Eye to eye Quote by Jeff Rice
““Nowhere. No one is ever going to hear from you again, sir. No one." 'Uh... well... I...' 'You profane my world, sir! I cannot... I will not permit you to exist... here!" 'In that case, Doctor, why not tell me of your work? You know... condemned man's last request.' He walked over and put a paternal arm around my shoulders, but the grip of his hand was like steel. He was a lot stronger than he looked. Not big or beefy. But strong. 'Just a dumb reporter... doing his job...' He looked closely at me, eye to eye. 'You grovel nicely, Mr...' 'Kolchak, sir.' 'Story. You want your story, do you, Mr. Kolchak? Your precious, pitiful story? Your bloody pound of journalistic flesh?' I smiled but it stuck halfway into a sickly grin. I was clammy. I was trembling. I could feel my wet trouser leg sticking to my flesh and was grateful I'd eaten nothing solid.””
About This Quote
A tense encounter reveals a reporter’s vulnerability and the journalist’s harsh interrogation.
In simple terms: A reporter feels pressured by a harsh interview.
Key Takeaway
Stay calm and assert boundaries under pressure.
Themes
power dynamics
journalism
vulnerability
Mood
tense
dramatic
Type
narrative
dialogue
When to use this quote
- investigative reporting
- high‑stakes interview
- personal safety
- professional conduct
Key Concepts
ethics
authority
stress management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you protect yourself in aggressive interviews?
- What strategies help maintain composure under intimidation?
A Different Perspective
The reporter may be manipulated or coerced.
