Bored. That's how she felt. Just…bored. Tired of school, tired of her dead-end job, tired of the endless parade of shallow friends and momentary acquaintances that came in and out of her life. Her "life"? Could she even refer to this as life? She didn't feel alive.
It felt like something was missing. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was there, at the edge of her mind, taunting her.
There was something wrong with the world.
It was too difficult to understand exactly what it was. She had searched for the answers and had developed an educated guess about what it might be linked to, but the truth continued to elude her.
She was young. Just turned 18. Highschool had been easy for her. She was smart. A lot smarter than most, but sometimes found herself wondering if it was all worth it. She had decided to go to college in the Spring, but had no idea what she should study. For some reason it just felt like it didn't matter what she chose. Like she wouldn't be around to find out what would happen.
She had moved out of her parents house almost immediately after she received her diploma. It seemed like maybe she just needed some time to find herself. Some time to understand why she felt the way she did.
To fill the empty hours at home alone she turned to the computer. A guy in high school had taught her how to use the thing. After a few years of practice she had learned to use it very well. She was a hacker and that made life a bit more interesting. A few weeks earlier she had hacked the IRS database. They were still looking for clues as to who had done it. They'd never find her though. She'd made sure of that….
She woke up to the sound of her alarm screeching into her ear. Time for work, she thought. After climbing out of bed she took a quick shower, dried her short brown hair, grabbed a soda, pulled on some jeans, a simple white shirt, and her black leather jacket and headed out the door. It was cold today. The bus ride to work was crowded. So crowded that she didn't notice the tall African American man across from her. He was watching her.
She got off at her stop and clocked in at the bookstore she worked in. The day went by relatively uneventfully and then her shift was over. She said a hasty goodbye to her coworkers and left. While she was waiting at the bus stop the same tall black man approached her.
"It's a nice evening, don't you think?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever."
"You look like you could use some answers."
"What?"
"Well, I'm surprised you don't recognize me. You have seen my picture before. In the papers. In the database, maybe?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know what I'm talking about, Trinity. I know who you are. Now do you know me?"
She was startled that he had used her alias. Then the realization set in. He was the one she had been searching for.
"You're Morpheus."
"Yes, that's right. I came to extend an invitation to you. If you want to know the truth, meet me at midnight tonight. Heart of the City motel. Room 303. I have to be leaving now. Don't mention this to anyone."
Just as quickly as he had arrived he disappeared. Now she had a decision to make. Well, it wasn't really much of a decision. Of course she would go. Maybe he would know what it was. The Matrix. Maybe he would know why she felt the way she did. Yes, she would meet with him.
