The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
26
Don Corleone stood before his godson and asked grimly, “Why doesn’t this man like 
you?” 
“I used to sing those songs for the liberal organizations, you know, all that stuff you 
never liked me to do. Well, Jack Woltz didn’t like it either. He called me a Communist, 
but he couldn’t make it stick. Then I snatched a girl he had saved for himself. It was 
strictly a one-night stand and she came after me. What the hell could I do? Then my 
whore second wife throws me out. And Ginny and the kids won’t take me back unless I 
come crawling on my hands and knees, and I can’t sing anymore. Godfather, what the 
hell can I do?” 
Don Corleone’s face had become cold without a hint of sympathy. He said 
contemptuously, “You can start by acting like a man.” Suddenly anger contorted his 
face. He shouted. “LIKE A MAN!” He reached over the desk and grabbed Johnny 
Fontane by the hair of his head in a gesture that was savagely affectionate. “By Christ in 
heaven, is it possible that you spent so much time in my presence and turned out no 
better than this? A Hollywood finocchio who weeps and begs for pity? Who cries out like 
a woman– ‘What shall I do? Oh, what shall I do?” 
The mimicry of the Don was so extraordinary, so unexpected, that Hagen and Johnny 
were startled into laughter. Don Corleone was pleased. For a moment he reflected on 
how much he loved this godson. How would his own three sons have reacted to such a 
tongue-lashing? Santino would have sulked and behaved badly for weeks afterward. 
Fredo would have been cowed. Michael would have given him a cold smile and gone 
out of the house, not to be seen for months. But Johnny, ah, what a fine chap he was, 
smiling now, gathering strength, knowing already the true purpose of his Godfather. 
Don Corleone went on. “You took the woman of your boss, a man more powerful than 
yourself, then you complain he won’t help you. What nonsense. You left your family, 
your children without a father, to marry a whore and you weep because they don’t 
welcome you back with open arms. The whore, you don’t hit her in the face because she 
is making a picture, then you are amazed because she laughs at you. You lived like a 
fool and you have come to a fool’s end.” 
Don Corleone paused to ask in a patient voice, “Are you willing to take my advice this 
time?” 
Johnny Fontane shrugged. “I can’t marry Ginny again, not the way she wants. I have to 
gamble, I have to drink, I have to go out with the boys. Beautiful broads run after me and 

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