A famous man once said, 'A sure formula for failure is to try and

Host:
The sky was a deep shade of navy blue, heavy clouds swirling above the city like masses of indecision. A single streetlamp flickered as it cast a dull yellow glow across the sidewalk. The evening felt still, the only sound the distant hum of traffic and the soft patter of footsteps on wet asphalt. Inside a small, dimly lit bar, the air felt thick with tension, a reflection of the conversation that was about to unfold.

Jack sat at the corner of the bar, nursing a whiskey with a quiet intensity. His grey eyes flickered occasionally toward the door, but his mind was elsewhere, lost in thought. Jeeny, sitting beside him, traced a finger along the rim of her glass, deep in contemplation. The atmosphere was heavy, almost like the calm before a storm.

Jack:
(he looks up, his voice low)
"You ever think about that quote from Dan Pena? 'A sure formula for failure is to try and please everyone.' I’ve been chewing on it lately."

(He takes a slow sip from his glass, his fingers gripping it tighter than usual.)
"Seems like the world’s got it backwards, doesn’t it? People spend their whole lives trying to fit into some mold, trying to make everyone happy, thinking it’s the key to success."

(He shifts in his seat, his face hardening slightly.)
"But maybe the real success is in doing the opposite — pissing people off, burning bridges, speaking the truth even if it costs you."

Jeeny:
(softly, with a knowing look)
"I think what you mean is that it's easier to build a life by breaking others' expectations than it is to meet them. You think it's bold, right? Not giving a damn about who you upset."

(She sets her glass down, her tone measured, but her gaze never leaving his.)
"But there’s a difference between strength and arrogance, Jack. Dan Pena might’ve built a career off upsetting people, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best formula for everyone. Maybe it’s easier to destroy than to build something that truly matters."

Host:
The light from the bar overhead cast shadows on their faces, the flickering neon sign outside reflecting in the window, but the space between Jack and Jeeny seemed to widen, filled with the quiet hum of unspoken emotions. Their bodies were close, but their minds had already started to distance themselves.

Jack’s expression grew more intense, his voice barely rising above the murmurs of the other patrons.

Jack:
(firmly, almost challenging)
"Yeah, maybe. But if you spend your life worrying about who you're going to disappoint, you end up just spinning your wheels. People are never going to be happy with you, Jeeny. Not really. At the end of the day, you’ve got to look out for yourself. You can’t be everyone’s savior."

(He gestures toward the room, his eyes cold.)
"Look at everyone in here — they’re all out, trying to conform to something. They’re looking for validation in the wrong places, pretending to be something they’re not. Pleasing people isn’t a strategy — it’s a prison."

(He leans back, his voice rising slightly.)
"You think any of those people are happy? Or are they just faking it, doing what’s expected of them?"

Jeeny:
(she leans forward, her voice gentle, but filled with a quiet strength)
"Maybe. But there’s a fine line, Jack. If you live your life just trying to please yourself, how do you ever make room for anyone else?"

(She shakes her head, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of her lips.)
"Sure, Pena’s right to some extent. Chasing the approval of everyone will dilute who you are. But being so focused on upsetting people to get ahead — that’s just ego in disguise. People can tell the difference between someone who’s true to themselves and someone who’s just out for the fight."

(She takes a long sip from her glass, her expression softening.)
"Success shouldn’t be about pushing everyone else down. Maybe it’s about finding balance — standing up for what you believe in, but doing it with integrity."

Host:
The ambient noise of the bar, once just a faint background, now felt loud, almost like a rising tide as their words filled the space. Jack’s fists were clenched around his glass, but his jaw was tight, caught between his pride and Jeeny’s perspective. The tension was palpable, but there was something else too — a shared understanding, perhaps, even if they didn’t agree.

Jack:
(he smiles slightly, almost in amusement)
"Integrity, huh? I get that. But that’s a luxury, Jeeny. Most people don’t have the time to worry about being morally right when they’re too busy trying to stay afloat. It’s not enough to be good, or right — you’ve got to be ruthless."

(He leans in, his voice hardening again, like a blade being sharpened.)
"You think you can get ahead in this world by just trying to please the right people? People like Pena built their empire by being a disruption, not by kissing anyone’s ass. He was honest, and maybe that’s the hardest part — honesty hurts."

Jeeny:
(her expression softens, but there’s a sadness in her eyes now, a quiet realization)
"Honesty does hurt, Jack. But it doesn’t have to burn everything around you. I don’t want to be part of a world where the only way to get ahead is to tear people down."

(She pauses, searching his face for a moment, her tone dropping slightly.)
"Do you think Pena was happy? Really happy? He might’ve gotten what he wanted, but at what cost? How many relationships did he lose? How many people did he hurt?"

(She shakes her head, her voice softening again, but carrying the weight of her words.)
"I get the fight, Jack. But it’s not about winning at all costs. It’s about making sure you don’t lose yourself in the process."

Host:
The bar suddenly feels quieter, the surrounding noise fading to the background as their conversation takes on a different tone. Jack’s fingers tap against the edge of his glass, a sign of the restlessness stirring beneath his calm demeanor. Jeeny, on the other hand, stays still, her face a mask of both concern and clarity.

Outside, the wind picks up, rustling the trees and shaking the sign above the door, but inside, there is only stillness.

Jack:
(quietly, his voice softer now)
"I don’t know, Jeeny. Maybe I’m too stubborn for my own good."

(Silence hangs for a moment before he glances at her, his grey eyes reflecting a flicker of vulnerability.)
"I guess the truth is, sometimes I’m scared of being nothing more than another face in the crowd, trying to please everyone else. I’d rather stand out, even if it means I’m misunderstood."

(She watches him, her expression both tender and knowing.)

Jeeny:
(she smiles softly, placing a hand over his)
"I get that. And you’re not wrong for wanting to stand out, Jack. But maybe you don’t have to hurt to be seen."

(She squeezes his hand gently, her voice warm and accepting.)
"Standing out doesn’t have to mean destroying everything else. Sometimes, it’s about finding the courage to be yourself, even when it’s not the easiest path."

Host:
The conversation lingers between them like the final note of a song — quiet, yet powerful. The night outside continues its endless dance of light and shadow, but inside, Jack and Jeeny are still. For a moment, it’s as though the world outside has ceased to matter. Their thoughts, tangled yet clear, hang in the air — a realization that sometimes fighting the world doesn’t mean burning it to the ground.

The glass between them sits empty, but neither reaches for a refill. They are content, for now, in the quiet after the storm.