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Fabulous Five #20
The Witches of Wakeman
Beth Barry is glad to have a part in Wakeman's Halloween variety show called "The Witches' Cauldron", even if she is stuck playing one of the ugly hags from "Macbeth". But soon, accidents begin happening on the set and superstititions run rampant among the cast. Could someone be trying to sabotage the play?
Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
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About the author
Betsy Haynes
122 books109 followersABOUT ME
Maybe it's because my feisty grandma chased tarantulas around with a broom when we lived on an oil lease property when I was a baby that made me love danger and adventure. And maybe it was my father's spending nights as a trombonist with the bands of his day and his days spent drawing sketches that sparked my artistic side. Do you suppose that because my mother stood only four feet ten inches tall that I feel like a giant at five feet? And I'm sure my FBI (Full Blooded Italian) step-father, his seven brothers and sisters and their families are responsible for my LOVE of Italian food. That's who I am. Who are you?
My First Book, Peppy The Frog That I Wrote In The 2nd Grade
I'll always be a child at heart. Whenever I close my eyes, wonderful, funny, awful, embarrassing memories of middle school/junior high come flooding back to fill the pages of my contemporary novels. My childhood friendships and rivalries with old enemies all find their way into my books. I've even spied on my own kids for story ideas.
Unlike most kids who can't wait to grow up, I've gotten younger--at least my stories have. I've stepped into the world of 7 to 10 year olds.
I and my husband, Jim, live in Texas on Lake Lewisville north of Dallas. We are owned by our greyhound, Miller. Our favorite things to do are traveling the world and boating.
Maybe it's because my feisty grandma chased tarantulas around with a broom when we lived on an oil lease property when I was a baby that made me love danger and adventure. And maybe it was my father's spending nights as a trombonist with the bands of his day and his days spent drawing sketches that sparked my artistic side. Do you suppose that because my mother stood only four feet ten inches tall that I feel like a giant at five feet? And I'm sure my FBI (Full Blooded Italian) step-father, his seven brothers and sisters and their families are responsible for my LOVE of Italian food. That's who I am. Who are you?
My First Book, Peppy The Frog That I Wrote In The 2nd Grade
I'll always be a child at heart. Whenever I close my eyes, wonderful, funny, awful, embarrassing memories of middle school/junior high come flooding back to fill the pages of my contemporary novels. My childhood friendships and rivalries with old enemies all find their way into my books. I've even spied on my own kids for story ideas.
Unlike most kids who can't wait to grow up, I've gotten younger--at least my stories have. I've stepped into the world of 7 to 10 year olds.
I and my husband, Jim, live in Texas on Lake Lewisville north of Dallas. We are owned by our greyhound, Miller. Our favorite things to do are traveling the world and boating.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 10, 2018
The Witches of Wakeman had a pinch of insecurity and a dash of theater superstition during rehearsals and performances of a Halloween stage production.
Interesting read for theater and Halloween enthusiasts. A great reminder that our insecurities are our assets when it comes to real beauty and talent.
Interesting read for theater and Halloween enthusiasts. A great reminder that our insecurities are our assets when it comes to real beauty and talent.
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June 11, 2024The Witches of Wakeman
The Fabulous Five go with Beath to an audition for one of the MC Witches for the Witches Cauldron (w variety show). All the acts while be centered around a Halloween theme. Props and sets can also be signed up for. A cute ninth grader named Chet does a “Headless Horseman” (head) juggling act. Another ninth grader Paul does a magic act with Halloween props sand actually pulls a bat out of his hat. Next, it’s the witches turn. Laura’s idea of auditioning is letting loose her braid and reading in her normal voice. Beth’s dtion is going good. She’s using an old hags voice, projecting slowing, and with emphasis. But then there’s a noise and she drops her script and screams.
Laura says the mirror feel backstage and almost hit her. Someone on the stage crew goes to check it out. She reports mirror feel off the shelf and shattered. The teacher goes to check on it. Beth is suspicious, but Laura says she didn’t do it. The teacher says he’s glad Laura wasn’t standing on it and the janitor, but continues on with the auditions. He says first he wants to tell them about the supe stition around the scene taken from MacBeath. There’s been bad luck since the first time it was produced. The lady who first played the lead role went home with a stomach ache and died so Shakespeare had to take the part. He says it was the “Double Double” speech is said to be cursed. It was taken from ancient witches’ runes. Levine says he doesn’t believe in it but its best just to be alert so accidents don’t happen. They should all learn their lines and help each other. Beth tells herself it’s just an accident.
Beth’s name is on the list. So is Laura’s . Chet, Paul, Dekeashia, and Lisa’s names are on the list. More have tried out, but none of them have made it. The Fab Five think it’s likely they dropped out. Melanie says she wishes she can act so she can be around Chet. So, Beth suggests she go with her and sign up to work with the backstage crew, They meet Molly who wants to work on the backstage crew as well. She doesn’t have a good opinon of Laura and calls her a “Cipher” Mr. Levine says his announcement says the cast is smaller because his announcement scared off slot of the others but as far as he’s concerned that’s that. Beath, Dekesha, and Laura get the roles of the MC Witches and they’ll be the witches in the skit. Lisna Snow will be Snow White. Shelly will be Dorothy. Beth would be the bad witch and Laura would be the good witch in the Oz skit. Beth knows she got the better part but why did Laura have to be the good witch? She wonders if it’s because Laura has a better body.
After this Beth turns insecure about her looks. Particularly her flat chest. She consoles herself with the thought that Laura still can’t act worth a damn. Beth tells her friends and Jana says its obvious why Laura got Glenda. She couldn’t have pulled off the other role. Beth still can’t get over the fact that Laura was chosen because her looks. Beth starts to perk up a bit tho when she hears that Melanie and her crew has picked out long, black, capes with statiny material for the girls. But then she sees Keith flirting with Laura. She and Melanie head to the auditorium. Leanie apologizes. Beth thinks about how Keith always acts immature when he’s around his friends. But is he just acting immature or is he attracted to Laura?
At rehearsal, the Witches go through the “Double Double” scene again. Laura is “instructed” to do it in a different voice. During the Oz skit, Laura lets out a shriek and announces her beautiful wand has been stolen. (Earlier she was bragging on it). She accuses Beth of having been seen with it last. (Even tho Dekeshia says she had it to ). The teacher says it’ll turn up and they go back to rehearsting. Molly says it’s the cuse and Beth wonders….
After rehearsal ends, Beth talks to Paul and compliments him on his act. He gets into a conversation with her about his bats (Batman, Robin, and Shirtely). He invites her over to see them. She accepts thrilled that a ninth grader wants to invite her over and a little vindictive. If Keith can flirt with Laura well two can play that game.
When she gets home, she asks her sister are looks important. She notices her mom is flat chested and her sister Brittany isn’t exactly flat but isn’t exactly full either. Brittany just shrugs and says not unless you’re going out for the Miss America pageant. Mrs. Barry tells Beth she’s pretty just give herself time to fill out. Beth isn’t encouraged. Her mother never did. Beth asks her friends how they feel about the Miss America contests and Katie is disgusted how they judge them on how they look in a swimsuit. Beth agrees. Jana says tho talent must be some talent consideration. Beth gets angry and says she doesn’t think women should be judged on their bust size and this surprises the others, but she storms off. Keith catches up with her and she makes plans with him to meet at Bumpers after school. She then makes plans with Paul at rehersal (after meeting Shirley-his assistant and sister-) to come to his house tomorrow after school.
There’s a Halloween costume contest announced at Bumpers. Melanie says she’ll be going as a rock star. Then they talk about Laura accusing Beth of stealing her wand. Beth gets mad at snaps at Keith for not defending her to Laura (even tho she’s not there) and storms out of Bumpers and goes home. She then starts making figure eights that turn into figures of girls (full figured girls). Jana stops by to check on her. Jana quickly guesses what’s wrong with Beth and then says its bs. She got the best role in the show because of her TALENT and she’s a better actress. She doesn’t know why Laura got picked. Maybe because so many dropped out but she thinks she’s great how she is. She also tells her she’s wrong about Ketih. He’s not interested in Laura. Beth doesn’t want to hear it and she says she saw him flirting with Laura and it’s because of her body. Beth says if she was on her sisde she’d help her figure out what to do and Jana says the problems she’s having are just in her head. Then Jana leaves. Beth wonders if she should apologize, but then thinks no Jana should apologize. She should try to see things from her POV.
Molly shows Beth the wart she made for her, but Beth silently refuses. She’ll never put that on her face not with Laura watching. But then later she thinks about it and she loves the idea. She vows to give her all to the role and no one will even notice Laura. The wart will be her secret weapon to steal the show. At rehearsal, she really gets into character and has a blast. Her first performance at Copper Beach is next week. She wonders if Keith and she will be speaking again by then and how he’ll feel about the wart. Beth invites Melanie to come with her to Paul’s house to see his bats. She says she will but will probably spend more time looing at him than the bats.
While Laura, Beth, and Dekesha are practing one of Chet’s heads roll across the stage, but there was no one back there to have caused it. Beth starts to wonder if Laura behind all these incidents. She could have got Tammy and Funny to help her roll the head.Mr. Levine calls a meeting. He says he doesn’t believe in the curse but there are things they can do to bring them luck. They shouldn’t say the name of the play (MacBeth). They can also sleep on their script and then can put a penny in there shoe. Then can also wear squeaky shoes to make the play a success. He tells them some more. Never whistle in their dressing room. Rub a rabbit’s foot over their face. Don’t sneeze in the dressing room. These are a few. There’s another a line. Angels and Ministers of grace defend us. They tell Melanie to say it and she does. Beth thinks all this is lame. I can’t help but agree. Molly says maybe the wand will turn up. Then someone brings in Laura’s dress. Beth and the others gasp. The dress is gorgues. The sleeves are puffed, it’s sequined, and has full sleeves. Beth tries to tell herself it won’t make a difference.
Keith calls her later to check on her and tells her he heard about the head. Beth tries to bait him by brining up the dress and then tries to get off the phone. Keith asks what’s up with her. She makes up an excuse that she has to get off the phone. Later, she goes to see Jana and they make up. Jana encourages her to make up with Keith. Beth says it won’t be as easy but she’ll talk to him the next day.
Keith tho isn’t there the next day. At rehearsal, the teacher says they have five more days left. He’s proud of their progress. Molly has made a new wamd but Laura doesn’t seen too enthusiastic about it. Beth sees Paul and Shirley having an argument and she goes over to him. She again compliments him on his act possibly being the hit of the show. Paul’s mood lifts. The rehearsal goes well. Beth then goes home to see if Keith called but he hasn’t. She calls Keith and finds out he had a dental appointment and came back after lunch. She asks can she come by but he says he’s busy that night. He says she can come over the next day.
Keith shows her some magazines of movie stars stars like Michelle Peiffer and Merly Streep and Audry Hepburn that are some of the best actresses out there but are thin. Beth gets the message and they make up. On the night (day) of the play Laura realizes her tiara is missing. The play goes fine but Laura scowls at Beth through the whole play. Beth tho gets losts of congrats. Mollys its her fault. She wished everyone luck before the show. During the Copper Beach show, it goes well except one of the heads again roll across the stage. The elementary kids love it tho. There are two more performances left.
The Fab Five wonder if Laura is the one stealing her own props for attention, but they dismiss it because Laura seems to love her props too much. So, they decide to do a stake out to find out whose behind it. But the next performance they don’t catch anyone and wonder if the culprit heard about it and that scared then off. They say they’ll continue to keep a look out when they do the show at Mark Twain Elementary.
Beth sees someone while talking to Paul. It’s Molly dressed up like a custodian and Melanie dressed up as a man with a cigar. Something happens during the last scene where Beth is suppsed to melt and she hears a scream. The kids on’t hear it and she Beth manages to stay in character. Robin flies out onto the stage and then disappears back behind the curtin. Paul says it was Robin all along. The latch was open and the cage door was open a few times. He was the reason the apple feel on the stage and why the head rolled out. Robin probably was attracted to the glittery things and dropped them somewhere and he probably moved the mirror enough to dorp it. Beth admits she was wrong and that she thought Laura hid her own props. Molly says they owe each other apologises and makes Beth and Laura shake hands. Christie’s mother and other teachers give Beth props on how great a job she did on her performance. Beth thinks maybe she’ll be like Jack Nicolson and realizes she doesn’t have to be big chested to be a great actress. She thinks what else can she act for. Then she takes out the wart and thinks she could ask for a black hair to stick out of her wart. OH KAAAY.
My Thoughts:
Beth obsessing about her flat chest for 13 chapters does not a great book make. The “mystery” wasn’t all that great either. This book had promise with the Halloween themed variety show but sadly it didn’t live up to the preview in the last book which hinted on Laura trying to come between the Fab Five and break them up. Also, Double Double -tge wirds ub tge scebe0 were repeated WAY to much. It felt like the book was trying to fill up a word count or space by repating this over and over. My favorite part of this was Keith showing Beth the magazine. Keith might be immature around his friends but what he did there shows he’s a GREAT boyfriend! It really did show him to smar because I know men older than him that wouldn’t have handled it the way he did. He gets points from me for that!
Rating: 5
The Fabulous Five go with Beath to an audition for one of the MC Witches for the Witches Cauldron (w variety show). All the acts while be centered around a Halloween theme. Props and sets can also be signed up for. A cute ninth grader named Chet does a “Headless Horseman” (head) juggling act. Another ninth grader Paul does a magic act with Halloween props sand actually pulls a bat out of his hat. Next, it’s the witches turn. Laura’s idea of auditioning is letting loose her braid and reading in her normal voice. Beth’s dtion is going good. She’s using an old hags voice, projecting slowing, and with emphasis. But then there’s a noise and she drops her script and screams.
Laura says the mirror feel backstage and almost hit her. Someone on the stage crew goes to check it out. She reports mirror feel off the shelf and shattered. The teacher goes to check on it. Beth is suspicious, but Laura says she didn’t do it. The teacher says he’s glad Laura wasn’t standing on it and the janitor, but continues on with the auditions. He says first he wants to tell them about the supe stition around the scene taken from MacBeath. There’s been bad luck since the first time it was produced. The lady who first played the lead role went home with a stomach ache and died so Shakespeare had to take the part. He says it was the “Double Double” speech is said to be cursed. It was taken from ancient witches’ runes. Levine says he doesn’t believe in it but its best just to be alert so accidents don’t happen. They should all learn their lines and help each other. Beth tells herself it’s just an accident.
Beth’s name is on the list. So is Laura’s . Chet, Paul, Dekeashia, and Lisa’s names are on the list. More have tried out, but none of them have made it. The Fab Five think it’s likely they dropped out. Melanie says she wishes she can act so she can be around Chet. So, Beth suggests she go with her and sign up to work with the backstage crew, They meet Molly who wants to work on the backstage crew as well. She doesn’t have a good opinon of Laura and calls her a “Cipher” Mr. Levine says his announcement says the cast is smaller because his announcement scared off slot of the others but as far as he’s concerned that’s that. Beath, Dekesha, and Laura get the roles of the MC Witches and they’ll be the witches in the skit. Lisna Snow will be Snow White. Shelly will be Dorothy. Beth would be the bad witch and Laura would be the good witch in the Oz skit. Beth knows she got the better part but why did Laura have to be the good witch? She wonders if it’s because Laura has a better body.
After this Beth turns insecure about her looks. Particularly her flat chest. She consoles herself with the thought that Laura still can’t act worth a damn. Beth tells her friends and Jana says its obvious why Laura got Glenda. She couldn’t have pulled off the other role. Beth still can’t get over the fact that Laura was chosen because her looks. Beth starts to perk up a bit tho when she hears that Melanie and her crew has picked out long, black, capes with statiny material for the girls. But then she sees Keith flirting with Laura. She and Melanie head to the auditorium. Leanie apologizes. Beth thinks about how Keith always acts immature when he’s around his friends. But is he just acting immature or is he attracted to Laura?
At rehearsal, the Witches go through the “Double Double” scene again. Laura is “instructed” to do it in a different voice. During the Oz skit, Laura lets out a shriek and announces her beautiful wand has been stolen. (Earlier she was bragging on it). She accuses Beth of having been seen with it last. (Even tho Dekeshia says she had it to ). The teacher says it’ll turn up and they go back to rehearsting. Molly says it’s the cuse and Beth wonders….
After rehearsal ends, Beth talks to Paul and compliments him on his act. He gets into a conversation with her about his bats (Batman, Robin, and Shirtely). He invites her over to see them. She accepts thrilled that a ninth grader wants to invite her over and a little vindictive. If Keith can flirt with Laura well two can play that game.
When she gets home, she asks her sister are looks important. She notices her mom is flat chested and her sister Brittany isn’t exactly flat but isn’t exactly full either. Brittany just shrugs and says not unless you’re going out for the Miss America pageant. Mrs. Barry tells Beth she’s pretty just give herself time to fill out. Beth isn’t encouraged. Her mother never did. Beth asks her friends how they feel about the Miss America contests and Katie is disgusted how they judge them on how they look in a swimsuit. Beth agrees. Jana says tho talent must be some talent consideration. Beth gets angry and says she doesn’t think women should be judged on their bust size and this surprises the others, but she storms off. Keith catches up with her and she makes plans with him to meet at Bumpers after school. She then makes plans with Paul at rehersal (after meeting Shirley-his assistant and sister-) to come to his house tomorrow after school.
There’s a Halloween costume contest announced at Bumpers. Melanie says she’ll be going as a rock star. Then they talk about Laura accusing Beth of stealing her wand. Beth gets mad at snaps at Keith for not defending her to Laura (even tho she’s not there) and storms out of Bumpers and goes home. She then starts making figure eights that turn into figures of girls (full figured girls). Jana stops by to check on her. Jana quickly guesses what’s wrong with Beth and then says its bs. She got the best role in the show because of her TALENT and she’s a better actress. She doesn’t know why Laura got picked. Maybe because so many dropped out but she thinks she’s great how she is. She also tells her she’s wrong about Ketih. He’s not interested in Laura. Beth doesn’t want to hear it and she says she saw him flirting with Laura and it’s because of her body. Beth says if she was on her sisde she’d help her figure out what to do and Jana says the problems she’s having are just in her head. Then Jana leaves. Beth wonders if she should apologize, but then thinks no Jana should apologize. She should try to see things from her POV.
Molly shows Beth the wart she made for her, but Beth silently refuses. She’ll never put that on her face not with Laura watching. But then later she thinks about it and she loves the idea. She vows to give her all to the role and no one will even notice Laura. The wart will be her secret weapon to steal the show. At rehearsal, she really gets into character and has a blast. Her first performance at Copper Beach is next week. She wonders if Keith and she will be speaking again by then and how he’ll feel about the wart. Beth invites Melanie to come with her to Paul’s house to see his bats. She says she will but will probably spend more time looing at him than the bats.
While Laura, Beth, and Dekesha are practing one of Chet’s heads roll across the stage, but there was no one back there to have caused it. Beth starts to wonder if Laura behind all these incidents. She could have got Tammy and Funny to help her roll the head.Mr. Levine calls a meeting. He says he doesn’t believe in the curse but there are things they can do to bring them luck. They shouldn’t say the name of the play (MacBeth). They can also sleep on their script and then can put a penny in there shoe. Then can also wear squeaky shoes to make the play a success. He tells them some more. Never whistle in their dressing room. Rub a rabbit’s foot over their face. Don’t sneeze in the dressing room. These are a few. There’s another a line. Angels and Ministers of grace defend us. They tell Melanie to say it and she does. Beth thinks all this is lame. I can’t help but agree. Molly says maybe the wand will turn up. Then someone brings in Laura’s dress. Beth and the others gasp. The dress is gorgues. The sleeves are puffed, it’s sequined, and has full sleeves. Beth tries to tell herself it won’t make a difference.
Keith calls her later to check on her and tells her he heard about the head. Beth tries to bait him by brining up the dress and then tries to get off the phone. Keith asks what’s up with her. She makes up an excuse that she has to get off the phone. Later, she goes to see Jana and they make up. Jana encourages her to make up with Keith. Beth says it won’t be as easy but she’ll talk to him the next day.
Keith tho isn’t there the next day. At rehearsal, the teacher says they have five more days left. He’s proud of their progress. Molly has made a new wamd but Laura doesn’t seen too enthusiastic about it. Beth sees Paul and Shirley having an argument and she goes over to him. She again compliments him on his act possibly being the hit of the show. Paul’s mood lifts. The rehearsal goes well. Beth then goes home to see if Keith called but he hasn’t. She calls Keith and finds out he had a dental appointment and came back after lunch. She asks can she come by but he says he’s busy that night. He says she can come over the next day.
Keith shows her some magazines of movie stars stars like Michelle Peiffer and Merly Streep and Audry Hepburn that are some of the best actresses out there but are thin. Beth gets the message and they make up. On the night (day) of the play Laura realizes her tiara is missing. The play goes fine but Laura scowls at Beth through the whole play. Beth tho gets losts of congrats. Mollys its her fault. She wished everyone luck before the show. During the Copper Beach show, it goes well except one of the heads again roll across the stage. The elementary kids love it tho. There are two more performances left.
The Fab Five wonder if Laura is the one stealing her own props for attention, but they dismiss it because Laura seems to love her props too much. So, they decide to do a stake out to find out whose behind it. But the next performance they don’t catch anyone and wonder if the culprit heard about it and that scared then off. They say they’ll continue to keep a look out when they do the show at Mark Twain Elementary.
Beth sees someone while talking to Paul. It’s Molly dressed up like a custodian and Melanie dressed up as a man with a cigar. Something happens during the last scene where Beth is suppsed to melt and she hears a scream. The kids on’t hear it and she Beth manages to stay in character. Robin flies out onto the stage and then disappears back behind the curtin. Paul says it was Robin all along. The latch was open and the cage door was open a few times. He was the reason the apple feel on the stage and why the head rolled out. Robin probably was attracted to the glittery things and dropped them somewhere and he probably moved the mirror enough to dorp it. Beth admits she was wrong and that she thought Laura hid her own props. Molly says they owe each other apologises and makes Beth and Laura shake hands. Christie’s mother and other teachers give Beth props on how great a job she did on her performance. Beth thinks maybe she’ll be like Jack Nicolson and realizes she doesn’t have to be big chested to be a great actress. She thinks what else can she act for. Then she takes out the wart and thinks she could ask for a black hair to stick out of her wart. OH KAAAY.
My Thoughts:
Beth obsessing about her flat chest for 13 chapters does not a great book make. The “mystery” wasn’t all that great either. This book had promise with the Halloween themed variety show but sadly it didn’t live up to the preview in the last book which hinted on Laura trying to come between the Fab Five and break them up. Also, Double Double -tge wirds ub tge scebe0 were repeated WAY to much. It felt like the book was trying to fill up a word count or space by repating this over and over. My favorite part of this was Keith showing Beth the magazine. Keith might be immature around his friends but what he did there shows he’s a GREAT boyfriend! It really did show him to smar because I know men older than him that wouldn’t have handled it the way he did. He gets points from me for that!
Rating: 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 29, 2020As a kid every Saturday we went to Kmart, and every Saturday my mom would let me buy one thing, and it was ALWAYS a fabulous five book. (The cover looks like a spiral notebook cover... I thought that was very clever)
I also managed to track down all the Taffy Sinclair books at a thrift store.
I wonder if this series is still at my parents I would definitely read them again.
I remember in the Taffy books Melanie was chubby and it make references to her eating brownies and then one day she was like NO i don't want the brownie... and then she got skinny.
This is a very vague memory... so don't quote me on this one, what you CAN quote me on is that Taffy had a crooked bicuspid, and Jana ate cream cheese and jam sandwiches,... which I tried because of her and they were DIS-GUS-TING, and I never trusted her again.
I also managed to track down all the Taffy Sinclair books at a thrift store.
I wonder if this series is still at my parents I would definitely read them again.
I remember in the Taffy books Melanie was chubby and it make references to her eating brownies and then one day she was like NO i don't want the brownie... and then she got skinny.
This is a very vague memory... so don't quote me on this one, what you CAN quote me on is that Taffy had a crooked bicuspid, and Jana ate cream cheese and jam sandwiches,... which I tried because of her and they were DIS-GUS-TING, and I never trusted her again.
July 1, 2011
Did this book help inspire my future love of Shakespeare? Probably not. I sure enjoyed it at the time, though!
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