I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom but, I taught her never to dishonour her family.
She found a boyfriend. Not an Italian. She went to the movies with him. She stayed out late. I didn’t protest. Two months ago, he took her for a drive with another boyfriend. They made her drink whiskey... and then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honour. So they beat her, like an animal.
When I went to the hospital her nose was broken, her jaw was shattered, held together by wire. She couldn’t even weep because of the pain. But I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life. A beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again.
(WEEPS. IS GIVEN A DRINK.)
Sorry. I went to the police, like a good American. Those two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison. Suspend their sentence. Suspend their sentence? They went free that very day. I stood in the court room like a fool, and those two bastards, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, For justice, we must go to Don Corleone’.
DON CORLEONE
Why did you go to the police? Why didn’t you come to me first?
BONASERA
What do you want of me? Tell me anything, but do what I beg you to do!
DON CORLEONE
What is that?
(BONASERA RISES AND WHISPERS IN DON’S EAR.)
DON CORLEONE
(Shaking his head.) That I cannot do.
BONASERA
I’ll give you anything you ask.
DON CORLEONE (Stroking cat in his lap)
We’ve known each other many years, but this is the first time you ever came to me for counsel or for help. I can’t remember the last time that you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee. Even though my wife is godmother to your only child. But let’s be frank. You never wanted my friendship. You were afraid to be in my debt.
BONASERA
I didn’t want to get into trouble.
DON CORLEONE
I understand. You found paradise in America. You had a good trade. You made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. You didn’t need a friend like me. But now you come to me and you say, ’Don Corleone, give me justice’. But you don’t ask with respect. You don’t offer friendship. You don’t even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married and you ask me to do murder, for money.
BONASERA
I ask you for justice.
DON CORLEONE
That is not justice. Your daughter is still alive.
BONASERA
Let them suffer then, as she has suffered. How much shall I pay you?
DON CORLEONE (putting cat on the floor)
Bonasera, Bonasera. What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you’d come to me in friendship, then the scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies then they would become my enemies. (WAGS FINGER.) And then they would fear you.
BONASERA
(SWALLOWING HARD.) Be my friend? Godfather?
DONCORLEONE (AS BONASERA KISSES HIS EXTENDED HAND)
Good. Some day, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this gesture as a gift on my daughter’s wedding day.
BONASERA
Grazie.
DON CORLEONE
Prego. (TURNING TO TOM HAGAN AS BONASERA LEAVES.) Give this to Clemenza. I want reliable people that aren’t going to get carried away. I mean, we’re not murderers, in spite of what this undertaker says.
