I who have nothing. I, the one who sits and sees. I, the one left out. Have seen everything to do with the true turning wheels of the greatest crime ever committed. A crime done like clockwork. Everything fit in, everything was exactly on time. Every movement deliberate, every bullet fired with precision. A masterpiece.
It started with men sitting at a table, most things do. Not that there is any problem with that. If everything began with women sitting at a table, it would be a disaster. Women are a lot better at scheming than men. More than that, they are able to just go for what they want regardless of consequences. In contrary to popular belief, men are the ones prone to feelings and are usually manipulated.
These men were sitting at a table in a crowded Cafe. There were six of them. Three of them on each side of the petite coffee table, eyeing each other with suspicion. It was easy to spot the two leaders of conversation. The two in the middle. One carried more weight than the other. He sat confidently, laid back in his armchair, an arms resting on the back of the armchair. The other appeared more tense, self , assured, nonetheless. His hands were pressed against each other gently touching his lips as he listened to the other. Their henchmen sat and listened closely to the tense conversation going on between their bosses.
" As much as I would like to, I cannot accept your offer" said the stouter one of the two. Being none other than Don Vito Corleone.
"Then, I am sorry for your loss" said the skinny Chinese man, sat opposite him. Don Corleone smiled.
"I am not at loss as much as you" this time it was Su Wei Rui 's turn to laugh.
"I am not at loss, Mr. Corleone. The market is changing, you are living in the past. Hi-tech is the new cocaine. Where else can you get such a good deal? "
"I am not interested, in this 'hi-tech'. I would not be making as much as I would be losing. If people want electronics, they can get them cheaply enough in their local supermarket. Even on the normal market there is enough competition to fill an office block. And the black market is full as it is. There is no place for the merchandise that you are offering."
"The black market is full of faulty merchandise. What I am offering Mr. Corleone, is a large amount of electronic components of high quality, that can be resold to larger companies. All companies. Companies ranging from Tesco up to intelligence services and weapon production. Weapon production especially, those Russians will pay anything for it. All I need from you is just a million dollars to start me off and some political support. I will be smuggling these electronic parts as well as a wide range of drugs in demand, including cocaine, marihuana, meth and ofcourse heroin. "
"I still don't see the profit in this, I am sorry. I get my annual ransom from companies all over Italy. I offer protection and political lobbying , for that they give me a couple hundred thousand euros every now and then. That is a fair deal. Like this I am offering nothing to them. If I went along with your offer I would be taking money away from companies that give me my ransom. In effect I would be taking money from myself only to give it to myself from a different source. It would not harm me, but it would fail to benefit me as well" At this point, the man on the right of Corleone lost his self control.
"But, father, like this we can-" Santino, was cut off by his father's quick firm arm that shot up in front of him.
"I wish you good luck with your business Mr. Su. I hope there will be no tension between us after this meeting. Believe me when I say, I have the best of motives. " Don Corleone stood up, to shake Su Wei Rui's hand and wish him goodbye. Su did not accept his hand, he just bowed in agreement.
"Do not worry Mr. Corleone, I believe you are a man of understanding!" with these words he took his hencheman and left. Vito Corleone turned to his son.
"Never, let me see you speak like that during meetings, Sonny! Questioning me and my decisions, shows potential enemies, that we are divided. They must not see any weakness or else we are open to attacks. Just remember that for next time" Sonny nodded in agreement. They stood up and left together, just like Su Wei Rui.
The Café was so crowded that all of them had failed to notice the surveying eyes fixed upon them, all this time. They had failed to notice me. Me. Right beside their table. Who knows, who else lurked in the crowd with stakes in this conversation?