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"Nothin' Could Be Finer Than Some
Lovin' In the Diner" |
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What can I get you?
Coffee's a dollar
I hope you like whip cream.
I just love the Voice of the Night. We have this special connection. |
MARCAL SCENES PAGE 36
Scene 41 The Waste of Haste DECEMBER 15 (MONDAY) Setup: Ron had an allergic reaction to the shellfish he had for lunch. Michael-Al was at the police station when he collapsed and saved his life. Ron was admitted to the hospital for observation. In the meanwhile, the Music Box Killer attacked Jen but Rex interrupted before he was able to finish his dastardly deed. The scene opens in Ron’s hospital room. He is in bed and Marcie is hovering protectively over him. Marcie: Ron, come on. Don't worry about it, ok? The police, they're going to prove real soon that you're not the music box killer. Then let it go. Al walks into the room. Ron: Yeah. Hey. Doc, what's up? Marcie: (rushes next to Al) Michael. Listen, I want to thank you again. I mean, without you, my brother would have died, and -- gosh, you were just great. Listen, I'll be right back, ok? Marcie leaves the room. Ron: Ok. So, doc, when am I getting out of here? Please tell me. Al: Let's see. Al pulls out his stethoscope and begins to listen to Ron’s chest. Al: Now, breathe for me. Al hears Ron's heartbeat. Al: Ok. Again. Al's voice: Get her brother on your side. That'll clinch it. Ron: Is something wrong? Doc? Al: No. No. Looks to me like you're going to be ready to get out of here tomorrow. Ron: All right. Al's voice: Come on, Michael. Go for it. Al: What do you think the chances of me hooking up with your sister are? Ron: Listen, doc, Marcie was in love with Al Holden, you know. I don't think she's ready to hook up with anybody just now. Al: You know, I'm sorry. That came out all wrong. I didn't mean that. I just meant that I was thinking of maybe asking her out to dinner or something. Ron: Well, I think maybe it's just still a little too soon. Al: Yeah, well, I don't have a lot of time. Ron: What? Al: Look, I got to -- I'm sorry, I’m just a little impatient, you know. I really can't wait to get to know your sister. Ron: Oh, all right, all right, take it easy. Take it easy. You want my advice? Just take it slow, all right? Ask her out for, like, a cup of coffee or something like that. Al: Cup of coffee? Ron: Yeah. Al: I'll do that. Marcie sticks her head in the door then comes in. Marcie: Everything all right in here? Al: Your brother looks great. Seems that he should be ready to go tomorrow. Ron: So, I'm kind of beat. Maybe you two guys could give me some time to get some rest? Marcie: Oh. Ok. Al: Yeah, that's a great idea. Come on, let's go. Marcie: Excuse me? I'd at least like to say good night to my brother. Al: Yeah. Sure, go ahead. Marcie: Thanks. Al's voice: Yeah, I know, Luna. She sees him, not me. Marcie comes out of the room. Al: Hey. Marcie: Hi. Al: I was about to go on break, and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to get a bite to eat with me. Marcie: Do you want to talk about my brother? Are you asking me out on a date? Al: I'm asking you out. Marcie: Well, then you can forget it. Marcie hugs Ron. Marcie: I'm going to let you get some sleep now, ok? Ron: Ok. Marcie: And I'll see you later. Ron: Bye. Marcie walks out into the hall and sees Michael-Al standing next to the door. Marcie: You're still here? Al: Yeah. Well, I was hoping maybe I could get an explanation. Marcie: About what? Al: Why won't you go out with me? I mean, even your brother told me that I should go for it. Marcie: You saved his life. What was he supposed to say? Besides, Ron, he likes everybody. Al: And so do you. You're a sweetheart. You'd probably give anybody else a chance. Marcie: Oh, you don't know that about me. Al: Yes, I do. I can just tell. So, what is it? Are you still mad at me about what I said about your brother being gay? I mean, I'm sorry. It was stupid, ok? Listen, I am totally down with the gays. You know what I'm saying? Marcie: You're down with the gays? Well, that's not it. Al: Well, then, what is it? Marcie: Listen, I don't want to say anything bad about her, but, you know, Madison, she's just -- Al: Madison? This is about Madison? Marcie: Yeah. You know, she did a lot of terrible things to me. Her and her ex-boyfriend, they threw me in a dumpster, I got sick, al got the infection, and it killed him! Al: Listen, the only reason that I went out with her is because -- Marcie: What? I don't want to go out with – The roll Jen by on a gurney. Michael-Al rushes to attend to her. Marcie: Jen? Jen, what happened? Jen!
Meanwhile at Llanfair, Joey is coming to grips with a bitter truth about Jen and is making travel plans. Joey: Merry Christmas to you, too, dad. Viki: You ok? Joey: Yeah, yeah, I was just talking with dad. Viki: Oh. He must have been very happy to hear from you. Joey: Yeah. Actually, I'm going to go see him in London after Christmas. Viki: I think that would be nice. It'll be good to get away for a little while. Joey: It might be longer than a little while. I haven't told you this yet, but Andrew talked to me after the service, and he worked out a deal with the vestry for me to stay, but I have to take a leave of absence. Viki: Honey, I know how hard this is on you. Joey: I just feel like I’m throwing in the towel. Not just on St. James, but on Jen, too. Viki: No, darling, you're not. You have to face the fact that sometimes other people don't give us a choice. The phone rings. Joey: Hello. Marcie: Joe, listen, it's Marcie. You've got to come to the hospital. Jen's here. Joey: Is she all right? Marcie: I don't know. I don't know. They brought her in here, and they won't let me see her. Joey: Ok. I'll be right there. Thank you. Viki: What? Joey: Jen's in the hospital. I got to go.
Al comes out of the examination room at the hospital and talks to Marcie in the hallway. Al: Your friend's ok. Traumatized, but physically she's fine. Marcie: Do they know what happened to her? Al: She was attacked. Strangled. Marcie: Oh, my god. Was it -- it probably was the music box killer. Al: Well, the police aren't saying anything, but the admitting nurse said that she had the ligature marks all around her neck. Marcie: Oh, my -- she could have been killed. Al: Yeah, but she wasn't. She's here, and she's fine. Do you know what this means, Marcie? Well, if this was the work of the music box killer, your brother was here, which rules him out as a suspect. Marcie: Yeah, you're right. I mean, he couldn't have done it, and then -- and you couldn't have done it. Al: Yeah, I know you wanted your brother's name cleared. They suspected me for a little while, there. You didn't, right? Marcie: Well, I don't like some of the things that you do or say, but, no, I never thought that of you. Al: Thank you, Marcie. You have no idea how much that means to me. Marcie: Do you think I could see Jen, now? Al: Yeah. Yeah. I talked to them. Why don't you go in there? She's going to need a friend. Marcie: Thank you. Al: Why, huh? Why, Michael? Why did you go out with Madison Kensington, you idiot? If you hadn't done that, I might have a fighting chance here. Marcie enters Jen’s hospital room and sees Rex standing watch over her. Marcie: It's ok if I see Jen now? Jen: See, Marcie’s here. She can stay with me. Rex: Listen, I will be back as soon as I can. Marcie: Ahem. I'm really worried about you.
Joey rushes into the hospital floor and spots his uncle and John McBain. Joey: Bo! Is Jen all right? Bo: Yeah, she seems to be, Joey. Joey: What happened? John: Someone tried to strangle her. Joey: Well, where was she? Rex: My place. Joey: This is your fault, Rex. Rex: Now, that's a stretch, even for you. Joey: Well, she wouldn't have even been there in the first place if it hadn't been for you doing your number on her. Rex: You know, I don't think that he should see Jen right now, not with an attitude like that. Joey grabs Rex and goes chest-to-chest with him and gets in his face. Joey: She is my wife, damn it! And you are not keeping me away from her. Bo: Joey, you can't do stuff like this in front of me. You know that. Come on. Let him go.
Meanwhile, in Jen’s hospital room… Marcie: Listen, I called your mom. I left her some messages about the fact that you're in the hospital, ok -- Jen: No, she's at a gallery opening in Philadelphia. She probably won't even get them till tomorrow. Joey burst into the room. Marcie and Jen both stare at him. Marcie: Oh. Ok. You know what? I'm going to leave you two alone. Marcie rushes out. Joey: Jen, when I heard what happened -- I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you. Jen: Please don't do this. Joey: Hey, I don't care if you were hanging out at rex's tonight, and I don't care if you were hanging out with that girl Karen Reeder. All I care about is you. Jen: But that doesn't change anything. It doesn't change who I am. Joey: I love who you are, ok, and I want our marriage to work. Please, Jen. Just give it another chance. Give us another chance. Jen: I'm sorry. It's over. I can't change who I am. Joey: You're not who you said you were in the church tonight. Jen: You don't even know who I am. Joey: I love who you are. I know what's in your heart. It's good. I've seen it. I've felt it. Jen: Then why do I do the things that I do? Joey: It's not your fault. It's Rex, ok? I mean, you don't even know what you're doing half the time, but it's not because you're a bad person. You don't deserve what happened tonight. Ok? It's Rex's fault. You didn't do anything wrong. Jen: Don't you get why I was there? I cheated on you. I slept with Rex.
Down at the docks, Rex, Bo and John are looking around. Rex: All right, that's where I saw the guy jump in. John: Any witnesses? Anybody see you chasing this guy? Rex: What, you don't believe me? Bo spots a black case hidden behind a box. Bo: Hey, John -- John: Yeah. Bo: Check this out. Rex recognizes the case. Rex: It was the Music Box Killer.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Man: Five, four, three, two -- Marcie: This is Marcie Walsh, and I'm coming to you live from Llanview University. Today I'll be kicking off a new show that I'll be hosting, and it's called "bridge the gap." And with each show, we're going to introduce a topic, and we'll invite people who have -- don't exactly see eye to eye on the topic to discuss it. We'll see if they can work out their differences and bridge the gap between them. I'd like to start by welcoming my first two guests. They're two students here at Llanview University. We have Greg Johnson and Kim Watts. And I'd also like to introduce dr. Rae Cummings. She's an adjunct professor here at the university and also a very well-known and respected relationship expert. But right now we're going to take a little break, but we'll be back in a minute to see what our guests think about the topic and discuss it. Trust me, it's a hot one.
At Rodi’s Al spots Gabrielle sitting alone at a table. He approaches her. Gabrielle: Oh, hello. Al: Hi. I'm Michael McBain. We met at the hospital. Gabrielle: Yes. I remember. Dr. McBain, though, now, isn't it? Al: I'm a first-year resident at Llanview hospital. Gabrielle: I do recall. I want to thank you for those kind words that you gave me in angel square, Dr. McBain. Al: Please, call me Michael. I just wanted to see if -- if you’re ok. Gabrielle: I'm -- I'm holding up. Ok. Thank you. Thank you for asking. Al: You know, I -- I knew al a little. I thought you should know that he always spoke very highly of you and his father. Gabrielle: Thank you. I don't mean to be rude. I have an appointment. Gabrielle rushes away.
Meanwhile back at the radio station, Marcie continues her new talk show. Marcie: Today we're talking about campus date rape, and I'd actually like to start with you, Dr. Cummings, because I recently read a study that said more than half of the rapes that were reported to police are committed by a friend or an acquaintance of the victim. Is that true? Rae: Unfortunately, Marcie, that is true. And that's just reported rapes. You know, sadly enough, it's even more prevalent on college campuses. Did you know that it is estimated that up to 95% of rapes on college campuses are committed by someone that the victim knew? Marcie: No, I didn't know that. So, is that the actual definition of date rape? It's an acquaintance or a friend of the victim? Rae: It's defined generally as a sexual act forced upon the victim by someone he or she knew. Marcie: I think that is actually an important clarification. And I'd like to turn now to our two student guests. We have Greg Johnson and Kim Watts. And why don't we start with you, Kim? Kim: Well, personally, I think most of these so-called rapes could easily be avoided. Greg: Excuse me. So-called rapes? Kim: I just don't see how you can call it a rape, the way these girls go around picking up guys, hanging at the kind of parties they do. I mean, frat stuff and all, drinking and taking drugs -- Greg: Wait a minute -- Kim: These girls are so out of it, they don't even know what's happening to them. Greg: Since when is being under the influence an open invitation to sex? Rae: Actually, in some states -- Kim: These girls just don't want to take any responsibility. Marcie: So it's their responsibility if – At Rodi’s Natalie is listening to the radio as she works the bar. Al approaches the bar. Al: Is that Marcie’s voice? Natalie: Yeah, she's doing a talk show. They're talking about date rape. Kim: Miniskirts, see-through tops, no bras. Al: Turn it up. Kim: I mean, what do they expect a bunch of drunk guys to think? Greg: Man, you are really out there. Don't people have a right to dress any way they want? Kim: Ok, whatever. But if a girl goes into a guy's room wearing revealing clothes and then starts making out with him -- Greg: What, she's asking for it? Kim: What does she think is going to happen? Marcie: Listen, I don't want to have to worry about what I'm wearing. I don't want to have to stay at home just to feel like I'm safe. Al: You can tell whose side Marcie’s on. Rae: Sometimes a person that you've known for a while -- Natalie: Yep, the right side. Rae: Can turn out not to be as trustworthy as you thought. Greg: Look, I can see how the way a woman dresses can be a turn-on for a guy, but that doesn't give a guy some kind of free pass. Natalie: You know, if that guy looks as good as he sounds, I can see him and marcie together. Rae: You know, I think there's something we all need to remember -- rape is a violent crime, an act of control and anger. It's not sex. Greg: It doesn't matter if it's someone who attacks you on the street or a guy you've known for 10 years. Rape is rape. It could happen to you, to anyone. Kim: Well, sure. That's true. Marcie: Dr. Cummings, what Kim was saying -- Al: Later. Natalie: Yeah, later. Marcie: Do you feel that women can prevent rape -- Roxy: Baby, are you through shining those stupid glasses? I want to show you what Cristian gave me. Rae: Makes a choice -- Roxy: It is so cool. Rae: How the victim is dressed may be his rationalization. It is not the cause. Natalie turns down the radio. Natalie: All right. Let's see. At the radio station the program has concluded. Rae: Well, I think your first broadcast was a smash hit. I do. Marcie: Well, I don't know about that, but I want to thank all of you for coming. It wouldn't have been a show without all of you. Kim: Sure. I have to go to class. Rae: Oh, bye. Marcie: Bye. Greg: It's hard to believe that people are still debating whether date rape exists. Rae: Yeah. Marcie: Yeah, well, maybe we changed some minds. Greg: Let's hope. You make a great host. Marcie: Oh. Rae: Boy, do I second that. Marcie: Really? Rae: Yeah. You ever need a guest, you know you can call me. Marcie: All right, I'm going to hold you to that one. Rae: I know you will. Greg, it's awfully nice meeting you. Greg leaves. Marcie turns to Rae. Marcie: Thanks, Dr. Rae. Rae gives her a big bear hug. Rae: Bye-bye, honey. Marcie: Bye. They turn to see Greg standing in the door. Rae: Bye. Greg: So I was just about to grab a cup of coffee and maybe check out the tree lighting in Angel Square. You want to come? Marcie: Ok. I… I think I can handle a cup of coffee. Greg: Ok, great.
At Rodi’s Greg hands Marcie a cup of coffee. Greg: Marcie, your double espresso soy latte, decaf. Marcie: (laughs) Something like that. Greg: And cream. Marcie: Oh, thank you. Greg: You're welcome. Al watches from a position near the front door. Al: Luna? Luna? Luna: Oh, Hi, sugar. Al: Do you see this? Luna: What? Marcie's having coffee with a friend. Al: Friend. You've got to do something to stop this. Luna: Oh, no, I'm not, darling. I've already broken too many rules for you. I'm not doing it again. Al: Oh, come on, Luna, please. Please, please, please, please, please -- Luna: No, don't you even -- no! No, you're going to have to handle this one on your own. My hands are washed. Al: How? Luna: Patience, darling. And, hey, Marcie really loves you. Hey, you still got that picture of Michael, don't you? I want you to keep looking at that. You got to remember, you're not Al on the outside anymore. Marcie laughs. Singer: Our love was meant to be Al: Just what I need -- competition. Could things get any worse, Luna? Luna: Honey, you've got plenty of time. Al: I have plenty of time? Luna: Yeah. Al: It's almost Christmas. I only have until Valentine’s Day. You know what? Maybe I should just go for broke, tell her exactly who I am. Luna: What do you think is going to happen if you tell Marcie it's really you in there? You think she might just, like, throw open her arms and just say, "Welcome back"? Al: I was hoping. Luna: I'll tell you what she's going to think. She's going to think you cracked a nut or, better yet, that you're playing some kind of cruel, sick joke on her. Al: Well, I'll just have to make her realize. Luna: I think you're forgetting one crucial fact here. You tell Marcie that it's really you in there and you're going to be yanked right on back to the afterlife for good. Al: Well, it's a chance I'm going to have to take. Luna: You could lose Marcie forever! What am I –
Thursday, December, 2003 At Angel Square, Marcie & Greg see that a number of people have gathered. Marcie: Look, they're getting ready to light the tree. Greg: Let's go help. Marcie: Ok, yeah. Luna: Don't you do it. If you break the rules and you tell Marcie the truth, you are going to destroy all the wonderful work you've just done. Al: Well, the way I figure it, I got nothing to lose. I mean, you could be wrong. Luna: About what would happen? No, Al! Al: You have no proof that I'll get sucked out of this body and sent to -- well, wherever it is they're going to send me, ok? Luna: All right, all right, let me put it this way -- if you tell Marcie who you are inside, I cannot be responsible for what will happen to you. Carolers: Deck the halls with boughs of holly fa-la-la-la-la -l-la-la-la 'tis the season to be jolly fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la don we now our gay apparel fa-la-la, la-la-la la-la-la troll the ancient Female carolers: Repeat the sounding joy Male carolers: Repeat the sounding joy Female carolers: Repeat the sounding joy Male carolers: Repeat the sounding joy Carolers: Repeat, repeat the sounding joy he rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness Female carolers: And wonders of his love Male carolers: And wonders of his love Female carolers: And wonders of his love Male carolers: And wonders of his love Carolers: And wonders wonders of his love Everyone applauds. Greg: That was great, Riley. I always figured if it didn't rock, you didn't know it. Riley: Do not let it get out. Greg: Yeah, right. Riley: No, actually, I'm back at LU next semester, studying music theory. Greg: Get out! With Cromley? Riley: Yeah. Greg: Me, too, man. Al: Marcie? Marcie: Oh, Michael. Could we not get into anything tonight? Come on, I'm having a really good time. Al: Listen, all I need is a couple of minutes, ok? Marcie: No. Come on, we're singing. I just want to forget about things. Al: Listen, please, it's really important. Greg: Marcie just said no, didn't she, pal? Let's not have this be a problem, ok? Al: "Pal"? Uh, you want to make this a problem, we can do that, pal. Marcie: Michael. Greg: They're caroling at the quad, too. Let's go there. Al: No, Marcie, Marcie, please. No, just hear me out, ok? This is really important. You have to listen to me, please. Marcie sighs and the carolers continue to sing. Marcie: Can we please get this out before next Christmas maybe? Al: Ok, it's just that, um -- well, you see -- Marcie: What? Al: The thing is -- Luna: Oh, goddess, I've got to do something! Al: The thing is -- Greg: Hey, look, Marcie doesn't need this, all right? She's -- she's been through lot. Can we just -- Al: Could you just give me a minute here, please? Marcie: Listen, it's ok, Greg. But I got to admit, for someone who is desperate to talk to me, you're taking your time! Al: Ok, ok, I know. Listen, the thing is that I'm -- I'm Michael, right? Ok, but -- Marcie: Yes, I know that. Al: At the same time -- oh, man, how do I -- I'm -- I'm Michael -- Greg: What the hell did you just say? Al: Will you just give me a minute here? Greg: I am not going to let you badmouth me like that. Al: Hey, hey, will you just get the hell out of my face, huh? Greg and Al fight and Greg knocks Michael to the ground. Luna: Oh! Marcie: (rushes to his side and leans over) Oh, Michael! Michael, are you ok? Greg: Oh, man, I'm so sorry. I -- Al: No, ok? I am not ok. Will you look into my eyes, please? Just look as deep as you can in my eyes. What do you see? Luna: Don't you dare. Al: It's me. Luna: Don’t. Don't do it. Al: Marcie, it's me, Al, inside of this body. It's me, Al. I need you to see me. Marcie: No -- Al: I need you to feel me, Marcie! Please? Marcie: No. Al: Please. Al is snatched out of Michael's body. Greg: Michael! Hey, man, wake up! Michael. Just wake up, man. You're going to be all right just open your eyes. Come on, Michael. There you go, there you go. No, no, no. No, don't try to get up, man. Just take it easy, nice and easy, all right? You're going to be ok. Luna: I'm sorry, sugar, but I warned you. Al: I don't feel so hot, Luna. Luna: Darling, you're fading fast. The forces, they're pulling you away. Al: I can't leave Marcie. Please, Luna, there's got to be something that we can do. You got to help me. Luna: Darling, I -- I can’t. Al: Luna, I love her. Please, you -- you have to me. I swear I won't break the rules this time, but you have to help me, please. Luna: Darling, I don't know what I can -- hang on. There might be one last thing I can try. Michael: What the hell am I doing here? Get away from me. What's the matter with all you people? Marcie? What's going on? Marcie: Don't you "Marcie" me. How dare you! Michael: What? Marcie: I am sick of you! I'm sick of you and I'm sick of all your games! I could just scream! Michael: What -- what games? Marcie: You know, I can't -- how you could do this, it's really -- it's beyond me! Michael: What are you talking about? Marcie: You told me that you were Al. You told me to look inside of you and that I would see al! Michael: Are you nuts? Marcie: You're the lowest. You're despicable! Al: Apologize to her. Michael: Why does my jaw hurt? And quit yapping at me, Marcie. You know, anybody ever tell you you're a real wacko? I don't need this. Greg: Marcie, are you ok? Marcie: I just -- I need to get to work. Greg: Come on, I'll walk you. Marcie: Ok. Greg: Are you sure you're ok, Marcie? Marcie: Yeah, yeah. Michael was just weird and obnoxious. I don't -- Greg: Yeah, well, but we were having a good time before he showed up. Marcie: Yeah, wasn't your fault. Greg: Well, uh, maybe -- maybe we'll do it again sometime. Marcie: Yeah. Sure, I'd like that. See you later? Greg: Yeah. Bye. Marcie: Bye. Marcie sighs and thinks back to what happened. Al's voice: Inside this body, it's Al. See! Got to feel who I am, please,
Marcie. Al once again disembodied stands to the side and watches her.
Al: Marcie. Marcie? Oh, god. I really messed up. You know, I only wanted you to be happy -- you know, us to be happy... Everything is...is... The is a loud clap of thunder. Luna. Come on. I'm running out of time here. Al: Marcie. Marcie! Oh, god, she can't even hear me now. Luna: Sugar. There's somebody that wants to see you. Al: Does this -- does this mean that I'm in trouble? Luna: I can't say. Just close your eyes. Al does as a celestial light shines down on him. He opens his eyes in a black space where a little girl is illuminated. Angel: Hi, Al. Al walks over to her and sits crossed legged in front of her. Al: Who are you? Angel: Doesn't matter. What matters is you broke the rules. But you still think you should have a second chance. Why? Al: Well, Marcie and me, we're soul mates, you know, forever. I mean, it's got to be Marcie and me, and I was starting to get scared that she was never going to see me inside of that dirtbag Michael’s body, so I -- Angel: Broke the rules? Al: Yeah. Angel: Ever try to understand what makes that dirtbag tick? Al: Well, he's a doctor. Angel: His soul, Al. You need to find Michael’s soul and understand it, then help him change. Al: I never thought of it that way. Angel: Well, do. Ok, they're sending you back. But in the next three days, you have to find out what's missing in Michael’s life. Al: Three days? Angel: During that time, you have to help Michael do three good deeds. We want to see him smile and truly care. If you do that, you can go back into his body and have a second chance with Marcie. Al: Oh, this is great. Thank you. Listen, I promise, I'm not going to let you down this time. Angel: It's not about letting me down, it's about letting you and Marcie down. Al: Right. I never got your name. Angel: Gabrielle. Al: Oh. That was my mother's name. Gabrielle: I know. We'll meet again down the road. Close your eyes. Al closes his eyes and when he opens them he is back in the police station in front of Marcie’s desk. Luna: How'd it go, darling? Al: It was great. I know exactly what I have to do.
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