"Setting up " the old man means that Paulie was the one to turn against the Corleone's by informing Barzini/Sollozo of Don Vito's daily routine. On the day that Don Vito was shot, it is obvious that Paulie knew what Vito's schedule would be like that day, and let Sollozo/Barzini know and then called in sick at the very last minute fully knowing that the weak Fredo would have to fill in for him to drive Vito that day.

As for the matresses reference, what are you guys watching/reading? Going to the matresses is a phrase that is used by mobsters when a war breaks out and everyone must go into hiding and the soldiers must also go into hiding but stay together. Apartments are rented, and matresses are brought in and placed all over the floors so that the soldiers can crash at those apartments, hide there and at the same time be on call when needed by the bosses to carry out a hit, or whatever. Basically a family may put 2 dozen soldiers in one apartment, therefore putting "matresses" all over the rooms for these men to sleep on. So if a boss says that we are going to the matresses, it is understood that we are going to war and need to go underground.


Don Cardi