:root{
  --bg:#0e1110;
  --fg:#f1efe6;
  --accent:#d6b35a;
  --muted:#7f8a82;
  --surface:#18201d;
  --heading:Georgia,"Iowan Old Style","Palatino Linotype",Palatino,serif;
  --body:"Aptos","Segoe UI",system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;
  --mono:"SFMono-Regular","Cascadia Mono","Liberation Mono",Consolas,monospace;
  --glass:rgba(241,239,230,.08);
  --line:rgba(214,179,90,.34);
  --ghost:rgba(127,138,130,.19);
  --deep:rgba(4,7,6,.58);
  --shadow:0 28px 90px rgba(0,0,0,.46);
  --snap:cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.15,1);
}
*{box-sizing:border-box}
html{scroll-behavior:smooth}
body{margin:0;background:var(--bg);color:var(--fg);font-family:var(--body);line-height:1.5;overflow-x:hidden;text-rendering:geometricPrecision}
body:before{content:"";position:fixed;inset:0;z-index:-4;background:radial-gradient(circle at 76% 8%,rgba(214,179,90,.19),transparent 26%),radial-gradient(circle at 15% 18%,rgba(241,239,230,.09),transparent 31%),radial-gradient(circle at 46% 72%,rgba(127,138,130,.10),transparent 42%),linear-gradient(115deg,rgba(4,7,6,1) 0%,var(--bg) 36%,rgba(18,27,23,1) 58%,rgba(4,6,5,1) 100%)}
body:after{content:"";position:fixed;inset:0;z-index:-3;opacity:.32;background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(241,239,230,.036) 1px,transparent 1px),linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(241,239,230,.03) 1px,transparent 1px),radial-gradient(circle,rgba(241,239,230,.12) .6px,transparent .8px);background-size:44px 44px,44px 44px,5px 5px;mask-image:radial-gradient(circle at 54% 20%,rgba(0,0,0,1) 0 36%,transparent 84%)}
body .skip{position:absolute;left:-999px}.skip:focus{left:16px;top:16px;background:var(--fg);color:var(--bg);padding:10px;z-index:20}
a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none;transition:transform .22s ease,border-color .22s ease,color .22s ease,background .22s ease}
.site-nav{position:sticky;top:0;z-index:12;backdrop-filter:blur(22px) saturate(140%);background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(14,17,16,.86),rgba(14,17,16,.62));border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);box-shadow:0 12px 40px rgba(0,0,0,.22)}
.nav-inner{max-width:1180px;margin:auto;padding:15px 22px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:22px;align-items:center}.word{font-family:var(--heading);font-weight:700;font-size:28px;letter-spacing:.01em;display:flex;gap:10px;align-items:center}.word-mark{width:24px;height:24px;border-radius:50%;border:1px solid var(--accent);background:radial-gradient(circle at 65% 38%,var(--fg) 0 16%,transparent 17%),linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(214,179,90,.3),transparent);box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 6px rgba(241,239,230,.04)}
.nav-links{display:flex;gap:8px;flex-wrap:wrap}.nav-links a,.footer a{font-family:var(--mono);font-size:12px;color:var(--muted);border:1px solid var(--ghost);padding:8px 10px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;background:rgba(24,32,29,.38)}.nav-links a:hover,.footer a:hover{color:var(--fg);border-color:var(--accent);transform:translateY(-1px);background:rgba(214,179,90,.08)}
main{max-width:1180px;margin:auto;padding:0 22px}.hero{min-height:820px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(320px,5fr) minmax(520px,7fr);gap:34px;align-items:center;padding:70px 0 54px}.hero-copy{position:relative;z-index:2}.eyebrow{font-family:var(--mono);font-size:12px;color:var(--accent);letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase}.hero h1,.page-hero h1{font-family:var(--heading);font-weight:700;font-size:clamp(54px,7.7vw,112px);line-height:.91;letter-spacing:-.055em;margin:16px 0 24px;max-width:780px}.sub,.intro{font-size:clamp(19px,2vw,25px);color:rgba(241,239,230,.82);max-width:650px}.chips{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:10px;margin-top:34px}.chip,.glass,.note,.counter-card,.flow-card,.big-counter,.paper,.tube,.apparatus{border:1px solid var(--line);background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(241,239,230,.12),rgba(24,32,29,.68) 48%,rgba(9,12,11,.58));box-shadow:inset 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,.09),var(--shadow);position:relative}.chip:after,.glass:after,.counter-card:after,.big-counter:after,.flow-card:after,.paper:after,.tube:after,.apparatus:after{content:"";position:absolute;inset:8px;border:1px solid rgba(241,239,230,.055);pointer-events:none}.chip{padding:16px;clip-path:polygon(0 0,calc(100% - 12px) 0,100% 12px,100% 100%,0 100%)}.chip b,.counter-card b,.big-counter b{display:block;font-family:var(--mono);font-size:12px;color:var(--muted);letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase}.chip span{display:block;font-family:var(--heading);font-size:28px;line-height:1;margin-top:9px;letter-spacing:-.035em}
.apparatus{min-height:620px;padding:16px;overflow:hidden;border-radius:28px;background:radial-gradient(circle at 60% 36%,rgba(241,239,230,.10),transparent 34%),linear-gradient(145deg,rgba(241,239,230,.10),rgba(24,32,29,.70) 45%,rgba(4,7,6,.8));isolation:isolate}.apparatus:before{content:"";position:absolute;inset:-28%;background:conic-gradient(from 180deg at 50% 50%,transparent,rgba(214,179,90,.11),transparent,rgba(241,239,230,.08),transparent);animation:slowTurn 18s linear infinite;z-index:-1}.machine-svg{width:100%;height:auto;display:block}.back-plate{fill:rgba(9,12,11,.50);stroke:rgba(214,179,90,.25)}.etched-grid{stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.045);stroke-width:1}.acrylic-wall{fill:url(#acrylic);stroke:url(#acrylicEdge);stroke-width:2}.acrylic-wall.rear{opacity:.72}.acrylic-wall.front{opacity:.92}.shine{fill:none;stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.24);stroke-width:3;stroke-linecap:round}.shine.thin{stroke-width:1.4;opacity:.6}.screws circle,.bank-pins circle,.brass-pins circle{fill:url(#brass);stroke:rgba(0,0,0,.48);stroke-width:2}.ball circle,.traveler circle,.mini-ball circle{fill:url(#ceramic);stroke:rgba(14,17,16,.72);stroke-width:3;filter:drop-shadow(0 12px 18px rgba(0,0,0,.42))}.ball text,.traveler text,.mini-ball text{font-family:var(--mono);font-size:17px;fill:var(--bg);font-weight:700;text-anchor:middle;pointer-events:none}.ball,.traveler,.mini-ball{transform-box:fill-box;transform-origin:center}.tube-under,.rail-shadow{fill:none;stroke:rgba(0,0,0,.28);stroke-width:68;stroke-linecap:round}.tube-glass{fill:none;stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.18);stroke-width:56;stroke-linecap:round}.tube-line,.draw-live{fill:none;stroke:var(--accent);stroke-width:3;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-dasharray:10 13;filter:url(#glow)}.gate-housing rect:first-child{fill:rgba(24,32,29,.88);stroke:rgba(214,179,90,.42)}.gate-slot{fill:rgba(0,0,0,.34);stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.08)}.gate-arm{fill:url(#brass);transform-box:fill-box;transform-origin:88% 50%;filter:drop-shadow(0 7px 8px rgba(0,0,0,.46))}.gate-pivot{fill:rgba(24,32,29,.95);stroke:var(--accent);stroke-width:2}.gate-pin{fill:var(--accent)}.bank-shell{fill:rgba(24,32,29,.72);stroke:rgba(214,179,90,.31)}.bank-row text{font-family:var(--mono);font-size:14px;fill:var(--muted);letter-spacing:.05em}.bank-row line{stroke:rgba(214,179,90,.5);stroke-width:2}.tray-body{fill:rgba(214,179,90,.11);stroke:var(--accent);stroke-width:2}.tray-lip{stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.42);stroke-width:3;stroke-linecap:round}.tray-glass{stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.18);stroke-width:16;stroke-linecap:round}.traveler{opacity:0;transform:translate(343px,432px)}
.machine-run .gate-arm{animation:gateSnap 1.6s var(--snap) both}.machine-run .ball.run1{animation:ballSink1 1.6s var(--snap) both}.machine-run .ball.run2{animation:ballSink2 1.6s .08s var(--snap) both}.machine-run .ball.run3{animation:ballSink3 1.6s .16s var(--snap) both}.machine-run .traveler1{animation:travel1 1.6s .22s var(--snap) both}.machine-run .traveler2{animation:travel2 1.6s .34s var(--snap) both}.machine-run .traveler3{animation:travel3 1.6s .46s var(--snap) both}.machine-run .refund-tray,.machine-run .claim-tray{animation:trayPulse 1s 1.25s ease-out both}.machine-run .draw-live{animation:dashRun 1.6s linear both}
@keyframes slowTurn{to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}@keyframes gateSnap{0%,20%{transform:rotate(0)}38%{transform:rotate(-31deg)}47%{transform:rotate(-24deg)}100%{transform:rotate(-24deg)}}@keyframes ballSink1{0%,32%{transform:translate(0,0)}54%,100%{transform:translate(58px,112px) scale(.72);opacity:.08}}@keyframes ballSink2{0%,40%{transform:translate(0,0)}63%,100%{transform:translate(122px,48px) scale(.72);opacity:.08}}@keyframes ballSink3{0%,48%{transform:translate(0,0)}72%,100%{transform:translate(48px,-20px) scale(.72);opacity:.08}}@keyframes travel1{0%{opacity:0;transform:translate(350px,430px) scale(.85)}24%{opacity:1}58%{transform:translate(560px,506px)}100%{opacity:0;transform:translate(814px,496px) scale(.72)}}@keyframes travel2{0%{opacity:0;transform:translate(350px,430px) scale(.85)}28%{opacity:1}64%{transform:translate(606px,522px)}100%{opacity:0;transform:translate(778px,514px) scale(.72)}}@keyframes travel3{0%{opacity:0;transform:translate(350px,430px) scale(.85)}32%{opacity:1}68%{transform:translate(650px,535px)}100%{opacity:0;transform:translate(728px,530px) scale(.72)}}@keyframes trayPulse{0%{filter:none}38%{filter:drop-shadow(0 0 18px rgba(214,179,90,.82))}70%{filter:drop-shadow(0 0 8px rgba(214,179,90,.44))}100%{filter:none}}@keyframes dashRun{to{stroke-dashoffset:-92}}
.section{padding:86px 0;border-top:1px solid var(--ghost);position:relative}.section:before{content:"";position:absolute;left:0;right:0;top:-1px;height:1px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,transparent,var(--accent),transparent);opacity:.35}h2{font-family:var(--heading);font-size:clamp(34px,5vw,70px);line-height:.98;letter-spacing:-.045em;margin:8px 0 20px}p{color:rgba(241,239,230,.78)}.thesis-cutaway{display:grid;grid-template-columns:4.5fr 7.5fr;gap:44px;align-items:center}.trust-rail{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.1fr 1.35fr .95fr 1.1fr;gap:0;min-height:280px;align-items:stretch;filter:drop-shadow(0 28px 40px rgba(0,0,0,.28))}.trust-rail:before{content:"";position:absolute;left:42%;right:6%;top:50%;height:12px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(214,179,90,.15),rgba(214,179,90,.5),rgba(214,179,90,.15));border-radius:999px;z-index:-1}.trust-rail .tab{padding:22px;min-height:230px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:space-between;margin-top:18px;clip-path:polygon(0 0,calc(100% - 24px) 0,100% 24px,100% 100%,0 100%)}.trust-rail .wide{margin-top:0;min-height:280px}.trust-rail .notch{margin-top:54px}.trust-rail .end{margin-top:28px}.trust strong,.note strong,.trust-rail strong{display:block;font-family:var(--mono);font-size:12px;color:var(--accent);letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:12px}.trust-rail span{color:rgba(241,239,230,.78)}
.scenario-rig{display:grid;grid-template-columns:.95fr 1.25fr;gap:28px;align-items:center}.scenario-panel{padding-right:12px}.rows{display:grid;gap:10px}.row{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:20px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--ghost);padding:13px 0;font-family:var(--mono);font-size:14px}.row span:first-child{color:var(--muted)}.tube{padding:18px;overflow:hidden;border-radius:22px}.rig-back{fill:rgba(24,32,29,.62);stroke:rgba(214,179,90,.26)}.rig-tube{fill:none;stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.18);stroke-width:56;stroke-linecap:round}.draw,.rig-draw{fill:none;stroke:var(--accent);stroke-width:3;stroke-dasharray:var(--len,900);stroke-dashoffset:var(--len,900);stroke-linecap:round}.is-visible .draw,.is-visible.rig-draw{animation:pathDraw 1.2s cubic-bezier(.33,0,.12,1) forwards}.clear-plate rect{fill:rgba(214,179,90,.10);stroke:rgba(214,179,90,.65)}.clear-plate line{stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.24);stroke-width:3}.refund-mini path:first-child{fill:rgba(241,239,230,.055);stroke:rgba(241,239,230,.20)}.refund-mini path:last-child{stroke:rgba(214,179,90,.65);stroke-width:3;stroke-linecap:round}.mini-ball text{font-size:15px}.is-visible .b18{animation:miniSettle 1.25s .1s var(--snap) both}.is-visible .b19{animation:miniSettle 1.25s .2s var(--snap) both}.is-visible .b20{animation:miniSettle 1.25s .3s var(--snap) both}@keyframes miniSettle{0%{transform:translateX(-24px);opacity:.45}62%{transform:translateX(235px)}100%{transform:translate(398px,98px) scale(.74);opacity:.22}}@keyframes pathDraw{to{stroke-dashoffset:0}}
.instrument-heading{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr minmax(280px,480px);gap:28px;align-items:end}.flip-bank{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.25fr 1fr 1.35fr 1.25fr 1fr 1.35fr;grid-auto-rows:142px;gap:10px;margin-top:28px}.counter-card{padding:16px;overflow:hidden;border-radius:10px;background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(241,239,230,.13),rgba(24,32,29,.74));box-shadow:inset 0 -20px 40px rgba(0,0,0,.18),var(--shadow)}.counter-card:before{content:"";position:absolute;left:0;right:0;top:50%;height:1px;background:rgba(0,0,0,.45);box-shadow:0 -1px rgba(241,239,230,.07);z-index:1}.counter-card span{font-family:var(--mono);font-size:clamp(24px,3.1vw,42px);display:block;margin-top:20px;color:var(--fg);letter-spacing:-.04em;text-shadow:0 12px 24px rgba(0,0,0,.4)}.counter-card.wide{grid-column:span 1}.counter-card.tall{grid-row:span 2}.counter-card.brass{background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(214,179,90,.20),rgba(24,32,29,.7))}.counter-card.is-flipping span{animation:flipValue .9s steps(4,end)}@keyframes flipValue{50%{transform:rotateX(88deg);opacity:.35}100%{transform:rotateX(0)}}
.footer{max-width:1180px;margin:70px auto 0;padding:28px 22px 48px;border-top:1px solid var(--line);display:flex;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}.footer:before{content:"QUEUEBALL";font-family:var(--heading);font-size:24px;margin-right:auto;letter-spacing:-.03em}
/* shared subpage surfaces */
.page-hero{padding:72px 0 48px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);position:relative}.page-hero:after{content:"";position:absolute;right:0;bottom:-1px;width:46%;height:12px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,transparent,var(--accent))}.flow{display:grid;grid-template-columns:300px 1fr;gap:36px}.rail{position:sticky;top:100px;height:660px;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:24px;background:radial-gradient(circle at 50% 10%,rgba(214,179,90,.14),transparent 40%),rgba(241,239,230,.04);box-shadow:var(--shadow);overflow:hidden}.flow-list{display:grid;gap:18px}.flow-card{padding:24px;border-radius:18px;clip-path:polygon(0 0,calc(100% - 18px) 0,100% 18px,100% 100%,0 100%)}.flow-card h2{font-size:42px}.formula{font-family:var(--mono);font-size:20px;color:var(--accent);padding:22px;border:1px solid var(--line);background:rgba(24,32,29,.66);overflow:auto}.board-head{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:14px}.big-counter{padding:26px;border-radius:22px}.big-counter span{display:block;font-family:var(--mono);font-size:82px;line-height:1;margin-top:14px;letter-spacing:-.08em}.board-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);gap:16px;margin-top:18px}.note{padding:22px;border-radius:18px}.allocation{display:grid;grid-template-columns:64fr 26fr 10fr;margin-top:22px;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:18px;overflow:hidden}.allocation div{padding:18px;min-height:80px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(214,179,90,.18),rgba(241,239,230,.04));border-right:1px solid var(--bg);font-family:var(--mono)}.allocation div:last-child{border-right:0}.qa{display:grid;gap:14px;max-width:900px}.qa details{border:1px solid var(--line);background:rgba(24,32,29,.68);padding:18px 20px;border-radius:16px;box-shadow:var(--shadow)}.qa summary{cursor:pointer;font-family:var(--heading);font-size:28px;letter-spacing:-.03em}.qa details[open]{background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(214,179,90,.10),rgba(24,32,29,.72))}.article-shell{display:grid;grid-template-columns:260px minmax(0,760px);gap:42px;padding:70px 0}.toc{position:sticky;top:100px;height:max-content;border:1px solid var(--line);padding:16px;border-radius:18px;background:rgba(24,32,29,.58)}.toc a{display:block;font-family:var(--mono);font-size:12px;color:var(--muted);padding:9px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--ghost);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em}.paper{padding:42px;border-radius:22px}.paper h1{font-family:var(--heading);font-size:clamp(42px,6vw,78px);line-height:.95;letter-spacing:-.05em}.paper h2{font-size:38px;margin-top:42px}.paper hr{border:0;border-top:1px solid var(--line);margin:30px 0}.paper code{font-family:var(--mono);color:var(--accent)}
.is-hidden{opacity:0;transform:translateY(18px)}.is-visible{opacity:1;transform:none;transition:opacity .7s cubic-bezier(.22,1,.36,1),transform .7s cubic-bezier(.22,1,.36,1)}
@media(max-width:900px){.hero,.thesis-cutaway,.scenario-rig,.flow,.board-head,.board-grid,.article-shell{grid-template-columns:1fr}.hero{padding-top:40px;min-height:auto}.hero h1,.page-hero h1{font-size:clamp(48px,14vw,76px)}.chips,.trust,.counters{grid-template-columns:1fr}.apparatus{min-height:0;border-radius:20px}.trust-rail{grid-template-columns:1fr;min-height:0}.trust-rail:before{display:none}.trust-rail .tab,.trust-rail .wide,.trust-rail .notch,.trust-rail .end{margin-top:10px;min-height:auto}.instrument-heading{grid-template-columns:1fr}.flip-bank{grid-template-columns:1fr;grid-auto-rows:116px}.counter-card.tall{grid-row:span 1}.rail,.toc{position:relative;top:auto;height:auto}.big-counter span{font-size:56px}.nav-inner{align-items:flex-start;flex-direction:column}.nav-links a{font-size:11px}.allocation{grid-template-columns:1fr}.allocation div{border-right:0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--bg)}.row{display:grid}.footer:before{width:100%;margin-right:0}.article-shell{padding-top:36px}.paper{padding:24px}.machine-svg.hero-machine{min-width:580px}.premium-machine{overflow:auto}}
@media(max-width:560px){main{padding:0 14px}.nav-inner{padding:13px 14px}.chips{gap:8px}.chip span{font-size:24px}.section{padding:54px 0}.sub,.intro{font-size:18px}.tube,.apparatus{padding:10px}.machine-svg.hero-machine{min-width:520px}.footer{padding-left:14px;padding-right:14px}}
@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){*{animation:none!important;transition:none!important;scroll-behavior:auto!important}.is-hidden{opacity:1;transform:none}.traveler{display:none}}

/* capture safety: content remains visible in full-page renders */
[data-reveal],.reveal{opacity:1 !important;transform:none !important;visibility:visible !important;}