Social Media and The Godfather

Posted on | January 31, 2009 | Comments

As with most things in life, you can learn more about social media in the first ten minutes of The Godfather than you can by reading whatever business book is being shilled by this week’s paper guru.

Un-commented on, out of respect for both you the reader, and for the sistine chapel of contemporary art, I give you Scene I of Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, The Godfather:

INT DAY: DON'S OFFICE (SUMMER 1945)

The PARAMOUNT Logo is presented austerely over a black
background.  There is a moment's hesitation, and then
the simple words in white lettering:

THE GODFATHER

While this remains, we hear: "I believe in America."
Suddenly we are watching in CLOSE VIEW, AMERIGO
BONASERA, a man of sixty, dressed in a black suit,
on the verge of great emotion.

			BONASERA
	America has made my fortune.

As he speaks, THE VIEW imperceptibly begins to loosen.

			BONASERA
        I raised my daughter in the American
        fashion; I gave her freedom, but
	taught her never to dishonor her
	family.  She found a boy friend,
	not an Italian.  She went to the
	movies with him, stayed out late.
	Two months ago he took her for a
	drive, with another boy friend.
	They made her drink whiskey and
	then they tried to take advantage
	of her.  She resisted; she kept her
	honor.  So they beat her like an
	animal.  When I went to the hospital
	her nose was broken, her jaw was
	shattered and held together by
	wire, and she could not even weep
	because of the pain.

He can barely speak; he is weeping now.

	 		BONASERA
	I went to the Police like a good
        American.  These two boys were
	arrested and brought to trial.  The
	judge sentenced them to three years
        in prison, and suspended the
	sentence.  Suspended sentence!
	They went free that very day.  I
        stood in the courtroom like a fool,
	and those bastards, they smiled at
	me.  Then I said to my wife, for
        Justice, we must go to The Godfather.

By now, THE VIEW is full, and we see Don Corleone's
office in his home.

The blinds are closed, and so the room is dark, and
with patterned shadows.  We are watching BONASERA over
the shoulder of DON CORLEONE.  TOM HAGEN sits near a
small table, examining some paperwork, and SONNY
CORLEONE stands impatiently by the window nearest his
father, sipping from a glass of wine.  We can HEAR
music, and the laughter and voices of many people
outside.

			DON CORLEONE
	Bonasera, we know each other for
	years, but this is the first time
	you come to me for help.  I don't
        remember the last time you invited
	me to your house for coffee...even
	though our wives are friends.

                        BONASERA
	What do you want of me?  I'll give
	you anything you want, but do what
	I ask!					

                        DON CORLEONE
        And what is that Bonasera?

        BONASERA whispers into the DON's ear.

	        	DON CORLEONE
	No.  You ask for too much.

			BONASERA
	I ask for Justice.

			DON CORLEONE
	The Court gave you justice.

			BONASERA
	An eye for an eye!

			DON CORLEONE
	But your daughter is still alive.

			BONASERA
	Then make them suffer as she
	suffers.  How much shall I pay you.

Both HAGEN and SONNY react.

			DON CORLEONE
	You never think to protect yourself
        with real friends.  You think it's
	enough to be an American.  All
	right, the Police protects you,
	there are Courts of Law, so you
        don't need a friend like me.
        But now you come to me and say Don
	Corleone, you must give me justice.
	And you don't ask in respect or
        friendship.  And you don't think to
	call me Godfather; instead you come
	to my house on the day my daughter
	is to be married and you ask me to
        do murder...for money.

			BONASERA
	America has been good to me...

			DON CORLEONE
	Then take the justice from the
        judge, the bitter with the sweet,
	Bonasera.  But if you come to me
	with your friendship, your loyalty,
	then your enemies become my enemies,
        and then, believe me, they would
	fear you...

Slowly, Bonasera bows his head and murmurs.

			BONASERA
	Be my friend.

			DON CORLEONE
	Good.  From me you'll get Justice.

			BONASERA
	Godfather.

			DON CORLEONE
	Some day, and that day may never
	come, I would like to call upon you
	to do me a service in return.

It’s all in there, folks. Trust me.

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