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Solve the following problem using Python, implementing the functions described below, one line at a time
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Description:
 def _initialize_counter(self):
 """Initialize our counter pointer. If we're the top-level factory, instantiate a new counter Otherwise, point to the top-level factory's counter. """

        if self._counter is not None:
            return

        if self.counter_reference is self:
            self._counter = _Counter(seq=self.factory._setup_next_sequence())
        else:
            self.counter_reference._initialize_counter()
            self._counter = self.counter_reference._counter