http://www.only4gurus.com/v3/matrix.asp
Gates, on stage, introducing clip: "Now, I get to spend a lot of
time making sure that this drive towards these ambitious scenarios
is really understood, and there's a strong commitment to it, all
the way, throughout all the developers at Microsoft and in our
partners, that build on top of the platform. I'm focused on making
sure that strong commitment is really there, that people can see
that vision. And I put together a little video that shows one way
that working with one person at Microsoft I really did get the
message across. Let's take a look."
[Film begins, first scene opens in stark interrogation room, with
Steve Ballmer and agents on opposite sides of a table.]
Agent, speaking slowly: "We've had our eye on you for some time
now, Mr. Ballmer. It seems you've been living an alternate life. In
one life, you're Steven A. Ballmer, CEO for a respectable software
company. The other life is lived in computers, where you go by the
hacker alias, "Steve-o." One of these lives has a future. The other
does not. Let's have a look, shall we?"
[Attempts to get computer to work, pounds on keys, camera angle
shifts to show its a Linux box. Comdex crowd laughs and claps. On
screen, in interrogation room, Ballmer watches, amused.]
Agent, hushed aside to assistant: "I need you to write a new device
driver and recompile the kernel."
Agent to Ballmer: "We know that you've been contacted by a certain
visionary. My colleagues believe that I am wasting my time with
you, but I believe you wish to do the right thing. [Phone rings.]
We're willing to wipe the slate clean, give you a fresh start.
[Phone still ringing] Would you get that? [irritated, to
assistant]."
[Assistant answers, hands phone to Ballmer]: "Its for you."
Ballmer: "Hello?"
[There's a zapping sound, and Ballmer disappears. The film shifts
to a new scene, with Gates as the Laurence Fishburne character,
Morpheus, wearing Matrix-style garb and sunglasses, approaching
Ballmer from across a darkened room.]
Gates: "At last. Welcome Steve-o. ... Have you ever had a dream
that was so real, you weren't sure you were dreaming?
Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is, but I can
show you, and after this, there is no turning back. You take the
big blue pill [shows him pill with IBM and Linux logos] and this
story ends. You wake up in your bed, and armies of consultants are
running around the IT world. You take the red pill [with Microsoft
logo], you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how to ensure
innovation frees the [inaudible]."
[Scene shifts]
Gates continues: "For years, I've watched them do it. They'd send
thousands of consultants into the world to convince companies to
outsource their information technology. But we see the world
differently. Steve-o, you will deliver software breakthroughs that
will enable the seamless sharing of information between desktops,
servers and all types of devices. It's time for us to take it back.
Our first step is to visit the Oracle."
Ballmer: "I think I can safely say we can just skip that
step."
Gates: "Right. Let's get straight to your training."
Ballmer: "But they've got armies of consultants!"
Gates: "Free your mind, Steve-o. In here, we can equip you with the
tools you need to succeed in your fight against those armies. Clear
your mind. Think about what you need."
[More activity, Matrix-style fight scene ensues, with Gates and
Ballmer doing their own imitations of the acrobatic stunts. Comdex
crowd laughs.]
Gates: "Ow!
You are the one. It is time for you to deliver the
truth.
Steve-o, you've got what you need to deliver every new
innovation to our customers. It's time for them to unlock their
potential. It's time for a change."
[Rock music blares, Ballmer, in Matrix garb, walks confidently from
phone booth, evidently on Microsoft's Redmond campus. Video clip
ends.]
Gates, back live on Comdex stage: "Well, we got Steve
indoctrinated." Crowd laughs.
