March 2009 Archives

Miss Jessie and car.jpg
There are many practices of the Chicken Ranch that are mentioned in the beginning of the show. Let's explore them and more!

Miss 'Wulla Jean' and perversions - Miss Jessie, the real counterpart to Miss Wulla Jean, did not care for anything more exotic than the missionary position and would throw customers out if they asked for more.

precloital genital washing
- this was really practiced in the Chicken Ranch. Entry elaborates.

not going into Gilbert - the girls of the Chicken Ranch would not have been overly welcome in the city of La Grange. As Texas Monthly puts it, the girls would not be invited to community bar-b-ques, but would be given leftovers.

coming at the sound of the bell - this is a common practice for brothels. The girls are expected to show up, no matter the time of day, when customers show up and the bell is rung. The idea is that the girls are always available.

set price for sex
- unlike the brothels of Nevada, the Chicken Ranch really did have set prices for their time and acts (fellatio being added in the 1960's). This tended to range from $3-$40 under Miss Jessie.

Aggie discount - there seems to have been an $8 Aggie discount in place for students of Texas A&M. Aggies have been known to, upon finding out that a peer is a virgin, tie him up and take him to the Chicken Ranch.

regular medical checks
- the girls of the Chicken Ranch had mandated bi-weekly medical checks to make sure they were healthy and clean. Local officials knew about this and recieved a twice yearly report of the status of the Chicken Ranch from the Sheriff.

girls from far away
- as a matter of course the girls at the Chicken Ranch were not local girls. This allowed for there to be female and spousal support of the business (for keeping rape from happening) after it was exposed on television.
Edna Milton.jpg
Image property of Corbis

Edna Milton, or Mona Stangley in the musical, was the madam of the Chicken Ranch from 1952 until its closing in 1973.

She worked for Miss Jessie for a very short time before buying the land and house from her. Her history before showing up at the Chicken Ranch in unknown.

Edna continued many of the practices that Miss Jessie had started, continuing the amiable relationship between brothel and local government and community support.

After the Chicken Ranch closed, she moved to east Texas and married a restaurant owner. When the Chicken Ranch Restaurant opened in Austin, she became its hostess. After that closed she went on Broadway as Miss Wulla Jean and a consultant to the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

A fun anecdote about how Edna left the show:
One night, as she was saying goodbye to the stage manager, he said he'd see her tomorrow. She said, "No. I'm goin' home," and left. Of course they expected her to show up the next day, not having talked about leaving with anyone. But sure enough, she did not return the next night and had, in fact, left and gone home to east Texas.
One argument held against the Chicken Ranch was that it ran off new businesses and industry by its proximity. This is most likely true.

  • Outsiders in a conservative area are not likely to choose found their businesses and hence raise their families in a place with a whorehouse. It simply isn't wholesome.
Especially since the population of La Grange is almost entirely from near proximity and would have known about the Chicken Ranch.
  • It is rumored that the Chicken Ranch would have brought in tourist dollars which would circulate the city. While this may be true, it would not be families or vacationers, meaning money would only be used for food and drink.
  • Even if the revenue of the Chicken Ranch equaled or surpassed that of a additional businesses, the money would not have recirculated in LaGrange. As the script mentions, the girls were not welcome in town. Also, most prostitutes are in financial situations similar to Angel's, supporting children or debts.
  • Additionally, the prostitutes of the Chicken Ranch were never from LaGrange itself, making the Chicken Ranch anything but a place of employment for locals.
Located in Bryan/College Station Texas, 2 hours northwest of Austin
Branch Campuses in Galveston, TX and the Middle Eastern country of Qatar
Founded: 1876, Texas' first public institution of higher learning
originally sported the name Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas
Texas A&M was an abbreviation until 1963 when it got university status
A&M no longer stands for anything and is the official name of the university
Campus: 5,000 acres
48,000 students
25% of freshman class are first in family to attend college
8,500 grad students
Aggie - any athlete, student, or alum of Texas A&M
1920's students began to be referred to as 'Aggies' instead of 'Farmers'
1949 the yearbook changed name to 'Aggieland' and  it became official

Mascot - Reveille (VII), a full-blooded collie. She is the highest ranking member of the Texas
 A&A Corps of Cadets. "Miss Rev" can be seen around campus, in class, and events.
Corps of Cadets - est 1976 as a military institution. Membership is voluntary. Largest
uniformed body of students outside the U.S. military academies. Contains the Fish Drill Team - wins the national championship in precision drill most years since formation in 1946. Site here. "Traditions Exhibits" on the right is interesting.
Official colors - Maroon and white, referred to in 1925 song, "The Spirit of Aggieland"
In The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the girls must wash all customers before sexual intercourse can take place. It is assumed that this procedure occurs to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This method of STD prevention is a last ditch effort to protect the girls and customers.

Its effectiveness is unsubstantiated, unproved, and not recommended or endorsed.

However, here are my thoughts on the slight effects it could have had:

  • Potentially lessen the chance of catching a bacterial infection.
      • gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia are examples
      • the chance of effect would be increased by adding an acidic liquid to the water
      • these are treatable with antibiotics, so there a chance of eradicating it later
  • Would most likely of these lessen the chance of catching any genital problem that shows externally (topical ailments)
      • could remove some Pubic Lice, also know as 'crabs'
      • could reduce chance of contracting Scabies
      • could reduce change of contracting the viral Genital Warts during an outbreak

As far as postcloital washing is concerned, it could aid customers in not contracting a disease. Postcloital washing does not positively effect females, however.
  • the penis reaches past the cervix, effectively placing all ejaculate beyond the typical reach of water
  • douching of any sort is not recommeneded by medical professionals. Even if an acidic agent is added (as has been hypothesized could alter vaginal state enough to prevent conception - unsubstanciated), it would not effect the bacteria
  • in truth, douching can alter the state of the vaginal so greatly that natural bacteria used to fight and ward off diseases are destroyed, leaving the female more prone to contracting any and all present STDs

  • 76.1% of low-income married couples are using contraceptives

  • The pill is the most widely used method (40% of the 100% of all methods used)
  • Other options include: diaphragm, condom, foam, IUD, male/female sterilization


1973 Birth Control.JPG

Source:

Improvement in Contraceptive Practice 1970-1973 Was Greater Among Low- Income Than More Affluent Couples. Family Planning Perspectives. Vol. 8, No. 6 (Nov. - Dec., 1976), pp. 279-28. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2134403

Typical Failure Rates of Methods of Birth Control During the First Year of Use:

No birth control methods                      85%

Vaginal sponge                                     20-40%

Cervical cap                                         20-40%

Spermicides alone                                 26%

Periodic abstinence (rhythm)                 25%

Condom (female)                                  21%

Diaphragm with spermicides                  20%

Withdrawal                                           19%

Condom (male)                                     14%

Female sterilization                                >1%

IUD                                                      >1-2%

Male sterilization                                   >1%

Oral contraceptives (Pill)                       >1%


Source: Loestrin24Fe, detailed patient labeling

Additional Info, official FDA reports: U.S. Food and Drug Admin. Birth Control Guide

There have been some questions about contraception earlier in the life of the Chicken Ranch. Here's what I have found about the products available and laws in force:

Summary of ancient birth control methods before the pill: Here

Info on the Comstock Law that criminalized the distribution of contraceptives here and here.


Timeline of Birth Control through the life of The Chicken Ranch:
1839 - Charles Goodyear invents the technology to vulcanize rubber and manufactures rubber condoms, intrauterine devices, douching syringes, and "womb veils" (diaphragms). All of these would be washable and reusable.

1870's - A wide assortment of birth control devices are available in America -- such as condoms, sponges, douching syringes, diaphragms and cervical caps -- from catalogs, pharmacists, dry-goods stores and even rubber vendors.

1873
- March 2: Congress passes the Comstock Law, an anti-obscenity act that specifically lists contraceptives as obscene material and outlaws the dissemination of them via the postal service or interstate commerce. At the time, the United States is the only western nation to enact laws criminalizing birth control. This virtually criminalizes contraceptives.
*More information on the continuing presence of the Comstock Law here as well.

Contraceptives were still distributed via other methods such as misleading advertisements, but states had erected local laws as well criminalizing the use, distribution, and possession of contraceptives after this, making it particularly hard to procure these devices.

1880 - Dr. Wilhelm Mensinga, a German scientist, invents a larger cervical cap. His model will gain widespread popularity and come to be known as "the diaphragm." I do not believe this would have been available to the 'Chicken Ranch' until much later.

1906 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is established to protect consumers from fraudulent medical products and quackery.

1914
- Margaret Sanger coins the term "birth control" and dares to use the phrase in The Woman Rebel. Sanger is indicted for nine violations of the Comstock Law. She flees the country to continue her work in England.

1916
- Sanger, with her sister and a friend, opens the first birth control clinic in America, in Brooklyn, New York. For the first time in American history, women can receive organized instruction in birth control. It is quickly shut down.

1918 - The Crane decision, in the case against Sanger's operation of the clinic, is the first legal ruling to allow birth control to be used for therapeutic purposes.

1920
- The Nineteenth Amendment is ratified, giving women the right to vote.

1923
- Sanger successfully opens the first legal birth control clinic in the U.S. with the stated intent of only using contraceptives for medical purposes, such as the prevention of life-threatening pregnancies and in accordance with the Crane decision.

1920's - Scientists working independently in Japan (1924) and Austria (1927) devise the "Rhythm Method" of birth control.

1930's - During the Great Depression, companies eager to sell women contraceptives, but not permitted to by law, use the term "feminine hygiene" to market a wide array of over-the-counter products that are believed to have a contraceptive effect. One of the most popular products is the simple and cheap "Lysol douche," and scores of women rely solely on this ineffective and dangerous method to prevent pregnancy. It can cause burns or death if not properly diluted.

1936
- Margaret Sanger orchestrates a court battle over a shipment of Japanese diaphragms to a doctor in the U.S. In a decision titled U.S. vs. One Package, the court rules that physicians can receive contraceptive devices and information via the mail unless prohibited by a specific local law. The case leads to the American Medical Association (AMA) officially recognizing birth control as part of a doctor's medical practice.

1950's
- Americans spend an estimated $200 million a year on contraceptives. Due to massive improvements over the past decade in condom quality and a growing awareness of the inadequacies of douches, "rubbers" are the most popular form of birth control on the market.

Anti-birth control laws on the books in thirty states still prohibit or restrict the sale and advertisement of contraceptive devices. It is a felony in Massachusetts to "exhibit, sell, prescribe, provide, or give out information" about them. In Connecticut, it is a crime for a couple to use contraception.

1951 - The Catholic Church remains resolutely opposed to artificial birth control, but Pope Pius XII announces that the Church will sanction the use of the rhythm method as a natural form of birth control.

1954 - Trials begin with "Enovid", the first oral contraceptive.

1957 - The FDA approves the use of Enovid for the treatment of severe menstrual disorders and requires the drug label to carry the warning that Enovid will prevent ovulation.

1960
- Searle receives FDA approval to sell Enovid as a birth control pill. Searle is the first and only pharmaceutical company to sell an oral contraceptive.

1964 - Despite general public approval for birth control, ghosts of the Comstock Laws linger. Eight states still prohibit the sale of contraceptives, and laws in Massachusetts and Connecticut still prevent the dissemination of information about birth control.

1965 - By a vote of 7-2 in Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court strikes down the Connecticut law prohibiting the use of birth control as a violation of a couple's right to privacy, making the use of contraceptives legal for all married couples in the U.S.

1968
-  To the dismay of Catholics around the world -- and ignoring the recommendations of the Papal commission on birth control -- Pope Paul VI states unequivocally that the Church remains opposed to all forms of birth control except the rhythm method.

1972 - The U.S. Supreme Court, ruling in Eisenstadt v. Baird that a state cannot stand in the way of distribution of birth control to a single person, strikes down Massachusetts law prohibiting the sale of contraceptives to unmarried women, making the purchasing and distribution of contraceptives legal for all persons in the U.S.

*Edited from PBS's American Experience: The Pill  timeline.

This is what being an Aggie means!


the 12th Man - symbolically the entire student body past and present after a selfless gesture

of student E. King Gill at a 1922 football game. Students stand throughout games in representation of always being ready to go in if necessary.

Silver Taps - final tribute payed to an Aggie who was enrolled in courses at the time of death.

Began in 1898 and continues today. Now takes place on first Tuesday of any month necessary from Sept to April.

Muster - "If there is an A&M man in one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas." Takes place April 21st each year.

Midnight Yell Practice - the 5 upperclassmen Yell Leaders began in 1907, they lead the Aggie side in yells and fight songs during sporting events. Midnight practice began in 1931 and is held before every home game and some away games, now with upwards of 25,000 participants.

Fish - the term for Aggie Freshmen. Each year there is a 'Fish Camp' to welcome and educate new Aggies in the Aggieland traditions.

Howdy - the official greeting of Texas A&M

Bonfire - Built before the big A&M and UT football game.
From Texas A&M:
The first Aggie Bonfire began in the early 1900's as a pile of wood and trash next to the train station. The cadets decided to make a Bonfire to congratulate the football team on their win. Although this first Bonfire was held in the early morning hours of November 18, 1907, the first on-campus Aggie Bonfire was not held until 1909.

Bonfire grew immensely through the years. The largest Bonfire was in 1969 and stood 109ft., which is only one foot shorter than Rudder tower. After that, the administration decided to regulate the Bonfire height to 55ft.

There have been two years that Bonfire did not burn. First, in 1963, following the death of President John F. Kennedy, the senior class made one of the most difficult decision of their time at Texas A&M. In honor of their president, they decided to dismantle the Bonfire, which had recently been completed. The head yell leader at the time, Mike Marlowe, was quoted as saying, "It is the most we have and the least we can give."

The second time that Bonfire was built and did not burn was in 1999. On November 18th, Bonfire fell, taking 12 of our fellow Aggies with it. This day was one of the most trying days for Aggies everywhere. At this time, Bonfire has been postponed indefinitely and no one knows if Bonfire will return. The Aggie Spirit has created the Aggie Traditions and that Aggie Spirit will thrive through the trying times.


Map.JPGClick here for the interactive map.

Amarillo
p86    10 hours (547 miles) northwest of La Grange, in the top "smokestack" of Texas
City mentioned in "The Bus From Amarillo"

Baird
p87    5 hours ( 278 miles )west of La Grange, near Forth Worth
City mentioned in "The Bus From Amarillo"  

Cisco  
p87    5 hours (253 miles) northwest of La Grange, near Fort Worth   
City mentioned in "The Bus From Amarillo"

Dallas   
p71    4 hours (216 miles) directly north of La Grange
City the Chicken Ranch girls are accused of being from by the townspeople

Fayette County      
Texas county La Grange is located in. Referred to as 'Lanvil County' in the musical   
   
Galveston
p14   
159 miles (2.5 hours by car) east of La Grange. Located on Galveston Island just inside the Gulf of Mexico. Became connected to La Grange with the construction of railroad lines. Home to Texas A&M University, home of the Aggies. A vacation and resort site.
   
Gilbert
p42    non de plume for La Grange, TX - the location of the real life Chicken Ranch   

La Grange
Texas city roughly 4000 pop. that housed the real Chicken Ranch brothel. Referred to as 'Gilbert' in the musical.   

Lanvil County
p 49    non de plume for Fayette County, the county the Chicken Ranch was located in   
   
Padre Island
p44    South Padre Island. Almost 7 hr south of La Grange, near San Antonio. A small island just inside the Gulf Coast. Vacation destination.   
This is where the Sheriff's personal fishing lodge is located.

San Antoine
p87    seems to refer to San Antonio, TX. 2 hours (118 miles) west of La Grange
This is  the destination of the bus in "The Bus From Amarillo"  

Shreveport   
p83    in Louisiana. 6 hours (319 miles) northeast of La Grange
City Ginger is heading to after the closing of the Chicken Ranch.   

Wichita Falls   
p82    6 hours (323 miles) northwestern of La Grange, past Fort Worth       
City Ginger is originally from.



As you may or may not know, La Grange is the city that the original Chicken Ranch brothel was located in. The name was changed to 'Gilbert' in the musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.


La Grange.jpg

Between Austin (1.5 hr E) and Houston (2 hr W)

2.5 hours from Galveston (on the Gulf Coast)

Sits on the Colorado River

Officially established in 1837.

County seat for Fayette County

Pop. 3,092 in 1970.  Pop. 4,668 (July 2007)

Over 80% of Czechs in TX here before relocating

Local Festivals:

Czech Heritage May Fest

Fayette County Fair

 

Comparison to TX (2007)             La Grange   Texas

Median household Income    $36,045           $47,548

Median house/condo value   $96,500           $120,900

61% of house in La Grange were built before 1970

82.9% of workers work in Fayette County, 2.1% (8) work at home

52% residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who had lived in different houses,   61% lived in
Fayette County.
   Out of people who had lived in different counties, 84% lived in
Texas.

This is a really amazing site that has lots of details about LaGrange in 2007. It really paints a picture of life there, down to how many houses vs apartments and time it takes to get to work.

This is a nice little article that surveys La Grange's history.

Link to the La Grange Tourism site. It's a good site that features an in-depth look at La Grange culture, places, and happenings. Many old photographs and a page dedicated to The Chicken Ranch.

Major Events of 1973:

Jan 22, 1973 - Roe v. Wade legalizes abortion

May 18, 1973 - The Senate Watergate Committee begins its nationally televised hearings.
June 3, 1973 - John Dean told Watergate investigators he discussed the Watergate cover-up with Nixon

July 13, 1973 - Alexander Butterfield reveals that Nixon had recorded all conversations and telephone calls in his offices since 1971.
July 18, 1973 - Nixon reportedly orders the White House taping system disconnected.
July 23, 1973 - Nixon refuses to turn over the tape recordings to the Senate Watergate Committee.

 Consumer prices for food rose 2.3% in January and another 2.4% in February

 April 1973 - Wives demonstrated against the huge rise in meat products, refusing to purchase it. Nixon forced to place a ceiling on meat prices to satisfy them.

 1972 and 1974 are both election years in Texas

 

How much things cost     1972           1973            1974             2006             2007

Chicken (lb)                   $0.411          $0.587          $0.553          $1.06            $1.17

Eggs (dozen)                 $0.528          $0.77            $0.783          $1.54            $2.10

Pork, bacon, sliced (lb)   $0.977          $1.34            $1.365          $3.46            $3.69

Coffee (lb)                      $0.939          $1.014          $1.226          $3.11            $3.69

 

Selected Income, 1970's

Cocktail waitress         (1970)   $120/wk            Dancer            (1972)   $350/wk    Housekeeper               (1970)   $80/wk             Truck Driver      (1974)   $14,000/yr

                       

Standard Job Salary                          1971                1972                1973         

Private industries, incl. farm labor    $8144/yr           $8634/yr           $9154/yr      

Domestics                                    $4159/yr           $4478/yr           $4833/yr       

Farm Labor                                   $3783/yr           $3900/yr           $4391/yr       

Federal Employees, Executive Depts.  $8995/yr     $10,331/yr         $11,003/yr     

Sheriff.jpgThe real man that the character of Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd is based on.
T.J. "Jim" Flourney, was elected sheriff of Fayette County in 1946 after being the chief deputy sheriff for former sheriff Will Lossein (who had a good relationship with Miss Jessie).
He had a direct line put in at the Chicken Ranch to make nightly calls in order to see if there was any suspicious behavior going on there that day. (This was in the tradition of Lossein's nightly visits to do the same)
Physically assaulted Marvin Zindler when he came to do a follow-up story in 1974, ripping off his toupee and breaking 2 ribs. Zindler sued for $3 million and they settled out of court. The townspeople raised a good deal of money for Flournoy's defense.
Flournoy resigned from office in 1980 due to the amount of publicty the Chicken Ranch story recieved (his wife was sick of hearing about it) and died in October of 1982.


Marvin Zindler writes about his confrontation with Flournoy in 1974:

Eighteen months after the Chicken Ranch closed, I went to La Grange to show that the business economy didn't suffer from the closing of the Chicken Ranch. But I never got to do that story. The sheriff broke my rib, ripped the film out of the camera, exposed it to the sun, but didn't know to destroy the audio track....

..."He began immediately to yell obscenities at Marvin and he began to punch Marvin," said Mark Vela, a former assistant DA. "He grabbed him and was beating his head up against the car door, the window. I was sitting in the back seat. At that point he grabbed (Marvin's) hairpiece. He was in a rage! (He) began waving the hairpiece around and threw it out in the middle of the street."

Houston attorney Richard "Racehorse" Haynes defended Sheriff Flournoy after I sued the sheriff.

Marvin discussed the case with Haynes years later. "Racehorse, you represented Sheriff Flournoy back then, almost 25 years ago when he broke my ribs."

"Well, now, you said he broke my ribs and you sued him. I'll assume he broke your ribs," allowed Haynes.

"Well, ok. I sued him. Was he upset with me?" "Marvin, he not only was upset with you, he was disturbed about it," recalled Haynes. "And I don't know if you knew this, but Sheriff Flournoy was a long-time law enforcement officer. You worked with him before. He knew you, you knew him. I don't know if you knew, though, he had seven notches on his pistol handle. And they were real notches, not put there just to ensure the grip, but they were there because he had dispatched seven citizens on the other end of that revolver. And here you are joining issues against him in his own venue by taking videotape of his courthouse. So& Plus, add that to what you'd already done to him by terminating a long-established best little whorehouse in Texas. "

We settled out of court and I donated the money to charity.



From the 1973 Texas Monthly article "Closing Down La Grange" :

Old Jim Flournoy looks like he leapt full-bodied from one of Bobby Seale's nightmare visions of a county sheriff, a pot-bellied, gun-totin', hulking incarnation of Frontier Justice. Slow-talking, in keeping with his thought patterns, Big Jim's style of dealing with the world is based largely on Threat, and is generally successful. His brother Mike, who is the sheriff over in Wharton County, has a reputation for carrying out his threats, but big Jim's never gone overboard with that sort of thing.

Like his predecessors, Big Jim was easily accommodated to the existence of the Chicken Ranch. Back in 1958 he'd even had a Hot Line installed to connect the Ranch and the Sheriff's Office, and he's one of the biggest defenders of its operations. "It's nevrah caused no trouble round here," he says, "no fights or dope or nothin. I ain't i nevrah got no complaints."...

...He goes on to tell you about the $10,000 that Edna contributed to the Hospital Building Fund, her other munificences, the economic benefits to the community, the low rate of venereal disease afforded by having county-inspected hookers on hand. As Larry Conners puts it, "He makes that whorehouse sound like a damn non-profit county recreational facility."

Most of Big Jim's arguments are pretty specious as well. His figures on rapes, VD, pregnancies and dope (all of which he says there are none of, excepting for niggers) are all bogus, and the $10,000 bequest about equals the annual take on the jukebox. As for the local impact, one local shopkeeper easily dismissed that: "They only got a payroll of a dozen out that. Now how much money you figure a dozen whores're gonna spend in this town?"



chicken ranch.GIFThe Chicken Ranch was the longest continually operating brothel in the US, at 129 years

Going rate for services about time of closing: $15 for 15 minutes
More expensive options were added in the sixties when Miss Edna took over

Each girl would see 5 to 20 customers a day; for a $300/wk result after Edna took her cut


During 1972 investigation, State intelligence documented 484 persons entering the premises over the course of 2 days. If all of these are customers, and there are 16 girls, the result is over 15 customers per girl per day.

Est. 75% to Edna for taxes, insurance, utilities, food (two meals a day), weekly doctor visits, two attendants, maids, a cook, and laundry bills.


It has been estimated that the ranch had an income of more than $500,000 a year
.

 
All new employees were fingerprinted and photographed by Sheriff Flournoy before they could start. A criminal record of any kind prevented employment. Previous to this procedure, the sheriff would present the current state of the brothel to the Fayette County Grand Jury twice every year.

Many allegations that the Ranch helped to find criminals by learning of gossip and reporting suspicious characters or men that boasted of their deeds while drunk at night.

 


tm1.jpgIt's easy to look at the closing of the Chicken Ranch as the product of one man's moral crusade. This is not the case at all.
First, if you have explored any of the entries or links concerning Marvin Zindler, you already know that he was more inspired by the breaking of the law than the the law's moral content.
Second, it was the state government that wanted the 'bawdy house' closed even more than Zindler or the 'Jesus Bunch' did.

1972 - It all starts here when Texas State intelligence officers with the Department of Public Safety begin investigations about organized crime in Texas.

As a matter of course they investigate the Chicken Ranch, as well as another brothel ('The Wagon Wheel') in a neighboring county.
The filed report says that over the course of Nov 17 and 18, 1972, there were 484 persons entering the Ranch's premises. The estimated revenue of the brothel was 1.5 million dollars a year. Locals deny these figures.
Flornoy reportedly threatens the officers with a shotgun for investigating the Chicken Ranch

Because of the report linking the Chicken Ranch to an organized prostitution ring, the Texas Rangers ask Sheriff Flournoy to close the brothel.
Flournoy speaks to Colonel Spiers about this order. Spiers instructs Flournoy to close it for a short while due to the upcoming election.
The Chicken Ranch seemingly closes for a few weeks, but still accepts regular customers at the back door.

1973 - the Chicken Ranch issue resumes when the Texas Attorney General John Hill hears of the investigative report and continued operation of the Chicken Ranch.

Hill tells Fayette county District Attorney Oliver Kitzman to close the Chicken Ranch, showing him the report and figures.
Kitzman refuses, saying that its operation does not bother his constituients and therefore it does not bother him.
After the converstion with Kitzman ends, Hill resolves to have the media contacted about the Chicken Ranch and its abuses of the law.

A phone call is made to Marvin Zindler about this issue and he begins interviews and research.

Correspondent Larry Conners and photographer Frank Ambrose stake out the Chicken Ranch, getting footage of costomers, the girls, and general activity.
They see about 3 dozen customers enter in the space of about an hour.
They return to the Chicken Ranch the next day and Edna Milton comes out and asks them to leave, saying she runs a boarding house.

Zindler speaks to Kitzman, who says that he knew of its existance but had not closed it down due to a problem with law enforcement.

Zindler talks with Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and gives him the investigative reports.
Briscoe says he will discuss this with the Attornoy General and get further information from the Dept. of Public Safety.
July 1973 - Zindler airs his report on ABC13 Eyewitness News, containing all the information he had gleaned.

August 1, 1973 - the Chicken Ranch has closed its doors for the last time, a week after the airing of the news program.

Governor Briscoe announces, "Colonel Spiers, I'm sure, has advised you that Sheriff Flournoy today advused the Department of Public Safety that in response to a call on Monday that the Chicken Ranch at La Grange is permanently closed."

August 2, 1973 - the Gov was to meet with Flournoy about the Chicken Ranch situation, but dismissed the meeting after hearing that the Ranch was already closed and the girls gone.
This is depressing for the people of La Grange, who have circulated a petition in support of the Chicken Ranch since the airing of the report.
Most of the town's 3,000 population had signed the petition, including mothers and wives.

closed.jpg

marvin zindler.jpg

Marvin Zindler is the real reporter that the character Melvin P. Thorpe is based on.

Born on Aug. 1, 1921 in Houston. Died July 29, 2007 in Houston at age 85.

Married Gertrude in 1941, 5 children, 56 yrs married. She died in 1997, remarried Niki Devine

Joined KTRK-TV on January 1, 1973 after being fired from the sheriff's dept for being too strict

September 1988, signed an unprecedented lifetime contract with Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. and KTRK-TV

In charge of Consumer Affairs, well known for restaurant ratings

Worked to expose problems in heath and sanitation around the city as well as help children (cleft-palate surgeries) and adults (those unjustly pronounced dead by the State)

Was the "voice of the people" and his office answered every complaint people wrote in about (over 100,000 a year)

Made first break by exposing a candy company that advertised using more peanuts than it did

Second big story (biggest ever) was the uncovering and shutting down of The Chicken Ranch

Admittedly vain and open about his white wigs, flamboyant suits and numerous plastic surgeries

Official bio here. Report of death here.

Video footage:

Marvin Zindler: A Final Farewell Playlist - section 4 features The Chicken Ranch story, including video and sound for Miss Edna and Sheriff Flournoy, as well as footage of the Chicken Ranch itself. Sections 3 (civic work) and 7 (charity) are recommended as well. All sections are about 4 min long.

1982 Eyewitness News commercial featuring Marvin Zindler. Really amusing.


chicken-ranch-1937.jpg

1844 - Mrs. Swine brings 3 young women from New Orleans to hotel near saloon in La Grange, TX

186? - Mrs. Swine and prostitute Tillie ran out of town as supposed Yankee sympathizers

Records were not kept between the 1860's and 1905, but it seems as if Mrs. Swine's girls and Miss Jessie's crossed paths to keep the prostitute tradition going.

1905 - Miss Jessie buys a house in Waco, TX. Good relations with law, respectable. Later avoids it being shut down by selling that land and buying more land just outside La Grange. It is here that the Chicken Ranch will be made.

1917 - Miss Jessie creates "middle-management" positions to handle community relations. They send letter and packages to soldiers in the Great World War

1930's - start accepting chickens during the Great Depression in lieu of cash

1940's - send letters and packages to soldiers in World War II

1946 - T.J. Flournoy elected sheriff

1952 - Edna Milton (a recent hire) takes over for Miss Jessie, buying the estate. Miss Jessie retires to her sister's house due to declining health issues.

1961 - Miss Jessie (80) dies in San Antonio

1960's - the Ranch reaches its 16 girl maximum. 'Exotic extras' are added.

1972 - the State runs an investigation into the Chicken Ranch and possibly mafia connections

July 1973 - Marvin Zindler runs report on KTRK-TV about The Chicken Ranch

August 1, 1973 - The Chicken Ranch has officially closed and all women have left

1973 - Band ZZ Top release album with song "La Grange" on it about The Chicken Ranch. It seems to have been written before the airing of the story, but released afterward.

1974 - Zindler comes to run a follow-up and is attacked by Sheriff Flournoy. This results in a 3mil lawsuit, the sheriff destroyed the video but not the audio, which was broadcast on tv.

April 1974 - Larry L. King's article on 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' runs in Playboy

1977 - Houston lawyers buy the building and open a Chicken Ranch restaurant with a largely chicken menu and Edna as its hostess.

October 20, 1977 - Larry L. King's muscial opens at The Actor's Studio in New York City

1978 - The Chicken Ranch Restaurant closes; building and furnishings auctioned off

June 19, 1978 - play open on Broadway at the 46th St Theatre

1980 - Sheriff Flournoy resigns

1982 - Film of musical featuring Bert Reynolds and Dolly Parton premieres

1982 - Entrepreneur buys rights and opens brothel of the same name and practice in Nevada, close to Las Vegas.

March 27, 1982 - Broadway show closes after 1584 performances

October 1982 - Sheriff Flournoy dies

July 9, 2007 - Marvin Zindler dies

Terms

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Thumbnail image for 2007_Aggies_at_Kyle_Field.jpgAggie
p7
Refers to any athlete, student, or alum of Texas A&M in Galveston, TX. The name most likely comes from the original name of the University, with the A&M standing for Agricultural and Mechanical. Their biggest rival is the University of Texas Longhorns. For more info, see Rivalry below.


alaska_oil_pipeline.jpgAlaska Pipeline
p82   
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System was designed and constructed to move oil from the North Slope of Alaska to the northern most ice-free port in Valdez, Alaska. Construction began on March 27, 1975 and was completed on May 31, 1977.
More facts.



Angelettes
p54
Customized organization. They are actually the female dance team for Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX. The drill team for Texas A&M is formed from their Corps of Cadets. This reference is to form a comparison between the Chicken Ranch girls - who are actually prostitutes but maintain a sense of order - and the Angelettes - the approved version that is virginal while behaving like a whore.


Animal Husbandry
p55   
The science of breeding, feeding & care of domestic animals; includes housing and nutrition.


assled around   
p86   
Unsure of specific meaning. Seems to be southern and equating to 'wasted time' in the same sense as "putted around and didn't get anything done"


Danger Bad Curve Sign.JPGbad curve sign
p11   
a sign denoting a bad curve ahead, such as the right. Could also refer to a typical yellow sign referencing a turn or winding road.


barbeque sauce enough for LBJ
   
p86   
Lyndon B. Johnson ( 36th President) was known for using his own special recipe of bar-b-q sauce on his Texas ranch. Find it here.


broke bread with
  
p84   
ate a meal with; connotes having a amicable relationship with the mentioned person


burg

p45   
a city or town


café lingo   
p77   
a slang used by workers at diners from at least 1850-1970's. It is dying with the advent of fast food. The strange phrases are used to break up monotony as well as make orders distinguishable to the cook over the bustling noise. Cool guide here.


called more names than a baseball umpire
p26   
Colloquial hyperbole original to the script. Possibly related to the fact that umpires call the game, or that umpires are cursed at when things go ill for one team or the other.


cap gun.jpgcap gun
p47    
A toy pistol with a hammer action that detonates a mildly explosive cap.



cardboard suitcase

p87   
suitcases used to be made of re-enforced cardboard, light for easy transit and sturdy for sitting and stacking. Also, these would be much cheaper than other options, making it the choice for laypeople.



cedar breaks.jpgceder breaks
p42   
A reference to Cedar Breaks Park. Cedar Breaks Park is located on the south side of Georgetown Lake, which is located in the hill country area of Texas approximately 25 miles north of Austin.   


certain kind of French   
p27   
reference to oral sex because of similarities by using the female's mouth


claber   
p84   
from clabber, which is milk that has soured and thickened; curdled milk. Very smelly and gross. The Sheriff means that he doesn't know how the media was able to ruin the brothel.


cotillion.jpgcotillion
p59   
The Cotillion is a type of patterned social dance that originated in France in the 1700s and was originally made up of four couples in a square formation. In the United States, Cotillion has become training that children and young adults attend to learn manners and proper social behavior in the context of formal dance. The participants dress in formal attire and some cotillions emphasize the use of white gloves.



cottongin.jpgcotton gin
p28   
Though we typically think of the cotton gin and all jobs related to it outdated, there is still a cotton industry for those workers.
Current job description:
Cotton Gin Yard Supervisor - Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in receiving bulk cotton in cotton ginning establishment: Directs workers engaged in unloading bulk cotton and routing it to storage bins or to ginning stands through vacuum conveyor pipes. Maintains records of quantity and location of stored cotton.


craw
p44   
Miss-use of word original to script. Noun. 1. the crop of a bird or insect. 2. the stomach of an animal. Idiom: stick in (one's) craw - To cause one to feel abiding discontent and resentment.


do to run the river with
p11   
Texas colloquialism. Means that the person spoken of is reliable.


drill team
robert_e_lee_drill_team_houston.jpgp54   
A drill team is a marching unit that performs military style maneuvers in public venues, such as football half-times. Other types of drill teams include teams that include dancers, flag twirlers, and non-martial performances. These teams perform routines that may be danced in unity to a variety of instrumental upbeat music. The Angelettes are of the latter variety (like the picture), unlike the actual Texas A&M drill team that is of the former.


Eggs_Benedict.jpgEggs Benedict
p74   
A dish that consists of a half of an English muffin, topped with ham or bacon, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce. Full description of how to make the best one ever here.       






faster than goose shit would run through a tin horn

p43   
Metaphor original to the script. Most likely means 'really fast' while sounding very colloquial.


Fellowship of Christian Athletic Supporters

p54   
Organization original to the script. Most likely a spin on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, only here the girls are not allowed to be athletes themselves, only supporters (much as an 'athletic support' or jockstrap) as a comment on the lack of possibilities for females at this period in history.   


Five and Dime
p39   
A store where everything cost either five cents (a nickel) or ten cents (a dime). These stores originally featured merchandise priced at only five cents or ten cents, although later the price range expanded. Inflation eventually dictated that the stores were no longer able to sell any items for five or ten cents, and were then referred to as "variety stores". Given that $0.05 in 1913 when adjusted for inflation is $1.02 in 2006 dollars, this retailing concept still works for today's 'dollar stores'. More info


Frederick's of Hollywood

p38   
Founded 1946 as the first dealer of 'little black underthings.' Example. Created the push-up bra, front-hook bras, bras with shoulder pads, padded girdles, body shapers and colorful fashion bustiers, as well as thong underwear. Site.



garter belt.jpggarter belt
p53   
A woman's undergarment consisting of an elastic piece of cloth worn around the waist to which garters are attached to hold up stockings. Info


glee club
p51   
A choir which traditionally specializes in singing short songs. Glee in this context does not refer to the mood of the music or its singers, but to a specific form of English 17th and 18th century part song, the glee. Most American Glee Clubs are choruses in the standard sense and no longer perform glees. Viewed as wholesome


goody-two-shoes
p84   
Someone who is virtuous in a coy, smug or sentimental manner. Most likely derived from the 1765 nursery tale The History of the Goody Two-Shoes.


gunny sack
p37   
A bag made of burlap. Gunny sacks are traditionally used for transporting grains, potatoes, and other agricultural products. Denotes a 110 lb of potatoes


hard candy Christmas
p81   
Hard candy is usually much cheaper than other candy, like chocolate or gummies. It is, then, not only the bite of the candy that marks it as a sad time, but the inability to attain something more.


hayseed
p31   
Noun. 1. Grass seed shaken out of hay. 2. Pieces of chaff or straw that fall from hay.
Slang.  A bumpkin; a yokel.


headache powder

p27   
A powdered form of aspirin


honeyfuggin'
p15   
Slang original to the script. Sexual intercourse.


honky tonk.jpghonky tonk
p35   
A type of country music, usually performed by a small band with electric and steel guitars. Also denotes the culture surrounding the music itself, such as dress, place, lifestyle, et cetera. Music.


hot check
p20   
A 'bad check'. A check that illegal and unable to be cashed. 'Worthless check'. Here Mona is asking if Angel has engaged in this type of activity.    


ice cream social
p51
A picnic featuring ice cream, often held for the purpose of raising money for charity. Often feature old-fashioned ice cream makers. Generally considered very wholesome.


in clover
p41   
Figure of speech.  Having good fortune; in a very good situation, especially financially.


incorporated sandtrap
p48   
Incorporated refers to several small communities gathering together under one governing body while maintaining some independence. While 'Gilbert' might be incorporated, La Grange is a city in its own right. Altogether the slang phrase is referencing Gilbert as a very very small community of people.


Jaycee

p43   
A member of a junior chamber of commerce


Johns
p20   
A prostitute's patrons, particularly male.


longhorns.jpgLonghorns
p53   
Athletics programs including all the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. The biggest rival to Texas A&M's Aggies. This game takes place annually on the weekend of Thanksgiving. For more information see Rivalry below. 


Madam
p18   
A woman who manages a brothel, though in more recent years it has come to denote anyone who runs a brothel.


Mafia scare   
p78   
The official reason for investigating and shutting down the Chicken Ranch was because of allegations that they were involved in a crime ring. No evidence was ever found to prove this.


Mairzy Doats....   
p66   
A famous 1940's silly nursery song that was revived in the 1960's. Ref.
Translates to: "Mares eat oats and does (female deer) eat oats and little lambs eat ivy. A kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you?"


moonshiners
p42   
Those who make home-distilled alcohol. Easily contaminated with toxins, such as glycol from antifreeze. Methanol, sometimes used, can cause blindness or death. Being found with moonshine is illegal, and is punishable by a 5-20 year prison sentence judging by the amount possessed. To get rid of moonshine plants, local authorities and explosive experts use a controlled concussive blast to destroy them. Intl info.


nookie   
p70   
Slang for sexual intercourse.


pancake make-up
p26   
A cosmetic or theatrical makeup made of a soluble, matte powder compressed into a thin cake and typically applied with a damp sponge, i.e. it has no shading or depth. Also denotes the use of too much, creating an obvious layer on the face.


panhandle   
Texas_Panhandle.PNGp74   
Reference to the 'panhandle' of Texas, the square-like northern protrusion on its western side. It's largest city is Amarillo.


Peanut Delight Candy Bar
p33.   
Fake candy. References the fame Marvin Zindler (Melvin P. Thorpe's character) received by getting the manufacturer of a candy bar to admit they advertised more nuts than were actually in the bar.


Pecos Rodeo
p61   
Reference to the West of the Pecos Rodeo. World's first rodeo, annually held in Pecos, TX. 2009 will be its 127th rodeo.   


peckerwoods
p85   
Slang term 19th century southern Black Americans used to describe poor whites. In the 1940s, the abbreviated version "wood" entered California prison slang, originally meaning an Okie mainly from the San Joaquin Valley; but in about 1970 it became applied to white inmates as a whole, regardless of background. Info.


peepin' tom
p43   
A person who gets pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, from secretly watching others.


peroxide blond(es)
p35
A blond whose hair is bleached with peroxide. Similar to 'bottle blond'. Used as an light insult.


piddly squatin'
p21   
insubstantial, dinky. similar to diddly squat.


Pimp
p19
One who finds customers for a prostitute, usually an older male.

pissant.jpg
Pissant
p21   
Noun.  1.  One that is insignificant or contemptible 2. Obsolete An ant (esp one of a small variety). See picture. -->


play-pretties
p37   
A child's plaything; a toy. Particularly used in TX and OK.
  


pullet.jpgpullet(s)
p15   
A young domestic hen, usually one that is less than one year old.


roughnecks
p21
Noun.  1. An uncouth person. 2. A rowdy.
3. A member of the crew of an oil rig other than the driller.


Rivalry
rivalry.jpg(mentioned above)

The annual football game between Texas A&M and the University of Texas takes place on the weekend of Thanksgiving. The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry dates back to 1894. It is the longest-running rivalry for both teams and is also the third most-played rivalry in Division 1-Acollege football. Since 1900, the last regular season football game is usually reserved for their matchup.

Aspects of the rivalry include:

  • Each school mentions the other in their fight song
  • Each school has elaborate pre-game preparations for the annual football clash, including the Aggie Bonfire and the Longhorn Hex Rally
  • In the past, mischief has preceded the annual game, such as "kidnapping" each other's mascots

run rabbits with   
p84   
Refers to practice of rabbit-hunting where beagles chase and run the rabbits back towards the hunter.


san juan hill.jpgSan Juan Hill   
p11   
(July 1, 1898) was the bloodiest and most famous battle of the Spanish-American War. It was also one of the greatest victories for the Rough Riders, lead by Teddy Roosevelt.


sawed-off (little fart)   
p51   
adjective   1. ☆ designating a shotgun with the barrel cut off short   2. ☆ Informal short in stature a skinny, sawed-off man.


sidestep 
  
p69   
To dodge an issue or a responsibility.


sin is runnin' rampant like before the fall of Rome

p46   
Before the fall of Rome morality had depleted so far that laws were instituted to force marriage upon the people because there were so few legitimate heirs, if any at all, because of promiscuity and prostitution. Info.    


Snake bite medicine
p61   
Here: slang for whiskey, or other strong alcohol. From the inferences throughout the play we can assume that Lanvil is a dry county (i.e. hard liquor is illegal).


stag parties at Legionnaires Hall
p50   
Parties for men only (or considered suitable for men only). Most likely the 'Legionnaires Hall' refers to a men's social club, likened to an Elk's Lodge.


stem-winder
p54   
Noun.  1.  A stem-winding watch. 2. A rousing oration, especially a political one.


Teasipper
p56   
Used by Texas A&M Aggies to describe a Texas Longhorn. Possibly originates from UT having once had a richer student population than A&M, a more vocationally minded institution.


Tangiers   
p70   
City in northern Morocco known for being exotic. Colonized by Portugal from 1437-1661, then alternately by England, France, Spain, and Italy before achieving independence in 1956.


Texas Rangers

Texas rangers.jpgp19   
Founded in 1823, when colonizer Stephen F. Austin called for men to "Range" the frontier. The modern Texas Rangers are an investigative division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. They have been called one of the most effective investigative law enforcement agencies in the world.   


The Gong Show
p50   
Television parody of variety shows. (1976-1989) Formatted as a contest between amateurs who judges could stop at any moment by banging a gong should the act be poor in quality. The goal was to complete the act before the gong was hit.  


The Jesus Bunch
p50   
Slang original to the script. References conservative Christians.

       
thumb-buster
thumb-buster.jpgp48   
A single action revolver, so named because the hammer must be cocked by the shooter's thumb each time the weapon is fired. The Colt Peacemaker is an example. 

      
Tupperware
p18   
Founded in 1945 with use of original 'burping' airtight seal. A plastics company that produces good for the preparation and storage of food. Known for selling goods through house parties. American company, originated in MA. Documentary. Site


V for Victory 
  
p65   
Hand sign used to symbolize victory. Used by President Nixon. *Note: At the time the musical takes place Nixon had not yet uttered the words "I am not a crook" and had only just been implicated in Watergate*


vagged
p20
Slang. Short for being arrested for vagrancy. 



vigilante   
p72   
One who takes or advocates the taking of law enforcement into one's own hands.


widestep   
p69   
Usage original to script. Likely means a wide sidestep that not only skirts the issue, but allows it to pass by entirely.


with our tails in a crack
p43
From "with our tail between our legs", meaning running away in retreat, like a scared animal.




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People

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Here is a guide to all of the historical characters mentioned in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas:

Dolly.jpgDolly Parton
p26
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, author, actor and philanthropist, known for her prolific work in country music. In the 44 years since her national chart debut, she remains the most successful female artist in the history of country music. She is known for her distinctive mountain soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense and voluptuous figure. (As well as being distinctive for large blonde hair in the 1970's.)


Johnny Carson.jpgJohnny Carson
p79   
(1925-2005) Hosted NBC's The Tonight Show from 1962-1992. The remark that the Chicken Ranch story is either ridiculous because this was solely a local affair, or the issue would have been mentioned in Carson's opening monologue as a comment on the current news issues.
http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/


welk.jpgLawrence Welk
p43   
The Lawrence Welk Show begin in 1955 and ran until 1982. The show featured easy-listening music and a 'family' of wholesome performers. Though it was canceled by ABC in 1971, Welk lined up over 200 independent stations to form his own syndicated network. Very popular with all generation of viewers as an alternative to brash sitcoms.   
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/lawrencewelk/lawrencewelk.htm


Thumbnail image for Theodore_Roosevelt.jpgTeddy Roosevelt
p11   
(1858-1919) Lead the Rough Riders at charge of San Juan Hill. 26th President (1901-1909)


Gunsmoke08.JPGMatt Dillon (with a toothache)
p49   
Marshal Matt Dillon is a fictional character featured on both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. He serves as the U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas who works to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870's. Radio series 1952-61, television series from 1955-1975


Mike wallace.jpgMike Wallace
p44   
Famous broadcast journalist. Best known for work on 60 Minutes, which he has been with since 1968.    http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/wallacemike/wallacemike.htm


Thumbnail image for Sam-Houston.jpgSam Houston
p60   
(1793-1863) Born VA, became Gov of TN, exited politics and moved to TX with some friends after living with the Cherokee for a few years. Became very involved in TX politics. His troupes secured TX independence from Mexico and he became the President of the Republic of TX. Continued to serve in various offices until the state seceded in 1861.    http://www.lsjunction.com/people/houston.htm


tammy wynette.jpgTammy Wynette
p19  
(1942-1998) Famous county singer. Best known for her song "Stand By Your Man".   http://www.tammywynette.com/


walter_cronkite.jpgWalter Cronkite
p44   
Born 1969. Broadcast journalist best known as an anchorman for CBS from 1950 to 1981. Once considered "most trusted figure" in American public life   
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/cronkitewal/cronkitewal.htm


Will-Rogers.jpegWill Rogers
p48   
1879-1935. Oklahoman Cherokee cowboy, known for his skill with a lasso (landing him in the Guinness Book of World Records) as well as his sharp wit. His acts became best known for his ingenious jokes as time went on. A 10th grade drop-out, he became a star in 71 films and several Broadway shows. He also wrote 6 books and over 4,000 syndicated newspaper columns.   
http://www.willrogers.com/    http://www.willrogers.org/wrbio.html

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