Chapter 10
Smith extended his hand to Indigo as they walked to the car. She took his hand in hers as he guided her to the passenger side. She sat down in the seat and fastened her seat belt. Once she was secured, Johnson closed the door. Smith walked around to the front of car and entered on the drivers side. Once he was in, he fastened his seat belt and started the ignition and off they went, leaving Johnson behind them waving goodbye. During the ride they were silent the whole time, every once in awhile she would catch herself just looking at Smith and thinking about how handsome he looked. This night he looked far from being the agent that she and Onyx had encountered only weeks before, he had demeanor about him that was quite gentle. She was his hostage, but yet she was feeling things about him that she had never felt about any man, real or programmed.
'He's an agent.' she thought 'I shouldn't be feeling like this.'
And then she looked straight ahead at the streets passing before wondering where he was taking her. Smith occasionally glanced at Indigo and admired her beauty knowing that back in the day, he would have killed her without a single thought because she was human. Since the night Neo had defeated him and he had been brought back, things had changed. That night when she ran away, the old Smith would have let her go, he would have let the twins have their way with her and he would not have cared. A long time ago he would have thought that she had a stink about her because she was human, but instead she smelled of lilacs and it was pleasant to him. What once was repulsive was now beautiful and that beauty was sitting next to him not speaking a word. But he wondered also if it was right that he felt this way, he was a program after all. Finally they reached their destination. They drove into an underground garage and pulled up to a valet in red jacket, Smith got out.
"We have been expecting you Mr. Smith." said the valet.
Smith nodded in acknowledgment and handed his car keys to the young man, Smith walked to Indigo's side and opened her door extending his hand to her, she took his hand and got up out of her seat. They stood face to face for a long moment and all Indigo could think about was getting lost in Smith's deep blue eyes until finally he spoke.
"I hope this evening will enjoyable for us both Indigo."
She locked his arm in hers as the y walked to the elevator.
"Well you addressed me by my name, so that's a good start." she said as she smiled at him.
Once they reached the elevator, he smiled back at her and the elevator made it's way to the top floor to where the restaurant was. Once the doors opened they were greeted by the Maitre' D and were immediately seated at table next to a big window overlooking the city. A few moments later, a young blonde waiter had come to their table.
"Welcome to Merovingian's!" said the waiter. "I hope you will enjoy your dining experience here. My name is Justin and I will be your waiter this evening. Here are your menus and I will give you a few minutes to decide."
"Justin?" Smith asked.
"Yes sir?"
"What house wines do you suggest?"
"Well we have a lovely California Merlot, vintage 1996, we also have a fabulous Nappa Valley Chardonnay vintage 1998 and very sweet oriental plum wine, it's very good."
"We will take the merlot."
"Good choice sir." and with that, Justin disappeared into the sea of customers.
"For a program, you seem to know your wines." Indigo said.
"Well even though I am an A.I., I have known to enjoy a good glass of wine every once in awhile."
It didn't take Justin long to reappear with the bottle of merlot, he uncorked the cap and poured both of them a glass. Smith nodded in approval.
"Have you decided what you and the lady will have this evening?"
"Yes, we will both have the Filet Mingon ... I'll take mine medium rare. Indigo?"
"Medium rare is fine Smith."
"And will there be any dessert for you both?"
"Well if I have room afterwards," replied Indigo "I would like a banana royale please ... no nuts."
"Make that two." Smith said.
"Alright, two Filet Mingons and for dessert two banana royals. It won't be long."
Justin disappeared once again into the crowd of customers. At that point Smith held up his glass.
"So what do you think we should toast to?"
Indigo had thought for a moment.
"Well how about to experiences?"
"Really?"
"I do have to say this has been an experience for me."
"I agree. To experiences then."
Smith and Indigo had clinked their glasses together in a toast and took a sip of their wine. They looked out the window an admired the view, but Smith was looking more at her. Finally their dinner came and they ate in silence. Smith felt awkward because for the first time in his exsistance here in the matrix, he didn't know what to say or do. He felt like a very shy teenage boy but Indigo didn't seem to mind. Finally dessert came and Smith was intrigued by the three mounds of vanilla ice cream with a split banana on each side along with drizzles of hot fudge and whipped cream.
"So is this a banana royale?" he asked.
"Yes," said Indigo with a smile "this is a banana royale. Try it."
She watched as Smith took a bite and put it in his mouth. He could not believe the sensations he was feeling, the combination of the hot fudge and the cold vanilla ice cream in his mouth, it was like his taste buds came alive at that moment. Indigo giggled.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Well you have something on your nose."
"Huh?" Finally Smith felt something on his nose and touched it, it was the whipped cream from his banana royale.
"Oh sorry." as he wiped his nose off with a napkin "Is it off?"
"Yeah it is. Listen I have to go to the restroom I'll be right back."
"I'll be here." he said.
Indigo made her way across the sea of customers and into the ladies restroom. Once there, she spied an attractive woman with long jet black hair and full lips she turned and faced Indigo.
"Hello." said the woman.
"Hello." Indigo replied.
"I knew it would be a matter of time before we would meet. I am Persphone."
"How do you know me?"
"Word travels fast here in the matrix my dear. We have been awaiting your arrival for quite some time."
"Do you know what my purpose is here?"
Persephone looked Indigo up and down for a moment, studying her.
"Well I could tell you ... but I want something in return."
"What is that?"
"A kiss darling."
"A kiss? Why?"
"Because I want to sample what you really feel the man who is sharing your table tonight. And then I will tell you."
Indigo had thought about it for a moment and then she slowly walked towards Persephone and gave her light kiss on the lips. Persephone was not fazed.
"Terrible." she told her as she was about to walk out.
"Wait!" Persephone stopped in her tracks.
"Let me try again."
Persephone looked at her and smiled. Indigo stroked Persephone's cheek and slowly moved her lips to Persephone's until finally they kissed. But this time it was not a light kiss it was a kiss full of passion. Finally they parted and Persephone left out a deep breath.
"Oh yes ..." Persephone said as she stroked Indigo's cheek "I envy him."
Indigo looked puzzled for a moment.
"When you kissed me I knew it was not me you were kissing but I sample the real passion you have for him."
"Who?"
"Oh, silly girl. You know who I am talking about."
"Smith?"
Persephone smiled at her. It was like she could see right through her.
"A long time ago the matrix was a work of art, there was no conflict, everything was perfect ... but then we lost crops. You humans wanted a choice so the matrix over time had to become ... flawed."
"So where does Smith come in?"
"You see my dear, he has been around since the beginning of the matrix but he was not always an agent who was programmed to kill, he was a protector more like ..."
"A guardian?" she asked.
"Something like that." she said.
"But the night that Neo had defeated him for the third time and he was thought to be destroyed, something changed. And he's been trying to find it ever since. That is until you and your brother came into the matrix that fateful day. You see my love, it was destiny that you and Smith would meet."
"So I was meant to be here?"
"Yes."
"If you'll excuse me."
"Of course. He's waiting for you. You better get back to him"
Indigo came out the ladies room and made her way back to Smith who was still seated at their table.
"I'm sorry it took me so long." she apologized.
"It's alright." he told her.
"Do you want to get out of here?" he asked her.
"Yes."
They both got up from their seats and paid the bill. They made their way to elevator arm in arm and as they were on their way out Persephone bid them good night as she and Indigo made eye contact. Persephone still looked at them as the doors closed. Indigo and Smith just stood there in silence until they reached the garage. They walked to the car and got in. The ride back was silent. They reached the building and walked through the lobby and made their way to the elevator and up to Indigo's floor. Smith walked to her door and before she opened it.
"Indigo, I have something I want to show you."
He took her hand and they walked to room 303.
"Why did you bring me here Smith?"
"I thought that before we go any further, there are some things that you must know."
"Like what?"
He opened the door and there was a green light.
"Well what you are about to see is something that may change the way you look at me. But I feel I have to be honest."
"Okay. Well let me see it."
Smith took her hand and led her through the door. Inside that door she saw images like that of a movie. What she saw was the Smith that she had heard stories about. The Smith that hated humans and would destroy them at every chance he got. As they were watching the Smith standing beside her hung his head in shame and then the image changed to that of the first matrix. Smith was still there but this time he was flying with wings and he looked happy, that was until he was shot down in mid flight and started to fall. The image clicked off and there nothing but black. She looked at the man sitting beside her, tears streaming down his face. She wanted to hold him and tell him that it was going to be alright. And her heart ached for him because he was so sad.
"It's alright Smith." she said as she took his hand.
And it was at that point she knew what her purpose was for being here.
