A.N.: Hiya again my Smith-freak fellows. And everybody else of course. Now here is the FAQ: Have you seen the film?

No?! You must be kidding!

Yes? Then let me tell you some of my thoughts about it. I don't want to analyze the movie or play the philosopher or something. I'm not good at it anyway. These are just some simple thoughts/remarks from a Smith/Hugo nut.

November 5. I've been waiting for this day for half a year. And now I'm sitting in the movie with friends waiting for the final part (no popcorn because last time it almost choked me and no coke because, well, you know: cause and effect). I wanted everything to be perfect. And it almost was. Almost.

The film started. Green codes, actions, philosophy, Neo, Trinity, Morpheus, these kind of staffs. Then came Smith's first scene at the Oracle. Hm, he was so handsome. As usual. But a little bit strange, to be honest. He seemed insane in some parts. But even that craziness didn't prevent me from loving him. No. Yeah, I know I'm hopeless, not normal or whatever you want to call me, but I still love him with all of his madness, craziness and peculiarities. I became hopelessly addicted and helplessly attracted (as a Corrs song says) from the very first time I saw him. And do you know what has changed since then? Nothing. Although - in some respects - his behavior is understandable: He is fed up with the whole thing, the never-ending fights and that Neo wins every fight. It made it kinda boring for me and annoying for him. And this is not fair. But I don't want to drag this out, it will be a long thing to analyze this. I know, he was not that Agent Smith from the first part any more. That's true. But he was Hugo and I love him as much as I love the character he plays in the film. He does a great job. So it is some kind of compensation for the craziness.

Then the other great Smith scene: the super brawl. And then the end. Well, it wasn't so great. The movie ended. Credits and symphonic music. But I was just sitting there mixed up, and I didn't know exactly how to feel or what to feel. I think this film is something I have to digest. And this is still in progress. And it will be for a while. I've seen it two times now but it's still difficult to accept some of its parts. Maybe later. Or never. But I can't say I hate it. I don't hate the 3rd part but, well, I don't know what should I feel.

My biggest problem is that I loved (why past tense? - my God! I still love him more than before!) the bad guy. Agent program SMITH. And because of it I had to face the (sad)facts: He may be destroyed. It is almost inevitable. And I had knew/suspected it before I saw Revolutions. And rules are rules. In every respectable (American) movie bad guys have to fail. I know it, I understand it but I will never accept it in Smith's case. I just can't. Sorry. But the fact that Neo sacrificed himself and died with Smith - I think - was fair. But I could have imagined a better ending. Like One Who Spins Flags' alternate ending. Yeah, that's a cool one.

An other thing: the changing in Smith's character (maybe I've already mentioned it before but I can't think clearly now). Well, it's true that he became a "little bit" crazy. But I think his performance was one (and the most important for me) of the bright spots in the trilogy. Remember his eyes? Remember his smirk? (somebody called it the best special effect in the Matrix) or his villainous laugh in the last part? I think he was great. Smith was great. Hugo was great. He lighted up the whole film. And that's the point.

Neo the hero of the movie and the savior of humanity. OK, OK. I know. But for me Smith is the real star of the Matrix trilogy and - I quote from an article called Agent Smith, my One and only - he will continue cloning himself forever in our hearts. Great, yeah? (Ok, it may be a little bit corny, but I don't care.)

And in our fics as well! Of course. We learned that "Everything that has a beginning has an end." But every end is another start as well. So let's go guys!

[I've already come up with an idea: My story won't stop after Revolutions. No. Because the Professor will become the Programmer again. You know: a new Matrix requires new, upgraded programs. So he will be asked to create new versions of programs (including Agents - they are always needed) who will fit into this new system. But he will do another thing as well. He will recreate Smith. The original Agent Smith from Matrix 1 (I mean the first movie). He will be able to do it because he was the one who created Smith originally. But in the new system Agents have to be more sociable. So they have to have partners (girlfriends if you like it more) at least. Maybe kids as well, but first things first. And I don't want to overdo it. And for every Agent the Prof finds a partner, a female (either a human or a program) except Smith because he was (re)created later than the others. Why? Because it seemed that the Prof wouldn't be allowed to do it. But he will be allowed. And what will be Kate's role in this? Take a guess!

So? Like the idea? I do but it requires further consideration of course. And it is the future. Let's continue where we stopped last time. Oh, I know it was a long ago. But let's try! So we are before the first part of the Matrix now. Kate and Smith left the B&B and stopped at the Agency where the Prof managed to talk with Kate about Smith. (Hey, that would be a great fic title: About Smith. Similar to the About Schmidt, the Jack Nicholson movie.)Then they left the Agency and drove toward Kate's apartment. But they was being followed by a private detective and a CIA Agent. Smith took care of them and stopped a bullet with his body so he saved Kate's life again.]

Chapter Twenty: Joy

After Smith stepped in, Kate pressed the button for the 3rd floor. The doors closed and the elevator started to move. But it was quite confined. At least for Smith, so he leaned against the wall opposite Kate, wanting to put a little distance between them. They still didn't speak. Kate also leaned against another wall and stared at the panel with several buttons on it. There was silence except the sound of the elevator. But later this sound started becoming quite strange and loud. With a rasp of steel and several creaks the elevator suddenly lurched, nearly knocking Kate off her feet. She banged against Smith as the elevator jerked to a halt. But fortunately it wasn't moving, wasn't falling. It simply stopped.

"Oh, no! I can't believe it!"-said Kate but it could hardly be heard because her face was buried in Smith's suit jacket. She was still gripping his arm tightly with her left hand. Smith looked down at her to see if she had her balance back. Now she was looking up at him.

"You all right?"-asked he.

"Yeah, thanks."-Kate said and looked at her right hand. It was on Smith's stomach where the bullet had hit him about an hour ago. But there was no sign of that. Smith looked down too and then at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Hmm?"

"What are you staring at?"

"Nothing. Uh, I just, well, it doesn't matter."-said she and turned to see the door and the panel. She scanned it for the emergency button. It was there. She released Smith's arm and walked up to it. Then she pushed it.

Nothing.

She pushed it again. And again. And again.

Still nothing.

Now she was really furious. She kicked the door with all her might. But nothing happened. Then she turned to Smith. He was just standing and staring at her with crossed arms. It was a great fun to watch her struggling in vain.

"Any idea, ace?"

Smith didn't answer. He glanced at the panel, then at the door. But nothing happened.

"So? What's your plan?"

Smith finally stepped up to the elevator doors, wedged his fingers into the crack, and pried them apart. The doors immediately gave beneath his pressure, just enough for them to see the wall on the other side. Smith stepped back his head bowed. Quickly he downloaded the building's map. Then he decided: It wasn't worth modifying codes. There was a much easier and faster solution.

"The 3rd floor is right above us. We are going to climb up to there." Then he turned to Kate: "That is the plan."

Kate stared at him. She expected another code hocus-pocus not this. But Smith seemed determined.

"After you."-said Smith and glanced at the ceiling.

Kate sighed and looked up too.

"Ok. But give me a boost up."

Smith didn't move. But after a minute he nodded, bent forward and linked his hands together into a cup. Concentrating on the ceiling, Kate stepped into his cupped hands and sprang almost lightly up to the trapdoor in the ceiling. In seconds she'd opened it and pulled herself up and through the opening. Then it was Smith's turn. He jumped, grabbed the edge of the trapdoor and pulled himself up and through it too. Now they could see the door to the 3rd floor. Smith pried it open and pulled himself up. Then he turned and reached out his hand toward Kate. She grabbed it and Smith pulled her up too. Finally they arrived. It was the third floor. And there was Kate's apartment. So they walked over its door. Smith entered first. He drew out his gun and scanned the room. But nobody was there. Kate followed him.

"Here's a pretty mess."-said Smith and holstered his gun.

"Well, I think that's an understatement."-said Kate as she looked around too. But she was worried not about the mess but its maker. It must have been her liaison officer from Zion. Joy. She came back then. Because of Kate's father's death. She suspected her to come back but she hoped that it wouldn't happen so soon. And now she would meet Smith. And it would be everything but good. It would be a disaster. Joy was one of her best friends but she was a rash person, quite hot-headed and eager to fight even Agents. She hated every machine by nature. And Smith? Well, we all know his attitude toward humans.

Papers, some books, and clothes were lying around the living room in complete chaos. Kate went to the couch and sat down. She was thinking hard how to tell it to Smith. How to ask an Agent not to kill another Resistant member.

Meanwhile Smith checked the other rooms too and finally he went back to the living room. There was something in his hand. She looked at him. Then she looked down at his shoes.

"Smith, don't trample on my favorite and very expensive clothes, please!"- said she and gave him a dirty look.

Then Smith looked down too. He stepped aside and lifted a bra with his index finger and stared at it.

"It's difficult to understand why lace is so expensive. It's mostly holes."- said he and sneered at her.

Kate rolled her eyes, stood up and grabbed the bra from him and collapsed on the couch again.

"What's wrong?"-asked Smith. But he had already known the answer. He found Joy's note on the fridge in the kitchen.

"Nothing."-Kate said and looked at him. Of course it wasn't true. And she wanted to tell him but how?

But Smith helped her.

"I think your problem is - he glanced at the note in his hand - Joy, right?"

She remained silent but still looked at him.

"Who is that Joy?"

"How do you...."

"Answer my question."

"...."

"WHO IS JOY?"-asked Smith. This time his voice sounded threatening.

Kate didn't answer. She didn't want to. And Smith started to become a little bit angry. Another human. Moreover it could also be a rebel.

"So you don't want to communicate. Good. Then I'll wait and ask Joy."-said Smith and walked over the French window. It was still raining.

"She is my liaison officer from Zion."-said she finally.

"Continue."

"That's all."

"No. What is she doing here? What does she want? Why is she here?"

"I don't know. Maybe she came because of my father's death. But...."

"But what?"

"What are you going to do with her?"

"Take a guess."

"Smith, please. ......... Don't do this."

"No? -he chuckled(?). "Tell me why."

"If you kill her, Zion will know that there is something wrong here. So they will send more people and if they realize that I help you, an Agent, they will pull my plug immediately without a single question. I'm sure. And even you won't be able to do anything against it."

Smith remained silent. What if Kate was right. He can't let it happen. He needs her.

"Smith?"

The Agent was still silent. He watched the raindrops rolling down on the glass. But finally he spoke:

"If I let her go, she will inform Zion herself."

"No, she won't."

"Really? And what makes you so sure?"

"I trust her."

"Well, I do not."

"If she refuses to help, you can kill her."

Smith turned to see Kate. Did she really say that? Then, after a minute silence, he spoke again:

"Well, it sounds like a fair deal......... All right. She will be given a chance. But only one. And if she fails, if she refuses to help, I'm going to kill her. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

"Well, good. I think it's for you."-said Smith and gave Kate Joy's note from the fridge. Then he sat down next to her on the couch.

"She will come back at 7 o'clock."-read Kate.

"I know."-said Smith and pocketed his shades. If Kate hadn't know that he was an Agent program, she would have said he seemed tired.

"We have 1 hour."

"49 minutes and 29 seconds."

"Well, if you don't mind I'll go and take a shower."

"Do as you please."-said Smith.

As the door closed behind her, Smith scanned the room. But gradually he got sick of sitting there in silence. He rose to his feet. Then he cast his eye around the room. But this time his attention was arrested by the bathroom's door. Or to be more precise by the keyhole on the door. Well, why not?

He walked up to the door and stopped. He stared at it with a sneer. He remembered when Kate had done the same with him. Then he bent down and looked through the keyhole. Kate was there. So were the shower's walls.

"Never a brake."-said Smith. And he was a little bit disappointed. Perhaps next time.

Then he walked back to the couch. But something caught his attention again: family photos. He took a closer look at them. He recognized Kate and Sam. And there was an unknown woman with them in the largest photo. And in several others too. It had to be Kate's mother. They resembled each other very nearly. He wanted to examine the other photos as well but something happened: a noise came from the front door. A key turned in the lock and the door was opened and shut. Then footfalls could be heard from the little hall. Smith turned to see who was coming. Soon a young woman - about 25 years old - appeared in the living room. She froze as she noticed the Agent. Smith turned to face her and looked her up and down. And soon he got the measure of the young woman. No doubt she had to be Joy. She came back 30 minutes sooner.

"Who the hell are you?"-asked she. Although she suspected the answer. But Smith didn't answer.

"Who are you and where is Kate?"

"..."

"Where is she?"

"She is exactly where she has to be."-said Smith as he started approaching her.

"Freeze!"-shouted she at him and drew out her gun.

"Calm down..."-said Smith in the well-known, calm, and neutral Agent tone. "Joy."-added he.

"You are an Agent, right?"

"Quite right. And I wouldn't recommend such a behavior if you want to survive this."

Joy was thinking. And suddenly she turned back, toward the front door. But Smith was faster and before she could reach it, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. Actually he floored her. But it didn't seem that she would give up so easily. Suddenly she turned and kicked him in the head. Smith turned his head back toward her. Now he was a little bit angry. Before she could pull back her leg he grabbed it, lifted her and threw her against the wall. She stood up quickly and tried to punch him. But this time Smith grabbed her fist. Then he twisted her arms and tried to hold her tight. But she lifted her legs and rested them against the living room's wall and pushed herself and Smith back. Smith landed on the couch with Joy in his lap. But her push was so hard that they didn't stop there. They fell backward with the couch. Now she was lying on Smith. But not for long. Smith threw her on the floor again. But this time her head hit hard against the ground. Smith picked himself up and dusted himself off. She also tried to get up but she couldn't. She was bleeding. Then Smith approached her and bent down to check her. But Joy gathered all of her strength and kicked him in the head again. Smith stepped back. His forehead was bleeding now. He wiped the blood and looked at his hand and then at the girl lying on the floor in front of him. He was really furious now. He bent down again, grabbed Joy at the collar, lifted her and pressed her against the wall. Then he drew out his gun and held it at her temple. Now Smith stood behind her and held her tight. Finally. She had to give up and waited for Smith to shoot. But he didn't.

"Go ahead. Shoot, bastard."-whispered Joy with clenched teeth.

"Oh, don't worry, Joy. When the time comes I will. But not now. Not yet. ...... Later."-whispered Smith in her ear.

Then there was silence except the sounds of their rapid heartbeats and breaths. But the sounds and colors slowly started fading away, the room dissolved. Joy fainted. But before it she could hear Kate's voice.