He tapped his foot on the ground, breathing in the last few moments before he claimed his inheritance. His Fate. As soon as he climbed aboard that bus, the young man would be on his way.”
-- Mason (Prologue paragraph 3)

Importance: This passage sets up Mason’s main motivation, and it tells the reader how important the inheritance is to him.

Mason checked everywhere. He searched the other passengers as they trotted off with their own suitcases. He crawled inside the baggage compartment to check for hidden nooks and corners. He even threatened the driver. But it was no use. The suitcase, and the one slim, irreplaceable slip of paper inside it, was gone.”
-- Mason (Prologue paragraph 47)

Importance: Mason losing his inheritance explains how he takes on The Owner persona in the following 53 years, and why he went after Cady.

“The Owner didn’t know it then, but in just one short week, all eight rooms would be filled...
-- Narrator (chapter 2 paragraph 24)