1Life Hey.

Neo Hiya.

1Life I need a talk.

Neo Sure. Go ahead. Hey man, you look worried.

1Life (nods.)

Neo Is this really serious?

1Life Yeah.

Neo How?

1Life Very.

Neo Her?

1Life No.

Neo Then?

1Life The Chamber.

Neo Oh no. It’s back?

1Life Yeah. Oh no, there it is again. Oh shit, I hate this.

Neo L, calm down. It’s okay. Nothing’s wrong. You’ve fought it before and this is no different.

1Life I’m a little scared.

Neo Of?

1Life Losing.

Neo L, I’m right here. Now tell me, what is it about this time?

1Life Everything.

Neo As in?

1Life Everything. What is everything?

Neo And that of course puts your life in the shadow, and the rest of that, right?

1Life Yeah, especially us. The relationship between us, what is it with respect to everything?

Neo Between you and me?

1Life (laughs.) No no, her and me.

Neo Oh of course, I’m a no one. How could I forget?

1Life N, you’re not a no one. You’re just —

Neo Just?

1Life You’re just me.

Neo Nothing can be simpler. Great, L, let’s have this over with now, it’s getting under my skin. Sometimes I can’t imagine how you can let this go on for such a long time. It’s plain stupid. You have no idea how stupid you look. How so dreadfully stupid. Look around you, at your friends. Look at Subharup, Arko. They are in the same position of the universe that you are in. You. Are. No. Different. You got that? If they can be happy, you can be super-happy. You haven’t the job of figuring the universe out. Tell me now, tell me what you get. Tell me what it has given you.

1Life Er… I am smarter in front of people, more open, with girls, you know, and all. And my ideals have changed.

Neo Okay. Now tell me all that you’ve lost.

1Life Oh, N. They’re… they’re too much. Happiness, and… and… a bit of myself.

Neo Now let me tell you something, L. If you want, you can have only the gains and forget the losses. There are no losses, L. It’s all in your mind. What’s outside your mind is the real thing.

1Life What is outside my mind?

Neo Me.

1Life Oh?

Neo Well, her.

1Life She’s more in it that outside.

Neo You’re not co-operating.

1Life Tell me, N, will I live?

Neo Yes. We both will.

1Life Will I live to make a mark?

Neo What matters is whether you live peacefully. Nothing else.

1Life What if making a mark gives me peace?

Neo Well, I dunno about that. But if you want, you sure can.

1Life And what if I can’t?

Neo (smiling) L, you’ve got 100843 chances, you’ll get more.

1Life (smiling) That may not be true.

Neo Just think that way, and you’ll lose that panic of making a mark.

1Life Hmm, I’ll try. Sometimes I think she’s not really worried about my mental health.

Neo (shrugs.)

1Life It’s wrong, I’m sure. She’s worried.

Neo (shrugs.)

1Life Go to hell.

Neo You’ll tag along, of course?

1Life Oh, I forgot that bit.

Neo Feeling better?

1Life I guess.

Neo Keep Subharup and Arko in mind. Keep your priorities right. You know what I mean.

1Life Okay. Don’t leave me. Tell Hazel I’m sorry. I never meant to ignore her. Tell her I’m glad she’s there.

Neo Sure. She keeps worrying about you alright.

1Life I know. I’m glad she’s there. Well, I’ll leave you now.

Neo Sure, ok, great. You’re not alone.

1Life I needed that, N. thanks. Bye.

Neo Ta-ta.

1Life/Neo.

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