Corner room, Thomas Hagen watched the wedding party in the festooned garden.

The walls behind him were stacked with law books. Hagen was the Don's lawyer

and acting consigliori, or counselor, and as such held the most vital subordinate

Position in the family business. He and the Don had solved many a knotty

Problem in this room, and so when he saw the Godfather leave the festivities and

Enter the house, he knew, wedding or no, there would be a little work this day.

The Don would be coming to see him. Then Hagen saw Sonny Corleone whisper

In Lucy Mancini's ear and their little comedy as he followed her into the house.

Hagen grimaced, debated whether to inform the Don, and decided against it. He

Went to the desk and picked up a handwritten list of the people who had been

Granted permission to see Don Corleone privately. When the Don entered the

room, Hagen handed him the list. Don Corleone nodded and said, "Leave

Bonasera to the end."

Hagen used the French doors and went directly out into the garden to where

The supplicants clustered around the barrel of wine. He pointed to the baker, the

Pudgy Nazorine.

Don Corleone greeted the baker with an embrace. They had played together as

Children in Italy and had grown up in friendship. Every Easter freshly baked

Clotted-cheese and wheat-germ pies, their crusts yolk-gold, big around as truck

Wheels, arrived at Don Corleone's home. On Christmas, on family birthdays, rich

Creamy pastries proclaimed the Nazorines' respect. And all through the years,

 

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Lean and fat, Nazorine cheerfully paid his dues to the bakery union organized by

The Don in his salad days. Never asking for a favor in return except for the chance

To buy black-market OPA sugar coupons during the war. Now the time had come

For the baker to claim his rights as a loyal friend, and Don Corleone looked

Forward with great pleasure to granting his request.

He gave the baker a Di Nobili cigar and a glass of yellow Strega and put his

Hand on the man's shoulder to urge him on. That was the mark of the Don's

Humanity. He knew from bitter experience what courage it took to ask a favor

From a fellow man.

The baker told the story of his daughter and Enzo. A fine Italian lad from Sicily;

captured by the American Army; sent to the United States as a prisoner of war;

given parole to help our war effort! A pure and honorable love had sprung up

Between honest Enzo and his sheltered Katherine but now that the war was

Ended the poor lad would be repatriated to Italy and Nazorine's daughter would

Surely die of a broken heart. Only Godfather Corleone could help this afflicted

Couple. He was their last hope.

The Don walked Nazorine up and down the room, his hand on the baker's

Shoulder, his head nodding with understanding to keep up the man's courage.

When the baker had finished, Don Corleone smiled at him and said, "My dear

friend, put all your worries aside." He went on to explain very carefully what must

Be done. The Congressman of the district must be petitioned. The Congressman

Would propose a special bill that would allow Enzo to become a citizen. The bill

Would surely pass Congress. A privilege all those rascals extended to each other.

Don Corleone explained that this would cost money, the going price was now two

Thousand dollars. He, Don Corleone, would guarantee performance and accept

Payment. Did his friend agree?

The baker nodded his head vigorously. He did not expect such a great favor

For nothing. That was understood. A special Act of Congress does not come

Cheap. Nazorine was almost tearful in his thanks. Don Corleone walked him to the

Door, assuring him that competent people would be sent to the bakery to arrange

All details, complete all necessary documents. The baker embraced him before