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Post by Leedzie on Apr 14, 2007 2:35:40 GMT -5
Espio sighed as he watched Harper disappear down one of the many corridors. Why did the undesirable jobs always end up on his shoulders? Eh, it probably had to be me anyway this time, the chameleon assured himself as he opened the door awaiting him. I'm the one that knows his friends, so I'm probably the only one that can act as middleman--The ninja stopped short and blinked when he caught sight of his counterpart huddled so frightfully in the corner of his little cage. Geez, Harper, what'd you DO to him?? he idly wondered with a sour expression. With a short sigh, Espio made his way over to the enclosure. The other chameleon didn't do much to acknowledge the newcomer's presence. He sat rather compactly, pressing his face into his knees and wrapping his arms around his head. The boy never made a sound, and his body trembled gently. Oy... The ninja's face scrunched a bit. He'd never been particularly skilled at comforting Charmy when the young bee got upset, and he didn't figure he'd do much better with this younger version of himself. After a moment of hesitation, he awkwardly said, "Um... Are you okay?" Espio partially raised his face, then recoiled sharply with a loud yelp upon seeing who was on the other side of the bars. As freaked out as he'd been to begin with, the boy now seemed even more startled by what he had thought to be an impossible sight. "You're.... YOU'RE...!" "Easy, easy!!" Espio coaxed, attempting to be comforting but coming off very authoritative. "Just take a deep breath. I know this is weird, but rest assured I'm not here to hurt you. I've got a much longer temper than Harper does." The other chameleon had no change in demeanor. Espio frowned for a moment, then decided to add, "I'm a friend of Rob's. I've come to take you to him." " Rob...?" the younger Espio softly echoed, this breathing still somewhat labored. Although the name dropping was a good idea, the ninja had failed somewhat in his attempt to calm his ward; Espio's mind now raced, attempting to explain how it was he was talking to... himself. Is this some kind of clone that's here to take my place? Is this Itzal's doing?? Oh man, this thing's going to hack my brains and find out where Meadowood is and destroy the village and roboticize us all!! As the self-invented story inflated in his mind, the chameleon crowded the opposite end of his enclosure forcefully, his face visibily filled with more and more horror. "Try to relax," the other Espio instructed, keeping his gestures and voice neutral. "Take a deep breath. No one here is going to hurt you, not even the cranky old colonel. I know it's all really confusing, and I know you're scared. I can explain what's going on and answer as many questions as I can, but you're going to have to calm down before I can do that. Just calm down." Espio heaved his breaths untrustingly, having convinced himself by now that this copy of himself was some android bent on destroying his home, and was looking to befriend him to do exactly that. The chameleon gulped with some difficulty, and tried to think of a retort that any other time would come flying out of his mouth before his brain really filtered it. But in this rare instance, there was nothing. The ninja sighed and rubbed his head. It looked like it was going to be hard to get through to this kid. I have new respect for Rob...
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Post by Stoney on Apr 15, 2007 18:03:59 GMT -5
The butler quietly entered the room and walked over to an unobtrusive corner where he could silently observe the proceedings. "Oh dear," He whispered to himself upon seeing the state the caged chameleon was in. Things were turning out worse than they'd hoped.
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 15, 2007 18:35:20 GMT -5
"Look," Espio tried again, keeping his hands up in clear view. "I swear on my honor that I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just here to bring you from Harper to Rob. Rob, Rouge, and Manic are all here. There are plenty of familiar faces involved." The other chameleon's face filled with horror. Itzal already had Rob, Rouge, and Manic?? Suddenly the fear for his own safety faded as concern for the others overtook his focus. "What have you done to them?!" he shouted, albeit still keeping his distance from his counterpart. "Did you roboticize them?!" Espio blinked. Roboticize? That wasn't something that the others had mentioned to him, so he couldn't think of an appropriate way to answer the question. Instead, the ninja shifted gears onto a more important topic. "Listen, you're not where you think you are; this isn't Mobius. You and your friends were transported from your world into ours. We call this place the Chaos dimension. Rob and the others are at a place where they're trying to find a way to send you home, and if you want to go with them, you need to come with me." The younger Espio remained wary, though his expression had become firmer. "Right. And how do I know I can trust you?" "...." The ninja smacked himself in the face. "Are you ACTUALLY asking me that?? Look at us!! We're the same person!! I'm this world's version of you, and you're your world's version of me!! What more proof do you need?!" "We aren't the same person!!" Espio sneered. "I only just turned 15 a month ago! You're OLD!" ". . . . . . ." Silently clenching his hands into fists, the detective chameleon idly wondered if killing his Mobius self would be considered murder or suicide.
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Post by Stoney on Apr 15, 2007 18:46:12 GMT -5
Up in his study, Harper drummed his fingers on his desk as he watched the happenings a floor below on his monitor. He frowned slightly; though Espio was doing his best, it didn't seem like he was being very successful at calming his other self down. Then again, it wasn't all that surprising. Harper probably should've warned the younger chameleon beforehand about his counterpart and the fact he was in a different dimension and all, but the kid refused to so much as look at him, let alone listen to anything he had to say. Nothing for it. At this rate the Mobius Espio would try to flee the moment they released him, probably causing an even bigger mess than before. There was only one thing they could do. Harper switched on the radio.
Jeeves' radio turned on. Surprised but not shocked, he kept it at a low volume and responded in a low voice. "Yes?" A few moments later he nodded and approached the Espio decked out in ninja gear. "Excuse me Mister Chameleon," He bowed politely and held out the radio, "but Master Harper would like a word with you, if you please."
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 15, 2007 18:51:29 GMT -5
"Really now," Espio replied flatly. He took the radio from the butler. "Yes?" Meanwhile the younger chameleon remained ever alert to his situation, eyeing Jeeves and his other self like the cornered animal he was.
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Post by Stoney on Apr 15, 2007 18:58:58 GMT -5
"This isn't working," Harper responded shortly. "He obviously doesn't trust you either. At this rate, he's just gonna try to escape and probably do even more damage than he has already as soon as I release him. I can only think of one thing that could calm him down at this point." He leaned back in his chair. "We'll have to bring one of his friends here. You said they were being held at the Central City G.U.N. Base; if that's the case I might be able to get us some time with one or two of them. Let me make some calls; you keep working your counterpart over in the meantime."
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 20, 2007 18:50:16 GMT -5
Some time later, a black van pulled up to the gates of the estate. The driver, who appeared to be a soldier, parked the vehicle and walked around to the sliding door, which he promptly yanked open. In no time he was assisting its two other occupants out and onto the pavement. Rouge recoiled sharply and covered her eyes; in the darkness of the back of the van, her night vision had kicked in, and being thrust back into the bright daylight nearly blinded her. " Wh-Where are we??" she squeaked, still unable to open her eyes more than a crack.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 22, 2007 13:17:33 GMT -5
Rob shielded his eyes as he climbed out of the van, pulling his hood back up to help keep the sun away and squinted up at the large building they were now standing before. He blinked and rubbed his eyes before looking up again "Is this a palace?" he asked, gawking at it in amazement.
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Post by Stoney on Apr 23, 2007 16:04:38 GMT -5
"Oh good, you've arrived!" A visibly relieved Jeeves appeared at the main entrance's open doorway and waved them over. "Welcome to the estate of Colonel Harrison W. Harper, C.E.O. of GHC Incorporated. My name is Jeeves, and I am the chief of staff for this manor." He gave a rushed, polite bow and quickly straightened again, wishing he didn't have to be so hasty like this. "Please come with me, quickly; Mister Espio has been waiting for you." He turned and entered the mansion, beckoning for them to follow.
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 23, 2007 18:21:52 GMT -5
Rouge normally would've done more to introduce herself to Harper's loyal servant, but with her eyes still in shock from the light, all she could do was bow blindly in the direction she had heard the newcomer approach from. "Thank you," she replied, squinting and shielding her eyes, "we're happy to help." As the butler led the way, Rouge hooked her hand around Rob's elbow. " I hope you can see better than I can."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 0:37:49 GMT -5
"Aye, thank you," he said as he followed along after Jeeves "I'm Robert Hedge and this is beautiful lady is Rouge. What's the problem we've been called for?" and then, in a lower tone to Rouge " Don't worry luv, I won't steer you into any poles, I know how you bats are with blindness" he said, smiling at her as he clasped her hand into his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
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Post by Stoney on Apr 26, 2007 1:19:30 GMT -5
The butler gave Rob an apologetic look as he rushed them through the mansion's rooms at a fast clip, refusing to break his stride even for the partially-blind bat behind him. He'd been ordered to get them to the captive chameleon as quickly as possible, so that's what he was doing. "My sincerest apologies, but there is no time to explain right now. I assure you, things will be made clear when we meet up with Mister Espio." A few minutes later, they'd arrived at the door leading to the north hall where Mobius Espio had been caged so long ago. Jeeves gestured for them to go through. "Please, right this wa--" "Whoa, hang on a second there." Harper stepped out from an adjacent hallway, a polite smile on his face. He'd changed into his business attire, now sporting a sleek gray Armani suit and italian loafers. In his right hand he held his trusty wooden cane topped by a shiny green emerald -- not a Chaos Emerald, mind you, but merely a regular gem. It was nonetheless large and flawlessly cut, sparkling in the lighting from the lamps to either side of the hallway. "I never got the chance to meet our guests, Jeeves." He lightly admonished his servant. "It's bad manners for the host to not introduce himself." Jeeves looked flustered. "Forgive me Master Harper, but I was just --" "I know, I know, you were just following orders. Thanks for getting them here so quickly." He shot Jeeves a quick grin before returning his face to its polite mask as he faced the bat and hedgehog once again. It was obvious from a glance that the former was indeed Rouge the Bat, and not this universe's Rouge either -- she had white fur from the neck down, or so it seemed from what he could see of it. He was momentarily struck with appreciation for how modestly she was dressed; obviously the fur color was not the only difference between this version and the one he was so familiar with. He shifted his gaze to the hedgehog. Hmm, now here was a new one. Harper couldn't recall seeing any sky-blue British hooded hedgehogs like this anywhere. Perhaps he did not have an equivalent in this dimension... He extended a hand. "My name's Colonel Harper. I own this not-so-humble abode." He raised one eyebrow ever-so-slightly. "I hope your trip here was to your satisfaction? I requested that your ride be comfortable, but my trust in G.U.N. has faded considerably as of late."
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 1:36:56 GMT -5
Though it was still quite well-lit inside the estate, the light wasn't near as powerful as the blazing sunlight, and to Rouge's relief her eyes adjusted within a couple of seconds after passing through the front door. The bat blinked with surprise as she glanced around; now she understood what Rob had meant when he mentioned the word "palace". Everything is so... exquisite, she thought in passing as Jeeves led them quickly through the labyrinth of corridors. This Mr. Harper must've been a great military leader to have gained so much favor from the king of this world. She would've been content to explore the estate like a museum if she could have, but alas, there was no time to lose, and Rouge kept her hand wrapped around Rob's. When the colonel revealed himself, Rouge was a little startled, but only from the abruptness of his entry; she had begun to get used to seeing so many overlanders in this world. "Hello," she greeted quietly. "My name is Rouge, and this is Rob. The ride was fine." The bat made a gesture that was sort of half-nod, half-bow, rather than shaking Harper's hand; that would be Rob's honor, as he was the leader of their village, and the authority figure between the two of them. She did, however, give Rob's other hand a light squeeze for no obvious reason.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 2:55:29 GMT -5
Rob lifted his hand, clasping Harper's with a surprisingly strong grip and giving it a hardy shake as he chuckled, glancing at Rouge "Aye, considering we're used to traveling on foot, any ride given is a great privilege," Even if it is a bit unnerving. His eyes trailed up and down the man, before glancing around at the surroundings "I must say, sir, that I have never seen such a wonderfully lavished building. You must truly be a man of great nobility to have such privileges,"
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Post by Stoney on Apr 26, 2007 12:46:38 GMT -5
"Nobility?" Harper blinked, momentarly confused, before he finally understood what Rob meant. "Ah, I see. You guys must still be stuck inside the Feudal System on your world." He chuckled. "We don't have any of that here. No kings, no nobility, no peasant class. Everyone here is of equal status and the government is designed to serve the people, not the other way around." He retracted his hand, pleased at the firmness of the handshake, and spread his arms wide."I got all of this because I own a business. A very large, very expansive, and very profitable business, one that has a presence worldwide." He paused, glancing at the door next to them. "I'd go into more detail, but I don't think this is the place nor the time for that. Your friends are waiting for you, after all." He strode over to the door and opened it, sticking his head through. "Hey Espio! They're here." Walking inside the room, he stood next to the door and gestured for the bat and hedgehog to enter.
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 13:30:32 GMT -5
"About damn time," the ninja grumbled, opening one eye. Once again, Espio was seated on the ceiling, doing his best to meditate despite the ongoing distractions caused by his other self. If living with Charmy had been beneficial at all, it was that he had learned to tune out that kind of chatter for the most part. Espio dropped from the ceiling with a dull thump, and approached the group at the door. Nodding a quick greeting to Harper and Rouge, the chameleon appeared to shake Rob's hand, but actually just pulled him over to mutter lowly, "I feel your pain; this kid's almost as bad as mine." Back in the cage, the other Espio scowled irritably and kicked for the umpteenth time at the bars of his enclosure in another futile act of defiance. "YOU GUYS CAN LOCK ME UP, BUT I'M NOT LEADING YOU TO MEADOWOOD!!" Just then he caught site of the colonel stepping into the room. The young chameleon gulped and shrank a bit into the corner. Rouge's ear turned as Espio addressed her boyfriend. Though he'd lowered his voice, her sharp ears still easily overheard the exchange. What could he mean by... But the bat never finished her thought as she spotted the cage just ahead, and flinched with surprise. " Oh my... Espio, are you okay?" Catching the sound of a familiar voice, the younger Espio turned his attention again to the doorway, and gaped at the group with a combination of shock and dread. Holy crap, they really DID make copies of the others!! Setting his brow with determination, the chameleon camouflaged himself despite being confined to the cage. If he was going to save his friends, he'd have to get serious about it!
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 13:40:36 GMT -5
Rob blinked in confusion at the ninja's comment, then turned his vision toward the room, spotting the cage and the younger chameleon inside just before he vanished from view. Slowly he raised a hand up and covered his face, his opposite hand tightening into a fist "Oh ruddy..." And that's when the hedgehog suddenly took an authoritative air over everyone else, throwing both fists rigidly to his sides, straightening his back and marching up toward the cage "Espio! On your feet and visible this instant!"
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Post by Stoney on Apr 26, 2007 13:57:02 GMT -5
"I found him running amok through the mansion earlier today," Harper injected. "He made quite a mess of things, so I had to cage him. He won't be going anywhere right now, so don't worry." He leaned down to tap the bat on the shoulder. "Excuse me Miss Rouge, if I may have a moment?” He asked quietly, motioning to one of the doors leading out of the hall. “While they are sorting things out, I would like to show you something. It shouldn’t take too long.”
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 14:18:20 GMT -5
Though it wasn't visible, Espio scowled at what he thought was an android of Rob. "You can't fool me!! Rob and Rouge wouldn't associate with... that guy..." His tone faultered a bit on that last part. Steeling himself once more, the chameleon continued, "Besides, you guys screwed up! You already showed me the 'bot you made of me, so I'm not falling for your fake Rob!!" Rouge looked up at the colonel, uncertain of how to respond. This man was a perfect stranger, which didn't make wandering off with him feel all that cozy to her. On top of it, she had promised herself that once she'd found Rob, she would not leave his side until they were back in their own world. Her eyes drifted to the hedgehog. The chaos of settling Espio down had already begun, and she knew well enough not to interfere. Whenever the chameleon needed disciplinary action, Rob had to have his undivided attention to deliver it. She wouldn't really be able to stay close to him at the moment anyway. And the other Espio appears to know and trust him, the bat reminded herself, glancing at the ninja just a few paces away. He's already done so much for us, and hasn't given us any reason not to trust his judgement. If Espio trusts this man... I'm sure I can, too.Rouge looked up again at Harper, her features flat and blank. "Of course, sir." Meanwhile, the ninja lingered in the doorway, keeping an eye on Rob and his other self in case reinforcements would be needed. He glanced aside briefly as Harper invited Rouge elsewhere, and wondered briefly what he was up to, but quickly returned his attention to the more pressing matter over by the cage without a word.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 14:44:16 GMT -5
"Of course he did," Rob groaned, knitting his brow together and glancing up toward the ceiling in response to Harper. Rob gave a steely glare at where he knew the invisible chameleon was "If I was a robot, how do you suppose I know you're supposed to be practicing your archery right now for setting the lodges on fire?" he frowned, folding his arms "If you don't show yourself this instant young man you are going to think you were born on that archery range when we get home!"
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 15:06:21 GMT -5
Espio flinched into the opposite bars of the cage, his colours starkly returning to normal. That... had been very Rob-like. And that was some pretty specific information... But what if Itzal had downloaded their memories? He'd heard of Robotnik trying things like that before, although the other times it hadn't exactly worked quite right. But that copy of himself was pretty damning evidence that something fishy was going on. The chameleon wilted a little under Rob's glare. Could a robot copy that, too? The boy gulped and looked up at the hedgehog with confused apprehension. " ...Is that really you, Rob?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 15:59:16 GMT -5
Rob's expression softened a bit when the chameleon finally obeyed. He took a long exhale as he seated himself crosslegged in front of the cage and clasped his hands together "Yes, Espio. It's me," he gave a quick glance at the other chameleon in the room "I know you're very confused right now, but I promise you there's an explanation, strange and farfetched sounding as it is. But more importantly at the moment... are you alright?"
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 20:19:23 GMT -5
"Yeah..." Espio replied unsteadily, taking a seat as well and grabbing hold of the bars. "I almost wasn't, though. That overlander stuck a gun in my face and said he wanted to kill me, but the only reason he didn't was because it'd be too messy! ... But, I handled it like a man." The young chameleon puffed up his chest, clearly trying to impress his mentor, but his eyes gave away how terrified he'd been during his stay at the estate. " That guy doesn't scare me." He paused to glance at the ninja lingering at the door. Espio's expression scrunched a bit, and he returned his attention to Rob. "I don't get it, though... I don't get any of this! I don't know what I'm doing in some overlander's castle, or why he's got a robot of me, or why they're after me but not you..." Suddenly the boy's youth really showed through for a moment as he let out a bewildered sigh, staring into the floor and mumbling, " I wanna go home." Back near the door, the other chameleon leaned against the wall with folded arms, ever watchful and silent.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 20:48:48 GMT -5
"He did what?" Rob's eyebrows hiked up as far as they could up on his forehead, giving the boy a look of surprise. Now he could certainly understand the feeling of wanting to threaten the rambunctious teenager; there were times when he felt like he could pull his bow on him. But to actually do such? The hedgehog's face twisted in disgust "Espio, if this is one of your tall tales..." he said in a very deliberate voice.
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 21:07:57 GMT -5
The chameleon's head snapped back up instantly, his expression wounded. "Rob, I'm not lying!!" he insisted. "He pushed it into my forehead and went on about how he really WOULD kill me if I just farted in the wrong direction, and said he wasn't going to let me out of here even if I was peeing and puking all over, and he sent that copy of me over and..." Espio's voice became more and more strained as he rambled, until it choked itself all together, and hot, frustrated tears threatened to spill from his eyes. But if there was one thing he wasn't going to do, it was having a meltdown in front of someone he respected, and the chameleon forced them back and strengthened his resolve. "I did get into some trouble," he muttered, sliding to the back of his enclosure, "but I didn't mean to, and I'm NOT lying." Espio hugged his knees and rested his chin on his arms, sulking and staring at an elaborately painted vase off to one side to distract himself. " Go ahead and believe the overlander for all I care."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 21:32:35 GMT -5
Rob sat there noting his reaction carefully. For a moment he seemed to don a look of guilt as he watched the young chameleon deteriorate in front of him. The look of disgust returned though, now accompanied by an icy seriousness. Swiftly he rose back to his feet, standing rigidly as he turned sharply to face the other chameleon in the room "We're ready to leave now." he eyes darted then, noticing a distinct lack of other bodies near the door "... Where are Rouge and the Colonel?"
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 21:49:28 GMT -5
The ninja glanced through the open doorway. "They wandered off somewhere; Harper wanted to show her something. He said it wouldn't take long." Espio's eyes returned to the hedgehog, glancing past him briefly at the caged teen behind him. Beckoning the archer closer, he quietly added, "I can't say what did or didn't happen, because I wasn't here at the time, but when I did arrive, he was still shaking." The ninja let out a sigh and leaned again against the wall. "Harper's..... strange, sometimes. He's got a crazy side that perks up every now and then, and a weird sense of humor." Espio's expression flattened a bit as he reflected over the many times the colonel had found ways of poking at his claustrophobia.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 22:02:05 GMT -5
This information, needless to say, only seemed to strengthen the hedgehog's resolve as his quills bristled from beneath his hood "I want him gotten out of here immediately," he said, motioning toward the caged boy "Do you know how to lift that cage?"
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Post by Leedzie on Apr 26, 2007 22:43:32 GMT -5
The chameleon replied with a clear "Are you kidding?" expression. "Rob, I can't count how many times I've been here, and I don't know where the nearest bathroom is."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 26, 2007 22:44:45 GMT -5
"And I'm supposed to know that how?"
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