[desperation, sure. . . just not desperation born out of his desire to protect his mother. it was something much more selfish]

. . . I started swindling people because I couldn't get an honest job. I had run into some-- some trouble while my mom was still alive, and came out of it with a criminal record. I was only sentenced to probation, but. . . you know.

[employers don't want to hire criminals]

Everyone thought I was nothing more than a no-good swindler, so. . . I turned myself into one.