Author's Notes: There are large sections of dialogue and since nobody complained after the last chapter I'm sticking to the movie script style of handling written dialogue. Near the end of the chapter the name of the OC will be revealed.
Morpheus & OC centric chapter.
Chapter 2: False Pretense
As Morpheus walked slowly down the path, the person he was searching for came closer into view. Seated on the third bench in, just as Link said, was a young woman who looked to be in her late 20's. She appeared to be of average height and weight with tanned skin and medium length dark hair held loosely in a braid. Glasses could be seen on her face and headphones were covering her ears.
Staring out to the water where a few ducks swam, the girl was singing along to the song playing through the headphones. Unaware of a person's approach she didn't pause in her singing while tapping the beat lightly with her foot. Morpheus paused a short distance behind her to listen in, thinking it best to wait for the song to end before disturbing her.
Young Woman: [singing quietly]
"If I break the glass, then I'll have to fly
There's no one to catch me if I take a dive
I'm scared of changing, the days stay the same
The world is spinning but only in gray
Only …. Only …. Only …
"Somebody shine a light
I'm frozen by the fear in me
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me
So cut me from the line
Dizzy, spinning endlessly
Somebody make me feel alive
And Sh …AAAHHH!"
- The last word turned to a yell as the young woman finally noticed she was being watched by a stranger. –
Although startled, she quickly recovered from her initial shocked reaction of pulling back and sliding a little further down the bench to the left. Temporarily this created some more distance between her and the stranger. Unsure of the man's intentions, the girl gripped her purse after she paused the music from the mp3 player which hung off a lanyard around her neck. With her other hand now free, she clenched and unclenched her fist ready to fight if necessary. She had hunched over slightly, shifting her weight to the balls of her feet, waiting to lunge or run, whichever would be necessary.
Noticing her defensive posture and behaviors, the captain of the Nebuchadnezzar knew he had to put this person at ease soon or risk her fleeing. It would be hard to approach her again if that were to happen. Hopefully his act would be convincing enough.
Trying to be calm and nonthreatening, Morpheus addresses the woman without moving closer.
Morpheus: "My apologies. It wasn't my intention to scare you."
Young Woman: [speaking in harsh tones] "Then what were you trying to do exactly?"
Morpheus: "No need to be so hostile. I was only listening to you sing. The song sounded somewhat familiar. I was only trying to figure out if I had heard it somewhere before."
Young Woman: "And have you?"
Morpheus: "No I must have been mistaken."
Young Woman: "Since now you know, you can leave."
'
She glanced back toward the ducks to show she was no longer interested in speaking with the stranger. However she hadn't completely turned her head so as to keep the man visible in her peripheral vision to make sure he was leaving.
'
Morpheus: "Actually if you don't mind, I would like to talk to you about something."
'
Morpheus cautiously took two steps forward at an angle so he would be more fully in her field of vision. This only made her fidget nervously and she wouldn't turn to face him.
'
Young Woman: "About the song?"
Morpheus: "No. Not about the song, about what happened the other day in the business district. You were a witness to the incident if I'm not mistaken. At least that's what I have been told by my contacts."
Young Woman: [speaking with agitation] "I don't know what you're talking about. Your so-called contacts were wrong. I can't help you."
Her way of practically spitting out her words couldn't hide the subtle hint of nervousness in her tone. Morpheus took off his sunglasses and tried moving in front of her so the dark haired female could see him clearly. Once in front of her he looked directly at her trying to make eye contact while a gentle smile spread across his face. From her reaction to his statement the veteran fighter could tell he had located the right person, just as he was when he had found The One.
This human mind was the only to elude the Agents during one of Neo's displays of defiance of the rules of the Matrix. Yes, she was indeed the one his crew was searching for, and this youth didn't want the Agents to find her. And if this this person wanted to avoid the Agents, then she could be brought to their side and work against them.
By handling this situation correctly, Morpheus could convince this girl to free her mind from the Matrix and come aboard the Nebuchadnezzar to travel to Zion. And if he was also accurate in his estimation, and she was what the people of Zion referred to as a Seer, then it was especially important for this young mind in particular to join the ranks of the freed minds.
Morpheus: "No need to be afraid. I'm not with the police or the government."
Young Woman: [sounding hesitant] "Then who are you with?"
Morpheus: "Right to the point. That's good. I'm with the people. I'm a reporter. I strive to find the truth and let it be known to the masses. Nobody has to know you were the one I interviewed. All sources are confidential of course.
Young Woman: "I'm not getting involved. They can't find me, can't know who I am or that I was there. Whoever they are or whatever they are."
Morpheus: "What do you mean?"
Young Woman: [evidently confused and upset] "The ones in suits, they never identified themselves. They appeared out of nowhere without any warning. Just swooped in and rounded everyone up and took control of the area. … But just looking at them you could tell there was something ….wrong about them. As if they weren't … weren't human, if that's even possible. I mean it was like they were robots or something."
[Her tone shifts to one of a conviction, yet still unsure because it seems impossible.]
"They all looked the same, acted the same, they even sounded the same. And they were way too organized and in synch with each other. It was just too strange. People cannot be that in tune with each other. It's not possible. And their movements and speech patterns …. definitely not normal, even for a government agency. I never want one of those Suits anywhere near me ever again."
'
Morpheus almost closed the gap between them entirely so she would have to face him.
'
Morpheus: "If you have seen the Agents then I am right that you were there. You saw what the people are calling the 'Flying Man'. But unlike the others who were present, you got away."
Young Woman: "Theoretically, if I were to say 'Yes', you won't tell anyone it was me?"
Morpheus: "Not a soul, as I said before."
Young Woman: "And why should I talk to you?"
Morpheus: "Because you are the only one they haven't gotten to. You're the only one who can tell me the truth, Alexia."
Young Woman/Alexia: [as her body tenses up in fear but trying not to show it in her voice]
"Seems you already know who I am."
'
Morpheus hoped he made the right decision in revealing he knew her name. If she was too startled the young woman may become paranoid and escape, maybe even hide. To make himself appear less threating, he moved back a bit and sat down on the opposite end of the bench.
'
Morpheus: "Good reporters do their research."
Alexia: [spoken with a hint of cold anger and something bordering on sarcasm]
"And who are you Mr. Reporter?"
Morpheus: "You can call me Mr. Brown."
Alexia: [spoken flatly and without emotion] If you are going to lie, at least be more convincing."
Morpheus: "I don't understand the implication."
Alexia: [sounding annoyed and indignant] "Yes you do, because you know you are Not a reporter and that's Not your name. Mr. Brown, the reporter, really? Covers, both of them. I'm sure of it."
Morpheus: "What makes you so sure I'm not telling the truth?"
Alexia: "Other than your outfit and behavior? I just know, that's why. I can't fully explain why."
-Then the girl glanced in the direction of the line of flowering trees some distance behind her before continuing.-
"And you can tell your friend back there to come out. I know she's there and she's with you. She has been watching us the whole time. I'm very observant even if I don't look it. So tell me who you are really. Truthfully this time."
Morpheus: "I wasn't lying when I said I am with the People and want the truth to be known."
Alexia: [avoiding his gaze] "That didn't really answer my question. And how can I trust someone who has been lying to me, can tell anyone the truth about anything?"
Morpheus: "She is only over there in case Agents show up."
'
Alexia interrupted Morpheus before he could continue.
'
Alexia: {tilting her head slightly to show her curiosity] "She's your body guard?"
Morpheus: "Something like that. I guess back up would be a better way of describing it. If I have her come over and join this discussion, will you at least listen to what we have to say?"
Alexia: "Depends."
Morpheus: "On what?"
Alexia: [spoken in an even tone without emotion or looking at Morpheus]
"If I believe you when you tell me what you really want."
Morpheus: "To join us. To leave this world of lies behind. To show others the truth, with your assistance. To help Neo free the People from things like those Agents and more.
Alexia: "That sounds closer to the truth. …. [glancing back at the tree line] Have her come over here and I'll try to listen to this truth of yours."
Morpheus: "You made the right decision. You'll see it for yourself soon enough."
'
Morpheus then reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone to call Trinity to come join him by the bench. He smiled as went to make the call. Their target hadn't run away. They were one step closer to recruiting her for the mission.
Author's Notes: The song used in the beginning of the chapter is "Shatter Me" by Lindsey Stirling featuring Lzzy Hale.
