It was fitting—the work that had taken them at least thirty days was finally drawing to a close, though the scenes had been many. Wrapping up Matrix 2 felt like lifting a great weight off their shoulders, granting them a short respite, because despite it all, Billy still expected, in every sense, that his work would lead him to finish the grand saga of science fiction that, to his eyes, would shine brighter than in its own beloved era. They had brought in better actors, many mid-tier, but talented nonetheless, and every A-list actor added pressure. Billy's presence over Carrie-Anne was striking—her performance grew stronger with each take, becoming more powerful. Billy, as always, responded with tireless dedication. His approach to acting always met the required measure.
-Your karate has improved quite a bit, Billy. – remarked his karate trainer, who had now spent five days training him again, working diligently through those last five days.
-Thanks, but I'd say I'm not really cut out for this. – Billy replied. He was cautious by nature, and getting hit was nothing short of a headache—an ordeal. Stunt work wasn't his strong suit; using his body like this was something he never enjoyed.
-Your strikes are basic. For a beginner, they're not what one would call powerful. And your balance is like that of a child—you look as though you might fall at any moment. – answered the master, throwing a quick strike as Billy moved in response. They rehearsed the fight sequences for the third film, and the karate now seemed to be aligning with what was required.
Carrie-Anne watched from a distance.
-It isn't good. – sighed Billy, aware that he had long struggled with balance. Every attempt left him poorly grounded.
-I'll leave you with some exercises. – said the master, well aware of Billy's discipline. His relentless drive, his arrogance even, always pushed them to the limit—a quality both inspiring and punishing.
-He who does what must be done is he who truly can. – said the master firmly, knowing well that the next five days were all Billy had left for this.
-A thousand times, maybe. Or maybe a thousand more. – Billy responded, taking his place once again, standing apart in his own solitude.
-It's my turn. – Carrie-Anne rose, fully aware of how rare it was to find a skilled karate instructor. Unlike Billy, she had more ease with the movements, and it amused her to see him struggling at something where he wasn't the best—or even particularly good.
He was incredible at acting, brilliant at creating, imagining, writing, sketching, at business, gambling on vintage-style ventures. But when it came to violence, his efforts fell short. She had trained longer than he had, though she never put in as many hours as the boy, who was… adequate at best.
...
Link: What are they doing?
Trinity: They're beyond EMP range.
Neo: It's a bomb. We have to get out. Now.
Morpheus: I had a dream… and now that dream is gone from me.
Link: Here they come. Let's go, Morpheus.
Neo: We won't make it.
Trinity: We have to try. Come on.
Neo: Something's different. I can feel them.
Trinity: Neo!
Morpheus: What happened?
Trinity: I don't know.
Link: It's the Hammer.
Maggie: He's in some kind of coma, but his vital signs are stable. And you?
Trinity: I'm fine.
Maggie: You should get some rest.
Trinity: No, I'll stay with him.
Roland: Lock was right. He figured the machines would cut the main lines in and out of Zion. Thought a counterattack might catch them off guard. Sounded good—we thought we had a chance, until someone ruined it.
Colt: An EMP went off before we could get into position.
Mauser: Five ships down, instantly.
Colt: When the machines broke through, it wasn't a battle. It was a slaughter.
Link: Was it an accident, some kind of malfunction?
AK: Nobody knows.
Roland: Someone does.
Morpheus: Who?
Roland: Once the machines finished with us, they started digging again. We did a quick sweep for survivors.
Link: You found one?
Roland: Just one.
-Cut.–
Larry and Andy both let out a long breath. Several shots still remained to be filmed, and the final sequences pressed ahead. But now it was clear—Billy's time was short. Perhaps the long takes with Neo would be all they'd manage to capture in the upcoming sessions, a patchwork of opportunities.
-I can see you're a complete failure as a gambler. – Larry remarked to Andy, who had bet that they'd finish part two by September 25th. It was only September 17th, and already they were in rhythm to capture a few more scenes.
Billy walked toward them, having been watching for some time from several occasions over the past days.
-So, do we have a deal? – asked Billy, in his simple outfit he had worn for days, his work requiring him to repeat this again and again.
-Yes, but we'll do the main work in the first days. It's not crucial, but I think we should stretch it all to September 30th. Better to capture it in one shot and wait for you to do something worthwhile. – Andy remarked, clear in his intention to film the scene in one take.
-Then I'll go. I have a country to be in. – Billy replied, knowing little of the sciences, yet certain that perhaps he'd have to take a fall. Monica was waiting for him. Her profile—sharp, clear, and striking—was magnificent. He loved her simple presence, the way she appeared without effort, calm and graceful. Their relationship was never difficult or complex. With Monica, everything was simple. She even knew things about him that he himself did not.
...