Ernie takes part in a deep state cover-up. Of course that's not how they were thinking about it then.
Ernie sees a secret aircraft test and gets pictures. He also gets media attention and a booking on a local talk show.
Steve (Ernie's adoptive dad) works in aerospace and he knows what he's seeing when Ernie shows his pictures.
Steve confers with the military and they ask him to REVEAL NOTHING so Ernie clowns it up on the TV show with stories about little green men, etc. Furthering the silly notion of alien extra-terrestrials is good for the nation's security! Remember: there's a Cold War!
The truth has always been right there.
Ernie sees a secret aircraft test and gets pictures. He also gets media attention and a booking on a local talk show.
Steve (Ernie's adoptive dad) works in aerospace and he knows what he's seeing when Ernie shows his pictures.
Steve confers with the military and they ask him to REVEAL NOTHING so Ernie clowns it up on the TV show with stories about little green men, etc. Furthering the silly notion of alien extra-terrestrials is good for the nation's security! Remember: there's a Cold War!
The truth has always been right there.