Certainly in the movie business there are bullies all over -

The quiet hum of the café enveloped Jack and Jeeny, the soft clinking of coffee cups blending with the rain that fell steadily outside. Jack sat back in his chair, his fingers idly tracing the edge of his cup, while Jeeny, across from him, seemed absorbed in her thoughts, her gaze focused on the window.

Host: The stillness between them felt like a moment suspended in time. After a brief pause, Jeeny spoke, her voice thoughtful and calm.

Jeeny: “I came across a quote from Martin Kove today that really made me think about power dynamics, especially in industries like film. He said, ‘Certainly in the movie business there are bullies all over—bullies in the distribution business, exhibition business, production. Fine-tuning adult bullying is different. When a bully is an adult, it’s a whole different set of colors.’ What do you think about that? Do you think adult bullying is more complex?”

Jack: He looked up at her, his fingers still resting on his cup, clearly processing her question. “I think he's absolutely right. In the movie business—or in any industry, really—there’s a lot of power play, and sometimes it can slip into bullying. But adult bullying isn’t always about physical intimidation or direct aggression. It’s more subtle. It’s about controlling people, undermining their confidence, or manipulating situations to keep power. And that makes it much more difficult to recognize, let alone confront.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And when you add in the business side of things, where there’s so much at stake—careers, finances, reputation—it creates a more complex environment for bullying to thrive. It’s not just about being rude or mean; it’s about using influence to keep people in line, to make them feel like they have no other choice but to comply. The consequences are more than just emotional—they can be career-damaging.”

Host: The rain outside seemed to soften as the conversation grew deeper. Jack’s expression became more serious, his gaze focused on Jeeny as he continued.

Jack: “It’s hard to even recognize adult bullying sometimes because it often masquerades as professionalism or strategic decision-making. But in reality, it’s about asserting dominance, using fear, and manipulating people into thinking they don’t have a voice. The more mature the bully, the more sophisticated the tactics become.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and it’s even more insidious because it’s harder for others to call it out. There’s this expectation that adults should know better, that they should be in control of their emotions and actions. But bullying often thrives on that assumption, using it to hide in plain sight. It makes it even harder for victims to speak up.”

Host: The mood in the café shifted, the weight of their conversation settling in the space between them. Jack’s fingers rested still on his cup, his expression reflecting a deeper understanding of what Jeeny had shared.

Jack: “Maybe that's why it's so important to recognize that power dynamics are at play in most situations, especially in the workplace. When we think about leadership and influence, we often forget that authority can be abused. It's crucial to identify when those in power are manipulating the situation, using their position to hurt others, whether intentionally or not.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And once we understand that, we can start to address the more subtle forms of bullying. It’s about recognizing the impact it has on people, and not letting it go unchecked, especially when it hides behind a mask of professionalism or authority.”

Host: The quiet of the café seemed to grow as their conversation deepened, Jack and Jeeny sitting in the realization that bullying, in its more adult and sophisticated forms, often hides in plain sight, using power and influence to manipulate. It’s not just about physical intimidation but about control, fear, and subtle tactics that can have long-lasting consequences. In their shared understanding, they saw that the key to confronting this issue is not only in recognizing it but also in challenging it, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable.