The Godfather

While this remains, we hear: "I believe in America."

Suddenly we are watching in CLOSE VIEW, AMERIGO BONASERA, a

man of sixty, dressed in a black suit, on the verge of great

emotion.

BONASERA:

America has made my fortune.

As he speaks, THE VIEW imperceptibly begins to loosen.

BONASERA:

I raised my daughter in the American

fashion; I gave her freedom, but

taught her never to dishonor her

family. She found a boy friend,

not an Italian. She went to the

movies with him, stayed out late.

Two months ago he took her for a

drive, with another boy friend.

They made her drink whiskey and

then they tried to take advantage

of her. She resisted; she kept her

honor. So they beat her like an

animal. When I went to the hospital

her nose was broken, her jaw was

shattered and held together by

wire, and she could not even weep

because of the pain.

He can barely speak; he is weeping now.

BONASERA:

I went to the Police like a good

American. These two boys were

arrested and brought to trial. The

judge sentenced them to three years

in prison, and suspended the

sentence. Suspended sentence!

They went free that very day. I

stood in the courtroom like a fool,

and those bastards, they smiled at

me. Then I said to my wife, for

Justice, we must go to The Godfather.

By now, THE VIEW is full, and we see Don Corleone's office

in his home.

The blinds are closed, and so the room is dark, and with

patterned shadows. We are watching BONASERA over the

shoulder of DON CORLEONE. TOM HAGEN sits near a small

table, examining some paperwork, and SONNY CORLEONE stands

impatiently by the window nearest his father, sipping from a

glass of wine. We can HEAR music, and the laughter and

voices of many people outside.

DON CORLEONE:

Bonasera, we know each other for

years, but this is the first time

you come to me for help. I don't

remember the last time you invited

me to your house for coffee...even

though our wives are friends.

BONASERA:

What do you want of me? I'll give

you anything you want, but do what

I ask!

DON CORLEONE:

And what is that Bonasera?

BONASERA whispers into the DON's ear.

DON CORLEONE:

No. You ask for too much.

BONASERA:

I ask for Justice.

DON CORLEONE:

The Court gave you justice.

BONASERA:

An eye for an eye!

DON CORLEONE:

But your daughter is still alive.

BONASERA:

Then make them suffer as she

suffers. How much shall I pay you.

Both HAGEN and SONNY react.

DON CORLEONE:

You never think to protect yourself

with real friends. You think it's

enough to be an American. All

right, the Police protects you,

there are Courts of Law, so you

don't need a friend like me.

But now you come to me and say Don

Corleone, you must give me justice.

And you don't ask in respect or

friendship. And you don't think to

call me Godfather; instead you come

to my house on the day my daughter

is to be married and you ask me to

do murder...for money.

BONASERA:

America has been good to me...

DON CORLEONE:

Then take the justice from the

judge, the bitter with the sweet,

Bonasera. But if you come to me

with your friendship, your loyalty,

then your enemies become my enemies,

and then, believe me, they would

fear you...

Slowly, Bonasera bows his head and murmurs.

BONASERA:

Be my friend.

DON CORLEONE:

Good. From me you'll get Justice.

BONASERA:

Godfather.

DON CORLEONE:

Some day, and that day may never

come, I would like to call upon you

to do me a service in return.

EXT DAY:
MALL (SUMMER 1945)

A HIGH ANGLE of the CORLEONE MALL in bright daylight. There

are at least five hundred guests filling the main courtyard

and gardens. There is music and laughing and dancing and

countless tables covered with food and wine.

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