A dark room, and a lit computer screen, the word 'Searching' pulses as the screen flickers with window data as the search engine continues running. It is a studio apartment that seems over grown with technology. Cables are coiled everywhere, duck-taped into bunches that wind around the legs of tables and chairs. Table-tops are filled with cannibalised machinery, left open. At the centre of this technological rats-nest, a male is asleep infront of his PC. He has scruffy auburn hair, and a trench-coat is wrapped about him, a packet of cigarettes on the desk beside him. The screen suddenly goes blank. A prompt appears:
Wake up Gambit.
He sits up and notices the screen. He types "Ctrl X" but the letter T appears.
Gambit: What....?
He hits another button and the letter h appears. He keeps pushing random functions and keys while the computer types out a message as though it has a mind of its own. He stares at the four words now on the screen.
The Matrix has you.
Gambit: What the hell?
He hits the "Esc" button. Another message appears.
Follow the White Rabbit.
He hits it again and the message repeats. He rubs his eyes and when he opens them, the message has changed.
Knock Knock, Gambit.
Someone knocks on his door and he almost falls off the chair. He looks back at the screen, which is now blank. Someone knocks again and he rises, still shaky.
Gambit: Who is it?
Bobby: Its Bobby.
Gambit flips a series of knocks, and opens the door, leaving the chair on. A young Man stands there with several of his friends.
Gambit: Y' deux hours late.
Bobby: I know. Its her fault.
Gambit: Y' got de money?
Bobby: Two grand....
He takes an envelope out of his jacket and gives it to Gambit through the door.
Gambit: Hold on.
He closes the door. On the floor near his bed is a book – Baudrillard's Simulacra and Simulations. The books has been hollowed out, and inside there are several computer disks. He takes one out, drops the money in and puts it on the floor. Opening the door, he hands the disk to Bobby.
Bobby: Hallelujah! You are my saviour man! My own personal Jesus Christ!
Gambit: If y' get caught usin' dat....
Bobby: I know, I know. This never happened. You don't exist.
Gambit: Right.
Bobby: Something wrong man? You look a little whiter than usual.
Gambit: 'Don know.... Mon computer....
He looks at Bobby, unable to explain.
Gambit: Y' ever have dat feelin' that y' not sure if y' awake, or still dreamin'?
Bobby: All the time. Its called Mescaline and it is the only way to fly.
Bobby smiles and slaps the hand of his nearest droog.
Bobby: Sounds to me like you to unplug, man. A little R&R. What do you think Jubilee? Should we take him with us?
Jubilee: Definitely.
Gambit: Can'. Got t' work t'morrow....
Jubilee: Come on.... It'll be fun. I promise.
He looks up at her and suddenly notices on her black leather motorcycle jacket dozens of pins: Bands, Symbols, Slogans, Military medals and.... A White Rabbit.
Gambit: Yeah, yeah. Sure, Gambit'll go.
An older apartment. A series of halls connects a chain of small high- ceilinged rooms, lined with heavy casements. Smoke hangs like a veil, blurring the lights. Dressed predominantly in black, people are everywhere, gathered in cliques around pieces of furniture, like jungle cats around a tree. Gambit stands against a wall, alone, sipping from a bottle of bourbon. He is about to leave when he notices a woman staring at him. She walks straight upto him. We recognise her from the fight with the agents. It is Rogue.
Rogue: Hello, Gambit.
Gambit: How d' y' know dat name?
Rogue: Ah know ah lot ahbout yah. Ah've been wantin' ta meet yah for some time.
Gambit: Who are y'?
Rogue: Mah name is Rogue.
Gambit: Rogue? THE Rogue? The Rogue that cracked de I.R.S. D-base?
Rogue: That was ah long time ahgo.
Gambit: Mer-de....
Rogue: What?
Gambit: Gambit.... Jus' t'ought.. y' were a guy.
Rogue: Most guys do.
He is a little embarrassed.
Gambit: Do y' want t' go s'mewhere, an' talk?
Rogue: No. Its safe here, and Ah don't have much time.
They stand very close now, talking directly into each others ear.
Gambit: That was y' on m' computer?
She nods.
Gambit: How did y' do dat?
Rogue: Right now, all Ah can tell yah, is that ya in danger. Ah brought yah here ta warn ya.
Gambit: Of what?
Rogue: They're watchin' ya Gambit.
Gambit: Who is?
Rogue: Please. Jus' listen. Ah know why ya here Gambit. Ah know what ya've been doin'. Ah know why ya hardle' sleep, why ya live ahlone, an' why, night after night, you sit at ya computer. Ya lookin' f'r him.
Her body is against his, her lips very close to his ear.
Rogue: Ah know because Ah was once lookin' for th' same thing, but whe he found meh, he told meh Ah wasn't really lookin' fer him. Ah was lookin' for an answer.
There is a hypnotic quality to her voice and Gambit feels the words, like a drug, seeping into him.
Rogue: Its tha question that drives us, tha question that brought ya here. Ya know tha question just as Ah did.
Gambit: What is t' Matrix?
Rogue: When Ah asked him, he said that no-one could ever be told th' answer to that question. Thay have ta see it ta believe it.
She leans closer, her lips almost touching his ear, he body pressed up against his.
Rogue: Th' answer is out there Gambit. Its lookin' fer ya, and it will find ya, if ya want it to.
She turns and he watches as she melts into the shifting wall of people.
Added Segment
A blonde man sits watching the screen, watching what just took place between Gambit and Rogue. As she disappears, he switches it off. A purple-haired woman comes up behind him, placing herself on the arm of his chair, one hand across the back of it, gently playing with his hair, the other on her lap.
Woman: Something wrong My Love?
Man: They've found him.
Woman: Oh?
She looks unconcerned, and continues playing with his hair. He gets fustrated and slaps her hand away.
Man: Do you not see woman? This has to be done again....
Woman: Its only a game My Love.
He looks at her curiously, and she rises, placing a kiss on his forehead.
Woman: Just a game. Enjoy.
She leaves. As she does, two males enter. They are dressed in white and identical in every possible way.
Twin A: He's too old.
Twin B: He'll never make the transition.
The Man merely nods, knowing what they are talking about immediately.
Man: You're right. Of course, you're right. I see now. What a shame our game ends early.
He smiles and rises, suddenly happy with the day's outcome.
Ish – Wohoo! Thank you! Is this quick enough? grins big Glad you like!
Star-of-Chaos - big grin It's a lovely image isn't it? Remy in tight black leather.... I wanted Scott to be.... well.... Less of a Boy-Scout, hence Morpheus. Destiny as the Oracle? Well, it would seem logical.... Perhaps....Haven't decided yet.