Big+Money

 ** __Big Money __ ** It was a chilly fall day in the middle of October. Jack Wallace, a 32-year-old social worker was taking a walk in central park. His mom is very sick, and he does not have enough money for the surgery. As he is walking down a path covered in leaves of orange, brown, yellow, and green, he notices a leather bag sitting on the path. He looks inside and sees that it is full of money, and he realizes that he could use this money for the surgery that his mom needs. However, an old lady is getting her purse stolen. Jack quickly forgets about the bag of money and runs to help the old woman. Scarleto Burns, who was walking shortly behind Jack, notices the bag. He is surprised to see that the bag is full of money. He grabs the bag and runs out of sight, not even attempting to help the poor old lady. Jack Wallace has made the robber run away, but he is shocked to see that the bag of money is no longer there. He has missed his chance to save his mom's life.  After Scarleto Burns picked up the money all he could think about was rich he was going to be. Scarleto immediatley went home not loosening his grip on the leather bag even a little. Once he got home he emptied the bag on to his bed and counted all the money. He counts 3 million dollars in all. Considering that he had no idea where this money came from he became a little weary, but this feeling was immediately overcome by his thoughts of cars and electronics he could buy. The first thing Scarleto decided to do with the money was to buy a nice new car. He ran out to the dealer and bought a brand new foreign convertible. In a couple days Scarleto became bored with his car; he needed something else. Scarleto's wife, Charlotte, was very excited about this money but she thought that they should save it in case they need it later in life. She could tell that Scarleto was slowly beginning to change. A week after Scarleto found this money he came home and told his wife that he quit his job and that he wanted to buy a big house. Charlotte told him that he needed that job and that they should just stay where they are. When Scarleto heard this defiance from his wife he became enraged. Scarleto began to yell about how she should just use the money and be happy. He stormed out of the house and drove his convertible to the real estate office. As soon as he saw the homes available he bought the biggest one without consulting his wife or even going to see it. He paid in all cash and ran off to his new house. Day after day Scarleto never let go of that brown leather duffel bag. When Charlotte found out he bought the house she saw how much he cared about the money and she left him. Now all Scarleto had was his house, his car, and that brown duffel bag. After a while he began to slip into a deep depression. He stayed in house and slept all day. He didn't even care about his car or house all he wanted was his family and friends back. When Scarleto sees how pathetic he's become, he decides he should do something about it. Scarleto grabs his revolver and drives into the city all the while holding the brown leather duffel bag.  Frantically wondering what to do and not wanting anyone he knows to see, he parks his car and scurries into the local shelter. Greeted with the warmth of the homeless shelter and the wonderful smell of the food and the peaceful atmosphere, he stops and wonders for a second. He thinks about how it all started and how he has become overrun with money and greed and material objects and how his once "normal" life has become a living hell. He thinks about how he loved his beautiful wife, and how it’s all gone for this bag of money in his hand. He resents himself, the money, and his life. He walks to the middle of the shelter, with the homeless fixated on him, watching his every move. Everything comes to a stop in the shelter, and Scarleto pulls out his revolver, and presses it to his head. He’s about to pull the trigger and he hears a voice. It’s the voice of none other than Jack Wallace himself, right there in the shelter. Scarleto immediately recognizes Jack, as the kind man that put helping others before riches. Scarleto tells him to take the rest of his money and to use it in a way he couldn’t, a good way. With that being said Jack tries to save him but Scarleto was too fast and takes his own life.  After what Jack Wallace witnessed he didn't know what to do. One part of him wanted to donate the money to the charity but another part of him wanted to keep the money and get his mom the surgery she needed. After talking to his mom they decided to get the surgery and donate the rest of the money. Jack put his mom and others ahead of personal belongings and material possessions; because of this he is much happier than scarleto ever was. Because of Jack Wallace many people now have better lives than they did. We need more people like Jack Wallace in this world today.