Watching GF II last night, Mrs. Woltz raised a question that I couldn't really answer...
Leading up to the murder of Fanucci, Vito sets up a rather elaborate plan. He has Clemenza and Tessio approach Fanucci and agree to his terms. He takes $50 from each of them. He meets with Fanucci and pays him, only to kill him later that day.
The question is: Why the elaborate ruse? Why not just kill Fanucci? Surely that was his plan all along.
What's gained by all the steps Vito takes beforehand? With or without them Vito is unlikely to face retribution, and he would have taken charge of Clemenza and Tessio either way.
