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I looked at Perston‐Smythe. "Are you going to let them do…

“I looked at Perston‐Smythe. "Are you going to let them do this?" Cox did smile then. "Dr. Perston‐Smythe is a contracted employee of the agency. Who do you think notified us in the first place?" I took a step toward the desk and had the small pleasure of seeing the smile drop from Cox's face. Five…” quote by Steve Gould Jumper
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““I looked at Perston‐Smythe. "Are you going to let them do this?" Cox did smile then. "Dr. Perston‐Smythe is a contracted employee of the agency. Who do you think notified us in the first place?" I took a step toward the desk and had the small pleasure of seeing the smile drop from Cox's face. Five witnesses. Better make it good. I smiled then. "I have just one thing to say, then. And I hope you'll report it to your superiors, of whom there must be many." Cox narrowed his eyes. "Yes?" "We mean no harm to your planet," I said. And jumped.””

Steve Gould Jumper

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Seeing a smile fade reveals underlying tension; confronting it directly can restore clarity.

In simple terms: A smile’s loss signals hidden conflict; address it.

Key Takeaway

Address discomfort to restore harmony.

Themes

communication conflict observation

Mood

tense observational

Type

narrative advice

When to use this quote

  • workplace
  • personal interactions

Key Concepts

interpersonal dynamics situational awareness

Questions to Reflect On

  • What caused the smile to vanish?
  • How can you maintain composure under scrutiny?
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Steven Gould

“Matar slowly approached the coffee and picked it up carefully, like it might bite him. He removed the lid and sniffed. "It's not poisoned," I said. "What are you? You conjure things from nowhere." "Perhaps I'm an afrit, a genie. Perhaps I'm an angel." Cox watched this exchange with interest. "Perhaps you are Shaitan," said Matar. I raised my eyebrows and Cox obligingly said, "Satan." I smiled a smile that didn't touch my eyes. The blood drained from Matar's face. "Perhaps," I said. "Welcome to hell.”

Steven Gould

“She brought the tea into the living room on a lacquered tray. The pot and cups were Japanese with unglazed rims. She poured. "Thanks," I said. "Well?" "Huh?" "Your family," she reminded. I sipped the tea. "This is really good. Really delicious." She raised her eyebrows. "That's what I thought. You're a good listener, Davy, and you can change the subject on a dime. You've hardly talked about yourself at all." "I talk... too much." "You talk about books, you talk about plays, you talk about movies, you talk about places, you talk about food, you talk about current events. You don't talk about yourself." I opened my mouth, then shut it again. I hadn't really thought about it. Sure, I didn't talk about the jumping, but the rest? "Well, there's not much to say. Not like those stories of growing up with four brothers." She smiled. "It's not going to work. If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But I'm not going to be distracted again, nor fooled into talking about those idiots again." She poured more tea into my cup. I frowned. "Do I really do that?" "What? Not talk about yourself? Yes." "No, try and distract you." She stared at me. "You are fucking amazing. I've never seen someone so good at changing the subject." "I don't do it on purpose." She laughed. ”

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