Крестный отец

           ClemenzaandTessio,completelymisunderstanding,thinkingthatSonnywaslaughingathisyoungbrother’sbravadoformakingsuchanoffer,werealsosmilingbroadlyandalittlepatronizinglyatMichael.OnlyHagenwarilykepthisfaceimpassive.

           Michaellookedaroundatallofthem,thenstaredatSonny,whostillcouldn’tstoplaughing."You’lltakebothofthem?"Sonnysaid."Hey,kid,theywon’tgiveyoumedals,theyputyouintheelectricchair.Youknowthat?Thisisnoherobusiness,kid,youdon’tshootpeoplefromamileaway.Youshootwhenyouseethewhitesoftheireyeslikewegottaughtinschool,remember?YougottastandrightnexttothemandblowtheirheadsoffandtheirbrainsgetalloveryourniceIvyLeaguesuit.Howaboutthat,kid,youwantadothatjustbecausesomedumbcopslappedyouaround?"Hewasstilllaughing.

           Michaelstoodup."You’dbetterstoplaughing,"hesaid.ThechangeinhimwassoextraordinarythatthesmilesvanishedfromthefacesofClemenzaandTessio.Michaelwasnottallorheavilybuiltbuthispresenceseemedtoradiatedanger.InthatmomenthewasareincarnationofDonCorleonehimself.Hiseyeshadgoneapaletanandhisfacewasbleachedofcolor.Heseemedatanymomentabouttoflinghimselfonhisolderandstrongerbrother.TherewasnodoubtthatifhehadhadaweaponinhishandsSonnywouldhavebeenindanger.Sonnystoppedlaughing,andMichaelsaidtohiminacolddeadlyvoice,"Don’tyouthinkIcandoit,yousonofabitch?"

           Sonnyhadgotoverhislaughingfit.