🕵🏻‍♀️ 🔍 Mystery Weekend on the Island | A Cozy Autumn Podcast Story at Oak Island Resort

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00:00:02,029 --> 00:00:07,560
Welcome to The Slow Life.
I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,

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00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:12,020
narrate, and design the
soundscape of this village of

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00:00:12,030 --> 00:00:15,770
cozy stories to relax and
unwind.

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00:00:16,810 --> 00:00:20,200
Each week I share an original
story.

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00:00:20,290 --> 00:00:25,320
Read 2 times so you can relax
even more during the second

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00:00:25,330 --> 00:00:29,010
reading.
I'm happy to announce my

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00:00:29,020 --> 00:00:36,210
website, theslowlife.ca.
It provides a space where we can

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00:00:36,220 --> 00:00:40,600
connect and I can bring you all
things cozy.

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00:00:43,010 --> 00:00:47,640
Let's settle in with some easy
breathing at your own pace.

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00:00:48,750 --> 00:00:53,800
With each inhale, let fresh air
fill the space around your

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00:00:53,810 --> 00:00:58,800
heart.
With each exhale, feel the calm

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00:00:58,810 --> 00:01:04,400
air spread through your body and
flow out through your arms and

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00:01:04,410 --> 00:01:09,030
legs, gently in through your
heart.

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00:01:10,970 --> 00:01:21,500
Gently out through your body, in
through your heart, out through

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00:01:21,510 --> 00:01:27,270
your body.
And now let's begin.

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00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:36,200
This story is called Mystery
Weekend on the Island, and it's

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00:01:36,210 --> 00:01:42,330
about buffets of good food,
whispered theories and friendly

18
00:01:42,340 --> 00:01:49,440
competition.
The weekend begins with the four

19
00:01:49,450 --> 00:01:56,000
of us, car packed, coffees in
hand, pulling into the driveway

20
00:01:56,070 --> 00:02:01,600
of the Oak Island Resort.
The chalet is waiting for us,

21
00:02:02,130 --> 00:02:07,020
perched on the waters edge with
a view that promises rest and

22
00:02:07,030 --> 00:02:13,590
good company in equal measure.
We settle into our rooms,

23
00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:19,070
unloading bags and sweaters,
placing snacks on the table for

24
00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,860
later.
The water glimmers pale blue

25
00:02:22,870 --> 00:02:28,640
under the afternoon sun.
The trees surrounding us and

26
00:02:28,650 --> 00:02:32,480
across the water are in full
autumn colour.

27
00:02:33,860 --> 00:02:38,230
We take a stroll around the
property before heading up to

28
00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:43,640
the main lodge.
It holds many more guest rooms

29
00:02:43,650 --> 00:02:47,500
and will host all of the meals
and events throughout the

30
00:02:47,510 --> 00:02:52,930
weekend.
Inside the hotel, the air hums

31
00:02:52,940 --> 00:02:57,970
with cheerful sounds.
People check in, greet old

32
00:02:57,980 --> 00:03:01,500
friends and already start to
meet new ones.

33
00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:07,260
Many comments are made about how
much they love the theme of this

34
00:03:07,270 --> 00:03:12,290
murder mystery.
There are 14 teams this year,

35
00:03:12,610 --> 00:03:17,020
each with eight players.
Everyone's here for the same

36
00:03:17,030 --> 00:03:21,210
thing.
A weekend of mystery and mayhem,

37
00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,840
all in good fun.
The theme?

38
00:03:24,890 --> 00:03:31,420
Murder on the Orient Express
This first evening begins with

39
00:03:31,430 --> 00:03:35,200
supper.
Buffet tables line the room.

40
00:03:35,510 --> 00:03:41,520
Salads, roasted vegetables,
baked fish, fresh rolls and many

41
00:03:41,530 --> 00:03:45,730
options.
Each team has its own round

42
00:03:45,740 --> 00:03:50,690
table with eight seats.
The four of us find ours near

43
00:03:50,700 --> 00:03:55,380
the middle of the room, marked
with a B on a simple sign.

44
00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:01,950
Four others are already here,
smiling as we introduce

45
00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:06,350
ourselves there from a town an
hour away.

46
00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:11,330
They tell us and pert of a line
dancing troupe that attends

47
00:04:11,340 --> 00:04:16,519
every year.
They're easy to talk to and we

48
00:04:16,529 --> 00:04:19,300
feel an instant friendship
growing.

49
00:04:19,810 --> 00:04:24,600
Perfect for the teamwork we'll
need for this weekend of games

50
00:04:24,610 --> 00:04:30,470
and mystery solving.
Dessert is laid out and nobody

51
00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:34,790
turns it down.
The first skit begins right

52
00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:40,030
after plates are cleared.
The actors sweep into the room

53
00:04:40,130 --> 00:04:45,450
in full character accents or
crisp expressions.

54
00:04:45,460 --> 00:04:51,430
Theatrical There's the
detective, the elegant widow,

55
00:04:51,740 --> 00:04:57,230
the suspicious conductor, the
socialite with too many secrets.

56
00:04:58,500 --> 00:05:04,470
The mystery starts to unfold to
the sounds of ooze and laughter.

57
00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:09,490
No gore, but a bit of darkness
and playful suspense.

58
00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:14,610
Clever writing and the kind of
acting that makes the guests

59
00:05:14,620 --> 00:05:21,000
feel like part of the action.
It ends with a gasp and a flurry

60
00:05:21,010 --> 00:05:24,170
of notes being scribbled in note
pads.

61
00:05:25,770 --> 00:05:30,690
We don't have to guess yet, but
everyone has multiple theories.

62
00:05:32,220 --> 00:05:37,330
After the skit, the actors
mingle with each table still in

63
00:05:37,340 --> 00:05:41,970
full character.
They make the rounds, offering

64
00:05:41,980 --> 00:05:47,310
sly smiles and guarded answers
as we take turns asking

65
00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:52,150
questions.
Some answers have been prepared,

66
00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:56,580
but they use a lot of
improvisation and they never

67
00:05:56,590 --> 00:06:01,760
break stride.
The widow clutches her pearls as

68
00:06:01,770 --> 00:06:05,760
she insists she knows nothing
about the missing ticket.

69
00:06:07,170 --> 00:06:11,680
The conductor fidgets nervously
whenever anyone mentions the

70
00:06:11,690 --> 00:06:17,170
luggage car.
The detective, meanwhile, offers

71
00:06:17,180 --> 00:06:21,550
just enough hints to make us
second guess everything we

72
00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:26,820
thought we knew.
Our table leans in, whispering

73
00:06:26,830 --> 00:06:32,540
theories between questions.
Every word feels like it could

74
00:06:32,550 --> 00:06:37,140
be a clue or a red herring
leading us in the wrong

75
00:06:37,150 --> 00:06:41,290
direction.
One of the actors gives a

76
00:06:41,300 --> 00:06:47,410
knowing glance before walking
away, and we all write furiously

77
00:06:47,500 --> 00:06:52,320
in our notebooks, trying to
decide if it meant something or

78
00:06:52,330 --> 00:06:57,240
nothing at all.
The whole room is filled with

79
00:06:57,250 --> 00:07:01,720
over a dozen little mysteries
unfolding at once.

80
00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:08,190
Back at the Shalet, we gather by
the fire pit along with the rest

81
00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:12,490
of our team and a few others we
met at the next table.

82
00:07:13,830 --> 00:07:17,440
Flames crackle against the soft
night air.

83
00:07:17,970 --> 00:07:23,140
We wrap ourselves in blankets
and talk about everything except

84
00:07:23,150 --> 00:07:29,310
the mystery about home, about
funny travel stories, about the

85
00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:34,540
wonderful food.
The line dancers show us a few

86
00:07:34,550 --> 00:07:39,860
steps, their boots tapping
lightly on the deck, the music

87
00:07:39,870 --> 00:07:45,220
playing through someone's phone.
Some of us follow along,

88
00:07:45,310 --> 00:07:47,870
laughing when we mix up the
moves.

89
00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:53,720
It feels good to move, to be a
bit silly after dark.

90
00:07:55,460 --> 00:08:00,210
Morning comes quietly.
I wake to the smell of coffee

91
00:08:00,220 --> 00:08:06,680
brewing in the Shalet kitchen.
Outside the sky glows pale gold,

92
00:08:07,710 --> 00:08:13,000
the water is smooth as glass and
a flock of Canada geese floats

93
00:08:13,010 --> 00:08:17,410
by.
We gather ourselves and walk up

94
00:08:17,420 --> 00:08:22,550
to the lodge for breakfast and
afterwards for more clue filled

95
00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:28,250
skits by the actors.
The first of the day is complete

96
00:08:28,260 --> 00:08:34,150
with sound effects and props.
The cast glides between tables,

97
00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:39,830
holding up mock evidence,
whispering clues and exchanging

98
00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:44,960
suspicious glances.
The room is drawn into it.

99
00:08:45,570 --> 00:08:50,600
Between the laughter and gasps,
we start to notice patterns,

100
00:08:51,050 --> 00:08:54,950
relationships, hints, odd
gestures.

101
00:08:56,690 --> 00:09:01,760
The second Saturday skit happens
in the evening, just before

102
00:09:01,770 --> 00:09:05,760
dessert.
It's more dramatic and put on by

103
00:09:05,770 --> 00:09:10,620
people who are clearly enjoying
themselves, winking at each

104
00:09:10,630 --> 00:09:14,510
other, making the audience
giggle when something goes

105
00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:19,890
slightly off script.
We can see the camaraderie

106
00:09:19,900 --> 00:09:24,170
within the group.
They mingle with us again to see

107
00:09:24,180 --> 00:09:30,520
if we can dig up any more clues.
A dance follows, which gives the

108
00:09:30,530 --> 00:09:35,610
cast a chance to break character
and loosen up around the guests.

109
00:09:37,250 --> 00:09:41,920
When I crawl into bed, the
blankets are soft against my

110
00:09:41,930 --> 00:09:46,790
skin.
I feel content and heavily tired

111
00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:51,090
with the day's activities and
fall right to sleep.

112
00:09:52,820 --> 00:09:56,530
Sunday morning arrives in the
calmest way.

113
00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:01,910
We pack most of our things,
leaving our bags by the door,

114
00:10:02,610 --> 00:10:06,970
then head to the dining room for
the final breakfast buffet.

115
00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:12,700
Pancakes, fruit, bacon and giant
croissants.

116
00:10:13,630 --> 00:10:17,460
Everyone looks a touch sleepy
but happy.

117
00:10:17,650 --> 00:10:21,940
Reluctant to have it end, but OK
with going home.

118
00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:26,830
The final skit begins mid
morning.

119
00:10:26,980 --> 00:10:32,170
It's the big reveal, the
culmination of all the clues and

120
00:10:32,180 --> 00:10:35,010
secrets scattered across the
weekend.

121
00:10:36,430 --> 00:10:41,600
The detective strides on to the
train car, announcing the last

122
00:10:41,610 --> 00:10:45,020
twist.
Laughter ripples through the

123
00:10:45,030 --> 00:10:49,190
crowd when he turns dramatically
to the guilty party.

124
00:10:50,580 --> 00:10:57,590
It's not who we expected at all.
Our table erupts with shock and

125
00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:02,210
good-natured groans.
We were so sure it was someone

126
00:11:02,220 --> 00:11:05,830
else.
There's a round of applause and

127
00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,790
a standing ovation for the
actors.

128
00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:14,310
We say our goodbyes and make a
promise to join forces again

129
00:11:14,540 --> 00:11:17,000
with our team mates and new
friends.

130
00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:22,910
The energy in the room feels
like the end of summer camp,

131
00:11:23,690 --> 00:11:28,890
joyful, a bit tired and looking
forward to next year.

132
00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:42,160
Mystery weekend on the island
The weekend begins with the four

133
00:11:42,170 --> 00:11:48,720
of us, car packed, coffees in
hand, pulling into the driveway

134
00:11:48,790 --> 00:11:54,320
of the Oak Island Resort.
The chalet is waiting for us,

135
00:11:54,850 --> 00:11:59,740
perched on the waters edge with
a view that promises rest and

136
00:11:59,750 --> 00:12:06,330
good company in equal measure.
We settle into our rooms,

137
00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:11,790
unloading bags and sweaters,
placing snacks on the table for

138
00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:15,580
later.
The water glimmers pale blue

139
00:12:15,590 --> 00:12:21,360
under the afternoon sun.
The trees surrounding us and

140
00:12:21,370 --> 00:12:25,200
across the water are in full
autumn colour.

141
00:12:26,580 --> 00:12:30,950
We take a stroll around the
property before heading up to

142
00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:36,360
the main lodge.
It holds many more guest rooms

143
00:12:36,370 --> 00:12:40,220
and will host all of the meals
and events throughout the

144
00:12:40,230 --> 00:12:45,650
weekend.
Inside the hotel, the air hums

145
00:12:45,660 --> 00:12:50,690
with cheerful sounds.
People check in, greet old

146
00:12:50,700 --> 00:12:54,210
friends and already start to
meet new ones.

147
00:12:55,490 --> 00:12:59,980
Many comments are made about how
much they love the theme of this

148
00:12:59,990 --> 00:13:05,010
murder mystery.
There are 14 teams this year,

149
00:13:05,340 --> 00:13:09,750
each with eight players.
Everyone's here for the same

150
00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:13,920
thing.
A weekend of mystery and mayhem,

151
00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:17,560
all in good fun.
The theme?

152
00:13:17,610 --> 00:13:24,140
Murder on the Orient Express
This first evening begins with

153
00:13:24,150 --> 00:13:27,920
supper.
Buffet tables line the room.

154
00:13:28,230 --> 00:13:34,240
Salads, roasted vegetables,
baked fish, fresh rolls and many

155
00:13:34,250 --> 00:13:38,470
options.
Each team has its own round

156
00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:43,410
table with eight seats.
The four of us find ours near

157
00:13:43,420 --> 00:13:48,110
the middle of the room, marked
with a B on a simple sign.

158
00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:54,690
Four others are already here,
smiling as we introduce

159
00:13:54,700 --> 00:13:59,090
ourselves there from a town an
hour away.

160
00:13:59,100 --> 00:14:04,390
They tell us and Pert of a line
dancing troop that attends every

161
00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:09,240
year.
They're easy to talk to and we

162
00:14:09,250 --> 00:14:12,020
feel an instant friendship
growing.

163
00:14:12,530 --> 00:14:17,320
Perfect for the teamwork we'll
need for this weekend of games

164
00:14:17,330 --> 00:14:23,200
and mystery solving.
Dessert is laid out and nobody

165
00:14:23,210 --> 00:14:27,510
turns it down.
The first skit begins right

166
00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:32,760
after plates are cleared.
The actors sweep into the room

167
00:14:32,850 --> 00:14:38,160
in full character accents or
crisp expressions.

168
00:14:38,170 --> 00:14:44,150
Theatrical There's the
detective, the elegant widow,

169
00:14:44,460 --> 00:14:49,950
the suspicious conductor, the
socialite with too many secrets.

170
00:14:51,230 --> 00:14:57,210
The mystery starts to unfold to
the sounds of ooze and laughter.

171
00:14:57,890 --> 00:15:02,200
No gore, but a bit of darkness
and playful suspense.

172
00:15:02,650 --> 00:15:07,340
Clever writing and the kind of
acting that makes the guests

173
00:15:07,350 --> 00:15:13,720
feel like part of the action.
It ends with a gasp and a flurry

174
00:15:13,730 --> 00:15:16,900
of notes being scribbled in
notepads.

175
00:15:18,500 --> 00:15:23,410
We don't have to guess yet, but
everyone has multiple theories.

176
00:15:24,940 --> 00:15:30,050
After the skit, the actors
mingle with each table still in

177
00:15:30,060 --> 00:15:34,680
full character.
They make the rounds, offering

178
00:15:34,690 --> 00:15:40,040
sly smiles and guarded answers
as we take turns asking

179
00:15:40,050 --> 00:15:44,870
questions.
Some answers have been prepared,

180
00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:49,310
but they use a lot of
improvisation and they never

181
00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:54,490
break stride.
The widow clutches her pearls as

182
00:15:54,500 --> 00:15:58,490
she insists she knows nothing
about the missing ticket.

183
00:15:59,890 --> 00:16:04,400
The conductor fidgets nervously
whenever anyone mentions the

184
00:16:04,410 --> 00:16:09,890
luggage car.
The detective, meanwhile, offers

185
00:16:09,900 --> 00:16:14,280
just enough hints to make us
second guess everything we

186
00:16:14,290 --> 00:16:19,550
thought we knew.
Our table leans in, whispering

187
00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:25,270
theories between questions.
Every word feels like it could

188
00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:29,870
be a clue or a red herring
leading us in the wrong

189
00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:34,030
direction.
One of the actors gives a

190
00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:40,130
knowing glance before walking
away, and we all write furiously

191
00:16:40,220 --> 00:16:45,040
in our notebooks, trying to
decide if it meant something or

192
00:16:45,050 --> 00:16:49,960
nothing at all.
The whole room is filled with

193
00:16:49,970 --> 00:16:54,450
over a dozen little mysteries
unfolding at once.

194
00:16:55,800 --> 00:17:00,910
Back at the Shalet, we gather by
the fire pit along with the rest

195
00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:05,210
of our team and a few others we
met at the next table.

196
00:17:06,569 --> 00:17:10,160
Flames crackle against the soft
night air.

197
00:17:10,690 --> 00:17:15,880
We wrap ourselves in blankets
and talk about everything except

198
00:17:15,890 --> 00:17:22,030
the mystery about home, about
funny travel stories, about the

199
00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:27,260
wonderful food.
The line dancers show us a few

200
00:17:27,270 --> 00:17:32,590
steps, their boots tapping
lightly on the deck, the music

201
00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:37,920
playing through someone's phone.
Some of us follow along,

202
00:17:38,030 --> 00:17:40,600
laughing when we mix up the
moves.

203
00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:46,450
It feels good to move, to be a
bit silly after dark.

204
00:17:48,180 --> 00:17:52,940
Morning comes quietly.
I wake to the smell of coffee

205
00:17:52,950 --> 00:17:59,400
brewing in the Shalet kitchen.
Outside the sky glows pale gold,

206
00:18:00,420 --> 00:18:05,710
the water is smooth as glass and
a flock of Canada geese floats

207
00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:10,130
by.
We gather ourselves and walk up

208
00:18:10,140 --> 00:18:15,270
to the lodge for breakfast and
afterwards for more clue filled

209
00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:20,980
skits by the actors.
The first of the day is complete

210
00:18:20,990 --> 00:18:26,880
with sound effects and props.
The cast glides between tables,

211
00:18:27,150 --> 00:18:32,560
holding up mock evidence,
whispering clues and exchanging

212
00:18:32,570 --> 00:18:37,700
suspicious glances.
The room is drawn into it.

213
00:18:38,290 --> 00:18:43,340
Between the laughter and gasps,
we start to notice patterns,

214
00:18:43,770 --> 00:18:47,670
relationships, hints, odd
gestures.

215
00:18:49,420 --> 00:18:54,490
The second Saturday skit happens
in the evening, just before

216
00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:58,480
dessert.
It's more dramatic and put on by

217
00:18:58,490 --> 00:19:03,340
people who are clearly enjoying
themselves, winking at each

218
00:19:03,350 --> 00:19:07,240
other, making the audience
giggle when something goes

219
00:19:07,250 --> 00:19:12,610
slightly off script.
We can see the camaraderie

220
00:19:12,620 --> 00:19:16,890
within the group.
They mingle with us again to see

221
00:19:16,900 --> 00:19:23,250
if we can dig up any more clues.
A dance follows, which gives the

222
00:19:23,260 --> 00:19:28,330
cast a chance to break character
and loosen up around the guests.

223
00:19:29,970 --> 00:19:34,640
When I crawl into bed, the
blankets are soft against my

224
00:19:34,650 --> 00:19:39,530
skin.
I feel content and heavily tired

225
00:19:39,540 --> 00:19:43,800
with the day's activities and
fall right to sleep.

226
00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:49,250
Sunday morning arrives in the
calmest way.

227
00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:54,630
We pack most of our things,
leaving our bags by the door,

228
00:19:55,340 --> 00:19:59,690
then head to the dining room for
the final breakfast buffet.

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00:20:00,730 --> 00:20:05,430
Pancakes, fruit, bacon and giant
croissants.

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00:20:06,360 --> 00:20:10,170
Everyone looks a touch sleepy
but happy.

231
00:20:10,380 --> 00:20:14,670
Reluctant to have it end, but OK
with going home.

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00:20:16,360 --> 00:20:19,570
The final skit begins mid
morning.

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00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:24,890
It's the big reveal, the
culmination of all the clues and

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00:20:24,900 --> 00:20:27,740
secrets scattered across the
weekend.

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00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:34,330
The detective strides on to the
train car, announcing the last

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00:20:34,340 --> 00:20:37,750
twist.
Laughter ripples through the

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00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:41,910
crowd when he turns dramatically
to the guilty party.

238
00:20:43,310 --> 00:20:50,300
It's not who we expected at all.
Our table erupts with shock and

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00:20:50,310 --> 00:20:54,940
good-natured groans.
We were so sure it was someone

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00:20:54,950 --> 00:20:58,550
else.
There's a round of applause and

241
00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:01,530
a standing ovation for the
actors.

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00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:07,030
We say our goodbyes and make a
promise to join forces again

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00:21:07,260 --> 00:21:09,720
with our team mates and new
friends.

244
00:21:11,230 --> 00:21:15,630
The energy in the room feels
like the end of summer camp,

245
00:21:16,410 --> 00:21:21,600
Joyful, a bit tired and looking
forward to next year.

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00:21:23,850 --> 00:21:26,400
I wish you sweet dreams.