Title: Only The Lonely
Chapter Title: Snake Charming
Author: Restive Nature
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Dark Angel. They belong to Cameron/ Eglee. No infringement is intended and this fiction is for private enjoyment only.
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Fan Fiction
Type: Romance, Humor
Pairing: Max/ Alec
Summary: A remake of the "Pretty Woman" movie, with Max and Alec in the lead roles.
Spoilers/ Time line: This takes place pre-series. Due to the nature of the fiction, some information will be different, but should not overly affect the fiction.
Feedback: Always welcome!
Distribution: Ask first please.
Chapter Three
Snake Charming
"So what's the dealio?" Max asked politely as she settled herself back into the Mercedes. Alexander had helped her into the car, just as a gentleman should. Max had wanted to balk at the presumptuousness of it, but then recalled how Ramon had explained that none of these societal rules were anywhere within the twenty-first century. More like the seventeenth. And this was how Alexander was raised or trained and if she expected to get paid, she'd have to play along with it. And once he'd done that, he'd hurried around to the front of the car and taken his place in the driver's seat. Max wondered idly if he'd maybe let her drive before the evening was over. But, boys and their toys, on par with the manhood and she knew he'd probably be shocked and affronted that she wanted to lay her blue collar working class hands on that steering wheel. It was just as well, she was too content with the Ninja 650 that she had stashed in her apartment.
"The what?" Alexander shook his head, a small frown gracing his lips as he started up the engine. Max winced and bit her lip. No slang. Yeah, that was a huge one. Grr, she decided, might as well get into the role now. Had to drop her flava, as one of her close friends would have put it.
"What I meant was," Max straightened up, her manners as prim and proper as if she too had been born with silver utensil firmly ensconced in her delicate feminine mouth. "What exactly will be the cover story that I'm role playing tonight? I understand that I'm the girlfriend, but the background that you and your friend decided on would be greatly appreciated."
"Oh right, right," Alexander nodded rapidly, glad that she was willing enough to get down to business. Of course, that was probably how she ran things. Get in, get it done and get gone, moving on to the next customer. Resting on her... laurels, didn't bring in the bacon. "Well, Denise and I," he began, deciding to go with the name Manticore had provided, "didn't really have to come up with much, since we've known each other for a while."
"So that's my name for tonight?" Max queried and then grimaced. "Do any of these people know her?"
"Not one," 494 denied. "And that can be the name, although I'm pretty sure that I never did tell anyone her name. So if you want to use your own name, it should be fine. It'll be easier for you to respond to." And he was already throwing her into the deep end. Letting her keep her own name would help keep up the ruse.
"Or we could say that my middle name is Maxine and I prefer it," Max interjected. "And that you only call me Denise when you're annoyed at me."
"That's good," 494 decided, pleased with how rapidly her mind worked. Once again he felt confident that this was going to work out. "We'll go with that in case it comes up. So... last name...?"
"It's Gueverra."
He wasn't sure if she were lying or not. He thought it entirely possible that she was, since it wasn't the smartest idea for a girl to give out her real name, both of them to customers that could track her down with them. Although he doubted many of her customers, Ramon notwithstanding wanted more than just an hour's worth of her time. If even that. But he had to admit, it went with her coloring and ethnicity. He could work with that. "Okay. Denise Maxine Gueverra. We met about six years ago, in school, didn't have much to do with each other, ran with different crowds and all that. Your parents moved away for business opportunities and struck it rich. A while after, both died in a car accident, leaving you independently wealthy. My parents dragged me along to the funeral and we met again, struck up a friendship and began dating about six months ago."
"How long ago was the funeral?" Max asked easily. That was definitely a point that could come up that they'd both need to be clear on.
"A little over a year," 494 answered with thoughtfulness.
"So enough time to be handling it," Max mused, "but still fresh enough that things can be excused by it."
"Exactly," 494 smiled, absurdly pleased at how well she was picking up the idea behind the lies and innuendos.
"And having a sexy young boyfriend who dotes completely on me doesn't hurt either, does it?" Max giggled. She, leaning back into the seat, carefully rolled her head towards him, sharing her mirth and 494 responded accordingly.
"Totally and one hundred percent," he agreed. Just like every other society guy, he'd be indulgent in public and complain in comraderic brotherhood when it was just the guys.
"And six months," Max went on, "just long enough to be serious, but not at the point of settling down yet."
"Correct again," 494 exhaled soundly.
"So what is it that you do?" Max inquired next. She could handle acting the spoiled little socialite. She'd seen and heard enough about them to get that. But not knowing at least her boyfriend's title was unforgivable. She didn't have to know the details, since that wasn't expected.
"I'm in technology acquisitions at my family firm," 494 answered quickly. Giving her a sympathetic glance when he caught her blinking rapidly, he explained further. "I scout out new developments in the computer field and then try to acquire ownership rights or at least user rights for my firm."
"And these people, the..."
"Cale's," he supplied.
"The Cale's," Max repeated. "Of Cale Industries? The ones that make the hover drones?" 494 nodded, surprised that she was that knowledgeable. "Okay. So what have they come up with now?"
"Rumor is, they've got a new facial recognition program that far outstrips the current models," 494 shrugged. "But you don't have to remember that."
"Securities and detectives wet dream, right?" she snarked. "Okay, so that's covered. And where do we call home. Or do we call it home?"
"New York," 494 informed her. "And we don't live together yet. We have separate homes, but are comfortable in each other's spaces and use whichever one is most convenient. Ever spent any time there?"
"Not at all," Max readily admitted. When she'd been a child, Manticore had been stationed in Wyoming. And after escaping with her siblings or more precisely, her unit mates, she'd been separated from them and had made her way south and then eventually west.
"Okay, well," 494 mulled that over. "Let's see, you were only in school a short time, moved away to...?"
"Los Angeles," she supplied. "I lived there for over five years actually."
"That'll work," 494 grinned. "We were there on vacation, saw the obits and paid our respects. After we started dating, you bought an apartment on the east coast to be close to me and like I said, we use whichever place is most convenient."
"So you do a lot of traveling then?" Max inquired, turning herself in her seat to regard him.
"A fair bit," 494 chuckled, recalling all of those oh so fun missions to different countries that Manticore had sent him on.
"And do I go with you?"
"Only in country," 494 decided. "Denise is a very social urban girl."
"Sounds good to me," Max sighed with relief. "I had enough of the great outdoors when I was a kid."
"Your family nature enthusiasts?" 494 asked and immediately regretted it when he saw her emotions shut down. Oh, her facial expression didn't change, but something in her eyes went dark.
"Something like that," she murmured, turning her head to glance out her window. After a moment she turned back and offered quietly, "I lost them when I was pretty young."
"I'm sorry," he put out soberly and with real feeling behind it. He couldn't imagine what losing a family was like, although perhaps he could come close, likening it to unit mates or other transgenics that had been lost on a mission, or to... other things.
"Well," she decided briskly, pushing away the self-condemnation she always experienced after being separated from her siblings after the escape. "Shouldn't be a problem playing the orphan, huh. Seeing's how I already am one."
"True," he agreed, reaching for the hand that rested on her lap. Without knowing exactly why, only that it seemed the right thing to do, squeezing it and then holding it loosely. He told himself that they would have to add the physicality to the show if they were to sell the story they had set themselves up with. And thankfully she allowed it, squeezing back and then letting her hand loosen in his comfortably.
"That's what you're paying me for, right?"
"Yeah," he muttered. "Okay, so tonight. I managed to pass off that you had car trouble, that's why you were running late." They were nearing the hotel and 494 slowed as he pulled into the correct lane to catch the valet.
"And if I, silly female that I was got frustrated and looked at the engine," Max simpered, "and ooh," her voice went up the octave, sounding little girlish, "I got that nasty grime on my dress and just absolutely could not shame myself by appearing so disrumpled and I absolutely had to have something else," thankfully her voice went back to normal, "hence the quick visit to Tiente's. World renowned for saving the societal damsel in distress."
"Are they really?" 494 chuckled as he pulled into the valet parking slot. Immediately a young man in a maroon jacket and black pants jogged forward to assist them.
"Not really," Max giggled. "But if what Marjorie was saying was correct, some of the ladies here would recognize this ensemble, so telling that truth makes sense."
"Good thinking," he complimented as he climbed out of the car. Another young man had opened Max's door, but she wisely waited for her 'boyfriend' to come around which he did with alacrity. And when she reached for his hand and gracefully brought both legs out and around to the pavement, 494 could see that she was now playing every inch and fiber of her being, the young socialite. Once again, he tucked her arm under his and surrendered the car keys to the valet and together they set off into the hotel.
494 was grateful that Maxine didn't gape or stare or make any outbursts as they entered the esteemed lobby of the Centrium. She glided along at his side, ignoring everyone and everything but him and their ultimate destination. Her apparent single mindedness might very well put her would have been Manticore counterpart to shame. 494 wasn't sure, as he hadn't worked undercover with 308 before.
Pulling open the door, they found the ball still in progress. It was as if he hadn't left at all. People weren't exactly as he'd left them, but it was similar enough to bring a sense of recognition and ease. But, to business first. Catching a waiter's eye, 494 snagged two glasses of champagne, handing one to Max and keeping the other for himself.
"Try not to drink too much," he warned softly in her ear. "Champagne will go straight to your head."
"Not to mention that I've never liked bubbles up my nose," Max tinkled and then took a small sip. "I'll keep it down to two."
"Good girl," 494 sighed happily. This really was working out well. But now, having caught sight of where Jonas Cale was holding mixed court towards the back of the ballroom, wrapped one arm loosely around her waist and he began guiding her through the crowd to them. Almost show time. For real now.
"And now the prodigal boy has finally returned," the older man, with thin hair and a paunch that no cummerbund in the world could hide, raised his voice and glass to welcome Alexander back into the group. A few people, both women and men turned to see of whom Jonas was referring to and parted to allow young Alexander and his young lady into the group.
"You say that like you doubted my return," Alexander chuckled, returning the unspoken toast with a quick half gesture with his own glass. "Maxine would have skinned me alive if she didn't get her partying in tonight." He hugged her close, pressing his cheek to her head, smiling broadly to let the others and her know that he was teasing.
"Oh no, not that," Max protested with a giggle, looking up at him. "You'll give people the wrong impression honey." She turned back to the crowd at large. "Just a little scolding. And maybe a few spanks. Oops!" She brought her glass of champagne up to her face, holding it with thumb and forefinger while her other fingers covered her mouth for a moment. "I meant love taps, really."
The crowd as one burst out laughing at her antics, immediately amused and enjoying this new excitement of an unknown player that seemed ready to thrill them with her wit and enticing tidbits of her sex life. What they all really thrived on if truth were told. 494 relaxed in a way that told him that he had been tense and unsure about this moment. So the group was ready to embrace her. Now, if she could just charm Jonas in the same way and by the way the older man's eyes were gleaming, 494 felt it was a sure thing.
"So this is the young lady we've heard so little about," he drawled. Both 494 and Max turned to him.
"Now that you see her, can you really blame me for wanting to keep her all to myself?" he parried quickly and knowingly. Jonas grinned lasciviously and 494 could feel Max tense in his embrace, but relaxed again just as quickly.
"Not at all," Jonas once again drawled. It was as if he were speaking deliberately that way, to make every utterance out of his mouth seem urbane and witty when it was so far from the truth. "But loveliness like this is meant to be shared and appreciated."
"So true. I'd like to formally present my girlfriend, Maxine Gueverra," 494 stated with some little pomp. Jonas reached for Max's hand which she let him take, though she deftly avoided anything more by taking another negligent seeming sip of her drink.
"I'm very pleased to meet you at last," Jonas declared. "We were beginning to think you were a figment of young Alexander's imagination."
"Of course I am," Max laughed good naturedly. "I mean, I am his princess after all."
"Got that right baby," 494 once again nuzzled at his hair. Jonas at last seemed satisfied and turned with a deceptively callous negligence to the woman standing at his side.
"This is my wife Margo, your hostess for the evening," he introduced and then just as quickly, his eyes had turned away. But Margo, long used to this stepped forward and took matters into her own hands.
"Lovely to meet you Maxine," she cooed.
"And you," Max had extracted her hand from Jonas' and now gave all her attention to the older blond woman. She glanced down at what the other woman was wearing, a cream colored matronly gown that most likely cost what Max would spend in a year's rent. "Chanel?" she asked with an air of one who kept up with all the latest fashions.
"But of course," Margo chuckled, her shoulders shaking and hunching forward with humor. "Wasn't their spring line just to die for?"
"Uh," Max pouted with a little moue on her lips. "I only wish I could have seen it. Alex was so not in the mood for Milan this spring."
"Oh, you poor thing," Margo simpered, fawning and laying one hand on Max's wrist. "I'll tell you, if you want the best accounting, talk to Tina Marchmont. She lives for Chanel."
"Ooh, the Queen is here," Max tittered, again covering her mouth as before. "I do believe that woman," she paused for a moment as if confused and turned back to Alexander, "what was her name honey?"
494 knew exactly who she meant but played along with her. "Margee?" he pondered and then shrugged. "Something like that. We were in a hurry."
Margo's eyebrows crowded together for a moment and then understanding dawned. "Oh, do you mean Marjorie? Of Tiente's?"
"Yes!" Max crowed, gently resting a grateful hand on Margo's arm. "That was it. Well she was filling me in on tonight's party. Which was nice." She leaned into the other woman conspiratorially. "Alex could really care less abut who was attending. But I like to know, you know?" she hinted heavily and Margo laughed outright at her eagerness.
"Well of course," she agreed as she began to draw Max away from the men that had begun to group together while the wives and other women drifted after their hostess. "And my dear, Marjorie was certainly the one to know. Oh, how that woman gets her information! Did you notice any hmm, unusual clients there then?"
"Unusual?" Max's tone was filled with anticipation of a juicy tidbit, even though she was fully aware of what Margo was hinting at. "Oh do tell." She allowed herself to be led away and threw over her shoulder a wink at Alexander. He returned it with a smirk and little jerk of his chin. She wasn't sure it it was a warning to keep to her role, to be careful or if he was finding as much humor in this situation as she was. At this point, of course, Margo had no idea who or what Max really was.
494 felt a profound relief that things were back on course. He could hear the women that had just left tittering over some gossip that Margo Cale had just imparted to them, Max, right in the middle of them, her head thrown back, laughing delightedly as if she'd been a part of this all her life. Content now that he could continue with this mission, he turned back to his host.
"I'm glad we made it back," he offered softly, seeing at once that there was still some questions in Jonas' eyes. "After her car trouble, she was pretty shaken up."
"Was it serious?" Jonas asked benignly and then took another sip of his drink.
"Nothing really," 494 shrugged. "But her parents died in a car crash last year. So..." he trailed off, letting Jonas draw his own conclusions. The man nodded even though he wasn't too interested, just happy that he'd once again gotten his own way in the matter.
"That's too bad," the older man replied in a bored tone. "But Gueverra. I don't believe I know them. Where were they from?"
"Ah, we met them in New York," 494 answered with a slight indifference coloring his words. "Or at least I did. Not for long. I guess her dad herded them out to L.A. and struck it rich. I didn't see Maxie again until their funeral."
"Well," Jonas seemed to mull that over and whatever he'd decided was fine since his next move was to turn to his son, Bennett. "You remember my son?"
"Of course," 494 smirked. He turned to the younger man and lifted his champagne flute. "How're the wedding plans going?"
"I have no clue," the younger man chuckled. "All I hear from Mother is that Marianne needs to make up her mind. Something about the flowers."
"Well, you know, the most important day of her life and all that," 494 quipped.
"And mine," Bennett shot back. "Truth be told I'm the one getting the prize here."
"Oh, don't sell yourself short," Jonas laughed, slapping one hand on his son's back, ignoring the younger man's grimace. "Bennett is my go to guy. My right hand man. You know he'll be taking over the business when I finally get around to retiring. That is, if Logan doesn't come up with any of his usual objections."
"I don't think he will Dad," Bennett frowned, glancing sideways at Alexander. 494 could see just a hint of contempt in the younger man's eyes. This one was definitely loyal to the family as 494 recalled that the Logan being referred to must have been Jonas' nephew. He'd been pointed out to 494 earlier, but they hadn't as yet met. "He's more interested in other things."
"Oh, those little stories he writes," Jonas dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Pfft. Believe me, that man knows which side his bread is buttered on. And if he doesn't I'm sure his wife will remind him. Where are they at, by the way? We should introduce Alexander." He grinned at 494. "He might prefer his journalism, but the boy knows computers. Can't deny that."
494 felt a surging exultation. All of this conversation pointed to one thing. Jonas was ready to play now. He wouldn't have been offering up this scandalous information to what he considered an outsider. Yes, Max had done her job and he was in.
"Actually, they left, I think," Bennett glanced around the ballroom as if searching for something or someone. "Val was feeling a little indisposed."
"Drunk you mean," Jonas scoffed even as he downed the last of his drink. "And embarrassing the hell out of everyone around her."
"Dad!" Bennett protested and 494 filed that away in his mind. Bennett obviously liked his cousin, whatever trouble or problems might be in the unknown man's life and that was an angle he could always work on.
"Not like it's a secret there," Jonas rolled his eyes and then offered to the newest crony, as he now seemed to see 494. "If you hadn't already figured it out, you would soon. Oh well, I guess you can meet him later. He always shows up to these things. As I said, Valerie will make sure of that."
"I look forward to the pleasure," 494 smirked, his lips quirking up and his eyebrows lowering as he let Jonas know that he knew exactly what the other man meant. Jonas laughed with pleasure and clapped one hand on 494's shoulder.
"Come on then," Jonas gestured away from the main group of people dancing by them. "I want to talk to Pelton about that deal he's got in the works."
"Yes sir," 494 responded with enthusiasm.
*****
It was perhaps two hours later and Max was insanely bored. Of course, she wasn't showing it and she wasn't complaining. Just acknowledging the fact. Alexander had told her what was going on and what she was getting into. And even if he hadn't, Ramon's lectures and teachings would have been enough. But still, she was wondering if maybe she had undercharged Spalding. A night of sex was one thing. But this unrelenting gossip session could well be the death of her. Of course, Max mused, she could always use this as a learning experience. Being able to blend into the higher society could open doors for her that had always been a little harder to break through before.
And so knowing and deciding this, she had played her role to the hilt. She'd deftly turned aside polite inquiries into her background and family, giving only the barest information. She wasn't sure what Alexander would say and though it wouldn't matter after tonight, she didn't have anything against the guy. He still had to be friends with these people. So if keeping her mouth shut would save him future embarrassment, she'd bite her damn tongue until it bled. She never once stopped to ponder why she was so willing to put herself out for a guy she'd just met this evening. And one that hadn't even paid her yet.
And so to help herself and ostensibly him, Max charmed her way through the ladies and the few of their male counterparts that swung by when the mood struck. She asked and dug for information on others, pleasing them that they had found so willing a listener to talk about what they loved most, themselves. And after throwing out witty little sarcasms, found herself embraced as one of their own. Still a bit of an unknown quantity. But in their eyes, Max realized, they had plenty of time to get the dirt on her.
She was just finishing her second glass of champagne when Alexander found her again. Her first indication was the slide of his hand over and around her waist. She tensed, as for many varied reasons, she didn't like being grabbed. But when his voice sounded quietly in her ear, a greeting, she relaxed and tilted her head up and around to greet him. She caught a glimpse of the other ladies smiling indulgently over them. But then all her attention was caught by Alexander.
His green eyes were gleaming and sparkling, catching the lights of the thousands of chandeliers hanging over them. There was a half-smile gracing his full pink lips and there was a kind of exultation about him that was strangely compelling. Max's eyes widened a fraction as she began to slowly recognize the unfamiliar twinge that had begun throbbing low in her abdomen. She inhaled sharply as she realized it for what it was. Lust. And not the heat induced kind either. But the 'dear lord he was so damn sexy and all of his attention was on her', kind of way. Something she rarely felt anymore.
"Hey," she murmured, feeling foolish as she tried to tamp down the unwelcome and most definitely not needed surge of hormones racing through her. She was a professional damn it. She didn't let lust rule her. She couldn't or she would never make enough money for the things she needed.
"Hey," the smirk softened into an indulgent and happy grin. "How're you?"
"Missing you," Max replied huskily as she leaned into him, remembering at the last moment, their audience. As hoped there were sighs and titters as the young couple seemed to forget everything else around them.
"Feel like dancing?" Alexander asked carefully. It was a ball after all, but they hadn't covered if her education had come that far. He was offering her an out if she needed it. Max, used to rapid changes in events, listened to the music for a moment, recognizing a simple waltz. She could handle that. She nodded and set her empty glass on a nearby table. She held out her hand to Alexander and he took it before excusing them from the group. "Ladies, enchanted of course."
And then he led her away to the edge of the dance floor. Max let him step out and turn to her, his arms waiting for her to step in. She took a deep fortifying breath.
"Can you handle this?" he asked gently as she stepped into him.
"Waltz yes," she nodded quickly as they began to whirl among the other couples. "Not much more than that though."
"Okay," Alexander nodded. "We'll take a few turns around the floor and then call it a night."
"Sounds good to me," Max replied with relief. She was glad that her memory was such that she didn't need to think about the simple box step and turns that they were executing. Her feet could work on their own while her mouth handled the conversation. She was definitely built for multi-tasking.
"So, I have to say, I'm very pleased tonight," Alexander offered as he moved them deeper into the throng. "Jonas seemed to adore you."
"That was the plan, wasn't it?" Max giggled. Although the champagne hadn't done much more than like she had said and tickled her nose, she was still feeling a little giddy and decided to blame it on the drink. She didn't want to examine yet where the feelings were really coming from.
"It was," Alexander agreed. "Did you have any problems?" he asked of her quietly and Max shook her head in the negative.
"Not really," she answered truthfully. "Mostly asked them about their lives and they were only too happy to comply. Although Margo's friend, Tina, invited us to dinner tomorrow night. I guess she's catering a big deal for the Cale's and some select few. So we've been honored,"
"And what did you say?" 494 frowned slightly. She knew why. It was supposed to be tonight only.
"I told her that if you hadn't anything else lined up for us tomorrow, that we'd be delighted to," Max answered and then quickly explained. "I didn't think it would be good to refuse her outright. And then this way, you could say that we already have plans we can't escape. Or go with the excuse that I was called back home. Although if you do that and then show up at her party anyway, she'll be really pissed at you for messing up the seating plan."
"True," Alexander laughed deprecatingly. "Okay, I can work with that. Anything else?"
"Not much," Max shrugged one shoulder. "Alyssa Dexter offered me the number to the limousine service that she uses. So I can avoid the unpleasantness of driving in this insane city." Her smile softened the acerbic tone she used.
"That's a pleasant offer," 494 made his own shrug. "I probably should have thought of it myself. But I like to drive."
"I do too," Max agreed. "And that Mercedes is a nice machine."
"Isn't she though," Alexander enthused. "Nothing I like better than to be surrounded by sleek beauty, built for speed and ready to give it all just when I need it."
Max's breath hitched for a moment as she got the distinct impression that he was no longer talking about cars. And from the knowing look in his eyes, he knew she knew it. He swept her body closer and she could feel the arousal stirring in them both. A small shudder passed through her and Alexander chuckled, delighted with events. He swung her off the dance floor and Max was surprised that the music had ended and she hadn't even realized it.
"Come on," Alexander murmured into her ear as she tottered unsteadily for a moment, his hands dropping to her waist. "Let's get the hell out of here." Max said nothing but she echoed the sentiment wholeheartedly. His hands fell away from her body, only to return one hand to hers as he carefully pulled her after him. He was making a beeline for Cale's group again. Which was just as well, as Max would have to grab the matching purse to her ensemble, to return to Marjorie. As she did so, and then turned, she saw Jonas and Alexander shaking hands.
"Lovely evening," he was muttering politely but with an unmistakable haste. He turned to their hostess. "Margo, I do believe you outdid yourself."
"Every single time dear boy," she returned with a tilt of her head. "I'm sure you'll enjoy the rest of your night." Alexander didn't reply to that, just cast a raking glance over his 'girlfriend' and the assembled group tittered once again.
"Goodnight everyone," Max simpered as she tucked her little clutch purse under her arm, Alexander once again reaching for her hand. "Lovely to meet you all."
"And the same to you dear," one of the older woman shot right back. She was wearing a bright red dress that did little to hide her drooping assets. "And don't forget dinner tomorrow night. You absolutely must come!" 494 quickly surmised that this must be the infamous Tina Marchmont.
"Only if Alex lets me out of the bedroom, you mean," Max shot back with a giggle. The group erupted in laughter at the girl's parting shot and waved them away. They all understood and could at least remember what it was like to be young and in love. As they disappeared through the main doors and out of sight, Jonas turned to his wife and drawled,
"I do like that girl!"
Chapter Four
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