Originally posted by BarrytheBull:
... Do you think that Tom was really considering that offer, and he just told Mike he said no...and Mike new better...or was Mike just showing Tom how it can be with him, if he were to dessert the family? My opinion is that he wanted to let Tom know how mad he would be if Tom did decide to leave the family.
No, I don't believe Tom ever considered taking the offer.
Tom knew Michael, and knew EXACTLY how mad Michael would be if he made a move anywhere. Also...my personal take on Tom is that despite any differences with Michael or his own feelings on how things were being run...he was much to loyal to the Corleone Family to ever consider going anywhere else.
And Michael knew that Tom would never leave the Family... but just the same wanted to let him know (in front of Neri & Rocco, no less) that he knew the offer was made. For some reason at this time in his life, Michael decided to degrade and embarrass Tom, the one family member who never betrayed or defied him in any way.
Apple
