The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
32
forehead of the band leader and assuring him with the utmost seriousness that either his 
signature or his brains would rest on that document in exactly one minute. Les Halley 
signed. Don Corleone pocketed his pistol and handed over the certified check. 
The rest was history. Johnny Fontane went on to become the greatest singing sensation 
in the country. He made Hollywood musicals that earned a fortune for his studio. His 
records made millions of dollars. Then he divorced his childhood-sweetheart wife and 
left his two children, to marry the most glamorous blond star in motion pictures. He soon 
learned that she was a “whore.” He drank, he gambled, he chased other women. He lost 
his singing voice. His records stopped selling. The studio did not renew his contract. 
And so now he had come back to his Godfather. 
Kay said thoughtfully, “Are you sure you’re not jealous of your father? Everything you’ve 
told me about him shows him doing something for other people. He must be 
goodhearted.” She smiled wryly. “Of course his methods are not exactly constitutional.” 
Michael sighed. “I guess that’s the way it sounds, but let me tell you this. You know 
those Arctic explorers who leave caches of food scattered on the route to the North 
Pole? Just in case they may need them someday? That’s my father’s favors. Someday 
he’ll be at each one of those people’s houses and they had better come across.” 
* * * 
It was nearly twilight before the wedding cake was shown, exclaimed over and eaten. 
Specially baked by Nazorine, it was cleverly decorated with shells of cream so 
dizzyingly delicious that the bride greedily plucked them from the corpse of the cake 
before she whizzed away on her honeymoon with her blond groom. The Don politely 
sped his guests’ departure, noting meanwhile that the black sedan with its FBI men was 
no longer visible. 
Finally the only car left in the driveway was the long black Cadillac with Freddie at the 
wheel. The Don got into the front seat, moving with quick coordination for his age and 
bulk. Sonny, Michael and Johnny Fontane got into the back seat. Don Corleone said to 
his son Michael, “Your girl friend, she’ll get back to the city by herself all right?” 
Michael nodded. “Tom said he’d take care of it.” Don Corleone nodded with satisfaction 
at Hagen’s efficiency. 
Because of the gas rationing still in effect, there was little traffic on the Belt Parkway to 
Manhattan. In less than an hour the Cadillac rolled into the street of French Hospital. 
During the ride Don Corleone asked his youngest son if he was doing well in school. 

---