The fact that somehow we weren't scared to death is a puzzle.
And the utter silence.
The more I think of it, I'm not sure if the normal street sounds were drowned out while it was happening. Maybe the cylinder brought "stealth" with it?
There's lots of speculations about that aspect. Some contend that a kind of wave or frequency is broadcast which causes certain emotional, passive etc. mental responses in near enough humans. Others postulate a kind of spiritual fog or suppression occurring. Some think the anti-grav propulsion itself has some such effects.
Eventually, God will likely reveal all such. I doubt the puppet masters will!