I played a second game (I like weekends...) and
THIS happened. Oh my god, why?!?
I went for the more popular choice, although I know that the second item is harder to get (and I had only found it 3 times before, as opposed to 6 pearls). Of course, I should have been on the other end of the level, but I really did not expect this to happen! Okay, still nice somehow. And a very singular moment...
I considered going the Tuber route because I died quite a lot during the rest of the game, but then decided to give Hell a try. I reached the same level as last time, although I entered 54.12.0 with only 2 lives left. Quite good for me.
@fabianh: I had them turned on. I turned them off and the game did not lag as much as before. But even after at least 6 years of playing this game I don't understand the option. Maybe "vibration" has a meaning hidden to me (I am not a native english speaker), but I don't get what vibrates there. Can anyone explain it to me?

Have a nice weekend, I'll play again tomorrow. And hope to continue my recent streak of c5 items (At least 5 items in the recent 1 or 2 weeks! After a long wait...)