Крестный отец

           Herefusedtotakeahitonailthreehandsbecausethedealerhadasixup,abustcard,andthedealerdidbust.NinorakedinhischipsandturnedtoJohnnyFontane."That’showtostartthenight,huh,Johnny?"

           Johnnysmiled.ItwasunusualforagamblerlikeNinotohavetosignachitwhilegambling.Awordwasusuallygoodenoughforthehighrollers.MaybetheywereafraidNinowouldn’trememberhistake-outbecauseofhisdrinking.Theydidn’tknowthatNinorememberedeverything.

           Ninokeptwinningandafterthethirdroundliftedafingeratthecocktailwaitress.Shewenttothebarattheendoftheroomandbroughthimhisusualryeinawaterglass.Ninotookthedrink,switchedittohisotherhandsohecouldputanarmaroundthewaitress."Sitwithme,honey,playafewhands;bringmeluck."

           Thecocktailwaitresswasaverybeautifulgirl,butJohnnycouldseeshewasallcoldhustle;norealpersonality,thoughsheworkedatit.ShewasgivingNinoabigsmilebuthertonguewashangingoutforoneofthoseblackandgoldchips.Whatthehell,Johnnythought,whyshouldn’tshegetsomeofit?HejustregrettedthatNinowasn’tgettingsomethingbetterforhismoney.

           Ninoletthewaitressplayhishandsforafewroundsandthengaveheroneofthechipsandapatonthebehindtosendherawayfromthetable.Johnnymotionedtohertobringhimadrink.Shedidsobutshediditasifshewereplayingthemostdramaticmomentinthemostdramaticmovieevermade.SheturnedallhercharmonthegreatJohnnyFontane.