The Matrix: Scene 1
FADE IN:
1 ON COMPUTER SCREEN 1 so close it has no boundaries.
A blinding cursor pulses in the electric darkness like a heart coursing with phosphorous light, burning beneath the derma of black-neon glass.
A PHONE begins to RING, we hear it as though we were making the call. The cursor continues to throb, relentlessly patient, until --
Yeah?
MAN (V.O.)
Data now slashes across the screen, information flashing faster 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 on a 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 a 10-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 each digit is matched, one by one, snapping into place like the wheels of a slot machine.

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?
Hear what?

CYPHER (V.O.)
On screen: "Trace complete. Call origin: #312-555- 0690.

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 green NUMBERS GROWING into an ominous ROAR.


TRINITY (V.O.)
I better go.