Between Riverside And Crazy

One message of this play concerns the act of moving past old hurts, a difficult exercise for Pops and for other characters in the play. Pops expresses many grievances with his lot as an aging black former NYPD cop who was shot by a white policeman, and his insistence that he be paid his due for the shooting grows more acute as time goes by. He creates his own justice system in his head, believing only in his own interpretations and his own justifications and resisting the cold, hard facts of reality. For example, Pops asks for and receives Audrey’s $30,000 engagement ring, which may enable Pops to feel he has finally been vindicated, as Audrey and Lt. Caro may represent to Pops the New York police force who let him down years before. However, though Pops manages to experience a sort of revenge on the system and move on and find peace in himself, his actions have likely damaged a relationship with Audrey that was once important to him.   

As well, Junior, refers to his father’s relationship to his mother before she died, alluding to ways Pops may have let Delores down. This mention of unresolved conflicts suggests the possibility that Junior has not yet forgiven Pops for actions that took place when his mother was still alive. When Pops is hospitalized after his heart attack, Junior attempts to communicate about his feelings towards Pops; he seems to recognize that his father’s health is fragile, and he wants to make things right with his father. In his worry, Junior has let go of his resentment, which indicates progress and growth.