Крестный отец

           Hetoldher.Hetoldherwithoutbeingfunny.Hetolditwithoutpride.Hetolditwithoutanysortofexplanationexceptthateightyearsbeforehisfatherhadbeenmoreimpetuous,andbecausethematterconcernedhisgodson,theDonconsidereditanaffairofpersonalhonor.

           Thestorywasquicklytold.EightyearsagoJohnnyFontanehadmadeanextraordinarysuccesssingingwithapopulardanceband.Hehadbecomeatopradioattraction.Unfortunatelythebandleader,awell-knownshowbusinesspersonalitynamedLesHalley,hadsignedJohnnytoafive-yearpersonalservicescontract.Itwasacommonshowbusinesspractice.LesHalleycouldnowloanJohnnyoutandpocketmostofthemoney.

           DonCorleoneenteredthenegotiationspersonally.HeofferedLesHalleytwentythousanddollarstoreleaseJohnnyFontanefromthepersonalservicescontract.HalleyofferedtotakeonlyfiftypercentofJohnny’searnings.DonCorleonewasamused.Hedroppedhisofferfromtwentythousanddollarstotenthousanddollars.Thebandleader,obviouslynotamanoftheworldoutsidehisbelovedshowbusiness,completelymissedthesignificanceofthisloweroffer.Herefused.

           ThenextdayDonCorleonewenttoseethebandleaderpersonally.Hebroughtwithhimhistwobestfriends,GencoAbbandando,whowashisConsigliere,andLucaBrasi.WithnootherwitnessesDonCorleonepersuadedLesHalleytosignadocumentgivingupallrightstoallservicesfromJohnnyFontaneuponpaymentofacertifiedchecktotheamountoftenthousanddollars.