The news worried him. More high-profile figures charged with crimes. More broadcast licenses revoked. More surveillance of citizens.
James drafted an email to an old friend to share his concern about a particularly troubling news story. He was about to hit send but hesitated. He wondered who might be looking at his emails these days. He wondered if he could still trust his friend.
Feeling uneasy, James pressed delete and got ready for work, where he began to keep his opinions to himself