The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
86
Clemenza sighed. The Cadillac gleamed like a huge blue steel egg, and he was 
nowhere near the solving of his problem. Then the solution hit him, logical and to the 
point. It would explain Rocco Lampone, himself and Paulie being together and give 
them a mission of sufficient secrecy and importance. 
He would tell Paulie that their job today was to find an apartment in case the Family 
decided to “go to the mattresses.” 
Whenever a war between the Families became bitterly intense, the opponents would set 
up headquarters in secret apartments where the “soldiers” could sleep on mattresses 
scattered through the rooms. This was not so much to keep their families out of danger, 
their wives and little children, since any attack on noncombatants was undreamed of. All 
parties were too vulnerable to similar retaliation. But it was always smarter to live in 
some secret place where your everyday movements could not be charted either by your 
opponents or by some police who might arbitrarily decide to meddle. 
And so usually a trusted caporegime would be sent out to rent a secret apartment and 
fill it with mattresses. That apartment would be used as a sally port into the city when an 
offensive was mounted. It was natural for Clemenza to be sent on such an errand. It 
was natural for him to take Gatto and Lampone with him to arrange all the details, 
including the furnishing of the apartment. Also, Clemenza thought with a grin, Paulie 
Gatto had proved he was greedy and the first thought that would pop into his head was 
how much he could get from Sollozzo for this valuable intelligence. 
Rocco Lampone arrived early and Clemenza explained what had to be done and what 
their roles would be. Lampone’s face lit up with surprised gratitude and he thanked 
Clemenza respectfully for the promotion allowing him to serve the Family. Clemenza 
was sure he had done well. He clapped Lampone on the shoulder and said, “You’ll get 
something better for your living after today. We’ll talk about that later. You understand 
the Family now is occupied with more critical matters, more important things to do.” 
Lampone made a gesture that said he would be patient, knowing his reward was 
certain. 
Clemenza went to his den’s safe and opened it. He took out a gun and gave it to 
Lampone. “Use this one,” he said.. “They can never trace it. Leave it in the car with 
Paulie. When this job is finished I want you to take your wife and children on a vacation 
to Florida. Use your own money now and I’ll pay you back later. Relax, get the sun. Use 
the Family hotel in Miami Beach so I’ll know where I can get you when I want.” 

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