J.P. Quotes

Tommy follows this reassurance by asking whether J.P. is afraid too. His question exposes the weakness of the comforting maxim: it can praise another person's vulnerability while keeping the speaker safely concealed. The line is less persuasive than the answer it prompts. J.P.'s subsequent admission does the difficult work; the polished reassurance merely creates an opportunity for him to risk something himself.

Tommy has just asked J.P. whether he shares his fear. The answer refuses the convenient role of a reassuring older voice who has already outgrown the problem. Its boast concerns remaining present, not becoming a different sort of person. That distinction makes this more convincing than a transformation speech: J.P. can offer companionship without claiming the frightening situation has stopped frightening him.