Making a proposal

The Godfather. The Godfather is a film about the New York Mafia. In the film, Sollazo, a gangster, makes a business proposal to the man they call “The Godfather”, Don Corleone.

SOLLAZO Don Corleone, I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need Don Corleone, those politicians that you carry in your pocket like so many nickels and dimes.

DON CORLEONE What is the interest for my family?

SOLLAZO 30%. In the first year, your income should be 3…4 million dollars. And then it would go up.

DON CORLEONE What is the interest for Tattaglia family?

SOLLAZO I’ll take care of the Tattaglias … out of my share.

DON CORLEONE So I receive 30% for finance, political influence and legal protection. That’s what you are telling me?

SOLLAZO That’s right.

DON CORLEONE Why did you come to me? Why do I deserve this generosity?

SOLLAZO If you consider a million dollars in cash just finance … ti salute, Don Corleone.

Make a summary of the script.

WHAT DOES SOLLAZO WANT? WHAT IS HE OFFERING?

2 Look at the script again and notice how the meeting is structured. In which order do these stages occur?

Don Corleone summarises. Sollazo says what he wants.

Don Corleone asks what is in it for him. Sollazo explains what he is offering.