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1 Don Corleone's face had become cold without a hint of sympathy. He said

contemptuously, "You can start by acting like a man." Suddenly anger contorted

his face. He shouted. "LIKE A MAN!" He reached over the desk and grabbed

Johnny Fontane by the hair of his head in a gesture that was savagely

affectionate. "By Christ in heaven, is it possible that you spent so much time in

my presence and turned out no better than this? A Hollywood finocchio who

weeps and begs for pity? Who cries out like a woman – 'What shall I do? Oh, what

shall I do?' "

2 The mimicry of the Don was so extraordinary, so unexpected, that Hagen and

Johnny were startled into laughter. Don Corleone was pleased. For a moment he

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франка www.franklang.ru

68

reflected on how much he loved this godson. How would his own three sons have

reacted to such a tongue-lashing? Santino would have sulked and behaved badly

for weeks afterward. Fredo would have been cowed. Michael would have given

him a cold smile and gone out of the house, not to be seen for months. But

Johnny, ah, what a fine chap he was, smiling now, gathering strength, knowing

already the true purpose of his Godfather.

3 Don Corleone went on. "You took the woman of your boss, a man more

powerful than yourself, then you complain he won't help you. What nonsense.

You left your family, your children without a father, to marry a whore and you

weep because they don't welcome you back with open arms. The whore, you

don't hit her in the face because she is making a picture, then you are amazed

because she laughs at you. You lived like a fool and you have come to a fool's

end."

4 Don Corleone paused to ask in a patient voice, "Are you willing to take my

advice this time?"

5 Johnny Fontane shrugged. "I can't marry Ginny again, not the way she wants. I

have to gamble, I have to drink, I have to go out with the boys. Beautiful broads

run after me and I never could resist them. Then I used to feel like a heel when I

went back to Ginny. Christ, I can't go through all that crap again."

6 It was rare that Don Corleone showed exasperation. "'I didn't tell you to get

married again. Do what you want. It's good you wish to be a father to your

children. A man who is not a father to his children can never be a real man. But

then, you must make their mother accept you. Who says you can't see them every

day? Who says you can't live in the same house? Who says you can't live your

life exactly as you want to live it?"

7 Johnny Fontane laughed. "Godfather, not all women are like the old Italian

wives. Ginny won't stand for it."

8 Now the Don was mocking. "Because you acted like a finocchio. You gave her

more than the court said. You didn't hit the other in the face because she was

making a picture. You let women dictate your actions and they are not competent

in this world, though certainly they will be saints in heaven while we men burn in

hell. And then I've watched you all these years." The Don's voice became earnest.

"You've been a fine godson, you've given me all the respect. But what of your

other old friends? One year you run around with this person, the next year with

another person. That Italian boy who was so funny in the movies, he had some

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франка www.franklang.ru

69

bad luck and you never saw him again because you were more famous. And how

about your old, old comrade that you went to school with, who was your partner

singing? Nino. He drinks too much out of disappointment but he never complains.

He works hard driving the gravel truck and sings weekends for a few dollars. He

never says anything against you. You couldn't help him a bit? Why not? He sings

well."

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