Once the author's hypothesis has been determined, the next step is to list his or her supporting evidence. While neither Chalker nor Mullis actually say that Mullis was abducted by aliens, that is their conclusion after they analyze the facts surrounding that particular evening.

1. Mullis was walking to his outhouse when he met a glowing raccoon who spoke to him.
2. Mullis was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol because he had driven a very windy road without mishap to his cabin in the mountains.
3. Mullis does not remember anything else about the evening until many hours later, when he found himself walking on a road far from where he last remembered being.
4. Mullis's clothes were dry, so he had not spent the night outside.
5. Mullis's flashlight was missing and never found.
6. The groceries were still on the...