By Paul Corman

Don Corleone gazed out the window at the wedding guests dancing in the back yard. He turned to look at the man who sat on the other side of his huge oak desk.

"Johnny Kerryoli, why do you come to me now?" asked the Godfather. "I can't remember the last time you invited me into your home for a coffee. What have I done to deserve this treatment?"

"Forgive me Don!" Johnny Kerryoli asked. "I've been busy lately. That is why I'm here to talk to you."

"Speak of those things that trouble you."

"Thank you Don. I don't wish to question those who lead us but the problems have become too great. I'm here about Georgio Bush and all the bad decisions he's made since he took over as your number one enforcer."

"You're worried about the war?"

"That and other things Don Corleone. You remember how three years ago someone wiped out one of our biggest operations and killed a lot of our people. Everything pointed to the Bini Laden gang so we hit their hideout. That seemed like the right thing to do at the time. But then Georgio and his people went nuts. They started a war over on the East Side, took out Sadi Hussein and whacked a bunch of his boys."

"Yes, yes. I remember. It looked like he had a stockpile of heavy ordinance and was getting ready to hurt us. The Cohen mob was pretty nervous because they're right next door."

"So it turned out all our information was wrong. Sure Sadi Hussein had put a lot of heat on his neighbors. And plenty of his own guys ended up sleeping with the fish. Anyway with him gone and our boys taking over the East Side, under Georgio, the place has turned ugly. We don't even know who we're fighting anymore and they're hurting us bad. Everyday some of our guys get taken out. It's totally out of control."

"So what do you want from me Johnny?"

"Georgio has made too many mistakes. He and his capo Dickus Cheney must be stopped before they get us even deeper into a situation we can never win."

"You want to run things? Is that it? Well I don't blame you. You're young and ambitious. I remember when we had that war with the Oriental gang. You did a good job working the waterfront. I got no complains, but I don't know about taking out Georgio. His father and I go way back."

Don Corleone looked over at one of his bodyguards playing solitaire in the corner. "Bring in Georgio Bush," he said to the man. "We'll listen to his side of the story."

When they brought him in, Georgio looked surprised to see Johnny Kerryoli sitting with the Don. He swaggered across the room with a smart-ass grin on his face. "Hey Johnny," he said. "How's the French lessons coming along?"

"Sit down Georgio. We need to talk," the Don said, pointing to a chair beside Johnny. "I've been hearing some things that worry me. Like about this war on The East Side. How long do you think it's going to take to finish up there?"

"Not long now boss. We got those rats on the run. We're kicking their butts. We're winning local hearts and minds. It's just a matter of time, and I'm going to stick at it until the mission is completed."

"Johnny here thinks we made a big mistake going into The East Side," the Don told Georgio.

"The wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time," Johnny piped up.

"Seems to me you supported the war when we thought Sadi Hussein was getting too strong," Georgio replied.

"I may have made some mistakes with things I said. But you made the mistake of going to war in the East Side. Which is worse?"

"Well you know we made Sadi an offer he couldn't refuse. Who'd know that the dumb palooka would refuse? So we had to hit him. As I see it we're putting all the people there on the path to freedom. We've got to stay steadfast and resolute. Not like Johnny here. His only consistency is inconsistency."

"One thing really worries me," the Don said. "This war is costing us a lot of money. We got no revenue coming in from the East Side and it's draining us like someone stuck a knife in our back. Your right hand man, Dickus Cheney is thick with all the guys you're buying supplies from. This doesn't smell too good Georgio."

Sweat broke out on Georgio's forehead. "Listen boss I can explain that. I know it might look bad, but Dickus's friends are selling us top of the line stuff at wholesale prices. Where else are you going to get an $800 dollar toilet seat for 50% off. Nothing but the best for our troops."

Don Corleone looked back out the window as he thought about what Georgio had said. Most of the wedding party was in the swimming pool fully clothed. The band had taken a break and was chugging his best wine. Things were getting out of hand. Something had to be done.

The Don looked over at his bodyguards in the corner and nodded. They stood up and adjusted the leather holsters that bulged beneath their suit jackets.

"Georgio you know Vinny and Viscous. They have something they want to show you. I want you should take a little ride with them."

Georgio went pale. His knees began to shake. "No boss don't do this. I'm begging you. Give me another chance. I'll do it right this time! I promise!"

Vinny and Viscous each took an arm and lifted Georgio to his feet. Tears flowed down Georgio's face as they dragged him from the room. The Don looked over at Johnny wondering if this one would end up making the same stupid mistakes.