The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
330
He had not once raised his voice but his words had a sobering effect on both Greene 
and Freddie. Michael stared at both of them, moving away from the table to indicate that 
he expected them both to leave. Hagen went to the door and opened it. Both men left 
without saying good night. 
* * *
The next morning Michael Corleone got the message from Moe Greene: he would not 
sell his share of the hotel at any price. It was Freddie who delivered the message. 
Michael shrugged and said to his brother, “I want to see Nino before I go back to New 
York.” 
In Nino’s suite they found Johnny Fontane sitting on the couch eating breakfast. Jules 
was examining Nino behind the closed drapes of the bedroom. Finally the drapes were 
drawn back. Michael was shocked at how Nino looked. The man was visibly 
disintegrating. The eyes were dazed, the mouth loose, all the muscles of his face slack. 
Michael sat on his bedside and said, “Nino, it’s good to catch up with you. The Don 
always asks about you.” 
Nino grinned, it was the old grin. “Tell him I’m dying. Tell him show business is more 
dangerous than the olive oil business.” 
“You’ll be OK,” Michael said. “If there’s anything bothering you that the Family can help, 
just tell me.” 
Nino shook his head. “There’s nothing,” he said. “Nothing.” 
Michael chatted for a few more moments and then left. Freddie accompanied him and 
his party to the airport, but at Michael’s request didn’t hang around for departure time. 
As he boarded the plane with Tom Hagen and Al Neri, Michael turned to Neri and said, 
“Did you make him good?” 
Neri tapped his forehead. “I got Moe Greene mugged and numbered up here.” 
Chapter 28
On the plane ride back to New York, Michael Corleone relaxed and tried to sleep. It was 
useless. The most terrible period of his life was approaching, perhaps even a fatal time. 
It could no longer be put off. Everything was in readiness, all precautions had been 
taken, two years of precautions. There could be no further delay. Last week when the 
Don had formally announced his retirement to the caporegimes and other members of 
the Corleone Family, Michael knew that this was his father’s way of telling him the time 

---