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This episode's repeat was broadcast on Wednesday 24th June 2020.
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00:31Good afternoon and welcome to the Countdown studio and a very warm, if posthumous, happy birthday today, I'm Elizabeth Taylor,
00:39a woman whose career lasted more than 60 years.
00:43Eight marriages, swept by her, and two Academy Awards.
00:48Extraordinary actress, started as a child, born in Hampstead on this very day, back in 1932, and who can forget
00:55her epic, Cleopatra,
00:58where she apparently had an on-screen and an off-screen romance with Richard Burton, whom she subsequently married several
01:06times, because he kept giving her huge diamond rings.
01:09Are you a fan of her work?
01:11I'm a fan of her diamond rings.
01:13I bet you are.
01:13Yeah.
01:14Any favourite films? Lassie Come Home?
01:16I can't say I've seen any of them, I'm afraid.
01:18You have?
01:19I heard that.
01:20Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?
01:21No.
01:22Cleopatra?
01:23No.
01:23Excuse me. What about National Velvet?
01:27Never heard of it.
01:28The youth of today.
01:31Sorry.
01:32Who have we got here? We've got Jonathan Rawlinson back, the brilliant Jonathan Rawlinson from Cambridge,
01:39math student, Queen's College, is that right?
01:42Yeah, that's right.
01:43A beaten finalist in 2012, sailed into the semi-final beating Neil Zuzman by an impressive 65 points.
01:53Brilliant young man. Good to see you back.
01:55Thanks.
01:56It's the battle of the Cambridge colleges today, because we've got Jack Hurst with us,
02:01a student at Pembroke College, math student, series champion back in 2010,
02:07continued your 100% record on Countdown, 15 shows, 15 wins,
02:13by beating the considerable David O'Donnell by a crucial conundrum with a score of 115.
02:21Yeah.
02:21So, two great, great young guys, math students both from Cambridge,
02:26and it's going to be a fight for the death today, chaps.
02:29Yes?
02:29I don't want to die.
02:31Into the final.
02:32Somebody's going into the final.
02:33Yes?
02:34A huge round of applause for Jonathan and Jack Hurst.
02:44Great stuff.
02:46Great stuff.
02:47And over in the corner, Susie.
02:49Hi, Nick.
02:49Isn't this fun?
02:50I bow in humility to these guys.
02:52I think we're just going to be beaten on every round.
02:54Well, let's see how we get on, because, of course, you have next to you the formidable Jenny Eclair.
02:59And your book's coming out yet again in paperback.
03:03Yes, in, you know, normal-sized paperback.
03:06Yeah.
03:06Yes, yes.
03:07Life, Death and Vanilla Slices.
03:09Look forward to it.
03:10Yes, possibly one of the best things I have ever done.
03:12Excellent.
03:13Excellent.
03:13It means I have to read it yet again.
03:15Now, then.
03:17Where are we?
03:18Jonathan, off you go.
03:19Letters game.
03:20Hi, Rachel.
03:21Hi again, Jonathan.
03:22Can I have a vowel, please?
03:23Start today with O.
03:25And a consonant.
03:27D.
03:28A vowel.
03:30A.
03:31Consonant.
03:32N.
03:33Vowel.
03:35I.
03:36Consonant.
03:38S.
03:39Another consonant.
03:41T.
03:42A vowel.
03:44E.
03:46And a final consonant, please.
03:49And a final C.
03:51Countdown clock.
03:52Turn on.
03:53Ding, frequente.
03:57trees,
03:59Tiff inkart.
04:19Tiff inkart.
04:20Wenn du mir in,
04:23now then Jonathan and nine a nine Jack yeah nine okay Jonathan
04:31catenoids I go with both of you yeah same words very good we happy with that catenoids I know the
04:39definition oh excellent go for it then Jack it's the shape a catenary makes when it's rotated about
04:44an axis and it's the shape a chain makes when it hangs that's right because I got that like two
04:51weeks ago I got canoeist that's really yeah that's great faith that's more our line of country it isn't
05:00it who's it there's another it's quite appropriate for every sedation ah yes yes yes I keep pleading
05:09with our warm-up man Dudley to take some tranquilizers coming down sedate him now 18 all and Jack um
05:17consonant please Rachel thank you Jack G and another X and a third H and a vowel a and another
05:31you and
05:33another oh and a consonant n and another consonant please ah and another consonant please and lastly
05:45don't buy it
06:14don't buy it
06:18yes Jack six and Jonathan six as well yes Jack I'll go for roughs yes yeah rough rough and in
06:29the
06:29corner neck we've all got roughs nothing else not beaten for once no that's the extent of it
06:34about the only one it was not nice that one okay 24 all Jonathan can I have a valve please
06:40Rachel
06:40thank you Jonathan a and a consonant G Val a consonant M Val you a consonant K another
06:58consonant Zed a vowel E and a final valve please and a final a countdown
07:41yes Jonathan six six Jack yeah probably the same six as well all right let's see Jonathan yeah
07:52anything else over there can you spell it for us I said EU GMA yeah the figure of speech in
08:00which a
08:00word applies to two others in different senses such as John and his driving license expired last week
08:08hmm the only English word I could come up with was gauze that's perfectly good yeah there for five and
08:14there's also music which goes over you are and it goes all the way back to the 30s and surprisingly
08:19but that was another five thank you thank you 30 all Jack consonant please Rachel thank you Jack
08:28L and another ah and third n and vowel please you and another oh and a third e and a
08:42consonant please
08:43c and a vowel a and we'll finish with another vowel please and finish with e so bye
09:00so
09:11so
09:13so
09:13so
09:27Yes, Jack?
09:28Eight.
09:30Jonathan?
09:30Probably the same eight.
09:31Let's see.
09:32Yes, Jack?
09:34Cerulean.
09:35Cerulean.
09:35A different one.
09:36Add your own.
09:38Right.
09:38Oh.
09:39You're taking different paths.
09:41So, are you happy with these words?
09:42Neither of which I know.
09:44Well, no, we're going to have to look both of these up.
09:46So, cerulean, I will look up first.
09:49Beautiful, yes.
09:50Deep blue in colour, like a clear sky.
09:53And what was the other one?
09:54I suppose you're A-L-E-U-R-O-N-E.
09:58That is, there is a protein stored as granules in the cells of plant seeds.
10:03Yes.
10:04Very good.
10:07Excellent.
10:09Very, very good indeed.
10:11Beat that, Jenny.
10:11Well, I thought these two were math students and they seem to do very well with their English
10:17and then your biology or whatever that was.
10:20I've got unclear.
10:23Typically.
10:24Very good.
10:26And Susie?
10:27Lots of sevens.
10:28Nuclear, Cornel, Cleaner.
10:30But, yeah, just hats off to these guys.
10:32Brilliant stuff.
10:33Excellent.
10:33Well done.
10:3438 all.
10:34And we come to the first numbers game and they are, after all, math students.
10:39Jonathan.
10:40I'll stay with one large, please, Rachel.
10:43Stay with one large.
10:45And five little ones.
10:47Thank you, Jonathan.
10:48See if this will separate you.
10:49I doubt it.
10:50But anyway, the numbers are eight, four, ten, three, nine, and the large one, 50.
10:57And the target, 725.
11:01725.
11:03725.
11:32Yes, Jonathan.
11:33724.
11:35724.
11:35One away.
11:36Jack.
11:36Yeah, 724 as well.
11:38OK.
11:39Jonathan.
11:40I did 10 plus 4.
11:4210 plus 4 is 14.
11:45Multiply by 50.
11:46Multiply by 50 is 700.
11:48And then eight threes are 24.
11:49And eight threes are 24 and add it on.
11:53Well done.
11:55And, Jack.
11:56Eight times nine times 10.
11:58Eight times nine times 10 is 720.
12:02Add on the four.
12:03And add on the four.
12:04Again, well done.
12:05Right.
12:06How difficult is this, Rachel?
12:08Possible or is that as close as one can get?
12:11I think it's going to be possible, but I will have another look.
12:14Leave it with you.
12:15Leave it with you.
12:15So, with the score standing, 45 all, I turn to the mighty Jenny Eclair.
12:21The all-around good egg.
12:23Jenny, what have you got for us today?
12:24Oh, well, you know I mentioned earlier this time I'm the author of three novels.
12:29Yes.
12:29Seven books all together, but three proper novels.
12:33And the first one is the one called Camberwell Beauty.
12:36Yes.
12:36And some years ago, you know what it's like when you're watching quiz shows on the television
12:41at home, and it was the one with Chris Tarrant.
12:46What's that one called?
12:47He wants to be a millionaire.
12:47Who wants to be a millionaire?
12:48And the question was, who is the author of the book Camberwell Beauty?
12:56Ruby Wax, Joe Brand, Mira Sayal, or Jenny Eclair?
13:03And the man to whom this question was asked looked confused, Nick.
13:08He was going like, oh.
13:10So, I don't really know.
13:11I'm going to guess.
13:12I know that it wasn't the really famous ones.
13:15I'm going to guess Mira Sayal, because I've never heard of the Jenny What's-Her-Face.
13:22I was sitting at home mortified.
13:25I know, it's rotten, isn't it?
13:26Has it happened to you?
13:27So, it did, actually, but I didn't witness it myself, so my blushes were spared.
13:31But it was on Mastermind, Celebrity Mastermind, and the contestant was John Sopal,
13:36and he was asked who to go from Jeff Stelling on Countdown.
13:39And he said he had absolutely no idea.
13:41And then it came out, they said, Nick Huey.
13:43He said, never heard of him.
13:45Brilliant stuff, Jenny, brilliant stuff.
13:46Now, what, oh, hello, Rachel.
13:49Big eyes over there.
13:50What have you got?
13:50You could have said, 9 plus 3 is 12.
13:55Times by 10 is 120.
13:58Minus 4 is 116.
14:01Times by 50 is 5,800.
14:05And I think Jack has this as well.
14:07If you divide by 8, you get 725.
14:10Oh, well done.
14:11Brilliant stuff.
14:14Well done, Rachel.
14:15But now it's time for a Tea Time teaser, which is ripe, rich, and the clue, seemingly happier
14:22than the other little birds.
14:25Seemingly happier than the other little birds.
14:42Welcome back.
14:43I left you with the clue, seemingly happier than the other little birds.
14:47And the answer is chirpier.
14:49They were chirpier.
14:50Now then, 45 all.
14:53Jonathan and Jack level pegging here.
14:55Jack, off you go.
14:57Consonant, please, Rachel.
14:58Thank you, Jack.
14:59D.
15:00And another.
15:02F.
15:03And a third.
15:05V.
15:07Vowel, please.
15:08U.
15:09And another.
15:11A.
15:13I.
15:14And a consonant.
15:16R.
15:18Vowel.
15:21E.
15:22And another vowel, please.
15:25And the last one.
15:27I.
15:28Countdown.
15:28Vowel.
15:29Vowel.
15:31Vowel.
15:39Vowel.
15:43Vowel.
15:45Vowel.
15:46Vowel.
15:47Vowel.
15:48Vowel.
15:49Vowel.
15:50Vowel.
15:51Vowel.
15:52Vowel.
15:52Vowel.
15:53Vowel.
15:54Vowel.
15:54Vowel.
15:56Vowel.
15:58Vowel.
15:59Yes, Jack, I'm six Jonathan six as well. Okay, Jack varied buried buried as well
16:07All right, anything else in the corner Susie
16:10Well, there was just fervid which I think we could say both our competitors are today fervid is another there
16:16for six very enthusiastic
16:17To the point of real heat well done 51 all
16:21Jonathan I can start with a vowel please thank you Jonathan E and a consonant
16:28N
16:30Oh
16:32Consonant
16:34T
16:35U
16:39Consonant
16:39W another constant
16:43M
16:45Another constant, please
16:47R
16:49And a final vowel please and a final E
16:54Top time
16:55You
16:57You
17:09You
17:10You
17:11You
17:24You
17:25You
17:25You
17:27Jonathan?
17:28Only seven.
17:29Jack?
17:29Seven.
17:31Yes, Jonathan?
17:32I remount.
17:33Look at this.
17:35Like twins, these two.
17:37And in the corner, Jenny Eclare?
17:39Triplets, I got remount as well.
17:42Very good.
17:43Anything else?
17:44Mounter.
17:45A mounter?
17:46Yep, if you wanted to turn it round, but not much more than that.
17:49All right, very good.
17:5058 all.
17:51Now then, Jack.
17:52Consonant, please, Rachel.
17:53Thank you, Jack.
17:54B.
17:55And another.
17:57D.
17:58And a third.
18:00T.
18:01And a vowel, please.
18:03O.
18:04And another.
18:05I.
18:06And another.
18:07A.
18:09And a vowel again.
18:11E.
18:12And a consonant.
18:14F.
18:15And we'll finish with a vowel, please.
18:17And finish with O.
18:20Countdown.
18:22Undители That's The Un apartment.
18:23And this is another.
18:30Yeah, all.
18:35And a fij is the son.
18:35And also, if you go through the televisroom.
18:46And a vowel again.
18:47And a vowel again.
18:47And a or.
18:51And a vowel again.
18:51So let's go through the listen.
18:51And the vowel again.
18:52Jack seven
18:54Jonathan probably the same sevens
18:56Yes, Jack tabooed taboo
19:00Any more taboos there Jenny? We didn't have to be actually what have we got and they?
19:06Interesting and yeah, no you've got that I could copy but I didn't get it. I thought it was two
19:11words
19:11Yeah, no they often are and then they over time become one and this one is it's footbed which is
19:17another term for an insole
19:18a footbed really yes now then Jonathan can I have a vowel please Rachel? Thank You Jonathan I in the
19:26consonant
19:28P vowel a
19:32Consonant
19:34G vowel you
19:38Consonant n
19:40A
19:43A
19:44A consonant
19:47T and a final vowel please and a final
19:53Countdown
20:24T and a
20:25T and a
20:26T and a
20:27T and a
20:27T and a
20:27Jack a
20:28I'll risk an eight as well then
20:30Now then interesting Jonathan paginates paginates
20:34There we go
20:43And in the corner now then what was a risky tool publishers and typesetters talk about pagination all yeah
20:50Some page numbers on that's very good no Jenny well um I
20:55I always look at what Suzie's writing down
20:58That's a little joke that one. Oh, yes. Yes, sir. That's doesn't work. She wrote down pet iguana
21:04Yeah, that's two words. She's trying to go on there. We can have iguana
21:08Perfectly good. Yes, very good indeed. Thank you 73 all as we turn to you Suzy Suzy
21:16Entertain us with your origins of words
21:18Well, I'm I was watching the film about the Duchess of Devonshire and quite recently and in which the Duchess
21:25is rather horribly
21:26Beaten up by her husband the Duke and
21:30There's no mention of it here, but I'm pretty sure this is what they were following the rule of thumb
21:34Which has been said to derive from the belief that an English in English law a man was allowed to
21:38beat his wife with a stick at any time as
21:41As long as it was no thicker than his thumb and a certain judge
21:45Sir Francis Buller apparently made a statement that such beatings were perfectly acceptable
21:51That was attacked as you might expect the following well the following year, but it was attacked at the time
21:56But a cartoon followed which caricatured him as judge thumb and it showed a man beating a fleeing woman and
22:04Buller the judge carrying two bundles of sticks and apparently saying thumb sticks buy your thumb sticks here essentially for
22:09family correction now lawful and we
22:12Do know that Buller was very draconian in his punishments, but there
22:17Very little evidence that he did actually say this and certainly it didn't become enshrined thankfully in English law
22:23But there certainly was quite a lot of chastisement going on unfortunately in those days
22:28But where did it come from if it didn't come from there? It's been around certainly since the sixteen hundreds
22:33and it's probably
22:34Simply a reference to one of the numerous ways that thumbs have been used to measure things such as the
22:39temperature of bruise of beers and an inch was from the
22:41Joint to the nail etc and it probably joins and the whole nine yards is simply one form of management
22:48measurement that we can't now pin down
22:50But was certainly around at the time and thankfully I'm hoping this one isn't about beating women
23:00Rule of thumb no thicker than your thumb yes stick no thicker than your thumb
23:04I mean the there was this sort of myth when we were kids at school where we were beaten all
23:08the time
23:08Was that the master could not raise it above his shoulder?
23:13That was what we all thought that was the case they very rarely bother to actually you know observe that
23:19rule actually
23:19No sadly well there we are we all turned out okay 73 all and now jack it's a numbers game
23:28Oh seeing as though you beat us both in that last round i'll try something different and i'll go for
23:32three large please
23:34Three large and three small i'm not sure i beat you there jack but we all got there in the
23:39end right for this round
23:40The three small ones are ten seven and two and the large three fifty seventy five and twenty five
23:49And the target four hundred and forty one four four one
23:52No
23:53No
23:53I
23:53I
23:53I
23:54I
23:54I
23:54I
23:55I
23:56I
24:00I
24:24Yes, Jack?
24:254-4-1, not written down.
24:27Jonathan?
24:284-4-1, not written down.
24:29OK.
24:30So, Jack?
24:3175 minus 25 is 50.
24:3375 minus 25 is 50.
24:35Times 10?
24:36500.
24:37Take away the other 50.
24:38Yeah, 450.
24:39And take away the 7 and the 2 as well.
24:41Well done.
24:414-4-1.
24:43Well done.
24:43Yes, Jonathan?
24:45I did 10 times 50.
24:4610 times 50, 500.
24:49Take away 75.
24:50Take away 75 for 425.
24:53Add 25.
24:54Add 25, 450.
24:56And take away the 7.
24:57Yeah, very similar method.
24:59Very good.
25:00Well done.
25:05Well done.
25:068 of 3 all.
25:07But now it's time for a tea time teaser, which is used flat.
25:11And the clue uses the flat, but fails to pay the rent.
25:14Uses the flat, but fails to pay the rent.
25:33And the clue uses the flat, but fails to pay the rent.
25:39Defaults.
25:39He defaults on the rent.
25:41All right, Rotter.
25:4283 all.
25:43Jonathan and Jack level pegging here.
25:46And Jonathan, it's your letters game.
25:48Can I have a vowel, please, Rachel?
25:49Thank you, Jonathan.
25:50I.
25:51And a consonant.
25:53S.
25:54Vowel.
25:56O.
25:57Consonant.
25:59M.
26:01Vowel.
26:02I.
26:04Consonant.
26:06H.
26:07Vowel.
26:09E.
26:10Consonant.
26:13M.
26:14And a final vowel, please.
26:16And a final A.
26:19Countdown.
26:44Countdown.
26:51Yes, Jonathan.
26:52I'll stay with a six.
26:54A six, and Jack.
26:56I'll risk a seven.
26:59Yes, Jonathan.
27:00Maho's.
27:02Mm-hmm.
27:04Jack.
27:05Hammy's.
27:06Do you know, I was just thinking about that one myself.
27:09I've got it here.
27:11Hammy's, there is an adjective, Jack.
27:12It's not there as a noun, I'm afraid.
27:15Um, you know, to be exaggerated and never theatrical is to be hammy, but not there as a person who
27:20is that thing.
27:21By black.
27:21I'm sorry.
27:22But.
27:23Um, Jonathan, what was yours?
27:25Um, Maho's.
27:25I think I had it on the show before.
27:27Okay, can you spell it for me?
27:28M-A-H-O-E-S.
27:30M-A-H-O-E-S.
27:31Oh, yeah.
27:31This is ringing bells.
27:33Um, M-A-H-O-E-S.
27:35They are, um, well, two things.
27:37A bushy New Zealand tree, um, but also a tropical tree and shrub, uh, that's used to make cord.
27:43So either way.
27:44Thank you very much.
27:46Well done to you, uh, Jonathan.
27:48You've broken away.
27:4989 to, uh, Jack's 83.
27:52Jack, what are you going to do about this now?
27:54I'll have the consonant, please, Rachel.
27:57P.
27:58And another.
28:01T.
28:02And a third.
28:04Y.
28:05And a vowel, please.
28:06I.
28:07And another.
28:09A.
28:10And another.
28:12U.
28:13And a consonant, please.
28:16S.
28:16And a vowel.
28:19I.
28:20And another vowel, please.
28:21And the last one.
28:23O.
28:24And by.
28:26And a vowel.
28:43And a vowel, please.
28:44And a vowel, please.
28:44And a vowel, please.
28:44And a vowel, please.
28:44And a vowel, please.
28:44And a vowel, please.
28:45And a vowel, please.
28:55Yes, Jack seven a seven Jonathan notice the six a six. Yeah patois patois now then Jack autopsy
29:11That pops Jack into the lead by a point now in the corner would have you on?
29:16patois about the same as patios in which case I got the same just turn the vowels around and yes
29:22Yeah, anagrams of each other
29:26Very good. Thank you, and they have Susie. No, I'm pleased with that Jenny. I'm sorry. I didn't applaud you
29:32more vigorously
29:34What about Susie well nothing beyond their autopsy but the very first meaning of that I always love it with
29:41them
29:41In Samuel Johnson's dictionary and it meant to see something for oneself, which is of course what the medical students
29:46did
29:47But it's all about seeing seeing oneself well done so Jack one point ahead of Jonathan and Jonathan
29:53Your letters game last one of the tournament today
29:58Val please Rachel. Thank you, Jonathan. E the consonant
30:03D
30:05I
30:07consonant
30:09W
30:10Vowel
30:11Vowel
30:12O
30:13Consonant
30:14T
30:16T
30:17And vowel please
30:18E
30:20Another vowel
30:22O
30:24And a final consonant
30:25And the last one
30:27L
30:27Countdown
30:28T
30:28T
30:28T
30:28T
30:28T
30:29T
30:29T
30:29T
30:29T
30:30T
30:31T
30:31T
30:32T
30:33T
30:33T
30:34T
30:35T
30:35T
30:35T
30:36T
30:36T
30:36T
30:36T
30:36T
30:38T
30:38T
30:39T
30:39T
30:40T
30:40T
30:40T
30:41T
30:42T
30:42T
30:43T
30:44T
31:00Jonathan. Only a six.
31:01Only a six. Jack. Six.
31:04Now then, Jonathan.
31:05Oolite. Oolite.
31:07Yes, Jack.
31:09Boring word compared to that.
31:10Looted. Looted.
31:13Yes. Looted is fine.
31:15So is oolite. It's a geological term for limestone.
31:19Consisted of rounded grains and those are called ooliths, hence the name.
31:23Very good. Anything to match that, Jenny?
31:27Toiled. Toiled to get toiled.
31:30Yeah. Anything else?
31:31Toiled. Quite a few sixes there.
31:33Toiled's good. Well done.
31:35All right. So, Jack, still a point ahead.
31:3796 to 95 as we come to the final numbers game, Jack.
31:42Not sure what to choose. I'll try four large, please.
31:45Try four large. Thank you, Jack.
31:47And you're hoping for something tricky so you get to show off again.
31:50Let's see what we've got.
31:51So, for the last numbers game, the two are nine and three.
31:55And the large four, 25, 50, 175.
32:00And the target, 119.
32:03One, one, nine.
32:33We'll see you next time.
32:35thank you Jack yeah 119 good Jonathan all right explain yourself Jack um 75 plus 50
32:4475 plus 50 is 125 9 minus 3 is a 6 to take away well done nice and easy for
32:51the last yep Jonathan
32:52I did the same bit row 100 plus 25 yeah that's fine all right okay well done
33:03very good so Jack still one point ahead 106 to 105 as we come into a crucial conundrum gentlemen so
33:12and this is important this is very crucial fingers on buzzers please let's reveal today's
33:16crucial conundrum
33:23yes Jack strontium strontium let's see whether you're right
33:28well done well done well done Jack 116 to 105 Jonathan you ran it right up to the edge
33:38so we're sending you back to Cambridge with um your teapot and your trophy with our very best wishes
33:44and of course you you just pipped at the post in the final my first final yeah brilliant stuff well
33:49done and well done to you Jack brilliant stuff what about that then how much more can we take
33:54wasn't that good wasn't that good Jenny we'll see you tomorrow I thought you played a storming game
34:00today I was very close behind these two you were within an eight of them at all times but we
34:07must
34:07now turn to Rachel so Rachel good stuff here from uh Jack and Jonathan let's see what tomorrow brings
34:13interesting is it we've got so many Cambridge people no Oxford people they're probably are busy
34:17working or something like that they are solving the uh the mysteries of the universe um tomorrow
34:23more devastating performances from our uh contestants and we hope and trust that you
34:28will join us at the same time same place you'll be sure of it good afternoon
34:44hop on board to the floating home or soak in the stars above as the man himself that builds an
34:48observatory George Clark's amazing spaces here tonight at nine Bristol and the Costa del Sol next
34:55list it for a place in the sun home or away
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