Hagen knew what Sonny would say. Sonny was chafing at being under the

Don's thumb. He wanted a big operation of his own. Something like this would be

Perfect.

3 Sonny took a long slug of scotch. "There's a lot of money in that white

powder," he said. "But it could be dangerous. Some people could wind up in jail

for twenty years. I'd say that if we kept out of the operations end, just stuck to

protection and financing, it might be a good idea."

Hagen looked at Sonny approvingly. He had played his cards well. He had

Stuck to the obvious, much the best course for him.

5 The Don puffed on his cigar. "And you, Tom, what do you think?"

Hagen composed himself to be absolutely honest. He had already come to the

conclusion that the Don would refuse Sollozzo's proposition. But what was worse,

Hagen was convinced that for one of the few times in his experience, the Don had

Not thought things through. He was not looking far enough ahead.

7 "Go ahead, Tom," the Don said encouragingly. "Not even a Sicilian Consigliori

always agrees with the boss." They all laughed.

8 "I think you should say yes," Hagen said. "You know all the obvious reasons.

But the most important one is this. There is more money potential in narcotics

than in any other business. If we don't get into it, somebody else will, maybe the