The Quicksilver Orb

From the introduction: It’s the fall of 1954. Senator Joseph McCarthy preaches the dangers of the Red Menace. The space race is at full speed, and every student is learning to “duck and cover” to protect themselves from nuclear annihilation. Last night, an electrical storm shook the quiet New England town of Pawdalucet (paw-duh-LOO-kit). Television and radio sets lost their reception. Locals claimed to see a glowing orb flying around town. That’s, of course, crazy talk. As of this morning, an agent of the US government is canvasing the town asking questions about that crazy talk.