The fear tactic is a tactic that's used by people who want to

Opening Scene

The wind howls outside, shaking the branches of the trees in the darkness. Inside, the dimly lit room feels a bit too small, too close, as though the walls are closing in. A single lamp casts shadows across the wooden table where Jack and Jeeny sit. The only sound is the soft ticking of the clock on the wall, each second stretching longer than the last.

Jack leans back in his chair, his fingers tapping nervously on the table, eyes darting from the window to the papers scattered in front of him. Jeeny, sitting across from him, watches quietly, her expression unreadable. Her fingers trace the edge of her cup, but there’s a tension in the air that neither of them can ignore.

Host: Outside, the world continues in a quiet chaos of rain and wind, but inside, their conversation waits, wrapped in the heavy silence. It’s clear: the discussion is about to delve into something much deeper than simple words.

Character Descriptions:

Jack: Male, around 35, tall and lean, his posture slightly hunched as if always carrying a weight. His grey eyes are sharp but often distant, like they’re always searching for something that isn’t there. His voice, husky, carries the sharp edges of someone who’s spent too much time questioning the world around him.

Jeeny: Female, around 30, small but with an undeniable strength. Her brown eyes are warm but intense, as if she sees beyond what’s in front of her. Quiet, but when she speaks, it’s with conviction and an understanding of the world most people choose to overlook.

Main Debate

Jeeny: (Her voice is soft but firm as she looks up from her cup, meeting Jack’s gaze.)
"You’ve been quiet tonight. Something on your mind?"

Jack: (He glances up from the papers, his eyes narrowed, as though something is gnawing at him.)
"I’ve been thinking about that quote I came across—Hamza Yusuf said, ‘The fear tactic is a tactic that’s used by people who want to maintain control, and it’s very effective.’ You agree with that?"

Jeeny: (Her expression hardens slightly, but her voice remains steady, thoughtful.)
"I do. Fear is one of the most powerful tools people can use to control others. It works because it taps into something deep inside us. When people are afraid, they’re easier to manipulate. Their judgment is clouded, their choices limited."

Jack: (He leans forward, his fingers still tapping the table, eyes darting to the window as if seeking answers in the storm outside.)
"But why does it work? I mean, I get that it’s effective, but why does fear make people act the way they do? Why do we let it control us so easily?"

Jeeny: (Her eyes flicker with understanding, and she speaks with a calm certainty.)
"Because fear targets our survival instinct. It’s primal. It’s the same reason we’re afraid of danger, of losing control, of being vulnerable. Fear keeps us in line, keeps us compliant. People who wield it—whether it’s in politics, in business, or even in personal relationships—know this. They use it to distract, to divide, to make people afraid of what’s coming next. It’s the easiest way to keep others from questioning their authority."

Jack: (He scoffs, crossing his arms as he leans back in his chair, a slight frown tugging at his lips.)
"Okay, but isn’t that a bit manipulative? People should know better than to fall for that, right? I mean, we live in an age where information is everywhere. People should see through fear-based tactics."

Jeeny: (Her gaze is unwavering as she holds his eye.)
"You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But that’s the problem. Fear isn’t just about the facts; it’s about the emotions it stirs up. Information can be twisted, misleading, but fear isn’t about logic. It’s about feeling. And once people are afraid, they stop thinking clearly. They just want relief, they want security, and that’s where the ones in control step in, offering their version of ‘safety.’ It’s a cycle that feeds itself."

Jack: (His voice sharpens, and there’s a hint of frustration as he leans forward, trying to make sense of it.)
"But why do people let themselves be manipulated like that? Why is it so hard to see through? Shouldn’t we be smarter than that by now?"

Jeeny: (Her voice is softer now, almost sympathetic, but she leans forward too, sensing his inner conflict.)
"It’s not about being smart, Jack. It’s about trust. People trust the narratives that are presented to them, whether it’s by the media, by leaders, or by their own fears. Fear makes it easier to accept answers that seem clear—even if those answers aren’t the truth. It’s a defense mechanism. When we’re afraid, we cling to the things that make us feel safe, even if it means giving up some of our power. Fear is a shortcut to control."

Jack: (He runs a hand through his hair, clearly grappling with this idea.)
"That’s the thing. The world seems so full of noise now—everyone’s shouting, trying to tell us what to think, what to fear. It’s hard to tell what’s real, what’s not. But I don’t get why people don’t just push back more. Why give in?"

Jeeny: (Her voice is gentle, but firm, as she watches him closely.)
"Because fear is comfortable. It gives people an illusion of certainty. It’s easier to be afraid and let someone else handle things than to face the unknown, to take the risk of questioning the system. When you’re afraid, you don’t have to make tough choices. You can just follow the narrative, follow the leader, and pretend everything’s going to be okay."

Jack: (His tone hardens slightly as he presses on, his mind still wrestling with the idea.)
"So you’re saying that fear isn’t just something that’s used on us—it’s something we allow to happen? That we’re complicit in letting it control us?"

Jeeny: (Her gaze sharpens, and there’s a truth in her words now, something raw.)
"Exactly. People can fight fear, but it takes strength. It takes effort to look past the immediate discomfort, to refuse the easy path that fear lays out for you. People have to choose to resist, to question, and that’s not easy. It requires breaking free of the patterns fear has established. But it’s possible. And the first step is acknowledging that fear is being used to control us, not just as an instinct, but as a tactic."

Host: The rain intensifies outside, the storm mirroring the tension inside. Jack stands up and moves toward the window, staring out into the darkness, the weight of their conversation pressing on him. Jeeny watches him quietly, her words lingering in the air between them, like a quiet echo that refuses to fade.

Climax and Reconciliation

Jack: (He turns back to her, his expression more thoughtful, his voice quieter now.)
"I’ve always known fear could be used against people, but I never really thought about how we let it happen. How we let ourselves be guided by it without even realizing. It’s a little disturbing."

Jeeny: (Her smile is small, but it’s filled with a quiet understanding.)
"It’s unsettling, but it’s also empowering, Jack. Once you recognize the tactic, you can start to fight it. You can choose not to let fear control your decisions, your life. And that’s when you start to take back your power."

Host: The storm outside rages on, but inside the room, the conversation has shifted, the air between them less heavy now. Jack looks at Jeeny, his expression changed, as if something inside him has clicked. There’s a quiet understanding between them now—of fear, control, and the power of choice.