A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture
A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture
A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture
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tenor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> abduction experience <strong>in</strong> that it <strong>in</strong>vites identification on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> abductee. By<br />
and large <strong>the</strong> abduction scenario <strong>of</strong>fers little or no purchase for identification—its surfaces recall<br />
sta<strong>in</strong>less steel and its dramatis personae <strong>of</strong>fer no words or affect. This is a far cry from <strong>the</strong><br />
warm environs and generous hosts <strong>of</strong> Adamski and <strong>the</strong> familiar textures <strong>of</strong> heaven. The doctor<br />
figure repeatedly assured Betty that <strong>the</strong>y just wanted to run some tests on <strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>n she and<br />
Barney would be returned to <strong>the</strong>ir vehicle unharmed. Just as Dr. Simon repeated to Betty<br />
throughout her session, <strong>the</strong> creature cont<strong>in</strong>ued, albeit <strong>in</strong>effectually, to tell her “You don’t have to<br />
be afraid.”<br />
Once on board, Betty was subjected to an exam<strong>in</strong>ation. The creatures took a series <strong>of</strong><br />
samples—sk<strong>in</strong>, earwax, hair—all <strong>of</strong> which were wrapped <strong>in</strong> what Betty recalled as pieces <strong>of</strong><br />
cellophane or plastic. These samples were stored <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> top drawer <strong>of</strong> a device, “someth<strong>in</strong>g like<br />
a microscope, only a microscope with a big lens,” through which <strong>the</strong> creatures observed her.<br />
They manually exam<strong>in</strong>ed her as well, runn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir hands over her head, neck and shoulders as<br />
well as her arms, hands, and after she had been told to remove her shoes, her feet. All <strong>the</strong> while<br />
she was seated on a stool with a head brace, “like a dentist, not like a dentist, someth<strong>in</strong>g like, you<br />
know, <strong>the</strong> brace <strong>of</strong> a dentist’s chair.” 265<br />
She was led to a table and laid down on it.<br />
So <strong>the</strong>y roll me over on my back, and <strong>the</strong> exam<strong>in</strong>er has a long needle <strong>in</strong> his hand. And I<br />
see <strong>the</strong> needle. And it’s bigger than any needle that I’ve ever seen. And I ask him what<br />
he’s go<strong>in</strong>g to do with it (She is beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to be upset aga<strong>in</strong>)...And I ask him what, and he<br />
said he just wants to put it <strong>in</strong> my navel, it’s just a simple test. (More rapid sobb<strong>in</strong>g) And<br />
I tell him, no, it will hurt, don’t do it, don’t do it. And I’m cry<strong>in</strong>g, and I’m tell<strong>in</strong>g him,<br />
‘It’s hurt<strong>in</strong>g, it’s hurt<strong>in</strong>g, take it out, take it out!’ And <strong>the</strong> leader comes over and puts his<br />
hand, rubs his hand <strong>in</strong> front <strong>of</strong> my eyes, and he says it will be all right. I won’t feel it<br />
(She becomes calmer) And all <strong>the</strong> pa<strong>in</strong> goes away. The pa<strong>in</strong> goes away, but I’m still sore<br />
from where <strong>the</strong>y put that needle <strong>in</strong>to my navel. Because I told <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>y shouldn't do<br />
it...I asked <strong>the</strong> leader, I said, ‘Why did <strong>the</strong>y, why did <strong>the</strong>y put that needle <strong>in</strong> my navel?’<br />
265 Fuller, 160.<br />
179