As soon as Jeeves appeared, Jack asked, "Is it possible for me to edit a simulation mid-run?"
"Edit? No. But there is an alternative that could be effectively the same depending on your requirements."
"Oh, what's that?"
"You can start a new simulation using the state of a paused simulation as the starting point. Then you can edit the new simulation's initial state before starting it."
As soon as he heard this, he understood how to do it. It was just like starting a normal simulation, except instead of selecting a snapshot as the start point, he could select another simulation as the start point. He focused on his Interface and pushed his intent into it. As soon as he did, a second simulation sphere appeared in his white room. He walked over to it and placed his hand on it.
Just like with a snapshot, he could zoom in and navigate through the simulation's initial state. He zoomed into the conference room and mentally selected each of the goons and deleted them. Then he did the same with Mr. Gefen.
As Jack prepared to start the new simulation, he hoped Henry didn't freak out. He entered the simulation, finding himself where he had been standing when he had paused the previous simulation. Henry was still looking at the spot where Mr. Gefen had been standing, a look of shock and horror on his face.
Jack started the simulation and waited. At first, Henry just stood there, then his look of shock and horror turned to one of befuddlement. It's not every day that people just disappear in front of you. After a moment, Henry turned to Jack and said, "What the fuck just happened?"
Jack pulled out a chair from the conference table and sat. "Have a seat and I'll try to explain."
Still struggling to process the sudden shift from impending doom to puzzling disappearances, Henry pulled out a chair and sat across from Jack. Then just stared at him, waiting.
"So, I'll just state it plainly. This is a simulation. I started this simulation after I parked, but before I entered the building. I was not expecting Mr. Gefen to turn out to be a capital 'V' villain."
"A simulation? How?!"
"Apparently, there are gods out there capable of creating truly amazing artifacts. And I am the happy accidental recipient of one such artifact. It allows me to create simulations that are so realistic I can predict the winning lottery numbers."
"Wait, seriously? Is that how you-"
"Yup. I figured it was the quickest way to get rich without putting a target on my back."
"So, what happens now?"
Jack noticed Henry had completely ignored his reference to gods and artifacts. He was a surprised, and a bit impressed, that Henry was being so calm about the whole thing.
"Well-"
"Wait!" Hendy interrupted. "Am I the real Henry, or just a simulated Henry? Will I remember any of this when the simulation ends?"
Seeing that Henry was handling this so well, Jack decided to be blunt.
"You are a copy, not the original. Your original self has no knowledge of this simulation and will not receive any memories of what happened here. When the simulation ends, so do you."
"Damn, that's a bit of a mind fuck, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess it is. Though, it's different for me since I get to remember what happens in simulations."
"Is there any way you can make it so I keep my memories?"
"There is one way. Though it's probably even more of a mind fuck. And you might not like it."
Henry made a go on gesture with his hand.
"So, another feature of this artifact is sapient templates. It allows me to make a template of a person. Then I can instantiate instances of that template."
"I'm assume you mean outside of a simulation, right?"
"Yes, the instances would exist in a special virtual space only I have access to. I would have complete control of the template. I can make an instance absolutely loyal and obedient to me."
"Okay, that's just..." then he paused, and got a thoughtful look. "Oh, damn! That's...you could..."
"I know. There's so much I could do with it. It's a bit of an ethical quandary. For now, I've decided I'd only make a template if the person gave me permission. Or, you know, if they were an evil rat bastard."
"Speaking of evil rat bastards, what are you going to do about Gefen. No wait. First finish answering my other question. How can I save my memories of this? I need to get out of this law firm, and I'm not sure you could convince myself to leave without this kind of proof."
"So, that's the thing. The only way is if you agree to be soul bound to me, and that requires that I make a template of you first."
Henry's face scrunched up like he'd just bit into a lemon. "Soul bound? And what exactly is that?"
"It has a bunch of effects, the primary ones being that your soul becomes bound to mine for all eternity, you become unable to reveal any information about Genesis Heart, that's the artifact's name, or any of it's features, or any uses of it, and you become unable to harm me. There's also the side effect of becoming loyal to me at a rate, and to a degree, that goes beyond what would happen without the soul bond."
"So, my soul would be bound to yours for all eternity. I would be forced to keep your secrets. I could not harm you, and I would become loyal to you?"
"Yes, in a nutshell."
"That's a heavy price to pay. It almost sounds like slavery."
"Except it isn't. The loyalty doesn't impose obedience. Your template turns into more of a backup after the soul bond is formed. So, I can't edit your loyalty or obedience."
"Still..."
"Yeah. I'm fairly sure I wouldn't accept it if I were in your shoes."
After a pause, Jack continued, "As for your concern for your original self staying with this law firm, do you think you would be willing to come work for me?"
"Hmm...me, this me, yes. The me that doesn't know about Gefen, no. Not directly. But, if you offered to help me, him...fuck." he took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then continued. "As I was saying, if you offered to help me start my own practice, like as an angel investor, I think I'd take that offer." He huffed, then continued, "I just wish there was a way..."
"Yeah, I understand. You want to make sure you get out of this place, but you want to maintain your independence, too."
"Yeah, that. I just..." Henry fell silent.
Seeing that Henry was struggling with the decision and wanting to give him some time to think, Jack got up and turned to stare out the windows. In the distance, he could see the shimmer of sunlight on the waters of the Puget Sound. As he watched two large container ships pass each other, he thought about his options. If Henry decided not to accept a soul bond, which seemed likely, then he'd try to convince the real Henry to accept his investment into a new law practice. As for Mr. Gefen. He was leaning heavily towards templatizing him. The man, despite his obvious ethical failings, was probably an excellent lawyer. So, he could make use of him even as a template. Writing contracts, reviewing contracts, giving advice. All for free, not a single billable hour. With his loyalty maxed out, Gefen would probably be an asset instead of a liability. He was still mulling over the implications when Henry walked up to stand next to him.
"I'm gonna decline the soul bond."
"Understandable."
"But, I think I might have an alternative option for helping your with your lottery winnings. A former classmate of mine works for Summit Partners. They mostly deal with large corporate clients, and won't go near the kind of clients Gefen appears to be dealing with. So, I'm certain they would not try to do anything unsavory. If you ask...my real self for a recommendation, I'm fairly certain that I...he will suggest putting you in contact with Dan, my...our...fuck...his former classmate."
"As for getting me out of this place," he continued, "I think the approach that has the highest likelihood of success would be if you said you wanted to offer me a long-term retainer, but you would only do so if I was independent, not associated with this law firm. If you also offered to make an investment, but not take controlling interest, I'd probably bite, because it would allow me to gain, and retain, independence."
"Okay. Sure, I can do that. Do you think there's any risk that Gefen will be a problem? If you leave, will he suspect anything?"
Henry huffed. "I don't know. I thought I did, but now I don't. Not really. I mean, it seems unlikely, but I just can't say for certain, not after this."
Jack didn't have the EP for a long running simulation, and wouldn't for a long time. Since he had worked with Henry in the past, it was unlikely that him meeting Henry would raise any flags. Henry leaving the firm shortly after Jack's visit, though, that might raise some flags. He'd have to make sure he stressed to Henry that he not discuss his reasons for leaving with anyone, and Henry might need to delay his departure to make sure no one correlated his leaving with his meeting with Jack.
As for Mr. Gefen, Jack had decided that, if he wanted to get the dirt on Gefen, he'd have to templatize the old rat. And, if he templatized the old man, then he might as well get some use out of him. But before that, he wanted to wipe that smug look off his face.
Jack thought about saying goodbye to this simulation Henry, but decided there was no point. This Henry would cease to exist, and saying goodbye would just cause "OMG am I being erased!" emotional trauma. So, he just exited the simulation and deleted it.