I don’t think there ARE any time-keeperes. The bum-looking guy calls himself an “Observer”, so that’s the name I’ll go by. The programs which is being led away at Restaurant 101, I think is just there to show the Mero in a Mafia-Don capacity. I must admit that I think calling said program a Time-keeper based on what the Mero talks about IS over-interpretation. We get to see the Twins, and that is the programs purpose in the storyline.
The Mero talks about ACTION and REACTION, he simply uses the word causality. He is, just like counsellor Harmann, interested in the WHY’s.
There are countless programs that have survived several runs of the matrix. The Mero and Persephone, the Oracle, and The Keymaker, to name a few. The Observer is obviously also a rogue program, that is just… observing.
JediHDM> It’s Niobe who meet The Observer at an underground subway station. Ghost gets out through the exit, and Niobe senses something or someone. “72 hours,” the bum suddenly cackles while coming into view.
“What did you say.”
“72 hours. That’s how long Zion lasted the last time.”
“Who are you?”
“Me? Oh, I’m just an Observer.” More mad cackling and the bum exits the scene.
(Just a note: the actor playing said bum will be seen in the role as Mouth of Sauron in Return of the King in December).