Geoffy,

You are such a sweetheart thanks. But you don't have to worry about my feelings. I'm a big girl. :p Whatever you decide is ok

FADE FROM BLACK: Int. of Don Malta's home office -day


MIGNON (seated in front of the Don's desk, facing the camera) "I believe in The Hilton Garden Inn. This hotel has made my daughter's living. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom to get a group rate for us, but -- I taught her never to dishonor her gangsterbb family. She contacted this guy Gabe ; not an Italian. She made the arrangements for the rooms with him; she stayed on the phone late. I didn't protest. Then this morning, he sent her an e-mail. They made her tell me that the hotel would not honor the smoking rooms that we requested. And then gangsterbb members protested. Her heart was a'broken. Her feelings were a'shattered. She couldn't even weep because of the pain. And I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life --beautiful girl. Then I said to my husband, "for justice, we must go to Don Malta."

GEOFF (after Mignon kisses his hand) "Good. All will be ok. This will be taken care of. We will stay at the Hilton Garden Inn"

(then)

"Some day, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to buy Stoli Martini for me. But uh, until that day -- accept this justice as a gift on one of my sober days."


MIGNON (as she happily leaves the room): "Grazie, Godfather!"


CUT TO: TIS arrives in Phialdelphia by plane, takes a cab, then walks by foot to the Hilton Garden Inn. Music: "Philadelphia Freedom" plays -day


CUT TO: Outside the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia, The Italian Stallionette enters the hotel, signing autographs


MIGNON (while running up to TIS, then hugging her):
"TIS! TIS! TIS! I love you!"


CUT TO: Don Malta' Room. The Don is looking out the window


GEOFF : "She came all the way from California to come to the gangsterbb weekend; I told you she was going to
come."

SC : "It's been two years since Chicago; she's probably thirsty again."

GEOFF : "She's a good godmother. My godmother comes all the way from California...give her a glass of wine"


GEOFF : "SC, I want you to find Don Smitty. Tell him to come to my room."


[SC looks up, as if knowing what Smitty's up to]


DON CARDI (as SC quietly enters the Don's room):

"A month ago this Hotel made a new rule, that it would be 100% smoke free. It's just that a guy like me. I uh -- I like to relax in the lounge-- just be myself, and light up a smoke. Oh, Godfather, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do."

GEOFF : "You can act like a man! (then, after slapping Cardi on the face) What's the matter with you? Is this how you turned out? A Hollywood finocchio that ah cries like a woman? (then imitating Cardi, as SC giggles) What can I do?! I can't smoke in the lounge! What can I do?! (then)
What is that nonsense? Ridiculous. Mig and Becky made all these arrangements, and TIS flew in all the way from California"


[Don Smitty enters the room]

GEOFF : (to Cardi, after glancing to see Don Smitty enter) "You spend time with your gangsterbb family?

CARDI : "Sure I do."

GEOFF (to Cardi, but toward and about Smitty) "Good. 'Cause a man who doesn't spend time with his gangsterbb family can never be a real man Come're."

(then)

"You look terrible. I want you to eat. I want you to rest a while. And in a few hours from now, this -- Hotel bigshot's gonna give us what we want.

DON CARDI : "It's too late, they passed the law last month."


GEOFF : "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."

(then)

"Now you just go down to the bar, join TIS, MIG, SB, Becky and the rest of the gangtsterbb members and enjoy yourself, and ah, forget about all this nonsense. I want
you to leave it all to me."


Don Cardi

I appreciate everyone being so considerate. I think it is a testament to how damned nice you all are!! :p However, I think that this is a vacation for all of us. If most of us want to stay at a hotel that allows smoking, then I think we should at least explore the option. I appreciate all that Mig and Becky have done, and I wouldn't want to hurt either of you for all the world, but I think that we at least have to keep our options open. If I am the only one that feels that way, then Hilton Garden Inn, here I come!!

DC - I think that's your best one yet!!

Lou, remember what happened to Zsa Zsa when he sat there eating his sausage sandwich and drinking his drink, taking in and smirking at all that was going on around him?




Don Cardi

No, what happened ???

(that's one segment of the film I've never caught while channel-surfing...)

But don't bother telling me to watch the whole movie...I think I have a pretty good idea.




Apple

Don't worry. From what I understand Mig and Geoff have arranged with the Hotel to have GFIII playing on every channel on the tv in your room during your entire stay. :p


Don Cardi

After all -- we are not Communists.


Don Cardi

No problem...I'll have a radio with me.

If what I've seen of the film so far is any indication, it'll be pretty easy to ignore.

No, what happened???

But don't bother telling me to watch the whole movie...I think I have a pretty good idea. [/b][/quote]No need to worry. Zsa Zsa was eating a SMOKED sausage sandwich.... the hotel will probably delete that scene. :rolleyes:

SC,

What was Lori's opinion

Hi SB,

I understand your point. My concern is for Mig but mostly Becky. If she got in some kind of trouble, as Mig indicated, should we change hotels, then I'd feel really badly.

I didn't realize there were so many smokers. Usually it seems smokers are in the minority these days.

At any rate, I'll be flexible. Like all the other smokers here, I know it's the "downside", but the hotel is very nice, and I'm willing to stay there. Yet, if everyone thinks this should be discussed more, please give your input. Like with the restaurant "dilemma", someone needs to make a decision.

TIS

Btw DC, that "was" great!!!

Unless I took the wrong message from his post last night...it appeared that Don Malta had already made 'the decision'.

Of course, no one is forced to keep their reservation at this particular hotel. Everyone should certainly be free to make an 'individual' lodging decision, which would not affect dinner plans, reservations, etc.

Perhaps there will be a few hotels left by that weekend that will allow smoking or have a designated smoking area.

But I think the concensus is to keep it in Philly in consideration of the travel plans made by TIS.

Apple

Highlights of the discussions that have taken place over the past 9 months or so in regards to the hotel that we were going to stay at, the request for smoking rooms, and the restaurant/venue that originally gave us the idea of going to Philly.

Round and Round we go, where we stop nobody knows!


------------------------------------------------------------


Great stuff!

Don Cardi

Ha ha ha!! Very good Cardi!! And that doesn't even cover the pages of posts/comments devoted to the ever important, where to eat Saturday night question.

I'm looking forward to it, no matter what!!

TIS

Absolutely, we should keep it in Philly. I just think that we should consider switching hotels. And while I appreciate Don Malta's input, I think that we should make a decision as a group. Philadelphia Hilton I was on Hilton.com earlier and saw that many of the hotels were saying that they would be smoke free by 7/1/06. However, I did see this one that didn't mention it. I can try and call them later.

TIS - I know that you were going to email the hotel. Any response???

Edited to Add - Maybe by switching within the Hilton "family", we could cover Becky as well???

SB,

No response as of yet. I'll post if I hear anything.


TIS

Excellent point SB! If that's the case, then everything would work out really well for all involved.

Perhaps Mig can find out if staying within the Hilton family, as per your suggestion, helps Becky out. It satisfies all those concerned about the smoking rooms that they originally booked before this change by the Hilton Garden Inn, and at the same time helps Becky.

Maybe it's possible that being the Hilton Garden Inn were the ones to implement this 100% non smoking policy in their hotel, AFTER they took reservations for smoking rooms, that they will accomadate us by switching us over to their other Hilton Hotel, which still offers smoking rooms.

However this Hilton that you provided the link to seems to be pretty far from the area that we are currently staying in.

There is a Doubletree Hotel, which is owned by Hilton, and it is right in the area that we are staying in. According to their site they offer Smoking rooms.

http://www.doubletree.com/en/dt/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=PHLBLDT


Don Cardi

DC, I have no idea about the location. I only checked its proximity to the airport for TIS and saw that the parking is only $5 per day if you self-park. The Hilton Garden Inn may be better situated in the city.

The Hilton that you found is about 10 - 12 miles away from Center City.

However this is a Doubletree that is right near everything and within the same proximity as the Garden Inn.


Don Cardi

Ok, since I'm playing Hookey today, :p I called the 800 number to the Hilton on SB's post.

I talked to Kelly who told me that the hotel definitely has smoking rooms (as well as non) and she has heard nothing about them going completely smoke free.

She said the rooms for 1 king or two doubles (I think) was $154. per night for one or two people (not including tax). She said that we'd have to cancel the one reservation first and then make the other.

I asked where they were located and she said they were about 4/5 miles from the Hilton Garden Inn. (Southeast of it)

She also said that if there are more than 9 rooms that we should say so and be connected to the "group" reservations, which may drop our price. She said that they were open that weekend and that reservations shouldn't be a problem.

TIS

I just called Becky to look into that hotel that SB linked but she was to busy to look into it right now. Everyone keeps saying you don't want to hurt my feelings thanks that means alot but my feelings aren't going to be hurt. I'm a big girl.

TIS - Thanks for the information. My only fear is that the operators at the 800# may not have the latest, as that has happened to me in the past. If you try to book a room at Hilton Garden Inn from the Hilton website, although it says on the first page that they are 100% smokefree, the site will still allow you to book a smoking room. I've found that in major corporations, the right hand doesn't always know what the left is doing.

Btw, I checked the rates as well. The bounceback weekend rate is only $169. For $15 more, you get full buffet breakfast, which is certainly worth it.

Mig, you are too good!!! What a sweetie!! Thank you so much for all the trouble you and Becky have gone through!! Give that girl a kiss for me, willya??

Didn't we want to stay within walking distance of the city?


Don Cardi

I think DC you are right. I will see if becky can switch with the other hotel BUT I CAN'T PROMISE ANYTHING THIS LATE IN THE GAME.

I am going on vacation on the 22nd for a couple weeks I don't have a lap top so I won't have any internet connection. So Geoffy,DC,SC if you still have my cell # please call me with any new changes. Becky is coming with me.

Well, if we want to stay in downtown Philly, then maybe the Wyndham is back in play. Does that mean dinner at Shula's???

Well the Doubletree is out. TIS called them and it turns out that they do not have any smoking rooms.

The other Hilton is 7 miles from everythign and obviously is not within walking distance to the city.

I guess that the Wyndham/Sheraton is our best choice as they are the only Hotel that is in the city itself and still has smoking rooms.

Now as far as Shula's, well I figured that since this whole idea of going to Philly was based on The Moshulu, we should re-consider and go to the Moshulu on Saturday night.

I can always go to Shula's on friday night for dinner. :p


Don Cardi