P J LoPresti: THE PRISONER FAQ Part I (no spoilers)          17 Aug 1993 19:28
Archive-name: tv/the-prisoner-faq
Version: 3.0
Last-modified: 1993/08/17


This is Part I of the FAQ for _The Prisoner_.  I have tried to make
it accurate and spoiler-free, but I can guarantee neither.  Still, it
is probably safe to read this document even if you have never seen the
show.  All spoilers have been moved to Part II (coming Real Soon Now).
Please send me your comments, corrections, and additions, or post them
to alt.tv.prisoner.

- Patrick LoPresti
  patl@lcs.mit.edu

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                          _The Prisoner_ FAQ
                         Part I - No Spoilers

TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------

 1: What is _The Prisoner_?
 2: Where can I find _The Prisoner_?
 3: What are _Danger Man_ and _Secret Agent_?
 4: In what order should I watch the episodes?
 5: Are there any fan clubs devoted to _The Prisoner_?
 6: Where is the Village?
 7: What kind of car is KAR120C?
 8: What _Prisoner_ material can I find on-line?
 9: What _Prisoner_ material can I find in the real world?
10: What is that font?
11: What shows/music/movies refer to _The Prisoner_?
12: In what shows and movies has Patrick McGoohan appeared?
13: Do we ever find out...
ASCII Drawings
Credits
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 1: What is _The Prisoner_?

    _The Prisoner_ is a television series created by Patrick McGoohan,
    who also plays the title role.  It first aired in Britain in the
    late 1960's, and has retained a strong (some would say "cult")
    following ever since.  There are reasons for this.

    It consists of 17 one-hour episodes.  While each makes sense when
    viewed alone (_The Prisoner_ is no soap opera), they also come
    together as a complete story.  The series has a definite beginning
    and a definite end; the conflicts are resolved and the questions
    are answered (more or less).  There are no transparent hooks for a
    movie sequel, and there will be no "next generation" :-).

    On the surface, it is a well done action/suspense show, and is
    quite enjoyable as such.  But closer inspection reveals multiple
    levels of meaning and numerous possible interpretations, many of
    which are still debated today.  It has a lot of intellectual
    appeal, with a feel reminiscent of Huxley and Orwell.  _The
    Prisoner_ is a refreshing change from the mindless rubbish so
    common on modern television.

 2: Whre can I find _The Prisoner_?

    The Sci-Fi Channel is currently airs it Sunday nights at 10
    P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.

    The episodes are available on video tape and laser disk; check
    your local video store, or order them yourself (see below).

    Local PBS stations used to run the show every once in a while, but
    the Sci-Fi Channel purchased the rights, so it will not appear on
    PBS again any time soon.

    [Note: I have heard that the Sci-Fi Channel only has the rights
    temporarily.  If you have any details, please let me know.  Also,
    this section reflects my U.S. bias; feel free to help me correct
    it.  - Pat]

 3: What are _Danger Man_ and _Secret Agent_?

    _Danger Man_ was the name a series about the secret agent John
    Drake (played by Patrick McGoohan), a man who preferred to use his
    intellect to resolve situations.  He did not carry a gun, nor did
    he get involved with every woman he met.  McGoohan played a large
    role in shaping Drake's character, which was a specific reaction
    against the "James Bond" types so common in cinema and television
    at the time.  Drake had a conscience; the moral conflicts of his
    job were a major theme in the series.

    The shows were 30 minutes black and white. Later on, the series
    was filmed as 60 minute black and white _Secret Agent_ episodes.
    There were also two color _Secret Agent_ episodes filmed, but they
    were never released as part of the series.  They were later edited
    together, however, to produce a 100 minute TV movie called
    KOROSHI.

    [Note: The mixed up "puzzle" letters that appear in the closing
    credits of some episodes of _Secret Agent_ unscramble to spell
    "DANGER MAN".]

    Patrick McGoohan conceived the concept for _The Prisoner_ while
    filming some episodes of _Danger Man_ in Portmeirion (the
    Village).  There is also a _Secret Agent_ episode about a
    "village" of agents training to become imposters that was used as
    part of the idea for _The Prisoner_ (this is the show where he
    hides a camera in a typewriter).  Many of the actors in _Danger
    Man_ and _Secret Agent_ also appear in _The Prisoner_.

    There is some debate on whether _The Prisoner_ is a sequel to
    _Danger Man_.  To call the disagreement violent would be a gross
    understatement.  For more information, watch _The Prisoner_, then
    refer to Part II of the FAQ [not written yet - Pat].

    Opening Lyrics - Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers
                     (Written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri)

        There's a man who leads a life of danger
        To everyone he meets, he stays a stranger
        With every move he makes, another chance he takes
        Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow.

        Secret Agent Man, Secret Agent Man
        They've given you a number and taken away your name.


 4: In what order should I watch the episodes?

    That is a very good question.

    Here are a few possible orderings:

    KTEH  6o1  ITC 1st  McG
     *1*              || 1  Arrival
      2    3 ||  8  " || 3  Dance of the Dead
      3    4 || 11  9 || 4  Checkmate
      4    5 ||  2  " || 5  The Chimes of Big Ben
      5    2 ||  4  " || 2  Free for All
      6    9 ||  7  " || -  Many Happy Returns
      7    8 ||  5  " || -  The Schizoid Man
      8    7 ||  6  " || -  The General
      9    6 ||  3  " || -  A. B. and C.
     10   14 || 12 14 || -  Living in Harmony
     11   10 || 10 11 || -  It's Your Funeral
     12   13 ||  9 13 || -  Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
     13   11 || 13 12 || -  A Change of Mind
     14   12 || 14 10 || -  Hammer into Anvil
     15               || -  The Girl Who Was Death
    *16*              || 6  Once Upon a Time
    *17*              || 7  Fall Out

    KTEH:  Arranged by KTEH channel 54 (San Jose); reportedly
           approved by McGoohan
    6o1:   Endorsed by Six of One
    ITC:   "Official" ITC sequence
    1st:   Original airing sequence
    McG:   Patrick McGoohan's "original seven" episodes
           which "really count"

    [Note: "Living in Harmony" was omitted from the first showing of
    the series in the U.S.  Opinions differ on why this happened, but
    a common explanation is that they were pulled due to the Vietnam
    era, and the issues concerning drugs and draft dodging.]

    McGoohan has stated in an interview that he only wanted to do
    seven episodes, but his financier (Lew Grade) insisted that he
    needed more in order to sell the series.  Grade, in fact, wanted
    26 episodes; McGoohan managed to compromise on 17.  Some of the
    extra episodes are basically "filler" and contain no (or re-used)
    shots of the Village.  The seven core episodes are crucial; the
    rest, though individually worth watching, are less essential to
    the series as a whole.

    The show had many production problems.  When _The Prisoner_ was
    first shown on British television, several episodes were still
    being produced on the date they were supposed to air, so other
    episodes that were finished were scheduled in their place (in
    particular, changes were made to "The Chimes of Big Ben" shortly
    before airtime; hence the existence of the alternate version).
    The order in which ITC later released the series is considered
    "official".

    "Arrival" is indisputably the first episode.  "Once Upon a Time"
    and "Fall Out" are indisputably the last pair.  "Do Not Forsake Me
    Oh My Darling" flashbacks to "Arrival" and "Free For All".

    Four of the script writers thought they were writing the second
    episode; in two of them, "Dance of the Dead" and "Checkmate",
    Number Six says he is new, although these were eventually shown
    about halfway through the series.

    The Number Two from "The General" returns in "A. B. and C.", and
    in the opening he says "I am Number Two" instead of "the new
    Number Two".  Also, the Tally Ho bears the headline "Is No. 2 Fit
    For Further Term?"  They seem to belong together in sequence.

    Examining dates and time periods, the date at beginning of
    "Schizoid Man" is presumably February 10.  In "Many Happy
    Returns", we learn the date is March 18.  In "Do Not Forsake Me Oh
    My Darling", he has been away for a year.

    If one arranges the episodes so the interrogation of Number Six
    gets riskier and more intense as it progresses, then episodes
    where Number Six's life is endangered like "A. B. and C." and
    "Schizoid Man" probably belong later in the series.

    The episodes can also be ordered to show the progression of Number
    Six as a character, at first angry and trying every chance to
    escape, making various mistakes and being fooled by simple ploys,
    later becoming more sophisticated, finding out how the Village
    works and avoiding the more obvious pitfalls.  Or one can order
    them on the themes, like escape and betrayal, within the series.

    The producers probably did not care very much about continuity or
    a consistent dramatic sequence.  Thinking about the order of the
    series and coming up with your own is an interesting way to
    appreciate the series.

 5: Are there any fan clubs devoted to _The Prisoner_?

    There is only one which is officially recognized by Patrick
    McGoohan and ITC: Six of One, The Prisoner Appreciation Society.

    The Six of One newsletter is called "Number Six" and is published
    quarterly.  A year's membership in the Society provides four
    copies of the newsletter and voluminous other material related to
    _The Prisoner_.  Six of One also hosts a Prisoner convention in
    Portmeirion (the Village) every summer.

    Six of One is based in the U.K., and has official points of
    contact in the U.S. and France.  For more information, send a
    self-addressed stamped envelope to:

    U.S.             Six of One, 871 Clover Dr, North Wales, PA, 19454

    France           Six of One/France, Jean-Michel Philibert, BP 633,
                     42042 Saint-Etienne Ce'dex, France

    U.K.             Six of One, PO Box 60, Harrogate, HG1 2TP,
    (and elsewhere)  United Kingdom

    There were several attempts by individual fans, especially in the
    late 70's, to promote personal newsletters as official fan clubs.
    These went under such names as "The Green Dome" and "The Prisoner
    Newsletter".  None of these were recognized by ITC, and in most
    cases they just republished information provided by Six of One.
    Many were told by ITC or Six-of-One to cease copyright violations.

    MENSA, the High-IQ organization, had (and may still have) a
    Prisoner SIG.


 6: Where is the Village?

    In real life, it is a seashore resort called the "Portmeirion
    Village Hotel" (formally "Hotel Portmeirion") in North Wales,
    built by the eccentric architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis.  It is
    located in the town of Penrhyndeudraeth.  To find it on a map,
    look for Cardigan Bay on the western shore; at the north end is
    Tremadoc Bay; look along its north-central shore and find the town
    of Porthmadog; go east, and at the north-eastern corner of
    Tremadoc Bay, there is an inlet pointing slightly north of east.
    Portmeirion is on the north shore of that inlet.  It is reachable
    by rail and taxi from London.

    The Hotel Portmeirion is a hodge-podge collection of odd buildings
    and structures of all different kinds of architecture.  Some were
    built on-site as examples of styles of architectures, ranging from
    Oriental to Italianate, and some structures or parts of structures
    (such as porticos, balconies, and ceilings) were moved from other
    places, purchased by Sir Williams-Ellis just before they were
    supposed to be demolished.  The buildings are painted in lively,
    uncoordinated colors on purpose and, they say, are repainted on a
    carefully scheduled rotation so that some buildings look newly
    painted, but others look old and scruffy.  On some buildings,
    windows are merely painted on and do not really exist. On others,
    they get smaller higher up to give the impression of height.  The
    viewer's perspective changes completely with every few steps.

    The land was once the estate of an eccentric old lady who never
    let anyone visit and who had a large pack of pet dogs.  There is a
    dog cemetery in the woods along one of the many walks and trails
    through the grounds.  When the lady died, Sir Clough
    Williams-Ellis bought the land for his architectural project.  The
    beach is exactly as shown in the series.  The tides are extreme,
    with high tide bringing the water up to the stone wall (on which
    the Stone Boat is built), and low tide exposing a very large sand
    beach.  In fact, you can simply walk a great distance during low
    tide (a fact kept hidden in the TV series).

    The main hotel served as the "Old People's Home" in the
    series. The scattered cottages and buildings served as the private
    homes, shops, halls, etc.

    Sir Clough Williams-Ellis's daughter, Susan, went on to found a
    line of pottery (dinnerware and china).  Her flagship design is
    called, of course, "Portmeirion".  It is now world famous and is
    sold in all the best department stores, including Bloomingdales.

        Portmeirion Village Hotel    Phone: 0766 770228
        Portmeirion                  Fax:   0766 771331
        Gwynedd                      Telex: 61540 PORTM G
        Wales LL48 6ET
        United Kingdom


 7: What kind of car is KAR120C?

    The car used in the show was a Lotus Seven series II, which was
    available as a kit or assembled (hence why the Prisoner claimed he
    built it).  In the U.K., a license plate number stays with the car
    for life.  The real KAR120C Lotus (which was the demo model series
    II) was used and eventually sold to an Australian.  When "Fall
    Out" was filmed, a quick mock up from a series III was used.
    Lotus, desiring to termininate production of the car after their
    failed attempt at marketing a series IV, sold all existing kits,
    molds, and manufacturing rights to Caterham Cars, their biggest
    dealer at the time.  Caterham went back to the series III, made
    some internal structural improvements, and renamed the car the
    "Super Seven".  The car is still available and can be purchased as
    a kit for import into the U.S.

    If you are seriously considering purchasing a Super Seven, it is
    important that you avoid imitations (invariably inferior) and find
    a reputable source.  There are at least two such sources in the
    U.S. which will provide you with an assembled vehicle that you can
    register in most states as a composite or kit car.

    On the west coast:      Dave Bean Engineering, Inc.
                            636 E St. Charles Street, Star Route 2
                            San Andreas, CA 95249-9564
                            (209) 754-5802
                            Fax:(209) 754-5177

    On the east coast:      Sevens and Elans
                            Mr. Chris Tchornicki
                            248 Hampshire Street
                            Cambridge, MA 02139
                            (617) 497-7777

    Caterham may also provide you with other locations, if you can
    find their address...  [Anyone?  - Pat]

    The cost is around $20,000.  Delivery is about 6 months.  The car
    looks VERY much the same as it does in the show, but now comes
    with a 5-speed.  The car is VERY VERY fast (0-50 in 4 to 4.5
    seconds), and can be painted any color you want.

    An interesting side note is that the car DID have a problem
    history of overheating in traffic, just like the Prisoner mentions
    in "Many Happy Returns".


 8: What _Prisoner_ material can I find on-line?

    The newsgroup "alt.tv.prisoner" is devoted to discussion of the
    show.  It has very low volume, so you can subscribe to it and only
    marginally increase the amount of your life which you lose to
    USENET.

    Here are some anonymous FTP sites with Prisoner material:

        ftp.ugcs.caltech.edu    /pub/gifs/Prisoner
        ftp.iunet.it            /graphics/images/prisoner
        plan9.njit.edu          /pub/sounds/misc/prisoner.wav
        trantor.ee.msstate.edu  /files/text
        ccadfu.cc.adfa.oz.au    /archives.aus-sf/ftp_imports/scifi
        nic.funet.fi            /pub/amiga/audio/samples-long
                                /pub/pics/gif/pics/tv+film/ThePrisoner
                                [Note: nic.funet.fi GIFs accessible
                                within NORDUnet only]

    Prisoner GIF files are available via anonymous FTP to nic.funet.fi
    in "/pub/pics/gif/pics/tv+film/ThePrisoner".  [Note: The pictures
    on nic.funet.fi are now only accessible to users within NORDUnet.
    If you are aware of any other FTP sites with _Prisoner_ related
    material, please let me know.  - Pat]

    Victor Volkman runs a BBS with a number of Prisoner items in
    directory #23.  The BBS can be reached at 313-663-4173 and
    313-663-3959.


 9: What _Prisoner_ material can I find in the real world?

    Books
    -----

    The Prisoner          Alain Carraze and Helene Oswald (Virgin
                          Books, 1989)
                          Contains many great color and B&W stills
                          from the series, including behind-the-scenes
                          shots.

    The Prisoner and      Dave Rogers (Boxtree Books, 1989)
    Danger Man            Contains episode synopses from both series.

    The Official          Matthew White and Jaffer Ali (Warner Books,
    Prisoner Companion    1988)
                          Contains many errors.

    The Prisoner          Thomas M. Disch (N.Y. Ace Publishing, 1969)

    Who Is Number Two?    David McDaniel (N.Y. Ace Books, 1969)

    A Day In The Life     Hank Stine (N.Y. Ace Publishing, 1970)

    The Prisoner          Four part comic book sequel to the tv series
    (Graphic novels)      by Dean Mottter (DC Comics 1988-1989)
                          Highly recommended reading.

                          Book A - A(r)rival
                          Book B - By hook or by crook
                          Book C - Confrontation
                          Book D - Departure

                          These may also be found as a single volume
                          called "Shattered Visage".

    The Prisoner Puzzle   A detailed Canadian educational text from
                          the 70's, which included interviews with
                          Patrick McGoohan.  Considered a valued
                          resource; believed to be unavailable now.

    Videos
    ------

    The 17 episodes are available on video tape and laser disk.  There
    are also three "special" videos: "The Prisoner Companion", "The
    Best of the Prisoner", and "The Chimes of Big Ben" (alternate
    version).

    For about $20 each, any of the tapes may be ordered from:

        Fusion Video
        17214 S. Oak Park Ave
        Tinley Park, IL  60477-9917

    [Note: I would like to have additional addresses where the videos
    may be ordered.  I would especially like to have ANY address for
    obtaining the laser disks, or a confirmation that none exists (I
    have heard rumors that the laser disks are no longer produced).
    If you have any such information, please let me know.  - Pat]


    Miscellany
    ----------

    The Mini-Moke toy (the "Taxi" seen in the series) was available
    during the time of original broadcast, and is now considered a
    serious collectors' item.  The Six of One organization has
    obtained at least one of the two real vehicles that were used in
    the series.  Also available at that time were _Prisoner_ watches
    (with the penny farthing symbol on the face).  Both of these are
    no longer available.

    Caterham Cars sells a metal miniature model of the Super Seven for
    about $40 (It's about 3 inches long).  A Japanese firm sells a
    plastic version for slightly less:

        Model Kits:

        Lotus Super Seven Series II     Tamiya
        1500 Cosworth                   Model Rectifier Corporation
        (Scale 1:24)                    Edison, New Jersey, USA 08817
                                        Kit No. 2446A


        Lotus Super Seven               Wills Finecast
        Sports Racing Car               Lower Road, Forest Row
        (Scale 1:24)                    Sussex, RH18 5HE, England
                                        Kit No. 007


    Photos, badges, maps, postcards, and CD soundtracks are available
    through Six of One, or through the shop located at the Hotel
    Portmeirion.  There are presently two CDs of Prisoner music.  Six
    of One is the "official" source for them, but you can obtain them
    through the publisher and elsewhere.  They are imports, marketed
    by:

        Silva Screen Records Ltd, Silva House
        261 Royal College Street
        London NW1 9LU, UK

    Some items the U.S. viewers see as novel collectables (such as the
    telephones) are (or were) fairly common items in the U.K. and were
    not specific to _The Prisoner_.

    There was an adventure game during the late 70's for Atari and
    Apple computers, called "The Prisoner".  It was made by
    "Edu-Ware", and was loosely based on the show.

    There is a _Prisoner_ sourcebook for the GURPS role-playing system
    by Steve Jackson Games.  Its authors did their research.


10: What is that font?

    The font used in _The Prisoner_ is believed to be a modified form
    of "Albertus" (dots removed from "i" and "j", loop of "e" opened).

    Albertus is available from Monotype in Postscript Type 1 format,
    in their Headliners 6 type set.  Call 1-800-MONOTYPE.

    Albertus is also available in from Image Club Graphics, Inc. (see
    Personal Publishing magazine).  The cost is $75 for 3 styles:
    normal, bold, and black.  Postscript format.  Suite 5, 1902 11th
    Street SE, Calgary AB Canada T2G 3G2; 403-262-8008.

    In addition, there is an Albertus derivative called "Furioso"
    which is much less expensive.  A freely redistributable sample
    version (with several characters missing) called "Furisampleoso"
    is available in Postscript Type 1 format for the Macintosh from
    your favorite archive site (e.g., anonymous FTP to
    archive.umich.edu, directory "mac/system.extensions/font/type1").

    The complete version includes the Prisoner-style "e", and is
    available directly from the author for $15:

        Glenn Fleishman
        4058 Latona Ave NE
        Seattle, WA 98105

    [Note: As of June 1993, the above address is correct and the one
    in the Furisampleoso "Read me" file is wrong.  Ignore the latter.]


11: What shows/music/movies refer to _The Prisoner_?

    The album "Digital Dump" by The Jack Officers (1990 Rough Trade)
    has a song called "#6" with sound samples from the series.

    The album "The Prisoner" by Howard Jones (1989); also included a
    song called "The Portmeirion Mix".

    Music video "See Those Eyes" by Altered Images was filmed in
    Portmeirion and features prisoner costumes, Rover, etc.

    [Note: I KNOW there are many more; unfortunately, I have not saved
    the relevant articles from alt.tv.prisoner.  Contributions to this
    section are particularly welcome.  - Pat]

12: In what shows and movies has Patrick McGoohan appeared?

    Films:      The Dam Busters 1954
                The Dark Avenger (aka "The Warrior") 1955
                Passage Home 1954 (McGoohan's first film role)
                I Am a Camera 1955
                Zarak 1956
                High Tide at Noon 1956
                Hell Drivers 1958
                The Gypsy and the Gentleman 1958
                Nor the Moon by Night (aka "Elephant Gun") 1958
                All Night Long 1961
                Two Living, One Dead 1961
                Life for Ruth (aka "Walk in the Shadow") 1962
                The Three Lives of Thomasina 1963
                Dr.Syn, Alias the Scarecrow 1963
                The Quare Fellow 1962
                Ice Station Zebra 1967
                The Moonshine War 1970
                Mary Queen of Scots 1971
                The Genius (aka "Un Genio, Due Compari e Un Pollo") 1975
                Silver Streak 1976
                Trespasses (aka "Finding Katie") 1983
                Brass Target 1979
                Escape from Alcatraz 1979
                Scanners 1980
                Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend 1985
                Kings and Desperate Men 1978

    TV movies:  Koroshi 1966
                The Man in the Iron Mask 1976
                The Hard Way 1980
                Three Sovereigns for Sarah 1985
                Jamaica Inn 1982
                Of Pure Blood 1986

    TV Series:  Secret Agent (aka "Danger Man")
                The Prisoner
                Rafferty (1977)

    Other Series:
                Appeared in 3 episodes of "Columbo" (won an Emmy)
                Appeared in an episode of "Murder She Wrote"
                Hosted TV movie "Trilogy of Terror"
                The Vise (1953), episode "Gift from Heaven"
                You are There (1954), episode "The Fall of Parnell"
                The Makepeace Sage (1956), episode "Ruthless Destiny"
                Armchair Theater (1964), play "The Man Out There"
                Play of the Week (1964), play "Sargent Musgrave's Dance")

    TV Plays:   All My Sons 1955
                Disturbance 1957
                The Little World 1957
                The Third Miracle 1957
                Rest in Violence 1958
                This Day in Fear 1958
                The Iron Harp 1959
                Terminus Number One 1959
                Brand 1959
                The Greatest Man in the World 1959
                The Big Knife 1959
                A Dead Secret 1961
                The Prisoner 1962 (NOT related to the later series!)
                Shadow of a Pale Horse 1962

    Theater:
                PM has acted a great deal in theater. Some outstanding
                examples of his work are:

                Serious Charge (Garrick Theatre, London, 1954)
                Moby Dick (Orson Welles's production, 1955)
                Brand (Lyric Opera House, Hammersmith, 1959)


13: Do we ever find out...
        ...the name of the big white ball?
        ...the Prisoner's real name?
        ...where the Village is located?
        ...whether the Prisoner escapes?
        ...who is Number One?
        ...which side runs the Village?

    Yes, no, in the Village, questions are a burden, you are Number
    Six, and that would be telling, respectively.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
        _________
       |         |
 _o_  _| ___=___ |_  _o_
/`-'\( )         ( )/`-'\
|   |-|  ___@___  |-|   |
|   | | (-+-+-+-) | |   |
|   |--\_KAR120C_/--|   |
`---'               `---'

(Thanks to Flemming Larsen for the Lotus picture)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
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(Thanks to Jason Lee Smith for the Penny Farthing picture)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

CREDITS
-------

    Keith G. Barrett wrote the original FAQ, and most of the material
    here is his work.

    David Moisan (moisan@bronze.lcs.mit.edu) and F.W. Laughton
    (F.W.Laughton@newcastle.ac.uk) contributed the list of FTP sites.

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