BIly waited a little uncertain, watching the recording that had joyfully pitted him against Mr. Smith. After three days of shooting the same sequence thousands of times, it finally came to light. Andy gave his approval while Michael, his stunt double, had gone beyond the line in some parts that began to fuse, forming an action scene that looked like something born out of a war. It was simply the art of cinema playing its hand, and this time, Billy's eyes lit up. What can be done when reality turns into a circus, and you're handed a fight that feels ripped straight from a video game?
-Then I guess that's it. – Michael remarked, catching his breath. His stunts were the toughest, like balancing on a steel rod in midair, pulling off two backflips, and finishing with a handstand. Anyone who says that isn't hard is simply lying—it is. Some scenes look more complex, and yes, there are specialists, but even in those cases,s there's always a struggle: fighting, leaping, karate, surfing, piloting a plane… you'd need three lifetimes for an actor to pull off so much and still be a good actor. The trick lies in the fact that these scenes demand only a minimal layer of acting skill, but that doesn't make it entirely healthy. Still, though it may not be, it is hard, and difficulty at least earns a shred of respect.
-In fact, now we have to wait for the next takes, it won't be long… I've got three more action scenes. – Billy said, already considering hiring another stunt double, even if that would complicate things further.
-I'd rather we wait for now. – Andy added. –My brother will handle a few shots while I review others, and well, we expect that by the end of the month, most of the filming will be wrapped.
Larry, ever the anvil of details, made sure the takes captured the personalization of Neo's emotions, playing within the sci-fi project with moments that stopped time, manipulated surface currents of motion with slow-mo, actor tracking, and artistic shots. Other times, those decisions fell into Andy's hands. Honestly, it was confusing giving directions to the deranged twins, who shot across different years and settings but always mirrored each other's minds in a sinister way.
-Well then, we'll wait. – Billy replied. Three extra scenes remained, and for now, they'd prioritize filming Neo's moments inside the Matrix, leaving his human side for another time.
…
Billy took a breath, clad in his black suit and glasses. They climbed a building. It was surprising they used him as a key figure and sent him flying, shooting an action sequence that had apparently started four days ago, with highway shots—one controlled, another on green screen. Filmmaking was full of novelties.
-The shot will be divided into four parts; there will be cuts, but we'll continue once the environment is properly set, which will take between two and four minutes. – said Zach, head of editing throughout the film, serving as the direct link with the actors for at least two months, over the director's deeper ideas.
-Scene 56. Take 2.-
Morpheus: What do you see, Neo?
Neo: Strange, the code looks different.
Morpheus: Encrypted?
Neo: Maybe.
Trinity: Does that help us or hurt us?
Neo: Well, it seems each floor is rigged with explosives.
Trinity: Bad for us.
Morpheus: Here we go.
Master: How can I help you?
Morpheus: Yes, we're here to speak with the Merovingian.
Master: Of course, he's been expecting you. Follow me.
…
Merovingian: Ah! At last! Neo, the One, in person, yes? And the legendary Morpheus.Et Trinity, of course, si belle qu'elle me fait souffrir. I've heard so much, I am honored. Please, sit, join us. This is my wife, Persephone. Something to eat? To drink? Mmm… of course, such things are mere artifices, like so much else here. Appearances.
Beside him sat Charlize Theron, a stunning blonde with piercing blue eyes. She wore a full white dress, her eyes touched up to look tired but still beautiful—a bride trapped in a reality she neither wished to live nor endure.
Neo: No, thank you.
Merovingian: Yes, of course, who has the time? Who has the time? But then, if we never take the time, how can we ever have it? Château Haut-Brion 1959 is a magnificent wine. I adore French wine, as I adore the French language. I've tried them all, but French is my favorite—such a marvelous tongue, especially for cursing. Nom de Dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperies de connards d'enculés de ta mère. You see, it's like wiping your ass with silk—I love it.
Morpheus: You know why we're here.
Merovingian: Hmph… I am a trafficker of information; I know all that I can. The question is, do you know why you are here?
Morpheus: We're looking for the Keymaker.
Merovingian: Oh yes, indeed. The Keymaker, of course. But that's not a reason, not a "why." The Keymaker in himself, by nature, is a means, not an end. And thus to seek him is to seek a means to do… what?
Neo: You know the answer to that question.
Merovingian: But do you? You think you do, but you don't. You're here because you were sent, told to come, and you obeyed. [Laughs] That is, of course, the way of all things. You see, there's only one constant, one universal, the only real truth: causality. Action. Reaction. Cause and effect.
Morpheus: Everything begins with a choice.
Merovingian: No. Wrong. Choice is an illusion, created between those with power and those without. Look at that woman. My God, look at her. Affecting everyone around her, so obvious, so bourgeois, so dull. But wait… Watch. I've sent her a dessert, a very special dessert. I wrote it myself. It begins so simply, each line of the program creating a new effect, like poetry. First, a wave… warmth… her heart races. You can see it, Neo, can't you? She doesn't know why… is it the wine? No. Then what? What's the reason? And soon, it won't matter. Soon, the "why" and the reason vanish, and only the feeling remains. That is the nature of the universe. We fight against it, we struggle to deny it, but of course, it's a joke, a lie. Beneath our calm exterior, the truth is we are utterly out of control. Causality. There is no escape. We are forever its slaves. Our only hope, our only peace, is to understand it—to understand the "why." The "why" is what separates us from them, you from me. The "why" is the only true social power; without it, you are powerless. And so you come to me, without a "why," without power. Another link in the chain. But fear not, since I see how good you are at following orders, I'll tell you what to do next. Run back and give this message to the Oracle: Her time is almost up. I have more serious matters now, so I'll take my leave.
Neo: This isn't over.
Merovingian: Oh, but it is. The Keymaker is mine, and I see no reason to surrender him. None at all.
Persephone: Where are you going?
Billy found her performance passable—well, more than passable. He knew the actor wasn't a fool and didn't act that way, so she was good. The dialogue carried strength, a clash of wills sparking between them.
Merovingian: Please, ma chérie, I've told you, we're all victims of causality. I drink too much wine, so I must take a piss. Cause and effect. Au revoir.
Trinity: Touch me, and that hand will never touch anything again.
…
That was the second cut. The crew took their positions, signaling the beginning of the next sequence of movement and capture.
Neo: Well, that didn't go too well.
Morpheus: Are you sure the Oracle didn't say anything else?
Neo: Yes.
Trinity: Maybe we did something wrong.
Neo: Or maybe we didn't do something.
Morpheus: No, what happened, happened, and it couldn't have happened any other way.
Neo: How do you know?
Morpheus: Because we're still alive.
Persephone: If you want the Keymaker, follow me. [to the man in the bathroom] Out! I'm tired of your stupidity. Again and again, pompous fool. Long ago, when we first arrived here, things were so different. He was different. He was like you. I'll give you what you want. But you must give me something in return.
She stepped closer with dominance. For an actress, she was tall, with heels as tall as Billy himself.
Neo: What?
Persephone: A kiss.
Trinity: Excuse me?
Persephone: I want you to kiss me as if you were kissing her.
Neo: Why?
Persephone: You love her. She loves you. It's above the two of you. Long ago, I knew what that felt like. I want to remember. I want to taste it. That's all, just a sample.
Trinity: Why don't you try this instead?
She pulled out a revolver, her blue eyes flashing with fury beneath her glasses, bright and sharpened by possession.
Morpheus: Trinity.
Persephone: So much drama over something so small. It's only a kiss.
Neo: Why should we trust you?
Persephone: If I don't deliver the Keymaker, he might kill me.
Neo: Fine.
Persephone: But you have to make me believe I'm her.
Neo: Fine.
Persephone: Terrible. Forget it.
Neo: Wait. All right.
Billy removed his glasses, his eyes shifting to love, and his movement was slow, meticulous. She could almost feel her knees buckle at the way he kissed—with such love.
Persephone: Ahh, yes. That's it. I envy you. But something like that is not meant to last. Come with me.
Link: Not again!
Persephone: Don't worry, boys, they're with me. These guys work for my husband; they do his dirty work. They're good, very loyal. Aren't you, boys?
Cain and Abel: Yes, ma'am.
Persephone: They're from a much older version of the Matrix, but like so many from back then, they caused more trouble than they solved. My husband kept them because they're notoriously hard to kill. How many people carry silver bullets in their guns? You can run to the restaurant and tell my husband what I've done, or you can stay here and die. He's in the ladies' room… [to the Neb crew] Quickly!
Rapid words, approving, a taste that the Matrix was never forgotten, and that everything hung by the whim of countless timelines. How many Matrices were there?
Neo: My name is Neo.
Keymaker: Yes, I am the Keymaker. I've been waiting for you.
Merovingian: Oh God, my God, Persephone, how could you do this? You betrayed me! [speaking in French]
Persephone: Cause and effect, my love.
Merovingian: Cause? There's no cause for this. What causes?
Persephone: What cause? What about the lipstick still on your lips?
Merovingian: Lipstick? Lipstick? What madness are you babbling, woman? There's no lipstick.
Persephone: I wasn't kissing your face, my love.
Merovingian: Ai-ai-ai-ai-ai, woman, this is nothing, c'est rien, c'est rien du tout. It's a game, nothing but a game.
Persephone: Exactly. Have fun.
Merovingian: All right. All right. Let's see where this leads. You two, bring me the Keymaker.
Trinity: That's a neat trick.
Keymaker: I cannot go back.
Neo: I'll handle them.
Merovingian: Handle us? Handle us? You know, your predecessors were far more respected.
Merovingian: Fine, you've got some skill. Kill him.
Merovingian: You see, he's only a man.
Merovingian: Damn you, woman, you'll be the death of me. Remember my words, boy, and remember them well—I've survived your predecessors, and I'll survive you!
-Cut.-
-You need to get ready for the next scenes, we'll film the fight last. – Larry, now serving as director, announced.
...