Under the Dome

Barbie, Rusty, and the others reach the safe house without incident. The group discusses the alien generator, noting that it warns people to keep away (the radiation belt, the animal deaths). But Barbie argues that whoever is operating the generator has not gone to great lengths to completely hide it; it is as if the aliens want someone to find it. Julia and Barbie themselves touch the box and get a glimpse of the alien “leatherheads” on the other side. Barbie believes that they are laughing at the humans suffering under their Dome. He compares their apparent attitude to behavior that he saw from soldiers, including himself, in Iraq.

Rennie briefly mourns the loss of his son, Junior, but quickly returns to business. Visitors Day at the Dome is coming up, and Barbie has been freed. Carter turns the envelope with the VADER file in it over to Rennie; he wants to “be your guy, boss” (897). Rennie hopes to exploit the town’s fears further with Barbie out of jail. Rennie does not necessarily want the fugitives captured right away; their unknown whereabouts will serve as fuel to the fear that keeps the townspeople in his thrall.