:root {
      --bg: #f2f0eb;
      --paper: #fbfaf7;
      --ink: #171716;
      --muted: #625f59;
      --line: #cfcac0;
      --red: #8c271b;
      --gold: #c7a66f;
      --dark: #050505;
      --serif: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif;
      --sans: 'Inter', Arial, sans-serif;
    }
    * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
    html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }
    body { background: var(--bg); color: var(--ink); font-family: var(--sans); overflow-x: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; }
    a { color: inherit; }
    button { font: inherit; }
    .reading-progress { position: fixed; z-index: 3000; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 3px; background: rgba(255,255,255,.08); pointer-events: none; }
    .reading-progress > span { display: block; width: 0; height: 100%; background: var(--gold); transform-origin: left center; }

    
    #hero { position: relative; height: 100vh; width: 100%; background: #000; overflow: hidden; display: grid; place-items: center; }
    #hero-canvas { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
    .hero-vignette { position: absolute; inset: 0; background: radial-gradient(circle at 50% 46%, transparent 0 28%, rgba(0,0,0,.22) 55%, rgba(0,0,0,.86) 100%); pointer-events: none; z-index: 2; }
    .hero-copy { position: absolute; z-index: 5; width: min(950px, 90vw); top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -42%); text-align: center; color: #fff; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; }
    .hero-kicker { display: block; margin-bottom: 18px; font-size: .68rem; letter-spacing: .28em; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(255,255,255,.55); }
    .hero-copy h1 { font-family: var(--serif); font-size: clamp(2.8rem, 6vw, 5.8rem); line-height: .98; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -.035em; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 0 12px 45px rgba(0,0,0,.65); }
    .hero-copy h1 em { color: var(--gold); font-style: normal; }
    .hero-dek { max-width: 780px; margin: 26px auto 0; font-size: clamp(1rem, 1.7vw, 1.2rem); line-height: 1.75; font-weight: 300; color: rgba(255,255,255,.84); }
    .scroll-cue { position: absolute; z-index: 6; bottom: 34px; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); color: rgba(255,255,255,.5); font-size: .66rem; letter-spacing: .24em; text-transform: uppercase; animation: cue 2.2s ease-in-out infinite; }
    .scroll-cue::after { content: ''; display: block; width: 1px; height: 34px; background: linear-gradient(#fff, transparent); margin: 13px auto 0; }
    @keyframes cue { 0%,100% { opacity:.35; transform:translate(-50%,0) } 50% { opacity:.85; transform:translate(-50%,7px) } }

    
    article { position: relative; z-index: 10; background: var(--bg); }
    .article-lead { padding: 88px 22px 30px; }
    .prose { width: min(760px, calc(100% - 36px)); margin: 0 auto; }
    .prose p { font-size: clamp(1.03rem, 1.5vw, 1.17rem); line-height: 1.88; margin-bottom: 25px; color: #292826; }
    .prose p.dropcap::first-letter { float: left; font-family: var(--serif); font-size: 5rem; line-height: .76; padding: 9px 10px 0 0; color: var(--red); }
    .section-title { font-family: var(--serif); font-size: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3.2rem); line-height: 1.14; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -.025em; margin: 92px 0 32px; }
    .section-title::before { content: ''; display: block; width: 44px; height: 2px; background: var(--red); margin-bottom: 21px; }
    .quote { width: min(930px, calc(100% - 36px)); margin: 62px auto; padding: 10px 0 10px 38px; border-left: 2px solid var(--gold); font-family: var(--serif); font-size: clamp(1.55rem, 3vw, 2.55rem); line-height: 1.38; color: #302d28; }
    .source-chip { display: inline-flex; gap: 8px; align-items: center; padding: 7px 12px; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: 999px; font-size: .72rem; color: var(--muted); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 10px; }
    .source-chip:hover { border-color: var(--ink); color: var(--ink); }

    
    .interactive { position: relative; margin: 100px 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--line); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); background: var(--paper); overflow: clip; }
    .interactive-head { width: min(1050px, calc(100% - 40px)); margin: 0 auto; padding: 78px 0 42px; text-align: center; }
    .interactive-label { display:block; margin-bottom: 14px; font-size: .68rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.22em; color: var(--red); font-weight: 600; }
    .interactive-head h3 { font-family: var(--serif); font-size: clamp(2rem, 4.5vw, 3.6rem); line-height: 1.12; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -.025em; }
    .interactive-head p { width: min(700px, 100%); margin: 18px auto 0; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.75; }
    .reveal { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(30px); transition: 1s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1); }
    .reveal.is-visible { opacity:1; transform:none; }

    
    .numbers-stage { position: relative; width: min(1120px, calc(100% - 30px)); min-height: 690px; margin: 0 auto 80px; display:grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.1fr 1fr; align-items:center; gap:20px; }
    .number-column { display:grid; gap:18px; }
    .number-card { background: rgba(255,255,255,.72); backdrop-filter: blur(9px); border: 1px solid #ded9cf; padding: 24px; min-height: 142px; position:relative; overflow:hidden; }
    .number-card::before { content:''; position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:0; height:2px; background: var(--red); transition: width 1.1s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1); }
    .number-card.is-visible::before { width:100%; }
    .number { display:block; font-family:var(--serif); font-size:clamp(2.1rem,4vw,3.5rem); line-height:1; color:var(--red); font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums; }
    .number-desc { display:block; margin-top:12px; color:var(--muted); font-size:.88rem; line-height:1.5; }
    .diamond-crack { position:relative; width:min(360px,72vw); aspect-ratio:1/1.05; margin:auto; filter: drop-shadow(0 28px 45px rgba(0,0,0,.18)); }
    .diamond-crack svg { width:100%; height:100%; overflow:visible; }
    .diamond-face { fill:#e4e1da; stroke:#8b8881; stroke-width:1; }
    .crack-line { fill:none; stroke:var(--red); stroke-width:1.5; stroke-dasharray:380; stroke-dashoffset:380; transition:stroke-dashoffset 1.8s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1); }
    .numbers-stage.is-active .crack-line { stroke-dashoffset:0; }
    .crack-glow { fill:none; stroke:#fff; stroke-width:5; opacity:.5; filter:blur(5px); }
    .data-note { width:min(900px,calc(100% - 40px)); margin:-36px auto 72px; color:var(--muted); font-size:.78rem; line-height:1.6; text-align:center; }

    
    .race-scroll { position:relative; height:500vh; }
    .race-sticky { position:sticky; top:0; min-height:100vh; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; padding:92px 20px 48px; }
    .race-card { width:min(1120px,100%); min-height:650px; background:#11110f; color:#fff; position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding:clamp(30px,5vw,64px); box-shadow:0 28px 70px rgba(28,25,20,.18); }
    .race-card::before { content:''; position:absolute; width:560px; height:560px; border-radius:50%; right:-180px; top:-230px; border:1px solid rgba(199,166,111,.18); box-shadow:0 0 0 70px rgba(199,166,111,.035),0 0 0 150px rgba(199,166,111,.025); pointer-events:none; }
    .race-topline { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:flex-start; gap:24px; position:relative; z-index:2; }
    .race-kicker { font-size:.66rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.22em; color:rgba(255,255,255,.47); }
    .race-date { font-family:var(--serif); font-size:clamp(1.3rem,2.5vw,2rem); color:var(--gold); white-space:nowrap; }
    .race-main { display:grid; grid-template-columns:minmax(0,.82fr) minmax(430px,1.18fr); gap:clamp(36px,7vw,92px); align-items:end; margin-top:clamp(54px,8vh,88px); position:relative; z-index:2; }
    .race-value-label { display:block; color:rgba(255,255,255,.55); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.13em; font-size:.68rem; margin-bottom:14px; }
    .race-value { font-family:var(--serif); font-size:clamp(3.4rem,7.2vw,7.2rem); line-height:.88; letter-spacing:-.055em; font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums; }
    .race-value small { display:block; font-family:var(--sans); font-size:.85rem; line-height:1.4; letter-spacing:.02em; color:rgba(255,255,255,.55); margin-top:20px; }
    .race-loss { margin-top:30px; padding-top:22px; border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.12); color:#d18479; font-size:1rem; line-height:1.6; }
    .race-loss strong { font-family:var(--serif); font-size:1.65rem; color:#efb0a7; font-weight:500; font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums; }
    .race-bars { display:grid; gap:30px; }
    .race-bar-head { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; gap:18px; align-items:end; margin-bottom:11px; font-size:.75rem; color:rgba(255,255,255,.62); }
    .race-bar-head strong { color:#fff; font-size:.88rem; font-weight:500; font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums; }
    .race-track { height:46px; background:rgba(255,255,255,.085); position:relative; overflow:hidden; }
    .race-fill { height:100%; width:0; transition:width .12s linear; transform-origin:left center; }
    .race-fill.cap { background:linear-gradient(90deg,#8e7446,#d3b77f); }
    .race-fill.lost { background:linear-gradient(90deg,#702218,#b94636); }
    .race-axis { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; color:rgba(255,255,255,.33); font-size:.65rem; margin-top:8px; }
    .race-spark { margin-top:44px; width:100%; height:115px; overflow:visible; }
    .race-spark .grid { stroke:rgba(255,255,255,.08); stroke-width:1; }
    .race-spark .base { fill:none; stroke:rgba(255,255,255,.18); stroke-width:1.4; }
    .race-spark .progress { fill:none; stroke:var(--gold); stroke-width:2.6; stroke-linecap:round; stroke-linejoin:round; }
    .race-spark .dot { fill:#fff; stroke:var(--red); stroke-width:4; }
    .race-event { min-height:62px; margin-top:28px; display:flex; align-items:flex-start; gap:14px; color:rgba(255,255,255,.66); font-size:.86rem; line-height:1.55; }
    .race-event::before { content:''; width:8px; height:8px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--red); box-shadow:0 0 0 7px rgba(140,39,27,.18); margin:7px 3px 0 4px; flex:0 0 auto; }
    .race-event strong { display:block; color:#fff; font-family:var(--serif); font-size:1.1rem; margin-bottom:2px; }
    .race-source { position:absolute; left:clamp(30px,5vw,64px); right:clamp(30px,5vw,64px); bottom:24px; color:rgba(255,255,255,.34); font-size:.66rem; line-height:1.5; z-index:2; }
    .race-scroll-progress { position:absolute; left:0; bottom:0; height:4px; width:0; background:var(--red); }
    .race-mobile-hint { display:none; }
    .race-data-note { display:none; }

    
    .door-grid { width:min(1180px,calc(100% - 32px)); margin:0 auto 90px; display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr); gap:18px; }
    .store-card { position:relative; min-height:320px; background:#e7e3db; overflow:hidden; border:1px solid #d4cfc5; cursor:pointer; perspective:1000px; }
    .store-info { position:absolute; inset:0; padding:24px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; justify-content:flex-end; }
    .store-info h4 { font-family:var(--serif); font-size:1.55rem; margin-bottom:8px; }
    .store-info p { font-size:.86rem; color:var(--muted); line-height:1.55; }
    .status { display:inline-block; align-self:flex-start; margin-bottom:auto; padding:6px 9px; border:1px solid currentColor; font-size:.64rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.12em; }
    .status.red { color:#8c271b; } .status.orange { color:#a35f19; } .status.gold { color:#88713d; } .status.gray { color:#666; }
    .door { position:absolute; top:0; bottom:0; width:50.5%; background:linear-gradient(135deg,#181817,#2f2d29); z-index:3; transition:transform 1.1s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1); border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.08); }
    .door.left { left:0; border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.08); transform-origin:left center; }
    .door.right { right:0; border-left:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.08); transform-origin:right center; }
    .door::after { content:''; position:absolute; top:50%; width:7px; height:7px; border:1px solid var(--gold); border-radius:50%; }
    .door.left::after { right:16px; } .door.right::after { left:16px; }
    .store-card.is-visible .door.left { transform:translateX(-103%); }
    .store-card.is-visible .door.right { transform:translateX(103%); }
    .store-card.closed .door.left,.store-card.closed .door.right { transform:translateX(0); }
    .door-note { width:min(880px,calc(100% - 40px)); margin:-45px auto 72px; text-align:center; color:var(--muted); font-size:.8rem; line-height:1.6; }

    
    .flow-stage { width:min(1200px,calc(100% - 26px)); margin:0 auto 80px; position:relative; padding:48px 10px 80px; }
    .flow-rail { position:absolute; left:7%; right:7%; top:94px; height:2px; background:#d1ccc3; }
    .flow-fill { height:100%; width:0; background:var(--red); transition:width 5.5s linear; }
    .flow-stage.is-active .flow-fill { width:100%; }
    .flow-nodes { position:relative; display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(7,1fr); gap:14px; }
    .flow-node { text-align:center; opacity:.35; transform:translateY(12px); transition:.7s; }
    .flow-stage.is-active .flow-node { animation:nodeOn .55s forwards; animation-delay:calc(var(--i) * .7s); }
    @keyframes nodeOn { to{opacity:1;transform:none} }
    .flow-dot { width:22px; height:22px; background:var(--paper); border:1px solid #aaa49a; border-radius:50%; margin:0 auto 28px; position:relative; z-index:2; }
    .flow-stage.is-active .flow-node .flow-dot { animation:dotOn .4s forwards; animation-delay:calc(var(--i) * .7s); }
    @keyframes dotOn { to{background:var(--red);border-color:var(--red);box-shadow:0 0 0 7px rgba(140,39,27,.1)} }
    .flow-node h4 { font-family:var(--serif); font-size:1.05rem; margin-bottom:8px; }
    .flow-node p { font-size:.75rem; color:var(--muted); line-height:1.45; }
    .cash-lanes { display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:18px; margin-top:70px; }
    .cash-lane { border-top:1px solid var(--line); padding-top:16px; }
    .cash-lane strong { font-size:.68rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.16em; }
    .cash-bar { height:34px; margin-top:12px; background:#dfdbd2; overflow:hidden; }
    .cash-bar span { display:block; height:100%; width:0; }
    .cash-out span { background:var(--red); transition:width 1.1s ease .3s; }
    .cash-back span { background:var(--gold); transition:width 2.3s ease 3.1s; }
    .flow-stage.is-active .cash-out span { width:92%; }
    .flow-stage.is-active .cash-back span { width:72%; }
    .cash-lane small { display:block; margin-top:9px; color:var(--muted); line-height:1.45; }

    
    .sources { margin-top:100px; background:#171716; color:#fff; padding:74px 22px; }
    .sources-inner { width:min(900px,100%); margin:auto; }
    .sources h3 { font-family:var(--serif); font-size:2rem; margin-bottom:25px; }
    .sources ol { padding-left:20px; }
    .sources li { margin:0 0 14px; color:rgba(255,255,255,.72); line-height:1.6; }
    .sources a { color:#fff; text-decoration-color:var(--gold); text-underline-offset:4px; }
    .legal { margin-top:30px; padding-top:24px; border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15); font-size:.78rem; line-height:1.65; color:rgba(255,255,255,.55); }

    @media (max-width: 900px) {
      .numbers-stage { grid-template-columns:1fr; min-height:0; }
      .diamond-crack { order:-1; width:min(310px,75vw); }
      .number-column { grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; }
      .race-main { grid-template-columns:1fr; align-items:start; }
      .race-card { min-height:760px; }
      .race-scroll { height:450vh; }
      .door-grid { grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; }
      .flow-stage { overflow-x:auto; padding-bottom:35px; }
      .flow-rail { left:50px; width:850px; right:auto; }
      .flow-nodes { min-width:940px; }
      .cash-lanes { min-width:700px; }
    }
    @media (max-width: 620px) {
      .article-lead { padding-top:68px; }
      .number-column { grid-template-columns:1fr; }
      .number-card { min-height:125px; }
      .interactive { margin:76px 0; }
      .interactive-head { padding-top:58px; }
      .race-sticky { padding:10px; align-items:center; }
      .race-card { padding:20px 18px 24px; min-height:0; }
      .race-topline { flex-direction:column; gap:4px; }
      .race-date { font-size:1.3rem; }
      .race-main { margin-top:24px; gap:20px; }
      .race-value { font-size:3.5rem; }
      .race-value small { margin-top:8px; font-size:.72rem; }
      .race-loss { margin-top:16px; padding-top:14px; font-size:.82rem; line-height:1.45; }
      .race-loss strong { font-size:1.35rem; }
      .race-bars { gap:17px; }
      .race-bar-head { margin-bottom:7px; font-size:.68rem; }
      .race-track { height:28px; }
      .race-axis { font-size:.58rem; }
      .race-spark { height:66px; margin-top:20px; }
      .race-event { min-height:0; margin-top:14px; font-size:.75rem; line-height:1.4; }
      .race-event strong { font-size:.95rem; }
      .race-source { display:none; }
      .race-data-note { display:block; margin-top:-42px; }
      .race-scroll { height:390vh; }
      .door-grid { grid-template-columns:1fr; }
      .store-card { min-height:285px; }
      .quote { padding-left:25px; }
    }
    @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
      * { scroll-behavior:auto !important; animation-duration:.001ms !important; animation-iteration-count:1 !important; transition-duration:.001ms !important; }
      .hero-copy { opacity:1 !important; transform:translate(-50%,-50%) !important; }
      .scroll-cue { display:none; }
    }
  
    .byline { margin-top: 28px; padding-top: 18px; border-top: 1px solid var(--line); text-align: right; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink); letter-spacing: .02em; }