The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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avenge his daughter’s honor and in that time the knowledge that he must pay that debt 
had receded. He had been so grateful seeing the bloody faces of those two ruffians that 
he would have done anything for the Don. But time erodes gratitude more quickly than it 
does beauty. Now Bonasera felt the sickness of a man faced with disaster. His voice 
faltered as he answered, “Yes, I understand. I’m listening.” 
He was surprised at the coldness in Hagen’s voice. The Consigliere had always been a 
courteous man, though not Italian, but now he was being rudely brusque. “You owe the 
Don a service,” Hagen said. “He has no doubt that you will repay him. That you will be 
happy to have this opportunity. In one hour, not before, perhaps later, he will be at your 
funeral parlor to ask for your help. Be there to greet him. Don’t have any people who 
work for you there. Send them home. If you have any objections to this, speak now and 
I’ll inform Don Corleone. He has other friends who can do him this service.” 
Amerigo Bonasera almost cried out in his fright, “How can you think I would refuse the 
Godfather? Of course I’ll do anything he wishes. I haven’t forgotten my debt. I’ll go to my 
business immediately, at once.” 
Hagen’s voice was gentler now, but there was something strange about it. “Thank you,” 
he said “The Don never doubted you. The question was mine. Oblige him tonight and 
you can always come to me in any trouble, you’ll earn my personal friendship.” 
This frightened Amerigo Bonasera even more. He stuttered, “The Don himself is coming 
to me tonight?” 
“Yes,” Hagen said. 
“Then he’s completely recovered from his injuries, thank God,” Bonasera said. His voice 
made it a question. 
There was a pause at the other end of the phone, then Hagen’s voice said very quietly, 
“Yes.” There was a click and the phone went dead. 
Bonasera was sweating. He went into the bedroom and changed his shirt and rinsed his 
mouth. But he didn’t shave or use a fresh tie. He put on the same one he had used 
during the day. He called the funeral parlor and told his assistant to stay with the 
bereaved family using the front parlor that night. He himself would be busy in the 
laboratory working area of the building. When the assistant started asking question 
Bonesera cut him off very curtly and told him to follow orders exactly. 
He put on his suit jacket and his wife, still eating, looked up at him in surprise. “I have 

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