In further remembrance of Paul I'm adding a link (below) to what I consider the single most impressive message ever posted here - his "The Night Before Christmas (Godfather Version)" poem.
This was plaw at his best, and thanks to the internet and Geoff's large database we'll have it with us for a long, long time.
Read it. Enjoy.
The Night Of The Hit Attempt
'Twas the night of the hit attempt, and all through the estate Some were not sleeping 'cause the party'd run late The drapes were left open by Fredo with care Not knowing Roth's hitmen soon would be there
Kay C. was nestled all snug in her bed While hopes of legitimacy danced in her head And Mama still thinking of Connie and Merle Hoping her daughter would be a good girl
When out on the lawn there arose a slight clatter Michael looked through the drapes to see what was the matter Then away from the window he sprang like a hare As the sound of the gunfire rang through the air
He crawled on the floor to reach Kay in her bed And then pulled her down while he cradled her head The shooting was over and so was the noise In the room where the children come play with their toys
Michael ran out, though his eyes were still bleary "Where's Rocco? Where's Fredo? Where's Hagen and Neri?" "Get them alive, Rocco" is what Michael said But he knew that the hitmen were already dead
Back in the house Michael sat down with Tom And said "I'm going to Florida, you'll be the new Don "There's a traitor among us who's name I can't leak" But he thought it was Fredo, so stupid and weak
On the way to Miami, Mike started to think About those he had killed without even a blink McCluskey, Sollozzo, Stracchi and Rizzi Moe Greene, Tattaglia, Tessio, and Barzini
And he knew he'd be adding one more to that list And when he found him, his lips he would kiss The kiss of death he would get, then his life would be lost But that still left the question: Pentangelli or Roth
By the end of the movie, Michael knew who it was Ola, and Fredo, and Roth was the buzz So Mike had them all killed, but his mind was still frozen On Hyman Roth's words about the business he'd chosen
Michael tried to retire...his head started to spin "As soon as I'm out, they just pull me back in" He made Vincent the Don, much to his delight And decided to go to the opera that night
But due to events which unfolded, to wit: Mike didn't know that there'd be one more hit Both twins were killed; it was really quite scary But what made it worse was, the killer got Mary
So Michael died wealthy, although really quite poor He won many battles, but still lost the war And now final words for my friends on this site: Happy holidays to all...watch The Godfather tonight! _________________________