Matrix Script

THE MATRIX

Written by

Larry and Andy Wachowski

April 8, 1996

FADE IN ON:

COMPUTER SCREEN

So close it has no boundaries.

A blinking 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 --

MAN (V.O.)

Hello?

Data now slashes across the screen, information flashing

faster than we read.

SCREEN

Call trans opt: received.

2-19-96 13:24:18 REC:Log>

WOMAN (V.O.)

I'm inside. Anything to report?

We listen to the phone conversation as though we were on

a third line. The man's name is CYPHER. The woman,

TRINITY.

CYPHER (V.O.)

Let's see. Target left work at

5:01 PM.

SCREEN

Trace program: running.

The entire screen fills with racing columns of numbers.

Shimmering like green-electric rivets, they rush at a 10-

digit phone number in the top corner.

CYPHER (V.O.)

He caught the northbound Howard

line. Got off at Sheridan.

Stopped at 7-11. Purchased six-

pack of beer and a box of Captain

Crunch. Returned home.

The area code is identified. The first three numbers

suddenly fixed, leaving only seven flowing columns.

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.)

All right, you're relieved. Use

the usual exit.

CYPHER (V.O.)

Do you know when we're going to

make contact?

TRINITY

Soon.

Only two thin digits left.

CYPHER (V.O.)

Just between you and me, you don't

believe it, do you? You don't

believe this guy is the one?

TRINITY (V.O.)

I think Morpheus believes he is.

CYPHER (V.O.)

I know. But what about you?

TRINITY (V.O.)

I think Morpheus knows things that

I don't.

CYPHER (V.O.)

Yeah, but if he's wrong --

The final number pops into place --

TRINITY (V.O.)

Did you hear that?

CYPHER (V.O.)

Hear what?

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.

CYPHER (V.O.)

Yeah. Right. See you on the other side.

She hangs up as we PASS THROUGH the numbers, entering the

netherworld of the computer screen.

Where gradually the sound of a police radio grows around

us.

RADIO (V.O.)

Attention all units. Attention

all units.

Suddenly, a flashlight cuts open the darkness and we find

ourselves in --