Miles reads March 1977 Sports Illustrated, given body bag by Horace

At the Dharma security center, Miles is reading a Sports Illustrated Magazine from March 14, 1977 with Tommy Lasorda on the cover. Sawyer calls him on his walkie and asks him to erase the security tape from the sonic fence pylon camera. Miles asks which ones and Sawyer tells him to look on the monitors. The camera they are at is number 4 (one of the numbers). Sawyer tells him that if anyone asks where he is, tell them that he's out looking for Sayid. During the conversation, Miles tries to get Sawyer to tell him what's going on, but Sawyer says there's no time. Miles seems peeved that he won't tell him why he's erasing the tape. Sawyer tells Kate to go back to Juliet and see if anyone has noticed that Ben is missing.

Miles ejects the tape for camera 4 from the VRT machine. As the tape is ejecting, Horace comes in looking for Sawyer (actually LaFleur). Miles tells him he's out looking for the escaped prisoner. Horace tells Miles that he's going to bring him into the circle of trust. He hands him a rolled up body bag, though Miles doesn't know this yet. Horace tells him to drive it out to grid 334 and give it to Radzinsky who will give him something to bring back. Horace says to bring it back to him "With no questions asked." Miles says that they are not supposed to be in grid 334 because it is hostile territory. Horace says "Welcome to the circle of trust." Miles heads out on his way and we can see that he's left the security tape in the machine.

While the Sports Illustrated magazine isn't an exact gauge of when they are in 1977, it's a good indicator. Obviously there periodicals are probably a bit outdated, but it's fair to assume that it's no later than summer 1977.

Also, the VTR machine on the bottom on both sides is VTR-239 and the tape from camera 4 is numbered GND-2398923-TP4. The number 4 appears again as well as 23 three times. Numbers, numbers everywhere.