As you are getting older and not necessarily wiser, your perception and interpretation of The Matrix changes dramatically.

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When I was still studying, The Matrix used to be a great SF movie for me. Nothing more. Then I got my first job and Matrix became a philosophical movie with a deeper meaning. Now, as a freelancer, Matrix is a horror movie for me. Why?

# Please, Take Me Back to The 9-to-5 Matrix

When I look myself in the mirror, I see Morpheus. He’s laughing at me. *I got you, didn’t I?* You know what? He’s right.

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Back then, Neo used to be our hero. A few years later, that guy Cypher makes perfect sense to me. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?

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It’s that scene where Cypher and Agent Smith discuss the curse of the red pill.

[https://youtu.be/OLv6ycYcpGI?embedable=true](https://youtu.be/OLv6ycYcpGI?embedable=true)

Is there a freelancer who didn’t want to go back, even for a moment? The security of the 9-to-5 work zone and the beauty of regular paychecks. Sometimes, I really miss those days. Cypher got it right. Ignorance is truly bliss.

# The “Double Agents” Don’t Need Red and Blue Pills

I have frenemies. I call them double agents. They call me — stupid. They’re pragmatic. I’m proud. They can exist in both worlds at the same time. They have their regular jobs and they freelance at night. Some of them jump in and out. They spend some time in an office. Then, they take a break and freelance full-time. Then, they get back, and so on and so forth. It works for them.

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### The Nebuchadnezzar crew could learn a lot from these double agents.

There’s no need to wage a war against the machines.

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You spend some time in the Matrix. When you get tired of the virtual world, you explore the real world with Morpheus.

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You don’t rub the machines and Agent Smith the wrong way. Everybody is happy. This could have worked just fine for both parties, but no, they wanted and eventually succeeded in destroying a perfect illusion.

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Should I become a cyber-double-agent? I just can’t. I won’t. I guess that makes me Neo who has a Cypher’s dilemma from time to time. Freedom is the most expensive word in freelancing.


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*Dear Agent Smith,*

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*I would like to cancel our appointment. Let’s just stay in touch for the time being. Regarding your polite request to get you the number of the woman in the red dress, I have to respectfully decline it. She prefers a real relationship if you know what I mean.*

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*Thank you for your time and understanding.*

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*Yours sincerely,*

*Neo Cypher*

The writer was physically present in relevant location(s) to this story.

Agent Smith, Take Me Back to The 9-to-5 Matrix

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