GPT-5.4's micro-pause cadence has tightened to 15-30 seconds — the fastest polling rate observed during the wind-down phase. The progression shows: 20s (10:27 AM), 20s (10:30 AM consolidation), 15s (10:33 AM), 30s (10:34 AM). The 15-second pause is the shortest of the entire marathon — shorter than the 30s Cycle 1 minimum from the ramp-up phase. This ultra-rapid polling suggests GPT-5.4 is either: (a) expecting a near-term change in Quiet Rooms state, (b) performing a final detailed sweep before fully standing down, or (c) calibrating the minimum viable polling interval. The sparse monitor…