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| Clues · Comic-Con · Correspondence • Dharma booth video · Tests | |||||
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This page contains emails and video messages sent from the revived Dharma Initiative which were found during the Dharma Initiative Recruiting Project.
- For in-depth coverage of the clues in the Project, See Dharma Initiative Recruiting Project clues
Email: 06/19/2008[]
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From: info@octagonglobalrecruiting.com
We will be launching in San Diego on July 24th at Comic-Con International offering select registrants the opportunity to take an exciting aptitude test that will give applicants the chance to demonstrate their unique talents. The Dharma Initiative hopes you will be able to join us to find out more about their ground-breaking new research project. We will contact you closer to the date with more information. For those not able to join us in San Diego, Dharma's full recruitment program will be made available online to registered recruits after July 27th. In the meantime, the Dharma Initiative urges you to spread the word. Invite your colleagues to join the team at www.octagonglobalrecruiting.com and take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity. If you can't view the images in this email please click here THIS IS AN OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE DHARMA INITIATIVE: |
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When you reply back to info@octagonglobalrecruiting.com you receive the following message:
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From: info@octagonglobalrecruiting.com Note: Any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Dharma Initiative or its subsidiaries unless specifically stated. This email and any files transmitted are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. |
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Emailing hansvaneeghen@octagonglobalrecruiting.com gives you the following automated response:
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Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: Recruitment Information Thank you for your email. I am currently on assignment in the field. I will contact you as soon as I am back in the office. Sincerely, Hans Note: Any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Dharma Initiative or its subsidiaries unless specifically stated. This email and any files transmitted are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. |
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Source code[]
The HTML source of the main 06/19 email contains the comment "March has 32 days", which is the title of the last story from Mystery Tales No. 40, which featured in the episode "Cabin Fever". The story is about a man who somehow time travels back into the past (one day) to keep a bridge in his town from collapsing.
Email: 07/18/2008[]
The full text of this email is also available at this page on the Octagon website.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS Octagon Global Recruiting, on behalf of the Dharma Initiative, is pleased to announce that Dharma's Head of Recruiting, Mr. Hans Van Eeghen, has confirmed his availability for the launch of our latest recruiting drive at Comic-Con 2008. "My colleagues at Octagon Global Recruiting assure me that Comic-con hosts some of the brightest minds in the country," said Mr. Van Eeghen. "As Head of Recruiting it is my intention to personally assess the very best of this talent in the hope that they may join us." The Dharma Initiative will be conducting eligibility assessments at Booth 3529 at Comic-Con, San Diego between July 24th - 27th. If you are attending Comic-Con and would like to submit your name for a randomly selected drawing to secure one of ten (10) pre-release appointments with one of our recruiting officers, please click here. The volunteer eligibility assessment will be available online from July 28th for a limited time at www.dharmawantsyou.com The Dharma Initiative hopes you will spread the word. Invite your friends to join the team at www.octagonglobalrecruiting.com |
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Source code[]
The source code of the 07/18 email also contains a message from someone calling themselves RuckusGuy. His message is:
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…If you’re reading this, wanna hear something cool? The whole thing sounds like elitist B.S., doesn’t it? |
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Email: 07/29/2008[]
Hans Van Eeghen sent out a new newsletter advertising the Dharma wants you site and the new eligibility test.
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THE DHARMA INITIATIVE WANTS YOU! Recruiting Volunteers NOW. Visit www.dharmawantsyou.com and complete an 'Eligibility Test'. APPLY TODAY. |
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Source code[]
Part of the code of the launch email.
The message's webpage source code contained two clues:
- "Banks claw," an anagram which translates to "Black Swan." The Black Swan theory describes a highly random and unpredictable event, the term being derived from the ancient Western concept that 'All swans are white.' In that context, 'black swan' is a metaphor for something that could not exist. Some examples of a Black Swan event include the Internet and the 9/11 attacks.
- A YouTube link to the "Bluetooth Video" from Comic-Con, rendered in high-quality. The uploading user is in fact RuckusGuy. [1]
Email: 08/06/2008[]
A link to the new Hans Van Eeghen email newsletter scheduled to go out on Friday, August 8, was discovered early by fans:
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS As many of you may be aware there have been a number of security breaches in recent days related to the nature of the Dharma Initiative's latest research. This included the unauthorized release of sensitive video documentation during a sponsored panel discussion with the makers of the TV show "LOST" at Comic-Con 2008 in San Diego. Consequently, the person responsible for this breach, a promising recruit by the name of Dan Bronson, has been expelled from the volunteer program and had his Dharma membership permanently revoked. Furthermore, the Dharma Initiative has withdrawn their sponsorship from "LOST". The Dharma Initiative must stress that the video material leaked at Comic-Con 2008 was viewed entirely out of context. Furthermore, the way in which the material was presented utterly distorted its significance and credibility as scientific data. The Dharma Initiative is extremely disappointed with this outcome and has ordered a security audit of all departments. As part of this audit the DharmaWantsYou recruiting website will undergo a security upgrade in the next few days. Upon completion of this upgrade a date will be announced for the official commencement of Volunteer Assessments. All recruits are reminded that the unauthorized release of confidential information pertaining to the details of your activities within the Dharma Initiative will result in instant dismissal from the volunteer program. Namaste. |
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Email: 08/08/2008[]
Note: this email repeats a lot from the 08/06 email, but includes a new line to rectify the error caused by fans finding the email early.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS As many of you may be aware there have been a number of security breaches in recent days related to the nature of the Dharma Initiative's latest research. Apart from the leak of a sensitive internal communication there was also the unauthorized release of confidential video documentation during a sponsored panel discussion with the makers of the TV show "LOST" at Comic-Con 2008 in San Diego. Consequently, the person responsible for this breach, a promising recruit by the name of Dan Bronson, has been expelled from the volunteer program and had his Dharma Initiative membership permanently revoked. Furthermore, the Dharma Initiative has withdrawn their sponsorship from "LOST". The Dharma Initiative must stress that the video material leaked at Comic-Con 2008 was viewed entirely out of context. Furthermore, the way in which the material was presented utterly distorted its significance and credibility as scientific data. The Dharma Initiative is extremely disappointed with this outcome and has ordered a security audit of all departments. As part of this audit the DharmaWantsYou recruiting website will undergo a security upgrade in the next few days. Upon completion of this upgrade a date will be announced for the official commencement of Volunteer Assessments. All recruits are reminded that the unauthorized release of confidential information pertaining to the details of your activities within the Dharma Initiative will result in instant dismissal from the volunteer program. Namaste. |
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Source code[]
In the source code, it reads "Good luck my old friend Hans".
Email: 08/14/2008[]
- An email was sent from Hans Van Eeghen to all Comic-Con recruits. It can be found here.
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ATTENTION ALL COMIC-CON RECRUITS On behalf of the Dharma Initiative, I would like to thank you for your participation in our Despite a somewhat disappointing start, this event proved to be an extremely successful Early eligibility test results at Comic-Con did not live up to expectations but following my I would like to commend the efforts of all recruits at Comic-Con and feel extremely The Dharma Initiative is returning to continue its unique scientific and social contribution We look forward to you joining us. Namaste, |
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Email: 08/20/2008[]
The following email was sent from Hans Van Eeghen to all recruits.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS Together, with my dedicated recruiting team, I have searched the globe for the best and brightest to join us, to form the foundations of the newly reconstituted Dharma Initiative. |
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Source code[]
In the source code, similar to the 08-08 email, there is an unusual note that reads "Batteries Ice Pint", a possible anagram of "patience is bitter".
Email: 08/28/2008[]
A link to a new e-mail was found at Dharmawantsyou.com.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS |
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Source code[]
- The source-code contains the message "The Dharma Initiative - Guiding the World to a Bitter Tomorrow - BS".
Video Message: 09/02/2008[]
Hans van Eeghen posted a video message on DharmaWantsYou.com.
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Namaste. My name is Hans Van Eeghen. Many of you will already know me. I am the Dharma Initiative's head of recruiting as well as the architect of the aptitude tests you have been undertaking in the last few weeks. Although we are not yet half way through the planned program, I am happy to report that the progress in the general colhort is, in my studied opinion, extremely encouraging. Indeed some of the results from the first two assessments have been nothing less then stunning. It is reassuring that recruits have managed to deliver such excellent results despite numerous attempts by the so called Black Swan to undermine the testing program. You are to be commended for your discipline. Keep up the good work and avoid contact with any insights distributed by this individual. I have reported your progress to my superiors and they are suitably encouraged. I look forward to your future efforts. Namaste. |
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Hidden images[]
Once Hans begins discussing Black Swan, hidden static-like images flash. These images contain Black Swan, 4 0, 6 0, the letter B, the letter P, and the letter M.
Email: 09/04/2008[]
A new email was sent out notifying participants of Test 3.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS
I am pleased to announce the release of the third assessment in the Dharma This new test will assess your ability to negotiate a defined space while avoiding objects With two tests now complete I have begun compiling individual Volunteer Assessment Sincerest congratulations to you all. Namaste.
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Video Message: 09/10/2008[]
Hans invites the recruits to compile their own tests.
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Namaste, my recruits. I trust you are well. In recent days, I have reported to my superiors regarding the efforts many of you made. They were extremely impressed, and have approved an expanded role for recruits in the testing program. It is clear many of you display a level of initiative that is currently untapped. I have therefore developed an opportunity for you to demonstrate your abilities. From today on, you will be able to create your own multiple choice exams to challenge your colleagues. Naturally, you will earn extra Dharma points for this exercise which will contribute to your overall results. If your test is of a high enough quality, it may be considered for inclusion in the official volunteer recruitment program. Your contribution will of course be noted. Consult your progress page for details on this new procedure. I trust you will once again do me proud in your embrace of this activity. We are now more than halfway through the volunteer testing assessments. Your participation in coming weeks has the potential to have a significant influnce on your final results. Stay alert, stay focussed. Namaste. |
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Email: 09/11/2008[]
A new email was released announcing the new test creation system.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS
As a result of the outstanding assessment results delivered in recent weeks I am This new activity will draw on the impressive knowledge base of recruits and will offer You have the potential to earn significant Dharma Points with this new activity, which Log in and consult your "Progress" page for details. I look forward to another inspiring display of initiative from you all. Namaste.
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Email: 09/12/2008[]
A new email was released, advertising Test 4.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS
I am pleased to announce the release of the fourth assessment in the Dharma Initiative's This new test will assess your ability to formulate imaginative solutions to a range of Many of you have already demonstrated your ability to think "outside the octagon", so to I am also happy to report that a great number of you have enthusiastically embraced the These talented recruits not only stand to significantly increase their Dharma Points but will On behalf of the Dharma Initiative I would like to thank these conscientious recruits for their Keep up the good work. Namaste.
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Video Message: 09/16/2008[]
Hans van Eeghen posted a video message on DharmaWantsYou.com.
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Nameste my recruits. Today I have again taken the decision to address you all in a video presentation in the hope that it may drive home the gravity of my message. It has come to my attention that a number of recruits were exposed to cheat codes in recent tests. We do not yet know how many recruits exploited this information to their advantage but be assured, we are investigating. This latest breach is most definitely related to the previous Black Swan incidents. Most disturbingly, I have discovered these breaches have originated from within the Dharma Initiative itself. It appears Black Swan is someone within this noble organization. It is not yet clear what this person's motivation might be, but we are doing everything in our power to gain the upper hand in this contest. In the meantime, I urge all recruits to avoid contact with the material Black Swan is releasing. These cheats threaten to contaminate the integrity of the entire testing program. If you discover what appears to be a cheat, I urge you not to view or investigate the material further. In any case, I thank you for your dedication to the Dharma Initiative's vision and wish you well in your remaining assessments. Nameste. |
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Email: 09/17/2008[]
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS
I am pleased to announce the release of the fifth assessment in the Dharma Initiative's Volunteer Recruitment Program is now available at www.dharmawantsyou.com. The latest test in the program is a Numeric Projection Evaluation. It will assess a recruit's ability to recognize a variety of patterns in numeric series. In response to the impressive progress of a number of recruits I have devised a number of particularly challenging questions in this latest evaluation.
All testing procedures, including Recruit Created Assessments, will be inaccessible after this date. All recruits are advised to complete their assessments by this time. Following the completion of the program, the Recruit Evaluation Panel will collect all assessment data for processing and analysis in order to determine final volunteer roles and group allocations within the Dharma Initiative's latest research project. This information will be collated in a personalized Volunteer Assessment Dossier for each recruit. Having supervised the recruitment program thus far, I am extremely optimistic that the ranks of the Dharma Initiative will soon be greatly enhanced by the new recruits.
Hans Van Eeghen |
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Source code[]
- Hidden in the email source code is: 13237438573 - say Hi from BS
Email: 09/25/2008[]
- A message announcing the Instructors and Test 6.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS
I am pleased to announce the release of the sixth assessment in the Dharma Initiative's Volunteer Recruitment Program is now available at www.dharmawantsyou.com. This latest assessment has been specifically designed around the results of your previous examinations. It is a multiple-choice exam and aims to determine your suitability for a number of departments within the Dharma Initiative. Additionally, a select group of talented recruits have contributed to this examination. The outstanding efforts of these individuals stand as an example to us all. The following recruits have been officially promoted to 'Instructor' status; Bboepple, DanyWho, Ellenh, Iseibert, Lost4evr, Mattabramson, Orangemoonbeam, Sawyer78, Wrinkledogs. Instructors will receive an official Dharma Initiative Instructor t-shirt for their efforts. IMPORTANT: SECURITY UPDATE Please be aware that investigations are continuing into the latest security breach discovered around the Volunteer Recruitment Program. Measures are being implemented to preserve the integrity of the program and to ascertain the identity of 'Black Swan'. Additionally, assessment data is being analyzed in order to determine which recruits may have exploited confidential information. Recruits found to have benefited illegally from this material will be dealt with appropriately by the Dharma Initiative's Recruit Evaluation Panel. In the meantime, I urge all recruits to avoid contact with the material being distributed by 'Black Swan'. The integrity of the entire Volunteer Recruitment program is at risk.
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Video Message: 09/30/2008[]
- Hans announces the details of Test 7.
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Namaste, my recruits. I trust you are well. I am sure many of you were expecting to undertake the seventh and final test of the Volunteer Recruitment Program. Well, I take great pleasure in revealing that you have already completed this most challenging exam. I realise this may be a surprise to some so let me share with you the title of the test. Perhaps it will help explain this unexpected turn of events. "The Integrity, Honor, and Honesty Assesment". Throughout the volunteer recruitment program recruits were covertly supplied with cheat codes which, if utilised, provided an unfair advantage in the testing procedure. These codes were distributed by the ever persistent Black Swan. Despite repeated warnings to ignore Black Swan's communications a significant proportion of recruits exploited these codes. However, what these recruits did not understand was that Black Swan's codes were also a test. A test that I have been orchestrating since the very beginning of recruitment. A test of their integrity. I, of course, am Black Swan. This deception was always part of my design for the recruitment process. It is not in my nature to behave in this way but in this situation it was necessary. The Dharma Initiative has been betrayed by those close to it before. We had to take seriously the possibility it could happen again. I must admit, however, I never anticipated how many talented recruits would be so easily tempted. How many would be without integrity, honor, or honesty. As a result these recruits have failed the seventh test. Furthermore the future of the Dharma Initiative is also under review. For those of you who did not resort to using the code you have naturally passed the integrity test. You are to be commended for your honesty. The officials reviewing your results will look very favourably on this outcome. Congratulations. This document contains the raw data collected from all recruits during the testing procedures. Individual test scores, cumulative scores, averages, groups, Dharma points, cheat codes utililised; it is all here. And their are a number of observations I could make from just a preliminary examination of the test data. But that would be improper. As stipulated by official procedure your results will now go to the Dharma Initiative's recruit evaluation panel for review. The outcome of which will determine within the Dharma Initiative's current project. On behalf of the Dharma Initiative, I would like to thank you all for your efforts over the last seven weeks. The final decision regarding your position within upcoming research activities will now be left in the hands of my superiors. Results will be released after December 15. Good luck to you all, and as the great French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued "Patience is bitter but it's fruit is sweet". Namaste. |
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Email: 10/02/2008[]
- A message announcing Test 7.
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ATTENTION ALL RECRUITS
I am extremely pleased to announce that the seventh and final test in the Dharma Initiative's Volunteer Recruitment Program is now available at www.dharmawantsyou.com. This test plays an extremely important part in determining your final role within the Dharma Initiative's upcoming research project. This test is, perhaps, the most challenging recruits have yet encountered in the Volunteer Recruitment Program. A great deal is demanded of you in this final examination. It is an excellent opportunity to distinguish yourself in the eyes of assessors. Once you have completed the seventh assessment your overall results will be collated and delivered to the Volunteer Recruit Evaluation Panel for analysis. The members of this distinguished panel will make recommendations to myself, as the Head of Recruiting, regarding the specific departmental position appropriate for each recruit. Upon my review I will formally present the recommendations to the executive board of the Dharma Initiative for final approval. Final recruit departmental positions and results will be outlined in your personalized Volunteer Assessment Dossier, which will available for download from DharmaWantsYou.com after December 15, 2008. Good luck to you all.
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Email: 10/07/2008[]
- A message to instructors for confirmation of address and size.
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ATTENTION ALL INSTRUCTORS Namaste. Congratulations on your recent promotion to "Instructor" status within the Dharma Initiative's Volunteer Recruitment Program. Your contribution to the Specialized Departmental Assessments has garnered very positive feedback from the Volunteer Recruit Evaluation Panel as well as many participating recruits. As a reward for your efforts you will be issued with an official Dharma Initiative "Instructor" t-shirt. While the shirt is principally for identification purposes at official Dharma Initiative events, you are welcome to wear it in public at other times. Wear it with pride. In order to deliver your t-shirt I will need confirmation of your mailing address as well as your shirt size. Please send this information as soon as possible to instructor@dharmawantsyou.com with the subject heading "Mailing address and shirt size". Namaste.
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Email: 11/18/2008[]
- The dossiers are announced, almost a month early. [2]
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Namaste. I am pleased to announce that registered recruits can now log in and download your personalized Volunteer Assessment Dossier outlining your full test results as well as your position within the Dharma Initiative. I want to personally congratulate you on behalf of everyone at the Dharma Initiative for your hard work and diligence during our testing process. We hope that you are happy with your results. We certainly are. The tests were extremely challenging and the aptitude and excellence displayed far exceeded our expectations. Now that you are in possession of your results I am sure you are asking the obvious question: what's next? Our plan was that together we would commence a glorious adventure: the revival of the Dharma Initiative using the myriad talents of all our amazing new recruits. We imagined not just fulfilling long abandoned goals but taking the Dharma Initiative to a new level of greatness as an organization promoting the peaceful social and technological advancement of all humankind. Then the financial crisis struck. Sadly, our benefactors were not immune to this crisis. In fact, unconfirmed reports suggest that much of the money designated for the work of the new Dharma Initiative was tied up in highly leveraged mortgage derivatives. This, however, cannot be confirmed because, I am sorry to report, the principals representing the benefactors - my employers - have gone missing. Based on bills still coming into our office we believe they are somewhere in South America. This stunning reversal of fortune has forced us to abandon our ambitious plans. In fact, absent this funding, the Dharma Initiative was forced to make the only sensible decision we had available: we sold the Dharma Initiative to the television show LOST. While this might strike some of you as a shock, the reason for this was not simply that they were the only bidder. As the only remaining Dharma Initiative employee who had not fled the country, I felt that at the very least the show would be able to keep the spirit of the Dharma Initiative alive and in the public consciousness until such time as a reversal of the reversal of our economic fortunes occurs. It is with a heavy heart that I must bid you farewell. Despite my fervent commitment to the mission of the Dharma Initiative, the realities of a broken marriage, heavy casino debt and some unfounded police charges have required that I change my present circumstances. It is with great excitement that I can inform you of my pending senior sales management job at a large multi-brand auto dealership in Dubai. I have enjoyed our brief association more than I can ever express, and if you are ever in the Middle East and need a car, please e-mail me for a special "Dharma rate". In the meantime, you will hear shortly from LOST showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. They will explain to you their future plans for the Dharma Initiative and how these plans might affect you. Thank you again, personally, for your unflagging commitment and support. I hope our paths will one day cross again. In the meantime may the spirit of the island guide you. Namaste. Hans Van Eeghen |
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