Fishscales: Interview with Mario Wallace
It's a cold and cloudy Saturday afternoon in downtown Memphis. My sister, Daeneita and I are at our favorite spot 'Cheesecake Corner' while I am waiting on Mario Wallace, author of the book Fishscales which is about his life as a reformed "hustler". Mario is a native Memphian born and raised in Orange Mound. In 1988, Mr. Wallace was at the top of his game until he had the opportunity to change his life around from poisoning our people.
Vina: “Good afternoon Mario how are you?”
Mario: “I’m doing well. Thank you for wanting to interview me.”
Vina: “No problem. My friend, Vernice, told me that you and her husband grew up together and she had a copy of your book. I was very intrigued and wanted to speak with you.”
Mario: Laughing
Vina: “Where did you get the name ‘Fish Scale’ from to title your book? I mean I know what fish scales are... when I clean fish, but….”
Mario: “Fish scale is a drug I sold- a specific grade of cocaine. It’s identified by conversion from powder to liquid before it becomes crack. The term is used by hustlers.”
Vina: “I know why I have not heard that term before.”(We both laugh) “What made you decide to write a book?”
Mario: “I was serving time in prison for what I was doing and I wanted to be a voice that others from the neighborhood could relate to and understand there is more to life than killing our people.”
Vina: “How long were you in prison?” How long were you hustling?” Were you a pimp?”
Mario: “I started in 1988 at the age of 19. I was working at Corky’s and noticing young guys my age driving around in their Benz and Corvettes always having money and nice clothes. I was like man I can do that. An old friend of mine, “Hazel Eyes”, was my introduction to getting in the hustling world. When my grandmother found out she put me out. I was not a pimp, just a hustler of drugs. I did 8 ½ of 10 years in 1997.
Vina: “When you got out of prison did you find it hard to get back into the real world?”
MW: “I’m not ashamed to admit it was a struggle. Most people expected me to go back into my old ways. I had to make a psychological transformation. It was a slight struggle going from having a lot of money to none.”
V: “So writing this book was like therapy for you?’
MW: “Yeah. I started to analyze myself asking questions like “Why did I partake in this life? I started reading Malcolm X. I started following his directions and found my new direction in life.”
V: “Now I understand that your book was published with your own publishing company with your fiancée’, Katrina. Besides this book how else do you plan to make your voice be heard?”
MW: “The name of our publishing company is called MarTrina(Mario/Katrina). I have actually gone to middle schools speaking to kids because in middle schools- even elementary schools- is when kids are so inclined to be introduced to drugs and sex. I want to step in and do my part. I feel like I may have saved one person's life.”
V: “This book tells how you made sure when you ate everyone in your crew ate, when you moved up everyone else did. Any regrets?”
MW: “Just sorry that I was hurting our people.”
V: “Where can you purchase the book?”
MW: “On myspace.com/fishscalesbok.com, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon, Spin Street and Imagine this for $15”
V: “Well thank you Mario for taking the time out of your busy day to come and talk with me enjoying the Vanilla Pound Cheesecake.” (Both laughing) “I wish you much success in making a difference.”
MW: “You are welcome thanks to Neosoulville for wanting to talk to me and let your readers know they can check out my video on myspace.com/fishscales.
Marvina Saulsberry
vina@neosoulville.com