2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Mercy finds herself captured by Tom and surrounded by most of his followers who were threatening to rape her. She didn’t appear fearful and was laser focused on challenging them. Was this her training, makeup or a bit of both? Your thoughts about how she was handling the room?

Some of each; I think she had to keep her outward appearance calm so that she could think of how to act.

I think it was both. She is expecting backup and trying to keep everyone calm until they get there.

Mercy did a good job keeping the men off balance. There are two distinct philosophies among the men. There are some level headed men in the group. She is good at reading people, and she used those skills to control the group.

I was so impressed with Mercy in this situation. She described the room as smelling and feeling like a men’s locker room, which should have been terribly intimidating. I remember at one point her being surprised at the anger she was seeing in their eyes and body posture. Through it all, she kept her focus and indeed controlled that room. I would have been a mess.

I think it was both training and her own innate skills, with a nod more to her own grit. After all, she had enough spine to leave her family because of her own sense of right and wrong.

I agree with everyone. She's a smart lady who used her training and her own skills to control the men in the room.

Combination of her training, personality and she also has been through a horrible situation previously. She has a fairly well developed coping mechanism and is innately a strong woman.

I agree with you all. In some ways, the men were like a pack of wolves - she couldn't let them sense her fear or any vulnerability or they might attack. She drew on her strength, skills, & training to exert her own authority and keep control of the situation as long as possible.