Surrounded, Part 3

This fictional account contains adult language and themes. If such 
language and themes offend you, please do not read further. The persons and 
events described in this work are purely fictional. Any similarity to 
actual persons or events is strictly coincidental. Copyright 2003 by 
SSTORYMAN. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce 
this story in any form and for any purpose as long as this notice is 
reproduced and no financial remuneration is received, directly or 
indirectly, by the person reproducing or using it. 
   
SURROUNDED 
   
3. Suzanne Comes Around. 
   
   All four of them piled into Diana's car and headed to the mall, a thirty 
minute drive. Suzanne and Janine sat together in back. Diana drove and 
Ellie rode shotgun. 
   
   Reaching the highway both Diana and Ellie reached for their cigarettes. 
Diana looked around. "Suzanne, would you mind if Ellie and I smoked?" she 
asked pleasantly. 
   
   "Uh, no, I guess not," the brunette said graciously. Suzanne hadn't 
counted on this happening. Since befriending Crystal, whenever she was 
around anyone smoking, she smoked, too. "Uh, it's fine with me," she added 
shyly, not knowing just how she'd react. "Go ahead." 
   
   Meanwhile, Janine was doing a slow burn. She was unaware of her friend's 
issue but she did _not_ like being in the car with her mom and her sister 
smoking. The women in the front seat cracked their windows but the whole 
vehicle soon became congested with ambient smoke. 
   
   Finally Janine exploded. "My God, Mom! Is this really necessary? I mean, 
can't you guys survive without smoking for just a few minutes? We're dying 
back here!" 
   
   Diana smiled. "I'm sorry, honey. But you know, Janine, your sister and I 
can't smoke in the mall. So cut us some slack. Ellie and I have to smoke 
sometime." 
   
   Janine folded her arms in disgust. "You smoked a ton before we left. 
Being in the car is worse than being at Grant's. God, it's so smoky in 
here!" 
   
   Yeah, it sure is, and that's exactly the idea, Diana mused happily. Just 
breathe it in, darling. Breathe deeply. Keep breathing in more of our 
lovely smoke! I want you thoroughly accustomed to being completely and 
utterly surrounded by lots and lots of thick, rich, creamy cigarette smoke! 
   
   Diana frowned. "You'll get used to it, Janine!" And soon you'll be 
_very_ used to it, she silently exulted. "Anyway, it's just how it is. 
Ellie and I smoke. Period. If you want to shop with Grant's money then put 
a lid on it, please!" 
   
   Suzanne piped up. "Come on, she's right, Janine. It's not so bad!" The 
truth was, the aroma smelled damn good to Suzanne. Of course, she couldn't 
say that to her friend! 
   
   Janine rode in frustrated silence the rest of the way. Her mom and 
sister each had three cigarettes driving to South Point Mall. That was 
Diana's plan. She wanted to inundate Janine and Suzanne with second-hand 
smoke. She'd acclimate Janine to being around smoke. And as for Suzanne ?. 
Well, it was all part of the plan she and Ellie had so deviously devised. 
   
   After being in the mall a few minutes Janine forgot all about the 
unpleasantness of the smoky car. She loved having money to spend! The four 
of them walked from store to store, consulting on different ensembles. 
Janine and Ellie each bought several outfits and Diana bought a sweater for 
Suzanne, too, who was very grateful for the unexpected gift. 
   
   At lunchtime Diana suggested they go to a Mexican restaurant in the mall 
parking lot. Unlike the mall she knew this restaurant had a smoking 
section. At the hostess stand Diana asked for smoking. Janine groaned out 
loud again. 
   
   "Look, honey, I'm sorry," Diana said as the hostess took them to a 
table. But she didn't sound at all sorry. "It's been a couple hours since I 
had a cigarette. I need one now. I'm sure your sister does, too." Ellie 
nodded eagerly. She, too, was ready to smoke. 
   
   Janine cursed. "Damn! You guys are too much! But I guess I can't 
complain. After all, I _did_ get some really great stuff today," she added 
with a smile. 
   
   They sat at a small table in the corner of the smoking area. All around 
men and women of all ages were smoking. And as soon as the women were 
seated Ellie and Diana got out their cigarettes and lit up. 
   
   At that point Suzanne simply couldn't stand it any longer. Sitting in 
the smoking section, and seated right between Diana and Ellie with their 
cigarettes, the aroma overpowered poor Suzanne. She did something that 
Janine never expected in a million years, though Diana wasn't surprised. In 
her rear view mirror she'd seen the longing expression on Suzanne's pretty 
face. 
   
   "Uh, excuse me, Mrs. Anderson." The brunette flashed a nervous smile. 
"Do you think I could, uh, have one of your cigarettes?" 
   
   Diana and Janine feigning stunned disbelief. Suzanne shyly went on. 
"Well, you see, Mrs. Anderson, it's like this. Whenever I go out with my 
friends at the community college, well, they let me smoke with them. In 
fact I smoke with my friend Crystal pretty often. So I wondered if right 
now I could ??" 
   
   Diana beamed triumphantly. "Why, yes, sure. Certainly. Of course you may 
have a cigarette, Suzanne. I'm so glad you felt comfortable enough to ask. 
Here, please, have one right now! I'll be delighted if you'd smoke with 
us!" 
   
   Janine gaped in disbelief as Suzanne took the proffered cigarette from 
her mother. She couldn't believe what was happening. 
   
   Diana clicked her lighter, offering to light up Suzanne. "I didn't know 
you were a smoker, Suzanne," she said affably, as if the request for a 
cigarette was the most natural thing in the entire world. 
   
   The pretty brunette dragged. It wasn't a hard hit but it was definitely 
real. After inhaling a moderate amount of smoke she exhaled a long stream. 
"Well, I'm not really a smoker," Suzanne hedged. "At least I don't think 
so. But I like smoking with Crystal when we go out." She gave an 
embarrassed grin. "Being at lunch with you guys, seeing you smoke, well, it 
just made me want one, too, I guess." 
   
   Diana nodded jubilantly as Ellie piped up. "Hey, Suzanne, is your friend 
Crystal who you're talking about Crystal Lutz?" 
   
   Suzanne nodded as she took another drag. "Yeah. Do you know Crystal?" 
   
   Ellie grinned. "Not really, but Crystal's sister Kayla is in my class at 
school. Kayla's a real good friend. She smokes, too. Kayla and I've smoked 
together the last couple years." 
   
   "Wow, it's a small world! But it's no surprise Crystal's little sister 
smokes, I guess," Suzanne acknowledged, trimming her cigarette in the 
ashtray. "Crystal says she's smoked since she was fifteen. It makes sense 
her little sister smokes. I guess their parents don't care." 
   
   "That's right, they don't mind," Ellie confirmed. "Kayla is actually the 
one who encouraged me to talk to Mom." She smiled at Diana. "You met Kayla 
a bunch of times, Mom. Remember? She smokes Marlboro 100's whenever she 
comes over. Did you know her older sister Crystal was a friend of 
Suzanne's? I didn't." 
   
   Diana played her part, feigning complete surprise. "Oh my God! No, I 
didn't realize that," she laughed. "Damn, it _is_ a small world, isn't it? 
Yeah, Kayla's a real nice girl. I like her a lot. Tell me, Suzanne. Does 
Crystal have bright red hair like Kayla does?" 
   
   Suzanne now felt more at ease. "Yep. She sure does," she said, raising 
her cigarette to her lips for another drag. 
   
   Diana silently rooted for the neophyte. Come on, Suzanne! Go for it, 
girl. Yeah, that's it! Yeah, take another drag now, but a little longer 
this time. Oh yeah; very nice! Now suck all that smoke deep into your 
lungs. Mmm, doesn't it feel wonderful? Yeah, of course it does! 
   
   Unaware of Diana's silent delight, Suzanne continued talking as she 
exhaled smoke through parted lips. "Yeah, I do smoke with Crystal a fair 
amount anymore. My mom doesn't know, though. She'd kill me if she ever 
found out!" 
   
   "Well, your secret's safe with us," Diana promised, feeling pleased with 
herself. "Believe me, I know what it's like to have uncooperative, 
unsympathetic parents." She turned to Janine who was watching the smoky 
interchange in stunned silence. "Janine, did you know Suzanne smokes?" 
   
   "Uh, yeah, sort of." She glared at her friend. "But it never occurred to 
me she'd do it here with you," she added pointedly. 
   
   "Now, honey, don't be uptight," Diana chided. "Once you try it, smoking 
really gets to you. Right, Suzanne?" The brunette girl shyly nodded and 
Diana went on. "God, I wish you'd said something sooner, Suzanne. Sitting 
in the car with Ellie and me smoking must've been pure torture. You 
could've had a cigarette with us there, too, you know." 
   
   "Well, I don't smoke much," Suzanne blurted out, manicuring her 
cigarette in the ashtray. "But it's nice having one with you guys right 
now," she admitted, again putting it between her lips for another drag. 
"It's very pleasant." 
   
   Of course it is, Diana silently agreed, smiling warmly. It's the best! I 
can tell you like it, Suzanne. You want to smoke. You were born to do this. 
You were meant to be a smoker. Pleasant, you say? Damn straight! 
   
   "Listen that that, Janine," Diana teased. "Suzanne's on the right track. 
She says it's very pleasant to smoke. Did you hear that?" 
   
   Janine exploded. "Is that some goddamn conspiracy? Am I being set up?" 
   
   Suzanne laughed at the ridiculous charge. "No, Janine, of course not. I 
had no intention of smoking today. It's just that ? well, seeing them smoke 
kind of made me want a cigarette. I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you." 
   
   "There's no conspiracy," Diana interrupted. "How could I know Suzanne 
likes to smoke?" She smiled at her daughter's companion. "I'm glad you 
asked, though, dear," she repeated. "Suzanne, you can smoke with us 
anytime. All you have to do is ask." 
   
   "Thanks, Mrs. Stevenson," Suzanne grinned, red-faced, but pleased. 
"Yeah, thanks a lot!" 
   
   Janine's sense of betrayal had reached epic proportion. Her friend was 
laughing with her mom and little sister, like _they_ were her buddies, not 
her. She was pissed. After lunch, Diana and Ellie lit up again. Diana 
offered Suzanne another cigarette, this time without being asked. Suzanne 
looked guiltily at her best friend but nevertheless accepted and smoked 
again. 
   
   Seeing Janine's anger she tried to explain. "Don't be mad. I smoke 
occasionally. It's fun. Really. Your sister's right. You're too closed 
minded. You should get over it and try it, just to see what it's like." 
   
   Janine was furious. "Who told you that Ellie said I was closed minded?" 
   
   "Uh, you did. Remember? Last night on the phone." Now Suzanne was 
pissed. "Look, Janine, what's your problem? So I want to smoke a cigarette 
with your mom and sister. So what? It's none of your concern. Don't make me 
feel guilty. I refuse to play your stupid game!" 
   
   Outnumbered, Janine said nothing. Diana stepped into the role of 
peacemaker. 
   
   "Look, girls, I didn't mean to create a rift. You girls have been best 
friends since ninth grade. You're close as sisters. Janine, we did you a 
favor asking Suzanne to come along. If I knew you'd act like this, well, 
I'd have left you at home." 
   
   "Yeah, Janine, you're being really rude," Suzanne chimed in, siding with 
Diana. "Your mom's right. No one planned this. But if you're my friend, 
don't be mad just because I like a cigarette occasionally. Now, come on. 
Let's bury the hatchet. Okay?" 
   
   Janine looked at her. Suzanne still held a cigarette in her fingers. She 
groaned. "Okay, I apologize. I shouldn't be impolite. I know no one 
intended this to happen. But I'm upset about Mom and Ellie smoking. With 
you doing it, too, Suzanne, it's kind of difficult. That's all." 
   
   "I understand," Suzanne smiled. "I do. It's just that the last few 
months I've started to like having a cigarette now and then, especially 
when I'm out with other smokers. But if it upsets you, Janine, I won't do 
it again." 
   
   Diana cut in. "Nonsense! Suzanne, don't let her use emotionally 
blackmail. You're worried about Janine's feelings. But if you want to 
smoke, honey, then you should! Don't worry about her." She glared at her 
daughter. "Honey, I'm ashamed. I didn't raise you to be so manipulative. If 
Suzanne's your friend, accept her. Don't tyrannize her by playing the 
martyr. It's not fair." 
   
   "Mom, I'm just being honest. I thought _that_ was a virtue." 
   
   "Not when you use honesty to manipulate your best friend." 
   
   "You just want Suzanne to smoke," Janine accused. "You think her smoking 
will soften me up and make me go easier on you two. Or worse, that it'll 
convince me to smoke, too." 
   
   Of course, that was true. Diana and Ellie had invited Suzanne along for 
that very reason, and it'd worked out better than they even dared to hope. 
Ellie knew from Kayla that her sister Crystal, who was also a freshman at 
the community college, was a friend of Suzanne's. She also knew Suzanne had 
begun to smoke socially with Crystal and that she liked it. 
   
   Diana knew that peer pressure often made teenagers want to smoke. 
Besides inundating her daughter with secondhand smoke she hoped Suzanne's 
influence in due course would push Janine over the edge. The plan was 
decidedly evil. But Diana had no scruples about protecting her habit and 
Ellie was a willing accomplice. She, too, wanted her sister to smoke. 
   
   Now the plan was working. Suzanne had taken the bait. 
   
   They left the restaurant to return home. Janine continued to sulk and 
that only made Suzanne more adamant. She bawled Janine out and purposely 
had one last cigarette in the car along with Diana and Ellie. 
   
   That night Diana visited Ellie's room. She carefully closed the door. 
   
   "It worked," she giggled wickedly. "God, Ellie, if we play it right, 
Suzanne will smoke with us every time she comes over during the holidays. 
Sooner or later your sister will cave in and try it. Then we'll have her!" 
   
   "I hope so, Mom," Ellie sighed. "I can't wait till Janine becomes one of 
us." 
   
   Her mother lit up a cigarette. "Patience, dear, patience. In the 
meantime, make sure you smoke as much as possible when she's around. I want 
Janine used to a smoky atmosphere. I want your poor sister totally 
surrounded by lots of cigarette smoke while she's home!" 
   
   Lying in bed, Ellie also lit up. "Yeah, like that's hard," she chortled 
decadently. "Mom, I hardly need encouragement to smoke. You know that. But 
it's fun scheming with you. I assume Grant knows what we're planning for 
Janine?" 
   
   Diana nodded. "Oh yes, he knows. He's totally supportive. He's amazingly 
supportive of young women smoking, Ellie. Haven't you noticed?" 
   
   "Yeah, I can tell," Ellie answered impishly, her eyes twinkling with 
mischief. "I see how Grant stares at me whenever I light up. I think he 
likes it. Am I right?" 
   
   Diana laughed. "Let's just say that Grant appreciates the sight of a 
pretty woman smoking and leave it at that, shall we?" She took a drag. 
"He'll do anything to help our little scheme. That's where the check came 
from, you know." 
   
   "Yeah, and I got a ton of clothes even though I already smoke," Ellie 
triumphantly exclaimed. "Mom, you sure got yourself a good one in Grant. 
Not every man would be this, shall we say, understanding when it comes to 
smoking?" 
   
   "Like I said, Grant appreciates good-looking girls smoking. He'll be 
delighted if we can bring your sister around. Corrupting Janine is the last 
step. Then I can totally revert back to my former life as a smoker without 
any more opposition. Your dad never minded my smoking till he got sick. I 
quit for him then. But I'll never do that again. And once Janine's finally 
on board I'll never have to, either." 
   
   "What were you going to do to me if I wasn't already a smoker?" Ellie 
asked playfully. "Were you going to corrupt me, too?" 
   
   "Uh, yeah, maybe," her mom laughed naughtily. "Probably I would've 
sooner or later. See, Ellie; it's much nicer living with smokers. No 
apologies, no hassles. That's what I want. I want Janine caught up in our 
addiction. With Suzanne helping I'm know it'll happen soon." 
   
   "Remind me never to cross you, Mom," Ellie laughed. "You have no 
scruples." 
   
   "Not when it comes to smoking, honey. None whatsoever! I want your 
sister to smoke, and I'll do anything - and I mean anything! - to make that 
happen!" 
   
   
   
   Diana, Ellie and Grant smoked heavily whenever Janine was there. Because 
she had no car that was most of the time, unless she was out with Suzanne. 
For her part Suzanne didn't smoke with Janine. She told the truth; she 
wasn't a regular smoker. But if Diana or Ellie was smoking when Suzanne 
came over for Janine, the pretty brunette frequently smoked. Janine was mad 
about it but said nothing. She didn't want to alienate her friend; or her 
mom, for that matter. 
   
   Suzanne felt energized smoking with Mrs. Stevenson. It made her feel 
like an adult, not a kid. Like most teens she reveled in the respect she 
got from a friend's mother. So each time she visited, which was often, if 
Diana was there Suzanne sat down and had a cigarette with her friend's mom. 
Ellie usually joined them and Suzanne liked that. The fellowship of the 
ring of smokers empowered her; it was a experience she never had at her 
home. 
   
   Suzanne had been thinking a lot about smoking recently. From the start 
she liked smoking with Crystal and her college friends. Smoking with Diana 
and Ellie strengthened that sentiment. Even before that Saturday she looked 
forward to opportunities to smoke. But after their outing she took the 
inevitable next step. She bought herself a pack of cigarettes and lighter 
and began indulging herself occasionally even when she wasn't around 
smokers. She sneaked a cigarette that night and had another couple 
cigarettes alone in her car the next day, as well as two more she shared 
with Diana and Ellie at Janine's house. By Monday Suzanne had made a 
decision. It was time to tell her mother before she found out some other 
way. 
   
   Nine o'clock Monday night Janine got a frantic call. Suzanne had to come 
over. She arrived in a panic. She sat down in their family room with Janine 
and Diana. As usual Diana offered her the teenager a cigarette. 
   
   Suzanne smiled imperceptibly. "No thanks, Mrs. Stevenson. I have my 
own." She took a pack of Marlboro Lights 100s from her pocket. "This is 
what I want to talk to you about." 
   
   She lit up and took a hard drag. She was agitated; her smoking style 
showed it. For the first time they saw Suzanne double-pump her cigarette as 
she pulled a large amount of smoke into her lungs. 
   
   "Oh God," she gasped, exhaling a torrent of smoke through trembling 
lips. "God, I needed that, even though I already had one in the car on my 
way over," she smiled 
   
   "You seem upset," Janine observed. For the moment she overlooked her 
friend's frantic smoking. "What's up?" 
   
   "It's my mom," Suzanne went on after hitting again on the Marlboro. 
"She's ballistic about the smoking thing. The last few weeks I've been 
smoking more than I told you. Exam week I got together with Crystal and her 
friends every night; I smoked a couple cigarettes each time. And, sorry to 
say, I always liked it!" She blushed. "Then, Saturday, it was so cool 
smoking with you, Mrs. Stevenson. I'd already been thinking about this, but 
that afternoon I decided to buy a pack of my own. I'd never bought 
cigarettes before; I always bummed from Crystal. But all of a sudden I had 
to. I smoked a couple all alone Saturday night, had a few more yesterday, 
and had several today. I'd never smoked alone but I liked doing that. So I 
decided it was time to tell my mom that I was smoking." 
   
   Diana watched with particular interest. "And what happened?" 
   
   "She freaked," Suzanne said, trembling. Suddenly she burst into tears. 
   
   Diana's maternal instinct kicked in. She moved alongside the weeping 
teen and put her arm around her. "There, there," she comforted. "It's okay. 
Let it out. Yeah, that's right." 
   
   Suzanne was sobbing hysterically so Diana took her cigarette from her 
fingers and held it out to Janine. "Here, honey, take this. I don't want 
Suzanne dropping the cigarette on the couch while she's crying so hard." 
   
   Flustered by the request Janine gingerly took the burning cigarette and 
held it like a poisonous snake. Diana paid no attention to her uneasiness, 
focusing instead on Suzanne. 
   
   "You'll be okay, sweetheart," she went on reassuringly, whispering into 
the sobbing girl's ear. "That's right. Have yourself a good cry. You 
deserve it!" 
   
   While Suzanne wept Diana was busy comforting her. Janine finally had to 
de-ash Suzanne's cigarette in an ashtray. She did, fascinated to be holding 
the thing. 
   
   Eventually Suzanne pulled herself together. "I'm sorry," she whimpered. 
"I'm so sorry to fall apart like this. But I didn't know where else to go. 
I knew you guys would understand." 
   
   "Of course," Diana confirmed. "We understand completely. Your mother's 
acting like a real bitch about this. Tell me what happened next. Exactly 
what did your mom do?" 
   
   As Suzanne looked up Janine handed her the cigarette. "Thanks, Janine," 
she sniffled gratefully, raising it to her lips for another hit. "All I 
wanted was to smoke," she whined. "I knew Mom would be mad but I never 
dreamed she'd throw me out of the house." 
   
   "What? She threw you out?" 
   
   "That's right. Before I talked to her I thought about the movie 'Ferris 
Buehler's Day Off.' Do you remember it?" 
   
   Diana, Ellie and Janine nodded. 
   
   "At the end of the movie Ferris' friend Cameron wrecks his dad's car. 
But he tells Ferris it's okay because he has to take a stand. He said he'd 
take the heat but he had to take a stand. That's how I felt. I had to take 
a stand with my mother. So I told her I smoked and I wasn't going to hide 
it anymore." 
   
   "I take it she wasn't exactly sympathetic?" Diana asked. 
   
   "No shit," Suzanne groaned, puffing again. "She said I couldn't live in 
her house any longer if I was smoking, that I had to choose between her and 
smoking." She began to weep again. "I didn't intend for that to happen. I 
thought she'd understand, at least a little." 
   
   Diana and Janine knew Suzanne's mother. She was a strict Irish Catholic. 
She wasn't at all liberal. Her strong reaction didn't surprise Janine. "So, 
your mom really kicked you out?" 
   
   "She wants me out by Christmas. And I'm going. It's not just the smoking 
thing. It's everything; the curfew, the cross-examination about who I've 
been with, where I've been and why I'm out late. She doesn't like most of 
my friends. She's always suspicious. I just can't take it anymore. And I'm 
not quitting smoking for her. I'm not!" 
   
   "I don't blame you," Diana smiled. "Do you need a place to stay? I'm 
sure Grant will let you stay with us awhile if you want." 
   
   "Thanks, Mrs. Anderson," she whimpered gratefully. "But I called 
Crystal. I can move in with her, but not till January when her current 
roommate leaves. I need a place till then. I don't mean to invite myself. I 
just don't have anywhere else." She began to cry all over again. 
   
   Diana didn't expect this but it delighted her. Having Suzanne around all 
the time as an around the clock smoker would be perfect. "Janine will help 
you get your stuff," she said soothingly. "Won't you, dear?" 
   
   "Sure, Mom," Janine nodded, still in shock. "Your mom's a tough person 
to live with, I'm sure, Suzanne. But if you leave her what'll happen about 
school?" 
   
   "Dad pays my school expenses. He and Mom don't speak since the divorce. 
He won't like my smoking but he'll side with me against her. He doesn't 
care if I'm right; he just likes to piss Mom off! I already talked to Dad 
about maybe moving in with Crystal sometime. I just didn't expect it to 
happen so fast, or for this reason, or at this time of year," she added 
with a quiet whimper. Then she dropped her spent cigarette in the ashtray 
and began bawling again. 
   
   Diana gave her a hug. "Hush," she whispered, twirling the teen's brown 
hair as she did. "You have a plan, Suzanne, and it's a good one. Soon 
you'll be living with Crystal, and she smokes! In the meantime you can stay 
with us. You can smoke here as much as you want." She reached for the 
cigarettes, took one from the pack, put it in her mouth and promptly lit it 
up. "Here, honey," she said, handing the youngster the fresh cigarette. "I 
think you need another one. I tell you what. Take a nice, long, hard drag 
or two and get some more of that nice smoke inside your body. Yeah, that's 
it! Good girl! There! Doesn't that make you feel much better?" 
   
   Suzanne nodded and took three hard drags in succession. A thick haze 
surrounded her head as she furiously inhaled and exhaled smoke in and out 
of her mouth, nose and lungs. It _did_ feel good! 
   
   Smoke continued to burst from her lips. "Thanks for understanding, Mrs. 
Stevenson. It's funny how smoking makes everything seem better, isn't it?" 
   
   Diana smiled. "It's not funny at all, Suzanne. It's just predictable. 
And it's exactly why those of us who are smokers like nicotine so much. The 
more we smoke, the better we feel." 
   
   Suzanne attempted a weak grin. "I _do_ feel better," she admitted, as 
she hit again on the cigarette. "From now on I'm going to smoke as much as 
I feel like it." 
   
   Diana grinned as Janine glared. "I think you should, honey. Definitely!" 
   
   

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