Money Is Life (5)

"WALTER (quietly): Sometimes it's like I can see the future stretched

out in front of me—just plain as day. The future Mama. Hanging

over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting for me- a

big, looming blank space—full of nothing. Just waiting for me.

But it don't have to be (Pause. . Kneeling beside her chair.)

Mama—sometimes when I'm downtown and I pass them cool,

quiet-looking restaurants where them white boys are sitting back

and talking 'bout things . . . sitting there turning deals worth

millions of dollars . . . sometimes I see guys don't look much

older than me

MAMA: Son—how com you talk so much 'bout money?

WALTER (with immense passion): Because it's life Mama!

MAMA (quietly): Oh —(very quietly) So now its life.  Money is life.

Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it's money.

I guess the world really do change . . .

WALTER: No it was always money, Mama. We just didn't know

about it."

This scene shows the audience Walter's true, honest side. In this intimate conversation with Mama, we can see how badly Walter wants to be rich. Money to him is not just a social status, but is a way of life. Money to Walter is like a God. It provides for his family, keeps his family safe, and allows them to be fed everyday. Walter is almost a materialistic, money obsessed father, who constantly grows envy of what the other people have, for example in the coffee shops.