The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
315
after that throat business? I turned you down because I knew we could never get along. 
A doctor thinks he’s God, he’s the high priest in modern society, that’s one of his 
rewards. But you would never treat me that way. I’d be a flunky God to you. Like those 
doctors you guys have in Hollywood. Where do you get those people from anyway? 
Christ, don’t they know anything or don’t they just care? They must know what’s 
happening to Nino but they just give him all kinds of drugs to keep him going. They wear 
those silk suits and they kiss your ass because you’re a power movie man and so you 
think they are great doctors. Show biz, docs, you gotta have heart? Right? But they 
don’t give a fuck if you live or die. Well, my little hobby, unforgivable as it is, is to keep 
people alive. I let you give Nino that drink to show you what could happen to him.” Jules 
leaned toward Johnny Fontane, his voice still calm, unemotional. “Your friend is almost 
terminal. Do you understand that? He hasn’t got a chance without therapy and strict 
medical care. His blood pressure and diabetes and bad habits can cause a cerebral 
hemorrhage in this very next instant. His brain will blow itself apart. Is that vivid enough 
for you? Sure, I said crazy house. I want you to understand what’s needed. Or you won’t 
make a move. I’ll put it to you straight. You can save your buddy’s life by having him 
committed. Otherwise kiss him good-bye.” 
Lucy murmured, “Jules, darling, lutes, don’t be so tough. Just tell him.” 
Jules stood up. His usual cool was gone, Johnny Fontane noticed with satisfaction. His 
voice too had lost its quiet unaccented monotone. 
“Do you think this is the first time I’ve had to talk to people like you in a situation like 
this?” Jules said. “I did it every day. Lucy says don’t be so tough, but she doesn’t know 
what she’s talking about. You know, I used to tell people, “Don’t eat go much or you’ll 
die, don’t smoke so much or you’ll die, don’t work so much or you’ll die, don’t drink so 
much or you’ll die.’ Nobody listens. You know why? Because I don’t say, `You will die 
tomorrow.’ Well, I can tell you that Nino may very well die tomorrow.” 
Jules went over to the bar and mixed himself another drink. “How about it, Johnny, are 
you going to get Nino committed?” 
Johnny said, “I don’t know.” 
Jules took a quick drink at the bar and filled his glass again. “You know, it’s a funny 
thing, you can smoke yourself to death, drink yourself to death, work yourself to death 
and even eat yourself to death. But that’s all acceptable. The only thing you can’t do 
medically is screw yourself to death and yet that’s where they put all the obstacles.” He 

---