Business
"Michael, you don't come and greet your Pop on his birthday. Some people would maybe think that disrespectful." Don Vito sat down at the head of the table feeling the warmth of a chair recently vacated by Sonny.
Michael stubbed out his butt and stared down at the linen cloth "I'm sorry father, it was just…"
"'S-OK I know," the Don cut in. "Sonny told me of your decision and you didn't want to continue a fight in front of your Mama. This is not the way I would have planned things for you my boy, but when events happen…" he broke off in thought, tilting his head.
"Then you don't mind?" The man-boy uncoiled, still dog eyed, lounging in his seat, but ready like a mongoose to pounce .
"I mind terribly. You could get yourself killed Michael, for no good reason." Vito's touch paper had been lit and it smouldered. From the next room Sonny and Tom registered the unusually raised voice. They paused. Would the bomb explode or fizzle?
"There is every reason why I must do this."
"Not for the family there is not. If you want to hunt Japs, then you should do me one small favour. Will you do that Mikey?"
"Of course father."
"Learn from this and come home with fresh eyes. Because you will come home, the only one of my boys I truly believe could. See Sonny would lead a helpless charge, come back a hero, but come back in a box. Tom's got more sense than to get messed up in something he doesn't need to and Fredo would probably die a coward. You my son, you will judge and plan and see things they couldn't. Know when to strike and when to wait."
A cool half smile drifted over Michael Corleone's smooth face. "You make it sound like an operation."
Vito picked up a red rose Connie had given him at the front door and studied it. "You think that's so very different hah? I'm a business man, no-one would ever get hurt if they only did what they should, first time round. The rough stuff…" he pulled a petal from the flower "… is there for a reason. Sure the wrong people suffer occasionally, but we make sure their families are protected. And it doesn't take long for those at the top of tree to see sense, so everything goes back to normal. The right hit can stop bloodshed." Another ruby petal fell. "Now can you honestly tell me that any one thing you personally do for the Marines will change history?" Vito scrunched the flower-head and laid the thorny stem back down.
Michael got up knowing his father was completely wrong and knowing he could never tell him. He looked down at the cake on the sideboard , gregariously colourful and gaudy saccharine and walked towards the doorway.
Don Vito stopped him and pulled at his cheeks "Go. You will do this with my consent, if not my blessing son. Now be happy! This is a party and your mother is waiting."