Крестный отец

           Thecountermanopenedtheovenandtookoutthehotsliceandserveditonapaperplate.Butthecustomer,insteadofgivingthemoneyforit,wasstaringathimintently.

           "Ihearyougotagreattattooonyourchest,"thecustomersaid."Icanseethetopofitoveryourshirt,howaboutlettingmeseetherestofit?"

           Thecountermanfroze.Heseemedtobeparalyzed.

           "Openyourshirt,"thecustomersaid.

           Thecountermanshookhishead."Igotnotattoo,"hesaidinheavilyaccentedEnglish."That’sthemanwhoworksatnight."

           Thecustomerlaughed.Itwasanunpleasantlaugh,harsh,strained."Comeon,unbuttonyourshirt,letmesee."

           Thecountermanstartedbackingtowardtherearofthestore,aimingtoedgearoundthehugeoven.Butthecustomerraisedhishandabovethecounter.Therewasaguninit.Hefired.Thebulletcaughtthecountermaninthechestandhurledhimagainsttheoven.Thecustomerfiredintohisbodyagainandthecountermanslumpedtothefloor.Thecustomercamearoundtheservingshelf,reacheddownandrippedthebuttonsofftheshirt.Thechestwascoveredwithblood,butthetattoowasvisible,theintertwinedloversandtheknifetransfixingthem.Thecountermanraisedoneofhisarmsfeeblyasiftoprotecthimself.Thegunmansaid,"Fabrizzio,MichaelCorleonesendsyouhisregards."Heextendedthegunsothatitwasonlyafewinchesfromthecounterman’sskullandpulledthetrigger.Thenhewalkedoutofthestore.Atthecurbacarwaswaitingforhimwithitsdooropen.