Cool News
Darabont’s Own Hot
WALKING DEAD Swag!!
Herc’s Monday Giveaway I!!
CONTEST IS OVER!!
THE JUDGER: Email your info to HerculesAICN@Yahoo.com ASAP or lose your prize!!!!
PRIOR POST:
Here we go. You have 24 hours:
“I worked two very specific homages to Stephen King into the pilot episode of The Walking Dead,” series mastermind Frank Darabont explains. “The first four AICN readers to correctly identify Steve King shout-out #1 will each receive a t-shirt. (It’s first-win-first-served when it comes to specifying t-shirt size.)”
In addition, the first AICN reader who identifies the #2 much-harder-to-catch homage gets the Giclee print of Drew Struzan’s gorgeous Walking Dead art.
”Be warned: The second shout-out is a bitch to spot,” notes Frank. “Stephen King himself couldn’t do it.”
Frank also offers these hints:
“‘The crows’ and ‘the message scrawled on the farmhouse wall’ are incorrect answers. The two correct answers are not as generic as that, they are very specific to Stephen King. Also be aware that numbering these shout-outs as #1 and #2 does not mean they appear in that order. (I’ve numbered them in order of difficulty instead of order of appearance.)”
Herc adds his own hint: The homages are not related to casting. We’re all aware that Jeffrey DeMunn and Laurie Holden previously appeared in Darabont movies based on King stories. Frank’s not talking about actors.
So. What are the two intentional homages?
ORIGINAL POST:
I am – Hercules!!
UPDATE: This is no longer a U.S. only contest!! Frank Darabont has agreed to ship these prizes anywhere in the world!!
If you haven’t already, record Sunday’s “Walking Dead” premiere! Because it could help you win some extra-nifty undead swag that’s now sitting on the Darabont’s desk! Seriously, it’s on his desk! Right now!
Sometime Monday we’ll be posting in this space a question about the 90-minute AMC premiere.
This question has two answers. One is hard to derive and the other is insanely hard to derive.


The first four people to provide the easier answer in talkback will win an authentic and ultra-rare “Walking Dead” crew shirt that, if you like, Frank HIMSELF will autograph for you! With his actual hand and sharpie!

The first person to provide the insanely hard answer will get a rare “Giclee print” of genius artist Drew Struzan’s text-free, logo-free poster for “The Walking Dead.” “It’s a very high-end quality art print done on heavy stock archival paper,” Darabont tells AICN exclusively. “It’s worth mentioning the distinction, as Giclees are the highest quality way to reproduce art. They make lithographs look like crap.”
Worth playing for?
Watch “The Walking Dead”! Watch it hard!
Record “The Walking Dead”! Because there’s no way you were watching hard enough!
Then check back with AICN on Monday between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. PT (9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET) for more details!

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Readers Talkback
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I can't possibly monitor this site and watch the game simultaneously!
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I'm aiming to post the question around 6:30 p.m. PT
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may crash the site.
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been waiting for the premier, heard it's a lot better than the bittorrent copy floating about. Have it recorded will watch later.
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Recorded it, Saw it, Loved it. Can't wait for more of this show
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Please?
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Remembering how the first 4 episodes of 24, obviously all written together as a long premiere, were usually tightly connected setting up the weeks to follow; The little 4 episode arc with Kal Penn from the beginning of season six culminating in a suitcase nuke going off for example.. <p> Given the nature of the source material and the small run, Walking Dead Season One should play out as a very tightly told six part opening story. <p> Would be cool if episode six went for a full wrap of their first story, without any form of cliffhanger/setup for the second. Leaving each season to begin and end separate chapters of their lives. <p> Read in the other WD talkback, someone say they thought the first scene of the little girl was miss placed. He could have a point.. <p> Props to all involved though. Here's hoping the door is opened for further comics adapted for television. If the Watchmen movie hadn't already appeared, this could've paved the way for that 12-part (HBO) series that would've told the story in the way we imagined it being told before Snyder. Who remade Dawn of the Dead. Bringing us nicely full circle back to zombies.
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Please, please don't let it be an evil corporation behind the event that turned the world into zombies. Or a meteor. Something new please. Or don't explain it.
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... I'll not be explained how it started.
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the crawling, leg-deprived zombie was one of the more disturbing and creepy monsters i've seen in a long time. the question that occurred to me with each exploding head was "why couldnt we have this before?" why has tv taken so long on an effective, serial horror show? it works so perfectly and i predict it will get such a huge following that it seems so stupid now that these ideas couldnt be on tv in non-censored form before now, at least not to this extent...
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:P Loved the premiere. My wife was...meh. But she watches Private Practice and Y&R so I gotta give her credit for sitting through it with me. *sigh*
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I know all.
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42<br> <br> Now send me that poster!!<br> <br>
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if you are living in the stone age like me and dont have a dvr but have comcast cable, you have the pilot on demand and can compete for fabulous prizes. hooray!
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because I have a standard direct tv setup, and I plan on buying it on BR when it comes out. I did watch it twice because I loved the ever loving hell outta it. Hope the question isn't a tiny visual easter egg thing like the "The Hills Have Eyes" poster in the "Evil Dead" I'll be totally screwed.
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to Canada, you or Darabont?
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Last night was Sunday Night Football, and tonight is Monday Night Football. I won't get to watch this until Tuesday night. Have some mercy, Herc! Sport are the ultimate reality show, and avoiding spoilers is next to impossible. I have no choice, and death is not an option! Well, not for me anyway.
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Dumbest comment I've read in a while.
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is like Mikey from the old life cereal commercial. He hates everything.
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Saw the show last night, awesome!! Check out my take on the series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln-1FdHkVgo
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http://www.thesmalls.com/members/rcf23/films/hassel-unleashed.go
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Maybe I'll have time to watch it a couple more times before then. I want that poster! Herc, until then, how about giving us some hints on what to look for. It's funny, but I watched with my 11 year old son last night and I said to him, "You know, I've been waiting for this kind of TV series since I was your age". I hope it does well, because it was f'ing awesome!
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ZOMBIE KILLER!!! <p> http://bit.ly/dkAkAR
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why excluding your brothers to the north? come onnnnn!!!!
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I knew it was a stupid idea when I kept leaving for MNF. Now? Now it's just really, really stupid.
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Frank Darabont has generously agreed to ship the prizes anywhere in the world!!
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Nice of Frank to ship worldwide, shame we dont get in until 5th Nov in the UK :S
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Yeah, I'm glad that the comp is worldwide but this is encouraging illegal downloads. I'm waiting to see TWD in glorious HD on FXUK, this Friday.
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thanks frank...and herc!
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Damn, not going to get to watch it until late tonight. I almost bought the first book in Union station to read on the bus back from DC, but decided to approach the series fresh. <p> So glad WD is being well received. I love Darabont's work, even the thoroughly maligned Mist. He does fantastic adaptations, and seems like the only director who can really bring King to screen. He even seems like a sincere guy and a genuine artist; not the standard inflated arrogant Hollywood grifter that so many directors, even good ones, come across as. <p> Only down side to this success; Darabont won't be our own little poorly kept secret any more, but I guess that really isn't a bad thing.
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It certainty won't be from lack of promotion.
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bit.ly/9GQIpE
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Jee... I can hardly wait"
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Sorry if I'm a dipshit.
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I am a dipshit
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I mean think about it. There was something new to watch on Halloween. We got two horror films in the cinemas for the month, and one of them killed it at the box office. Let's face it- August is not the time to release a Horror movie. October is. October is for scares for monsters and for creatures. Granted the movie theater should have had 5 or 6 horror flicks rolling out this month. I'm looking at you "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark". <P>Saw's wrapped up. Finally... Let some new blood fight for those tober dollars next year. Maybe next October will find the cinema playing "The Lords of Salem" or something else perfect for the timeframe. Time it right. You will do so much better. <P>The ratings do not surprise me, This man made the Shawshank. I still remember watching that in cinemas with my Dad and a guy who was renting out a room named Henry. Miss them days.
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Totally going to fail but glad to have a chance :)
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I saw this thing is global now, so I created twitter account just so I could follow herc and take part in it. <p> and then I read that answers can be posted here in talkback. -_-
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are not here yet. Could it be "King County Georgia" The name of the County the police are from. That seemed like an easter egg to me.
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I came home early for this! The shirt is sweet, but that Giclee is to murder for!
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come on
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9 or 10 pm Eastern Time brudda
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..Cali!
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I was stoked for this too. oh well
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Weak sauce.
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Or are you going to make a brand new article for it? Just want to know what page I should be incessantly refreshing :)
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mmmmmmmm
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reading comprehension learn should I.
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The crows eating the corpse as seen in the Stand.
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the stand
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2:17 on the clock
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and the logo on his son's t-shirt
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from the stand
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2:17 on the clock to pay homage to room 217 in The Shining
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The founded in "1816" on the badges and The name "King" name homage for the County The Police work for.
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a shoutout to the room from the shining
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The corpse in the tanks name said "KING" on his uniform
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2:17 on the clock
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from the shining.
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2:17 on the clock in the hospital
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#1) I will guess at will be the King County police station, in the graphic novel, Rick worked at the Cynthia police station. <P> Be back for guess number 2...
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the clocks all stopped at 2:17 which was for room 217 in the Shining!!
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The hospital clock was stopped at 2:17
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red bike used by main actor is same bike in IT.
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The King County Police Station
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Duh, I even noticed that was weird cause there is no King County in GA. So stupid to not put two and two together, argh!.
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wins the Struzan! <p> Wow!
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The shot of the farmer who shot himself ("God Forgive Us") bears a striking resemblance to the fate of Steven King's character in Creepshow.
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rick being tied to the bed "ala" Misery?
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Shit man, I don't know the other. The Carl's shirt is from Science Dog, a comic book within Kirkman's Invincible comic. Does that count for something? PS- Make Science Dog t-shirts!
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The allusion to pet cemetary
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rick is tied up Misery style
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king county name
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like going through the dark tunnel in the stand.
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"King County" is on the Sheriff's building
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tied up to the bed like misery.
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rick tied misery style
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The opening sequence was in Douglasville, and the tank was at 65 Forsythe St NW. Thought for some reason the question would be address related and went googling every thing that hinted at location.
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nice work!!!
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now you insist on a naked picture of of Bea Arthur instead and a football helmet full of cottage cheese.
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The female zombie next to the bike dragged herself through the park, leaving a trail. The grass where she dragged herself was a different shade of green and I'm guessing it was a mile in distance. Thus she created a "Green Mile" Ah-thankU
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king county sheriff dept
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king county sheriff dept
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You cats are hardcore.
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an awful lot like Reds from Shawshank. I was thinking too hard.
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The dead in the farm house and the dead at the gas station. Size XL
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Dlgothv, Series7, idashortie & Bass Ackwards! <p> Email your addresses and phone numbers to herculesAICN@yahoo.com. Right now.
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I wonder who/if that's a shout out too?
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Herc, I sent it 5 minutes ago.
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it's a shame everyone can't share in the swag and be walking ads for the walking dead
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Was it the zombie on the bus as Rick entered Atlanta, a younger zombiefied version of SK? Damn good contest Herc! The premiere was awesome!
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Just sent mine!
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Thanks Herc (& Frank)!
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Thank you Herc and Frank. Now I've got something to wear when I watch the show.
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send your address and phone to herculesAICN@yahoo.com ASAP!
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Again, thanks Herc!
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Thanks to you too Mr. Darabont! Great work on the show! Loved loved loved it!
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Please specify here in talkback: 1) your preferred size and 2) whether or not you want Frank Darabont's autograph on your prize.
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You guys where answering this, did anyone else try to remember what the hell Dreamcatcher was all about, seeing if there was anything there? <P> I DUDITS!!!!!!
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Herc, I've sent it again just now
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I'd like an XL shirt. And I'd like Mr. Darabont's Autograph on it.
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Medium sized shirt and yes yes please Mr. Frank Darabont autograph my prize!
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Herc, a large shirt plz, and Hells Yeah! I'd love for Frank Darabont to autograph it. Thanks so much for an awesome contest!
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Herc, I sent it again. I just getting worried. How can I be sure that you received my email?
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L, and yes, I'd love an autograph
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Thanks Herc!
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Also, the way Rick lights matches going down the pitch black stairwell reminded me of the kids chasing IT in the tunnels under Derry.
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Thanks Frank and AICN. You've made my year!
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Wait a second, TheJudger posted his answer first at 8:33pm yet he isn't one of the winners? Did I miss something? "The Gothic World of Stephen King by TheJudger Nov 1st, 2010 08:33:18 PM The founded in "1816" on the badges and The name "King" name homage for the County The Police work for."
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BassAckwards didn't even know the answer. He just copied what the other FOUR had already said, he even says in his post how dumb he was for not putting it together. I hereby found the NO PRIZE FOR BASS ACKWARDS fan club! "King County by Bass Ackwards Nov 1st, 2010 08:35:06 PM Duh, I even noticed that was weird cause there is no King County in GA. So stupid to not put two and two together, argh!."
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I agree you're right, TheJudger beat me to it, I just emailed Herc to point out the same.
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TheJudger's post pushes yours to fifth place. No prize for fifth. Sorry about that.
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No hard feelings!
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Email me your address, phone, what size shirt you'd prefer and whether you want Frank Darabont to autograph it.
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No hard feelings, just figured fair was fair.
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I thought my pre-contest guess attempt debarred me from playing somehow. Even though I was 100% unsure at that period of time that the trivia would involve finding hidden Stephen King homages. <P> Email sent, but damn.. I feel bad now about Bass getting nicked. Even more so, knowing he spoke up for me.
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Invincible IS homaged - Carl wears a Science Dog T Shirt.
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Thanks Herc and Frank.
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