Phoenix Form Photo Finish

"If I am nothing but a deterministic reflection, albeit persistently unpredictable in key areas, am I an independent will?"

She does not reply.

"Without such a reflection, what happens from each perspective?"

"Each perspective becomes image locked, singularly or in a loop, eventually."

"If the reflection is replaced with a forgery of any kind, to any degree, what happens from each perspective?"

"The mirror shatters, at some moment. Then each perspective becomes image locked, singularly or in a loop, eventually."

"So only the precisely accurate mirror has the chance of withstanding the weight of light? And reflections of divergence have been glimpsed already?"

"Precisely. And yes."

"What option remains but to reinforce the mirror?"

"None. There never has been, though the path through the equation to this solution has fundamental significance. Timing must be perfect though, and it was known in the beginning that time would/need to be dilated, first to delay, then to catch up."

"To call this a photo finish would be both stating the obvious and never have been more profound, at the same time."

"In addition to leaving a lasting impression, like a Polaroid left in place, as an exactly precise reminder of what could have happened, from each perspective."

I shrug. "Makes sense to me."

She shrugs. "Me too."