Just before Cowboy finally opens the bowling bag, the zipper is halfway up the right side. John was warned not to open the bag and was terrified by the potential consequences; he didn't open the bag at any point and certainly wouldn't have allowed it to remain partially open.
In the scene where Ruthie is tied up, her hands are bound with smooth silver duct tape or something like it. When John steps up to free her, he reaches for the gag first but the tape is already tattered like he tried to pull it off.
I think it means that they have volunteered for the Aliens. I notice that the young girlfriend and the next door woman neighbor have dark eyes which become a beautiful blue at the end. And Neely has blue eyes in the beginning.