The Choice
A Matrix Story. Based on the movie The Matrix, of course, and ideas from Brad.
Characters used without permission, no harm is intended by this. Chronologically, this occurs right after Morpheus explains to Neo what the two pills do. This story has an extremely high insanity factor, so don�t expect it to a) have a plot b) make much sense or c) aid you in making choices in your own life. Have fun!
�Hmmm�.� Neo says thoughtfully, staring at the two pills in Morpheus� hands. �One pill, two pill, red pill,
blue pill�� He mutters absently.
�Neo.� Morpheus says forebodingly. �You must make your choice.
�I�m not ready!� Neo wails, pouting. �I gotta think�gotta think�� He reaches out and grabs the red pill.
Morpheus smiles slightly. �Remember, all I�m offering is the truth.�
Neo nods, then picks up the blue pill in his other hand. Morpheus� face falls.
�Whaddya think would happen if I ate them both?!� Neo says, his eyes lighting up like those of a young child.
Morpheus sighs. �Spontaneous combustion, probably.�
�Cool!� Neo grins boyishly, then frowns. �But not for me. Blowing up probably hurts. So�hmmm.� Neo
picks up the two pills, licking each one.
Morpheus rolls his eyes. Suddenly, a cartoon owl flies in.
�How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Matrix pill?� The owl muses in a strange accent.
�One�.twooooo�..thrrrreeee�.� Just as the owl is about to bite the red pill, Neo thwaps it.
�Hey, those are mine, you feathered fiend!� Neo says.
�Actually, they�re mine.� Morpheus says quietly.
Neo and the owl both look at Morpheus. �Um�whatever.� They say in unison.
�Red or blue, Neo. The time is at hand.� Morpheus says, adjusting his sunglasses and trying to bring the
mood back to what it should be-ominous, scary, dark, tense, stormy�.
�Shut up.� Neo thwaps the thesaurus, too, just for good measure. �I hate making choices�red pill, blue
pill�chocolate vs. angelfood�.paper vs. plastic�.I hold up the grocery lines for hours, you know.�
Morpheus sits back in his chair, closing his eyes. Hey, after all, it�s not like you can see whether his eyes are
open behind those glasses.
�I think I need some help.� Neo decides finally, grabbing Morpheus� phone out of his jacket while Morpheus
snores quietly, bored by the proceedings.
�Hello? Psychic hotline?� Neo says. �Yeah, yeah, I gotta make a choice, can you help me out?� Neo listens
for a moment, then frowns. �No, my husband is NOT cheating on me!� Neo listens a moment more. �Of
course I�m sure! Oh, you�re no help.� Neo presses a button on the phone.
Suddenly, a motivational speaker enters. �Mr. Anderson!� The speaker says pleasantly. �I hear you�re having a
problem making a choice.�
Neo nods.
�Try making a list of the pros and cons. Remember, good choices are necessary for a fulfilling life!� The
motivational speaker grinned toothily, then pulled a book out of his jacket. �You can read all about it for just 5
easy payments of $77.77 in my new book, �Good Choices are Necessary for a Fulfilling Life!�
Neo stares at him for a moment. �Um�thanks. Bye now.� Neo squints, twitches his nose like Samantha from
Bewitched, and the motivational speaker disappears. �Cool beans!� Neo says enthusiastically.
Morpheus twitches in his sleep. Neo glances over at him. �Uhhh�Morphy? You ok?� Morpheus sprawls out
in his chair, snoring loudly now. Neo shrugs.
�Lessee�.red pill, blue pill.� Neo stares at them both. �Roses are red, violets are blue, choices are hard
and�and�.poetry is cool!� Neo grins, then turns back to the pills.
�These look sorta like jelly beans.�
Morpheus wakes up. �You�re still not done yet?!� He yells. �What is wrong with you?!�
Neo blinks. �Um�the short version, or everything my psychiatrist says?�
Morpheus growls, and walks over to Neo, picking up the red pill, pinching Neo�s nose, and dropping it down his
throat, then pouring some water down for good measure.
�Glug!� Says Neo.
And that�s how he got on his way to saving the world.