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quiet and unobtrusive. He had claimed he was not hungry and sat in an armchair close
to the door reading a local newspaper.
After they had had a few drinks and food, the waiters were dismissed. Michael spoke
to Johnny Fontane. "Hear your voice is back as good as ever, you got all your old fans
back. Congratulations."
"Thanks," Johnny said. He was curious about exactly why Michael wanted to see him.
What favor would he be asked?
Michael addressed them all in general. "The Corleone Family is thinking of moving out
here to Vegas. Selling out all our interests in the olive oil business and settling here.
The Don and Hagen and myself have talked it over and we think here is where the
future is for the Family. That doesn't mean right now or next year. It may take two, three,
even four years to get things squared away. But that's the general plan. Some friends of
ours own a good percentage of this hotel and casino so that will be our foundation. Moe
Greene will sell us his interest so it can be wholly owned by friends of the Family."
Freddie's moon face was anxious. "Mike, you sure about Moe Greene selling? He
never mentioned it to me and he loves the business. I really don't think he'll sell."
Michael said quietly, "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."
The words were said in an ordinary voice, yet the effect was chilling, perhaps because
it was a favorite phrase of the Don's. Michael turned to Johnny Fontane. "The Don is
counting on you to help us get started. It's been explained to us that entertainment will
be the big factor in drawing gamblers. We hope you'll sign a contract to appear five
times a year for maybe a week-long engagement. We hope your friends in movies do
the same. You've done them a lot of favors, now you can call them in."
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"Sure," Johnny said. "I'll do anything for my Godfather, you know that, Mike." But there
was just the faint shadow of doubt in his voice.
Michael smiled and said, "You won't lose money on the deal and neither will your
friends. You get points in the hotel, and if there's somebody else you think important
enough, they get some points too. Maybe you don't believe me, so let me say I'm
speaking the Don's words."
Johnny said hurriedly, "I believe you, Mike. But there's ten more hotels and casinos
being built on the Strip right now. When you come in, the market may be glutted, you
may be too late with all that competition already there."
Tom Hagen spoke up. "The Corleone Family has friends who are financing three of
those hotels." Johnny understood immediately that he meant the Corleone Family
owned the three hotels, with their casinos. And that there would be plenty of points to
give out.
"I'll start working on it," Johnny said.
Michael turned to Lucy and Jules Segal. "I owe you," he said to Jules. "I hear you
want to go back to cutting people up and that hospitals won't let you use their facilities
because of that old abortion business. I have to know from you, is that what you want?"
Jules smiled. "I guess so. But you don't know the medical setup. Whatever power you
have doesn't mean anything to them. I'm afraid you can't help me in that."
Michael nodded absentmindedly. "Sure, you're right. But some friends of mine, pretty
well-known people, are going to build a big hospital for Las Vegas. The town will need it
the way it's growing and the way it's projected to grow. Maybe they'll let you into the
operating room if it's put to them right. Hell, how many surgeons as good as you can
they get to come out to this desert? Or any half as good? We'll be doing the hospital a
favor. So stick around. I hear you and Lucy are going to get married?"
Jules shrugged. "When I see that I have any future."
Lucy said wryly, "Mike, if you don't build that hospital, I'll die an old maid."
They all laughed. All except Jules. He said to Michael, "If I took a job like that there
couldn't be any strings attached."
Michael said coldly, "No strings. I just owe you and I want to even out."
Lucy said gently, "Mike, don't get sore."
Michael smiled at her. "I'm not sore." He turned to Jules. "That was a dumb thing for
you to say. The Corleone Family has pulled some strings for you. Do you think I'm so
stupid I'd ask you to do things you'd hate to do? But if I did, so what? Who the hell else
ever lifted a finger to help you when you were in trouble? When I heard you wanted to
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get back to being a real surgeon, I took a lot of time to find out if I could help. I can. I'm
not asking you for anything. But at least you can consider our relationship friendly, and I
assume you would do for me what you'd do for any good friend. That's my string. But
you can refuse it."
Tom Hagen lowered his head and smiled. Not even the Don himself could have done