Were one hundred thousand black Chevy sedans in New York City.

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

1 Tom Hagen went to his law office in the city on Thursday morning. He planned to

catch up on his paper work (нагнать /упущенное/; to catch up – быстро схватить,

подхватить) so as to have everything cleared away for the meeting with Virgil Sollozzo

 

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on Friday. A meeting of such importance that he had asked the Don for a full evening of

talk to prepare for the proposition (чтобы подготовиться для предложения) they knew

Sollozzo would offer the family business. Hagen wanted to have all little details cleared

away so that he could go to that preparatory meeting with an unencumbered mind («с

необремененным умом»; to encumber [ın’kΛmb∂] – загромождать).

2 The Don had not seemed surprised when Hagen returned from California late

Tuesday evening and told him the results of the negotiations with Woltz. He had made

Hagen go over every detail and grimaced with distaste (с отвращением = от

отвращения) when Hagen told about the beautiful little girl and her mother. He had

murmured " infamita," his strongest disapproval (неодобрение). He has asked Hagen

one final question. "Does this man have real balls (настоящие яйца = мужество,

пойдет ли он до конца)?"

3 Hagen considered exactly (поразмыслил точно) what the Don meant by this

question. Over the years he had learned that the Don's values (ценности: value

[‘vжlju:]) were so different from those of most people that his words also could have a

different meaning. Did Woltz have character ([‘kжrıkt∂])? Did he have a strong will

(сильную волю)? He most certainly did, but that was not what the Don was asking. Did

the movie producer have the courage not to be bluffed? Did he have the willingness to

suffer heavy financial loss (понести тяжелую финансовую потерю; to suffer –

страдать) delay on his movies would mean (которую будет означать отсрочка), the

scandal of his big star exposed (выставленному напоказ) as a user of heroin? Again

the answer was yes. But again this was not what the Don meant. Finally Hagen

translated the question properly (как следует, верно) in his mind. Did Jack Woltz have

the balls to risk everything, to run the chance (рискнуть: «подвергнуться

возможности») of losing all on a matter of principle (ради принципа), on a matter of

honor; for revenge (ради мести)?

4 Hagen smiled. He did it rarely but now he could not resist jesting with the Don (не

мог удержаться от шутки, чтобы не пошутить; to resist – сопротивляться). "You're

asking if he is a Sicilian." The Don nodded his head pleasantly, acknowledging the

flattering witticism (признавая, подтверждая /одобрительно/ лестную остроту) and

its truth. "No," Hagen said.

5 That had been all. The Don had pondered the question (размышлял) until the next

day. On Wednesday afternoon he had called Hagen to his home and given him his

instructions. The instructions had consumed (поглотили) the rest of Hagen's working

day and left him dazed with admiration (изумленным от восхищения /Доном/; to daze

 

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– изумить, ошеломить). There was no question in his mind that the Don had solved

the problem, that Woltz would call him this morning with the news that Johnny Fontane

had the starring part in his new war movie.

6 At that moment the phone did ring but it was Amerigo Bonasera. The undertaker's

voice was trembling with gratitude (дрожащим от благодарности). He wanted Hagen

to convey (передать, выразить /чувства/ [k∂n’veı]) to the Don his undying friendship.

The Don had only to call on him (пусть только позвонит ему). He, Amerigo Bonasera,

would lay down his life (жизнь положит) for the blessed (ради благословенного; to

bless – благославлять) Godfather. Hagen assured him that the Don would be told (что

Дону будет сказано).

7 The Daily News had carried a middle-page spread (разворот) of Jerry Wagner and

Kevin Moonan lying in the street. The photos were expertly gruesome

(«профессионально, умело» отвратительные, ужасные), they seemed to be pulps of

human beings (каждый из них казался какой-то бесформенной массой, а не

человеческим существом: «/из/ человеческого существа»; pulp – мягкая масса,

мяготь). Miraculously (как ни удивительно, чудесным образом), said the News, they

were both still alive though they would both be in the hospital for months and would

require plastic surgery (им понадобятся пластические операции; to require –

требовать; нуждаться в чем-либо). Hagen made a note to tell Clemenza that

something should be done for Paulie Gatto. He seemed to know his job.

8 Hagen worked quickly and efficiently for the next three hours consolidating earning

reports (объединяя отчеты о доходах) from the Don's real estate company (real estate

– недвижимое имущество), his olive oil importing business and his construction firm

(строительной фирмы). None of them were doing well (нигде дела не шли хорошо)

but with the war over (с окончанием войны) they should all become rich producers. He

had almost forgotten the Johnny Fontane problem when his secretary told him

California was calling. He felt a little thrill (возбуждение, нервная дрожь, трепет) of

anticipation (предчувствия) as he picked up the phone and said, "Hagen here."

9 The voice that came over the phone was unrecognizable with hate and passion.

"You fucking bastard," Woltz screamed. "I'll have you all in jail for a hundred years. I'll

spend every penny I have to get you (чтобы добраться до тебя). I'll get that Johnny

Fontane's balls cut off (устрою, чтобы ему отрезали яйца), do you hear me, you

guinea fuck?"

10 Hagen said kindly (любезным, вежливым голосом), "I'm German-Irish." There

was a long pause and then a click (щелчок) of the phone being hung up (которую

 

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вешают). Hagen smiled. Not once (ни разу) had Woltz uttered a threat against Don

Corleone himself. Genius had its rewards (гениальность имеет свои вознаграждения).