Bupix™
Today marks the first GDB post featuring photos from our friend Bu (you know him from the comments!) - these are all pictures that Bu generously gave to me some months ago. One of the best things about many of these photos is that they give us mere mortals a glimpse into life as a Disneyland cast member, both on stage and backstage. Bu has also been nice enough to offer some commentary to accompany the photos... so here we go!
First up is this wonderful photo showing Bu himself holding on to a huge bouquet of classic Mickey-ear balloons. POSTCARD WORTHY™! Bu says:
I mentioned this story in the article on straw hats. THIS is the straw hat. I’ve also mentioned the Hallmark Card story and this photo was taken by one of the “main” Hallmark Card photographers…but I forget his name. I’m in my yellows but have absconded a striped Main St. jacket (100% polyester) and hat from Wardrobe. This was on a Monday when we were closed. Wardrobe did NOT want to give me those things and did so begrudgingly. I’m not sure if it ever made it to being a card. I remember this being at the entrance to Tomorrowland, but looking at the brick I’m standing on…I’m not too sure. The photographer was standing on a ladder. Another thing about that striped coat: this was the ugly one they would “rent” to the grad night people that didn’t come dressed properly. It was super cheap and not lined. Form over function I guess. It was the itchy plastic polyester. When I was in a Main St. costume, I never wore it. “no thank you”. Yes, I found it that distasteful.
Next are two photos of Bu working at an ice cream vendor's cart. I'm unsure of the dates of these, hopefully Bu can chime in. Meanwhile... Outdoor Vending, or more commonly ODV, dept. 937, and part of Tomorrowland foods: really only due to it’s geographic behind and part of the Carrousel of Progress complex. Back there, we had two giant walk in freezers: one for ice cream bars and frozen bananas, and one for juice bars. Juice Bars must be kept at a lower temperature or they get “gummy” and sticky. There were also freezers for big boxes of dry ice, and I still have those dry ice scars on my arms to this day! The balloon room was back there too where we would construct the big bouquets of balloons to sell. I was a wee disappointed that I was assigned to ODV, as I would have preferred being in Ops (Ride Operator), but later found out after being trained in the Casting Dept. that the people they choose for ODV had to exhibit and possess and great deal of maturity, and entrepreneurship. You were basically solo all day long, with little to no direct supervision. You also had to be self sufficient and outgoing as there were no phones or other communication. Your communication was through sweepers or security employees. On those very slow days that now we all covet, if you needed something…you had to really wave your hands around.
You could not leave your wagon for any reason whatsoever. Time your bio breaks! In these photos, you can see the "Fantasyland is Closed" construction wall. Jay is giving me a break. Jay was studying to be a firefighter and was super serious and super gruff. I have one photo of him smiling, but don’t remember him EVER smiling. He was super strong, and any task that would require super duper mighty mouse strength he would be rodeo’d into. Better be on time…by the SECOND. Do not be late EVER, do not be early EVER. Be EXACTLY on time. When you went on a break you were required to take your trash. Breaks were 15 minutes, and lunch 30 minutes. One minute late? You would be docked 6 minutes of pay, with LATE BREAK on your timecard. Hard core. Some fun benefits: the ice cream delivery guy: from Carnation, would also bring “treats”: like those cone things, or big sticks, etc. All free from the goodness of his heart. It was fun to receive a truck, we would be throwing boxes of frozen banana’s ‘ala a "fire line". If you dropped a box, those boxes would keep coming…generally smacking you in the face as you tried to to pick the one you missed. Better keep up. Overall we were a crazy bunch, with more shenanigans than most. In retrospect it was my favorite hourly job while working for the park. It didn’t have the glamour of Guest Relations, but GR came with a high level of regular surveillance and a different level of “Presenteeism” and polish.
Many thanks to Bu for sharing his personal photos!
25 comments:
Major-
More fun from the CM's. That first picture is a beauty, and has been seen out and about.
Thanks for the Bupix™, Bu. And for sharing personal experiences - they are always the best-!
Every-so-often I see a picture and it makes me gasp. Bu’s balloon photo did, the first time I saw it. I LOVE that photo!
Thanks, Bu, for sharing so many interesting stories and photos with us!
Thanks, too, Major.
Sue
Yay, Bupix! I was wondering if we would ever see photos to go along with your tales of shenanigans in the Park.
Interesting that these balloons have the chalky, opaque look rather than the shiny look. There have been a lot of different kinds of Disneyland balloons over the years. We need a three-volume, hardback, in-depth set of books to record that history.
It would indeed be cool if this picture ended up becoming a Hallmark Card.
Wear those dry ice scars with pride! They're your war wounds, "Yeah, I got this one during the Great Yippie Invasion of 1970... a lot of casualties that day." (I know you weren't there in 1970 but I had to twist the facts to fit the story.)
Are those things you're holding dry ice slabs wrapped in paper? That would get pretty cold pretty fast!
Like Nanook and Sue said, it's interesting and fun to hear all these CM stories. Thanks, Bu. And thank you, Major. I hope there are more Bupix in our future.
BU: did they really charge the people to “rent” that coat?? If so , what kinda fee were they charged? For our 1986 Grad Nite I had to go around to several classes and show a video that promoted Grad Nite ‘86 .. if featured the Lionel Richey song “All
nite Long” …. I know why I was picked to do this … but I don’t remember how it was brought to my attention…. But I remember have to really explain and stress the dress code… in fact I feel
Like we could not have even boarded the bus for Disneyland. I think dressing up was part of the fun … but it’s real reasoning from the very begging was ;
Young people behave better dressed up .
Young people dressed up cannot wear high school colors and lettered clothing , preventing rival school fighting.
The Grad Nite ‘86 kit featured the video .. I recall we had to return it … there were three posters …. Two standees with plastic holders for brochures with ticket information …
Bu: I know Hallmark produced many Disneyland based cards sold at Disneyland …. But was this ballon picture to be part of a series??
Bupix makes me think of Twinpix! Now I forget who it was that offered "Twinpix" photo processing, which was basically two sets of your photos printed for the price of one. I think it was Thrifty or Sav-On.
That first pic is beautiful! Yep, definitely postcard worthy, and Hallmark Card worthy, too.
Bu, I am curious about the breaks and lunches. I am going to assume that you clocked out for lunches, but not for brakes. So assuming that, did your lunches start from the time you left your cart/position in the park, and end when you returned? Or did they start and end at the time that you punch in and out on the time clock, backstage? In other words, did the time it took to walk through the park to get backstage, eat into your lunchtime, or were you still "on the clock" until you got to the time clock? I'm just thinking about the times at Knott's when I was trying to get back from my lunch on time, and a gazillion people stopped me to ask things like, "What time is the 2:00 ice show?", "Where is the Matterhorn?", and "Where is First Aid, the train just ran over my foot." (Only the first two, are actual questions that I was asked by guests.)
Thanks for sharing your personal work photos with us, Bu! And thanks to the Major, too.
“Bupix™” sounds so much better than “Burpix,” although something is telling me that Bu’s inner 5-year-old would love it.
I love how there’s just one Mickey face that’s easily discernible in that bouquet of balloons. I’m sure that was intentional. That coat over your yellows works in this photo but would not work in real life. I’m surprised it didn’t crack the fabric of reality and send you to another dimension. Irresponsible fashion choices can have devastating consequences for the rest of us.
I feel like I have seen that photo elsewhere. I will have to check my 1980s Disneyland souvenir hardcover…if I can find it.
The thumbnail of the second photo is pulling up a full-sized version of the third photo. I like it that way - it’s like Bu is making a face at us after pranking us with the wrong thumbnail. GDB shenanigans!
TM!, when you were asked “Where is the Matterhorn?” I hope you answered “Switzerland.”
One of Mrs. Chuck’s cousins worked at a gas station in Jacksonville, FL. One day, a kind of rude couple stomped in and demanded directions to Disneyland. Not Disney World or even just “Disney” - they specifically said Disneyland. He told them “Do you remember seeing signs on the way in for Interstate 10? Follow those to I-10, then head west. Take I-10 to I-5, hang a left, and it’ll be on your right. You can’t miss it.”
Thanks so much, Mr. Bu!
That's too funny, about the directions that your friend gave. I wanted to tell the Matterhorn seekers to "walk all the way through Ghost Town, go out the exit of the park, get in your car, drive down Beach Boulevard until you get to Katella Ave......." But I didn't. I told them that the Matterhorn was at Disneyland and asked if they meant "The Log Ride." I can't remember now if that is indeed what they meant, or if they just "had issues." I do like your "Switzerland" answer though. "Drive yourselves to the International terminal at LAX....."
Ah, Bupix. What a handsome rascal!
How nice to fit a face to the name after so long.
Bu, thanks for the stories and the pix, CM memories are the best. I absolutely understand why those characters traits were needed in ODV. Reminds me of my times selecting Scouts for various leadership roles. You need those with presence.
Chuck, those are definitely concise directions. I hope those folks found their way.
Major, thanks for hosting these!
JG
I love these glimpses behind the curtain.
Bu, if you feel inclined to do so, PLEASE share how the IASW doll fits into today’s ODV/freezer topic. ;oD
Sue
I commented earlier, but my comment was "Blogspotted." (Mysteriously vanished without a trace).
So, to sum up:
1. Fun!
2. I worked concessions at 6FOT once as a high school fundraiser.
3. Fun!
The original version was better...
Nanook, I was wondering if that first picture ever appeared in any books, but there’s SO MUCH Disneyland stuff out there. I’d love to know where it appeared.
Sue, I only feel guilty that I took so long getting to these photos! But now I have them scanned and ready to share. Yay!
JB, I assume that something was added to the latex to make the balloons more opaque? Maybe some melamine. Or dolphin flesh. At this point, they are looking for any new book ideas, so you may just get your three-volume Disneyland balloon history. With a forward from Johnny Depp. Dry ice scars? I guess those make my grizzly bear scars look kind of pathetic now. And YES, there are lots more Bupix to come!
Mike Cozart, I am assuming that Bu meant that the coat was “loaned” to the student for photos, but I guess I might be assuming incorrectly. I’m sure you’re right about why they want the students to dress up. I truly do believe that they would tend to get in a lot more shenanigans if they were just dressed in their usual high school attire. Wow, I wish we could see that Grad Nite ’86 video! I’m unaware of a Hallmark card with this balloon pic, but anything is possible!
TokyoMagic!, I was so proud of “Bupix”, and then Bu told me that he’d already come up with that name for something that he was going to do long ago. Oh well. Hey, you were a cast member, you should already know all about breaks and lunches! I’m glad I never have had to work at a job where I had to punch a clock, the pressure would be too much for me. They’d find me laying on the floor weeping. Well I admit I do that anyway. I always thought that questions like “When is the 2:00 ice show?” were made up by Marty Sklar, but I guess people really do ask things like that.
Chuck, my “Burpix” series of comedies (from the ‘80s) is fondly remembered by many. So much burping! I wish I had “yellows” to wear, but I don’t own a single piece of yellow clothing. My life is so meaningless. I can’t explain why Blogger has been messing up those thumbnail links, I can’t be blamed! If I have time a little later I’ll try to reload the photo, but it has been a busy morning. “Where is the Matterhorn?”. I’d just answer with some choice four letter words, as is my habit. Maybe I’d even make some new ones. And you’d be amazed (or maybe not) how many WDW slides are labeled “Disneyland”. HOW?
TokyoMagic!, I seriously would have loved to observe you if you really told a Knott’s visitor on how to get to Disneyland. At what point would they realize that you were literally telling them that they were in the wrong place for the Matterhorn??
JG, I guess I would not qualify to work as an ODV, since I am very immature. And I cry easily. “I can’t give you change, but I can give you a hug”. I’ll bet that would have worked. I’d like to believe that working a job like that would have trained my brain to do simple addition and subtraction much better than it does right now. I did not inherit my dad’s “math brain”.
Anonymous, I’m glad you liked these!
Melissa, oh ha ha, your computer is plotting against you.
Sue, hmmm, did I hear that story before??
Stu29573, I’m very sorry that Blogger “vanished” your comment, I know it is very frustrating. It’s happened to me (on other blogs), so I can commiserate. Hey, maybe your original comment is in my email, if so I can publish it and credit it to you!
Bu will hopefully comment later on the balloons—but I think he had mentioned, a while back, that they get dull as the day wears on. (Do they lose a little air??)
Sue
I just wonder if BU still has that clean cut Disney look of the past. So many grew facial hair when they left! Here's looking at you kid! KS
My day was a beast, so I am coming to my own party late! I have lots, so I'll do it in order: Nanook...that picture of me and the balloons is out there? Really? I'd like to know where so I can be sure to authorize my likeness as it's copyrighted! Thanks for the comment kudos...I report what's in my head and hope for the best and that it's accurate. Memory is strange as I progress further in life! Sue: thanks as always :) lots of hearts! JB: I think there were a lot of Hallmark cards, and this one probably did make it...somewhere. The balloons are chalky because it was a hot day. The heat and time make them become chalky. When you first blow them up they are all nice and shiny and clear. Dry ice was packed in flimsy cardboard which basically fell apart when you took them out of the freezer. The gloves only went so far. I'm looking at a scar as I write this. Dry ice burns smart. Also if you stick your head in the ice cream wagon when the dry ice is becoming a gas, you kind of pass out...not advisable. It happens and happened. There just might be Bu-Pix TM in your future, but you will have to ask Kreskin. Mike: yes they would rent the coat...but for free. That Grad Night dress code was hard core like the employees at that time...and it was not to be toyed with. No tie? I got one. No Jacket? I got one. Sneakers? We got shoes too. We got it all. I don't remember the girls ever in Disneyland wardrobe, but girls like being fancy, so probably was not an issue....more in the following posts.....
As far as a "series" of cards: have no idea. They didn't tell me much except "show up and bring balloons". ODV was pretty much every day, even when the park was closed. There was a lot of backstage stuff to do with maintenance and wagons, etc etc. Tokyo: TWINPIX! Savon. We never went to Thrifty for some reason....I think it was "too far downtown"...for breaks...wow...we were paid for breaks...but not lunches. You didn't have to "punch out" as it wasn't realistic to go back to Harbor House, punch and then resume. Your break or lunch started when your relief got there. No chit chat, no nothing...take your trash and go. See you in 15 EXACTLY. There was absolutely no lenience for getting stuck with a guest, or doing any other work duty. I put my head down and tried not to have eye contact with anyone. Hence, the sunglasses. If you were in Bear Country...that's a long walk to the Inn Between, and if the Pit is closed for whatever...it's a hike. Try to get through the park with zero interaction from Bear Country to the PI. You learned to walk fast and with purpose. I still can go from one end of Grand Central to the other in perfect sync with others. It's a learned trait. Thanks Disneyland. If there is a line at the Inn Between: "tough"...Sometimes I had only 5 or 10 minutes of time to eat my lunch...which consisted of a grilled cheese sandwich, a salad with blue cheese dressing, and Disneyland cheesecake. It was $1.70. You learned to eat very fast. I STILL eat very fast. It does not go away. People around me are astounded and ask me why. Why? "Disneyland." Chuck: I am 5 and love Burpix. Thanks. I am stealing that and will say it tomorrow throughout the day. You think I'm kidding, I am not. Today I must have said "we've done all the preparations: A through G. Overall, Preparation H feels good on the whole." Never gets old. It was a windy day, and those balloons have a mind of their own. Mickeys face was not intentional, it was a higher power than I. I'd like to know where this photo is! It was such an obscure photo. I actually got it YEARS after when I got into GR. The promotions person was a ex TG and knew where to send it. "Thought you might like this!" Thanks Mary Anne!
The joke about Switzerland is very sweeper-esque. They were mostly dry as toast with this stuff. Hilarious. "where are the fireworks tonight?" sweeper: "in the sky". "What time is the 9pm parade?" sweeper "what time zone?" Thanks JG! I was a bit of thing I guess, but I'll reiterate from a post a few days ago...we were all kind of in "our prime". The character traits I didn't understand until way later in life. I was so incredibly independent as a kid for various reasons. I still am. Thanks Disneyland! Sue: the Small World...oh that thing bounced around our department in all various iterations. The one you are referring to I'm not sure is fit to print...it involved a Disneyland jumpsuit (I would KILL to have one of those now...it was blue collar blue with Disneyland patches on it...like a filling station guy...if anyone has a photo, I would love to see...) anyway...jumpsuit, hose, and bunch of dirty rags and a freezer. I'll stop there and let your imaginations run wild. No animals or mammals were hurt in the process. Small world lived on long after those shenanigans, getting a place of honor briefly on a stick in the balloon room. I do not know how Small World came into our possesion, and I was the TAME one in the bunch. Enough of that...Stu: sorry you got bumped...happens to the best of us, but YES...sooo much Fun with big exclamation points!
Bu, yes, I would love to see if that balloon image appeared in a book or guide or whatever. I once appeared in my college guidebook (for prospective students) and it was the greatest moment of my life. I’ve only seen a few Hallmark cards that are Disneyland themed, they seem to be surprisingly rare, considering how many must have been sold over something like 25 years. I have only held tiny pieces of dry ice (at Halloween), and had no idea that the stuff could leave permanent scars. Passing out “on duty” is the ultimate faux pax. “If you think you are going to pass out, please speak to a supervisor first”. That’s the rule. Probably. I’m pretty sure that young ladies had to wear dresses, maybe at some point they were allowed to wear tasteful pants suits.
Bu, “show up and bring balloons”, like they can’t give just a little more info? “Why am I holding balloons? What is my motivation?”. I don’t think we ever went to Thrifty either, although my niece and nephew loved to get ice cream cones there. Word to the wise: bubble gum ice cream is disgusting. “Show up and bring balloons” and “Take your trash and go”. No sweet talking there. I wonder why they couldn’t give CMs 45 minutes? It’s kind of ridiculous that one might only have five or ten minutes to actually relax and eat. I eat fast too, people always comment on it. It’s from my years in prison. I’ve been near balloon sellers on a breezy day, that squeaky sound would be maddening. Of course I could walk away, while the poor CM has to endure. I don’t know what “GR” is, but I’m glad you got into it.
Bu, I would think that those smart-alecky answers would get some glares from angry dads. “You punk kids! I didn’t fight in Vietnam so that brats like you could sass me!”. Hmmm, now the Small World story rings a bell, and your hints help a little, but I have forgotten the gory details. From now on my place will be referred to as “the balloon room”. If people ask why, I will pretend I didn’t hear them.
Melissa: there's many glimpses behind the curtain...there are hundreds of words behind the photos. Like this one: "Brite Boy" brass cleaner was used to clean the brass on the wagons every day. WE had to polish them...every morning. I still use Brite Boy to this day. It will dissolve your fingerprints, so handle with care. Wagons were cleaned meticulously. The red and white was not paint. It was formica. KS: YES. I am still as clean cut as ever! HA! "No." Mustache came very soon after my employment ended, and a beard thereafter when my face allowed me to grow one. My higher power took over my perfect feathered hair- a good thing. I was vain and was obsessed with it. God said "no". Bald is best. As a actor, clean cut doesn't (didn't) make a lot of cash. Thugs do. It's the way Hollywood works. It seems that any guy going on vacation at that time grew a mustache and/or a beard. They would save it to the last second and shave it all off in the locker rooms. We all may have been a little obsessed. Hope everyone enjoyed these, and thanks Major for another trip to 1982. I THINK that is when these are...perhaps at the top of '82. The Fantasyland construction wall will date it. I could not be INTO '82 as I traded my bright yellows for bright red plaid I think before Summer that year. My days in ODV were carefree and fun for a late teenager. Popcorn is still my favorite food. Disneyland was the best "college" experience ever. I learned much more there than any class, lecture, etc. If your kid needs discipline: send them to work at the Park. The 1980 version. It was a lesson in sociology, and corporate political science AND proper grooming. Thanks Walt, and Major!
Major- "GR" is either Guest Relations or Great Race. In this context I'm betting it is referring to Guest Relations...;)
Cool Bupix today- Thanks Bu & Major.
-DW
Hey, you were a cast member, you should already know all about breaks and lunches!
Major, when I worked there, they were totally mean and abusive to us. We all worked a split shift (work 4 hours, clock out, and then come back a couple hours later for another 4 hour shift), so we weren't entitled to lunches, but we should have been given a break after two hours. We weren't. We were also forced to leave the premises between shifts, so we couldn't just go over to a cast member break area or restaurant, and hang out. There was only one day, when there was a cast member "potluck" Christmas party, that we were allowed to stay on the property between our shifts.
Breaks and lunches were a thing back then, especially with the unions -and most departments were unionized. Entertainment had their own thing with the splits. Not sure I could do that unless I lived close and could get something done during the split. On very busy days tours were longer than the "usual" 3-3.5 hours. Sometimes up to 5 hours if lines were exceptionally long. That was brutal. No additional time was given, and no breaks during tours ever. Sometimes after these long tours you would just be sent home if they didn't need you any longer- so no break at all. Requirement was that you were with your group on all rides. Bathroom break was in Bear Country, but no eating or drinking as it was not allowed on stage. If you weren't in the restroom you were with your guests- that was the rule. Guests would offer you something as that was their break as well...but not yours. Unless they presented it to you it was not to be agreed upon. If they came up to you with a drink or a pretzel (people are very kind) you were to take it, but politely say that you were not allowed to eat onstage and would need to zip back stage quickly...where ultimately you would either scarf it down, or throw it away. We were watched and monitored, so you couldn't really get away with enjoying your guest purchased snack with the guests that purchased it for you. It would be a conversation when you returned to the office. VIP tours: sometimes up to 12+ hours. No breaks, but meals as you would eat with your group. Rule was: if guest has stopped eating...so do you. Kind of like eating with the Queen. You were paid for this time, so 8 hours, was 8 hours. If special guests preferred to eat without you (they had to be very company approved very special) you would have a break time of 1/2 hour and then would go to the phone room until your guests summoned you back to go on rides with them. Writing this, I'm thinking: "what a strange life". Not sure what happens now with strict CA laws regarding meal and break periods. Seems like a very big focus when I am working out there. Generally, the first subject of the day is "when is my break?". Odd. I guess I'm the odd one.
Bu, I guess I need to buy “Brite Boy” polish for all of my brass objects. Who needs fingerprints? Mr. X has complained about the sad state of the popcorn carts, which he described as “filthy”. I don’t generally eat popcorn, so I didn’t really look at the carts the last time I was at the park, but yuck. I don’t think any of us look like we did in the 1980s, so changes are just part of the deal. Thanks to YOU for sharing these fun pix!
DW, AHA!
TokyoMagic!, I just don’t understand why they can’t give people breaks. Not hours, but at least treat them like human beings. No wonder morale is so much lower than it used to be!
Bu, I can’t imagine being asked to leave the park during a break between shifts - as you said, if you lived close by, no problem. But otherwise you were stuck. Maybe for unpaid hours. NO GOOD. It’s nice to hear that guests were often kind to guides, I probably would have just assumed that the minute the tour was over, the guide would get to relax and eat a delicious meal prepared by Disneyland’s 5-star chefs. While people fanned you with big ostrich feather fans. Whoa, a VIP tour could last 12 hours??? That’s insane. I would like to believe that a 12 hour tour was unusual, but I could see a guest just wanting to be guided the entire day. Presumably they paid dearly for that. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with planning for a break, especially when those breaks are so brief and precious. As long as the rest of the job is taken care of, it shouldn’t matter.
I remember many shift turnarounds … as long as there was 8 hours between your shifts it was legal with the union and the state …. Meaning you might work exhibit change over till 1:00am …. And you could be scheduled to be back at work exactly 8 hours later … in the morning … the 8 hours didn’t matter if you got 8 hours of sleep or a commute and only 5 hours of sleep. Many cast members would get rooms at nearby hotels … and in off seasons you could get a fairly cheap room at the Disneyland Hotel …. After scheduling verified your turnaround shift with the hotel.
Major : the “loan coat “ would not have been for JUST pictures : from the start of Grad Nite until the rules were lifted in the early 2000’s I believe men Grad nite attendees were required to wear a sport coat during the whole visit. A student might have been able to get transportation ( all schools had to arrive by charter buses - no private vehicles were allowed) but you could NOT have entered Disneyland without a sport coat . I think the dress only rule for ladies must have been relaxed because I remember sone girls in like parachute pants things … but in all the event was dressy .
Odd. I guess I'm the odd one.
Bu, to quote Mr. Merriweather from a certain TV show (which shall not be mentioned), "My, we're all odd, aren't we?"
Mike, on more than one occasion, Knott's management would have you work until 2:30 a.m. on a summer Saturday night, or on one of the park's Halloween Haunt nights, and then schedule you to be back at work at 8:00 a.m. that same morning. Some employees would call them out on it and tell them, "Hey, that's not legal." But management didn't seem to care. Once, when I said that to my manager, she said, "Okay, why don't you come in an hour later then, at 9 a.m." Oh, really? Gee, thank you ever so much! That still didn't equal 8 hours between shifts.
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