Best said possibly the only thing that would have changed my

Host:
The room was quiet, the flickering light of the candle casting soft shadows across the table. Jack sat with his hands folded, looking at the floor as his mind worked through the words he had just read. Jeeny sat across from him, a book in her lap, though she was clearly waiting for him to speak, sensing that something deeper was unfolding in his thoughts. The weight of the conversation was in the air, the silence charged with the weight of shared understanding, but still unsaid.

Jeeny:
(She breaks the silence, her voice gentle but curious.)
“I came across a quote from Frederick Banting today. He said, ‘Best said possibly the only thing that would have changed my attitude: ‘What will happen to me?’ ‘Your friend MacLeod will look after you,’ I said. Best replied, ‘If you get out, I get out.’ There was silence for some moments. I thought of all the joy of the early experiments which we had known together. Here was loyalty.’ It made me think about the idea of loyalty — and the kind of deep, unspoken bond that can exist between people. What do you think about loyalty in friendships or relationships? What does it really mean to you?”

Jack:
(He looks up, his expression thoughtful, but with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.)
“That’s a powerful thought. I think loyalty is one of those things that’s hard to define, but easy to feel when it’s there. The way Banting describes it — his friend’s willingness to stand with him no matter the consequences, to share in both the good and the difficult times — that’s loyalty in its purest form. It’s not about grand gestures, but about being there when it matters, when it counts.”

Jeeny:
(She nods, her voice soft, yet full of understanding.)
“Exactly. Loyalty isn’t something that can be demanded; it has to be earned, and it’s built on trust. The way Best says, ‘If you get out, I get out,’ it’s about being willing to face challenges together, not just when it’s easy, but when things get tough. It’s about shared sacrifice, being ready to walk the difficult road alongside someone, even when the outcome is uncertain.”

Jack:
(He leans back in his chair, his tone gentler, almost reflective.)
“It’s that quiet kind of commitment, right? It’s not flashy, it doesn’t ask for recognition. It’s simply about showing up for each other. That’s what makes loyalty so strong — it’s unspoken. It’s a bond that runs deeper than words or promises. And like Banting said, it’s in the moments of silence, when the weight of the situation becomes real, that you see who’s truly by your side.”

Jeeny:
(She smiles softly, her voice warm, with a sense of peace.)
“Loyalty isn’t about always agreeing, or being on the same page every time. It’s about showing up, even when things aren’t easy. Best and Banting’s friendship shows that — they didn’t just share the joy of the experiments, but also the challenges. They were in it together, and that’s what makes loyalty so special. It’s not just about standing with someone when everything is perfect, but when everything is at risk.”

Jack:
(He thinks for a moment, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful.)
“Yeah, and in a way, that’s what makes those kinds of friendships, those kinds of relationships, so irreplaceable. They’re the ones that give you the strength to face the hard things, because you know you’re not alone in it. Even when the world feels uncertain or the future is unclear, loyalty provides a kind of stability. It’s something you can lean on.”

Jeeny:
(She looks at him with a quiet understanding, her voice soft but confident.)
“And that’s the beauty of loyalty — it doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be constantly proven or shown off. It’s in the actions, in the small moments where you choose to be there for someone, no matter what. When you have someone who’s loyal, you feel like you’re not just going through life on your own. You’re part of something bigger, something that transcends the challenges.”

Host:
The room feels a little more calm now, the weight of their words hanging in the air like a shared understanding. Jack and Jeeny sit together, each reflecting on the deeper meaning of loyalty — how it’s built over time, tested through difficulty, and solidified through actions rather than words. The world outside continues on its steady rhythm, but inside, there’s a quiet knowing that the most meaningful bonds are those built on a foundation of loyalty, where silence speaks louder than promises, and the quiet presence of someone by your side makes all the difference.