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by Emily Allen (em.allen1998@outlook.com)
Rated:
Genre: Horror
User Review:
Witch Cult
This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.
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FADE IN:
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INT. FLASHBACK SEQUENCE - NIGHT |
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Pentagram box being opened with candles inside, focus drawn
on lit candles, shot of pentagram necklace, shot of India
using witchcraft book, India muttering spells, shot of India
conducting ritual/meditating, close up of India's eyes
openings, POV of door slamming, candles all go out. |
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INT. BEDROOM - DAY |
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All four girls are sitting in India's house in the sacred
(ritual) space that she has created. They are already
mid-discussion in the circle, India opens the traditional
candle box. |
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I
(Concerned)
So, I conducted this ritual like I
normally do, I swear it's the same
thing, but something's definitely
not right. |
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G
(Sarcastic)
What? Is something wrong with your
aura? |
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India looks up at Gabi who is sitting in front of her. |
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I
(Blunt)
No, Gabi, something's not wrong
with my aura. It just didn't go
like normal. |
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India turns back to ritual area and intently concentrates.
Marina is flicking through one of the witch books that was
laying on the side. |
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M
(Interested)
This stuff is really cool, can't
you just do some ritual thing to
solve it or whatever. |
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All characters are sitting in a circle, the shot takes a 360
degree move of groups faces. |
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2.
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I
No, that's not how it works, once
you've done it you can't just get
rid of those dark energies. |
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G
What's the point? Nothing would
happen. |
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M
You sure about that? I started
reading stuff online and it was
pretty convincing. |
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Side on view of group. |
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I
(Rolls Eyes +
Sarcastic Laugh)
There's no way we're conducting a
ritual. |
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I
It gets way more complicated with
lots of people. |
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G
(Sarcastic/rolls
eyes)
Sure. |
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M
(Manipulative)
We are so doing this. |
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All characters are focusing on India. |
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Z
It's just a bit of fun. |
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G
(Intimidating)
Yeah, what's the problem? |
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M
(Manipulative)
You scared? |
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3.
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All characters continue to look at India, trying to
intimidate and persuade her to participate in the ritual.
India appears to be considering it. |
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EXT. INITIATION PROCESS IN THE FOREST - AFTERNOON |
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Cut straight from decision making in bedroom to girls
standing up in a circle with connected hands about to
initiate into a cult. All characters say the Wiccan Rede
simultaneously, but shot only shows one character at a time
for each line. |
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Z
If it harms none do what you will. |
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G
(Gradually raise
voice)
And the three fold law of return. |
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M
(Raises voice)
That which you send out returns to
you. |
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Long shot from behind bushes of group sitting down in circle
with their hands connected (only whispers can be heard -
unclearly). Pan right of hands connected whilst reciting a
verse each from the circle-casting spell. Then handheld
shots of lighting the candle are interspersed between these. |
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I
(Lights North
Candle)
Guardians of the North, Element of
Earth
I call upon thee to be present
during this ritual
Please join me now and bless this
circle. |
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Z
(Lights East
Candle)
Guardians of the East, Element of
Air
I call upon thee to be present
during this ritual
Please join me now and bless this
(MORE)
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4.
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G
(Lights South
Candle)
Guardians of the South, Element of
Fire
I call upon thee to be present
during this ritual
Please join me now and bless this
circle. |
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M
(Lights West
Candle)
Guardians of the West, Element of
Water
I call upon thee to be present
during this ritual
Please join me now and bless this
circle. |
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Shot shown of group with hands linked and being lowered to
floor. India shown centre frame and introduces start of
ritual. |
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I
So, I was thinking we could start
off with a Wiccan beginner ritual. |
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Reactions of other characters are shown, Marina rolls eyes,
others look uninterested and bite nails. They sigh. |
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I
(Looks at all of
the characters in
the eyes)
Come on guys, this was your idea.
(Drips oil onto
candle and lights
it)
Black candle, turn my luck around.
Bring prosperity and joy abound. |
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India brings lighter/match away from candle and looks up at
Marina who begins to speak and interrupt the ritual. |
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5.
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M
(Unenthused)
It's not even working, can we just
do something more interesting. |
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I
(Annoyed)
We haven't even finished yet. |
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Cut to medium shot showing group - handheld. |
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M
(Arrogant)
Well I know a spell that's meant
to work, and on the plus side this
one is actually interesting. |
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I
(Aggrovated)
Okay, what is it then? |
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M
Well, it's to change someone's
personality trait. |
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Z
(Sudden interest)
Ah, that's so cool. |
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G
(Unenthused)
Oh please, I highly doubt it's
gonna work, we haven't seen
anything happen so far. |
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I
(Adresses
Marina/Concern/Rambles)
You can't just go straight into
Gray Witchcraft, that's way more
dangerous, and we didn't agree to
this. This could bring you Karma,
back three times. |
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M
(Dismissive)
Oh whatever, let's just start ok? |
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Cut to close up of each character immersed in ritual, eyes
closed. Hands connected. All characters continue spell on
from each other. |
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6.
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M
Fire burn away jealousy, send it
fleeing. |
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G
Bring admiration into being. |
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Z
Let admiration be their dominant
quality. |
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Cut to four way split screen of all characters chanting
final two lines of spell. |
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M
(All together)
Let this turn her into a friend
for me.
(Starts to shout -
then opens eyes
when shouts BE)
As I will it so shall it be! |
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Graphic match shots of the different pieces of paper burning
from lighter (with the names and bad personality traits of
the people the witches want to change). Zoom into flames and
cut from crackling to branches snapping as it cuts to next
scene. - Use bloom transition. |
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EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON |
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Long side-on shot of psychotic character (Marina) walking
into woods with a sack of objects. Marina looks around to
check no one is there. Marina draws pentagram in ground. |
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Tracking running shot of Jess jogging in woods. Jess slows
to a walk to change song on iPod and then begins to run
again. |
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Marina removes necklace from around her neck and goes to
place it on the floor in front of the ceremonial knife.
Sound effects and score becomes more layered throughout the
shots. |
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M
(Places necklace
on floor)
With this pentagram I lay.
(Gradually raises
arms/eyes
closed/starts to
lift head up)
Protection here both night and
(MORE)
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7.
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Record 'both night and day' in same shot, but play over shot
of birds flying away from trees in the forest. Marina
gradually raises voice throughout spell chanting ritual. |
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M
(Powerful)
And the one who should not touch,
let his fingers burn and twitch.
I now invoke the law of three.
(Gradually shouts)
This is my will, so mote it
(Shouts - echo,
opens palms and
eyes)
BE! |
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Jess takes earphone out to check what's going on - confused
and panicked. She can hear the echo of the last word. |
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Marina picks up the ceremonial knife and holds it in the air
while reciting the protection spell. |
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M
(Shouting
intimidatingly)
THRICE AROUND THE CIRCLES BOUND
SINK ALL EVIL TO THE GROUND! |
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Jess walking to investigate - pushes leaves and branches out
of the way - hears spell repeated. |
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M
(Shouted)
THRICE AROUND THE CIRCLES BOUND
(Action match - as
Jess sees Marina
still souting the
spell with her
hands above her
head + knife)
SINK ALL EVIL TO THE GROUND! |
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Shot behind Jess (crouching on ground) looking through
trees, Jess looks around scared, she moves and accidentally
rustles the branches. Marina hears, opens her eyes, her
ritual has been interrupted. Marina turns to look in Jess's
direction. She sees something moving but she dismisses it as
an animal. Jess begins to run away. Dramatic sudden drop in
pitch of score. |
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8.
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M
(Shouts, pulls
hands down
aggressively and
plunges
ceremonial knife
into the ground)
THRICE AROUND THE CIRCLES BOUND,
SINK ALL EVIL TO THE GROUND! |
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EXT. GROUPS SUDDEN DARKER RITUAL IN FOREST - NIGHT |
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Symbols shown on tree (witches alphabet (Thebian alphabet)
as well as pentagram). Stones in piles on ground in circle.
Witches walk into forest to prepare for a darker ritual.
There is an obvious change in form of witchcraft reflected
by mise-en-scene. Witches enter looking serious. |
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Witches enter ritual area. Silence for effect, sudden
seriousness emerges to audience. Place bags on floor. |
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Ceremonial knife drawing circle and pentagram on ground -
bigger circle than before. Pan from India's face to lighting
candle. Pan down from trees to group doing ritual - group
chanting simultaneously - eerie atmosphere. |
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M
(All together,
eyes closed,
hands connected)
Spirits of the abyss,
here my call,
all most powerful,
one and all.
Lucifer my thoughts do sing,
through the universe they now
ring,
take thine enemy,
take him smite,
break him,
scorn him,
in the night [...] |
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Shot goes still as Witches hear something in the bushes -
silence. Witches can't see anything, but audience can see
Jess hiding. Jess's POV is shown as the witches turn back to
the ritual. |
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9.
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M
(All together)
[...] from the mighty depths of
hell, cast your darkness on his
shell [...] |
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As the witches are chanting this spell, Jess takes out her
phone and as she takes a video the noise sounds and all the
girls turn towards her, Marina stands. POV long take, Jess
starts to run away, increase in tempo of score. Tracking as
witches chase Jess. In front of Jess's face as she is chased
by witches (who are now standing in background looking
inhumane - the hex was interrupted, which has bad
consequences). |
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J
(Turns around,
screaming in
exhaustion)
STOP, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! |
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All witches start laughing, standing like dolls with tilted
heads in background out of focus. Jess continues running,
witches are still behind her. Marina grabs Jess by her
shoulders (other witches are still out of focus in
background). |
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BLACK SCREEN -
EXTREMELY FAST CUTS
- TO CREATE FLASHING
EFFECT - FILM
ALLTOGETHER AND EDIT
FAST IN
POST-PRODUCTION |
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Shot shown as Jess falls/collapses to ground - witches out
of focus. - gradual links to last shot. |
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BLACK SCREEN -
EXTREMELY FAST CUTS
- TO CREATE FLASHING
EFFECT |
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Marina swaps hands as she pushes Jess to ground - witches in
background out of focus. |
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BLACK SCREEN -
EXTREMELY FAST CUTS
- TO CREATE FLASHING
EFFECT |
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10.
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Jess falls on ground - Marina above her and witches in
background still - out of focus. |
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BLACK SCREEN -
EXTREMELY FAST CUTS
- TO CREATE FLASHING
EFFECT |
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Jess's hands grabbing at floor as witches drag her away -
interspersed with black flashing fast cuts. - moaning, twigs
snapping. |
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BLACK SCREEN -
EXTREMELY FAST CUTS
- TO CREATE FLASHING
EFFECT |
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Long shot, Jess dragged towards tree where other 3 witches
are waiting. Two of the witches hold her arms so she can't
escape, Jess tries to and they pull her tighter. -
Interspersed with fast flashing black cuts. |
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BLACK SCREEN -
EXTREMELY FAST CUTS
- TO CREATE FLASHING
EFFECT |
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Behind Marina as she holds ceremonial knife in her hands and
blood begins to drip down, focus pull to victim in
background. |
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Others laugh hysterically (insane and psychotic). Victims
face is in focus and hands release her mouth. |
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J
(Pleading)
Please don't, please don't do
this. |
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M
(Rolls eyes,
demanding)
Stop Whining, why are you here?!
(Pulls out knife
as Jess doesn't
reply)
(MORE)
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11.
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M (cont'd)
I said... why are you here?! |
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Each character surrounding Jess tilts their heads. |
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M
(All together)
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? |
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Above dialog interspersed with regular black flashing
extremely fast cuts as well as when Marina becomes more
psychotic, walks towards her lifting knife in stabbing form,
while other witches are holding her down. |
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BLACK SCREEN -
EXTREMELY FAST CUTS
- TO CREATE FLASHING
EFFECT |
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Jess struggles to get out of grasp and is panicking. -
Interspersed with black flashing cuts. Devil sounds become
louder. |
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J
(Pleading, crying)
They wouldn't believe me okay?
(Breaks down,
mental, insane)
THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME! |
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Camera is in dropped canted position on floor as witches
drag Jess to sacrifice area, shot is shown of her feet
dragging on the ground, a blood trail is left, the victim is
screaming. |
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J
(Groaning, lack of
energy left to
resist)
HELP ME |
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Silhouette is shown of the noose hanging in the tree -
swinging in the wind, creaking noise, wind and crows. |
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Snapping of noose and choking noise, then silence, and
creaking as noose swings in trees with body. |
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12.
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Shot of feet off of ground and swinging - clothes covered in
mud/blood. (Close up goes into canted angle/Dutch tilt). |
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Human sacrifice (Jess) is shown in middle of pentagram
covered in blood, herbs, flowers and candles (ironic), as
witches surround her, standing with hands joined and
continue chanting. Pitch black with fire. |
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M
(All together)
From the mighty depths of hell,
Cast your darkness on his shell |
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M
(All together, as
they lift their
arms and lean
back and put arms
towards middle to
make star, begin
to shout at end)
Oh Lucifer,
Oh shining star,
Touch him,
Burn him from afar,
Revenge now will have it's day,
For thine enemy starts to fray. |
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FADE OUT. |
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