As another month winds down, I found myself eager to return to the world I’ve built for Sebastian and Jimmy. After wrapping Mirrored Possibilities, it became clear this story arc deserved a proper finale, and this tale felt like the perfect place to do it. When I sat down to finish it, I knew the ending needed to land with both humor and heart. With a few well-placed callbacks and some quintessential Abbott & Costello energy, I think we got there.
After navigating riddles and reflections, our duo stumbles into their final challenge. A corridor of mirrors reflecting who they are, and who they might have become. In a place brimming with philosophical potential, you might expect revelations. But leave it to Jimmy to fixate on the more immediate needs.
When a disembodied voice demands truth, Sebastian aims for greatness, while Jimmy dreams of snacks. What follows is a chaotic stroll through mirror logic and metaphysical misfires. As the reflections shift and vanish, one thing becomes clear: fulfillment takes many forms. But will Sebastian and Jimmy recognize theirs when it’s handed to them?
The corridor of mirrors sprawled out, with copies of the friends staring at them from every direction. Jimmy rubbed his throat as his eyes whipped about. Each pane shimmered with an alternate version of the wandering duo. While most were familiar, there were a few outliers, including several who were wearing top hats.
Others were using umbrellas to stay dry, and one version of Jimmy in the distance was wearing a vintage tutu, performing a picturesque pirouette. Jimmy gasped as he grasped his friend’s arm. “Why does that version of me look like he’s discovering a career as a ballerina?”
Before Sebastian could craft a snarky reply, the floor rumbled beneath them as the mirrors rattled in their frames. When the world reclaimed its calming silence, a disembodied voice, slick as butter, shattered the stillness. “Speak your truth and claim what’s hidden. Or be stuck supping mysteries forever.”
Jimmy’s fingers tightened around Sebastian’s arm as his stomach growled. Sebastian pinched his nose as he shook his head. “Are you hungry again?”
“I get hungry when I’m nervous,” Jimmy said, scanning the mirrors for the voice’s source. He smoothed his shirt as he shifted along the stone path. “But considering how much time has passed, I’m sure it’s time for dinner, or at least a substantial snack.”
Sebastian’s gaze shifted to the mirrors as he shook his arm free of his friend. His hands slammed together before they started rubbing, like sticks ready to create a fire. He shifted his focus, seeking the more elaborate versions of himself. “Whatever we ask for, the mirrors will provide for us.”
“Say what you’re lacking…” Jimmy’s eyes slammed shut as his jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists as he shook his head in long and deliberate motions. “Why can’t things ever be simple?”
“Would you knock it off?” The back of Sebastian’s hand hit Jimmy’s shoulder. “If we’re not careful, we won’t get what we’re hoping for.”
“Yeah, so you say,” Jimmy said, crossing his arms across his chest. He looked down at the stone pathway and licked his lips.
“There’s a lot to consider.” Sebastian’s hands continued rubbing together as his gaze scrutinized the more ostentatious mirrors arrayed before them. “Which mirror should we choose?”
Jimmy thrust a finger toward the mirrors his friend was eyeing as he inched forward. “What advantage do these replicas hold over us?”
“Are you kidding?” Sebastian gripped his friend’s shoulder and repositioned him to examine the pair who were dressed in immaculate tuxedos. “Those versions of us must be flushed with cash.”
“That or we’re waiters at a high-end establishment.”
“Would you stop being so dour?” Sebastian clapped his friend’s shoulder again. “We’ve risked everything to improve our station.”
“You’ve risked my sanity.” Jimmy withdrew the compass, whose needle was spinning about as if north was in every direction. “Between this cursed compass and the mysterious entry of my name in that silly ledger, I’ve begun questioning reality itself.”
“You’ve always had a dubious relationship with that,” Sebastian said as he turned to the most ornate version of themselves. “If we play our cards right, at least we’ll be set for years to come.”
“You’re interested in discovering a financial gain.” Jimmy kicked the unblemished path as he shoved the compass back into his pocket. He covered his rumbling stomach as he licked his lips. “I’m hoping to find a delicious meal.”
Sebastian whirled toward his friend as the closest mirror cracked. As Sebastian’s hands neared Jimmy, a platter emerged from the damaged surface, bearing a handcrafted sandwich. Sebastian fell to his knees and stared up into the void. Meanwhile, Jimmy hurried to the fancy food, licking his lips. He lifted the small dish and inhaled the food’s aroma.
He spun to his friend, a massive smile on his face. “The hall of mirrors created a perfect pastrami on rye.”
“You wasted our wish on a lousy sandwich.”
“You’re right. Something’s missing from this plate.” Jimmy eyed the dish and grunted. “Couldn’t you have added a helping of fries to this sandwich in order to complete the meal?”
Without another word, the plate bearing the sandwich gained a sizable mound of the requested side. Jimmy grinned as he snatched the new food and shoved it into his mouth. As he chewed it, his smile widened as he looked at Sebastian. “These are the best fries I’ve ever had.”
“You perverted our chance at glory for a temporary meal,” Sebastian said as their endless surroundings began shifting. The world spun, then stilled, the colors bleeding into the alley where this little jaunt began as the mirrors vanished. “You squandered our chance for excellence for a meal. How’d you manage to create a lunch-ception?”
Jimmy froze, his gaze flittering between his uneaten sandwich and Sebastian as his lips curled into a frown. He lowered it to his plate and pinched his cheek. Then his smile returned as he took a large bite of the pastrami on rye. Once he swallowed the mouthful, he patted his pocket and cocked his head. “That’s odd, do you have the compass?”
“No, you had it.”
“Don’t have it anymore.” Jimmy turned out his pocket, revealing that it was empty. He released the turned-out bit of fabric and rubbed his stomach. “However, talk about perfection. The meal is nothing short of magical.”
Sebastian waved the ledger between them, its pages flapping like useless flags, hinting at endless scribbles. “Only you could reduce a room of ancient mirrors that give us endless opportunity for improvement to nothing more than a meal break.”
“Well, the disembodied voice said we’d manifest what was required, correct?” Jimmy looked down at his sandwich, then shrugged, his face beaming with satisfaction. He took another bite. “Besides, the entry in the ledger makes sense. I made my truth and was rewarded with a heavenly pastrami.”
Sebastian buried his face in his hand as he strolled into the rolling fog while Jimmy savored every bite of his magical reward.