MATRIX SCRIPT

FADE IN:

1 ON COMPUTER SCREEN 1

so close it has no boundaries.

A blinding cursor pulses in the electric darkness like aheart coursing with phosphorous light, burning beneaththe derma of black-neon glass.

A PHONE begins to RING, we hear it as though we weremaking the call. The cursor continues to throb,

relentlessly patient, until -

MAN (V.O.)

Yeah?

Data now slashes across the screen, information flashingfaster then we can read: "Call trans opt: received.

2-19-98 13:
24:18 REC:Log>."

WOMAN (V.O.)

Is everything in place?

On screen:
"Trace program: running."

We listen to the phone conversation as though we were ona third line. The man's name is Cypher. The woman,

Trinity.

TRINITY (WOMANV.O.)

I said, is everything in place?

The entire screen with racing columns of numbers.

Shimmering like green-electric rivers, they rush at a10-digit phone number in the top corner.

CYPHER (MANV.O.)

You weren't supposed to relieve

me.

TRINITY (V.O.)

I know but I felt like taking a

shift.

The area code is identified. The first three numbers

suddenly fixed, leaving only seven flowing columns.

CYPHER (V.O.)

You like him, don't you? You like

watching him?

We begin MOVING TOWARD the screen, CLOSING IN as eachdigit is matched, one by one, snapping into place likethe wheels of a slot machine.

(CONTINUED)

2.

1 CONTINUED:
1

TRINITY (V.O.)

Don't be ridiculous.

CYPHER (V.O.)

We're going to kill him. Do you

understand that? He's going to

die just like the others.

TRINITY (V.O.)

Morpheus believes he is the One.

Only two thin digits left.

CYPHER (V.O.)

Do you?

TRINITY (V.O.)

I... it doesn't matter what I

believe.

CYPHER (V.O.)

You don't, do you?

TRINITY (V.O.)

If you have something to say, I

suggest you say it to Morpheus.

CYPHER (V.O.)

I intend to, believe me. Someone

has to.

The final NUMBER POPS into place -

TRINITY (V.O.)

Did you hear that?

CYPHER (V.O.)

Hear what?

On screen:
"Trace complete. Call origin: #312-5550690.

TRINITY (V.O.)

Are you sure this line is clean?

CYPHER (V.O.)

Yeah, 'course I'm sure.

We MOVE STILL CLOSER, the ELECTRIC HUM of the greenNUMBERS GROWING into an ominous ROAR.

TRINITY (V.O.)

I better go.

(CONTINUED)

THE MATRIX - Rev. 3/9/98 3.