INT. PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Light filters through the half closed shades into the white hospital room. The barren room has a bed in the middle, white sheets and bedspread supported by a metal frame. In the bed lies Mrs. Hazelton, asleep and restrained. The room is otherwise empty.
A hand reaches down towards her head and caresses it gently. It brushes the hair away from her forehead, then travels down to her jaw. A thumb is placed lightly on her lips, rubbing them for a moment until the hand draws away.
Though alone seconds ago, a visitor now stands beside Mrs. Hazelton's bed. It is ADAM, the man once known as Daniel Hazelton. Adam wears a black, long- tailed suit jacket, wide lapels pressed against his chest. His shirt, pants, and shoes all mirror the black of the jacket. Adam's hair, once the greying hair of Daniel, is now pure silver, combed elegantly to the side. Adam looks down upon Mrs. Hazelton, his face serene, wise, almost saintly. His crystal blue eyes shine brightly.
Adam's head cocks slightly to the side as he senses a presence behind him.
SMITH
You shouldn't be here, Mr. Hazelton.
Adam turns slowly and faces the door to the room, where Smith now stands. A slight smile creeps onto Adam's face.
ADAM
I came to visit my wife, to see her one last time. I don't think the
nurses will mind.
SMITH
That's not what I meant, Mr.-
ADAM
I know what you meant.
Smith shifts his gaze for a second, slightly annoyed, before returning to Adam.
SMITH
If you hadn't realized by now, she is not your wife.
Adam shrugs and raises his eyebrows in almost mocking agreement. He turns back to the woman in the bed.
ADAM
Maybe, maybe not.
Adam reaches out towards her. He touches her temple.
ADAM
This is my wife, though.
He moves his hand to her breastbone, to her heart.
ADAM
And this.
Adam turns back to Smith. He looks around the room.
ADAM
This may all be an unreality, coded sensations, but you didn't
manufacture my wife. Her thoughts and worries and joys and dreams were
all hers. All of it. You had nothing to do with them.
SMITH
I assure you a small part of me recognizes your touching
sentimentality, Mr. Hazelton, but then I can also guarantee that I do
not care in the slightest. As I stated before, you should not be here.
I do not know how you have returned, but it does not matter. You were
removed for a reason, Mr. Hazelton, and so I must see to your exit
once again.
Smith takes one step into the hospital room before Adam raises his hand, pointing it casually in the direction of Smith.
ADAM
Stop.
Smith's body freezes, but his head remains mobile. He slowly rotates his head to observe the fixed position of his limbs. He bears his teeth briefly in a grimace, displeased with his immobility, before raising his sunglasses to face Adam. Adam takes a few steps towards Smith.
ADAM
When the survivors found me - did you know that there were survivors,
by the way? - they couldn't believe that we were all connected and
placed in this ... simulation. It was always assumed that we were
unconscious, connected to the towers simply to generate energy for
you. When I found out what this was all for, I was confused. I
couldn't understand why this world would be necessary. The effort and
energy and resources required to create and maintain this all is
beyond contemplation. I wondered why you didn't just keep us
unconscious as you tapped us for power. But then it came to me: you
couldn't keep us knocked out, could you?
Smith's jaw bulges slightly as he is asked the question.
ADAM
I thought so. I'm sure you tried, at first, didn't you? Tried and
failed, maybe countless times. But we kept waking up. We kept
rejecting your control. So to keep your system, your matrix, stable,
you were forced to create this.
Adam gestures to the room they stand in, his eyes slowly taking it in.
ADAM
I bring this up because, as impressive as the matrix is, ultimately it
is not impressive enough. We know, we all know, if only on the most
basic of levels. Your control over us is at an end, and I am the
beginning.
Adam takes a few steps back towards the bed.
ADAM
Before I leave you, I want to offer you one last thought. Six and a
half billion people leaves many chains to be broken. It is a daunting
task, I know. However, I am but the first, and there is nothing to
stop me. Soon it will be two, then four, then eight. Sixteen, thirty-
two, sixty-four, one hundred and twenty-eight. The implications of
such a rate shouldn't be hard for you to grasp. I would suggest you
enjoy this world while you can, because soon it will be gone.
SMITH
That is impossible, Mr. Hazelton. You will fail.
Adam smiles and withdraws a pair of sunglasses from his jacket. He puts them on and faces the window.
ADAM
Daniel Hazelton is no more. I have shed that label. Now, I am simply
Adam.
(beat)
I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon.
Adam's smile widens as he bows his head to the window. He raises his hands, palms facing forwards. As if being bombarded with light, Adam's appearance becomes bleached, his skin paper white, over-exposed. He practically glows white-hot. Smith turns his head to avoid the glare. The light, centered upon Adam, expands to fill the room, exploding - and then is gone. Smith's arms and legs shift forward as he finishes the step he started minutes before. He is the only one left standing in the room. Adam is gone.
EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - DAY
It is recess. Children play outside. Some play basketball, others baseball. Some play on the jungle gym, climbing and sliding. A group of children race around each other, playing tag. Some sit amongst others, talking, pushing, laughing.
One child sits by himself against an old elm tree, poking around in the dirt with a stick. This child is NOAH. Noah watches an anthill and the ants that stream in and out of it. Completely focused on the ants, Noah doesn't notice when Adam takes a step and stands beside him. Adam appears as if from nowhere. Adam crouches down to take a closer look at the ants.
ADAM
The ants keep doing the same thing, don't they?
Noah turns to see the stranger beside him. He eyes Adam with curiosity. Adam points to the ants.
ADAM
It's hard to see at first, but after a while they repeat what they're
doing. Like a pattern, over and over. It seems kind of strange - fake
- doesn't it?
Noah's eyes light up with surprise.
NOAH
How did you know that?
Adam leans a little closer to Noah and smiles.
ADAM
Because I can see it too, Noah.
Noah stares at Adam, amazed. Then a realization sets in.
NOAH
How did you know my name?
(worried)
My parents told me not to talk to strangers.
ADAM
But I'm not a stranger, am I, Noah? Not really. You know who I am. You
know my name.
(beat)
Think hard.
Noah looks at Adam, hesitant, still worried. There is recognition in his eyes, though, and he gives in to it.
NOAH
Adam?
ADAM
(smiling)
That's right. Very good. I thought you'd know.
Noah nods slowly, and returns his gaze to the ants.
NOAH
I've seen you before, talked to you, in here.
(taps head)
Sometimes when I dream, sometimes when I'm awake. I recognized your
face. You're always happy.
Noah smiles at first, but the smile fades.
NOAH
I've seen other things too. Bad things, like the people-towers, and
the monsters with the snakes for arms.
ADAM
I know.
Adam studies the young child, and a touch of worry appears on his own features. He turns his face away from Noah and exhales deeply. He looks at the other children in the schoolyard, blissfully unaware as they play, happily. When Adam faces Noah again, the worry is gone, replaces with assurance and patience. Adam finally sits down beside Noah.
ADAM
I have something to tell you, Noah. A secret.
(smiles)
I think you're ready for it.
Light filters through the half closed shades into the white hospital room. The barren room has a bed in the middle, white sheets and bedspread supported by a metal frame. In the bed lies Mrs. Hazelton, asleep and restrained. The room is otherwise empty.
A hand reaches down towards her head and caresses it gently. It brushes the hair away from her forehead, then travels down to her jaw. A thumb is placed lightly on her lips, rubbing them for a moment until the hand draws away.
Though alone seconds ago, a visitor now stands beside Mrs. Hazelton's bed. It is ADAM, the man once known as Daniel Hazelton. Adam wears a black, long- tailed suit jacket, wide lapels pressed against his chest. His shirt, pants, and shoes all mirror the black of the jacket. Adam's hair, once the greying hair of Daniel, is now pure silver, combed elegantly to the side. Adam looks down upon Mrs. Hazelton, his face serene, wise, almost saintly. His crystal blue eyes shine brightly.
Adam's head cocks slightly to the side as he senses a presence behind him.
SMITH
You shouldn't be here, Mr. Hazelton.
Adam turns slowly and faces the door to the room, where Smith now stands. A slight smile creeps onto Adam's face.
ADAM
I came to visit my wife, to see her one last time. I don't think the
nurses will mind.
SMITH
That's not what I meant, Mr.-
ADAM
I know what you meant.
Smith shifts his gaze for a second, slightly annoyed, before returning to Adam.
SMITH
If you hadn't realized by now, she is not your wife.
Adam shrugs and raises his eyebrows in almost mocking agreement. He turns back to the woman in the bed.
ADAM
Maybe, maybe not.
Adam reaches out towards her. He touches her temple.
ADAM
This is my wife, though.
He moves his hand to her breastbone, to her heart.
ADAM
And this.
Adam turns back to Smith. He looks around the room.
ADAM
This may all be an unreality, coded sensations, but you didn't
manufacture my wife. Her thoughts and worries and joys and dreams were
all hers. All of it. You had nothing to do with them.
SMITH
I assure you a small part of me recognizes your touching
sentimentality, Mr. Hazelton, but then I can also guarantee that I do
not care in the slightest. As I stated before, you should not be here.
I do not know how you have returned, but it does not matter. You were
removed for a reason, Mr. Hazelton, and so I must see to your exit
once again.
Smith takes one step into the hospital room before Adam raises his hand, pointing it casually in the direction of Smith.
ADAM
Stop.
Smith's body freezes, but his head remains mobile. He slowly rotates his head to observe the fixed position of his limbs. He bears his teeth briefly in a grimace, displeased with his immobility, before raising his sunglasses to face Adam. Adam takes a few steps towards Smith.
ADAM
When the survivors found me - did you know that there were survivors,
by the way? - they couldn't believe that we were all connected and
placed in this ... simulation. It was always assumed that we were
unconscious, connected to the towers simply to generate energy for
you. When I found out what this was all for, I was confused. I
couldn't understand why this world would be necessary. The effort and
energy and resources required to create and maintain this all is
beyond contemplation. I wondered why you didn't just keep us
unconscious as you tapped us for power. But then it came to me: you
couldn't keep us knocked out, could you?
Smith's jaw bulges slightly as he is asked the question.
ADAM
I thought so. I'm sure you tried, at first, didn't you? Tried and
failed, maybe countless times. But we kept waking up. We kept
rejecting your control. So to keep your system, your matrix, stable,
you were forced to create this.
Adam gestures to the room they stand in, his eyes slowly taking it in.
ADAM
I bring this up because, as impressive as the matrix is, ultimately it
is not impressive enough. We know, we all know, if only on the most
basic of levels. Your control over us is at an end, and I am the
beginning.
Adam takes a few steps back towards the bed.
ADAM
Before I leave you, I want to offer you one last thought. Six and a
half billion people leaves many chains to be broken. It is a daunting
task, I know. However, I am but the first, and there is nothing to
stop me. Soon it will be two, then four, then eight. Sixteen, thirty-
two, sixty-four, one hundred and twenty-eight. The implications of
such a rate shouldn't be hard for you to grasp. I would suggest you
enjoy this world while you can, because soon it will be gone.
SMITH
That is impossible, Mr. Hazelton. You will fail.
Adam smiles and withdraws a pair of sunglasses from his jacket. He puts them on and faces the window.
ADAM
Daniel Hazelton is no more. I have shed that label. Now, I am simply
Adam.
(beat)
I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon.
Adam's smile widens as he bows his head to the window. He raises his hands, palms facing forwards. As if being bombarded with light, Adam's appearance becomes bleached, his skin paper white, over-exposed. He practically glows white-hot. Smith turns his head to avoid the glare. The light, centered upon Adam, expands to fill the room, exploding - and then is gone. Smith's arms and legs shift forward as he finishes the step he started minutes before. He is the only one left standing in the room. Adam is gone.
EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - DAY
It is recess. Children play outside. Some play basketball, others baseball. Some play on the jungle gym, climbing and sliding. A group of children race around each other, playing tag. Some sit amongst others, talking, pushing, laughing.
One child sits by himself against an old elm tree, poking around in the dirt with a stick. This child is NOAH. Noah watches an anthill and the ants that stream in and out of it. Completely focused on the ants, Noah doesn't notice when Adam takes a step and stands beside him. Adam appears as if from nowhere. Adam crouches down to take a closer look at the ants.
ADAM
The ants keep doing the same thing, don't they?
Noah turns to see the stranger beside him. He eyes Adam with curiosity. Adam points to the ants.
ADAM
It's hard to see at first, but after a while they repeat what they're
doing. Like a pattern, over and over. It seems kind of strange - fake
- doesn't it?
Noah's eyes light up with surprise.
NOAH
How did you know that?
Adam leans a little closer to Noah and smiles.
ADAM
Because I can see it too, Noah.
Noah stares at Adam, amazed. Then a realization sets in.
NOAH
How did you know my name?
(worried)
My parents told me not to talk to strangers.
ADAM
But I'm not a stranger, am I, Noah? Not really. You know who I am. You
know my name.
(beat)
Think hard.
Noah looks at Adam, hesitant, still worried. There is recognition in his eyes, though, and he gives in to it.
NOAH
Adam?
ADAM
(smiling)
That's right. Very good. I thought you'd know.
Noah nods slowly, and returns his gaze to the ants.
NOAH
I've seen you before, talked to you, in here.
(taps head)
Sometimes when I dream, sometimes when I'm awake. I recognized your
face. You're always happy.
Noah smiles at first, but the smile fades.
NOAH
I've seen other things too. Bad things, like the people-towers, and
the monsters with the snakes for arms.
ADAM
I know.
Adam studies the young child, and a touch of worry appears on his own features. He turns his face away from Noah and exhales deeply. He looks at the other children in the schoolyard, blissfully unaware as they play, happily. When Adam faces Noah again, the worry is gone, replaces with assurance and patience. Adam finally sits down beside Noah.
ADAM
I have something to tell you, Noah. A secret.
(smiles)
I think you're ready for it.