Essay About Thin Digits And Digit Phone Number

Matrix Script
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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.)
Im inside. Anything to report?
We listen to the phone conversation as though we were on
a third line. The mans name is CYPHER. The woman,
TRINITY.
CYPHER (V.O.)
Lets 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, youre relieved. Use
the usual exit.
CYPHER (V.O.)
Do you know when were going to
make contact?
TRINITY
Soon.
Only two thin digits left.
CYPHER (V.O.)
Just between you and me, you dont
believe it, do you? You dont
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 dont.
CYPHER (V.O.)
Yeah, but if hes 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 Im 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
RADIO (V.O.)
Attention all units. Attention
all units.
Suddenly, a flashlight cuts open the darkness and we find
ourselves in —