In today's world, everyone's so clued into their iPhones, and

Host:
The afternoon light drifted lazily through the window, casting soft rays across the table where Jack and Jeeny sat, their mugs of coffee in hand. The sounds of the city filtered in from the outside, a distant hum of activity, but inside, there was a quiet introspection between them. Jack had just read aloud the quote from Phyllis Smith:

"In today's world, everyone's so clued into their iPhones, and communication is going by the wayside as far as one-on-one is concerned. It's very seldom that I walk into a room and parents make their children say hello and have a social grace with one another."

The simplicity of the statement felt heavy with truth. The world had changed, and with it, the way we interact with one another. Jack set the paper down, his gaze turning toward Jeeny, a mix of concern and reflection on his face.

Jack:
(he speaks slowly, his voice thoughtful)
"You know, this quote really stuck with me. There’s so much truth in what Phyllis Smith is saying. We’re all so absorbed in our phones, our screens, that face-to-face interactions seem to be falling by the wayside. It’s like we’re becoming more connected digitally but less connected in the real, human sense."

(He looks at Jeeny, his tone a little more reflective now.)
"I mean, I’ve noticed it too. People don’t make the effort to really connect anymore. It’s rare to see a child greet someone with a simple ‘hello,’ or have those small moments of connection that used to be so common."

Jeeny:
(she nods, her expression thoughtful, her voice calm but with a sense of concern)
"Exactly. It’s like we’ve traded real conversations for convenience. Social grace, those little gestures of kindness and respect — they seem to be slipping away as people retreat into their devices. And the thing is, those moments are important. It’s how we build rapport, how we learn about one another, how we show that we care."

(She pauses, her voice growing a little more personal.)
"When I was growing up, my parents always made sure I said hello to people, showed respect when I walked into a room. That small moment mattered. It wasn’t just about manners; it was about acknowledging someone, giving them your attention, and making them feel seen. But now, it feels like we’re missing that."

Host:
The stillness in the room deepens as Jeeny’s words settle. The quiet realization that something fundamental — something human — is being lost in the digital age. Jack’s fingers rest on the edge of his mug, and his gaze turns inward, as if contemplating the way technology has affected not just communication, but connection itself.

Jack:
(he sighs, his tone quieter now)
"I’ve been guilty of it, too, you know? I get caught up in checking my phone, scrolling through messages, while those around me are right there, in the same room. It’s like we’re all physically present but mentally somewhere else, and those small social graces seem to fade into the background."

(He looks up at Jeeny, his voice more real, almost apologetic.)
"And I think that’s the problem. When we stop acknowledging each other in those small ways — like saying ‘hello,’ or making eye contact — we start to lose something important. We start to lose the ability to connect, to really see each other."

Jeeny:
(she smiles softly, a gentle understanding in her eyes)
"I think you’re right. It’s easy to get caught up in the convenience of technology, but in doing so, we’re missing the richness of real life. The subtle interactions that help us understand each other, the empathy that comes from being present."

(She takes a deep breath, her voice becoming more reassuring.)
"We can still live in the modern world with technology, but we have to make the effort to connect on a deeper level. It’s about finding that balance, about remembering that the most important moments don’t happen on our phones, but in the spaces we share with each other."

Host:
The air in the room feels more thoughtful now, the realization that we have the power to choose connection over convenience settling between them. It’s not about abandoning technology, but about creating a space for real conversations — the ones that happen when we step away from the screen and show up for one another in a more meaningful way.

Jack:
(he smiles slightly, his voice now filled with a new sense of hope)
"I think we’ve become so used to the ease of digital communication that we’ve forgotten how powerful a simple greeting can be. A hello, a handshake, making eye contact — those small gestures can make someone feel valued, make them feel like they matter."

Jeeny:
(she nods, her eyes soft with understanding)
"Exactly. It’s the simple things that make us human. And we shouldn’t let technology take that away from us. We need to make the effort to still connect on a personal level, to show that we care, and to make those small acts of kindness part of our daily lives."

Host:
The room feels quieter now, the weight of their conversation settling into a place of understanding. The world outside may continue to rush forward, but inside, Jack and Jeeny have discovered the importance of slowing down — of choosing to connect, to acknowledge the people around them, and to hold on to the social graces that help us build meaningful relationships.

As the light fades outside, their conversation lingers, a quiet reminder that in a world dominated by technology, we must still make room for genuine connection.

End Scene