The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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don’t get sore, but I let him get the idea that maybe you weren’t too sorry about getting 
the old man’s job, God forgive me.” He smiled apologetically at Sonny, who made a 
gesture signifying that he understood, that it was of no consequence. 
Michael, leaning back in his armchair with the phone at his right hand, studied both men. 
When Hagen had entered the room Sonny had come rushing to embrace him. Michael 
realized with a faint twinge of jealousy that in many ways Sonny and Tom Hagen were 
closer than he himself could ever be to his own brother. 
“Let’s get down to business,” Sonny said. “We have to make plans. Take a look at this 
list me and Tessio made up. Tessio, give Clemenza your copy.” 
“If we make plans,” Michael said, “Freddie should be here.” 
Sonny said grimly, “Freddie is no use to us. The doctor says he’s in shock so bad he 
has to have complete rest. I don’t understand that. Freddie was always a pretty tough 
guy. I guess seeing the old man gunned down was hard on him, he always thought the 
Don was God. He wasn’t like you and me, Mike.” 
Hagen said quickly, “OK, leave Freddie out. Leave him out of everything, absolutely 
everything. Now, Sonny, until this is all over I think you should stay in the house. I mean 
sever leave it. You’re safe here. Don’t underrate Sollozzo, he’s got to be a 
pezzonovante, a real.90 caliber. Is the hospital covered?” 
Sonny nodded. “The cops have it locked in and I got my people there visiting Pop all the 
time. What do you think of that list, Tom?” 
Hagen frowned down at the fist of names: “Jesus Christ, Sonny, you’re really taking this 
personal. The Don would consider it a purely business dispute. Sollozzo is the key. Get 
rid of Sollozzo and everything falls in line. You don’t have to go after the Tattaglias.” 
Sonny looked at his two caporegimes. Tessio shrugged. “It’s tricky,” he said. Clemenza 
didn’t answer at all. 
Sonny said to Clemenza, “One thing we can take care of without discussion. I don’t want 
Paulie around here anymore. Make that first on your list.” The fat caporegime nodded. 
Hagen said, “What about Luca? Sollozzo didn’t seem worried about Luca. That worries 
me. If Luca sold us out, we’re in real trouble. That’s the first thing we have to know. Has 
anybody been able to get in touch with him?” 
“No,” Sonny said. “I’ve been calling him all night. Maybe he’s shacked up.” 

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