Nanu's Story - Nanu and the Oracle

Nanu

The Oracle lives in an apartment block just outside the city centre. The crew is split up; Tod and Key waiting near their exit, Gavin and Trinity are waiting in the lobby, and Nanu is following Neo into the lift.

He presses the button for the ninth floor. The doors rattle shut.

"Is this the same Oracle you saw?"

"Yes. She's very old."

"How old?"

He shrugs. "I don't know actually, but she's been around since the Resistance began."

"How much does she know?"

"Enough."

"And what she says is always right?"

"What she says is not as important as your reaction to what she says."

"Meaning?"

The doors open and Neo sweeps through giving her no answer but a small smile. She sighs and follows him down the hall. Neo stops outside a door and turns back to her.

"This is it."

The door opens suddenly and a young woman in a white dress is standing there.

"Welcome Nanu. You're right on time."

***

The Oracle's home is small, bright, and old fashioned, the predominate colours being orange and green. Nanu is shown to the living room.

"You can wait here," the priestess says, then she wafts away. Neo is gone.

Nanu looks around the room, taking note of a bookshelf, an old sofa, a black and white TV, and a glass cabinet fillet with china cats.

There are also several kids. Two girls are sitting on the yellow carpet, tossing a ball back and forth between them. But they're not using their hands. A boy is cross-legged on the sofa, mending a broken ornament. As Nanu watches, he lifts one piece and fits it with another, the runs his thumb along the join. The hairline crack vanishes like it never was. Hearing young voices from another room, Nanu half turns -

Suddenly the ball comes flying in her direction. Without thinking she reacts and catches it.

"Careful!" the boy frowns at the girls. "You'll break something else soon."

They only laugh, and one girl looks to Nanu. "Wanna play?"

"How?"

"Just throw it with your mind."

"You mean, to change the code?"

"No," the boy shakes his head. "It's simpler than that. Only try to realise the truth."

"What truth?"

He smiles as if at some private joke. "There is no spoon."

The older girl laughs again, "You're confusing her Jonah. What he means is, all you have to do is realise that this isn't real, and you can bend the rules."

"I thought only Neo could do that."

"That's why we're here," says the younger girl. "We used to be called Potentials. They thought one of us might have been the One. But they were wrong, we just know more than other coppertops."

"You're not unplugged?"

"No," all three say in unison.

"So you live here?"

"We have nowhere else to go," Jonah shrugs. "According to the Matrix authorities we don't even exist."

"Are you going to play or not?" the girl asks.

Nanu hesitates, then tosses the ball to her.

"Cheat, you used your hands."

A hand on Nanu's shoulder makes her jump. The priestess is back.

"The Oracle will see you now."

***

Nanu walk quietly into the kitchen. The Oracle is standing at the bench, making coffee. The turns her head as Nanu is about to announce herself.

"I know you're Nanu." Her voice is husky. A smoker's voice. "Coffee dear?"

"Uh, yes thankyou." The smell wafts around her as Nanu watches the Oracle push down the plunger. Her RSI is craving caffeine in any shape or form, but if this tastes like it smells . . .

"Not quite what you expected right?" the old lady puts down two mugs and gestures for Nanu to sit at the table.

"I tried not to expect anything," she sits. "I figured that would make things easier."

"A wise decision." Steam curls as the coffee is poured, black and strong. Nanu takes a cautious sip; it's hot, and beautifully strong. She can practically feel the caffeine flood to her brain.

There is an awkward silence. The Oracle just watches her.

"You're different. I can understand why Neo got you out."

Nanu tries to think of an intelligent answer and fails.

"You can change things can't you?"

"Uh, yes."

The Oracle takes the spoon from her coffee, dries it on her apron then gives it to Nanu.

"Bend it."

Nanu holds the utensil in front of her, recalling Jonah's enigmatic advice, 'There is no spoon'. He's right. There isn't really. It's just lies, illusion.

The spoon warps and begins to bend, dipping over to one side. Light from the kitchen window glints and reflects off the metal in her hand.

Blink. The spoon is normal again.

"How did you do that?" the Oracle asks, as if she knows the answer already.

"I just remembered it wasn't real."

"Very good."

Nanu puts down the spoon and wraps her hands around her mug. "May I ask you something?"

The Oracle smiles, "I may not be able to answer, but ask away."

"Can you do what I do?"

"I have the Gift."

Nanu tries to work out if that was meant to be an answer or not.

"Now may I ask you something?"

"Um, sure."

"Do you believe in reincarnation?"

"Yes."

"What would you say if I told you that you'd lived before?"

"I'd want to know who I was."

"You need to see Morpheus," the Oracle looks up as the priestess appears in the doorway. "Could you fetch Neo for me please?"

She nods once then leaves, her floaty white dress trailing behind her.

Nanu takes another drink of coffee, still trying to work out what's going on. The Oracle smiles as Neo comes into the room, ducking under the wooden beads in the doorway.

"Ah, Neo. When are you scheduled to go to Zion?"

"Um, two weeks."

"May I suggest you go sooner? I'd like Nanu to see Morpheus."

"Uh, okay. Sure."

"How's Trinity by the way?"

"She's good."

The Oracle's smile widens indulgently. "I can hardly believe you've only just begun to talk after four years."

"We've talked - " he protests.

"Not enough." The Oracle turns back to Nanu. "I think Morpheus will be a very important figure in your story, be sure to see him soon."

"But - ?"

"Wait, I almost forgot. Hold out your hand." Nanu obeys and the only lady scrutinises her left palm, tracing the lines on the girl's skin. "Hmm. Interesting."

Nanu won't take the bait.

"You've got the Gift." Behind her, Nanu hears Neo inhale sharply.

"From Neo."

"No, this is in your soul. You've definitely been here before," her eyes raise from Nanu's hand and fix on her face. The Oracle frowns, her gaze probing. "I almost remember you."

"What do you mean? Who was I?"

"Morpheus. He can help you.

"But - ?"

"Morpheus," she repeats. "And make sure to talk to Pirate when you meet him."

"Pirate?"

"Nanu," Neo checks his watch. "We have to go."

The Oracle stands, and Nanu gets up as well.

"Until next time kid," she smiles. Nanu gives a faint nod then follows Neo out of the kitchen.

Can you tell by now that I'm a caffeine addict?