Chapter 1
The date is February 14th 1967. The Corleone Empire is still reigning over all of New York City and New Jersey. Michael Corleone is still the Godfather of the family. Tom Hagen is still in politics and is still Michael's consigliere. Mama Corleone died on the anniversary of Vito Corleone's death, two years ago. Michael tried to get out of the business, but got pulled back in over ten years ago. News on the wire is that a new family is coming up in the world.
"Michael, its Giuseppe Soriano." Tom Hagen tells Mike as he hands him the phone.
"Soriano? Where do I know that name from?" Michael asks Tom.
All of a sudden he gets a flashback, Michaels brought back to his child hood, growing up in Little Italy.
"Hey Sonny, who's that new family that moved into the house down the street?" Michael asks Sonny.
"Dunno'. Sarino, Soritido, something like that." Sonny answers as him and Tom play ball in the alleyway.
"Oh, Ok. I'll be right back Sonny. Tell pops that I went for a walk." Michael tells Sonny.
"Michael! Where you going?" Yells Fredo from the doorway.
"For a walk!" Michael yells back.
Michael starts walking down the sidewalk and he hears someone running behind him. It's Fredo.
"Michael, can I come?" Fredo asks.
Michael knows that whether or not he says yes or no, Fredo will still come along. Michael puts a hand in his pocket as they walk down the road. Standing next to a Genco Olive Oil truck is a boy. He's tossing a rubber ball against the steps of his home.
"Hello, my name is Michael Corleone." Michael says as he removes his hand from his pocket and offers it to the boy.
"Names Johnny." Johnny says as he continues to throw the ball against the step, ignoring the gesture that was extended by Michael.
Michael looks at Fredo who is distracted. Michael looks back at what Fredo is looking at and its Sonny holding the baseball that he and Tom were playing with. Sonny looks angry. All of a sudden Michael feels the brushing of air past his face. Sonny had thrown the ball at Johnny's face. In a split second Johnny had caught the ball that was meant to break his jaw. Johnny looks up at Sonny.
"You know. Throwing a ball at someone isn't a sign of kindness. But I can tell that you are very loyal to your family. That's a good trait." Johnny extends his hand to Michael.
They shake hands and Johnny throws the ball back to Sonny. Michael looks up the stairs to see a man standing there. Around the same age as Michaels father Vito. He's a driver for the Genco Olive Oil Company. His name is Giuseppe Soriano.
Michael fades out of his day-dream to see Tom holding the phone. Tom shakes the phone in Michael's direction. Michael grabs the phone from Tom as he wipes his forehead with a cloth.
"Giuseppe Soriano, how's it going in the kitchen?" Michael asks, referring to Hells Kitchen, the area of New York City the Soriano's now live in.
"It's hell. I'm sending my son to Little Italy. Meet with him. He has a business proposition for you." Giuseppe says. "I don't have a lot of time to talk. Hopefully this is going to be a great opportunity for both of us."
Michael hangs up the phone after Giuseppe. It's been a couple years since they had any problems with the law. Hasn't been a wire or bug in the house for over five years, that's the reason Michael was willing to talk on the phone.