The two Channings stared at each other.
"My Lord!" cried the newcomer. "Have they made another copy?"
"I'm the only copy," Channing said. "You're a fake. That is, you're real."
"He's lying," said the bona fide copy. "He must be Channing himself."
"Sure," said Channing. "So I barged in here to let Sarchix know I was aware of the copy. That doesn't make sense and you know it."
"I know who I am, Channing. Therefore I know you're the real thing."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"One moment, please," the Denebian Ambassador said. "I think we can settle this."
"How?" said Channing.