The Fugitive (1963) s02e03 Episode Script

Man on a String

What makes you so certain she didn't kill him? I was with her.
Doesn't that make some sort of point? That she'd pick up someone like you, a vagrant.
She didn't pick me up.
What else and why? We're talking maybes, let me suggest one.
Who was with her out there at the Procter place? Who gave her a hand? With the car? With a murder she couldn't bring off alone.
( dramatic theme playing ) NARRATOR: ( dramatic theme playing ) A QM Production.
Starring David Janssen as Dr.
Richard Kimble.
An innocent victim of blind justice, falsely convicted for the murder of his wife, reprieved by fate when a train wreck freed him en route to the death house.
Freed him to hide in lonely desperation, to change his identity, to toil at many jobs.
Freed him to search for a one-armed man he saw leave the scene of the crime.
Freed him to run before the relentless pursuit of the police lieutenant obsessed with his capture.
ANNOUNCER: The guest stars in tonight's story: Lois Nettleton, John Larch, Patricia Smith.
ANNOUNCER: ( mellow theme playing ) NARRATOR: The road is endless for Richard Kimble.
Endless.
Uncertain.
WOMAN: Lark? Lark, is that you? I-- I'm sorry.
I-I thought it-- I thought it was Do you need some help? ( exhales ) Yeah, the, uh-- The silly thing's gone on strike.
Just quit running? Uh, no, no.
Um, I was parked, and, uh-- And then, when I went to start it up, it-- I-I was waiting for someone, and, well, he-- He didn't show, so-- I was stood up.
The battery okay? Yeah, the darn engine turns over.
It just won't catch.
I've been cussing it out.
( chuckles ) Well, maybe you don't know the right words.
Mind if I try? Yeah, thanks.
Um, I'm Lucey Russell.
How are you? I'm tired.
Joe Walker.
Why don't you sit in the car? Hope I can help.
I feel better already.
Try the starter.
( engine turns over ) ( engine sputters, starts ) Hey, you're smart.
Your, uh, carburetor was flooded.
Let it run a while.
Well, they say it's nice to have a man around the house.
Me, I'll take one for the road.
I bet you're a careful driver too.
You are headed for Overton, aren't you? Well, yes, but, uh Then you're going my way and thank you very much.
( dramatic theme playing ) LUCEY: I'm sorry there's just the cheese and jam.
I mostly eat at the Golden Cage.
It's a crummy place.
I work there.
You know, there's something about you.
I don't know exactly.
Maybe it's the way I eat crackers.
( chuckles ) You know, a girl should never say to a guy, "You remind me of another man I know," but you remind me of another man I know.
( giggles ) Is that a laugh? I don't know.
Hm, it's a laugh.
He stood me up.
You came along.
E-even your voice sounds a little bit like him when you talk.
I hate arguments.
Do you hate arguments? I hate arguments.
I hate 'em.
I've been hating this one all day.
This one? This one that I was going to have with Lark Adams, only you showed up instead, so I didn't.
Now, if he would just stop showing up altogether-- Am I making myself clear? No.
I'm glad he didn't show up.
Clear enough? Who is Lark Adams? I've been asking myself that for six years.
But on the other hand, who are you? Where were you going when we chanced to meet on the roadside of life? Idaho.
That's no hand for digging potatoes.
I guess I've been in the city too long.
( tense theme playing ) ( car approaches ) ( knock on door ) MAN: Lucey? That's George Duncan.
He's a friend of mine.
( door opens ) George? Um, I just got a call from Amy.
Lucky you.
She's worried.
Lark went out someplace and hasn't come home so she asked me to stop and see.
He's not here.
I haven't seen him all night.
( suspenseful theme playing ) I'll tell her.
Well, uh, thank you, and I guess I'd better be going.
It's late.
Not much chance of getting a lift.
Well, the highway's only three miles away.
I wouldn't put a dog out this time of night.
If you're worried about my reputation, you couldn't make it any worse in this town.
Hm.
Well, what about mine? ( chuckles ) You're safe.
Of course, George Washington never slept here, but I do have an Aunt Martha.
There you are.
Clean night table, compliments of the management.
You know something, Joe Walker? You've got a face.
Well, thank you, if that's a compliment.
It's a compliment.
Uh, you'd better lock the door before you go to sleep.
We've had prowlers.
( tense theme playing ) ( melancholy theme playing ) Amy? You shouldn't have come over here.
Amy, a woman don't want to look at her husband when he's Not like this.
Amy.
I'll call you after the autopsy, Jake.
( engine starts ) No question, he was shoved through the rail.
Yeah.
Unless he fell.
Lark Adams? Well, he could've had a couple of belts too many.
Someone moved the body.
He landed there.
We found him over there.
Somebody moved him.
Well, like who? Well, all I know is someone called him up at the Tavern, made a date to meet him out here.
I got two witnesses say it was Lucey Russell.
Well, yeah.
I mean, right is right.
Just because she had a date don't mean that she killed him.
Well, somebody did.
Somebody was here.
Long enough to smoke three of these.
( dramatic theme playing ) Suppose you take a run over there, and find out what kind of lipstick she uses.
Okay.
Well, thanks for breakfast.
Thanks for everything.
( tender theme playing ) You know, I, uh-- I could learn to like you, Joe Walker.
So if you ever get tired of digging potatoes ( tense theme playing ) Lucey, ain't you got no sense at all? You know what this town thinks of you already.
And you know what I think of this town.
Joe Walker, George Duncan.
Mr.
Walker fixed my car for me last night.
Saved me a long, long walk.
And he was a lot nicer about it than most men.
A long walk from where? The old Procter cottage.
I was walking into town.
What time? I mean, what happened out there? My car broke down.
Around 11:15.
Uh, a truck driver gave me, uh, a lift to the crossroads.
George, what in the world? We'd better go inside.
Lucey, what time did you leave the Golden Cage last night? Ten forty-five.
Lark asked me to call him at the Tavern, and I did.
And, uh, I said I'd meet him out by the old Procter cottage by 11.
And then he never showed up.
And if you see him, you can tell him for me next time-- Lucey, he's dead.
( dramatic theme playing ) What do you mean? I'm sorry.
But, he can't-- He can't be dead.
He He was killed.
Last night.
Doc says between So that leaves you only maybe Leaves me? You don't think she did it? It ain't what I think, it's what Jake Mead thinks.
He's the sheriff.
I'm only the deputy.
She didn't kill anyone.
She didn't even know he was dead.
I was with her.
All right.
Then suppose you come with me and tell it to the sheriff.
The sheriff? I-- Who else? You're the only alibi she's got.
Come on.
Bring the bag.
( suspenseful theme playing ) Maybe it's too much, Amy.
You didn't have to come over.
No, I wanted to help.
I-- If there was anything you had to know.
I think we know about all we got to know.
Her callin' him last night, askin' him to meet her out there and all.
I don't want to get anyone in trouble.
Why did you let him go? Because he-- He told me it was over.
That's the only reason he-- That's why he went out to meet her, because he-- He was gonna end it, once and for all.
And I thought if he could just make it plain to her, make her understand, and stop bothering him.
( sniffs ) You got the whole town with you, Amy.
Just keep remembering that.
( sobs ) I'm sorry.
I'm really all right.
I just seem to cry.
Why don't you go home and get some rest, huh? GEORGE: Amy.
Ain't Jake got no feelings at all? George.
Now, Amy, you've had enough trouble already this morning.
He shouldn't have called you in.
He didn't have to dump you right into this mess.
He can't help it and I-- I'd rather get it over with.
George, I appreciate your kindness.
( door closes ) Amy Adams.
Lark's wife.
( sighs ) Well, let's go talk to Jake.
About what? What's he done? Oh, heh, nothing, Jake.
But you're wrong about Lucey.
He can prove it.
He was with her last night.
Uh, on the road.
I, uh-- I saw her car.
It was stalled.
I helped to get it started.
She gave me a ride into town.
She didn't see this fellow Lark.
She thought I was Lark.
Name? Joe Walker.
From? Buffalo, New York.
Business? Well, I don't have a job right now.
I was just, uh, you know, passing through looking for work.
Identification? Oh, come on, Jake, he's only a witness.
You saw that little lady leaving just now? Somebody hurt her pretty bad.
Somebody's gonna answer for it.
You wouldn't be smart to get in the way.
Well, I thought you just might like to know that that somebody is not Lucey Russell, that's all.
Be havin' an inquest in a couple of days.
If you wanna stay and testify, it's up to you.
Oh, boy, I wouldn't say he had his mind made up.
Isn't anyone in this town interested in evidence? Well, they'd have to be, if you were to stay and testify.
Well, you are gonna stay? W-well, now, look, it's just a couple of days to you.
It could mean her life.
Why, this town, they'd hang her in a minute and make it a holiday.
Well, you-- You wouldn't let them do that, would you? ( ominous theme playing ) No, I guess not.
( crowd chattering ) ANNOUNCER: So Maury Wills takes a ball.
That makes it three balls and one strike on Wills, hitting right-handed against Warren Spahn.
Spahnie apparently a little upset on this ball.
He just turned his back on home plate for a moment, rubbing up the ball.
Hi.
How about a cup of coffee? ANNOUNCER: Now, Spahnie turns around There might be a short wait.
I'm kind of rushed.
ANNOUNCER: Spahnie goes to wind up and delivers too high.
Ball four.
So Maury Wills opens up the ball game with a base on balls.
And the batter will be Willie Davis.
The Dodgers of course, have several weapons at their command.
Where is everyone? Mm, you see how popular I am? It's funny.
Not even the sheriff has been out, and there's gotta be questions he wants to ask.
( somber theme playing ) He knows you're innocent.
He knows I was with you.
George called me.
He said you were going to testify.
I, uh-- I had it written all up.
Had it notarized.
It's what they call a deposition.
You're not gonna be here? Well, Lucey, anything I could say is in there.
You just show them that and they can't hurt you.
You don't know this town.
If they get the chance, they'll rip me apart like a bunch of wolves.
Well, I hate to run out like this, when, you know-- Then stay.
I, uh, can't stay.
Why not? Joe.
Joe, you can tell me.
Can't tell you, Lucey.
Hang on to the deposition.
ANNOUNCER: No balls and two strikes to Wally Moon.
Bottom of the first inning, no score.
Maury Wills at second, Willie Davis at first.
Spahn, again into his stretch.
Kicks high, comes back to the plate, low and outside, ball one.
One and two.
Spahn goes to the rosin bag, taking his time.
Veteran left-hander.
Now looks in to getting time.
Wills has a pretty good lead at second.
And Willie Davis not being held on at first.
Still waiting now with Spahn on the rubber and goes to the stretch.
Spahn ready and delivers, Moon swings, and there goes a long drive-- ( crowd cheers ) Jake, this is Lucey Russell.
Is George there? No, he's off tonight.
What? No.
I got no idea.
Has Jake put her in jail yet? Amy.
You don't want to go thinkin' bad about Lucey Russell.
How can I help it? It isn't what I think.
It's what everybody knows.
She killed him.
But they could be so wrong.
D-don't ya see? They could be so wrong.
I know she phoned him at the Tavern.
Everybody was watching and listening.
But, now, he didn't say right out that it was Lucey, did he? And Lark was always lyin' to you.
Oh, he said it was a business call.
Ah, you see? Another one of his lies.
And he had no-- He had no business yellin' at you like that, shovin' you around.
Yeah, I saw it, Amy.
I saw it.
I saw him do it, and I heard him, and I heard you cry.
I was out in the Tavern kitchen havin' a sandwich.
Yeah, and it wasn't the first time, either.
Now, was it? He hit you plenty.
Plenty of times before.
Right here.
Right here in this house.
I've heard it from just outside.
A-and-- And I wanted to make him stop it.
I'm tellin' you, when-- When I saw him slap you out in that parking lot, and-- A-and then just drag you out of the car.
You saw him go? You saw him go to meet her? I saw him, and I almost went after him right then, but I wish I had've.
Oh, how I wish I had've instead of-- Instead of So you see, Amy, that's why I-- That's why I know they're wrong about Lucey.
She wasn't even there.
She wasn't? Now, Amy, believe me, it was an accident.
Y-you see, I was mad for how he hurt you last night, for all those other times.
You? It-- It was an accident, Amy.
You gotta understand.
I only wanted to beat a little decency into him.
And then he went right through the rail.
I didn't mean it.
I w-- I was only trying to help.
I only did it for you.
You fool.
You big, stupid, clumsy fool.
( dramatic theme playing ) ( door closes ) ( dramatic theme playing ) So how can you lock me up for this? You read Joe Walker's deposition.
Where's this Joe Walker now? Don't ask me.
He was heading for Idaho.
You must be losin' your touch.
Now, Jake, what kind of crack is that? You meet a man, don't hold him any longer than that.
Just like he was never here.
But you've got his deposition.
He wrote it.
Anybody can write somethin' out.
He had it notarized.
Just takes a dollar for the notary.
That don't prove it's true.
Now, look, I never saw the man before.
Why would he do something like that for me? You could have paid him off.
One way or another.
All right, Jake.
I'll remember that, next election.
Might be kind of hard to vote where you're gonna be.
I can prove you were at the old Procter cottage last night.
You smoked three of those, and left the butts.
I never said I wasn't there.
I got witnesses say you went to meet Lark.
Well, he never showed up and I left.
After you pushed him through the rail.
Now, why would I do a thing like that? Why? If he told you he was through.
If you got sore.
Far as this town goes, it's pretty plain.
( sighs ) Yeah, they're gonna have a real field day, aren't they? Looking down their long, blue noses.
I ain't gonna hurt no feelings locking you up.
You gotta lock me up? You ain't the only one that votes.
Been a lot of pressure buildin' up.
Well, come on.
Any choice in the menu? GEORGE: Jake.
Wh-- Are you holding her? No, she likes it here.
Must be the view.
Oh, come on.
Now, look, Jake-- I can't argue it now.
Doc Phillips is waitin'.
Gotta set up the inquest.
Here.
I'll be back in an hour.
( door closes ) You.
I ought to break your stupid little neck.
Running around the country all night.
Why didn't you go home after work? You know why.
Playing games with a guy like Lark.
( laughs ) You know what he was.
A cheap, rotten, no-good-- He loved me, George.
In his own way, out of this whole town, he loved me.
Must be true, what they say about fools and children.
Lucky for you Walker's gonna stay and help clear you.
( chuckles ): Don't give any odds.
He promised me.
I-- I talked to him yesterday.
Well, that was yesterday.
Today, he's gone.
( ominous theme playing ) You take a gal like that Lucey Russell, tryin' to blind the scales of justice.
How's that? Oh, some kind of phony alibi.
She got some fellow to sign it for her.
Drifter.
Come out of nowhere and went nowhere.
( laughs ) Gotta get up early to fool Jake Mead.
Jake's our sheriff.
Tossed that paper of hers right out the window.
He's going to rule it out? Heh.
Already has.
I tell you, this inquest is gonna be somethin'.
Doc Phillips got it set up for tomorrow.
Huh.
Gotta get some hustling to get back from Batesville.
And you have to get back? Can't get out of it.
I'm on the jury.
( dramatic theme playing ) I'm so glad you came.
I had to talk to you.
I had to explain about last night.
The words just came out wrong, that's all.
I was so frightened, George, for you.
I've been worried all day.
Have you found him yet? How'd you know I was looking for him? George, the whole town knows.
Have you found him? No.
Got tracers out all the way to Boise, but one chance in a million, a drifter like that.
What if he's disappeared? You're not planning to--? You wouldn't tell Jake how it happened? Amy, I can't let Lucey take it for me.
George, would it be for you? Isn't she the one who really killed him? It's her fault, George.
She destroyed his-- His life, his marriage, his pride.
No.
Whatever you did, she forced you to it.
It's her fault he treated me so badly.
It's her fault you hated him.
It's her fault.
No.
I can't do that, Amy.
I can't.
I should have known you could never hurt anyone.
Only us.
You'd throw it all away, everything we might have.
What? Amy, I-- I never thought.
I've lost one man.
It's hard to lose another.
Amy.
Amy.
Please, George, it's too soon.
I gotta get back.
I'll call you later.
( lyrical theme playing ) Hey, George.
Hey.
H-hey, man, you had me hung out on the line to dry.
Come on, why did you take off? I had to find work.
Yeah, but a couple more days wouldn't make that much difference.
Sneaking out, sneaking back in the dark.
Well, I couldn't leave her like that, so-- Well, then, why did you run off? Hey, you in some kind of trouble? Come on.
Forget this.
You ain't talking to the badge.
As far as I know, you're all right.
I mean, you came back.
Can we leave it at that? All right, I guess.
You know, the, uh, sheriff threw out your deposition.
Yeah, I heard that.
Why? Well, he's got the whole town pressuring him.
Especially Amy, Lark's widow.
She won't settle for less than first degree.
She has no proof.
Proof or no proof, that makes no difference.
So I tell you, you gotta stand up and you gotta say your piece.
Now the inquest is set for tomorrow morning.
Ah.
And let me tell you this: If you even think about skipping out again Well, you don't.
Man, you're the only chance she's got.
Unless you come up with the murderer.
With the murderer? Somebody killed Lark.
Got any ideas? Who's trying so hard to blame Lucey? Who else had a reason? Amy? ( laughs ) Forget it.
( chuckles ) Forget it.
I'll, uh-- I'll tell Lucey you're back.
( suspenseful theme playing ) WOMAN 1 ( on TV ): I'll say I knew him.
Intimately.
( doorbell rings ) WOMAN 2: Oh, I mean-- WOMAN 1: Yeah, I know what you mean but you're all wrong.
You see, I'm a model, he's a photographer, and occasionally we do a job.
( TV clicks ) ( doorbell rings ) Mrs.
Adams, I'm Joe Walker.
You were with George the other day.
Uh, won't you come in? Thank you.
Please sit down.
May I--? May I fix one for you? No, thank you.
I-I couldn't sleep.
I thought a nightcap might Well, Mrs.
Adams-- Just for a moment you looked like Lark.
It's your mouth, I think.
Well, I'll have to get used to that, turning and seeing someone Mr.
Walker, what can I do for you? I know you've been hurt, but that's no reason to try to destroy someone.
I'm not destroying her.
Well, you are pulling pretty hard on the rope.
We have courts and judges and juries, Mr.
Walker, if you have anything to say.
Unfortunately, it's not what I say.
It's what you say.
Who made you the conscience of us all? Why come to me? Because I think we both know she didn't do it.
Then tell me who did.
Who else had a reason? Just going to ask you that.
Whose husband was fooling around with Lucey Russell? Who was one of the few people that knew he'd be there that night? Mr.
Walker, if I were you, I wouldn't even suggest that.
I have a lot of friends in this town.
You mean the sheriff.
Jake Mead and my father grew up together.
( suspenseful theme playing ) What makes you so certain she didn't kill him? I was with her.
Doesn't that make some sort of point? That she'd pick up someone like you, a vagrant.
She didn't pick me up.
What else and why? We're talking maybes, let me suggest one.
Who was with her out there at the Procter place? Who gave her a hand? With the car? With a murder she couldn't bring off alone.
If you don't mind, I'm tired.
I have the inquest tomorrow.
( rings ) Sheriff's office.
AMY: George? Something wrong? He's back.
Your Mr.
Walker.
Yeah, I know.
I don't want him back.
I want him to go.
But Amy-- You heard me, George.
By tomorrow morning, you get rid of him, or I'll go to Jake.
I'll go to Jake and I'll talk and I'll break you in two.
( tense theme playing ) ( dramatic theme playing ) VENDOR: Cold lemonade.
Who wants cold lemonade, hot dogs and hot coffee? Good morning, son.
You want some lemonade? ( car horn honks ) Hot coffee and sweet rolls here.
Hot coffee, right? Yes, sir.
Lemonade.
I got ice-cold lemonade.
I got ice-cold ice cream.
Who wants some cold ice cream or some cold lemonade? I got hot dogs with mustard and relish and onions.
Who wants some ice-cold lemonade on a hot day? Lemonade.
I got ice-cold lemonade and I got ice cream.
I got coffee and hot dogs.
Who wants ice-cold lemonade? ( brakes screech ) ( dramatic theme playing ) He's still here.
Well, yeah, Amy.
I-- You didn't do what I said.
Well, now, Amy, she didn't do it.
I couldn't put it on her.
If Walker doesn't say his-- I warned you.
I told you.
Now, you look here, and you let me tell you.
I sat here last night and I couldn't sleep.
And I took a good, long look at you.
Sometimes when you back away, you see a thing a whole lot plainer.
You're hurting me.
All right, Amy.
All right.
Do you want to talk to Jake? Go ahead.
Tell him.
But if you push me in, you're in it too.
Me? That's right.
They stand me up in court, I'm gonna tell them the whole story.
How you tried to blame it on Lucey and all, because you hate her.
Because you were second choice, after she turned him down.
Lark never loved you, not for a minute, and you knew it.
All right.
You want in, Amy? Come on in.
Come on in.
But you're gonna find the water's awful hot.
Now, is your car outside? Don't bother.
( door opens ) ( phone rings ) Sheriff's office.
Deputy Duncan.
Oh, yes.
( suspenseful theme playing ) Oh, yeah, I was just leaving.
I-I'll be-- I'll be right over in a couple of minutes.
Okay, Jake.
Well, Jake can't wait for me to bring you over.
You ready, Lucey? Yeah, I'm coming.
( dramatic theme playing ) Now, you folks understand, you're a coroner's jury.
All you gotta do is hear the facts and decide if there was any criminal act involved in the victim's death.
And if there was, and you think there's enough evidence against the suspect now being held by the sheriff, you gotta so declare, so that said suspect can be properly indicted and brought to trial.
That being understood, we might as well get started.
Now, I was the doctor in attendance, so Jake, if you'll swear me in for the medical testimony.
Doc, will you raise your right hand? Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothin' but the truth, so help you God? DOC: I do.
JAKE: I guess you can tell it in your own way.
DOC: I made some notes so as to get it all straight and clear.
"Lark Adams died this past Tuesday night, most likely sometime between 10 and midnight.
" When I say "most likely," I mean, that's about as close as I can place it by autopsy.
We can narrow the time down by other evidence, but that'll come later.
"Death was due to a fall "resulting in contusions of the cervical spinal chord associated with the second and third cervical vertebrae.
" Excuse me.
DOC: That means a broken neck.
The question is, was it an accident? Excuse me.
He went through the rail at the old Procter cottage and that's important.
That rail's pretty well rotted out.
You could lean against it and maybe go through.
Only thing is, the body was moved five, six feet from where he fell.
And it's a plain medical fact he didn't move himself.
Not with a broken neck like that.
He must have died instantly.
Well, that just about finishes my testimony.
If the jury has any questions to ask ( suspenseful theme playing ) Walker.
You forgetting, man? You got a story to tell.
You try to run out on her and I swear, you'll eat off the county till your belly turns.
I'll grab you first and find a reason later.
Now, move.
They're waiting.
DOC: Before we consider any evidence, I'd like to advise the young lady in custody.
Lucey, you don't have to testify against yourself.
That's your constitutional right.
You don't have to admit you killed him.
I didn't kill him, Doc.
I didn't even see him.
I was with somebody else that night.
( crowd murmurs ) Have you got anybody that can prove that, Lucey? Joe Walker.
Anybody named Joe Walker here? Joe Walker? Walker? ( tense theme playing ) Right here, Doc.
You just wouldn't listen, would you? ( dramatic theme playing ) Well, swear him in, Jake.
Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothin' but the truth, so help you God? Yeah.
Speak up.
I do.
What's your name? Well, you gotta know your own name.
Maybe I can help him, Doc.
Keep quiet.
Maybe I can remind him.
Shut up! Shut up.
( crowd murmuring ) You don't need his name, Doc.
You don't need his testimony.
I know who killed Lark Adams.
Who? ( crowd murmuring ) You gotta believe me, Jake, I didn't mean it.
It was an accident.
( crowd chattering ) DOC: Quiet.
Quiet.
This is a legal hearing.
Quiet.
Quiet.
Quiet in this courtroom.
I want quiet.
This is a legal hearing.
Quiet.
Quiet, now.
Quiet.
I want quiet.
Guys, have a little order here.
( mellow theme playing ) You big galoot.
All you had to do was keep your mouth shut.
Manslaughter.
I ought to get out in 18 months.
That ain't so long.
You know what's the matter with you? Your neck's too long.
You gotta learn to stop sticking it out for people like Amy and me.
Yeah? Well, you take care of yourself.
At least until I get back.
Don't worry about me.
I will if I want to.
Nothing from him? I just hope he makes it.
Oh, he will, if he just keeps on walking next time.
NARRATOR: Always new people.
Always new places.
Only one thing is constant for Richard Kimble.
At the end, there is always the road.
Richard Kimble is a fugitive.
( dramatic theme playing ) ( dramatic theme playing )
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