,ubli& 'afet# =the state poli&e>. Fven after he entere" private pra&ti&e, most of his (or$ (as in the area of &riminal eKaminationsL be&ause of his reputation an" eKperien&e, prose&utors, la(#ers, an" poli&e throughout the state still &ame to him for important (or$. /riminal pol#graph (or$ entails oneGs re&ognition in &ourt as an eKpert (itness an" is &onsi"ere" the highBstatus en" of the fiel", as oppose" to selfBemplo#e" storefront operators performing mostl# routine preemplo#ment an" marital fi"elit# tests. 9n a""ition, all of /# MilsonGs eKperien&e (as (ith mo"ern /ontrol Euestion Tests =/ET>, stateBofBtheBart metho"olog#. When 9 tol" Tra&# (e (ere &onsi"ering retesting llen 6alis, his response (as less than enthusiasti&. 5:i$e #ou tol" ?err# 2la&$, (hat if it turns out to be one of those fe( per&ent of tests that falsel# a&&useD What if llen got nervousD 3ou $no( ho( emotionall# h#per he gets.7 Tra&# re&ommen"e" against testing for an#one involve". The movie (as to be release" soon. )e believe", at this point, there (as little to gain, mu&h to lose. )is point (as vali", as far as it (entL but MilsonGs &re"entials (ere impe&&able. 9f an#one &oul" properl# test llen, he &oul". 'o 9 "i"nGt raise the subHe&t again (ith Tra&#, an" never sai" an#thing to ,aramount. ,lans (ent ahea", (ith great &aution eKer&ise" in ever# aspe&t of the arrangements. The onl# point in "oing this (as if absolutel# ever#thing (as be#on" reproa&h. 'elfBsponsore" tests are not as highl# regar"e" as in"epen"entl# sponsore" tests. Those sponsore" b# s$epti&al thir" parties rate highest of all. 9n eKer&ising his right as sponsor of the test, ?err# 2la&$ formulate" a series of airtight

13# Tra'(* .a/to)

Nuestion areas for llenGs test, (ith spe&ifi& (or"ing to be (or$e" out b# /# Milsonopen, of &ourse, to possible refinement (ith llen, but nonetheless subHe&t to MilsonGs final approval. 9t (as left to -i$e ;ogers to persua"e llen 6alis to submit to retesting. fter &onsi"erable trouble 9 ha" lo&ate" llen some months earlier for ,aramountL but other than that brief phone &all, -i$eGs &all (as the first &onta&t (eG" ha" (ith him in man# #ears. 2ut llen "i"nGt nee" mu&h &oaKing. )e $ne( (hat heG" seen, an" felt heG" been unfairl# Hu"ge" as the onl# Qin&on&lusive.7 )e (el&ome" the &han&e to vin"i&ate himself. Throughout the arrangements, ?err# 2la&$ (as pushing to in&lu"e others in a retest. -i$e ha" been &onsi"ering this for himself. -i$e (as gra"uall# persua"e" in prin&iple, but still resiste", (ar# of appearing to "evalue the original tests on the &re(. )e eventuall# offere" to un"ergo retesting if Milson (oul" agree to &omment in his report that the test (as su lemental to the earlier testing. Milson flatl# refuse", sa#ing nobo"# tells him ho( to &on"u&t his tests, an" nobo"# tells him (hat to (rite in his report. -i$e finall# settle" for a letter, un"er separate &over, reaffirming MilsonGs final opinion of his earlier testing of the siKC
90 =anuar( 1999 Mr. Mi$hael 0. Aoger" (Address) Sho' >o', Ari?ona Dear Mr. Aoger", !hi" letter i" in regard to the pol(graph examination" % admini"tered to (ou and #i&e other men in 3o&ember o# 197<, about the di"appearan$e o# !ra&i" Walton and the *+, in$ident. !he re"ult" o# the examination" % admini"tered in 197< determined (ou and #our o# the other men 'ere being truth#ul to the #our rele&ant .ue"tion" a")ed during that examination. !he "ixth man1" examination 'a" in$on$lu"i&e, in that hi" $hart tra$ing" 'ere "u$h that no determination o# truth or de$eption $ould be made. !oda(, in 1999, % am "till o# the "ame opinion that the( 'ere &alid examination" and the re"ult" 'ere $on$lu"i&e on the #i&e. @&en though there 'a" onl( one .ue"tion a")ed that related to the *+, "ighting, it 'a" a &alid .ue"tion and the re"ult" pro&ed none o# (ou 'ere l(ing 'hen "tating (ou "a' an ob8e$t that (ou belie&e 'a" a *+,. !he other three rele&ant .ue"tion" a")ed during that examination 'ere to determine i# an( o# (ou had $au"ed the death o# !ra&i" Walton. Again the re"ult" o# the #i&e examination" 'ere $on$lu"i&e and that none o# (ou did an(thing nor "a' an(one do an(thing to in8ure or )ill !ra&i" Walton. !he re"ult" o# the"e three rele&ant .ue"tion" 'ere po"iti&el( &eri#ied 'hen Mr. Walton reappeared about a 'ee) a#ter the"e

FIRE IN THE SKY 13$

pol(graph examination" 'ere admini"tered. % hope thi" letter 'ill "ati"#( (ou, and an(one el"e, that m( belie#" in the re"ult" o# tho"e examination", are the "ame toda( a" the( 'ere in 197<. Sin$erel(, 2( 4il"on

t ?err# 2la&$Gs urging, -i$e trie" to tal$ me into Hoining him an" llen in being reteste". 9 hel" firm, repeating m# reasoning. 2ut on&e -i$e ha" been persua"e" to &ommit himself to being reteste", he be&ame an avi" proponent of broa"ening parti&ipation. )e (oul"nGt let up on me. )e enthusiasti&all# ti&$e" off M# MilsonGs &re"entials an" the improvements in sensitivit# an" reliabilit# of mo"ern eNuipment. 9 agree" that /# Milson (as the top eKaminerL it (as virtuall# &ertain (eG" get an a&&urate test. -# &on&erns (ere (ith getting "ragge" into "efen"ing against a ne( roun" of unfair atta&$s. 9 still felt 9 ha" nothing to gain. 9 reasone" that if onl# one test in three hun"re" gave ina&&urate results, that it (oul" be the eNuivalent of pla#ing ;ussian roulette. 9f there (as any possibilit# of "estro#ing #ourself, (ith nothing to gain, (h# (oul" an# sane person pla#D Fven if there (ere t(o hun"re" ninet#Bnine empt# &#lin"ers instea" of five, there (as still that one live roun". -i$e an" ?err# (oul" &onfer, then -i$e (oul" &ome ba&$ at me. )is reasoning ha" a gra"ual effe&t on me. 2ut (hat reall# &lin&he" it for me, at the last moment, (as (hen -i$e tol" me that /# Milson ha" eKpresse" his opinion that both the -&/arth# test and the ,fiefer test (ere in&on&lusive, for the same reasontheir same, obsolete metho"olog#. 9G" never before reali!e" that ,fiefer ha" been using the same metho" for (hi&h -&/arth#Gs test ha" been invali"ate". ,fiefer ha" use" a fe( ne(er refinements, ma$ing his test seem "ifferent from -&/arth#Gs. ll 9G" $no(n (as that -&/arth#Gs ha" been &alle" 5an ol" militar# metho".7 9 no( $no( that the vali"it# of ,fieferGs test &an still be Hustifiabl# "efen"e", be&ause the metho"olog#Gs ina&&ura&# in virtuall# all &ases leans in the "ire&tion of false positives. 2ut at the time the thought that 9 ha"nGt #et ta$en an unassailable test gave me pause. 9 finall# agree" to un"ergo reeKamination b# pol#graph. 9 ha" other business in ,hoeniK an#(a#. 2efore arriving at his offi&e &ompleK that "a#, 9G" never seen or spo$en to M# Milson. 9 pulle" up a &hair an" (e got "o(n to business. We resolve" a fe( minor issues, then 9 tol" him 9 (ante" to ta$e a "rug test both before an" after m# test. Milson sai" that (asnGt ne&essar#. 9 insiste", sa#ing that 9 (oul" pa# the a""itional &ost m#self. Milson sai" that sin&e it (asnGt ever nee"e" he "i"nGt $no( ho( to go about having su&h tests "one. =3ears before, ,?A ha" ma"e "rug tests a part of our pol#graph retest &hallenge,

14& Tra'(* .a/to)

so 9G" thought the# (ere ne&essar# for an airtight test.> Milson eKplaine" that the belief that "rugs &oul" help a liar pass a pol#graph test (as a m#th. ;esear&h ha" proven no "rug &oul" ever neutrali!e a subHe&tGs autonomi& nervous rea&tions to "e&eption on relevant Nuestions, (hile simultaneousl# having no effe&t on rea&tions to 5$no(n lie7 an" 5"ire&te" he7 Nuestions. That (as one of the tremen"ous a"vantages of mo"ern /ET metho"olog#. 9 sai" 9 (ante" to be absolutel# &ertain that no one &oul" ever &laim an# basis to atta&$ this test for an# reason. Milson assure" me, the la&$ of "rug influen&e (as (ell establishe". 'in&e some misinforme" subHe&ts ha" thought this (oul" (or$, heG" seen su&h attemptshe &oul" easil# spot a "rugge" rea&tion &hart an" the result is as far from a passe" test in appearan&e as (oul" be intense stress rea&tions to relevant Nuestions. No "rug effe&t &an be repeate"l# turne" on an" off in a matter of se&on"s. -an# #ears of resear&h ha" been "one, an" if there (as an# (a# &hemi&als &oul" "efeat a test, "rug tests (oul" have be&ome a stan"ar" part of the pro&e"ure. /riti&s (oul"nGt get too far (ith su&h an atta&$ if no $no(le"geable pol#graph eKpert (oul" substantiate their un"erl#ing premise. 9 finall# relente"MilsonGs logi& (as unassailable. We ha" a length# pretest intervie(. 9 (ent through a "es&ription of m# eKperien&e. )e too$ notes, an" as$e" man# Nuestions. )is Nuestions (erenGt in the nature of a &rossBeKamination. The# rather appeare" to be "ire&te" at establishing a mutual un"erstan"ing of the fa&ts as 9 state" them to be. )e sho(e" neither belief nor "isbelief, onl# &on&ern (ith m# being &lear about the truth of (hat 9 (as sa#ing. /# Milson formulate" in his o(n (or"s Nuestions base" on ?err# 2la&$Gs gui"elines. 9 eKer&ise" great &are never to suggest spe&ifi& &hanges in their (or"ing, but raise" one or t(o minor points on (hi&h a given Nuestion eKB hibite" ambiguit# to me, but left them entirel# up to the eKaminer to resolve ho(ever he sa( fit. We (ent through the other stan"ar" pro&e"ures, then too$ a short brea$ before 9 (as strappe" into the &hair. 9t seeme" li$e hours before m# testing (as &omplete. No hint of (hat heG" rea" on m# &harts sho(e" in his fa&e. Not that 9 nee"e" to be tol", assuming there (ere no glit&hes. 9t probabl# too$ less than an hour, as he s&anne" the &harts an" &omputer rea"outs, but it seeme" longer as 9 silenti# (aite" for his preliminar# &on&lusion. +inall#, he tol" me (ith no tra&e of emotion (hat 9 alrea"# $ne( (as nearl# &ertain. lthough subHe&t to &ontinue" evaluation as to eKa&t s&ores, m# &harts (ere &learl# (ithin the upper range of truthfulness. We bro$e for lun&h an" returne" for more testing. 9G" been "isappointe" to learn that mo"ern metho"olog# &onsi"ere" onl# four Nuestions to be optimum. 9 ha" other areas 9 (ishe" to &over. -# first test that "a# ha" &overe" the in&i"ent &omprehensivel#, but 9 (ante" to a""ress spe&ifi& allegations b# m# &riti&s

FIRE IN THE SKY 141

(hi&h &oul"nGt be perfe&tl# refute" in an# other (a#. -i$e ha" (ante" his +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t Theor# stuff spe&ifi&all# &overe" in a se&on" test. 9 pointe" out that all those Nuestions ha" been full# a""resse" in the Nuestionnaire -auri&e -ar&hban$s =see appen"iK> (as ans(ering. 9G" argue" that if ?err# 2la&$Gs bu"get (oul" onl# &over one person getting a se&on" test, then as the person at the &enter of all the allegations 9 ought to be that one. /# Milson reall# "i"nGt see an# ne&essit# for either of us to have a se&on" test. 9n his opinion, no subissue &oul" elu"e the four interlo&$ing relevant Nuestions (e ha" ea&h alrea"# ans(ere". We simpl# &oul" not pass those an" be l#ing about an# of the other issues. 9n fa&t, one reason re&ommen"e" pro&e"ure fo&use" on onl# four Nuestions (as that almost an# issue &oul" be &ompletel# a""resse" b# four properl# (or"e" Nuestions. Nevertheless, it ultimatel# (as agree" that 9 (oul" un"ergo a se&on" test. When (e began m# se&on" pretest intervie(, 9 enumerate" a half "o!en areas 9 (ante" &overe". Milson "elete" a &ouple as either alrea"# &overe" b# some of the other Nuestions or not &entral to the issue. gain, 9 (as ver# &areful to suggest &hanges onl# in the most general fashion. n" again /# Milson formulate" the Nuestions a&&or"ing to his o(n Hu"gment an" proper prin&iples of pra&ti&e. n" finall#, again, (hen it (as all over he gave me his favorable preliminar# ver"i&t for m# se&on" test. 3ou &an imagine m# feelings as 9 hea"e" home. 9t o&&urre" to me that ultimatel# 9G" $ept m# appointment for a pol#graph test (ith Milson, though not ver# pun&tuall#. llenGs an" -i$eGs testing ha" been &on"u&te" (ithout an# problems on +ebruar# 1, 1991. Mreat &are (as eKer&ise" to avoi" even the appearan&e of an# possible impropriet#. -i$e ha" sta#e" overnight in ,hoeniK to pi&$ up his o(n pol#graph report. Therefore he ha" been unable to atten" a surprise birth"a# part# thro(n for me at m# home. =-# (ife, 6ana, ha" &alle" me from the &ollege (here she taught aerobi&s to tell me she &oul"nGt get the &ar starte". 9 hea"e" over there an" the guests move" into the house as soon as 9 roun"e" the &orner. 'he got me. 9 never eKpe&te" a thing. 9t (as great.> /oin&i"entall#, m# test (ith ,fiefer also ha" been right after m# birth"a#. seventeen #ears earlier. llen ha" alrea"# &omplete" his test (hen -i$e arrive" at MilsonGs ofB ie. The#G" spo$en on the phone in getting the tests arrange", but it (as the first time the#G" lai" e#es on ea&h other in man# #ears. llen ha" sho(e" up at the agree" time, an" evi"entl# &on"u&te" himself properl# on this o&&asion, be&ause ever#thing (ent (ell. )is ne( test an" the one he too$ ba&$ in 1975 (ere the onl# pol#graph tests llen ha" ever ta$en. -i$eGs test (as routine an" naturall#, refle&ting the truth as (ell as his first test ha", more than seventeen #ears earlier. 2efore long, 9 ha" &opies of all three &omplete" offi&ial pol#graph reports in m# han". The# "onGt &ome an# better than this. )ereGs (hat 9 rea"C

142 Tra'(* .a/to)

; +ebruar( 1999 Mr. =err( Bla$) (Address) Blan$he"ter, ,hio Dear Mr. Bla$), ,n +ebruar( ;, 1999, a pol(graph examination 'a" admini"tered to Mr. Allen Dali". !he purpo"e o# thi" examination 'a" to determine Whether or not Mr. Dali" 'a" being truth#ul in hi" "tatement about 'itne""ing a *+,7li)e ob8e$t in the #ore"t near 0eber, Ari?ona, on 3o&ember <, 197<. !he ob8e$t 'ill be re#erred to in the balan$e o# thi" report a" a *+,. During the prete"t inter&ie', Mr. Dali" related the #ollo'ing e&ent" that o$$urred on that da(. Mr. Dali" "aid the( had #ini"hed 'or) #or the da( and 'ere heading home. %t 'a" almo"t dar). 0e "a' a glo' $oming #rom among the tree" ahead o# them. A" the( $ame to a $learing, he "a' the ob8e$t he $alled a *+,. Mr. Aoger" 'a" "lo'ing the tru$) do'n to "top a" !ra&i" Walton exited the tru$) and began to ad&an$e to'ard" the *+, in a bri") 'al). Be#ore rea$hing the *+, Mr. Walton "lo'ed to a normal 'al). Mr. Dali" de"$ribed the *+, a" being a (ello'i"h 'hite in $olor. 0e "aid the light emitting #rom it 'a" not bright but a glo' that ga&e o## light all around it"el#. 0e e.uated it to the glo'ing light (ou get #rom a lamp 'ith the "hade on and the light "hining all around. Mr. Dali" "a' Walton rea$h the *+,, "top and loo) up at it. 0e "aid it loo)ed a" i# Walton 'a" "tanding there, "lightl( bent o&er, 'ith hi" hand" in hi" po$)et". Mr. Dali" "aid the *+, began to 'obble or ro$) "lightl( and he began to be$ome a#raid. 0e put hi" head do'n to'ard" hi" )nee". A" he did "o, a bright light #la"hed that lit up the area, e&en the in"ide o# the tru$). 0e immediatel( loo)ed to'ard" the *+,. 0e "a' a "ilhouette o# Walton. Mr. Walton had hi" arm" up in the air. Mr. Dali" $annot be "ure i# Walton 'a" o## o# the ground at that time. Mr. Dali" turned to'ard" Mr. Aoger" 'ho 'a" in the dri&er1" "eat and (elled #or him to Bget the hell out o# here.C !he( dro&e to the main #ore"t road and "topped. 0e belie&e" "ome o# the $re' got out o# the tru$) and other" "ta(ed in it. !he( tal)ed about 'hat the( had 'itne""ed and the $on$ern #or Walton. %t 'a" de$ided to return to the area and help Walton. When the( arri&ed at the "$ene, Mr. Walton 'a" no'here to be #ound. DMr. Dali"E "aid all o# the $re' got out o# the tru$) and 'al)ed "houlder to "houlder to'ard" the area 'here the *+, 'a" "een. !he( $ould not #ind Mr. Walton nor an( "ign o# him. !he( then dro&e to to'n and reported the in$ident to the Sheri##1" ,##i$e. During the re&ie' o# the .ue"tion", Mr. Dali" under"tood all o# the .ue"tion". 0e under"tood FA9 to mean an( $on&er"ation 'ith Walton either b( telephone or in per"on and an( &i"ual $onta$t, e&en i# the( did not "pea) to ea$h other. !he rele&ant .ue"tion" a")ed and the an"'er" gi&en are a" #ollo'"

FIRE IN THE SKY 143

Gue"tion FA1 ,n 3o&ember <, 197<, in the #ore"t near 0eber, did (ou "ee an ob8e$t that (ou belie&e 'a" a *+,5 An"'er /@S. Gue"tion FADid (ou $on"pire 'ith the Walton brother" or an(one el"e to perpetrate a hoax about that *+, "ighting in 197<5 An"'er 3,. Gue"tion FA9 Bet'een 3o&ember 6 and 10 o# 197<, 'hen !ra&i" Walton 'a" mi""ing, did (ou ha&e an( &erbal or per"onal $onta$t 'ith him5 An"'er 3,. Gue"tion FA; %n the pa"t "e&enteen (ear", ha" an(thing o$$urred to $au"e (ou to no' belie&e that *+, in$ident 'a" a hoax5 An"'er 3,. Mr. Dali"1 ph("iologi$al re"pon"e" 'ere monitored during the pre"entation o# the"e .ue"tion" b( mean" o# a S$ienti#i$ A""e""ment !e$hnolog(1" 2omputer, Model 2APS 700. !he #ollo'ing re"pon"e" 'ere re$orded on thi" in"trument1" "trip $hart relati&e blood pre""ureH ")in $ondu$tan$eH thora$i$ and abdominal re"piration. Data #rom three pre"entation" o# the"e .ue"tion" 'ere obtained and "ub8e$t to numeri$al "$oring and $omputer7ba"ed anal("i". !he numeri$al "$ore a#ter three $hart" 'a" I--. %n the "("tem o# numeri$al "$oring de&eloped and &alidated at the *ni&er"it( o# *tah, total numeri$al "$oring o# I6 or more i" $on"idered indi$ation" o# truth#ulne"". !he $omputer7ba"ed anal("i" returned a po"terior probabilit( o# truth#ulne"" o# .999, indi$ating that $hart" li)e the"e produ$ed b( Mr. Dali", are produ$ed b( truth#ul examinee" 99J o# the time. Ba"ed on the numeri$al "$ore o# the pol(graph $hart" and the $omputer7 ba"ed anal("i", it i" the opinion o# thi" examiner that Mr. Dali" 'a" being truth#ul 'hen he an"'ered the"e rele&ant .ue"tion". Sin$erel(, 2( 4il"on

144 Tra'(* .a/to)

1 +ebruar( 1999 Mr. =err( Bla$) (Address) Blan$he"ter, ,hio Dear Mr. Bla$), ,n +ebruar( 1, 1999, a pol(graph examination 'a" admini"tered to Mr. Mi$hael Aoger". !he purpo"e o# thi" examination 'a" to determine 'hether or not Mr. Aoger" 'a" being truth#ul in hi" "tatement about 'itne""ing a *+,7li)e ob8e$t in the #ore"t near 0eber, Ari?ona, on 3o&ember <, 197<. During the prete"t inter&ie', Mr. Aoger" related the #ollo'ing e&ent" that o$$urred on that da(. 0e and hi" $re' o# "ix men had 'or)ed late on that da(. %t 'a" a#ter "undo'n a" the( 'ere dri&ing ba$) to to'n. 3earing a $learing to the right o# the tru$), the( "a' an ob8e$t that i" $ommonl( re#erred to a" a *+,. !hi" ob8e$t 'ill be re#erred to during the balan$e o# thi" report a" a *+,. A" the tru$) neared the $learing, Mr. Aoger" "lo'ed the tru$) to a "top. Mr. !ra&i" Walton exited the tru$) and 'al)ed #a"t to'ard" the ob8e$t. Mr. Aoger" 'a" on the oppo"ite "ide o# the tru$) #rom the *+,. 0e had to bend o&er "lightl( to &ie' it in it" entiret( through the tru$) 'indo'". 0e de"$ribed the *+, to be glo'ing a (ello'i"h tan $olor. 0e $ould not "a( i# the light emanated #rom 'ithin the *+, or 'a" a lighting "("tem out"ide, that lit up the *+,. 0e did "a( he $ould "ee the "hado'" o# the tree" on the ground, around the *+,. 0e "aid it 'a" round and about S, #eet in diameter. 0e "aid the *+, 'a" about 7< to 100 #eet #rom the tru$). 0e "a' Walton 'al) near to the *+,, "top near "ome log" and bru"h and 'a" "tanding there loo)ing up at it. At thi" time Mr. Aoger" de$ided to mo&e the tru$) due to the #a$t the( 'ere be$oming #rightened. A" Mr. Aoger" "tarted to mo&e the tru$) a brilliant #la"h o# light lit up the entire area, e&en in"ide the tru$). %t 'a" de"$ribed a" a prolonged "trobe #la"h. 0e did not "ee a beam o# light emit #rom the *+, and hit Walton. A" the #la"h o$$urred, Mr. Aoger" turned around in hi" "eat to loo) at the *+, again and "a' Mr. Walton being hurled through the air in a ba$)'ard" motion, #alling on the ground, on hi" ba$). At thi" time, Mr. Dali" and "omeone el"e (elled to get the hell out o# here. Mr. Aoger" dro&e the tru$) along the "e$ondar( road until he $ame to the main #ore"t road 'here he "topped. A brie# di"$u""ion too) pla$e and it 'a" de$ided to return to the area to help Mr. Walton. *pon returning to the "ame pla$e, the( all exited the tru$) and ad&an$ed to'ard" the pla$e 'here the( had "een the *+,. !here 'a" no "ign o# Walton nor an( indi$ation o# Walton being in8ured, "u$h a" blood on the ground. !here 'ere no burn" o# the &egetation in the area 'here the *+, ho&ered. 3ot being able to #ind Walton 'ith the aid o# a #e' #la"hlight", the( de$ided to go to 0eber and noti#( the Sheri##1" ,##i$e o# 'hat had 8u"t o$$urred. During the re&ie' o# the .ue"tion", Mr. Aoger" under"tood the

FIRE IN THE SKY 14

$ontent o# all the rele&ant .ue"tion" and in parti$ular, that .ue"tion FA9 meant an( t(pe o# $on&er"ation either in per"on or b( telephone and an( &i"ual $onta$t 'ith Walton e&en i# the( did not "pea). 0e under"tood B$on"pireC to mean an( planning or hi" )no'ledge o# an( planning to perpetrate a *+, hoax. !he rele&ant .ue"tion" a")ed and the an"'er" gi&en are a" #ollo'" Gue"tion FA1 ,n 3o&ember S, 197<, in the #ore"t area $alled !ur)e( Spring", did (ou "ee a large, glo'ing ob8e$t ho&ering in the air belo' the treetop" about 100 #eet #rom (ou5 An"'er /@S. Gue"tion FAA#ter the bright #la"h o# light did (ou "ee !ra&i" Walton propelled ba$)'ard" through the air5 An"'er /@S. Gue"tion FA9 Bet'een 3o&ember < and 10 o# 197<, 'hen !ra&i" Walton 'a" reported mi""ing, did (ou ha&e an( &erbal or per"onal $onta$t 'ith him5 An"'er 3,. Gue"tion FA; Did (ou $on"pire 'ith the Walton brother" or an(one el"e to perpetrate a hoax about that *+, "ighting in 197<5 An"'er 3,. Mr. Aoger"1 ph("iologi$al re"pon"e" 'ere monitored during the pre"entation o# the"e .ue"tion" b( mean" o# a S$ienti#i$ A""e""ment !e$hnolog(1" 2omputer, Model 2APS 700. !he #ollo'ing re"pon"e" 'ere re$orded on thi" in"trument1" "trip $hart relati&e blood pre""ureH ")in $ondu$tan$eH thora$i$ and abdominal re"piration. Data #rom three pre"entation" o# the"e .ue"tion" 'ere obtained and "ub8e$t to numeri$al "$oring and $omputer7ba"ed anal("i". !he numeri$al "$ore a#ter three $hart" 'a" I91. %n the "("tem o# numeri$al "$oring de&eloped and &alidated at the *ni&er"it( o# *tah, total numeri$al "$oring o# I6 or more i" $on"idered indi$ation" o# truth#ulne"". !he $omputer7ba"ed anal("i" returned a po"terior probabilit( o# truth#ulne"" o# .990, indi$ating that $hart" li)e the"e produ$ed b( Mr. Aoger", are produ$ed b( truth#ul examinee" 99J o# the time. Ba"ed on the numeri$al "$ore o# the pol(graph $hart" and the $omputer7 ba"ed anal("i", it i" the opinion o# thi" examiner that Mr. Aoger" 'a" being truth#ul 'hen he an"'ered the"e rele&ant .ue"tion". !he truth#ul out$ome o# thi" examination tend" to &alidate the truth#ul re"ult" o# the "ingle .ue"tion % a")ed, regarding thi" in$ident, during the original examination o# Mr. Aoger" in 197<. Sin$erel(, 2( 4il"on

14! Tra'(* .a/to)

; +ebruar( 1999 Mr. =err( Bla$) (Address) Blan$he"ter, ,hio Dear Mr. Bla$), ,n +ebruar( ;, 1999, a pol(graph examination 'a" admini"tered to Mr. !ra&i" Walton. !he purpo"e o# thi" examination 'a" to determine 'hether or not Mr. Walton 'a" being truth#ul in hi" "tatement about "eeing a *+, and being abdu$ted b( the *+, plu" other #a$t" "urrounding the abdu$tion. During the prete"t inter&ie', Mr. Walton "aid he had 'or)ed #or Mi)e Aoger" intermittentl( #or about "ix (ear" on a "ea"onal ba"i". 0e ne&er "o$iali?ed 'ith an( o# the $re'. ,n 3o&ember <, 197<, the( had 'or)ed a little later than u"ual tr(ing to meet the $ontra$t $ommitment. B( the time the( 'ere dri&ing ba$) to to'n, the "un had gone do'n but there 'a" "ome light, li)e t'ilight. A" the( 'ere dri&ing, he $ould "ee a glimmer o# light in the tree" ahead. At #ir"t he thought it ma( be a do'ned airplane. !he light 'a" unu"ual. A" the( neared a $learing he "a' the ob8e$t he $alled a *+,. !hi" ob8e$t 'ill be re#erred to a" a *+, throughout thi" report. A" the tru$) $ame to a "top, Mr. Walton got out. Belie&ing it ma( ta)e o##, he 'al)ed bri")l( to'ard" the *+, but "lo'ed hi" pa$e be#ore rea$hing it. 0e de"$ribed it a" being round and ho&ering about S, #eet abo&e the ground. 0e did not go underneath it but "tood there loo)ing up at it. 0e "aid the *+, "tarted to 'obble "lightl( and ma)e a noi"e. Mr. Walton "aid the noi"e 'a" li)e a lo' rumble that de&eloped into a higher pit$h that "eemed to in$rea"e in #re.uen$(. At thi" point he be$ame a#raid and de$ided to go ba$) to the tru$). 0e re$all" being hit 'ith an ele$tri#(ing t(pe o# "ho$) that "tunned him, lea&ing him un$on"$iou". 0e re$all" he "lo'l( regained $on"$iou"ne"". 0e #ound him"el# in a "mall room that 'a" damp or humid. 0e had pain throughout hi" bod( but mo"tl( in hi" $he"t and head. 0e then "a' three $reature" he de"$ribed a" being about #our #eet tall 'ith large, dar) e(e". 0e 'a" l(ing on "ome t(pe o# table. A" the"e $reature" approa$hed him he got o## the table. !here 'a" "ome t(pe o# "hel# near the 'all 'here he #ound a "traight pipe7li)e ob8e$t l(ing on it. 0e de"$ribe" it a" being round li)e a pie$e o# pipe but light'eight. 0e $annot re$all i# it 'a" "olid or hollo'. 0e pi$)ed it up and "tarted to la"h out at the $reature" to )eep them at ba(. !he $reature" le#t the room b( an open door'a(, turning right. Mr. Walton 'al)ed to that door'a(, loo)ed do'n a hall and he 'ent le#t. 0e 'al)ed into another room, tr(ing to #ind an exit #rom thi" en$lo"ure. 0e did not )no' i# he 'a" in a "pa$e"hip or a building. A human7li)e $reature $ame into the room, too) him b( the arm, leading him to another &er( large room 'here "e&eral more human7li)e $reature" 'ere. B( thi" time mo"t o# the pain 'a"

FIRE IN THE SKY 14"

gone. 0e 'a" #or$ed do'n on a table and had a ma"), "imilar to an ox(gen ma"), put on hi" #a$e. 0e doe" not remember an(thing el"e until he a'o)e next to the road, 8u"t out"ide 0eber. A" he regained $on"$iou"ne"", he loo)ed up, "eeing the *+, or one "imilar to the original one, ho&ering o&erhead. A" he loo)ed up at it, the *+, "ped o## into the ")(. Mr. Walton "aid hi" "tor( i" true. 0e "aid a$$u"ation" made about him are lie". 0e had not been on an( drug" o# an( )ind. 0e 'a" not hiding out "ome'here on the 4ib"on ran$h. 0e urinated in a 8ar and thi" "ample 'a" gi&en to Dr. Kandell later that "ame da(. Mr. Walton denie" he $on"pired 'ith Mr. Aoger" to perpetrate a hoax to help him get out o# the !ur)e( Spring" $ontra$t 'ith the +ore"tr( Ser&i$e. !'o "erie" o# .ue"tion" 'ere a")ed to $o&er all the area" 'e belie&e 'ere important. !he rele&ant .ue"tion" a")ed and the an"'er" gi&en are a" #ollo'" Serie" F1 Gue"tion FA1 ,n 3o&ember <, 197<, in the #ore"t area $alled !ur)e( Spring", did (ou "ee a large glo'ing ob8e$t ho&ering in the air5 An"'er /@S. Gue"tion FAWhile (ou 'ere "tanding near that *+,7li)e ob8e$t, did (ou belie&e (ou 'ere "tru$) b( an energ( "our$e emitted #rom that large ob8e$t5 An"'er /@S. Gue"tion FA9 A#ter regaining $on"$iou"ne"" in a "mall, humid room, did (ou "ee nonhuman $reature" 'ith large dar) e(e"5 An"'er /@S. Gue"tion FA; Did (ou $on"pire 'ith (our brother Duane or an(one el"e or a$t alone to "tage a hoax about (our *+, abdu$tion5 An"'er 3,. Serie" FS Gue"tion FA1 Bet'een 3o&ember 1 and 11, 197<, did (ou u"e an( drug", either legal or illegal5 An"'er 3,. Gue"tion FABet'een 3o&ember < and 10, 197<, 'ere (ou hiding an('here on the 4ib"on ran$h5 An"'er 3,.

14# Tra'(* .a/to)

Gue"tion FA9 Wa" the urine "ample gi&en to Dr. Kandell on 3o&ember 11, 197<, (our #ir"t &oided "pe$imen #ollo'ing (our *+, experien$e5 An"'er /@S. Gue"tion FA; Wa" thi" *+, in$ident a $on"pira$( to help Mi)e Aoger" get out o# hi" !ur)e( Spring" $ontra$t5 An"'er 3,. Mr. Walton1" ph("iologi$al re"pon"e" 'ere monitored during the pre"entation o# the"e .ue"tion" b( mean" o# a S$ienti#i$ A""e""ment !e$hnolog(1" 2omputer, Model 2APS 700. !he #ollo'ing re"pon"e" 'ere re$orded on thi" in"trument1" "trip $hart relati&e blood pre""ureH ")in $ondu$tan$eH thora$i$ and abdominal re"piration. Data #rom three pre"entation" o# the"e .ue"tion" 'ere obtained #or ea$h "erie", and 'ere "ub8e$t to numeri$al "$oring and $omputer7ba"ed anal("i". !he numeri$al "$ore o# Serie" F1 'a" I9;. !he numeri$al "$ore o# Serie" F- 'a" I-6. %n the "("tem o# numeri$al "$oring de&eloped and &alidated at the *ni&er"it( o# *tah, total numeri$al "$oring o# I6 or more i" $on"idered indi$ation" o# truth#ulne"". !he $omputer7ba"ed anal("i" returned a po"terior probabilit( o# truth#ulne"" o# .96; in the #ir"t "erie", and a .961 in the "e$ond "erie". !he"e indi$ating that $hart" li)e the"e produ$ed in ea$h "erie", b( Mr. Walton, are produ$ed b( truth#ul examinee" 96J o# the time. Ba"ed on the numeri$al "$ore o# the pol(graph $hart" and the $omputer7 ba"ed anal("i", it i" the opinion o# thi" examiner that Mr. Walton 'a" being truth#ul 'hen he an"'ered the"e rele&ant .ue"tion". Sin$erel(, 2( 4il"on

Than$ #ou, ?err# 2la&$O These eKaminations &lear the air (ith a thoroughness, an utter finalit#, (hi&h &anGt be refute". /# Milson use" a (i"el# pra&ti&e", eKtremel# a&&urate, stateBofBtheBart metho" "evelope" an" perfe&te" at the *niversit# of *tah. This involves a &omputeri!e" monitoring an" anal#sis of the tra&ings along (ith a pointBs&oring s#stem of the &harts applie" b# the eKaminer. 9n summar#C The &omputer put all three of us near the top of the range "esignate" as &on&lusivel# truthful =almost no one ever a&hieves the theoreti&al maKimum of 1.44>, (ith me at .904 an" .901, -i$e at .994, an" llen at .991. %n the numeri&al s&ore 9 (as first (ith X14 an" X20 points, -i$e ha" X11 points an" llen ha" X22 points. 'in&e X0 an" up is &onsi"ere" truthful, the minor s&oring "ifferen&es bet(een the three of us are of no meaningful signifi&an&e be&ause the# are less than the "ifferen&e #ou &oul" get from t(o i"enti&al tests on the same person in the same "a#.

FIRE IN THE SKY 14$

9tGs unli$el# m# &riti&s (ill be bragging up /# MilsonGs #ears of eKperien&e, but the fa&t is, he ha" more eKperien&e (hen he teste" me than -&/arth# =his &laims not(ithstan"ing> a&tuall# ha" at the time he teste" me. Milson (as probabl# the best eKaminer in the state even in 1975, but no( no one &an "ispute, b# an# &riteria, his being the top eKaminer in the state of ri!ona. 9f "ebun$ers surren"er their &re"ibilit# an" "are to atta&$ these tests, (e &an eKpe&t that su""enl# #ears of eKperien&e (onGt be the &ru&ial fa&tor in a pol#grapherGs &re"entials to them. The truth is, there is absolutel# nothing &riti&s &oul" sa# that (oul"nGt be barefa&e" h#po&ris# at this point. The#Gve painte" themselves tightl# into a &orner. /# Milson is a topBnot&h eKaminer of impe&&able integrit# an" &re"entials. No &riti& ever ma"e a personal atta&$ on his &re"entials or &on"u&t relative to m# &ase. )is obHe&tivit# &anGt be "oubte". To this "a#, 9Gve not been able to figure out (here Milson stan"s in regar" to the *+% issue in general. 9 $no( he (as a &omplete s$epti& before November 11, 1975, though the results of our tests must have ha" some effe&t on him. None of us reall# as$e" him, be&ause, sin&e heGs as professional as the# &ome, his personal opinions outsi"e of his test reports (ere $ept out of it. 9 might have been spare" mu&h aggravation ha" the situation (or$e" out so that m# firstan" onl#test ha" been from him. )o(ever, 9Gm happ# that at long last 9 ha" the opportunit# to set the re&or" straight on&e an" for all. 9 ha" (aite" to tell an#one at ,aramount about the tests until the# (ere &omplete be&ause 9 (ante" to hea" off an# possible suggestions from m# &riti&s that the stu"io, be&ause of its finan&ial sta$e in the movie, ha" eKerte" an# influen&e on the results. 2ut the neKt "a# 9 fire" off a letter (ith the ne(s to the publi&it# "epartment. 9t ha" a more "ramati& impa&t than 9 ha" eKpe&te". pparentl# some of the ol", s$epti&al &laims ha" been affe&ting attitu"es more negativel# than 9G" $no(n. Nee"less to sa#, ever#one (as please". )is investigative eKperien&e (ith us, &ulminating in our triumphant pol#graphs, has ma"e a &hange" man of ?err# 2la&$at least regar"ing his opinion of the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent. 2ut he "i"nGt lose, he (onin a big (a#. *nli$e m# other &riti&s, he &ame b# his ne( un"erstan"ing the 5ol"B fashione"7 (a#he earne" it. *nusual in"ee" is the man (ith the obHe&tivit# an" intelle&tual honest# not onl# to see$ the truth in opposition to a strongl#B hel" opinion butrarer stillto fa&e it (hen he meets it. ll those he Nuestione"F!ell, -&/arth#, Torme, ,fiefer, Millespie, the +orest 'ervi&e offi&ials&an attest to his s$epti&ism (hen he entere" the investigation. )is reversal not onl# &onfers &re"ibilit# on our in&i"ent, but it attests to his o(n &re"ibilit# as an investigator. ?err# 2la&$ a"mits his ne( un"erstan"ing of the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent &ame gra"uall#, but that one of the $e# points of &onvi&tion for him (as m# "e&ision to un"ergo ne( testing b# pol#graph. )e sai"C 5ThereGs no Nuestion in

1 & Tra'(* .a/to)

m# min" that the &lin&her, as far as Travis Walton himself is &on&erne", (as his agreeabilit# to ta$e the pol#graph in the fa&e of reali!ing that he ha" reall# nothing to gain an" ever#thing to lose at this late point an" "ate. The film (as alrea"# ma"e, he ha" his mone#L if he (as reall# l#ing he (oul" have been a fool, un"er the &ir&umstan&es, to ta$e the test (ith nothing to gain an" ever#thing to lose. RThisS sho(e" me that he ha" nothing to fear, that in his min" he $ne(, he ha" to $no( that in his min" he (as telling the truth as he $ne( it. )e $ne( full (ell that it (as going to be&ome publi& re&or". The Nuestions (ere tight. Fver#thing in the pol#graph Hust &onfirme" m# total investigation.7 Well, thatGs it. 9 $no( 9Gm "one. 9Gll never again un"ergo testing on this issue. 2ut 9 have been mulling over the i"ea of a reunion (ith the rest of the &re(, an" perhaps getting the rest of them reBpol#graphe". The logisti&s are a little "aunting, but (eGll see. )o(ever, the bottom line is (eGve alrea"# proven ourselves, nearl# to the limit of (hatGs possible. :oo$ at the &ase presente" b# our "etra&tors. Then loo$ at the evi"en&e (e provi"e. 9tGs all there on the table. 3ou "e&i"e. To obtain an eKpert opinion on (hat &on&lusions &oul" be "ra(n from the pol#graph tests in the Travis Walton &ase (e intervie(e" F"(ar" Melb, ,resi"ent of the meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iationC 5)un"re"s of poli&e "epartments an" &orporations throughout the (orl" utili!e the pol#graph to separate truth from "e&eption. The 94Bper&ent a&&ura&# of the pol#graph has been (ell "o&umente", not onl# in realB life situations as (eGve "is&usse" here, but in laborator# an" universit# stu"ies that have been &on"u&te" throughout the (orl". The o""s against siK people su&&essfull# "e&eiving a traine" pol#graph eKaminer on a single issue are over a million to one.7 /ourtes# of 2ran"on /haseGs vi"eo, *+%s re ;eal, 1979

CHAPTER 12
'pe&ulations
1en love to wonder and that is the seed of our science. Fmerson

n (riting of the events of m# ab"u&tion, 9Gve trie" ver# har" to sti&$ stri&tl# to "es&ribing the events as 9 ex erienced them, not as 9 inter reted them. 9Gve remaine" as obHe&tive an" fa&tual as possible, refraining from an# embellishments or assumptions of "etail, so as not to &ontaminate the s&ientifi& value of m# eKperien&e. )o(ever, (hat o&&urre" insi"e the &raft an" the events surroun"ing m# &apture an" return are not in the least selfBeKplanator#. 9n fa&t, in the absen&e of &onHe&ture or further "ata, these events "o not seem to ma$e mu&h sense. 9Gve been as$e" &ountless Nuestions b# those $eenl# "esirous of un"erstan"ing not onl# the ph#si&al events themselves, but the (i"er impli&ations, the overall meaning, of m# eKperien&e an" therefore possibl# to gain &lues to the m#steries of the phenomenon in general. WhoD WhatD Wh#D WhereD The uniform ans(er is that 9 "o not $no(. -an# of these same Nuestions have &ontinuall# nagge" m# o(n min" sin&e that November "a# in 1975. While almost nothing is "efinitel# eKplaine" b# the events themselves, en"less i"eas &an be inferre" from them. The s&ientifi& presentation of fa&ts has ha" its pla&e. )ere is the pla&e for spe&ulations. 9 "o not $no( (hi&h, if an#, of the possible s&enarios &onsi"ere" here best

1 2 Tra'(* .a/to)
&orrespon"s to realit#. The otential for a rough mat&hup is maintaine" b# sti&$ing to eKtrapolation of the $no(n fa&ts. )o(ever, (ithout more "ata, the likelihood of its a&tuall# being one of them is probabl# lo(. Nevertheless, it is both fas&inating an" some(hat &onstru&tive to tr# to pie&e it all together. The Nuestions that arise from the events are obviousL nor &an 9 &laim originalit# in formulating most of the theoreti&al eKplanations. Naturall#, 9 have "one mu&h thin$ing in the sear&h for meaning in m# eKperien&e. 2ut ne(smen, resear&hers, famil#, an" frien"s have also a"van&e" man# intriguing Nuestions, an" suggeste" still more fas&inating ans(ers. Who are these beingsD What "o the# (antD Where are the# fromD FKa&tl# ho( mu&h &an (e "e"u&e regar"ing them (ith the "ata (e haveD 9tGs logi&al to &on&entrate first on parti&ulars of m# o(n eKperien&e before attempting to a""ress the broa"er Nuestions. Wh# "i" the# pi&$ the seven of usD Was our being &hosen even "eliberateD What form of energ# "i" that beam &onsist ofD Wh# "i" it stri$e meD What (ere the &raftGs o&&upants "oing (ith meD Wh# (ere there t(o t#pes of beingsD Wh# "o 9 remember onl# t(o hours out of five "a#sD The Nuestions are en"less, but let us eKplore a fe(. 9 (ant to reemphasi!e ho(ever, that at this point it is purel# spe&ulation. +irst of all, (h# usD Wh# pi&$ seven or"inar# treeB&utters, instea" of a (orl"B reno(ne" s&ientist or national lea"erD %r, (as our &onta&t onl# a flu$e, entirel# uninten"e" beforehan"D 9tGs possible (e (ere single" out. The# &oul" have seen us (or$ing from high above the groun" an" (aite" near the path b# (hi&h the# $ne( (e (oul" leave. 9f the# "i" a&tuall# choose us from siK billion earth people, (h#D ,ossibl# the# "o not re&ogni!e the $in"s of "istin&tions bet(een persons that (e ma$e or &onsi"er su&h &riteria relevant to their purposes. 9t has o&&urre" to me that the# ma# have been attra&te" to us b# someho( overhearing or monitoring our &onversations on the Hob. 9t might seem presumptuous to thin$ that an#thing (e might sa# &oul" be of an# interest to them, but (e "i" philosophi!e on an in&re"ibl# (i"e arra# of topi&s "uring the months out there in the foresteven a brief &onversation or t(o about *+%s. 'o itGs not in&on&eivable that (e ina"vertentl# attra&te" un(el&ome interest. 9t "oesnGt seem to me a biologi&al eKamination &oul" reall# be of all that great use to them, espe&iall# if the# have alrea"# "one so on other humans, but (ho &oul" fathom the purposes of su&h a totall# strange &ivili!ationD 9t &oul" be that the# are instituting a 5&on"itioning7 program to prepare the people of earth for the so&ial impa&t of open &onta&t (ith other (orl"s. The# have not &ompletel# "isguise" their presen&e. 9f the# have the po(ers of motion an" memor#Berasing that some &laim the# have, the# &oul" easil# $eep their presen&e =or visits> com letely un$no(n. ,erhaps the gro(ing number of *+% reports &hara&teri!e" b# in&reasing believabilit# is inten"e" to a&&ustom us to (hat the future hol"s in store. 9t

FIRE IN THE SKY 1 3

almost seems as if *+% o&&upants &ontrol the spe&ifi& "egree of provableness of reports in terms of the number of (itnesses an" the amount of evi"en&e left behin". The gro(ing a&&eptan&e of reports ma# be "eliberatel# engineere". This &oul" eKplain the grassroots level of their sele&tion of &onta&tees. To ma$e bra!en &onta&t b# lan"ing on the White )ouse la(n or "es&en"ing into the Aenne"# 'pa&e /enter (oul" be too su""en. 'u&h a Holt of irrefutable evi"en&e might generate (i"esprea" pani&, or other unpre"i&table an" negative rea&tions. 'o&ieties might abruptl# aban"on stable patterns for a&tivities fo&ussing on the ne( $no(le"ge. Ne( 5&argo &ult7 sorts of belief s#stems might be forme". )uman$in" might fo&us on prematurel# a&hieving spa&efaring sorts of goals, "iverting energies best applie" else(here for no(. *+% o&&upants might (ant to avoi" this for their o(n goo" or for ours =or both>. %ne ra"io announ&er 9 met theori!e" that aliens might be sele&tivel# altering human geneti& ma$eup to &hange the &ourse of human evolutionO fter the in&i"ent, the entire &re( eKperien&e" an a&ute in&rease in their interest in the opposite seK. 2ut onl# one of us (as ab"u&te", so this is li$el# onl# the result of a ps#&hologi&al release of nervous tension. &ouple of the men attempte" regressive h#pnosis but (ere unsu&&essful at getting into a tran&e state. None of the men noti&e" an# time loss on the evening of November 5, 1975, that (oul" in"i&ate h#pnoti& repression of events the# might have eKperien&e" but &oul" not re&all. 9f their memories ha" been blo&$e", then (h# (ere not theirs as (ell as mine com letely blo&$e", so that no one (oul" $no( the "ifferen&eD 9f the aliens are attempting to manipulate the inherite" traits of man, for purposes of improvement or other(ise, one (oul" thin$ the# (oul" someho( "o it on a larger s&ale. There has been gro(ing support of this theor# i"ea among resear&hers. What if the &onta&t (as entirel# a&&i"entalD We &oul" have simpl# stumble" upon their &raft hovering over the &learing. The# &oul" have been temporaril# in&apa&itate", stoppe" for repairs or a"Hustments. The area (as &overe" (ith visuall# alert "eer huntersL the# shoul" have been a(are the# (ere ta$ing &han&es of being shot at, or being seen b# people other than us, if the# (ere there "eliberatel#. 2ut then, if the# are &loser to omnis&ient than that, the# &oul" have ha" instruments or other (a#s of lo&ating ever# nearb# being. The# &oul" use su&h $no(le"ge in &oor"ination (ith tree &over, &lou"s, an" highBspee" maneuvering to ma$e themselves visible =or invisible> to (homever the# &hoose. -a#be the contact (as "eliberate, but the abduction (as a&&i"ental. -# some(hat foolhar"# approa&h to that &raft &oul" not have been a rea"il# anti&ipate" rea&tion. The# ma# have "e&i"e" on the spur of the moment to $i"nap this o""ball to see (hat ma$es him ti&$. -# su""en approa&h &oul" have &ause" them to fire at me in the mista$en impression that 9 (as atta&$ing them. %r an automati& "efense me&hanism might have fire" the beam.

1 4 Tra'(* .a/to)
/oul" (hat these men sa( !ap Travis Walton a&tuall# be the result of phenomena forme" b# shifting in the earthGs &rustD The -ogollon ;im is a giganti& fault lineL perhaps movement "eep in the earth release" gases that someho( ignite" or be&ame ele&tri&all# &harge". ='ha"es of s(amp gas.> 5FarthNua$e lights7 are (i"el# reporte" in asso&iation (ith un"ergroun" tremors. These are spe&ulate" to be a sort of pie!oele&tri& effe&tele&tri&al &harges generate" b# stresses in the &r#stalline stru&ture of ro&$ or &hanges in groun"B(ater flo( relate" to un"ergroun" pressure. 6r. -i&hael ,ersinger, a professor at :aurentian *niversit# of 'u"bur#, %ntario, /ana"a, an" ?ohn 6err, a geoph#si&ist (ith the *.'. Meologi&al 'urve# in lbuNuerNue, Ne( -eKi&o, sa# the# have a strong statisti&al anal#sis sho(ing a lin$ bet(een *+% sightings an" Nua$es. What about ball lightningD +orest 'ervi&e eKpert sa#s the -ogollon ;im area has the highest number of lightning stri$es per #ear of an# area in the *nite" 'tates eK&ept the +lori"a Fvergla"es. +or eKample, in the three "a#s bet(eenHune 11 an" ?une 10 of 1991 there (ere t(ent#Bseven lightningB&ause" fires in the 'itgreaves National +orestan" the storm# rain# season "oesnGt even begin untilHul#. 9f thereGs more lightning, ma#be thereGs also more of the rare ball form. What about plasmasD ,lasmas are gasses in a highl# energi!e" stateso energi!e" the# ra"iate intense light. -a#be ball lightning is a sort of plasma. 9n the basi& theor#, (hi&hever of the three t#pes of energi!e" balls (ere a&tuall# the *+%, the#Gre sa#ing Travis Walton &oul" have ina"vertentl# narro(e" the gap bet(een it an" the groun" (ith his bo"#, a&ting as a sort of lightning ro" b# provi"ing a groun"ing path for the &harge. The# believe this &oul" perhaps &reate bi!arre neurologi&al effe&ts li$e a fiveB"a# bla&$out replete (ith hallu&inations. -# eKperien&e ma"e me a lightning ro" all right, but onl# in the metaphori&al sense. 9n the first pla&e, the earth is prett# (ell net(or$e" (ith seismi& "ete&tors, an" as far as 9 $no( no tremors (ere reporte". 'e&on", lightning season (as over an" the (eather (as &lear an" "r#the least li$el# &on"itions to generate or sustain these $in"s of atmospheri& phenomena. The statisti&al anal#sis lin$ing *+% reports an" earthNua$es (as &riti&i!e" be&ause suppose"l# large time lags an" "istan&e allo(an&es (ere thro(n in to help ma$e a lin$ more li$el#. lso, all these phenomena are as eKoti& an" even more rarel# reporte" than *+%s. ;emember %&&amGs ;a!or. %ne "oesnGt eKplain a(a# an anomal# b# invo$ing an anomal#. )o( in the (orl" &oul" 9 be (an"ering aroun" the (oo"s in an ele&tri&all# in"u&e" hallu&ination for five "a#s an" not free!e to "eath or be foun" b# sear&hersD ,eople get stru&$ b# lightning ever# #ear in this area an" (hen the# survive the# bear unmista$able signsC the hair on their bo"ies is all singe" off, &lothes burne", parame"i&s have trouble getting vital signs be&ause their veins

FIRE IN THE SKY 1

are all blo(n out, an" the# often have large eKit (oun"s in the bottom of their feet. 9 eKhibite" none of these effe&ts. )o( &oul" su&h a transient phenomenon possess suffi&ient energ# to hover an" move aroun" for minutes, "is&harge through me (ithout "issipating or leaving the area, then ten minutes later rise up an" strea$ off into the &lou"less night s$#D n" it ma"e a tremen"ous me&hani&al soun", (hi&h "oesnGt fit. The bottom line is, as state" else(here, (hat (e seven sa( ha" a &learl# visible, perfe&t me&hani&al stru&ture. What (e sa( (as "efinitel# not a nebulous fireball or glo(ing &lou" of gas. What stru&$ me might have been some sort of ele&tri&al stati& "is&harge, not an offensive or "efensive (eapon. The effe&t of "r#, autumn air moving at tremen"ous spee" over the surfa&e of the &raftGs metal hull &oul" have &ause" a buil"up of stati& ele&tri&it#. 2uil"ups li$e this are &ommon in airplanes, so that a groun"ing (ire is al(a#s &lampe" to the plane "uring refueling to prevent the "is&harging spar$s of ele&tri&it# from igniting the gasoline. Nearl# ever#one has eKperien&e" the sho&$ of tou&hing a groun"e" metal obHe&t after shuffling a&ross a &arpet on a "r# "a#. -# &lose approa&h &oul" have &ause" a similar stati& &harge, onl# on a giganti& s&ale. stati& &harge also &oul" have resulte" as a si"e effe&t of the propulsion unit that po(ers the &raft. &harge might have "evelope" merel# b# the &raftGs hovering. %r the &raft might have su""enl# "evelope" a &harge9 remember hearing a surge in soun" from the &raft, li$e the startBup of po(erful engines, Hust before 9 (as stru&$ an" bla&$e" out. The o&&upants of the &raft &oul" have been in&reasing the po(er of their "riving unit=s>, preparing to leave in response to m# approa&h. That beam behave" in some (a#s li$e a bolt of lightning or ele&tri&it#, but it might have been some other form of energ# entirel#. The beam also &oul" have been fire" to $eep me from getting too &lose to the &raft, from a&tuall# tou&hing it. The motive might have been to prevent me from being burne" b# heat, ra"iation, or some other un$no(n "anger. %r it might have been to prevent me from seeing or learning something. n# of those possibilities &oul" also serve to eKplain m# being ta$en aboar". 9f harm ha" a&&i"entall# befallen me as a result of their presen&e, the# might have felt responsible for repairing the "amage. Fven if ta$ing me aboar" ha" been planne", perhaps the# un"erestimate" the "amage of the stunning ra#. This might eKplain (h# 9 (as ta$en for five "a#s, instea" of the fe( hours usuall# reporte", as /oral :oren!en has suggeste". -ira&les of a"van&e" me"i&al te&hnolog# might have been performe" on me in those five "a#s, if not to repair "amage, perhaps for some other purpose. 6i" the aliens leave that mar$ on the insi"e of m# right elbo(D ,erhaps a nee"le "i" not pier&e me, but some other instrument. terminal for some ele&troni& "evi&eD 9t is also entirel# possible that the mar$ (as a minor inHur# 9 re&eive" at (or$

1 ! Tra'(* .a/to)
before 9 (as ab"u&te". -# (eight loss is another m#ster#. 9 (eighe" m#self on m# o(n s&ale the ver# night 9 (as returne" =1C44 a.m., November 11>, revealing a loss of over ten poun"s sin&e leaving for (or$ the morning of November 5. -# s&ale (as later &ompare" for a&&ura&# to the ph#si&ianGs s&ale in 6r. Aan"ellGs offi&e an" foun" to register &orre&t (eight =unusual for a &ommon bathroom s&ale>. )o(ever, 6r. Aan"ell insists that if a (eightBloss is &ause" b# starvation, it results in the presen&e of $etones =a&etones> in the urine. Aetones (ere not present in m# first voi"e" sample, subHe&te" to anal#sis. 2ut are $etones al(a#s foun" in the absen&e of fee"ingD %r &oul" there be eK&eptions to this, base" on the patientGs prior bo"# reserves, or perhaps an eKtremel# high or lo( ambient temperatureD /oul" virtual immobilit# in a humi" environment further re"u&e $etone pro"u&tionD 9 have not #et sought eKpert me"i&al a"vi&e in regar" to this Nuestion. What else &oul" have happene" to &ause the (eight lossD ,erhaps m# &aptors "i" not $no( enough of human ph#siolog# to provi"e me (ith suffi&ient moisture. 9s it possible to lose as mu&h as ten poun"s solel# from "eh#"rationD 9 "i" have man# s#mptoms of "eh#"rationL but ten poun"s of (ater amounts to over a gallon. 9 "i" "rin$ at least that mu&h bet(een m# first an" se&on" (eighings, but normal losses of bo"#B(ater stores (oul" have &ontinue" to some "egree. 2ut if not starvation or "eh#"ration, (hat (as the &ause" of m# (eight lossD %ne obvious Nuestion that ver# often springs to min", an" is as$e" (ith some embarrassmentC What about the bo"#Gs pro&esses of eliminationD 9 (as &ons&ious for less than t(o hours of those five "a#sL 9 "o not re&all either using toilet fa&ilities or eating in that time. :etGs eKer&ise a little &lini&al obHe&tivit# here. -# un"er&lothes (ere &lean (hen 9 returne". -# bo(el habits are usuall# ver# regular, but 9 "i" not voi" urine for approKimatel# ten hours after m# return, an" ha" no bo(el movement for nearl# t(ent#B four hours. /oul" 9 have use" a toilet on the &raft an" not remembere" "oing soD 9 "onGt re&all m# bla""er pressure "uring m# brief &ons&ious perio", but that isnGt the sort of thing that &aptures oneGs a(areness in "angerous situations. -a#be 9 (as fe" intravenousl# (hile un&ons&ious. ,erhaps m# bo"#Gs metaboli& pro&esses (ere someho( lo(ere" to a ver# slo( rate, so that m# bo"# eKperien&e" the five "a#s as onl# a fe( hours . . . possibl# as a result of a state of suspen"e" animation, or some m#sterious spa&eBtravel time &ontra&tionD 9f so, then (h#, upon m# return, "i" m# fa&e have five "a#sG gro(th of bear"D -# siK &o(or$ers misse" seeing me ta$en aboar" the &raft "ue to their pani&$e" flight. 9 lost &ons&iousness (hen the beam stru&$ me, so ho( the remain"er of m# ab"u&tion (as a&&omplishe" remains a m#ster#. 'heriff Millespie an" his men &arefull# sear&he" the groun" at the site imme"iatel# after the ab"u&tion. The# foun" no burn mar$s, pa" impressions, or alien footprints.

FIRE IN THE SKY 1 "

No footprints le" from the spot (here 9 (as stru&$. The groun" on that ri"getop (as "r# an" ro&$#, so there eKists a possibilit# that the &raft landed to ta$e me aboar". The# also &oul" have hovere" &lose an" lo(, rea&hing out through an opening in the &raft to pull me insi"e. ,erhaps a me&hani&al "evi&e eKten"e" from the &raft to me on the groun"L ma#be even something as unearthl# as a levitating or "emateriali!ing beam. ,erhaps instea" the o&&upants left the &raft b# some sort of in"ivi"ual floating or fl#ing metho" to manuall# &arr# me aboar". The means &oul" have been something as unsensationall# lo(B te&h as a lasso of rope. Was m# un&ons&iousness "uring both m# entr# into an" eKit from the &raft a &oin&i"en&eD Were the# tr#ing to hi"e somethingD WhatD -# eKperien&es insi"e the &raft seem so mu&h to be fragments of something more, that the number of things that &oul" eKplain them are of en"less variet#. When 9 a(o$e insi"e the &raft, 9 assume" 9 (as in a hospital. ,ossibl# nothing more than m# sensation of over(helming pain inspire" that "e"u&tion. -a#be an o"or in the atmosphere suggestive of a hospital "i"nGt &ons&iousl# registerL 9 "onGt re&all spe&ifi& supraliminal a(areness of smells (hile 9 (as &ons&ious. ,erhaps 9 (as inHure" in a (a# that temporaril# impaire" m# olfa&tor# sense. The (alls, resembling stainless steel, might have lent the impression of a hospitalL most trips 9 have ma"e to a hospital have been as visitor, not patient, but 9 have noti&e" an eKtensive use of stainless steel in those fa&ilities. )o(ever, 9 "o not re&all entire rooms so &onstru&te". ,erhaps the impressions forme" b# the pain, the overhea" light, an" the stainless steelBli$e (alls combined to &reate the mental asso&iation (ith a hospital. The false image of being in an earthboun" hospital might have been plante" in m# min", a h#pnoti& suggestion to inspire &onfi"en&ein &ase 9 regaine" &ons&iousness "uring (hatever pro&e"ure the# (ere performing. Fven if m# regaining &ons&iousness (as part of their plan, it (oul" have been useful for them to give me some posth#pnoti& suggestion, to pa&if# me (ith reassuring thoughts. Wh# did 9 regain &ons&iousnessD 9f the# ha" eKpe&te" 9 (oul" rea&t so violentl#, (oul"nGt 9 have been restraine" someho(D -a#be unfamiliarit# (ith human ph#siolog# ma"e them fail to anti&ipate m# regaining &ons&iousness. The sho&$ an" pain a&&ompan#ing m# a(a$ening shoul" a"eNuatel# eKplain m# negative rea&tion an" h#steria. To those "isappointe" that 9 "i"nGt &ontrol m#self an" tr# to learn more, 9 &an but sa# m# rea&tion (as onl# natural for me un"er the &ir&umstan&es. Wh# (as 9 $ept for five "a#sD n" (h# un&ons&iousD 6i" m# fighting rea&tion "ela# m# return b# (orsening me"i&al problems, or &oul" m# behavior have &ause" some other "iffi&ult# for themD What "i" the# "o (ith me "uring the long perio" 9 (as $no&$e" outD +or that matter, (hat ha" been the reason for m# un&ons&iousnessD 6i" m#

1 # Tra'(* .a/to)
a(a$ening o&&ur soon after being stru&$ b# the ra#, or sometime later "uring the five "a#sD 9f it (as later, "i" the effe&t of the beam $eep me bla&$e" out so longD %r "i" the beings perpetuate m# un&ons&iousness b# other meansD 9f so, (h#D +or me"i&al treatment, tests of some $in", or some other purposeD Was m# mus&ular (ea$ness an" stiffness upon regaining &ons&iousness the effe&t of having been un&ons&ious an" immobile for an eKten"e" perio"D %r "i" that effe&t have some other &auseD -ost often m# Nuestioners are first intereste" in &ommuni&ation. 56i" the# tal$ to #ouD7 No, the# "i" not. 9 s&reame" at them, #elle" at them, thre( a veritable flurr# of Nuestions at them. The# ma"e no ans(er. 9 might have &hosen an" presente" m# Nuestions in a more effe&tive manner. 2ut (h# (ere the# silentD Were the# ignoring me be&ause of m# emotional "ispla#D re the# not vo&al beingsD 9 $no( 9 (oul" have hear" them ha" the# spo$en, be&ause 9 &oul" hear m# o(n voi&e, as (ell as the soun" of their movements an" of obHe&ts in the room. 9 "i" not see their mouths move at an# time. 9 "i" not even see teeth eKpose", if the# ha" an#. ,erhaps their voi&es (ere of a freNuen&# to (hi&h m# ears are not sensitive. The# &oul" be telepathi&. What if the# "i" not (ant an a&&ent of some sort to be "ete&te" that (oul" suggest something of their originD The# might simpl# not been able to spea$ or &omprehen" m# language. 6i" the# even have mouths at allD ,erhaps the# (ere (earing mas$s, for "isguise, so as not to give a(a# &lues to their true origin. %r perhaps their real fa&es (ere even more horri" than the mas$, so a(ful 9 &oul" not have stoo" it. -a#be the# (ore mas$s, not for "isguise, but perhaps in an entire bo"# shiel" for prote&tion from the environment or ra"iation. 9 remember seeing no fingernails on their han"s, (hi&h might in"i&ate the# (ere (earing gloves, as part of su&h an entire bo"# &overing. This might eKplain their rubber#, marshmallo(# apperan&eC a te&hnologi&all# a"van&e" surgi&al mas$8suit perhapseither to prote&t me from their mi&robes or themselves from mine =or both>. Then again, even the humanBloo$ing &reatures "i" not spea$ to me. t first 9 ha" believe" that the first man 9 en&ountere" &oul" not hear me through his helmet. 2ut (hen 9 en&ountere" the other three humanBloo$B ing in"ivi"uals, (ho (ore no helmets, the# also (ere non&ommuni&ative, "espite m# "esperate efforts. lthough the# appeare" human in nearl# ever# (a#, there (as something that "i"nGt seem right about their e#es, something ver# strange. 9Gve never been able to figure out (hat that (as. ,erhaps it (as something &ommuni&ate" b# eKpression or subtle movements (hi&h "o not mat&h our e#e fun&tionsL ma#be something stru&tural li$e pupil shape, si!e, proportion of subparts, &oloring, or light refle&tivit#L perhaps an artifi&ial &overing, a sort of (holeBe#e &onta&t lens. 9f the latter, (h#D 'omething to enhan&e sightD To prote&t the e#eD To hi"e

FIRE IN THE SKY 1 $

somethingD 9 faile" to noti&e the presen&e or absen&e of normal breathing in an# of the &reatures 9 en&ountere"L but the helmet might have been relate" to the stifling atmosphere insi"e the first &raftunless m# per&eption of that air as hot an" humi" (as a ph#siologi&al rea&tion of m# o(n, rather than an a&tual &on"ition. 2ut if it (as a subHe&tive per&eption on m# part, (h# "i" the air seem so goo" an" pure imme"iatel# on leaving the &raftD -a#be the air (as not 5hot an" humi"7 as in earthGs atmosphere, but an alien atmosphere of "ifferent gas &ompoun"s that &ause" a ph#siologi&al response that ma"e me feel hot an" s(eat#. This also might have been the sour&e of m# mus&ular (ea$ness, to some eKtent, though 9 re&overe" some(hat as time passe". ,erhaps heavier or lighter gravit# (as in some (a# a fa&tor. 6r. ;obert ?. )u"e$ of Toronto, /ana"a, an ,;% &onsultant on biologi&al s&ien&es, a"van&e" some spe&ulations on the apparent stru&ture of the aliens, &ommenting spe&ifi&all# on the signifi&an&e of the aliensG apparent 5human fetal7 resemblan&e. 6r. )u"e$ note" &onsisten&ies in their stru&ture (ith ours in terms of &urrent un"erstan"ing of human anthropolog# an" anatom#. 9f humanoi" &reatures have su&h eKtreme similarit# to man$in" that the# eKhibit &ommon basi& form, it is strongl# in"i&ative of ver# similar environmental origins. 9n other (or"s separate but parallel evolutionO The eKtent of resemblan&e is nothing short of phenomenal even in the &ase of the more alien entities. 9f the humanBloo$ing &reatures "i" not originate here on earth, their similarit# to human form is min"B boggling an" sobering in its impli&ations. The signifi&an&e of the human fetal appearan&e of the aliens lies in the present apparent &ourse of manGs o(n evolutionar# "evelopment. The longer man has been in possession of an intelligent brain, the more time he has ha" to influen&e his "evelopment b# &ontrolling his environment. 2# this elimination of hostile &on"itions, he atrophies in his abilit# to "eal (ith those &on"itions. )e be&omes less rugge" an" &oarse in his stru&ture. :a&$ at eKposure to &ol" an" the elements eliminates the nee" for a hair# bo"# &overing or larger mus&ulature. %nl# his brain nee" in&rease in si!e. n infant human is the most helpless of &reatures. -anGs initial helplessness as an infant is proportionatel# the longest perio" of infan&# of an# animal. 3et, (hen gro(n, his brain ma$es him the most formi"able aniB mal Farl# fetal stages of apes an" man eKhibit great similarit#. 2ut the rugge" Nualities "evelope" in the ape re"u&e the nee" for intelligen&eL the "eveloping brain of the human ma$es the rugge" Nualities of the ape less ne&essar# to survival. Thus, the further man a"van&es in his brain stru&ture, the less his reB T.tinmg stru&ture "evelops from the more fetal, or ph#si&all# helpless, stage. 6r. )u"e$Gs theor# soun"s ver# logi&al, if #ou believe man is evolving, (hi&h is sometimes a highl# "ebatable issue in itself. The i"eas eKpresse" 6r. )u"e$ are in agreement

1!& Tra'(* .a/to)

(ith 5a&&epte"7 or relativel# un"ispute" mo"ern s&ientifi& thought. Whether the# are vali" in terms of a&&epte" reB ligious beliefs is another matter. The "ire&tor of ,;% note" that the stru&ture of the aliens, parti&ularl# their fa&es, might in"i&ate origins on a planet (ith high atmospheri& "ensit#. 'oun" (oul" travel (ellL hen&e small ears. %K#gen "ensit# (oul" reNuire less &hest volume, an" give rise to the small nostrils. The "ense atmosphere (oul" limit solar light penetration, reNuiring the oversi!e" e#es. The horror 9 eKperien&e" in (itnessing those aliens is a &urious thing. The fear (as not reall# &ause" b# an# appearan&e of threat. The# (ere smaller than 9, &arrie" no (eapons, sho(e" no &la(s or fangs. ,erhaps it (as simpl# their strangeness (hi&h &ause" m# rea&tion. 2ut then (h# "onGt or (e as humans, eKperien&e fear an" revulsion at the first visual enB &ounter (ith o"" earth animalsD 9 am beginning to believe this anomal# is "ue to man$in"Gs 5monster fiKation.7 The ver# similarity to man is the $e# to horror. The popular monsters in the movies are all base" on an un"erl#ing manBform. This is not simpl# a lo( speeialBeffe&ts bu"get, 5man in a suit7 problem. The fear fa&tor lies in the monsterGs "eviation from the human. The lin$ to human form is important be&ause if the similarit# is re"u&e" too mu&h, other fear fa&B tors, su&h as giganti& si!e, are nee"e" to enhan&e the effe&t of terror. This effe&ts is evi"ent in most of manGs imagine" 5manBbeast7 monsters of the ol" legen"s an" m#ths han"e" "o(n through the &enturies in various &ultural heritages. The near i"enti&al appearan&e of the three alien beings, an" the o"" 5famil# resemblan&e7 of the four humanBt#pe in"ivi"uals, le" to spe&ulation about them being robots, their similarit# an artifa&t of assembl#Bline mass pro"u&tion. 6i" the# 5loo$ li$e7 robotsD 9t seems to me that an# te&hnolog# a"van&e" enough to &reate a robot that &oul" fun&tion as an organi& being (oul" also be suffi&ientl# a"van&e" to &reate one (ith no visible me&hani&al "istin&tions. 'o thereGs no (a# 9 &oul" have been able to tell if the# (ere in"ee" ma&hines rather than organi& &reatures. 2oth entities move" (ith a natural flui"it#, arms in time (ith legs. n# movements less natural (oul" have been imme"iatel# apparent. The small beings (ere eKpressionless, but their fa&es (erenGt fro!en. 9 "i"nGt register spe&ifi& fa&ial movement, but the organi& impression must have been &ommuni&ate" to me as su&h minute fun&tions as subtle flaring of the nostrils or narro(ing of the e#es. -an# fin" ama!ing the presen&e of the 5alien7 &reatures an" the humanB loo$ing ones together. 'ome peopleGs i"ea of fl#ingBsau&er o&&upants "oes not leave room for nonhuman t#pesL perhaps the# are simpl# repelle" b# the i"ea of the eKisten&e of alien &reatures. 'o the# tr# to eKplain them a(a# b# sa#ing the# (ere reall# robots. +or others, humanBloo$ing in"ivi"uals "o not fit their parti&ular pre&on&eption. 'o the robot theor# (as offere" to eKplain the presen&e of one t#pe or the other. 9f one t#pe (ere robots, (h# (ere the robots an" their

FIRE IN THE SKY 1!1

ma$ers of "iffering formsD This &oul" be eKplaine" b# alien &reatures using human robots in or"er to relate to me better, or the humanBt#pe entities using alien robots in or"er to &onfuse our efforts to $no( more about them. ;obot theor# asi"e, some have suggeste" onl# one t#pe of being (as thereO The# sa# ma#be the aliens left an" returne" in a more human form in or"er to &alm me. That (oul" be a remar$able "isguiseO %ver a oneBfoot "ifferen&e in height an" almost a hun"re" poun"s in (eightO The# (oul" have ha" to have an almost magi&al abilit# to transform themselves. nother reason offere" for their &arbonB&op# loo$ (as that one or the other t#pe (ere &lones. /loning is a pro&ess (here a single &ell ta$en from an a"ult animal is gro(n into an i"enti&al t(in =onl# #ounger> of the original &ellB "onating animal. )un"re"s of "upli&ates of one animal &an be generate" this (a#. %ne ra&e of beings &oul" have pro"u&e" &lones of another ra&e to a&t as slaves to fulfill fun&tions their o(n form is less able to, or even inca able of. The aliens &oul" have appeare" to me to resemble ea&h other more &losel# than the# a&tuall# "i", "ue to their strangeness. The aliens might have possesse" "ifferen&es that are Nuite apparent to them, but too subtle for me to have noti&e". These even &oul" have in&lu"e" gen"er "ifferen&es, (hi&h 9 "i" not "is&ern. The human t#pe, being more similar to m# $in", seeme" some(hat less than i"enti&al, though evin&ing that strong 5famil# resemblan&e.7 This &oul" have been "ue to the group of &hara&teristi&s that "ifferentiate" them from m# human ra&e. 9t &oul" also have been an a&tual famil# resemblan&e. ='pea$ing of resemblan&e, Hust for fun, &ompare the &ountenan&e of the humanBloo$ing male in -i$eGs ren"ering Rsee illustrationsS (ith the 5-ars fa&e7 photo N ' release" #ears after -i$eGs (or$.> Who (as &ooperating (ith (homD 9 sa( nothing to in"i&ate the ans(er to that Nuestion. 9n fa&t, 9 never sa( the t(o t#pes together in one pla&e at the same time. Nothing in"i&ate" one t#pe (as a bre"Bup slave of the other. Nothing positivel# in"i&ate" frien"l# &ooperation, either. 'ome people are of the strong opinion that the humanBt#pe in"ivi"uals &apture" the alien &raft for brea$ing some interplanetar# la( in $i"napping me. The# believe the human t#pes a&t as guar"ians for this planet. The aliens an" the humanBloo$ing &reatures might have &ooperate" in m# ab"u&tionor the# might not have. There might or might not eKist an intera&tion an" &ooperation of all intelligent life forms in spa&e. 9f there "oes, (hat (oul" their goals beD ,ossibl# the aliens too$ me to the humanBloo$ing beings =or vi&e versa> be&ause the aliens la&$e" me"i&al $no(le"ge spe&ifi& to m# ph#siolog#. The# might have nee"e" a"vi&e or instruments the# (ere not eNuippe" (ith, "ue to the "ifferen&e bet(een m# form an" theirsthis assuming 9 (as inHure" b# that ra#, (hi&h is onl# &onHe&ture in itself. 9f 9 (as not inHure", (hat (ere the# "oing (ith meD What (as that "evi&e

1!2 Tra'(* .a/to)

a&ross m# &hestD Was it an instrument of treatment for m# &hestD The &re(men "i" sa# the beam stru&$ me mostl# in the hea" an" &hest. -a#be it (as some sort of VBra# vie(er or fluoros&ope. 9f so, (ere the# loo$ing insi"e m# &hest &avit# for inHur#D ,erhaps 9 (as not hurt at all an" it (as part of an eKamination. 9 un"er(ent &omprehensive &hest V ra#s from ,;% ph#si&ians imme"iatel# after m# return. The V ra#s sho(e" onl# normal, uninHure" stru&tures. n" the V ra#s sho(e" (hat appeare" to be a tin# &al&ifie" granuloma in m# upper left lung. 6r. Aan"ell tol" me that a granuloma is a "eposit of minerals &ause" b# an inHur# or infe&tion of the lung tissue. 'u&h "eposits &an be temporar# an" normall# o&&ur in greater in&i"en&e in all people as the# gro( ol"er. 9f repairs (ere ma"e on m# bo"# "uring those five "a#s, the# apparentl# "i"nGt ma$e ever#thing so perfe&t as to remove that fle&$. There (as one spe&ulation that 9 might have ha" a transmitter plante" some(here in m# bo"#O That 9 ha" been tagge" for later retrieval, or be&ome an in"ete&table, mobile sp# "evi&e for the aliens. *npleasant &on&epts. Theoreti&all# ever# sensor# input to m# brainsight, soun", tou&h, smell, an" taste(oul" be automati&all# transferre" to an alien &raft high above the earth. )aO 'pe&ulation &an rea&h eKtremes at times. ,;% s&ientists as$e" for permission to VBra# m# hea". 9 refuse" be&ause 9 "onGt believe there is an#thing there but m# brain, an" ra"iation is harmful to living tissue. The brain is the most essential part of the bo"#, so 9 "i"nGt fin" suffi&ient Hustifi&ation in spe&ulation to ris$ m# health. 'ome of the follo(ing spe&ulations ma# seem more li$e &on&epts best "is&usse" in the &hapter 11. 2ut sin&e 5the "emon Nuestion,7 li$e the 5ele&tri&all# in"u&e" "elusion7 theor#, (erenGt maHor elements in the ar&hs$epti&Gs atta&$s, an" be&ause the# are so spe&ulative, 9 have pla&e" them here. Were these &reatures 'atanGs minions or &hariot "rivers of the go"sD s 9Gve state" else(here, this is not ne&essaril# a religious matterno more than the Nuestion of simple life eKisting on -ars is a religious matter. )o(ever, ma#be itGs natural this is so often suggeste". fter all, "onGt both religion an" ufolog# "eal (ith &entral Nuestions about the universe, (ho (e are, an" our pla&e in that universeD 9n fairness to all religions, the supreme being or beings are, b# "efinition, over an" above all that there is. The *+% phenomenon is Hust a part of all that there is. 'o, no &ontra"i&tion of an# religion is ne&essaril# implie". 9 $no( of no religion (ith s&ripture spe&ifi&all# stating that human$in" are the onl# sentient &reatures in the universe. 6i" the first t#pe of alien a&t li$e "emons, the other li$e angelsD 9 "i" not see an#thing (hatsoever that (oul" fit m# un"erstan"ing of an#thing remotel# lin$ing this &on&ept (ith (hat 9 eKperien&e". %thers ma# "isagree, if the# (ish to "isregar" m# impressions here, thin$ing 9Gve been "upe" or (as insuffi&ientl# attune". Who (oul"nGt prefer to believe the# ha" spent time in the han"s of

FIRE IN THE SKY 1!3

angelsD 2ut 9 "onGt see evi"en&e to Hustif# su&h a &on&lusion. /oul" the *+% in&i"ent at Tur$e# 'prings be an effe&t of the *+% fanati&ism of 5true believers7D This is strange logi&. *nless the#Gre &laiming that this &oul" generate a mass hallu&ination, the#Gre impl#ing that (hen a person believes something so ver# intensel#, that (hen it satisfies all the nee"s that religion (oul" satisf# for that person, the# are then most li$el# to falsif# the ver# thing the# (orship. ;i"i&ulous. This is li$e sa#ing that those (ho most believe in the 'e&on" /oming are most li$el# to simulate it (ith an anti&hrist. 9n other (or"s the#Gre sa#ing that the most religious &ommit the greatest sa&rilege. nother theor# more in&omprehensible than (hat it purports to eKplain, to sa# nothing of the fa&t that no one involve" in the in&i"ent felt this (a# about the subHe&t of *+%s. )o(ever, it "oes suggest the possibilit# that some of those (ho are atta&$ing (ith su&h fren!# are "oing so be&ause they see religion, *+%s, et&., as manifestations of (hat the# believe to be the same human short&omings. The variet# of spa&e&raft 9 sa( generates unans(ere" Nuestions. Whi&h t#pe of &raft belonge" to (hi&h t#pe of beingD Wh# "o the &raft var# in appearan&e if the# are "esigne" for the same fun&tionD )o( are the# ma"eD What po(ers themD When 9 a(o$e in the first &raft 9 (as in the presen&e of the aliens. 6i" the first &raft belong to the aliensD %r (as it o(ne" b# the human t#pe, (ith the aliens present in the &raft onl# for the purpose of their a&tivities (ith meD Was there a for&eful &apture of the first &raft b# the humanBt#pe people before the 5man7 &ame inD Was the planetariumBli$e vie( of the stars an elaborate threeB"imensional star map, or an a&tual vie( of the surroun"ing starsD 9f it (as an a&tual, outsi"e vie(, ha" the &raft been brought into the large hangar stru&ture (hile 9 (as being le" "o(n the hall(a# an" $ept (aiting in the airlo&$Bli$e roomD %r (as the star vie( visible insi"e the first &raft in spite of the surroun"ing, larger stru&tureD What happene" (hen 9 pushe" those buttons in that roomD Was the motion of the stars the turning of a star map or of the entire &raftD 9 "i" not feel motion (hen the stars move". 9n fa&t, 9 "i" not feel motion of the &raft at an# time "uring m# eKperien&e. =Neither "i" 9 be&ome a(are of an# "efinite ba&$groun" noise.> )o(ever, it has been theori!e" that fl#ingBsau&er o&&upants have over&ome the effe&ts of inertia. This (oul" allo( them to a&&elerate instantaneousl# (ithout being &rushe" from the g for&e. 9f the &raft (as some(here outsi"e, far a(a# from the hangar stru&ture, (hen 9 pushe" those buttons, then possibl# m# uns$ille" buttonBpun&hing &oul" have &ause" the &raft automati&all# to return to a home base. Those &ontrols might not have been pilot &ontrolsL someone else ma# have been steering the ship from another area. n" even if those buttons (ere &ontrols, an overri"e s#stem else(here in the &raft or even at a main base ma# have fun&tione". 9f the &raft "i" not enter the hangar stru&ture at that point, ho(

1!4 Tra'(* .a/to)

"i" the 5man7 get thereD -a#be he (as there all the time. What (as the purpose of the green s&reen on the &hairD What (as the signifi&an&e of the bla&$ lines an" their relative motionsD Wh# (ere there no numbers or other "enotations a&&ompan#ing themD ,erhaps the lines (ere some sort of &al&ulation &on&erning operation or po(ering of the ship itself. -a#be the# (ere navigational &omputations. ;ather than lines la&$ing numbers or (or"s, the# might have even been the aliensG (a# of eKpressing numbers or (or"s. The lever on the arm of the &hair (as on the left, (hi&h ma# be a &lue as to the 5han"e"ness7 of their spe&ies, unless the# "onGt possess this neurologi&al feature. The buttons on the right (oul" still reNuire some "eKterit#. ,erhaps the# are ambi"eKtrous. The &raft (e sa( in the (oo"s (as onl# about t(ent# feet in "iameter, (hile the first &raft in (hi&h 9 a(o$e appeare" to be siKt# feet in "iameter, (hen 9 left it. 9t is "oubtful that seven (itnesses &oul" have so ba"l# estimate" the si!e. The# must have been t(o "ifferent &rafts of i"enti&al &onfiguration. =*nless the# &an shrin$ living beingsO> The humanli$e &reature (ho too$ me out of there &oul" have been the pilot of the smaller first &raft, (hi&h he &oul" have flo(n from the groun" to a ren"e!vous (ith the se&on" &raft in spa&e. The first &raft (as of a si!e that (oul" fit (ithin the lo(er part of the larger one. Wh# the simpli&it# of the internal features of that se&on" &raftD Was it ne(l# ma"e, as #et unfinishe"D %r (ere the ma$ers simpl# eKtremel# pra&ti&al an" un"e&orative b# natureD %ne person spe&ulate" that the strength of the material of the ship (as unimportant as long as there (as a continuous connection of matter in its &onstru&tion. This &oul" be be&ause the strength of the substan&e (oul" rel# on a bon"ing fiel" of energ# that hol"s it together in"estru&tibl#. The &ontinuit# of the stru&ture (oul" be ne&essar# for the bon"ing fiel" to a&t upon the matter. This i"ea (oul" eKplain the la&$ of visible seams, (el"s, bolts, or rivets in that &raft. +or (hatever purpose, the &raft might have been either ma&hine" from =or &ast as> a huge single pie&e of metal, or ma"e from a pro&ess involving both &asting an" ma&hining. What giganti& mol"s an" lathes that (oul" reNuireO 9 have hear" an" learne" a fe( things about *+%s sin&e m# eKperien&e. There is an o"" &onsisten&# that runs through nearl# all "es&riptions of *+%sC most are &ir&ular in at least one geometri&al "imension. "is&, a sphere, an" a &#lin"er all are roun" or &ir&ular in at least one vie(. 9s this one of the fa&tors to (hi&h their &onstru&tion is limite", or &an the# "esign them in an# shape =aestheti&all# preferring the roun"> that pleases themD Wh#, in all the &onsisten&# of fl#ingB"is& "es&riptions, is there so mu&h variet# of the finer parti&ularsD The# are as ali$e an" also as "ifferent from ea&h other as sno(fla$es. /oul" the &ir&ular fa&tor be ne&essitate" b# limitations impose" b# their po(er sour&es an" fun&tionsD 2ut then, (h# the variet#D /an it

FIRE IN THE SKY 1!

be a&&ounte" for entirel# b# (itnessesG "is&repan&# from fa&tD 9t is Nuite &ommon for a "o!en people (itnessing a traffi& a&&i"ent ea&h to report a "ifferent version of the in&i"ent. -a#be ever#one is reall# seeing basi&all# the same thing, onl# reporting it "ifferentl#. 2ut 9 sa( t(o "esigns m#selfL an" there seems to be far too mu&h variet# in the "es&riptions to "efen" the notion of a single "esign. -a#be the "ifferen&es are simpl# a matter of st#le, as is the &ase (ith our automobiles. ;ussian spa&e&raft appear "ifferent from ours, but the fun&tion is the same. -a#be the "ifferen&es in shape are "ue to "ifferen&es in fun&tion, as (ith a motor&#&le, a luKur# &ar, an" a "ump tru&$. The &raft in (hi&h 9 regaine" &ons&iousness (as angular, of a "ull finish, an" sat flat on the surfa&e it (as par$e" upon. The other &raft in that larger room (ere roun"e", highl# refle&tive, an" seeme" to balan&e on their roun"e" bottoms. The# &oul" have ha" some sort of magneti& or g#ros&opi& me&hanism hol"ing them up. %r the# might have been heavier on the bottom, thereb# enable" to balan&e. The# might also have been me&hani&all# supporte" b# atta&hment to the floor or the (all. 'u&h atta&hment also &oul" have been the means of entr# to the &raft, sin&e no hat&hes (ere visible. %r the surfa&e might onl# have appeare" unbro$en, the e"ges of a "oor(a# unnoti&eable (hen &lose". What (as that hangarli$e room in (hi&h 9 sa( those &raftsD %here (as itD Was it part of a &raft, shape" li$e a giant &igar, su&h as sometimes is reporte" in *+% sightingsD That large hangarli$e stru&ture also &oul" have been a buil"ing on a planet some(hereO ,erhaps here on earth as part of a base, or on one of the planets of our o(n solar s#stemD -a#be on a planet that no man of earth has ever seen. To loo$ out at the stars at night an" thin$C Whi&h oneD 9f 9 (as ta$en to a pla&e outsi"e the earth, (hi&h one of those stars &oul" have a planet revolving aroun" it that 9 might have a&tuall# been ta$en toD 9 a&tuall# &annot gain the slightest i"ea (here 9 (as ta$en to. 9 have use" the terms 5humanBt#pe7 an" 5humanBloo$ing7 in referring to one &lass of beings 9 en&ountere". 9 have variousl# &alle" the other group beings, &reatures, entities, aliens, an" humanoi"s. &tuall# both t#pes (oul" be properl# "es&ribe" as humanoi", having the basi& form of a man in terms of arrangement of arms, legs, an" fa&ial features. 2ut b# 5alien7 9 "i"nGt ne&essaril# mean 5eKtraterrestrial.7 Nothing positivel# in"i&ate" those &rafts or their o&&upants &ame from outer spa&e. number of other theories have been a"van&e" as to their origin. 6r. ?. llen )#ne$ a"van&e" a h#pothesis of an other"imensional origin. 'ome people believe that these obHe&ts &ome to us throughB timeO Iisitors arriving from the past or futureD ,erhapsif time travel is ph#si&all# possible. There are also a variet# of theories to eKplain these &rafts as of earthl# origin. %ne variation has it that some present earth government, most li$el# our o(n, is

1!! Tra'(* .a/to)

responsible. This theor# has our 5bla&$ bu"get7 s&ientists ma$ing eKtraor"inar# a"van&es far be#on" (hat is generall# $no(n, or perhaps su&&essfull# "e&iphering the te&hnolog# of a &rashe" &raft. 9n this s&enario the &rash of an eKtraterrestrial visitor (oul" be an eKtremel# rare event, perhaps a singularit#, (ith most mo"ern sightings a&tuall# being our o(n earthl# &reations. 9n $eeping (ith this premise, all or most 5alien7 en&ounters are (ith robots, a&tors in spe&ialBeffe&ts ma$eup, or the result of h#pnoti& manipulation b# the or"inar# humans a&tuall# responsible. This i"ea has great appeal to man# for manifol" reasons. 'ome people vie( aliens as an impossibilit# (ithin their o(n religious &osmolog#. 'ome merel# "onGt feel at ease believing in su&h 5monsters.7 -an# vie( mo"ern s&ien&e as so &omplete that &urrent pronoun&ements on the limitations of spee" an" "istan&e, as (e un"erstan" them, the# regar" as inviolable. There are &onspira&# buffs, (ho li$e the i"ea of vast se&re&ies in matters &osmi& as (ell as mun"ane. n" there ma# be some (ho $no( something (e "onGt. fe( things in m# eKperien&e lea" me to be intereste" in this theor#, too. 9 a"mit 9 (oul" fin" su&h an eKplanation easier to &ope (ith than the alternative. The presen&e of those humanBloo$ing in"ivi"uals stri$es me as out of s#n& (ith purel# eKtraterrestrial a&tivit#. The o""s against su&h a &oin&i"en&e of appearan&e ma$es me suspi&ious. /ertain things have happene" sin&e then to suggest po(erful human influen&e behin" the s&enes. Wh# are the humanBloo$ing beings &onspi&uousl# absent from m# nightmares an" flashba&$s about the in&i"entD ,erhaps m# entire &ons&ious memor# of (hat happene" "uring the five "a#s is an implante" memor# an" not (hat happene" at all. subseNuent event involving militar# intelligen&e, (hi&h 9Gll not "es&ribe #et, also fits su&h a s&enario. This is all &onHe&ture, but (e &an further spe&ulate that perhaps one reason that the ,entagonGs internal ne(spaper, *entagram, gave 'ire in the (ky a fourB star revie( an" &alle" it a 5mustBsee7 is be&ause the# have a moreBthanB passing interest in it. -a#be m# (hole eKperien&e is an enormous insi"e Ho$e to &ertain people there. 9 "onGt $no(, ma#be 9Pm rea&hing a bit here. 2ut, itGs something 9 spe&ulate about. %n a re&ent episo"e of 6r. 6ean F"ellGs s#n"i&ate" TI sho( 9 sa( a magi&ian "emonstrate ho( some &on men simulate ps#&hi& surger#. ;olling up his sleeves, he "ispla#e" his empt# han"s. fter mira&ulousl# pro"u&ing a bloo"# 5tumor7 eKtra&te" from his volunteer 5patient,7 he reveale" ho( it (as "one. )eG" ha" the bloo" an" tumor =&hi&$en vis&era> hi""en insi"e a false fifth finger. 9G" &onsi"ere" m#self prett# observant, but 9G" not noti&e" the eKtra "igit inserte" in bet(een his other fingers (hen he ha" "ispla#e" his 5empt#7 han"s so openl# at the start. 9 shoul"nGt feel so ta$en inno one in the stu"io au"ien&e ha" noti&e", either, an" the# (ere up &lose an" live. The lesson 9 see in that little "emonstration is that (e nee" to s&rutini!e more than Hust those parts of our

FIRE IN THE SKY 1!"

memories (hi&h seem ha!# or un&ertain. 'ometimes feeling &ertain is not a "epen"able in"i&ator of the reliabilit# of our beliefs. nother variation of the earthBorigin theor# is that the alien pilots are the returning eKplorers of an an&ient te&hnologi&al &ivili!ation no( eKtin&t. 'till another refers to the fa&t that freNuen&# of mo"ernB"a# sightings rose "ramati&all# (ith the en" of Worl" War 99. This is suppose" to suggest that the se&retl# surviving remnants of a group of Na!i ma" s&ientists have slo(l# rebuilt their might for the "a# (hen their hor"es (ill s(oop upon us for the final &oup(ith )itler himself in &omman", no "oubt. Moo" griefO 9n the various earthBorigin theories of *+%s, their bases are built at the bottom of the o&eans, un"ergroun", insi"e a 5hollo( earth,7 or on the moon an" other planets in this solar s#stem. Moul" that hangarli$e stru&ture a&tuall# have been in one of these pla&esD lmost the first instrumentB&he&$ing an#one thought of "oing (as ra"iation testing. The ra"iation &he&$ ma"e out at Tur$e# 'prings (as a&tuall# of limite" use be&ause it (as so belate" an" in&omplete. The prior presen&e of a strong ra"iation sour&e might not ne&essaril# result in higher ra"ioa&tivit# of the surroun"ings on&e that sour&e is no longer present, unless some Nuantit# of 5hot7 matter is left behin". The rea"ings on the &re(menGs har" hats (orn "uring the sighting remain uneKplaine". The Nuestion is open either (a# as to (hether ra"iation (as present at the site. %n the other han", the ele&tromagneti& rea"ings re&or"e" b# 2ill 'paul"ing ma#surprisingl#have some vali"it#, sin&e the a&tual measurements ma# have been ta$en b# asso&iates of his that ma# have greater reliabilit#. The Nuestion is, ho(ever, (h# ra"iationD There seems to be a general, imme"iate assumption of a nu&lear po(er sour&e for these &raft. This might not ne&essaril# be true. ?ust be&ause nu&lear po(er is our o(n ne(est "evelope" sour&e of energ# "oes not mean an a"van&e" te&hnolog# has not "is&overe" something superior. The presen&e of ra"iation at some *+% sightings ma# mean that at least some of these &raft have a nu&lear po(er sour&e. %r it &oul" mean that other fun&tions of the &raft are atomi&all# fuele", (hile the main "rive "epen"s on an un$no(n energ# sour&e. 9t has been suggeste" that if these &raft reNuire atomi& energ# in some form, that fa&t might eKplain their presen&e at Tur$e# 'prings. The -ogolB lon ;im is a big &ra&$ in the earth eKposing man# la#ers of geologi&al strata. *ranium has been "is&overe" in numerous pla&es on the /olora"o ,lateau, of (hi&h the ;im is a part. The aliens ma# have been se&retl# engage" in prospe&ting or mining of ra"ioa&tive minerals. 2ut then again, their presen&e on the ;im ma# refle&t merel# the &hara&teristi& preferen&e of *+%s for a&tivit# in remote areas. FKa&tl# (hat is their po(er sour&eD 9f (e &oul" "is&over it, (e too (oul" gain the free"om the# might possess to traverse the universeO While our spe&ulations are running so far afiel", &onsi"er the interesting

1!# Tra'(* .a/to)

observation -i$e ma"e "uring a return to the site (e ma"e in 1991. )e noti&e" that the trees nearest (here the &raft ha" hovere" seeme" to have gro(n far more than (oul" have been natural in the intervening seventeen #ears. 9ntrigue", -i$e (ent there again after the sno( melte" to investigate further. )is long forest &areer ma"e him a(are that the thinning pro&ess alone &an in"u&e a&&elerate" gro(th. 2ut these trees are in the &learing, so no &ompeting trees ha" been remove" from near them. )e also note" that, sin&e the# gro( near the &rest of the ri"ge, their enhan&e" gro(th &oul"nGt have been &ause" b# in&rease" rain runoff from a thinne" area upB hill from them. 'o he &ut "o(n one of the trees in Nuestion, sele&ting one (hi&h (oul" have Nualifie" for removal un"er normal T'9 spe&ifi&ations. FKamining the pattern of gro(th rings in the resulting stump, -i$e (as ama!e". /arefull# &ounting ba&$ seventeen annual la#ers, he foun" that after 1975 the thi&$ness of gro(th abruptl# Humpe" to four or five times that of an# of the treeGs previous #earsO t the time the &raft neare" it, the tree, though small, ha" been fift#Bseven #ears ol", but ha" more than "ouble" in "iameter an" nearl# triple" in height b# the time it (as &ut. *sing the formula =v Z [ V r2 V h \ 1> that gives #ou the volume of a &one =a trun$ tapersitGs a&tuall# a tall &one rather than a &#lin"er>, -i$e &al&ulate" an average #earl# total in&rease in (oo" mass more than thirt#B siK times the average for the fift#Bseven rings forme" prior to 1975. %ther trees, lo&ate" in similar &on"itions but farther from (here the &raft "es&en"e", sho(e" no phenomenal gro(th &hange. -i$e (on"ere" if there might be another eKplanation. )e &onsi"ere" &onsulting a forestr# eKpert to &onfirm his observation an" &al&ulations. Where &oul" an#one be foun" (ho (as suffi&ientl# obHe&tive, an" (illing to ta$e the &onseNuen&es of passing offi&ial Hu"gment on su&h a NuestionD %bviousl#, pursuing it (oul" be futile. )o(ever, the stump an" other trees are still there. With all the upset an" hassle an" other lifeB&hanging eKperien&es 9 have gone through sin&e November 5, 1975, 9 have pause" to pon"er in retrospe&t the (is"om of m# "e&ision to approa&h that *+%. Those first fateful steps began it all. The one last Nuestion the intervie(ers nearl# al(a#s as$ isC 59f #ou ha" it all to "o over again, (oul" #ou be so eager to run up &lose to one of those &raftD7 )in"sight is useless. What is "one is "one. 9 &annot &hange it. 9 have ha" some prett# rough eKperien&es as a result of that &hoi&e, but 9 have also benefite" from the lessons 9 have learne". 5Well,7 the# persist, 5if the eKa&t same &ir&umstan&es (ere to present themselves again, (oul" #ou approa&h the &raftD7 9n the past, 9Gve been un"e&i"e" an" given var#ing replies to this Nuestion. )o(ever, in m# present frame of min", the ans(er is a flat noO 9 too$ a ver# foolish &han&e in approa&hing something so &ompletel# un$no(n. 9 &oul" have been $ille", but 9 live" to "eepl# regret it. 5Well, #ou seem to be fine no(. 6o #ou thin$ the# ha" ba" intentionsD7 the#

FIRE IN THE SKY 1!$

as$. 9 per&eive" the entire eKperien&e as infinitel# terrif#ing an" threatening (hile it (as happening. 3et in hin"sight 9 must sa# that their intentions seeme" at (orst neutral, if not eKa&tl# benevolent. 9 (as returne" safel#, (hen the# "i" not have to return me at all. When 9 (as returne", 9 (as put "o(n &lose to to(n, an" not left l#ing in the mi""le of the roa". 9 (as returne" (hen there (as no traffi& on the roa" =so 9 &oul" not flag "o(n a passing motorist for help>, but that (as probabl# "ue to their efforts at &on&ealment. The# probabl# &oul" see from ver# high up that no hea"lights (ere &oming from either "ire&tion on the high(a#. -# hea" (as pla&e" on m# arm (ith m# fa&e turne" a(a# from the &raft. This &oul" have been a prote&tive measure for me, or the# might not have (ante" me to see them leave, for some reason. The pla&ing of m# bo"# might also have been mere &han&e. lthough 9 (as ps#&hologi&all# traumati!e", 9 have no &ons&ious memor# of being harme" or treate" &ruell# "uring m# eKperien&e. The sho&$ of su""enl# seeing su&h &reatures, &ouple" (ith m# pain, the suffo&ating sensations, an" the per&eption of being trappe", &ombine" to &reate an eKtremel# negative rea&tion. 9 have no better reason to as&ribe to them ba" intentions. )o(ever, the absen&e of evi"ent ba" intentions "oes not ne&essaril# mean the# ha" goo" intentions. There (as a &ertain "egree of highBhan"B e"ness in their ta$ing me in the first pla&e. 9 "i" not eKa&tl# as$ to go. The# ma# have been merel# resenting a harmless image. The# ma# a&tuall# have sinister intentions in regar" to ,lanet Farth. 9 am not sa#ing that the# are "efinitel# ba"L it is onl# a possibilit#. 2ut a possibilit# is all there nee"s to be, in or"er to a"vise &aution. 9 (oul" strongl# re&ommen" against an#one approa&hing an alien spa&e&raft at this stage in $no(le"ge of ufolog#. 'in&e, (ithout more "ata, almost an#thing is possible, the# &oul" inten" an#thingeven (ar or &annibalismO -an# people are pre"i&ting greater a&tivit# of *+%s in the near future. The tren" of in&reasing reporte" in&i"ents supports this pre"i&tion. 9 believe that serious largeBs&ale resear&h effort on *+%s is urgentl# nee"e". Whether their intentions are goo", ba" or in"ifferent, (e shoul" not be &aught unprepare". :etGs ta$e our e#es off the groun" an" prepare for (hatever the future brings. Who $no(sDit ma# also prove greatl# re(ar"ing. *ntil the publi&ation of m# first boo$, 9 avoi"e" mentioning something that &ame out un"er the h#pnosis performe" b# 6r. ?ames )ar"er. The reason for m# silen&e (as fear. 9 "ela#e" revealing it (hile 9 (restle" (ith the relative values an" "angers involve". This information &ame out (hile 9 (as un"er a parti&ularl# "eep segment of the h#pnoregressive series. 9 retaine" no memor# after(ar" of (hat happene" "uring that session, an" m# brother 6uane "ela#e" telling me of it be&ause of

1"& Tra'(* .a/to)

the potential emotional impa&t. :ater, (hen 9 &oul" han"le it better, he tol" me, for m# o(n safet#. With the $no(le"ge &ame his a"vi&e to refuse an# further h#pnoti& regression. fter 6r. )ar"er first &ause" me to relive in greater "etail the t(o hours 9 &ons&iousl# remembere", he probe" "eeper, tr#ing to "is&over if 9 ha" eKperien&e" more "uring the five "a#s than 9 ha" re&alle". 6uane tol" me that after a "iffi&ult series of ps#&hologi&al maneuvers, 6r. )ar"er arrive" at a mental blo&$ in me, enfor&e" b# a sub&ons&ious (arningor threatthat 9 (oul" "ie if regression &ontinue" an# "eeperO 9 ha" (on"ere" (h# those (itnessing the session loo$e" at me so o""l# after 9 (as brought out of the tran&e. 6r. )ar"er &oul" not pre&isel# "etermine (hether the blo&$ is an a&tual (arning, meaning that 9 (oul" reall# "ie, or onl# a false threat "esigne" to "is&ourage efforts at un&overing blo&$e" memories. 6r. )ar"er also &onsi"ere" it possible the mental blo&$ (as the result of m# o(n "eep sub&ons&ious fears, an" not a&tuall# the result of an implante" posth#pnoti& suggestion. 'o 9 learne" that it (as possible that more to m# eKperien&e eKiste" than 9 &oul" then re&all. That $no(le"ge (eighe" upon me in the aftermath of November 5, 1975, perhaps more than an# other aspe&t of the entire eKperien&e. The infinite variet# of possibilities of (hat &oul" have happene" in those five "a#s reall# (orrie" me. What if m# entire &ons&ious memor# (as a false implantD /oul" m# nightmares a&tuall# &ontain fragments of surfa&ing memoriesD 9 ha" ha" enough struggles in a"Husting to the short span 9 &oul" alrea"# &ons&iousl# re&all. 9 (orrie" (hat sort of "eepl# emotional or frightening eKperien&es 9 (oul" be for&e" to &ope (ith if 9 (ere to su""enl# re&all ever#thing. 6r. )ar"er "i" not even attempt to &ontinue to probe the nature of the blo&$, let alone tr# to penetrate it. 6r. )ar"er an" other ,;% offi&ials (ere most &onsi"erate of m# (elfare in this regar". fter 9 learne" of it, 9 as$e" them not to publi&i!e it, as 9 felt 9 (oul" be in "anger if it (ere to be&ome $no(n. 'ome of them felt 9 might be overestimating the "anger, but nonetheless agree" to &onfi"entialit#. The "anger of people $no(ing about that part of the h#pnosis la# in some menGs insatiable gree" an" lust for po(er. What greater ph#si&al po(er &an there be in the universe than the po(er of interstellar flightD 9f su&h men (ere to believe that 9 might have hi""en $no(le"ge of propulsion or (eaponr# "evelope" b# a superior te&hnolog#, the# might (ell stop at nothing to get at it even if 9 shoul" "ie in the attempt. Wh# then "i" 9 finall# reveal the fa&tD 9t seeme" unli$el# that su&h intelligen&es (oul" ever allo( that sort of $no(le"ge to fall into our han"sL so the# (oul" not have allo(e" me to learn it in the first pla&e. Fven if 9 ha" been eKpose" to the (or$ings of their greatest te&hnologi&al a&hievements, (hat (oul" 9 have gaine"D 9f 9 &oul" lift the hoo" of m# automobile an" sho( the

FIRE IN THE SKY 1"1

engine to a &aveman, &oul" he possibl# go home an" buil" oneD 2ut the greatest reason for revealing the "eepBtran&e "is&over# (as the safet# "oing so automati&all# brought. There are al(a#s a fe( (ho learn of the most &arefull# $ept se&rets. state of semise&re&# (oul" have allo(e" the uns&rupulous a freer rein to engage in &overt a&tivities. 9f everyone $no(s about it, it is that mu&h more "iffi&ult for an illegal a&t against me to go unnoti&e". 9 too$ steps to ensure m# personal safet#, but ma#be it (asnGt reall# ne&essar#. No one &an be h#pnoti!e" against his (ill. 9 &oul" not even be h#pnoti!e" b# an#one 9 "i" not trust. 9 on&e thought that some"a# 9 might get up enough nerve to tr# h#pnosis again. 9 thought 9 (oul" initiall# "eal onl# (ith the nature of the blo&$L to "etermine the eKtent of the "anger (ithout going too far. That missing time bothere" me, be&ause, as :eonar" Nimo# sai" in referen&e to m# eKperien&eC 5. . . the impli&ations are enormous. 7 ;egression seeme" the onl# (a# to get ri" of that feeling. 9 &onsi"ere" selfBh#pnosis. 2ut after all these #ears 9 have never felt suffi&ientl# move" to go un"er again. 9n an# event, from the lessons learne" in the aftermath of m# eKperien&e, 9 thin$ if 9 a&tuall# "i" un&over previousl# blo&$e" memories, either b# selfBh#pnosis or spontaneousl#, it (oul" probabl# be best never to reveal them publi&l#. 5 re #ou afrai" the# (ill &ome ba&$ to get #ouD7 3es an" no. 9Gm not possesse" of an# min"B&onsuming phobia that it might happen again. 2ut for a (hile, (hen 9 stoo" out on m# por&h on a Nuiet evening, ga!ing up at the stars, 9 (oul" feel a little uneas# an" &ast an apprehensive glan&e or t(o into the sha"o(s. What 9 "rea"e" more than an#thing (as seeing those a(ful, huge, staring e#es set in those bulging paleBs$inne" "omes. verbal "es&ription or a "ra(ing Hust &annot "upli&ate (hat #ou (oul" feel if #ou a&tuall# sa( one of them. No amount of rationali!ing m# fear, in reali!ing its sour&e or telling m#self there is no obHe&tive reason for it, &an neutrali!e that terror. 9f #ou thin$C 5WhatGs so s&ar# about thatD7 9 &an onl# sa#, Hust (ait until #ou meet one fa&eBtoBfa&e. 9 "onGt mean to give &ause for alarm. 9f an#one is eKtremel# (orrie" about it 9 &oul" offer a"vi&e, tongue in &hee$, to &arr# a &amerathat shoul" $eep them a(a#. To all appearan&es, there is little or no "anger. 9tGs Hust that 9 "onGt (ant to be responsible for the &onseNuen&es if 9 reassure ever#one of harmlessness, an" 9 turn out to be (rong. ?ust that one (or" of &aution. )o(ever, "onGt let these "oubts overl# affe&t #our attitu"e. 2e rea"# to greet people of other (orl"s (ith frien"liness, if the# ever ma$e open &onta&t (ith us. The# &oul" have mu&h to offer. 9n the meantime, (e nee" to support better resear&h to fin" out eKa&tl# (hat (e shoul" "o to get rea"#. 'houl" (e tr# to have a stronger "efenseor a (armer han"sha$eD Who $no(s. Who $no(s an# of the ans(ers to the Nuestions "is&usse" in this &hapter. 9

1"2 Tra'(* .a/to)

have probabl# raise" more Nuestions than 9 have ans(ere" (ith these spe&ulations. 6onGt forget that the# are merel# spe&ulationspure &onHe&ture. ;ight no( (e "onGt have an# soli" ans(ers. Will (e everD

%ne of the most freNuent NuestionsC What sort of a person (as Travis Walton to be the onl# &re(man to get out of the tru&$ an" re&$lessl# approa&h su&h a "angerous un$no(nD t that time, eKa&tl# that sort.

-i&hael ;ogers, &re(Bboss sai" in 1975C Q9Pve beer (or$ing these (oo"s for over ten #ears an" this is the "amne"est thing that ever happene" to meOQ 9n 1995 he a""e"C Q9Pve been (or$ing these (oo"s for over 14 #ears an" this is still the "amne"est thing that ever happene" to meOQ

Travis WaltonC Q9f 9 ha" to "o it over again 9 (oul"nPt get out of the tru&$.QAenneth ,etersonC Q9 sa( a bluish light &ome from the ma&hine an" Travis (ent fl#Bingli$e heP" tou&he" a live (ireOQ

Aenneth ,etersonC Q9 sa( a bluish light &ome from the ma&hine an" Travis (ent fl#B ingli$e heP" tou&he" a live (ireOQ

+irst to spot the obHe&t (as llen 6alis. QWe &oul"nPt believe (hat (as happening. The horror (as unreal.Q

6(a#ne 'mithC QThe *+% (as smooth an" (as giving off a #ello(ishBorange light.Q

QThat ra# (as the brightest thing 9Pve ever seen in m# (hole lifeOQ "e&lares 'teve ,ier&e.

?ohn Moulette states emphati&all#, Q9 $no( (hat 9 sa(an" it (asnPt an#thing from this earthOQ

Q9 gotta sa# the# passe" the =lie "ete&tor> tests.Q When as$e" about the possibilit# of the &re(men being intoKi&atB e", 'heriff -arlin Millespie replie", Q9 sat in their tru&$ a short time after it happene" an" tal$e" to ea&h one for a long time. 9 sure "i"nPt spot an#thingan" 9 (as loo$ing.Q

-ap of ri!ona =V mar$s ab"u&tion site>.

This heli&opter, along (ith other air&raft, &riss&rosse" the rugge" -ogollon mountain area as part of a massive manhunt for the missing (oo"sman.

ri!ona 6epartment of ,ubli& 'afet# =state poli&e> pol#graph eKaminer /# MilsonPs report to the )olbroo$ 'heriffPs %ffi&e state", QThese pol#graph eKaminations prove that these five men "i" see some obHe&t the# believe to be a *+%. . . .Q No( in private pra&ti&e an" the top pol#B graph eKpert in the state, Milson later reteste" several of the &re(, in&lu"ing Walton. Q2ase" on the numeri&al s&ore of the pol#graph &harts an" the &omputer base" anal#sis, it is the opinion of this eKaminer that -r. =6alis, ;ogers, Walton> (as being truthful (hen he ans(ere" these relevant Nuestions.Q

-ap of area =V mar$s ab"u&tion site an" arro( mar$s site of return>.

Travis Walton an" the late :.?. :oren!en, 9nB ternational 6ire&tor of the erial ,henomena resear&h %rgani!ation an" &hief fiel" investiB gator of the Walton &ase.

6r. ?ames )ar"er, then 6ire&tor of ;esear&h for ,;%, ma"e it possible through regressive h#pnosis for Walton to relive his eKperien&es (ithout un"ue stress, an" (as present in the resear&h group to first hear the entire a&&ount of WaltonPs ama!ing or"eal.

n artistPs re&onstru&tion of the general la# of the interior of the &raft in (hi&h Walton regaine" &ons&iousness.

TBhan"le lever foun" on left arm of &hair =slightl# eKtrapolate">.

6r. ;. :eo 'prin$le, ,;%Ps &onsultant in ps#B &holog# an" 6ire&tor of /ounseling an" Testing at the *niversit# of W#omB ing, intervie(e" Walton an" revie(e" the results of ps#&hiatri& eKaminaB tions ta$en b# him. 6r. 'prin$le spo$e of Qin"i&aB tions of normalit#Q an" "es&ribe" a Qpi&ture of a health# #oung man, (ith a goo" sense of selfB a(areness, a ten"en&# to(ar" s$epti&ism, an" an inner strength or emotionB al stabilit#.Q

The in&i"ent eventuall# le" to a rift bet(een t(o best frien"s (hi&h laste& for several #ears.

6r. ?. llen )#ne$, astronomer an" prominent ufologist, tol" ne(smen after meeting (ith Walton that he believes Walton is Qnot hoaKingQ an" that, Q)e has beeB ma"e the subHe&t of a lot of unne&essar# an" unfoun"e" a&&usations.Q

+rom left to rightC Travis, 62 '(eene#. Meorgia Fmelin an" 6ana, at "inner on lo&aB tion in %regon.

The re&eption Travis an" 6ana re&eive" on the set (orme" Nui&$l# as the &ast an" &re( &ome lo $no( them.

?ames Marner, 6ona en" Travis on the set of +ire in the '$#. Marner is os li$eable off s&reen as on.

;ome. +irs in the '$# (as (ell re&eive" b# au"ien&es all over the (orl".

Travis WaltonC Q ll 9 as$ is for on obHe&tive &onsi"eraB rion or all the evi"en&e. n#one (ho (onPt "o that isnPt reall# entitle" to an opinion.Q

62 '(eene#, after varie" rolls in films su&h as 5Fight -en %urP an" UThe /utting F"geP, pla#s the philosophi&al but overl# &urious Travis Walton in Q+ire in the '$#Q.

-i$e ;ogers, logging on the north Aaibab above the Mran" /an#on.

;obert ,atri&$Gs portra#al of the liNui" metal &#borg assassin opposite rnol" '&h(ar!eneggerPs Terminator (as in"elible but, not to be t#peB&ast, his (arm interpretation of saltBofBtheB&arth &re(boss an" famil# man, -i$e ;ogers, (as ever# bit as &onvin&ing.

Travis Walton, :eonar" Nimo# an" :.?. :oren!en on the set at Wolper 'tu"ios for filming of the series pilot. The *neKplaine". %ne of the most impressive a&&ounts he has hear" to "ate &omes from Travis Walton, Nimo# sai". Q9tGs a bi!arre stor#, but ofter spea$ing (ith him over a perio" of several hours, 9 felt he (as being truthful.Q

,ol#graph eKaminer an" former -iami ,oli&e "ete&B tivoB sergenant Meorge ,fiefer a"ministere" a test to Travis Walton Q fter a ver# &are ful anal#sis of the pol#grams pro"u&e", there are no areas left unresolve" an" it is the opinion of this eKaminer that Travis Walton has ans(ere" all Nuestions in a manner that he himself is firml# &onvin&e" to be truthful regar"ing the in&i"ent &ommen&ing 1185875.Q

PART 3
:atter 6a#s

CHAPTER 13
ftermath
1ente tamen, 3uae sola loco non exulat. =QThe min" alone &annot be eKile".7> %vi"

hat happens in the (a$e of events as eKtraor"inar# an" profoun" as those of November 1975D fter su&h an intense perio" of nonstop assault on the sensibilities, &an life ever be as it (as beforeD t first, 9 (as in perpetual "oubt as to (hether or not 9 (as even going to get through it. 9 live" ea&h "a#, ea&h hour, from minute to minute. 9t (as bur"en enough to &ope (ith that b# itself, (ithout loo$ing be#on". %ne sunn# fall "a# 9 (as a #oung, single, "evilBma#B&are gu# full of plans, relishing the prospe&t of tomorro(. The neKt thing 9 $ne(, ever#thing (as in "oubtC m# future, prior relationships, people 9G" thought 9 &oul" &ount on, institutions 9G" ta$en for grante", m# pla&e in so&iet#, an", right at the beginning, even the realit# of m# o(n per&eptions. 6a# an" night 9 (as (ire" tight. "renaline surge" &onstantl#. The images of those re&ent traumati& events (ere &onstantl# in m# min"Gs e#e, (a$ing an" sleeping. When 9 could sleep, vivi" but &haoti& "reams (o$e me nightl#. 9 ha" a tremen"ous amount of inner pro&essing, sorting, &onfronting, a&&epting, an" a"Husting to "o. To "o that, one nee"s enough time an" pea&e, enough spa&e an" sleep. n" 9 (asnGt getting it. The spe&trum of rea&tions to (hat happene" goo", ba", or in"ifferent$ept me &onstantl# off balan&e. There (as a &onstant torrent

1"! Tra'(* .a/to)

of things to "eal (ith. 9 ha" so mu&h &oming at me so fast, that &oping (ith this over(helming &a&ophon# too$ ever#thing 9 ha". 9t seeme" as if almost ever#one (ante" a pie&e of mesometimes literall#. 9 (as afrai" of (hat 9 &oul"nGt remember. n" 9 (as afrai" it (oul" happen again. %r ma#be government agents (oul" &ome an" ta$e me an" subHe&t me to mental, ma#be even ph#si&al, "isse&tion. What if 9 &ame "o(n (ith some bi!arre infe&tion un$no(n to human me"i&al s&ien&eD What if 9 began suffering (eir" effe&ts from breathing that strange atmosphereD What if 9 starte" eKhibiting s#mptoms of severe ra"iation "amageD What if 9 Hust &oul"nGt &ope (ith all of thisD 9 &an laugh at su&h fears no(. 2ut at the time, that natural faith (e &arr#, that the familiar an" &onventional (ill naturall# be there the neKt time (e loo$, ha" for me been severel# sha$en. +ortunatel#, #ears of thin$ing an" living in a more normal (orl" have restore" that &onfi"en&e to me. ""ing to the pressures on me (as m# strateg# of tr#ing to present the out(ar" appearan&e of being in &ontrol. Moing on as if nothing (as (rong "i" have a stea"#ing effe&t, but it also le" man# people (ho might have been more helpful to assume 9 (as alrea"# on m# (a# to re&over#. 9n spite of the fa&t that it all seeme" to be nearl# too mu&h for me, 9 (ent it alone. 9 navigate" that (hole perio" (ithout professional help or &ounseling of an# $in". Wh#D ,artl# be&ause m# famil# are a prett# selfBreliant bun&h. ,artl# be&ause 9 "i"nGt believe there (as an#one in the &ounseling or ps#&hiatri& fiel" (ho ha" an#thing in the stan"ar" frame(or$ of their training or eKperien&e that (oul" remotel# eNuip them to han"le something so eKtraor"inar#. n eKample illustrating this (as 6r. ?ean ;osenbaumGs &on&lusions. )e (as more "ispose" to per&eive the matter as fitting into a stan"ar" &ategor# (ith (hi&h he (as familiar, than to tr# to appl# his eKperien&e an" $no(le"ge to something outsi"e his para"igm. There (as no(here to turn. 'o, internall#, 9 (as on m# o(n. )o(ever, 9 &anGt sa# there (as no help at all aroun" me. -# famil# stoo" b# me. n" so "i" some of m# frien"s, but most of all there (as m# s(eet 6ana. 'he "i"nGt have an# ans(ers to the profoun" Nuestions, she "i"nGt have an# spe&ial ps#&hologi&al insight. 9Gm sure she often felt at a loss to $no( (hat to sa# an" "o. ,erhaps at times she even felt pushe" into the ba&$groun" b# the in&i"ent, from the (a# some people approa&he" us. 2ut she (as there for me, (ith her loving un"erstan"ing, &entere"ness, an" (arm support. )er gran"motherGs simple, earth#, &aring, smallBto(n (a#s ha" their e&ho in her. 'o she be&ame m# an&hor, m# one ro&$ in that sea of &haos. 9 (ent ba&$ to &hur&h for a (hile. 2ut rather than fin"ing spiritual ans(ers there, 9 en&ountere" a mi&ro&osm of m# situation (ithin the (i"er &ommunit#. 'o again 9 (as on m# o(n. s vast an" m#sterious as the &osmos is, ultimate religious truth lies far above an# of thisor the (orl" in (hi&h it happene". 9 am not sa#ing the event lies outside of religious &onsi"erations, but that itGs Hust

FIRE IN THE SKY 1""

one more element (ithin the gran" s&heme of things. That (hi&h en&ompasses an" superse"es ever#thing, must naturall# "o so to trul# everything. ,eople too often ma$e eK&lusivel# religious interpretations of things of this nature. 9 suppose this has a lot to "o (ith their previous orientation to life in general. 9 "i" a lot of ver# "eep sear&hing in the religious area, but m# earlier outloo$ ha" emphasi!e" more of a s&ientifi& or philosophi&al approa&h. 'o thatGs the $in" of sense 9 trie" to ma$e of this eKperien&e to a great eKtent. ,opular (is"om has it that "enial is not a goo" &oping strateg#L but as a temporar# measure it (or$e" for me. 9 pushe" the eKperien&e an" its aftermath into the ba&$groun". 9 boKe" it up, put it asi"e an" (ent on (ith m# life. s time (ent on, 9 pulle" things out of that boK one at a time, "ealing (ith them at m# o(n pa&e. Fventuall# 9 (or$e" up to returning to (or$ in the (oo"s. 9 spent a lot of time alone, laboring un"er the sun (ith aK or &hainsa( in han". The (or$ itself "i"nGt "eman" a lot of &on&entration, so m# min" (as free to pon"er an" refle&t, a&&ept an" a"Hust. There (ere no stages or "efinite turning points for me, eK&ept the initial h#pnosis session. -# re&over# (as a long, gra"ual pro&essso evenl# evolving an" natural that 9 reali!e it most resembles the &hanges (hi&h &ome (ith life, simpl# living, the personal gro(th of maturit#. n" li$e that sort of gro(th, it &ontinues to this "a#. 9n m# earlier a&&ount 9 trie" to pass off, to minimi!e the negative rea&tion 9 (as eKperien&ingL 9 (as still in the mi""le of it an" 9 hope" to avoi" ma$ing (orse (hat (as alrea"# ba" enough. 6uring the pea$ of the fee"ing fren!#, the press ha" gone for the $ill. %n&e the tone (as set it be&ame a freeBforBall. 9tGs a familiar aspe&t of human nature that su&h a pattern "etermines the fate of &ertain unfortunates in s&hool an" (or$ situations. 9 "i"nGt (ant to &reate an atmosphere in (hi&h the "immer min"s among those aroun" me (oul" be in&ite" to su&h a mob mentalit#. %ne of the strategies 9 use most to get a han"le on &ompleK matters is to step outsi"e m#self an" the situation mentall#, then tr# to ta$e an obHe&tive overvie(. When 9 "o this &on&erning ever#thing involving the *+% in&i"ent, 9 &ontinuall# thin$ 9 have arrive", that 9 &an finall# see it for itself (ithout "istortion b# personal referents. 9 "o this onl# to fin" 9 nee" to step ba&$ again. n" again. Fa&h time seeing more, reali!ing a (i"er perspe&tive, but ea&h time &oming to sense the eKisten&e of a larger frame of referen&e. 9tGs li$e the reverse of one of those pi&tures on the (all, (hi&h is a pi&ture of the (hole s&ene in&lu"ing the pi&ture on the (all. . . an" so on. 9f (e loo$ first at one in the series, (e as$, (hen &an (e finall# see the (holeD This is li$e the &onverse of (i"ene" perspe&tive"eepene" introspe&tion. 9, ho(ever, of &ourse believe this apparent para"oK arises from the nature of &ons&iousness an" gro(th, rather than an#thing uniNue to the in&i"ent of 1975. 9 (as a"Husting to more than the eKperien&e itself. 9 (as a"Husting to peopleGs

1"# Tra'(* .a/to)

rea&tions to the in&i"ent an" their altere" per&eptions of meever#bo"#Gsor so it seeme" from (hat the (orl" ne(s me"ia presente". 9tGs no eKaggeration to sa# that the human rea&tion gave me as mu&h to &ope (ith as the in&i"ent itself. Whi&h is sa#ing a goo" "eal more than most people reali!e. There (ere ironi& parallels bet(een the in&i"ent an" its aftermath. 9n both 9 felt po(erless to &ontrol m# "estin#, to affe&t m# &on"ition. 9n both 9 felt vi&timi!e". 9n both 9 felt inspe&te", on "ispla#, li$e a bug in a Har. 9 &oul"nGt go an#(here (ithout the stares, the pointing, the smir$s, an" the (hispers. 9 often felt single" out, ma"e to feel li$e some $in" of si"esho( frea$. FKpe&tation of seeing something bi!arre (as so strong 9 (oul" hear of people (ho "i"nGt $no( me reinterpreting some perfe&tl# normal behavior of mine. ,eople (oul" (al$ up an" tal$ to me, an" as the# tal$e", seeme" to be loo$ing for something, s&anning for (ho $no(s (hat. The# seeme" to stu"# me (ith a "istra&te" air, as if thin$ing of something other than the &onversation. 9f the# eKpe&te" to fin" a pair of antennae sprouting from m# hea" or perhaps some o"" green pat&hes sho(ing through on m# s$in, the# (ere "isappointe". 9Gm not sure (hat artifa&t or thrill (as anti&ipate", but the# "i"nGt seem satisfie". ,eople see (hat the# (ant to see. 9ntro"u&ing an#one to an average group prime" (ith stories arbitraril# attributing various &hara&teristi&s to the ne(B &omer is &ertain to result in that person being per&eive" as ampl# &onfirming those pre&on&eptions. ;egar"less of their a&tual behavior or traits, the ten"en&# (oul" be for them to be seen as hostile, frien"l#, ner"#, &ool, "umb, smart, or (hatever (as earlier "es&ribe". 9 (as a(are that it (as onl# human nature, but that "i"nGt ma$e me li$e it an# better. 'o, for someone use" to living b# his o(n &on&epts an" stan"ar"s, it (as espe&iall# "emeaning to be put in the ironi& position of having to ma$e sure m# ever# publi& a&t (as more normal than 5normal.7 lthough people (ere serious in inNuiring (hether m# eKperien&e ha" left me (ith an# impairments or enhan&e" abilities, in that environment it (as ver# important to "o nothing to &onfirm notions of being an#thing but straight "o(n the mi""le of the roa", blan", neutral, boring, normal. n#thing less might get me &arrie" off b# a tor&hB&arr#ing mob (iel"ing pit&hBfor$s, to be stone", "isse&te", or burne" at the sta$e. Well, at least metaphori&all# spea$ing. -# "etermination to ignore it all an" &ontinue on (ith a normal life (as &ontinuall# &hallenge". Whenever m# "eta&hment lulle" me into believing for a moment that 9 &oul" blen" ba&$ in, someone (oul" (al$ up an", (ith (hat the# must have imagine" (as marvelous &leverness, as$ some sl#, insinuating Nuestion 9G" hear" a "o!en times before. %&&asionall# people (oul" sa# something li$eC 5Well, 9 hear" that the# prove" Rsome baseless &harge or t#pi&al rumorS.7 9G" turn an" as$, 5?ust eKa&tl# (hat "o #ou personall# $no( about it that #ou &oul" be sure ofD n#thing at all

FIRE IN THE SKY 1"$

#ouG" feel safe to &all a fa&tD7 Their stammering a"missions (ere all the "emonstration 9 nee"e" to ma$e m# point. %pportunities for repartees (ere rare, though. *suall# 9 hear" about su&h &omments se&on"han", after the fa&t. ThatGs o$a#. Those s&enes reveale" the measure of those people, not me. 9 (onGt sa# that thought gave enough &onsolation to ma$e their attitu"es not matter. 2ut 9 &oul" ta$e it. What (oul" reall# enrage me (as something li$e that "ire&te" at 6ana or one of m# $i"s. The $i"s (erenGt even born before the in&i"ent. To this "a#, a "ig at them in that vein (ill eli&it from me a Nui&$ an" "e&i"e"l# nonBpassive repl#. +or the most part 9 be&ame inure" to it. 9 (ith"re( to a "eta&he" eKisten&e, a life apart. 9 suppose #ou &oul" sa# 9 (as 5alienate".7 :ater on, 9 (asnGt so affe&te" that 9 &oul"nGt see the humor in some of the situations arising from the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent. %ne Ho$e ma"e the roun"sC 53ou hear the# prove" Travis (as telling the truthD When he &ame ba&$ the# foun" a -ars bar in his po&$et.7 There (as also the obvious 5-il$# Wa#7 variation. '&hool $i"s &hante" a singsong on the pla#groun"C 5 'lying saucers, <',, where did $ravis %alton go0# That (as embellishe" toC $ravis %alton, <',. %here did all the s aceshi s go0 $ravis ate .em, now he.s back. /ow he has to take a s aceshi cra 4# Mreat humor, ehD &tuall# the big motivator for su&h rea&tions, humor in&lu"e", is fear. ,eople often resort to humor regar"ing things the# fear, espe&iall# (hen itGs something over (hi&h the# have little &ontrol. Witness the topi&s of the stan"up &omi&C &rime, the boss, "eath an" taKes. +or sol"iers, the enem#, (ho might en" their life, is a prin&ipal butt of Ho$es. nother "imension to fear is the fear of ri"i&ule. The iron# of bigote" thin$ing is that the putB"o(ns "ire&te" at the outBgroup are reall# a nervous attempt at a hollo( sort of selfBvali"ation. +oment "erision to "ivert it, lest someone ma$e #ou an obHe&t of it. ;elate" to that insight, an" parti&ularl# "isappointing, (as ho( some people, (ho treate" us (ith normal frien"liness an" respe&t in private, be&ame &ool an" "istant =if the# "i"nGt preten" not to see us altogether> (hen (e en&ountere" them in publi&. n" there (ere a &ouple of matters (hen 9 ha" goo" reason to believe &ertain authorities "i"nGt a&t (ith obHe&tivit# be&ause 9 (as involve", even though m# role in the situation (as &learl# on the si"e of Husti&e. 9n one &ase 9 stoppe" a gro(n man (ho (as beating a thir"Bgra"e bo# bloo"# for taunting his &hil"ren on the (a# home from s&hool. uthorities ha" the bo#Gs testimon#, his (oun"s, an" m# testimon#. 9magine m# feelings (hen the investigating offi&er &oul"nGt get her superiors to "o an#thing about it an" (e all $ne( (h#. Then there (ere those (ho, in the normal, "a#BtoB"a# &ourse of human intera&tions, (oul" o&&asionall# per&eive themselves at o""s (ith me over some unrelate" issue. 'o, of &ourse, the# (oul" imme"iatel# bring up the *+%

1#& Tra'(* .a/to)

in&i"ent as their a" hominem trump &ar", behin" m# ba&$, of &ourse. 9t (oul" be eas# for someone in m# position to blame all lifeGs little setba&$s on su&h "is&rimination. 2ut to "o so (oul" be a &opBout, ma$ing unHustifie" eK&uses for oneGs o(n natural short&omings, or or"inar# ba" lu&$. *n"er the &ir&umstan&es 9 believe 9Gve "one (ell not to fall for using su&h a perpetuall# rea"# eK&use. lthough there (ere times 9 "i"nGt get the Hob (hen 9 (as the more Nualifie", #ou &anGt assume. 9tGs inevitable that not ever#thing (ill go oneGs (a#. ;ea&tions (erenGt all negativeL but even positive rea&tions &oul" present problems. 9 (oul" get &alls at o"" hours of the night, from people (ho simpl# felt it monumentall# importantthe# (erenGt sure (h#to relate to me a sighting the# ha" ma"e ten #ears earlier of a strange, moving point of light in the night s$#. ,erfe&t strangers (oul" &all in the mi""le of "inner an" eKpe&t me to let it get &ol" (hile 9 gave them a "etaile" a&&ount of m# eKperien&e apparentl# merel# for their private entertainment. number of &alls (ere more than a little strange. %n the other han", man# in"ivi"uals &alle" (hom 9 (as gla" to &ome to $no(. 'ome are goo" frien"s still. n" to be &onta&te" b# ol" frien"s (ith (hom 9G" lost &onta&t (as #et another small re&ompense, a lighter threa" in the lining of that "ar$ &lou" hovering over m# "a#s. -# life (as not (ithout happinessL some aspe&ts have been ri&hl# re(ar"ing. Nevertheless, &alls be&ame a big problem. 9 still felt it (as ver# important to get the truth out, but to tr# to "o so one person at a time (oul"Gve burne" me out (ithout ever a&&omplishing it. 9 ha" the phone "is&onne&te", (ent (ithout one for #ears. -# sense of &ommunit# (as re"u&e" further still. Fver# time -i$e ;ogers (as intervie(e", an" sometimes (hen as$e" about it b# people he $ne(, the Nuestion (as raise"C 5)o( &oul" #ou Hust "rive off an" leave #our best frien" to his fate at the mer&# of su&h a threatD7 /ertain members of m# famil# ma"e $no(n their strong feelings about it. -i$e (as having a big loa" of guilt "umpe" on him. ,lus, it (as obvious he (as being har" on himself about it. )e be&ame overl# sensitive to &riti&ism from me on unrelate" matters. )e $ept sa#ing 9 (as 5a&&using7 him. 9 thin$ that in his min" he (as proHe&ting onto me the reproa&h he (as getting from others. 9 personall# "onGt remember ever verbali!ing su&h blame. 9n fa&t, 9 got the strong impression that he blame" me for man# of the troubles that &ame his (a# be&ause of the in&i"ent. 59f #ou (erenGt so re&$less, if #ou ha"nGt gotten out of the tru&$, if #ouG" &ome ba&$ (hen ever#one #elle" at #ou to, none of this (oul" be happening.7 "mitte"l# there (as some truth to that, but 9 "i"nGt ta$e $in"l# to the manner in (hi&h the point (as ma"e. Things "eteriorate" bet(een me an" m# best frien" of man# #earsm# (ifeGs brother. There (as a blo(up. We har"l# spo$e to ea&h other for a number of #ears.

FIRE IN THE SKY 1#1

9 "onGt $no( if it (as solel# to avoi" me, but -i$e starte" not sho(ing up for famil# gatherings. -i$eGs famil# has al(a#s been mu&h &loser to ea&h other emotionall# than mineL the# regularl# get together for birth"a#s an" holi"a#s. 2ut -i$e starte" to (ith"ra(, to be&ome an emotional hermit. %ne more maHor bri&$ in m# gro(ing (all of isolationan" one for him. 9n 1977 9 (rote m# first boo$, for its therapeuti& effe&t an" (ith an e#e to(ar" a&&omplishing in a single effort more than 9 ever &oul" (ith thousan"s of intervie(s. +or a long time the me"ia $ept up a stea"# stream of inNuiries. /urious people (oul" see$ me out. 'no(fla$e is a bit off the beaten path, but that "i"nGt seem to slo( them. 6a# after "a#, mail from aroun" the (orl" poure" in. The phone onl# stoppe" ringing (hen 9 ha" it ta$en out. When 9 finall# &onsente" to intervie(s, 9 began to feel li$e a bro$en re&or", 9 repeate" the same (or"s so man# times. -ost people (ere un"erstan"ing of m# nee" to get a(a# from all that, apologi!ing profusel#, than$ing me for m# time. 2ut the# still $ept &oming. 5?ust one more.7 The# "i"nGt seem to reali!e that for me, retelling it (as li$e reliving it. No matter ho( man# times 9 (ent through the memor#, it never faile" to $not m# gut, &ause me to brea$ into a &ol" s(eat. 9 (oul" feel (rungBout after(ar". 9 felt it important that the (orl" be ma"e a(are of some things. 2ut 9 often (on"ere" if it (as (orth the pri&e. 9 (asnGt ver# sophisti&ate" about the me"ia. 2efore November 1975 9 "i"nGt $no( the meaning of 5tabloi",7 5ambush intervie(,7 5green room,7 or 5trial b# me"ia.7 -# naivete "estine" me for some eKploitation an" a fe( hat&het Hobs. 9 learne" about 5ventriloNual atta&$s,7 (here, to preserve the illusion of neutralit#, Hournalists in a fa&eBtoBfa&e intervie( eKpress their o(n a&&usations as &oming from a vague 5the#.7 fe( me"ia pros, li$e ;i&har" ;obertson or 'am :o(e of the *hoenix 2azette or man# others 9 shoul" name, ha" the integrit# even (hen the# too$ a s$epti&al stan&e to present the fa&ts as fairl# an" obHe&tivel# as the# &oul". Then there (ere other persons (ho hit the lo(s of Hournalisti& ethi&s. Those (ho, in the name of 5balan&e,7 merel# liste" some of m# &riti&sG &harges, (ithout printing the soli" refutation of (hi&h the# (ere perfe&tl# a(are. That (as mil" &ompare" to some behavior of me"ia people 9 &oul" name. ,eople (ho ma"e false promises Hust to get &ooperation. ,eople (ho loo$e" me straight in the e#e an" promise" there (oul" be no slant, no lastB minute inter&utting of 5sniper7 vie(points, in their intervie(s. ,eople (ho (oul" in&lu"e surprise guests to atta&$ me. ,eople (ho (oul" preten" to be &ompletel# s#mpatheti& an" in agreement (ith m# statements, then turn right aroun" an" (rite atta&$s the# $ne( to be false be&ause 9 ha" sho(n them the proof. ,eople (ho use 5monster lighting7 an" photos ta$en so &lose, (ith a

1#2 Tra'(* .a/to)

spe&ifi& lens, there (as a&tuall# a pronoun&e" paraboli& 5fishB e#e7 "istortion to the pi&tures, (here the nearest features of the fa&e appear to bulge huge, the peripher# shrun$en. 'u&h photos appeare" onl# in the 5hat&het Hob7 arti&les, so it (as no a&&i"ent. These people manage" to transform m# naive openness into &#ni&al (ariness. 9f su&h laKit# (asnGt their habit, perhaps the subHe&t matter ma"e them feel the# &oul" aban"on their usual Hournalisti& stan"ar"s. ,erhaps mainstream me"ia people, vie(ing the topi& as one for the tabloi"s, felt Hustifie" in behaving li$e tabloi" (riters. +or a time 9 refuse" to give intervie(s. %ne more a""ition to m# feelings of isolation an" estrangement. s 9 (rote the foregoing passage, an in&i"ent o&&urre" to reall# "rive home to me ho( po(erfull# peopleGs pre"ispositions "ominate their per&eptions. fter a "is&ussion (ith a visitor to our home about al(a#s telling the truth, m# &hil"ren (ere as$e" to summari!e the message an" tell (h# l#ing is so "estru&tive. fter their remar$s, (ith m# usual abstra&t &on&eptuali!ing 9 a""e" something li$e, 53es, #ou shoul" never spea$ untrue things be&ause it &an go out into the (orl", ma#be far, far a(a#, an" #ou &an never rea&h ever#one (ho might have hear" it. n" #ou &an never $no( ho( the lie might &hange people before the# hear the truth, if the# ever "o.7 %ur visitorGs pause, his si"elong glan&e from un"er ar&he" bro(s, a&&ompanie" b# a "eepl# "ra(n breaththe 5ahem7 loo$ momentaril# pu!!le" me. Then 9 reali!e" he thought 9 ha" un&ons&iousl# 5slippe",7 that 9 (as spea$ing of m#self, not m# "etra&tors an" the me"iaO )o( &an one repl# to the unspo$enD /onfuse", 9 grope" unsu&&essfull# for (or"s, then reali!e" in frustration there (as nothing 9 &oul" sa# (hi&h (oul"nGt "eepen his &onvi&tion. 9Gm sure m# eKpression onl# further &onfirme" to him his assumption. %ne &ommunit# might have (el&ome" me (ith open armsC the *+% &ommunit#. 9 (as repeate"l# invite" to atten" their gatherings, but 9 rarel# a&&epte". That (asnGt a putB"o(n of those people. 9tGs Hust that 9G" ha" enough of the &ontrovers#, the rea&tion, the subHe&t. -# best &oping strateg# (as simpl# to tr# to get on (ith m# life an" live it as normall# as possible. 9 sol" off m# hot &ars an" m# /hev# Noma" =5the Wan"erer7m# first name &omes from an an&ient (or" for traveler>. 9 $ept a mo"est fourB"oor se"an (ith a siKB&#lin"er, a -er&ur# /omet. =No( &ome on, lots of &ars have su&h names, an" most of the &ars 9Gve o(ne" have &ome to me b# &han&e &ir&umstan&e rather than &ons&ious &hoi&e.> 9 be&ame Nuite &onservative in m# &on"u&t. No motor&#&les. No more ris$# stuff. The &ar "oesnGt move till ever#one is bu&$le" up. -# "riving re&or" in the last t(ent# #ears has been perfe&tho( man# people &an sa# thatD 9 am one of the ver# fe( fathers (ho has never misse" a parentBtea&her meeting. Fven (hen 9 have ha" to ta$e off (or$ to atten", 9Gve almost never misse" one of m# $i"sG pla# or performan&e. 9 reall# turne" in(ar" in the sense of fo&using m#self on

FIRE IN THE SKY 1#3

famil#, home, #ar", an" m# personal stu"ies =(hi&h haven.t in&lu"e" ufolog#>. 9f 9 ha" ha" an# illusions it (oul" all go a(a# if 9 ignore" it long enough, it (as a futile effort. 9 foun" out that (hen 9 turne" "o(n reNuests for intervie(sL often it "i"nGt $ill the proHe&t, it merel# &hange" it for the (orse. There (oul" be man# more errors an" a mu&h more negative slant than if 9 ha" simpl# agree". 9 &onsente" to several television appearan&es (here 9 met a fe( famous people. What (ith fin"ing our names all through the me"ia, one might eKpe&t the (hole business (oul" go to our hea"s, that (eG" start a&ting "ifferent an" putting on airs. 'o (hat effe&t "i" be&oming famous =or notorious in some e#es> have on us personall#D The surprising ans(er isalmost none. ll seven of us (ere too totall# blo(n a(a# b# the impa&t of the eKperien&e itself to be mu&h starstru&$ b# the su""en (orl"(i"e interest. 9Gve been so prou" that none of it ha" &hange" me in that (a#, but he&$, it "i"nGt have mu&h apparent effe&t on the other siK, either. %f &ourse, the# havenGt ha" nearl# the eKperien&e 9 "i", but 9 have to han" it to those gu#s. The# eventuall# got on (ith their lives prett# mu&h as if Tur$e# 'prings ha" never happene". 'o (h# shoul" 9 a&t as if it ha" ma"e me spe&ialD The eKtraor"inar# thing (as the event itself. 9Gm onl# the man it happene" to. lthough it "i"nGt &onfer on me an eKaggerate" sense of m#self, to travel to a bigB&it# television station an" see some of those famous persons (as a novel eKperien&e. -eeting the hosts (as something Nuite b# itselfbut $no(ing ho( an# other or"inar# re"Bbloo"e" meri&an male (oul" have felt to be as$e" to sit in the ver# same &hair that se&on"s earlier ha" been (arme" b# ;aNuel Wel&h (ell, ma#be #ou &an see (h# 9 (as prou" to have remaine" unaffe&te". 9 met so&&er star ,ele in the green room at 2ood 1orning, America. 9 met some &hil" stars (hose miKture of pre&o&iousness an" a sa&&harine, t#pi&all#Ba"orableB$i" a&t seeme" a little in&ongruous. ll this (as long before 'ire in the (ky. 9t (as parti&ularl# intriguing to me that a &ouple of stars 9 ha" o&&asion to spen" time (ith (ere persons (ho ha" spe&ial meaning to me. %f all the hun"re"s of &elebrities 9 might have en&ountere", (h# "i" 9 meet those (hose (or$ ha" ma"e su&h a "ifferen&e to meD 9 ha" "inner an" spent an evening (ith /liff ;obertson, (hose %s&arB(inning performan&e in the movie -harly an" role as ?.W. /oop &onstitute" onl# part of his signifi&an&e to me. )is prin&iple" stan" on &ertain realBlife issues (as the main basis of m# great respe&t for him. Then there (as :eonar" Nimo#. 9 (as never a Tre$$ie =oops, eK&use me, 9 mean Tre$$ir> an", believe it or not, 9Gm probabl# one of the fe( meri&ans (ho has #et to see ever# last episo"e of the perpetuall# s#n"i&ate" an" rerun original television series, (tar $rek. 2ut Nimo#Gs &hara&teri!ation of the eminentl# logi&al -r. 'po&$ (as something 9 believe ma"e a positive mar$ on an entire &ulture. 9t gave embo"iment =largel# la&$ing else(here> to a respe&table role mo"el for #oung people (ith an interest in logi& an" reason. %nl# m# bo#hoo" rea"ing of the

1#4 Tra'(* .a/to)

'herlo&$ )olmes stories &ompares in personif#ing those i"eals for me. What &oul" a &ulture su&h as ours nee" more for the up&oming generation than popular paragons of the intelle&t, &harismati& mentors of the min"D 9t is sai" that one of the most telling measures of a so&iet# is (ho it &hooses for its heroes. 2e&ause of our (or$ together on the set of $he <nex lained, 9 ha" a &han&e to tal$ a(hile (ith Nimo#, (hi&h (as Nuite =forgive me> fas&inating. )e "oesnGt remotel# resemble the emotionless being of his alter ego. =9 later learne" that besi"es his su&&ess as a "ire&tor of some heartfelt movies, Nimo# is the author of a number of volumes of eKNuisitel# sensitive verse.> 9 suppose our meeting ma"e more of an impression on him than 9 eKpe&te". %ver t(o #ears later, after hosting a program that in&lu"e" man# episo"es &on&erning *+% in&i"ents, he (as intervie(e" &on&erning his vie(s on *+%s. )e (as Nuote" as sa#ing that mine (as one of the most impressive a&&ounts heG" ever hear". 59tGs a bi!arre stor#, but after spea$ing (ith him over a perio" of several hours, 9 felt he (as being truthful.7 'ubseNuent to her being ta$en into &usto"#, 9 re&eive" a post&ar" (ith a brief greeting signe", *atty =earst. fter hearing of some suppose" &onne&tion bet(een her an" bas$etball star 2ill Walton =no $no(n relation to me>, an" the fa&t that the &ar" &ame postmar$e" from (here she (as at the time, 9 "i"nGt thin$ it too improbable that it (as genuine. )o(ever, 9Gve never ha" the han"(riting authenti&ate". When (orl" heav#(eight boKing &hampion -uhamma" li move" his training &amp to this area nine months after the *+% in&i"ent, most lo&als bought the eKplanation he (as tr#ing to get a(a# from the &ro("s of ga($B ers an" hustlers hanging aroun" his -i&higan fa&ilit#. The gregarious, eKB hibitionisti&, mi&rophoneB"evouring, &ameraBmugging, 5mostBre&ogni!e" fa&e on the planet7 li, see$ing to get a(a# from all the attentionD 9f #ou believe that, thereGs a bri"ge #ouG" probabl# bu#. ,erhaps li, master of me"ia, (as (ise enough not to tell reporters (hat reall# brought him here. %f all the pla&es in the (orl" to train =an" he &oul" affor" to go literall# anywhere>, (oul" he &hoose the -ogollon ;im area solel# for its fresh air an" s&ener#D -a#be so. This is the pla&e, out of an#, (here 9 &hoose to live. %ne pla&e he sho(e" up a fe( months before he arrive" here (as ,hoeniK at the boKing g#m (here m# brother 6uane traine"loo$ing for sparring partners. li (ante" somebo"# Nui&$ an" (ith a st#le similar to his up&oming opponent, ?imm# 3oung. 9f #ou (ante" Nui&$, 6uane (as the man to seeor tr# to see. )e &oul" literall# Hab t(i&e in less time than most men too$ tr#ing to blo&$ the first one. 2ut 6uane (as astoun"e" at liGs stamina. )eG" spar 6uane, then ea&h of the others in the g#m, an" get ba&$ aroun" to 6uaneover an" overnone the (orse for (ear. %n pril 14, 1970, in :an"over, -ar#lan", naturall# ?imm# 3oung lost a unanimous "e&ision to li.

FIRE IN THE SKY 1#

9n ugust li &ame here, set up his training fa&ilities at the 'ho( :o( irport =in the ver# airplane hangar (here 9 ha" (or$e" to pa# for m# priB vateBpilot training>, an" began training there for his 'eptember 2@, 1970, mat&h (ith Aen Norton. 9 later learne" -uhamma" li ha" been "eepl# into *+%s for #ears, an" that heG" ha" "istin&t sightings, (hi&h others ha" (itnesse", prior to ea&h of his maHor fights. )e tol" reporter Timoth# 2e&$la# heG" seen *+%s eighteen times. %ne of his most sensational sightings (as over his mountaintop training &amp in ,enns#lvania, as he prepare" for a bout (ith Meorge +oreman. nother of his better sightings (as in the mi"BsiKties, (hile "riving along the Ne(Herse# Turnpi$e, (hen an enormous *+% (ith glo(ing portholes bu!!e" his &ar. )e sai"C 5The thing (as so huge that 9 &oul" see its sha"o( on the high(a#it &overe" both lanes.7 liGs famous /entral ,ar$ sighting (as reporte" in one ne(spaper a&&ount to have o&&urre" in 1971, an" 1907 in a television a&&ount =unless there (ere t(o sightings>. The sighting (as (itnesse" b# his entire entourage. )is trainer, ngelo 6un"ee, (as Nuote" as sa#ing, 59t (as a real big su&$er.7 'ports reporter 2ill IeriganC 5We all sa( them. There (ere several of them up in the s$# . . . the# (ere obHe&ts . . . the# (ere lights. . . 9t hovere" for (hat seeme" li$e a ver# long time, (hi&h (as perhaps a minute or less an" then Hust, (hoosh, "isappeare" behin" the buil"ings. li (as eKtremel# eK&ite". )e starte" s&reaming, 9 &an remember, he $ept #elling, U9tGs the -othershipO 9tGs the -othershipOG 7 ngelo 6un"ee &onfirme" separatel#C 5-uhamma" (as dee into the -othership routine, be&ause 9 hear" it man#, man# times, man#, man# pla&es.7 ngelo 6un"ee (as a &lose enough frien" to be able to Ho$e about it, but not too mu&h. 59 sai", U-uhamma", (hen those gu#s &ome "o(n, please let me meet Gem, 9 (ant to manage one of those, train one of those gu#sGG&ause it (oul" of been a first. 'o, (e ma"e a little Ho$e out of it an" m# o(n little one. 2ut he (as serious. +orget about Ho$e, he felt an" believed something (as follo(ing him.7 ;eporter 2ill Ierigan sai"C 5)e apparentl# believe" that this (as perhaps the &oming of a messenger in one of these spa&e&rafts.7 li believe" if he remaine" faithful an" humble he (oul" &ontinue to be blesse" as one &hosen to use his status to a&hieve his earthl# missions, that llah (oul" &ontinue to smile upon his vi&tories. -uhamma" li (as Nuote" sa#ingC 5The late FliHah -uhamma", m# religious lea"er, sai" the first referen&e ever ma"e about *+%s (as F!e$ielGs bibli&al "es&ription of a (heel (ithin a (heel. )e also sa#s there is a ship $no(n as the -other of ,lanes that is a halfBmile long. 9 thin$ this is (hat 9 observe" over m# training &amp.7 fe( things happene" (hile he (as here that "onGt (arrant mention here, but ma#be living for a fe( (ee$s in a&&ommo"ations far less luKurious than he

1#! Tra'(* .a/to)

(as a&&ustome" to, an" training in an ol" airplane hangar, (ere (orth being able to Hog through this remote forest for some fresh air an" s&ener#. n", oh #es, getting a(a# from those pes$# &ro("s. 2ut then, he (as &ontinuousl# thronge" throughout his sta#, an" the so&iable &hamp seeme" to enHo# ever# minute of it. No(, 9 $no( 9Gve sai" 9 "i"nGt see a ne&essar# &onne&tion bet(een religion an" *+%s, but apparentl# li "oes. Who am 9 to sa#D -a#be li $no(s something 9 "onGt. fter all, he (on that 'eptember 2@, 1970, fight against Aen Norton, too. Not all &onta&t (ith &elebrities (as positive. 9 (as s&athingl# snubbe" b# one parti&ular primeBtime ma&ho television star. 9 never even spo$e to him, but he refuse" to share a green room (ith me an" "eman"e" that his segment of the sho( be move" to pre&e"e rather than follo( mine. -.est la vie. 9n the ma$eup room on another sho(, a &ertain beautiful #oung television starlet gushe" eas# frien"liness, a"oringl# hel" m# bab# son /liff, an" gave us an autographe" publi&it# photo of herself. :ater, ba&$ at m# hotel, 9 steppe" into an elevator. 9 ha"nGt $no(n (here she (as sta#ing, so 9 (as surprise" (hen 9 glan&e" over an" sa( her (ith her publi&ist. We (ere the onl# ones in there, but, having hear" ho( stars hate to be bothere" "uring their off hours, 9 "i"nGt stare, an" sai" nothing. When (e eKite" the elevator, 9 let them go first. s (e hea"e" to(ar" the lobb#, 9 hear" her (arble the $wilight >one theme musi& to her &ompanion, glan&ing ba&$ at me (ith a mo&$ing laugh. %u&h. The fa&t that 9 &an bring m#self to relate su&h in&i"ents is a measure of ho( far 9Gve &ome. 9 use" to get reall# "epresse" after some of the (orse ones. ,eople (ho "i" $no( me (ell (erenGt a problem. 9 "onGt (ant to seem boastful, but a&tuall# the people (ho $no( me best ma$e it &lear the# vie( me as an eK&eptionall# rational person. The# see$ m# opinion on their most "iffi&ult problems. Time after time, people (ho get to $no( the real me, en" up telling me the# (ere reall# surprise" 9 (as nothing li$e (hat the# ha" eKpe&te". lso, again an" again, Hournalists (ho "o an inB"epth intervie( sa# the same thing not at all (hat the# eKpe&te". 9n fa&t, 9 "onGt re&all a single person getting to $no( me an" going a(a# less believing than before. This is often the &ase (hen the subHe&t isnGt even "is&usse" =9 never bring it up on m# o(n>. Fven (hen it is "is&usse", 9 never tr# to &onvin&e an#oneC 9 Hust la# it on the table for them to ta$e or leave as the# see fit. 9 "o vigorousl# rebut all false &harges of m# &riti&s if the# are brought up, but that is another matter. 2i"ing is not &e"ing. Neutralit# is not passivit#. 'u&h people nee" not spe&if# (hat the# mean b# 5(hat the# eKpe&te".7 9 alrea"# $no( onl# too (ell. To a great eKtent 9Gve &ome to terms (ith "isbelief itself. fter all, this is ama!ing stuff. Wh# shoul"nGt people initiall# have "iffi&ult# a&&epting itD n uneKpe&te" si"e effe&t of "isbelief, an" even of belief, is one of m#

FIRE IN THE SKY 1#"

biggest troubles. 9t might surprise people to learn that one thing that has brought a lot of frustration an" pain into m# life sin&e 1975, is that the in&i"ent has essentiall# ma"e the real me invisible. )o( &an the subHe&t of so mu&h me"ia attention possibl# feel unseenD Well, 9 &ertainl# "onGt mean in the publi& sense, be&ause 9 avoi"e" most me"ia reNuests. 9n that sense, 9Gm a private t#pe of person (ho (oul" &ertainl# have felt more &omfortable (ith mu&h less of that sort of interest. What 9 mean b# be&oming invisible is being unable to get through to people as an or"inar# gu# on a personal level. -# first &onta&t (ith ea&h ne( person is &ompletel# "ominate" b# their per&eption of the in&i"ent, filtere" through the "istorting lens of their beliefs about (hat happene" to me as a #oung man. ,ositive rea&tions have this effe&t as mu&h as negative ones. The in&i"ent &oul" have happene" to anyone. 9 havenGt "one an#thing spe&ial or heroi&. 9 "onGt (ant to be regar"e" as a hero or &elebrit# for this, an# more than 9 (ant to be vie(e" as a "e&eiving ras&al or some &ra&$pot spa&eB&a"et. 9 (ant to be Hu"ge" on the basis of (hat 9 am, not (hatGs happene" to me. This (as the final "imension to m# isolation. 9 reall# simpl# gave up on forming positive ne( relationships (ith people, not be&ause 9 "i"nGt #earn for su&h &onta&t, but be&ause it (as futile. The pain of estrangement (as less than the pain of seeing someone (ho &oul" have be&ame a frien" not be&ome one, onl# be&ause he &oul"nGt see the real me. 9 fell ba&$ on the vague hope that 5ma#be some"a# things (ill be "ifferent.7 +or one (ho (as tol" all his life he &oul" be&ome Hust about an#thing, (ho on&e felt the (hole (orl" (as open to him, it (as parti&ularl# &rushing finall# to &ome to the star$ reali!ation that, on a&&ount of a single "e&ision, &ertain avenues of life (ere forever &lose" to me. )o(ever, itGs al(a#s best to loo$ for the positive in (hatever negatives (e might en&ounter in life. Fven in the (orst &ir&umstan&es, (ith no apparent goo" in the events themselves, one &an at least loo$ for the lesson to be learne". 'o, uneKpe&te"l#, 9Gve gro(n gra"uall# to see some positive aspe&ts in the aftermath. 9Gve mentione" the insight into humanit# 9Gve gaine". 9Gve broa"ene" m# perspe&tive, loo$ing at small events more in terms of the overall s&heme of things. ll those benefits are, it bears repeating, an outgro(th of the immense isolationthe feeling of being set apart9Gve en"ure" all these #ears. 9 suppose itGs onl# natural 9 (oul" ta$e this vie( of the matter, be&ause 9Gve al(a#s use" a similar mental te&hniNue in tr#ing to ma$e sense of &ompleK problems. s 9 "es&ribe" earlier, 5stepping outsi"e7 is a (a# of getting a &learer pi&ture of things. 9tGs li$e stepping bet(een t(o mirrors hung "ire&tl# opposite ea&h other, an" seeingahea" an" behin"t(o series of i"enti&al, regressing images vanishing into an infinite series of su&&essivel# smaller li$enesses. The $e# lan"mar$, (e &ome to reali!e, is ourselves, the ver# self 9 ha" sought to

1## Tra'(* .a/to)

momentaril# step outsi"e of. 9n the struggle to survive an" a"apt, m# isolation be&ame a giganti&, notB soB temporar# version of m# earlier reasoning strateg#. 9 believe that being on the outsi"e loo$ing in has given me eK&eptional opportunities to see from a more obHe&tive, realisti& perspe&tivean", more importantl#, the &ru&ial &apa&it# to &omprehen" the pri&elessness of su&h insight. 9Gm the onl# one of the seven (ho still lives in 'no(fla$e. -ost of them left for farBflung pla&es almost imme"iatel# after the in&i"ent. ,eople have often as$e" (h#, in the fa&e of su&h rea&tions, "i"nGt 6ana an" 9 move a(a#D The ans(er is that, in the first pla&e, 9 "onGt thin$ the rea&tion here in 'no(fla$e (as mu&h "ifferent from (hat it (oul" have been an#(here in the nation. n" se&on"l#, even if it (oul" have been easier else(here, 9Gm not in&line" to run from "iffi&ult#. 9tGs usuall# better to &onfront things an" let the &hips fall (here the# ma#. Not that (e "i"nGt seriousl# &onsi"er the option a fe( times. 2ut m# (ifeGs roots run prett# "eep hereL an" 9 &oul" never live (ith the feeling 9G" run out (ith m# tail "o(n. What about the other gu#sD )as the in&i"entGs aftermath ha" similar effe&ts on themD -ost of the gu#s sa# the#Gve been ribbe" about it on o&&asion, but (ere basi&all# able to get on (ith their lives (ithout too mu&h negative impa&t. 9 re&entl# sa( llen 6alis fa&eBtoBfa&e for the first time sin&e right after it happene". llen ha" rea&he" the &ulmination of his lifeGs problems, unrelate" to the in&i"ent, an" (oun" up serving a &ouple of #ears of a fiveB #ear senten&e for robber#. 6etra&tors trie" to ma$e the most of this turn of events (ith a &ontemptible shot at 5guilt b# asso&iation,7 (hi&h re&oile" on them. 2ut it (as llen (ho turne" himself in. )e $ne( he nee"e" help for his personal problems, so as part of his rehabilitation he &ame &lean, &onfesse" to ever#thing heG" ever "one. =2# the (a#, if our stor# ha" been false, heG" have &onfesse" that, too.> llenGs &ounselors reporte" heG" ma"e ver# goo" progress, an" he earne" earl# release. llen sa#s heGs &hange" his (a#s an" hasnGt ha" an# maHor trouble sin&e. )e emphasi!es that heGs pai" his "ebt to so&iet#, itGs a thing of the past. )e (ishes ever#one (oul" simpl# forget it. 9n fairness an" &ommon sense, if (e "onGt give people another &han&e, (e remove the motivation for them to reform. llen is at present over in (estern ri!ona, ba&$ (or$ing in the (oo"s for part of the season an" as an auto me&hani& the rest of the #ear. )e sa#s heGs settle" "o(n an" is finall# &onsi"ering marriage in the near future. 'omething else surprisingC llen has "ispla#e" a remar$able talent for artO 9Gm not tal$ing about merel# "ra(ing (ell. )is (or$ is a&tuall# of professional &aliber. None of us ha" an# i"ea llen ha" that in him. 2efore 9 &ontinue (ith (hatGs been happening over the #ears to the rest of the &re(, 9G" li$e to pause here to &ommen" m# &o(or$ers on their &ourage in returning to the site of the in&i"ent to sear&h for me. 9tGs totall# un"erstan"able

FIRE IN THE SKY 1#$

to me that the# argue" about (hether the# shoul" go ba&$. -an# people (oul" have Hust $ept going. 9f the# had &ontinue" into to(n to get help, man# people (oul" not have "one more. No one &an fairl# &riti&i!e them for their emotional brea$s, nor for their initial a&tion of fleeing the &raft. 9 (oul" &hallenge the bravest man to rea&t "ifferentl# un"er the same &on"itions. The# ha" no (eapons. What &oul" the# "oD Met out of the pi&$up an" thro( ro&$s at the &raftD +rom (hat the# "es&ribe the# ha" goo" reason to believe me "ea"L to attempt a res&ue at that point (oul"nGt have been sensible. n# other &ourse of a&tion (oul" have seeme" not &ourageous, but sui&i"al. 9 &an onl# than$ them for their &on&ern an" the "isregar" for their o(n personal safet# the# "ispla#e" in returning. ll siK of these men "eserve respe&t, not &riti&ism, for ho( the# behave" un"er eKtreme &ir&umstan&es. ?ohn, 6(a#ne, an" 'teve refusing to return that night (ith the sheriffGs sear&h part# in no (a# "iminishes their &ourage earlier that evening. )o(ever, 9 (oul" li$e to eKten" an eKtra measure of than$s to the other three for going ba&$ again, so soon, in the "ar$. llen 6alis might have seeme" to be one of the most terrifie" as the &re( fle". 2ut over&oming his fear to volunteer to return (ith the la(men ma$es that mu&h greater of an impression. Aen ,eterson an" -i$e seem to have a&te" most &onsistentl# (ith (hat the# felt the# ha" to "o. 2ut this is also to be eKpe&te", sin&e the# (ere the ol"est, most responsible men on the &re(. 'teve ,ier&e has (ith"ra(n from the (hole issue more than the others, but that ma# have been the (isest &ourse an#(a#. )e "oesnGt li$e to tal$ about it, an" 9 thin$ 9 $no( (here heGs &oming from. )is first marriage bro$e up over "iffi&ulties t#pi&al of &ouples (ho marr# #oung. =2ut heGs remarrie" an" seems to have his life on tra&$.> +inan&ial "iffi&ulties a"" to the pressure on an# marriage, no matter the main sour&e of trouble. ;ight after the in&i"ent an" after (eG" lost our forest Hobs, 'teve (as offere" ten thousan" "ollars to "en# his *+% eKperien&e. 'teve (as tempte", but, at bottom, (as too honest to perHure his testimon#. 'o he refuse" the offer an" (ent into the arm# shortl# thereafter. ?ohn MouletteGs marriage at the time of the in&i"ent also bro$e up, but he soon remarrie", remaining (ith the same (oman all these #ears. )eGs also remaine" at the same Hob, operating farm ma&hiner# an" ten"ing to all the usual "uties of a ran&h han", on a sprea" o(ne" b# his (ifeGs famil#. )eGs on a prett# evenB$eele" &ourse, apparentl#. Aen ,eterson has remaine" Aen ,eterson. )eGs &ontinue" Nuietl# to pursue his spiritual leanings (ith various inNuiries, but nothing allB&onsuming or fanati&alC onl# a restless Nuesting for gro(th (hi&h heGs perio"i&all# rene(e" over the #ears. )eGs remaine" a stea"# (or$er in a variet# of &onstru&tionB relate" tra"es"r#(all, buil"ing maintenan&e, house painting as (ell as some so&ial (or$. )eGs re&entl# "ivor&e", but a "evote" famil# man (ho li$es

1$& Tra'(* .a/to)

to spen" time (ith his sons. 9 (as finall# able to lo&ate 6(a#ne 'mith after all these #ears, an" rea&he" him b# telephone. )e has returne" to his home turf in %$lahoma, (here heGs (or$e" as an ele&tri&ian for the last ten #ears. )e has t(o sons an" a "aughter. )e sa#s he al(a#s has han"le" the ribbing (ith goo" humor. 59Gve al(a#s, an" still to"a#, (hen things are thi&$, (hen the air is reall# thi&$ (ith &rap, 9 tr# to ma$e light of it, #ou $no(. n" no( 9Gm even better at it, no( 9 "o it (here 9 prett# mu&h tr# not to hurt an#bo"#.7 9 thin$ 6(a#ne meant hurting othersG feelings, even though being so big un"oubte"l# en&ourages people to avoi" aggravating him at an# rate. )eGs put on nearl# a hun"re" poun"s sin&e 1975. 9 havenGt a&tuall# seen him sin&e then, but imagine him (ith his )ul$ )ogan musta&he, his siKBfootBseven frame, up on (estern boots (ith a &o(bo# hat on top, (eighing over 254 poun"s. /ombine that pi&ture (ith his positive attitu"e, an" one &an see (h# heGs never felt mu&h negative energ# from the aftermath of Tur$e# springs. /ompare" to the rest of the &re(, 9 $no( a bit more about -i$e ;ogersG life over the intervening #ears. )e ha" been m# best frien", an" 9Gm marrie" to his sister. 'o even (hen (e (erenGt spea$ing, 9 hear" all about him from his famil#. :i$e most of the other gu#s, -i$e en"ure" a "ivor&e in the (a$e of the in&i"ent. 9 $no( ho( this must loo$, but 9 "onGt thin$ an# of these "ivor&es (ere "ire&tl# &ause" b# the in&i"ent. 9 believe the#Gre simpl# a s#mptom of so&ial problems in general. 9tGs ever#(here. 'o&iet# seems to have opte" for an arra# of &on"itions (hi&h pla&e enormous pressure on the nu&lear famB il#. Not onl# "o 9 not see the in&i"ent as a (e"ge bet(een these &ouples, it seeme" that nearl# ever# one of us sought the arms of a (oman in our rea"Hustment to life. ?ohn, 'teve, an" 6(a#neall three of themmarrie" (ithin a fe( months after the in&i"ent. ll three of them soon fathere" ne( babies. The t(o men (ho (ere alrea"# marrie", -i$e an" Aen, both &on&eive" (ith their (ives (ithin a fe( months after their eKperien&eL ea&h ha" a son. 9, too, marrie", an" our first &hil" (as a son. ll our &hil"ren have been perfe&tl# normal an" health# in ever# respe&t. -i$e has al(a#s been big on his $i"s =of (hi&h there are no( man#>. When his marriage en"e" he re&eive" primar# &usto"#, although the &hil"ren have live" (ith both parents at times. -i$e has appeare" to me prett# "epresse" in his outloo$ on life sin&e the sighting. 9 "onGt thin$ he (oul" ever attribute his sub"ue" spirits to his marital brea$up, but 9 personall# thin$ it (as a fa&tor. 2ut onl# one fa&tor out of man#, in&lu"ing &hanges in his relationshipsnot onl# (ith me, but ever#bo"# important to him, an" man# people unimportant to him. nother fa&tor, of (hi&h 9 "onGt thin$ he is a(are, is the &onseNuen&e of some philosophi&al turns in his thin$ing, (hi&h have le" him into (hat 9 &onsi"er positions out of s#n& (ith his true nee"s. %ne (a# he "es&ribes the feeling he is left (ithsomething all the gu#s felt

FIRE IN THE SKY 1$1

at first, but got pastis (ith a phrase 9 use" in m# first boo$, $he %alton &x erienceC that of a 5strippe" ego,7 (hi&h 9Gll eKplain on&e more in m# &on&lusion in &hapter 15. -i$e use" to be -r. Fgo as mu&h as either m# brother 6uane or 9, but no( a bit of the e"ge is gone. -a#be for all of us. 9 &oul" (rite off that &hange as an effe&t of general maturit#, if it ha"nGt &oin&i"e" so eKa&tl# (ith the in&i"ent. %n the other han", there (as mu&h about those "a#s (hi&h "eman"e" instant maturit#. 'in$ or s(im. 9n an# event, li$e all of us, -i$e has a"Huste". 5+all ba&$ an" regroup7 is the militar# term. ;e&on&ile, amen", revise, an" &arr# on. n" &arr# on he has. -i$e returne" to (or$ in the (oo"s for a (hile, built some houses, put his artisti& talents to use in "esigning an" painting signs for out"oor a"vertising. 9 Hoine" him in some of those proHe&ts. %ne a&&omplishment (hi&h parti&ularl# impresse" the +orest 'ervi&e (as &oming up (ith a (a# to me&hani!e (ith heav# eNuipment mu&h of the (or$ (e ha" been "oing b# han" an" (ith &hainsa(s. 9n the area of tra"itional logging, there is no more prestigious (or$ to (oo"smen in the 'outh(est than &utting timber on the North ;im of the Mran" /an#on. ?ust as (ith the 'itgreaves National +orest, most of the (orl" is una(are of the lush timberlan"s Hust north of the /an#on. The usual photographs of the area give the impression of "esert. 2ut some of the biggest an" best fir timber in the state gro(s there. :oggers here &onsi"er (or$ up there to be =to borro( a phrase> 5not Hust a Hob but an a"venture.7 %nl# the best get on an" -i$e (as hire" imme"iatel#. This (as his hermit phase. 6uring one of his seasons up there he live" alone in a &abin. ,art of the time he &ampe" in a tent. %ne &ampsite (as out on a pla&e &alle" +ire ,ointC gol"en sunlight glo(ing on huge trees gro(ing impossibl# "ense neKt to a sheer &liff thousan"s of feet straight "o(n, an" beaut# so (il" "es&riptions soun" li$e a fair# tale. :ogging up there is a so&iet# to itself, but -i$e "i" (ell there right off the bat. ,erforman&e is &losel# monitore" (ith &ompleK s&ore&ar"s measuring boar" feet an" a variet# of "etaile" spe&ifi&ations. -i$eGs s&ores (ere higher than those of man# of the more eKperien&e" sa(#ers. To be able to (or$ so rapi"l# an" a&&uratel#, #et remain uninHure" in an o&&upation so "angerous, reNuires eKtraor"inar# abilit#. -i$e re&eive" onl# one minor inHur# to his an$le. WeGve seen a number of men (e $ne( $ille" over the #ears. :ogging is the numberBone most ha!ar"ous line of (or$ in the *nite" 'tates, (ith the highest number of (or$Brelate" inHuries an" "eaths of an# in"ustr#, in&lu"ing mining an" agri&ulture. That point is emphasi!e" b# the 1991 nation(i"e ne(s report of the logger for&e" to save his o(n life b# using his po&$et$nife to &ut off his o(n mangle" leg. +reeing himself from the fallen tree (hi&h ha" him pinne" so that he (oul" have ble" to "eath other(ise, he tie" off the stump of his leg, &ra(le"

1$2 Tra'(* .a/to)

a great "istan&e to his log s$i""er, "rove that to his pi&$up, then "rove himself to get help. The# retrieve" his leg, but 9 never hear" (hether surgeons (ere able to reatta&h it. )ar" (or$, har" men. 9n his first #ear of &ompetition -i$e entere" ever# loggersG &ontest hel" in ri!ona an" ever# time pla&e" first, se&on", or thir" against a "o!en, t(o "o!en, or more eKperien&e", seasone" &ompetitors. This is a serious sport to man# of the (orl"Gs har"iest men an" there are national an" (orl" &ompetitions. 9n some of these &ontests the overall (inner gets the title of 5:ogger of the 3ear.7 There are three main &ategories of &ompetitionC aK, sa(, an" ph#si&al. 9n the aK &ategor# there are a variet# of &hopping events an" the most popular event of the (hole &ontest> aK thro(ing. -i$e "i" ver# (ell at this. 9n the sa( &ategor# there is Nuite a variet# of events measuring s$ill, spee", an" a&&ura&#. 9tGs mu&h more than super eNuipment. 'ome events "onGt even allo( the use of &ompetitorBo(ne" sa(s. 3ou have events that &ombine spee" an" a&&ura&# to an astonishing "egree. *sing heav#, po(erful sa(s that plo( through tough logs li$e butter, the# ma$e &uts (here (inning s&ores are measure" in fra&tions of both in&hes an" se&on"s. %ne event the# ha" at the ngelfire, Ne( -eKi&o, &ontest (as a&&ura&# felling, (hi&h is the abilit# to &ontrol the "ire&tion the tree falls b# &ut aloneno push allo(e". The ph#si&al events emphasi!e strength an" en"uran&e but still reNuire a &onsi"erable &omponent of s$ill. There are events involving thro(ing green logs so heav# the#Gre har" to lift, let alone thro(. The log toss, not the same as the log thro(, involves time" hurling of a number of smaller though still heav#> logs onto a pile. :og rolling is a time" event in (hi&h massive green logs are move" a&ross a &ertain "istan&e an" ba&$ (ith a &ant hoo$ on a pole. 2ut the (oo"sman has to pass the en"s of the log =(hi&h is tapere", ma$ing it veer> through the narro( gap bet(een t(o pegs an" arrive at the goal (ith his log &entere" enough to hit t(o pegs (hi&h are onl# slightl# &loser together than the length of his log. Then he must return the same (a#. -i$e &ame in (ithout ever having even (at&he" these events an" surprise" ever#one (ith his performan&e against men (hoG" been "oing it for #ears, an" some of these gu#s (ere mu&h larger than -i$e. Writing this boo$ ma$es me loo$ ba&$ over the #ears for perspe&tive on all the &hanges that have o&&urre", both personal an" global. Who (oul" have pre"i&te" the brea$up of the 'oviet *nionD fter a"Husting our thin$ing to su&h farBrea&hing realignment of (orl" affairs, (e must no( hope it "oesnGt turn out to be less of a blessing than it first seeme". Farlier, in -ar&h 19@2, &ame the "eath of #n ;an". )er inevitable passing (as in a sense less of a trage"# than the manner in (hi&h ne(s of her "eath (as han"le" in the me"ia. fe( mentions, nothing remotel# &ommensurate (ith her a&&omplishments an" (ith her 5&ontributions7 =a (or" to (hi&h she might ta$e eK&eption in its literal sense> to human un"erstan"ing. t the same time, ne(s of

FIRE IN THE SKY 1$3

the selfB"estru&tive "eath of a bloate", "rugBsaturate" nihilisti& &omi& (as ever#(here, (hi&h the enthralle" me"ia en"lessl# be(aile" an" eKamine", eulogi!e" an" "isse&te", in fas&inate" "etail. The spe&ta&le (as "ragge" out morbi"l# for months, (hile the passing of #n ;an", one of the most phenomenal min"s of mo"ern times, generate" a fe( brief mentions an" (as Nui&$l# forgotten. -u&h has happene", but 19@0 (as a parti&ularl# signifi&ant #ear to me. 2eginning in ?anuar#, (e (itnesse" the fier#, mi"flight eKplosion of the spa&e shuttle -hallenger. Nothing 9 &an sa# here &oul" a"" to (hatGs been sai" about that heartren"ing &atastrophe. 9 (at&he" it on live television along (ith the rest of the (orl". The meaning of that moment eKten"e" be#on" (or"s, be#on" the immeasurable loss of the &re(, be#on" the staggering finan&ial loss of mere har"(are, be#on" the effe&t on the *.'. spa&e program, be#on" the politi&al fallout, be#on" the en"less anal#sis an" re&riminations. 9t &ontaine" a monumental s#mbolism best un"erstoo" (ithout (or"s, an" a parti&ular "imension of personal signifi&an&e 9 &oul" never &ommuni&ate. Then in pril 19@0 =t(o "a#s before the melt"o(n an" eKplosion at /hernob#l>, the (orl"Breno(ne" astronomer an" ufologist, 6r. ?. llen )#ne$ "ie". The brain tumor (hi&h (as the ultimate &ause of his "eath ha" first interfere" (ith his spee&h. )is embarrassment at that loss &ause" him to refuse to see most people. When 9 spo$e (ith him near the en", it (as sa""ening to see this on&e arti&ulate man stop in mi"Bsenten&e to grope for the simplest (or"s. 9 believe 9 ha" sense" a genuine (armth from him in our relationship. 9n 1914, (hen ?. llen )#ne$ (as a ne(born infant onl# five "a#s ol", his father &arrie" him up onto their roof to see the glo(ing plume of earthPs most famous &elestial noma")alle#Gs /omet. This (as a tou&hing s&eneit re&alls for me the moment in 8oots (here the father hol"s his babv up to the night s$# an" sa#s, 52ehol", the onl# thing greater than #ourselfO7an" a propheti& one. )e gre( up to be&ome one of the bestB$no(n mo"ern astronomers. s /hair ,rofessor of stronom# at /hi&agoGs NorthB(estern *niversit#, he often tol" his stu"ents of )aile#Gs /ometC 59 hope to see it again before 9 go out.7 9t (as another of lifeGs t(ists that Hust before he "ie" he "i" see )aile#Gs /omet return on s&he"ule, to bla!e a path a&ross the s$ies of the Northern )emisphere. =9t is illogi&al to atta&h un"ue signifi&an&e to &oin&i"en&e. With an orbital perio" so &lose to an average human lifeBspan, it is inevitable that $no(n figures might have birth an" "eath "ates so &oin&i"e. -ar$ T(ain is one eKample.> )is lega&# &ontribute" greatl# to the a"option of a s&ientifi& approa&h to a fiel" sometimes "ismall# la&$ing in s&ien&e. )e leaves behin" a massive bo"# of (or$, an" the t(o organi!ations he foun"e"C the /enter for *+% 'tu"ies =/*+%'> in /hi&ago, 9llinois, an" the 9nternational /enter for *+% ;esear&h =9/*+%;> in '&otts"ale, ri!ona. )is &ontributions to ufolog# are too numerous to list. )o(ever, regar"ing m# asso&iation (ith him, 9 &an onl#

1$4 Tra'(* .a/to)

eKpress m# appre&iation for his honest &uriosit#, &ir&umspe&t fairness, an" his &ourage to &all it as he sa( it. fe( months later, on ugust 2@, 19@0, ?im :oren!en, international "ire&tor an" &ofoun"er of ,;%, "ie" at age siKt#Bfour. ?im an" his (ife /oral starte" ,;% in 1952 an" publishe" the ,;% Bulletin &ontinuousl# for over thirt# #ears. ?im :oren!en an" llen )#ne$ ha" been &olleagues, (ith a mil" rivalr#, over the #ears. )#ne$ "i"nGt foun" /*+%' until t(ent# #ears after ,;%. lso, his position on *+%s ha" been prett# s$epti&al all through his #ears as a &onsultant for the *.'. ir +or&e on ,roHe&t 2lue 2oo$. )#ne$Gs beliefs gra"uall# shifte" "uring his last #ears (ith the air for&e (hi&h probabl# &ontribute" to their "e&ision to terminate his &onsulting &ontra&t>. The turning point for )#ne$ seeme" to &ome in the (a$e of publi& rea&tion to his infamous 5s(amp gas7 ver"i&t on a &ase he investigate" in the mi"B1904s. ?im, an" espe&iall# /oral, vie(e" ,;% as the original *+% investigation group, an" later groups li$e /*+%' as territorial infringers, (ith this parti&ular upstartGs =)#ne$Gs> previous antiB*+% stan&e ma$ing the interloper un"eserving of a""ressing the material. ?im an" /oral :oren!en "i" more for me in the aftermath of m# eKperien&e, b# far, than an# other agen&# 9 &ame in &onta&t (ith. Their approa&h (as noneKploitative, s&ientifi& an" obHe&tive. 'omething (hi&h reall# "rove home to me the true obHe&tivit# (ith (hi&h ?im :oren!en approa&he" m# &ase (as an eK&hange (e ha" (hile en route to a television program on (hi&h (e (ere to appear together. We (ere sitting in an airport (aiting for a &onne&ting flight. 9 too$ the opportunit# to than$ him for stan"ing b# me (hen so man# people (ere "o(n on m# &ase. )e turne", loo$e" me in the e#e, an" spo$e (ith an uneKpe&te" sternness 9 never hear" before or after. )e sai" evenl#C 56onGt than$ me for that. 2e&ause if 9 thought for one minute that #our &ase (asnGt genuine, 9G" sa# so.7 Farl# in our asso&iation 9G" referre" to ?im as 56r.7 :oren!en. )e hastene" to &orre&t m# error, but it (as an eas# mista$e to ma$e. ?im :orenB !en (as a ver# intelligent man. 'ome of the inventions he (as (or$ing on in opti&s, ele&troni&s, an" musi& (ere ama!ingl# ingenious. 9tGs regrettable that he never ha" fun"s to pursue them to fruition. )is (or$ on the Aitt ,ea$ teles&ope (as highl# s$ille" an" spo$e (ell for his s&ientifi& &ompeten&e. )e (as (ell verse" in proper resear&h pro&e"ure, (ith a broa" un"erstan"ing of basi& s&ien&e, though never one to put on airs. )e loo$e" the part of a s&ientist, too. )eG" ha" his bear", he tol" me, before )#ne$Gs, (hen 9 &ommente" on their ph#si&al resemblan&e. What is reall# ironi& is that these t(o men, so prominent in the same fiel", shoul" both fall pre# to the same "isease =prostate &an&er, (hi&h ha" sprea">, an" that, even though neither $ne( of the otherGs illness at first, both "ie" (ithin a fe( months of ea&h other.

FIRE IN THE SKY 1$

WhatGs be&ome of the la(men involve"D fter more than t(ent#Beight #ears of servi&e, To(n -arshal 'anfor" 5'an$7 +la$e left offi&e un"er a &lou", (ith the 6,' &oming to investigate ho( he ha" &on"u&te" his offi&e. lthough a fe( minor "efi&ien&ies (ere note" (hen his pro&e"ures (ere &ompare" (ith those use" in bigB&it# poli&e "epartments, no maHor offense (as ever publi&l# &ite". 9t loo$e" as if the# ha" &ome loo$ing for an eK&use to Hustif# their a&tions an" &ite" things (hi&h seeme" $in" of sill# to me. 9 "onGt $no( man# of the "etails of (hat (ent on there, be&ause lo&al ne(spaper a&&ounts (ere a little &r#pti&, but it loo$e" to me as if heG" been railroa"e". )e an" his (ife then left to "o overseas &hur&h missionar# (or$. 'ome (riters an" reporters trie" to portra# 'anfor" +la$e as a "umb, sa"isti&, re"ne&$e" hi&$, a &ari&ature of the smallBto(n southern sheriff. This (as highl# unfair an" highl# ina&&urate. 'an$ &an sing an" pla# the guitar (ell, an" has painte" man# (or$s of (estern art of respe&table Nualit#. 9 still ta$e eK&eption to misgui"e" innuen"os he ma"e &on&erning m# mother, but 9Gll &all a spa"e a spa"eC 'an$Gs slo( (estern "ra(l belies his Nui&$ (it. fter losing an ele&tion bi" for sheriff, *n"ersheriff =/hief 6eput#> Aen /oplan left la( enfor&ement for goo". :ast 9 hear", he (as "riving a gas tru&$ in another part of the state. Mlen +la$e (as one of the &ount# sheriffPs "eputies ba&$ in November 1975, but ha" been sheriff t(i&e before that, an" (as ele&te" sheriff again (hen -arlin Millespie retire". fter a la( enfor&ement &areer that spanne" over t(ent#Bnine #ears, MlenGs last "a# as the NavaHo /ount# 'heriff seeme" uneventful. )eG" turne" in his &ount# &ar, &he&$e" out at the main offi&e an" gone home. %n Ne( 3earGs Fve 19@@, four an" a half hours before his thir" term (oul" be offi&iall# over, his "ispat&her &alle" to tell him one of his "eputies ha" been shot. &&ompanie" b# another offi&er, he imme"iatel# left for the s&ene running 5&o"e7fast, lights an" siren on. fter all those #ears (ithout a single offi&er fatalit#, Mlen +la$eGs "eput#, 2ob Iarner himself "ue to retire soon>, ha" ma"e a routine traffi& stop (hen a mania& (ith a &ompanion Humpe" out of a &ar an" put a burst of automati&B(eapons fire into IarnerGs &hest. When the# arrive" at the s&ene the# foun" another offi&er pinne" un"er ma&hineBgun fire. +la$e an" his men set out in pursuit of the t(o gunmen, (ho &ontinue" to stop at intervals to shoot ba&$ at the la(men. The &ars of the la( enfor&ement men (ere ri""le" (ith bullets. 9n the "ar$ness the gunmen "rove their &ar off into a &on&reteBline" "it&h. 'W T teams surroun"e" the &ar, onl# to "is&over the pair ha" es&ape" on foot. The# rea&he" a farmhouse (here the# tie" up the &ouple (ho live" there, stealing their &ar. %ne of the gunmen shot himself to "eath Hust before &aptureL the other es&ape", an" (as later &apture" (ithout an# shooting. Euite a last "a# on the Hob for Mlen +la$e. -arlin Millespie &omplete" a long &areer in la( enfor&ement 6e&ember 11, 19@4. fter four #ears in the nav# heG" Hoine" the 'heriffs 6epartment in 1957.

1$! Tra'(* .a/to)

=)eG" been &hief "eput# "uring Mlen +la$eGs 19@4 term as sheriff.> Fven after more than t(ent#Bseven #ears in the 'heriffs 6epartment, the last "e&a"e as 'heriff, Millespie "i"nGt a&tuall# retire. )e (as ele&te" to the &ount# boar" of supervisors, (here heGs a&tivel# serve" ever sin&e. 9 "i"nGt $no( it at the time, but Millespie share" m# interest in motorB &#&ling. = n interest to (hi&h 9Gve begun to return . . . in"i&ation of ho( mu&h 9Gve re&overe"D> )e an" his (ife have logge" an astoun"ing number of miles on t(o (heels, &overing nearl# the entire *nite" 'tates. 'in&e Millespie (as also a goo" famil# man, the# also often (ent on (ee$en" ba&$B &ountr# &ampBouts, ea&h famil# member on his or her o(n bi$e. Their #oungest son (as fatall# inHure" in a motor&#&le a&&i"ent in 1975. 6ealing (ith that personal trage"# in the mi""le of the Tur$e# 'prings uproar must have ma"e things mu&h har"er for him, but he performe" as professionall# as ever. 9t ma$es #ou (on"er ho( he fin"s time for it all, sin&e heGs al(a#s been a&tive in a variet# of &ommunit# servi&es. )e (as a ver# popular sheriff, a har" thing to be in a position (here, inevitabl#, #our ever# a&tion is sure to offen" someone. When, in preretirement intervie(s for the lo&al papers, Millespie (as as$e" (hat (ere some of the most outstan"ing investigations of his &areer, he &ite" t(o. %ne (as the mur"er of +re""ie ?ensen. ?ensenGs bo"# (as foun" b# t(o pa&he 9n"ians on horseba&$, about t(ent#Bfive miles from Whiteriver on the reservation, fa&e"o(n, "ea" for several "a#s, no i"entifi&ation. 9n spite of initial "iffi&ult# i"entif#ing the vi&tim, an intensive investigation b# MillespieGs "epartment le" to solving the &rime. The &ompleKit# of the &ase, the Nualit# of the sleuthing, an" the bi!arreness of some of the &lues =the vi&tim (as one of those rare in"ivi"uals (hose internal organs are reverse" from normal arrangement, right for left> le" to the &ase being (ritten up in the national maga!ine Inside 6etective. The other &ase he &ite" (as ours. $he =erald (roteC 5The most baffling (as the Travis Walton *+% in&i"ent. U+or a month 9 ha" telephones gro(ing out of both ears,G the sheriff sai". This (as another &ase that (as reporte" a&ross the nation an" all over the (orl". 9t never (as prove" true or untrue that the people involve" ha" seen something. 2ut it still pu!!les him, as (ell as others (ho might re&all the in&i"ent.7 What (ith all the &omings an" goings, "eaths an" "ivor&es, it seeme" ever#one (as &hanging but me. While m# phone (as "is&onne&te" an" 9 (as avoi"ing intervie(s, the &ontrovers# rage" on in m# absen&e. '$epti&s an" ufologists &ontinue" to "ebate the merits of the &ase. Fven in the absen&e of mu&h of the "ata in&lu"e" in this boo$, a general &onsensus emerge". When Hournalists &ame see$ing intervie(s, the# (oul" tell me the#P" &he&$e" (ith the eKperts in the fiel". Whether the#G" as$e" for the most interesting, most (itnesse", most &ontroversial, bestB$no(n or bestB"o&umente" &ase, the ans(er the# re&eive" (as al(a#s the in&i"ent at Tur$e# 'prings in 1975. 9t is the onl#

FIRE IN THE SKY 1$"

ab"u&tion &ase (ith (itnesses, an" the onl# one ever reporte" to authorities (hile the person (as still missing. 'o the# &ame to me, (ith their selfB&ontra"i&tor# approa&hC 5Mive me the top *+% stor# so that m# Rarti&le, "o&umentar#, boo$, movieS (ill ma$e me a su&&ess.7 2utC 5%f &ourse, 9 $no( #ou reall# (oul"nGt (ant to be pai" mu&h, if at all, be&ause, sin&e #our eKperien&e is real, #ou &oul"nGt &are at all about mone#.7 &&epting their h#po&riti&al messages, 9 (as embarrasse" b# an# pa#ment 9 re&eive" for various appearan&es, although rarel# if ever "i" it "o more than &over m# eKpenses. 9 (as afrai" if 9 a&&epte" the opportunities9 &ertainl# ha" to a&&ept the liabilitiesresulting from the in&i"ent, m# &re"ibilit# (oul" be "amage". The (riters (ere right to that "egreeC 9 "i" value &re"ibilit# more than 9 "i" fair &ompensation. 9 starte" turning "o(n almost all offers (ithout (aiting to hear the entire pit&h. No (a# (as 9 going to 5sell out.7 +rien"s hastene" to a"vise me other(ise. 53ouGve a perfe&t right to those opportunities,7 the# reasone". 59t &oul"nGt even begin to ma$e up for (hat itGs &ost #ou. 9tGs no "ifferent from an#one telling of an unusual life eKperien&e.7 The# sai", 59tGs li$e people a&&using the gu#s (ho survive" that plane &rash in the (il"erness, of "eliberatel# "o(ning their plane an" en"uring the hell of &annibalism Hust so the# &oul" sell their stor#. 9t "oesnGt matter (hat #our "etra&tors sa#, the#G" suspe&t #ou in an# &ase.7 The# tol" me to get out there an" ma$e the most of m# eKperien&e. 2ut 9 "i"nGt &are about that. 9 felt, as the line ran in one of the songs about our eKperien&e, 5:eave me alone an" give me time to thin$.7 t that time 9 (oul" have preferre" to have it all forgotten.

CHAPTER 14
The -a$ing of +ire
%ho teach the mind its ro er face to scan, And hold the faithful mirror u to man. ;obert :lo#", from The &tor

fter a number of #ears, things began to Nuiet "o(n a litB tle. :etters &ame less freNuentl#. ,eople "i"nGt see$ me out so oftenespe&iall# reporters. s al(a#s, there (ere programs an" arti&les pro"u&e" b# Hournalists (ho "i"nGt "o an# firsthan" resear&h =(hi&h of &ourse (ere the least a&&urate> but even these (ere fe(er an" farther bet(een. 9t seeme" safe to have a telephone reinstalle". t one point the "isa"vantages of having one ha" heavil# out(eighe" the a"vantages, but those a"vantages (ere &onsi"erable. 9n to"a#Gs (orl" itGs reall# har" to &on"u&t #our normal "a#B toB"a# affairs (ithout a telephone. 9f problems "evelope", 9 &oul" al(a#s have it ta$en out again, or have the poli&e or"er the installation of another line trap b# the phone &ompan#. The poli&e investigation of that earl# series of si&$ threats ha" put an abrupt halt to it. =/aller 96 ha"nGt been "evelope" at that time.> 'o, 9 too$ the plunge. Wel&ome ba&$ to the t(entieth &entur#. What a laborB saving "evi&e the telephone is. oneBminute &all spare" me a t(ent#B minute trip. ?obBrelate" Nuestions (ere Nui&$l# resolve". 9t (as mu&h easier to sta# in tou&h (ith frien"s an" relatives. n" 9 (as gla" to relieve some of the isolation 6ana ha" been en"uring. Fver#thing seeme" great. 2ut then, right off the bat 9 re&eive" a &all from this gu# name" Tra&# Tarme.

FIRE IN THE SKY 1$$

)e (ante" to ma$e a movie. 9G" hear" it all before. (riter, "iB aor, or pro"u&er (oul" &all, (rite, or &ome to 'no(fla$e, to tr# to perB ma"e me to grant rights for a movie to be ma"e. 9 listene" to some of those but eventuall# the same message filtere" through. The t(o things that put me off (ere =1> failing to &onvin&e me the material (oul" not reB give a sensationalisti&, eKploitive treatmentL an" =2> no one &oul" sho( me ho(] 9 &oul" avoi" being per&eive" as 5selling out7 (ithout being ta$en a"B vantage of. 9 &oul"nGt see an# (a# the net result (oul" not be negative. -# life ha" senle" some. 9 ha" in&he" for(ar" to(ar" being a&&epte" for m#self in a fe( relationships. What &oul" a movie bring to m# lifeD 'tir up all the ol" &ontroversies, animosities, an" ri"i&uleD Woul"nGt a movie, the a&&ompaB irKig resear&h an" promotion, result in further publi& "isse&tion of me an" m# lifeD Woul"nGt it onl# put the bug ba&$ in the Harthis time un"er a spotB -/W.9D 9 tol" -r. Torme 9 (asnGt intereste". 'till, 9 sense" something "ifferent 9t his approa&h. )e seeme" better informe" on the fa&ts an" "etails of the in&i"ent than an# of the others. 'o, (hen he persiste", (anting me to (ait to ma$e a final "e&ision until after he ha" &ome to 'no(fla$e for a fa&eBtoB fa&e meeting, 9 agree". )is interest in a personal meeting (asnGt espe&iall# persuasiveL others ha" met me fa&eBtoBfa&e. When he arrive" at m# house after a he&ti& "rive through some &ra!# (eather, his father, -el Torme, &alle". Tra&# seeme" embarrasse" his "a" (as &he&$ing on the safet# of his gro(n son. 9 thought it (as neat. Neat that 9 got to spea$ to -el Torme himself, an" neat that even in )oll#(oo", fathers &oul" still a&t li$e "a"s. 9 (as impresse" (ith Tra&#Gs sin&erit# (hen he emphasi!e" his intent to sta# true to the material. There "i"nGt seem to be an# sense in his pa#ing su&h &lose attention to the "etails of the in&i"ent if he "i"nGt plan to sta# true to those "etails. 6uring his sta# he &ontinue" to investigate the in&iB "ent &losel# an" impartiall#. 9 too$ his obHe&tivit# in that regar" as a sign of ho( he (oul" treat a "ramati& interpretation of the stor#. 2ut the fa&tor that persua"e" me more than an#thing (as something he sai". We (ere sitting in a booth at the "oughnut shop a&ross from the post offi&e, (at&hing the lo&al traffi& &ome an" go outsi"e the (in"o(. 9 remar$e" on ho( fe( of those people seeme" to base their opinions &on&erning the in&i"ent on the fa&tsL their opinions seeme" to be mostl# "erive" from their preHu"i&es an" emotions. Tra&# respon"e" that a movie (oul" in"u&e people to eKperien&e the sighting an" its aftermath for themselves an" open up their thin$ing about 9 That vie(point imme"iatel# &li&$e" for me. 9n m# first boo$ 9G" eKpresse" he "esire 5to put rea"ers (here (e (ere (hen it happene",7 be&ause it (as the onl# approa&h 9 thought &apable of removing the preHu"i&es preventing obHe&tive anal#sis of the fa&ts.

2&& Tra'(* .a/to)

9t ha"nGt reall# "a(ne" on me there (ere better (a#s than a boo$ to a&hieve that. Tra&#Gs &omment ma"e me imme"iatel# reali!e that nothing in &urrent eKisten&e &oul" eNual the po(er of film to impart vi&arious eKperien&e. ,eople might be move" to reeKamine the fa&ts, perhaps even to see$ out more &omplete information. To get people thin$ingC %ne &oul" rea&h for more, but that in itself (as no mo"est goal. That prospe&t &lin&he" it for me. 9 (oul" have an opportunit# to be un"erstoo", to be seen for (hat 9 reall# am. 9G" have a &han&e to &orre&t publishe" mis&on&eptions about m#self. 'o 9 signe". 9 "onGt $no( (hether the# thought 9 (as simpl# foolish, or if the# finall# un"erstoo" (h#, but ever# time it &ame to signing papers, the# (ere surprise" that the points 9 negotiate" most earnestl# (ere matters un&onne&te" (ith the mone#. %ne thing 9 (ante", but soon reali!e" (as out of the Nuestion, (as the right to maintain some sa# over the stor#Gs treatment. lmost no (riters, not even topB name authors, get &reative &ontrol. 9 &ame to un"erstan" (h# that is so. /reativit# is an in"ivi"ual thing. %n su&h a proHe&t, to share the &reative &ontrol =in films, normall# the "ire&torGs perogative> (oul" lea" to inevitable "issension, (ith no builtBin means of resolution. To give &omplete &reative &ontrol to a (riter (oul" be the eNuivalent of ma$ing him the "ire&tor. What stu"io (oul" sta$e the out&ome of a proHe&t in (hi&h it invests tens of millions of "ollars, on the Hu"gment of someone (ho might not $no( the first thing about the various &onsi"erations to (hi&h a stu"io gives priorit# =&hiefl#, &ommer&ial su&&ess>, to sa# nothing of te&hni&al un"erstan"ing of the filmma$ing pro&essD 'o 9 $ne( the minute 9 signe" on that "otte" line 9 (as essentiall# rel#B ing on m# trust in the s&ript(riter, Tra&# Torme, to sti&$ b# our un"erstan"ing. ,art of m# agreement (as to assist in gathering permission signatures from others involve" in the stor#. 9 pursue" this "iligentl#, putting Torme in tou&h (ith a number of the prin&ipals. 9 ran into some problems, ho(ever. 'teve ,ier&eGs famil# (erenGt anKious to help me lo&ate him. We ran out of lea"s in our sear&h for 6(a#ne 'mith. n" Aen ,eterson simpl# refuse" to sign. 9t (asnGt the mone#. )e felt some personal prin&iple (oul" be violate" b# his signing. We never figure" out (hat it (as, but his "e&ision (as final. +a&e" (ith these roa"blo&$s, 9 (on"ere" ho( the proHe&t &oul" go for(ar". )o( &oul" an#one have rights to his o(n life stor#, if telling it reNuire" getting signatures from ever#one in #our lifeD The ans(er &ame ba&$. ,ermission (asnGt ne&essar#, but (as sought an#(a# Hust for goo" measure. 'tu"io la(#ers are a &age# lot. 9 finall# spo$e (ith 'teve ,ier&e an" he gave his verbal o$a#. Tra&# (oul" have to fl# to TeKas for a meeting. 'in&e Tra&# alrea"# reali!e" t(o other &hara&ters (ere unli$el# to be signe" on, he sai", 5+orget it.7 n#one not on

FIRE IN THE SKY 2&1

boar" at this point (oul" simpl# lose his &han&e at a little eKtra &ash. To appease la(#ers, those persons (oul" be repla&e" (ith fi&tional &hara&ters. That ne(s "i"nGt bu"ge Aenn#L so thatGs ho( (e left it. 9 (as uneas# about fi&tionali!ing. Woul" this open the floo"gates to more "epartures from the original stor#D Tra&# assure" me it (oul" not. s an interesting asi"e, the transformation boo$s, in&lu"ing realBlife stories, un"ergo in translation to the s&reen is legen"ar#. ,eople routinel# &ompare the boo$ an" the movie, eKpressing preferen&e for one or the other, the fa&t that the# often "iffer greatl# not "ra(ing &omment. That situation (ith film lea"s people to assume that, in publishing, authors routinel# turn in manus&ripts (hi&h the publishers then substantiall# alter through massive 5e"iting7 so eKtensive it amounts to Nuasi ghost(riting. 9 "onGt thin$ that is so &ommon as believe"L it &ertainl# hasnGt been the &ase (ith me. FK&ept for proofrea"ing sorts of errors, an" a &ertain passage m# e"itor suggeste", &orre&tl#, (oul" be best presente" in an earlier &hapter, m# first boo$ (as publishe" virtuall# (or"BforB(or" as 9 submitte" it. = n" for the re&or", thereGs been no effort to bring this a&&ount into line (ith (hat the film "i" (ith the stor#. The greater insight an" un"erstan"ing 9 have gaine" sin&e then "i" allo( me to "o more than &orre&t errorsL 9Gve a""e" things 9Gve sin&e remembere" or "is&overe", an" generall# refine" some of that earlier material.> 'igning an agreement (ith a (riter8pro"u&er, as 9 ha", "oes not automati&all# mean a movie (ill be ma"e. s 9 (as to learn, the &han&es are astronomi&al against an# parti&ular s&ript a&tuall# be&oming a feature film up on the big s&reen. 9n terms of numbers alone, the o""s are over(helming, be&ause onl# a tin# fra&tion of available s&ripts &an possibl# be pro"u&e". There are onl# so man# "evelopment "ollars, an" ultimatel# onl# so man# theater ti&$ets that (ill be bought in a given time. %nl# a fe( "o!en maHor ne( movies are ma"e per #ear, an" onl# some of those are su&&essful. -ean(hile there are nearl# a hun"re" thousan" s&ripts &ir&ulating on the mar$et at an# one time, (ith over fort# thousan" ne( ones registere" ever# #ear. )o(ever, thereGs no shortage of hopefuls tr#ing to generate interest in their parti&ular proHe&t. The o""s against us (erenGt merel# a matter of numbers. 9t (oul" be ba" enough if the pla#ing fiel" (ere level, but itGs far from that. The &ompetitionGs first line of a"vantage is hel" b# the man# (riters an" "ire&tors (ith 5stan"ing7hugel# su&&essful tra&$ re&or"s an" establishe" &onne&tions. =Theoreti&all# there are enough of these to fill ever# available slot.> There are those (ho get a hearing through eKtraor"inar# manipulationC &ontrive" &oin&i"ental meetings, frien"BofBaBfrien" &onne&tions, return of a favor, &asting &ou&h, eKtortion, an" signature at $nifepoint. =?ust $i""ingO> Then there are the tren"Bfollo(ersC proHe&ts &lone" from the last &rop of su&&esses, for (hi&h

2&2 Tra'(* .a/to)

inse&ure "e&isionBma$ers al(a#s have a &ompulsive attra&tion. This is not to impl# (riter8pro"u&er Tra&# Torme (as &ompletel# (ithout tra&$ re&or" an" &onne&tions. )e (as &ertainl# averse to invo$ing his famous fatherGs name to open "oors, an" bristle" at o&&asionall# being intro"u&e" as 5-el TormeGs son.7 )e ha" no nee" of nepotism. )e ha" (ritten the -Mo&&ult thriller ( ellbinder, (hi&h starre" Tim 6al# an" Aell# ,reston. )eG" been a su&&essful (riter for /ana"aGs a(ar"B(inning (-$9, (riter8filmma$er for (aturday /ight )ive, an" eKe&utive stor#Be"itor an" &reative &onsultant for (tar $rek? $he /ext 2eneration. )e (rote siK episo"es for the series, among them the ,eabo"# (ar"B(inning 5The 2ig Moo"B b#e.7 )o(ever, no( he ha" his (or$ &ut out for him. )oll#(oo" is famous for the euphemisti& "e&line. ;efusals are routine, but rarel# "oes an#one utter the 5N (or"7 outright. simple no (oul" a&tuall# save a lot of (aste" time for all &on&erne", so (h# notD ,artl# be&ause it is "iffi&ult to "es&en" from Tinselto(n h#pe, in (hi&h ever# proHe&t is 5(on"erful,7 5tremen"ous,^ 5fantasti&,7 an" 5maaarvelous.7 No one ever Hust 5li$es7 something, the# love it, the# a"ore it, or the# are intensel# eK&ite" b# it. 'o b# this inflate" &urren&#, ever#thing be&omes artifi&iall# elevate". 3ouGre lu&$# to get a response as "ire&t as, 5We love it, an" eK&ept for the fa&t that R(eGre alrea"# "oing a similar proHe&tL the onl# star (eP" &onsi"er for it is totall# boo$e" this #earL 9 love it but m# partner or boss "oesnGtL or, m# house$eeper is illS (eG" ta$e this proHe&t on in a minute.7 %ften the# Hust stall. 9f the# "onGt (ant it, (h# "onGt the# Hust sa# soD 9 "onGt $no(L ma#be be&ause, in )oll#(oo", no one is sure of an#thing. 9f the# &an $eep stringing #ou along, the# have a greater range of possibilitiesC (hat the#Gre 5&onsi"ering7 (onGt be ta$en b# someone elseL the# &an feel important an" sought after. n" sin&e the business favors those (ith goo" &onta&ts, an" no one &an pre"i&t (hi&h suppli&ant (ill be tomorro(Gs Tinselto(n go", itGs (ise not to offen" &arelessl#. While no one (ants to be the gu# (ho turne" "o(n someone elseGs megahit, stu"io eKe&utives never get fire" for being (rong (hen the# sa# noL onl# (hen the# sa# #es. We ha" man# false alarms. Tra&# reporte" ea&h glimmer of hope a&&uratel#L going b# (hat he (as tol", time an" again, (e ha" ever# reason to believe (e (ere about to get a movie ma"e. n" time an" again it (oun" up a near miss. 9 starte" getting prett# &#ni&al in m# rea&tions to the ne(s. 9 "i"nGt &ome out an" sa# so, but 9 &ame to eKpe&t false alarms. 9 $ne( Tra&# (asnGt eKaggerating the prospe&tsL in fa&t, as time (ent on, he "o(npla#e" them. Fven so, those &onsi"ering the proHe&t perpetuall# ma"e its a&&eptan&e loo$ imminent. 9 va&illate" in m# feelings. There (ere times (hen things ha" gone so (ell for me for a (hile that 9 "i"nGt (ant an# form of me"ia to &ome ba&$ an" stir things up again. n" there (ere times 9 (ante" it to happen so as to get it over (ith, so 9 &oul" get past the feeling of being on hol" an" get on (ith m# life.

FIRE IN THE SKY 2&3

t one point m# agreement (ith Tra&# an" his asso&iates eKpire". 9 agree" to let them go on tr#ing to mar$et the s&ript for free, (ith no &ontra&t, for Nuite some time, be&ause su&h an arrangement left me free to "e&line the (hole thing, shoul" 9 feel so in&line" (hen a "eal (as rea"# to be ma"e. 9 (restle" (ith ver# miKe" feelings all the (a# along. Fven though a frien"ship ha" begun to gro( bet(een us, 9Gm sure Tra&# thought 9 (as too (ar# an" unenthuse". 2ut on&e burne", t(i&e sh#. s the s&ript too$ shape, 9 initiall# ha" misgivings about an# "eparture (hatsoever from m# o(n perspe&tive on the in&i"ent, let alone an# material fi&tionali!ations. 9 ha" a lot to learn. 9 learne" there are an in"efinite number of perspe&tives, or 5ta$es,7 on an# realBlife series of events. +or eKample, a (ar stor# &an fo&us on the protagonistGs love interest ba&$ home, his relationship to his fello( sol"iers, an histori&al perspe&tive, a geopoliti&al perspe&tive, or &ombat, either as horror or heroism. %r an# number of other aspe&tsall of (hi&h are the stor# as mu&h as an# other. Tra&# &oul" have &hosen to (eave his 5ta$e7 from an# of a variet# of threa"s an" still ha" a movie about the in&i"ent. The stor# &oul" have been tol" from the point of vie( of an# of several minor &hara&ters. 9t &oul" have been "one as a ps#&hologi&al stu"#. 9t &oul" even have been tol" from an ar&hs$epti&Gs point of vie(O The natural ten"en&#, Hu"ging from previous offers 9G" re&eive", (as to fo&us on the more visuall# luri" aspe&ts of aliens an" spa&eships. fter some (rangling ba&$ an" forth, 9 (as ma"e to un"erstan" that maHor stu"ios "onGt set out to ma$e films for the purpose of provi"ing s&holarl# eKpositions or a soapboK for one personGs vie(s. Their bottom line is (ell, the bottom line. Their goal is to entertain as (i"e a &rossBse&tion of the population as possible. /ommer&ial &onsi"erations arenGt the narro(, &rass, materialisti&, irrelevant fa&tors some people represent them to be. Without su&h &onsi"erations, a movie of an# perspe&tive (oul" Nui&$l# be&ome impossible to bring into eKisten&e. Nothing is freeL #ou &anGt get something for nothing. *ltimatel#, ho(ever, 9 $ne( that onl# a s&ript fo&use" on the human stor# (oul" satisf# the goal 9 ha" in min" (hen 9 finall# agree" to permit a movie to be ma"e. The best (a# to get people to feel (hat (e ha" felt (oul" be to have them in effe&t living it for themselves. )o(ever, to the "isappointment of some, our stor# (as not to re&eive the obvious, +VB"riven, *+%Bfo&use" treatment. 9nstea", it emphasi!e" the human stor#. Tra&#C 5. . . a stu"# of ho( a single event &an alter #our life forever Hust b# #our being in the (rong pla&e at the (rong time. +ire in the '$# is also about frien"ship an" betra#alan" forgiveness.7 ,ro"u&er ?oe Wi!anC 5This is a stor# that spea$s to human &hara&ter an" behavior about our in&lination to presume the (orst in someone before &onsi"ering i"eas that &hallenge our o(n s$epti&ism.7

2&4 Tra'(* .a/to)

Tra&# Torme (as true to his (or" in (or$ing &losel# (ith me in (riting the s&ript. 9 foun" him an open, "e&ent sort of person, ver# imaginative an" intelligent, lo#al to his frien"sa ver# &entere", balan&e", li$able personalit#. -ost of those in )oll#(oo" have egos too big =or a&tuall# too small, if ego eNuals selfBesteem> to allo( an#one li$e me to &omment on or &ontribute suggestions to their (or$. 9 (as given the opportunit# to rea" (hat he ha" (ritten as (e (ent along, an" he (oul" listen to m# rea&tions. )e freNuentl# soli&ite" information from me. 9 (as as$e" for "etails about the (a# things reall# ha" been, minor things never before important enough to bring up. 9 (as able to offer insight into the &hara&ters of people 9 $ne(, as to ho( given in"ivi"uals might rea&t in a given situation. The s&ript gra"uall# metamorphose". The pro&ess (asnGt perfe&tl# smooth, ho(ever. %ne b# one, an" sometimes t(o b# t(o, "epartures from realit# &rept in. 'ometimes 9 &oul" see the reason imme"iatel#, espe&iall# (hen the &hange (as &overe" b# the rationale (hi&h ha" Hustifie" an earlier alteration. 2ut sometimes a &hange "i"nGt ma$e an# sense to me at allL (hen the events that ha" a&tuall# o&&urre" (ere ever# bit as interesting, an" as fun&tional, for the s&ript =if not more so>. We &ooperate"L at times (e argue". Throughout these eK&hanges, 9 (as ever a(are that 9 ha" no &ontra&tual po(er to approve or veto an#thing. 2ut Tra&# never pulle" that trump &ar" on me. Nevertheless, even though 9 (on on a fe( points, 9 usuall# (oun" up giving inL sometimes be&ause 9 (as persua"e" the fi&tionali!ation (as Hustifie", sometimes be&ause 9 realB i!e" there (as no (a# 9 &oul" (in m# point (ithout un"ue longBterm &ostC 11 built up a 5&on&ession "ebt7 to Tra&#, 9 might be over"ra(n (hen an issue arose (hi&h (as reall# vital to me. s Tra&# &ast about for that HustBright title for the movie, 9 tosse" out a fe( i"eas. 9 have no "oubt that if 9 ha" suggeste" one (hi&h reall# naile" in, Tra&# (oul"nGt have hesitate" to a&&ept it. )o(ever, m# suggestions "i"nGt remotel# &ompare (ith the bullGsBe#e Tra&# Nui&$l# s&ore"+ire in the '$#. 'in&e the s&ript (as to fo&us so mu&h on the human "rama an" events surroun"ing the in&i"ent, 9 (asnGt mu&h bothere" b# the temporar# absen&e from the s&ript of the short segment "epi&ting the time perio" aboar"L it reB "e&te" m# treatment of it in m# lifeC en&apsulate" an" set asi"e for the moB ment. %ne nearl# insurmountable obsta&le to getting a maHor stu"io intereste" in the proHe&t (as the subHe&t matter. s &onventional (is"om has it, *+%s arenPt an a&&eptable topi& for maHor movies. Never min" that the# are &ontinuall# the subHe&t of bestBselling boo$s. Never min" that the maHorit# of top movies in the previous "e&a"e have ha" spa&e an" aliens as subHe&t matB er 'pielbergGs -lose &ncounters of the Thir" Ain", or his allBtime boKBoffi&e &hamp, F.T.C The FKtraterrestrial.

FIRE IN THE SKY 2&

The stu"ios (oul" &ounter that no maHor theatri&al film ha" ever been ma"e about a realBlife *+% in&i"ent, an" the fi&tional version =/lose FnB mmnters> ha" alrea"# been "one. 'pa&e an" aliens (ere possible subHe&t matB ner. but *+%s (ere regar"e" as an entirel# "istin&t &ategor#. 9n the inse&ure. imitative, ban"(agon (orl" of )oll#(oo", if it hasnGt been "one, there must be a goo" reason (h# not. The reNuirement of eKternal vali"ation lea"s to the &onvention of 5high &on&ept,7 pit&hing proHe&ts b# "es&ribing them in terms of a marriage of prior hits. +ire in the '$# has been "es&ribe" as /lose Fn&ounters paire" (ith, variousl#, 2a" 6a# at 2la&$ ;o&$, The :ast ,i&ture 'ho(, $he ,x!Bow Incident, 8iver.s &dge, an", mo&$ingl#, as &. $. meets 6eliverance. ,erhaps those &hees# ol" bla&$Ban"B(hite movies of sau&er invasions of earth, or the eK&esses of mo"ern tabloi"s, have investe" the topi& (ith an air of the ri"i&ulous. +or (hatever reason, the subHe&t matter is ver# offBputtingL the film (as a har" sell over a siKB#ear perio". %ne strateg# (as to avoi" the baggage atta&he" to the term 5*+%7 simpl# b# emphasi!ing "es&riptions of stor# elements (ithout use of the stigmati!ing a&ron#m. 9 "i"nGt $no( it then, but the proHe&tGs "iffi&ulties (erenGt an# (orse than those en&ountere" in the long prehistor# of man# other su&&essful movies. FightB an" tenB#ear &on&eptBtoBs&reen time spans are &ommon. %n the other han", Tra&# ha" been a&&ustome" to Nui&$ sells (ith his other proHe&ts. 2ut for all (e $no(, he ma# eventuall# "is&over heG" been having an unusuall# long run of unusuall# easil# mar$ete" s&ripts. lso, at times he be&ame &ompletel# preo&&upie" (ith other (or$ an" (asnGt able to push as vigorousl# on 'ire as he (oul" if heG" been able to give it 144 per&ent of his time. s 9 (rote earlier, "uring those siK #ears there (ere times 9 (rote off the proHe&t as something that (oul" never besometimes (ith mil" "isappointment, more often (ith great relief. This (as espe&iall# true to(ar" the en". 9n fa&t, (hen (e first hear" ,aramount might ta$e the film un"er &onsi"eration, m# (ife an" 9 (ent for an evening (al$ an" firml# resolve" that if it "i"nGt go this time, that (oul" be the en" of it. We (oul" part as frien"s (ith Tra&#, but (oul" agree to &ease to entertain an# future offerings. We &ontinue" to get (or" of in&reasingl# positive signs from ,aramount, but (eG" seen that before. WeG" long been s&hoole" to (ait until (eG" gotten (hatGs &alle" the 5green light7 from the stu"io. -# s$epti&ism (as su&h that 9 (as in&line" to "isregar" the green light until all final &ontra&ts (ere signe". 2etter #et, until the &ameras a&tuall# began rolling. 9 hel" off telling people 9 $ne( until 9 (as &ertain, be&ause 9 "i"nGt (ant to pa# the pri&e of stirring up burie" memories in the &ommunit# if there (as a &han&e nothing (oul" &ome of it after all. Fven (hen it &ame time for me to fulfill one of m# obligations, to furnish the &urrent a""resses of all of those (ho ha" signe" releases for the film 9 (asnGt full# &onvin&e". n" 9 emphasi!e" the film (asnGt a &ertaint#. Nevertheless, 9

2&! Tra'(* .a/to)

(ent ahea" an" gathere" them, but again not (ithout some "iffi&ult#. The har"est to rea&h (as llen 6alis. None of the ol" phone numbers or a""resses for llen panne" out. +ormer asso&iates &oul"nGt be foun" themselves, or ha" lost &onta&t (ith him. )is father, too, ha" move". 9 manage" to fin" the right offi&e in the big &orporation (here llenGs father ha" spent his &areer, but the# ha" no a&tive emplo#ee file on him. The over(or$e" se&retar# (as finall# able to lo&ate &urrent "ata in another file of retirees, but she (asnGt permitte" to release either his phone or a""ress. 9 barel# persua"e" her to allo( me to sen" her a stampe" letter for llenPs "a", (hi&h she $in"l# for(ar"e". llenGs father &alle" me, rela#e" m# message, an" llen finall# returne" m# &all. Those (ere prett# anKious "a#s for me, not $no(ing (hat to "o. -# Hob reNuire" almost all m# time an" energies, but if the movie (as reall# going to be ma"e, there (as a great "eal 9 shoul" be "oing. 9 agoni!e" over the (is"om of m# "e&ision to grant movie rights. The s&ale an" finalit# of the ,aramount &ontra&t &ause" all the m#ria" impli&ations of m# "e&ision abruptl# to "a(n &lear to me. 9 su""enl# felt "YH_ vuthat m# life (as barreling for(ar" in the grip of enormous for&es 9 (as po(erless to &ontrol. 9 ha" been lea"ing a ver# &onservative life, "efine" b# &ontrol an" pre"i&tabilit#. That (a# of living ha" been m# an&hor in the aftermath of November 1975, but 9 (as again a"rift. Things starte" happening too fast. -# &oping strateg# (as obvious (hen fa&e" (ith the inevitableC simpl# to affe&t (hat 9 &oul", resign m#self to the remain"er, an" ta$e it as it &ame. s part of the pro&ess of Hu"ging the proHe&t, Tra&# ma"e plans to a&B rompan# ;ob :ieberman, (ho (as eventuall# signe" on as "ire&tor, to ri!ona to meet me an" s&out possible lo&ations. Fven this (as not suffi&ient to &onvin&e me that the movie (oul" be&ome a realit#. We (ent to "inner at the :onghorn ;estaurant, a rusti&, frontierBst#le pla&e built b# 'no(fla$e to(n marshal 'anfor" +la$e an" his brother, NavaHo /ount# "eput# Mlen +la$e. We tal$e" an" got to $no( a little about ea&h other. When Tra&# ha" been pit&hing the proHe&t to ,aramount, heG" as$e" me to sen" a "o!en or so photos that (oul" give a &rossBse&tion vie( of m# &hara&ter. :ieberman ha" "ire&te" ;obert /onra" in the ma"eBforBtelevision movie, Will, about M. Mor"on :i""#. )e spo$e (ith s&athing &ontempt &onB &erning the ma&hismo of the a&tor an" his realBlife &ounterpart. )is remar$s (ere so "o&trinaire, antiBego politi&all# &orre&t, that 9 reali!e" a &ouple of photos of m# $arate an" boKing must have ma"e a ver# negative impression on him. =5*h oh,7 9 thought. 59f this (imp#, lessBma&hoBthanBthou ubermens&h is irreversibl# atta&he" to this proHe&t, (eGre s&re(e"O7 This (uss (as going to ta$e the teeth an" grit out of this &re( of (oo"smen to the point that (eG" all (in" up loo$ing li$e &hoirbo#s. Within the fa&a"e of those infe&te" (ith antiBego "isease are some of the most vain, arrogant, &on&eite" prima "onnas one &an imagine. 9 as$e" m#selfC )o( is an#one going to be able to (or$ an" get along (ith this

FIRE IN THE SKY 2&"

5Won"er of the Worl"7D> 6ana an" 9 eKpresse" a "esire to visit the set an", for the fun of it, to appear as eKtras, perhaps in a &ro(" s&ene some(here. The "ire&tor (as frien"l# an" assure" us he (oul" be "elighte" to have us. 6inner (as ni&e, the (estern "e&or an" (eathere" lumber of the restaurantGs interior a""ing a (arm &ountr# atmosphere. fter (e ha" eaten, (e (ent out through the (oo"en batB(ing "oors, a&ross the boar"(al$ on the front of the buil"ing to the &ars. 9G" felt a little selfB &ons&ious tal$ing in front of inNuisitive &ustomers an" (aitresses. We (ent on ba&$ over to m# house for further "is&ussion. 9t (ent "o(nhill from there. 'oon (e rea&he" a point (here the "ire&tor eKpresse" some s$epti&ism about m# eKperien&e. -a#be 9 (as rea"ing too mu&h into the situation, but it felt to me he ha" &ontrive" a s&enario, in (hi&h 9 (as eKpe&te" to stan" up, poun" the table, loo$ ever#one in the e#e an" tell Gem ho( &ertain 9 (as 9G" ha" a real eKperien&e. 9 "i"nGt &are ho( it affe&te" an#oneGs opinion, 9 felt antagoni!e" b# the situation an" refuse" to rise to the bait. To top off our initial meeting, the neKt "a# (e hea"e" out to the site in a fourB (heelB"rive vehi&le, pilote" b# their gui"e for lo&ation s&outinga representative from the ri!ona +ilm /ommission. We never ma"e it to the site. We ha" almost rea&he" it (hen (e got stu&$, bur#ing that fourB (heelB"rive in a sno("rift. We spent a number of miserable hours "igging ourselves out, (ithout gloves, sno(boots, or tools. When (e (ere finall# free the "ire&tor sai"C 5:etGs go ba&$ to )eber. 9 got us out t(i&e an" 9 "onGt feel li$e ma$ing it a thir" time.7 WhatD )e got us outD ll that struggle an" (or$ the rest of us "i" (as apparentl# onl# ineffe&tual bumbling (hile the real man save" our in&ompetent asses. We finall# ma"e it ba&$ to )eber, (et, &ol" feet, starve". We (olfe" some lun&h, then sai" goo"B b#e so the# &oul" hea" off (ith their gui"e to s&out lo&ations aroun" ri!ona. s 9 (al$e" to m# van 9 mentall# (agere" the "ire&tor (oul" never &hoose to shoot lo&all#. -ost people (oul" eKpe&t a great feeling of elation an" &elebration to a&&ompan# the ne(s that a part of their life (as going to be turne" into a maHor motion pi&ture. No su&h toasting o&&urre" (ith us. The fa&t that at no &learB&ut, abrupt point "i" 9 believe a movie (oul" a&tuall# be ma"e, &reate" un&ertaint# be#on" the ambivalen&e 9 felt about "oing it at all. portion of m# miKe" feelings one &an probabl# un"erstan" from imagining oneself in m# pla&eL but the remain"er is ma"e up of things most people (oul"nGt be li$el# to un"erstan". s Tra&# sai" of me in a &hara&ter s$et&h in an earlier s&riptC 5'till (aters run "eep.7 Naturall# the s&ript (as again being mo"ifie" to meet the "esires of its ne( o(ner. Too man# &reative min"s pulling one (a# then another &an reall# "istort something so &ompleK. ,eople &oming in so late in the game &an ver# easil#

2&# Tra'(* .a/to)

overloo$ fa&tors onl# the original &reator is &ompletel# a(are of. Fver# line of a (ellB(ritten s&ript has ten"rils an" lin$s an" s#nergism (ith the rest throughout. ""ing to an" subtra&ting from something so intert(ine" is ver# "iffi&ult for a ne(&omer to "o (ithout ina"vertentl# severing nerves an" arteries he "i"nGt $no( (ere there. shortBne&$e", fourlegge" &hi&$en (ith no (ings has more meat on it, but it begins to loo$ a lot less li$e a &hi&$en. WeGre all familiar (ith the "efinition of a &amel as being a horse "esigne" an" built b# &ommittee. Tra&# himself (as &ommissione" to effe&t the reNueste" &hanges. Fven though his position in the pro"u&tion (oul" be liste" as (riter8&opro"u&er, most of Tra&#Gs po(er to enfor&e his Hu"gment li$e(ise vanishe" (hen he signe" his &ontra&t. When 9 learne" that, it hit me (ith more than a little apprehension. Were the un"erstan"ings an" the trust (ith (hi&h 9G" enB isne" the proHe&t no( mootneutrali!e"D Was the stor# no( to be&ome (il"l# altere"D +ortunatel#, Tra&# TormeGs opinions (ere still respe&te". 9 felt 9 ha" an all# in the thi&$ of things. 2ut Tra&# (as &oming un"er pressure to "o some outrageous things to the stor#. 2ut Tra&# $ne( his material insi"e out, an" sin&e heGs a ver# (ell spo$en, &onvin&ing person, he (as able to get the more absur" suggestions Nui&$l# set asi"e. 'till, 9 $ne( from m# re&ent perusal of movieBin"ustr# literature that (hat are &alle" 5&reative "ifferen&es7 eventuall# &ome up in nearl# ever# single movie pro"u&tion. Woul" an a&&umulation of su&h &onfrontations eventuB (ea$en Tra&#Gs influen&e on the pro&essD 9 ha" to rel# on Tra&#Gs srong li$abilit# an" his past frien"ship (ith the others. 9n $eeping (ith m# rapport (ith Tra&# Torme, 9 re&eive" &opies of ea&h ne( re(rite of the s&ript. 6uring prepro"u&tion 9 re&eive" one of the more final versions. -an# of the &hanges (ere &learl# for the better, but 9 (as &on&erne" about aspe&ts of the s&ript (hi&h ha" evolve", an" broa&he" the subHe&t (ith Tra&#. 2ut unli$e before, (ithout hearing me out, Tra&# sai" "e&isions (ere no longer his to ma$e unilaterall#. )e suggeste" 9 spea$ to him. the "ire&tor, an" pro"u&ers as a group, in a &onferen&e &all. 9t (as late in the pro&ess for &hanges to be ma"e ver# easil#. 9 (as leer# of being ta$en (rong, of "istan&ing an#one. 'o 9 suggeste" 9 first (rite a letter to them, more &arefull# eKplaining m# vie(pointC
Dear !ra$(, Aob, =oe L !od, % ha&e read the $urrent &er"ion o# the "$ript and % ha&e a $omment that % #eel i" urgent that (ou $on"ider. +ir"t, "o a" not to be mi"under"tood Mbeing mi"under"tood ha" been a ma8or theme in m( li#eN % 'ant to "a( enthu"ia"ti$all( that o&erall thi" &er"ion i" greatO Mu$h impro&ed o&er an alread( ab"orbing per"pe$ti&e o# m( experien$e. % 'a" &er( mo&ed b( part" that expre"" "o 'ell thing" % ha&e #elt. Dana 'a" a$tuall( brought to tear" at the part 'here % am returned.

FIRE IN THE SKY 2&$

3either o# u" $ould put it do'n. 3ot 8u"t be$au"e 'e1re in it, but be$au"e it1" "u$h a gripping telling o# it that e&er(one i" going rea$t the "ame 'a(. But % "a( thi" 'ith $ertain .uali#ier". !hroughout the (ear" o# m( a""o$iation 'ith !ra$( % ha&e $on"i"tentl( expre""ed m( re"er&ation" $on7 i"riung an( departure" #rom realit( m( "tor( might ta)e in the pro$e"" o# tran"lation to the "$reen. !ra$( ha" gi&en me a number o# logi$al explanation" #or the ne$e""it( o# "u$h $hange". 3ot a" 8u"t "o mu$h gratuitou" arti"ti$ li$en"e but a" $lari#(ing, $onden"ing de&i$e" and a" ta$ti$" in a&oidan$e o# right" problem". ,# $our"e there are the $on$ern" o# )eeping it all M'in$eN $ommer$iall( appealing. And % $an "ee and agree that the intrin"i$ limit" o# #ilm in $ommuni$ating detail re"ult in the need to repre"ent "ome thing" not "o mu$h do$umentaril( but in a broadl( "(mboli$ #a"hion ... in Be""en$e"C o# realit(. % $an $on$ede the &alidit( o# the"e explanation" in prin$iple, onl( limited b( the .ue"tion o# 'hether one o# the"e rationale" 'a" a$tuall( the rea"on #or an( parti$ular $hange. Spe$i#i$all(, m( $entral $omplaint i" about 'hat ha" graduall( happened to the repre"entation o# me in "u$$e""i&e &er"ion" o# the "$ript. %t ma( be po""ible #or me to $ome to term" 'ith a 'ide &ariet( o# omi""ion" or alteration" o# a$tual pla$e" or e&ent" 'here 'arranted b( the rea"on" abo&e. But % #ind it mu$h harder to re$on$ile $hange" made to the mo"t $entral characters. % mean, a#ter all, 'hat i" thi" mo&ie about, i# not the people it happened to5 !he t'o mo"t per"ua"i&e point" !ra$( u"ed in getting me to agree to grant right" #or a mo&ie to be made 'ere M1N he 'ould do hi" be"t to "ta( true to the #a$t"H and M-N % 'ould ha&e an opportunit( to be$ome under"tood, to be "een #or 'hat % reall( am, a $han$e to $orre$t mi"$on$eption" that ha&e been publi$i?ed about me. %n earlier &er"ion" o# the "$ript there 'ere "$ene" and dialogue that di"pla(ed the more philo"ophi$al, thin)ing "ide o# m( per"onalit(. % 'ent along 'ith magni#i$ation and #o$u" on "ome Mpre"entl( embarra""ingN ri")7ta)ing a$t" o# mine be$au"e o# the $ounterbalan$e pro&ided b( the Bintelle$tual "ideC "$ene". But no', 'ith all the $hopping and "hu##ling in&ol&ed in re'rite", a $riti$al #a$tor ha" "lipped a'a(. %nad&ertent though it ma( ha&e been, in thi" "$ript % ha&e be$ome not mu$h more than a one-dimensional character, a 'ild, irresponsible risk seeker. %t 'a" 'ith "ome di##i$ult( % managed to open up one night to D!ra$(1" "e$retar( and re"ear$h a""i"tantE >e"lie and re&eal more to her about ho' % mo&ed #rom Pa("on 'here % had the ni$)name Bthe Pro#e""or,C to Sno'#la)e 'here % 'a" then determined to get out o# that pigeonhole % had been pla$ed in. % had been $alled Bmad "$ienti"t,C B@in"tein,C and "u$h. % 'a" un#airl( $a"t a" nothing more than a "en"iti&e good(7 good(, a 'imp( egghead nerd. So % gue"" that all that boxing, bi)er, )arate, bull7riding, hell7rai"ing "tu## 'a" a "truggle

21& Tra'(* .a/to)

o# m( p"($he to brea) out o# a pri"on o# other people1" per$eption". !he iron( i" that all % "u$$eeded in doing 'a" mo&ing #rom one pigeonhole to the next. At lea"t, to mo"t people in thi" to'n. 2ertain tea$her" "a' through it, a" 'ell a" tho"e 'ho 'ere $lo"e to me. Pol("(llabi$ &o$abular( and lo#t( re#eren$e" had a 'a( o# "ometime" "lipping out. And at m( re$ent t'ent(7(ear high7"$hool reunion the "tor( 'a" re$ounted to the group o# ho' % 'ould ne&er ta)e a boo) home, $ut $la""e" all 'ee), and $ome roaring up to "$hool on te"t da( and a$e the te"t. At lea"t no' the( $ould #eel a little amu"ed at the $on"ternation experien$ed b( our di"appro&ing, $on"er&ati&e to'n #ather" in &ie'ing thi" re#utation o# a ma8or tenet o# their ethi$. @&en thi" di$hotom( o# $hara$ter i" an enormou" o&er"impli#i$ation o# m( ma)eup, but that1" o)a( be$au"e a#ter all, thi" mo&ie i"n1t exa$tl( a $hara$ter "tud(. An important $on"ideration #rom (our &ie'point i" that, a" (ou )no', the better a$tor" are going to ha&e greater intere"t in pla(ing a more $omplex $hara$ter. 2ontra"ting, $ontradi$tor(, e&en paradoxi$al trait" put meat in the part #or them. Audien$e", too, pre#er more depth. B,ne7 dimen"ional $li$he"C are $ommon $riti$i"m" o# le""er mo&ie". ,b&iou"l(, "in$e %1m appro&ing in$lu"ion o# un#lattering trait", % "houldn1t be a$$u"ed o# "ee)ing to gold7plate m( $hara$ter. %1m 8u"t loo)ing #or a little more balan$e and authenti$it(. And authenti$it( i" "omething that mu"t al"o be a high priorit( 'ith (ou or (ou 'ouldn1t bu( right" to a true "tor(. /ou1d 8u"t in&ent the entire thing out o# 'hole $loth, and there 'ould be no &alue in beginning the mo&ie 'ith, B!hi" i" a true "tor(.C % do not drin). % ob8e$ted earlier to the "$ene o# m( re$ei&ing a gi#t o# al$ohol #rom Dali" and it 'a" remo&edH no' it1" ba$). ,ne o# the thing" he had again"t me 'a" that % "uppo"edl( thought % 'a" too good to drin) 'ith him Mor drin) li)e himN. /ou $ould "a&e thi" "$ene b( u"ing a di##erent gi#t, or ha&e me turning around and gi&ing it a'a(, or "omething li)e Allen "a(ing, B% )no' (ou don1t drin) an(more but 'ith 'hat (ou1&e 8u"t $ome through, % thought (ou $ould u"e a little "omething an('a(.C % #ind thi" one real di##i$ult to a$$ept a" i", e"pe$iall( "in$e "ome people tried to di"mi"" m( 'hole experien$e a" an al$ohol7indu$ed delu"ion. % 'a" &er( into health( eating M$on"idered #ar7out here at that timeN and "o e&en that "$ene o# me being the one 'ho ordered the but7 ter"$ot$h7grape t'i"t 'ould be "een b( an(one 'ho )no'" me a" 1P0 degree" o##. ,ne arti$le that $ame out e&en tried to paint me a" real un$on&entional be$au"e % ate 'hole7'heat breadO !he doughnut "$ene i" a u"e#ul "tor( de&i$e, but $ould be $hanged to agree 'ith realit( and not lo"e a thing. ,n page 19 there i" re#eren$e to m( not 'orr(ing about tomorro'. %# it mean" not 'orr(ing in the "en"e o# being $on#ident, it1" #ine a" i". %# it mean" % onl( li&ed #or the moment, it1" not. % 'a" #ull o# plan", "o man( that % 'a" o#ten a$$u"ed o# being too #o$u"ed on the #uture. M( brother Mthe boxerQbullriderN 'a" al'a(" "a(ing, B%1d rather li&e a da( a" a lion than a li#etime a" a lamb.C % 'ould $ounter 'ith, BWh( not

FIRE IN THE SKY 211

li&e "o a" to ha&e a li#etime a" a lion5C M( ma8or #ailing in thi" area i" that % "till too) that attitude o# immortalit( that 'a" held b( "o man( o# u" at that "tage o# li#e. So it 'a" not, B% ta)e ri")" a" i# there i" no tomorro',C but more li)e, B% $an ri") be$au"e % am $ertain o# tomorro'.C Spea)ing o# plan", the "tor( de&i$e o# Bthe dream planC being a mo7 xr$($le dealer"hip $arrie" the bi)er angle too #ar and i"n1t ba"ed in #a$t. A better Bdream planC might be the in#inite7ratio tran"mi""ion % told >e"lie about. % in&ented thi" thing in high "$hool, and Mi)e and % tal)ed about #orming a $ompan( $alled B!ran"pe$trumC or "omething li)e that, to de&elop and mar)et it to the big auto manu#a$turer". %Rd li)e to again empha"i?e that % #eel that !ra$(1" "$ript i" 'ell done and that hi" abilit( to $apture the li)ene"" o# people ha" been good. %t1" 8u"t that 'hen (ou "ee (our"el# being "ort o# "ummed up to the entire 'orld, it1" .uite rea"onable to pa( a little extra attention to 'hether or not that repre"entation re"emble" (ou. % doubt that an(one 'ould be an( le"" $on$erned in thi" regard than % am i# it 'ere them. Aegardle"" o# the extent o# Paramount1" plan" #or me to help 'ith promotion, it i" ine&itable that % 'ill be doing a &er( great number o# inter&ie'" $on$erning the #ilm. %t 'ould be &er( embarra""ing to #ield .ue"tion", or do a bun$h o# di"$laiming "ort" o# explanation" about thing" ex$luded or in$luded that % #eel "trongl( about. % reall( 'ant thi" mo&ie to be "omething % $an put m( 'holehearted "upport behind. @arlier, 'hen !ra$( 'a" re"ear$hing 'ith me #or material #or the "$ene" depi$ting m( philo"ophi$al, intelle$tual "ide he a")ed me #or an appropriate title #or a boo) to be u"ed a" one o# m( #a&orite" and a")ed al"o #or a .uotation repre"entati&e o# idea" % 'a" then exploring. So % put together a "hort li"t o# "u$h title" and .uote" % 'ould li)e to o##er again a" po""ibilitie" #or u"e in putting tho"e thing" ba$) in the "$ript. % ha&e a #e' "ugge"tion" #or 'here and ho' the"e thing" $an #it in in a 'a( that % thin) onl( help" in the original intent. At (our earlie"t $on&enien$e % 'ould li)e to get together in a $on#eren$e $all and di"$u"" thi" 'ith (ou. % "in$erel( hope that (ou 'ill ta)e a good loo) at thi" #rom m( per"pe$ti&e and perhap" be able to under"tand m( $on$ern. % thin) it i" a rea"onable re.ue"t and % o##er it in a "pirit o# $ooperation. Sin$erel(, !ra&i" Walton

9 "i"nGt broa&h the subHe&t of the ab"u&tion seNuen&e be&ause it ha" been left out of versions of the s&ript 9 (as given. Tra&# re&eive" his &op# of the letter at the offi&e provi"e" him b# ,aramount at the stu"io. )e &onta&te" the others an" arrange" for our &onferen&e &all. %ver the neKt several (ee$s the &onferen&e (as postpone" three times, then "roppe"

212 Tra'(* .a/to)

altogether. The message (as rela#e" that m# letter ha" been rea" an" not to (orr#, 9G" li$e the en" pro"u&t. This felt li$e a pat on the hea" an" 5;un along no(.7 9 remaine" "eferential an" un"eman"ing. There (as &ertainl# no reason an#one shoul" listen to meL he&$, 9 (as onl# the gu# it ha" happene" to. 9 hear" later that in a meeting (ith the a&tors an" pro"u&ers, :ieberman Nuote" m# letter an" referre" to m# &omment on the butters&ot&hBgrape t(ist, rolling his e#es "erisivel#. Nevertheless, 9 ma"e phone &alls an" (rote other letters tr#ing to influen&e &ertain minor parts of the s&ript, all to little effe&t. 9 gre( a little eKasperate". 9 (roteC 5The earliest version of the s&ript sai", UThis is a true stor#.P No( itGs be&ome U2ase" on a true stor#.G WhatGs neKt, U:oosel# inspire" b# a true stor#GD7 9 (asnGt tr#ing to ma$e maHor &hanges. 9 $ne( better than that. 9 (asnGt tr#ing to get &reative or me""le in an#thing st#listi&, onl# to set straight fa&tual things about the (a# m#self an" others, m# to(n an" the &hur&h, (ere portra#e". 'mall things from their point of vie(, big things onl# from the perspe&tive of the people "epi&te". -ost of m# reNuests (ent unhee"e". Tra&# Torme ha" fought valiantl# for the integrit# of his (or$. True to m# pre"i&tion, the "ire&tor vetoe" a fistfight s&ene, sa#ing no one (as ever going to hit an#one in his films, so the ph#si&al tension pea$s (ith a &ouple of shoving mat&hes, (ith &o&$e" fists, pun&hes never thro(n. 'ome of Tra&#Gs battles (ere (age" over issues spe&ifi&all# "ire&te" at $eeping his (or" (ith me. 9Gm ver# grateful to Tra&#, be&ause 9 $no( it &ost him in his abilit# to maintain a (or$ing relationship (ith the others. Fventuall# it &ame to pass that Tra&# &ease" to have an# input an" no longer visite" the set. To(ar" the en" of it, Tra&# bo(e" out of re(rites, &iting other &ommitments. fter filming (as un"er (a#, another (riter (as brought in to (or$ un&re"ite"> on the s&ript, mostl# on minor "ialogue &hanges. The "ire&tor himself (as responsible for more "epartures from realit# than an#one else. 9 felt 9G" "one all 9 &oul". The &ontra&t (as &lear. 9 ha" no legal po(er (hatsoever to &hange one (or". Not to (orr#. The stor# behin" 'ire in the (ky (ill ultimatel# trans&en" an# of the vagaries of its interpretation. There (as nothing to be gaine" b# pushing further, estranging ever#one from me. 9 re&alle" the opening Nuote in the s&riptC 5/han&e ma$es a pla#thing of a manGs life7 ='ene&a>. 9 thought (r#l#C 5)oll#(oo" ma$es a pla#thing of a manGs life7 =/#ni&a>. 9 broo"e" "eepl# for a little (hile, but 9 thought it all over an" resolve", not another (or" about ho( 9 felt it ought to be. When &onfronte" (ith the inevitable, it is (isest simpl# to fa&e realit# an" &hange &ourse. +rom this point for(ar" 9 (as going to be a team pla#er an" "o (hatever 9 &oul" to help. Fmotions asi"e, 5:etGs ma$e lemona"e.7 ,aramount 'tu"ios. There (asnGt a better pla&e on the planet to ma$e this movie. The stu"io ha" hel" the largest mar$et share over other stu"ios in re&ent

FIRE IN THE SKY 213

#ears, the springboar" of numerous blo&$buster megahits. The# share" (ith a &ouple of other stu"ios the servi&es of *nite" ,i&tures 9nternational =*,9>, the largest eKhibitor =movie theater> "istribution net(or$ in the (orl". %(ne" b# the &onglomerate MulfBWestern, ,aramount /ommuni&ations is a multime"ia &ompan# (ith far more "evelopment &apital available to"a# than an# other moviema$ing entit#. /asting the movie (as a fas&inating pro&ess. 9t (as reall# funn# sometimes to pi&ture &ertain a&tors as portra#ing -i$e ;ogers or me or some of the others. 9 figure" there (as no (a# the# (ere going to get an#one ver# similar to the real people. 'in&e these (erenGt people (hose &hara&ters an" li$enesses (ere alrea"# (i"el# establishe" in the publi& min", the# (ere a&tuall# free to &hoose an#one (hoG" fit (ell (ith the stor#. 9 (as in for a real surprise. 'ome of the &asting (as un&ann# in the a&torsG ph#si&al resemblan&e to the a&tual persons. /oin&i"entall#, some of the bestB naile" li$enesses (ere of less &entral &hara&ters, for (hom, as far as 9 $ne(, the# "i"nGt even have photos or "es&riptions. There (as, ho(ever, a passable li$eness bet(een the -i$e ;ogers of 1975 an" the a&tor (ho ultimatel# pla#e" him. The a&tors &onsi"ere" for 'ire in the (ky rea" li$e a WhoGs Who of $no(n names in )oll#(oo". 9t is best not to list names here &on&erning (ho (as &onsi"ere" for (hat roles, an" (h# the# (oun" up not getting those roles. 9t &ertainl# (asnGt be&ause 9 vetoe" an#one. 9 "i"nGt even tr#. Ier# often a&tors are thought of in terms of their loo$s or the roles the#Gve pla#e", rather than their abilit# to proHe&t, in &onHun&tion (ith their natural loo$ an" personalit#, various emotions an" &hara&ters. 'ome a&tors, ho(ever intensel# appealing an" popular, are al(a#s reall# Hust pla#ing themselves in a ne( situation. %thers astoun" b# their abilit# to transform themselves &ompletel#, literall# becoming star$l# "ifferent people, sometimes almost unre&ogni!able as that a&tor. %n the other han", ver# often the former t#pe re&eives as mu&h, if not more, a"ulation as the latter, be&ause people &an onl# i"entif# (ith an appeal that remains &onsistent long enough for them to feel the#Gve &ome to $no( a personal frien". Naturall# 9 (as most $eenl# intereste" in (ho (oul" be &hosen to pla# me. -an# people fantasi!e being pla#e" b# a&tors (ho are nothing li$e them. 9 thin$ 9 (as prett# realisti& on that point. 'till, there (ere a&tors (hose names &ame up that 9 ferventl# hope" (oul" not be &ast, 9 "i"nGt &are ho( big their names (ere. -# &uriosit# (as not to be soon satisfie"L m# part (as one of the ver# last to be &ast. 'in&e 9 (asnGt a regular moviegoer, 9 (asnGt suffi&ientl# familiar (ith some of the a&tors to be able to see ho( ver# aptl# the#G" been &ast. /raig 'heffer (as &ast as llen 6alis. When it opene", 9 ran out an" sa( A 8iver 8uns $hrough It, (at&hing to tr# to see him as llen. 9 (as ver# impresse" (ith the range an" subtlet# of his performan&e, but 9 &oul"nGt see him

214 Tra'(* .a/to)

as llen 6alis. Was 9 ever in for a sho&$. /ompare his performan&e in A 8iver 8uns $hrough It to that in 'ire in the (ky. 3ouGll be as$ing #ourself, is this even the same gu#D 'ame thing (ith his other films. /raig 'heffer pla#e" llen 6alis in a manner that even llen is prou" of, an" Hustifiabl# so. )e a""e" nuan&es an" a"Blibs that "ang near stole his s&enes. That parting loo$ an" shrug he gave as the other &re(men left the pol#graph tests is an eKample. 9f some even better parts of his performan&e ha" been use", he Hust might have run off (ith the (hole sho(. There is al(a#s far more film shot for an# movie than the au"ien&e (ill ever see. -ost movies &oul" be ma"e t(o, three, or even four times longer than the# en" up b# using all the footage shot. The eKtra isnGt error, itGs insuran&e. )aving more ra( material gives the e"itors more range, something to (or$ (ith to solve te&hni&al problems, an" o&&asionall#, to &orre&t stor#B rio( problems. goo" e"itor has to be prepare" to eK&lu"e outstan"ing s&enes if the# "onGt fit in a (a# that maKimi!es the progression of the overall stor#. /onventional (is"om pla&es the optimum length of a movie at 95 to 145 minutes. The Nuestion has been eKtensivel# resear&he" an" measure". ,eople tire, not onl# of sitting, but of respon"ing intensel#. -o"ern life ma$es people so bus#, man# people &anGt bu"get more time than that. &tuall#, the#Gve foun" a large per&ent of the au"ien&e believes the# (oul" be please" (ith Hust a little greater length. 2ut eKhibitors =the movie theaters> have a goo" "eal of input into the eNuations. 'o the net effe&t of their tra"eoff of overall atten"an&e versus the number of sho(ings the# &an get into a given time span, &ontributes to pushing ba&$ running times. -ost people are li$e me. When the# li$e a movie, the# (ish there &oul" have been more. Whi&h is eKa&tl# (hat moviema$ers (ant. :eave Gem Hust a little hungr# for more, even (hen a seNuel is out of the Nuestion, as (ith 'ire in the (ky. When the final &re"its roll, filmma$ers &ertainl# (oul"nGt (ant moviegoers feeling the#Gve ha" their fill. The most favorable rea&tions =those (hi&h sta# (ith au"ien&es long enough for them to re&ommen" the movie to frien"s> are those (hi&h $eep people thin$ing about it long after leaving the theater. 9 noti&e" man# thoughtful eKpressions on the fa&es of people leaving 'ire in the (ky. -ore than fort# a&tors (ere &onsi"ere" for the part of 'heriff +ran$ Watters, a &omposite &hara&ter "evelope" to embo"# the s$epti&al vie(point. mong these (ere Mar# 2use#, '&ott Mlenn, ,eter 'trauss, ?ames /aan even ;i&har" 6ean n"erson. 9 suggeste" /liff ;obertson. There are man# reasons (h# an a&tor might en" up losing a &ertain role. The t(o obvious reasonseither the a&tor or &asting gives a thumbsB "o(nare probabl# neither one the most freNuent. '&he"uling &onfli&ts an" prior &ommitments are probabl# the biggest reasons. +inan&ial mismat&hesin either "ire&tionare probabl# se&on". 'alaries must refle&t the bu"get. 'ome a&tors

FIRE IN THE SKY 21

often "onGt even learn the# ha" been &onsi"ere" for a role, arenGt even sent a s&ript, be&ause &asting eliminates them outBofhan" on the basis of fa&tors the# "is&over earl#, li$e unavailabilit#. Tal$s (ith ?ames /aan bro$e off over a number of things, mainl# his "esire to have the s&ript re(ritten to greatl# enlarge the part of +ran$ Watters. When ?ames Marner (as suggeste", 9 (as privatel# a little "oubtful. 9 li$e" Marner a lot, but, to me, that (as the problem. )e (as so enormousl# (ell li$e" 9 (on"ere" if au"ien&es (oul" rea" his &hara&terGs embo"iment of hostile s$epti&ism too s#mpatheti&all#. 9 thought he seeme" too $in" to be har", too &u""l# to be &rust#. 9 (as (rong again. ?ames Marner brought to the role recisely the eKa&t miK of hostilit# an" s#mpath# to &onve# the essen&e of our realBlife situation. lso, his (estern image an" &ountr# &harm (ere Hust right for hereabouts. ll the la(men (ho (ere &ombine" into his role (ere please" to i"entif# themselves (ith him. +or m#self, it (ent be#on" his absolute appropriateness as Watters. 9 ha" great a"miration for his mu&hBpubli&i!e" guts# stan" against those fe( in the )oll#(oo" establishment (ho ha" not given him his finan&ial "ue from $he 8ockford 'iles. )is (as a moral vi&tor# (hi&h &leare" the (a# for better treatment for others in his profession (ho la&$e" his &lout. 9Gm not an a&tor, but m# respe&t &omes from his (illingness to un"ergo huge personal sa&rifi&e an" ris$ great monetar# loss in or"er to stan" on prin&iple. Too fe( people to"a# "o an#thing purel# on prin&iple. 9G" hear" a lot of impressive names tosse" ba&$ an" forth for the role of -i$e ;ogersC Ni&holas /age, -ar$ )armon, ?ohnn# 6epp, an" Tim ;obbins. When ;obert ,atri&$ (as suggeste" for an au"ition, ever#oneGs rea&tion (as, 5)uhD7 ;obert ,atri&$Gs ren"ition of the liNui"Bmetal man "isguise" as a &op, the TB 1444, (as in"elible. This portra#al of the se&on" terminator opposite rnol" '&h(ar!enegger in $erminator II? +udgment 6ay (as so riveting, so &ol"l#, threateningl#, pre&isel# &onvin&ing, people ha" trouble envisioning him as an#thing else. This is one of the miKe" blessings to befall ne( a&tors (ho "eliver too po(erful a performan&e in a brea$through role. The man (ho sho(e" up at the au"ition (as no sli&$e"Bba&$, lean, fiKate" homi&i"al &#borg. This gu# (as fuller, bear"e", longBhaire", (ith humanit# an" &hara&ter ra"iating from ever# pore. )e rea" the emotionB pa&$e" s&ene (here -i$e &onfronts the &ongregation =the to(nsfol$ gathere" in the &hur&h to "eman" that lo&al offi&ials 5"o something7> (ith su&h intensit# an" su&h a (i"e range of up(elling feeling that he ble( them a(a#. )oll#(oo" t#pes &an sometimes get prett# &#ni&al, but that group (as genuinel# move". n" it (as Hust an au"ition. The# &ontinue" to hol" rea"ings for the part of -i$e ;ogers, but from then on the# (ere Hust going through the motions. No one sai" so, but 9, al(a#s one to tr# to reserve Hu"gment, (as &ertain ;obert ,atri&$ (oul" pla# -i$e ;ogers.

21! Tra'(* .a/to)

;obert ,atri&$ "i"nGt $no( that#etbut (as nevertheless suffi&ientl# intereste" in +ire, out of all the s&ripts heG" been offere", to pa# a visit to 'no(fla$e, ri!ona. )e (as out "riving (ith his (ife on va&ation an" (ithout a (or" to an#one at ,aramount, toure" the area,inetop, :a$esi"e. 'ho( :o( an" spent a night in to(n. )e obtaine" m# a""ress an" &ruise" b# m# house (hile 9 (as out ra$ing m# #ar". )is (ife persua"e" him it (oul" be too mu&h of an intrusion to stop in, so he "i"nGt. 6ratO 9 (oul" have love" to have invite" him in an" ta$en him on a tour of the site at )eber, the point of m# return, et&. fter shooting began 9 got a phone message to &all him on lo&ation. 9 spo$e (ith him an" one or t(o of the other a&tors (ho happene" to be in his room. 9 (asnGt as familiar (ith their (or$ but the# seeme" li$e a great bun&h of gu#s, espe&iall# ,ete 2erg. ;obert ,atri&$ (as ver# intereste" in realit#Bbase" resear&h to in&rease his un"erstan"ing of the role of -i$e ;ogers. 9 ans(ere" his Nuestions, (hi&h (ere full of insight. 9 put him in tou&h (ith -i$e. The# tal$e" for hours about the (or$, the to(n, the in&i"ent, an" other things "ire&te" at filling in the larger blan$s in ;obert ,atri&$Gs &on&ept of -i$eGs &hara&ter in 1975. 9 "i"nGt have &learan&e to share m# &op# of the s&ript, so 9 sat un"er the &rabB apple tree in m# front #ar" one afternoon an" rea" the entire thing to -i$e. real (or$out for the vo&al &or"s, but 9 (ante" to see his rea&tions, an" to &omment m#self as (e (ent along. 'in&e -i$e ha"nGt $no( the movie (as &oming, he ha"nGt ha" the gra"ual e"u&ation 9P" ha" about the &inemati& fa&tsBofBlife an" &ommer&ial realities of the in"ustr#. The "epartures from realit# the s&ript too$ hit -i$e all at on&e. 9 eKplaine" it to him, but it too$ a(hile for him to assimilate. )e got mu&h more upset than 9 ha" but, in a fe( (ee$s he &ame aroun". Time, an" tal$ing (ith me, "i" it, but tal$ing (ith ;obert ,atri&$ helpe" a bun&h. 9t (asnGt long before he (as also an enthusiasti& supporter of the ma$ing of 'ire in the (ky. ll the gu#s suggeste" for the part of Travis Walton ha" &onsi"erable popularit# an" (ere big boKBoffi&e "ra(s. 2ut, although 9 never on&e ma"e an# outright "eman", 9 $ept hoping the# (oul" &ome up (ith somebo"# (ho fit m# o(n selfB&on&ept better. 9t (as a har" part to fill. 'ome of the preliminar# filming ha" alrea"# begun, (ith m# part the onl# one remaining to be &ast. 9 (as a little alarme"L there (as a shooting s&he"ule to $eep. 2ut the pro"u&ers "i"nGt seem overl# &on&erne". ,erhaps the# $ne( something 9 "i"nGt, perhaps negotiations (ere un"er (a# (ith a number of a&tors. +inall#, it (as offi&ial. 9 (oul" be pla#e" b# 6. 2. '(eene#. -# unfamiliarit# (ith his (or$ (as Nui&$l# reme"ie". 9 rente" vi"eos of almost ever#thing heG" ever "one. )eG" starre" in $he -utting &dge, 1em his Belle, &ight 1en ,ut, 2ardens of (tone, and /o 1an.s )and. %n television heG" pla#e" 6ish on the Fmm#B(inning miniseries, )onesome 6ove, an" starre" in the N2/ movie 1iss

FIRE IN THE SKY 21"

8ose %hite, (hi&h (on three Fmm#s in 1992, in&lu"ing 2est -a"eBforB Television -ovie. We ha" a little 6. 2. '(eene# film festival at m# house. 9 (as impresse" an" relieve". 6. 2. '(eene# (asnGt the biggest name of the &onten"ers, but he (as han"sB"o(n m# favorite out of those 9G" hear" mentione". )e "i"nGt resemble me in appearan&e an" he "i"nGt mat&h m# present sense of m#self, but he (as perfe&t for +ire in the '$#Gs ta$e on the Travis Walton of 1975. The movie (as being filme" in a pla&e &alle" %a$lan", %regon, population 744. Wh# there, ever#one as$s, an" not in 'no(fla$e, ri!onaD 'no(fla$e an" )eber (ere the first to(ns s&oute", an" the movie tra"e publi&ation Iariet# ran an earl# arti&le base" on press lea$s that +ire in the '$# (oul" 5lens in ri!ona.7 'o (e (ere "efinitel# &onsi"ere". -an# other ri!ona to(ns (ere also personall# s&oute" b# the (riter an" the "ire&tor. 'o (ere 'ilverton, /olora"o, an" ,aris, 9"aho, among others. ll (ere reHe&te" for one reason or another. %ne to(n ha" some.minor event s&he"ule" that the# (ere "e&orating for, an" (hi&h the# "i"nGt (ant interfere" (ith. n" so, in their (is"om, the# passe" up the enormous finan&ial benefits the to(n (oul" have re&eive". nother to(n (as visuall# right, but too ina&&essible in terms of transportation. The logisti&s of moving great numbers of people an" eNuipment ba&$ an" forth ma$es having maHor high(a#s an" a goo"Bsi!e" airport nearb# a maHor plus. relate" fa&tor is suffi&ient infrastru&ture to provi"e foo", housing, entertainment, et&., to several hun"re" members of the &ast an" &re(. n# su&h short&omings &an be =an" have been for other films> over&ome (ith greater bu"getar# allo(an&es (hen Hustifiable. 2ut an#time itGs possible, fin"ing pla&es alrea"# eNuippe" is preferre". 'no(fla$e (oul" have been har" for potential au"ien&es to per&eive as heavil# involve" in forest pro"u&tBrelate" in"ustries, be&ause it is a&tuall# ph#si&all# lo&ate" Hust outsi"e the forest. The pro"u&ers (ante" a to(n that &oul" sen" this message visuall# b# being surroun"e" b# forest. 'no(fla$e ha" nearl# "ouble" in si!e sin&e 1975, so it (as sai" to be 5too gro(nBup an" mo"ern to pass for seventeen #ears ago.7 No one sai" so, but perhaps the# also thought lo&al &ontrovers# about the in&i"ent might &ause problems for the pro"u&tion. n#thing a movie &an sho( as ba&$groun" is one less thing to be &ommuni&ate" in "ialogue. The# (ante" not Hust a small to(n, but a smallBto(n ho$. pla&e (here -ain 'treet fits into a single &amera shot. The# ultimatel# foun" the ans(er to those &onsi"erations in %a$lan", %regon. The to(n (as foun"e" in the mi"B1@44s b# t(o =fortunate> "ropouts from the illBfate" 6onner ,art#. The original &enter of %a$lan" still &ontains numerous buil"ings in eK&ellent &on"ition, built ba&$ in the to(nGs beginnings. 9 &an fin" in 'no(fHa$e a near t(in for almost ever# buil"ing in %a$lan"C the onl# problem is, these buil"ings are not a"Hoining an" therefore &oul" not be filme"

21# Tra'(* .a/to)

together as a to(n (ith the "esire" loo$. %a$lan" is surroun"e" b# forest resembling that (hi&h &an be foun" in our area. %a$lan", %regon, possesse" the i"#lli& smallBto(n &ountr# &harm of 1974s 'no(fla$e the "ire&tor (as sear&hing for. The pro"u&tionGs groun" transport &oul" be tru&$e" north "ire&tl# up the free(a# from :. . The nearb# &it# of ;oseburg (as big enough for a base of operations =lo"ging, offi&es, et&.>. The airport at Fugene (as still a fair "rive a(a#, but at least it (as free(a# all the (a#. +ive (ee$s of a planne" sevenB(ee$ shoot ha" elapse" before 6ana an" 9 finall# got to go. 'eems the "ire&tor trie", but &oul"nGt &ome up (ith Hustifi&ation to renege on his promisesL goo" ol" pro"u&er ?oe Wi!an prevaile". We fle( up to %regon for a (ee$ of visiting the set. 9t (as Nuite an a"venture. When (e got off the plane in Fugene (e (ere met b# one of ,araB mountGs "rivers, a pleasant #oung fello( (hoG" emigrate" from Fnglan" "uring his highB s&hool "a#s. %n the sevent#Bmile "rive to our hotel in ;oseburg, (e &hatte" about ho( filming ha" been going so far, an" about the "ifferen&es bet(een meri&a an" Fnglan". 9n regar" to a passing mention of the (or" billion, 9 remar$e" that a billion is eNual to a thousan" million here =an" in +ran&e>, (hile in Fnglan" an" Merman# the term billion "enotes a million million. 'in&e he (as a transplant (ith Nuite a number of #ears in both &ountries, 9 thought su&h a &uriosit# (oul" be a safe bet for light &onversation. %ne of the painful lessons 9Gve learne" sin&e 1975 is to never share $no(le"ge of littleB$no(n fa&ts or surprising o""ities (ith people (hose beliefs about the in&i"ent are un&ertain or un$no(n =an" therefore possibl# s$epti&al>. These people regar" su&h statements as &onfirmation of their suspi&ion that 9Gm a &olossal liar. 9 &oul" tell he thought 9 (as Hust in"ulging in (hat he "iagnose" as m# usual fa&t inventing habit. 9 shrugge" it off. Nothing ne( in m# being misper&eive" an" misHu"ge". Fven though the area (as suppose"l# in the mi""le of a "rought, the &ountr#si"e (as lush an" ver"ant. Trees gre( "ensel#, (il" berr# bushes ever#(here. %ur hotel (as one of the t(o best in to(n, a&ross the high(a# from ea&h other. ll the a&tors an" the more important &re( members sta#e" in those t(o, (hile others sta#e" in some smaller hotels aroun" the area. The "ire&tor an" pro"u&ers rente" houses. ,er$s of the Hob. When (e arrive", there (as a giftB(rappe" bottle of (ine from the &re( an" a (el&ome note (aiting for us in our room. Though (e "onGt "rin$, it (as a pleasing gesture. The area is a famous (ineBgro(ing region, so it ma"e an appropriate souvenir. WeG" onl# been there a fe( minutes (hen the phone rang. 9t (as pro"u&er ?oe Wi!an. )e (el&ome" us, inNuire" as to our nee"s, an" tol" us about the &heese an" (ine festival going on over in %a$lan". =+ilming finishe" there Hust in time for the pro"u&tion "esignerGs &re( to return the to(n to normal for the annual &elebration. -ost of the remain"er of the %regon pro"u&tion (oul" be

FIRE IN THE SKY 21$

filme" in nearb# 'utherlin.> 9t (as 'atur"a# afternoon an" pro"u&tion (as shut "o(n for the (ee$en", ?oe tol" us. )e invite" us to "inner that evening. )e sai" (eG" be on our o(n for the rest of the (ee$en" to relaK, have a loo$ aroun", an" atten" the festival. ?oe Wi!an (as the $e# person responsible for bringing us to %regon an" a most gra&ious host throughout our sta#. =?oe Wi!an $no(s the business. )e is the former presi"ent of T(entiethB /entur# +oK 'tu"ios. 2efore leaving the stu"io to form his o(n &ompan#, he presi"e" over the pro"u&tion of su&h boKBoffi&e su&&esses as lien, the rema$e of $he 'ly, 8omancing the (tone, +ewel of the /ile, and -ocoon. Wi!anGs first in"epen"ent pro"u&tion (as +eremiah +ohnson (ith ;obert ;e"for". )e (as pro"u&er of, in no parti&ular or"er, $ough 2uys =Air$ 6ouglas, 2urt :an&aster>, . . . And +ustice 'or All = l ,a&ino>, <nfaithfully @ours =6u"le# -oore. NastassHa Ains$i>, 2est +rien"s =Mol"ie )a(n, 2urt ;e#nol"s>, $wo of a Aind =%livia Ne(tonB?ohn, ?ohn Travolta>, Ioi&es = m# 9rving>, Iron &agles =:ou Mossett, ?r.>, +unior Bonner ='teve -&Eueen>, *rime -ut =:ee -arvin, Mene )a&$man>, an" (to or 1y 1om %ill (hoot ='#lvester 'tallone>, as (ell as Audrey 8ose, %restling &rnest =emingway, )2%Gs &l 6iablo, the 6isne# /hannelGs *erfect =armony, an" Tra&# TormeGs ( ellbinder. 9n all he has siK television films an" over t(ent# feature films to his &re"it. )eGs (or$e" (ith most of the top "ire&tors in the business, in&lu"ing Norman ?e(ison, -i&hael ;it&hie, an" 'am ,e&$inpah. )is partner in pro"u&tion for 'ire in the (ky, To"" 2la&$, (or$e" (ith him on the pro"u&tion of a number of the films liste" here. 'ire in the (ky (as the ver# first film to be pa&$age" b# his ne(l# organi!e" &ompan#, Wi!an +ilm ,roperties.> 2efore he hung up, ?oe tol" us there (ere shuttle buses ma$ing regular runs to the *mpNua Ialle# Wine an" ?a!! +estival. %ne of their regular hourl# pi&$up points (as right outsi"e our hotel. That evening at "inner ?oe tol" us heG" planne" to have "inner (ith the &ast in honor of our visit, but that some of them ha" nee"e" to ma$e Nui&$ trips, ba&$ to :. . an" else(here, "uring the (ee$en" brea$. )o(ever, most of the main &ast members (oul" Hoin us for "inner the neKt "a#, 'un"a# evening. 6ana an" 9 (ere thrille" at the prospe&t. The (eather that 'un"a# morning (as beautiful. 'in&e (eG" been tol" filming in %a$lan" (as &omplete", going to the festival (oul" li$el# be our onl# opportunit# to visit the to(n. The main street sho(n in the movie (as fille" (ith man# &olorful tents an" booths of the various eKhibitors an" &on&essions. The goo" sense in the "ire&torGs &hoi&e of %a$lan" (as plain, eK&ept for one thingC it loo$s too perfe&t. 9 &oul" see (h# the# ha" to 5"ress "o(n7 the buil"ings for the movie. 9n real life these restore" hun"re"B#earBol" buil"ings loo$ too ne(. The to(n har"l# loo$s live" inBHust a little too &lean, too mu&h li$e some fa$e 1954s TI soun"stage. 9t (as ironi& enough that 'no(fla$e "i"nGt loo$ enough li$e 'no(fla$e, but (hen the# foun" a to(n that "i" loo$ enough

22& Tra'(* .a/to)

li$e 'no(fla$e, it loo$e" too mu&h li$e a movie set to loo$ natural in a movieO There (as a ban"stan" set up nearb#, (here not onl# Ha!!, but also groups pla#ing other musi&al st#les, entertaine". number of lo&al (ineries an" &heesema$ers offere" taste samples. :o&al artists "ispla#e" an" offere" their (or$ for sale. We respe&te" the reNuests of the Native meri&an artists that (e not photograph them (ith their (or$. 9t (as be&ause of a religious belief, (e (ere tol". 9t (as strange to see store &hains li$e /oastB ToB/oast, (hi&h (e (ere use" to seeing pa&$age" mo"ernBst#le, house" in su&h antiNue buil"ings. We (ent to ;aeGs /afe an" 5the 'heriffPs %ffi&e7 =a&tuall# the fire station> (here the pol#graph tests (ere filme". No one re&ogni!e" us. Fver#one (as frien"l#, (ith that smallBto(n openness an" sense of &ommunit# that gives meri&a its un"erappre&iate" infrastru&ture, its ba&$bone. 3es, %a$lan" &oul" stan" in for our mountain &ommunit#, no problem. We &aught the shuttle bus ba&$ to the hotel in plent# of time to rest an" get rea"# for our "inner meeting (ith the &ast. We met (ith ?oe Wi!an in the restaurant an" (aite" for the others to arrive. The# (ere, naturall#, fashionabl# late to Hust the right tantali!ing "egree, but not unpleasantl# so. We eventuall# got together (ith the rest of the primar# &ast. )o(ever, ?ames Marner, )enr# Thomas, an" /raig 'heffer (oul"nGt be &oming. The &urrent filming "i"nGt involve these three, so the# (ere else(here. Marner (as at homeL )enr# Thomas ha" a&&ompanie" his girlfrien" ba&$ to :os ngelesL /raig 'heffer (as ba&$ Fast some(here "oing promotional (or$ for A 8iver 8uns $hrough It. 9 "onGt $no( (ho (as most &uriousthem about us, or us about them but that evening is one (eGll al(a#s remember. 2ra"le# Mregg, his (ife, an" a ver# (ell behave", re"Bhaire" bab# son (ere there. 2ra"le# ha" appeare" (ith 6. 2. '(eene# in )onesome 6ove. %ther televisionBfilm (or$ in&lu"e" the /2' )allmar$ 'pe&ial, , *ioneersOstarring ?essi&a :ange. n" he (as a regular in the TI series $he 1arshall -hronicles and 1y $wo 6ads. )is feaB tureBfilm (or$ (as notableC $he 'isher Aing, &ye of the (torm, Indiana +ones and the )ast -rusade, an" (tand by 1e. )is pleasant (ife bore an ama!ing resemblan&e to a girl 9 $ne( from 'no(fla$e. Meorgia Fmelin, (ho (as pla#ing the part of 6ana, (as one of the first to arrive. The#G" sai" she (as beautiful, an" the# (ere right. While (e (ere at the festival sheG" spent the morning on a nature hi$e in nearb# /ougar /an#on alone. No( there.s a la"# (ith in"epen"ent spirit. 'he ha" been &hosen partl# on the basis of a &re"ible famil# resemblan&e to -i$e ;ogersL it (as therefore no stret&h to note features she an" 6ana hel" ali$e. s ?oe Wi!an ha" tol" me, Meorgia ha" a s(eetness about her li$e 6anaGs. Not surprisingl#, she an" 6ana hit it off right a(a#. 'ire in the (ky (as MeorgiaGs motionBpi&ture "ebut. 'heG" been born in Ne( 3or$, raise" in /olora"o an" /alifornia. 'heG" pla#e" the lea" in stage pro"u&tions of 'ifth of +uly, 8ude Awakening, 'ractions, an" =un"erstan"abl#>

FIRE IN THE SKY 221

Beauty and the Beast. 9n television sheG" ma"e guest appearan&es in 1urder. (he %rote, Buantum )ea , an" $he @oung 8iders. 'he starre" in the ma"eBforB television movies (iege at Alta 9iew, )ea of 'aith, 6eadly 8elations, an" the miniseries -ommon 2round. ,eter 2erg =(ho pla#e" 6avi" Whitlo&$, a &re(man &reate" to repla&e the real life &re(man from (hom movie rights (ere not obtaine"> (as a real &hara&ter. )e (as a Nui&$ (it (ho $ept ever#bo"# laughing. That is. so&iall#. When it &omes to (or$ he is a ver# serious an" har"(or$ing a&tor (ho puts ever# bit of himself into his role, "oing (hatever he &an to bring out the most in the &hara&ters he pla#s. ,ete seeme" to be right in the mi""le of the &lose &amara"erie that "evelope" (ithin the &ast. That group &hemistr# (as fortunate but ver# real. 'ome genuine frien"ships (ere forme" "uring the ma$ing of 'ire in the (ky. The# all espe&iall# the gu#s pla#ing the logging &re(pla#e" golf together &onstantl# "uring their offBhours in %regon. 2ut having pla#e" the se&on" bu""# in both 'ire in the (ky an" As en &xtreme shoul"nGt give &asting people tunnel vision about ,ete. 2e&ause =something he ma# not $no( till he rea"s this> he ha" been the first name on one earl# list 9 sa( of potential &an"i"ates for the lea" numberBone bu""# -i$e ;ogers. ,eter 2ergPs other movie &re"its areC -rooked =earts, )ate for 6inner, A 1idnight -lear, 8ace for 2lory, =eart of 6ixie, /ever on $uesday, $ehacha i, an", for *' TI, Aey &vidence. '&ott -&6onal" pla#e" m# brothers 6on an" 6uane rolle" into one person name" 6an. '&ott is a li$able fello( an" "i" a goo" Hobalthough hePs not as intimi"ating as m# real brothers. 9t ma# surprise some that (e (erenGt so "istra&te" that (e "i"nGt eat our "inner, but the atmosphere (as prett# &asual an" (e thoroughl# enHo#e" our time. %n&e more 9 pi&$e" up on the fa&t that (eG" turne" out not to be the farB out spe&imens the# ha" anti&ipate" meeting. 9 believe that ha" been a fa&tor in 6. 2. '(een#Gs earlier relu&tan&e to ma$e &onta&t b# phone. 9n fa&t, he later tol" me heG" been &on&erne"C What if he met me an" then "i"nPt believe meD That (oul" have seriousl# interfere" (ith his abilit# to give his all to his performan&e. ,utting m#self in his shoes, 9 &oul" appre&iate his thin$ing. :ater, after some of the people &onversing starte" to "ivi"e into subgroups, '(eene# &alle" me over, an" (e sat an" tal$e" a(hile. )e apologi!e" for not getting in tou&h sooner, but 9 tol" him 9 un"erstoo". 9 also got a little insight into his ps#&he. )is status as a #oung single a&tor (ith a high Nuotient of appeal to female fans, an" (ith regar" to some of his eKtra&urri&ular a&tivities, have given him a bit of a (il", ba"Bbo# reputation offs&reen. 2ut those stories paint a ver# in&omplete pi&ture. )eGs a man of far greater "epth an" intelligen&e than an# of his roles have given him the opportunit# to "ispla#. '(eene#Gs freNuent &asting as &hara&ters (ith roguish, "aring Nualities ma#

222 Tra'(* .a/to)

stem from some of his offs&reen a&tivities. )e sa#s heGs latel# begun to &urb his natural instin&t to ta$e ris$s, on an" off &amera. s he tol" 6rama)ogueC 59Gm tr#ing to &ut ba&$ a little bit, be&ause statisti&all# spea$ing, 9Gve "o"ge" a fe( bullets. 9 re&entl# passe" on an offer to bungeeBHump, but 9 still (ant to s$#"ive. 9 "o a lot of s&uba "iving, an" 9 reall# enHo# that, but 9Gm not as re&$less as 9 (as. 9 use" to be reall# re&$lessno(, 9Gm Hust sort of mo"eratel# a"venturous.7 . . . 'ort of parallels some of the &hanges 9Gve been through. 6uring this (hole movie episo"e 9 pi&$e" up a lot of Hui&# gossip about the &ast, &re(, "ire&tor, pro"u&er, et&., but #ou (onGt be hearing an# of that here. +or that sort of stuff #ouGll have to go to the tabloi"s. The pleasant (eather hel" for our first "a# on the set at nearb# 'utherB lin. 2uil"ings there represente" the motel, the &hur&h, an" the homes of m# mother, -i$e, an" the &re(. Wor$ on a film begins earl#. We (ere surprise" at ho( &hill# the mi"B'eptember mornings "a(ne", but (ar"robe $in"l# lent us some Ha&$ets. The film &re( seeme" naturall# &urious, but "i"nGt Nuite $no( ho( to rea&t to us at first. 2ut it (asnGt long before 9 got that ol" familiar, 5Wo(, #ouGre not at all the fla$e 9 eKpe&te" #ouG" be.7 That rea&tion (as also true of a fe( of the eKtras, but man# of them (ere ver# frien"l# from the start. ;ight a(a# (e met eKe&utive pro"u&er Wolfgang Mlattis, an eKtremel# ni&e man (e "i"nGt reall# get to $no( (ell until after our %regon trip. )e ha" Hust pi&$e" up brea$fast from the foo"Bservi&e (agon that fe" ever#one on the set =in&lu"ing all the eKtras>. )e invite" us to grab something to eat, too. )e sent someone to ta$e us over there (ho, to our embarrassment, put us at the hea" of a long line of people (aiting there. 5*nli$e #ou, the# arenGt nee"e" till later,7 he eKplaine", 5an" the# "onGt have an#thing better to "o (hile the# (ait aroun" here.7 fter eating our brea$fast in the lo&al menGs &lub, rente" to the pro"u&tion, (e &he&$e" out the vehi&les use" in the movie. ,ar$e" out ba&$ (as m# motor&#&leor both of them, 9 shoul" sa#. 9n no pro"u&tion pa#ing out &osts of aroun" fifteen thousan" "ollars per minute &an onl# a single item of an# $e# pie&e of me&hani&al eNuipment appearing on &amera be &onsi"ere" suffi&ient. The eKpense of a s&he"ule "ela# &ause" b# a fe( minutesG me&hani&al "iffi&ult# ma$es pa#ing for "oubles of all the vehi&les a ver# &ostBeffe&tive insuran&e. 9n the &ase of our &re( tru&$, four i"enti&al tru&$s (ere rea"ie". Three of these (ere prepare" (ith allBne( running gear. *nli$e -i$eGs real tru&$, me&hani&al brea$"o(ns (ere ver# unli$el#. Fver# "etail (as "upli&ate". ll the papers, tools, an" grubb# (or$Bgloves that normall# &luttere" the "ash of -i$eGs (or$Btru&$ (ere "upli&ate" an" glue" into i"enti&al positions. +our sets of i"enti&al bran"Bne( seat &overs (ere artifi&iall# age" (ith the same assortment of stains an" (orn spots. The#G" "one their home(or$ (ell, pro"u&ing ver# authenti& (or$Btru&$s.

FIRE IN THE SKY 223

pparentl# the team (ho pro"u&e" the Nua"ruplets an" the team (ho a""e" the finishing tou&hes (ere not the sameL four tru&$s (ith ni&e, ne(B (hite paint Hobs ha" been the starting material, but i"enti&al "ents, s&rapes, an" battle s&ars ha" been a""e". What appeare" even at &lose range to be "ust, mu" splashes, s&rape"Boff paint, an" even gasoline "rip stains un"er the tan$Bfiller &ap (ere all, upon ver# &lose inspe&tion, a&tuall# paint or lumps of plasti& applie" over the un"erneath &oat. 9t (as ama!ingl# authenti&insuran&e that the mat&hes (oul"nGt be ruine", rubbing off (ith &onta&t (ith &lothing or (ashing off in the rain. %ne of the tru&$s (as built (ithout an# engine or running gear at all. 9t (as spe&iall# prepare" for the &ab to be split apart right bet(een the front an" ba&$ seats. 9t ha" spe&ial bra&$ets to atta&h steel &asters un"erneath to support the un(heele" en"s of the halves after the# (ere separate". The (hole thing &oul" be put ba&$ together (ith bolts. No, this (asnGt "one for some bi!arre spe&ial effe&t "epi&ting a &rash, laser blast, or su&h. 9t (as simpl# a (a# to allo( a&&ess for a large &luster of &amera, &re(, an" soun"man to film to(ar" the ba&$ seat from the point of vie( of those in the front seat an" vi&e versato allo( filming of the vie( from the ba&$ seat an" over the shoul"ers of those in the front seat. The latter (as "one mostl# (ith stan"Bin "oubles for the a&tors. The "ash lights (ere operable an" the spee"ometer (as rigge" to rea" spee". ;oa" movement (as simulate" b# ro&$ing the tru&$. 9n or"er for the "river to move the steering (heel in a free an" natural (a#, as if the tru&$ (ere a&tuall# moving, the steering (heel (as "is&onne&te" from the front (heels. This ma"e the front half "iffi&ult to maneuver (hen it (as off the trailer. +or night s&enes there (as no nee" for a "ar$ene" buil"ing, or to (ait for night. spe&ial lightproof bla&$ tent (as Nui&$l# frame" up an" pla&e" over the (hole unittru&$, "ollies, film an" soun" eNuipment, an" operators. The bla&$Btent tri&$ (as also use" to &over the eKterior "oors an" (in"o(s of buil"ings use" in interior nighttime filming, as in the motel offi&e s&ene. 2ut for eKterior night shots, real, 144Bper&entBnatural, una"ulterate" night (as emplo#e". The same thing (ith the s&enes out on the &ontra&t real trees, real &hainsa(s. These (ere some of the first s&enes shot in %regon. :o&al loggers (ere hire" to train the a&tors pla#ing the &re( of (oo"smen. The# (ere taught ho( to han"le &hainsa(s, ho( to fell trees. The# "is&overe" that felling a tree a&&uratel# is no simple thing. ;obert ,atri&$ relate" an amusing in&i"ent, (hen he (as suppose" to fell a tree on a parti&ular spot, an" (oun" up sen"ing a film &re( s&rambling in all "ire&tions (hen the tree "i"nGt as the# sa# in "ire&torGs lingo5hit its mar$.7 9t (as a goo" thing the forest s&enes up on 2oomer )ill (ere shot first be&ause the# (ere some of the most "iffi&ult. The (eather hel" on to the last of

224 Tra'(* .a/to)

the summer heat. The steep, narro(, mountain "irtBroa" up to the set (as the onl# (a# in or out. 2ig tru&$s of eNuipment an" supplies (ent ba&$ an" forth (ith barel# room to get b# ea&h other, "ust boiling up an" re"u&ing visibilit# to a fe( feet ahea". 9t (as a nightmare of logisti&s be&ause ever#thing ha" to be brought in, in&lu"ing toilets. n#thing not onBhan" (oul" ta$e hours to get. ,eople often got lost tr#ing to fin" the pla&e. Tempers gre( short. There (ere a number of in&i"ents. 'ome straine" (or$ing relationships never re&overe". %n top of this, mu&h of the footage (as filme" at night. The &re( gave me some of the 'ire in the (ky hats the# ha" ma"e up, (ith Q2oomer )ill Mang7 a""e" to the front, an", on the ba&$, 52one" again, again an" again.7 9 (as tol" to be gla" 9G" misse" that time on the set, but 9 still (ishe" 9 &oul" have visite" then. The set in 'utherlin &onsiste" of several streets barri&a"e" (ith orange traffi& &ones. This one small area (as (isel# &hosen so as to put ever#thing to be filme" (ithin &onvenient "istan&e. *niforme" lo&al offB"ut# poli&e hire" b# the pro"u&tion as se&urit# offi&ers $ept throngs of fans an" lo&al sightseers behin" #ello( plasti& ribbon strung up aroun" the perimeter. The menGs lo"ge an" its a"Ha&ent va&ant lot =no( fille" (ith trailers> serve" as base of operations. War"robe (as a&ross the street from that, (ith the &hur&h neKt "oor. The 5/haparral -otel7 (as on the street behin", (hile its managerGs offi&e (as a&tuall# mo&$e" up in someoneGs &arport on another street a blo&$ a(a#, a&ross from the &hur&h. ;esi"en&es use" in the movie (ere on nearb# si"e streets. The first s&ene (e sa( filme" (as that of 5-i$e ;ogers7 leaving his motel room as he an" 6avi" Whitlo&$ are ambushe" b# a television ne(s team. 6o!ens of people stan"ing aroun" "ispla#e" great "is&ipline (hen the &all 5'tan" b# to rollO7 (ent up. ,eople stan"ing on &run&h# gravel simpl# fro!e for man# minutes at a time. 3ou &oul" have hear" a pin "rop. The rest of the signal ritual (as a bit "ifferent from (hat 9G" seen in movies about movies being ma"e, but still en"e" (ith 5 &tionO7 The "ire&tor, ;ob :ieberB man, bus# an" stresse"B out as he (as, too$ time to (el&ome us (ith &ol" "rin$s from his personal &ooler, eKplaine" a fe( things, an" let us sit in his &hair an" (at&h the s&enes unfol" Hust as the &amera sa( them. The mo"ern eNuipment the# (ere using ha" a "ual vi"eoBmonitor setup so that the "ire&tor &oul" sit apart from t(o separate &ameras an" see eKa&tl# (hat ea&h &amera is filming. ,ete 2erg as 6avi" Whitlo&$ (as (aiting for 5-i$e7 =;obert ,atri&$> on the por&h outsi"e his motel room. When -i$e &omes out, sha$ing sleep off, the reporters rush himL -i$e snaps ba&$ at them an" 6avi" Whitlo&$ thro(s out a fe( "efensive, "efiant remar$sL then the# "rive off. ,ete 2erg is so ambitious in tr#ing to fill out his roleGs full potential that sometimes he (or$s too har", getting off his mar$ an" into shots not planne" to involve him. 9n one ta$e of this s&ene, the "ire&tor #elle" 5/utO7 an" ever#one loo$e" at

FIRE IN THE SKY 22

ea&h other, as if to sa#, I didn.t see any roblem, what went wrong with that one0# ;ob :eiberman sai", goo"Bnature"l#, 59 "onGt remember 6avi" Whitlo&$ having that man# lines in this s&eneO7 Fver#bo"# laughe". The "ire&tor (as one of those (ise enough to tolerate a&tors a"Blibbing lines, be&ause some ver# goo" ones &ame through in the final pro"u&t. lso filme" outsi"e 5-i$eGs motel room7 (as a s&ene (here a &ouple of ?apanese reporters =among the various foreign Hournalists (ho "es&en"e" on 'no(fla$e> (al$ b# &hattering in their native language. What most of the au"ien&e (as una(are of, sin&e it (as not translate" (ith subti"es, (as that the# Ho$e" about the availabilit# of a sushi bar in a pla&e li$e 'no(fla$e. We ha" a ni&e tal$ (ith those t(o a&tors, one of (hom ha" been a samurai in the /inja $urtles movie. To the regulars on a movie set itGs suppose" to be ver# boring, all the (aiting an" repetition. 2ut it (as all so ne( to us, ever#thing (as &ontinuall# eK&iting. We met a lot of ni&e people. The &ro("s hanging aroun" on the other si"e of the #ello( tape barriers "i"nGt seem to tire of (aiting for a &han&e to glimpse a &elebrit#, get an autograph or ma#be even get to ta$e a pi&ture (ith one of the stars. We (ere also the targets of attention, after the# foun" out (ho (e (ere, (hi&h evo$e" a $in" of 5Who, meD7 rea&tion from us. There (as a ver# stabili!ingthough not inten"e" as su&hremin"er from a $i" (ho, after he got our autograph, as$e", 5 re #ou gu#s an#bo"#D7 We love" it. Nothing li$e a guileless #oungster to help #ou $eep things in perspe&tive. The eKtras =people (ithout lines hire" to be &ro("s, passersb#, et&.> (ere a reall# great bun&h. There (ere some great people on the &re(, too. )an$ Marfiel", the soun" miKer, tol" me about an arti&le about 'ire in the (ky in the =ollywood 8e orter =a movieBin"ustr# tra"e publi&ation> an", (hen 9 eKpresse" &uriosit# about it, promise" to let me see his &op#, (hi&h he ha"nGt brought (ith him. 9Gve ha" man# su&h promises from people 9Gve met in &onne&tion (ith the in&i"ent, an" never gave it another thought. -u&h to m# surprise, "a#s later, our "river "elivere" )an$Gs &op# of the publi&ation to us as (e left. 9 (as impresse" b# things li$e that. 9tGs eas# to be ni&e to someoneGs fa&e an" then forget it. 9t reall# means something (hen someone remembers an" goes out of his (a# to $eep his (or" later. The &ro("s reall# gathere" (hen ;obert ,atri&$ appeare". Fver#one (ante" to see the TB1444 from $erminator II. )e (as ver# goo" nature" about it an" "i"nGt min" giving a fe( minutes to the people (ho ultimatel# pa# to put stars (here the# are. That ras&al 6. 2. '(eene# "i"nGt &are mu&h for &onta&t (ith his fans, but he sure ha" a "ifferent gorgeous la"# on his arm ea&h time 9 sa( him. ;obert ,atri&$Gs (ife, also an a&tress, (asnGt on the set, but he $ept a big pi&ture of her prominentl# "ispla#e" in his trailer. la"# (ho o(ne" a lo&al &ar"Ban"Bmemorabilia shop ha" ;obert ,atri&$

22! Tra'(* .a/to)

signing &ar"s for her. When 6ana eKpresse" eagerness to get a fe( of those $erminator II? +udgment 6ay tra"ing &ar"s for our $i"s, ;obert ,atri&$ bought, out of his o(n po&$et, a (hole &ase from the shop o(ner, an" sat "o(n an" autographe" ever# one of them for us. That sort of $in"ness has real meaning. 9 ha" thought ;obert ,atri&$ an" 6. 2. '(eene# "re( a big &ro(" until ?ames Marner finall# sho(e" up on the set. $hat man &an pull in a &ro(" an" from ever# age group. )ere again (as somebo"# (ho "i"nGt merel# understand (ho buttere" his brea", but seeme" to have a genuine li$ing for his fans. There (as nothing selfB&entere" about him. %ne in&i"ent illustrating that fa&t to me o&&urre" as a group of people &ro("e" aroun" ?ames Marner on the se&on" lan"ing of the high steps to the &hur&h, listening to him tell an interesting stor#. )e (as seate" &omfortabl# in his spe&ial (esternBst#le &hair, a gift presente" to him #ears past. 9t (as a "ire&torGsBst#le fol"ing &hair of han"Btoole" leather, (ith sa""lebags engrave" (ith his initials, an" pa""e" (ith sheepGs (ool. 9n the mi"st of all that &omfort an" attention, ?ames Marner abruptl# got up an" (a"e" through the &ro(" to assist a frail ol" man. The el"erl# gentleman (as over ninet#, an eKtra in the &hur&h s&ene, unstea"il# tr#ing to ma$e his (a# "o(n the long, steep stair(a#. No one else ha" even noti&e". ,eople leane" obliviousl# against both han"rails, so the ol" fello( ha" nothing (ith (hi&h to stea"# himself. 2ut ?ames Marner, no selfBabsorbe" star bas$ing in the a"miration of his fans, (as the onl# person to &ome to the res&ue. This (as onl# one of several in&i"ents 9 observe" that "emonstrate" his sensitivit# to the nee"s of others aroun" him as a natural part of his personalit#. 3es, 9 "i" run into one or t(o of those ar&het#pal inse&ure, egoB"riven, spoile"Bbrat prima "onnas, but 9 (as surprise" at ho( fe( 5)oll#(oo" t#pes7 9 en&ountere" on the set of 'ire in the (ky. 9 $no( plent# eKist, but 9 ran into more of them in&arnate" as pro"u&tion office eo le than as a&tors. There (as unusuall# fine &asting, Hust about perfe&t, for +ire in the '$#. The &hemistr# of that group (as phenomenal, on an" off &amera. ll those up&oming #oung a&tors on the logging &re( loo$e" upon ?ames Marner as a mentor, from (hom the# learne" mu&h. bout golf, tooO '(eene# sa#s Marner $i&$e" their greenhorn tails out on the golf &ourse. 9 "onGt (ant an#one to thin$ 9Gm fa(ning over or being ingratiating about these people. 9 "onGt thin$ 9 (as ver# starstru&$ at all. -ost people thin$ 9Gm Hust a little bit &#ni&al in m# Hu"gment of others =as if events in m# life ha"nGt en&ourage" (orseO>. 9 pri"e m#self on loo$ing past eKteriors an" superfi&ial Hu"gments, be&ause 9Gve too often been a vi&tim of su&h bias. 9 reall# believe that &ast (as an unusuall# "e&ent bun&h. 9Gve run into a number of &elebrities over the #ears (ith (hom 9 (as not so impresse". 9t is ama!ing to fin" su&h goo" people surviving among the shar$s an" Healous megaBegos of that business. What Nualit# &oul" the# possess to permit that survivalD Talent. The beasts

FIRE IN THE SKY 22"

(onGt "evour those gol"en geese be&ause the# need them. 9 "i" an intervie( (hile 9 (as there (ith 6oug :e(ell#n, the 5,eopleGs /ourt7 &ommentator, (ho also "oes 5The -a$ing of . . .7 vi"eos for "ifferent movies. fter (e (ent ba&$ out into the street, he (as engage" in some other filming of the goingsBon, (hen he &ame over an" as$e" one last Nuestion as an afterthoughtC 5:oo$ at all this &ommotion going on here, all those people as$ing for #our autograph, all these a&tors, &re(, eNuipment. ll this is on a&&ount of #ou. )o( "oes that ma$e #ou feelD7 9 shrugge" an" (ithout thin$ing gave some halfBintelligible ans(er (hi&h "i"nGt full# eKpress (hat 9 felt. 9 &oul" tell he &oul"nGt believe an#one (oul"nGt be starstru&$ b# all that. What 9 (ante" to sa# is that basi&all#, itGs a (ash. 9 "onGt regar" as positive all aspe&ts of m# movie eKperien&e, even those most people (oul" so regar". 9t (oul" ta$e one hell of a lot of positive to &ounterbalan&e all the negative 9G" live" through for so man# #ears. lso, the same philosoph# (hi&h insulate" me from the negative insulates me from the soB&alle" 5positive7 attention. The shell that prote&ts an animal also prevents its feeling being pette". %n both eKtremes, it onl# stems from the i"eas that people (ho "onGt $no( the real me hol" in their min"s. 9 ha" to fa&e it. The fa&ts are (hat the# are. n ina&&urate per&eption, (hether positive or negative, must be "isregar"e". 9f one is irrelevant, then so is the other. 6ana an" 9 (ere going to get to (at&h the filming of one of the more emotionall# intense s&enes of the movie, in (hi&h -i$e ;ogers &onfronts those assemble" for a to(n meeting &on&erning the in&i"ent. 9n fa&t, (e (ere going to be in it. Moll# gee, this (as going to be m# big brea$ into instant superstar"omO ?oe Wi!anGs i"ea (as to have us in the &ro(", verball# atta&$ing 5-i$e7 (ith suspi&ions of foul pla#. When someone &alle" out in an a&&using tone, 5Well, then, (here is heD7 9 (as to stan" up an" sa# (ith heav# suspi&ionC 53eah, -i$e, (here is TravisOD7 ni&e ironi& t(ist for a &ameo appearan&e. Metting a spea$ing line reNuire" me to Hoin ' M, the '&reen &tors Muil" union. We ha" to go to (ar"robe for mi"Bseventies garb, an" 6ana ha" to go to the ma$eup trailer to have her normall# full &urls &ombe" "o(n into a st#le appropriate for the time. 'he felt reall# funn# (earing bell bottoms again. We sat there in the &ro(" all "a# for t(o "a#s. ,erio"i&all# the smo$e ma&hine (oul" pump in some more =&ough> 5atmosphere.7 There (as a light rain the first afternoon an" se&on" morning. 2ut rain or shine, earl# or late, it (as al(a#s a sunn# afternoon insi"e the &hur&h. Than$s to the staine" glass, sunshine (as eas# to simulate b# setting up po(erful lights outsi"e ea&h of the (est (in"o(s. 5'unlight7 streame" in at the same angle throughout shooting. ;obert ,atri&$Gs performan&e (as in&re"ibl# po(erful. When he &onfronte" an" &hastise" the people for their behavior, his (or"s (ere so intense, his emotions so strong an" real, that the roomful of eKtras "i"nGt have to a&t. Fver#one (as visibl# affe&te" an" man# sai" the# a&tuall# felt ashame" of (hat

22# Tra'(* .a/to)

the#G" 5"one.7 -e too. 9t (as ama!ing. 'everal of the (omen, 6ana in&lu"e", (ere a&tuall# move" to tears. No (on"er he ble( them a(a# (ith his au"ition of this s&ene. There (as ta$e after ta$e. gain, the# (erenGt mista$es. The "ire&tor (ante" man# angles on this one, as (ell as "ifferent intensities. Time after time ;obert ,atri&$ (ent out an" &ame ba&$ in an" "elivere" another torrent of varie" emotions. Without pause he ha" to run the gamut of ha"BitBupBtoBhere, &anGtBta$eB itB an#more anger. Then a fervent rupturing of overflo(ing sa"ness, "isma#, anger, an" "isappointment at betra#al. n" finall# he ha" to shift Nui&$l# to a "efiant &hallenge. Fa&h time, he shoo$ (ith anger, poure" out tears, an" then har"ene" into steel#, straightfor(ar" "efian&e. +rom (here (as he "re"ging this in&re"ible energ#D )e literall# stunne" the &ro(". %ne thing he shattere" permanentl# (as his t#pe&asting as a bloo"less, unfeeling &#borg. -ost people (oul"nGt re&ogni!e him in person from his previous role an#(a#. 2ut to see him as -i$e ;ogers pla#ing (ith his laughing little "aughters, forever evaporates the $neeBHer$ ten"en&# to see in him a sinister air of hi""en mena&e =although he &an still "o that as no one else &an>. 9 "i" Nuite a number of ta$es of m# little spo$en line, too. %nl#, m# repetitions probabl# (ere "ue to not getting it right, be&ause the "ire&tor or"ere" the line &ut from the movie ver# earl# in the e"iting pro&ess. 9neKpli&abl#, the "ire&tor pi&$e" one of ;obert ,atri&$Gs mil"er ren"itions of that s&ene. lot of ;obert ,atri&$Gs best stuff, as (ith the other a&tors, (as &ut out. 2ut for the a&tors the &uts (ere for te&hni&al reasons li$e pa&ing, &onteKt, to $eep the length (ithin limits, or merel# the "ire&torGs artisti& preferen&eL m# bit (as &hoppe" so earl#, it must have been prett# ba". )o(ever, thereGs a positive (a# of loo$ing at m# part being &ut. Fver#one of the a&tors (as move" from a some(hat s$epti&al attitu"e about the in&i"ent, to a mu&h more believing position after meeting an" spea$ing (ith me. &tors are professional simulators of realit# an" therefore, it seems, (oul" be mu&h more &apable of "ete&ting 5a&ting7 =l#ing, if #ou (ill> than the average person. ?uKtapose this (ith m# failure to a&t (ell enough to (in even a tin# spot in m# o(n movie. Together those fa&ts shoul" sa# Nuite a bit for m# &re"ibilit#, if nothing for m# thespian talents. ,eter 2ergGs big moment in 'ire in the (ky, from an a&torGs vie(point, (as (hen he finall# ha" a long, intense s&ene, alone on &amera an" in &loseBup, (hen he goes to the "eserte" &hur&h an" pra#s for forgiveness forgiveness for failing to attempt an imme"iate res&ue of me, not for having &ommitte" m# mur"er, but the au"ien&e is suppose" to be left (on"ering. ,eter 2ergGs bu""ies, ;obert ,atri&$ an" 6. 2. '(eene#, got together (ith the "ire&tor an" planne" a pra&ti&al Ho$e. ,ete (as about to get his &omeuppan&e for his earlier s&eneBstealing. The "ire&tor (ent through a number of ta$es as usual

FIRE IN THE SKY 22$

to ma$e sure ,eteGs best (as in the &an =an" it (as ver# goo", intense emotionL the# &oul" have use" more of it, ha" there been time>. 9 stoo" ba&$ in the &orner (ith m# vi"eo &amera an" tape" the (hole thing. When the# (ere sure the# ha" his performan&e, the "ire&tor tol" him he nee"e" one more ta$e. s (ith the previous ta$es, this shot (oul" begin (ith the &amera on the staine"Bglass (in"o( in the rear. The &amera (oul" ba&$ "o(n the aisle to ta$e in the front of the first pe(, (here it (oul" then pan over to ,eter 2erg, fa&ing for(ar", pra#ing alou" (hile the &amera &ame in for a &loseB up. %nl# this time, at a prearrange" signal, ;obert an" 6.2., (hom ,ete believe" ha" left hours ago, &ame up from the rear stair(ell an" follo(e" the 'tea"i&am "o(n the aisle, slipping Nuietl# into the pe( behin" ,eter 2erg. s the &amera &ame in on ,eter 2erg for (hat (as suppose" to be his solo &loseBup, there on either si"e of his fa&e (ere the mugging fa&es of ;obert an" 6.2., leaning for(ar" into frame, stealing his s&eneO s the shot en"e" the gu#s behin" sniggere" a little to let ,ete $no( he (asnGt alone. When he turne" an" sa( them, ever#one roare" (ith laughter. 9n spite of being (rungBout from his earlier outpouring, ,ete too$ it (ell. )e Ho$e" that sin&e the#G" intru"e" on his best ta$e, it (oul" be ne&essar# to get those t(o matte" out of that s&ene so it still &oul" be use". 9 have a pre"i&tion. Wat&h those three, be&ause 9 believe the# are reall# going some(here in their profession. 9t (as a pleasure meeting )enr# Thomas, (ho pla#e" Mreg )a#es, another &re(man &hara&ter &reate" in absen&e of &ontra&ts (ith all real life &re( members. ,art of the reason he (as &ast (as be&ause of his prior role in the blo&$buster &.$."$he &xtra$errestrial. That fa&t ha" the uninten"e" effe&t of inviting some un(arrante" &omparisons bet(een &.$. an" 'ire in the (ky. )enr# Thomas, li$e man# a&tors in his situation, has ha" his o(n share of "iffi&ult# getting people to see him as someone other than the &hil" Flliot from &.$. Those people ought to go ba&$ an" loo$ again at &.$. Thomas "elivere" an ama!ing performan&e (hi&h &overe" the gamut of human eKpression. +urther proof of his range is evi"ent in his other, more re&ent (or$, su&h as the teenage Norman 2ates in *sycho I9. great sour&e of humor an" &amara"erie (as Noble Willingham, (ho pla#e" 'heriff 2la$e 6avis. )e $ept ever#bo"# in stit&hes, as (ith his "iffi&ult# in pronoun&ing 5-ogollon7 on &amera. 9t (as great meeting the "ire&torGs (ife, -arilu )enner, 2est $no(n for her (or$ on t(o hit series, $axi an" &vening (hade, an" for the film ).A. (tory. 9 sa( her on a television ne(sBmaga!ine "uring the time 'ire in the (ky (as in pro"u&tion. 'he is a reall# talente" "an&er, ama!ingl# fit. -# (ife 6ana, (ho tea&hes aerobi&s at our lo&al &ollege, shares her interest in "an&e an" aerobi&s. 6ana (as "elighte" (hen -arilu presente" her (ith a &op# of 1arilu =enner.s 6ancerobics, her eKer&ise vi"eo.

23& Tra'(* .a/to)

We atten"e" 5"ailies,7 (hi&h is the s&reening of 5rushes,7 film Hust ba&$ from spe&ial pro&essing in :. . Fven this ra(, un&ut footage (ithout musi& (as impressive. We also spent some time in the e"iting room (ith 'teve -ir$ovi&h, (ho $in"l# gave us a Nui&$ overvie( of the pro&ess an" sho(e" us ho( he ha" mat&he" one segment (ith a spe&iall# prepare" trial soun"tra&$. +as&inating (or$. %ur onBlo&ation "river, ,ete Ao!a$ (ho (as also ;obert ,atri&$Gs "river, (as a reall# interesting person. )e is a brother of a&tress )arle# Ao!a$. 9 "onGt $no( (hat he (as "oing (or$ing as a "river, be&ause the gu# has brain an" talent. 9 noti&e" that "uring the perio"s he spent (aiting aroun", he (as rea"ing some prett# heav# intelle&tual boo$s. )e also (oul" pla# his guitar or man"olin. When his man"olin (as stolen, the &ast got together an" bought him a ne( one. 9G" hear" heG" (ritten a song &alle" 5+ire in the '$#.7 s (e (ere preparing to leave (e finall# ha" a &han&e to hear it. 9 vi"eotape" Ao!a&Gs impromptu performan&e (hile our first "river, the #oung Fnglish fello(, (ho ma"e the longer hauls to Fugene, (rung his han"s an" &he&$e" his (at&h. 9t (as his Hob to ma$e sure he got us to our plane on time. WeG" stoppe" off in %a$lan", (here the film &ompan# ha" gone ba&$ for one last s&ene at ;aeGs /afe. ,eter 2erg (as there listening to the song (ith us (hile he (aite" for his &all.

5+9;F 9N T)F 'A37 b# ,ete Ao!a$ )et there be lightnin. )et there be thunder )et the heavens rage on high. %hat is this thing burnin. through the darkness0 +ust a fire in the sky. ,ut on the backroads =igh in the timber =ardworkin. man, just gettin. by. $hen somethin. changed my life forever" +ust a fire in the sky. I saw what I saw +ust can.t ex lain it 6on.t you think I haven.t tried0 But who.d take the word of anybody %ho s eaks of fire in the sky0 It seems my eo le $hey don.t know me $hey turn away when I ass by.

FIRE IN THE SKY 231

@et anymore I ain.t too sure of nothin. But that fire in the sky. 'lames of damnation, saith the reacher, -onsume the wicked when they die. %hat saith thou, *reacher, %here on earth was the wicked In that fire in the sky0 I7m not dreamin. and I7m not crazy I can look you in the eye $hen swear as 2od almighty is my witness Been rainin. fire in the sky, fire in the sky, fire in the sky . . . )is l#ri&s ha" "epth an" reveale" a per&eptiveness an" un"erstan"ing of some of the subtleties of the s&ript. 2ut this mere trans&ript of his l#ri&s &anGt &onve# the feeling his voi&e an" his musi& &reate". We (ere reall# move". 9 trie" unsu&&essfull# to get people intereste" in using the song in the movie. 9G" still li$e to get someone intereste" in signing ,ete Ao!a$ to re&or" it. -a#be itGs Hust me, but it seems thereGs been an unusual amount of iron# an" &oin&i"en&e in &onne&tion (ith m# eKperien&e. %ne of m# first television appearan&es (as (ith :eonar" Nimo#, on a sho( pro"u&e" b# 6avi" Wolper, (ho is gran"father to one of 6anaGs &ousins. The offi&ial still photographer on the set (as Mreg '&h(art!, (ho is the sonBinBla( of:eonar" Nimo#. Meorgia Fmelin has some frien"s (ho use" to live in 'no(fla$e. Wor$ing in the to(n (here the movie (as shot, thousan"s of miles from 'no(fla$e, is former 'no(fla$e sheriff -arlin MillespieGs ol"est son. %ne of the eKtras, the lo&al fire &hief, bore a stri$ing resemblan&e to former 'no(fla$e to(n marshal 'anfor" +la$e, an" the &hief has frien"s he ha" re&entl# visite" in 'no(fla$e. 9n the film, the "oughnut girlGs mom is pla#e" b# a lo&al (oman name" Nan&# Neifert (ho turne" out to be a se&on" &ousin of mine (ho 9G" never metO 'he Hust happene" to be living (here the movie (as being ma"e an" ha" signe" on as an eKtra (ithout even &onne&ting the movie to stories sheG" hear" about me through relatives. -onths later, (hen 9 finall# got time to ma$e a &all to verif# this famil# &onne&tion, her father, m# greatBun&le %a$l# ;ogers, ans(ere" the phone. )eG" or"ere" a boo$ about his famil#Gs genealog# that ver# "a#. -# gran"motherGs mai"en name (as ;ogers. Who $no(s, ma#be -i$e is m# tenth &ousin or something. The in&i"ent happene" on November 5, 1975(hi&h (as ;obert ,atri&$Gs seventeenth birth"a#O 'eventeen #ears later he too$ on the role of -i$e ;ogers. 9n resear&hing his role, ;obert ,atri&$ "is&overe" he ha" relatives from 'no(fla$e. $hen he learne" that he is relate" to -i$e an" 6anaO ;obert ,atri&$Gs &ousin is marrie" to Ton# Willis, the gran"son of -i$e an" 6anaGs

232 Tra'(* .a/to)

greatBaunt =an", li$e them, a "es&en"ant of more than one of 'no(fla$eGs foun"ing families>. -i$eGs gran"mother is a sister of Ton#Gs gran"mother, an" on top of that, -i$eGs gran"father is a &ousin to Ton#Gs gran"father. Whi&h, 9Gm tol", ma$es them "ouble &ousins. %ne 'no(fla$e resi"ent re&eive" an arti&le about the ma$ing of the movie =(hi&h 9G" not #et announ&e" lo&all#> from a relative (ho live" in . . . tin# %a$lan", %regon. ;ob :ieberman "ire&te" ?ames Farl ?ones in over t(ent# episo"es of 5MabrielGs +ire7 =that fire (or" again>. ?ames Farl ?ones =also the voi&e of 6arth Ia"er in (tar %ars> narrate" a television "o&umentar# of m# eKperien&e. )e also pla#e" the part of 2arne#, husban" of 2ett# )ill, the &ouple (hose famous *+%Bab"u&tion &ase (as "epi&te" in the 1975 N2/ televisionB movie $he <', Incident. ?ones also (or$e" (ith ;obert ,atri&$Gs T2 &ostar, rnol" '&h(ar!enegger, in -onan the Barbarian. 6uring the ma$ing of 'ire in the (ky, a meteorite stru&$ in a ravine near %a$lan", onl# the fifth re&overe" meteorite in %regonGs histor#. ?ust after the release of 'ire in the (ky, 2ru&e :eeGs son 2ran"on "ie" tragi&all# on a ,aramount set, an in&i"ent surroun"e" b# bi!arre parallels (ith his fatherGs "eath that are too numerous to list. s interesting as these ironies an" &oin&i"en&es are, it is illogi&al to atta&h un"ue signifi&an&e to &oin&i"en&e. ristotle eKpresse" this best (hen he sai", It is inevitable that the unusual will sometimes occur. # 9n"ee" it (ill. 9n late %&tober (e left to visit the spe&ialBeffe&ts stu"io, 9n"ustrial :ight an" -agi&, lo&ate" in 'an ;afael, Hust north of 'an +ran&is&o. = gain, over the "ire&torGs "ruthers.> -i$e ;ogers (as &ompletel# over his problem (ith the s&ript, so he (as going (ith us. )eG" been in tou&h (ith ;obert ,atri&$ often, (hi&h ha" built up a lot of his enthusiasm for the proHe&t. 9n"ustrial :ight an" -agi& =9:-> is the brain&hil" of film genius Meorge :u&as. ThereGs no monolithi& sign sa#ing $his is the s ot. 9n fa&t, the sign "oesnGt sa# I)1 at allonl# a business name, (hi&h 9 (onGt reveal here, that "oesnGt remotel# suggest (hat goes on insi"e. We arrive" at Hust the right time to see the filming of some of the s&enes (here 9Gm hel" "o(n on the table insi"e the *+%. 9n spite of the "ifferen&es from (hat a&tuall# ha" happene", that (as ver# unsettling to (at&h. 9t (as interesting, but it (as the least enHo#able part of our t(oB"a# visit. -ost ever#thing happening at 9n"ustrial :ight an" -agi& is se&ret, at least at first, either to maintain proprietar# te&hniNues so &ompetitors (onPt &op# them, or to prevent uns&rupulous reporters from spoiling the magi& for moviegoers. We ha" a &ouple of little tours of areas of the &ompleK (hi&h ha" &reate" "ifferent effe&ts for 'ire in the (ky. =The effe&ts for ?urassi& ,ari (ere being "one there (hile 'ire in the (ky (as being "one, but (e (erenPt suppose" to see an# of that, so here 9Gll sa# (e "i"nGt.> 'ire in the (ky.s visual effe&ts &oor"inator, -oll# Naughton, (as our gui"e on the first tour. We (ere suppose" to sta# together an" onl# go (here she too$ us. We too$ pi&tures onl# (ith

FIRE IN THE SKY 233

permission. %n our se&on" tour, (ith Nilo ;o"isB?amero, (e "i"nGt use our &ameras at all be&ause it seeme" to ma$e our hosts un&omfortable. Nilo ;o"isB?amero (as &re"ite" as &opro"u&er on 'ire in the (ky be&ause the eKe&ution of the visual loo$ in the spe&ialBeffe&ts segment (as so mu&h his o(n &ontribution. Nilo (as +V art "ire&tor or "esigner on some of the most visuall# stunning, an" su&&essful, movies of all time, in&lu"ing $he &m ire (trikes Back, 8eturn of the +edi, 8aiders of the )ost Ark, *oltergeist, an" (tar $rek III, 9, an" 9I. ;o"isB?ameroGs (or$ is phenomenal an" not &onfine" to flights of fan&#. )is (or$ loo$s goo" be&ause thereGs an un"erl#ing pra&ti&al sense to it. )eGs "esigne" pro"u&ts for %a$le#, the /alifornia sportsBgear manufa&turing &ompan# best $no(n for sunglasses. )eGs "esigne" be#on" a&hieving a Qloo$7 in &reating things as "iverse as ta&ti&al fighterBpilot helmets, heav# militar# tan$s, an" automobiles, for &ompanies ranging from Meneral -otors to :u&asfilms. )eGs ma"e filmBin"ustr# innovations, from e"iting ma&hines to a variet# of spe&ial filmBeffe&t te&hniNues. Nilo is one of those rare people (ho is so intelligent, #et so &entere" in his personalit#, that he gives off an aura of openness an" &alm. )e is a ver# unusual personalit#a little m#sterious, but ver# pleasant to be aroun". The (or$ being "one for 'ire in the (ky (oul" have been intriguing even if (e ha"nGt ha" a personal interest. There (ere some ama!ingl# &lever te&hniNuesL a fe( (ere a bit te&hni&al for us. We agree" not to reveal (hat (eG" seen, or even "evelop our photos until after the movie ha" opene". 9Gve $ept that promise, but even no( 9 "onGt feel it (oul" be &onstru&tive to reveal those things or in&lu"e those photos here. fter all, some people havenGt seen the movie #et. We (ent into the e"iting room (here 'teve -ir$ovi&h (as (or$ing. We got to see some rushes of a &ouple of segments from the spe&ialBeffe&ts shots. )e put one (ith a temporar# soun"tra&$ from another movie, a spa&e thriller, that reall# &hurne" me up to (at&h. s in %regon, he (as generous in his (illingness to eKplain things an" not 5tal$ "o(n7 to us. =)is other films in&lu"e -ool %orld, $eenage 1utant /inja $urtles II, 'light of the Intruder, 'lashback, *rince of 6arkness, an" Big $rouble in )ittle -hina> We got to sa# hello to 6.2. again =an" meet his ne( girl>, but (e "i"nGt (ant to bother him too mu&h (hile he (as bet(een su&h "iffi&ult s&enes. The s&enes aboar" the &raft are some of the most intense of the entire movie. -i$e met him for the first time. 9t (as the first time heG" met an# of those people, Nilo, ;ob :ieberman, Wolfgang Mlottis, or the 9:- &re(. )e got to see one of his "upli&ate" (or$Btru&$s there, (hi&h (as Nuite a novelt# for him. 2a&$ home, (e en"ure" a lot of suspense (hile the# spent (ee$s finishing up the soun"tra&$, the musi&, the e"iting, an" the promotional trailers for the movie.

234 Tra'(* .a/to)

Then &ame the ne( pol#graph tests. The results &reate" a pronoun&e" rea&tion out in /alifornia. The# ha"nGt eKpe&te" the tests, but (ere "elighte" at their publi&it# value. The neKt big events for us (ere the television sho(s an" publi&ations li$e =ard -o y, (ightings, &ntertainment $onight, an" <(A $oday, (ho sent &amera &re(s an" reporters to 'no(fla$e. 9 "onGt thin$ that, prior to our appearan&es on those sho(s, ,aramount ha" been planning to use us nearl# as mu&h as the# "i". 2ut our roles in promotion gre( to be&ome a tour after the# sa( ho( (ell (e han"le" it. 'urprisingl#, in man# instan&es Hournalists "ispla#e" more interest in spea$ing (ith us than (ith pro"u&tion people, or even the a&tors. The previous #ears ha" prepare" me some(hat for intervie(s an" han"ling situations (ith the me"ia. 2ut as intense as it ha" been ba&$ then, (hen it (as all ne( to me, it ha" never been so grueling. What in the (orl" (as 9 "oingD 9n the past, single intervie(s ha" left me (rung out. What effe&t (oul" su&h total immersion have on meD Woul" it soon ma$e the topi& &ompletel# intolerable for me, or (oul" it have a &atharti& effe&t, mer&ifull# "esensiti!ing meD 9 gave literall# hun"re"s of intervie(s. ,rint, ra"io, televisionba&$BtoB ba&$, all "a# long. ,art of the tour overlappe" the &a"em# (ar"s. The streets of :. . (ere bumperBtoBbumper limos, an" our hotel =strangel#, lo&ate" at the interse&tion of streets bearing the names of m# first son an" the pla&e in ri!ona (here our out"oor (e""ing ha" been hel"> (as host to a sle( of &elebrities. 'ho&$Btal$ host )o(ar" 'tern (as broa"&asting from the lobb#, but fortunatel# (e manage" to avoi" him. %ur s&he"ule (as prett# tightl# pa&$e". %ne morning, b# satellite uplin$ 9 gave over fift# separate television intervie(s (ithout moving from m# &hair. :oo$ing at a &ouple of those pie&es later, 9 "i"nGt reali!e 9G" been so tire"C 9 loo$e" "o(nright grogg# in one &lip. Never on&e "i" an#one at ,aramount publi&it# ever &oa&h me or tr# to influen&e an#thing 9 sai" in intervie(s. The# (ere ver# han"sBoff in that respe&t, but ver# supportive in ta$ing &are of us an" $eeping us informe" as to our s&he"ule, an" getting us pla&es on time. lthough man# mis&on&eptions about our eKperien&e survive" "ue to m# long silen&e, time ha" thinne" out man# of the false &harges. n" in fa&t. our me"ia eKperien&e, the ne( pol#graph tests, an" the ma$ing of a movie about the in&i"ent all &ontribute" to &reating an entirel# ne( attitu"e on the part of those from the me"ia. lthough there (as un"erstan"abl# still s$epti&ism, it (as mostl# of the health# variet#. Fven after traveling all over the (orl" "oing promotional (or$ for the movie, one of the (orst hat&het Hobs (as "one right here near home, b# 6e(e# Webb of the ,hoeniK tabloi" /ew $imes, a paper so ba" the# have to give it a(a# an" get b# on a"vertising "ollars alone. The# rel# heavil# on outrageous, 5sho&$ effe&t7 arti&les. 6e(e# misrepresente" his intentions to get me to &ooperate, an" preten"ing

FIRE IN THE SKY 23

that he (oul" be obHe&tive emplo#e" all the photographi& tri&$s 9G" sit still for. -ore 5monster lighting7C an upB&lose, fishBe#e effe&t (as apparent in the pi&ture of me that hit the stan"s. While the photographer $ept me bus#, Webb ha" ta$en it upon himself, uninvite", to go through papers on m# mantel, (hi&h of &ourse reveale" nothing eK&ept (hat sort of people 9G"trustingl#allo(e" into m# home. The fol"er there &ontaine" nothing but ,aramountGs stan"ar" press $it. 6e(e# Webb (rote one falsehoo" after another, even (hen he (as in possession of "o&umente" evi"en&e to the &ontrar#. 9G" given him some "o&uments he ignore", an" -i$e ;ogers gave him information in a telephone &onversation ="uring (hi&h Webb lie" further about his intentions, ma$ing promises he bro$e resoun"ingl#>. 'ome of his false &laims (ere simpl# parroting of the "ebun$er nonsense, but some he &ame up (ith all on his o(n. )e (as so &areless (ith the fa&ts that he (rote one senten&e in (hi&h m# eKperien&e (as seven "a#s long at the beginning an" five "a#s long at the en"C 59n the earl#Bmorning hours of November 12, seven "a#s later, the "a!e", h#perspa&e" hit&hhi$er staggere" out of the (oo"s near )eber an" straight into *+% immortalit# (ith a fantasti& tale of ho( heG" been use" as an intergala&ti& guinea pig "uring a fiveB"a# game of U6o&tor.G 7 =9 (as returne" on November 14, (hi&h b# ever#one elseGs arithmeti& a""s up to five "a#s. 2# November 12 9 ha" alrea"# been in ,hoeniK for more than a "a#.> )e also falsel# &laime" the &re(Gs pol#graph tests ha" been sponsore" b# the /ational &n3uirer, instea" of b# the state poli&e. Then Webb spi&e" up his pie&e (ith Nuotes from an unname" 5sour&e7 he a&$no(le"ge" he foun" s(igging beer on a lo&al barstool. /ew $imesD or %eekly %orld /ewsD 9 imagine Webb thin$s his vi&ious mo&$er# (as marvelousl# &lever an" funn#. 9 sense" his intentions an" ma"e inNuiries after the intervie(, inNuiries (hi&h Webb "istorte" in his report. 9Gm not so humorless about the in&i"ent an" its ramifi&ations as he portra#e" me, but m# hun&h about his &on&eale" intent (as borne out. ,robabl# the most fun of the sho(s 9 (as on (as the 2eraldo show. 9G" anti&ipate" it (oul" be one of the (orst, but it (asnGt. ;obert ,atri&$ an" 6. 2. '(eene# appeare" (ith -i$e an" me. 6.2. ha" a pra&ti&al Ho$e planne". When he (as as$e" if he thought (e (ere $oo$s, he sai"C 59 "onGt $no(, 9 &anGt reall# be obHe&tive about this7as he brought his han" out of his po&$et, (earing a rubber )allo(een 5alien7 han" (hi&h he pla&e" non&halantl# a&ross m# shoul"ers. The au"ien&e roare" (ith laughter. 9 have no problem (ith a little goo"Bnature" humor. 6.2. ha" ha" to settle for an alien pat on the ba&$ (hen he (as unable to lo&ate a &hainsa( an#(here in Ne( 3or$ /it#. )is original s&heme ha" involve" &utting a &hair in half, so itGs Hust as (ell that the la&$ of forest (or$ in the area ma"e &hainsa(s rare. The final sho( of the "omesti& publi&it# tour (as )arry Aing :ive (ith -i$e

23! Tra'(* .a/to)

;ogers an" m#self, :arr# Aing an" . . . our numberBone "etra&tor, ,?A. 9t aire" the night our movie opene". +or the first time (e (oul" appear on live national television (ith a parti&ular &riti& famous for his false reasoning, filibustering, an" unfair ta&ti&s. We still "i"nGt a&tuall# meet him be&ause he (as brought in via monitor from else(here in the stu"ioL (e "i"nGt even spea$ "ire&tl# to him for the most part. %ur vin"i&ation (as almost anti&limati& in its ease. We ma"e a number of ver# goo" pointsL ,?A, the 5"ebun$er,7 ma"e none, su&&ee"ing onl# in giving some prime eKamples of the a&ute irrationalit# of his arguments. The highlight of the evening (as (hen, "ispla#ing his ineffe&tual frustration, the 5"ebun$er7 &ompletel# lost &ontrol an" shoute" a snarling epithet, ta$ing the :or"Gs name in vain in front of millions on live national television. %ur vi&tor# (as so &omplete (e (ere astoun"e". Fver sin&e that night people have &ome up to us, &alle", an" (ritten to us &on&erning that sho(. Fver#one, even people (ho usuall# have no &omment, felt strongl# that (e ha" &ome off ver# (ell an" that ,?A ha" ma"e himself loo$ in&re"ibl# ba". The (a# people rea&te", #ouG" thin$ :u$e '$#(al$er ha" Hust vanNuishe" the Fmperor. n" (hat iron# of timing an" pla&eOthe night of the release of 'ire in the (ky. n" on ,?AGs home turf, Washington, 6./. That (as a triumph (eGll savor for a long, long time. 9t (as more than the night of the theatri&al "ebut of 'ire in the (kyit (as the start of the 2li!!ar" of G91, the sno(storm of the &entur#. s (e left the /NN stu"ios the first fe( fla$es fell. 9t sno(e" more, an" more, an" more. We (ere suppose" to fl# out the neKt morning, but it (as not to be. Washington, 6./., sel"om gets mu&h sno(, an" (asnGt prepare" to remove sno(B on su&h a s&ale. %nl# one run(a# at 6ulles 9nternational irport (as open. We boar"e" an" sat on the plane for nearl# t(o hours before ever#one ha" to get off, get their ti&$ets ba&$, an" leave. The neKt "a# (e (ent ba&$ to 6ulles an" again boar"e". gain (e (aite" for hours an" again (e ha" to get off, get our ti&$ets ba&$, an" leave. -an# of those tr#ing to ma$e &onne&ting flights spent some &ro("e" nights in the airport. %n the thir" "a# (e trie" again an" ma"e it. t last (e (ere in the air. The promotional tour ha" ta$en a grueling fe( (ee$s, but (e (ere finall# hea"e" home. The neKt available flight for the final leg of our flight home (oul"nGt have left until the follo(ing morning. This (oul" have reNuire" sta#ing over in ,hoeniK, so it save" us another nightGs hotel bill an" got us home sooner to be "riven the rest of the (a#. The four of us6ana an" 9, an" -i$e an" his la"#, 2erna"ette(ere "riven ba&$ to the 'ho( :o( airport in a limousine. The &ar ran over something in the roa" an" ha" a blo(out ten miles laterL fortunatel#, after (e ha" emerge" from the steep, (in"ing 'alt ;iver /an#on. To top it off, there (as no lug (ren&h in the &ar. -i$e &aught a ri"e into to(n to get a (ren&h. -ean(hile, someone (ith a (ren&h finall# stoppe" an"

FIRE IN THE SKY 23"

(e got the spare on an" met -i$e on his return trip. fter the (eather "ela#s an" (hatnot, it &ertainl# felt goo" (hen (e finall# got home that night. 'no( in re&or" amounts ha" virtuall# lo&$e" up the eastern thir" of the *nite" 'tates. 6ealing (ith the sno( o&&upie" the free time of nearl# ever#one in the affe&te" region, a high per&entage of the &ountr#Gs maHor population &enters. Who (as going to thin$ about seeing a movie in (hat (as pra&ti&all# a state of emergen&#D s it turne" out, one he&$ of a lot of people. Without that storm, &onservative estimates are that 'ire in the (ky (oul" have easil# toppe" $ 14 million for its opening (ee$en". s it (as, it ma"e a respe&table $0.4 million that (ee$en", (hi&h ma"e it the numberBone movie in the nation. = 'ire in the (ky remaine" in the top ten for three (ee$s.> 'ire beat i&e, nat&h. %f &ourse, the tour an" the movie brought a rene(e" barrage of me"ia an" personal &onta&t, &alls from various &elebritiesa &ome"ian, a bas$etball star, even a near brush (ith /harlton )estonan" man#, man# (ellB(ishers. 2ut b# then 9 (as rea"# to move to some mountaintop &ave for a (hile. 9 ma# "o so #et. Naturall#, the personal &omments 9 hear" &on&erning the film (ere over(helmingl# positive. 'ire in the (ky re&eive" some ver# goo" revie(s, an" some not so goo" =although not nearl# as ba" as revie(s 9Gve seen of some boKB offi&e giants>. %ne thing 9 $ne( long before 9 ha" the faintest i"ea m# boo$ (oul" ever be ma"e into a movie (as that film &riti&sG opinions are &ompletel# irrelevant to the a&tual (orth of a movie. ll m# life their opinions have been as li$el# to "iffer as the# are to &oin&i"e (ith m# o(n rea&tions to &ertain movies. 5/ome on,7 some (ill sa#, 5#ouGre Hust miffe" that #ours "i"nGt get 144B per&ent rave revie(s. +ilm revie(s have to have some value, rightD7 Wrong. This also goes for enthusiasti&all# good revie(s. No movie has ever re&eive" uniforml# positive revie(s, an" even the most favorable usuall# in&lu"e some negative remar$s. t present, the &onsi"erations (hi&h &an preHu"i&e a revie(er one (a# or the other are so man# an" so frivolous that to ta$e an# one of their opinions seriousl# is the eNuivalent of flipping a &oin. 2e&ause the critics presume their personal tastes are the sole arbiter of the Nualit# of a film, "oesnGt mean (e nee" "o so. 9 have hun"re"s of revie(s of 'ire in the (ky. Nothing better illustrates the irrelevan&e of revie(s than &omparing them to ea&h other. +or an# &omment, 9 &an fin" its opposite. The best an" (orst &omments often &an be foun" (ithin the same revie(. 'ome love" the first part, but foun" the seNuen&e aboar" the ship unbearable to (at&h. 'ome &oul"nGt (ait to get past the beginning an" get to the s&ene aboar", of (hi&h the# sai" the# (ishe" there (as more. 'ome sai" the movie ma"e m# eKperien&e believable, others sai" the opposite. 'ome revie(ers praise" one a&tor an" insulte" another, (hile the neKt (oul" reverse those assessments. 'ome sai" great a&ting survive" poor "ire&tion,

23# Tra'(* .a/to)

others praise" the "ire&tion an" "ismisse" the a&ting. 'ome people felt )oll#(oo" ha" bot&he" a great stor#, others sai" no amount of &inemati& eKpertise &oul" ma$e a goo" film from a stor# so unbelievable. 'o man# "efinite, uneNuivo&al pronoun&ements "ire&tl# &ontra"i&ting ea&h other. ma!ing that a multibillionB"ollar in"ustr# is subHe&t to su&h an arbitrar# rating s#stem. 'ome revie(ers trashe" ever#thing, (hile (hat reall# &ame through (as that the# &oul"nGt separate their vie(s on the subject matter =*+%s> from their estimations of the stor#, the a&ting, "ire&ting, et&. fe( un$no(ingl# reveale" the# ha"nGt even seen the movie, not be&ause of an#thing harsh the#G" sai", but be&ause the# ma"e ver# basi& errors &on&erning the movieGs a&tual &ontent. )o(ever, man# love" it an" gave measure" praise that rang true b# spea$ing "ire&tl# to realities in the film (ith insightful anal#sis of (hat (as a&tuall# "epi&te". Fven though itGs stan"ar" pro&e"ure for promoters to sele&t bits of the best lines from revie(s of their movies an" ma$e them part of ever# a"vertisement, ,aramount "i"nGt "o so (ith 'ire. )o(ever, m# foremost "etra&tor &ulle" fourteen of the most negative revie(ersG remar$s he &oul" gather =absur"l# referring to them as 5representative7> an" gleefull# reprinte" them in his ne(sletter, as if su&h pettiness highlighte" an#thing but his irrelevan&ein effe&t, a revie( of his o(n &hara&ter. ,lent# of approving opinions (ere availableC 5The s&enes insi"e the &raft are reall# ver# goo". The# &onvin&ingl# "epi&t a realit# 9 havenGt seen in the movies before.7 =;oger Fbert> 5*n&ommonl# intelligent an" "eepl# "isturbing . . . RitS ma# Hust be among the s&ariest movie seNuen&es ever. The performan&es are uniforml# goo". ,arti&ularl# strong are '(eene#Gs Walton . . . an" ,atri&$Gs foreman.7 =The Aansas -ity (tar; 5Then is it a goo" movieD 3es. Wh#D 2e&ause it eKploits our &uriosit# (ithout insulting our intelligen&e, it is ni&el# &rafte", respe&tabl# a&te" an" serious about its subHe&t, an" be&ause the movie is as mu&h about the effe&t of this $in" of in&i"ent on the fol$s involve" as it is about the inherent truth of it. We (ill &all 'ire in the (ky three stars out of four. . . . suspenseful &uriosit# pie&e . . . a ver# (ell ma"e film.7 =WTV+B TI8+oK film &riti& 2ill Wine> 59 highl# re&ommen" this film . . . We (ere also impresse" b# the Nualit# an" sin&erit#.7 =;*+%'> 52esi"es a loo$ at human behavior an" the &hara&terB"riven approa&h to telling the stor#, the spe&ial effe&ts . . . are phenomenal an" Nuite believable.7 ='iegler, &ntertainment $oday; Q. . . (ellB&ast, &apabl# shot, an" a fairl# balan&e" presentation of events . . .Q =Mannett Ne(s 'ervi&e, the 8e orter 6is atch; 5. . . "onGt miss 'ire in the (ky.# :CD (econd *review;

FIRE IN THE SKY 23$

5 RTheS fabulous alien seNuen&e is the best bit of filmma$ing onBs&reen. 9tGs vis&eral, "#nami& an" frightening.7 :$oronto (un; Q. . . han"somel# shot . . . an" (ell &ast.7 =the <nion $ribune; 5This is a gripping film that operates on man# "ifferent levels . . . The "ire&tion b# ;obert :ieberman is smooth an", supplemente" b# Army of 6arkness &inematographer 2ill ,ope, be&omes Nuite eKtraor"inar#.7 :6aily $rojan; FNuall# favorable &omments (ere eKpresse" in ustraliaC 'ire in the (ky (or$s as totall# &ompelling &inema be&ause it sti&$s to $no(n fa&ts an" the a&tors perform (ith po(er an" &onvi&tion.7 = (unday 1ail, "elai"e, ustralia> 5 surprisingl# plausible "rama.7 =(un!=erald, '#"ne#, ustralia> 5. . . thoroughl# entertaining an" thoughtBprovo$ing . . . trul# involving . . . 7 =-ountryman, Western ustralia> 5. . . a sensitivel# "ra(n stu"# of an in&re"ible event (hi&h vastl# affe&te" the lives of the men "ire&tl# involve".7 =E! ress maga!ine, ,erth, ustralia> s of this (riting the *.A. release has #et to o&&ur so revie(s are not available. 9 (onGt in&lu"e the 9talian be&ause 9 &anGt rea" the language, an" our lo&al me"ia "oesnGt revie( movies. 9n the final anal#sis, #ou "onGt nee" an#one to tell #ou (hat #ou li$e. ?ust go rent the vi"eo an" Hu"ge for #ourself. 9 thin$ #ouGll be gla" #ou "i", be&ause it is an intense an" thoughtBprovo$ing eKperien&e, espe&iall# for those (hoGve rea" this boo$. 9 ta$e more seriousl# the average personGs opinions an" &omments after the#Gve a&tuall# seen the movie. ;emember that the reason 9 finall# agree" to allo( m# boo$ to be ma"e into a movie (as in the hope of brea$ing "o(n emotional barriers to an obHe&tive anal#sis of the bare fa&ts of the matter. +rom all in"i&ations, the film has su&&ee"e" in "oing that. 9 note" a profoun" shift in peopleGs attitu"es. ,eople (ere move" to &ome up to me an" tell me ho( the# felt, as the# ha" never "one before. /learl# a gap ha" been bri"ge"ver# gratif#ing to me. *nli$e a "o&umentar# film, a "ramati& movie, although it can &onve# fa&ts, is best at its inten"e" purposethat of approKimating a subHe&tive eKperien&e. %n the other han", a boo$, though it &an =if (ritten "ramati&all# approKimate eKperien&e, is best at &ommuni&ating fa&ts. This boo$ is "esigne" to follo( up on peopleGs rea"iness to reeKamine the fa&ts, (hi&h (as stimulate" b# the film. ThatGs m# emphasis here. 9n this pursuit 9 must no( atten" to the "ramati& li&ense ta$en (ith the stor# an" tr# to &lear up an# mis&on&eptions arising from alteration of maHor fa&ts. 9Gm not going to tr# to eKpoun" minutel# on ever# "etailL that (oul" be unne&essar# an" te"ious. -ost people un"erstan" &ompletel# that the movie (as a "ramati& representation of a true stor#not a "o&umentar#.

24& Tra'(* .a/to)

'till, there (ere purists (ho felt profoun"l# "isappointe"some even be&ame angr#that the movie (asnGt a pre&ise reB&reation of ever#thing that happene". /arrie" to the eKtreme, su&h an en"eavor (oul" have &ost more than the &ombine" bu"gets of ever# movie ma"e that #ear, resulting in a movie hun"re"s of hours long. Fven though there have been man# other re&entl# ma"e movies about realBlife stories that too$ far greater liberties (ith the fa&ts, for some reason that &riti&ism never be&ame an issue for an# of them. The purists seeme" seriousl# to feel that the movie shoul" have been shot in 'no(fla$eL that tons of mone# shoul" have been spent to restore 'no(fla$eGs appearan&e &ir&a 1975L that as man# as possible of the people involve" shoul" have pla#e" themselvesL an", espe&iall#, that m# fiveB"a# eKperien&e shoul" have been reB&reate" as pre&isel# as possible. The purists (ere more li$el# to be people &lose to the stor#su&h as frien"s, famil#, an" those "ire&tl# involve"or people in the *+% &ommunit# (ho (ere alrea"# familiar (ith the fa&ts an" "etails of the &ase. 'till, there (ere those in the general publi&, even some Hournalists, (ho felt shortB&hange" (hen the# learne" about the "epartures from realit#, espe&iall# those &on&erning the ab"u&tion eKperien&e. s eKtreme as some of the puristsG positions (ere, 9 felt a "egree of empath# for their vie(s be&ause 9 m#self ha" on&e been there. part of me (ante" to #ell, 59 tol" #ou soO7 2ut so mu&h goo" is being a&&omplishe" in the net effe&t of the movie that 9Gm &ommitte", inner reservations asi"e, to an apologistGs position on the issue. The *+% &ommunit# ought to see this film as a brea$through, be&ause this is the first time a maHor stu"io has been (illing to ta$e the subHe&t seriousl# enough to ma$e a movie from a realB life stor#. +irst of all, as 9Gve sai" before, a multitu"e of fa&tors &onspire to "eem an optimum length for movies of about a hun"re" minutes. %bviousl#, in or"er to "epi&t an# stor# that a&tuall# o&&urre" in a span of more than one hun"re" minutes, a &ertain amount of &on"ensing is going to be ne&essar#. lthough, for me, events relevant to November 5, 1975, no( span "e&a"es, 'ire in the (ky &overs onl# t(o #ears. The bottom line is that in or"er to pa&$ t(o #ears into a hun"re" minutes an" $eep it intelligible, itGs ne&essar# to simplif#. goo" part of the &hanges from realit# (ere ma"e purel# from that motive. -# t(o brothers serve" the same purpose in the story, so the# (ere &ombine" into one part. The same (ith the la( offi&ers. 'o man# of their realB life roles serve" the same purpose that the# (ere &ombine". =Whi&h allo(s more than one la(man to &laim prou"l#an" a&&uratel#that he (as pla#e" b# ?ames Marner.> There (ere a&tuall# seven of us out thereL in the movie there (ere siK. 'o this is no 5embellishment7obviousl#, it (oul" be great if there (ere twenty e#e(itnesses. -i$e ;ogers a&tuall# ha" four "aughtersL in the movie he has onl# t(o. 9n realit# 9 en&ountere" t(o separate ufologist groupsC a

FIRE IN THE SKY 241

fla$# one, an" a legitimate one (hi&h sponsore" mu&h testing (ith &orroborative results. %nl# the fla$# group ma"e it to the s&reen. -ost of these &hanges "i"nGt reall# alter the "ramati& essen&e of the stor#. The# "i" serve to re"u&e the number of &hara&ters the au"ien&e ha" to $eep tra&$ of. Time (as also &ompresse" to ma$e events flo( together an" to provi"e emotional &ontinuit#. The &ruK of the issue is that if all those things ha" been represente" Hust as the# (ere in real life, the stor# (oul" basi&all# have "elivere" the same message onl# not as &learl#. rt is life ti"ie" up. s mentione", ufologists an" others have ta$en eKtreme eK&eption to (hat the# &harge is the com lete fictionalization of the ab"u&tion seNuen&e itself. fe( even implie" 9 ha" sol" out, allo(e" the &orruption of m# stor# for gain. The# seeme" to blame me for ever#thing the# "i"nGt li$e, even after learning 9 (as allo(e" no sa# in the matter. 9 (as given some rationali!ations b# the filmma$ers for (h# the &hanges (ere ma"e, but 9 &an onl# spe&ulate as to (hat &onsi"erations trul# prompte" this approa&h. 'in&e 9 never reall# re&eive" a &omplete eKplanation, 9 &an onl# guess ho( mu&h of their thin$ing (as governe" b# 5/.3. .7/over 3our ssets, Hust in &ase m# stor# (as later "isprove". The eKplanation 9 (as given (as that the aliensG appearan&e ha" to be &hange" to avoi" similarit# to other, more &hees# an" ri"i&ulous, earlier presentations of those beings, an" =from "es&riptions in other, lessBpubli&i!e" reports> to provi"e more visual interest than (oul" have &ome from images that ha" been seen before. 9 un"erstoo" this reasoning, although 9 "i"nGt feel it (holl# Hustifie" the aliensG &hange" appearan&e(hi&h (asnGt all that "rasti& of a &hange an#(a#. fter all, the# "i"nGt be&ome tenta&le" o&topi, hair# beasts, or inse&B toi"s. The# remaine" fourBfootBtall, hairless humanoi"s. The &ompromise, ho(ever, (as that the &reatures (ere sho(n to use largeBe#e" 5spa&esuitsQ =the onl# spo$en (or" in the ab"u&tion seNuen&e>, (hi&h the filmma$ers felt more &losel# resemble" m# "es&riptions. 2ut (h# (ere events also &hange"D -a#be itGs simpl# that &reative people fin" it har" to restrain themselves from being too &reative. The# ma# have reasone" that sin&e 9 &oul"nGt remember ever#thing, an" the fa&t that 9 &oul"nGt remember so mu&h of that time ha" fille" me (ith great forebo"ing, that this Hustifie" illustrating (hat could have been the sour&e of m# anKiet#. 9n other (or"s, sin&e anything might have happene" "uring that unremembere" time, here (as a gol" mine of untappe" possibilit#, (herein the# eKer&ise" the &reativit# the# ha" to restrain in (or$ing on a realBlife stor#. fe( people eKplaine" the fi&tionali!ation b# suggesting that the filmma$ers ha" be&ome part of the &onspira&# to obs&ure the truth about *+%s, but 9 seriousl# "oubt that. 9t is far more li$el# that the# simpl# believe", &orre&tl# or not, that their &hanges ma"e the stor# more &ommer&iall# viable.

242 Tra'(* .a/to)

9Gm not sure (here the intentional en"s an" the coincidental begins, but (hat follo(s are m# o(n interpretations of ho( several elements in 'ire in the (ky &orrespon" ver# (ell, at least in a s#mboli& fashion, to (hat 9 remember. 9f 9 &oul"nGt have things in the movie represente" Hust as the# a&tuall# (ere, the neKtBbest thing is to have people leave the theater (ith the same emotional rea&tion the# (oul" have ha" if the#G" been through the eKperien&e themselves. 9 ha" gra"uall# regaine" &ons&iousness in a small, "iml# lit pla&e, (ith an o"" taste in m# mouth, in a strange, heav# atmosphere that ma"e it ver# "iffi&ult to breathe. ll those &on"itions &ombine" (ith the sense of being trappe" to provo$e intense feelings of suffo&ation an" &laustrophobia in me. The film &ontaine" &orollar# s&enesC one in (hi&h the a&tor portra#ing me (a$es up in a sort of &o&oon or po", an" another in (hi&h heGs trappe", hel" "o(n b# a membrane, unable to either move or breathe. 9 &oul"nGt "es&ribe the "etails of the me"i&alBloo$ing instruments 9 ha" seen, but even so, seeing them &ertainl# ha" ma"e me shu""er at ho( the# (ere to be use"or, (orse, ho( the# might have been already use"before 9 &ame to. 'o, in the s&ene (here 9 am hel" "o(n, un"ergoing terrif#ingl# bi!arre pro&e"ures, even though the strange instruments use" in the film (ere not &reate" from m# "es&riptions, the in&re"ible intensit# of that s&ene su&&ee"e" in &onve#ing m# feelings to the au"ien&e. -# first boo$, $he %alton &x erience, relate" "es&riptions of m# feelings of being loath to tou&h, or be tou&he" b#, the aliens. )en&e all the i&$# goo of the film. 9 eKperien&e" feelings of being manipulate", of being subHe&te", of being po(erless to &ontrol m# o(n fatethus the a&tor being "ragge" an" slamme" "o(n onto the table li$e a slab of meat. 9 "es&ribe" feeling 9 (as being eKamine", li$e a bug in a Harthe unbearableness of their ga!e, their e#es seeming to see right through me, so that 9 felt mentall# na$e" before them. The a&tor is represente" as being ph#si&all# na$e", (hi&h also serves as a metaphor for helplessness. -# single most overpo(ering memor# (as that of their huge e#es. There (as also something ver# stri$ing about the e#es of the humanBloo$ing beings. fter m# return, people (ho $no( me (ere ver# affe&te" b# the loo$ in m# e#es, espe&iall# b# ho( re" the# remaine" for su&h a long time after. The e#es of ever#one (ere on me. 9t seeme" the (hole (orl" (as staring. ppropriatel#, then, the most overpo(ering s&ene in the movie =for me> &on&erne" the things "one to the a&torGs e#es. The "isorienting feeling of entering the automati&all# "ar$ening, planetariumBli$e room, an" being surroun"e" in all "ire&tions =in&lu"ing belo( me> b# the appearan&e of empt# spa&e, translate" in the film to the "isorienting effe&t of (eightlessness in a "iml# lit area. 9n the movie, the room (here the spa&esuits hung (as a "e&ompression &hamber, the analogue of the airlo&$Bli$e room 9 passe" through.

FIRE IN THE SKY 243

9 lashe" out at the aliens (ith the ba&$ of m# arm an" (ith a ro"li$e obHe&tL in the movie the a&tor $i&$e" one of the aliens. +or me, m# motor&#&le s#mboli!e" free"om, in"ivi"ualit#, an" selfB"etermination, the ver# things 9 felt the greatest la&$ of "uring those five "a#s, thus the a&tor ris$ing so mu&h to grab the motor&#&le $e# floating b#. The $e# s#mboli!es to me m# sear&h for a (a# out. -# &hara&ter being "ragge" "o(n the hall(a# obviousl# (as inspire" b# m# a&tual "ash "o(n the hall(a#, propelle" un&ontrollabl# b# pani&. -# terror that 9 might en&ounter them again aroun" ever# &orner (as represente" (ell on the s&reen. s 9 sai", 9 "onGt $no( ho( man# of these parallels are &oin&i"ental an" ho( man#, if an#, (ere intentional. 2ut the o""s are "oubtful that that man# similarities &ame about b# &han&e, an" it seems to point to at least a sub&ons&ious s#mbolism on the part of (hoever &reate" those seNuen&es. -# eKperien&e of en&ountering (hat appeare" to be living humans rather than "e&omposing ones in a hone#&omb of &o&oons, as in the movieis omitte". Wh#D gain, probabl# to simplif#, to fo&us on the more sensational, &ore aspe&ts. The essen&e of the stor# is m# ab"u&tion b# aliens. -a#be the filmma$ers "i"nGt (ant to &ompli&ate things (ith something begging so lou"l# for eKplanation. To sho( them (oul" have intro"u&e" an unresolvable m#ster# (hi&h (oul" have "istra&te" from the other the mess being eKplore". ,urists might insist that paralleling, s#mboli!ing, an" evo$ing the same emotions arenGt goo" enoughL the movie ought to have sho(n it eKa&tl# as it (as. 9 un"erstan", be&ause 9 ha" at first been ver# upset about it m#self. -# earliest &on&ept of (hat this movie (oul" be (as a pre&ise, pointBb#B point eKposition of the evi"en&e, &harges, an" &ounter&harges. t last, it (oul" be the proper forum 9 "eserve", a final vin"i&ation. &han&e to sa# (hat nee"e" to be sai" an" be hear". )o(ever, there are t(o reasons, from m# point of vie(, (h# some of (hat (as "one a&tuall# better a&hieves m# goal of ma$ing people feel (hat 9 felt. +irst is that, if one sa( an a&tor merel# stan"ing, breathing har", loo$ing pani&$e", one (oul" not un"erstan" why he felt that (a#. 2ut sho(ing a manGs fa&e, &overe" as he struggles to breathe . . . the vie(er not onl# understands, he i"entifies. 9n the absen&e of "ialogue or narration, showing is the onl# (a#. The se&on" reason is that au"ien&es have gro(n spoile" b# everBmoreB fantasti& effe&tsboth visual an" au"itor#. No gun ever roare" in the (a# movie soun"tra&$s &ause them almost to spea$ the emotion of the person firing. 9n real life, if a ro&$ &ame through oneGs (in"o(, the &ra&$ an" tin$le (oul" be nothing li$e the shattering soun" an" bu&$ets of glassBshar"s that floo" the room in a movie. 9tGs gotten to the point (here au"ien&es rea&t as if movies are more real than life. 9tGs ironi& that sometimes "epi&ting realit# eKa&tl# as it is fails to &onvin&e vie(ers as (ell as the familiar film 5metaphor.7 ;ealBlife events &ausing

244 Tra'(* .a/to)

tremen"ous emotion in us (oul" bore people seeing the same thing on film. )#pe has inflate" the &urren&# of emotion, but part of the reason for this inflation is that people respon" less intensel# $no(ing 5itGs onl# a movie.7 To evo$e an# emotion as intensel# as itGs felt in real life, filmma$ers fin" it ne&essar# to up the intensit# a fe( not&hes. Nevertheless, as intense as 'ire in the (ky is, no one &an possibl# full# eKperien&e (hat (e "i". The movie prompte" rene(e" interest in one Nuestion that (as earlier often as$e" about m# eKperien&eC Were the aliens reall# so malevolentD re the# goo" or evilD 'ome people &laime" the aliensG representation (as so ba" as to be the result of influen&e b# government propagan"ists. ThereGs no Nuestion that in the movie the aliens appeare" to be, if not Nuite ba" gu#s, at the ver# least ungra&ious hosts. -an# people fin" it har" to &omprehen" that superior intelligen&es &oul" be so evil. s 9 have al(a#s sai", perhaps 9 onl# ex erienced them as ba", "ue to the traumati& &ir&umstan&es. The sho&$ of abruptl# seeing intelligent &reatures so unfamiliar in appearan&e, together (ith the pain, feeling trappe", an" the pani& of feeling suffo&ate", all &ombine" to ma$e for a totall# terrif#ing eKperien&e(hi&h the movie a&&uratel# rela#s. )o(ever, in hin"sight 9Gve note" that 9 was returne" apparentl# unharme" eK&ept for mental traumaL that fa&t suggests some $in" of moral responsibilit#. )o(ever, (ho &oul" fathom the purposes of su&h min"sD The bottom line is, although it is not an a&&urate representation of the &reatures 9 sa(, the film "oes a&&uratel# evo$e emotions li$e those 9 felt at the time. %ne of m# &hief aims in the film (as to impart m# emotional eKperien&e. 'ome ufologists (ere a little offen"e" b# the s&ene (ith the fi&tional ufologist ?arvis ,o(ell, an" the noneKistent + ; = meri&an +oun"ation for erial ;esear&h>. 9 ha" nothing to "o (ith that. 9Gm tol" it (as an invention straight from the film "ire&torGs imagination. 9 "onGt for one se&on" see + ; as a representation of ,;%, be&ause ,;% (as &ompletel# professional an" s&ientifi& at all times. The onl# other ufologist group (e ha" an# &onta&t (ith in the first fe( "a#s (as Mroun" 'au&er Wat&h. 9t (as William 'paul"ing of M'W (ho, before 9 (as ever returne", suggeste" obtaining the urine sample. n" it (as in "ealing (ith M'W that 9 first ha" &onta&t (ith pseu"os&ientifi& nonsense an" fla$# people (ith bogus &re"entials. 'o even though the &hara&ter of ?arvis ,o(ell an" + ; (ere purel# fi&tional, 9 $no( (ho 9 pi&ture in that role (hen seeing the film. +or the re&or", respe&table ufologists nee"nGt be &on&erne" about having provi"e" a mo"el for that s&ene. The s&ene lea"ing up to me being hit b# the beam (as Nuite a&&urateL if an#thing, it (as perhaps pla#e" down a bit. 6ifferen&es (ere prett# small. We "es&ribe" the &raft as having the glo( of hot metal, fresh from a blast furna&e. 2ut (e meant #ello(ish (hite or (hiteBhot, not re"Bhot. The movie has the

FIRE IN THE SKY 24

surfa&e of the &raft a&tuall# loo$ing li$e flo(ing molten metal. n" the overall shape, although generall# "is&Bli$e in form, (as "ifferent. lso, (hen the beam hit me, it (as mu&h more "ramati&. The film ma"e it loo$ li$e the beam &ame on an" sta#e" on, hol"ing me in its grip before tossing me ba&$. What reall# happene" (as that it hit me (ith a brief, po(erful blast mu&h more blin"ingl# brilliant than in the movie, an" 9 (as instantl# blo(n ba&$(ar"L (hi&h (as, 9 thin$, far more visuall# stunning than the (a# the# "i" it. 'ome "etails (ere fi&tionali!e" to emphasi!e the frien"ship bet(een -i$e an" mefor the 5bu""# film7 aspe&t of the s&ript. -# firstborn son (asnGt name" after -i$e, but again, film better shows than tells. ;ather than simpl# sa#ing, 5The# (ere &lose frien"s,7 (a#s are sought to ma$e people a&tuall# feel it. 9n realit# Aen ,eterson (as the one to &all in the report to the "eput#. 9n the movie -i$e (as sho(n ma$ing the &all, in $eeping (ith his status as lea" &hara&ter in m# &hara&terGs absen&e. )is "oing so provi"e" an artisti& &ounterpoint to the phone &all he re&eives from me on that storm# night later in the movie. That &all, too, use" "ramati& li&ense. The realBlife &all (ent to m# brotherBinBla(, be&ause neither m# mother nor -i$e ha" a telephone at that time. There (asnGt an# rainstorm the evening of m# return. )o(ever, o"" atmospheri& &on"itions that night "i" &ause the smo$e from the pres&ribe" &ontrolBburn of forest "ebris to the north to "rift along (ithin a fe( feet of the earth, in the lo( areas bet(een )eber an" 'no(fla$e. The (il" ri"e out an" ba&$ to res&ue me gaine" an a""e" "imension of (eir"ness, be&ause the smo$e resemble" groun" fog. )ere is an eKample of truth being stranger than fi&tion too mu&h stranger. ;epresenting &on"itions as the# a&tuall# (ere (oul" have been mista$en b# au"ien&es for a &lums# attempt to a"" horror b# resorting to &li&hY" monsterBmovie effe&ts. 'o instea" in the movie, it raine". 2ut again, this understated realit# rather than embellishe" it. Fven a fe( nonresi"ents of 'no(fla$e remar$e" on the (a# to(nsfol$ seem portra#e" as a bun&h of &lo"s an" ha#see"s. No, this (asnGt m# revenge on 'no(fla$e for not rea&ting more s#mpatheti&all# to our report. Nothing in the s&ript tol" me ho( lo&als (oul" loo$ an" a&t. n" $eep in min" the# (ere "epi&ting people from seventeen #ears before. 9 (as as surprise" as an#one, but 9 shoul"nGt have been. ;e&all m# remar$s in this boo$Gs prefa&e regar"ing metro&entrism. 'u&h ma# eKplain the 5hi&$7 ta$e on lo&al resi"ents, but also, the language of film relies on simplif#ing man# things into rea"il# i"entifiable &on&epts. Whi&h is a ni&e (a# of sa#ing ever#thing gets stereot#pe". &&epte" pol#graphBtesting metho"olog# (as not follo(e" in the movie. 9nstea" of 5boring7 people (ith the stri&t #esBorBno of proper pol#graph pro&e"ure, the# livene" things up (ith 5phrase7 ans(ers. 9n real life, onl# one

24! Tra'(* .a/to)

su&h goofBup (oul" ruin a test. s far as 9 $no(, no burie" "og (as "is&overe" b# sear&hers. The# "i" "ig through piles an" &he&$e" into spots of "isturbe" earth on the &ontra&t, loo$ing for m# bo"#. n#(a#, the suspense of "igging up something "ea" an" fin"ing out it (asnGt me (as effe&tive, even though it (as in the "ire&tion of in&reasing suspi&ion of m# &re(mates. 9tGs reall# ama!ing that the movie in&rease" peopleGs a&&eptan&e of the realit# of our eKperien&e, be&ause nearl# ever# single "eparture from realit# (ith an# bearing on support for the stor# &ame "o(n against itO -an#, man# pie&es of positive evi"en&e (ere omitte", man# false &lues against it (ere a""e". Farlier versions of the s&ript pla#e" up even more the mur"erB m#ster# angle from the investigatorGs =an" the au"ien&eGs> point of vie(. There never (as a &op# of a tabloi" ne(spaper in the &re( tru&$. 9 "i"nGt even $no( (hat a tabloi" (as then, an" 9 "onGt $no( if ba&$ then there (as even enough of a lo&al mar$et for tabloi"s to be sol" in 'no(fla$e. There (as a time (hen no al&ohol (as sol" here an", even more re&entl#, (hen no 5menGs maga!ines7 (ere sol".> 9n realit# all the men returne" to the site, instea" of -i$e going in alone as in the movie. 9n realit#, the sheriff an" his men did sear&h the site the same night the# re&eive" the report. 9n realit# llen 6alis "i"nGt #et have his serious re&or" of arme" robber#. 9n realit# there (as no suspi&ious &ut on llenGs han", (ith the &re( tr#ing to &over up ho( he got it. 6alisG an" m# fight "i"nGt happen that "a#, although the treeBfelling in&i"ent "i". There (as no Nuarrel that "a# bet(een -i$e an" me over m# relationship (ith 6ana. There (ere no &onspiratorial 5:etGs sti&$ b# our stor#7 remar$s among the &re(. The film eKaggerate" the &onfusion in fin"ing the eKa&t spot of the sighting an" ab"u&tion. =The men Nui&$l# resolve" that Nuestion right after the# returne" the first time that night, b# fin"ing m# heelB prints from (here 9G" eKite" the tru&$.> 9n the movie, the sheriff as$e" the men to ta$e the tests, an" at first the# 5flatl# refuse".7 9n real life the men (ere hollering right off for lieB"ete&tor tests. T(o tests, in fa&t, for &omparative purposesthe# feare" a government &overB up. The# also as$e" to be given so"ium pentothal =5truth serum7>. 9n the movie, after the tests the# (ere as$e" to return for retesting, an" refuse" again. 9n real life, the first "a# of tests (ere &onsi"ere" suffi&ientL an" later (e ans(ere" our foremost "etra&tor (ith a &hallenge to have us reteste". 9n the movie, the sheriff &hara&ter, +ran$ Watters, sai" in a ra"io intervie( that 5pol#graphs are in&on&lusive7 an" that he believe" the men (ere l#ing. 9n realit# 'heriff Millespie (ent on re&or" (ithC 59 gotta sa# the# passe" the tests,7 an" that he believe" the men (ere telling the truth. The a&tor (ith the greatest au"ien&e popularit#, ?ames Marner, (as &ast as an un(avering s$epti&. s&ene sho(ing the man ta$ing MeigerB&ounter rea"ings at the site (as filme", but &ut from the movie =onl# his s&reen &re"it remains>.

FIRE IN THE SKY 24"

Tons of &orroborating evi"en&e ="is&usse" at length earlier in this boo$> "i"nGt ma$e it to the s&reen. 9n no (a# &oul" an#one a&&use ,aramount of ta$ing the position of embellishing the stor# to improve our &ase, (hen the# "i"nGt even put the best fa&e for(ar" of evi"en&e as it eKiste". The opening &re"its sa# 52ase" on Rnot 5This is7S a true stor#.7 The &losing &re"its en" (ith a "is&laimerC 5This motion pi&ture is inspire" b# a&tual events. )o(ever, the names of &ertain of the &hara&ters portra#e" have been &hange" an" &ertain in&i"ents portra#e" have been &reate" or "ramati!e".7 The film "oesnGt a&tuall# sho( the in&i"ent happeningL it merel# "ramati!es, (ith a sort of thir"Bperson treatment, (hat the men tol" authorities, an" (hat &ame out un"er h#pnosis. n" after ea&h of these seNuen&es the# ha" Watters sa#ing mo&$ingl#, 56o #ou eKpe&t me to believe ...0.7 or rolling his e#es in &#ni&al "isbelief. =;e&all those in"ignant &laims that not one single thing "es&ribe" in m# original boo$, $he %alton &x erience. (as use" in &reating the *+%Bab"u&tion eKperien&e in the movie.> -# feelings asi"e, &on&erning the filmma$ersG avoi"an&e of an en"orsing stan&e, the fa&t is that a straight, &ameraGsBe#e vie(, or 5omnis&ient7 perspe&tive, (as use" onl# for events no one &hallenges. 9f ,aramount (ere intereste" =(hi&h the# (erenGt> in bothering to refute the atta&$ ma"e b# /'9M%, that the# ha" misle" the publi& b# sa#ing 52ase" on a true stor#,7 the# &oul" have "efen"e" themselves easil# b# asserting the movie Nualifies as being fa&tBbase" even in the most s$epti&al appraisal, be&ause it "epi&ts as unNuestioningl# fa&tual onl# the events no one "isputes. 9n fa&t, Tra&# Torme use" eKa&tl# this "efense on a fe( o&&asions. +rom no oneGs point of vie( &oul" it be a matter of belief or opinion that seven men (ent up the mountain an" onl# siK returne"L that the# reporte" (hat the# reporte"L an" that there (as an offi&ial poli&e report of a missing person. 9tGs un"ispute" that there (as a massive manhunt, an eKtensive investigation, pol#graph testing of the men, a (orl"(i"e me"ia barrage, an" F. miK of ps#&hoso&ial effe&ts an" &ontentions (hi&h severel# "isrupte" a normall# Nuiet, &onservative &ommunit#. Those points (ere the fo&us of the movie. WeGre &ertain of the realit# of (hat happene" to us, but as 9Gve a"miiB te", no one but us &an know as (e $no(. 'o 9 &anGt fin" fault (ith the filmma$ers for not going be#on" (hat the# &oul" personall# $no(. 9Gve gotten be#on" m# "isappointment that the# "i"nGt &ome out foursNuare in unNualifie" &onfirmation of our reports. Who &oul" fault them for fa&ing the realities of operating in a so&iet# (ith the largest number of la(#ers per &apita of an# nation in the (orl"D a nation (ith an insatiable appetite for all the publi& but&hering a pre"ator# me"ia &an thro( to it. Fven though 9 still feel there might have been a better (a#, 9 re&ogni!e the priorities an" pressures affe&ting the filmma$ers (ere not the same as mine.

24# Tra'(* .a/to)

s 9 (rite these (or"s, 'ire in the (ky is &on&lu"ing its run in the theaters. -# eKperien&e seems to be &ompleting one phase an" entering another. ?ust (hat the previous phase (ill &ome to mean, an" (hat the neKt phase hol"s, onl# time (ill tell. +or the international release of 'ire in the (ky 9 travele" eKtensivel#, seeing &ountries 9G" al(a#s (ante" to see. We (ere in :on"on for the NueenGs birth"a# &elebration an" sa( the sightsC 2u&$ingham ,ala&e, the /ro(n ?e(els, the To(er of :on"on, :on"on 2ri"ge, an" ,i&&a"ill# /ir&us. = faK to seK author 'here )ite from her ?apanese publisher (as "elivere" to m# room b# mista$e. 'orr#, it (oul"nGt be ethi&al to reveal the message.> ;o" 'te(art an" his (ife, supermo"el ;a&hel )unter, ha" lun&h at our hotel "uring our sta#. The histori& :angham )ilton, (hi&h ha" an allBne( interior resulting from having been gutte" b# fire, ha" another fire (hile (e (ere there (hi&h &ause" ever#one to be eva&uate" to the street. 6ana an" 9 sear&he" for -i$e an" his la"# in the &ro(", but (e later learne" the# ha" been out sightseeing "uring the entire uproar. 9t ha" been su&h a small fire, in the $it&hen, that none of the other guests ha" seen an# smo$e, either. The &on&ierge sai" it ha" been eKtinguishe" even as the alarm (ent off, but that sin&e it ha" triggere" more than one "ete&tor in the vi&init# of an elevator shaft, regulations reNuire" the full "rillC ta$ing the elevators out of servi&e, fire tru&$s, an" all. 2efore (e "is&overe" (hat (as going on, the "rill "i" &reate some anKious momentsL espe&iall# (hen (e en&ountere" a guest in a (heel&hair at the top of the stairs. 9 (as all set to leave our bags behin" an" &arr# her, &hair an" all, "o(n all those stairs. 'he an" her &ompanions refuse", eKplaining she "i" have limite" abilit# to move some (ithout the &hair if the# assiste" her. %ur rea&tions to the fire alarm (ere some(hat blunte" b# having eKperien&e" a false alarm some (ee$s earlier, in our hotel in 2risbane, ustralia. %n that o&&asion the fire alarm ha" been triggere" b# (or$men (hoG" &reate" a short in the (iring. The lou" soun" (ent on interminabl# (hile the# sear&he" for the &ause. -i$e slept through that one. 9n ustralia (e ha" seen all the maHor eastB &oast &ities, the (il"life, the rain forest, an" the Mreat 2arrier ;eefthe onl# living thing on earth large enough to be visible from spa&e. We sa( the famous an&ient stru&tures of ;omeL (e visite" the -outh of Truth. Not long after our return home, a terrorist bomb eKplo"e" near (here (e ha" (al$e" outsi"e the +orum. 9roni& that a s#mbol of rational "is&ussion is &hosen as a pla&e for those (ho impli&itl# "en# the value of rational "is&ussion. 9 "onGt $no( (hat their grievan&e (as, an" neither "o most of those aroun" the (orl" (ho hear" the ne(s of the bombing. ll that reall# &omes a&ross is that another meaningless a&t of "estru&tion has o&&urre" some(here. Mee, (eGre impresse". WonGt those bo!os ever learn the# arenGt getting attention for their vie(s, the#Gre onl# su&&ee"ing in "ro(ning themselves out (ith their o(n blastsD

FIRE IN THE SKY 24$

,eople as$ me if 9Gm satisfie" (ith the (a# the movie turne" out. 9n the final anal#sis, (ill it have a&hieve" (hat 9G" hope" it (oul"D That remains to be seen. 9Gm a bit &autious, but if the afterglo( that eKists no( remains, (eGre on our (a#. ;obert ,atri&$, the former TB1444, has great lo&al appeal. 'no(fla$e being a ran&hing &ommunit#, 6. 2. '(eene#Gs )onesome 6ove has a bit of a &ult follo(ing an", as the star of $he -utting &dge, he has be&ome a bit of a teenage heartthrob. The rest of the &ast are also rising stars, eK&ept of &ourse for ?ames Marner, (ho is a legen". The (hole &ast (ere eK&ellent spo$espersons for the first shout of a message the (orl" nee"s to hear. No eKplosions to gain a hearing for this message. 2ut a little star po(er to open the &hannels of &ommuni&ation "oesnGt reall# "o an# harm, although itGs a sa" &ommentar# that humanit# is in a &on"ition in (hi&h even su&h benign measures are ne&essar#. Tra&# Torme sa#s his neKt proHe&t (ill be a (estern, (tormriders. )eGs "one three proHe&ts on *+%s an" (onGt be "oing an# more. 9t Hust might be the last (or"s on this subHe&t for me, tooif the#Gll let me. The song over the &losing &re"its of 'ire In $he (ky (as 5'ons an" 6aughters =reprise>7 performe" b# the Neville 2rothers, an" it (ent li$e this =l#ri&s &ourtes# of .- ;e&or"s>C @ou can.t sto running water @ou can.t kill the fire that bums inside 6on.t deny our flesh and blood 6on.t forsake our sons and daughters I think we.re all running, thinking we can hide I think we.re running, trying to get away But sooner or later we.re gonna realize and meet u with the truth, face!to!face @ou can.t sto running water @ou can.t kill the fire that bums inside 6on.t deny our flesh and blood 6on.t forsake our sons and daughters Its freedom of s eech, as long as you don.t say too much (ooner or later we.re gonna realize And meet u with the truth, face!to!face. Thin$ about it. =T.W.>=pag205>

CHAPTER 1
/on&lusion
$he most useful iece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue. ntisthenes, 445B105 2./.

s 9 s&anne" the foreB going for basi& threa"s to tie together into this overvie(, 9 too$ to musing. lthough the i"ea that rural people have an# inor"inate interest or belief in life on other (orl"s (as refute", there is one goo" reason (h# the# should have "evelope" su&h a greater interest. %n a moonless night, at higher altitu"es, a(a# from the ha!e an" light pollution present over even smaller to(ns, the uninitiate" are stunne" b# the vie(. :i$e a billion sapphires &ast upon the bla&$est velvet, stars are then visible in su&h greater numbers an" (ith su&h vivi" brillian&e that it seems almost possible to "is&ern the threeB"imensional realit# of the vast "ifferen&es in their various "istan&es from us. 9t is sobering to thin$ that an#B one &an vie( that maHesti& panorama an" retain an# illusion of our absolute uniNueness. What is the star nearest to earthD 'urprisingl# fe( people &an &orre&tl# ans(er that Nuestion. 9tGs not ,olaris, not lpha /entauri, 2etelgeuse, nor ,roKima /entauri. The ans(er is, of &ourse, the sun. -# $i"s rea" this to me from a boo$ of ri""les brought from s&hool. 2ut the effe&tiveness of that Nuestion "emonstrates a prevalent min"Bset that 9 feel pla#e" a part in peopleGs rea&tions to reports of our in&i"ent. The earth, sun, moon, an" stars. 'u&h is the seNuen&e of mention in most

FIRE IN THE SKY 2 1

listings of those astronomi&al bo"ies. 9n ever#"a# thought their or"er of apparent magnitu"e be&omes their or"er of importan&e in the &osmos. +orgotten is that our sun, bla!ing uneNuale" in our "a#time s$#, is but an average star, in a peripheral position in a t#pi&al galaK#, in an infinit# of galaKies (ithout &enter. +rom out there, our star appears as mu&h a point of light as an# in our night s$# a tin# glint lost in an en"less "ust of similar tin# glints. 9 pause, remin"e" here of that feeling of a 5strippe" ego7 reporte" b# man# in our (oo"s &re(. To paraphrase m# 1977 "es&ription of that emotionC 5 sort of a lost feeling permeating the entire being. ,erhaps glimpsing po(ers an" intelligen&e far above our o(n, &ombine" (ith the inabilit# to affe&t these vast for&es, impresses us (ith our o(n la&$ of &entral importan&e in the overall s&heme of things. 5We have been move" to &losel# reeKamine all the basi& i"eas an" stan"ar"s b# (hi&h (e "ire&t our lives. n" in this eKamination (e foun" them la&$ing in a totalit# of perspe&tive. ,erhaps in ta$ing our e#es off the groun" an" thin$ing in terms of the entire &reation of spa&e, (e have "is&overe" the &hin$ in the armor of man$in"Gs vanit#. &hallenge to his ego&entri& &on&epts of the (orl". -an, stan"ing in &lear vie( of the infinite universe, fin"s himself fighting an insistent feeling of insignifi&an&e.7 ,erhaps, in another of lifeGs ironi& little ba&$loops, that feeling (e believe" to be a result of a uniNue ne( perspe&tive (as merel# our o(n for&e" &onfrontation (ith the ver# apprehensions sub&ons&iousl# motivating some of the resistan&e to our reports. n#(a#, be#on" so&iet#Gs ta&it assumption of geo&entri& &osmolog#, a hierar&h# of further ego&entri& thought prevails. -an# thin$ it li$el# our star is the onl# one (ith planetsL an", if not, then it is the onl# one (ith a lifeB supporting planetL if that is not true, then ours is the onl# planet (ith intelligent lifean" if not that, then su&h intelligent life &oul" be no more &apable of &rossing the "istan&e bet(een us than (e are. 'ome e"u&ate" people seriousl# believe our un"erstan"ing of ph#si&s is so &omplete that if our best s&ientists $no( of no (a# su&h a Hourne# &oul" be a&&omplishe", then it is impossible. 9gnore" is that our histor# of s&ien&e is virtuall# &ompose" of a&&omplishing one 5impossibilit#7 after another. There is a "ifferen&e bet(een not $no(ing how something is possible an" $no(ing that it is not possiblea "istin&tion too subtle for "ebun$ers, an" even for some proB *+% people. 9Gve sai" Nuite enough about "ebun$ers, but, on the other han", ho( s&ientifi& are ufologistsD -# in&i"ent (as subHe&te" to intense investigation b# a range of professional people appl#ing rigorous stan"ar"s. Fven (ith m# limite" $no(le"ge of the fiel", 9 "onGt get the impression that su&h stan"ar"s are applie" ver# mu&h to"a#. 9 see the fiel" "istribute" along a &urve eKten"ing from a starting point of

2 2 Tra'(* .a/to)
goo" s&ien&e, then turning "o(n mu&h too Nui&$l# into the realm of absur" nonsense. +rom m# present position 9 (oul" never presume to eKpress m# opinion of (hi&h &ases are not authenti&. 2ut 9 thin$ that (hat goes un"er the hea"ing 5ufolog#7 to"a# is in realit# several "istin&t phenomena, some of (hi&h are ps#&hoso&ial in nature. 'ome people, rather than "efen"ing a position on *+%s logi&all# an" (ith the s&ientifi& support that is available =as 9 have sho(n is possible>, tr# to eK&use the subHe&t as a spe&ial &ase, eKempt from normal stan"ar"s. 9 ma# be at o""s (ith a fe( of m# o(n supporters, but 9 believe su&h a position is absolutel# unHustifie". 9t (ill onl# su&&ee" in further preventing the subHe&t from being ta$en seriousl#, an" in pra&ti&e &oul" a&tuall# ma$e solution of the entire m#ster# impossible. When 9 (rite on the si"e of s&ien&e in this boo$, it is s&ien&e as a &on&eptual i"eal, not as it is ostensibl# pra&ti&e" b# some. =Fspe&iall# not as &oopte" b# pseu"orationalists.> +rustration (ith evi"en&e being reHe&te" b# mainstream eo le involve" in the pursuit of s&ien&e has lea" to faultfin"ing (ith s&ien&e itself. 9 broa"l# "efine s&ien&e as ta$ing the best prin&iples of thin$ing an" of the &on"u&t of inNuir# an" appl#ing them to anal#sis of the universethe entire natural (orl". To impl# that the elusiveness of the obHe&t of stu"# Hustifies "e&laring the matter outsi"e the s&ope of s&ien&e is eNuivalent to sa#ing it is something outsi"e of naturesupernatural. 5'upernatural7 is a &ontra"i&tion in terms. 9f #ou first "es&ribe the &osmos, universe, natural (orl", or (hatever, as ever#thing that eKists, then there &anGt be anything else. No matter (hat it is &alle", (hatever eKists, exists. n" is therefore a proper obHe&t of stu"#. '&ien&e is not perfe&tL rather, it is forever unfinishe", an" rightl# so. 9t is b# "efinition tentative in stru&ture an" &ontent&ontingent an" &on"itional in its perpetual refinement of metho"s an" that (hi&h it hol"s as 5fa&ts.5 9nevitabl# there (ill &ontinue to be ra"i&al ne( reor"erings, 5para"igm shifts.7 2ut en&ountering great problems in stu"#ing rare an" ina&&essible phenomena isnGt a (arrant to aban"on #our tools, it is a &all to refine them. We have before us in these pages mere fragments of some of the most profoun" issues ever fa&e" b# the human spe&ies. n" so fe( reali!e it. 6is&overing (ho or (hat is behin" this gran"est of all m#steries (ill inevitabl# refle&t mu&h light on (hat an" (ho we are. 9f han"le" properl# it &oul" have a far more enhan&ing an" unif#ing effe&t on humanit# than an#thing #eC eKperien&e". 2ut if (e are unprepare" it &oul" have the most "estru&tive effe&t imaginable. %ur o(n earthboun" histor# of &onta&t ma"e (ith isolate" so&ieties b# &ultures even minimall# more a"van&e" than those &onta&te" has been largel# a saga of the 5lessBa"van&e"7 &ulturesG near obliteration. 9s this ultimatel# the result of fla(s in the visitorsor in the visite"D lfre" North Whitehea" sai"

FIRE IN THE SKY 2 3

that the maHor a"van&es of humanit# have all but (re&$e" the so&ieties in (hi&h the# o&&urre". 2ut is this a givenD 9s it even a&&urateD There also have been man# &ases of first &onta&t bet(een "iffering peoples (hi&h fuele" gol"en ages of &ultural refinement, long perio"s of mutuall# enri&hing tra"e, an" eKplosive a"van&es ma"e possible b# the eK&hange of ne( $no(le"ge. 9t is for ne( $no(le"ge that so man# in this te&hnologi&al age #earn (hen anti&ipating &onta&t (ith an a"van&e" &ivili!ation. The# "ream of the problems that &oul" be solve" (ith higher te&hnolog#, never &onsi"ering (hat great ne( problems might &ome (ith it. %ur arrogan&e &oul" be our un"oing. ,eople seem al(a#s to envision help from other(orl"l# visitors simpl# as elaborations of our o(n te&hnolog#. 9Gve been amuse" b# artistsG ren"erings of alien spa&e&raft assisting the an&ients in ere&ting their various massive stone monuments. far more li$el# spe&ulative s&enario lies in s&ien&e fi&tionGs &reation of the various &re"osthe 5nonBinterferen&e "ire&tive7 sort &on&erning prin&iples of &on"u&t b# spa&efaring peoples. -an# &ultural anthropologists alrea"# subs&ribe to similar &on&epts. 9f a"van&e" beings reall# are of a nature to "esire to help us, the# are &ertainl# a"van&e" enough to $no( that "ire&t infusion of ra( te&hnolog# (oul" be harmful. )umanit# &anGt even han"le the te&hnolog# it alrea"# possesses. %r rather, that some possess. %ur soB &alle" high te&hnolog# is reall# onl# an aspe&t of life in the "evelope" nations. There are still peoples on this planet living essentiall# in the 'tone ge. The maHorit# of the (orl"Gs population "oesnGt live ver# far above that level. We &ontinuall# hear ho( (e are being outpa&e" b# the enormous floo" of ne( "ata our 5information so&iet#7 &onstantl# pours forth. /hanneling off the repetition, the error, the "e&eptive, the out"ate", the irrelevant, an" the false &oul" throttle that floo" to a flo( (hi&h is manageable, if not b# an# one person, at least b# the so&iet# &reating it. What (e nee" right no( is not a gift of ne( $no(le"ge, but of ne( understanding =a t#pe of assistan&e more &on&eivabl# permissible un"er a h#potheti&al noninterferen&e "ire&tive>. s -ar$ T(ain sai", 59t isnGt (hat #ou "onGt $no( that hurts #ou, itGs (hat #ou $no( that ainGt so.7 6a# after "a# throughout m# o(n life 9Gve ha" opportunit# to observe people aroun" me "oing things that are a&tuall# &ausing man# of their o(n problems, (hen the# are full# a(are of (hat (oul" alleviate them. The same situation eKists in national politi&s an" (orl" affairs. The $no(le"ge to solve most problems is alrea"# there. 'o, (hat (e nee" even more than the &ru&ial s$ills to properl# evaluate an" appl# real $no(le"ge is the will to "o so. Who must provi"e thatD There it is. 9 "onGt have all the ans(ers. %f &ourse, itGs too earl# to tell if m# aspirations (ill at all su&&ee", but 9 have trie" ver# har" to elevate the level of "is&ussion above (hat it has been. ,erhaps others (ill &ontinue in that vein. These &oul" be m# last (or"s on this subHe&t. 9Gll $eep m# agreement (ith m#

2 4 Tra'(* .a/to)
publisher to ma$e appearan&es to get the (or" out about this boo$, but on&e thatGs a&&omplishe", 9 thin$ 9Gm "one. 9 "onGt min" people (riting, although 9 &anGt guarantee a repl#. 9 use" to tr# to ans(er ever# last letter, but 9 shoul" apologi!e be&ause 9Gm still not &aught up (ith all the mail that arrive" in the (a$e of the movie. No( that this is "one, perhaps 9 &an get to that. This boo$ (ill &ertainl# provo$e mu&h "is&ussion. The &omputer net(or$s have alrea"# been bu!!ing about issues herein, an" thatGs sure to in&rease. bove all, 9 sin&erel# hope to ma$e people think. s mu&h attention as 9 gave to the &ontrovers# issue, 9 (oul" not (ant the most benefi&ial &onseNuen&es of all this to be overloo$e". The tremen"ous insight into humanit# 9 believe 9Gve gaine" from m# eKperien&e is but one of these benefits. 9tGs (hen (e resolve the meaning of all this, the phenomena in general an" m# eKperien&e in parti&ular, that 9 believe (e (ill have finall# hit the pa# "irt, a&Nuire" the ultimate point of it all.

CHAPTER 1!
Fpilogue
/overt 6isinformation an" /overBup /onspira&# Theories ;e&onsi"ere"
/ever think you can turn over any old falsehoods without a terrible s3uirming of the horrid little o ulation that dwells under it. %liver Wen"ell )olmes, 'r.

or a long time 9 (as onl# mo"eratel# impresse" (ith various h#potheti&al s&enarios &on&erning se&ret efforts b# &ertain po(erful agen&ies to suppress the truth about *+%s, an" to "is&re"it b# "evious means those ma$ing su&h reports. )o(ever, "evelopments have a&&umulate", espe&iall# re&entl#, (hi&h for&e me seriousl# to re&onsi"er these possibilities. ThereGs a Ho$e that goes something li$e thisC 3ou $no( #ouGre be&oming paranoi" (hen #ou &anGt even trust those (ho are out to get #ou. 'eriousl#, ho(ever, 9 believe 9Gve been prett# &autious about rea"ing too mu&h into &ir&umstan&es =as 9 "es&ribe" in &hapter 11> regar"ing unfavorable o&&urren&es in m# life on the lo&al level. 9Gve trie" to give the benefit of the "oubt. 9 (oul"nGt (ant to &ommit the same falla&ies 9Gve suffere" from having use" so unfairl# against me. s previousl# mentione", *ost hoc ergo ro ter hoc =after this therefore be&ause of this> is the error of assuming the necessity of a &ausal relationship bet(een t(o events merel# be&ause one follo(s the other &hronologi&all#. :ong before the in&i"en&e of su&h things rea&hes the &riti&al level of roof, b# sheer numbers or the &hara&ter of the evi"en&e, the# rise into the signifi&ant range of strong likelihood. 'o (hen too man# su&h 5&oin&i"en&es7 begin to a&&rue, mat&hing up unsettlingl# in &hara&ter an" "etail,

2 ! Tra'(* .a/to)
it is time to re&onsi"er. 9n m# &ase there has been an a&&umulation of suspi&ious happenings, some of (hi&h 9 (onGt #et ma$e publi&. 'ome are still being investigate"L revealing others simpl# might not be (ise at this point. 'ome of m# earlier, mil"er suspi&ions began right after m# return, hearing about m# &re(matesG apprehensions &on&erning government &overBups (hile a(aiting their stateBpoli&e pol#graph tests. 9 re&eive" some a""itional information on this Nuestion from the erial ,henomena ;esear&h %rgani!ation = ,;%>, (hi&h (as &on"u&ting tests on me at the time. The out&ome of the -&/arth# pol#graph episo"e an" surroun"ing events intensifie" our suspi&ions to some "egree, although 9 primaril# suspe&te" bias an" in&ompeten&e as &auses. When m# first boo$ (as publishe", 9 (as anno#e" that a (hole page (as someho( "elete" from it. t the time 9 Hust &hal$e" it up to some $in" of -urph#Gs :a( iron# that, out of the entire boo$, it Hust so happene" that the omitte" page (as the one that, to man#, (oul" have perhaps the single most "ire&t bearing on the vera&it# of the in&i"entthe &on&lusion of the pol#graph test 9 passe"O The boo$ ha" a large initial printing, (hi&h sol" out almost imme"iatel#. 9 began getting (or" from people from all over the &ountr# (ho &oul"nGt get &opies an#(here, in&lu"ing "ire&tl# from the publisher. 9 &onta&te" the publisher &on&erning a se&on" printing. 9G" ha" a ver# amiable (or$ing relationship (ith them. The suggestion (as put forth in (riting an" in a &ooperative manner. 2ut su""enl# things gre( a little &ool. The publisher &laime" there (ere still boo$s available out there, #et 9 $ept getting reports to the &ontrar#. length# (ait ensue", all the (hile getting unmet reNuests from those eager to obtain the boo$. Then 9 repeate" the reNuest for another printing. No straight ans(ers. No se&on" printing. No boo$s available, an" #et (hen 9 reNueste" that m# rights be returne" to me, as provi"e" in the &ontra&t un"er su&h &ir&umstan&es, the# sai" the# &oul"nGt un"erstan" (h# 9 (oul" (ant a reversion of rights (hen the boo$ ha" 5mu&h selling life left.7 9 (ante" to believe that ma#be it (as Hust "ue to some $in" of internal problems (ith the &ompan#. The# ha" been going through a merger (ith another publishing &ompan# at that time, so ma#be that (as it finan&ial fluK an" &hanges in personnel an" priorities. 'till, the# (ere a big &ompan# an" their a&tions seeme" to run &ounter to their o(n interests. 9 eventuall# su&&ee"e" in obtaining a reversion of rights, but the (hole thing left me Nuite perpleKe". ,?A an" /'9M%, have been $no(n to attempt to "is&ourage the publi&ation of material the# oppose b# appl#ing pressure an" &ampaigns "ire&te" at e"itors an" publishers. 9t has been sai" that a &ensor is a man (ho $no(s more than he thin$s #ou ought to. 9n the pro&ess of getting this ne( boo$ publishe" 9 a&Nuire" the servi&es of a &ertain prominent literar# agent. 9n the &ourse of preliminar# "is&ussions (ith

FIRE IN THE SKY 2 "

him 9 (as a bit ta$en aba&$ that he brought up ,?A all on his o(n, prior to seeing the manus&ript. ,?A is not that (ell $no(n. The (a# this &ame about &ause" me to feel a little &autious about pro&ee"ing (ithout as$ing about the nature an" eKtent of his involvement (ith ,?A. The agent sai" it (as minimal, eKplaining it a(a# suffi&ientl# to (here 9 "i" &ontinue (ith him for a (hile. =9 subseNuentl# foun" a less $no(n but more effe&tive agent in ?ohn White.> )o(ever, he later &onta&te" me an" as$e" for &ertain pages he &laime" ha" not been in&lu"e" (ith the manus&ript. 9 (as perpleKe". -# (ife an" 9 ea&h ha" gone through the manus&ript at least t(i&e prior to shipping it, ma$ing &ertain not a single page (as missing or out of seNuen&e. 9 be&ame more than a little suspi&ious (hen 9 learne" that the missing pages (ere nothing more or less than those "ealing (ith *+A4 )is &laims of never re&eiving those pages rang Nuite hollo( (hen 9 revie(e" "o&umentation (herein he ha" alrea"# &ommente" to me on the &ontents of those pages. /onfronte" (ith this "is&repan&#, the agent revise" his &laim to sa# that those $e# pages must have been lost, probabl# at the manus&ript photo&opierGs business. 9 seriousl# (on"ere" if the agent, or perhaps someone in his offi&e, a professional rea"er, or someone else too$ those pages to obtain an a"van&e &op# for someonema#be even a government offi&ial or ,?A. 9t "i"nGt ma$e sense. Wh# (oul"nGt su&h a perpetrator avoi" raising suspi&ion b# simpl# &op#ing those pagesD ,erhaps it (as the result of a ver# brief opportunit#, a hast# a&t b# an outsi"er. *nless the entire episo"e (as Hust another o"" &oin&i"en&e of &ir&umstan&e. n in&i"ent (hi&h provi"e" an interesting posts&ript to ,?AGs 5+orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t -otive Theor#7 o&&urre" some (hile after the boo$ (as publishe". man arrive" in 'no(fla$e (ho i"entifie" himself as a fe"eral &riminal investigator. )e flashe" a ba"ge, but refuse" to reveal (ho or (hat ha" initiate" his investigation. )e first sho(e" up at -i$e ;ogersG famil# reunion, intervie(ing people there. )e hung aroun" for (ee$s, Nuestioning -i$eGs business asso&iates. )e "eman"e" information from -i$eGs finan&ial re&or"s. t the +orest 'ervi&e offi&e he (ent through -i$eGs &ontra&ting re&or"s. )e interrogate" an" &rossBeKamine" -i$e for hours. )is "emeanor (as intimi"ating an" hostile, a&tuall# eKpressing his intention to put -i$e behin" bars. *ltimatel#, over a month later, the investigator trie" to intimi"ate -i$e into signing a statement that the investigator ha" (ritten as if he (ere -i$e. When -i$e refuse", the investigator be&ame enrage". -i$e stu&$ to his guns but, not $no(ing an# better, agree" instea" to (rite his o(n statement an" sign it. The bottom line (as -i$e (as sNuea$# &leanL the investigator left &ompletel# frustrate". 2ut -i$e ha" been (rung out an" put through hell for (hat eventuall# prove" to be a fishing eKpe"ition. Who ha" sent this gu#D What (as behin" it allD -i$e still "oesnGt $no( for &ertain. =2ut, ha" there been an#thing to ,?AGs &ontra&t theor#, the 5investigator7 &ertainl# (oul" have

2 # Tra'(* .a/to)
"is&overe" it.> /ertain aspe&ts of that episo"e (ere suspi&ious enough at the time, but information re&entl# has &ome to light (hi&h substantiall# strengthens an 5ulterior agen"a7 interpretation. +or eKample, this agent even gaine" a&&ess to 'heriffs MillespieGs file &on&erning the *+% in&i"entO We "o not have proof that ,?A (as behin" that en&ounter, but thereGs no "oubt ,?A (ill resort to ta&ti&s involving authorities as surrogates of his aims. ,?A trie" to turn the +orest 'ervi&e against -i$e. )e trie" to (oo 'no(fla$e to(n marshal 'anfor" +la$e. )e trie" ver# har" to in"u&e the sheriff an" &ount# attorne# to prose&ute us &re(men, (ith an avalan&he of repeate" phone &alls, letters, an" 5(hite papers.7 %ne (hite paper resorte" to a number of uniNue falsehoo"s apparentl# espe&iall# tailore" to a&hieve that en"L as far as 9 $no(, no one else re&eive" that parti&ular publi&ation. ,?A has institute" su&h 5si& Gem7 use of authorities against *+% proponents in the past. ne&"otes of su&h a&tivities aboun", beginning in the late 1904s (ith 5the Treatment7 levele" against 6r. ?ames F. -&6onal", a highl# regar"e" ph#si&ist at the *niversit# of ri!onaGs 9nstitute of tmospheri& ,h#si&s. +or his proB*+% stan&ebut perhaps in retaliation for the "evastating &ritiNue =partl# in testimon# given b# him an" a number of other top s&ientists "uring a 190@ &ongressional inNuir# into *+%s> of ,?AGs boo$, <',sIdentified, as pseu"os&ien&e,?A laun&he" a vo&iferous =but ultimatel# ineffe&tive> &ampaign against -&6onal" in government &ir&les, (ith the allegation -&6onal" (as misusing nav# fun"s to investigate *+% reports. 'till, the evi"en&e here is mostl# &ir&umstantial. We are investigating this further in an effort to &onfirm or refute this h#pothesis. Then there are the &onHe&tures 9 raise" earlier in &hapter 12. ;ea"ers ma# (ish to return to page 175 to revie( the various theories attempting to eKplain *+% &rafts as being of this earth. The belief in government suppression of ufolog# is (i"esprea", goes ba&$ to the beginning of the mo"em era of the phenomenon, an" is more alive to"a# than ever. 1995 national surve# &on"u&te" b# '&rippsB)o(ar" Ne(s 'ervi&e an" %hio *niversit# foun" that 54 per&ent of meri&ans thin$ it is li$el# that the fe"eral government is hi"ing the truth about *+%s from the publi&. Tales from former government personnel brea$ing or"ers not to spea$ out, an" rumors of sightings of strange vehi&les fl#ing in an" out of &ertain militar# installations seem to support this belief. 6o&uments have been lea$e", +ree"om of 9nformation &t suits have nette" tantali!ing lea"s, investigative Hournalists have "ug an" publishe" boo$s, groups have petitione" an" pi&$ete" the government. s 9 sai" in &hapter 12, m# (itnessing the presen&e of beings (ho appeare" to be human but (ho (ere not a&tuall# human (oul" seem a &hallenge to the tremen"ous o""s against su&h similarit# of form arising b# &oin&i"en&e, unless their form, an" ours, is a result of some &ommon &ausalit# be#on" our

FIRE IN THE SKY 2 $

$no(le"ge or un"erstan"ing. 'till, (h# the &onspi&uous absen&e of the human t#pe from m# nightmaresD /oul" that simpl# be "ue to the fa&t that 9 "i"nGt eKperien&e so great a terror from themD %r &oul" it be "ue to the origin of, or &ontrols upon, m# re&allD gain, (hat if m# entire &ons&ious memor# of (hat happene" "uring the five "a#s is an im lanted mem! ory, an" not (hat happene" at allD What if &ertain humans from right here on earth are either partiall# or &ompletel# responsible for (hat happene" to meD 9t (oul" &ertainl# reNuire a"van&e" $no(le"ge to &reate su&h a &raft. 2ut given meri&aGs huge 5bla&$ bu"get7 an" the fa&t that seemingl# futuristi& &apabilities of re&entl# reveale" topBse&ret stealth air&raft a&tuall# represent thirt#B#earBol" te&hnolog#, itGs not a Nuestion of whether or not (e have a"van&e" te&hnolog#, but onl# of Hust ho( a"van&e" it is. %ther than someho( simulating alien &reatures b# )oll#(oo" spe&ialBeffe&ts metho"s, or b# some $in" of h#pnoti& or min" &ontrol, su&h a s&heme (oul" not be be#on" the &apa&it# of people (ith virtuall# unlimite" fun"ing. s 9 note" earlier, perhaps one reason the ,entagonGs internal ne(spaper, *entagram, gave 'ire in the (ky a fourBstar revie( an" &alle" it a 5must see7 is be&ause the# have an interest in m# eKperien&e be#on" entertainment. -a#be m# &ase is an insi"e Ho$e to &ertain people there. 9 "onGt $no(, ma#be 9Gm rea&hing a bit here, but subseNuent "evelopments ma$e su&h spe&ulation appear not Nuite so farBfet&he". 9n gathering "ata for the filmma$ers an" in anti&ipation of resear&hing this boo$, 9 (ent to those in possession of the ,;% files. fter the "eaths of ?im an" /oral :oren!en =re&all the &ontemporaneous "eaths of ?im :oren!en an" 6r. ?. llen )#ne$ from the same &ausea bit of a &oin&i"en&e in itself>, the boar" of "ire&tors vote" to pla&e the voluminous files of the erial ,henomena ;esear&h %rgani!ation into the &usto"# of 9/*B +%;, the 9nternational /enter for *+% ;esear&h, an organi!ation )#ne$ foun"e" shortl# before his "eath. 9n a&&or" (ith the :oren!ensG last (ishes, the files (ere to be maintaine" there for free a&&ess b# resear&hers. The trustees sho(e" me a room Hamme" (ith filing &abinet after filing &abinet, stuffe" (ith re&or"s of &ases going ba&$ "e&a"es. /oral :oren!en ha" tol" me personall#, earl# in their investigation of the &ase, that m# file (as the largest in their re&or"s, alrea"# over a foot thi&$. 2ut no(, the &urators, 2rian -#ers an" Tina /hoate, (ere able to lo&ate nothing more than a thin manila fol"er &ontaining onl# a fe( letters of minor pertinen&e an" some ne(spaper &lippings, most of (hi&h 9 alrea"# ha" or &oul" have gotten from the librar#. The# tol" me the# ha" loo$e" aroun" right (here it (as suppose" to be, an" sear&he" eKtensivel# else(here. No other re&or"s appeare" to have been tampere" (ith. 2ut, apparentl#, sometime after the "eath of ,;%Gs foun"ers an" before m# Nuest, the onl# &opies of a huge &olle&tion of the best "ata on m# &ase ever assemble" ha" "isappeare" (ithout a tra&eO )mmm. WeGre also loo$ing into that "isappearan&e.

2!& Tra'(* .a/to)

,aramount resear&hers sought to obtain a &op# of the original poli&e report on the in&i"ent, (ith no su&&ess. The# as$e" us to tr#. s the subHe&ts of the file, an" sin&e it (as no longer an a&tive file, (e have a legal right to a&&ess that file. %ur right (as a&$no(le"ge", our inNuir# (as met (ith verbal approval. 2ut a series of promises to return &alls an" to pro"u&e the file en"e" (ith nothing but the final statement that the file &oul" not be foun". The &ler$ a"mitte" it ha" been there up until aroun" the time of the first reNuest. Then, after all these #ears, it ha" "isappeare". 6ouble hmmm. 9 "o not believe former sheriff Millespie (oul" be in an# (a# part# to an illi&it &overBup. 9n fa&t, he later provi"e" us (ith &opies of some of the "esire" "o&uments from &opies in his personal re&or"s. )o(ever, he ma# have been the re&ipient of higher offi&ial &onta&t or Nueries &on&erning that (hi&h he is not at libert# to spea$ of. 9 ma$e that suggestion base" on a &omment he ma"e in an intervie( for an ustralian television programC 59 believe that thereGs unans(ere" Nuestions out there from outer spa&e. 9 thin$ thereGs probabl# some o&&urren&es happening that our government ma# be a(are of that the#Gre not telling us.7 This &an"or (as a surprising "eparture from his prior publi& &omments. 'in&e the sho( (as to be broa"&ast onl# 6o(n *n"er, he apparentl# spo$e more freel# than usual. )e ma# have been tal$ing purel# from his o(n personal musings. %n the other han", "ue to his role in the Tur$e# 'prings affair, he ma# have be&ome a(are of things that &ause him to at least sus ect that su&h is the &ase. s the release of the movie neare", there (as an uneKpe&te", eK&iting "evelopment. man &alle" to &onfess to me that he ha" been an in"epen"ent e#e(itness at Tur$e# 'prings the evening of November 5, 1975O )e (as &ontrite over not having &ome for(ar" sooner. )e seeme" rational an" sin&ere, not fla$# at all. )e sai" he an" his (ife ha" been on a hunting trip in the area, an" both ha" seen the &raftL he gave goo" "es&riptions of appearan&e, motion, et&. )e sai" that (hen all hell bro$e loose, he ha" refraine" from involving himself. The man sai" he ha" been in militar# intelligen&e an" ha" been a"vise" b# his superior offi&er to $eep Nuiet unless m# &re(mates (ere on the verge of being &onvi&te" of mur"er. 9 (as ver# &autious an" Nuestione" him in "etail, but he gave the right ans(ers, in&lu"ing a&&urate topograph# of the surroun"ing terrain. 9 &alle" Tra&# Torme an" ha" him tal$ to the gu#. We agree"C he soun"e" genuine. The man sai" he ha" &onfi"e" (hat heG" seen right after the in&i"ent to a frien", a $no(n publi& offi&ial (ho (oul" attest to that. 'o this "i"nGt loo$ li$e an afterthought, a s&heme inspire" b# the movie publi&it#, 9 as$e" Tra&# to &he&$ into it. Things (ere reall# falling into pla&e. t last, in"epen"ent &orroboration (as at han"O *nbe$no(nst to me, ,aramount fle( him to :. . an" intervie(e" him. 2ut someho(, ,aramountGs suspi&ions (ere arouse". )e volunteere" to ta$e a

FIRE IN THE SKY 2!1

pol#graph test an" ,aramount agree" to sponsor one. ;ight before the )arry Aing )ive sho( (ith ,?A, 9 learne" that M# Milson ha" teste" the ne(foun" 5(itness.7 The results (ere ver# strange(ith some trul# sinister impli&ations. Not onl# ha" the man "one ver# ba"l#, things &ame to light (hi&h gave in"i&ations of "e&eit an" suggeste" possible intrigue from high levels in our governmentO )e faile" espe&iall# ba"l# on a Nuestion pertaining to his previous ties (ith *+A4 -i$e ha" pre"i&te" that be&ause of the movie, an" espe&iall# after the -ar&hbanks affi"avit an" the ne( pol#graph tests, ,?A (oul" tr# something "esperate. This sure loo$e" li$e an eKample of it to us. stoun"ingO bombshell. 9f it is as it appears, this is evi"en&e (hi&h ma# blo( the li" off the government &overup s&enario on&e an" for allO ,reviousl# 9G" not ha" &omplete &onfi"en&e in the popular 5&overt "isinformationist7 eKplanation of ,?AGs a&tivities. 2ut here (as evi"en&e in that vein 9 &oul"nGt "ismiss. /lues 9 ha" previousl# "ismisse"C ,?AGs Washington, 6./., a""ressL his militar#8aerospa&e &onta&ts as e"itor of Aviation %eek an" ( ace $echnology5 his eKtensive use of stan"ar" propagan"a te&hniNuesL his &onstant reiteration of the politi&all# &orre&t establishment part# line about *+%sL an" his obsessive persisten&e. ll no( seem to ta$e on ne( signifi&an&e. Fspe&iall# note(orth# no( is the fa&t that in his boo$ =title" (ith unintentional aptness <',s? $he *ublic 6eceived;, in (hi&h he "evotes a substantial portion of teKt to atta&$ing me, he "evotes a similar amount of spa&ethe intro"u&tion an" more than five &haptersto a fervent attempt to refute the i"ea that the government has (ithhel" an# information &on&erning *+%s or engage" in an# &overBup. )eGs pro"u&e" a great "eal of other material in !ealous an" "ogmati& "enial of su&h &harges. 9 "onGt $no( pre&isel# (hat arouse" suspi&ion of that ne(B&laime" 5(itness7 at ,aramount, but ,aramount is an organi!ation of &onsi"erable resour&es. ,erhaps the#G" emplo#e" some of the same 5resear&hers7 the#G" "is&reetl# sent to &he&$ fa&ts aroun" 'no(fla$e prior to the start of pro"u&tion on 'ire in the (ky. The# (ere &ertainl# a(are of the efforts of ,?A an" /'9/%, to "is&re"it the film prior to its release, (ith some of those broa"si"es in the me"ia levele" "ire&tl# at the stu"io. That (itness (as a"ministere" t(o separate series of test Nuestions on -ar&h 11, 1991, at M# MilsonGs ,hoeniK offi&es. 9n 'eries J1 he (as as$e" if he ha" been truthful in sa#ing =1> he ha" been present at Tur$e# 'prings on November 5, 1975L =2> that he ha" seen aerial lights in the trees thereL =1> that he ha" seen a blue beamL an" =4> that he (as then in *.'. rm# 9ntelligen&e (ith a top se&urit# &learan&e. )e respon"e" #es to all four Nuestions. 9n 'eries J2 he (as as$e" =1> if he ha" ha" an# prior &ommuni&ation or &orrespon"en&e (ith ,?A or the hea" of /'9/%,L =2> if he ha" &onspire" (ith an#one to "is&re"it Travis Walton an" his *+% stor#L =1> if he (as &urrentl#

2!2 Tra'(* .a/to)

atta&he" or (or$ing for an# bran&h of the *.'. militar#L an" =4> ha" he been a"vise" b# a militar# supervisor to $eep Nuiet about (hat he ha" seen at Tur$e# 'prings in 1975. )e ans(ere" no to the first three an" #es to the final Nuestion. =9n the pretest he a"mitte" onl# to having heard of ,?A. but "enie" ever having hear" the name of /'9/%,Gs hea" man.> The eKaminerGs numeri&al s&ore on 'eries J 1 (as a X9 =X0 an" up is &onsi"ere" truthful>. The &omputerBbase" anal#sis of 'eries J 1 returne" a posterior probabilit# of truthfulness of .914, or 91\. The eKaminerGs s&ore of 'eries J2 (as 12 =0 is &onsi"ere" &on&lusive "e&eption>O The &omputer anal#sis of the se&on" series gave a posterior probabilit# of "e&eption of .@94, or 94\O )o(ever, itGs less &utBan"B"rie" than those results seem to in"i&ate. What reall# &ompli&ate" the eKaminerGs anal#sis is the fa&t that /# Milson (as able &learl# to "ete&t 5a "eliberate attempt to pro"u&e &ountermeasures7 on 5"ire&te" lie7 NuestionsO 9n his report Milson also (roteC 5The tra&ings are not natural. These o"" responseBtra&ings onl# appeare" at these "ire&te"Blie Nuestions. 6e&eptive responses "i" o&&ur at other &ontrol an" relevant Nuestions but these tra&ings are normal in appearan&e.7 9n spite of the reliabilit# of some &learl# truthful an" "e&eptive responses. M# Milson (as unable, base" on the tra&ings re&or"e", to establish a &lear resolve &on&erning both series in their entiret#. That inabilit# (as not "ue to an# su&h nonsense as one truthful series &an&eling out one "e&eptive series. The attempt to pro"u&e &ountermeasures, an" some other anomalies, for&e" /# Milson to rule 5in&on&lusive7 in his overall report, although his &learest &on&lusions (ere that the subHe&t 5(as being truthful (hen he ans(ere" Nuestions J;1 an" J;2 in 'eries J17L an" that 5in 'eries J2 the pre"ominant "e&eptive responses o&&ur to Nuestions J;1 an" J;4.7 The fa&t that the results (ere "ra(n from four separate runs through the &harts of all eight Nuestions gives them even greater (eight. To some, the above (ill be a startling revelation (ith impli&ations at sho&$ingl# maHor proportions, although to man# the# are onl# longBa(aite" &onfirmation of (hat the#G" al(a#s suspe&te". What &on&rete &on&lusions &an (e "ra( from the above informationD n" from them, (hat &an (e further surmise as li$el#D What #etBunans(ere" Nuestions (ill be raise"D The "efinite information is that someone (ith at least rior =if not &urrent> rm# 9ntelligen&e affiliation, (ith prior &onta&t =(hi&h he attempte" to &on&eal> (ith ,?A trie" to insinuate himself into the &ase, soon after the announ&ement of the ne( pol#graph tests, an" Hust prior to the release of 'ire in the (ky. Wh# (oul" this man a"mit to a top se&urit# &learan&e an" a militar#BinB telligen&e ba&$groun"D )e must have figure" it (oul" enhan&e his &re"ibilit# an" ma$e him seem more li$e a star (itness, in spite of the fa&t that this information might also raise some mil" suspi&ion. -oreover, it (oul" raise less

FIRE IN THE SKY 2!3

suspi&ion to be up front about it, than to ris$ having investigators "is&over it after he trie" to hi"e it. )o( (as he able to pass the part of the test &on&erning (itnessing the in&i"entD 2esi"es his resi"en&e in the (estern region of the nation, he ma# have been &hosen for the mission be&ause of having re&eive" spe&iali!e" &ounterse&urit# training in beating pol#graph ma&hines =if su&h is possible>, in (hi&h &ase itGs been "emonstrate" that even the elite preparation 5spoo$s7 might re&eive is insuffi&ient to beat /# Milson an" mo"ern pol#graph testing. nother possibilit# is that, (hile even no( involve" in some &overt s&heme, he a&tuall# did (itness the ab"u&tionO ;e&all m# earlier spe&ulation that (hat happene" to me ma# have resulte" from the a&tion of some earth agen&#L or, at least, might &oin&i"e (ith the popular i"ea that aliens are involve" in some ongoing &overt intera&tion (ith &ertain humans. The manGs failure to 5pass7 the last Nuestion =as$ing if he trul# ha" been a"vise" b# a militar# supervisor not to get involve" b# spea$ing up about (hat he sa( in the Tur$e# 'prings area in 1975> ma# have been, on the &ontrar#, "ue to his a&tuall# a&ting un"er "ire&t or"ers in his attempt to "e&eive. The intent of the s&heme seems to have been to fool ,aramount into believing the# ha" a &orroborating (itness, (hile "eliberatel# provi"ing enough in&orre&t "etails to Hustif# &laiming later that ,aramount ha" "isregar"e" a&&ura&# to a negligent or even to a &onspiratorial "egree. The &orollar# plan (as apparentl# to "e&eive /# Milson, then &onfess later to "is&re"it the rigorousness of his metho"olog#, an" therefore "is&re"it his tests on all seven of us. 9 must a"mit that, ha" it (or$e", the resulting publi& "elusion (oul" have &ompletel# su&&ee"e" in a&hieving the obHe&tives of those atta&$ing the in&i"ent an" the up&oming film. -i$e an" 9 learne" of the test right before appearing on the )arry Aing )ive sho(, (hi&h Hustifiabl# prompte" our remar$s about ,?A being 5a "isinformation spe&ialist from Washington, 6./.,7 an" our as$ingC 5)o( mu&h is some &overt agen&# pa#ing #ou for #our a&tivitiesD7 /uriousl#, although (e ha" eKpe&te" some atta&$s emphasi!ing pol#graph tests su&h as he ha" ma"e in his (ritings, ,?A avoi"e" the issue as &arefull# as if it (ere a pool of molten lava. The unassailabilit# of our re&ent ne( tests ma# eKplain his retreatL but &oul" it be that ,?A (as afrai" even to broa&h the subHe&t, be&ause to "o so (oul" be opportunit# for us to bring up the pol#graph failure b# the fa$e (itness an" that (itnessGs possible lin$ (ith ,?AD Fven though :arr# AingGs sho( is broa"&ast from the &it# (here ,?A resi"es, Washington, 6./., (e hear" that ,?A ha" flo(n in Hust before the sho( from /'9M%, hea"Nuarters in Ne( 3or$. ,erhaps from a pani&$e" strateg# rehearsal, a hast# ta&ti&al sessionD The sho( ha" been s&he"ule" for some timeL but ma#be the testing of the phon# (itness ha" been time" to ma$e a big splash on :arr# AingGs live national television program in or"er to "o maKimum

2!4 Tra'(* .a/to)

"amage to the &ase an" the movie b# eKploiting it on the "a# of the movieGs "ebut. When things uneKpe&te"l# (ent a(r#, perhaps an emergen&# "amageB &ontrol meeting (as &alle". ?ust the tip of a &olossal &overBup &onspira&# sho(ing through li$e an i&ebergD /onsi"ering ever#thing, 9 believe this information is as &lose to a 5smo$ing gun7 as an#oneGs ever un&overe". 2ut even the best pol#graph isnGt absolute proof. 9 &anGt see ho( the above events &oul" refle&t a &han&e alignment of &ir&umstan&eL but (hen "ealing (ith "e&eption of su&h &aliber, one &anGt overloo$ the possibilit# that even (hat appears to have been reveale" ina"vertentl# b# the false (itness (as a&tuall# "eliberate, not a slipup, in or"er to point suspi&ion to(ar" ,?A for some un$no(n reason. )o(ever, onl# in su&h an unli$el# &ase &an 9 envision a s&enario that (oul"nGt appear to be a ver# strong in"i&tment of ,?A. While (e still "onGt have absolute proof, if ,?A "i" not pla# a role, either as the mastermin" or as a maHor pla#er, 9 "onGt $no( (hat other eKplanation (oul" fit the evi"en&e. 9t is &ertainl# ver# mu&h stronger evi"en&e against ,?A than the pol#graph 5evi"en&e7 he &laime" eKpose" me as a frau"even ha" that soB &alle" evi"en&e been ever# bit as vali" as ,?A &laime". 9f ,?A was behin" the s&heme, the iron# (oul" be that the pol#graph, (hi&h he has use" so eKtensivel# in his &ampaigns an" (hose vera&it# he uphol"s =&iting the fa&t that, 5/ontrolle" tests have "emonstrate" that pol#graph tests b# eKperien&e" eKaminers are &orre&t more than 94 per&ent of the time.7> has no( finall# eKpose" him. FKa&tl# (hat our allege" (itness (as hi"ing &on&erning &ommuni&ation (ith ,?A (e never learne". No &onfession, nor, as far as 9 $no(, an# eKplanation follo(e" his test. 9 un"erstan" he re&eive" a stern &ommuni&ation from representatives of ,aramount, but 9Gm not a(are of its pre&ise &ontent. No one 9 $no( ever hear" from him again. 9t (as a "isappointing episo"e, a "ashe" hope that (eG" finall# foun" in"epen"ent &orroborating (itnesses. 9G" been &onta&te" b# a number of "eer hunters (ith signifi&ant reports (ho (ere in the area at that time. We even "is&overe" a s(orn statement from another hunter among the papers in the poli&e file (e obtaine". 2ut (eGll s&rutini!e an# ne( forth&oming testimon# ver# &losel# after the foregoing episo"e. )o(ever, one ultimate benefit from the affair prove" as goo", or better. ,i&ture the &onsternation of the ar&hite&t=s> of su&h ma&hinations. Not onl# "i" the plot fail &ompletel# on all &ounts, but a&tuall# en"e" up a""ing &re"ibilit# to all the# sought to "is&re"it. +urther, it flies ba&$ in the fa&e of those behin" it b# sho(ing the lengths to (hi&h the#Gll go in an effort to suppress publi& a&&eptan&e of this. Whi&h hen&eforth impea&hes ever# su&h effort from the same sour&e. The# ina"vertentl# provi"e" a situation in (hi&h ,aramount &oul" spontaneousl# "emonstrate great vigilan&e an" responsibilit#, an" a situation in (hi&h /# Milson "emonstrate" both $een abilit# an" &omplete obHe&tivit#.

FIRE IN THE SKY 2!

-# fear is that m# revelations here (ill provo$e a re"oubling of &overB up an" "isinformation a&tivities. /ompletel# "is&re"iting their first agent ma# simpl# &ause them to sen" someone better &loa$e" an" more &unning in his stea". The unrestri&te" bu"get an" metho"s available to (homever is behin" them ma# ma$e the abilit# to neutrali!e me all but unstoppable. )o(ever, m# ho e is that m# high visibilit# an" ma$ing the fa&ts publi& (ill affor" me some safet#. +uture atta&$s on this in&i"ent (ill be greete" (ith ne( un"erstan"ing of (here the# originatean" (ith (hom. n# 5a&&i"ents7 befalling an eKtremel# health# an" safet#Bmin"e" person su&h as m#self (ill &ertainl# re&eive mi&ros&opi& s&rutin#. 9Gm ta$ing serious se&urit# pre&autions. No(, isnGt all this beginning to soun" paranoi"D Time to lighten up. 9tGs prett# ba" (hen #ou &anGt even trust those (ho are out to get #ou. /umulativel#, the in&i"ents in this epilogue a"" up to a prett# strong &ase of something &overt an" unfrien"l# behin" the s&enes. Who, having (at&he" su&h a series of events unfol" over the #ears, (oul"nGt be move" to agreeD Nevertheless, in spite of the (eight of evi"en&e, a rational, fairBmin"e" person must a&$no(le"ge the possibilit# of a phenomenall# long series of in&re"ibl# unli$el# &oin&i"en&es an" frea$ a&&i"ental &ir&umstan&es, someho( happening to fall together, all pointing in one "ire&tion. %nl# further obHe&tive investigation (ill &on&lusivel# resolve the Nuestion one (a# or the other. $ern us omnia revelat. # =5Time reveals all things.7> Frasmus. 9n the meantime, the &on&lusionthe bottom line as far as this boo$ is &on&erne"is entirel# up to #ou. 9tGs all on the table. What "o you thin$D $ruth, whose center is everywhere and its circumference nowhere, whose existence we cannot disimagine5 the soundness and health of things, against which no blow can be struck but it recoils on the striker. Fmerson

PART 4
ppen"iK

APPENDI,
,?AC *ropagan"a +ob krumbles or *erfi"us +anus Aalumnior
'acts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. l"ous )uKle#

ar$eting an" pubB li&Brelations (isB "om (oul" a"vise against in&lu"ing mu&h of the follo(ing material. 9Gm perfe&tl# a(are that 9 &oul" &arefull# $nit a brief summar# of m# best evi"en&e together (ith eKposure of onl# m# &riti&sG most blatant "e&eits an" a&tuall# have a mu&h greater effe&t "is&re"iting them an" persua"ing people of the realit# of the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent. 9n"ee" agents, e"itors, publishers, an" others have urge" Hust su&h an abbreviation. )o(ever, m# purposes go far be#on" those goals. 5Never eKplain. 3our frien"s (onGt as$ an" #our enemies (onGt believe #ou.7 There is (is"om in that observation. 2ut 9 in&lu"e this material for neither frien"s nor enemies. '&ant possibilit# eKists, even in the fa&e of su&h over(helming evi"en&e, of persua"ing an# of those entren&he" against me to &hange their vie(. +rien"s are &on&erne" that merel# bringing up some of these &harges (ill &reate "oubts (hi&h (oul" not other(ise o&&ur to man# rea"ers (ho "onGt $no( me as m# frien"s "o. n" the# are right. 2ut 9 (ill not resort to a slante" presentation su&h as m# &riti&s emplo#. ;emaining true to an obHe&tive philosoph# "eman"s a fuller an" more balan&e" a&&ounting. Maining a&&eptan&e on the basis of emotional s(a# (oul" be of no value to meL evo$ing a fair, rational eKamination of the fa&ts, even if it someho(

FIRE IN THE SKY 2!$

didn.t result in belief, (oul" be a far greater a&&omplishment. ;e&all again that 9 open both this topi& an" this entire boo$ (ith m# greatest &riti&ism "ire&te" not at "isbelievers, but at those (ho (ere &ontent to form any opinion (ithout loo$ing at the fa&ts. 9 heartil# &ommen" those rea"ing these (or"s. 2# turning to this appen"iK an", as 'o&rates a"monishe", 5follo(ing the argument (herever it lea"s,7 #ou have "istinguishe" #ourselves from less thin$ing in"ivi"uals. /ontrar# to (ellB meaning a"visors, 9 believe man# more of #ou (ill value this material than the# or the "ebun$erssuppose. 9t is for su&h persons that 9 on&e more "elve so "eepl# into a past &ontaining su&h hurt. Not for enemies, not even for those frien"l# to me, but for an#one intereste" in pursuing a more logi&al, rational approa&h to any of the pressing issues of our "a#. +or it is (ith them 9 hope to a&hieve the greatest goo", an" from among them that 9 (ill be able to a"" to those 9 &all true frien"s. The bestB$no(n *+% 5"ebun$er,7 ,hilip ?ulian Alass =hereinafter referre" to as ,?A>, is also the prin&ipal atta&$er of the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent. )eGs the author of four antiB*+% boo$s an" a huge number of selfBpublishe" 5(hite papers7 =up to a "o!en or so photo&opie" sheets staple" at the &orner> atta&$ing people reporting *+%s an" the resear&hers (ho stu"# *+% "ata. )e has "evote" &onsi"erable parts of t(o of his boo$s an" numerous (hite papers to atta&$ing me in parti&ular. =9 sa# 5atta&$ing me7 be&ause he ten"s to ignore the fa&ts of the &ases he (rites about in favor of personal &hara&ter atta&$s. 9 "onGt $no( the eKa&t number of (hite papers be&ause, as is t#pi&al (ith his vi&tims, heGs never sent an# to meL un"oubte"l# 9Gve misse" having man# of them passe" on from those so blesse".> ,?A is &losel# asso&iate" (ith /'9/%,, the /ommittee for the '&ientifi& 9nvestigation of /laims of the ,aranormal. s a foun"ing fello( he is an eKe&utive &oun&ilman, /hairman of the *+% 'ub&ommittee, a member of the e"itorial boar" of the /'9/%, Hournal the (ke tical In3uirer, an" a freNuent spea$er at /'9/%, fun&tions. /'9/%, (as foun"e" not long after the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent b# a group hea"e" b# ,aul Aurt!, presi"ent an" e"itor of the publishing house ,rometheus 2oo$s. 'ome &harter members left /'9/%, over "isagreement (ith poli&ies (hi&h the# &omplaine" es&he(e" a genuinel# s&holarl# an" s&ientifi& anal#ti&al approa&h to the issues, in favor of militant, me"iaBoriB ente" goals. /'9/%,Gs 1anual for )ocal, 8egional and /ational 2rou s "evote" seventeen pages to 5)an"ling the -e"ia7 an", revealingl#, onl# three to 5'&ientifi& 9nvestigations.7 The# &laim to be a"van&ing reason an" s&ien&e. 2ut rather than sti&$ing affirmativel# to a"van&ing i"eas an" prin&iples, the# =li$e ,?A> more often atta&$ people an" institutions (ith mo&$er#, ri"i&ule, an" innuen"os against their &hara&ter. sa" subrogation of nobler purposes.

2"& Tra'(* .a/to)

/'9/%,if the una&$no(le"ge" intention (as to suggest ps#&hB&op or thought poli&e =sha"es of %r(ellGs -inistr# of TruthO>, 9 &anGt thin$ of a more arrogant a&ron#m. 2ut 5arrogant7 is one per&eption that re&urs in &ritiNues of /'9/%,. What about ,?A himselfD )eGs "evote" a huge amount of time, effort, an" print for man# #ears to attempt to "is&re"it *+%s. What fuels his fren!#D Nu&lear ph#si&ist 'tanton +rie"man, (ho points out that ,?A is a te&hni&al Hournalist an" not a s&ientist, (as move" to (riteC 5%ver an" over again one fin"s in these (ritings an un(illingness to "o a"eNuate resear&h, false statements, &hara&ter assassination, ver# sele&tive &hoi&e of "ata. %ne gets the feeling that R,?AS is follo(ing or"ers to atta&$ at an# &ost.7 9n 19@1 ,?A telephone" a *niversit# of Nebras$a a"ministrator to protest a planne" &onferen&e on uneKplaine" phenomena at the universit#. )e as$e" angril# (hat the universit# (oul" "o 5if the meri&an Na!i ,art# &ame in an" sai" the# Rsi&S (ante" to hol" a &onferen&eD7 What a &omparisonO 9t gives #ou an i"ea (here heGs &oming from.> )e (ent onC 5. . . as a patrioti& meri&an, 9 ver# mu&h resent the &harge of &overBup, of l#ing, of falsehoo"s, &harge" against not one "ministration, not t(o, but eight "ministrations going ba&$ to a man from -issouri name" Truman, a man name" 6(ight Fisenho(er. 2e&ause if this &harge is true/osmi& Watergatethen all of these ,resi"ents (ere impli&ate", an" all of their "ministrations... R9n ma$ing this &harge, ufologistsS see$ (hat the 'oviet *nion "oesto &onve# to the publi& that our Movernment &an not RsicG be truste", that it lies, that it falsifies. No( 9Gm not so naive remembering Watergateto sa# that never has happene" in histor#. 2ut from m# firsthan" eKperien&e =i.e., seventeen #ears in the fiel" of *folog#>, 9 $no( this &harge is &ompletel# false. n" 9 resent it as an meri&an &iti!en.7 ,?A "evotes a pro"igious amount of his 5spare7 time =reporte"l# up to fift# hours a (ee$>in&urring (hat must be a trul# staggering telephone billto (hat he insists is his 5hobb#.7 )e has &ompile" "ossiers on lea"ing *+% proponentsL sometimes &on"u&ting eKtensive ba&$groun" &he&$s, Nuestioning relatives, emplo#ers, asso&iates, an" espe&iall# an#one from (hom he &an eli&it potentiall# embarrassing information or an ill (or" for his Nuarr#. )e sifts an" sorts through his &olle&tion of his targetsG re&or"e" an" (ritten statements for an#thing that might be remotel# &onstrue" as &ontra"i&tor# or "amaging. ,?AGs ties to militar#8aerospa&e sour&esas e"itor of Aviation %eek an" ( ace $echnologyL his Washington, 6./., a""ressL his prose&utorial, mu&$ra$er approa&hL an" his eKtensive use of propagan"ist te&hniNueshave le" people in the *+% &ommunit# for man# #ears to spe&ulate that he is a pai" operative of some &overt agen&# intereste" in promulgating "isinformation about *+%s. s one (oul" eKpe&t, (hether itGs true or not, heGs al(a#s "enie" it. )aving hear" the theor# often, (hat "o 9 thin$ of itD 9tGs plausible, but so far 9 see no &on&lusive proof for or against it. 9f it is true, &on&lusive proof probabl#

FIRE IN THE SKY 2"1

(oul" be unobtainable. 9f it is false, (hat evi"en&e &oul" possibl# &onvin&e a "#e"BinBtheB(ool, postBWatergate &onspira&# buffD 9f some highBlevel agen&# (ere going to &hoose someone for su&h a purpose, it (oul" seem the# (oul" pi&$ someone more able. %n the other han", government offi&ials arenGt $no(n for &hoosing the most ablesometimes other Nualities, su&h as blin" lo#alt# , are of greater (orth to them. +ooling most of the people most of the time is goo" enough for their purposes. ,ersonall# 9 thin$ a more li$el# eKplanation for ,?AGs obsession is suggeste" b# ,?AGs /'9/%, affiliation. /'9/%,Gs foun"er, ,aul Aurt!, is also foun"er an" hea" of another organi!ation, /%6F'), the /oun&il for 6emo&rati& an" 'e&ular )umanism. /%6F') is a humanist organi!ation that publishes material atta&$ing religion an" belief in Mo". /%6F') an" /'9/%, have &onsi"erable overlap in membership an" lea"ership. The# are house" in the same buil"ingthe /enter for 9nNuir#(here the# share fa&ilities in&lu"ing au"iovisual eNuipment an" an eKtensive librar#. ='in&e /%6F') is so mu&h less &ompatible (ith mainstream vie(s than /'9/%,, it (as on&e treate" a little li$e an ugl# stepsister $ept in the &ellar lest she stigmati!e her sibling. )o(ever, the#Gve aban"one" their &areful publi& segregation an" begun to bring her outto the point of sponsoring Hoint 9nstitute for 9nNuir# seminars b# 5t(o nonprofit e"u&ational organi!ations "e"i&ate" to the a"van&ement of s&ien&e an" &riti&al thin$ing.7> /'9/%,Gs Hournal, the (ke tical In3uirer, has begun stra#ing into the religious area, (ith arti&les about satani& &ults, the shrou" of Turin, &reationB ism, angels, an" the ;apture, but /'9/%,Gs lea"ership &laims to be resisting the tren"C 5The issues (e a""ress must have some s&ientifi& &ontentor preten" to itor benefit from an un"erstan"ing of human ps#&holog#. -an# rea"ers (ant us to &ritiNue religion as such or s$e(er some i"eolog# the# "isfavor. ThatGs not our interest an" itGs not our intention.7 'u&h (ere /'9/%,Gs (or"s &on&erning their 5statement of mission7 in a past issue. 9tGs no &oin&i"en&e that ,aul Aurt!Gs publishing house, ,rometheus, publishes ,?AGs boo$s. n eKamination of the title in"eK in ,rometheusG tra"e &atalog provi"es some interesting insights. +ort#Bsome antiBparanormal titlesL another fort#Bo"" titles "ealing almost eK&lusivel# (ith issues relating toC paraphilia, sa"omaso&hism, biseKualit#, transvestites, &hil" seK abuse, porn a&tors, prostitution, a"ulter#, an" asph#Kiophilia. There are other pe&uliar titles, su&h as Infanticide and the 9alue of )ife, Baddafi.s 2reen Book, *rescri tion"1edicide? $he 2oodness of *lanned 6eath =b# 6r. ?a&$ Aevor$ian>, $in (tar $yrants? America.s -rooked (heriffs, In *ursuit of (atan, and $he )otus )overs? $he -om lete =istory of the -urious &rotic -ustom of 'ootbinding in -hina. The biggest &ategor#, ho(ever, is &ompose" of boo$s &on&erning se&ular

2"2 Tra'(* .a/to)

humanism an" atheism, (ith (ell over a hun"re" titles eKtolling humanist values or atta&$ing religion, a number spe&ifi&all# "evote" to antiB -ormonism. This humanist8atheist &ategor# in&lu"es ti"es su&h as Atheism? $he -ase Against 2od, $he 6arker (ide of 9irtue? -orru tion, (candal and the 1ormon &m ire, (ome 1istakes of 1oses, 'unerals %ithout 2od, 6id +esus &xist0, and $he 6ead (ea (crolls and the -hristian 1yth . There (ere over fifteen boo$s b# Aurt! himself, primaril# on humanism, in&lu"ing A (ecular =umanist 6eclaration and =umanist 1anifestos I H II. The pertinent titles in the list are those lin$ing the /%6F') an" /'9B /%, agen"as of antiBreligion an" antiBparanormalC (cience 9ersus 8eligion, A (econd Anthology of Atheism and 8ationalism , an" $he (u ernatural, the ,ccult, and the Bible. ,?AGs frien" an" fello( 5"ebun$er7 ;obert 'heaffer =(ho (rites for both organi!ationsG perio"i&als> authors both $he <', 9erdict an" $he 1aking of the 1essiah. ,aul Aurt!Gs $he $ranscendental $em tation? A -riti3ue of 8eligion and the *aranormal is the &learest lin$ bet(een the t(o organi!ations he foun"e", bet(een /'9/%,Gs antiBparanormal aims an" the antiBreligion stan&e of /%6F'). Aurt!Gs boo$ sums up belief in F',, *+%s, ghosts, 5fringe7 s&ien&e, an" belief in religion as manifestations of the same irrational human fla(. :ittle "istin&tion is ma"e bet(een ps#&hi& phenomena an" religious visions, bet(een the ghosts of the paranormal an" the spirits of religion. 9f those humanists "onGt believe in religion, (h# "onGt the# simpl# turn a(a# from it an" fo&us on (hat the# do believeD Wh# "o the# "evote so mu&h of their perio"i&als to harping obsessivel# on "isbelief, to personal atta&$s on a"vo&ates an" believers, instea" of promoting their approa&h to life affirmativel#D The# give lip servi&e to that goal, but "onGt appear to a&tuall# pursue it in their publi&ation. 9t shoul" be note" that /%6F') "oes not spea$ for all humanists, an" that /'9/%, "oes not represent the vie(s of other s$epti&s (ho &onsi"er that organi!ation eKtremist =in fa&t, the# "onGt even represent the vie(s of ever#one within the organi!ations>. ;ather than &onfining their efforts to verbal opposition solel# on the merits of the issue, /'9/%, has been a&&use" of attempts to pressure &onferen&e sponsors an" me"ia people into &ensoring vie(s /'9/%, opposes. /'9/%, has bille" itself in its promotional an" fun"Braising literature as 5the lone voi&e "efen"ing rationalit#.7 Tal$ about arrogan&eps#&hB&op, thought poli&e, in"ee". ?ournalist ?erome /lar$ (roteC 5+or /'9/%, it is not enough to sa# that those (ith (hom it "isagrees are (rong. 9t must also "epi&t them as loathsome human beings. 9n the e#es of this 'hiiteBs$epti& se&t, proponents of anomalies an" the paranormal are agents of the Mreat 'atan of irrationalit#, "efine" as an# vie(, ho(ever arrive" at, (hatever the supporting evi"en&e, that "iffers from

FIRE IN THE SKY 2"3

/'9/%,Gs.7 9n the interest of fairness, 9 shoul" mention that /'9/%, has &laime" to have severe" ties (ith the person a"vo&ating 5getting "irt#7 (ith 5an#thing short of &riminal a&tivit#.7 /re"it is also "ue /'9/%, for being one of the fe( organi!ations at least to give lip servi&e to the i"ea of promoting s&ientifi& eKamination an" a logi&al approa&h to issues. lso, in an effort to avoi" &ommitting the falla&# of attributing guilt b# asso&iation, it shoul" be pointe" out that there are a fe( =too fe(> (ellBmeaning /'9/%, members an" (ke tical In3uirer &ontributors (ho seem to "o a prett# goo" Hob of pra&ti&ing (hat the# prea&h. Their &re"ible eKposures of some popular nonsense shoul" be a&$no(le"ge". )o(ever, the Nuestion remainsC )o( effe&tive &an the# be at in&reasing the rationalit# of the publi&, (hen the# "onGt seem able to in&ul&ate that virtue in members of their o(n upper e&helonsD s an a&tive /'9/%, parti&ipant, ,?A has rea" an" sat through &ountless eKpoun"ings on the tenets of goo" s&ien&e an" vali" reasoning. 3et he repeate"l# violates the most basi& of those prin&iples throughout his (ritings on the subHe&t of *+%s. The tone of /'9/%,Gs (ritings an" spee&hes is often ver# arrogant an" elitist, as if the#Gre the rare fe( (ho see the truth an" &an trul# thin$. Their meetings are publi&i!e" primaril# among their o(n membershipL the $ 125 a"mission fees "o not seem inten"e" to bring in the publi&, but rather to preserve the eK&lusivit# of their &loistere" inner &ir&le. 'pee&hes rel#ing heavil# on "erision of the vie(s the# oppose, an" the selfBlau"ator# &eremonies annuall# besto(ing a(ar"s on their fello(s59n ,raise of ;eason,7 56istinguishe" '$epti&,7 an" otherssuggest more the a&tivities of a mutual a"miration so&iet# than of an organi!ation for publi& e"u&ation. number of popular boo$s have been base" on the observation that b# some ironi& Nuir$ of human nature, people (ill often &hoose as their lifeGs (or$ the one thing the# are (orst at, that (hatever personal Nualities "ra( a person to a parti&ular fiel" seem to be the Nualities ma$ing them least suite" for it. s William ,enn sai"C 5Truth often suffers more b# the heat of its "efen"ers than from the arguments of its opposers.7 9 point out the parallels, affiliation, an" allian&es bet(een /'9/%, an" /%6F') (ithout impl#ing their moral eNuivalen&e, or inten"ing to blur "istin&tions bet(een them (hi&h "o eKist. 9 "o not attempt to suggest guilt b# asso&iation(hi&h (oul" be a logi&al falla&# =an" one of ,?AGs &ommon ta&ti&s>. Whether or not ,?A himself shares his &roniesG ever# belief is irrelevant here. The point is not one of belief nor even one of ta&ti&s, but of motivation. 9n the interest of evenB han"e"ness, 9Gm tr#ing to establish a plausible alternative to the 5&overt "isB informationist7 theor# for ,?AGs motivation. To trul# un"erstan" an# "ogma #ou nee" to un"erstan" the

2"4 Tra'(* .a/to)

min"Bset from (hi&h it &omes. 9n the absen&e of a""itional "ata, ,?AGs li$eliest motivation seems to me to be fanati&al "isbeliefobsessive, over!ealous, monomania&al "isbelief. ,erhaps the nonrealit# of *+%s has be&ome lin$e" in his min" (ith the ver# survival of his ego. 2# some &ontortion of reasoning, some(here in his ps#&hologi&al ma$eup it has be&ome vitall#, "esperatel# important to ,?A that *+%s not eKist. )o( else to eKplain su&h irrational arguments in the name of rationalit#D 9tGs a theor# (hi&h eKplains ,?AGs approa&h, his ta&ti&s, an" his obsession. ;ea" on an" see (hat 9 mean. %ne thing 9 earnestl# reNuest of rea"ers, in the interest of obHe&tivit#, is that no matter (hat #ou ma# thin$ of ,?A personall# for emplo#ing su&h ta&ti&s, please Hu"ge the vali"it# of his arguments solel# on their o(n merit. 9 am &ertain the# are without meritL m# aim here is to provi"e #ou (ith Hustifi&ation for the same belief. 2ut the Hu"gment is up to #ou, so please base that Hu"gment on the fa&ts, not on &hara&ter. %ne might thin$ that in referring to a man (ho has "ragge" m# name through the mu" for "e&a"es, 9Gm being surprisingl# &haritable (ith the a"monition above. Not at all. -# respe&t is for the prin&iples of reasoning. This Hust isnGt the pla&e for feelings, mine or an#one elseGs. To use emotion in pla&e of reason (oul" be to &ommit the same error an" logi&al falla&# ,?A so regularl# &ommits. )is &ase falls on its o(n la&$ of merit. The first of ,?AGs boo$s atta&$ing me is title" <',s? $he *ublic 6eceived. When 9Gm "one here, 9Gll leave it to the rea"er to "e&i"e (ho has "e&eive" the publi&. ,ersons unfamiliar (ith (hat ,?A "i" to me over the #ears ma# be a bit ta$en aba&$ b# m# intensit#, an" ma# (on"er (h# su&h thoroughness is even ne&essar#. ,ersons (ho are familiar (ith his &ampaign ma# be surprise" b# m# restraint an" b# the "egree to (hi&h 9Gve manage" to remain obHe&tive. ,eople (ho are ignorant of the rules of logi&, "ebate, an" publi& "is&ourse ma# be unable to appre&iate the "istin&tions bet(een ,?AGs ta&ti&s an" m# o(n. +or the re&or"C Ffforts to refute someoneGs statements b# use of ri"i&ule, name &alling, atta&$s on their &hara&ter or that of their a"vo&ates, famil#, frien"s, et&. are personal atta&$s an" are logi&all# irrelevant at best. 9f 9 have someho( ina"vertentl# &ommitte" this error an#(here here, 9 am (rong to have "one so an" on that point 9Gve faile" to ma$e m# &ase, so that threa" of m# argument shoul" be "isregar"e". Mrante", to refute someoneGs statements might (ell result in their lo(ere" status =at least temporaril#, on that parti&ular issue>, but that is not a ersonal attack. )o(ever, as long as one offers &ompelling evi"en&e, soun" reasoning, or in some (a# "emonstrates "efensible groun"s for assertions germane to the issue, it ma$es no "ifferen&e ho( thoroughl# one rebuts statements, it is not a ersonal attack. ,?A an" his mutual a"miration so&iet# promote him as the 5'herlo&$ )olmes of ufolog#7 an" no(, in&re"ibl#, the 5'o&rates of ufolog#.7 )e allege"l# possesses 5unassailable logi&7 an" 5reason.7 'uppose"l# he applies 5rigorous,7

FIRE IN THE SKY 2"

5thorough,7 5obHe&tive7 5s&ientifi& metho"olog#,7 "ealing in 5har" fa&ts,7 possessing 5an impressive arra# of s&ientifi& an" te&hnologi&al $no(le"ge,7 an" is 5honore" . . . for his a&&ura&# as a te&hni&al Hournalist.7 9n regar" to m# &ase, he has "emonstrate" none of the above. )e is not obHe&tive. )is reasoning is so fla(e" that in his (ritings about me he repeate"l# &ommits ever# maHor, &lassi& logi&al falla&#. )e is neither thorough nor a&&urate. )e "eals not in har" fa&ts but in "istortion, supposition, innuen"o, an" assumption, rea&hing one unHustifie" &on&lusion after another. )e is as far from s&ientifi& as one &an get. bout me, he is simpl# "ea" wrong. Where appli&able 9 provi"e the ne&essar# referen&es to ba&$ up m# refutations of ,?AGs spe&ifi& &harges against me. Aeep in min" that as 9 (rite, 9 "o so full# a(are that m# "etra&tors (ill go over m# (or"s (ith a sharp "ental pi&$ an" mi&ros&ope. 9 invite an#one intereste" to &he&$ out the "o&umentation 9 &ite. No one nee" rel# on m# (or", itGs there for all to see for themselves. 9n or"er to see Hust ho( logi&al an" s&ientifi& ,?AGs 5investigation7 reall# is, a fe( (or"s about logi& an" s&ien&e are in or"er. '&ientifi& metho"olog# has gra"uall# be&ome Nuite sophisti&ate" in its pro&e"ures to enhan&e the a&&ura&# of its en" pro"u&ts, but some fun"amentals are so basi& that an# (or$ "one &ontrar# to them is &onsi"ere" (orthless. +irst, those ma$ing the inNuir# must begin (ith no &on&lusions &on&erning the Nuestion being investigate", refrain from "ra(ing &on&lusions until all "ata is in, an" ma$e no &on&lusion at all unless the "ata is suffi&ient. Throughout s&ien&e great pains are ta$en to eliminate effe&ts of investigator biasL blin" an" "oubleBblin" stu"ies, &areful avoi"an&e of loa"e" surve# Nuestions, &ontrols, pla&ebos, me&hani&al stan"Bins, neutral Hu"ges, remeasurements, in"epen"ent verifi&ation, the &riterion of repli&ation, an" repeatabilit# of results, et&. '&ien&e Hournals ten" to &onsi"er as possibl# tainte" the (or$ of an# s&ientist (ho "ispla#s a fervent position on a Nuestion prior to "oing the (or$ on it. 9 "onGt list these &riteria to suggest the# all shoul" have been applie" to m# &ase, be&ause man# of these &riteria appl# to statisti&al surve#s or eKperiments, (hi&h this is not. =2ut it (as suppose"l# a 5s&ientifi& investigation.7> -# point is simpl# that s&ien&e puts su&h elaborate emphasis on safeguar"s against investigator bias be&ause of the a(areness that bias is so pervasive in human thin$ing that onl# &onstant attention to its elimination &an elevate the enterprise above the level of the tangle" mu""le in the average personGs hea". ppl#ing relevant &riteria is &ru&ial, but so is &onsisten&# of &riteriaC 3ou "onGt treat "ata one (a#, then another, an" get intelligible results. 3ou treat "ata impartiall# an" obHe&tivel#, #ou separate fa&t from opinion, "ata from &onHe&ture. /onsisten&#, &onsisten&#, &onsisten&#C its presen&e "oes not guarantee vali"it#, but its absen&e guarantees error.

2"! Tra'(* .a/to)

%ne $e# prin&iple of goo" s&ien&e is to report all "ata gathere". This is probabl# the &hief sour&e of tainte" (or$ in s&ien&e. '&an"als regularl# hit the ne(s about fu"ge" or "o&tore" "ata, but more &ommon is (hen the eKperimenter (ithhol"s "ata failing to support a preferre" out&ome. ,robabl# be&ause this is easiest to rationali!e, the easiest about (hi&h the# &an "e&eive themselves as (ell as others. Ninet#BnineBper&ent truth (ith one &ru&ial "etail omitte" &an result in ra"i&all# "ifferent =false> &on&lusions. The 5truth,7 (ithout the (hole truth, is not the truth. :ogi& is the s&ien&e of the formal prin&iples an" &riteria of vali"it# in reasoning, an an&ient "is&ipline going ba&$ to the time of ristotle an" be#on". Throughout time, in all &ultures an" languages, the human pro&livit# for &ertain errors of reasoning have be&ome familiar. /ertain false reasoning patterns are so &ommon that lists of these &lassi& logi&al falla&ies have been &ompile". 2e&ause of their histori&al roots in an&ient Mree&e an" &lassi&al intelle&tual &ir&les the# have been given :atin names su&h as ad hominem, ad vericundium, ost hoc ergo ro ter hoc, etitio rinci ii, an" ad o ulum. 6onGt be put off b# the :atin (or"s. Their plain Fnglish "es&riptions ma$e them re&ogni!able as &ommon errors (e have seen use" all our lives. Argumentum ad hominem means 5argument to the man,7 rather than to the issue appealing to preHu"i&e, as (ith personal atta&$s, &hara&ter assassination. Ad vericundium is merel# 5appeal to authorit#,7 in other (or"s, 59Gm right be&ause ?oe 2lo( (ith &re"entials sa#s so too.7 *ost hoc ergo ro ter hoc means 5after thisL therefore be&ause of this7(hi&h is &laiming a &ausal relationship ne&essaril# eKists bet(een t(o events merel# be&ause one follo(s the other in time. *etitio rinci ii is 5begging the Nuestion7 or assuming the &on&lusion in #our initial premises. Ad o ulum is 5appeal to the &ro(",7 popular preHu"i&e, or 59Gm right be&ause ever#bo"# else thin$s this too.7 ;ight out of the starting gate, ,?A began his 5investigation7 (ith professe" &ertaint# that the in&i"ent ha" not happene" as reporte". 2efore learning an# "etails, he set out to pursue the prior intention he ha" eKpresse" to ,;% an" reporter ;i&har" ;obertsonto prove the in&i"ent a hoaK. )is ver# earliest (ritings on the &ase (ere &ompletel# hostile to us, even though he initiall# $ne( so little about it, that he ma"e errors he later ha" to &orre&t or retra&t. ll those earl# &laims (ere Nui&$l# proven false, but the# illustrate that even (hen so ha!il# informe" of the fa&ts as to ma$e errors so basi&, ,?A (as alrea"# totall# &ommitte" to "is&re"iting the in&i"ent. ,?AGs &ampaign in no (a# fits the "efinition of an investigation, s&ientifi& or other(ise. %bHe&tivit# (as absent from the ver# beginning. genuine investigation see$s to "etermine (hat has transpire". 9?A (asnGt intereste" in "is&overing (hat happene", he (as obviousl# &on&erne" onl# (ith &reating belief in his preestablishe" position. That ma$es his (or$ (orse than mere

FIRE IN THE SKY 2""

prosel#ti!ingL it is best "es&ribe" as propagan"a. /ontrast ,?AGs opening volle# against the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent (ith the last of siK points in /'9/%,Gs statement of mission, publishe" on the ba&$ &over of ea&h issueC . . the /ommittee . . . "oes not reHe&t &laims on a priori groun"s, ante&e"ent to inNuir#, but eKamines them obHe&tivel# an" &arefull#.7 Euite a number of people (ith various perspe&tives, in&lu"ing s$epti&al ones, loo$e" into this &ase. The# ma"e personal visits to the site, an" spo$e fa&eB toBfa&e (ith those "ire&tl# involve" in the in&i"ent, or at least ma"e &onta&t (ith them b# phone or mail. %nl# ,?A is the eK&eption. )eGs (hat 6r. )#ne$ terme" an 5arm&hair investigator.7 )e "i" all his (or$ b# mail or b# phoneL an absolutel# in&re"ible amount of it. 3et never once "i" he spea$ or (rite to meO stoun"ing. ,resuming to se&on"Bguess han"sBon resear&hers out in the fiel", he ma$es (hat he represents as the "efinitive Hu"gment on m# eKperien&e an" m# &hara&ter, an" #et to this "a# has never met me. There is no eK&use for this be&ause he (as able to lo&ate some prett# obs&ure 5(itnesses7 (hen loo$ing for mu&$. 9 (as in the phone boo$ ba&$ then, an" even "uring m# #ears (ith no phone 9 re&eive" phone messages through neighbors an" relatives from a variet# of people "etermine" to &onta&t me. 9 have re&eive" mail from all over the (orl" &ontaining no boK number, &it#, state, or !ip &o"eL no better a""ress than m# name an" 5'no(fla$e, ri!ona, *.'. .7L 5White -ountains, ri!ona7L or 5'itgreaves National +orest, *.'. .7 The latter t(o "onGt even refer to a single pla&eL the White -ountains are a large area sprea" a&ross three or four &ounties an" pa&heB'itB greaves stra""les t(o states. 'no(fla$e isnGt even Nuite (ithin the forest boun"ar#. =Who sa#s the post offi&e "oesnGt "o a great HobD> 9n all those #ears of atta&$ing me in a torrent of publishe" material ,?A never on&e attempte" to verif# (ith me the a&&ura&# of (hat he ha" (ritten about me. %ver the #ears ,?A has "one the same to man# others, a &ampaign the#Gve &ome to &all 5the Treatment7an enormous outpouring of &alumn# an" &hara&ter assassination, (ith, usuall#, no personal &onta&t at all. 9 fin" this pe&uliar. Wh# (oul" he pass up the opportunit# to be able to sa# he ha" a&tuall# ma"e a &omplete investigationD Wh# miss the &han&e of getting the a&tual target to trip himself up or sa# something ,?A &oul" "istort to ma$e him loo$ ba"D The best ra( material for his smears (oul" &ome straight from the horseGs mouth. Where else &oul" #ou gather better "irtD )e "epen"s so heavil# on ad hominem, #et is &ontent to rel# on se&on"han" sour&es for it. Wh#D 'ome suggest &o(ar"i&e, inabilit# to fa&e those he a&&uses, or simpl# arrogantl# regar"ing the target as beneath personal noti&e. -a#be behin" all the bluster an" bombast is fear of reHe&tion. = "mitte"l#, at this stage 9 (oul" be in"ignant at su&h a belate" attempt.> ,erhaps it is to avoi" putting a human fa&e on the opposition, mu&h li$e the (artime eKpe"ient of "ehumani!ing

2"# Tra'(* .a/to)

per&eptions of the enem# to ma$e it easier on the &ons&ien&e to "estro# them. 9nsulating himself from un(ante" information ma# be nothing more than the ol" stan"b#, 56onGt &onfuse me (ith the fa&ts.7 ,erhaps 5the Treatment7 puts ,?A in a position (here his &ontrive" s&enarios an" (ea$l# $nitte" 5evi"en&e7 &oul" fall apart or be&ome a legal liabilit#if it (ere proven he possesse" &ontrar# information, #et $no(ingl# omitte" it from his publi&ations. 9tGs easier to use misinformation if he sti&$s to in"ire&t sour&es. Then he "oesnGt have to fin" an eK&use for ignoring its &orre&tion. That legal point ma# appl# espe&iall# to his use of ad hominem. )e ma# have "elu"e" himself into believing there is a legal "efense if, for some &hara&ter atta&$s, he substitutes an a&&urate Nuote for a&&urate information. 59 publishe" it, but the# sai" it, 9 "i"nGt,7 (oul" Hustif# nothing. 2eing able to prove a statement (as a&tuall# ma"e in man# &ases "oesnGt relieve the responsibilit# also to as&ertain if it (as true in fa&t. n" the (riter is espe&iall# &ulpable (hen he has reason to believe the statement is false, parti&ularl# if the false impression &an be sho(n to be "eliberatel# &reate" b# &areful omission of essential &onteKt. lthough truth is sometimes part of a legal "efense against &harges of libel, relevan&e =that is, the ne&essit# of its in&lusion>, an" the motive evi"ent in its "istillation an" promulgation are $e# points. 2esi"es, some of the most vi&ious things he sa#s are in his o(n (or"s. Whatever the legal "efense, there is no moral "efense for &hara&ter assassination, nor espe&iall# for the la&$ of intelle&tual integrit# in eKtensive use of a logi&al falla&# in (hat is passe" off as 5s&ientifi& investigation.7 9 reemphasi!e that the volume an" intensit# of his barrage, an" the "esperation of some of his ta&ti&s, a&tuall# reveal his regar" for m# &ase an" &onstitute a perverse en"orsement of it. 3ou (onGt see him (riting boo$s an" a sno(storm of (hite papers about those phon# frontBpage tabloi" photos of aliens posing (ith presi"ential &an"i"ates. )e unleashes his greatest efforts on the &ase (hi&h poses the greatest threat to his "ogma of the noneKisten&e of *+%s. %ne of ,?AGs parti&ularl# "esperatean" "espi&ableta&ti&s is 5&reative Nuotation.7 %n the telephone an" even in person, he tapeBre&or"s nearl# ever#thing (hen heGs 5on the &ase,7 an" often (hen heGs not. 'nip, snipL &ut an" paste. 'omeho(, he &an ta$e an offhan" &omment here, a partial Nuote there, HuKtapose them (ith some unrelate" supposition, an" voilIO people are stunne" at (hat heGs ma"e out of it. 'imilar ane&"otes of this pra&ti&e aboun" among those he Nuotes regar"ing m# eKperien&e an" the *+% fiel" in general. +or man# #ears ,?A has been &riti&i!e" for heav# use of the ta&ti& of Nuoting out of &onteKt. Euoting out of &onteKt (oul"nGt be an illegitimate ta&ti& if it (ere nothing more than (hat the phrase literall# "es&ribes. Nuotation is an eK&erpt. *ltimatel# ever# Nuote is out of &onteKt. %ther(ise, &arrie" to the absur", #ouG" be obligate" to in&lu"e all the person ever sai" an" all surroun"ing

FIRE IN THE SKY 2"$

&ir&umstan&es, a" infinitum. )o(ever, the phrase 5Nuoting out of &onteKt7 refers to "istortion &reate" b# omission of other ertinent remar$s or relevant &ir&umstan&es reNuire" to transmit full# the true or inten"e" meaning. 9f the Nuotation ,?A sele&ts "oesnGt sa# eKa&tl# (hat he (ants sai", he feels free to a"" =in bra&$ets> (hatever (or"s he thin$s are la&$ing. 9n other han"s this pra&ti&e &an be a legitimate &larif#ing "evi&e, but in his han"s it be&omes a subtle instrument of revision. )e has a habit of referring to his version of things (ith the re"un"ant phrase 5the true fa&ts7 of the &ase. s oppose"(eGre to surmiseto 5the untrue fa&ts7 of those he atta&$s. ""ing emphasis b# un"erlining, itali&i!ing, &apitali!ing, or bol"fa&ing is a relate" ta&ti&, one easil# subHe&t to be&oming a tool of "istortion. ,?A has an in&re"ible &ompulsion to the overuse of su&h "evi&es. :i$e a t#pesetterGs nightmare, nearl# ever# page an" sometimes entire pages &ontain a miKture of three or four of those forms. 9 have samples (here, in the mi"st of a page &omprise" of all the other forms of a""e" emphasis, he a&tuall# un"erline" and itali&i!e" an allB&apitalBletters se&tion set off in Nuotation mar$sO When this un"erlining, itali&i!ing, &apitali!ing, an" bol"fa&ing is "one to sele&te" passages of 3uoted material it has the effe&t of &hanging the spea$erGs emphasis an" therefore his inten"e" meaninga bit li$e putting (or"s in his mouth. 9t has a (a# of transforming the most inno&uous remar$s into (hat appear to be selfBbetra#ing slips, &onfessions of grave (rong"oing. When the itali&i!ing an" &apitali!ing is "one to his o(n (or"s it gives the impression he is s&reaming for attention, #elling as if terrifie" that heGll be ignore". s if afrai" his (or"s "onGt have enough &lout on their o(n, that his point (ill be misse". s if he feels the nee" to a"" volume to ma$e up for la&$ of substan&e. ll of (hi&h a&tuall# ma$es him appear Nuite impotent. 9roni&all#, ,?AGs o(n group, /'9/%,, printe" in the 'pring 1994 issue of their (ke tical In3uirer an eK&erpt from ?erem# 2ernsteinGs boo$, (cience ,bserved, (hi&h ma"e a referen&e to the pro&livit# for this form of h#perbolous eKpressionC 5 hallmar$ of &ran$ manus&ripts is that the# solve ever#thing. . . . se&on" hallmar$ of &ran$s is that the# are humorless. thir" hallmar$ of the &ran$ is that he is sure ever#one is out to steal his i"eas. fourth hallmar$ of the &ran$ is that he is "etermine" to bring the ne(spapers in someho(. fifth hallmar$ of &ran$s is that the# use a lot of &apital letters.7 )o( ironi&. ,?A is forever &omplaining that (hen he sen"s his &op#righte" 5(hite papers7 to the me"ia, the# are ignore". )e implies that the unfair irrationalists of the me"ia are either a bun&h of gullible fools (ho nee" to be le" out of their "elusion, or &#ni&al purve#ors of pap, pighea"e"l# failing to hee" their (oul"Bbe savior. &tuall#, 9 thin$ the real reason ,?AGs reports an" press releases are so often ignore" is that Hournalists $no( a sta&$e" "e&$ (hen the# see one. The

2#& Tra'(* .a/to)

re&ipients see them as the sen"erGs selfBpromotion, an" are unimpresse" (ith their la&$ of a"heren&e to Hournalisti& stan"ar"s in their failure to represent 5evi"en&e7 or 5proofG outsi"e the min" of their author. 9n other (or"s, the# appear to be the pro"u&t of a &ran$. s time goes on, ,?A &omes off more an" more li$e a &ran$. )e &ontinuall# &omplains of the refusal of various me"ia, *+% eKperts, an" (itnesses even to respon" to his letters, to permit him to appear (ith them on television, or invite him to spea$ at &onferen&es. 'u&h freNuent lamenting about being ignore" is a feature &ommon (ith some of the mart#rsBofBtheBmin" at /'9/%,, those (ith 5the lone voi&e "efen"ing rationalit#.7 )is (ritings an" utteran&es in&reasingl# mean"er off into obs&ure irrelevan&iesso that people s&rat&h their hea"s an" sa#C 5Fven if true, so (hatD7 =9f rea"ers fin" themselves o&&asionall# as$ing that Nuestion about this part of this boo$, itGs be&ause thatGs the sort of material it falls to me to rebut. s the philosopher sai", (e must follo( the argument (herever it lea"s.> When is ,?A going to un"erstan" that the reason so man# professionals refuse to listen, assist, &orrespon", or "ebate (ith him has absolutel# nothing to "o (ith their fear that he is right, that his imagine" ra!orBsharp astuteness (ill leave them eKpose" as in&ompetents or frau"sD )eGs apparentl# oblivious to the fa&t that the# simpl# "onGt (ish to lo(er themselves to his level. When people "is"ain to eKpose themselves toor legitimi!ehis obnoKious ta&ti&s, ,?A (rites as if the#Gve &on&e"e" vi&tor# an" proven his position. )e &onstantl# attempts to settle "isputes &on&erning matters of fa&t b# issuing pointless &hallenges, often (ith the out&ome to be resolve" b# pol#graph, or b# some authoritative bo"# =the falla&# of ad verecundium appealing to authorit#> (hi&h, if as$e", (oul" li$el# not even involve itself. ,?AGs most effe&tive publi&it# gimmi&$ (as a suppose" $ 14,444 offer he first issue" ba&$ in the 1904s. )e li$ene" it to his bo#hoo" &hallenge to his peersC 5Tal$ is &heap. ,ut #our mone# (here #our mouth is.7 ,?A sai", 5This is pre&isel# (hat 9 have "one to "emonstrate m# o(n &onfi"en&e that there are no spa&eships from other (orl"s in our s$ies. . .7 *pon rea"ing the a&tual &ontra&t one "is&overs that he "oes not put his mone# (here his mouth is, he merel# romises to pa# the sum =if he lives> at some future point after the *.'. National &a"em# of '&ien&es announ&es it has proof of eKtraterrestrial visitation or after an alien appears live before the *.N. or on national TI. 9n the first pla&e, the absen&e of these events is not "isproof of the eKisten&e of *+%s. Not onl# is it not a given that an# of those things (oul" happen if the eKisten&e of a *+% (ere openl# proven =presumabl# a dead alien fails to Nualif#>, but the &ontra&t onl# reNuires 5the part# of the se&on" part7 =not ,?A> to put up real mone#at $144 a #ear for ten #ears. The ta$er bets on ,?AGs integrit#, his &ontinue" solven&#, an" his longevit#. ,?A, ho(ever, bets onl# on the previousl# "emonstrate" &onsisten&# of

FIRE IN THE SKY 2#1

s&ientists to &ontinue offi&iall# to "en# the phenomenon, an" on the alrea"# "emonstrate" &onsisten&# of the phenomenon to avoi" open &onta&t an" leave little tra&e. 9n other (or"s, he begs the Nuestion, (hile preten"ing to bol"l# &onfront it. 9n pril 19@7 he issue" a similar absur" offer of $14,444 to an#one reporting their *+% ab"u&tion to the +29 an" the bureau publi&l# &onfirming it. )o( man# peopleGs first thought (oul" be to turn to the fe"eral government in su&h a situationD 9n light of man# +ree"om of 9nformation &t "o&uments on *+%s, (hi&h are eKtensivel# bla&$e" out before release, an" in light of repeate" government "enials an" a longstan"ing belief b# *+% proponents in offi&ial suppression of the subHe&t, ,?A again begs the Nuestion mightil#. 2ut it ma$es for goo" press. ,?A has re&eive" a lot of me"ia attention for his Ten *fologi&al ,rin&iplesL (hi&h, of &ourse, are all one nee"s to solve the entire *+% m#ster# singleB han"e"l#. Without repeating them all here, siK of them =numbers 1, 2, 1, 5, 0 an" 9> are basi&all# variations on one i"ea, (hi&h &an be summari!e" asC ,eople "onGt reall# see (hat the# thin$ the# see, be&ause the# are either in&apable of a&&urate per&eption, or ps#&hologi&all# in"ispose" to it. ,rin&iple Number 14 basi&all# sa#s that the &ases ufologists fail to eKplain a(a# simpl# havenGt been given suffi&ientl# rigorous effort. ;ea" on, for eKamples of ,?AGs 5rigorous effort.7 ,rin&iple Number 4 sa#s the ne(s me"ia are biase", in that the# give great attention to *+% reports (hen first re&eive", but then ignore later prosai& eKplanations. )is &riti&ism of the me"ia is slante" b# his s$epti&al bias. -u&h of the initial &overage of m# eKperien&e (as false evi"en&e against it, the subseNuent "isproof of (hi&h the me"ia gave little or no spa&e or time to. 9f 9 (ere as biase" as ,?A, 9 (oul" &laim the opposite of (hat he &laims. )o(ever, m# o(n vie(, (hi&h 9 thin$ a more obHe&tive perspe&tive, is that those in the me"ia, for reasons often un&onne&te" (ith an# 5slant,7 "onGt al(a#s give eNual time to rebuttals, retra&tions, or information &ontrar# to an earlier stor#. ,rin&iple Number @C 5The inabilit# of even eKperien&e" investigators to full# an" positivel# eKplain a *+% report for la&$ of suffi&ient information, even after a rigorous effort, "oes not reall# provi"e evi"en&e to support the h#pothesis that spa&eships from other (orl"s are visiting the Farth.7 =TranslationC 5Fven if 9 &anGt prove it, 9Gm right an#(a#.7> 'o mu&h for the namesa$e of 5the 'herlo&$ )olmes of ufolog#.7 n oftBNuote" sa#ing of )olmes (as that (hen #ou have &on&lusivel# eliminate" ever# other possible eKplanation, the one that remains, no matter ho( unli$el#, is the solution. 9f #ou summari!e" Number @ as 5+ailure to "isprove isnGt evi"en&e in favor,7 9 (oul" have to "isagree. 2ut a&tuall#, if #ou (ere to interpret it as 5+ailure to "isprove isnGt roof in favor,7 9 (oul" agree. %ur legal s#stem ma# eNuate a man (ho is proven inno&ent (ith one (hose

2#2 Tra'(* .a/to)

guilt (as faile" to be prove" be#on" a "oubt, but su&h reasoning (oul"nGt get one far in normal pursuits. The preferen&e to err in the "ire&tion of freeing ten guilt# men lest one inno&ent be punishe" has no &orollar# in logi& or s&ien&e. We &ertainl# &anGt a&&ept a metho"ologi&al tra"eBoff of &riteria that have us believing ten false things to avoi" the ris$ of "isbelieving one true thing. &vidence is merel# something (hi&h suggests that a parti&ular proposition is more likely to be trueL roof is something that ma$es that proposition necessarily true. 2e&ause ,?A &onfuses evi"en&e (ith proof, ,rin&iple Number @, as it is (ritten, simpl# isnGt ne&essaril# true. =9 &onsi"ere" in&lu"ing here ten prin&iples 9 (rote in paro"# of ,?AGs ten, "es&ribing (hat he a&tuall# pra&ti&es in the &ourse of his 5investigations,7 but 9 thin$ 9Gll spare rea"ers the bla&$ humor.> 9Gve hel" ,?AGs *fologi&al ,rin&iple Number 7 till last, be&ause it is a&tuall# far more germane to his mo"us operan"i than the others. 9t rea"sC 59n attempting to "etermine (hether a *+% report is a hoaK, an investigator shoul" rel# on ph#si&al evi"en&e, or the la&$ of it (here evi"en&e shoul" eKist, an" shoul" not "epen" on &hara&ter en"orsements of the prin&ipals involve".7 'oun"s o$a#. This prin&iple is most pertinent to ,?AGs te&hniNue, not be&ause it is the one he follo(s most &onsistentl#, but be&ause it is the one he violates most often. Nearl# ever# one of ,?AGs man# &riti&s list his propensit# for "istorting or ignoring ph#si&al evi"en&e as se&on" onl# to his misuse of &hara&ter assessment in his ta&ti&s against *+% &ases. ,?A laun&he" a virtual torrent of personal atta&$s on m# &hara&ter, m# fello( &re(men, m# famil#, an" ever# one of the man# resear&hers (ho voi&e" &orroborative opinions. )e &on&eale" all positive "ata he a&Nuire" &on&erning our &hara&ters, #et heape" &ompliments on the &hara&ter of an#one (ho atta&$e" me even (hen he ha" full a&&ess to negative information about them. =9Gll &ite spe&ifi& eKamples later.> t the same time, he entirel# ignore" ever# bit of ph#si&al evi"en&e in support of the &ase. 9n his man# (hite papers an" in his t(o boo$s atta&$ing m# &ase there (as not a single mention of the re&or"e" magneti& anomalies, o!one tra&es, MeigerB&ounter rea"ings, or strange 5metal7 fragments foun" at the ver# site of the in&i"entO Not a peep about the reports of outages of po(er an" television re&eption in the nearest to(ns at the time of the in&i"entO )e (as (ell a(are of those reports, #et not a (or" about them. ThatGs his 5rel#ing on ph#si&al evi"en&e7D ThatGs 5rigorous,7 5obHe&tive7 5s&ientifi& metho"olog#7D nother part of *fologi&al ,rin&iple Number 7 ,?A abuses &ontinuall# is 5the la&$ of Rph#si&al evi"en&eS (here evi"en&e shoul" eKist.7 )e is forever buil"ing 5stra( men,7 (hi&h he &an then $no&$ the stuffing out of b# arbitraril# presuming the ne&essit# of some pie&e of evi"en&e. =)ere (e see illustrate" something 9 &all the falla&# of 5absen&e of evi"en&e eNuals evi"en&e of absen&e,7 or the error of negative proofL i.e., 5sin&e the

FIRE IN THE SKY 2#3

presen&e of ?oeGs fingerprints (oul" prove he (as there, the absen&e of prints proves he (asnGt there.7 What if ?oe tou&he" nothing, (ore gloves, or (ipe" ever#thing offD When #ou ta$e ,?AGs repeate" use of the 5absen&e of evi"en&e is evi"en&e of absen&e7 falla&#, an" &onsi"er it alongsi"e his "isregar" of fa&ts, (hat &an (e eKpe&tD M9M%the ol" &omputer a&ron#m for 5Marbage in, garbage out.7 Those (ho are foole" b# his paralogism an" are una(are of the evi"en&e he ignores, (oul" naturall# be "upe" into per&eiving his &ase to be as airtight as it (as ma"e to appear.> +or eKample, ,?A &onten"s that the absen&e of burn mar$s an" bruises on m# bo"# is proof that 9 (as not stru&$ b# a beam of energ# an" $no&$e" ba&$ through the air. )e presumes to possess a &omplete un"erstan"ing of the nature of an energ# beam pro"u&e" b# in&re"ibl# a"van&e" te&hnolog#. )e presumes that sin&e the (oo"s &re( sai" it loo$e" li$e a flame or lightning bolt, that it (oul" behave pre&isel# as if it (ere one or the other. Where is his s&ien&eD )umans use mi&ro(ave beams in in"ustr# that &an either &lean "eli&ate parts, set glue, &oo$ foo", or transmit phone &alls. We use ultraviolet energ# to gro( plants or to $ill ba&teria. 9nfrare" light is use" to remoteBoperate #our I/;s, an" to &ure ne( paint, or strip off ol" paint. We use laser beams in one form to (el" "eli&atel# in pla&e "eta&he" retinas in the e#e, or in another form to sli&e pre&ise holes through blo&$s of metal =potentiall#, to blast in&oming ballisti& missiles out of the s$#>. Iarious &ombinations of spe&ifi& &olors =freNuen&ies> an" energ# levels of lasers have mar$e" "ifferen&es in effe&t. 9n me"i&ine (e use ultrasoun" (aves that &an harmlessl# vie( a living fetus, or &an be use" to pulveri!e $i"ne# stones, leaving nearb# bones unaffe&te". ,?A a"mits to prior rea"ing of m# 197@ boo$ in (hi&h 9 (rote, 5That beam behave" in man# (a#s li$e a bolt of lightning or ele&tri&it#, but it might have been some other form of energ# entirel#.7 3et he prefers to ignore that &on&ept in favor of his stra( man. ,?A is in"ee" a master of the arrogant assumption. Who is he to presume (h# the beam "i"nGt blo( a(a# the nearb# pine nee"lesD &&ura&# alone (oul" a&&ount for that. The absur"it# of his presumption that an# beam po(erful enough to $no&$ me "o(n (oul" also ne&essaril# blo( a(a# or ignite the surroun"ing "ebris an" leave mar$s on me is "emonstrate" b# &omparison (ith a mere earth invention use" b# poli&eC the stun gun =(hi&h does operate on ele&tri&it#>. ,o(ere" b# batteries as mo"est as those use" to operate a Wal$man, ma$ers of stun guns sa# their "evi&es are effe&tive through heav# &lothing, able to $no&$ "o(n a threeBhun"re"B poun" man (hile leaving him an" his &lothing unmar$e". ,?A &laims that if 9 reall# ha" been $no&$e" ba&$ through the air to hit the ro&$# groun" on m# shoul"er, 5there shoul" have been bruises.7 ,erhaps ,?A has not been ver# ph#si&all# a&tive in his life. 9Gve ta$en numerous har" blo(s in sparring mat&hes (hi&h never left a bruise. ll the gu#s on the &re( have ha" limbs an" small trees fall on them in the &ourse of a (or$"a#, leaving no

2#4 Tra'(* .a/to)

bruises. 9t &an ta$e a lot to bruise a health#, fit #oung man. 9tGs unli$el# that lan"ing after being thro(n ten feet (oul" be suffi&ient to &ause a mar$ (hi&h (oul" last five "a#s, espe&iall# through a (or$ shirt an" "enim Ha&$et. +irst ,?A &laime" 9 shoul" have been bruise" b# the 5har" ro&$# earth7L in the ver# neKt paragraph he &laime" the same groun" (as &overe" (ith 5a thi&$ &arpet of "r# pine nee"les7 (hi&h shoul" have burst into flameO 3ou ma# laugh at the absur"l# obvious selfB&ontra"i&tion, but his /'9M%, &ronies rea" it an" applau"e". n" these gu#s &all themselves s$epti&s. 2ut (hat ren"ers all this "is&ussion moot is that (hatever "amage might have o&&urre" to m# bo"# at that moment &oul" have been someho( repaire" b# m# &aptors "uring the five "a#s. 'o an# subseNuent biologi&al or me"i&al assessment must ta$e into &onsi"eration the possibilit# of eK&eptional intervention or manipulations of the natural s#stem that (oul" ren"er any "ata or observations unreliable. 9 believe that if 9 ha" been returne" (ith a big bruise on m# shoul"er, ,?A (oul" have argue" that that (as proof the in&i"ent (as frau"ulent, be&ause 5surel#7 su&h an a"van&e" ra&e (oul" have heale" it. Tighten up #our &riti&al fa&ulties an#time #ou see ,?A, the min"Brea"ing 5"ebun$er,7 use (or"s li$e 5surel#,7 5shoul",7 5&ertainl#,7 or 5(oul" naturall#.7 5'urel#7 soBan"Bso (oul" thin$ or "o su&hBan"Bsu&h. *suall# thereGs reall# no reason (hatsoever to thin$ that soBan"Bso (oul" a&t b# these imaginar# norms. %ften it (oul" be lu"i&rous for people to respon" that (a#. 9f there ha" been $etones in m# urine spe&imen, ,?A (oul" have rea" imaginar# signifi&an&e into it su&h as &alling it evi"en&e 9 ha" (an"ere" through the forest, "a!e" an" starving for five "a#s, be&ause 5surel#7 beings &onsi"erate enough to return me unharme" (oul" be &onsi"erate enough to prevent the effe&ts of starvation. 'u&h s&hi!ophreni& interpretations permeate his (ritings. ,?A emplo#e" a bi!arre arra# of arguments against the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent, man# of them &ontra"i&ting the others. )e seeme" relu&tant to leave out an# possible theor#. 9 remember hearing from ?im an" /oral :oren!en that in one of his earliest shots, ,?A ha" tosse" out the i"ea of a plasma phenomenon. :ater, the suggestion of the misi"entifie" planet ?upiter surfa&e", then "rug hallu&inations an" transitor# ps#&hosis, among man# others. ,ostulating a &oherent theor# of an alternative s&enario (asnGt his goalL his aim (as to &reate "oubt an# (a# he &oul". 2ut his pet theor#, the one he put the most effort into, (as his +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t -otive Theor#. The +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t -otive Theor# begins (ith the &harge that the &re( boss, -i$e ;ogers, (ante" to get out of his Tur$e# 'prings &ontra&t long before the *+% in&i"ent, be&ause it (as, suppose"l#, an unprofitable &ontra&t. The theor# hol"s that -i$e &oul" Nui&$l# obtain his 14B per&ent hol"Bba&$ mone# on the Hob if he &oul" get the &ontra& t "efaulte"L that he nee"e" an 5a&t of Mo"7

FIRE IN THE SKY 2#

eK&use to a&hieve that resultL an" that he got his siK &re(men to ma$e up a *+% stor# that (oul" suppose"l# fulfill the 5a&t of Mo"7 reNuirement. The fa&ts areC that Tur$e# 'prings (as not a ba" &ontra&tL an" that nothing, not even an 5a&t of Mo"7 &ontra&t &lause, &oul" a&hieve an earl# release of hel"B ba&$ fun"s. ;egar"less of &ause, all "efaults follo( the same pro&e"ure an" have the same result, eK&ept that to invo$e the obs&ure 5a&t of Mo"7 &lause (oul" involve the &omptroller general, adding a number of ver# length# steps to the pro&ess instea" of shortening itL Nuite apart from it being Nuite "ubious that the government (oul" ever allo( a *+% in&i"ent to Nualif# as an 5a&t of Mo".7 =,erhaps ,?AGs obsession (ith this 5a&t of Mo"7 s&enario is be&ause his atheist &ronies love the iron# the# see in it.> &&or"ing to ,?A, -i$e ;ogers sa( the N2/BTI movie, $he <', Incident, (hi&h aire" several (ee$s before our Tur$e# 'prings en&ounter, an" (as inspire" to ma$e up a similar tale. )o(ever, not one of the seven of us sa( that movie. 9 "i"nGt have a televisionL -i$e sa#s he turne" his off a fe( minutes into the program. )o( &oul" he be inspire" b# a stor# he "i"nGt seeD 9f -i$e ha" an#thing to hi"e he (oul" have "enie" an# $no(le"ge of the program. ,?A tries to t(ist minor a"missions of irrelevan&ies into fullblo(n &onfessions. This TIBsho( angle is a&tuall# an eKample of the logi&al falla&# of ost hoc, ergo ro ter hoc5after this, therefore be&ause of this.7 ne&essar# &ausal relationship &annot be inferre" merel# be&ause one thing follo(s another in time. 9n to"a#Gs me"iaB"ren&he" (orl", is it li$el# that a *+% in&i"ent &oul" ever happen at a time (hen #ou &oul"nGt point to some boo$ or movie release, TI sho( or ne(s stor#, (ithin several (ee$s prior to the event an" &laim su&h inspiration b# itD 'atur"a#Bmorning &artoons alone (oul" guarantee su&h a (in"o( of 5suspe&t7 eKposure. ,?A "evotes a maHor part of his last boo$ to the premise that most of (hatGs being reporte" about *+%s to"a# (as inspire" b# images from that ver# TI movie be&oming embe""e" in the national ps#&he. Wh# (oul" a TI program (ith unimpressive ratings have a greater effe&t on the (orl"Gs sub&ons&ious min" than an# number of more spe&ta&ular theatri&al movies seen b# far more peopleD =,?A also pre"i&te" a massive 5flap7 of *+% reports (oul" follo( the movie -lose &ncounters of the $hird Aind, a movie seen b# !illionsfar more than ever sa( $he <', Incident. 'u&h a flap never materiali!e". 'pielbergGs &.$., the most su&&essful movie of all time, (as seen b# over seven hun"re" million people (orl"(i"e, but there (ere no global reports of huggable aliens sho(ing up in &hil"renGs be"rooms. ,eople arenGt Nuite so suggestible as he &laims.> The Tur$e# 'prings &ontra&t (as a goo" one. ,?A &laims -i$e (as 5"elinNuent7 on Tur$e# 'prings be&ause heG" been 5moonlighting7 on other, 5betterBpa#ing7 &ontra&ts. =?obs pa#ing less than half the a&reBpri&e of Tur$e# 'prings (ere suppose"l# 5betterBpa#ing.7> 9t is normal pro&e"ure for &ontra&tors

2#! Tra'(* .a/to)

to have several Hobs running simultaneousl#, a&tuall# Nuite &ommon. 3et, ,?A foolishl# &alls this 5moonlighting.7 The +orest 'ervi&e "oesnGt even &onsi"er it an# of their &on&ern (hat other (or$ a &ontra&tor ma# have. 'ome &ontra&tors have &ompletel# "ifferent lines of (or$ in a""ition to their forest Hobs. +or fullB time &ontra&tors it is ne&essar# to have more than one &ontra&t at a time to avoi" 5"ea" time7 bet(een Hobs, (hi&h (oul" result in a &ontra&tor having his better &re(men go else(here to maintain stea"# emplo#ment. n" sin&e the same +orest 'ervi&e personnel a(ar", inspe&t, an" issue pa#ment for subseNuent &ontra&ts to the same &ontra&tor, itGs absur" to term it 5moonlighting.7 -i$e ha" re&eive" an eKtension on his &ompletion "ea"line for Tur$e# 'prings, not be&ause the a&tual (or$ being "one on it (as unpro"u&tive, but onl# be&ause he ha" been finishing up some other &ontra&ts an" "i"nGt get ba&$ to it fullBtime until after mi"B%&tober, (hen mu&h of the &ontra&t time on it ha" elapse". Tur$e# 'prings (as the more lu&rative &ontra&t of the lot, but sin&e it ha" the latest &ompletion "ate, he (as finishing it up last. 9t (oul" li$el# ta$e us three (ee$s or so, but (e &oul" reasonabl# eKpe&t another five or siK (ee$s of (or$able (eather. We ha" (or$e" on Tur$e# 'prings in 6e&ember an" ?anuar# the previous (inter. 9n an apparent attempt to "e&eive the publi& about prior progress on the Hob, ,?A misNuote" the +orest 'ervi&e re&or" to rea" 5(or$ing "a#s7 instea" of 5&alen"ar "a#s,7 thus eliminating (ee$en"s an" other normal timeBlosses from his "istorte" &al&ulations. ,?A also misreporte" that the "a#s elapse" on piling =(or$ that &an be three or four times slo(er than the thinning part of the Hob> (ere representative of the progress on the Hob as a (hole. We "i" most of the piling an" a lot of the thi&$er areas of the Hob first, be&ause the other part of the Hob la# along the main ;im ;oa", (hi&h (oul" be more a&&essible if ba" (eather &ame earl#. What remaine" (as mostl# the higher "ail#Ba&reageBrate (or$, the easier, 5grav#7 portion. That assessment (as borne out b# the &re( (ho finishe" the Hob. Wh# (oul" a &ontra&tor sti&$ (ith a Hob for a #ear an" a half, then "rop it (ee$s from &ompletionD Wh# (oul" an#one (ho planne" to get out of a Hob leave the easiest for lastD The#G" go &ut the easiest parts for a Nui&$ pa#"a#. /ontra&t time eKtensions are a &ommon pro&e"ure. Fver# other &ontra&tor on the forest has re&eive" eKtensions a number of times. -i$e (as not fa&ing some immutable &utoff point (ith his remaining time. 9f he ha" nee"e" more time, he &oul" have obtaine" another eKtension. 9n fa&t, another eKtension (as offere" to him after the *+% in&i"ent, but -i$e "e&line" be&ause b# then he ha" no &re(. fter (hat the#G" been through (ith the in&i"ent an" the mur"er a&&usations, none of the men (ere intereste" in returning to (or$ in those (oo"s. +ear an" the ps#&hologi&al impa&t of (hat the#G" been through (ere "e&i"ing fa&tors, plus the fa&t that most of them ha" alrea"# ma"e other plans to solve their emplo#ment problem.

FIRE IN THE SKY 2#"

,?A has been for&e" to "istort man# fa&ts to sustain his s&enario. )e also ha" a&&use" m# mother an" brother of helping to &arr# off the allege" hoaK to get -i$e out of his &ontra&t. lthough not enemies, neither m# brother nor m# mother (ere ver# &lose to -i$e. n#one familiar (ith their relationship =or la&$ of one> (oul" fin" it laughable that either of them (oul" lie to help -i$e. n" (h# (oul" 6(a#ne 'mith, (ho ha" onl# been (or$ing three "a#s, go to su&h great trouble for -i$eGs sa$eD 6(a#ne, llen, an" ?ohn ha" &ome up from the southern part of the state, an" Aen ha" &ome all the (a# from -eKi&o to fin" (or$. Wh# (oul" the# be&ome part of an insane plan that (oul" &ost them their HobsD 9f -i$e ha" (ante" to get out of his &ontra&t, all he (oul" have ha" to "o (as simpl# (al$ a(a# from the Hob an" "o nothing more. )e "i" not nee" an# (il" *+% tale to be release" from his &ontra&t. The &ore of ,?AGs +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t Theor# "epen"s on the absur" i"ea that -i$e (oul" believe a stan"ar" "efault (oul" be severel# "amaging to his reputation (ith the +orest 'ervi&e, (hile a "efault "ue to a report of something so bi!arre an" popularl# ri"i&ule" as a *+% ab"u&tion (oul" be (ell re&eive"O -i$e &ertainl# (oul"nGt have thought either of those things. Neither his prior "efault, nor most of those "efaults re&eive" b# other &ontra&tors, ha" ha" an# &atastrophi& &onseNuen&es. -i$eGs Tur$e# 'prings &ontra&t (as "efaulte" (hen his &re( (oul" not return to (or$L it &ost him mone#, as an# "efault (oul", (hether or not it ha" been &ause" b# a *+% in&i"ent. &tuall# it &ost him more than a "efault un"er or"inar# &ir&umstan&es. )e (as never pai" for his last four an" a half (ee$sG (or$, be&ause he "i"nGt fin" out until after the "efault that the &omplete" a&reage faile" inspe&tionBBBB"ue to sear&hers having move" an" torn apart man# of the piles, loo$ing for m# "ea" bo"#. ,?A &laime" -i$e ha" seriousl# un"erbi" the pri&eBperBa&re on Tur$e# 'prings. %f &ourse -i$e ha" un"erbi" the other &ontra&torsC that (as ho( he ha" been a(ar"e" the &ontra&t. )is pri&e (as &onsi"erabl# less than the other bi""ersG, but still (ell above the offi&ial +orest 'ervi&e Fstimate. =To provi"e a general i"ea of an a&&eptable pri&e range, the +orest 'ervi&e Fstimate is establishe" for ea&h &ontra&t prior to a"vertising the Hob for bi", but remains &onfi"ential until after the opening bi".> -i$e has profitabl# finishe" man# &ontra&ts that (ere bi" belo( the +orest 'ervi&eGs estimate" a&reBpri&e. ,?A a&ts as if the "ollarBperBa&re offere" b# the highest bi""er for the Hob (as in"i&ation of the true (orth of (or$ on Tur$e# 'prings. Nonsense. 2i""ing is open to all. There are sometimes absur"l# lo( an" high bi"s from novi&es (ho &oul"nGt tell one en" of a &hainsa( from the other. %ften a variet# of fa&tors "etermine (h# "ifferent bi""ers (ith eNual performan&e abilit# (oul" reNuire "ifferent a&reBpri&es to a&hieve the same profit margin. +or eKample, if a &ontra&tor is lo&ate" at a great "istan&e from a Hob, he (ill a"" travel an" sometimes even &re( lo"ging eKpenses to his bi", an" must ta$e into a&&ount

2## Tra'(* .a/to)

that travel (ill re"u&e the amount of a&tual time his &re( (ill spen" on the Hob site. 9t is also &ommon pra&ti&e for some &ontra&tors, after the# get enough &ontra&ts to sta# bus#, to thro( in inflate" bi"s on ever# other &ontra&t let out for bi""ing, Hust in &ase the# get lu&$# an" no other Nualifie" bi""er ma$es it past the sele&tion pro&ess. Tur$e# 'prings (as the best &ontra&t, profit(ise, that -i$e ha" ever been a(ar"e". 9n fa&t, it (as the highest pri&eBperBa&re he ha" ever re&eive" on an# Hob he ha" ever bi" in his previous ten #ears of T'9 =Timber 'tan" 9mprovement, or 5thinning7>. ,?A ma$es a big "eal out of the oneB"ollarBperBa&re &ost of time eKtensions, as if this (ere the last stra( against -i$eGs 5alrea"# tooBlo( pri&e7 of $27.44. =-i$e finishe" /an"# -ountain rofitably at $11.@5 per a&re>. The &ontra&t (as "efaulte" an" rea(ar"e" to another bi""er =&oming all the (a# from :una, Ne( -eKi&o> at a still lo(er pri&eBperBa&re =$1.44, or nearl# 12.5 per&ent, lo(er than -i$eGsO> an" finishe" easil# an" profitabl# (ith a smaller &re( in a number of manBhours not appre&iabl# greater than the t(o to three (ee$s -i$e ha" estimate". With the &ost of time eKtensions, this still (oul" have been at a pri&e that (oul" have been at least $ 1.44BperBa&re higher than the pri&e pai" to ?ohn )ammon", the &ontra&tor (ho "i" finish it. ,?A must have been a(are of those fa&ts. n eKample of the $in" of progress -i$e (as a&tuall# &apable of a&hieving on Tur$e# 'prings is "emonstrate" b# "o&umentation of (or$ =eK&lusivel# on Tur$e# 'prings> &omplete" bet(een ugust 2@, 1974, an" 'eptember 5, 1974. s "o&umente" b# +orest 'ervi&e ,a#ment Fstimate J1 of 'eptember 5, 1974, ,a#ment 9nvoi&e J1 of 'eptember 7, 1974, pa# stubs, an" other instruments, a &re( of seven fullB an" partBtime (or$ers put in a total of 214B181 manBhours to &ut 115 a&res in those 0 (or$ing "a#sC 4.4 a&res per man per "a#. The 21@ a&res remaining after November 1975 (as of similar or lesser "ensit#, so at that rate it (oul" have onl# ta$en our siKB man &re( =(ith ;ogers supervising> nine (or$ing "a#s to finish it. )o(ever, sin&e a &ertain per&entage of &alen"ar "a#s inevitabl# (ill be lost to (ee$en"s, rain, me&hani&al brea$"o(ns, an" perhaps another "a# "ue to an onBtheBHob inHur#, it might have ta$en as man# as seventeen &alen"ar "a#s rofitably to &omplete the remain"er of the Tur$e# 'prings &ontra&tC pre&isel# the mi"point of the ofihan" estimate -i$e gave ,?A. 3et the man persiste" in barging ahea" (ith his t(iste" numbers. =9n&i"entall#, even after "e"u&tions of the 14Bper&ent hol"Bba&$, et&., for those siK "a#sG (or$, -i$e (as pai" $2,772.@@an amount greater than the total of the 14Bper&ent retention fun" =$2,01@.44> -i$e suppose"l# (as so "esperate to be pai" earl#.> ,?A never &he&$e" his &on&lusions (ith -i$e ;ogers before publi&l# a"van&ing his senseless theor#. )e has &ontinue" to publi&i!e it (i"el#, in total "isregar" of the &ontrar# fa&ts -i$e pointe" out, an" in the fa&e of +orest

FIRE IN THE SKY 2#$

'ervi&e /ontra&ting %ffi&er -auri&e -ar&hban$sG statement thatC 5There (as no (a# su&h an allege" hoaK &oul" benefit ;ogers.7 Fven +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t 'upervisor ?unior Williams sai", 5)e ha" no reason9 "i"nGt see that he ha" an#thing to gain, as far as his &ontra&t (as &on&erne", or an#thing else, to &onHure up a stor# of this $in".7 ,?A $ne(, or ha" a&&ess to, all of the pre&e"ing &ontra&tBrelate" information =he ha" obtaine" a &op# of -i$eGs &ontra&ting file>, #et "oes not mention it to his rea"ers. 9n a ?ul# 14, 1970, paper ,?A sent to 'heriff Millespie, he put his o(n (or"s 5*+%Binfeste" area7in Nuotation mar$s to give the false impression that -i$e ha" uttere" them in &laiming his &re( (oul"nGt enter su&h an area to (or$. 9n fa&t, -i$e never mentione" the in&i"ent in the pro&ess of the &ontra&tGs termination. ,?A also (roteC 5;ogers (as pai" his previousl# (ithhel" $2,01@ b# earl# 1970 (ithout an outright "efault.7 That (as an outright falsehoo"C There most &ertainl# was an outright "efault. This untruth (as nee"e" as part of ,?AGs pretense that there (as something about the "efault follo(ing the in&i"ent =an" more a"vantageous to -i$e> "ifferent from a "efault o&&urring in the absen&e of the in&i"ent. There (as absolutel# no su&h "ifferen&e, as ,?A either $ne( or &oul" have learne". 9tGs a fa&t, that -i$e never attempte" to invo$e an# 5a&t of Mo"7 &lause =as -ar&hban$s &onfirms> "uring the "efault pro&ee"ings, (hi&h (ere finali!e" months rior to ,?AGs publi&i!ing his theor#. The above is onl# one of a number of in"isputable $e# fa&ts (hi&h, even ta$en singularl#, &ompletel# refute the 5/ontra&t -otive Theor#.7 2# the (a#, that figure (as &orre&tC $2,01@. ThatGs rightL all this soun" an" fur#, ,?AGs sa#ing that the 59NIF'T9M T9%N ;FIF :' T) T T)F;F W ' -%T9IF, 'T;%NM +9N N/9 : -%T9IF, +%; :: %+ T)F- T% /%:: 2%; TF %N )% V,7 is referring to a lous# $2,01@O This (oul" &ome to a mere $291.11 for ea&h of nine 5&onspirators7 =$170.@5, if #ou go b# the &laim of seven &onspirators (hi&h ,?A (as suppose"l# for&e" to retreat>. :aughable. )e alleges this monumental effort (as put forth not to gain unearne" mone#, but onl# to get alrea"#Bearne" mone# earl#. FK&ept that, (ithout the hoaK s&enario, all that mone# (oul" have been -i$eGs. ,?AGs theor# is that -i$e nee"e" that entire sum to get him through the (inter. ,eople are eKpe&te" to believe that, Hust to get it earl# =(hi&h an# eKperien&e" &ontra&tor (oul" $no( (as impossible an#(a# an" (hi&h did not ha en>, -i$e (oul" settle for a seventh or a ninth of the original amount. ,?A essentiall# &laims that -i$e nee"e" onl# $170.@5 =or less> to support himself an" his large famil# for a perio" of several months. %ther(ise, (hat be&omes of ,?AGs &ontra&tBlin$e" motive for the rest of us siK or eightD 3ou &anGt have -i$e getting the (hole amount to himself to get him through the (inter, and have his 5&o&onspirators7 re&eive their paltr# shares. Fither (a# itGs sli&e", itGs a s&enario (ithout an#

2$& Tra'(* .a/to)

sense. The &re( (as onl# a fe( "a#s a(a# from our neKt pa#"a#, an" -i$e ha" over a monthGs (or$ he ha"nGt #et ha" inspe&te" for pa#ment. Wh# (oul" (e (ant to leave that imme"iatel# available mone# on the tableD n", be&ause of the "efault, most of the &re( "i"nGt get the pa# the# (oul" have re&eive" that follo(ing +ri"a# until over three months later, (hen the 14 per&ent (as pai" in earl# +ebruar#. =,?AGs ?ul# 24, 1970, paper to 'heriff Millespie &laime"C 5 fter the ne( &ontra&torGs bi" of $24.44 per a&re (as re&eive", ;ogers (as pai" his full 14Bper&ent retention R$2,01@S, provi"ing fun"s to ti"e him over the (inter.7 This gave the false impression that pa#ment imme"iatel# follo(e" the November "efault, (hen in fa&t it &ame over three months later, after mu&h of the (inter (eather limiting a&&ess to the (oo"s (as past.> 'ome people might get lost in the &ompleKities of ,?AGs "istortion of &ontra&tual fine print. /reating su&h &onfusion in the &asual rea"er is something ,?A &ounts heavil# on. )e ta$es a"vantage of the fa&t that the average person unfamiliar (ith his mo"us operan"i (ill ten" to ta$e him at his (or" an" su&&umb to the false notion that, 59f it (asnGt true, he &oul"nGt sa# it in print.7 2ut no one &an be foole" b# the bottom line. The aforementione" insignifi&ant "ollar amount is all the +orest 'ervi&e mone# ,?A has ever &laime" there (as to be gaine". )e as$s his rea"ers to believe that seven men (oul" subHe&t themselves to great legal ris$, loss of their Hobs, &harges of mur"er, ri"i&ule, an" #ears of suspi&ion, for less than $177 ea&h. ,?AGs (ritings are so (or"e" that his rea"ers (oul" be le" to assume that he obtaine" the basis for his erroneous &on&epts an" t(iste" interpretation of &ontra&ting pro&e"ure through the Tur$e# 'prings &ontra&ting offi&er, -auri&e -ar&hban$s. -ar&hban$s is as far from preHu"i&e" in the matter as one &an be. )e gave ,?A his opinion of the in&i"ent itselfC 59 "i"nGt believe it then, an" 9 "onGt believe it no(.7 3et -ar&hban$s sa#s there is absolutel# nothing in the Tur$e# 'prings re&or" or in +orest 'ervi&e &ontra&ting pro&e"ure to support ,?AGs theor#. ,erio". n" he has been telling ,?A so from the beginning, (hi&h fa&t ,?A hi"es from his rea"ers. ThereGs no more authoritative sour&e in the (orl" on the /ontra&t -otive Theor# than -auri&e -ar&hban$s. 'o, to put the Nuestion to rest in irrefutable fashion, -i$e ;ogers re&entl# sent the retire" &ontra&ting offi&er the follo(ing letter an" Nuestionnaire.

FIRE IN THE SKY 2$1

=anuar( -P, 1999 Mauri$e Mar$hban)" (address) >ogan, 3e' Mexi$o Dear Mr. Mar$hban)" A" per our telephone $on&er"ation a #e' da(" ago, % am en$lo"ing a brie# .ue"tionnaire a" to )no'ledge (ou $an ea"il( pro&ide to the ab"urd allegation" made b( the in#amou" *+, in&e"tigator, DP=KE. !he rea"on % ne&er too) the time or intere"t to $ompletel( re#ute DP=K1"E non"en"e be#ore thi" i" be$au"e he i" reall( "mall potatoe" in the area o# *+, re"ear$h and hi" boo)" don1t "ell 'ell enough to rea$h &er( man( people and mo"t o# tho"e 'ho ha&e read "ome o# hi" "tu## are generall( unimpre""ed 'ith hi" la$) o# rationalit(. !he rea"on % am ta)ing the time to re#ute DP=KE no' i" be$au"e o# the .ui$)l( approa$hing relea"e o# the mo&ie +ire in the S)(. !hi" ma8or mo&ie i" going to $reate an all7ne' intere"t in our in$ident and the DP=KE non"en"e i" bound to $ome up "ome'here along the line. !he mo"t length( Mtire"ome:"ix $hapter"N o# DP=K1"E tirade" again"t me i" in hi" re$ent boo) !he Publi$ De$ei&ed, in 'hi$h hi" ba"i$ "$enario boil" do'n to the #ollo'ing that % 'anted out o# the !ur)e( Spring" $ontra$t long be#ore the *+, in$ident a" he pre"ume" it 'a" a bad $ontra$tH that % $ould .ui$)l( obtain m( 10J retention mone( i# % $ould get m( $ontra$t de#aulted, that % needed an Ba$t o# 4odC ex$u"e to ha&e m( $ontra$t de#aulted, and that % got m( "ix $re'men to help me get out o# the "uppo"edl( bad $ontra$t. 0e al"o pre"ume" to ha&e pro&ed that % am $apable o# produ$ing #al"e "torie" 'ith hi" $laim that % 'a" di"hone"t in m( dealing" 'ith the +ore"t Ser&i$e b( BmoonlightingC on other $ontra$t" during the !ur)e( Spring" $ontra$t. % )no' that (ou #ind thi" long line o# add7on a""umption" to be laughable e&en #rom the #ir"t a" an( )no'ledgeable $ontra$ting o##i$er 'ould. /ou ha&e been .uoted b( "e&eral reputable in&e"tigator" a" ha&ing "aid that there 'a" no 'a( "u$h an alleged hoax $ould bene#it me a" #ar a" m( $ontra$t 'a" $on$erned. % al"o )no' that an( $ontra$ting o##i$er $ould ea"il( point out the ob&iou" #alla$ie" in e&er( one o# DP=K1"E a""umption", but (ou 'ere m( $ontra$ting o##i$er at the time o# the in$ident and it i" mo"t appropriate that (ou be the one to help me "et the re$ord "traight. !here i" al"o "omething el"e 'hi$h $ome" #orth in DP=K1"E 'riting 'hi$h "hould be o# $on$ern to (ou per"onall(. !he t'i"ted and $le&er 'a( in 'hi$h DP=KE 'rite" deliberatel( lead" hi" reader" into a""uming that he obtained all hi" totall( 'rong $on$ept" o# +ore"t Ser&i$e $ontra$ting pro$edure dire$tl( #rom (ou. %1m "ure (ou don1t li)e being made to loo) the #ool an( more than % do. !hi" up$oming ne' mo&ie 'ill ha&e it" 'ritten $ompanion, a

2$2 Tra'(* .a/to)

boo) 'hi$h i" al"o titled Fire in the Sky. % ha&e been promi"ed that (our re"pon"e" on the .ue"tionnaire 'ill be in$luded in the boo) in a $hapter 'hi$h 'ill put DP=KE in hi" right#ul, notoriou" pla$e. %n doing thi", 'e 'ill both ha&e the opportunit( to &indi$ate our"el&e" $ompletel( #rom the DP=KE tra"h. %t i" good to be hearing #rom (ou again. % hope (our ne' li#e o# retirement i" #illed 'ith the be"t. Sin$erel(, Mi$hael 0. Aoger"

n" here is the NuestionnaireC

+%;F'T 'F;I9/F /%NT; /T9NM %++9/F; +%; T)F T*;AF3 ',;9NM' /%NT; /T %+ 1 9 7 5 : - *;9/F - ;/)2 NA', ) ' N'WF; T)F +%::%W9NM E*F'T9%N' +%; T)F ;F/%;6C M;FF6 T%

1. 9s it ne&essar# for a &ontra&tor to provi"e an 5a&t of Mo"7 eK&use to a &ontra&ting offi&er before the +orest 'ervi&e &an pro&ee" (ith a termination of that &ontra&t for "efaultD ns(erC N% 2. 9s it ne&essar# for a &ontra&tor to provi"e an# eK&use to a &ontra&ting offi&er before the +orest 'ervi&e &an pro&ee" (ith a termination of that &ontra&t for "efaultD ns(erC N% 1. ssuming that ;ogers "i" (ant out of his Tur$e# 'prings &ontra&t, via termination for "efault, is it true that ;ogers &oul" have easil# a&&omplishe" this at an# time b# simpl# (al$ing off the Hob an" not &oming ba&$D ns(erC 3F' 4. Was it #our normal &ourse of a&tion, after a &ontra&t ha" been "efaulte", that the +orest 'ervi&e (oul" rea"vertise that &ontra&t for ne( bi"s an" that the original &ontra&tor (oul" onl# re&eive his 14 per&ent retention mone# if the ne( lo( bi" (as eNual to or lo(er than the original bi" pri&e, an" onl# then (oul" the original &ontra&tor re&eive that mone# after the entire pro&ess (as &omplete =a pro&ess not un&ommon to last four months or more> an" onl# then after the a""itional time nee"e" for the &he&$ to be pro&esse" an" sentD ns(erC 3F' 5. Woul" #ou &onsi"er it to be 5"ishonest7 or 5"e&eption7 if a &ontra&tor of #ours ha" other (or$ing &ontra&ts, other than the one hel" (ith #ou, even if #ou (ere not personall# a(are of those other HobsD

FIRE IN THE SKY 2$3

ns(erC N% 0. 9s it true that R,?AS &alle" an" tal$e" to #ou up(ar"s of ten times "uring the #ear of 1970 an" that #ou gre( Nuite (ear# of his persistent he&toringD ns(erC 3F' 7. 9s it #our honest appraisal of the real situation on the Tur$e# 'prings &ontra&t that ;ogers ha" nothing to gain b# a *+% stor# as far as his &ontra&t (as &on&erne"D ns(erC yes signe" 1aurice 1archbanks, +ebruar# 5, 1991 'o there it is. No nee" for a &rash &ourse in &ompleK &ontra&t la(. No nee" to go into ,?AGs obs&ure, &onvolute" h#pothesi!ing. No nee" to go into all the multitu"e of little tri&$s he use"C the partial Nuotes, the "istortions, &lever omissions, selfB&ontra"i&tions, or even his misuse of eK&erpts from (ritten &ontra&t "o&uments. Fa&h of ,?AGs basi& +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t -otive Theor# &laims are here, ea&h totall# an" su&&in&tl# refute". -ar&hban$s, a s$epti& about the *+% in&i"ent itself, has nothing to gain from &alling it as he sees it. 2ut if his fa&ts (ere not in line (ith (hat ever# one of his man# other &ontra&tingBoffi&er peers $no(, it (oul" tarnish the honorable re&or" of his long an" respe&table &areer. -i$e has returne" to logging an" &ontra&ts T'9 from the +orest 'ervi&e, maintaining an eK&ellent reputation (ith them to this "a#. ;e&entl#, in 1992, -i$eGs situation (as fairl# t#pi&al, an" similar to his &ontra&ting situation ba&$ in 1975. )e ha" three &ontra&ts running simultaneousl#, re&eive" a time eKtension on ea&h of the three, even a se&on" time eKtension on one of the &ontra&tsnormal operating pro&e"ures, not 5"elinNuent,7 not 5moonlighting.7 ll (ere &omplete" satisfa&toril#. )is present &ontra&ting offi&er, Iiolet -ills, &onsi"ers him one of the better &ontra&tors no( operating in those (oo"s. ,?AGs atta&$ on the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent is a real s&attergun assault. %utsi"e of &hara&ter assassination, he sta$es the &ore of his &ampaign on t(o thingsC the &onfabulate" &ontra&t theor# (e Hust put out of its miser#, an" his h#pe"Bup version of m# initial en&ounter (ith a pol#graph eKaminer. 9f #ou thin$ the &ontra&t theor# has been blo(n &ompletel# out of the (ater, (ait till #ou see the -&/arth# 5test7 h#pe go "o(n in flames. ,?A appears to regar" his 5theor#7 of the a&hievement of his investigation. Without -&/arth# pol#graph eKperiment his 5&ase publi& $no(le"ge of m# &omplete su&&ess pre&e"e" his 5revelation.7 thinning &ontra&t as the &ro(ning it, he might have &onsi"ere" the brea$er,7 eK&ept for the fa&t that in passing another pol#graph test

2$4 Tra'(* .a/to)

)o(ever, ,?AGs pri"e not(ithstan"ing, the publi& seeme" less impresse" (ith his &onvolute" 5&ontra&t theor#7 &on&o&tion than (ith m# 5faile"7 test. That 5test7 (as so in&re"ibl# fla(e" that a number of highl# regar"e" pol#graph eKaminers invali"ate" it solel# on the basis of the trans&ript of a tape of it, (ithout nee"ing to eKamine the a&tual &harts. s a matter of fa&t, 9Gll (ager one &oul"nGt fin" a single reputable pol#graph eKaminer (ho, after rea"ing the follo(ing anal#sis of the man# fun"amental errors in that 5test,7 (oul" be (illing to sta$e his reputation on uphol"ing its propriet#. +irst, a basi& s$et&h of the un"erl#ing prin&iples of the pol#graph. 9n that pursuit 9 (ill Nuote from testimon# given before the *nite" 'tates )ouse of ;epresentativesG /ommittee on Movernment %perations from the 91r" /ongress, on ?une 4, 1974, &on&erning 5The *se of ,ol#graphs an" 'imilar 6evi&es b# +e"eral gen&ies.7 Testimon# Nuote" is from /leve 2a&$ster, 6ire&tor of the 2a&$ster '&hool of :ie 6ete&tion. -r. 2a&$ster is re&ogni!e" as one of the top eKperts in the (orl" in his fiel", (ith fort#Bfive #ears of eKperien&e. )e has serve" as training "ire&tor for s&ores of a"van&e"B(or$ &onferen&es an" seminars, an" for more than 144 basi& pol#graphBeKaminer training &ourses, a"ministere" &hiefl# to la( enfor&ement personnel at the state an" muni&ipal level. )e has (or$e" as an interrogation instru&tor in the *.'. rm# /ounterintelligen&e /orps, as an interrogation spe&ialist (ith the /9 , an" been a guest instru&tor at +ort Mor"on, the *.'. 6epartment of 6efense ,ol#graph '&hool, the /ana"ian ,oli&e /ollege ,ol#graph FKaminer '&hool, an" the +29 &a"em#. )e has hel" numerous highB ran$ing posts in pol#graph professional asso&iations, an" ma"e maHor &ontributions to his fiel", (ith a&hievements in basi& s&ientifi& resear&h on pol#graph# an" improvements in pro&e"ure a"opte" throughout the fiel". -r. 2a&$ster ha" also testifie" before /ongress as an eKpert (itness ten #ears earlier, in 1904. n eK&erpt from his 1974 testimon# rea"s as follo(s. %f utmost importan&e in a pol#graph eKamination is the ps#B &hoph#siologi&al &hain of events o&&urring in response to a strong relevant Nuestion. +or eKample, "uring "e&eptionC
1. Sub8e$t an"'er" the pol(graph, examiner1" rele&ant .ue"tion 'ith a lie. -. !he lie "timulate" the #ear o# dete$tion o# de$eption. 9. !he #ear o# the dete$tion o# de$eption "timulate" a &ariet( o# p"($hoph("iologi$al $hange" 'ithin the "ub8e$t1" bod(. ;. 2ertain o# the"e p"($hoph("iologi$al $hange" are re$orded upon a mo&ing $hart. <. !he pol(graph examiner then e&aluate" the rele&ant .ue"tion rea$tion.

FIRE IN THE SKY 2$

The pro&e"ure state", thus far, brings up an important &onsi"eration. /an the pol#graph eKaminer safel# i"entif# one emotion from another b# merel# loo$ing at a relevant Nuestion rea&tion on a pol#graph &hartD 9t is m# belief that the ans(er is that he &annot(ith an# "egree of &onsisten&#. 9t is eKtremel# important that this problem be over&ome b# the use of a &arefull# stru&ture" pro&e"ure that is "esigne" to allo( the eKaminer to isolate not onl# 5fear7 as the emotion involve", but also to "istinguish 5fear of the "ete&tion of "e&eption7 from the other varieties of 5fear.7 The prin&ipal solution in most mo"ern pol#graph te&hniNues, regar"less of minor variations, is the use of a &arefull# stru&ture" an" revie(e" &ontrolBNuestion pro&e"ure. t times pol#graph evi"en&e pertaining to our eKperien&e has been unfairl# &riti&i!e" for the eKaminersG (or"ing their &on&lusions to state that the teste" person 5believe"7 su&hB an"Bsu&h to be the &aseL (hi&h, the s&offers point out, "oesnGt ne&essaril# mean that it (as so. Nevertheless, there is nothing tentative about su&h &on&lusions. The limit of (hat &an be inferre" from pol#graphBeNuipment measurements is (hether or not the subHe&t believes he or she is telling the truth. 2ut this is Nuite suffi&ient. "mitte"l#, if #ou believe" #ou &oul" fl#, a pol#graph (oul" &onfirm #our belief, an" onl# something su&h as su&&essful armBflapping &oul" &onfirm the realit# of (hat #ou believe". *ltimatel# #ou have to a&$no(le"ge that an#time #ou spea$ the truth, it is the truth as #ou $no( it, as #ou believe it to be. WeGre human, so (ho &oul" as$ for more than that (hen #ou as$ a person for the truthD The -&/arth# test eKperiment (as attempte" onl# a fe( "a#s after m# return, (hen 9 (as still in a "eepl# anKious state. -# &on"ition (as so serious that ,;% personnel ha" alrea"# a"vise" me, as the# subseNuentl# state" in a November 14, 1975, press release, to "ela# ta$ing a test from the state poli&e eKaminer until 9 ha" re&overe". 2ut ,;%Gs investigation (as being ban$rolle" b# the /ational &n3uirer, an" the &n3uirer7s prin&ipal &on&ern (as to gain pre&e"en&e over the other me"ia. The# (ere not in&line" to (ait even one "a# if it might Heopar"i!e their s&oop. ,;%Gs 6r. ?ames )ar"er (arne" the &n3uirer &re( an" the eKaminer ?ohn -&/arth# =in the presen&e of (itnesses> at great length that 9 (as in no &on"ition to be teste". The &n3uirer &re( lea"er, ,aul ?en$ins, presse", arguing there (as nothing to lose be&ause the test (oul" be given in stri&t &onfi"en&e an" the results (oul"nGt be release" (ithout m# permission. ,;% finall# agree" to a test as an eKperiment, a gauge of m# &on"ition. 9f it turne" out (ell, the# (oul" publi&i!e it, but if it (ent as 6r. )ar"er pre"i&te", the# (oul" forget the test an" (rite their a&&ount (ithout it. When the test #iel"e" stressful rea"ings, as 6r. )ar"er ha" (arne", -&/arth# renege" on his assuran&e that he (oul" ta$e m# "evastate" ps#&hologi&al &on"ition into &onsi"eration. )e (as plainl# Nuite angr# at having his opinion overri""en b# other eKperts. )aving m# brother 6uane tell

2$! Tra'(* .a/to)

-&/arth# to his fa&e in eKpli&it language (hat he thought of -&/arth#Gs reversal must have &ontribute" greatl# to -&/arth#Gs subseNuent attitu"es an" a&tions. ,?A ma"e a big "eal out of the fa&t that the test (as $ept se&ret. 2ut there (as no sinister &overBup. -&/arth# ha" agree" to absolute &onfi"entialit# on the phone before the test, before heG" even seen me. The &on"ition of &onfi"entialit# (as ma"e partl# to maintain the &n3uirer Gs eK&lusive, but (as in anti&ipation of &onfirmation that 9 (as not #et suffi&ientl# re&overe" to be testable. 9 have never in m# entire life been in su&h a "esperate mental state, either before or after. 9 (as in a &onstant state of terror. 9n spite of (hat (as going on insi"e, 9 struggle" to present &oherent behavior, not al(a#s su&&essfull#. ,;% "ire&tor ?im :oren!enC 5. . . TravisG "emeanor at the time resemble" that of a &age" bob&at. )e seeme" to be poise" for flight even though he (as l#ing in a semire&lining position . . .7 ,s#&hiatrist 6r. ?ean ;osenbaumC . . . this is a person (ho has been going through a . . . life &risis... , for eKample, a "eath or "ivor&e. . . .7 n", 5he (as li$e a (il" animal in a &age.7 ;eporter ?eff WellsC 5%ur first sight of the $i" (as at "inner in the motel "ining room that night. 9t (as a sho&$. )e sat there mute, pale, t(it&hing li$e a &ornere" animal.7 9nteresting ho( the# (ere all move" separatel# to use a similar metaphor. 9 (as even struggling (ith m# grip on realit# at times. %ne theor# 'heriff Millespie (as pushing (as that m# &o(or$ers ha" slippe" me "rugs, hit me on the hea", an" put on mas$s or something to gui"e m# 5trip.7 9 (as a(are that the press ha" been spe&ulating (il"l# in sear&h of alternative eKplanations for the entire in&i"ent. -# o(n resistan&e to a&&epting (hat m# memories (ere telling me ha" me loo$ing for a (a# out m#self. -&/arth# onl# ma"e things (orse. )e referre" to the al&oholBinfluen&e", "rugBhallu&ination angle. )e as$e" if 9 ha" been 5h#pnoti!e",7 5programme" to forget7if ma#be 9 ha" reall# been in a 5hospital7 or 5buil"ing7 some(here. 9 (as as$ing m#self, ha" m# min" slippe" a &ogD -&/arth# (as nurturing m# see"s of "oubt an" planting some of his o(n in the mi"st of m# temporar# realit#Btesting. 6uring the first fe( "a#s of this most &riti&al perio" of a"Husting to the realit# of (hat 9G" been through, 9 (as &ut off from the reassuran&e of the &orroboration of m# &re(B mates, (ho ha" also seen (hat 9 ha". meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iation members agree to abi"e b# nineteen minimum gui"elines of performan&e, title" (tandards and *rinci les of *ractice. 'tan"ar" Number 4 reNuires that 5 member shall not &on"u&t an eKamination of an# person (hom the member believes to be ph#si&all# or emotionall# unsuitable for testing.7 9 ha" hear" about the uproar, before /# MilsonGs tests of m# &re(mates in 'heriff MillespieGs offi&e, over the suspi&ion of a government &overBup. llen 6alisG in&on&lusive test ha" me (on"ering. Movernment hushBups ha" long been

FIRE IN THE SKY 2$"

a basi& belief (ith ufologist organi!ations li$e ,;%L the# "i" nothing to lessen m# misgivings. 9 ha" Nuite an inner "ialogue running ba&$ an" forth about this, some of m# thoughts uttere" alou" an" &apture" on tape. =9 have a &lear tape of the entire pretest intervie( an" test pro&ee"ings, an" a &omplete trans&ript, (ithout the omissions an" errors of the trans&ript publishe" b# ,;%. Aeep in min" (hen rea"ing Nuotations here or an# referen&es to (hat happene" "uring the test that 9 am prepare" to "o&ument ea&h of them pre&isel#.> -&/arth#Gs &on"es&en"ing, sar&asti&, an" hostile attitu"e (as onl# the beginning of the or"eal. -# alarm bells (ere going off &onstantl#. )e trie" to put (or"s in m# mouthL heG" tell me ho( 9 felt instea" of as$ing me. )e (oul"nGt let me finish, interrupting me twenty!eight times "uring those s&ant ninet# minutes. 9 sa( the situation "eveloping, but felt trappe". When he tol" me 6r. )ar"er ha" tol" him 9 (as fine, 9 figure" he (as l#ing sin&e 9 ha" Hust "is&usse" m# &on"ition (ith 6r. )ar"er an" hear" his remar$s to the others. )e ma"e me sign a &onsent8(aiver form, over m# obHe&tions that the statement a&$no(le"ge" &ertain things ha" o&&urre" (hi&h ha" not. 9 (as ba"l# "isoriente" as to time, but -&/arth# spent over five minutes ha!ing me about time an" "ates, at one point snappingC 5Where have #ou been, in a va&uumD7 3et he state" in his report that 9 (as 5lu&i".7 pol#graph eKaminer is not suppose" to antagoni!e or "eliberatel# upset a test subHe&t. )e is suppose" to &reate a &alm, neutral atmosphere so that the subHe&t rea&ts to the 3uestions, not to an# other agitating stimulus. To be so negative in the pretest reveals more than the absen&e of proper te&hniNueL it eKposes a strong bias. re&ogni!e" teKt of pol#graph#, *sychological 1ethods in -riminal Investigation and &vidence, states in &hapter @, 5,ol#graph Te&hniNues for the 6ete&tion of 6e&eption7C 59t is &riti&al that the pol#graph eKaminerGs "emeanor an" behavior be professional an" obHe&tive. 9f the subHe&t is suspi&ious of the eKaminer or feels that the eKaminer is not &ompetent or is biase", the a&&ura&# of the test is &ompromise". 'ome eKaminers are ps#&hologi&all# insensitive an" abusive, an" the# sometimes &onve# an impression of "isbelief in the subHe&tGs version of the events or attempt to interrogate the subHe&t prior to the &ompletion of the test. 'u&h behaviors on the part of the eKaminer are li$el# to in&rease the ris$ of a false positive error.7 =5+alse positive7 means Hu"ging a truthful person as "e&eptive.> 6r. 6avi" /. ;as$in, author of the passage Nuote" above, is a professor of ps#&holog# at the *niversit# of *tah, an" author or &oauthor of man# respe&te" teKts. )e has performe" s&ientifi& resear&h on pol#graph# an" publishe" re&ogni!e" papers on his (i"el# a"opte" innovations in the refinement of te&hniNue. 6r. ;as$in has t(ent#Bthree #earsG eKperien&e in pol#graph#, an" is a freNuentl# &onsulte", &ourtBre&ogni!e" eKpert in the *.'. an" /ana"a. )e has been involve" in (ellB$no(n &ases su&h as the )o(ar" )ughes (ill, ?effre# :'atal 9ision; -&6onal", serial $iller Te" 2un"#, the 6e:orean affair, an" the

2$# Tra'(* .a/to)

-&-artin pres&hool spe&ta&le. s an internationall# $no(n eKpert, 6r. ;as$in has testifie" before 2ritish ,arliament, the 9sraeli Aineset, an" the ?u"i&iar# /ommittee of the *.'. 'enatehaving been &alle" in b# the latter four times, (ith regar" to &ases in&lu"ing Watergate an" 9ranB/ontra. The 'pring 1994 issue of the /'9/%, Hournal ,?A e"its, the (ke tical In3uirer, publishe" an arti&le &riti&al of the pol#graph, b# Flie . 'hneour, &alle" =appropriatel#> 5:#ing bout ,ol#graph Tests.7 9 &oul" get Nuotations similar to the follo(ing from man# other sour&es, but these, &oming from ,?AGs o(n outfit, are har"est for ,?A to "en#. 'hneour sa#sC 5 lthough fe( eKaminers (ill a"mit it, a goo" Hu"ge of human behavior (ill overri"e the pol#graph &harts an" generate a report that is more heavil# (eighe" b# the eKaminerGs o(n per&eption of the subHe&t.7 n" &ertainl# a oor Hu"ge of human behavior (oul" be Hust as if not moreprone to su&h "eparture from obHe&tive measurement. The /'9/%, arti&le goes onC 5The &entral premise of pol#graph testing, the ps#&hologi&al assumption that guilt &an always be inferre" from emotional "isturban&e, is &onsi"ere" to be implausible b# the maHorit# of $no(le"geable ps#&hologists in the fiel".7 While this &omment a&$no(le"ges that there are man# mental states other than "e&eption that &an pro"u&e stressful pol#graph &harts, it is not true that pol#graph eKaminers a&t un"er a premise (hi&h ignores that fa&t, as evi"en&e" b# 2a&$sterGs &ongressional testimon#. 9n fa&t, a great part of their training an" metho"olog# is "ire&te" solel# at ma$ing &ertain the# $no( the &ategor# of stimulus for an# emotional "isturban&e re&or"e" on their &harts, an" to avoi" getting &ertain &ategories entirel#. That (as one of several areas (here ?ohn ?. -&/arth# faile" miserabl#. :etGs loo$ again at the last part of the eK&erpt of &ongressional testimon# 9 Nuote" aboveC 59t is eKtremel# important... to "istinguish Ufear of the "ete&tion of "e&eptionG from the other varieties of Ufear.G The prin&ipal solution in most mo"ern pol#graph te&hniNues, regar"less of minor variations, is the use of a &arefull# stru&ture" an" revie(e" &ontrolBNuestion pro&e"ure.7 The &on&ept of &ontrolBNuestion tests =/ETs> (as intro"u&e" in 1919 an" refine" in 1947. 9n 1974 /ETs (ere &onsi"ere" =an" still are> the a&&epte" mo"ern te&hniNue. =The state poli&e pol#graph eKaminer, /# Milson, use" /ET on the siK (itnesses.> )o(ever, -&/arth# (as still using a straight 5relevant8irrelevant7 test metho", &onsi"ere" over t(ent#Bseven #ears out of "ate even in 1975O This t#pe of test has generate" as high as @4 per&ent false positives in &ontrolle" test resear&h (here verifi&ation (as in"epen"entl# &ertain. The straight relevant8irrelevant test &an be (orse than (orthlessit violates some statesG regulations governing the use of pol#graphs. 9n states (here pol#graph results are a"missible evi"en&e in &ourt, su&h as Ne( -eKi&o, this metho" is not a"missible. 9t is prohibite" pro&e"ure in Neva"a, (here the# use 2a&$B ster Wone of /omparison metho"olog# in &onHun&tion (ith =as their manual spe&ifies> /ET metho"olog#. 9n *tah an eKaminer &oul" lose his li&ense for using the

FIRE IN THE SKY 2$$

relevant8irrelevant metho" (ithout spe&ial prior approval =(hi&h has never before been reNueste" or grante">. The *tah 6epartment of ,ubli& 'afet# 2ureau of ;egulator# :i&ensing sa#s, 59rrelevant an" relevant tests (ithout &ontrols (ill not be re&ogni!e" b# the 2ureau as approve" te&hniNues.7 9 "i"nGt personall# verif# the fa&t, as 9 "i" for all states bor"ering ri!ona, but 9Gve been tol" b# eKperts that the same situation &on&erning metho"olog# prevails throughout the rest of the &ountr#. The reason people (ere getting a(a# (ith not up"ating their training an" still using the simpler, ol" 5relevant8irrelevant7 metho" in ri!ona, (hen it is prohibite" in all the surroun"ing states, is that in 1975 ri!ona ha" no offi&ial li&ensing or regulation of the profession. ,?A trie" to point to -&/arth#Gs appli&ation of the soB&alle" 5stim test,7 (hi&h he "i" between his t(o runs through the Nuestions, as being proof of m# suitabilit# for testing. The stim test &onsists of the eKaminer unerringl# i"entif#ing =suppose"l# b# use of the &hart tra&ings> a &ar" 5se&retl#7 &hosen b# the subHe&t, to &onvin&e the subHe&t of the infallibilit# of the ma&hine. 'in&e the stim test =(hi&h 'hneourGs (ke tical In3uirer arti&le so &riti&i!es> often relies on "e&eption on the part of the eKaminer =as pres&ribe" b# the metho"Gs s&hool>, using mar$e" &ar"s, most mo"ern eKaminers reHe&t the te&hniNue. lthough 9 &annot sho( that -&/arth# rigge" the stim test, it is suspi&ious that he "i"nGt a&tuall# sho( me the &hart that suppose"l# gave him his ans(er. To legitimate the assa# he shoul" have "one so to reinfor&e the effe&t. This ol" metho"Gs relian&e on tri&$er# has le" some people to assume erroneousl# that mo"ern pol#graph# "epen"s on bluff for its su&&ess, an" that simpl# seeing through this (ill allo( people to beat the test. %n the &ontrar#, 9Gm Nuite &ertain that mo"ern metho"s = sans stim test> &oul" easil# "etermine the amount of &hange in #our po&$et, if #ou $ne( it #ourself, to the penn#, (ithout the eKaminer $no(ing the sum in a"van&e. None of the stu"ies &laiming to support the a&&ura&# of the relevant8irB relevant test in fiel" appli&ations meets the reasonable s&ientifi& stan"ar"s for internal or eKternal vali"it# set b# the governmentGs %ffi&e of Te&hnolog# ssessment. -ost of the &riti&ism of the reliabilit# of pol#graph in general is a&tuall# "ue to the obsolete relevant8irrelevant metho"olog#. -is&on&eptions su&h as those &ontaine" in the /'9/%, arti&le &ome in large part from pra&ti&es that are no( no longer use". 2ut, sin&e its information applies to m# ar&hai& 5test,7 9Gll Nuote again from the arti&le ,?AGs &ron# (roteC 52ut the ultimate iron# lies in the (ellBestablishe" observation that pol#graph eKaminations ten" to err on generating substantiall# more false positive than false negatives. This means that truthful persons in&riminate" as liars b# the pol#graph (ill outnumber a&tual liars.7 This (as se&on"e" b# '&ott :ilienfel" in the +all 1991 (ke tical In3uirer. 5. . . the pol#graph t#pi&all# #iel"s a high rate of false positives.7 =That arti&le

3&& Tra'(* .a/to)

also pointe" out the portion of false positives that para"oKi&all# in&lu"es 5eK&essivel# guiltBprone in"ivi"uals, (ho are probabl# among the least li$el# of all people to prevari&ate7L an" "e&rie" the prospe&t that (e might 5penali!e parti&ularl# moral in"ivi"uals, man# of (hom ma# be the UguiltBgrabbersG erroneousl# "ete&te" b# the pol#graph test.7 3ou (onGt hear ,?A ma$ing use of the above $no(le"ge be&ause it overturns his position on m# &ase. )is tunnel vision on 5lie "ete&tors7 =being an eKtreme reverse of (hat resear&h has sho(n> is that faile" tests &on&erning *+%s are al(a#s fla(lessL passe" tests on the subHe&t &an never be right. 9 "i"nGt "efen" m#self (ith the above information in m# boo$ in 1977 be&ause 9 (asnGt a(are of it then. ll 9 $ne( (as that -&/arth# (asnGt right. 9n fa&t, 9 "i"nGt "is&over most of this material until after 9 passe" the last pol#graph tests 9Gll ever ta$e on this subHe&t, in 1991. ='ee &hapter 11.; -o"ern pol#graph testing has be&ome an eKtremel# refine" s&ien&e, replete (ith highl# te&hni&al terms 9 "onGt &ompletel# un"erstan"C &limaK "amping, "ouble &rossBvali"ation, !one of &omparison =W%/>, ele&tro"erB mal burst freNuen&#, pea$ of tension =,%T>, an" 5vasomotor univariate pointBbisarial &orrelations.7 The reliabilit# an" sensitivit# of mo"ern eNuipment is also vastl# improve". 2esi"es using a &ompletel# "is&re"ite" metho", ?ohn -&/arth# (as using an earl# threeBtra&e pol#graph ma&hine. 9t use" the unreliable, ol"B st#le fingerB pa""le, passive galvani& s#stem, a glit&hBprone metho" (hi&h simpl# measures flu&tuations in s$in &on"u&tivit#. -o"ern eNuipment utili!es a stea"# mi&ro&urrent through the han" (hi&h gives a &onstant referen&e baseline of &omparison, eliminating spurious &on"u&tivit# &hanges. =/ompare" (ith m# other tests, -&/arth# spent a lot of time fussing (ith atta&hing the galvani& terminals to me, the (ires to (hi&h ha" noti&eabl# fra#e" insulation. )e a"Huste", rea"Huste", an" frette" about m# eKa&t han" position. t one point on the tape he eK&laime" alou" in angr# frustrationC 59 &anGt get this thing ... 9 &anGt get the instrument tune" in to #ou if #ou $eep Humping aroun" in the &hairO7 9 apologi!e", but 9 "i"nGt thin$ 9G" been moving at all. ,art of the A*A (tandards and *rinci les of *ractice rea"sC 5 member shall not $no(ingl# &on"u&t an eKamination using an# instrument (hi&h at the time of the eKamination is not fun&tioning properl# as "esigne".7 9Gve learne" that the &onstru&tion of -&/arth#Gs ma&hine reNuire" that the air in the bloo"Bpressure &uff "ire&tl#, ph#si&all#, move the &hart nee"le. That "esign #iel"e" mu&h less sensitivit# an" reNuire" higher pressures, therefore greatl# in&reasing the "is&omfort on the subHe&tGs arm =(hi&h also raises those un(ante" eKtraneous stress levels>. 9 &omplaine" of the pain it (as &ausing in a re&ent inHur# infli&te" to m# elbo( in a sparring mat&h (ith m# $arate instru&tor, but -&/arth# brushe" m# &omplaint asi"e. ,ain, li$e stress, &an register on the &harts an" further &onfuse an appraisal.

FIRE IN THE SKY 3&1

Who (as this reli& -&/arth#, an#(a#D ,?A touts him as 5the most eKperien&e" an" one of the most respe&te" pol#graph eKaminers in ri!ona.7 9Gve un&overe" information in"i&ating he (as probabl# neither. +or one thing, he (asnGt even a member of the ri!ona ,ol#graph sso&iation. %ne might guess (h# he might (ant to "istan&e himself from $no(le"geable eKaminers from (hat follo(s. %n the tape of the pretest intervie(, -&/arth# &laims to have ha" t(ent#B five #ears of eKperien&e. %n A%%:BTIGs ugust 12, 1970, 'ace the (tate, he sai" he ha" fifteen #earsG eKperien&e. The /I-A* Bulletin (rote he (as first li&ense" in 9llinois in 1904, (hi&h, (ithout prior unli&ense" eKperien&e, (oul" give him eleven #ears at that time. ,?A rea" the test an" pretest trans&ript (ith its 5t(ent#Bfive #ears7 &laim. 3et even he embellishe" his boast of -&/arth#Gs being 5the most eKperien&e" eKaminer in the state of ri!ona,7 onl# to the eKtent of &laiming -&/arth# ha" 5nearl# t(ent#7 #ears of eKperien&e at the time of the test. :ater ,?A &hange" that &laim to 5for nearl# t(ent# #ears he . . . pra&ti&e" in ,hoeniK.7 T(ent#Bfive, fifteen, eleven, nearl# t(ent# total, or t(ent# in ,hoeniK alone(hi&h is itD Wh# the in&onsisten&iesD +iguring -&/arth# (oul"nGt be an# more forthright (ith me than he ha" been in the past, in 1991 9 as$e" -i$e ;ogers to telephone -&/arth# an" as$ him "ire&tl# about the matter to see if he &oul" get a straight ans(er. -i$e tol" -&/arth# (ho he (as, about the film 'ire in the (ky &oming out soon, an" that he (ante" to nail "o(n some fa&ts, to be &ompletel# a&&urate. +rom the start -&/arth# ba&$tra&$e" an" he"ge"C -i$eC . . . the only thing we can find for your earliest licensing is Illinois in JKCL. ?-& <m!hm. -; %ere you licensed or racticing rior to that0 ?-& /o. Illinois was my first, uh, uh, license. %hen Illinois got the licensing law, I a lied and got, obtained, one of their licenses. -; (o that was your first"that.s when you first started ractice, then0 ?-& /o, no, not when I first started racticing. I first started racticing in JKLK. -; ,kay. ?-& In -.I.6. -; %hat is -.I.6.0 ?-& -riminal Investigation 6ivision" -; Is this in the military0 Mboth s eakingG ?-& ,f the army, Mboth s eakingG -; ,h, the military, okay. ?-& <h!huh, right. -; @eah, that was what I was trying to find out, okay. <h, I think that.s all I have here. /ow in this military, even though that wasn.t rivate ractice,

3&2 Tra'(* .a/to)

that was actual olygra h ractice0 $hat wasn.t your training or anything like that, was it0 It was all criminal work. ,kay. ,kay, but It wasn.t training0# is what I.m trying to say. $raining0 @eah, training. /o e. $hat.s uh" %hen, do you know, do you remember, when you received your training0 I understand that was at 'ort 2ordon or something. $hat.s right. It was at 'ort 2ordon. 6o you remember the years on that0 Ahh, I think that was, um, uh, .ND. JKND0 .'ifty, I believe, yeah. +ust the one year, JKND0 @eah, right.

?-& -; ?-& -; ?-& -; ?-& -; ?-& -; ?-& -; ?-&

-i$e then mentione" the movie, the nee" for a&&urate "ates, an" the fa&t that this information might be use" in a boo$ of the same title as the movie. Then -i$e sai"C 5'o #ou sa# that #ou (ere %h, 9 Hust noti&e" something here. 3ou might have these #ears ba&$(ar"s. 3ou sai" #ou (ere a&tuall# in pra&ti&e in 1949, an" #ou sai" #ou got #our s&hooling in 1954.7 ?-& /o, that.s not" I was not actually in ractice in, in, at that time in .LK and .ND and those years, I was commander of a -riminal Investigation 6etachment and we, uh, obtained the first olygra h examiner, uh, with his e3ui ment in the area of jurisdiction that we covered at that time. And, uh, so we sorta got ,+$ just like every other iece of e3ui ment in the detachment. I, uh, wanted to familiarize myself with it so I knew, uh, what was goin. on, just like you, uh" 18 ,kay. ?-& <h, recording e3ui ment, uh, wireta e3ui ment, uh, finger rint, uh, latent! finger rint!lifting e3ui ment, hotogra hy, the use of the s eed gra hic that was, uh, uh, you know, o erational at that time. (o my, my interest was getting to know everything that I"was in my outfit. -; ,kay, well I guess the recise 3uestion is, when did you actually receive your own ersonal schooling on the olygra h0 ?-& <h, let me see. MasideG %hen did I go to olygra h school, do you remember0 =m0 Mbackground voice? .'ifty!eight#G .fifty... Mthen, to 1ikeG I don.t know it was some lace in the late fifties. -; )ate fifties0 ?-& @eah, somewhere around there.

FIRE IN THE SKY 3&3

-; ,kay, okay, so, see, the 3uestion I.m asking is not %hen did you first become familiar with it and start working with it in your de artment0# but %hen did you ersonally get your schooling and when did you first actually start using a olygra h as a schooled olygra h examiner0# <h, oh yeah, I know when it was now, that was when we were at =uachuca. <m, it was fifty!seven. MsimultaneouslyG ,kay, you first, uh, okay, fifty!seven is when you received your schooling0 MsimultaneouslyG .'ifty!seven is when I went to school. <m!hm. .'ifty!seven to fifty! eight, my wife says. .'ifty!seven to fifty!eight. ,kay, did you start actually racticing olygra h in the military after JKNO0 @es. <m!hmm. ,kay, so then you could say that you.ve been in actual ractice as a schooled examiner since JKNO. 8ight. ,kay, all right, I just wanted to make certain of that. <h, I guess that.s all I have, so I really a reciate your talking to me.

?-& -; ?-& -; ?-& -; ?-& -;

,eople (ho presume to un"erta$e the business of separating truth from fi&tion ought to be s&rupulous in their o(n statements. %n 'ace $he (tate, -&/arth# ma"e several untrue statements. )e &laime" m# brother 6uane bo"il# thre( him out of the hotel (here the ,;%8 &n3uirer investigation (as ta$ing pla&e. There (ere man# (itnesses to his "eparture, an" 6uane never tou&he" him. -&/arth# also &laime" on the sho( that "uring the pretest intervie( 9 tol" him that 9, m# brother, an" mother ha" often spe&ulate" about ri"ing in *+%s. ,?A repeats those &harges in his (ritings, "espite having rea" the trans&ript of the pretest intervie( an" therefore $no(ing the &laim to be false. No(here in the tape =(hi&h is the total of m# (or"s (ith -&/arth# other than on 5+a&e The 'tate7> "i" 9 refer to a belief in *+%s b# an#one else in m# famil#. n", in &omplete &ontra"i&tion of -&/arth#Gs an" ,?AGs &laims, 9 absolutel# "i" not sa# on that tape that 9G" 5often7 thought of ri"ing in a *+%. Euite the &ontrar#. -&/arth# brought up this Nuestion entirel# on his o(n, apparentl# &oming into the situation preHu"i&e" b# false rumors heG" hear" in the ne(s me"ia. =+or ,?A it is Nuite a routine ta&ti& to &hange 5ever7 to 5often,7 5some7 to 5all,7 et&.> 9 "i" eKplain to -&/arth#, attempting to be absolutel# a&&urate in response to a Nuestion of 5ever7 thin$ing of su&h a thing, that seeing something on TI ma$es the vie(er, in a sense, live the filmma$erGs fantas#. = gain, 9 "onGt thin$ an#one in our so&iet# &oul" &laim the#G" never seen su&h images.> 2ut in spite of his ba"gering on this issue, 9 ans(ere", 59t (as no burning "esire, nothing 9Gve thought about at all.7 )e presse" onC 53ou never thought of ri"ing in a *+%D7 9 ans(ere"C 5No.7

3&4 Tra'(* .a/to)

2# pressuring me on that point he got me to &hange m# ans(er several times in the &ourse of the pretest tal$, "ue to m# effort to be absolutel# a&&urate. 2ut, m# &on"ition being (hat it (as an" having har"l# slept in "a#s, 9 (as &onfuse" b# his emphasi!ing the absolute term 5ever7 but his manner suggeste" he (as see$ing to interpret it as an obsession or fiKation. )e got me so &onfuse" about this Nuestion 9 a&tuall# ans(ere" no on the first test &hart an" #es on the se&on" &hartO 'u&h a "is&repan&# (oul" invali"ate the Nuestion =an" therefore the entire test> for an eKaminer going b# a&&epte" pro&e"ure. 3et -&/arth# =(ho, ,?A sai", spe&ifie" that as the onl# relevant Nuestion 9 ans(ere" truthfull#> "i"nGt appear to have noti&e" 9 ha" given opposite replies to the same Nuestion. The meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iationGs (tandards and *rinci les of *ractice item Number 5 statesC 5 member shall not provi"e a &on&lusive "e&ision or report base" on &hart anal#sis (ithout having &olle&te" at least t(o =2> separate &harts in (hi&h ea&h relevant Nuestion is as$e" on ea&h &hart. = &hart is one presentation of the Nuestion list.>7 9 reason that if -&/arth# ha" reall# loo$e" at the &harts he (oul" have &aught the mista$e, sin&e there (oul" have been &ontra"i&tor# tra&ings. n" if there weren.t &ontra"i&tor# tra&ings the &harts (oul" have been either both truthful, (hi&h (oul" invali"ate the Nuestion =b# sho(ing m# &onfusion> an" therefore the entire test =goo" eKaminers (ill al(a#s toss su&h a tainte" series an" start fresh , 'tan"ar"s reNuire it>L or both stressful, (hi&h (oul" invali"ate the test as a &lear "emonstration of stress rea&tions to both truth an" untruth. 9tGs one thing for ,;%Gs volunteers (ho prepare" their version of the trans&ript from poorBNualit# eNuipment to have misse" that &ompromising "is&repan&#L but 9 thought it too in&re"ible that a present pol#graph 5eKpert7 (ho (as a&tuall# present &oul" miss something so obvious as "iffering ans(ers to the same Nuestion. 9 at first believe" -&/arth# ha" overloo$e" this, perhaps be&ause the &harts (ere nothing but an unrea"able mass of generali!e" stress rea&tions an" he ha"nGt base" his &on&lusion on the &harts at all. Then 9 noti&e" something pe&uliar. %f the eight relevant Nuestions, that is the onl# one -&/arth# "i"nGt list or ma$e an# referen&e to in his (ritten report. This le" me to noti&e another irregularit#. ,?A =referring to (hat he sai" -&/arth# tol" him> (rote of the NuestionC 59n the past, have #ou ever thought of ri"ing in a *+%D 5Travis ans(ere"C U3esG. The resulting pol#graph &hart in"i&ate" that Travis (as being truthful.7 Note that ,?A sai" chart7in the singularO 9 &oul" fin" no other pla&e in an# of his (ritings (here pol#graph 5&hartsP7 (ere referre" to in the singular. 6oes ,?A share -&/arth#Gs $no(le"ge of a testBinvali"ating blun"erD &&epte" mo"ern pol#graph pro&e"ure reNuires a minimum of three charts "uring spe&ifi& eKaminations. 'ome eKaminers &onsi"er t(o runs a"eNuate on a nonspe&ifi& test &on&erning routine matters su&h as a preemplo#ment &learan&e,

FIRE IN THE SKY 3&

but the better eKaminers &onsi"er even this to be substan"ar". No Nuestion &oul" possibl# be &onsi"ere" vali"l# "etermine" b# a single &hartL , Gs (tandards and *rinci les of *ractice forbi"s it. The state poli&e tests on the siK (itnesses in m# &ase (ere /ETs an" (ere three, an" in some &ases four, &harts long. ThatGs a minimum of three separate runs through the Nuestions. Three runs are reNuire" b# regulators in states li$e Ne( -eKi&o an" *tah, (hi&h also reNuire a minimum 24Bse&on" interval bet(een the en" of one Nuestion an" the beginning of the neKt. -&/arth# ran only two charts on me, an" none of his time intervals (ere as long as 24 se&on"sL the# average" onl# 14 se&on"s, going as lo( as 14 se&on"s. +or t(o runs of 12 Nuestions, -&/arth# spent a mere 7 minutes on m# &hartsa test both ,?A an" /'9/%, trie" to h#pe b# labeling it as 5length#.7 'even minutes out of a total of less than @@ minutes for the entire intervie( an" test, interruptions in&lu"e". 9tGs a small point but the regulations in *tah reNuire tests to be at least 94 minutes long. 'o, 5length#QD =-&/arth#Gs report &laims that 5the eKamination &ommen&e" at 1425 and (as &on&lu"e" at 1015 hours,7 (hi&h (oul" have ma"e it ten minutes short of t(o hours in length. The tape &on&lusivel# proves that simpl# (as not the &ase. 2ut he#, if #ouGre going to grab #our ver"i&t out of thin air, (h# not the time span, tooD> -&/arth# as$e" three 5relevant7 Nuestions (hi&h reNuire" me to ans(er on the basis of assumption or spe&ulation rather than "ire&t personal $no(le"ge. This is &onsi"ere" a ver# basi& an" serious error b# pol#graph operators. *sychological 1ethods in -riminal Investigation and &vidence states, 5 n# relevant Nuestion that is ambiguous or that reNuires the subHe&t to ma$e interpretations &an &ause problems in "ra(ing inferen&es about truth or "e&eption, regar"less of the a&tual guilt or inno&en&e of the person teste".7 -# ten"en&# to give literal responses stems from (hat ?im :oren!en referre" to as 5philosopher s#n"rome.7 ;ea"ers have &ommente" on the &uriousl# sparse use of metaphors in m# first boo$, $he %alton &x erience =(hi&h 9 tr# to reme"# in this one>. 9n m# re&ent &ollege philosoph# &lass (e ha" "is&usse" all those natureBofBrealit# &on&eptsC -ogito ergo sumif a tree falls in the forest an" no one hears it, "oes it ma$e a soun"D Ft&etera. -# interest in martial arts ha" me thin$ing about an episo"e of Aung 'u in (hi&h -aster ,o as$s /aine, 59f 9 fall asleep an" "ream 9 am a butterfl#, ho( &an 9 be &ertain (hen 9 a(a$e that 9 am not a butterfl# "reaming 9 am a manD7 ,rior to the in&i"ent our (oo"s &re( ha" ha" several rap sessions "uring brea$ time on the Hob about su&h i"eas. The three Nuestions about (hi&h 9 ha" no "ire&t per&eptual $no(le"ge (ere =1> Was 9 a&tuall# in a spa&e&raftD =2> Was 9 a&tuall# ta$en aboar"D an" =1> Was 9 a&tuall# some(here in ri!ona "uring the five "a#s 9 (as missingD 9 tol" -&/arth#C 5 ll 9 &an sa# is, to the best of m# $no(le"ge 9 assume thatGs (hat it (as. 9 &an onl# tell #ou (hat 9 sa(L 9 &anGt sa# it (as a spa&e&raft.7 9 ha"nGt

3&! Tra'(* .a/to)

even been &ons&ious, either going in or out, an" 9 (as sa#ing that 9 "i" not $no( (here 9 ha" been. 9 also sai", 5No( 9Gm going to ans(er them the (a# 9 see it, be&ause #ou $no( if #ou as$ me if 9 $no( for sure that some something 9Gll tell #ou (hat 9 per&eive. n" 9Gll sa# #es to those $in"s of 9f #ou sa#, "o #ou $no( positivel# that (hat this (as, (as (hat it appeare" to beD 9 &anGt ans(er Nuestions li$e that, but 9 (ill.7 -# &on"ition $ept me from being ver# &oherent, but these statements shoul" have been a re" flag for the nee" to &larif# Nuestions. 2ut -&/arth# Hust passe" it b#. -&/arth# falsel# &laime" in his report that 9 ha" state" 9 &oul" ans(er ea&h Nuestion (ith a #es or no. 9t is &riti&al to proper testing that su&h un"erstan"ing be &learl# establishe". The tape "istin&tl# sho(s 9 never ma"e su&h a statement. s a matter of fa&t, the telephone rang at that point in the pretestL there (as an interruption, (ith people &oming into the testing room. That $e# element (as s$ippe" on resuming the pretest intervie(. pol#graph eKaminer must ta$e into a&&ount in"ivi"ual ph#siologi&al "ifferen&es. 9 have ha" a nurse ta$e m# pulse an" &omment in ama!ement on the slo(ness of m# resting pulse. 'he as$e" if 9 (as some $in" of pro athlete. 9 tol" her not reall#, but that har" (or$ at high altitu"e &an &on"ition one in a similar manner. The relevan&# to m# pol#graph test is that if the eKaminer "oesnGt $no( the eKaminee normall# has a lo( resting pulse rate, he (ill be unable to note the signifi&an&e of an elevate" pulse rate &ause" b# general agitation. There is something else at#pi&al about m# &ar"iorespirator# s#stem, (hi&h ma# result from a high "egree of &on"itioning. 9 have a lo( resting respirator# rate, an" sometimes s$ip a breath or t(o (hen ph#si&all# ina&tive. lso at su&h times 9 sigh freNuentl#, usuall# follo(ing a breathing lapse. -&/arth# &laime" in his final report that 9 5(as "eliberatel# attempting to "istort7 m# respiration pattern. 9f he reall# referre" to the &harts at all in ren"ering his ver"i&t, 9 believe he ha" merel# "ete&te" m# respirator# Nuir$. -# sighs are &learl# au"ible throughout the tape, even in the test portion =but "o not bear an# relationnegativel# or positivel#to statements germane to the issue in Nuestion>. 9n an# event, (h# (oul" an#one distort their breathing if the# (ere tr#ing to "efeat a testD Woul"nGt normal breathing be the "esire" thingD 9 (as be(il"ere" b# -&/arth#Gs &laim an" thought it must be a fabri&ation. Then ,;%Gs ?im :oren!en noti&e" m# breathing pe&uliarit# an" pointe" it out to others before telling me about it. :oren!en observe"C 59 have noti&e" the respirator# pause that Travis has. 9 have one, too, more pronoun&e" if 9Gm nervous. 9tGs as though 9 forget to breathe.7 'everal intervie(ers noti&e" it as (ell, an" one observe" that 5a #ear after Travis (as unhoo$e" from -&/arth#Gs pol#graph ma&hine, he (as still "oing it.7 -&/arth#Gs biggest error (as a blatant violation of one of the most fun"amental prin&iples of the pol#graph professionL the violation (as so overt

FIRE IN THE SKY 3&"

that it is almost impossible to believe an#one (ith an# training at all &oul" "o su&h a thing unintentionall#C )e &reate" a strong mental lin$ bet(een the numberBone $e# Nuestion on the test an" the single most guiltBri""en memor# of m# life. )e ha" to $no( better, be&ause elaborate pre&autions are (oven into the entire metho"olog# in the effort to avoi" the ver# problem of ina"vertentl# provo$ing responses stimulate" b# su&h eKtraneous issues. =Fven though man# might thin$ m# earl# mis"ee" relativel# minor, 9 (onGt spe&if# it here, thereb# serving ,?AGs en"s b# further "isseminating it.> 6uring the intervie( -&/arth# pushe" persistentl# =for ten minutes longer than the test itself> into areas in m# past over (hi&h 9 hel" "eep regrets an" lingering guilt. %n the tape he &laime" this probing as merel# 5ba&$groun"7 for irrelevant Nuestions. )o(ever, there (asnGt a single Nuestion base" on that material. 9Gve learne" that some eKaminers might use su&h information =espe&iall# on a /ET, (hi&h this (asnGt> to $no( (hat to be &areful to avoi" bringing up, but -&/arth# ha" use" it for an apparentl# opposite purpose. The &entral Nuestion of the entire test, the one he referre" to in his &on&lusion, (as first as$e" in the pretest intervie(C 5)ave #ou a&te" in &ollusion (ith others to perpetrate a *+% hoaKD7 9 ans(ere"C 5No.7 Then -&/arth# sai"C 56o #ou $no( (hat 9 mean (hen 9 sa# U)ave #ou a&te" in &ollusion (ith somebo"#DG 7 9 sai", 5No. What "oes &ollusion meanD bnormalD7 -&/arth#C 5No, no. That means a&ting in &on&ert (ith somebo"# else, one or more people to perpetrate a hoaK, #ou $no(.7 9 un"erstoo" an" sai", 5%$a#.7 9f -&/arth# ha" stoppe" there, heG" have remaine" (ithin proper pro&e"ure (ith this parti&ular Nuestion. 2ut he a""e"C 5 &ting in &ollusion (ith somebo"# else, #ou $no(, to set this thing up. ?ust li$e #ou a&te" in &ollusion (ith this frien" of #ours to Rblan$, blan$, an" blan$S, rightD ThatGs &ollusion, G&ause #ouGre a&ting in &on&ert (ith somebo"# else. No(, have #ou a&te" in &ollusion (ith others, either one or more peopleothersto perpetrate a *+% hoaKD7 9 ha" as$e" for the meaning of an unfamiliar (or" in the $e# Nuestion of the test, an" he "efine" it solel# in terms of (hat he $ne( (as the one thing &on&erning (hi&h 9 felt the ver# greatest shame an" guilt. What 9 ha" "one might be far from the (orst thing a person &oul" "o, but it ha" been my (orst. )e (as in effe&t sa#ingC 5No(, (hen #ou hear this ne( (or", collusion, 9 (ant #ou to re&all the (orst (rong #ouGve ever "one in #our life.7 t that point he &oul" have as$e" me if 9 ha" a&te" in &ollusion to have brea$fast that morning an" obtaine" a po(erful rea&tion(hether 9 ans(ere" #es or noO )o( &oul" he not $no( this, if heGs reall# ha" pol#graph trainingD 9t appears almost &ontrive", Hust too mu&h of a "ire&t &ontra"i&tion of one of the most basi& tenets of pol#graph# to be an a&&i"ent. 9n bet(een the t(o runs through the Nuestions 9

3&# Tra'(* .a/to)

tol" -&/arth#C 5-# min" (an"ere" to something that (as upsetting me.7 )e Hust brushe" m# remar$ asi"e. ,?A boasts that prior to m# &ase he ha" 5a&Nuire" some un"erstan"ing of the use of the pol#graph.7 3et the 5&ollusion7 passage of the trans&ript 9 Nuote" above is non&halantl# Nuote" in his boo$ (ith nar# a raise" bro(. The obvious reason he &hose to repeat the passage (as the opportunit# to gratuitousl# re&ite, for their ad hominem effe&t, the referen&es to m# mis"ee" from #ears before. To get me to tal$, -&/arth# ha" assure" me of &onfi"entialit#L then he (as ver# evasive (hen 9 as$e" t(i&e more about &onfi"entialit#, (hen he $ept "(elling on m# past mista$es. Tal$ about &reating an atmosphere of "istrustO )o(ever, if 9 ha" been someone (ho thought he &oul" lie through a pol#graph test, (h# (oul" 9 have provi"e" an# information about m# past mis"ee"sD 9 ha" no &riminal re&or"L there (as no (a# he &oul" $no( of the other, more minor things unless 9 tol" him. )e (as simpl# ta$ing a"vantage of m# efforts to be &ompletel# honest (ith him. n eKaminer is not suppose" to as$ an# unrevie(e" Nuestions or &hange the (or"ing =or even the order; of an# test Nuestions on&e the# are revie(e" (ith the subHe&t, not even the irrelevant Nuestions. This is partl# to enhan&e some $in" of 5anti&ipation effe&t7 for possible 5guilt# $no(le"ge7 itemsL another reason is to avoi" intro"u&ing the possibilit# of eli&iting a surprise" response that (oul" be mista$en for "e&eption. -&/arth# &hange" one Nuestion from 56i" #ou lie . . . D7 in the pretest, to 5)ave #ou lie". . . D7 on the first run, an" then ba&$ to 56i" #ou lie .. . D7 on the se&on" run. 9 "onGt put a great "eal of (eight on the i"ea that a relativel# small te&hni&al error of this sort &ompletel# invali"ates a test, although in theor# one &oul". %verall, the test is &ompletel# invali" solel# on the basis of the obsolete metho" use", or base" on an# one of a number of maHor errors. 9 go farther in &ataloging lesser errors to "emonstrate that the test (as generall# ri""le" (ith one "efi&ien&# after another. %ne &an therefore surmise there are ver# li$el# other errors 9 &anGt per&eive, that (oul" be obvious to a pol#graph eKpert. :ong after 9 slamme" the "oor on all the &ontrovers# (hi&h follo(e" the in&i"ent, the battle &ontinue", among ufologists, in m# absen&e. 9 foun" out later that in 19@1 llen )en"r#, on behalf of 6r. ?. llen )#ne$Gs /enter for *+% 'tu"ies, as$e" the internationall# re&ogni!e" pol#graph eKpert 6r. 6avi" /. ;as$in for his opinion of the -&/arth# test, base" on its trans&ript. 6r. ;as$in provi"e" him (ith the (ritten opinion that the te&hniNues use" in the eKamination (ere seriousl# "efi&ient, 5una&&eptable,7 an" 5more than thirt# #ears outBofB"ate.7 /leve 2a&$ster, of the 2a&$ster ;esear&h +oun"ation in 'an 6iego =(hose &ongressional testimon# (as Nuote" earlier>, (as sent a tape an" trans&ript of the -&/arth# test. %n +ebruar# 22, 1991, he (rote a letter (hi&h sai", 5. . . 9 have &arefull# revie(e" the material re&eive". 2ase" on the out"ate" te&hniNue

FIRE IN THE SKY 3&$

utili!e" b# -r. -&/arth#, even at that time, along (ith a signifi&ant number of other observationsit is m# opinion that the result reporte" b# ?ohn -&/arth# follo(ing that November 15, 1975, pol#graph eKamination shoul" not be &onsi"ere" vali".7 -r. 2a&$ster an" 6r. ;as$in, although the# "iffer strongl# on various te&hni&al points of pol#graph theor#, an" have perhaps a lessBthanB&ongeB nial professional relationship, are re&ogni!e" as the top t(o eKperts in the entire (orl" on the pol#graph. n" the# are in total agreement about the nonvali"it# of -&/arth#Gs test. The test (as not revie(e" on the basis of the &harts themselves. s 9 sai" at the outset of this passage, the test (as so fla(e" that &hart tra&ings (erenGt even ne&essar# to "isNualif# it. 9n going over the trans&ript 9 ma"e a most stunning observation. 9t hit me so har" 9 stare" at it, to ma$e &ertain 9 (as rea"ing (hat 9 thought 9 (as rea"ing. Wh# ha"nGt an#one seen it beforeD ,assing rigorous new pol#graph tests an" having the -&/arth# test invali"ate" b# the top eKperts in the (orl" (ere as mu&h in the (a# of vin"i&ation as 9G" thought 9 &oul" get. 2ut (hat 9G" never eKpe&te" (as to have the -&/arth# pol#graph overturne" b# -&/arth# himselfO -&/arth# "i"nGt spen" an# time anal#!ing or poring over the &harts. 9mme"iatel# after 9 ans(ere" the last Nuestion, he spent a little over t(o minutes rolling the &harts up, putting them a(a#, an" removing the ma&hineGs sensors from m# bo"#. Then he sai"C 5Travis, #our responses are "e&eptive.7 9 (as stunne". 9 tol" him there ha" to be a mista$e, that 9 (as telling the truth. Then 9 sai" ver# emphati&all#, $his is (hat happene" to me, as 9 see it, to the best of m# $no(le"ge.7 ThatGs (hen he slippe". ?ohn ?. -&/arth# sai"C 5/oul" it be that #ou have Hust, uh, ma"e #ourself believe that this happene" to #ouD7 bombshellO bsolutel# astoun"ingO ll a pol#graph &an possibl# referen&e is (hat one believes. )e ha" barel# finishe" sa#ing 9 (as not truthful. 9f -&/arth# (as sin&ere an" &onfi"ent in his ver"i&t, ho( &oul" he, even for a se&on", entertain the i"ea that 9 5believe"7 m# stor# trueD $his, la"ies an" gentlemen of the Hur#, is the true 5smo$ing gun7 &on&erning the pol#graph eKamination a"ministere" b# ?ohn ?. -&/arth# to Travis Walton on November 15, 1975. With the &harts "estro#e", all the anal#ses of &on"u&t, invali"ation b# top eKperts, m# &ataloging of one pro&e"ural blun"er after another, total "is&re"iting of the metho" itselfalthough ea&h is "evastating b# itself, none is as abruptl# enlightening in its effe&t as that one spontaneous remar$ b# -&/arth# himselfC 5/oul" it be that #ou have Hust, uh, ma"e #ourself believe that this happene" to #ouD7 ThereGs simpl# no (a# to rationali!e the impli&ation of his Nuestion a(a#. )e &ertainl# (asnGt tr#ing to be ni&e to meL he (as un&easingl# hostile throughout our en&ounter. Fvi"entl# something in those &harts, (hi&h (eGll

31& Tra'(* .a/to)

never see, tol" -&/arth# something he &oul" not re&on&ile (ith (hatever &onvi&tion he ha" (hen heG" entere" that testing room. 9 have a feeling it (as "ifferent from the &onvi&tion he left (ith. -&/arth# ha" promise" &omplete &onfi"entialit# before he (as ever hire". )e reaffirme" that promise on tape "uring the pretest. lso, he signe" an eKpli&it agreement to that effe&t. )o(ever, his (or" of honor not(ithstan"ing, he bro$e his promise. )e ma"e publi& more than his baseless &on&lusion. -&/arth# even felt it ne&essar# to reveal "etails of the pretest intervie(, an intervie( in (hi&h he presse" for an" re&eive" personal information about m# past that (as in no (a# relate" to the *+% eKperien&e he (as hire" to test me for. )e misuse" privilege" information of mista$es 9 ha" ma"e as a Huvenile to malign me to the publi&, in a &lear abuse of professional &onfi"en&e. -&/arth# &laime" in the Arizona 8e ublic of ?ul# 12, 1970, that he 5"e&i"e" to brea$ silen&e be&ause the /ational &n3uirer is involve" in &ompli&it# (hi&h is "etrimental to our profession.7 9f this (as true, (h# ha" -&/arth# ple"ge" his silen&e in the first pla&eD %r (h# "i"nGt he brea$ his (or" soon after the testing "ateD 9t shoul"nGt have ta$en him nine months to leap to the "efense of his profession. Wh# ha"nGt he spo$en out thirt# "a#s after the test, (hen the &n3uirer &ame out (ith their 6e&ember 1975 issue on the *+% event (ith no mention of the testD Wh# not (hen the results of m# se&on" test (ere publi&i!e" in +ebruar# 1970D -&/arth#Gs 5"e&ision7 to go publi& a&tuall# &ame about on -ar&h 15, 1970, "uring a telephone &onversation (ith ,?A. 9f an#thing, that brea&h an" his ensuing mu"slinging in the me"ia (ere "etrimental to the publi&Gs per&eption of the pol#graph profession. This manGs signature on a "o&ument (as meaningless. -&/arth# (as boun" to &onfi"entialit# b# his meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iation membership, even if his verbal an" (ritten agreements ha" never been ma"e. 9tem Number 15 of the A*A (tandards and *rinci les of *ractice spe&ifi&all# statesC 5To prote&t the priva&# of ea&h eKaminee, no member shall release information obtaine" "uring a pol#graph eKamination to an# unauthori!e" person. This shall not pre&lu"e the release of pol#graph &harts for the purpose of Nualit#B&ontrol revie(.7 5-&/arth# ha" ba"gere" me "uring the pretest intervie( about m# "isorientation in regar" to time an" "ates. =5Where have #ou been, in a va&uumD7> 3et, for m# testGs sponsors he signe" an agreement (hi&h gave the in&orre&t "ateO The "o&ument &ontains his (ritten &onfi"entialit# agreement =59 have &on"u&te" the test in absolute se&re&# an" (ill not "ivulge the results to an#one but -r. ?en$ins an" -r. /ath&art at an# time.7> )is promise (as repeate" orall# on the tape of the pretest "is&ussion. Nevertheless, ,?A has trie" to &laim that this a&$no(le"ge" t#pographi&al error =(rong month> ma"e it legall# nonBbin"ing.7 'u&h preferen&e for &#ni&al manipulation of 5the letter7

FIRE IN THE SKY 311

rather than straightfor(ar" a"heren&e to 5the meaning an" spirit7 of the la( testifies as to the &o"e ,?A operates b#. To &laim that su&h a te&hni&alit# =even if the "ubious legalisti& point (ere vali"> &oul" relieve one of the obligation to perform as promise" seems to me to be outrageousl# unethi&al. True to form, ,?A has ta$en ever# opportunit# to "isseminate as (i"el# as possible the privilege" information he obtaine" from -&/arth#. -# pretest "is&losures to -&/arth# have no bearing on the *+% in&i"ent at all. 6istorting an" publi&i!ing them &omprise the (orstBspirite" an" least relevant of all ,?AGs blatantl# ad hominem atta&$s. 9 "o not thin$ 9 m#self am guilt# of same in eKpressing m# "isgust an" &ontempt, in pointing out ,?AGs total la&$ of intelle&tual integrit#. The ad hominem falla&# "oes not arise from a negative appraisal of a personL it arises from invali" reasoning, (hi&h attempts either to state or impl# that because of this negative appraisal, therefore (hat #ou are sa#ing is invali". 9 eKpli&itl# state on&e more that the "espi&able nature of ,?AGs ta&ti&s is not (hat invali"ates his &on&lusions. )is &on&lusions are not vali" "ue to his use of tailore" "ata, false premises, an" fault# reasoning. %ne of the eKperts hire" b# the /ational &n3uirer, 6r. ?ean ;osenbaum, ha" testifie" in &ourt as an eKpert on the vali"it# of pol#graph eKaminations. )e ha" (itnesse" the regressive h#pnosis performe" on me b# 6r. )ar"er, ha" revie(e" the results of a number of other tests, an" (as perfe&tl# a(are of -&/arth#Gs pseu"ograph. 9n a television intervie( (ith 2/BTI Ne(s 1 in ,hoeniK on the afternoon of November 1@, 1975 =three "a#s after -&/arth#Gs test, of (hi&h ;osenbaum (as full# informe">, ;osenbaum state"C 5%ur &on&lusion, (hi&h is absolute, is that this #oung man is not l#ing, that there is no &ollusion involve", no attempt to hoaK or &ollusion of the famil# or an#one else.7 9n "ismissing the vali"it# of -&/arth#Gs test, ;osenbaum &ertainl# &oul" not be &onsi"ere" preHu"i&e" in m# favor, sin&e he "oesnGt believe that *+%s eKist, but itGs a ni&e tou&h that he use" -&/arth#Gs term, 5&ollusion.7 ;osenbaum ha" arrive" shortl# after the test (as &on&lu"e". To ensure that his opinion (oul" be uninfluen&e" b# -&/arth#Gs, ,;% as$e" ;osenbaumGs opinion about the suitabilit# of m# &on"ition for a pol#graph test before informing him it ha" alrea"# been performe". )e strongl# re&ommen"e" against m# ta$ing an# test (hile in su&h a &on"ition. ,?A trie" to impl# that ,;%Gs "ela# in telling ;osenbaum of the test ha" been someho( "e&eptive (hen in fa&t it ha" been the best (a# to get an unbiase" opinion, in the tra"ition of the best s&ien&e in 5blin"7 reports. ,;% has been highl# &riti&i!e", espe&iall# b# ,?A =(ho has (ithhel" all positive "ata pertaining to ,;%Gs investigation>, for not imme"iatel# publi&i!ing -&/arth#Gs &on&lusion. 9 thin$ su&h &riti&ism is highl# unfair. ;esponsibilit# for the "e&ision not to publi&i!e the test lies (ith the /ational

312 Tra'(* .a/to)

&n3uirer, that publi&ation pai" for the test, an" the results (ere its propert# not -&/arth#Gs, not ,;%Gs, an" not mine. Their "e&ision (as Hustifie" b# the testimon# of their eKpert &onsultants (ho eKpresse" the opinion that no test given at that time &oul" be vali", "ue to m# emotional &on"ition. 'in&e the &n3uirer $ne( the test (as invali", it &hose =in this instan&e> to prevent the "issemination of mislea"ing information. Their ostensible perspe&tive =unli$e the ostensible perspe&tives of ,?A, as (ell as ,;%> is one of Hournalism rather than s&ien&e. ,?A as$e" h#potheti&all#C 9f Walton ha" passe", (oul" the# have $ept it &onfi"entialD The ans(er is a &an"i" no, be&ause as previousl# state", man# variables &an eli&it stressful rea"ings from an honest subHe&tL but onl# honest# (ill result in a passe" test. 9 might as$ h#potheti&all#C 9f 9G" passe", (oul" ,?A be touting -&/arth# as the most eKperien&e" eKaminer in the stateD 9 thin$ instea" he (oul" have &hara&teri!e" him as Hust the ol"est gu# "oing lie "ete&tion in ri!ona, hire" b# some sensationalist tabloi". 9 thin$ ,?A (oul" have preempte" the &omments b# ,;%Gs ?im :oren!en, that the test (as 5ba"l# bot&he",7 5unbelievabl# in&ompetent,7 an" that 5sometimes long #ears of eKperien&e &an serve to &r#stalli!e ba" habits.7 -&/arth# retire" in 1994, having use" the same out"ate" militar# metho"the relevant8irrelevant Nuestionsthroughout his entire &areerO re&ent telephone intervie( (ith -&/arth# &onfirme" that even after all these #ears he never s(it&he" to mo"ern metho"olog#. -&/arth# apB parentl# "oesnGt even un"erstan" the pol#graph terms 5/%T7 an" 5relevant8irrelevant7 as "efine" b# the rest of the pol#graph profession. Fver# other eKaminer (ho has seen the -&/arth# test or its trans&ript $no(s it (as a relevant8irrelevant test. 9n its earliest form there (asnGt even a stim test. This eKplains (h#, on the tape of the test, he erroneousl# referre" to his tri&$# little stim test as a 5&ontrol test7O )e is apparentl# so ignorant of the metho"olog# that he has &onfuse" that tin# little improvement in the ar&hai& relevant8irrelevant testthe 5stim7(ith the maHor a"van&ement of mo"ern /ontrol Euestion Test metho"olog#. )e a&tuall# refers to his an&ient relevant8irrelevant metho" as /ontrol Euestion Test metho"olog#O 'in&e ,;% an" the &n3uirer ha" soli" professional opinions "ismissing the vali"it# of the test, the# (oul" have been in the (rong to prematurel# put forth invali" "ata, (hi&h (oul" not have a""e" to un"erstan"ing of (hat happene", but instea" (oul" onl# have fuele" the momentum of the ti"e of preHu"i&e against it. )o(ever, it "efinitel# (as a publi&Brelations "ilemma. +ran$l#, it be&ame a ,; "eba&le be&ause of ho( the information finall# "i" &ome out. 2ut it also (oul" have been a ,; "eba&le if the#G" publi&i!e" it imme"iatel#. 9 have gone on re&or" as &hara&teri!ing goo" s&ien&e as ne&essitating the ultimate "is&losure of all relevant "ata. 9 &an thin$ of a number of &omplete eK&eptions to this (hi&h are less eKtreme than the publi&ation of "ata on ma$ing

FIRE IN THE SKY 313

improve" nu&lear (arhea"s. )o(ever, 9 stan" b# that prin&iple for most ever#thing, even though there are times (hen itGs best to "ela# that obHe&tive, at least temporaril#. +or eKample, ,ons an" +leis&hmann (ere &riti&i!e" for not (ithhol"ing the preliminar# "ata of their &ol"Bfusion eKperiments until the# ha" further &onfirme" it (ith better testing. 9Gll &on&e"e in hin"sight that probabl# the best thing ,;% &oul" have "one (oul" have been to hol" ba&$ on reporting the -&/arth# test onl# until =(ith their sponsorGs permission> the# &oul" &ons&ientiousl# report it as a minor footnote to the properl# &on"u&te" test 9 "i" pass later. s long as the# avoi"e" publi&i!ing preliminar# &on&lusions as an#thing more than tentative, su&h an approa&h (oul" have satisfie" all the various ethi&al &onsi"erations involve". ,;% (oul" have $ept their members full# informe" (hile satisf#ing the "esire to avoi" 5mu""#ing the (aters.7 problem (ith s&ientifi& ethi&s arises, not from (ithhol"ing "ata until an investigation is properl# &omplete", but from publishing a conclusion (hile (ithhol"ing "ataas ,?A "oes. fter the results of -&/arth#Gs abortive test, it (as "e&i"e" that 9 (oul" be allo(e" to &alm "o(n for a perio" before attempting a serious test. 6ue to his &lose involvement an" his prote&tion of me from the me"ia, m# brother 6uane ha" been a&&use" b# ,?A of &onspiring (ith me to perpetrate an allege" hoaK. (ee$ after m# birth"a#, on +ebruar# 7, 1970, ,;% arrange" a pol#graph eKamination for him (ith the F!ell ,ol#graph 9nstitute of ,hoeniK, (hi&h performe" all the pol#graph (or$ for the ,inal /ount# 'heriffGs %ffi&e. 9 felt suffi&ientl# re&overe" from the emotional trauma of m# eKperien&e, an" "rove the 1@4 miles to ,hoeniK from 'no(fla$e to ma$e use of the opportunit# to be teste". 9 (as intervie(e" b# ,;% representatives ?im :oren!en, )al 'tar, 6r. ;. :eo 'prin$le, an" 6r. )arol" /ahn. The# Hu"ge" m# &on"ition as suffi&ientl# stable an" agree" that 9 (as rea"#. The eKaminer (as informe" of m# availabilit# before 6uaneGs testing en"e". Testing (as performe" on 6uane an" me b# Meorge ,fiefer, a &harter member of the ri!ona ,ol#graph sso&iation an" a full member of the meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iation. )e ha" been a "ete&tiveBsergeant (ith the poli&e "epartment of -iami, +lori"a. ,fieferGs reportC

314 Tra'(* .a/to)

-r. Travis Walton (as given a pol#graph eKamination at this offi&e at 1C44 *.1., +ebruar# 7, 1970. The purpose of this eKamination (as to "etermine the truth in his statements regar"ing a *+% in&i"ent that o&&urre" on November 5, 1975, an" lasting until the earl# morning hours of November 11, 1975, as reporte" b# Travis. This eKamination (as performe" b# using a :afa#ette ,ol#graph -o"el J70450B2. 6uring the pretest intervie( it (as "etermine" that Travis Walton (as (ell reste" an" &ooperative, (as feeling ph#si&all# fit an" preliminar# tests in"i&ate" he (as a suitable subHe&t for the eKamination. "is&ussion (as hel" an" (e mutuall# "esigne" Nuestions for this eKamination. ,rior to the eKamination all Nuestions (ere again revie(e" (ith him. )e agree" to ans(er all an" signe" the &onsent (aiver form. Euestion formulation (as of the relevant8irrelevant t#pe. +ollo(ing is a list of the relevant Nuestions use" in this eKaminationC #39 Are there appro-(2ate/; o)/; two ho0r* ;o0 reca// d0r()7 ;o0r e-per(e)ce< A)*wer= YES9 #49 D(d ;o0 f()d ;o0r*e/f o) a ta>/e ()*(de a *tra)7e roo2< A)*wer= YES9 #!9 D(d ;o0 *ee *tra)7e?/oo6()7 >e()7* ()*(de the roo2< A)*wer= YES9 #"9 Ha'e ;o0 >ee) rea*o)a>/; acc0rate () de*cr(>()7 ;o0r e-per(e)ce< A)*wer= YES9 #$9 D(d ;o0 co)*p(re w(th a)other to perpetrate a hoa- a>o0t th(* 2atter< A)*wer= N89 #1&9 .ere ;o0 *tr0c6 >; a >/0e?7ree) ra; o) the e'e)()7 of No'e2>er : 1$" < A)*wer= YES9 #119 S()ce No'e2>er 1: 1$" : ha'e ;o0 0*ed a); (//e7a/ )arcot(c dr07*< A)*wer= N89 #139 @efore No'e2>er : 1$" : were ;o0 a AF8 >0ff< A)*wer= N89 #149 Ha'e ;o0 >ee) co2p/ete/; tr0thf0/ w(th 5r9 %ore)Be) () th(* 2atter< A)*wer= YES9 #1 9 D(d ;o0 *ee a AF8 o) the e'e)()7 of No'e2>er : 1$" < A)*wer= YES9 9t shoul" be note" that Nuestions numbere" 9, 14, 11, 11, an" 15 (ere use" in this eKamination eKa&tl# as -r. Travis Walton "i&tate" them to this eKaminer. REuestions numbere" 1, 2, 5, @, an" 12, are omitte" here be&ause the# are the irrelevant NuestionsC those (hi&h as$ m# name, resi"en&e, et&.S -r. Walton (as &ompletel# &ooperative "uring this

FIRE IN THE SKY 31

eKamination. There (as some slight response regar"ing J14. fter the first &hart (as run it (as "etermine" that Travis ha" not a&tuall# seen a 5blueBgreen ra#7 &oming from the allege" *+%. )e "i" see the area illuminate" (ith a 5greenish light.7 fter a ver# &areful anal#sis of the pol#grams pro"u&e", there are no areas left unresolve" an" it is the opinion of this eKaminer that Travis Walton has ans(ere" all Nuestions in a manner that he himself is firml# &onvin&e" to be truthful regar"ing the in&i"ent &ommen&ing November 5, 1975. Meorge ?. ,fiefer, ?r. FKaminer 9 believe in being obHe&tive an" evenhan"e" (ith &riti&ismL so, for starters 9 (ill a&$no(le"ge a &ouple of minor errors Meorge ,fiefer ma"e in (riting up his report. 9n the first part of his report he (roteC 5 "is&ussion (as hel" an" (e mutuall# "esigne" Nuestions for this eKamination.7 That (as &orre&tL but he (as in error (hen, later in the report, he (rote that 5Nuestions numbere" 9, 14, 11, 11, an" 15 (ere use" in this eKamination eKa&tl# as -r. Travis Walton "i&tate" them.7 This (as in&orre&t, as ,fiefer no( verifies. 9 "i" not 5&ome in (ith the Nuestions7 9 (ante" to be as$e", as ,?A alleges. %f the five test Nuestions supplie" b# ,;%, (or"ing (as (or$e" out b# ?im :oren!en, )al 'tar, 6r. /ahn, an" 6r. 'prin$le, (hose spe&ialt# is testingC he is the 6ire&tor of /ounseling an" Testing at the *niversit# of W#oming. The four ,;% people ha" (or$e" out Nuestions numbere" 1, 4, 0, 7, an" 14 before 9 arrive"L 9 "i" "is&uss an" a&&ept them (ith the eKaminer. )o(ever, 9 "i" not feel the# (ere "ire&t enough. 9 offere" half a "o!en areas 9 felt shoul" be &overe", but "i" not spe&if# (or"ing of Nuestions. =9n using the (or" 5"i&tate,7 9 believe ,fiefer (as tr#ing to emphasi!e m# &ooperativeness, in m# having suggeste" the more spe&ifi& Nuestions.> Noti&e that the se&on" five (e en"e" up (ith are the more "ire&t Nuestions. The Nuestions 9 suggeste" "i" not repla&e the Nuestions ,;% ha" planne" as the &omplete testL the# simpl# a""e" to them. 9 (as in error m#self in suggesting one Nuestion, number 14, (hi&h reNuire" me, the literalist, to ans(er on the basis of assumption rather than eKperien&e. 'o ,fiefer (rote, &orre&tl#, that 9 5ha" not a&tuall# seen7 the ra#L but a""e" that 9G" seen the area light up (ith a 5greenish glo(.7 That a""ition (as in&orre&t. 9 sai" 9 ha" seen the greener# in the area lit b# the glo( from the &raft, but that the light ha" been of a pe&uliar pale gol"en &olor. This o&&urre" before 9 (as hit. 9 felt onl# a numbing sho&$ an" bla&$e" out at the same instant that m# &o(or$ers later tol" me the# ha" seen the ra# stri$e. This ma# have &ause" a lastBminute t(inge of "oubt. %r perhaps the sharp pain asso&iate" (ith the memor# of this

31! Tra'(* .a/to)

ps#&hologi&all# intense pea$ in m# eKperien&e &oul" have triggere" this 5slight response.7 ,fiefer &onfirms that he reworded every single 3uestion suggeste" to him for all the tests. ,?A nevertheless has repeate"l# &laime" that m# input into the Nuestion formulation (as a violation of proper pol#graph pro&e"ure of su&h a magnitu"e that m# positive test results from the ,fiefer test shoul" be &onsi"ere" invali". Not onl# is the aboveBmentione" pra&ti&e not &on"emne" b# eKperts, itGs re&ommen"e"O %ne more brief Nuotation from Flie . 'hneourGs arti&le in /'9/%,Gs (ke tical In3uirer, 5:#ing bout ,ol#graph Tests7 =an arti&le, b# the (a#, (hi&h refers to 6r. 6avi" ;as$in as one of the 5lea"ers in the fiel"7>C5. . . the eKamination begins (ith the subHe&t being &uffe" an" strappe" to the "evi&e. The &onsi"erable resulting "is&omfort is ease" ever# fifteen minutes or so (hile the eKaminer &hanges &harts. 5These interlu"es provi"e the eKaminer (ith opportunities to as$ the subHe&t about his rea&tion to the Nuestions pose" an" allo( refinement of the Nuestions to be as$e" neKt.7 -ore a&&urate &on&erning a&tual pol#graph pro&e"ure, an" mu&h more to the point on the issue, is the follo(ing eK&erpt from Mleve 2a&$sterGs 1974 &ongressional testimon#. /ongressmanC 1r. Backster, on age P of your testimony you say here at the bottom? QIt should be noted that all the 3uestions are reviewed word! for!word, in advance of the beginning of the chart concerned. . Is that reviewed with the subject0 -r. 2a&$sterC @es, with the subject. In fact, the subject is allowed an o ortunity to hel formulate the 3uestions so that he certainly will have a basic understanding of each one to be asked . . . If we don.t review 3uestions and articularly the control 3uestions, ahead of time, we don.t know what sychological button# we may be touching as far as the subject is concerned, if he hasn.t had an o ortunity to talk with us about such 3uestions. I think it is extremely im erative that 3uestions are reviewed ahead of time. If the subject taking the test is a rehensive that sur rise 3uestions may be interjected, he may be a rehensive to all 3uestions. =e may be attuned to some kind of outside issue that very much bothers him as com ared to the relevant issue. In fairness to the subject and in fairness to the techni3ue, 1r. -hairman, in my o inion, it is absolutely essential that the 3uestions be carefully reviewed in advance.

FIRE IN THE SKY 31"

Meorge ,fiefer (as intervie(e" b# -i$e on 6e&ember 29, 1992, &on&erning his eKaminations on m#self, m# brother, an" m# mother. )ereGs (hat he ha" to sa#C B5 A? B? A? B? A? B? A? B? A? B? A? EC A? B? A? A? Are you firm on your conclusions on the %alton test0 -ertainly4 @ou are0 (ure4 %hat I was wondering ersonally is if your o inion had changed since, so I guess it hasn.t, then0 Nope, no (a#, no (a#O 'o I (oul" assume then that #our tests on TravisGs mother an" his brother, #our &on&lusions on all of their tests are as firm as the# (ere originall#D bsolutel#O 9t has been sai" that Travis "i&tate" the Nuestions to #ou that he (ante". No. 3ou see, this is another one of those things. No(, #ou ha" a pol#graph eKamination, rightD ;ight. No(, the eKaminer ha" ma"e out Nuestions. 2efore the test starte", he rea" #ou those Nuestions, "i"nGt heD ;ight. n", if #ou "i"nGt li$e something about a Nuestion #ou &oul" as$ him to &hange it, &orre&tD ThatGs &orre&t, thatGs the (a# ours (ent. ThatGs eKa&tl# (hat (eGre tal$ing about, Hust eKa&tl#. 'o, thatGs the (a# WaltonGs (entD 3es.

The onl# eKamination soli"l# s&he"ule" in a"van&e for +ebruar# 7, 1970, (as m# brother 6uaneGs. 9 ha" been "is&ussing m# rea"iness to be reteste" (ith ,;%, an" ha" given them a tentative agreement to be teste" along (ith 6uane. 9 (as having problems (ith m# &ar. 9f, through no fault of m# o(n, 9 "i"nGt manage to ma$e m# appointment, ho( (oul" another misse" appointment loo$ in the (a$e of the abortive arrangements for the sheriffPs testD 'o, sin&e ,;% (asnGt &ertain 9G" ma$e it, the# onl# ma"e an appointment for 6uane. Naturall# ,?A rea"s sinister intrigue into that fa&t, alleging a plan to 5test the (aters (ith 6uane7 before agreeing to have me teste", alleging a &onspira&# (hi&h eK&lu"e" the eKaminer but in&lu"e" all the ,;% personnel present. This is absur"ho( &oul" one personGs rea&tions to a test have an# bearing on the out&ome of a "ifferent personGs test (ith &ompletel# "ifferent NuestionsD The fa&t is 9 arrive" (hile 6uaneGs testing (as still un"er (a# =interrupting a

31# Tra'(* .a/to)

test in progress isnGt allo(e">, an" &ommitte" m#self to being teste" to the ,;% personnel there, (ithout re&eiving the slightest hint of ho( m# brotherGs testing (as going, sin&e nobo"# ha" an# i"ea at that point. =9 never sa( 6uane that "a# at all. That evening 9 "i" tal$ to him about the tests, b# telephone, on m# (a# out of to(n.> While 6uane (as being teste" 9 (ent a&ross the street for a (al$ in the par$ (ith 6ana. While (e (ere gone the eKaminer (as as$e" about testing me "uring a brea$ bet(een test series =6uane a&tuall# too$ t(o separate tests in a ro(, one (ith siK relevant Nuestions an" one (ith eight relevant Nuestions>, prior to the eKaminer giving his &on&lusion on 6uaneGs tests. 6uane finishe" an" left to return to his (or$ before 9 returne" from the par$. The irrelevant Nuestions, (hi&h as$ for name, resi"en&e, et&., are not liste" an" are onl# as$e" in or"er to provi"e a #ar"sti&$ of 5$no(n truth7 responses for &omparison. lso, 6uane initiall# too$ the 5Ano(n :ie Test,7 (hi&h sho(e" him a strong respon"er. 'ome of the fourteen relevant Nuestions =the others (ere variations or subissues of these> on m# brotherGs pol#graph test (ereC R2. 6id you artici ate in a hoax to retend that $ravis was missing0 R1. 6o you believe that $ravis artici ated in a hoax to retend that he was missing0 R4. 6o you know where $ravis was located during the several days that he was missing0 R5. 6o you believe that $ravis is sincere in describing his ex erience while he was missing0 R0. %ould you lie to hel $ravis in this matter0 R7. 6id $ravis hide on the Aellett 8anch0 R@. *rior to /ovember (, JKSN, had you read a book on <',s0 The eKaminer, Meorge ,fiefer, (rote in his reportC 5 fter a &areful anal#sis of the pol#grams pro"u&e", along (ith information gaine" "uring pretest an" postBtest intervie(s, it is the opinion of this eKaminer that 6uane Walton has ans(ere" all Nuestions truthfull# a&&or"ing to (hat he believes to be the truth regar"ing this in&i"ent an" has not attempte" to be "e&eptive in an# area.7 When 6uane (as prote&ting me from being grille" b# the press, the sheriffPs men, an" the &urious, he sai" things to thro( people off the s&ent. Then, (hen ,?A &alle" an" trie" to pr# into mista$es 9G" ma"e (hen 9 (as #ounger, an" as$e" if 9 ha" ta$en a test prior to ,fieferGs, 6uane "enie" an# su&h $no(le"ge. ,?A &ontrasts that fa&t (ith 6uaneGs being Hu"ge" truthful on Nuestion number 0 above, an" tries to &laim a "isparit# (hi&h overturns the vali"it# of the entire test. 6uane ha" learne" prior to the &all of ,?AGs reputation for being rabi"l# antiB *+%, unfair, "evious, prone to t(isting peopleGs (or"s to suit his purposes. 9n

FIRE IN THE SKY 31$

fa&t, 6uane ignore" a"vi&e not even to spea$ to him. 2ut ,?A arrogantl# presumes that people shoul" respon" to him as if he (ere a fe"eral spe&ial prose&utor, (ith as mu&h openness, fullness, an" pre&ision as if testif#ing un"er oath before a full session of both houses of /ongress. )o(ever, surve#s sho( that (hen &onfronte" (ith a person one &onsi"ers sha"#, or believes inten"s one harm, most honest people &onsi"er themselves Hustifie" in spea$ing at o""s (ith the fa&ts to (hatever eKtent is ne&essar#. Naturall# 6uane interprete" Nuestion number 0 to mean, (oul" he lie to help me falsif# a *+% in&i"entDthat (as the reason he (Pas ta$ing the test. The sponsors of the test $ne( of 6uaneGs shiel"ing me from being mobbe", be&ause the# themselves at first ha" been "efle&te" b# him in their efforts to investigate the &ase. The# (oul"nGt have frame" a Nuestion to en&ompass falsehoo"s originating in brotherl# prote&tiveness. ,s#&hologists observe that there are no perfe&tl# truthful personsL mo"ern pol#graph metho"olog# a&tuall# counts on this fa&t, even to establish inno&en&e. ,?A has gotten so &arrie" a(a# in atta&$ing the Tur$e# 'prings in&i"ent that he has even ma"e allegations against m# motherO 9 brought her along (hen 9 (as in ,hoeniK to meet (ith 6r. ?. llen )#ne$ on -ar&h 22, 1970. s mentione", the late 6r. )#ne$ (as an astronomer at North(estern *niversit#, an", as hea" of the /enter for *+% 'tu"ies, (as a lea"ing national authorit# on uni"entifie" fl#ing obHe&ts. )#ne$ (as probabl# best $no(n to the general publi& for his ,roHe&t 2lue 2oo$ (or$ for the *.'. ir +or&e an" a&ting as s&ientifi& &onsultant in the ma$ing of the movie -lose &ncounters of the $hird Aind. The reno(ne" s&ientist ma"e a press release the neKt "a# en"orsing the vali"it# of m# eKperien&e, sa#ing 9 (as 5not hoaKing7 an" 5ha" been ma"e the subHe&t of a lot of unne&essar# an" unfoun"e" a&&usations.7 ,;% arrange" for m# mother to ta$e a pol#graph test (hile (e (ere there. )er testing (as uneventful, performe" more as a matter of &ourse than from serious Nuestioning of her integrit#. 'ome of the thirteen relevant Nuestions on her test (ereC R1. 6id you ever cons ire with $ravis or any erson to er etrate a hoax to retend that $ravis was missing0 R4. %ere you dee ly involved in the <', subject before $ravis. disa earance0 R0. 6uring the eriod of /ovember C, JKSN, to /ovember JD, JKSN, did you actually know where $ravis was0 R7. 6id you conceal $ravis from ublic contact between /ovember N, JKSN, and /ovember JJ, JKSN0 R9. 6o you believe that $ravis is truthful in this matter0 R14. =ave you yourself ever seen a flying saucer0

32& Tra'(* .a/to)

The eKaminerGs Hu"gment of her truthfulness (as (ritten in his report as follo(sC 5 fter a ver# &areful anal#sis of the pol#graphs pro"u&e" an" &omparing the pol#graph tra&ings (ith the Ano(n :ie pattern, it is the opinion of this eKaminer that -rs. -ar# Aellett has ans(ere" all the Nuestions truthfull# a&&or"ing to the best of her $no(le"ge an" beliefs.7 %bservant rea"ers (ill have noti&e" in the report on m# test that it sa#s 5Euestion formulation (as of the relevant8irrelevant t#pe.7 That (as also the metho" use" on m# brother an" motherGs test. 9n the interest of being &onsistent (ith the &riteria 9Gve been using &on&erning pol#graph tests, (oul"nGt the vali"it# of these tests have to be "isNualifie" on the same basis that eKperts "isNualifie" -&/arth#Gs testD =;ea"ers (onGt fin" su&h &an"or or balan&e in ,?AGs (ritings.> The eKperts "isNualifie" the -&/arth# test on the basis of t(o aspe&ts. %ne aspe&t (as the multitu"e of (hat (oul" have been Hu"ge" to be pro&e"ural errors even b# those (ho a&&epte" its metho"olog#. The other "isNualif#ing aspe&t (as its "is&re"ite" metho"olog#, (hi&h impli&itl# in&lu"e" the fa&t that it (as a 5faile"7 testO Whoa, #ou sa#. That soun"s li$e the reverse of ,?AGs biase" &riteria of a&&epting all flun$e" tests as proof an" &laiming all passe" tests are fla(e". 9 $no( itGs ironi&, but (ith the relevant8irrelevant metho"olog# it reall# is the &ase that faile" tests are the onl# area in (hi&h the resear&h sho(e" su&h gross unreliabilit#O = s (e &an &on&lu"e from information given in ,?AG s fello( /'9/%, memberGs arti&le, in a situation using mo"ern metho"s (here #ou have one test pass an" one fail, the pass has &onsi"erabl# greater (eight. 2ut the resear&h sho(s that (ith relevant8irrelevant it is over(helmingl# so.> 9n the same resear&h stu"# =)oro(it!, 19@@> (hi&h "emonstrate" the metho" #iel"s @4 per&ent false positives =that is, onl# 24 per&ent of the in"epen"entl# establishe" inno&ent subHe&ts (ere &orre&tl# &lassifie">, Nuantitative &hart evaluations #iel"e" 144Bper&ent &orre&t out&omes on guilt# subHe&tsO gain, this refers to in"epen"entl# proven an" &onfirme" guilt. =%f &ourse, this per&entage (oul" "rop belo( 144 per&ent in a&tual fiel" use to (here it (oul" a&tuall# be a bit less than the upper ninetieth per&entile of a&&ura&# sho(n for pol#graph in general. veraging the inno&ent an" guilt# together naturall# gives the metho" an a&&ura&# rate far lo(er than that of pol#graph in general.> 2ut if the metho" is so s$e(e" it &alls @4 per&ent of inno&ent subHe&ts liars, itGs no surprise it gets the last fe( per&ent of the guilt# onesitGs probabl# b# a&&i"entO 'oun"s li$e that ol" mer&enar# sol"ierGs sa#ing, 5Aill Gem all, let Mo" sort Gem out.7 Fvi"entl# #our rea&tions have to be eKtremel# inno&ent to pass a relevant8irrelevant test, but (hen #ou "o pass, itGs prett# soli". lso ,fiefer (as not using an ol" ma&hine li$e -&/arth#Gs, he (as using a more mo"ern fourBtra&e ma&hine. =,?A never mentions this but $ne( about it,

FIRE IN THE SKY 321

sin&e he put pi&tures of both ma&hines in his boo$.> n" ,fiefer "i"nGt ma$e the numerous violations of a&&epte" pro&e"ure that -&/arth# &ommitte". When ,?A sought to "is&re"it the ,fiefer test, he &alle" ,fieferGs emplo#er. Tom F!ell. ,;%, in the interest of full "is&losure, ha" informe" Meorge ,fiefer of the -&/arth# test, so there (as no suppression of that information (here "is&losure (as relevant an" proper. That information (as given to F!ell an" sso&iates in &onfi"en&eL but a&&or"ing to ,?A Tom &zell volunteered it to him, in violation of professional &onfi"en&e an" flouting item number 15 of A*A (tandards and *rinci les of *ractice. 9f true, Tom F!ell shares responsibilit# (ith -&/arth# in the release of privilege" informationL a (rong -&/arth# severel# &ompoun"e" b# &onfirming the test results, an" in going on to repeat personal information about me a&Nuire" in the &onfi"ential pretest intervie(. 9 have been tol" 9 have a soli" legal &ase against all involve" here, in&lu"ing the &ler$ (ho illegall# supplie" ,?A (ith "etails, but right no( 9G" be satisfie" if the# (oul" &ease an" "esist their mali&ious &ampaign. 9n that first, -ar&h 11, 1970, &all, F!ell tol" ,?A that ,fiefer ha" returne" to in"epen"ent pra&ti&e. pparentl# F!ell (as Nui&$l# &ornere" into tr#ing to "istan&e himself from the tests he himself ha" arrange" (ith ,;% b# sa#ing heG" been out of to(n. The tests too$ pla&e on +ebruar# 9, 1970, an" ,?AGs &all &ame on -ar&h 11, 1970, more than a month later. Wh# ha"nGt F!ell been move" immediately to 5reassess7 ,fieferGs (or$D )e &laime" to alrea"# have ha" "oubts from tal$ing to ,fiefer after hearing the ver"i&ts on returning to to(n. Wh# is it that onl# after being &onta&te" b# ,?A more than thirt# "a#s later "i" F!ell mention his 5"oubts7 an" 5offer7 to ma$e a reappraisal (ithin ten "a#sD What reall# happene" "uring that first phone &allD What reall# motivate" F!ell to volunteer the information he "i"in&lu"ing some (or"s of praise for -&/arth#D ,erhaps itGs no (on"er F!ell gave su&h praise of -&/arth#, sin&e the# ha" been both still using the same out"ate" metho". 2ut is F!ell no( still using relevant8irrelevantD )is ans(erC 5NoO No no. No noO We use /ontrol Euestion Te&hniNue no(O7 Wh# "i" he aban"on the ol" metho" testsD 52e&ause 9 foun" out those (ere ma$ing too man# mista$es.7 ;e&all that -&/arth# use" the relevant8irrelevant metho" for his entire &areer. Tom F!ell, (ho ha" originall# been s&he"ule" to a"minister 6uaneGs an" m# tests, ha" to be out of to(n that "a#, but informe" ,;% that ,fiefer (as 5as Nualifie" as 9 am. )eGs up on all the latest metho"s.7 F!ell evi"entl# remaine" of that opinion until he (as goa"e" b# ,?A into "isavo(ing m# test. ='hortl# after (hi&h he, li$e -&/arth#, "estro#e" the &orrespon"ing &hartsO> 9n the -ar&h 22, 1970, phone &all, F!ell "i" not sa# that the test (as faile"L in fa&t, in ,?AGs o(n version, F!ell avoi"e" using the (or" 5in&on&lusive.7 Fither he "i"nGt (ant to &ommit so firml# to &ontra"i&ting a

322 Tra'(* .a/to)

&on&lusion heG" alrea"# re&eive" pa#ment forL or he ma# have use" the (or", (ith ,?A omitting it as too neutral for his purposes. 9ts absen&e &oul" be evi"en&e that F!ell (as onl# loo$ing for a fa&eBsaving neutral position to ba&$ into. -a#be ,?A e"ite" F!ellGs a&tual (or"s so thoroughl# that F!ellGs meaning has been greatl# altere". &omplete an" a&&urate trans&ript of 9?AGs &alls to F!ell an" an uneKpurgate" &op# of his letter (oul" li$el# thro( enough light to give a (hole ne( interpretation of their eK&hange. The -ar&h 22, 1970, phone &all ,?A Nuotes has un"ergone the usual &urious metamorphosis. 9n his ?une 24, 1970, (hite paper ,?A Nuote" F!ellC 53ou (oul" not be able to sa# if RTravis WaltonS is telling the truth or if heGs l#ing.7 Fven though ,?A atta&$s 6uane an" his test eKtensivel# in that same seventeenB page report, not a single (or" (as mentione" about F!ellGs 5reassessing7 6uaneGs test. )o(ever, b# the time the &onversation appeare" in ,?AGs boo$, 5reassessment7 (as embellishe" to in&lu"e 6uaneGs test. When ,;% hear" about that unoffi&ial ne( &on&lusion, ,;% (rote to F!ell inNuiring as to (hether he (oul" be intereste" in ma$ing the revision offi&ial b# returning the mone# his firm ha" re&eive" as pa#ment for t(o vali" pol#graph tests. F!ell "i"nGt repl#. 2ut if he (as &onfi"ent in se&on"Bguessing ,fiefer, (h# "i" he "estro# the &hartsD ,eople have suggeste" F!ell (as &ooperating (ith a government &overB up, but 9 "onGt thin$ so. When another s$epti&al *+% investigator re&entl# brought up F!ellGs "isavo(al, 9 tol" him 9 believe" it (as all a ,; Hob be&ause F!ell figure" the fla$ in the ne(s me"ia (oul" hurt his business. 9Gve hear" that people aroun" Tom F!ell observe" that for "a#s =5"a#s7 perhaps being those after ,?AGs first &all, rather than after hearing ,fieferGs ver"i&t> he be&ame "eepl# upset an" "epresse" about the effe&t the *+% stigma from the me"ia &ontrovers# (oul" have on his business. 9 bet the ufologist that if F!ell (ere as$e" again to test someone &laiming a *+% eKperien&e that he (oul" refuse the business Hust on the basis of the subHe&t matter. 9f his problem (as onl# "isbelief in *+%s, he &oul" test them an" prove it. )e &oul"nGt imagine there (as stigma atta&he" to flun$ing su&h subHe&ts, onl# in substantiating their reports. 'o (e as$e" him. 'ure enough, he sai", 59G" rather not get miKe" up in that, 9G" rather not.7 6ue to the subHe&t matterD 53eah.7 ,?A &arefull# sta&$e" his "es&ription of ,fieferGs an" -&/arth#Gs &re"entials in a ver# biase" fashion 9 (ill spe&if# later. ,?AGs main point (as that ,fiefer (as less eKperien&e"L therefore, #ears of eKperien&e be&ame the ultimate stan"ar" of the &omparative s$ill of pol#graph eKaminers. 9n the (a$e of the &ontrovers# after the t(o pol#graph tests, ?erome /lar$, then asso&iate e"itor at /lar$ ,ublishing /ompan#, sponsore" a ,'F =ps#&hologi&al stress evaluator> eKamination of a tape" intervie( of me an" also

FIRE IN THE SKY 323

tapes =provi"e" b# ,;%> of m# t(o pol#graph eKaminations b# ,fiefer an" -&/arth#L the ,'F &harts (ere anal#!e" b# t(o in"epen"ent ,'F eKperts. ,'F (as an ele&troni& 5lieB"ete&tion7 te&hniNue in use at that time (hi&h ha" been "evelope" in the previous ten #ears b# three retire" rm# 9ntelligen&e offi&ersC llan 2ell, ?r., Wilson +or", an" /harles -&Euiston. The ,'F is an instrument (hi&h (as sai" to "ete&t inaudible freNuen&# &hanges in the human voi&e &ause" b# emotional stress. 9nevitabl# the ,'F, li$e all 5lieB"ete&ting7 te&hniNues, has generate" &ontrovers#, partl# be&ause stress "oes not automati&all# eNual l#ing, an" be&ause of &ompetition bet(een businesses emplo#ing "iffering t#pes of 5lie "ete&tion7prin&ipall#, the ,'F an" the pol#graph. Fnough se&urit# eKperts, la( enfor&ement offi&ers, in"ustrial investigators, an" other su&h professionals approve" ,'F at that time =proponents &laime" it (as more than 94Bper&ent a&&urate> that the metho" gre( (i"el# in useL a "o!en states a"mitte" it as evi"en&e in &ourt. 2ut the te&hniNue has languishe" from la&$ of further "evelopment, an" has never gaine" the status or level of use of the pol#graph. 9n fa&t, even though these tests &orroborate" m# stor#, in the interest of obHe&tivit# 9 must a"mitbase" on (hat 9Gve learne" about its level of "evelopment at that timethat 9 "onPt believe the ,'F shoul" be given mu&h (eight. 9 onl# in&lu"e it be&ause 9 hear" that William 'paul"ing of M'W &laime" to have ta$en a ,'F (hi&h supporte" his position. )o(ever, for (hatever itGs (orth, m# ,'F results follo(. %ne eKpert, nn 2. )ooten of -i"B meri&a :aborator# in -inneapolis, &on&lu"e" her ?anuar# 14, 197@, final report of m# ,'Fs thusl#C 5The opinion of this offi&e an" staff is that Travis Walton is sin&ere in believing his *+% eKperien&e (as genuine.7 'everal (ee$s later the other eKpert, one of the ,'FGs "evelopers himself, /harles -&Euiston, &on&lu"e" his thirt# &hart evaluation (ith, 5)is stress fa&tors in"i&ate to me there is little if an# possibilit# of a hoaK involvement in telling the stor#. )is patterns are varie". )eGs un"er var#ing "egrees of stress ranging from eKtreme stress almost to the pani& point in "es&ribing &ertain traumati& elements of his eKperien&e. 9 "onGt thin$ this (oul" be possible if it (as an# $in" of a hoaK being perpetrate" on his part. The patterns are &onsistent (ith Rthose ofS other subHe&ts of *+% sightings that 9 have run in terms of (here the# "ispla# the stress. . . .7 5+or this reason 9 believe itGs prett# &onsistent (ith a subHe&t (ho ha" a traumati& eKperien&e an" is re&alling this eKperien&e (hi&h is &ausing his trauma Rin the sense that he isS reliving the trauma he (as un"er. )e reall# believes that he live" this, that he sa( the &reatures in Nuestion.7 fter revie(ing an" running ,'F anal#sis on the ,'F evaluations b# nn )ooten, -&Euiston state", 52oth that testthe ,'F ta$en "uring the R-&/arth#S pol#graph eKaminationan" the subseNuent ,'F test ta$en b# nn )ooten are N69C no "e&eption in"i&ate".

324 Tra'(* .a/to)

)e "i" not fail those tests.7 ,?A has ma"e arrogant an" unHustifie" a&&usations of l#ing against nearl# ever#one he atta&$s, (hi&h has in&lu"e" respe&te" s&ientists, poli&e offi&ers, priests, an" professionals of ever# sort. WeGre in the mi"st of man# eKamples of ,?AGs statements that are at o""s (ith the truthL these are but a fra&tion of his falsehoo"s in this matter if (e in&lu"e the vast multitu"e of lies of omission, (hi&h 9Gll be getting to. 9n loo$ing ba&$ over ,?AGs (ritings on *+%s, a gra"ual &hange in his approa&h be&omes evi"ent. )is first boo$ ta$es (itnesses at their (or" an" tries to eKplain (hat people report as honest mista$es of sightings of (hat he &onsi"ere" to be a real phenomena =plasmas>. )is se&on" boo$ tou&hes on the hoaK eKplanation, but mostl# in regar"s to #oung $i"s an" &ollege stu"ents as pran$sters. 2ut in this se&on" boo$ he still spe&ifi&all# sa#s that reports "o not &ome onl# from 5$oo$s7 an" that man# 5&ome from seemingl# honest, intelligent an" often (ellBe"u&ate" &iti!ens.7 n" his se&on" boo$ also lists his Ten *fologi&al ,rin&iples of (hi&h onl# one refers to hoaK (hile the other nine refer to visual or mental misper&eptions b# 5basi&all# honest an" intelligent persons7 or honest =if inept> oversight b# ne(spersons an" investigators. Then in his thir" boo$ on this topi&, he largel# forgets ufologi&al prin&iples, in&lu"es a fe( &ases of honest misper&eption, but for the most part sees hoaKes an" liars ever#(here. )is fourth antiB*+% boo$ ta$es the final stepC *fologi&al prin&iples are &ompletel# omitte" an" proponents are all either liars or mentall# "elu"e" people an" their &#ni&al eKploiters (ho are no( "o(nright "angerous an" a threat to so&iet#. Fven the ti"es of his boo$s follo( the evolving pattern of his in&reasing obsessionC <',s Identified, <',s &x lained, <',s"$he *ublic 6eceived, an" then, <', Abductions"A 6angerous 2ame. This evolution of ,?AGs gro(ing obsession (ith l#ing an" lie "ete&tors =(hile his o(n "istortions of the truth a&&umulate monumentall#> has parallele" his in&reasing hostile irrationalit# an" behavior resembling that of a &ran$. To his (ritings he a""s Nuotes about l#ing ta$en from famous persons of the past. 5%ne falsehoo" trea"s on the heels of another7 =Teren&e>. 5)e (ho permits himself to tell a lie on&e, fin"s it mu&h easier to "o it a se&on" time an" a thir" time, till at length it be&omes habitual7 =Thomas ?efferson>. 5)alf the truth is often a great lie7 =2enHamin +ran$lin>. 5)e (ho "oes not bello( the truth (hen he $no(s the truth ma$es himself the a&&ompli&e of liars an" forgers7 =/harles ,egu#>. These last t(o are espe&iall# goo" a"vi&etoo ba" he "oesnGt follo( it, instea" of (ithhol"ing ever# bit of favorable evi"en&e.

FIRE IN THE SKY 32

,?A ma"e so mu&h noise about the vali"it# of the tests on the siK (itnesses, an" the vali"it# of the tests on me, m# brother, an" m# mother, that the nine of us thre( "o(n the gauntlet. We thre( his 5Tal$ is &heap, put #our mone# (here #our mouth is7 &hallenge ba&$ at him. The nine of us &hallenge" him to have us all reteste" a&&or"ing to stan"ar"s he (oul" first agree (oul" #iel" vali" results. )e (oul" not have to pa# a &ent if an# tests (ere faile", (e (oul". )o(ever, he (oul" have to pa# for all tests passe". 9f he (as sin&ere, ho( &oul" he refuseD %ne might thin$ a proposition so straightfor(ar" (oul" &ome to Nui&$ resolution. Not (ith ,?A. %ur &orrespon"en&e (as un"erta$en publi&l#, so he finall# agree", 5in prin&iple7 onl#, to save fa&e. 2ut (e (ere Hust entering the most ri"i&ulous spe&ta&le of evasion, eNuivo&ation, nitBpi&$ing, stalling, "u&$ing, an" "o"ging from him one &an imagine. %ur first mista$e (as letting him get a(a# (ith re"efining the issue. )is repl# never sai", 59 a&&ept #our challenge7something #ou simpl# either a&&ept or reHe&t. )is repl# terme" it a 5proposal7L in subseNuent letters it (as "o(ngra"e" to 5agreement,7 then to 5eNuitable agreement,7 then 5negotiations for a mutuall# a&&eptable agreement.7 The "e&ision to negotiate (oul" not have been a mista$e (ith a normal, fairB min"e" in"ivi"ual. With ,?A it turne" into a preposterousl# aggravating, tangle" nightmare. )e (or"e" his response to in&lu"e a list of those persons &hallenging, but snea$il# "roppe" m# mother from the list of test subHe&ts. Then, after initiall# agreeing to a list that in&lu"e" 6uane, a little (hile later he also "roppe" m# brother in the same snea$# (a#a &asual relisting of the test subHe&ts (ith another name "elete", again (ith no &omment. When (e &aught the alteration an" too$ him to tas$ about it, he ma"e the lame eK&use that sin&e the# (erenGt present "uring the in&i"ent, the# "i"nGt nee" to be teste"O fter publishing pages an" pages of a&&usations an" insinuations against them, he "ug in his heels an" refuse" to in&lu"e them. 'o, one &lear, earl# vi&tor# a&hieve" b# our 5&hallenge7 (as, in effe&t, to for&e ,?A to a"mit for all to see that he reall# believe" at least 6uane an" m# mother (ere inno&ent of his &harges. 'in&e then, ho(ever, he has h#po&riti&all# &ontinue" to repeat those &harges, even though he (oul"nGt put his mone# (here his mouth (as (hen it &ounte". fter in&lu"ing 6uane an" reneging, ,?A ma"e a Nualifie" a&&eptan&e of a &hoi&e of pol#graph eKaminer, then renege". The propose" eKaminer (as none other than the eminent Mleve 2a&$ster. ,?A ba&$e" out on 2a&$ster be&ause ?im :oren!en ha" spo$en (ith him first, impl#ing, absur"l#, that (hoever spo$e to 2a&$ster first (oul" &orrupt him. 2a&$ster ha" at one time performe" resear&h involving primar# per&eption at the &ellular level in plants an" animals, (hi&h he ha" gotten into seren"ipitousl# (hen using one of his pol#graph ma&hineGs sensors to measure an offi&e plantGs

32! Tra'(* .a/to)

rate of (ater upta$e. fter ,?A ha" reHe&te" 2a&$ster as eKaminer, he "ug up an ina&&urate ol" ne(spaper &lipping about his plant inNuiries an" ma"e a futile attempt at ad hominem ri"i&ule. 2a&$ster has "one probabl# ever# investigation imaginable (ith a pol#graph, hoo$ing it to ever#bo"# an" ever#thing aroun" himL itGs not surprising that in all his #ears of resear&h he venture" into an area some(hat less (ell re&eive" b# restri&te" thin$ers than his more &onventional resear&h. ,?AGs eK&uses for all his ba&$tra&$ing (ere ri"i&ulous. We &oul"nGt seem to ma$e real hea"(a#. s soon as (e thought (e ha" one of his obHe&tions resolve", he (oul" fin" another. %ne of ,?AGs "ela#ing ta&ti&s (as to "eman" signatures from all of us on ea&h pie&e of &orrespon"en&e. This mis&hief ha" us "riving all over the state to gather signatures. =WeG" organi!e" b# phone.> 'o (e ha" to insist on being represente" b# the signature of our erst(hile &re( &hief, -i$e ;ogers. 2efore this, ,?A $ept taunting us about the missing signatures of 'mith an" 6alis. )e mista$enl# believe" (e "i"nGt $no( that ,?A $ne( 6alis (as in Hail. )e se&retl# assume" that, as he later a"mitte", this meant 6alis (oul" be unable to be teste". That ma# have been the onl# reason ,?A agree", even 5in prin&iple,7 to our &hallenge, thin$ing llen 6alisG inabilit# to test (oul" provi"e ,?A a loophole for es&ape, an" simultaneousl# serve to ma$e it loo$ as if (e ha" &hallenge" him in ba" faith. fter his stealth# elimination of m# mother an" brother, he too$ elaborate &are to (or" ea&h tentative, Nualifie" referen&e to a&&eptan&e to &learl# state 5#ou, an" the other siK members of #our &re(.7 )o(ever, (e ha" alrea"# &he&$e" (ith 6alisG la(#er an" at the Hail to ma$e sure that he &oul" be teste" there or at his la(#erGs offi&e. ,?AGs attempt to tri&$ us b# preten"ing not to $no( of 6alisG troubles "i"nGt (or$, but he "i" resurre&t the ol" 5guilt b# asso&iation7 &omponent of his ad hominem ta&ti&. Niggling refinement of terms (ent on for nearl# a #ear before (eG" ha" enough. The agreement ha" be&ome seven t#pe", singleBspa&e", pages longL it (as beginning to loo$ li$e a pie&e of threeB&ommittee legislation. 9t (as fair, an" as refine" as (e &are" to get. We issue" a final, uneNuivo&al, putBupBorBshutB up challenge. gain he trie" to Nuibble an" harangue, he"ge an" Nualif#. fter eleven months =(ith a frustrate" pause or t(o> of eKasperating an" sin&ere negotiations on our part, (e reali!e" (e never (oul" a&tuall# get him to en" his filibuster an" follo( through. )e never a&te" as if he &omprehen"e" the "efinition of a &hallengea sham, from one al(a#s issuing &hallenges himself. )as he ever negotiate" the terms of his &hallengesD ,?A ha", in effe&t, reHe&te" our &hallenge an" (e publishe" that fa&t. )e ha" faile", &lear an" simple, to sei!e an opportunit# to Qput his mone# (here his mouth is7 an" prove he (as unafrai" to stan" behin" his a&&usations. ,?A "enies that he "e&line" the final &hallenge =(hi&h he refers to as an

FIRE IN THE SKY 32"

ultimatum>, but his last repl# reall# "i"nGt "iffer in tone from his first, nearl# a #ear earlier. 9f one (ishes not to rel# on m# s#nopsis of the matter, be(are of rel#ing on the sele&tive Nuotations ,?A publishes. 9 &an provi"e the opportunit# to eKamine &omplete, uneKpurgate" &opies for serious, respe&table investigators, if an# are that intereste", of the (hole frustrating eK&hange, (ith &ommentar# =it amounts to an entire boo$ in itself>, so that a full# informe" Hu"gment &an be ma"e. Nearl# ever#one (ho follo(e" the eK&hange =&arrie" out publi&l#, (ith man# &opies of letter after letter going to pol#graph eKaminers -&/arth# an" ,fiefer , 'heriff Millespie, ne(smen, an" intereste" investigators> sai" it (as plain to them that (e (ere sin&ere an" ,?A (as not. %ur final (or"s on the subHe&tC
Mr. (PJK): Just as we expected, your decline of our final challenge was buried in pages and pages of convoluted exhortations intertangled with selective repetitions of all your ridiculous old assertions. But just as we said in our challenge-letter, we are not the slightest bit interested in your excuses. The definition of a challenge is not an e uitable agree!ent," as you would prefer. # challenge is a $%#&&'()'. *ou have +#,&'- T. #$$'/T ours0pure and si!ple. .ur challenge to you was to 1in your own words2 put up or shut up." *ou have failed to put up" and unfortunately will probably not shut up" either. Therefore, we turn a deaf ear to your rabid tirades. 3ince you don4t have anything i!portant to say, no one listens to you anyway. #nyone who has had anything to do with you 5nows that anything you say is nothing but character assassination, negative proofs, !isrepresentation of !aterial uoted out of context, innuendo, false logic, selective !ention and o!ission of data, etc., etc. ,n short, the tools of shyster lawyers and propagandists. The incident at Tur5ey 3prings did, in fact, happen and perhaps so!eday you will ad!it it. But your aberration is so extre!e that it is doubtful that even a long ride in a 6+. could cure you. This is our very last correspondence with you. -o not bother writing any!ore, as all !ail fro! you will be returned unopened. 3incerely, The (ine Test 3ubjects

=,?A snea$il# &ir&umvente" our ban on his en"less letters b# sen"ing -i$e one in an meri&an irlines envelope (ith no return a""ress.> ?ust li$e ,?AGs for&eBfit of *+% "ata into his plasma theor#, ,?AGs

32# Tra'(* .a/to)

5investigations7 (oul" be laughe" out of real s&ien&e. n" spea$ing of sh#ster la(#er ta&ti&s, sin&e ,?A fails in his &laime" arena of s&ien&e, ho( (oul" he pan out in the legal arenaD That (hi&h (oul" be laughe" out of s&ien&e (oul" li$e(ise be thro(n out of &ourt. )o(ever fla(e" in the logi&al sense, the legal s#stem is an institution (hi&h, li$e "ebate an" s&ien&e, is #et another forum for arriving at 5truth.7 ,?A uses all the "is&re"ite" ta&ti&s in this arena, too. When ,?A Nuotes biase" an" unreliable (itnesses, he eNuates the a&&ura&# of his Nuote =unreliable in itself> (ith the fa&tualit# of the statement. +or someone (hose father (as a la(#er, he shoul" $no( better than to use &hara&ter assassination, hearsa#, (ithhel" evi"en&e, lea"ing Nuestions, innuen"o, et&. )e sent this &olle&tion of pettifogger# to 'heriff -arlin Millespie in an effort to get him to prose&ute the nine of us. The sheriff turne" ,?AGs material over to the &ount# attorne#, (ho, together (ith the sheriff, tol" reporters that although the#G" &ertainl# prose&ute an#thing soli", ,?As material "i"nGt amount to an#thing more than a &olle&tion of opinions, theories, an" unsubstantiate" supposition. -an# people (ere foole" b# his (ritings until the# sa( the other si"e, but 'heriff Millespie an" NavaHo /ount# attorne# 2ob )all (ere astute enough that the# &oul" &learl# see this without having hear" our rebuttals. Farlier 9 mentione" an attempt to pa# 'teve ,ier&e to "isprove the *+% in&i"ent. 'everal aspe&ts of the episo"e ma"e it appear that ,?A (as behin" the offer. The offere" amount of $ 14,444, for one, an amount ,?A has offere" a number of times in various &hallenges, a""e" to that suspi&ion. )o(ever, ,?A "enies an# involvement, &laiming that the first time he $ne( about the offer (as (hen he rea" 2ill 2arr#Gs a&&ount of it. ,?A implie" that onl# on hearing that 'teve (as 5&onsi"ering repu"iating the in&i"ent7 "i" he be&ome intereste" in ma$ing &onta&t (ith him. This suppose"l# le" him for the first time to ma$e &onta&t (ith the offi&er (ho ha" ta$en the offer to 'teve. 9f that is true, (h#, in his report of tal$ing to the "eput#, "i"nGt ,?A mention (hat the "eput# ha" to sa# &on&erning the $ 14,444 offerD 9f ,?A (ere inno&ent, one (oul" eKpe&t that in the fa&e of su&h a "amaging &harge he (oul" be highl# motivate" to obtain eKonerating Nuotes (ith (hi&h to &lear himself to his rea"ers. ,?A (rote of 2arr#Gs a&&ount in <',s? $he *ublic 6eceived. /learl# ;ogers feare" that at least one member of his &re( (oul" fail the test, regar"less of (ho (as a&&epte" as the eKaminer. 2arr#Gs boo$ Nuotes ;ogers as sa#ingC 5'teve tol" me an" Travis that he ha" been offere" ten thousan" "ollars Hust to sign a "enial. )e sai" he (as thin$ing about it. ... 'o 9 tol" him, UThen #ouGll spen" the mone# alone, an" #ouGll be bruise".G 7 The latter suggests that ;ogers (as threatening ,ier&e (ith ph#si&al harm if he re&ante".

FIRE IN THE SKY 32$

2e(are the elli ses, those three "ots so often foun" in ,?AGs Nuotes. The# freNuentl# stan" in for information he (ishes to hi"e in or"er to falsif# the spea$erGs true meaning. )ereGs (hat that passage on page 104 of 2arr#Gs boo$ a&tuall# sai"C &&or"ing to -i$e ;ogers, 5'teve tol" me an" Travis that he ha" been offere" ten thousan" "ollars Hust to sign a "enial. )e sai" he (as thin$ing about ta$ing it. We as$e" him, UFven though #ou $no( it happene", (oul" #ou "en# it Hust for the mone#DG )e sai" ma#be he (oul"L he (as thin$ing about it. 'o 9 tol" him, UThen #ouGll spen" the mone# alone, an" #ouGll be bruise".G 7 ,?A onl# use" one set of ellipses to ma$e t(o omissionshis &hief aim to omit "eliberatel# the $e# phrase 5Fven though #ou $no( it happene", (oul" #ou "en# it Hust for the mone#D7an obvious effort to "e&eive his rea"ers into believing that -i$e (as threatening 'teve to $eep him from 5re&anting7 or revealing the truth, rather than threatening retribution for $no(ingl# giving false testimon# for mone#O What a snea$# tri&$O )o( frau"ulent &an he getD ,?A also sai" this in"i&ate" -i$e (as afrai" ,ier&e (oul"nGt pass the test (e ha" &hallenge" ,?A to provi"eL the full Nuotation proves Nuite the &ontrar#. 2afflingl#, ,?A Nuotes 'teve as telling himC 59f 9 &oul" ever prove it (as a hoaK 9G" "amn sure "o it,7 &ontra"i&ting ,?AGs h#pothesis that 'teve alrea"# $ne( the in&i"ent to be a hoaK. 9 &oul" sa# the same an" still not be "en#ing m# per&eptions an" memories. 9f 9 foun" out that some earth organi!ation or government (as responsible for (hat has happene" to me, 9, too, (oul" "amn sure tr# to prove it. 9 have reason to believe that if ,?A &oul" be in"u&e" to turn over the entire tape of the (ithhel" portions of his &onversation (ith 'teve, the publi& (oul" have something else to raise e#ebro(s about. ,?AGs vague referen&e to this un"is&lose" portion (asC 52ut 9 &oul" not gain an# meaningful "etails about (hat ha" transpire".7 Ano(ing ,?AGs ta&ti&s, 5an# meaningful "etails7 &oul" refer to a great "eal of positive testimon#. nother eKample of su&h use of (or"s (as his referen&e to a bloo" sample =(hi&h, in opposition to his &harges, &ontaine" no trace of any drug;? 5 R6S etaile" eKamination . . . in&lu"e" anal#sis of a bloo" sample, (hi&h reveale" nothing unusual.7 )e (as not pointing out that it (as a "rugBfree sample. 9t (as a&tuall# a sl# (a# of getting aroun" that glaring "isproof of his &harge, b# emphasi!ing that the sample "ispla#e" no bi!arre &hara&teristi& or un$no(n substan&e (hi&h (oul" &onstitute an in"isputable artifa&t of alien ab"u&tion. 9n the +ebruar# 1991 issue of the 1<',/ +ournal I (rote of ,?AC 5When

33& Tra'(* .a/to)

his &ontrive" e"ifi&e first starte" to &rumble as 9 began refuting him, he (as alrea"# sho(ing signs of (avering an" e"ging a(a# from his prior &laims. When 9Gm "one, 9 pre"i&t heGll be for&e" to ma$e a full retreat from the &ollapsing ruin of his previous U&onvi&tions.G n" 9 pre"i&t that heGll &ome to a&t as if he never reall# sai" an# of those things. fter some vain attempts to "efen" the ol" nonsense, heGll espouse some ne( nonsense (ith the same fervent &ertaint#.7 -# (or"s apparentl# tou&he" a nerve. %ur 5"ebun$er7 issue" a $ 1,444 &hallenge (ager in his -ar&h 1991 ne(sletter &on&erning m# pre"i&tion, listing siK points (hi&h he &laims to be unassailable. -ost of the siK points (ere obs&ure in their bearing on the prin&ipal fa&ts of the &ase. The# referre" to a &ouple of hearsa# Nuotes =(hi&h are false, but ultimatel# improvable either (a#, sin&e the# (erenGt tape">L the -&/arth# testL the outB ofB&onteKt Nuote from 'teve ,ier&eL an" an eK&erpt from the '#lvanus tape of '#lvanusG intervie( (ith 6uane an" -i$e at the forest site. Well, the in$ (as barel# "r# on his (or"s before ,?A (as issuing a retra&tion on one of his unassailable points. )e ha" &laime" in one of his boo$s that 9 ha" sai" in a TI intervie( that 9 ha" been 5blee"ing heavil#7 "uring m# eKperien&e. )e then (ent on about the subseNuent absen&e of (oun"s on m# bo"# or bloo" on m# &lothes, as if he (ere the onl# person astute enough to &at&h (hat (oul" have been an astoun"ingl# obvious &ontra"i&tion. )e subseNuentl# (as for&e" to a"mit that 9 ha" in"ee" sai" 5breathing heavil#7 not 5blee"ing heavil#.7 )e sai" heG" publish his retra&tion a&&or"ingl#. =)e "i"nGt full# $eep that promise. 9n his ne(sletter, (</, he (roteC 5The F"itor of (</ (ishes to &larif# its e"itorial poli&# (hi&h firml# a"heres to the follo(ing prin&iplesC =1> (</ never errs. =2> When (</ "oes err, it never a"mits it. =1> )o(ever, there ma# be times (hen some U&larifi&ationG is appropriate.7 )e then gave his retra&tion as 5/larifi&ation J1,7 an" repeate" his intention so to &orre&t future e"itions of his boo$. /ontrast this 5never a"mit it7 poli&# (ith his *fologi&al ,rin&iple Number 4. &riti&i!ing the me"ia for not &orre&ting proB*+% errors.> What a&tuall# prompte" ,?A to publish his &orre&tion (as the fa&t that /'9/%,Gs eKe&utive "ire&tor, 2arr# Aarr, ha" hear" about his misNuoting of me an" as$e" ,?A about it. 'o he (as fa$ing goo" for his &ronies, but ,?A ma"e no su&h effort to &orre&t another su&h 5error7 eKpose" on national television a fe( "a#s later. Was this 5blee"ing785breathing7 thing a "eliberate tri&$D %r Hust an error, another eKample of the 5&areful investigation7 an" 5a&&ura&#7 ,?A boasts aboutD 9tGs har" to see ho( he &oul" have sin&erel# ma"e su&h a mista$e, be&ause the tape =&ontrar# to his eK&uses> is Nuite &learL even his o(n publishe" trans&ript of it sho(s that right after the phrase in Nuestion 9 a""e"C 59 &oul"nGt &at&h m# breath.7

FIRE IN THE SKY 331

'pea$ing of breath, 9 "i"nGt hol" mine (aiting for his $1,444 &he&$, (hi&h 9Gve #et to re&eive. The a&&ount above is Hust a t#pi&al eKample of the Nualit# of his (or$ an" the flimsiness of his &asean" Hust the beginning of the fulfillment of m# pre"i&tions. ?eff Wells, an ustralian member of the team of /ational &n3uirer reporters (ho (or$e" on m# stor#, later left that paper an" (rote some arti&les about (hat he represente" as his eKperien&es as part of the &n3uirer7s &overage of the *+% in&i"ent. There "oesnGt seem to be an# lo( to (hi&h those la&$ing in ethi&s, Hournalisti& an" other(ise, (ill not stoop in printing an#thing that (ill serve their en"s. fter #ears of heaping s&ornful &riti&ism on the tabloi"s, ,?A an" /'9B /%, apparentl# felt no h#po&ris# in reprinting the eKBtabloi" (riterGs arti&le in the 'ummer 19@1 issue of the (ke tical In3uirer. =The (ke tical In3uirer (as evi"entl# name" to ta$e a ba&$han"e" slap at the tabloi"s b# pla#ing off the /ational &n3uirer.s name, to ma$e &lear that /'9/%, &onsi"ere" themselves the antithesis of the tabloi" mentalit#.> The arti&le (as ri""le" (ith tabloi"Bst#le h#perbole, "istortion, an" pure fi&tion. 2ut ,?A, as 5*+% e"itor,7 a""e" remar$s ta$ing issue (ith onl# t(o falsehoo"s, (hi&h he Hu"ge" to err in the "ire&tion of supporting our &aseGs vali"it#. 9t seems to me thereGs no mu&$ so ran$ that ,?A (onGt su&$ it up an" spe( it out to the publi&L but, again, not (ithout (hat 9Gll &all 5&reative enhan&ement7 in the "ire&tion of (hat he (ishes it had sai", as 9 shall here elu&i"ate. There (ere so man# outrageousl# baseless lies in ?eff WellsG arti&le =(hi&h &oul" be easil# refute" sin&e the pro&ee"ings (ere tape" an" there (ere man# others present> that 9 (onGt even bother to refute them in"ivi"uall#. =The &oin&i"en&e is ironi&, but this freelan&e (riter ?eff Wells is apparentl# not the same freelan&e (riter ?eff Wells (ho has been embroile" in so man# a&&usations of outrageousl# false reporting about '&h(ar!eneggerGs film $he )ast Action =ero, /lint Fast(oo", an" other entertainmentBin"ustr# figures.> ,?A passe" the (ke tical In3uirer version off as a 5reprint.7 )o(ever, apparentl# it offere" an eK&ess of slea!eBappeal (hi&h ,?A felt &ompelle" to ti"# up (ith a little un"is&lose" erasing. 9 &ame into possession of a &op# of the photo&opies of the original ne(spaper arti&le (hi&h ,?A ha" been &ir&ulating among ufologists. 'in&e the# "i"nGt mat&h, his han" (as tippe". 'ome of his &hanges (ere irrelevantC reparagraphing, &hanging ustralian spellings to meri&an usage. 2ut other alterations (ere "esigne" to ma$e the pie&e loo$ more respe&table, thereb# mislea"ing rea"ers as to its reliabilit#. The original ne(spaper version of the arti&le beginsC 5The &hara&ters in this *+% stor# are real even if the# appear more li$e the inventions of a )oll#(oo" ha&$.7 The# weren.t real, the# (ere the inventions of a tabloid ha&$. )e &ontinuesC 5 haunte" #oung man, a ruthless &o(bo#, a har"B "rin$ing

332 Tra'(* .a/to)

ps#&hiatrist, a bun&h of reporters an" a beautiful girl (ith a $in$# seK problem.7 ,?AGs (ke tical In3uirer version rea" as follo(sC 5 haunte" #oung man, a ruthless &o(bo#, a strange professor, a har"B"rin$ing ps#&hiatrist, an" a bun&h of reporters.7 No e"itorGs note here, no ellipses, onl# a seamless, airB brushe" flo( of (or"s, (ith no referen&e to the beautiful girl (ith a $in$# seK problem. Wells ma# have been referring to the onl# female present, 6r. ;osenbaumGs attra&tive ps#&hologist (ife, 6r. 2er#l ;osenbaum. %f &ourse the $in$# seK problem (as fi&tion. = n" Wells ha" the gall in his arti&le to refer to CD 1inutes as a 5mu&$ra$er TI sho(.7> ,?AGs saniti!e" reprint then &hange" the phrase 5sha&$ up (ith us in a luKur# motel7 to 5hole up (ith us in a luKur# motel.7 The onl# pa#off on the seKual bait at the top of the arti&le (as (hen Wells (rote later on in the fi&tionC . . . the ps#&hiatrist put the &o(bo# an" the $i" through a long session of anal#sis. Their metho"s (ere uniNue. The neKt "a# the four of them "isappeare" into a room, an" soon a (aiter hea"e" in there (ith t(o botB ties of &ogna&. t the en" of it the ps#&hiatrists (ere rolling "run$, but the# ha" their stor# an" the brothers (ere &restfallen. ,?A left that imaginar# s&ene un"o&tore" be&ause no one (oul" rea" seKual suggestion into it (ithout the earlier material he ha" "elete". ,?A so in"is&riminatel# sei!e" on an#thing, regar"less of the sour&e, (hi&h he &oul" use against me, that he stoope" to borro(ing from tabloi" (riters, a group he an" /'9/%, ha" previousl# so often "eri"e". 9t "i"nGt even bother him that the arti&le state"C 5%ur first sight of the $i" (as at "inner in the motel "ining room that night. 9t (as a sho&$. )e sat there mute, pale, t(it&hing li$e a &ornere" animal.7 True, but, in&i"entall#, refuting ,?AGs &laim that 9 ha" been in a proper state to ta$e a pol#graph test. Wells &ontinue" (ith this embellishmentC 2ut su""enl# the strain began to tell on the $i" an" he lapse" into sobbing bouts. )e (as falling apart an" so (as his stor#. 9t ne&essitate" fl#ing in a husban"Ban"B(ife team of ps#&hiatrists from /olora"o to tranNuili!e the $i" an" $eep the &o(bo# from eKplo"ing. The $i" (as a (re&$, an" it (as all the ps#&hiatrists &oul" "o to get him rea"# for the lie "ete&tor eKpert (e ha" line" up. RWellsG re&olle&tion of the &hronolog# of events is in error. The pol#graph test (as given b# -&/arth# in the earl# afternoon of November 15, 1975, an" the t(o /olora"o ps#&hiatrists "i" not arrive in ,hoeniK until that evening.F".S

FIRE IN THE SKY 333

=9 (as not tranNuili!e". lso, ,?A "i"nGt a&tuall# put his name to the arti&le eK&ept as 5F".7 )o(ever, sin&e ,?A is the *+% e"itor of the (ke tical In3uirer, an" the &hairman of /'9/%,Gs *+% sub&ommittee, an" sin&e m# eKperien&e (as his territor# at /'9/%,, an" be&ause it (as he (ho &ir&ulate" the ne(spaper arti&le from (hi&h the allege" 5reprint7 (as ta$en, 9 felt it reasonable to assume that ,?A is 5F".7but an# su&h assumption li$e this shoul" be so labele".> Wells not onl# gets the basi& &hronolog# (rong, he "es&ribes events he couldn.t have seen. 3et the e"itors at /'9/%, praise" the 5signifi&ant insights7 of the tabloi" (riterGs arti&le, respe&tfull# referring to him as a 5Hournalist.7 =9 might also point out that, as fantasti&al an" eKaggerate" as WellsG a&&ount (as, he "i"nGt &laim that 6uane ha" thro(n -&/arth# bo"il# out of the motel, (hi&h Wells (oul" surel# have "one(ith avi" embellishmentif -&/arth#Gs &harge ha" been true.> There is another interesting si"elight to this. ?eff Wells (rote a se&on" version of his same tale for ,mni maga!ineGs -ar&h 19@2 5 ntimatter7 &olumn. 9 (as not then aWare of the earlier (ke tical In3uirer arti&le, but too$ great offense at the multitu"e of gross misrepresentations in the ,mni &olumnC so man# the# almost &ro("e" out all truth. FK&ept for some of the names an" "ates an" pla&es, an" eK&ept for his "es&ription of the shape 9 (as in, there (as not one &ompletel# true an" a&&urate senten&e in it. t that time /arol 2urnett ha" Hust (on a huge Hu"gment against the /ational &n3uirer for false reports of suppose"l# "run$en publi& anti&s. )er stor#, (i"el# reporte" in the ne(s me"ia, ha" an un"erl#ing parallel to m# situation, (ith WellsG false &laim of "run$enness. 9 ma"e referen&e to her &ase as an implie" (arning &on&erning ,mnis responsibilit# to truth in the matter.
March 15, 198 !mni 9"9 #hird A$en%e &e' (ork, &( 1"" !mni >etter"QDialogue =e## Well"1 B*+, *pdateC in BAntimatter,C Mar$h 1P- 'a" the mo"t ludi$rou" pa$) o# lie" (et 'ritten about m( 3o&ember 197< experien$e. !here are "o man( di"tortion" and outright #abri$ation" in that hal# page that % $an1t begin to rebut them all. Well"1 (ear" at the &ational )n*%irer ha&e le#t him 'ith "ome bad habit". Well" did not e&er "ee me or m( brother B"taggeringC drun). % am a 100J ab"taining, teetotaling non7drin)er. M( brother and % did not and do not drin) al$oholi$ be&erage" o# an( )ind. !he idea o# m( ha&ing a tran"itor( p"($ho"i" in&ol&ing a *+, $ulti"t #ather 'ho abandoned me i" an ab"urd in&ention. % am

334 Tra'(* .a/to)

no' told that m( #ather had no "u$h intere"t, but % $ould not ha&e )no'n anythin+ about m( #ather be$au"e he di&or$ed m( mother and le#t #or good 'hen % 'a" onl( #ourteen month" oldO A" a "mall part o# a detailed in&e"tigation b( the Aerial Phenomena Ae"ear$h ,rgani?ation % under'ent a batter( o# p"($hologi$al te"t" b( a number o# independent expert" 'hi$h indi$ated Bnormalit( and no de&iation" that 'ould point to'ard p"($ho"i",C Ba normal pattern o# "$ore",C Bno indi$ation o# a neuroti$ or p"($hoti$ rea$tionC and $on$luded 'ith, Ba pi$ture o# a health( (oung man, 'ith a good "en"e o# "el#7a'arene"", a tenden$( to'ard ")epti$i"m, and an inner "trength or emotional "tabilit(.C =e## Well" did not re.ue"t that the "tor( be )illed a" he $laim"H it 'a" publi"hed 'ith hi" b(line and 'ith more o# hi" t(pi$al di"tortion" "u$h a" $laiming that the ra( 'hi$h "tru$) me made me &ani"h into thin air, a" i# the "tor( needed an( "en"ationali?ing. BAntimatterC ha" been good #or laugh" but %1m not laughing at thi" one. !mni ha" a lot o# #ine 'riter" to #ill it" page" 'ithout re"orting to (ello' $ontribution" #rom ex-)n*%irer reporter". 2arol Burnett %1m not, but % "in$erel( hope (ou 'ill allo' me to re#ute thi" gratuitou" "lander again"t me.

Sin$erel(, !ra&i" Walton

9 (asnGt a(are of the (i"e liberties allo(e" to maga!ine e"itors in re(riting letters for publi&ation. 9n their "efense, the# &ite spa&e limitations, Hustif#ing their &hanges b# &laiming the# preserve the inten"e" meaning. 3ou be the Hu"ge of (hether m# inten"e" meaning (as preserve". 9n the ?une 19@2 5:etters7 &olumn ,mni printe"C
3o >aughing Matter =e## Well"1" *+, *pdate DBAntimatter,C Mar$h 19P-E 'a" the mo"t ludi$rou" pa$) o# lie" (et 'ritten about m( 3o&ember 197< experien$e. Well" did not "ee me or m( brother B"taggeringC drun). M( brother and % did not:and do not:drin) al$ohol. % under'ent a batter( o# p"($hologi$al te"t" b( a number o# independent expert" that indi$ated no neuro"i" or p"($ho"i". BAntimatterC ha" been good #or laugh", but % am not laughing at thi" one. % am not 2arol Burnett. !ra&i" Walton Sno'#la)e, Ari?.

FIRE IN THE SKY 33

Fnormous &ompression, but the abri"gment hel" upuntil the /arol 2urnett line. The# too$ m# remar$, in (hi&h 9 (as sa#ing in effe&t that 59 "onGt have 2urnettGs finan&ial po(er or star &lout to "o to #ou (hat she "i" to the FnNuirer, but please &orre&t this offense b# printing m# letter,7 an" &hange" it to 59 am not /arol 2urnett7O To me it loo$s as if %mni (ere tr#ing to ma$e me loo$ nutt#, as if 9 ha" an i"entit# "elusion, or believe" Wells ha" &alle" me /arol 2urnett or (as tr#ing to sa# 5/arol 2urnett is guilt# of this but 9Gm not.7 *nintentional, or notD 3ou be the Hu"ge. n#(a#, the main point relevant to the present "is&ussion is that in ?eff WellsG '$epti&al 9nNuirer version, he "es&ribes 6uane as a 5total abstainer7 =true> an" &laims 5the ps#&hiatrists (ere rolling "run$7 =untrue>. 9n his %mni version he repeats, almost (or" for (or", his flori" "es&ription of 6uane from his ne(spaper arti&leC )e (as one of the meanest an" toughestBloo$ing men 9Gve ever seen in his late t(enties, a ro"eo professional an" amateur lightBheav#B (eight fighter, a total abstainer, broa" shoul"ere", TBshirt pa&$e" (ith mus&le, &hisele"B"o(n hips, bo( legge", e#es full of nails, tense, unpre"i&table. )e leane" against a pi&$Bup tru&$ (ith a gun ra&$ in the &abin an" ra$e" us (ith beams of &unning an" hatre" as strong as the flash from the spa&eship that ha" poleBaKe" his brother as the (itnesses fle" in terror. FK&ept, in %mni, he &arefull# omitte" 5total abstainer.7 Then Wells &reativel# e"ite" the part about the t(o ps#&hiatrists from the earlier version (hi&h, to repeat, (entC 5Their metho"s (ere uniNue. The neKt "a# the four of them "isappeare" into a room, an" soon a (aiter hea"e" in there (ith t(o bottles of &ogna&. t the en" of it the ps#&hiatrists (ere rolling "run$, but the# ha" their stor# an" the brothers (ere &restfallen.7 9n the %mni arti&le he &hange" it toC 5Then a ps#&hiatrist fle( in from /olora"o. )e lo&$e" himself in a room (ith Travis, the &o(bo# an" a bottle of &ogna&. When the three staggere" out hours later, he ha" his stor#.7 These stories &ame out more than five #ears after the event, but onl# months apart. 9n that short interval the t(o bottles of &ogna& be&ame one, the t(o ps#&hiatrists re"u&e" to one, an" 6uane an" 9 (ent from 5total abstainer7 an" 5&restfallen7 to staggering "run$. = n", of &ourse, the beautiful girl (ith the $in$# seK problem vanishe" (ithout a tra&e.> Mives one a notion of his Hournalisti& a&&ura&#, "oesnGt itD 9 (oul"nGt be surprise" to learn of the eKisten&e of more bi!arre re&#&lings of the arti&le publishe" else(here. 'u&h are the sorts of sour&es ,?A relies on. 2ut then (hat else (oul" #ou eKpe&t in a smear &ampaignD

33! Tra'(* .a/to)

,?A "ra(s man# unHustifie" &on&lusions from a tape" intervie( (ith m# brother 6uane an" -i$e ;ogers, &on"u&te" b# ufologist +re" '#lvanus out near the site "uring the sear&h for me. ,?A sees sinister impli&ations in m# brotherGs repeate" assertionsC 5the# "onGt $ill people7L 5heGll be all right7L 5heGs having the eKperien&e of a lifetime7L 5heGll turn up7L 59 "onGt believe heGs hurt7L 59 refuse to put the beings or the &raft or (hatever #ou (ant to &all it in the role of villains7L 5if the# (ante" to ma$e (ar the#G" of "estro#e" us long ago.7 9n light of 6uaneGs &hara&ter, an#one &an see that he (as not tal$ing li$e a *+% buff. )e soun"e" as an#one might if he (as tr#ing to &onvin&e himself that someone he &are" greatl# for (as all right. ,arti&ularl# (hen he &ontra"i&ts himself b# sho(ing &on&ern about the effe&tiveness of the groun" sear&h. The &onteKt ,?A ignores is that this (as after three eKhausting "a#s of fruitless sear&hing an" unsoli&ite" a"vi&e from ufologists an" *+% buffs. -# brother ha" grille" m# &o(or$ers, an" heG" ha" "a#s to fa&e the fa&ts of the situation. 'o, astoun"ing as the &on&lusion (as, the onl# alternative (as to a&&ept that 9G" been ta$en. ,?A implies m# famil# &oul" onl# have avoi"e" ,?AGs suspi&ion =a&tuall# he (oul"Gve seen ever# possible rea&tion as suspi&ious> b# stea"fastl# "isbelieving it. 2ut that (oul"Gve been irrational. ;emember 'herlo&$ )olmesC 5When #ouGve eliminate" all other possibilities, (hatever remains, ho(ever unli$el#, is the ans(er.7 6uane soun"e" more li$e someone at a funeral repeating that their "earl# "eparte" is safe in the han"s of angels, free at last, at least not feeling pain an# longer, gone to a better pla&e, et&. relative pa&ing a hospital (aiting room might have a similar tone to their remar$s. The parent of a missing &hil" often ta$es the position, 5'heGs safe, 9 Hust $no( it,7 or 59 (ish 9 (as (ith her.7 9f his rea&tion ha" o&&urre" in an# similar situation, not involving *+%s, his optimism (oul" not be Nuestione" even for a se&on". Mrante", "ifferent people ta$e things "ifferentl#, some might (ail an" s&ream, but (oul" 6uaneD 9n a sense, 6uaneGs brava"o (as eKa&tl# (hat ,?A &laims (as la&$inga sho( of &on&ern. 9f he (ere trul# un&on&erne" about m# (ellBbeing, he (oul"nGt have $ept bringing up the subHe&t in that (a#. nother fa&tor of the &onteKt of this tape that ,?A ignores is that after three "a#s of en"lessl# tal$ing about the same subHe&t, peopleGs areas of emphasis naturall# &hange. Fver# single &onversation (oul" not &over the entire range of their thoughts an" feelings on the subHe&t. Their first (or"s about it might be most representative of their rea&tion. 2ut, after a (hile, ea&h &onversation (oul" a"" a fresh perspe&tive, not be a repetition of their first (or"s. This is espe&iall# true of heav# emotional &ontent. Three or four sleepless nights an" tensionBfille" "a#s alone (oul" ten" to ma$e people a little numb. 9n several instan&es (here frien"s have lost a &lose love" one an" 9 (as unable to go offer support for several "a#s, 9 (as surprise" at ho( unemotional the# ha"

FIRE IN THE SKY 33"

alrea"# be&ome. ,eople get &rie"Bout, an" if the# "onGt &r#, the# get grieve"Bout, or (orrie"Bout. 2ut rarel# "o people maintain their pea$ of emotional eKpression for "a#s on en". Fspe&iall# people prone to (ithhol"ing emotion an" avoi"ing the betra#al of an#thing that might be &onstrue" as (ea$ness. When '#lvanus as$e" 6uane if heG" rea" mu&h about fl#ing sau&ers, from the &onteKt one &an tell that 6uane felt his $no(le"ge (as being &hallenge" b# the ufologist, that Hustifi&ation for all his rationali!ing an" philosophi!ing about me being o$a# (as being Nuestione". 6uane ha" Nuite a s(agger to him in those "a#s, an" he (asnGt one to be out"one, espe&iall# (hen &hallenge". )e ha" an eKpression he use", (henever people as$e" him ho( he (as "oing(ith a big &onfi"ent grin heG" shoot ba&$, 52etB terGn an#bo"#O7 6uane (as a boKer, an" -uhamma" liGs bragga"o&io (as (i"el# $no(n, so it (as something people too$ as a $in" of halfBHesting st#le that (as un"erstoo". 'o, although 6uane ha"nGt ever rea" a single boo$ on the subHe&t, he ans(ere", 5 s mu&h as an#bo"#,7 but then Nui&$l# Nualifie" it (ith, 59tGs Hust one of those things.7 9n his 5anal#sis7 of the '#lvanus tape ,?A (rote =un"erline", all &aps>C B<$ A$ /, $I1& 6<8I/2 $=& =,<8!),/2 I/$&89I&% 6I6 8,2&8( &E*8&(( $=& ()I2=$&($ -,/-&8/ ,9&8 %=&$=&8 $8A9I( 1I2=$ =A9& B&&/ I/+<8&6 ,8 AI))&6 ...# n", in his boo$C @et never once during the sixty! five!minute interview did either 6uane %alton or 8ogers ex ress the slightest concern over $ravis.s well!being. Buite the o osite4 Remphasis ,?AGsS Nor "i" ;ogers ever voi&e an# regret that he "e&i"e" to "rive off an" aban"on his goo" frien" Travis, leaving him to a suppose"l# strange fate. When ;ogers "es&ribe" the appearan&e of the *+% to '#lvanus he never on&e use" (or"s li$e UfrighteningG or Uominous.G 7 No, an" he "i"nGt use (or"s li$e xeno hobia or inaus icious, either. 2ut he "i" use the (or" 5s&are"7 repeate"l#. ,?A "e&eives again. ,eople are so often tri&$e" b# ,?A Nuoting or &iting some &lear "o&umentation li$e a tape be&ause the# "onGt eKpe&t thereGs a nee" to Nuestion the a&&ura&# of his Nuotations an" summations. -i$eGs referen&es to being afrai" are s&attere" all through his a&&ountC 5. . . a "eep, throbbing feel to it thatGs (hat s&are" me more than an#thing.7 5Nobo"# ever got out of the tru&$ but Walton, (e (ere all too s&are" to "o an#thing. . . .7 5. . . 9 loo$e" a(a# be&ause 9 (as s&are" an" a &ouple of the gu#s ha" alrea"# sai", #ou $no(, letGs get the hell out of here.7 5. . . 9 "rove the tru&$ too fast, 9 pani&$e" an" 9 almost (re&$e" the tru&$.7 5We (ere s&are", ever#bo"# (as #elling, ever#bo"# (as shouting, m# fingers turne" numb, m# feet (ere numb, m# stoma&h (as in a ball. . . .7 These are Hust a fe( eKamples, &lear proof that ,?A "eliberatel# misrepresente" (hat (as a&tuall# sai". -i$eGs "es&ription of the &raft as something perfe&t an" beautiful remin"s me of the sort of h#pnoti&, "ea"l# fas&ination 9Gve rea" about in "es&riptions of someone staring transfiKe" at some brightl# &olore" poisonous serpent or

33# Tra'(* .a/to)

something else of &ompleK, #et imposingl# "angerous, appearan&e. The para"oK of the &ombination of beaut# an" "anger (as (hat prompte" -i$eGs musing. -i$e eKpresse" &on&ern for m# (ellBbeing man# times in the intervie(, an" in a variet# of (a#s. lthough the issue of his "riving off an" leaving me behin" (as a tou&h# one bet(een him an" 6uane, (ho (as present, he even &ommente" on that. -i$eGs eKpression of being aggravate" be&ause he believe" =mista$enl#> that his repeate" suggestion to use bloo"houn"s ha" been ignore" until it be&ame too late to use tra&$ing "ogs, an" his "issatisfa&tion (ith the effe&tiveness of the sear&h, &ertainl# implie" &on&ern. =To prove that m# ellipses are not tri&$#, li$e ,?AGs, "oubters &an arrange to listen to a &op# of the tape.> '&attere" all through the tape, in no parti&ular or"er, are the follo(ingC 5. . . (e better go ba&$ in &ase heGs hurt an" blee"ing. . . . (eGre going to have to go ba&$. 9 agree", #ou $no(, (e &oul"nGt leave him over there if he (as hurt, (hi&h he &ertainl# loo$e" to me li$e he re&eive" some $in" of M auseG something, some $in" of inHur#, 9 "onGt $no( if it Hust stunne" him or hurt him. 'in&e (e havenGt foun" him (e "onGt $no( but Mbig sigh, auseG . . 5. . . no tra&$s, no pie&es of &lothing, no bloo", no nothing. 9 mean there (as no tra&e of it, an" there (as no tra&e of him. 'ome of the gu#s starte" &r#ingL 9 remember 9 starte" &r#ing . . .7 gain, Hust a fe( eKamples from among others. No fear, 5&on&ern,7 or regretD %f &ourse, it (asnGt enough for ,?A to tell his rea"ers blatant falsehoo"s about the part of the '#lvanus tape he didn.t trans&ribe. ,?AGs partial trans&ript &ontaine" a passage in (hi&h 6uane sai", 5. . . he got "ire&tl# un"er the obHe&t an" heGs re&eive" the benefits for it.7 ,?A then Nuotes '#lvanus as sa#ing, 53ou hope he hasO7after (hi&h ,?A interHe&ts this &ommentC 5:istening to the foregoing portion of the tapeB re&or"e" intervie(, it is &lear from the tone of '#lvanusGs voi&e that he is mu&h more &on&erne" over TravisGs (ellBbeing than either ;ogers or 6uane Walton.7 %r so #ou (oul" be le" to believe. FK&ept for the fa&t that it (as not '#lvanusGs voi&e eKpressing this &on&ern. The one (ho sai", 53ou hope he hasO7 (as in realit# -i$e ;ogersO ,?AGs trans&ribing an" 5anal#!ing7 the tape (as suppose" to prove -i$e an" 6uane (ere suspi&iousl# un&on&erne", an" tal$ing li$e *+% buffs. The one &omment that ,?A Hu"ges to be 5&lear from the tone of. . . voi&e that he is mu&h more &on&erne"7 a&tuall# &ame from -i$e, proving Nuite the opposite of ,?AGs (hole pointO The fe( remar$s 6uane "i" ma$e about *+%s "i" not sho( ho( 5(ellBverse" in *+% lore7 he (as, but (ere in fa&t suffi&ientl# ina&&urate to prove again the opposite of ,?AGs &ontention. fter "a#s of unsu&&essful sear&hing m# mother logi&all# &on&lu"e" that 9 (asnGt on this earth an" agree" (ith termination of the sear&h. ,?A &riti&i!es this b# impl#ing it (as something onl# a true believer =or, variousl#, a &onspirator> (oul" "o. Then he &ontemptuousl# &riti&i!es as a (aste the a&tion

FIRE IN THE SKY 33$

6uane an" -i$e too$ in getting the sear&h reinstitute", instea" of seeing it as an eKpression of &on&ern, (hi&h he ha" &laime" (as la&$ing. )e repeate"l# s(it&hes ba&$ an" forth bet(een &hara&teri!ing the people involve" as either &onspirators or true believers. )e uses (hatever most negative "epi&tion seems to (or$ best at the moment, in total "isregar" of the in&onsisten&# (ith his other representations. )o( &oul" this attributing of -i$eGs (or"s to '#lvanus be a mista$eD ,?A ha" rea" 2ill 2arr#Gs a&&urate trans&ript of this passage, (hi&h properl# attributes that &omment to -i$e. n" 9Pve listene" to the tapeitGs &lear. There is no mista$ing the voi&e of a t(ent#BeightB#earBol" -i$e for the voi&e of the el"erl# '#lvanus =no( "e&ease">. 9f these arenGt tri&$s, if his s(it&hing the attribution of &on&ern, an" the 5blee"ing785breathing7 a&&usation, (ere both a&tuall# errors, it spea$s volumes about ,?AGs min"Bset =an" la&$ of a&&ura&#> throughout his (or$. )is pen&hant for misattribution even eKten"s to vi"eotape, (here he &an see peopleGs lips move. )e publishe" a trans&ript of a portion of the )arry Aing )ive (here he attributes to -i$e a remar$ that 9 ma"e. )o( man# of the trans&ripts he publishes of his re&or"e" phone &alls have similar 5&onvenient7 errorsD ,?AGs (or"s 5a&&i"entall#7 en"ing up &oming from the mouth of those &alle" in his telephone 5resear&h7D Without originals (e ma# never $no(. 9t is ironi& that so man# of his Ten *fologi&al ,rin&iples boil "o(n to sa# that people see (hat the# eKpe&t to see, (hat the# (ant to see, (hat the#Gre ps#&hologi&all# pre"ispose" to see. 9 believe that these observations about human nature are often a&&urate. The iron# lies in the eKtent to (hi&h this appears to "ominate ,?AGs o(n thin$ing on the subHe&t. )is min" fills in the blan$s an" 5Nui&$l# supplies the "etails7as he sa#s of *+% (itnesses. 9f heG" applie" his *fologi&al ,rin&iple Number 7, he (oul"nGt have been atta&$ing the &hara&ters of -i$e an" 6uane, an" (oul" have fo&use" on the tape portion (here -i$e "es&ribes (itnessing the government man ta$ing ra"iation rea"ings at the site. 3et ,?A has never (ritten a single (or" about su&h ph#si&al tra&es, not even to atta&$ them. The tape also &ontains referen&es to &on&ern about a government &overBup, t(o "a#s before the pol#graph tests, (hi&h the# (ere &alling for on the tape, along (ith other tests li$e so"ium pentothal =5truth serum7>. n obHe&tive investigator (oul" have fo&use" on signs li$e these, an" the &all for tra&$ing "ogs, instea" of ignoring them to &arp about a fi&tional la&$ of &on&ern. ,?A $eeps harping on the nonsense that the 5entire Walton famil# are *+% buffs,7 (hen he is ver# poorl# informe" &on&erning m# famil#. )e &alls 6uane the 5ol"est son7 (hen he is the se&on" ol"est son an" the thir" ol"est &hil". )e put a photograph in his boo$ (ith a &aption i"entif#ing m# sister, lison, as 6uaneGs (ife. FK&ept for a passing referen&e, in one of his less &ir&ulate" papers, to 6on tearing apart the slashBpiles loo$ing for a bo"#, he has never

34& Tra'(* .a/to)

ma"e a single spe&ifi& mention of m# other three siblings, #et (rites repeate"l# of the (hole famil#Gs allege" obsession. 'pea$ing of photos, he has a habit of publishing un&omplimentar# photos of his targets, often ta$en from vi"eo footage, (here #ou &an &at&h a ba" frame. pparentl#, he espe&iall# prefers mi"Bblin$, (hi&h gives Hust the impression heGs after. The o""s (oul" be mu&h against &at&hing that man# people in mi"Bblin$ purel# b# &han&e. The phoniest photo ,?A uses in his boo$ is one of -&/arth# (ith a "e&eptive &aption that sa#s, in part, that -&/arth# 5. . . eKamines the original &harts from the lie "ete&tor test he gave Travis Walton shortl# after he reappeare".7 =3eah, too shortl#.> The single chart -&/arth# is loo$ing at &oul" not be m# original &harts. The &hart he is loo$ing at is still in the ma&hine (ith the in$Btra&ing nee"les still on the lines, an" the paper still atta&he" to the main roll. 9mme"iatel# after m# test, -&/arth# remove" the &harts from the ma&hine, rolle" them up an" put them a(a#, an" no hotos were taken =as ,?A spe&ifi&all# mentione" on page 1@0 of the same boo$O>. -&/arth#Gs ma&hine in the photo is "es$Bmounte" in a builtBin mo"e. When he teste" me it (as in portable mo"e, (hi&h is a suit&aseBli$e a&&essor# use" for &arr#ing an" mounting the "evi&e for roa" Hobs. The photo (as ta$en in some offi&e, not the motel room (here the test a&tuall# too$ pla&e. The pi&ture is Hust a transparent attempt at a tabloi"Bst#le "ramati!ation of -&/arth#Gs 5gross "e&eption7 &laim Nuote" in the bogus &aption. ;i""le" (ith "eliberate alterations of the truth as his &ase is, numerous as these eKamples are, his mostBuse" ta&ti& is still the omission of "ata. We (ill probabl# never $no( the full eKtent of (hat lies on his &uttingBroom floor, but there are man# more eKamples of things $ept Hust barel# out of frame of the pi&ture he portra#s to his rea"ers. ,?A s&rat&he" "eep in efforts to "ig up "irt on those he atta&$e". 9 learne" that he telephone" all the bars in to(n, loo$ing for ba" stories about me, but (hen the# tol" him 9 never went in there, ,?A hi" this fa&t. )e &alle" neighbors an" former emplo#ers. When these people tol" ,?A goo" things about me, he (ithhel" this information, too. 9n a November @, 1970, (hite paper &riti&i!ing ?im :oren!en of ,;%Gs han"ling of m# &ase, ,?A (rote, 5 n investigative reporter, or a *+% investigator, has a "ut# to report all significant facts Remphasis hisS he un&overs, even if some run &ontrar# to his o(n beliefs.7 ;e&all the line of ,egu#Gs that ,?A is so fon" of NuotingC 5)e (ho "oes not bello( the truth (hen he $no(s the truth ma$es himself the a&&ompli&e of liars an" forgers.7 n" one he ta$es from 2en +ran$linC 5)alf the truth is often a great lie.7 )e (oul" never bring himself to mention that m# mother (as several times nominate" an" on&e vote" Woman of the 3ear b# the &hamber of &ommer&e for her volunteer (or$ an" &ommunit# servi&e. 2ut he $ept "igging until he foun"

FIRE IN THE SKY 341

someone (ho, Healous of our famil#Gs use of the 2ear 'prings &abin, (as (illing to ma$e spurious atta&$s on m# motherGs &hara&ter. %h, he 5ignore" &hara&ter en"orsements of the prin&ipals involve"7 all rightif, an" onl# if, the# (ere on the affirmative si"e of the issue. 2ut on the other han", he a&tivel# an" enthusiasti&all# went looking for &hara&ter atta&$s. )e (as a(are of m# s&holarship grants from three universities, but $ept Nuiet about it. %thers, li$e -i$eGs +orest 'ervi&e asso&iates, gave positive testimon# that (ent no farther than ,?AGs ears. ,eople ha" loa"s of goo" things to sa# about Aen ,etersonGs &hara&ter, but ,?A never repeate" an# of it. 5)e (ho "oes not bello( the truth (hen he $no(s the truth ma$es himself the a&&ompli&e of liars an" forgers.7 No(here is ,?AGs oneBsi"e" reporting as "emonstrable as in his treatment of &re"entials. )e h#pes the &re"entials of m# &riti&s an" pla#s "o(n the &re"entials of m# a"vo&ates. ,?A falsel# &laime" that Meorge ,fiefer ha" onl# t(o #earsG eKperien&e, instea" of his a&tual five #ears. )e pla#e" up F!ellGs four #ears of pol#graph eKperien&e an" his brief (or$ for the poli&e, an" &ompletel# omits the fa&t, $no(n to him, that ,fiefer ha" for #ears been a "ete&tiveBsergeant (ith the -iami ,oli&e 6epartment in +lori"a, from (hi&h he later retire". ,fiefer ha" been honore" b# being spe&iall# sele&te" from among the "epartmentGs seven hun"re"Bplus emplo#ees, as bestBNualifie" for assignment to the 2ureau of '&ientifi& 9nvestigation, an" to the 9"entifi&ation 2ureau. ,art of his "uties involve" parti&ipating in the training of poli&e re&ruitsone of (hom (ent on to be&ome -iamiGs &hief of poli&e. 'ubseNuentl# ,fiefer (as 6ire&tor of 'e&urit# in the state of ri!ona for the large &orporation National /onvenien&e 'tores, before entering private pra&ti&e. )is reputation &ause" him to be imme"iatel# s(ampe" (ith business, thus prompting the merger (ith F!ell an" sso&iates. ,?A omits reporting that ,fiefer (as a &harter member of the ri!ona ,ol#graph sso&iation, an" a full member of both the meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iation an" the /alifornia sso&iation of ,ol#graph FKaminers. )is membership in the meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iation (as sponsore" b# both vi&e presi"ents of that organi!ationL an" his membership in the /alifornia organi!ation (as sponsore" b# its presi"ent. 3et, for -&/arth#(ho (asnGt even a member of the ri!ona ,ol#graph sso&iation,?A "oesnGt fail to mention -&/arth#Gs meri&an ,ol#graph sso&iation membership. )e (rites respe&tfull# of 5-&/arth#Gs ri!ona ,ol#graph :aborator#,7 but refers to ,fiefer as 5operating un"er the business name of sso&iate" ,ol#graph,7 as if *fiefer.s &ompan#Gs name (ere some flimflam alias.

342 Tra'(* .a/to)

9n one of his boo$s ,?A atta&$s selfBpro&laime" *+% (itness 6an +r#Gs &re"entials, putting his title56r.7in Nuotation mar$s. ,?A goes into "etail about &he&$ing on the sour&e of +r#Gs ,h.6., the "iffi&ult# in a&tuall# fin"ing (hat turne" out to be a 5&orrespon"en&e s&hool7 an" his "is&over# that, 5+rom their stan"ar" appli&ation form 9 learne" that an#one &oul" appl# for a ,h.6. b# simpl# submitting a tenBthousan"B(or" thesis an" pa#ing a mo"est fee (hi&h amounte" to less than one hun"re" "ollars.7 ,;%Gs investigation of 56r.7 :ester 'te(ar"Gs a&a"emi& &re"entials, (hi&h ,?A rea", follo(e" an almost i"enti&al &ourse. )o(ever, instea" of "is&re"iting 'te(ar" as he "i" +r#, ,?A ignores the fa&t that 'te(ar" ha" trie" to pass himself off as an -.6. =he impersonate" an -.6. not onl# to 6uane an" me, but also to reporters>. n", merel# be&ause 'te(ar" atta&$e" me, ,?A &ontinues to treat him respe&tfull# as the 5"rug eKpert7 'te(ar" &laims to be, (hen ,?A knew 'te(ar" ha" no su&h formal training at all. ,?A "is&ounts the testimon# of 6r. Aan"ell in his "ismissal of the "rugB trip s&enario be&ause Aan"ellGs spe&ialt# (as pe"iatri&s, even though Aan"ell (as a bona fi"e -.6. (ith #ears of legitimate training an" eKperien&e. )o( mu&h "rugBa""i&tion eKperien&e or training &oul" ,?AGs 5"rug eKpert,7 'te(ar", trul# have, (hen the s&hool from (hi&h he suppose"l# obtaine" his training ha" been in eKisten&e for onl# t(o #earsD s 'te(ar" so grossl# misrepresente" his a&a"emi& &re"entials, ho( &oul" an#one honest prefer 'te(ar"Gs pronoun&ements to those of a reputable, genuine me"i&al "o&torD 9f 'te(ar" ha" been one of m# a"vo&ates, rest assure" ,?A (oul" have "e&lare" 'te(ar"Gs 5eKpert opinion7 as bogus as his &re"entials. )eG" have s$e(ere" 'te(ar". ,?A "is&ounts the (itness reliabilit# of astronauts an" eKperien&e" pilots but ta$es the (or" of fla$es at fa&e value if he thin$s the# support his &ase. ,?A omits mentioning 6r. ;osenbaumGs status in &ourt as an eKpert (itness on the vali"it# of the pol#graph, (hen ;osenbaum reHe&ts the vali"it# of the -&/arth# test. =,?A "oes Nuote ;osenbaumGs statement, but then &laims that m# boo$, $he %alton &x erience =(hi&h he falsel# an" repeate"l# implies (as ghost(ritten>, 5omits 6r. ;osenbaumGs other &on&lusionL that Travis U"i" not go on a *+%.G 7> nother ,?A falsehoo". What he &laims 9 omitte" appears on page 119. ,?A re&ounts ;osenbaumGs 5transitor# ps#&hosis7 theor# for the opportunit# to refle&t negativel# on m# mental status, even though he ultimatel# =&orre&tl#> "is&ounts it as fla(e" be&ause the theor# fails to a&&ount for the (itnesses, the ra#, an" m# urine sample. =,?A is ver# eNuivo&al about the urine sampleC 9f there are no "rugs in it, then it &anGt be mineL but if there are no a&etones in it, it is mine an" proof that 9 (asnGt aboar" the &raft be&ause 9 have no &ons&ious memor# of being fe".> ,;% performe" t(o ps#&hiatri& eKaminations on me, ruling out an# $in" of ps#&hologi&al abnormalit# =a fa&t ,?A (as a(are of but, again, &arefull#

FIRE IN THE SKY 343

omits>. 6r. )arol" /ahn, a ph#siologist an" ,;%Gs &onsultant in paraps#&holog#, a"ministere" the ;ors&ha&h =in$blot> test an" file" a report (ith ,;% (hi&h in"i&ate" 9 (as 5not highl# suggestible7 an" possesse" a goo", normal, basi& personalit# stru&ture. The -innesota -ultiB phasi& ,ersonalit# 9nventor#, &on"u&te" b# :amont -&/onnell =(ho hol"s an -.'. in ps#&holog#>, in"i&ate" 5normalit# an" no "eviations that (oul" point to(ar" ps#&hosis.7 The results of both tests (ere revie(e" for further interpretation b# 6r. ;. :eo 'prin$le, (ho (as ,;%Gs /onsultant in ,s#&holog# an" also 6ire&tor of the 6ivision of /ounseling an" Testing at the *niversit# of W#oming. 9n his report he (rote in summar#C 5The profile is vie(e" as a normal pattern of s&oresL there is no in"i&ation of a neuroti& or ps#&hoti& rea&tion.7 n" in &on&lusionC 5. . . the --,9 profile of Travis Walton provi"es a pi&ture of a health# #oung man, (ith a goo" sense of selfBa(areness, a ten"en&# to(ar" s$epti&ism, an" an inner strength or emotional stabilit#.7 The real reason ,?A "is&ounts ;osenbaumGs theor# is not its &ontra"i&tion of the fa&ts, but that at its &ore it "epen"s on m# belief in (hat happene" to meC a&&eptan&e of (hi&h (oul" overturn the -&/arth# test, the +orest 'ervi&e /ontra&t -otive Theor#, an" all that vast (eb of interrelate" innuen"o. ,?A reHe&ts ;osenbaumGs t(o maHor pointsC his spurious ps#&hosis theor# an" the invali"ation of the -&/arth# test. Then he h#po&riti&all# uses ;osenbaumGs &laims that 5the Waltons are *+% frea$s,7 a notion ;osenbaum got from the me"ia. $hen ,?A reprints an arti&le falsel# &laiming ;osenbaum (as rolling "run$ (hen gathering this 5reliable7 "ata. )e Nuotes from ;osenbaumGs re&ounting of m# &hil"hoo" histor#, (hi&h "oesnGt remotel# mat&h up (ith an# of the easil# verifie" fa&ts about (here 9 reall# live", (hen 9 move", fa&ts about m# father, his (or$, m# mother, her (or$, et&. )a" ,?A a"mitte" &he&$ing enough to fin" out ho( ri"i&ulousl# erroneous the false &hil"hoo" histor# (as, he (oul"nGt have been able to use the other ;osenbaum statements he sele&tivel# in&lu"e". +lip flop flip flop. 'ift an" sort. /ut an" paste. 9t reall# (oul"nGt hurt m# &ase if ;osenbaumGs entire testimon# (ere reHe&te" as unreliable, be&ause the vali"it# of the -&/arth# test has been reHe&te" b# about a "o!en other eKperts of mu&h higher stan"ing. ,?A "re( similar 5famil# of *+% buffs7 stories from 6r. Aan"ell, (ho ,?A Nuotes as sa#ing he hear" me sa# su&h things during his me"i&al eKamination of mean eKamination for (hi&h he (rote an offi&ial report (herein he state" that "is&ussion (as &onfine" to the me"i&al aspe&ts of m# &on"ition. 9n his ?une 24, 1970, paper ,?A sai", 5. . . 9 as$e" him (hether Travis or 6uane ha" in"i&ate" an# previous interest in *+%s "uring his November 11 "is&ussions an" eKamination. 6r. Aan"ell replie"C UThe# a"mitte" to that freel#, that he RTravisS (as a U*+% frea$,G so to spea$. . . . )e ha" ma"e remar$s that if he ever sa( one, heG" li$e to go aboar".G 7

344 Tra'(* .a/to)

9 &ertainl# never sai" an# su&h thing to Aan"ell. This is another eKample of the snea$# Nuote out of &onteKt. 6onGt believe ,?AGs Nuotes for one se&on". 9 "is&over "e&eption has o&&urre" nearl# ever# time 9 get a&&ess to the &onteKt of his Nuotes or the material substitute" for b# his threeB"ot ellipses. n a&tual =to the eKtent it &an be truste", sin&e it (as (ritten b# ,?A>, littleB&ir&ulate" trans&ript of the &onversation from (hi&h the Nuote above (as ta$en proves that ,?A $ne( all along that 6r. Aan"ell (as li$e -&/arth# an" ;osenbaum in simpl# repeating (hat the ne(spapers an" TI ha" been s&reaming. The Nuote soun"s &ertain, (ithout Nualifi&ation, rightD :oo$ (hat (as trimme" off after ,?AGs Nuestion about the famil#Gs prior interestC 6r. Aan"ellC $hey admitted to that freely, that he was,you know, a <', freak, # so to s eak. =e.s interested in it. ,?AC %hich one0 6r. Aan"ellC $ravis. =e had made remarks before that if he ever saw one, he.d like to go aboard, this and that. (o, yes, that was mentioned. $hat was out. ,?AC %hen was that0 %as that when you and 6r. (aults were there or when more of the eo le were there0 6r. Aan"ellC /o, that was, I think, subse3uently, it came out. I don.t know whether it was that 'riday night, or it could have been that I, that it was in the news a ers, that somebody else might have mentioned it. ,?AC But you heard it from their own li s0 6r. Aan"ellC I think so. I think so. I can.t be JDD! ercent ositive. But if I didn.t, it was discussed. $hey didn.t deny that. $hat wasn.t denied. ,?A (as putting pressure on him to sa# he hear" these things "ire&tl# from me. 2ut still 6r. Aan"ell essentiall# a"mitte" that heG" hear" it else(here, from the ne(spapers or something an" en"s lamel# (ith the statement that no one spe&ifi&all# spo$e to the &ontrar#. Tri&$#. n#one (riting to ,?A (oul" be (ell a"vise" to be &ertain to $eep a &arbon &op#. 9f #ou &anGt tape it #ourself, an#one spea$ing to him in person or on the phone nee"s to be &ertain to spea$ li$e a paranoi" politi&ianin pre&ise soun" bites. -a$e sure that if #ou Nualif# #our statements, "o it (ithin the senten&e, not as an afterthought. %f &ourse, as (ith the 2ill 2arr# Nuote, itGs nearl# impossible to spea$ in a (a# that (ill prevent "istortion b# those three little "ots, the ellipsis. 9magine (hat &oul" be "one to 59 a"mit that 9 (as sho&$e" (hen someone robbe" +ort AnoK7 b# substituting an ellipsis for the mi""le four (or"s. lso one must be &onstantl# a(are of ho( their (or"s (ill loo$ bare, "evoi"

FIRE IN THE SKY 34

of the ri&hness of infle&tion, tone, an" emotion normall# use" to &ommuni&ate so mu&h of (hat (e reall# thin$. Ta$e an# one of ,?AGs Nuotes an" rea" it alou" (ith various emotionsC &age# hesitan&#, prose&utorial striB "en&e, offhan" &arelessness, emphati& &ertaint#, hollo( insin&erit#, a mo&$ing or Nuestioning tone impl#ing 5someone else believes this but not me.7 To further illustrate ho( a mere trans&ript &an strip a(a# meaning, repeat the senten&e, 59 never sai" 9 sa( him steal mone#,7 an" one at a time emphasi!e the first (or", the se&on", the thir", an" so on until the stress has been pla&e" on ea&h of the eight (or"s. 'ho(s #ou (hatGs lost in a trans&ript, "oesnGt itD ;ea"ing song l#ri&s "oesnGt ma$e us feel li$e "an&ing. n" this "oesnGt begin to sho( ho( an infinite variet# of things sai" in a surroun"ing &onteKt &an "ramati&all# alter, even reverse, the meaning of those fe( (or"s en&lose" in Nuotes. 2ut (ait, thereGs more. 9n ,?AGs boo$, *+%sC The ,ubli& 6e&eive", he refers to that ver# same November 11 me"i&al eKamination, this time tr#ing to buil" the opposite &asethat the Waltons (ere being &losemouthe" an" se&retive, rather than freel# spea$ing of eagerness for a *+% ri"eC . . 6uane as$e" that the "o&tors limit themselves to a &ursor# eKamination an" not to as$ Travis for an# "etails of his *+% eKperien&e, an" the "o&tors &omplie". Aan"ell tol" me that Travis (oul" repl# &r#pti&all# to Nuestions Ubut he reall# "i" not eKpoun" on an#thing voluntaril#.G 7 =5/ursor#7 is ,?AGs (or", not 6uaneGs an" not a&&urate.> pparentl# ,?A (as move" b# &riti&ism of his earlier Aan"ell 5Nuotes7 =ironi& that for ,?A (e have to put 5Nuote7 in Nuotation mar$s> to retreat to a position &loser to the truth. 'omeho(, though, in his "es&riptions of the same en&ounter (e (ent from raving on about *+%s, to sa#ing almost nothing at all. The truth is, Aan"ell did as$ a little about the eKperien&e aboar" the &raft but onl# so far as it relate" to m# &on"ition, as mentione" in his me"i&al report. Aan"ell also (roteC 5)e appeare" anKious, though &almL spo$e slo(l# an" sho(e" no emotions at all, i.e. his affe&t Rsi&S (as eKtremel# flat.7 5 "rug s&reen run b# the -ari&opa /ount# -e"i&al FKaminerGs %ffi&e, ToKi&olog# 6ivision, reveale" no "ete&table "rugs in that initial spe&imen submitte".7 5)is emotional state suggeste" that he ha" been through a "isturbing eKperien&e.7 /onsistent &riteriaD %r flip flopD ,?A points (ith great suspi&ion to the fa&t m# mother faile" to invite the to(n marshal into her 'no(fla$e home at one time "uring the sear&h, impl#ing she (as hi"ing me there. ='heG" Hust be&ome fe" up (ith reporters an" la( offi&ersman# of (hom, in&lu"ing +la$e, ha" alrea"# been allo(e" ingetting her ver# upset an" inva"ing her priva&#.> 3et ,?A also atta&$e" her for being too believing in her remar$s. Whi&h is it, ,?A, (as she a (i"eBe#e" believer, or (as she in on some $in" of &onspira&#D Then else(here ,?A turns aroun" an" &laims 9 (as hi"ing t(ent#Bfive miles a(a# at 2ear 'prings. ,?A sa( it as ver# suspi&ious that, in the &risis, m#

34! Tra'(* .a/to)

mother left the remote &abin (hi&h ha" no phone, to return home to be near her famil# an" (or" of (hat (as going on. 9f she ha" sta#e" at 2ear 'prings 9Gm &ertain that ,?A (oul" have seen that as suspi&ious, too. 2oth his &onfli&ting &laims ignore the fa&t that the NavaHo /ount# 'heriff s 6epartment knew for certain from the telephone operatorGs tip, that m# &all for help ha" &ome from )eber, miles from either allege" hi"eout. ,?A $ne( this he reporte" it else(here in his boo$. ='heriff MillespieGs (ife (as a former telephone operator an" in the earl# "a#s of his &areer the 'heriffP s 6epartment ha" no "ispat&her but instea" ha" a big re" light on top of the phoneB&ompan# buil"ing up on the hill, (hi&h the# (oul" turn on as a signal to &all in.> n" m# mother passe" a pol#graph test as to her inno&en&e of all ,?AGs &harges, (hi&h also in&lu"e" spe&ifi& Nuestions &on&erning this issue. ;e&all that he "e&line" her pol#graph &hallenge, obviousl# not reall# believing his &harges against her. 9 guess the manGs attitu"e &oul" be summe" up as the logi&al falla&# of bla&$BorB (hite. Fver#one (ho has an# part of uphol"ing the vali"it# of a *+% &ase is bla&$, an" an#one (ho atta&$s it is (hite, an" there is no gra# area. ,?A spe&ulate" =before release> that the movie (oul" &ontain elements &on&erning geneti& eKperimentation "es&ribe" in other re&ent &ases (hi&h (ere not present in m# original a&&ount. )is pre"i&tion misse"L the movie &ontaine" no su&h 5angles.7 2ut if it ha", it (oul" have been a false hit. 2e&ause itGs simpl# untrue that m# first boo$ ma"e no su&h mentions, there were, referen&es to implants, fetuses, repro"u&tion, an" geneti& engineering. %ne of his favorite (or"s (as 5eager.7 When ab"u&te", 9 (as 5eager.7 9f an# proB*+% person appears on television, the# "o so 5eagerl#.7 )e &ontinuall# a&&uses ,fiefer, me, an" man# other (itnesses an" investigators, of (anting to be&ome 5&elebrities.7 /ontrast this (ith his &onstant pl#ing the me"ia (ith his mailings an" his &ontinual reNuests to be intervie(e", to rebut this or &omment on that. )e Hust as freNuentl# a&&uses (itnesses an" investigators of "e&eiving the publi&, not Hust for attention, but for rofit. With his four boo$s, le&tures, ne(sletter, et&., (e &an see that ,?AGs position has not left him unsullie" b# gain. 9Gve been tol" that he o(ns an apartment &ompleK, a big, o&eangoing boat, an" ma$es freNuent trips to pla&es li$e the 2ahamas. With the man# falsehoo"s eKpose" here, -i$e has sai" publi&l# that in a sense it is ,?A (ho has been sho(n to be a *+% hoaKer. &tuall#, humor asi"e, it is &ompletel# invali" from a logi&al stan"point to ma$e the test of virtue for someone on an# si"e of an# issue be (hether the# profit from their position. :i$e ever#thing, it bears eKamination, but itGs no a&i" test. 'u&h a stan"ar" falls apart if some )itleresNue !ealot prea&hes geno&i"e an" as$s nothing for himself from his follo(ers, (hile a "e"i&ate" ph#si&ian earns a ver# &omfortable living for himself an" his famil#. This is meri&a, (e believe in &apitalism, free enterprise, an" all that. 9f ,?A has ma"e some mone#, fine.

FIRE IN THE SKY 34"

The $e# is that he not be h#po&riti&al in appl#ing a stan"ar" to others he "oesnGt (ant applie" to himself. 9 (ant to repeat m# reNuest that the fa&ts of this matter be evaluate" solel# on the merits of the "ata an" reasoning. No matter (hat the personal estimation is of a person (ho resorts to su&h ta&ti&s an" reasoning patterns, the truth must be "etermine" in"epen"entl# of su&h &onsi"erations. 9 "onGt thin$ 9G" have a great "eal of trouble (hipping up su&h emotion, if thatGs (hat 9 (ante", be&ause he alrea"# "oes this to himself. The more obHe&tive ufologists a&tuall# have a sort of gru"ging respe&t for some of the other maHor s$epti&s an" "ebun$ers, but not for ,?A. No one else seems to engen"er the $in"s of strong negative feelings he "oes. Fven those (ith initiall# s#mpatheti& ears (in" up be&oming Nuite "isaffe&te"C s$epti&al people li$e To(n -arshal 'anfor" +la$e, +orest 'ervi&e &ontra&ting offi&er -auri&e -ar&hban$s, reporter ;i&har" ;obertson, an" several others 9 &oul" name, &ame to "evelop strong negative rea&tions to his approa&h. s negative as these people have been about m# &ase, the# &ame a(a# using (or"s li$e 5biase"7 an" 5unfair7 about ,?AGs mo"us operan"i. 2ill 2arr# "es&ribe" it thusl#C 5)is metho" of "ealing (ith their evi"en&e (as harsh, smug, superior, unfair, an" sometimes (orse. n" (hen push &ame to shove, an" evi"en&e &oul" not be impugne", R,?AS simpl# ignore" it an" omitte" it from &onsi"eration. 'o his investigation of *+%s finall# suffere" from several interrelate" "efe&tsC there (as a personal taint of obB noKia about itL it faile" to "eal (ith the &omplete subHe&tL its &on&lusion (as no more substantial than the premise that ha" spa(ne" it.7 ,erhaps itGs his habit of ba"gering people (ho thought the# (ere on his si"e. Fven people &ompletel# neutral en" up shove" one (a# or the other b# the feeling of being &ornere", &rossBeKamine" li$e a hostile (itness, ever#thing for the re&or", ever#thing for that isolate" Nuote, trappe" into &hoosing si"es in a battle that (asnGt theirs. Those shove" to m# si"e are sometimes surprise" to fin" themselves uphol"ing an i"ea of a sort the# never (oul" have eKpe&te" the# &oul" ever ba&$ up. Those shove" to his si"e seem vaguel# guilt# or to faintl# resent it someho(, li$e the# feel use" or manipulate". 3et ,?A &riti&i!es mo"ern *+% resear&hers for suppose"l# "oing this ver# thing in surve#s, intervie(s, or even "uring h#pnosisC lea"ing, suggesting, pressuring subHe&ts for the "esire" ans(ers. The rational min" is neither &re"ulous nor s$epti&alit is objective. %bHe&tivit# means having no bias either for or against an issue. %ur onl# 5bias,7 if #ou (ish to &all a priorit# or goal a 5bias,7 shoul" be for the truththings as the# are, to the best of our abilit# to "etermine it. 9f (e are obHe&tive (e believe onl# those things proven true an" (e onl# "isbelieve those things proven false. 9n the real (orl" these eKtremes are rareL those in"eterminate things in bet(een have to be assigne" relative (eight on the

34# Tra'(* .a/to)

basis of "efensible &riteria. The error of both the gullible an" the s$epti&al is to tr# to lump too mu&h into one of the absolute &ategories at the eKtremes. We &anGt logi&all# &ategori!e the unproven as ne&essaril# untrue, an# more than (e &an &ategori!e ever#thing that is not "isprove" as ne&essaril# true. With this un"erstan"ing, the term 5s$epti&7 is as "erogator# as the term 5gullible.7 2oth suffer a form of blin"ness. Fa&h is a si"e of the same &ointhe error of the &riteria for belief. 9roni&all#, the bur"en of proof lies (ith m# &riti&s. 9 am perfe&tl# a(are, an" agree, that eKtraor"inar# &laims reNuire eKtraor"inar# proof. 'o or"inaril# the situation (oul" be reverse". 2ut 9 am the one (ho has been pursue" in this. 2# the time 9 (as returne", the &hoi&e of going publi& about it or not (as out of m# han"s. 9 have never sought out an intervie( in m# life. The#Gve &ome to me. n" so have m# atta&$ers. 9t is the# (ho &laim. The# (ho "ra( &on&lusions. The# (ho ma$e pronoun&ements that prove to be (ithout foun"ation, (ithout Hustifi&ation, (ithout logi&al "efense. 3ears ago, from the ver# start, 9 fran$l# a&$no(le"ge" the la&$ of in"isputable proof. 9 informe" m# rea"ers that 9 basi&all# lai" the material on the table, to Hu"ge as the# sa( fit. 9t (as m# &riti&s (ho &laime" to provi"e them (ith ans(ers an" &on&lusionseven proof. n" again, over t(o "e&a"es later, 9 put the same limits on (hat 9 as$. 9 "onGt as$ for belief. +or someone not priv# to m# perspe&tive, su&h a &on&lusion might not be Hustifie" b# the "ata available to #ou. 3ou have to first allo( any possibilit#. =This means &onsi"ering all things that are possible not &onsi"ering that all things are possible, be&ause the# arenGt.> Then 9 as$ onl# for a fair appraisal of the fa&ts. 9 have pointe" the (a# for those loo$ing for more fa&ts, more "o&umentation. 3ou &an fin" it here if #ou (ish to rel# on m# (or", or go on an" verif# it for #ourself if #ou (ant. ,lease ta$e a minute to s&an ba&$ through all the halfBtruths, "istortions, an" false &harges levele" against me. Then as$ #ourself if #ou (oul" ever trust their sour&e as reliable &on&erning any information. 9n loo$ing over the &ase presente" b# m# &riti&s, "o the (or"s thorough, accurate, scientific, fair, rational, or consistent spring to min"D 9t is the# (ho &laim s&ien&e an" logi& as their #ar"sti&$. 9 have trie" to appl# these values as best 9 &an, but in realit# it is their &laim. ?ust as the# &laim to Hu"ge b# these stan"ar"s, it is their bur"en to be Hu"ge" b# them. 9 am no logi&ian an" 9Gm no s&ientist. n" the rea"er of these (or"s is also unli$el# to be either. 2ut ever#one has the rightno, the obligation to use the best available stan"ar"s an" &riteria in Hu"ging an#thing in life. The more important the ans(er, the more stringent #our &riteria better be. :oo$ ba&$ at the hail of hot barbs that have been fire" at me, raining "o(n on m# life for "e&a"es. Want to tra"e pla&esD The mira&le is, 9Gm still stan"ing.

FIRE IN THE SKY 34$

Trial b# fire. 9Gve gaine" some uniNue an" pre&ious insight, but at a pri&e 9 "oubt an#one &oul" begin trul# to &omprehen" or (illingl# pa#. 9tGs no eKaggeration (hen 9 sa# that peopleGs rea&tion to (hat happene" nearl# oversha"o(s the eKperien&e itself. ThatGs sa#ing a lot, but 9 &oul" #et "rop the (or" 5nearl#.7 9roni&all#, ,?AGs se&on" boo$ atta&$ing me began (ithC 5This boo$ is "e"i&ate" to those (ho (ill nee"lessl# bear mental s&ars for the rest of their lives be&ause of the foolish fantasies of a fe(.7 9Gve al(a#s been stru&$ b# the eKtraor"inar# in&i"en&e of iron# in situations arising out of m# eKperien&e. %ne is that m# eKperien&e, (hi&h has &ome to be $no(n as 'ire in the (ky, (as atta&$e" in t(o har"&overs publishe" b# ,rometheus 2oo$s. ,?A an" &ompan# have more in &ommon (ith ,ro&rustes than (ith ,rometheus. ,rometheus (as the Titan of Mree$ religion (ho stole fire from heaven an" gave it to man. n", for having brought this metaphori&al gift of fire to mere mortals, Weus senten&e" him to be boun" to a big ro&$ on -ount /au&asus an" be en"lessl# tormente" b# a vulture "ail# ripping at an" &onsuming his liver, (hi&h (oul" then regro(. 9 leave it to histor# to "e&i"e (ho is trul# the ,rometheus in this episo"e of m# life stor#, an" (ho are the vultures. 9 present these issues to the publi& for their Hu"gment. -# statements in&lu"e a rebuttal of ,?AGs &harges, but it is not a repl# to him. Not after "e&a"es of vi&ious an" unfair atta&$s, (ith never a single "ire&t (or" from him. )e has ha" ample opportunit# to prove himself &ompletel# un(orth# of "ebate. /onspi&uous in this is the ugl# prominen&e of his use of personal ad homineni atta&$s on me that are &ompletel# irrelevant to the issue. ,?AGs un(orthiness of a fair an" open "is&ussion is "ue to his "emonstrate" la&$ of fairness, right on the fa&e of it, b# publishing an" sen"ing his baseless assertions to almost ever#one. Fver#one eK&ept the person the# (ere about, the one person in the best position to most easil# sho( the# (ere (rong, if heG" been the least bit intereste" in prior verifi&ation or fa&tB&he&$ing. This is not a matter of pri"e, or of (anting to avoi" 5"ignif#ing b# repl#7itGs simpl# a matter of not (asting time on something so utterl# futile. 3ou &anGt tea&h a pig to singit (astes #our time an" anno#s the pig. 9n his eK&hanges (ith m# proponents an" his (ritings in general, he has ampl# "emonstrate" his ab#smal la&$ of intelle&tual integrit# an" a"heren&e to even the most ru"imentar# stan"ar"s of rational "is&ussion. 9tGs far too late to un"o the harm "one. 9t is far too late for a &hat. While ,?A "eliberatel# hi" favorable "ata an" "u&$e" &onfrontation of m# strongest points, 9 have openl# &onfronte" his bestL ea&h has evaporate" un"er full illumination. 'pa&e prohibits spe&ifi& refutation of the minutiae of his maelstrom of misrepresentation =although more thorough an" "etaile" anal#ses ma# be publishe" on a smaller s&ale>. 3es, believe it or not, the foregoing is far from being eKhaustive of ever# last "etail of his atta&$s. )o(ever, not one point

3 & Tra'(* .a/to)

in his prose&utorial &ampaign &an stan" up to rational anal#sis, to (eigh obHe&tivel# against the in&i"entGs authenti&it#. n honest response b# ,?A (oul" involve his publi&l# a&$no(le"ging these points, an" &on&e"ing that he hasnGt ma"e his &aseeven if he (ishes to persevere in a"vo&ating his un"erl#ing premise that there are no su&h things as *+%s. )o(ever, 9 pre"i&t that in ,?AGs publi& rantings he (ill flatl# ignore m# most "e&isive points, tr# to rebut some trivial points, an" poun" a(a# at points of still greater obs&urit# an" irrelevan&e. ,erhaps, out of "esperation heGll &ome up (ith ne(, more &onvolute" a" ho& s&enarios heGll tailor to fit the "ata =or tailor the "ata to fit the s&enario>. n" (hen all else fails, the measure of his ineffe&tualit# (ill be proportionall# refle&te" in even greater relian&e on ad hominem &hara&ter atta&$s. )eGll &ompletel# si"estep m# eKamples of ho( he &on"u&te" his &ampaign, m# eKposure of his falsehoo"s, "e&eptive omissions, an" "istortions. )eGll &ontinue to beg the Nuestion of the strongest evi"en&eC ph#si&al tra&es, &onsistent testimon# from seven e#e(itnesses, unassailable pol#graph tests. )eGll rave on. %nl# this time, among those (ho no( have the fa&ts, no one (ill be listening.

All I ask is for an objective consideration of all the evidence. Anyone who won7t do that isn.t really entitled to an o inion.# "$ravis %alton 9n +ire in the '$# Travis Walton relates in his o(n (or"s the best "o&umente" a&&ount of alien ab"u&tion #et re&or"e", the stor# of his harro(ing or"eal at the han"s of silent &aptors an" his return to a "isbelieving (orl" of hostile interrogators, eKploitative press an" selfB st#le" 5"ebun$ers.7 Travis re&ounts the struggle to get a fair hearing, an" &onfronts his "etra&tors (ith a stinging rebuttal. No(, the real stor# behin" the hit movie from ,aramounta "etaile" eKpose of the &ampaign to suppress WaltonGs stor#, an" firstB time revelations of startling ne( "evelopments.
/over illustrations an" author photo -i$e ;ogers < 1990 -arlo(e . /ompan# 012 2roa"(a#, 'eventh +loor Ne( 3or$ N3 14412 6istribute" b# ,ublishers Mroup West 9'2N 1B50924B@44B4