mp.godfather-第74章

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　Johnny　was　hurt　that　Nino　should　be　so　downbeat。　〃You　son　of　a　bitch；　you　know　you　can't　sing　like　that。　Don't　worry　about　tomorrow。　I　feel　great。〃　But　he　didn't　sing　any　more　that　night。　He　and　Nino　took　the　girls　to　a　party　and　Tina　spent　the　night　in　his_bed　but　he　wasn't　much　good　there。　The　girl　was　a　little　disappointed。　But　what　the　hell；　you　couldn't　do　everything　all　in　one　day；　Johnny　thought。
　
　He　woke　up　in　the　morning　with　a　sense　of　apprehension；　with　a　vague　terror　that　he　had　dreamed　his　voice　had　e　back。　Then　when　he　was　sure　it　was　not　a　dream　he　got　scared　that　his　voice　would　be　shot　again。　He　went　to　the　window　and　hummed　a　bit；　then　he　went　down　to　the　living　room　still　in　his　pajamas。　He　picked　out　a　tune　on　the　piano　and　after　a　while　tried　singing　with　it。　He　sang　mutedly　but　there　was　no　pain；　no　hoarseness　in　his　throat；　so　he　turned　it　on。　The　cords　were　true。　and　rich；　he　didn't　have　to　force　it　at　all。　Easy；　easy；　just　pouring　out。　Johnny　realized　that　the　bad　time　was　over；　he　had　it　all　now。　And　it　didn't　matter　a　damn　if　he　fell　on　his　face　with　movies；　it　didn't　matter　if　he　couldn't　get　it　up　with　Tina　the　night　before；　it　didn't　matter　that　Virginia　would　hate　him　being　able　to　sing　again。　For　a　moment　he　had　just　one　regret。　If　only　his　voice　had　e　back　to　him　while　trying　to　sing　for　his　daughters；　how　lovely　that　would　have　been。　That　would　have　been　so　lovely。
　
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　The　hotel　nurse　had　e　into　the　room　wheeling　a　cart　loaded　with　medication。　Johnny　got　up　and　stared　down　at　Nino；　who　was　sleeping　or　maybe　dying。　He　knew　Nino　wasn't　jealous　of　his　getting　his　voice　back。　He　understood　that　Nino　was　only　jealous　because　he　was　so　happy　about　getting　his　voice　back。　That　he　cared　so　much　about　singing。　For　what　was　very　obvious　now　was　that　Nino　Valenti　didn't　care　enough　about　anything　to　make　him　want　to　stay　alive。
　
　Chapter　27
　
　Michael　Corleone　arrived　late　in　the　evening　and；　by　his　own　order；　was　not　met　at　the　airport。　Only　two　men　acpanied　him：　Tom　Hagen　and　a　new　bodyguard；　named　Albert　Neri。
　
　The　most　lavish　suite　of　rooms　in　the　hotel　had　been　set　aside　for　Michael　and　his　party。　Already　waiting　in　that　suite　were　the　people　it　would　be　necessary　for　Michael　to　see。
　
　Freddie　greeted　his　brother　with　a　warm　embrace。　Freddie　was　much　stouter；　more　benevolent…looking；　cheerful；　and　far　more　dandified。　He　wore　an　exquisitely　tailored　gray　silk　and　accessories　to　match。　His　hair　was　razor　cut　and　arranged　as　carefully　as　a　movie　star's；　his　face　glowed　with　perfect　barbering　and　his　hands　were　manicured。　He　was　an　altogether　different　man　than　the　one　who　had　been　shipped　out　of　New　York　four　years　before。
　
　He　leaned　back　and　surveyed　Michael　fondly。　〃You　look　a　hell　of　a　lot　better　now　that　you　got　your　face　fixed。　Your　wife　finally　talked　you　into　it；　huh？　How　is　Kay？　When　she　goons　e　out　and　visit　us　out　here？〃
　
　Michael　smiled　at　his　brother。　〃You're　looking　pretty　good　too。　Kay　would　have　e　out　this　time；　but　she's　carrying　another　kid　and　she　has　the　baby　to　look　after。　Besides　this　is　business；　Freddie；　I　have　to　fly　back　tomorrow　night　or　the　morning　after。〃
　
　〃You　have　to　eat　something　first；〃　Freddie　said。　〃We've　got　a　great　chef　in　the　hotel；　you'll　get　the　best　food　you　ever　ate。　Go　take　your　shower　and　change　and　everything　will　be　set　up　right　here。　I　have　all　the　people　you　want　to　see　lined　up；　they'll　be　waiting　around　for　when　you're　ready；　I　just　have　to　call　them。〃
　
　Michael　said　pleasantly；　〃Let's　save　Moe　Greene　to　the　end；　OK？　Ask　Johnny　Fontane　and　Nino　up　to　eat　with　us。　And　Lucy　and　her　doctor　friend。　We　can　talk　while　we　eat。〃　He　turned　to　Hagen。　〃Anybody　you　want　to　add　to　that；　Tom？〃
　
　Hagen　shook　his　head。　Freddie　had　greeted　him　much　less　affectionately　than　Michael；　but　Hagen　understood。　Freddie　was　on　his　father's　shit　list　and　Freddie　naturally　blamed　the　Consigliere　for　not　straightening　things　out。　Hagen　would　gladly　have　done　so；　but　he　didn't　know　why　Freddie　was　in　his　father's　bad　graces。　The　Don　did　not　give　voice　to　specific　grievances。　He　just　made　his　displeasure　felt。
　
　It　was　after　midnight　before　they　gathered　around　the　special　dinner　table　set　up　in　Michael's　suite。　Lucy　kissed　Michael　and　didn't　ment　on　his　face　looking　so　much　better　after　the　operation。　Jules　Segal　boldly　studied　the　repaired　cheekbone　and　said　to　Michael；　〃A　good　job。　It's　knitted　nicely。　Is　the　sinus　OK？〃
　
　〃Fine；〃　Michael　said。　〃Thanks　for　helping　out。〃
　
　Dinner　focused　on　Michael　as　they　ate。　They　all　noted　his　resemblance　in　speech　and　manner　to　the　Don。　In　some　curious　way　he　inspired　the　same　respect；　the　same　awe；　and　yet　he　was　perfectly　natural；　at　pains　to　put　everyone　at　their　ease。　Hagen　as　usual　remained　in　the　background。　The　new　man　they　did　not　know；　Albert　Neri　was　also　very　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。〃
　
　〃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　e　in；　the　market　may　be　glutted；　you　may　be　too　late　with　all　that　petition　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　smiles。　〃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　e　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　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　it　any　better。
　
　Jules　was　flushing。　〃Mike；　I　didn't　mean　it　that　way　at　all。　I'm　very　grateful　to　you　and　your　father。　Forget　I　said　it。〃
　
　Michael　nodded　and　said；　〃Fine。　Until　the　hospital　gets　built　and　opens　up　you'll　be　medical　director　for　the　four　hotels。　Get　yourself　a　staff。　Your　money　goes　up　too；　but　you　can　discuss　that　with　Tom　at　a　later　time。　And　Lucy；　I　want　you　to　do　something　more　important。　Maybe　coordinate　all　the　shops　that　will　be　opening　up　in　the　hotel　arcades。　On　the　financial　side。　Or　maybe　hiring　the　girls　we　need　to　work　in　the　casinos。　something　like　that。　So　if　Jules　doesn't　marry　you；　you　can　be　a　rich　old　maid。〃
　
　Freddie　had　been　puffing　on　his　cigar　angrily。　Michael　turned　to　him　and　said　gently；　〃I'm　just　the　errand　boy　for　the　Don；　Freddie。　What　he　wants　you　to　do　he'll　tell　you　himself；　naturally；　but　I'm　sure　it　will　be　something　big　enough　to　make　you　happy。　Everybody　tells　us　what　a　great　job　you've　been　doing　here。〃
　
　〃Then　why　is　he　sore　at　me？〃　Freddie　asked　plaintively。　〃Just　because　the　casino　has　been　losing　money？　I　don't　control　that　end；　Moe　Greene　does。　What　the　hell　does　the　old　man　want　from　me？〃
　
　〃Don't　worry　about　it；〃　Michael　said。　He　turned　to　Johnny　Fontane。　〃Where's　Nino？　I　was　looking　forward　to　seeing　him　again。〃
　
　Johnny　shrugged。　〃Nino　is　pretty　sick。　A　nurse　is　taking　care　of　him　in　his　room。　But　the　doc　here　says　he　should　be　mitted；　that　he's　trying　to　kill　himself。　Nino！〃
　
　Michael　said　thoughtfully；　really　surprised；　〃Nino　was　alway