The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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plants. But it didn’t matter. Before they could interfere it would be all over. 
McCluskey asked with real interest, “Is the Italian food good here?” 
Sollozzo reassured him. “Try the veal, it’s the finest in New York.” The solitary waiter 
had brought a bottle of wine to the table and uncorked it. He poured three glasses full. 
Surprisingly McCluskey did not drink. “I must be the only Irishman who don’t take the 
booze,” he said. “I seen too many good people get in trouble because of the booze.” 
Sollozzo said placatingly to the captain, “I am going to talk Italian to Mike, not because I 
don’t trust you but because I can’t explain myself properly in English and I want to 
convince Mike that I mean well, that it’s to everybody’s advantage for us to come to an 
agreement tonight. Don’t be insulted by this, it’s not that I don’t trust you.” 
Captain McCluskey gave them both an ironic grin… “Sure, you two go right ahead,” he 
said. “I’ll concentrate on my veal and spaghetti.” 
Sollozzo began speaking to Michael in rapid Sicilian. He said, “You must understand 
that what happened between me and your father was strictly a business matter. I have a 
great respect for Don Corleone and would beg for the opportunity to enter his service. 
But you must understand that your father is an old-fashioned man. He stands in the way 
of progress. The business I am in is the coming thing, the wave of the future, there are 
untold millions of dollars for everyone to make. But your father stands in the way 
because of certain unrealistic scruples. By doing this he imposes his will on men like 
myself. Yes, yes, I know, he says to me, ‘Go ahead, it’s your business,’ but we both 
know that is unrealistic. We must tread on each other’s corns. What he is really telling 
me is that I cannot operate my business. I am a man who respects himself and cannot 
let another man impose his will on me so what had to happen did happen. Let me say 
that I had the support, the silent support of all the New York Families. And the Tattaglia 
Family became my partners. If this quarrel continues, then the Corleone Family will 
stand alone against everyone. Perhaps if your father were well, it could be done. But the 
eldest son is not the man the Godfather is, no disrespect intended. And the Irish 
Consigliere, Hagen, is not the man Genco Abbandando was, God rest his soul. So I 
propose a peace, a truce. Let us cease all hostilities until your father is well again and 
can take part in these bargainings. The Tattaglia Family agrees, upon my persuasions 
and my indemnities, to forgo justice for their son Bruno. We will have peace. Meanwhile, 
I have to make a living and will do a little trading in my business. I do not ask your 
cooperation but I ask you, the Corleone Family, not to interfere. These are my 

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