"Why, Mr. Anderson?"

Larry and Andy Wachoski’s
The Matrix: Revolutions
Crater Scene (“Why, Mr. Anderson?")


EXT. MATRIX STREET CRATER – NIGHT

The concussive blast craters the street, buckling buildings, as a wave of unequaled destruction rushes over the urban chasm.

The explosion thunders away, until there is only the hissing rain, as the Smiths gather around the crater's edge.

Inside the bowl of earth is the exposed viscera of the metropolis; broken pipes, sparkling cables and rent sewers.

The rain on Neo’s face slowly brings Neo’s consciousness back.

Smith stands over him as he tries to get up.

SMITH: Why, Mr. Anderson?

It is an effort to even pull his arm from the wet sucking mud.

SMITH: Why do you do it? Why get up? Why keep fighting?

Neo rolls over, pushing himself to his hands and knees.

SMITH: Do you believe you’re fighting for something? For something more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know?

Neo glares at him with animal-like eyes.

SMITH:Is it freedom? Or truth? Perhaps peace? Yes? No? Could it be for love? He laughs. Illusions, Mr. Anderson. Vagaries of perception. The temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect, trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose. Neo’s hands clench into fists. And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself...although, only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love.

Rain streaks the mud down Neo’s face like black tears.

SMITH: You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson. You must know it by now. You can’t win. It’s pointless to keep fighting.

Neo summons his strength once more, he stands.

SMITH: Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why do you persist?!

NEO: ......Because I choose to.