The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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you’ll get the best food you ever ate. Go take your shower and change and everything 
will be set up right here. I have all the people you want to see lined up, they’ll be waiting 
around for when you’re ready, I just have to call them.” 
Michael said pleasantly, “Let’s save Moe Greene to the end, OK? Ask Johnny Fontane 
and Nino up to eat with us. And Lucy and her doctor friend. We can talk while we eat.” 
He turned to Hagen. “Anybody you want to add to that, Tom?” 
Hagen shook his head. Freddie had greeted him much less affectionately than Michael, 
but Hagen understood. Freddie was on his father’s shit list and Freddie naturally blamed 
the Consigliere for not straightening things out. Hagen would gladly have done so, but 
he didn’t know why Freddie was in his father’s bad graces. The Don did not give voice to 
specific grievances. He just made his displeasure felt. 
It was after midnight before they gathered around the special dinner table set up in 
Michael’s suite. Lucy kissed Michael and didn’t comment on his face looking so much 
better after the operation. Jules Segal boldly studied the repaired cheekbone and said to 
Michael, “A good job. It’s knitted nicely. Is the sinus OK?” 
“Fine,” Michael said. “Thanks for helping out.” 
Dinner focused on Michael as they ate. They all noted his resemblance in speech and 
manner to the Don. In some curious way he inspired the same respect, the same awe, 
and yet he was perfectly natural, at pains to put everyone at their ease. Hagen as usual 
remained in the background. The new man they did not know; Albert Neri was also very 
quiet and unobtrusive. He had claimed he was not hungry and sat in an armchair close 
to the door reading a local newspaper. 
After they had had a few drinks and food, the waiters were dismissed. Michael spoke to 
Johnny Fontane. “Hear your voice is back as good as ever, you got all your old fans 
back. Congratulations.” 
“Thanks,” Johnny said. He was curious about exactly why Michael wanted to see him. 
What favor would he be asked? 
Michael addressed them all in general. “The Corleone Family is thinking of moving out 
here to Vegas. Selling out all our interests in the olive oil business and settling here. The 
Don and Hagen and myself have talked it over and we think here is where the future is 
for the Family. That doesn’t mean right now or next year. It may take two, three, even 
four years to get things squared away. But that’s the general plan. Some friends of ours 
own a good percentage of this hotel and casino so that will be our foundation. Moe 

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