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Chapter Five: The Thief[1] also titled Frenemies - Chapter Five: The Thief is the fifth episode of the third season of Stargirl, and the thirty-first episode overall. This episode will air on October 5, 2022 on The CW.

Synopsis

SECRETS AND LIES — As Courtney continues to secretly help Cameron, the team notices she’s pulling away from her role as the JSA leader. Mike and Jakeem approach Cindy with a proposition. Finally, Yolanda’s decision to follow her intuition leads her to make a shocking discovery.  

Plot

Five days ago

Shiv stands in Cornhusker Estate Trailer Park in front of The Gambler's destroyed trailer. Her wrist blade is out as she looks down at Gambler's body. She sheaths her blade and heads into the trailer, searching for something that has to be there. She finds his laptop in perfect condition, smiling happily. She picks it up and dusts it off. She hears people coming and tucks the laptop under the trailer, hiding it behind some debris. She sees Gambler's gun only a few inches from his hand. She picks it up and her arm twinges, pain shooting through her arm, causing her hand to spasm and pull the trigger. The JSA hears the gunshot and runs over to see her standing over the body. Cindy looks over at them, professing that she didn't do it.

Present day

Cameron walks Courtney home. She thanks him for walking her home, even though he didn't have to. He just wasn't ready for the night to end. She plans to do more research tonight to find out more about what she can do and why. He questions how she's going to research what he can do. She nervously says Wikipedia, making them both chuckle. She insists they'll figure this out together, touching the palm of his hand with her fingertip. He looks at her softly, as she's good at making his world feel less dark. They kiss on the front porch, the world spinning around them. When the kiss ends, she remarks that he's good at that. He'll see her tomorrow, and they say goodnight. She watches him leave then walks into the house.

Courtney leans against the front door, smiling widely, sighing in content. Pat rounds the corner and greets her, asking why she's smiling. She just had a good day is all, though nothing specific happened. She asks for dinner but he's not sure. Her mom's at work and he just dropped Mike off at Jakeem's. She assures him that's fine as she can find something to eat. She starts walking past him, but he stops her by asking if she's not going to ask for an update. She asks him for one, though he first mentions he's been trying to call her and Yolanda. She surmises she must not have heard her phone. He reveals that Sylvester, Yolanda, and Rick went down to the tunnels to look for clues of Dragon King being alive, but so far, have found nothing. She makes sure he took the staff and he did. She's glad and he asks what she's going to do now. Since Sylvester's leading the JSA at the moment and they haven't heard anything from them yet, she's got homework to do. She starts into the kitchen as Pat awkwardly walks off. Courtney waits until he's gone and sneaks down to the basement. She opens the chest containing the JSA files, locating Icicle's. She starts back upstairs but stops, deciding to tuck it into her jacket for safe keeping.

In the ISA headquarters, Cindy works on unlocking Gambler's laptop. The alarm blares over and over again as it's the wrong password and to try again. She decides to let him hack himself with his own gadgets, by plugging in a device. It runs through a litany of passwords, the animated Gambler repeats "Try again" numerous times. Finally, the screen lights up green as bells ding, as she's succeeded in unlocking it. She hears a crash and the motion sensors on the laptop pick up movement by one of the entrances. She sees Starman, Wildcat, and Hourman approaching. She quickly grabs the laptop, her belongings, and rushes out through a back door.

The JSA arrives, with Wildcat remarking she's never been down here before. Sylvester questions what it is, before realizing it's the ISA meeting room. They see the lab equipment and determine someone's been working there, though they aren't sure what all the stuff is for. Rick thinks it has to be Dragon King's. The younger team members turn to Sylvester, asking his opinion. He thought The Shade went after the Gambler out of pettiness and the Crocks because of blackmail. But someone's made an awful lot of effort to cover their tracks and almost killed him for getting on them. This thread they're pulling, he thinks it's going to lead them somewhere big and he doesn't like it. He looks at the ISA portrait, growing angrier by the second. He sneers to look at them, the ISA mocking him even when dead. He shakes with rage and the staff glows brighter. Sylvester screams out of pure rage and blasts the portrait, burning a searing tear across the portrait. He turns to Hourman and Wildcat, who are in stunned silence. He screams that however did this, however attacked him, Dragon King or not, they're going to find them and make them pay.

That night, Sylvester stays up late at the Whitmore-Dugan house, sitting at the dining room table. Barbara finds him and asks what he's doing up. He's polishing silver like a useful person. She asks what happened. He took the kids into the tunnel but didn't find anything, except for a huge painting of Icicle and his cronies. He started thinking about what Icicle did to him and lost his temper, big time. He sighs as he must look pretty unhinged again. A thought that kept him up. He doesn't think he's the kind of person that's good at setting examples, unlike Pat. He just never planned on being a parent. She understands as before she met Pat, she never thought she'd have a son. She thought her life was just Courtney and her. But when Pat came with Mike, she wasn't sure how she was going to do stepping into Mike's life. But she tries, and that's all they can do. Be their best and if he has a bad moment, help them learn from it. Sylvester asks how it's going with Mike, and she swells up with tears at the thought. He's her son and she's really grateful every day for it.

In the morning, Mike looks for his Super Sugar Check. Sylvester put everything in alphabetical order, which isn't an answer for the boy. Sylvester explains it's between the rice cakes and the tortilla chips, two from the left, one up from the bottom shelf. The boy finds it right in front of him. Sylvester sarcastically calls it a real breakfast of champions. The boy's silence resonates with Sylvester, who remarks that Mike doesn't like him very much. Sylvester knows they're different types of people. Mike snaps that he means Sylvester's a JSA type of person and he's not. Sylvester quickly tells him no. The JSA was made up of all sorts of people, and they were not all best buds. He got on Dr. Fate's nerves worse than Wotan. Mike questions what the hell a Wotan is, asking if it's a skin disease. Sylvester explains Wotan was Fate's archenemy, and he thinks he did have a skin disease as he was green. The point is, Mike stopped Icicle, and he's the one who put Sylvester in the ground. So in a way, Mike got him justice. Mike retorts it was an accident, though Sylvester isn't convinced. Either way, going up against Eclipso was real superhero stuff. When he was Mike's age, no one took him seriously either, so he made things happen. He proved everybody wrong about the Star-Spangled Kid by going places and doing things that said he couldn't. Maybe the two aren't so different, after all.

Pat joins them by cheerfully asking who wants an omelet. Barbara and Courtney walk in, giving each other a hug. They discuss how things went with the kids last night, learning Sylvester came up empty handed with no Dragon King. Sylvester plans to find one of his hidden labs across the country, which is news to Courtney. Sylvester explains that he and The Crimson Avenger tracked them back in the day. There's one south of them he wants to check out. As he talks, Courtney keeps checking her phone and smiling. Sylvester knows she missed out on the tunnels, so he offers to wait until after school if she wants to come check them out herself. She's good as they've got it covered. She grabs an orange and tells everyone to enjoy the waffles, walking out happily. Pat corrects that they're having omelets. Sylvester wonders if Courtney knows the difference.

Blue Valley High School is abuzz with morning news. Mike and Jakeem talk by the lockers. The tunnels are empty, which Jakeem thinks is good. Mike thinks this means they still have a chance of catching the perp themselves. That's what Starman said they should do, surprising Jakeem. They have to step outside of their comfort zones, but Jakeem likes his comfort zone. It doesn't have crocodile people in it. Besides, he thought they weren't going to do this alone, he thought they were supposed to form a team. A locker slams shut as Brian Tanner Balloid and Travis walk up. They're collecting money for the hungry - the hungry being them. It's a tax for being losers. Jakeem thinks that's fair but Mike stops him. Mike wishes they could figure this out, sparking inspiration from Jakeem. He whispers to Thunderbolt that he really wishes these bullies were nicer to them. Thunderbolt affects them, making their eyes glow pink. They bullies now nicely ask for their money or else they'll hit the boys really, really hard in their quite handsome faces. Cindy intervenes and takes down both boys, putting Brian in an arm lock. If she catches him messing with the freshman again, she'll break way more than his arm. He groans why she cares, but she doesn't, sauntering off. The boys watch her go, a pink glow surrounding her as they admire her.

Starman lands in a clearing clutching the Cosmic Staff. He remarks that flying is fun, before proceeding to scan the area for a way into the lair. The staff points down to the ground and blows away leaves to show the hatch. Sylvester muses on the many uses the staff has. Unfortunately, the hatch is locked behind a keypad. He uses an earpiece to call Beth, who is in the middle of a test at school. She hears the goggles trilling and puts them on, trying to be discreet. He's at one of Dragon King's hidden labs in the middle of Nowheresville in the sticks but can't get in. He asks her to disable the locks since she's a hacker. She's in the middle of a test and is not a hacker. He pressures her by saying it will only take a sec, promising to be her best friend. She sighs but tells him to send his location so she can see if there are any systems she can plug into. He sends it using MapQuest, hoping it still works. The goggles show her information and she ultimately succeeds in unlocking the hatch. He praises her for being a genius, which flatters her. He opens the hatch to the lair as Beth glances down at her test. The goggles give her the answers despite her protests. He asks her what's going on and she admits the goggles are giving her the answers to the math test. He thinks that's great, congratulating her, but she knows it's cheating. She hangs up and sighs, putting her head on the desk.

Starman descends into the lab to investigate. The lab is abandoned, dusty, and covered in cobwebs. He's grateful to not have a dust allergy. He hears a hissing sound and finds a lizard in a cage. It reminds him of his mother, though it's cuter. He continues searching and passes a mirror, smiling as he greets the handsome reflection.

Back in Blue Valley, Pat and Barbara enjoy a meal together at Richie Rock's Diner. Maria brings them their food and Pat thanks her. She tells him to tell Zeek she said hello, which confuses him. She gives Pat a wink as she walks away. Barbara, however, is just happy to have a lunch date in the middle of the week. They should do this more often and he absentmindedly agrees. She asks what has him so distracted. He admits that it's Courtney, as she hasn't been herself lately. He's sure Barbara's noticed it too. Barbara starts to laugh which confuses Pat, who wonders if its an inside joke or something. She smiles that Courtney has a crush on someone, though she doesn't know who. She's sure Courtney will tell them eventually. This is what they wanted for her, to just be a normal teenager once in a while. As Pat thinks on the reveal, Crusher and Paula slide into the booth, greeting their friends. He's pleased to see Pat eating sweet potato fries, which are a good source of Omega-3s. Pat sarcastically tells him to have a seat and make themselves at home. Crusher ignores him, as he and Paula have taken a page out of their do-gooder handbook. Paula admits they're doing their own investigation into Steven Sharpe's murder. They started by interrogating everyone he owed money to, which is a whole lot of people with motive to whack him. He adds they dangled them off a tall building to get answers. Paula sees Barbara's disapproving face and quickly shakes her head as Larry elaborates. They weren't the only one the putz paid back before he died. In fact, he paid them all page. She thought it was impossible for a degenerate like Sharpe to truly change, but they're thinking maybe he did. Pat praises them for investigating that angle, and while he can't condone their tactics, does appreciate their dedication. But their work is done. The couple insists they aren't done, and are going to help him solve this thing. Pat suggests they have other important things to do, like checking in with their parole officers and cholesterol levels. Crusher sternly says their levels are pristine. He quickly adds there's a weird bonus to being heroes, making Paula laugh. It's kind of super-charged their lives in the bedroom. The couple giggles and begins making out, which unnerves Barbara and Pat, who call for the check.

Over at BVHS, the lab teacher calls for everyone to grab their notes and a lab partner. Courtney sees Cindy alone and walks over, tapping her on the arm to ask if she wants to be a team. She smirks at the double-meaning. Cindy wonders if she's going to apologize for leaving her out of the JSA meetings again, but Courtney's not going to. That's too bad, because groveling looks really good on Courtney. However, Cindy's been the one itching thr group at lunch. Cindy sighs that they can be partners. As they work, Courtney asks if Cindy grew up in Blue Valley. Cindy sees through the introductory question and wants to know what she wants. Courtney admits she's been hanging out with Cameron more, though he's in a bad place right about his dad. She feels guilty about what happened. Cindy insists she can't tell him what happened. He'll be just fine as he's basically a nice guy, though he's not nice to her. No one is besides Courtney, really. Courtney knows Cindy's changed and that other people will see that eventually. Cindy asks why Courtney is talking to her about this and not Catgirl or someone else. After a moment of silence, Courtney admits it's because she knew Cindy wouldn't judge her and would give it to her straight. Cindy takes the compliment. She likes the idea of her and Cameron, which means a lot to Courtney. Cindy knows that no one wants to hear how awful their father is, or was. After all, she's sure Courtney would rather still think Starman is her father instead of some degenerate who didn't want her. She laments that Courtney doesn't want him to feel like they do.

Once class ends, Mike and Jakeem watch Cindy from around a corner of lockers. Thunderbolt sparks that Operation: Dragon Queen is a go. The boys argue over who will go to talk to her. By the time they both decide to go, Cindy is at the corner to get into her locker. They greet her and she coolly asks what they want. Mike has a preposition for her, which makes her smirk as that's not what he means, but tells him to go ahead. He tells her to face it - Courtney and the others are not her biggest fans, and a woman with her skills needs to be appreciated. Jakeem blurts out worship. Mike stammers that the appreciation is just not coming from the JSA. He asks her to ditch those ingrates and join them, the Young All-Stars. Cindy pauses then bursts out laughing, calling it adorable. They boys eagerly think that's a yes, but she chuckles that it's never going to happen, ever. She means that in the nicest way and walks off. Mike calls after her that they haven't told her the perks yet. Thunderbolt asks what she said, as he couldn't hear. Jakeem wonders if she just doesn't like the name, which is a bit long. Mike thinks that's the best part, but eventually agrees to workshop the name.

The JSA, with the exception of Cindy, sits at lunch as they discuss Sylvester not finding Dragon King at the other lab. Beth wants to bring her up to speed on everything since she's part of the team, and could probably help. Yolanda still doesn't trust her, but is open to it if that's what Courtney wants. They look at their leader expectantly, but she's lost in her phone, looking at a place called the Ice Inn. Beth calls to her to no avail, so Yolanda calls Earth to Courtney Whitmore, snapping her back. She insists she's listening and agrees to loop Sylvester in. Rick shakes his head as that's not what they were talking about.

Cameron walks up behind Courtney and stops next to her. He greets with a hi and a smile. She returns the hi back at him, smiling sheepishly. He looks at the table and asks how it's going, trying to be friendly. Rick scoffs as they're in the middle of a conversation. He tells Cameron to get lost. The boy's kind demeanor falters as he asks what exactly Rick's problem is. Rick retorts that he's staring right at him. Courtney snaps at Rick to knock it off. She apologizes to Cameron and claims they're in the middle of a project. Beth chimes in that it's for the Science Fair. He didn't mean to interrupt and apologizes to Courtney, who tells him it's okay. He'll see her later and walks off.

With him gone, Courtney throws her arms in the air in exasperation as she looks at Rick. He hopes she's not hanging out with that creep, earning a cold look. She firmly says he's not a creep and not to say that. Beth intervenes as it's kind of bad timing as they're trying to find a killer and need her. Yolanda agrees, as Sylvester's great, but Rick adds he has a temper. Courtney snaps back, asking if Rick doesn't. He looks to the ceiling in annoyance. She insists she's focused on the case, but she's helping Cameron too. They're the JSA they're supposed to help people. Beth asks what Cameron Mahkent needs help with, but Courtney doesn't answer. She's finally found someone she likes, questioning why they can't just be happy for her. Truthfully, Yolanda can't, not when it's him. She's sorry but starts to talk about his dad. Courtney snaps back that Cameron isn't anymore his father then she is hers. That's not fair to him or to her. She stands and grabs her bag, tearfully storming away from the table. Beth, Yolanda, and Rick exchange looks.

Cameron puts his books in his locker when Cindy approaches. She heard he's dating Courtney, which provokes him to ask why that matters to her. She and Courtney are friends now, real BFFs, so she's just looking out for her girl. He's doubtful, which she understands, but people do change. She asks if he's changed, a statement that confuses him. She asks if he's told Courtney about summer art camp, between second and third grade. She guesses it was less of a camp and more of an institution where little angry boys could learn to stop breaking things. He slowly asks why she's doing this. She presses on by asking if the walls were padded. If there were shrinks talking about his mommy. He looks at her and breathes heavily, clenching his jaw as his eyes begin to freeze over. Her face falls at the sight but he blinks the ice away. He doesn't know why she wants to hurt him, but everything she just said, proves that she hasn't changed. She smirks with maybe and saunters off. He slams his locker shut and glares after her.

Rick's yellow mustang is parked outside The Pit Stop. Inside, Rick, Yolanda, and Beth fill Sylvester in on what happened during lunch. They've never seen Courtney like that before. Sylvester thinks it does sound like they went after her a little bit. Yolanda questions if he's on her side. There are no side and she shouldn't ever think that way. They know the story by now. The JSA got into a fight about what happened with Bruce Gordon, they never fully reconciled, then his choice about Bruce made everyone pick sides, which eventually destroyed them. He should have listened to Pat. He should have done whatever he had to bring the team back together. He asks them to please learn from his mistakes. So if Courtney wants to hang out with Cameron Mahkent, let her. Beth adds they still have a murder to solve. Yolanda still thinks Cindy's not telling them something, maybe about her dad. Sylvester tells her follow her gut, while Rick still has to fix the hourglass. Beth's goggles ring so she puts them on, answering a call from her parents. Bridget and James grin on the other end, asking how her math test went. It was horrible because she cheated, but can't talk right now as she's in the middle of a JSA meeting. The goggles automatically analyzes Sylvester's mood, first showing agitation, then curiosity. James tells her that Barbara said the Crocks were following up some leads. Bridget thinks that if the Crocks can help, they can certainly do something. They want an assignment or a special mission believing themselves to be ready. She promises they'll talk later tonight and hangs up. She explains they want her to give them a mission. Sylvester knows it's hard when the family finds out and gets involved. His sister Merry did, who Yolanda recognizes as being Henry's mom, Merry Pemberton. Sylvester adds that Brainwave killed her. Beth asks what she should do. His first rule is to protect the family.

Across town at Richie Rock's Diner, Courtney sits at the counter with a chocolate milkshake. Maria sees her sitting along with a solemn mood, asking if she's okay. Courtney gives her a silent smile so Maria passes, putting a hand on her shoulder as she leaves. Cindy enters and tells Courtney there's one big difference between them: Courtney sees the good in people while she sees the bad. She talked to Cameron about her as a favor. She knows his grandmother is a freak like Jordan. She saw her eyes get white with ice last summer because she made her mad. She wanted to push Cameron's buttons to try and trigger him and she did. He has his family's powers. The lack of surprise from Courtney makes Cindy realize she already knew. Courtney admits she's going to help him control them. Cindy scoffs, telling her to cut bait, new girl. She's read this story and it only ends one way. She also wouldn't finish the milkshake. Once Cindy's gone, Courtney looks at the drink.

Back at The Pit Stop, Sylvester is leaving for the night when he sees Rick still there, struggling to figure the hourglass out. He tells Rick not to be so hard on himself, as his dad had a lifetime of education before he invented that thing. Rick sighs, wondering how he can be Hourman if his strength gives out after twenty minutes or two. Sylvester thinks it has to be the limiter, which is news to Rick. Sylvester explains there's this thingy, for lack of a better term, on the hourglass that limits it to working an hour a day. That's gotta be busted. Rick thinks he can remove the limiter and asks if it will work 24 hours a day. Sylvester isn't sure, but whatever he decides, he has to be careful. His dad created the limiter for a reason. If he needs him, just call. They say goodbye and Rick flips through the journal.

That night, Beth sits at her computer at home, working on The Gambler's case by viewing feedback from the goggles. Her parents rush in, having come as soon as she called. They know there's a lot happening fast, and ask how they can help. Beth slowly stands from her chair, closing her computer. They can help her the most if they stay out of her life as Doctor Mid-Nite. This confuses them so she explains to Bridget how dangerous this life is. Sylvester's sister was murdered because she got involved, and so was Dr. McNider's daughter. If DRagon King is out there, or whoever it is, she doesn't want anything to happen to them. It scares her so she's asking them to please stop calling her and to stop helping. She tears up as she asks and looks at their saddened faces. James and Bridget understand and leave the room as she cries.

Rick removes the limiter from the hourglass and puts the pieces back together. He stands up and puts the hourglass on, turning it over. The dust glows gold and emits a wave of energy that floods over his skin and through his veins. He lets out a breath as he clenches his fists.

Shiv enters Dragon King's underground lair. The answers she's looking for have to be here. She sees the lizard and remarks "ew" before rifling through the drawers. She hears squeaking but doesn't find anything.

Wildcat breaks into Cindy's room through the window, making sure the girl is gone. She rifles through drawers then presses her hands on the desk.

Pat checks on Courtney, who isn't home. Buddy looks up from the bed and Pat ruffles his head as a greeting.

Courtney and Cameron sit at the Mahkent residence. She opens a book about the Ice Inn, asking if he thinks it's beautiful. Not taking his eyes off her, he agrees. She smirks as she's talking about the ice hotel. He chuckles as he tries to correct that he was too. She thinks this could be a perfect example of what he might be able to do. He thinks they should go there sometime. He opens his hand and swirls a circle around his palm, the building slowly manifesting in ice form. He looks up at her as she looks in amazement. He brought the ice hotel to her. She takes it and looks it over. She remarks it's beautiful and cold. Lily and Sofus watch from the doorway before walking away. Cameron smiles up at Courtney.

Yolanda closes Cindy's closet doors then spots something under the bed. She takes out Gambler's laptop and remarks that she knew it. She's going to kick her ass.

Cast

Starring

Special Appearance By

Guest Starring

Co-Starring

Notes and Trivia

  • Five days have passed since The Gambler's murder, which took place in "Chapter One: The Murder".
  • While talking about the JSA, Sylvester mentions Golden Age JSA member Doctor Fate, and how they didn't always get along. He was a hero who fought in the final battle against the ISA, though he died in the battle.
    • In the comics, Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson) was a golden age hero an a member of the JSA and the All-Star Squadron. His powers were granted alongside the Helmet of Fate by The Lord of Order Nabu.
    • Sylvester also mentioned Wotan, categorizing him as Doctor Fate's archenemy. In the DC Comics, Wotan is a centuries-old being who has studied black magic and even reincarnation, beginning life as a woman and later taking up the identity of a man.
  • For a deep-dive podcast with lots of behind the scenes info and easter eggs that you won’t find anywhere else, click here.
    • Cindy walking in slow motion away from Mike was a reference to the 1992 film, Wayne's World. In the script, the music meant to be playing over the scene was Dream Weaver, though production couldn't get the rights to the music.
  • Courtney and Cameron officially begin their relationship.
  • During chemistry class, Courtney and Cindy pair up for a project. This parallels them working together as lab partners in "Shiv Part One" when the girls first bonded. Cindy asked her to hang out over the weekend of the dance, since neither were going. Courtney ended up canceling to make plans with Cameron. During their partnership now, the girls discuss Courtney's burgeoning relationship with Cameron, not having become friends.
  • In chemistry class, Cindy refers to Yolanda as Catgirl. In the DC Comics, Catgirl is the younger counterpart to Catwoman.
  • Mike and Jakeem attempt to recruit Cindy to their team, the Young All-Stars.
    • This is the second episode to feature another team recruiting new members other than the JSA, following Injustice Unlimited. Ironically, both instances involved Cindy Burman, though in opposite perspectives.
    • Young All-Stars is a reference to the group in the DC Comics. Canonically, the group was founded in 1942 during World War II, and operated alongside the All-Star Squadron as their younger allies. Their team leader was Iron Munro.
  • When Sylvester calls Beth, the goggles seemingly show that he's in Lincoln, Nebraska near a subterranean laboratory.
    • Additionally, three options were listed for Beth to choose from - deactivate alarm, unlock hatch, and release poison.
  • When Maria brings Pat and Barbara their food, he thanks her by calling her "Mary Ann". This is an error, as her name tag visibly states "Maria". She is also credited as Maria Carmen Saravia. By the end of the scene, Pat calls her Maria.
  • By removing the limiter, Rick repairs the function of the Hourglass. In theory, he can now access his power 24 hours a day.

Gallery

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Screenshots

All Screenshots are courtesy of Screencapped.net. For a complete image set, see their gallery.

Behind the Scenes

Soundtrack

References

Navigational

Season 3 - Frenemies
"The Murder" "The Suspects" "The Blackmail" "The Evidence" "The Thief" "The Betayal" "Infinity Inc. Part One" "Infinity Inc. Part Two" "The Monsters" "The Killer" " The Haunting" "The Last Will and Testament of Sylvester Pemberton" "The Reckoning"
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