Accommodating someone's beliefs is costly. When someone is open-minded, it is considered a positive investment in their growth. Moving away from your ideas and lifestyle is another type of investment, which involves high risks and low returns. For many people, the incentive of being a part of something is definitely worth the risk. In the stories "Just Walk on By" and "Happy Endings", the tone is shared between Brent Staples and Mary B., both conforming to someone else's mindset out of a sense of belonging. Whether it's a healthy love life or acceptance among peers, almost everyone is capable of falling victim to a very familiar atmosphere: nurturing. Inserting respect into the equation and being treated fairly without ridicule and prejudice immediately becomes significant in what people want for themselves. There is always a decision to make in pursuing what you want. The choice begins with a bet with unknown results. An essential element considered by the majority of people; life without progress is not worth living. Mary gave in to John's idea of ​​faking an affair for sexual gratification, while she feigned sexual pleasure for an affair. Mary invested her time and body in John, hoping to be rewarded with the title "Mrs." Mary auditioned for the role tirelessly. She cooked every time she came to visit him, even though he never showed any gratitude in return for a dinner out. Mary cleaned up after John while he slept, so he would be assured that she is not considered unkempt. This woman has remained incredibly presentable even when she wakes up the next morning, only to have him ignore her metamorphosis. Mary becomes emotionally exhausted by giving herself to a man who doesn't care. With an excellent...... middle of paper......, but with a pleasant tenor every time he is stopped by the police. Brent also shows his talent for whistling with others during those late evening walks. He whistles tunes by Beethoven and Vivaldi, to warn others in the area that he is a safe, law-abiding, tax-paying citizen just like them. Brent wanted to be seen as simple and non-threatening in his environment, so he adopted some erratic habits to fit in. He molded himself into the image of what others thought a confident black man should be. He conforms just like Mary B., but the main difference is that Brent changes with his personal survival in mind. Mary B. was willing to do anything, even if it cost her own life. Works Cited Atwood, Margaret. “Happy ending”. Literature: an introduction to fiction, poetry and drama. Ed. XJ Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 11th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. 482-85. Press.