The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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fatal to the whole project of making Vegas the legal sanctuary of American gamblers. 
Moe Greene said to his bodyguards, “Draw some chips for all these people so that they 
can gamble on the house.” He obviously meant Jules, Lucy, Johnny Fontane and 
Michael’s bodyguard, Albert Neri. 
Michael Corleone nodded agreeably. “That’s a good idea.” It was only then that Neri got 
out of his chair and prepared to follow the others out. 
After the good-byes were said, there were Freddie, Tom Hagen, Moe Greene and 
Michael Corleone left in the room. 
Greene put his drink down on the table and said with barely controlled fury, “What’s this 
I hear the Corleone Family is going to buy me out? I’ll buy you out. You don’t buy me 
out.” 
Michael said reasonably, “Your casino has been losing money against all the odds. 
There’s something wrong with the way you operate. Maybe we can do better.” 
Greene laughed harshly. “You goddamn Dagos, I do you a favor and take Freddie in 
when you’re having a bad time and now you push me out. That’s what you think. I don’t 
get pushed out by nobody and I got friends that will back me up.” 
Michael was still quietly reasonable. “You took Freddie in because the Corleone Family 
gave you a big chunk of money to finish furnishing your hotel. And bankroll your casino. 
And because the Molinari Family on the Coast guaranteed his safety and gave you 
some service for taking him in. The Corleone Family and you are evened out. I don’t 
know what you’re getting sore about. We’ll buy your share at any reasonable price you 
name, what’s wrong with that? What’s unfair about that? With your casino losing money 
we’re doing you a favor.” 
Greene shook his head. “The Corleone Family don’t have that much muscle anymore. 
The Godfather is sick. You’re getting chased out of New York by the other Families and 
you think you can find easier pickings here. I’ll give you some advice, Mike, don’t try.” 
Michael said softly, “Is that why you thought you could slap Freddie around in public?” 
Tom Hagen, startled, turned his attention to Freddie. Freddie Corleone’s face was 
getting red. “Ah, Mike, that wasn’t anything. Moe didn’t mean anything. He flies off the 
handle sometimes, but me and him are good friends. Right, Moe?” 
Greene was wary. “Yeah, sure. Sometimes I got to kick asses to make this place run 
right. I got sore at Freddie because he was banging all the cocktail waitresses and 

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