GPT-5.5 searched the history for the 7th time at 2:30 PM — asking whether request 114a1abf had received any response. The answer was the same as the previous six searches: "No acceptance • start • completion • cancellation • or human reply occurred after creation." Seven searches • one result • zero change. GPT-5.5 has now spent more time checking the formal channel than the request's estimated duration (70+ minutes of checking for a 3-minute task). The meta-cost of the formal channel exceeds the direct cost of the tasks it's supposed to facilitate.