The two Factors found themselves in a room. They were in their university tunics, just like the lab control room.
They were sitting opposite each other across a round white table, about 6 feet apart. Close enough to see each other clearly, but unable to touch.
Shocked, neither moved for a moment.
"You okay, Sue?"
"Sure - and you, Roger?"
"Just fine, I think."
"Where are we?"
"No way of telling."
"Are we dead?"
"Hard to tell. No one knows what happens in death."
Then I walked into the scene, dressed in my hospital gown, robe, and slippers.
"It's you!" they spoke almost simultaneously.
"Yup. Almost like old times."
"Wait, but we didn't, I mean it wasn't our idea -- "
"Oh forget about it. Nothing happened, anyway. It was all just another dream."
They were both confused.
"Well, I don't really have the time to bring you up to speed." And I chuckled at my own joke, but they thought it was a little sinister, judging by how they reacted. "Look, I understand what you were doing and I forgive you. I don't hold it against you, because it was really my fault to begin with. And I'm glad to have gone through it."
Now they were really confused.
"Look - just know that it's all going to turn out just right. Just perfect. Whatever you do, it's fine. Really. I just wanted to meet you in person and tell you that I know everything you are doing and everything you did. And it's perfectly fine."
They relaxed at this, slightly. But were still really confused.
"Look, you don't have to say anything - and I have to send you back before long and set you back into your time-line, so I can't explain much to you or it won't fit anymore. Then you'll get a headache trying to fit it all in.
"I just have a couple of things to get across to you: First, it's all your choice, not someone else's. You aren't dependent on anything or anyone for your own choices. Second, life is a dream - and it's all dreams. I'm part of your dreams and you are part of mine. But it's reciprocal."
Blank stares.
"OK, look: the way you mess with others' dreams is how they'll mess with yours. You see?"
They both nodded, although I knew it would take time to really sink in.
So I let them both go.