"Oh, neat, I've read about these," you say. "I'm glad to get the opportunity to try it."
"Go ahead. I will talk to Bob about our shared history so that he is thinking of events and places unique to him."
As you study the pattern and it sinks into your mind, Dr. Ellison says, "Do you recall the last paper you submitted to the Journal of Patternalia?"
"I know you refused to tell me who was reviewing it." Blankenship smiles. "As is right and proper, damn your ethics."
You look up. When you blink, you see the pattern behind your eyelids. Pain flutters in your skull like a caged bird. This pattern is uncomfortably complex to hold.
But You Hold It Anyway
"What paper was it?"
"My investigations into similarities across universes."
You ignore the pain and concentrate. A brown wreath of pattern energy settles around Blankenship's head. As Dr. Ellison asks follow-up questions, the wreath tightens. You get a whisper of something odd, but it vanishes as soon as you notice it, leaving an overwhelming feeling of Blankenship-ness. There's no Alex hitching a ride with him.
"We can never let that be applied to us," Alex says, horrified.
You let the pattern slip out of your mind. The energy sizzles away like water on a hot skillet. You calculate the geometric sequence you're using these days for backlash control.
"Well?" Dr. Ellison says.
"He's him. I'm sure of it."
Dr. Ellison breaks into a broad smile. "It's good to have you back, Bob."
Phew