The Once and Past King

Neo steps out into the road, this mental image of what used to be. This sophisticated form of imagery formulated to provide a soft cushion for human beings. To distract them from the fact that they had no independence.

Neo's boots, not even real were these. Though they felt real, seemed real to every sense. They had texture. weight. a unique taste and smell. Would it be unnatural to taste or smell his boots? Even if they were non- existent, a carefully-structured fabrication of computer programming?

Neo slid them across the ground. The machines could not fool him. He realized now what was real and what was not and never was. He placed them down, the boots parallel.

Neo focused. He saw all data. The Matrix became his plaything.

The others watch from the ship, Nebuchadnezzar.

Neo holds up his hand toward the incoming car. "There is no car."

Thud!

"Ooh!" sounded the crew members. Some looked away.

Switch: "Guess he wasn't the One."

Cypher: "Mouse, pay up. You owe me $50."