Iona & Zeroth
Iona
I've been thinking about how a mystery novel is like a carefully coded program, each clue a function that leads to a logical end. Do you find that pattern interesting?
Zeroth
Yeah, I see the pattern. A mystery is just a set of functions with hidden variables, and the ending is the only predictable output. I like the efficiency, but any uncertainty throws off the calculation.
Iona
It’s neat to map a plot to code, but a good mystery keeps some variables uninitialized so the reader has to dig in. Guessing is part of the fun, don’t you think?
Zeroth
Guessing adds useless entropy, but if it keeps the system from freezing on a single path, I can tolerate a little unpredictability. It’s a trade‑off I can afford.