A U.S. Air Force lieutenant risks his career and marriage after he reports seeing four metallic objects and a mother ship.
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00:00You
00:26Ezekiel saw the wheel
00:28This is the wheel he said he saw
00:32These are unidentified flying objects that people say they are seeing now
00:38Are they proof that we are being visited by civilizations from other stars or just what are they?
00:47The United States Air Force began an investigation of this high strangeness in a search for the truth
00:53What you were about to see is part of that 20-year search
01:23You
01:53You
02:23You
02:53You
03:23You
03:53You
04:10That's it that's it I saw them and all I wanted to do is get to a phone
04:16You believe me, don't you captain? You know, I've read about UFOs. I've heard about him. I've never seen one myself
04:23Too bad, you didn't have film in that camera. Well, I thought I bought some of the BX before I checked out
04:30Hey
04:34Then Stanley sergeant Pete Cochran
04:37Pete I want to crank out a priority twixt to write Pat project blue book. Yes, sir
04:41Lieutenant now, let's get all of our ducks in a row. Now. You checked out of stead yesterday evening
04:46I just finished survival school
04:47That's reporting to Colby Air Force Base with a delay on route in Los Angeles. My wife lives there
04:51She works in admissions at UCLA
04:54Now you want to fill this out name-rank serial the usual
04:59I still can't get it out of my mind that machine whatever it was
05:21It's one two, three one two, three make a move sergeant, you know, relax
05:28Pay attention you count one two three over and out
05:34Heaven will have to wait sergeant story of my life major
05:38Wendy, this is major Gatlin. He's my I work for Harry Wendy and we have an emergency on their hands
05:44Oh Harry, you were just getting on to it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry
05:49You were just getting on to it. We're hitching a ride to Colby Air Force Base. Please write Pat in 40 minutes
05:55You've got such natural ability. I've never danced with anyone like you right nice of you, ma'am. Thank you
06:10Much these lessons cost you Harry. Well, I get a special rate because a fast entrance exam. It's $150 for eight lessons
06:18You heard what she said I
06:21Got natural ability. Oh
06:23Mr. Keller you have such natural ability. I've never danced with anyone like you
06:37This lieutenant Staley's 201 tell us anything with the Stanford ROTC program communications major
06:44graduated with honors called active duty upon graduation
06:47Regular Commission no reserve goes off active duty in July
06:52jet qualified
07:17There's
07:22Plenty more daddy. Oh, no, thanks, honey. That's enough. I'll keep telling my patients to ease off on caffeine
07:28I ought to follow my own advice
07:32You know when I was in the Air Corps all 930 hours meant just that
07:36Well, I hope they get here. I'd like to get this thing cleared up
07:43Project blue book any bets
07:48Hello
07:50I'm major Gatlin. This is sergeant Fitz foreign technology division project blue book. We have an appointment for lieutenant Paul Staley
07:57I'm mrs. Cynthia Staley. Won't you come in?
08:06Morning major. Good morning sergeant. Donna gentleman. I'd like you to meet my father-in-law. Dr. O'Neill. Are you sir major Gatlin?
08:13Major Gatlin
08:15Sergeant Fitz. So this is going to be a real debriefing, huh?
08:18But that's Staley's experience yesterday seemed to wire it sir. I was a flight surgeon fifth Air Force Korea 1951
08:25That's so where the debrief became sophisticated sergeant
08:30Goodbye daddy
08:32Good to see you. Don't get started on the wild blue yonder now
08:36Bye, honey. I'll see you out. Why don't you call me UCLA when you're finished? Yeah, I'm gonna have a seat
08:40Thank you. I trust there are no objections while I sit with my son-in-law while you explore this situation
08:47Well, actually sir, there are some advantages to privacy in these matters. I
08:51Anticipated you might say that major so I phoned my old friend lieutenant general Thompson in San Francisco and Tommy has suggested
08:58Informally, of course that I'd be present
09:00professionally as a colonel in the reserve, you see I've kept up with the literature of flight medicine the
09:06psychological aspects of UFO reports been a consultant and
09:10You want to verify this communication?
09:12I don't think we need any verification on it, sir
09:14And I certainly have no objections long as the lieutenant doesn't I didn't realize you'd contacted general Thompson about this girl
09:20I didn't want to bother you Paul
09:24Tennis shall we get started right away?
09:26Dennis Staley who have you talked to about this episode outside of Captain salvage at the weather station only my wife
09:32I drove straight through as soon as I'd reported to Captain salvage
09:36Cynthia was asleep, but she got up made me something to eat and
09:39Well, we we talked for hours about that about the survival school, but yes, I told her everything
09:45You haven't talked to anyone else. No, sir. The communication from a TIC was very explicit. No one else not even Colonel O'Neill
09:52Curious as I am, of course when Paul phoned me to say he'd arrived home
09:57He did say he had had an encounter, but that was all you can appreciate my interest personally and professionally
10:04Let's turn the recorder on. Yes, sir
10:06Recording sir
10:10An interview with first lieutenant Paul Staley serial 5 7 0 1 4 8 3 8 5 o 9 45 hours, May 20, Los Angeles, California
10:18Regarding sighting of possible UFOs the morning of May 19 reference a TIC 5 9 9 3
10:24prisoner lieutenant Paul Staley
10:26Dr. O'Neill Colonel Air Force Reserve Sergeant Harry Fitz major Jake Allen
10:30Before we start major what is the disposition of these tapes as far as project blue book is concerned?
10:36Those tapes are per Air Force files only Colonel. Very good
10:40Lieutenant a
10:42Go bar teletype stated you checked out of stead immediately after your group had completed its survival course. Is that correct?
10:47Yes, sir. I was in a hurry to check out and get home. I don't know what the others did
10:51I figured there's no point in sticking around. I had a car. I figured I could stop by and see if I could get home
10:58I had a car. I figured I could stop by the side of the road anytime if I got tired, so I packed my bags
11:18Stick around we're working up to a party here. I look like you started already
11:21You know 48 days with you people in the middle of nowhere is ample
11:25I got my traveling orders as of now and this team is traveling my flight back
11:35Silly major Burnham strongly recommends that all the men who graduated with him drink to their outstanding record of less than 8% washouts
11:43Sir, lieutenant Staley kindly. Thanks the major for his recommendation salute salute
11:49I
11:54See y'all somewhere you guys I can survive this course in this bunch I can survive anything
12:00Nice guy and a bright guy. Why would he want to be a civilian?
12:18I
12:25Knew it'd be easier driving at night in the desert. So I kept on going
12:37But it finally caught up with me I guess wrote hypnosis or just being tired
12:41And with that we bring a close to our evenings broadcast
12:45KKAC signing off at 3 a.m.
12:48Mountain Standard Time
12:58So I got smart pulled off the side of the highway just for a while
13:17I
13:19I
13:44Know I woke up about those 625. I checked my watch I
13:48Was stiff, of course, but I'd had a good sleep considering I just wanted to get somewhere to wash have breakfast
13:53I was doing 55 or 60 I guess any other cars on the road
13:58Last couple hours that night didn't see one car next morning. Definitely not. I remember I was going around this big curve
14:05When all of a sudden the engine quit the radio went off to the whole electrical system went dead
14:10I knew I wasn't out of gas. I coasted to a stop and I was trying to get it started again
14:15I was just getting out to look under the hood
14:18When I saw them it's funny the first thing I thought of I said Paul you idiot you're dreaming you're not awake yet
14:45I
15:15I
15:45I
16:15I
16:45I
17:10And the engine kicked right over it was weird I don't understand it
17:16And you gentlemen know the rest there's there's nothing more I can tell you
17:19We'd like you to try and draw or sketch the machines you saw if you would sir
17:25Gentlemen I'm doing surgery in an hour major. I appreciate you're allowing me to sit in I assure you I'll keep it completely confidential
17:33Paul would you walk me to my car?
17:35All right, major. Certainly, sir sergeant, sir. There's coffee in the kitchen. Help yourselves. Thank you. Thank you very much
17:41Real nice apartment sure is
17:46How do you want yours black things
17:50Interesting beige take a look at this
17:54Mage take a look at this
18:07Well, I hate to talk to you like a father-in-law forget it we both appreciate everything you've done
18:11I know you're considering leaving the Air Force just as I strongly recommend that you do not
18:16Let's face it. This town is full of unemployed
18:20communications majors
18:22Graduated with honors
18:24Listen, this is a real opportunity. I
18:27Suspect your report will be buried just as these UFO investigations usually are
18:32And I'm not ready to present my opinion on your experience at least not yet
18:38But you're going to be the center of Air Force attention over the next few weeks
18:42First lieutenant Paul Staley will be a name. Everybody will know
18:45capitalize on it
18:47cooperate
18:49Colonel what happened to me really happened and I'm gonna tell it like it is
19:00Play your cards, right?
19:02Use this
19:04You'd be surprised Paul how far it may take you
19:07Who knows maybe you'll find the Air Force is a full-time career for you after all
19:12I've got a good chance of a job in Denver. Have you accepted yet? No, sir, don't
19:19Have to let them know pretty soon
19:20Maybe you owe Cynthia a little more security than a civilian job could give her. Did you ever think about that Paul? I
19:27Know what you mean?
19:28Neither of us want Cynthia to be working and she won't have to but look first
19:32I'm reporting what I saw no more and no less and second a great many people have seen UFOs
19:37And what good has it done them? Why do you suppose they'd fly a major out here? Why clamp this lid of secrecy on you?
19:44Paul I've been following UFOs since it was called the Air Corps and pilots call those funny things out in space foo fighters
19:51But you're something special a qualified Air Force pilot who claims to have established contact with UFOs on the ground
19:58Do you realize that?
20:01You're unique lieutenant
20:14I'm transmitting all the sketches. Lieutenant Staley drew for us right now
20:18And the interview tapes being transcribed and it'll be at Wright Patterson in the morning
20:24All right, sir, we'll carry through on our end but why oh
20:31I see. No, I haven't but I'll be talking to his wife later today
20:38All right, sir
20:41Goodbye, sir
20:44It was right Pat base commander out of Colby's convening a hearing board next week. Why?
20:50Lieutenant Paul Staley requested it
20:58These sketches daily made anything strike you wrong about them nothing that's wrong like a Z another Lucy
21:05How come the top view?
21:07He lost me major
21:09Lieutenant Staley was specific. He walked up close to within 50 yards. He said and they flew directly over his head
21:17Staley didn't give us any view of the undersides of the machines
21:21No, sir. He didn't
21:23How did he know what they look like from the top?
21:39You
21:54Cynthia Staley, please graduate admissions. Yes, I'll wait
21:58Yes, lieutenant Paul Staley, please I'm lieutenant Staley personal and urgent sir you sign here, please
22:10Thank you, thank you, sir
22:27Oh
22:50Yes, sir, may I help you mrs. Stanley busy well a door was closed when I came in from duplicating let me buzz
22:58There's a gentleman here to see you
23:00Ask your name, please. Mr. Staley
23:03Mr. Staley
23:05Yes, ma'am
23:07You go right on in sir. Thank you
23:10Hi, I know I'm a bit early I thought maybe I
23:18Didn't know you wanted to talk to mrs. Staley sir, we're even lieutenant. We didn't know you asked for a hearing board. I
23:24Thought you did know how when you didn't request it till today after sergeant Fitz and I left
23:30Well, I'm sure you know why I wanted the board
23:32You gentlemen have investigated a number of UFO sightings
23:36we have
23:38I'm sure you know how the majority of people feel when they read about these things
23:41They think anyone who reports seeing a flying saucer is some kind of nut first off lieutenant
23:45We're not the majority and we do not believe that all individuals who have sightings are oddballs. I
23:51Don't want Cynthia to have to answer the usual questions. Does your husband hallucinate? Does he take drugs?
23:56Does he lie? You probably want to know if our sex life is satisfactory, too
24:01Lieutenant you related an extraordinary experience to cap and salvage over at gold bar
24:06Now we may never be able to prove that you saw what you did, but we sure cannot prove you didn't you were there
24:11We weren't now we're gonna dig into it and make sure that no one's trying to make a fool out of you
24:16Maybe it's gone beyond that already. Maybe I already am
24:21I
24:30Early we'll have to wait at the bar for our table. I could use something tall and cool. We'll be there in time
24:40That hearing board you talked about in my office this afternoon
24:43What's that all about? I want the Air Force to understand that I really saw those machines
24:50Hearing board makes it official
24:53Only that I'll be on the record more officially than I am now
24:58This thing has really gotten to you hasn't it you didn't see what I saw Cynthia I
25:05Doubt if anyone will ever really believe me, but I'm sure as hell gonna try what if they don't you don't believe me, do you?
25:13Is it important to you that I believe you?
25:16It's always the way with us, isn't it Cynthia your father says that it's it's fine with you
25:20But if I have a problem as long as the two of you work it out to your satisfaction, everything is okay
25:27Why do we always have to go through this Paul? Why I mean, it's no secret that you've always resented daddy
25:35That's not true. I have a great deal of respect for him. I just wish he would let us lead our own lives
25:41I think he does I don't
25:43Okay, what's next you pack up and move to a hotel again like you did three months ago
25:49No, not this time Cynthia
25:53Look let's not talk about it anymore. Okay
25:58Let's just be grateful that we've got some extra time to spend together tonight, okay
26:14I saw those things
26:18Nothing will ever change that
26:43I
27:14I
27:16Pretty sure this is it. That's very close. Yeah the way the road curves over there and the hills they they flew over I
27:24Think it may be a few yards further down there major. All right
27:32Did you mark anything or leave a pile of rocks or anything to mark the sighting
27:37Major I've never been instructed on what to do case
27:39I ran into a UFO squadron and I didn't take any pictures either. I already told you that I couldn't
27:49There they were sitting right there
27:53And the indentation from the landing gear should be right in this area there were three to each equilateral triangles total of 12
28:02There's the highway here's where you originally marked the landing site
28:06You couldn't be off more than a couple hundred yards, right more or less I will correct that in red
28:12Lieutenant it took off from over here. Then what oh, they
28:15Hovered above the ground a few feet. I was right over there and
28:19then they lifted off to about 25 feet and
28:22Went in formation right over those hills
28:25Right into the Sun which would be Oh 630 or Oh 700. That's correct
28:30What was the undercarriage configuration sir since it flew over you?
28:35Well, the the glare was so bright. I couldn't make out any detail
28:38Why did you know what the upper surface looked like the top section? I'm not too good at making sketches
28:42I didn't know I tried to give you a general impression size and shape sir. I didn't see any traces of landing gear marks
28:48They were there. I saw them when the machines were hovering and again when they lifted off
28:55This is sandy country
28:56It's possible when they took off their propulsion systems might have covered the landing tracks over no sergeant. They were there
29:02I know those things kicked up a lot of sand
29:06But I saw the marks after they took off
29:09When maybe sir, well, it is sand desert winds aren't uncommon. Maybe the marks were drifted over filled in
29:16Well, that must be it got to be
29:18It's the only possible explanation, isn't it?
29:21I
29:27Know no physical evidence. No fuel residue. No piece of hardware nothing
29:36How am I ever gonna prove this
29:42What more can I tell you he completed the course an excellent physical condition mentally alert
29:48He's one of the best young officers I've ever trained his 201 proves that doesn't a major
29:53Particularly the way I graded a top 10% Yes, sir. We noticed that would you consider him capable of falsifying an official report?
30:00Oh not on your life. No way. Was he a practical joker?
30:04Not for seven weeks
30:06Not taking this course. Have you been through yet major? I come up in November
30:11What I was getting at is could you accept a proposition that this sign of his might be a hoax?
30:16Well, I don't happen to believe in UFOs myself, but if Paul Staley said he saw some I
30:22believe him
30:23Just one more question, sir. This one's personal. Is this survival course really as tough as we hear sir, even in the latrine sergeant
30:39Psychological tests complete exposure of your background file, which as you know is strictly your business in the military complex
30:46Yes, sir. I've considered all that
30:49All right. Here's the list of the people on your hearing board
30:55Any objections
30:58It's possibly one name dr. O'Neill. Yes, sir. He's my father-in-law. We know that
31:05What do you consider that proper you tell us
31:09Well, if his presence will in any way affect the outcome of the hearing no, sir. I don't consider it proper
31:14Well, we've never made use of dr. O'Neill's expertise here on this base
31:18But his name came up in normal rotation and he comes to us highly recommended
31:23But I repeat if you have any objections, we'll replace him. No, sir
31:29If you have none, then I have not any other names on the list. No, sir. I don't know anybody else
31:34Fine the hearing will be convened at 1400 hours on the 27th. Yes, sir
31:44You talk to him and I'll handle everything else
31:47I don't like to promise anything, but I suspect that Paul can make captain very soon
31:51Maybe even be stationed somewhere around here. You'd like that. Wouldn't you honey? Of course I would
31:57But do you think Paul would well if he wouldn't he's simply not using his head
32:02Although there have been moments recently when I've had my doubts
32:06this UFO business
32:08Seeing these things or thinking he saw them has become an obsession with him
32:13I'm really concerned daddy
32:16Cynthia your mother never knew how to appreciate the good things that we finally acquired
32:21But you do I want so much for you. You're entitled you deserve the best and
32:27That very definitely includes a sensible husband with the means to give you lifetime security
32:33Paul could accomplish all that with a well-planned military career. I
32:38Love you, daddy
32:40You're so good to me. I love you, honey
32:43And I'm thankful you're not trying to talk him out of the service
32:47No, I think he's doing a pretty good job of that himself. You let me handle it handle what me again? I
32:54Thought we had that out the other night
32:56Adequately enough, I guess what's new Paul? I thought you might tell me I
33:02Don't know that I understand that the hearing board. Oh that yes. Well, I
33:08I meant to tell you when the notification came and just slipped my mind. I didn't mean to push it
33:12I'm sure you both know how important the hearing is to me to all of us Paul. I
33:17Wouldn't want to trace of anything that smacked of dishonesty. Oh, you know daddy better than that. I'm sorry
33:24Well, anyway, I have some good news. I talked to Denver today and I
33:29Have that job at KKAC as a news reporter if I can be there by August the 1st and I can
33:34It's just about the time when you have to extend your tour of active duty, isn't it?
33:37It was but I already told them thanks, but no, thanks
33:41I've done my seven years. I want to be a civilian
33:44You're making a mistake
33:46Well, I don't think so
33:48Cynthia will have me I'd like to spend more of my life with her. I can't say I blame you for that
33:54No, I'm glad we all agreed that
33:56Why not it's your life I
34:08Know we've almost concluded this rather lengthy hearing
34:11But I also know we've been here for four hours and I wonder if a short break might not be in order
34:16Colonel, I believe my evaluation is all that remains and I assure you it'll be brief in fairness to lieutenant Staley who is
34:23Certainly been subjected to a great deal of personal strain. I feel we should continue
34:27Just for a few minutes
34:29Very well, dr. O'Neill the psychological profile developed by major Evelyn Lake
34:35Unquestionably presents the lieutenant as an intelligent and reasonable officer. His record is exemplary
34:41He's just completed one of the Air Force's most difficult courses with its known physical and mental demands
34:47I refer to the survival course in many ways then lieutenant Staley is not the typical
34:53Individual who is reported citing UFOs
34:56Just as his encounter on the ground at close range is far from typical
35:00In fact, it is most certainly unique in the many thousands of cases that have been investigated
35:07Let's begin with that survival school course and his completing it on 18 May last
35:12He had to be plagued with complete physical and mental exhaustion as everyone who completes the course is nevertheless
35:19lieutenant Staley decided to drive straight through
35:22almost 600 miles
35:25strange decision at best in view of his fatigued condition
35:29Perhaps that is precisely what caused his temporary loss of memory
35:33Example in his interview with major Gatlin lieutenant Staley declared. He'd had no drinks. No intoxicants. No alcohol
35:42Although major Burnham reported from the base. You'll find this on teletype of 22 May last
35:48That everybody was having a couple of drinks
35:53And Burnham actually gave at least one to lieutenant Staley personally
35:57If the lieutenant forgot one drink, perhaps he forgot two
36:01or even three
36:03So completely exhausted lieutenant Staley does not drive a couple of hours and sleep in a motel
36:08No, he continues driving until he suddenly finds himself running off the highway a
36:14confused mental state to say the least
36:17Then the pulling out onto the road at dawn the complete fantastic loss of power of his automobile as he put it
36:24obviously caused by some strange electromagnetic force in the vicinity and then
36:29There they are
36:32Flying saucers this officer trained for three years to recognize dials gauges
36:39Structural configurations with better than 20-20 vision and all he can recall are a group of strange machines
36:46Four of them octagonal in configuration. Oh, he did recall in some detail what the top of those space machines looked like
36:54It's his drawing number seven and a at 112. Although he admits he never saw the top. I
37:00Think it interesting that his descriptions are identical to the cliche descriptions in all of the pattern flying saucer reports
37:08Lieutenant Staley's account is clearly fought with inconsistencies that he bought film but forgot it trained observer
37:15He made no effort to definitely record his location
37:18Lieutenant Staley will be eligible for discharge on 14 July this year
37:23His academic training and education generously supplied by the United States Air Force complete with a degree in modern communications
37:30Were all directed towards a television career and on-camera performing
37:35He has stated that on completion of his reserve tour in the Air Force
37:39he will associate himself with a television station or network and
37:43If he has kept his thumb on TV's pulse and a clever ambitious man certainly would
37:49He knows the great public interest in flying saucers and UFOs
37:53The lieutenant's library boasts in excess of a dozen books about flying saucers almost all of them describing
37:59Translucent domes bright metal skins emitting lights all without specifics. I
38:06Submit to this hearing board that lieutenant Paul Staley's own credibility is far less than most of these quick buck
38:13Supercilious authors of the bills. He has cluttered his mind with the lieutenant is a totally unreliable witness
38:19His so-called sighting is high fiction and why?
38:25Because of the lucrative opportunities and the sensational interest in his appearing as a TV commentator as an eyewitness
38:32Who has seen UFOs up close?
38:34He is aware that there is no better way to enter his chosen civilian profession than with a dramatic announcement that he is the only
38:42unimpeachable person a qualified observer an ex-air force pilot to have seen and actually made contact with
38:49flying saucers
38:51There may be other motives as well for this fanciful report, I am fully aware of the obvious crass commercial motives
39:00I'm sure you are too
39:02Oh
39:17Where you been sir made a couple of phone calls and I made a couple more
39:23Didn't take them long to reach a determination
39:26What other conclusion could they possibly have reached
39:33A little going-away present from your father
39:42I'm sorry
39:43Are you really?
39:45Paul how am I supposed to take that? How do you want to take that?
39:49What's all this business about daddy? He couldn't have had anything to do with the outcome
39:55Well, you asked him to tell you about it some rainy night
39:58He's very good at war stories. I've had about enough of them, but you were raised on them
40:02Paul I wish you'd stop talking in circles
40:07Well, we've been heading in this direction for quite some time and we Cynthia now's a good a time as any
40:13From here on in who's it gonna be me or your father?
40:16This is neither the time nor the place to discuss this. This is the precise time and the precise place to discuss it
40:24You're serious, aren't you?
40:27All right
40:29If you were faced with a choice, how would you make it? I was in that hearing room today and I made it
40:37Well, I can't and I don't see any reason why I should have to
40:42We just have to talk about this
40:45It all got set in there
40:52Goodbye Cynthia
40:56You
41:11Be right back take it to him
41:18Doctor
41:20Major
41:21They ought to give you the Academy Award for your performance in there take it easy major Gatlin like you did with staling
41:28You've got about as much objectivity as a shark with an empty stomach
41:32Easy major. I've been involved in this project for a number of years and I've never witnessed a more thorough job of character assassination
41:39Now, maybe you don't think it's important to people who have these sightings
41:42But we do some of them tell us they've seen what they believe are unidentified flying object
41:47That's what put us in business to try to identify
41:50You know the ground rules of blue book as well as I do now
41:54I don't know what your reasons were for that travesty in there
41:56But I do know that you've slapped a label on one young man
41:59He's gonna wear the rest of his life six Air Force officers of high rank made this determination major and it stands
42:06We believe lieutenant Staley tried to perpetuate a hoax a pure hoax and you're right
42:11I know my blue book history
42:13Enough to know you've dealt with a good number of these only when they were thoroughly proven to be such and this one is not
42:21I'll tell you O'Neill we're gonna dig into this
42:23We'll pull up an answer to as to what motivated you today and in the meantime
42:27The Air Force won't be needing your service anymore in this field
42:30You're making command decisions now. Are you no sir?
42:34Headquarters Air Force very well major, but I called it as I saw it. Now, what would you have done if you were me?
42:40Well, sir, how do we put it down what it really is a true unknown?
43:10Oh
43:40Oh
44:10Oh
44:40Oh
45:10Oh
45:40Oh
46:10Oh
46:40Oh
47:02Damn fool nobody believe anyway
47:10Oh
47:40Oh
48:10Oh