godfather

Sollozzo: Bene, Don Corleone. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need, Don Corleone, all of those politicians that you carry around in your pocket, like so many nickels and dimes.

Don Corleone: What is the interest for my family?

Sollozzo: Thirty percent. In the first year your end should be three, four million dollars. And then it would go up.

Don Corleone: And what is the interest for the Tattalgia family?

Sollozzo: [smiles at Tom] My compliments.

[Hagen gives a formal nod]

Sollozzo: I'll take care of the Tattaglias, out of my share.

Don Corleone: So, I am to receive thirty percent for finance, for legal protection and political influence. Is that what you're telling me?

Sollozzo: That's right.

Don Corleone: Why come to me? What have I done to deserve such generosity?

Sollozzo: If you consider a million dollars in cash merely finance...

[raises his glass]

Sollozzo: Te salut, Don Corleone.

[the Don gets up to take a drink and sits closer to Sollozzo]

Don Corleone: I said that I would see you because I had heard that you were a serious man, to be treated with respect. But I must say no to you and let me give you my reasons. It's true I have a lot of friends in politics, but they wouldn't be so friendly if they knew my business was drugs instead of gambling which they consider a harmless vice. But drugs, that's a dirty business.

Sollozzo: No, Don Corleone...

Don Corleone: It makes no difference, it don't make any difference to me what a man does for a living, you understand. But your business is a little dangerous.

Sollozzo: If you're worried about security for your million, the Tattaglias will guarantee it.

Sonny: Whoa, now, you're telling me that the Tattaglias guarantee our investment without...?

Don Corleone: Wait a minute.

[the Don gives his son a cold stare, freezing Santino into silence. The others fidget with embarrassment at this outbreak, but Sollozzo looks slyly satisfied...]

Don Corleone: [dismissive] I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen. Anyway, Signor Sollozzo, my no to you is final. I want to congratulate you on your new business and I'm sure you'll do very well and good luck to you. Especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you.

[Sollozzo leaves]

Don Corleone: Santino, come here.

Don Corleone: What's the matter with you? I think your brain is going soft with all that comedy you are playing with that young girl. Never tell anyone outside the Family what you are thinking again. Go on.

Michael: My credit good enough to buy you out?

Moe Greene: Buy me out?

[Fredo laughs nervously]

Michael: The hotel, the casino. The Corleone Family wants to buy you out.

Moe Greene: The Corleone Family wants to buy me out? No, I buy you out, you don't buy me out.

Michael: Your casino loses money, maybe we can do better.

Moe Greene: You think I'm skimmin off the top, Mike?

Michael: [Michael shakes his head] You're unlucky.

Moe Greene: You goddamn guineas you really make me laugh. I do you a favor and take Freddie in when you're having a bad time, and now you're gonna try and push me out!

Michael: You took Freddie in because the Corleone Family bankrolled your casino, and the Molinari Family on the Coast guaranteed his safety. Now we're talking business, let's talk business.

Moe Greene: Yeah, let's talk business, Mike. First of all, you're all done. The Corleone Family don't even have that kind of muscle anymore. The Godfather's sick, right? You're getting chased out of New York by Barzini and the other Families. What do you think is going on here? You think you can come to my hotel and take over? I talked to Barzini - I can make a deal with him, and still keep my hotel!

Michael: Is that why you slapped my brother around in public?

Fredo: Aw, now that, that was nothin', Mike. Moe didn't mean nothin' by that. Yeah, sure he flies off the handle every once in a while, but me and him, we're good friends, right Moe?

Moe Greene: I got a business to run. I gotta kick asses sometimes to make it run right. We had a little argument, Freddy and me, so I had to straighten him out.

Michael: You straightened my brother out?

Moe Greene: He was banging cocktail waitresses two at a time! Players couldn't get a drink at the table! What's the matter with you?

Michael: I leave for New York tomorrow, think about a price.

Moe Greene: Sonofabitch! Do you know who I am? I'm Moe Greene! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders!

Fredo: Wait a minute, Moe, Moe, I got an idea. Tom, you're the Consiglieri and you can talk to the Don, you can explain...

Tom Hagen: Now hold it right there. The Don is semi-retired and Mike is in charge of the Family business now. If you have anything to say, say it to Michael.

Fredo: [Moe Greene leaves] Mike! You do not come to Las Vegas and talk to a man like Moe Greene like that!

Michael: Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever.