Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Dark, Gritty, Suspenseful, Vengeful, Nightmarish
- Read it if
- You enjoy dark, gritty retellings of classic fairy tales, especially 'Alice in Wonderland', with strong female protagonists and elements of horror and psychological thriller.
- Skip it if
- You prefer lighthearted fantasy, are sensitive to graphic violence and sexual assault themes, or dislike dark, grim narratives.
Alice Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
The Asylum and the Fire
Alice, a young woman with broken memories, has been in the 'Old City' asylum for ten years. She only remembers a tea party, a White Rabbit, and a bloody event. She suffers daily torment from the nurses and the 'Doctor,' who uses her for experiments, leaving her scarred and broken. One night, a large fire engulfs the asylum. In the chaos, Alice sees the Doctor's true, monstrous form — a creature with a rabbit-like face and long ears. She escapes through a wall, but not before seeing the Doctor, as the Rabbit, kill a nurse. This encounter confirms her belief that the 'Rabbit' from her memories is real and dangerous.
Meeting Hatcher
After escaping the burning asylum, Alice stumbles through the Old City's ruined streets. Exhausted and hurt, she collapses. Hatcher, a strong man with a hook for a hand and a violent past, finds her. Hatcher, at first wary, sees a shared trauma in Alice and the marks on her body. He says he was also a victim of the Doctor, whom he calls the 'Mad Hatter,' and that the Doctor destroyed his family. Despite being gruff, Hatcher offers Alice protection and a place to heal. They form an alliance based on their shared enemy and desire for revenge against the Doctor/Hatter.
The Old City's Underbelly
Hatcher takes Alice to his hidden home in the Old City, a place with other outcasts and survivors. They learn about the city's power: the Jabberwocky, a crime lord who controls much of the city's trade and violence, and his rival, Chessur, a mysterious, cat-like figure who deals in information and dark magic. As Alice's memories slowly return in painful flashes, she realizes the Doctor's experiments gave her a strange, almost magical ability to influence others, especially through touch. Hatcher, skilled in the city's brutal ways, teaches Alice to defend herself, readying her for the coming fight with the Doctor and his allies.
Chessur's Bargain
Wanting information about the Doctor and her past, Alice convinces Hatcher to take her to Chessur, a shrewd and manipulative information broker. Chessur, a man with unsettling wide smiles and a love for riddles, is reluctant to help but is curious about Alice's unique aura. He reveals that the Doctor is a powerful creature, a 'Rabbit' who feeds on fear and pain, and that the asylum was where he conducted his experiments. Chessur also tells Alice about 'Drink Me,' a potent hallucinogenic drug the Doctor uses to control victims and increase their suffering, linking it to Alice's fragmented tea party memories.
The Dormouse's Fate
Alice and Hatcher follow a lead into a part of the Old City controlled by the Jabberwocky. There, they find a gruesome scene: a young woman, barely alive, known as the Dormouse. She is severely thin and traumatized, clearly a victim of the Doctor's long torture and experiments, much like Alice. The Dormouse is barely coherent, whispering about 'tea parties' and the 'Rabbit' before she dies. This affects Alice deeply, strengthening her resolve to stop the Doctor and prevent others from suffering. It also shows how widespread the Doctor's cruelty is in the city.
Confronting the Jabberwocky
To get closer to the Doctor, Alice and Hatcher realize they must deal with the Jabberwocky, who seems to be an unwitting or unwilling helper. They confront the large, imposing crime lord in his lair. The Jabberwocky, a man of brutal strength and cunning, at first dismisses them. But Alice, using her growing ability to subtly influence people, plants doubts and fears in his mind about the Doctor's true plans and the threat he poses to the Jabberwocky's power. Hatcher's threats also help, making the Jabberwocky reveal information about the Doctor's current location and his network.
The Mad Hatter's Lair
Following the Jabberwocky's reluctant directions, Alice and Hatcher find the Doctor's new lair, a hidden complex under the Old City. The place mirrors a warped wonderland, filled with distorted statues and strange machines. They meet the Doctor's 'children' — people so broken and controlled by him that they act as his loyal, deranged servants. These 'children' are grotesque, physically altered, showing more of the Doctor's experiments. Alice's memories become clearer. She recognizes parts of her childhood, realizing the Doctor has hunted her for a long time, and that the 'tea party' was a traumatic event he planned.
The Tea Party Revelation
Deep in the lair, Alice faces her past. Through traumatic flashbacks, triggered by the surroundings and the Doctor's presence, she finally remembers everything. The 'tea party' was not a party, but a horrific event where the Doctor, her own father, experimented on her and her mother. He was always the 'Rabbit,' a monstrous being who sought to control and corrupt. Her mother tried to protect her but was killed by him. Alice herself was subjected to his first experiments, which gave her unique powers and broken memories, explaining her ten years in the asylum.
The Confrontation with the Rabbit
Alice and Hatcher confront the Doctor, who fully becomes his monstrous 'Rabbit' form, a creature of great physical and psychological power. The Rabbit mocks Alice, enjoying her pain and trying to break her spirit. He reveals his goal: to turn Alice into a similar creature, a 'Queen' to his 'Rabbit,' and unleash her power on the world. A brutal fight follows. Hatcher uses his strength and cunning to distract the Rabbit, while Alice, using her growing powers and new clarity, fights back with rage from ten years of suppressed trauma. She uses her ability to influence and manipulate, turning the Rabbit's dark magic against him.
Victory and Aftermath
In a final struggle, Alice defeats the Rabbit. She does not kill him in a normal way, but shatters his mental and magical hold, leaving him a broken, powerless man. The victory is mixed; the immediate threat is gone, but Alice is left with the full weight of her traumatic past and her own dark potential. Hatcher, though wounded, stays by her side. The Old City remains dangerous. While the Rabbit's direct influence is gone, the forces he started and other creatures of this twisted world still exist. Alice has won a battle, but the war for her soul, and the future of the Old City, is far from over.
Principal Figures
Alice
Protagonist
A young woman who escapes an asylum to uncover her traumatic past.
Alice is a young woman who has spent ten years in an asylum with no memory of her past beyond fragmented, terrifying images of a tea party and a Rabbit. She is initially fragile, scarred both physically and mentally from the Doctor's experiments. As her memories return, she discovers she possesses a unique, almost magical ability to influence others, especially through touch. She is driven by a desperate need to understand her past and to stop the monstrous Doctor, evolving from a victim to a powerful, albeit damaged, survivor.
Relationships: Hatcher (Protector, ally, friend, shared trauma survivor); Doctor/Rabbit (Abuser, father, antagonist); Chessur (Information source, enigmatic ally)
Hatcher
Supporting
A formidable, one-handed man who becomes Alice's protector and ally.
Hatcher is a gruff, scarred man with a hook for a hand, a survivor of the Old City's brutal streets and a victim of the Doctor's cruelty. He is fiercely protective of those he deems worthy and possesses a deep knowledge of the city's dangerous factions. Driven by his own desire for revenge against the Doctor, who destroyed his family, he forms an unlikely alliance with Alice. Despite his violent tendencies, he exhibits a surprising depth of loyalty and compassion, especially towards Alice, seeing her as a kindred spirit.
Relationships: Alice (Protector, ally, friend, shared trauma survivor); Doctor/Rabbit (Antagonist, source of his trauma)
The Doctor / The Rabbit
Antagonist
Alice's monstrous father and abuser, a creature who preys on fear and pain.
Initially appearing as the cruel 'Doctor' of the asylum, he is later revealed to be Alice's biological father and a monstrous entity known as the 'Rabbit.' He is the primary antagonist, a sadistic manipulator who thrives on fear, pain, and control. He conducts horrific experiments, transforming his victims into grotesque 'children' and seeking to create a 'Queen' in Alice. His true form is a rabbit-like creature, embodying his predatory nature and deep-seated evil. He is intelligent, cunning, and seemingly immortal, representing the embodiment of psychological and physical torment.
Relationships: Alice (Daughter, victim, obsession); Hatcher (Victim, enemy); Jabberwocky (Unwitting pawn/ally)
Chessur
Supporting
A mysterious, cat-like information broker with a penchant for riddles.
Chessur is an enigmatic and manipulative figure in the Old City, known for his unsettling wide smile and his ability to acquire any information, often for a price. He deals in secrets and dark magic, operating from the shadows and observing the city's power struggles. While not explicitly good or evil, he is driven by his own interests and a strange fascination with Alice. He provides crucial insights into the Doctor's true nature and the city's magical underbelly, acting as a guide through the more arcane aspects of their quest.
Relationships: Alice (Information source, intrigued observer); Hatcher (Reluctant associate)
The Jabberwocky
Supporting
A powerful crime lord in the Old City, unknowingly entangled with the Doctor.
The Jabberwocky is a formidable and ruthless crime lord who controls a significant portion of the Old City's criminal underworld. He is a man of immense physical presence and brutal authority, driven by power and territory. While initially a threat to Alice and Hatcher, he is revealed to be an unwitting pawn in the Doctor's larger scheme. He represents the more mundane, yet equally dangerous, aspects of the Old City's corruption, and his eventual, reluctant cooperation is vital to Alice's progress.
Relationships: Alice (Manipulated by); Hatcher (Adversary, then temporary associate); Doctor/Rabbit (Unwitting pawn)
The Dormouse
Mentioned
A tragic victim of the Doctor's experiments, encountered by Alice and Hatcher.
The Dormouse is a young woman found by Alice and Hatcher, severely traumatized and near death. She is a clear example of the Doctor's prolonged and torturous experimentation, a mirror to Alice's own past suffering. Her incoherent whispers about 'tea parties' and the 'Rabbit' provide further confirmation of Alice's fragmented memories and the widespread nature of the Doctor's depravity. Her short appearance serves to underscore the stakes and the horrific reality of the Doctor's actions.
Relationships: Alice (Shared victimhood); Doctor/Rabbit (Victim)
Themes & Insights
Trauma and Memory
The novel explores the psychological effects of trauma and how memory breaks apart. Alice's journey is about her need to put her past back together, a past the Doctor deliberately suppressed and twisted. Her memories return in painful flashes, often triggered by people or places, like the 'tea party' or seeing the Rabbit. The scars on her body remind her of the horrors she suffered, showing how trauma affects both inside and out. The story emphasizes how hard it is to face and accept painful memories to heal and understand oneself, even if the truth is terrifying.
“My memories are a broken mirror, reflecting only fragments of a past I can't quite grasp.”
The Nature of Monstrosity
Christina Henry redefines monstrosity, moving past simple villains to show how evil appears psychologically and physically. The Doctor's change into the 'Rabbit' is not just physical; it shows his complete fall into sadism and inhumanity. The 'children' he creates are physical proof of his twisted experiments, showing the monstrous effects of his abuse. The novel asks if monstrosity is natural or made by circumstances, suggesting the Doctor's actions come from a deep, predatory nature. It also hints at a monstrous potential within Alice, forcing her to face the darkness she inherited.
“He wasn't just a man. He was a hunger, a void that consumed everything beautiful.”
Survival and Resilience
Despite years of torture and manipulation, Alice and Hatcher show great strength. Alice's escape from the asylum and her determination to find the truth, even with frightening revelations, shows her inner power. Hatcher, having survived the Doctor's brutality and made a life in the Old City's harsh environment, shows practical strength and resourcefulness. The characters learn to adapt, fight back, and find strength in their shared experiences. These bonds help them face difficult odds. Their journey shows the human spirit's ability to endure and fight for freedom and justice.
“We are survivors, Alice. We bleed, but we don't break.”
Corruption of Innocence
The theme of lost innocence is key to the novel, especially through Alice's story. Her childhood was not happy, but full of brutal experiments by her own father, the Doctor. The 'tea party' image, usually linked to childhood fun, is twisted into a scene of horror and abuse. The Doctor wants to corrupt Alice's power, to turn her into a 'Queen' he designed, thus completing his perversion of her innocence. This theme shows how trauma can steal childhood and leave lasting scars, forcing characters to reclaim their lives and define themselves outside their abusers' twisted stories.
“He took my childhood, my name, my very self. But he wouldn't take my fight.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Fragmented Memory
Alice's unreliable and incomplete recollection of her past.
Alice's fragmented memories serve as the primary driving force of the plot. Her inability to recall her past, beyond terrifying snippets, creates suspense and mystery. This device allows the author to slowly reveal the horrific truth of her past, mirroring Alice's own journey of discovery. The unreliable nature of her memory also initially casts doubt on the reality of her experiences, making her quest for truth more urgent and perilous. It emphasizes the psychological damage inflicted by her trauma.
'Drink Me' Potion
A powerful hallucinogenic drug used by the Doctor to control and torment his victims.
The 'Drink Me' potion is a powerful hallucinogen that the Doctor uses to manipulate and amplify the suffering of his victims, creating a distorted reality. It directly links to the Lewis Carroll source material but is reimagined as a tool of psychological torture. This device explains the surreal, nightmarish elements of Alice's fragmented memories and the distorted perceptions of other victims. It highlights the Doctor's control over not just bodies, but minds, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.
The Old City
A gothic, decaying urban landscape reflecting the characters' brokenness.
The Old City functions as more than just a setting; it is a character in itself, a decaying, labyrinthine urban landscape that mirrors the psychological state of its inhabitants. Its crumbling buildings, desperate people, and hidden dangers reflect the characters' brokenness and the pervasive trauma that defines their lives. The city's factions and hidden passages contribute to the sense of a world gone wrong, a twisted reflection of a forgotten past, and a constant source of danger and opportunity for those who navigate its streets.
Symbolic Character Names
Characters named after figures from 'Alice in Wonderland' with twisted roles.
The use of symbolic character names (Alice, Rabbit, Hatcher for Hatter, Chessur for Cheshire, Jabberwocky, Dormouse) is a key plot device. These names evoke the familiar 'Alice in Wonderland' narrative but subvert expectations by assigning dark, twisted roles to the characters. This immediately signals to the reader that this is not a whimsical tale, but a dark reimagining, creating a sense of dread and anticipation as the true, horrific nature of these 'wonderland' figures is revealed. It also allows for thematic parallels while forging a distinct, grim narrative.
Alice Quotes
“I have a name. It’s Alice. Not little girl. Not child. Alice.”
“The asylum had taken her memories, but it hadn’t taken her will.”
“Sometimes the monsters are the people you trust the most.”
“She was a broken doll, but she still had sharp edges.”
“Revenge is a dish best served with a side of madness.”
“The world was a dark place, but that didn’t mean she had to be.”
“Memories are like pieces of a broken mirror. You can try to put them back together, but they’ll never be whole again.”
“Just because you’re mad, doesn’t mean you’re wrong.”
“Fear was a powerful weapon, but so was desperation.”
“Some scars never fade, no matter how much time passes.”
“The line between sanity and madness was a thin, blurry one, easily crossed.”
“She had survived the asylum, and she would survive this too.”
“Sometimes, the only way to find your way out of the darkness is to become a part of it.”
“There was no going back to the girl she had been before. That girl was dead.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the name of the place where Alice first wakes up with no memory?
- The Mad Hatter's Mansion
- The Old City Asylum
- A hospital in the Old City
- The Queen's Dungeon
Show answer
C. A hospital in the Old City Alice wakes up in a hospital within the Old City, where she has been imprisoned for an unknown period.
Question 2
What key memory fragment does Alice recall about her past, besides a tea party and long ears?
- A white rose garden
- A game of croquet
- Blood
- A talking caterpillar
Show answer
C. Blood Alice's fragmented memories include 'a tea party long ago, and long ears, and blood…', hinting at the violent nature of her past.
Question 3
What event allows Alice to escape the hospital?
- A riot among the patients
- A fire at the hospital
- The guards abandoning their posts
- A planned escape by a fellow patient
Show answer
B. A fire at the hospital The synopsis explicitly states, 'one night, a fire at the hospital gives the woman a chance to escape'.
Question 4
What is the primary motivation for Alice to track the 'beast' that escaped with her?
- To protect the innocent people of the Old City
- To reclaim a lost item that the beast possesses
- To uncover the truth about her past
- To seek revenge for her imprisonment
Show answer
C. To uncover the truth about her past Alice's main goal is to 'uncover the truth about what happened to her all those years ago', and she must track the beast to do so.
Question 5
How is the 'Old City' described in the synopsis?
- A bustling metropolis with grand architecture
- A warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people
- A serene, forgotten village
- A vibrant marketplace filled with strange creatures
Show answer
B. A warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people The Old City is depicted as 'a warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people', setting a grim tone for the setting.
Question 6
What is implied about Alice's mental state and memory at the beginning of the novel?
- She has perfect recall of her childhood but nothing recent.
- She suffers from complete amnesia and remembers nothing.
- She has fragmented and disturbing memories.
- She pretends to have amnesia to escape.
Show answer
C. She has fragmented and disturbing memories. Alice 'doesn’t remember why she’s in such a terrible place. Just a tea party long ago, and long ears, and blood…', indicating fragmented and unsettling memories.
Question 7
The synopsis mentions that 'something else has escaped with her. Something dark. Something powerful.' What is this entity referred to as later in the synopsis?
- The Mad Hatter
- The Cheshire Cat
- This beast
- The Queen of Hearts
Show answer
C. This beast The synopsis states, 'And to find the truth, she will have to track this beast to the very heart of the Old City,' directly linking the 'something dark' to 'this beast'.
Question 8
What is the significance of the 'rabbit' mentioned at the end of the synopsis?
- It is a literal rabbit that guides Alice.
- It represents the final clue or antagonist in Alice's quest for truth.
- It is a symbol of innocence Alice hopes to reclaim.
- It is a pet she lost during her imprisonment.
Show answer
B. It represents the final clue or antagonist in Alice's quest for truth. The line 'where the rabbit waits for his Alice' suggests the rabbit is a pivotal figure, likely the ultimate antagonist or key to the mystery, echoing the White Rabbit from Carroll's original work but with a darker twist.
Question 9
How does Christina Henry's 'Alice' differentiate itself from Lewis Carroll's original work, based on the synopsis?
- By focusing on a whimsical, dreamlike journey.
- By portraying a dark, gritty, and violent reimagining of the characters and setting.
- By making Alice an adult who has never encountered Wonderland before.
- By removing all fantastical elements in favor of pure realism.
Show answer
B. By portraying a dark, gritty, and violent reimagining of the characters and setting. The synopsis emphasizes 'twisted and wondrous works,' 'crumbling buildings and desperate people,' 'screams of the poor souls,' 'blood,' and 'something dark. Something powerful,' indicating a much darker and grittier interpretation than Carroll's original.
Question 10
What specific detail about Alice's appearance is mentioned in the synopsis, hinting at her ordeal?
- Her eyes, once bright, are now dull.
- Her clothes are tattered and dirty.
- Her hair, once blond, hangs in tangles down her back.
- She has scars covering her arms.
Show answer
C. Her hair, once blond, hangs in tangles down her back. The synopsis describes, 'Her hair, once blond, hangs in tangles down her back,' which is a direct physical detail suggesting neglect and hardship during her imprisonment.
Alice FAQ
What is the core premise of Christina Henry's 'Alice'?
The novel reimagines Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' as a dark, gritty psychological thriller. It follows a young woman named Alice who wakes up in a mental hospital with no memory of how she got there, only fragmented, disturbing images of a tea party, a rabbit, and blood, prompting her escape to uncover the truth of her past.
Who is Alice in this dark retelling, and what is her initial state?
Alice is a young woman confined to a grim mental hospital in the Old City, suffering from amnesia. Her hair is tangled, and she's plagued by vague, violent memories, suggesting a traumatic past she cannot recall, which drives her desperate need for answers.
What event triggers Alice's escape from the hospital?
A devastating fire breaks out at the hospital, providing Alice with an opportunity to escape her confinement. This chaotic event is pivotal, as it frees her to pursue the truth but also unleashes a dark, powerful entity alongside her.
Who are some of the key characters Alice encounters during her journey?
Alice encounters various disturbing figures, including the enigmatic Rabbit, who seems to hold clues to her past, and the terrifying Jabberwock, a dark entity that escaped with her from the hospital. She also meets other residents of the Old City who mirror Wonderland characters.
What is the 'Old City' and its significance in the narrative?
The Old City is a decaying, dangerous urban landscape that serves as the primary setting for Alice's quest. It's a place of desperation and crumbling buildings, reflecting the twisted and broken reality Alice must navigate to piece together her memories and confront her past.
How does the 'tea party' memory recur and what does it symbolize?
The tea party is a recurring, fragmented memory for Alice, filled with disturbing details of long ears and blood. It symbolizes a core traumatic event in her past, a pivotal moment of violence and betrayal that holds the key to her amnesia and the true nature of her Wonderland-inspired reality.
What is the true identity and role of the 'Rabbit' in Alice's story?
The Rabbit, initially appearing as a guide or a source of answers, is revealed to be a far more complex and sinister figure. He is deeply connected to Alice's past trauma and plays a manipulative role in her journey, ultimately being one of her tormentors.
What is the 'something dark, something powerful' that escapes with Alice?
This entity is the Jabberwock, a monstrous and violent representation of Alice's repressed trauma and the malevolent forces that preyed upon her. Its escape signifies the raw, untamed horror she must confront to achieve any semblance of peace.
Are the events in the Old City literal, or a manifestation of Alice's mind?
The events in the Old City are presented as a grim reality, but they are also deeply intertwined with Alice's psychological state and her perception of trauma. The line between literal events and metaphorical representations of her fractured mind is deliberately blurred, making the horror both external and internal.
How does Alice's amnesia contribute to her character development?
Alice's amnesia forces her to confront her past piecemeal, building her character through resilience and a desperate search for identity. Each recovered memory, no matter how horrific, strengthens her resolve and shapes her understanding of herself and the world around her, transitioning her from victim to survivor.
What psychological themes are explored through the 'Mad Hatter' character?
The 'Mad Hatter' character embodies themes of abuse, manipulation, and the corrupting nature of power. His 'madness' is less whimsical and more a reflection of his sadistic tendencies and his role in Alice's torment, exploring how trauma can distort perception and sanity.
How does the novel use psychological horror to reframe the original Wonderland elements?
The novel reworks familiar Wonderland elements like the tea party and the talking animals into disturbing psychological metaphors for trauma, abuse, and mental breakdown. The 'wonder' is replaced by terror, reflecting Alice's internal struggle and the monstrous reality she endured.
What is the significance of the recurring motif of 'holes' and 'falling' for Alice?
The motif of holes and falling represents Alice's descent into trauma and madness, as well as her desperate attempts to escape. Her initial escape from the hospital through a hole, and subsequent 'falls' into deeper truths, symbolize her journey through her own fractured psyche and the hidden horrors of her past.
Is Alice a reliable narrator, given her amnesia and trauma?
Alice is an unreliable narrator due to her amnesia and the severe trauma she has experienced. Her fragmented memories and distorted perceptions mean the reader experiences the world through her lens, which is often clouded by fear and confusion, making the journey of discovery shared between character and reader.
How does the ending of 'Alice' offer closure or leave room for interpretation?
The ending provides a sense of hard-won closure for Alice, as she confronts her tormentors and reclaims her agency. However, it also leaves room for interpretation regarding the lasting psychological impact of her trauma, suggesting that while the immediate threats are dealt with, the scars remain.
What is the novel's stance on the nature of 'madness'?
The novel portrays 'madness' not as a whimsical state but as a consequence of severe trauma and abuse. It challenges traditional notions by depicting it as a survival mechanism or a state imposed by external cruelty, rather than an inherent flaw, highlighting the psychological toll of suffering.
To what extent is 'Alice' a critique of societal neglect or the treatment of mental illness?
The setting of the grim mental hospital and the desperation of the Old City can be interpreted as a critique of societal neglect and the inadequate, often brutal, treatment of individuals suffering from mental illness or trauma. It highlights the vulnerability of those deemed 'mad' to exploitation and abuse.
How does the transformation of classic Wonderland characters contribute to the novel's dark tone?
The transformation of beloved Wonderland characters into grotesque and terrifying figures amplifies the novel's dark tone by subverting reader expectations and creating a sense of profound unease. It illustrates how innocence can be corrupted and familiar comfort twisted into nightmarish horror, mirroring Alice's own shattered reality.
About the author
Christina Henry is a fiction author known for her imaginative retellings of classic tales. Her most notable work, "Alice," offers a dark and compelling reimagining of Lewis Carroll's beloved character. Henry's writing often explores themes of folklore, mythology, and the darker aspects of fantasy, drawing readers into richly detailed and atmospheric worlds.
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