Крестный отец

           Itwastoodirect,toolackinginSiciliansubtleness.HewastheClub,nottheRapier.ForassoonasSonnyheardtheleader’sdemandheheldthethreemenatgunpointandhadthemthoroughlybastinadoedbythebodyguards.Thenhemadethemputthefurnacetogetheragainandtidyupthebasement.Hesearchedthemandfoundthattheyactuallywereemployedbyahouse-improvementfirmwithheadquartersinSuffolkCounty.Helearnedthenameofthemanwhoownedthefirm.Thenhekickedthethreementotheirtruck."Don’tletmeseeyouinLongBeachagain,"hetoldthem."I’llhaveyourballshangingfromyourears."

           ItwastypicaloftheyoungSantino,beforehebecameolderandcrueler,thatheextendedhisprotectiontothecommunityhelivedin.Sonnypaidapersonalcalltothehome-improvementfirmownerandtoldhimnottosendanyofhismenintotheLongBeachareaeveragain.AssoonastheCorleoneFamilysetuptheirusualbusinessliaisonwiththelocalpoliceforcetheywereinformedofallsuchcomplaintsandallcrimesbyprofessionalcriminals.InlessthanayearLongBeachbecamethemostcrime-freetownofitssizeintheUnitedStates.Professionalstickupartistsandstrong-armsreceivedonewarningnottoplytheirtradeinthetown.Theywereallowedoneoffense.Whentheycommittedasecondtheysimplydisappeared.Theflimflamhome-improvementgypartists,thedoor-to-doorconmenwerepolitelywarnedthattheywerenotwelcomeinLongBeach