to speak. The Don put his head down and then sat on the bedside chair. Genco
Abbandando was babbling about their childhood. Then his coal-black eyes
became sly. He whispered. The Don bent closer. The others in the room were
astonished to see tears running down Don Corleone's face as he shook his head.
The quavering voice grew louder, filling the room. With a tortured, superhuman
effort, Abbandando lifted his head off his pillow, eyes unseeing, and pointed a
skeletal forefinger at the Don. "Godfather, Godfather," he called out blindly, "save
me from death, I beg of you. My flesh is burning off my bones and I can feel the
worms eating away my brain. Godfather, cure me, you have the power, dry the
tears of my poor wife. In Corleone we played together as children and now will
you let me die when I fear hell for my sins*"
5 The Don was silent. Abbandando said, "It is your daughter's wedding day, you
cannot refuse me."
6 The Don spoke quietly, gravely, to pierce through the blasphemous delirium.
"Old friend," he said, "I have no such powers. If I did I would be more merciful
than God, believe me. But don't fear death and don't fear hell. I will have a mass
said for your soul every night and every morning. Your wife and your children will
pray for you. How can God punish you with so many pleas for mercy*"
7 The skeleton face took on a cunning expression that was obscene.
Abbandando said slyly, "It's been arranged then*"
8 When the Don answered, his voice was cold, without comfort. "You blaspheme.
Resign yourself."
9 Abbandando fell back on the pillow. His eyes lost their wild gleam of hope. The
nurse came back into the room and started shooing them out in a very matter-of-
fact way. The Don got up but Abbandando put out his hand. "Godfather," he said,
"stay here with me and help me meet death. Perhaps if He sees you near me He
will be frightened and leave me in peace. Or perhaps you can say a word, pull a
few strings, eh*" The dying man winked as if he were mocking the Don, now not
really serious. "You're brothers in blood, after all." Then, as if fearing the Don
would be offended, he clutched at his hand. "Stay with me, let me hold your hand.
We'll outwit that bastard as we've outwitted others. Godfather, don't betray me."
10 The Don motioned the other people out of the room. They left. He took the
withered claw of Genco Abbandando in his own two broad hands. Softly,
reassuringly, he comforted his friend, as they waited for death together. As if the
Don could truly snatch the life of Genco Abbandando back from that most foul
and criminal traitor to man.
1 The wedding day of Connie Corleone ended well for her. Carlo Rizzi performed his
duties as a bridegroom (исполнил свои обязанности /в качестве/ жениха) with skill
and vigor (с мастерством и энергией ['vэg*]), spurred on by the contents of the bride's
gift purse (подстегиваемый содержимым кошелька-приданого невесты; spur –
шпора) which totaled up (доходило до, насчитывало; to total [‘t*ut*l]) to over twenty
thousand dollars. The bride, however, gave up her virginity with a great deal more
willingness (отдала свою девственность с гораздо большей охотой) than she gave
up her purse. For the latter, he had to blacken one of her eyes (за последний = чтобы
получить последний, ему пришлось подбить ей глаз).
2 Lucy Mancini waited in her house for a call from Sonny Corleone, sure that he would
ask her for a date (на свидание). Finally she called his house and when she heard a
woman's voice answer the phone she hung up (повесила трубку; to hang up). She had
no way of knowing (не могла знать) that nearly everyone at the wedding had remarked
the absence of her and Sonny (заметили отсутствие) for that fatal half hour and the
gossip was already spreading (слух уже распространялся) that Santino Corleone had
found another victim (нашел еще одну жертву). That he had "done the job" on his own
sister's maid of honor.
3 Amerigo Bonasera had a terrible nightmare (ужасный кошмар). In his dreams he
saw Don Corleone, in peaked cap (в остроконечном шлеме; peak – пик,
остроконечная вершина), overalls (спецовке) and heavy gloves (перчатках [glЛv]),
unloading bullet-riddled corpses (разгружает изрешеченные пулями трупы; riddle –
решето) in front of his funeral parlor (перед своей «погребальной приемной», перед
кабинетом) and shouting, "Remember, Amerigo, not a word to anyone, and bury them
quickly." He groaned so loud (простонал, заохал) and long in his sleep that his wife
shook him awake. "Eh, what a man you are," she grumbled. "To have a nightmare only
after a wedding."
4 Kay Adams was escorted to her New York City hotel by Paulie Gatto and Clemenza.
The car was large, luxurious and driven by Gatto. Clemenza sat in the back seat and
Kay was given the front seat next to the driver. She found both men wildly exotic. Their
speech was movie Brooklynese (на бруклинском жаргоне – как в кино) and they
treated her with exaggerated courtliness (обращались с ней с преувеличенной
вежливостью; to exaggerate [эg’zжdG*reэt] – преувеличивать; courtliness [ko:tlinis] –
92
вежливость, учтивость; court – двор). During the ride (во время поездки) she chatted
casually with both men (она легко болтала, просто вела легкую, ни к чему не
обязывающую беседу; casually [‘kжGju:*lэ] – случайно; ненароком; мимоходом,
«при оказии») and was surprised when they spoke of Michael with unmistakable
affection and respect (с несомненным теплом и уважением; mistake – ошибка). He
had led her to believe that he was an alien (чужак ['eэljen]) in his father's world. Now
Clemenza was assuring her in his wheezing gutteral voice (своим хрипящим
горловым, гортанным голосом; to wheeze – дышать с присвистом; произносить с
хрипом) that the "old man" thought Mike was the best of his sons, the one who would
surely inherit the family business (унаследует).
5 "What business is that*" Kay asked in the most natural way (стараясь, чтобы ее
голос звучал как можно естественнее).
6 Paulie Gatto gave her a quick glance (быстро взглянул: glance [glб:ns] – /быстрый
короткий/ взгляд) as he turned the wheel. Behind her Clemenza said in a surprised
voice. "Didn't Mike tell you* Mr. Corleone is the biggest importer of Italian olive oil in the
States. Now that the war is over the business could get real rich (может стать по-
настоящему прибыльным). He'll need a smart boy like Mike (ему нужен будет такой
сметливый парень)."
7 At the hotel Clemenza insisted on coming to the desk (к стойке) with her. When she
protested, he said simply, "The boss said to make sure you got home OK. I gotta do it
(= I got to do it – я должен это сделать)."
8 After she received her room key (получила ключи от номера; key [ki:]) he walked
her to the elevator and waited until she got in. She waved to him, smiling, and was
surprised at his genuine smile of pleasure in return (была удивлена его ответной
улыбкой, в которой светилось неподдельное удовольствие; genuine [‘dGenjuэn] –
истинный, подлинный). It was just as well she did not see him go back to the hotel
clerk and ask, "What name she registered under*"
9 The hotel clerk looked at Clemenza coldly. Clemenza rolled the little green spitball
(комочек /скомканную купюру/; spitball – комочек бумаги /для плевания через
трубку/; spit – плевок) he was holding in his hand across to the clerk, who picked it up
(взял, подхватил) and immediately said, "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Corleone."
10 Back in the car, Paulie Gatto said, "Nice dame."
11 Clemenza grunted. "Mike is doing the job on her." Unless, he thought, they were
really married (если только они не женаты на самом деле). "Pick me up early in the
morning (заезжай за мной)," he told Paulie Gatto. "Hagen got some deal for us that
gotta be done right away (сразу, безотлагательно)."
1 The wedding day of Connie Corleone ended well for her. Carlo Rizzi performed
his duties as a bridegroom with skill and vigor, spurred on by the contents of the
bride's gift purse which totaled up to over twenty thousand dollars. The bride,
however, gave up her virginity with a great deal more willingness than she gave
up her purse. For the latter, he had to blacken one of her eyes.
2 Lucy Mancini waited in her house for a call from Sonny Corleone, sure that he
would ask her for a date. Finally she called his house and when she heard a
woman's voice answer the phone she hung up. She had no way of knowing that
nearly everyone at the wedding had remarked the absence of her and Sonny for
that fatal half hour and the gossip was already spreading that Santino Corleone
had found another victim. That he had "done the job" on his own sister's maid of
honor.
3 Amerigo Bonasera had a terrible nightmare. In his dreams he saw Don
Corleone, in peaked cap, overalls and heavy gloves, unloading bullet-riddled
corpses in front of his funeral parlor and shouting, "Remember, Amerigo, not a
word to anyone, and bury them quickly." He groaned so loud and long in his
sleep that his wife shook him awake. "Eh, what a man you are," she grumbled.
"To have a nightmare only after a wedding."
4 Kay Adams was escorted to her New York City hotel by Paulie Gatto and
Clemenza. The car was large, luxurious and driven by Gatto. Clemenza sat in the
back seat and Kay was given the front seat next to the driver. She found both
men wildly exotic. Their speech was movie Brooklynese and they treated her with
exaggerated courtliness. During the ride she chatted casually with both men and
was surprised when they spoke of Michael with unmistakable affection and
respect. He had led her to believe that he was an alien in his father's world. Now
Clemenza was assuring her in his wheezing gutteral voice that the "old man"
thought Mike was the best of his sons, the one who would surely inherit the
family business.
5 "What business is that*" Kay asked in the most natural way.
6 Paulie Gatto gave her a quick glance as he turned the wheel. Behind her
Clemenza said in a surprised voice. "Didn't Mike tell you* Mr. Corleone is the
biggest importer of Italian olive oil in the States. Now that the war is over the
business could get real rich. He'll need a smart boy like Mike."
7 At the hotel Clemenza insisted on coming to the desk with her. When she
protested, he said simply, "The boss said to make sure you got home OK. I gotta
do it."
8 After she received her room key he walked her to the elevator and waited until
she got in. She waved to him, smiling, and was surprised at his genuine smile of
pleasure in return. It was just as well she did not see him go back to the hotel
clerk and ask, "What name she registered under*"
9 The hotel clerk looked at Clemenza coldly. Clemenza rolled the little green
spitball he was holding in his hand across to the clerk, who picked it up and
immediately said, "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Corleone."
10 Back in the car, Paulie Gatto said, "Nice dame."
11 Clemenza grunted. "Mike is doing the job on her." Unless, he thought, they
were really married. "Pick me up early in the morning," he told Paulie Gatto.
"Hagen got some deal for us that gotta be done right away."
1 It was late Sunday night before Tom Hagen could kiss his wife goodbye and drive
out to the airport. With his special number one priority (с удостоверением, дающим
ему право внеочередной, первоочередной посадки /на самолет/; priority [praэ’orэtэ]
– приоритет; преимущество; очередность) (a grateful gift («благодарный дар») from
a Pentagon staff general officer (офицера ген. штаба; staff [sta:f] – штат /служащих/;
кадры)) he had no trouble getting on a plane to Los Angeles (не было проблем сесть
на самолет).
2 It had been a busy but satisfying day (удачный: «удовлетворяющий» день; to
satisfy [‘sжtэsfaэ] – удовлетворять) for Tom Hagen. Genco Abbandando had died at
three in the morning and when Don Corleone returned from the hospital, he had
informed Hagen that he was now officially the new Consigliori to the family. This meant
that Hagen was sure to become a very rich man, to say nothing of power (не говоря уж
о власти).
3 The Don had broken a long-standing tradition (нарушил давнюю традицию). The
Consigliori was always a full-blooded Sicilian («полнокровный» = чистокровный
сицилиец), and the fact that Hagen had been brought up as a member of the Don's
family (был выращен, воспитан) made no difference to that tradition. It was a question
of blood. Only a Sicilian born to the ways of omerta (который с молоком матери
впитывал в себя круговую поруку и обычай кровной мести /итал./), the law of
silence (закон молчания), could be trusted in the key post of Consigliori.
4 Between the head of the family, Don Corleone, who dictated policy (определял
политику, курс = стратегию), and the operating level of men (и исполнительским
уровнем [levl]) who actually carried out the orders of the Don (которые фактически, в
на самом деле исполняли приказы; actually [‘жkt*u*lэ]), there were three layers (слоя,
пласта, прокладки), or buffers. In that way nothing could be traced to the top (таким
образом ничто нельзя было проследить до верхушки /до руководства/; trace –
след, отпечаток; to trace – проследить, выследить). Unless the Consigliori turned
traitor (кроме того случая, если бы консильори оказался предателем). That Sunday
morning Don Corleone gave explicit instructions (подробные, ясные [эks'plэsэt]) on what
should be done to the two young men (что должно быть сделано) who had beaten the
daughter of Amerigo Bonasera. But he had given those orders in private to Tom Hagen.
Later in the day Hagen had, also in private without witnesses (без свидетелей),
instructed Clemenza. In turn Clemenza had told Paulie Gatto to execute the
commission (выполнить поручение). Paulie Gatto would now muster the necessary
manpower (соберет необходимый личный состав, подберет исполнителей) and
execute the orders. Paulie Gatto and his men would not know why this particular task
was being carried out (почему выполняется эта конкретная, частная задача =
именно эта задача; particular [p*’tэkjul*] – особый, особенный; отдельный,
одиночный; task [tб:sk] – урочная работа, задача) or who had ordered it originally
(первоначально). Each link of the chain would have to turn traitor (каждое звено цепи
должно было бы оказаться предателем) for the Don to be involved (быть
замешанным) and though it had never yet happened, there was always the possibility
(возможность этого сохранялась). The cure for that possibility also was known
(средство против этого: «лечение» было также известно). Only one link in the chain
had to disappear (должно было исчезнуть).
5 The Consigliori was also what his name implied (что и заключало в себе,
предполагало само название: to imply [эm’plaэ]). He was the counselor to the Don
(советником [‘kaunsl*]), his right-hand man, his auxiliary brain («вспомогательным
мозгом» [o:g'zэlj*rэ]). He was also his closest companion and his closest friend. On
important trips he would drive the Don's car, at conferences he would go out and get the
Don refreshments (приносить закуски, освежающие напитки), coffee and sandwiches,
fresh cigars. He would know everything the Don knew or nearly everything, all the cells
of power (все клеточки = сегменты власти). He was the one man in the world who
could bring the Don crashing down to destruction (кто мог бы с треском провалить
Дона; to crush – с грохотом разрушать, разбивать). But no Consigliori had ever
betrayed a Don (ни один консильори ни разу не изменил Дону), not in the memory of
any of the powerful Sicilian families who had established themselves in America
(обосновались; to establish [эs’tжblэ*] – укреплять, делать стойким; основывать,
учреждать). There was no future in it (в этом не было будущего = не было никакого
смысла). And every Consigliori knew that if he kept the faith (если останется верен;
faith [feэи] – вера; верность), he would become rich, wield power (добьется власти; to
wield – уметь обращаться; иметь в своем распоряжении, владеть) and win respect.
If misfortune came, his wife and children would be sheltered and cared for (их приютят
и о них позаботятся; shelter – приют, кров, убежище) as if he were alive or free (как
если бы он был жив или свободен). If he kept the faith.
6 In some matters the Consigliori had to act for his Don in a more open way and yet
not involve his principal (и все же не втягивать, не вмешивать своего начальника
[‘prэns*p*l]). Hagen was flying to Califomia on just such a matter (как раз по такому
делу). He realized that his career as Consigliori would be seriously affected by the
success or failure of this mission (что на его карьеру серьезно повлияет, чем
окончится его миссия: успехом или провалом, неудачей; to affect [*’fekt] –
подвергать воздействию, затрагивать; failure ['feэlj*] – неспособность,
несостоятельность; банкротство; неудача; to fail – недоставать; потерпеть
неудачу). By family business standards whether Johnny Fontane got his coveted part in
the war movie (получил ли желанную роль: to covet [‘kЛvэt] – жаждать, домогаться,
сильно желать), or did not, was a minor matter (мелочь, нечто несущественное;
minor [‘maэn*] – незначительный). Far more important was the meeting (гораздо
важнее была встреча) Hagen had set up (назначил, спланировал) with Virgil
Sollozzo the following Friday. But Hagen knew that to the Don, both were of equal
importance (оба дела были одинаковой важности; equal [‘i:kw*l] – равный,
одинаковый, идентичный), which settled the matter for any good Consigliori (что
решало вопрос = что и было решающим для каждого хорошего консильори).
1 It was late Sunday night before Tom Hagen could kiss his wife goodbye and
drive out to the airport. With his special number one priority (a grateful gift from a
Pentagon staff general officer) he had no trouble getting on a plane to Los
Angeles.
97
2 It had been a busy but satisfying day for Tom Hagen. Genco Abbandando had
died at three in the morning and when Don Corleone returned from the hospital,
he had informed Hagen that he was now officially the new Consigliori to the
family. This meant that Hagen was sure to become a very rich man, to say
nothing of power.
3 The Don had broken a long-standing tradition. The Consigliori was always a
full-blooded Sicilian, and the fact that Hagen had been brought up as a member of
the Don's family made no difference to that tradition. It was a question of blood.
Only a Sicilian born to the ways of omerta, the law of silence, could be trusted in
the key post of Consigliori.
4 Between the head of the family, Don Corleone, who dictated policy, and the
operating level of men who actually carried out the orders of the Don, there were
three layers, or buffers. In that way nothing could be traced to the top. Unless the
Consigliori turned traitor. That Sunday morning Don Corleone gave explicit
instructions on what should be done to the two young men who had beaten the
daughter of Amerigo Bonasera. But he had given those orders in private to Tom
Hagen. Later in the day Hagen had, also in private without witnesses, instructed
Clemenza. In turn Clemenza had told Paulie Gatto to execute the commission.
Paulie Gatto would now muster the necessary manpower and execute the orders.
Paulie Gatto and his men would not know why this particular task was being
carried out or who had ordered it originally. Each link of the chain would have to
turn traitor for the Don to be involved and though it had never yet happened,
there was always the possibility. The cure for that possibility also was known.
Only one link in the chain had to disappear.
5 The Consigliori was also what his name implied. He was the counselor to the
Don, his right-hand man, his auxiliary brain. He was also his closest companion
and his closest friend. On important trips he would drive the Don's car, at
conferences he would go out and get the Don refreshments, coffee and
sandwiches, fresh cigars. He would know everything the Don knew or nearly
everything, all the cells of power. He was the one man in the world who could
bring the Don crashing down to destruction. But no Consigliori had ever betrayed
a Don, not in the memory of any of the powerful Sicilian families who had
established themselves in America. There was no future in it. And every
Consigliori knew that if he kept the faith, he would become rich, wield power and
win respect. If misfortune came, his wife and children would be sheltered and
cared for as if he were alive or free. If he kept the faith.
6 In some matters the Consigliori had to act for his Don in a more open way and
yet not involve his principal. Hagen was flying to Califomia on just such a matter.
He realized that his career as Consigliori would be seriously affected by the
success or failure of this mission. By family business standards whether Johnny
Fontane got his coveted part in the war movie, or did not, was a minor matter. Far
more important was the meeting Hagen had set up with Virgil Sollozzo the
following Friday. But Hagen knew that to the Don, both were of equal importance,
which settled the matter for any good Consigliori.
1 The piston plane (самолет с поршневым двигателем; piston [‘pэst*n] – поршень)
shook Tom Hagen's already nervous insides («и без того уже нервные внутренности»)
and he ordered a martini from the hostess to quiet them (заказал у стюардессы
мартини, чтобы их успокоить; hostess ['h*ustэs] – хозяйка; стюардесса;
официантка). Both the Don and Johnny had briefed him on the character of the movie
producer, Jack Woltz (вкратце рассказали ему, инструктировали его по поводу
характера кинопродюсера). From everything that Johnny said, Hagen knew he would
never be able to persuade Woltz (никогда, ни за что не сможет убедить [p*’sweэd]).
But he also had no doubt whatsoever (вовсе никакого сомнения) that the Don would
keep his promise to Johnny. His own role was that of negotiator and contact (его ролью
была роль посредника).
2 Lying back in his seat, Hagen went over all the information given to him that day.
Jack Woltz was one of the three most important movie producers in Hollywood, owner
of his own studio with dozens of stars under contract (с дюжинами звезд «под
контрактом»). He was on the President of the United States' Advisory Council for War
Information (он был членом Президентского консультативного совета по вопросам
военной информации; аdvisory [*’dvaэz*rэ] – совещательный), Cinematic Division
(Отдел киноискусства), which meant simply (что просто означало) that he helped
make propaganda movies. He had had dinner at the White House. He had entertained J.
Edgar Hoover in his Hollywood home (принимал, угощал). But none of this was as
impressive as it sounded (но ничто из этого не было таким впечатляющим, как
казалось: «звучало»). They were all official relationships (все это были официальные
связи). Woltz didn't have any personal political power, mainly (в основном) because he
was an extreme reactionary (крайне реакционен, крайним реакционером; extreme
[эkstri:m]), partly (отчасти) because he was a megalomaniac (страдал манией
величия) who loved to wield power wildly (который любил полновластно, самодурно:
«дико» распоряжаться своей властью; to wield – уметь обращаться; иметь в своем
распоряжении, владеть) without regard to the fact (не обращая внимания на то) that
by so doing (что, оттого что он так делал: «так делая») legions of enemies sprang up
out of the ground (легионы врагов вырастали из земли /как грибы/).
3 Hagen sighed. There would be no way to "handle" Jack Woltz (справиться,
управиться /путем переговоров/). He opened his briefcase (портфель) and tried to
get some paper work done (попытался сделать кое-какую бумажную работу), but he
was too tired. He ordered another martini and reflected on his life (стал размышлять).
He had no regrets (сожалений), indeed he felt that he had been extremely lucky.
Whatever the reason (какая бы на то ни была причина = как бы то ни было), the
course he had chosen ten years ago had proved to be right for him (курс, путь, образ
действия оказался верен, подходящ для него). He was successful, he was as happy
as any grown man could reasonably expect (наскольку зрелый мужчина может
«разумно ожидать»), and he found life interesting.
1 The piston plane shook Tom Hagen's already nervous insides and he ordered
a martini from the hostess to quiet them. Both the Don and Johnny had briefed
him on the character of the movie producer, Jack Woltz. From everything that
Johnny said, Hagen knew he would never be able to persuade Woltz. But he also
had no doubt whatsoever that the Don would keep his promise to Johnny. His
own role was that of negotiator and contact.
2 Lying back in his seat, Hagen went over all the information given to him that
day. Jack Woltz was one of the three most important movie producers in
Hollywood, owner of his own studio with dozens of stars under contract. He was
on the President of the United States' Advisory Council for War Information,
Cinematic Division, which meant simply that he helped make propaganda movies.
He had had dinner at the White House. He had entertained J. Edgar Hoover in his
Hollywood home. But none of this was as impressive as it sounded. They were all
official relationships. Woltz didn't have any personal political power, mainly
because he was an extreme reactionary, partly because he was a megalomaniac
who loved to wield power wildly without regard to the fact that by so doing
legions of enemies sprang up out of the ground.
100
3 Hagen sighed. There would be no way to "handle" Jack Woltz. He opened his
briefcase and tried to get some paper work done, but he was too tired. He ordered
another martini and reflected on his life. He had no regrets, indeed he felt that he
had been extremely lucky. Whatever the reason, the course he had chosen ten
years ago had proved to be right for him. He was successful, he was as happy as
any grown man could reasonably expect, and he found life interesting.
1 Tom Hagen was thirty-five years old, a tall crew-cut man (подстриженный ежиком),
very slender (стройный, тонкий), very ordinary-looking (самой обыкновенной
внешности). He was a lawyer (адвокатом) but did not do the actual detailed legal work
for the Corleone family business (но не занимался собственно судебной практикой)
though he had practiced law for three years after passing the bar exam (хотя и работал
по профессии: «в юридической области» после сдачи экзамена на адвоката; bar –
юридическая деятельность; адвокат).
2 At the age of eleven he had been a playmate of eleven-year-old Sonny Corleone
(товарищ по играм). Hagen's mother had gone blind (ослепла) and then died during
his eleventh year. Hagen's father, a heavy drinker, had become a hopeless drunkard
(превратился в безнадежного пьяницу). A hard-working carpenter (трудяга-плотник),
he had never done a dishonest thing in his life (ни разу не совершил ничего
нечестного). But his drinking destroyed his family (но его пьянство разрушило его
семью) and finally killed him. Tom Hagen was left an orphan (был оставлен сиротой)
who wandered the streets and slept in hallways (в проходах, коридорах). His younger
sister had been put in a foster home (была отдана в приют; to foster – воспитывать,
растить), but in the 1920's the social agencies did not follow up cases of twelve-year-
old boys (не занимались делами; to follow up – упорно, энергично преследовать;
доводить до конца) who were so ungrateful as to run from their charity (которые были
настолько неблагодарны, что сбежали от их милосердия, благотворительности
[‘t*жrэtэ]). Hagen, too, had an eye infection. Neighbors whispered that he had caught
(заразился: «подхватил»; to catch) or inherited it from his mother (или унаследовал),
and so therefore it could be caught from him (поэтому это может быть подхвачено от
него = от него можно заразиться). He was shunned (его избегали, обходили
стороной, остерегались: «он был избегаем»; to shun). Sonny Corleone, a
warmhearted and imperious (властный [эm'pэ*rэ*s]) eleven-year-old, had brought his
friend home and demanded that he be taken in (потребовал, чтобы его приняли:
«чтобы он был принят, впущен»; to demand [dimб:nd]). Tom Hagen was given a hot
101
dish of spaghetti (ему дали порцию: «блюдо» горячих спагетти) with oily rich tomato
sauce, the taste of which he had never forgotten, and then given a metal folding bed to
sleep on (раскладушку; to fold – складывать).
3 In the most natural way, without a word being spoken or the matter discussed in any
fashion (не обсуждая никак: «никаким манером» это дело), Don Corleone had
permitted the boy to stay in his household (позволил остаться в своем семействе).
Don Corleone himself took the boy to a special doctor and had his eye infection cured.
He sent him to college and law school. In all this the Don acted not as a father but
rather as a guardian (скорее как опекун [gб:dj*n]). There was no show of affection (не
было выражения любви, привязанности) but oddly enough (как ни странно:
«довольно странно») the Don treated Hagen more courteously than his own sons
(обращался вежливее), did not impose a parental will upon him (не навязывал ему
родительской воли: «не накладывал на него родительскую волю»; parental
[p*’rentl]). It was the boy's decision (решение [dэ’sэG*n]) to go to law school after
college. He had heard Don Corleone say once, "A lawyer with his briefcase can steal
more (украсть) than a hundred men with guns (с пистолетами)." Meanwhile, much to
the annoyance of their father (к вящей досаде их отца; annoyance [*’noэ*ns] – досада,
раздражение; to annoy [*’noэ] – досаждать, докучать), Sonny and Freddie insisted on
going into the family business (настаивали на том, чтобы войти в семейный бизнес)
after graduation from high school (после окончания старших классов). Only Michael
had gone on to college, and he had enlisted in the Marines (записался =
завербовался в морскую пехоту) the day after Pearl Harbor.
1 Tom Hagen was thirty-five years old, a tall crew-cut man, very slender, very
ordinary-looking. He was a lawyer but did not do the actual detailed legal work for
the Corleone family business though he had practiced law for three years after
passing the bar exam.
2 At the age of eleven he had been a playmate of eleven-year-old Sonny
Corleone. Hagen's mother had gone blind and then died during his eleventh year.
Hagen's father, a heavy drinker, had become a hopeless drunkard. A hard-
working carpenter, he had never done a dishonest thing in his life. But his
drinking destroyed his family and finally killed him. Tom Hagen was left an
orphan who wandered the streets and slept in hallways. His younger sister had
been put in a foster home, but in the 1920's the social agencies did not follow up
cases of twelve-year-old boys who were so ungrateful as to run from their charity.
Hagen, too, had an eye infection. Neighbors whispered that he had caught or
inherited it from his mother and so therefore it could be caught from him. He was
shunned. Sonny Corleone, a warmhearted and imperious eleven-year-old, had
brought his friend home and demanded that he be taken in. Tom Hagen was given
a hot dish of spaghetti with oily rich tomato sauce, the taste of which he had
never forgotten, and then given a metal folding bed to sleep on.
3 In the most natural way, without a word being spoken or the matter discussed
in any fashion, Don Corleone had permitted the boy to stay in his household. Don
Corleone himself took the boy to a special doctor and had his eye infection cured.
He sent him to college and law school. In all this the Don acted not as a father but
rather as a guardian. There was no show of affection but oddly enough the Don
treated Hagen more courteously than his own sons, did not impose a parental will
upon him. It was the boy's decision to go to law school after college. He had
heard Don Corleone say once, "A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a
hundred men with guns." Meanwhile, much to the annoyance of their father,
Sonny and Freddie insisted on going into the family business after graduation
from high school. Only Michael had gone on to college, and he had enlisted in the
Marines the day after Pearl Harbor.
1 After he passed the bar exam, Hagen married to start his own family. The bride was
a young Italian girl from New Jersey, rare at that time for being a college graduate
(была редкостью в то время, будучи выпускницей колледжа). After the wedding,
which was of course held in the home of Don Corleone (которая, конечно, состоялась:
«была проведена» в доме Дона), the Don offered to support Hagen in any
undertaking he desired (поддержать Хагена в любом предприятии, какое он
пожелает; to support [s*’po:t]), to send him law clients, furnish his office (оборудовать,
обставить мебелью его офис), start him in real estate (помочь ему с недвижимостью;
real estate – недвижимость).
2 Tom Hagen had bowed his head and said to the Don, "I would like to work for you."
3 The Don was surprised, yet pleased. "You know who I am*" he asked.
4 Hagen nodded. He hadn't really known the extent of the Don's power (размер его
власти, насколько далеко простиралась его власть; extent [эks’tent] –
протяженность), not then (тогда еще нет). He did not really know in the ten years that
followed until he was made the acting Consigliori after Genco Abbandando became ill.
But he nodded and met the Don's eyes with his own. "I would work for you like your
sons," Hagen said, meaning with complete loyalty, with complete acceptance of the
Don's parental divinity (с полным принятием «родительской божественности Дона»
= относясь к нему с благоговением, как к Богу). The Don, with that understanding
which was even then building the legend of his greatness (с тем пониманием /сути
дела/, которое уже тогда создавало легенду его величия), showed the young man
the first mark (знак) of fatherly affection since he had come into his household. He took
Hagen into his arms for a quick embrace (для быстрого = недолгого объятия) and
afterward treated him more like a true son, though he would sometimes say, "Tom,
never forget your parents," as if he were reminding himself as well as Hagen (как будто
напоминая самому себе, также как и Хагену = а не только Хагену).
5 There was no chance that Hagen would forget (да и как бы он смог забыть). His
mother had been near moronic (почти идиотка = полусумасшедшая; moronic
[mo:’ronэk] – идиотский) and slovenly (и неряшливой; sloven [slЛvn] – неряха,
неопрятный, грязнуля), so ridden by anemia (настолько измученная анемией; to ride
– ехать верхом, скакать; подавлять, угнетать) she could not feel affection for her
children or make a pretense of it (или даже притвориться /любящей матерью/). His
father Hagen had hated. His mother's blindness before she died had terrified him
(пугала его, приводила в ужас; terror – ужас, страх) and his own eye infection had
been a stroke of doom («ударом проклятия»; to strike – бить). He had been sure he
would go blind (был уверен, что ослепнет). When his father died, Tom Hagen's
eleven-year-old mind had snapped in a curious way (его ум, разум странным образом
защелкнулся, захлопнулся = в его уме что-то оборвалось, перевернулось). He had
roamed the streets (бродил по улицам) like an animal waiting for death until the fateful
day Sonny found him sleeping in the back of a hallway and brought him to his home.
What had happened afterward was a miracle (то, что случилось потом, было чудом
['mэr*kl]). But for years Hagen had had nightmares (много, несколько лет ему снились
кошмары), dreaming he had grown to manhood blind (видя во сне, что он вырос и
стал взрослым мужчиной – слепым; manhood – возмужалось, зрелый возраст),
tapping a white cane (постукивающий белой тростью), his blind children behind him
tap-tapping with their little white canes as they begged in the streets (просящие
милостыню, побирающиеся; to beg). Some mornings when he woke (просыпался; to
wake) the face of Don Corleone was imprinted on his brain (отпечатывался в его
мозгу) in that first conscious moment (в этот первый сознательный момент;
conscious ['kon**s]) and he would feel safe (и он чувствовал себя в безопасности).
104
6 But the Don had insisted that he put in three years of general law practice in addition
to his duties for the family business (в добавок к своим обязанностям; to add –
прибавлять). This experience had proved invaluable later on (этот опыт оказался в
дальнейшем неоценимым = который трудно переоценить; valuable [‘vжlju*bl]), and
also removed any doubts in Hagen's mind («убрал какие-либо сомнения» = заставил
отбросить все сомнения; to remove – перемещать; убирать) about working for Don
Corleone. He had then spent two years of training in the offices of a top firm of criminal
lawyers in which the Don had some influence (в которой Дон имел некоторое
влияние ['эnflu*ns]). It was apparent to everyone (всем: «каждому» было очевидно)
that he had a flair for this branch of the law (/хороший/ нюх, чутье для этой области:
«ветки, ответвления» юриспруденции). He did well (преуспевал) and when he went
into the full-time service of the family business, Don Corleone had not been able to
reproach him once in the six years that followed (не мог: «не был способен» ни разу
ни в чем упрекнуть).
7 When he had been made the acting Consigliori, the other powerful Sicilian families
referred contemptuously (презрительно отзывались = стали называть; to refer [rэf*:]
– говорить, упоминать) to the Corleone family as the "Irish gang (ирландской
бандой)." This had amused Hagen. It had also taught him (это заставило его понять)
that he could never hope to succeed the Don as the head of the family business (что он
не может надеяться стать когда-либо преемником Дона; to succeed [s*k’si:d] –
следовать за чем-либо, сменять; наследовать, быть преемником). But he was
content. That had never been his goal (это никогда не было его целью, задачей),
such an ambition would have been a "disrespect" to his benefactor (по отношению к
его благодетелю [‘bжnifжkt*]) and his benefactor's blood family.
1 After he passed the bar exam, Hagen married to start his own family. The bride
was a young Italian girl from New Jersey, rare at that time for being a college
graduate. After the wedding, which was of course held in the home of Don
Corleone, the Don offered to support Hagen in any undertaking he desired, to
send him law clients, furnish his office, start him in real estate.
2 Tom Hagen had bowed his head and said to the Don, "I would like to work for
you."
3 The Don was surprised, yet pleased. "You know who I am*" he asked.
4 Hagen nodded. He hadn't really known the extent of the Don's power, not then.
He did not really know in the ten years that followed until he was made the acting
Consigliori after Genco Abbandando became ill. But he nodded and met the
Don's eyes with his own. "I would work for you like your sons," Hagen said,
meaning with complete loyalty, with complete acceptance of the Don's parental
divinity. The Don, with that understanding which was even then building the
legend of his greatness, showed the young man the first mark of fatherly
affection since he had come into his household. He took Hagen into his arms for
a quick embrace and afterward treated him more like a true son, though he would
sometimes say, "Tom, never forget your parents," as if he were reminding himself
as well as Hagen.
5 There was no chance that Hagen would forget. His mother had been near
moronic and slovenly, so ridden by anemia she could not feel affection for her
children or make a pretense of it. His father Hagen had hated. His mother's
blindness before she died had terrified him and his own eye infection had been a
stroke of doom. He had been sure he would go blind. When his father died, Tom
Hagen's eleven-year-old mind had snapped in a curious way. He had roamed the
streets like an animal waiting for death until the fateful day Sonny found him
sleeping in the back of a hallway and brought him to his home. What had
happened afterward was a miracle. But for years Hagen had had nightmares,
dreaming he had grown to manhood blind, tapping a white cane, his blind
children behind him tap-tapping with their little white canes as they begged in the
streets. Some mornings when he woke the face of Don Corleone was imprinted
on his brain in that first conscious moment and he would feel safe.
6 But the Don had insisted that he put in three years of general law practice in
addition to his duties for the family business. This experience had proved
invaluable later on, and also removed any doubts in Hagen's mind about working
for Don Corleone. He had then spent two years of training in the offices of a top
firm of criminal lawyers in which the Don had some influence. It was apparent to
everyone that he had a flair for this branch of the law. He did well and when he
went into the full-time service of the family business, Don Corleone had not been
able to reproach him once in the six years that followed.
7 When he had been made the acting Consigliori, the other powerful Sicilian
families referred contemptuously to the Corleone family as the "Irish gang." This
had amused Hagen. It had also taught him that he could never hope to succeed
the Don as the head of the family business. But he was content. That had never
106
been his goal, such an ambition would have been a "disrespect" to his benefactor
and his benefactor's blood family.
1 It was still dark (было все еще темно) when the plane landed in Los Angeles
(приземлился). Hagen checked into his hotel (оформился в гостинице), showered
and shaved (принял душ и побрился), and watched dawn (рассвет) come over the
city. He ordered breakfast and newspapers to be sent up to his room (чтобы были
присланы в номер) and relaxed until it was time for his ten A.M. appointment (пока не
было пора отправляться на назначенную на десять утра встречу; to appoint [*’poэnt]
– назначать) with Jack Woltz. The appointment had been surprisingly easy to make
(удивительно = неожиданно легко было получить эту аудиенцию).
2 The day before (накануне), Hagen had called the most powerful man in the movie
labor unions (в профсоюзах работников кино), a man named Billy Goff. Acting on
instructions from Don Corleone, Hagen had told Goff to arrange an appointment
(договориться о встрече; to arrange [*’reэndG] – приводить в порядок; устраивать)
on the next day for Hagen to call on Jack Woltz, that he should hint to Woltz (намекнуть)
that if Hagen was not made happy (если не будет удовлетворен: «сделан
счастливым, довольным») by the results of the interview, there could be a labor strike
at the movie studio (может быть забастовка). An hour later Hagen received a call from
Goff. The appointment would be at ten A.M. Woltz had gotten the message about the
possible labor strike (получил извещение о возможной забастовке) but hadn't
seemed too impressed (но казался не слишком впечатленным), Goff said. He added,
"If it really comes down to that (дойдет до этого), I gotta talk to the Don myself (= I got
to talk – мне нужно будет поговорить)."
3 "If it comes to that he'll talk to you," Hagen said. By saying this he avoided making
any promises (избежал делания каких-либо обещаний; to avoid [*’voэd] – избегать,
уклоняться; promise [‘promэs] – обещание). He was not surprised that Goff was so
agreeable to the Don's wishes (такой согласный, податливый желаниям Дона;
agreeable [*’grэ*bl]; to agree – соглашаться). The family empire, technically, did not
extend beyond the New York area (не простиралась за пределы Нью-Йоркской
области; area [‘е*rэ*]) but Don Corleone had first become strong by helping labor
leaders (“впервые стал /по-настоящему/ сильным» = набрал истинную силу, /лишь/
помогая руководителям профсоюзов). Many of them still owed him debts of friendship
(все еще были должны ему, обязаны ему долгом дружбы; debt [det] – долг).
107
4 But the ten A.M. appointment was a bad sign (плохой знак = дурная примета). It
meant that he would be first on the appointment list, that he would not be invited to
lunch (что он не будет приглашен на обед). It meant that Woltz held him in small
worth (не придавал ему большого значения: «держал его в малой ценности»). Goff
had not been threatening enough (не достаточно сильно угрожал: «был
недостаточно угрожающ»; to threaten – [иretn]), probably (возможно) because Woltz
had him on his graft payroll (в списке лиц, получающих взятки; graft [grб:ft] – взятка,
подкуп, незаконные доходы; payroll – сумма, выплаченная служащим /за
определенный период/). And sometimes the Don's success in keeping himself out of
the limelight (то, что Дону так хорошо удавалось оставаться в тени; limelight – свет
рампы) worked to the disadvantage of the family business (действовало во вред;
advantage [жd’vб:ntэdG] – преимущество), in that his name did not mean anything to
outside circles (тем, что его имя ничего не значило для «внешних кругов» = для
непосвященных).
5 His analysis proved correct (его анализ оказался верным; analysis [*’nжl*sэs]; to
prove [pru:v] – доказывать, подтверждать). Woltz kept him waiting for a half hour past
the appointed time (заставил его ждать более получаса /после назначенного
времени/). Hagen didn't mind (не обиделся, ему было все равно). The reception
room was very plush (роскошным, шикарным: «плюшевым»), very comfortable, and
on a plum-colored couch (на темно-фиолетовой кушетке; plum – слива) opposite him
(напротив него ['op*zэt]) sat the most beautiful child Hagen had ever seen. She was no
more than eleven or twelve, dressed in a very expensive but simple way as a grown
woman. She had incredibly golden hair (невероятно золотистые волосы), huge deep
sea-blue eyes and a fresh raspberry-red mouth (малинового цвета рот = губы;
raspberry [‘rб:zb*rэ] – малина). She was guarded by a woman (сопровождалась:
«охранялась»; to guard [gб:d]) obviously her mother (очевидно, ее матерью), who
tried to stare Hagen down (которая старалась, пристально глядя на Хагена,
заставить его потупиться; to stare down – смутить взглядом) with a cold arrogance (с
холодным высокомерием ['жr*g*ns]; arrogant ['жr*ug*nt] – заносчивый,
высокомерный) that made him want to punch her in the face (что вызывало у него
желание двинуть ей кулаком в лицо; to punch – бить кулаком). The angel child and
the dragon mother, Hagen thought, returning the mother's cold stare.
6 Finally an exquisitely dressed (изысканно одетая) but stout (полная) middle-aged
woman came to lead him through a string of offices (через ряд офисов; string –
веревка; последовательность) to the office-apartment of the movie producer. Hagen
108
was impressed by the beauty of the offices and the people working in them. He smiled.
They were all shrewdies (ловкачи, проныры: shrewdie; shrewd [*ru:d] –
пронизывающий, сильный /напр. о ветре/; сообразительный, быстро
схватывающий), trying to get their foot in the movie door by taking office jobs, and
most of them would work in these offices for the rest of their lives (всю оставшуюся
жизнь) or until they accepted defeat (пока не признают: «примут» поражение; defeat
[dэ’fi:t]) and returned to their home towns.
1 It was still dark when the plane landed in Los Angeles. Hagen checked into his
hotel, showered and shaved, and watched dawn come over the city. He ordered
breakfast and newspapers to be sent up to his room and relaxed until it was time
for his ten A.M. appointment with Jack Woltz. The appointment had been
surprisingly easy to make.
2 The day before, Hagen had called the most powerful man in the movie labor
unions, a man named Billy Goff. Acting on instructions from Don Corleone,
Hagen had told Goff to arrange an appointment on the next day for Hagen to call
on Jack Woltz, that he should hint to Woltz that if Hagen was not made happy by
the results of the interview, there could be a labor strike at the movie studio. An
hour later Hagen received a call from Goff. The appointment would be at ten A.M.
Woltz had gotten the message about the possible labor strike but hadn't seemed
too impressed, Goff said. He added, "If it really comes down to that, I gotta talk to
the Don myself."
3 "If it comes to that he'll talk to you," Hagen said. By saying this he avoided
making any promises. He was not surprised that Goff was so agreeable to the
Don's wishes. The family empire, technically, did not extend beyond the New York
area but Don Corleone had first become strong by helping labor leaders. Many of
them still owed him debts of friendship.
4 But the ten A.M. appointment was a bad sign. It meant that he would be first on
the appointment list, that he would not be invited to lunch. It meant that Woltz
held him in small worth. Goff had not been threatening enough, probably because
Woltz had him on his graft payroll. And sometimes the Don's success in keeping
himself out of the limelight worked to the disadvantage of the family business, in
that his name did not mean anything to outside circles.
5 His analysis proved correct. Woltz kept him waiting for a half hour past the
appointed time. Hagen didn't mind. The reception room was very plush, very
comfortable, and on a plum-colored couch opposite him sat the most beautiful
child Hagen had ever seen. She was no more than eleven or twelve, dressed in a
very expensive but simple way as a grown woman. She had incredibly golden hair,
huge deep sea-blue eyes and a fresh raspberry-red mouth. She was guarded by a
woman obviously her mother, who tried to stare Hagen down with a cold
arrogance that made him want to punch her in the face. The angel child and the
dragon mother, Hagen thought, returning the mother's cold stare.
6 Finally an exquisitely dressed but stout middle-aged woman came to lead him
through a string of offices to the office-apartment of the movie producer. Hagen
was impressed by the beauty of the offices and the people working in them. He
smiled. They were all shrewdies, trying to get their foot in the movie door by
taking office jobs, and most of them would work in these offices for the rest of
their lives or until they accepted defeat and returned to their home towns.
1 Jack Woltz was a tall, powerfully built man (крепко: «мощно» скроенный,
сложенный) with a heavy paunch (с «тяжелым» брюхом [po:nt*]) almost concealed
(почти скрытым) by his perfectly tailored suit (его превосходно сшитым костюмом
[sju:t]). Hagen knew his history. At ten years of age Woltz had hustled empty beer kegs
(катал бочки из-под пива; keg – бочонок /до 10 галлонов/; hustle [hЛsl] – толкать,
пихать, гнать вперед) and pushcarts (тележки: to push – толкать + cart – телега,
повозка) on the East Side. At twenty he helped his father sweat garment workers
(выжимать соки: «пот» из рабочих швейной промышленности; garment – одежда,
предмет одежды). At thirty he had left New York and moved West, invested in the
nickelodeon (вложил деньги в один из первых кинотеатров; nickelodeon – так
назывались первые кинотеатры, в которых фильмы были лишь частью общего
шоу и входная цена была 1 nickel = 5 cents) and pioneered motion pictures (и
запустил кинопромышленность, стал одним из ее основателей). At forty-eight he
had been the most powerful movie magnate in Hollywood, still rough-spoken (грубый в
обращении), rapaciously amorous (алчный в любви; rapacious [r*’peэ**s] – жадный,
алчный; amorous [‘жm*r*s] – влюбчивый), a raging wolf (свирепствующий волк)
ravaging helpless flocks of young starlets (пожирающий беззащитные стада
молоденьких звездочек; to ravage ['rжvэdG] – разорять, опустошать; грабить). At
fifty he transformed himself (переменился). He took speech lessons (брал уроки
дикции), learned how to dress from an English valet (у лакея, камердинера ['vжlэt])
and how to behave socially (как вести себя в обществе: «общественно») from an
110
English butler (у дворецкого, старшего лакея). When his first wife died he married a
world-famous (на всемирно знаменитой) and beautiful actress who didn't like acting
(которой не нравилось играть, сниматься). Now at the age of sixty he collected old
master paintings (шедевры живописи), was a member of the President's Advisory
Committee, and had set up a multimillion-dollar foundation (фонд) in his name to
promote art in motion pictures (чтобы содействовать искусству в кино; to promote –
выдвигать, продвигать; способствовать). His daughter had married an English lord,
his son an Italian princess.
2 His latest passion (его последнее увлечение: «страсть»), as reported dutifully by
every movie columnist in America (как старательно было сообщено каждым
кинообозревателем; column [‘kol*m] – колонна; колонка /обзор постоянного
корреспондента/), was his own racing stables (собственные конюшни для беговых
лошадей) on which he had spent ten million dollars in the past year. He had made
headlines («сделал заголовки» = это было во всех газетных заголовках) by
purchasing (тем, что приобрел, приобретя; to purchase [‘p*:t**s]) the famed English
racing horse Khartoum for the incredible price of six hundred thousand dollars and then
announcing (а затем заявил, заявив) that the undefeated racer (не знающий
поражения скакун; defeat – поражение) would be retired (больше не будет
принимать участия в скачках; to retire – уходить, удаляться; уйти на покой, на
пенсию) and put to stud (и станет использоваться в качестве жеребца) exclusively
for the Woltz stables.
3 He received Hagen courteously, his beautifully, evenly tanned (ровно загорелое),
meticulously barbered face (тщательно выбритое лицо; meticulous [mэ’tэkjul*s] –
мелочный, дотошный, тщательный) contorted with a grimace (исказилось гримасой)
meant to be a smile (которая должна была означать улыбку). Despite all the money
spent, despite the ministrations (несмотря на «оказания» помощи, услуг = несмотря
на все старания) of the most knowledgeable technicians (наиболее опытных
специалистов), his age showed (его возраст был виден, обнаруживал себя); the
flesh of his face looked as if it had been seamed together (словно было сшито; seam –
шов; to seam – соединять швом, сшивать). But there was an enormous vitality in his
movements (огромная жизненная сила, энергия в его движениях) and he had what
Don Corleone had, the air of a man who commanded absolutely the world in which he
lived.
1 Jack Woltz was a tall, powerfully built man with a heavy paunch almost
concealed by his perfectly tailored suit. Hagen knew his history. At ten years of
age Woltz had hustled empty beer kegs and pushcarts on the East Side. At twenty
he helped his father sweat garment workers. At thirty he had left New York and
moved West, invested in the nickelodeon and pioneered motion pictures. At forty-
eight he had been the most powerful movie magnate in Hollywood, still rough-
spoken, rapaciously amorous, a raging wolf ravaging helpless flocks of young
starlets. At fifty he transformed himself. He took speech lessons, learned how to
dress from an English valet and how to behave socially from an English butler.
When his first wife died he married a world-famous and beautiful actress who
didn't like acting. Now at the age of sixty he collected old master paintings, was a
member of the President's Advisory Committee, and had set up a multimillion-
dollar foundation in his name to promote art in motion pictures. His daughter had
married an English lord, his son an Italian princess.
2 His latest passion, as reported dutifully by every movie columnist in America,
was his own racing stables on which he had spent ten million dollars in the past
year. He had made headlines by purchasing the famed English racing horse
Khartoum for the incredible price of six hundred thousand dollars and then
announcing that the undefeated racer would be retired and put to stud
exclusively for the Woltz stables.
3 He received Hagen courteously, his beautifully, evenly tanned, meticulously
barbered face contorted with a grimace meant to be a smile. Despite all the
money spent, despite the ministrations of the most knowledgeable technicians,
his age showed; the flesh of his face looked as if it had been seamed together.
But there was an enormous vitality in his movements and he had what Don
Corleone had, the air of a man who commanded absolutely the world in which he
lived.
1 Hagen came directly to the point (прямо перешел к сути дела, начал с самой
сути). That he was an emissary (эмиссар, посланец ['emis*rэ]) from a friend of Johnny
Fontane. That this friend was a very powerful man who would pledge his gratitude
(готов поклясться, заверить в своей благодарности = гарантирует свою
благодарность; to pledge – отдавать в залог; давать обет; связывать обещанием,
клятвой) and undying friendship (и вечную: «неумирающую» дружбу) to Mr. Woltz if
Mr. Woltz would grant a small favor (сделает небольшую любезность, удовлетворит
просьбу; to grant – дарить, жаловать; предоставлять, удовлетворять). The small
favor would be the casting of Johnny Fontane (предоставление роли; to cast –
распределять роли) in the new war movie the studio planned to start next week.
2 The seamed face was impassive (бесстрастное), polite (вежливое). "What favors
can your friend do me*" Woltz asked. There was just a trace of condescension in his
voice (легкий след = оттенок снисходительности).
3 Hagen ignored the condescension. He explained. "You've got some labor trouble
coming up (у вас назревает неприятность с профсоюзами). My friend can absolutely
guarantee to make that trouble disappear. You have a top male star (у вас есть
«главная мужская звезда») who makes a lot of money for your studio but he just
graduated from marijuana to heroin (перешел; to graduate [‘grжdju*t] –
прогрессировать, продвигаться вперед; переходить в другое состояние). My friend
will guarantee that your male star won't be able to get any more heroin (не сможет
больше достать). And if some other little things come up over the years (и если какие-
либо другие мелочи возникнут с течением времени) a phone call to me can solve
your problems (разрешить)."
4 Jack Woltz listened to this as if he were hearing the boasting of a child (словно он
слушал похвальбу ребенка). Then he said harshly (резко, грубо), his voice
deliberately all East Side (специально, нарочно с /крутым/ истсайдским акцентом
/East Side – the eastern section of Manhattan, in New York City, lying to the east of
Fifth Avenue/), "You trying to put muscle on me (пытаетесь = вздумали надавить на
меня)*"
5 Hagen said coolly, "Absolutely not. I've come to ask a service for a friend. I've tried to
explain that you won't lose anything by it (попытался объяснить, что вы ничего не
потеряете на этом)."
6 Almost as if he willed it («почти как если бы он хотел этого» = с едва ли не
напускным /гневом/), Woltz made his face a mask of anger. The mouth curled (губы
скривились), his heavy brows (брови), dyed black (подкрашенные в черный цвет; to
dye – красить, окрашивать), contracted (сдвинулись: «сократились») to form a thick
line over his glinting eyes (чтобы образовать, образовав толстую /непрерывную/
линию над его засверкавшими глазами). He leaned over the desk toward Hagen. "All
right, you smooth son of a bitch (гладенький, скользкий сукин сын; smooth [smu:р] –
гладкий, ровный; скользкий; вежливый, приятный), let me lay it on the line for you
and your boss (позволь мне кое-что четко объяснить: «выложить на линию»),
whoever he is. Johnny Fontane never gets that movie. I don't care how many guinea
Mafia goombahs come out of the woodwork (сколько итальянских дружков
появляются, возникают; woodwork – деревянные изделия; to come out of the
woodwork – появляться, возникать; guinea – /сленг, презрит./ итальяшка; goombah
– дружок, приятель /сленг, из итальянского/)." He leaned back. "A word of advice to
you, my friend. J. Edgar Hoover, I assume (полагаю) you've heard of him" – Woltz
smiled sardonically – "is a personal friend of mine. If I let him know I'm being pressured
(что на меня оказывают давление, что меня шантажируют), you guys will never
know what hit you (вам парням крышка: «никогда так и не узнаете, даже и не
узнаете, что вас стукнуло»)."
1 Hagen came directly to the point. That he was an emissary from a friend of
Johnny Fontane. That this friend was a very powerful man who would pledge his
gratitude and undying friendship to Mr. Woltz if Mr. Woltz would grant a small
favor. The small favor would be the casting of Johnny Fontane in the new war
movie the studio planned to start next week.
2 The seamed face was impassive, polite. "What favors can your friend do me*"
Woltz asked. There was just a trace of condescension in his voice.
3 Hagen ignored the condescension. He explained. "You've got some labor
trouble coming up. My friend can absolutely guarantee to make that trouble
disappear. You have a top male star who makes a lot of money for your studio but
he just graduated from marijuana to heroin. My friend will guarantee that your
male star won't be able to get any more heroin. And if some other little things
come up over the years a phone call to me can solve your problems."
4 Jack Woltz listened to this as if he were hearing the boasting of a child. Then
he said harshly, his voice deliberately all East Side, "You trying to put muscle on
me*"
5 Hagen said coolly, "Absolutely not. I've come to ask a service for a friend. I've
tried to explain that you won't lose anything by it."
6 Almost as if he willed it, Woltz made his face a mask of anger. The mouth
curled, his heavy brows, dyed black, contracted to form a thick line over his
glinting eyes. He leaned over the desk toward Hagen. "All right, you smooth son
of a bitch, let me lay it on the line for you and your boss, whoever he is. Johnny
Fontane never gets that movie. I don't care how many guinea Mafia goombahs
come out of the woodwork." He leaned back. "A word of advice to you, my friend.
J. Edgar Hoover, I assume you've heard of him" – Woltz smiled sardonically – "is
a personal friend of mine. If I let him know I'm being pressured, you guys will
never know what hit you."
1 Hagen listened patiently (терпеливо). He had expected better from a man of Woltz's
stature (он ожидал большего: «лучшего» от человека такого формата,
занимающего столь высокое положение; stature [‘stжt**] – рост; высота). Was it
possible that a man who acted this stupidly (настолько глупо) could rise to the head of
a company worth hundreds of millions* That was something to think about (здесь было
о чем подумать) since the Don was looking for new things to put money into (так как
Дон искал новые возможности вложения денег), and if the top brains of this industry
were so dumb (и если главные мозги в этой индустрии настолько тупы [dЛm]),
movies might be the thing (кино может оказаться подходящим делом). The abuse
itself bothered him not at all (оскорбление само по себе его вовсе не беспокоило, не
раздражало; abuse [*’bju:s] – оскорбление, брань; to bother [‘boр*] – беспокоить,
докучать). Hagen had learned the art of negotiation from the Don himself (выучился
искусству вести переговоры у самого Дона). "Never get angry (никогда не сердись:
«не становись сердитым»)," the Don had instructed. "Never make a threat (не
угрожай). Reason with people (рассуждай с людьми, приводи доводы)." The word
"reason" sounded so much better in Italian, rajunah, to rejoin (отвечать на обвинение
истца, возражать; соединять). The art of this was to ignore all insults, all threats; to
turn the other cheek (подставлять: «поворачивать» другую щеку). Hagen had seen
the Don sit at a negotiating table for eight hours, swallowing insults (проглатывая,
проглатывающим оскорбления), trying to persuade (старающимся убедить
[p*s’weэd]) a notorious (известного) and megalomaniac (и крайне заносчивого:
«страдающего манией величия») strong-arm man (крутого парня; strong-arm –
применяющий силу /напр. о преступнике/) to mend his ways (исправиться; to mend
– чинить, ремонтировать, штопать). At the end of the eight hours Don Corleone had
thrown up his hands (всплеснул руками) in a helpless gesture and said to the other
men at the table, "But no one can reason with this fellow," and had stalked out (и
величаво, гордо вышел; to stalk – шествовать) of the meeting room. The strong-arm
man had turned white with fear (побелел, побледнел от страха). Emissaries were sent
to bring the Don back into the room. An agreement was reached (соглашение было
достигнуто) but two months later the strong-arm was shot to death in his favorite
barbershop (был застрелен в своей излюбленной парикмахерской).
2 So Hagen started again, speaking in the most ordinary voice (самым обычным =
спокойным голосом). "Look at my card," he said. "I'm a lawyer. Would I stick my neck
out (разве я стал бы высовывать шею = напрашиваться на неприятности)* Have I
uttered one threatening word (разве я произнес хоть одно угрожающее слово)* Let
me just say (позвольте мне только сказать) that I am prepared to meet any condition
you name (что я готов на любое условие, которое вы назовете) to get Johnny
Fontane that movie (чтобы доставить). I think I've already offered a great deal (уже
предложил довольно много) for such a small favor. A favor that I understand it would
be in your interest to grant. Johnny tells me that you admit (признаете) he would be
perfect for that part (что он в совершенстве подходит для этой роли). And let me say
that this favor would never be asked if that were not so. In fact, if you're worried about
your investment (если вы волнуетесь по поводу ваших вложений), my client would
finance the picture. But please let me make myself absolutely clear (позвольте мне
высказаться со всей ясностью). We understand your no is no. Nobody can force you
or is trying to (никто не может вынудить вас и никто не пытается сделать это). We
know about your friendship with Mr. Hoover, I may add (я хотел бы добавить,
заметить), and my boss respects you for it. He respects that relationship very much."
3 Woltz had been doodling (машинально чертил, рисовал: to doodle [du:dl]) with a
huge, red-feathered pen (ручкой с красным пером). At the mention of money (при
упоминании денег) his interest was aroused (был разбужен, пробудился; to arouse –
будить, пробуждать) and he stopped doodling. He said patronizingly
(покровительственно = высокомерно, свысока), "This picture is budgeted at five
million."
4 Hagen whistled softly (тихо свистнул) to show that he was impressed. Then he said
very casually (очень вскользь, ненавязчиво), "My boss has a lot of friends who back
his judgment (которые поддержат его суждение = решение)."
5 For the first time Woltz seemed to take the whole thing seriously. He studied
Hagen's card. "I never heard of you," he said. "I know most of the big lawyers in New
York, but just who the hell are you (но вы-то кто, черт возьми)*"
6 "I have one of those dignified corporate practices (я работаю на одну солидную
корпорацию; dignified ['dэgnifaэd] – обладающий чувством собственного
достоинства /dignity/, достойный, солидный)," Hagen said dryly (сухо). "I just handle
this one account (мне просто поручили заняться этим делом /в виде исключения/)."
He rose. "I won't take up any more of your time." He held out his hand, Woltz shook it.
Hagen took a few steps toward the door and turned to face Woltz again. "I understand
116
you have to deal with a lot of people who try to seem more important than they are. In
my case the reverse is true (в этом случае верно обратное). Why don't you check me
out with our mutual friend (почему бы вам не навести обо мне справки через нашего
общего друга; mutual ['mju:tju*l] – взаимный, обоюдный)* If you reconsider
(передумаете), call me at my hotel." He paused. "This may be sacrilege to you (это
может показаться вам кощунством ['sжkrэlэdG]), but my client can do things for you
that even Mr. Hoover might find out of his range (может найти выше своих сил: «вне
своей досягаемости»)." He saw the movie producer's eyes narrowing. Woltz was
finally getting the message (наконец начал понимать, о чем речь: «получать весть»).
"By the way (кстати), I admire your pictures very much (весьма восхищаюсь)," Hagen
said in the most fawning voice he could manage (самым вкрадчивым голосом, на
какой был способен; to fawn [fo:n] – вилять хвостом, ласкаться /о собаке/;
подлизываться). "I hope you can keep up the good work. Our country needs it."
7 Late that afternoon Hagen received a call from the producer's secretary that a car
would pick him up within the hour (заедет за ним: «подберет его» примерно через
час, в течение часа) to take him out to Mr. Woltz's country home for dinner. She told
him it would be about a three-hour drive but that the car was equipped with a bar and
some hors d'oeuvres (закусками; hors d'oeuvre [o:’d*:vr] – закуска /франц./). Hagen
knew that Woltz made the trip in his private plane and wondered why he hadn't been
invited to make the trip by air. The secretary's voice was adding politely, "Mr. Woltz
suggested you bring an overnight bag (сумку с ночными принадлежностями;
overnight – прдназначенный для использования ночью) and he'll get you to the
airport in the morning."
8 "I'll do that," Hagen said. That was another thing to wonder about (над чем стоило
задуматься). How did Woltz know he was taking the morning plane back to New York*
He thought about it for a moment. The most likely explanation was (наиболее
вероятным объяснением было) that Woltz had set private detectives on his trail (по
его следу) to get all possible information. Then Woltz certainly knew he represented the
Don, which meant that he knew something about the Don, which in turn meant that he
was now ready to take the whole matter seriously. Something might be done after all,
Hagen thought. And maybe Woltz was smarter than he had appeared this morning (был
умнее, чем казался).
1 Hagen listened patiently. He had expected better from a man of Woltz's stature.
Was it possible that a man who acted this stupidly could rise to the head of a
117
company worth hundreds of millions* That was something to think about since
the Don was looking for new things to put money into, and if the top brains of this
industry were so dumb, movies might be the thing. The abuse itself bothered him
not at all. Hagen had learned the art of negotiation from the Don himself. "Never
get angry," the Don had instructed. "Never make a threat. Reason with people."
The word "reason" sounded so much better in Italian, rajunah, to rejoin. The art of
this was to ignore all insults, all threats; to turn the other cheek. Hagen had seen
the Don sit at a negotiating table for eight hours, swallowing insults, trying to
persuade a notorious and megalomaniac strong-arm man to mend his ways. At
the end of the eight hours Don Corleone had thrown up his hands in a helpless
gesture and said to the other men at the table, "But no one can reason with this
fellow," and had stalked out of the meeting room. The strong-arm man had turned
white with fear. Emissaries were sent to bring the Don back into the room. An
agreement was reached but two months later the strong-arm was shot to death in
his favorite barbershop.
2 So Hagen started again, speaking in the most ordinary voice. "Look at my
card," he said. "I'm a lawyer. Would I stick my neck out* Have I uttered one
threatening word* Let me just say that I am prepared to meet any condition you
name to get Johnny Fontane that movie. I think I've already offered a great deal
for such a small favor. A favor that I understand it would be in your interest to
grant. Johnny tells me that you admit he would be perfect for that part. And let me
say that this favor would never be asked if that were not so. In fact, if you're
worried about your investment, my client would finance the picture. But please let
me make myself absolutely clear. We understand your no is no. Nobody can force
you or is trying to. We know about your friendship with Mr. Hoover, I may add,
and my boss respects you for it. He respects that relationship very much."
3 Woltz had been doodling with a huge, red-feathered pen. At the mention of
money his interest was aroused and he stopped doodling. He said patronizingly,
"This picture is budgeted at five million."
4 Hagen whistled softly to show that he was impressed. Then he said very
casually, "My boss has a lot of friends who back his judgment."
5 For the first time Woltz seemed to take the whole thing seriously. He studied
Hagen's card. "I never heard of you," he said. "I know most of the big lawyers in
New York, but just who the hell are you*"
6 "I have one of those dignified corporate practices," Hagen said dryly. "I just
handle this one account." He rose. "I won't take up any more of your time." He
held out his hand, Woltz shook it. Hagen took a few steps toward the door and
turned to face Woltz again. "I understand you have to deal with a lot of people
who try to seem more important than they are. In my case the reverse is true. Why
don't you check me out with our mutual friend* If you reconsider, call me at my
hotel." He paused. "This may be sacrilege to you, but my client can do things for
you that even Mr. Hoover might find out of his range." He saw the movie
producer's eyes narrowing. Woltz was finally getting the message. "By the way, I
admire your pictures very much," Hagen said in the most fawning voice he could
manage. "I hope you can keep up the good work. Our country needs it."
7 Late that afternoon Hagen received a call from the producer's secretary that a
car would pick him up within the hour to take him out to Mr. Woltz's country home
for dinner. She told him it would be about a three-hour drive but that the car was
equipped with a bar and some hors d'oeuvres. Hagen knew that Woltz made the
trip in his private plane and wondered why he hadn't been invited to make the trip
by air. The secretary's voice was adding politely, "Mr. Woltz suggested you bring
an overnight bag and he'll get you to the airport in the morning."
8 "I'll do that," Hagen said. That was another thing to wonder about. How did
Woltz know he was taking the morning plane back to New York* He thought
about it for a moment. The most likely explanation was that Woltz had set private
detectives on his trail to get all possible information. Then Woltz certainly knew
he represented the Don, which meant that he knew something about the Don,
which in turn meant that he was now ready to take the whole matter seriously.
Something might be done after all, Hagen thought. And maybe Woltz was smarter
than he had appeared this morning.
1 The home of Jack Woltz looked like an implausible movie set (выглядел подобно
невероятной, фантастической съемочной площадке, подобно каким-то
невероятным декорациям; implausible [эm'plo:zэbl] – невероятный, невозможный;
plausible [‘plo:zэb*l] – благовидный; правдоподобный). There was a plantation-type
mansion (особняк), huge grounds girdled (огромные участки, опоясанные) by a rich
black-dirt (с посыпанной черной землей; dirt – грязь; рыхлая земля) bridle path
(конной дорожкой; bridle [braэdl] – уздечка), stables and pasture for a herd of horses
(и пастбище для табуна коней; pasture [‘pб:st**]). The hedges (живые изгороди),
119
flower beds (клумбы) and grasses were as carefully (столь же тщательно) manicured
as a movie star's nails (ногти).
2 Woltz greeted Hagen on a glass-panel air-conditioned porch (на застекленном
крыльце с кондиционером). The producer was informally dressed (по-домашнему) in
blue silk shirt open at the neck, mustard-colored slacks (в широких брюках горчичного
цвета; mustard [‘mЛst*d] – горчица), soft leather sandals (из мягкой кожи). Framed in
all this color and rich fabric (в обрамлении всех этих красок и яркой, насыщенной
цветом ткани; fabric [‘fжbrэk] – ткань, материал) his seamed, tough face (жесткое,
грубое [tЛf]) was startling (смотрелось странно, поражало; to startle – испугать,
поразить, заставить вздрогнуть). He handed Hagen an outsized martini glass
(огромный стакан) and took one for himself from the prepared tray (с подготовленного
подноса). He seemed more friendly than he had been earlier in the day. He put his arm
over Hagen's shoulder and said, "We have a little time before dinner, let's go look at my
horses." As they walked toward the stables he said, "I checked you out, Tom; you
should have told me your boss is Corleone (должны бы были /сразу/ сказать мне). I
thought you were just some third-rate hustler (третьеразрядный мошенник; hustler –
предприимчивый человек; мошенник) Johnny was running in to bluff me (прислал
запугать меня, взять меня на пушку, блефовать со мной). And I don't bluff. Not that I
want to make enemies (не то чтобы я хотел делать врагов), I never believed in that
(мне это никогда не нравилось: «я никогда в это не верил»). But let's just enjoy
ourselves now (давайте сейчас просто развлечемся, приятно проведем время). We
can talk business after dinner."
3 Surprisingly Woltz proved to be a truly considerate host (оказался поистине
радушным хозяином; considerate [k*n'sэd*rэt] – внимательный к другим, деликатный,
тактичный). He explained his new methods, innovations (нововведения) that he hoped
would make his stable the most successful in America (самыми преуспевающими
/конюшнями/). The stables were all fire-proofed (огнеупорные; proof –
подтверждение, доказательство; непроницаемость), sanitized to the highest degree
(оборудованные согласно санитарным требованиям в высочайшей степени), and
guarded by a special security detail of private detectives (специальной группой,
специальным расчетом ['di:teэl]). Finally Woltz led him to a stall which had a huge
bronze plaque (дощечку, пластинку, знак [plб:k]) attached to its outside wall
(приделанной к его внешней стене; to attach [*‘tжt*] – прикреплять). On the plaque
was the name "Khartoum."
120
4 The horse inside the stall was, even to Hagen's inexperienced eyes (даже для его
неопытных глаз), a beautiful animal. Khartoum's skin was jet black (черная, как смоль;
jet – гагат, черный янтарь) except for a diamond-shaped white patch on his huge
forehead. The great brown eyes glinted like golden apples, the black skin over the taut
body (на туго натянутом, упругом теле) was silk. Woltz said with childish pride (с
ребяческой гордостью), "The greatest racehorse in the world (величайшая беговая
лошадь в мире). I bought him in England last year for six hundred grand (за шестьсот
тысяч; grand – штука /баксов/ – сленг). I bet (готов поспорить, бьюсь об заклад)
even the Russian Czars never paid that much for a single horse (такую сумму за
одного-единственного коня). But I'm not going to race him, I'm going to put him to stud.
I'm going to build the greatest racing stable this country has ever known (когда-либо
знала)." He stroked the horse's mane (погладил гриву) and called out softly,
"Khartoum, Khartoum." There was real love in his voice and the animal responded.
Woltz said to Hagen, "I'm a good horseman (наездник), you know, and the first time I
ever rode (когда я сел на лошадь; to ride – ездить верхом) I was fifty years old." He
laughed. "Maybe one of my grandmothers in Russia got raped by a Cossack (была
изнасилована казаком) and I got his blood." He tickled Khartoum's belly (пощекотал
живот, брюхо) and said with sincere admiration (с искренним восхищением; sincere
[sэn'sэ*]), "Look at that cock on him (какой у него член). I should have such a cock (мне
бы такой)."
1 The home of Jack Woltz looked like an implausible movie set. There was a
plantation-type mansion, huge grounds girdled by a rich black-dirt bridle path,
stables and pasture for a herd of horses. The hedges, flower beds and grasses
were as carefully manicured as a movie star's nails.
2 Woltz greeted Hagen on a glass-panel air-conditioned porch. The producer
was informally dressed in blue silk shirt open at the neck, mustard-colored slacks,
soft leather sandals. Framed in all this color and rich fabric his seamed, tough
face was startling. He handed Hagen an outsized martini glass and took one for
himself from the prepared tray. He seemed more friendly than he had been earlier
in the day. He put his arm over Hagen's shoulder and said, "We have a little time
before dinner, let's go look at my horses." As they walked toward the stables he
said, "I checked you out, Tom; you should have told me your boss is Corleone. I
thought you were just some third-rate hustler Johnny was running in to bluff me.
And I don't bluff. Not that I want to make enemies, I never believed in that. But
let's just enjoy ourselves now. We can talk business after dinner."
3 Surprisingly Woltz proved to be a truly considerate host. He explained his new
methods, innovations that he hoped would make his stable the most successful
in America. The stables were all fire-proofed, sanitized to the highest degree, and
guarded by a special security detail of private detectives. Finally Woltz led him to
a stall which had a huge bronze plaque attached to its outside wall. On the plaque
was the name "Khartoum."
4 The horse inside the stall was, even to Hagen's inexperienced eyes, a beautiful
animal. Khartoum's skin was jet black except for a diamond-shaped white patch
on his huge forehead. The great brown eyes glinted like golden apples, the black
skin over the taut body was silk. Woltz said with childish pride, "The greatest
racehorse in the world. I bought him in England last year for six hundred grand. I
bet even the Russian Czars never paid that much for a single horse. But I'm not
going to race him, I'm going to put him to stud. I'm going to build the greatest
racing stable this country has ever known." He stroked the horse's mane and
called out softly, "Khartoum, Khartoum." There was real love in his voice and the
animal responded. Woltz said to Hagen, "I'm a good horseman, you know, and the
first time I ever rode I was fifty years old." He laughed. "Maybe one of my
grandmothers in Russia got raped by a Cossack and I got his blood." He tickled
Khartoum's belly and said with sincere admiration, "Look at that cock on him. I
should have such a cock."
1 They went back to the mansion to have dinner. It was served by three waiters
(официантами) under the command of a butler («под командованием» дворецкого),
the table linen (салфетки и скатерти; linen [‘lэnэn] – полотно, холст) and ware
(приборы; ware [wе*] – изделия) were all gold thread (золотая нить [иred]) and silver,
but Hagen found the food mediocre (нашел посредственной ['mi:dэ*uk*]). Woltz
obviously lived alone, and just as obviously (и точно также очевидно) was not a man
who cared about food. Hagen waited until they had both lit up (зажгли; to light up) huge
Havana cigars before he asked Woltz, "Does Johnny get it or not*"
2 "I can't," Woltz said. "I can't put Johnny into that picture even if I wanted to. The
contracts are all signed for all the performers (подписаны для всех исполнителей) and
the cameras roll (завертятся) next week. There's no way I can swing it («качнуть это»
= что-либо в этом изменить)."
122
3 Hagen said impatiently, "Mr. Woltz, the big advantage of dealing with a man at the
top (большое преимущество того, что имеешь дело с руководителем; advantage
[*d’vб:ntэdG]) is that such an excuse is not valid (как раз то, что такая отговорка
недействительна = невозможна; valid ['vжlэd] – имеющий силу, правомерный). You
can do anything you want to do." He puffed on his cigar (подымил, пустил дым; to puff
– дуть порывами /о ветре/; резко выдыхать). "Don't you believe my client can keep
his promises*"
4 Woltz said dryly, "I believe that I'm going to have labor trouble. Goff called me up on
that, the son of a bitch, and the way he talked to me you'd never guess (никогда не
догадаешься = как будто бы я ему не ...) I pay him a hundred grand a year under the
table. And I believe you can get that fag he-man star of mine off heroin (что сможете
заставить отказаться от героина эту мою звезду-шестерку, щенка, играющую
настоящего мужчину; he-man – настоящий мужчина; fag – младший ученик,
оказывающий услуги старшему /в английских школах/; человек, выполняющий
тяжелую, нудную работу). But I don't care about that and I can finance my own
pictures. Because I hate that bastard Fontane. Tell your boss this is one favor I can't
give but that he should try me again on anything else (пусть попробует что-нибудь
другое). Anything at all (все что угодно)."
5 Hagen thought, you sneaky bastard (подлый, хитрый ублюдок; to sneak –
подкрадываться; делать что-либо украдкой), then why the hell did you bring me all
the way out here (заставил меня тащиться в такую даль)* The producer had
something on his mind (что-то на уме). Hagen said coldly, "I don't think you understand
the situation. Mr. Corleone is Johnny Fontane's godfather. That is a very close, a very
sacred religious relationship (очень тесная = близкая, очень святая связь; sacred
[‘seэkrэd] – священный)." Woltz bowed his head in respect at this reference to religion
(склонил голову в знак уважения при этом упоминании религии). Hagen went on.
"Italians have a little joke, that the world is so hard a man must have two fathers to look
after him (чтобы следить, заботиться о нем), and that's why they have godfathers.
Since Johnny's father died, Mr. Corleone feels his responsibility even more deeply
(чувствет свою ответственность еще более глубоко [rэspons*’bэlэtэ]; responsible
[rэs’pons*bl] – ответственный). As for trying you again, Mr. Corleone is much too
sensitive (слишком чувствителен = обидчив). He never asks a second favor where he
has been refused the first."
6 Woltz shrugged. "I'm sorry. The answer is still no (все же: «все еще» нет). But since
you're here, what will it cost me to have that labor trouble cleared up (сколько мне
123
будет стоить, чтобы уладить: «прояснить» эту профсоюзную проблему; to clear up
– прибрать/ся/; прояснить)* In cash (наличными). Right now (прямо сейчас)."
1 They went back to the mansion to have dinner. It was served by three waiters
under the command of a butler, the table linen and ware were all gold thread and
silver, but Hagen found the food mediocre. Woltz obviously lived alone, and just
as obviously was not a man who cared about food. Hagen waited until they had
both lit up huge Havana cigars before he asked Woltz, "Does Johnny get it or
not*"
2 "I can't," Woltz said. "I can't put Johnny into that picture even if I wanted to.
The contracts are all signed for all the performers and the cameras roll next week.
There's no way I can swing it."
3 Hagen said impatiently, "Mr. Woltz, the big advantage of dealing with a man at
the top is that such an excuse is not valid. You can do anything you want to do."
He puffed on his cigar. "Don't you believe my client can keep his promises*"
4 Woltz said dryly, "I believe that I'm going to have labor trouble. Goff called me
up on that, the son of a bitch, and the way he talked to me you'd never guess I
pay him a hundred grand a year under the table. And I believe you can get that
fag he-man star of mine off heroin. But I don't care about that and I can finance
my own pictures. Because I hate that bastard Fontane. Tell your boss this is one
favor I can't give but that he should try me again on anything else. Anything at
all."
5 Hagen thought, you sneaky bastard, then why the hell did you bring me all the
way out here* The producer had something on his mind. Hagen said coldly, "I
don't think you understand the situation. Mr. Corleone is Johnny Fontane's
godfather. That is a very close, a very sacred religious relationship." Woltz bowed
his head in respect at this reference to religion. Hagen went on. "Italians have a
little joke, that the world is so hard a man must have two fathers to look after him,
and that's why they have godfathers. Since Johnny's father died, Mr. Corleone
feels his responsibility even more deeply. As for trying you again, Mr. Corleone is
much too sensitive. He never asks a second favor where he has been refused the
first."
6 Woltz shrugged. "I'm sorry. The answer is still no. But since you're here, what
will it cost me to have that labor trouble cleared up* In cash. Right now."
124
1 That solved one puzzle for Hagen (это разрешило загадку). Why Woltz was putting
in so much time on him when he had already decided (если он уже решил) not to give
Johnny the part. And that could not be changed at this meeting. Woltz felt secure
(чувствовал себя в безопасности: «уверенно» [si:’kju*]); he was not afraid of the
power of Don Corleone. And certainly Woltz with his national political connections, his
acquaintanceship with the FBI chief (знакомство, связи с шефом ФБР; acquaintance
[*'kweэnt*ns] – знакомство), his huge personal fortune and his absolute power in the
film industry, could not feel threatened by Don Corleone. To any intelligent man, even to
Hagen, it seemed that Woltz had correctly assessed his position (правильно оценил
свое положение; to assess [*‘ses] – определять /сумму налога/; оценивать
имущество для обложения налогом). He was impregnable to the Don (неприступен,
неуязвим [эm’pregn*bl]) if he was willing to take the losses (если он был согласен
понести убытки) the labor struggle would cost (которые будет стоить профсоюзная
борьба). There was only one thing wrong with the whole equation (во всем этом
уравнении [э’kweэ**n]). Don Corleone had promised his godson he would get the part
and Don Corleone had never, to Hagen's knowledge, broken his word in such matters.
2 Hagen said quietly, "You are deliberately misunderstanding me (вы нарочно,
специально не понимаете, превратно понимаете меня). You are trying to make me
an accomplice to extortion (сообщником в вымогательстве; accomplice [*'komplэs]; to
extort [эks’to:rt] – вымогать /деньги/). Mr. Corleone promises only to speak in your
favor (в вашу пользу) on this labor trouble as a matter of friendship (в знак дружбы) in
return (взамен) for your speaking in behalf of his client (в пользу, ради его клиента). A
friendly exchange of influence (дружеский обмен влиянием), nothing more. But I can
see you don't take me seriously. Personally, I think that is a mistake (ошибка)."
3 Woltz, as if he had been waiting for such a moment, let himself get angry
(«позволил, дал себе рассердиться»). "I understood perfectly," he said. "That's the
Mafia style, isn't it* All olive oil and sweet talk when what you're really doing is making
threats. So let me lay it on the line. Johnny Fontane will never get that part and he's
perfect for it. It would make him a great star. But he never will be because I hate that
pinko punk (ненавижу этого жалкого франта, фраера; pinko – розовый /сленг/; punk
– /устар./ проститутка; пассивный гомосексуалист; бродяга, побирающийся с
другим, более опытным; никчемный человек) and I'm going to run him out of the
movies (собираюсь выдворить его из кино вообще). And I'll tell you why. He ruined
one of my most valuable protйgйs (испортил, загубил одну из самых ценных моих
протеже). For five years I had this girl under training, singing, dancing, acting lessons, I
spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was going to make her a star. I'll be even
more frank (откровенен), just to show you that I'm not a hard-hearted man, that it
wasn't all dollars and cents. That girl was beautiful and she was the greatest piece of
ass («самый великолепный кусок задницы») I've ever had (который у меня когда-
либо был) and I've had them all over the world (а они были у меня повсюду, по всему
миру). She could suck you out like a water pump (могла высосать тебя не хуже
водяного насоса). Then Johnny comes along with that olive-oil voice (заявляется со
своим оливковым, масляным голосом) and guinea charm and she runs off (сбегает).
She threw it all away just to make me ridiculous (сделать меня смешным, осрамить ;
ridiculous [rэ’dэkjul*s] – нелепый, смехотворный, смешной). A man in my position, Mr.
Hagen, can't afford to look ridiculous (не может позволить себе [*'fo:d]). I have to pay
Johnny off (пришлось отплатить; рассчитать)."
1 That solved one puzzle for Hagen. Why Woltz was putting in so much time on
him when he had already decided not to give Johnny the part. And that could not
be changed at this meeting. Woltz felt secure; he was not afraid of the power of
Don Corleone. And certainly Woltz with his national political connections, his
acquaintanceship with the FBI chief, his huge personal fortune and his absolute
power in the film industry, could not feel threatened by Don Corleone. To any
intelligent man, even to Hagen, it seemed that Woltz had correctly assessed his
position. He was impregnable to the Don if he was willing to take the losses the
labor struggle would cost. There was only one thing wrong with the whole
equation. Don Corleone had promised his godson he would get the part and Don
Corleone had never, to Hagen's knowledge, broken his word in such matters.
2 Hagen said quietly, "You are deliberately misunderstanding me. You are trying
to make me an accomplice to extortion. Mr. Corleone promises only to speak in
your favor on this labor trouble as a matter of friendship in return for your
speaking in behalf of his client. A friendly exchange of influence, nothing more.
But I can see you don't take me seriously. Personally, I think that is a mistake."
3 Woltz, as if he had been waiting for such a moment, let himself get angry. "I
understood perfectly," he said. "That's the Mafia style, isn't it* All olive oil and
sweet talk when what you're really doing is making threats. So let me lay it on the
line. Johnny Fontane will never get that part and he's perfect for it. It would make
him a great star. But he never will be because I hate that pinko punk and I'm
going to run him out of the movies. And I'll tell you why. He ruined one of my
most valuable protйgйs. For five years I had this girl under training, singing,
dancing, acting lessons, I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was going to
make her a star. I'll be even more frank, just to show you that I'm not a hard-
hearted man, that it wasn't all dollars and cents. That girl was beautiful and she
was the greatest piece of ass I've ever had and I've had them all over the world.
She could suck you out like a water pump. Then Johnny comes along with that
olive-oil voice and guinea charm and she runs off. She threw it all away just to
make me ridiculous. A man in my position, Mr. Hagen, can't afford to look
ridiculous. I have to pay Johnny off."
1 For the first time, Woltz succeeded in astounding Hagen (удалось удивить; to
succeed [s*k’si:d] – следовать за чем-либо; достигать цели; to astound [*s'taund] –
удивлять, поражать). He found it inconceivable (немыслимым, непостижимым
[эnk*n'si:v*bl]; to conceive [k*n'si:v] – постигать) that a grown man of substance
(солидный; substance ['sЛbst*ns] – материя; содержание; имущество) would let
such trivialities (может позволить таким пустякам, столь тривиальным вещам) affect
his judgment (повлиять на свое суждение, решение) in an affair of business, and one
of such importance (да еще /в деле/ такой важности). In Hagen's world, the
Corleones' world, the physical beauty, the sexual power of women, carried not the
slightest weight in worldly matters (не имело: «не несло» ни малейшего веса в
мирских делах). It was a private affair, except, of course, in matters of marriage and
family disgrace (бесчестья; позора). Hagen decided to make one last try (последнюю
попытку).
2 "You are absolutely right, Mr. Woltz," Hagen said. "But are your grievances that
major (но настолько ли велика ваша обида, значительны ваши страдания;
grievance [gri:v*ns] – обида, недовольство /чтобы затмевать все/; major [‘meэdG*] –
более важный)* I don't think you've understood how important this very small favor is
to my client. Mr. Corleone held the infant Johnny in his arms when he was baptized
(крещен; to baptize [bжp’taэz]). When Johnny's father died, Mr. Corleone assumed the
duties of parenthood (взял на себя, принял родительские обязанности:
«обязанности родительства»), indeed he is called 'Godfather' by many, many people
who wish to show their respect and gratitude for the help he has given them. Mr.
Corleone never lets his friends down (никогда не оставляет в беде)."
3 Woltz stood up abruptly (резко). "I've listened to about enough. Thugs don't give me
orders (головорезы не дают мне приказаний), I give them orders. If I pick I up this
127
phone (сниму трубку), you'll spend the night in jail (проведете ночь в тюрьме). And if
that Mafia goombah tries any rough stuff (что-нибудь крутое: «грубые вещи»; rough
[rЛf] – грубый), he'll find out (обнаружит, поймет) I'm not a band leader. Yeah, I heard
that story too. Listen, your Mr. Corleone will never know what hit him. Even if I have to
use my influence at the White House."
4 The stupid, stupid son of a bitch. How the hell did he get to be a pezzonovante,
Hagen wondered. Advisor to the President, head of the biggest movie studio in the
world. Definitely (решительно) the Don should get into the movie business. And the
guy was taking his words at their sentimental face value (воспринимал слова на их
поверхностном, сентиментальном уровне). He was not getting the message.
5 "Thank you for the dinner and a pleasant evening," Hagen said. "Could you give me
transportation to the airport* I don't think I'll spend the night." He smiled coldly at Woltz.
"Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news at once (настаивает на том,
чтобы плохую новость услышать сразу, тут же)."
6 While waiting in the floodlit colonnade (в прожекторном освещении, в освещении
заливающим светом; floodlight – прожектор; to floodlight – освещать прожектором;
flood [flЛd] – наводнение, разлив) of the mansion for his car, Hagen saw two women
about to enter a long limousine already parked in the driveway. They were the beautiful
twelve-year-old blond girl and her mother he had seen in Woltz's office that morning.
But now the girl's exquisitely cut mouth («изящно вырезанный рот») seemed to have
smeared into a thick, pink mass (казался смазанным, размазанным в густую,
розовую массу). Her sea-blue eyes were filmed over (покрыты пленкой) and when
she walked down the steps toward the open car her long legs tottered like a crippled
foal's (дрожали, шатались как у хромого жеребенка; cripple – калека, увечный). Her
mother supported the child (поддерживала), helping her into the car, hissing (шипя; to
hiss – шипеть, свистеть) commands into her ear. The mother's head turned for a quick
furtive look (взгляд украдкой; furtive [‘f*:tэv] – вороватый; затаенный) at Hagen and
he saw in her eyes a burning, hawklike (ястребиный; hawk – ястреб) triumph. Then
she too disappeared into the limousine.
7 So that was why he hadn't got the plane ride from Los Angeles, Hagen thought. The
girl and her mother had made the trip with the movie producer. That had given Woltz
enough time to relax before dinner and do the job on the little kid. And Johnny wanted to
live in this world* Good luck to him, and good luck to Woltz.
1 For the first time, Woltz succeeded in astounding Hagen. He found it
inconceivable that a grown man of substance would let such trivialities affect his
judgment in an affair of business, and one of such importance. In Hagen's world,
the Corleones' world, the physical beauty, the sexual power of women, carried
not the slightest weight in worldly matters. It was a private affair, except, of
course, in matters of marriage and family disgrace. Hagen decided to make one
last try.
2 "You are absolutely right, Mr. Woltz," Hagen said. "But are your grievances
that major* I don't think you've understood how important this very small favor is
to my client. Mr. Corleone held the infant Johnny in his arms when he was
baptized. When Johnny's father died, Mr. Corleone assumed the duties of
parenthood, indeed he is called 'Godfather' by many, many people who wish to
show their respect and gratitude for the help he has given them. Mr. Corleone
never lets his friends down."
3 Woltz stood up abruptly. "I've listened to about enough. Thugs don't give me
orders, I give them orders. If I pick I up this phone, you'll spend the night in jail.
And if that Mafia goombah tries any rough stuff, he'll find out I'm not a band
leader. Yeah, I heard that story too. Listen, your Mr. Corleone will never know
what hit him. Even if I have to use my influence at the White House."
4 The stupid, stupid son of a bitch. How the hell did he get to be a pezzonovante,
Hagen wondered. Advisor to the President, head of the biggest movie studio in
the world. Definitely the Don should get into the movie business. And the guy
was taking his words at their sentimental face value. He was not getting the
message.
5 "Thank you for the dinner and a pleasant evening," Hagen said. "Could you
give me transportation to the airport* I don't think I'll spend the night." He smiled
coldly at Woltz. "Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news at once."
6 While waiting in the floodlit colonnade of the mansion for his car, Hagen saw
two women about to enter a long limousine already parked in the driveway. They
were the beautiful twelve-year-old blond girl and her mother he had seen in
Woltz's office that morning. But now the girl's exquisitely cut mouth seemed to
have smeared into a thick, pink mass. Her sea-blue eyes were filmed over and
when she walked down the steps toward the open car her long legs tottered like a
crippled foal's. Her mother supported the child, helping her into the car, hissing
commands into her ear. The mother's head turned for a quick furtive look at
Hagen and he saw in her eyes a burning, hawklike triumph. Then she too
disappeared into the limousine.
7 So that was why he hadn't got the plane ride from Los Angeles, Hagen thought.
The girl and her mother had made the trip with the movie producer. That had
given Woltz enough time to relax before dinner and do the job on the little kid.
And Johnny wanted to live in this world* Good luck to him, and good luck to
Woltz.
1 Paulie Gatto hated quickie jobs (на скорую руку), especially when they involved
violence (особенно если они включали = предполагали насилие). He liked to plan
things ahead (заранее планировать; ahead – предстоящий, впереди). And
something like tonight, even though it was punk stuff, could turn into serious business if
somebody made a mistake. Now, sipping his beer, he glanced around, checking how
the two young punks were making out (справляются, как у них идут дела) with the two
little tramps (шлюшками; tramp – бродяга; /сленг/ проститутка) at the bar.
2 Paulie Gatto knew everything there was to know about those two punks. Their
names were Jerry Wagner and Kevin Moonan. They were both about twenty years old,
good-looking, brown-haired, tall, well-built. Both were due to go back to college
(должны были, ожидалось, что; due – должный, ожидаемый) out of town in two
weeks, both had fathers with political influence and this, with their college student
classification (наряду со студенческим статусом), had so far kept them out of the draft
(пока давало им возможность избежать призыва /в армию/; to draw – тащить,
волочить). They were both also under suspended sentences for assaulting the
daughter of Amerigo Bonasera (за попытку изнасилования; to assault [*‘so:lt]–
нападать, набрасываться). The lousy bastards (вшивые ублюдки), Paulie Gatto
thought. Draft dodging (уклонение от призыва; to dodge – избегать, увертываться,
уклоняться), violating their probation (нарушение своего условного срока,
освобождения на поруки; to violate [‘vaэ*leэt] – нарушать, попирать) by drinking in a
bar after midnight, chasing floozies (охота на шлюх; to chase – гнаться,
преследовать, охотиться; floozie – шлюха /сленг/). Young punks. Paulie Gatto had
been deferred from the draft himself (ему самому была предоставлена отсрочка; to
defer [dэ'f*:] – задерживать, отсрочивать) because his doctor had furnished the draft
board (предоставил комиссии; to furnish – снабжать, предоставлять) with
documents showing that this patient, male, white, aged twenty-six, unmarried, had
received electrical shock treatments (лечение, процедуры; to treat – обращаться;
130
лечить) for a mental condition (состояние психики, психическое состояние; condition
– условие; состояние, положение). All false of course, but Paulie Gatto felt that he
had earned his draft exemption (что заработал свое освобождение /от армии/). It had
been arranged by Clemenza after Gatto had "made his bones" («сделал свои кости» =
прошел испытание, совершив преступление) in the family business.
3 It was Clemenza who had told him that this job must be rushed through (должно
быть проделано очень быстро; to rush – делать бросок, нестись), before the boys
went to college. Why the hell did it have to be done in New York (это должно быть
сделано), Gatto wondered. Clemenza was always giving extra orders instead of just
giving out the job. Now if those two little tramps walked out with the punks it would be
another night wasted (потрачена зря; to waste – тратить /зря/).
4 He could hear one of the girls laughing and saying, "Are you crazy, Jerry* I'm not
going in any car with you. I don't want to wind up in the hospital (кончить в госпитале;
to wind up – сматывать, подтягивать, заканчивать; to wind – наматывать) like that
other poor girl." Her voice was spitefully rich with satisfaction (был полон язвительного
злорадства: «злорадно насыщен удовлетворением»; spiteful – злорадный,
язвительный; spite – злоба, озлобленность). That was enough for Gatto. He finished
up his beer and walked out into the dark street. Perfect. It was after midnight. There was
only one other bar that showed light. The rest of the stores were closed (остальные
магазины были закрыты; store – склад; магазин). The precinct patrol car (о
/полицейской/ машине, патрулирующей участок; precinct [‘pri:sэ*kt]–
административный округ, относящийся к определенному полицейскому участку)
had been taken care of by Clemenza (позаботился). They wouldn't be around that way
until they got a radio call (не заедут сюда, пока не получат вызова) and then they'd
come slow (и даже тогда приедут медленно).
5 He leaned against the four-door Chevy sedan. In the back seat two men were sitting,
almost invisible, although they were very big men. Paulie said, "Take them when they
come out."
6 He still thought it had all been set up too fast (подготовлено, спланировано
слишком быстро). Clemenza had given him copies of the police mug shots
(полицейских фотографий; mug – /пивная/ кружка; /сленг/ лицо, рот; mug shot –
фотография /сделанная в полиции/) of the two punks, the dope (подсказку; dope –
густое смазывающее вещество, смазка; to dope up – /сленг/ выискивать, выяснять)
on where the punks went drinking every night to pick up bar girls. Paulie had recruited
two of the strong-arms (громил) in the family and fingered the punks for them (указал).
131
He had also given them their instructions. No blows on the top or the back of the head
(никаких ударов по темени или затылку), there was to be no accidental fatality (не
должно быть никаких случайных несчастных случаев; fatality [f*'tжlэtэ] – рок,
обреченность, фатальность; смерть /от несчастного случая/). Other than that (в
остальном же) they could go as far as they liked. He had given them only one warning:
"If those punks get out of the hospital in less than a month, you guys go back to driving
trucks."
7 The two big men were getting out of the car. They were both ex-boxers who had
never made it past the small clubs (которым никогда не удалось выбраться за
пределы маленьких клубов) and had been fixed up by Sonny Corleone (были
обеспечены /долей/; to fixed up – организовать, уладить, договориться; дать приют)
with a little loan-shark action (loan-shark – гангстер-ростовщик, человек, ссужающий
деньги под грабительские проценты; to loan – одалживать, ссужать + shark – акула)
so that they could make a decent living (достойное существование, достойный
заработок). They were, naturally, anxious to show their gratitude (стремились
показать свою благодарность; anxious [‘ж*k**s] – озабоченный, беспокоящийся;
сильно желающий /чего-либо/).
1 Paulie Gatto hated quickie jobs, especially when they involved violence. He
liked to plan things ahead. And something like tonight, even though it was punk
stuff, could turn into serious business if somebody made a mistake. Now, sipping
his beer, he glanced around, checking how the two young punks were making out
with the two little tramps at the bar.
2 Paulie Gatto knew everything there was to know about those two punks. Their
names were Jerry Wagner and Kevin Moonan. They were both about twenty
years old, good-looking, brown-haired, tall, well-built. Both were due to go back
to college out of town in two weeks, both had fathers with political influence and
this, with their college student classification, had so far kept them out of the draft.
They were both also under suspended sentences for assaulting the daughter of
Amerigo Bonasera. The lousy bastards, Paulie Gatto thought. Draft dodging,
violating their probation by drinking in a bar after midnight, chasing floozies.
Young punks. Paulie Gatto had been deferred from the draft himself because his
doctor had furnished the draft board with documents showing that this patient,
male, white, aged twenty-six, unmarried, had received electrical shock treatments
for a mental condition. All false of course, but Paulie Gatto felt that he had earned
132
his draft exemption. It had been arranged by Clemenza after Gatto had "made his
bones" in the family business.
3 It was Clemenza who had told him that this job must be rushed through, before
the boys went to college. Why the hell did it have to be done in New York, Gatto
wondered. Clemenza was always giving extra orders instead of just giving out the
job. Now if those two little tramps walked out with the punks it would be another
night wasted.
4 He could hear one of the girls laughing and saying, "Are you crazy, Jerry* I'm
not going in any car with you. I don't want to wind up in the hospital like that
other poor girl." Her voice was spitefully rich with satisfaction. That was enough
for Gatto. He finished up his beer and walked out into the dark street. Perfect. It
was after midnight. There was only one other bar that showed light. The rest of
the stores were closed. The precinct patrol car had been taken care of by
Clemenza. They wouldn't be around that way until they got a radio call and then
they'd come slow.
5 He leaned against the four-door Chevy sedan. In the back seat two men were
sitting, almost invisible, although they were very big men. Paulie said, "Take them
when they come out."
6 He still thought it had all been set up too fast. Clemenza had given him copies
of the police mug shots of the two punks, the dope on where the punks went
drinking every night to pick up bar girls. Paulie had recruited two of the strong-
arms in the family and fingered the punks for them. He had also given them their
instructions. No blows on the top or the back of the head, there was to be no
accidental fatality. Other than that they could go as far as they liked. He had given
them only one warning: "If those punks get out of the hospital in less than a
month, you guys go back to driving trucks."
7 The two big men were getting out of the car. They were both ex-boxers who
had never made it past the small clubs and had been fixed up by Sonny Corleone
with a little loan-shark action so that they could make a decent living. They were,
naturally, anxious to show their gratitude.
1 When Jerry Wagner and Kevin Moonan came out of the bar they were perfect setups
(они были в отличной форме, отлично подготовлены /для предстоящего/; setup –
установка, наладка). The bar girl's taunts (насмешки; taunt [to:nt] – язвительное
замечание) had left their adolescent vanity prickly (оставили их подростковую
гордость в раздраженном состоянии; adolescent [жd*u’lesnt]; vanity [‘vжnэtэ] –
тщеславие; prick – шип, колючка). Paulie Gatto, leaning against the fender of his car
(прислонившись к крылу своего автомобиля), called out to them with a teasing laugh
(с дразнящим смехом, смешком), "Hey, Casanova, those broads really brushed you
off (здорово те девки дали тебе от ворот поворот; brush – щетка; to brush off –
смахнуть; отмахнуться, «послать»)."
2 The two young men turned on him with delight (повернулись и направились к нему
с восторгом). Paulie Gatto looked like a perfect outlet for their humiliation (как
отличная отдушина для их унижения, униженности; to humiliate [hju’mэlэeэt] –
унижать, оскорблять). Ferret-faced (с лицом, как у хорька), short, slightly built
(тщедушно сложенный; slightly – слегка, незначительно) and a wise guy in the
bargain (да еще и умник в придачу; bargain ['bб:gэn] – сделка, соглашение). They
pounced on him eagerly (они рьяно набросились на него; pounce – коготь /ястреба/;
to pounce – хватать когтями; внезапно атаковать) and immediately found their arms
pinned (захваченными, зажатыми; pin – любой продолговатый предмет для
соединения, сцепления чего-либо; to pin – сцеплять, прикалывать; прижать,
придавить) by two men grabbing them from behind (схватившими их сзади). At the
same moment Paulie Gatto had slipped onto his right hand (незаметно взял; to slip –
скользить) a specially made set of brass knuckles (металлический кастет; brass –
медь; knuckle – сустав /пальца/; knuckles – кастет) studded (обитый, усеянный; stud
– гвоздь /с большой шляпкой/, штифт) with one-sixteenth-inch iron spikes
(железными шипами в одну шестнадцатую дюйма; inch = 2,5 см). His timing was
good (расчет времени, координация /движений/), he worked out in the gym (в
гимнастическом зале) three times a week. He smashed (двинул; to smash –
наносить сокрушительный удар, разбивать вдребезги) the punk named Wagner
right on the nose. The man holding Wagner lifted him up off the ground and Paulie
swung his arm (размахнулся; to swing), uppercutting into the perfectly positioned groin
(в удобно подставленный пах). Wagner went limp (обмяк; limp – мягкий, нежесткий)
and the big man dropped him. This had taken no more than six seconds.
3 Now both of them turned their attention to Kevin Moonan, who was trying to shout.
The man holding him from behind did so easily with one huge muscled arm. The other
hand he put around Moonan's throat (вокруг горла) to cut off any sound.
4 Paulie Gatto jumped into the car and started the motor. The two big men were
beating Moonan to jelly (до состояния желе). They did so with frightening deliberation
(с пугающей рассчетливостью, неспешностью; deliberation – рассуждение,
134
размышление; медлительность), as if they had all the time in the world. They did not
throw punches in flurries (они не «бросали удары кулаком суетливыми
движениями»; flurry – шквал /ветра/; волнение, спешка, суета) but in timed, slow-
motion sequences (но с размеренной, как бы замедленной постепенностью,
размеренными сериями /ударов/; sequence [‘si:kw*ns] – последовательность,
очередность; серия) that carried the full weight (которые несли полный вес) of their
massive bodies. Each blow landed with a splat (всплеском, шлепком) of flesh splitting
open (трескающейся, разбивающейся плоти). Gatto got a glimpse of Moonan's face.
It was unrecognizable (неузнаваемо [Лn’rek*gnaэz*bl]; to recognize [’rek*gnaэz] –
узнавать). The two men left Moonan lying on the sidewalk (на боковой дорожке,
тротуаре) and turned their attention to Wagner. Wagner was trying to get to his feet
and he started to scream for help. Someone came out of the bar and the two men had
to work faster now. They clubbed Wagner to his knees (ударами подняли на ноги; club
– дубинка; to club – бить /напр. дубинкой/). One of the men took his arm and twisted it
(вывернул), then kicked him in the spine (пнул ногой в позвоночник). There was a
cracking sound (что-то хрустнуло; to crack – трещать, хрустеть) and Wagner's
scream of agony brought windows open (заставил распахнуться окна) all along the
street. The two men worked very quickly. One of them held Wagner up by using his two
hands around Wagner's head like a vise (как тиски). The other man smashed his huge
fist into the fixed target (в закрепленную цель). There were more people coming out of
the bar but none tried to interfere (вмешаться [эnt*'fэ*]). Paulie Gatto yelled, "Come on,
enough (ладно, хватит)." The two big men jumped into the car and Paulie gunned it
away (умчал ее, дал полный газ; to gun – /разг./ давать полный газ). Somebody
would describe the car and read the license plates (license plate – номерной знак
автомобиля) but it didn't matter. It was a stolen California plate and there were one
hundred thousand black Chevy sedans in New York City.
1 When Jerry Wagner and Kevin Moonan came out of the bar they were perfect
setups. The bar girl's taunts had left their adolescent vanity prickly. Paulie Gatto,
leaning against the fender of his car, called out to them with a teasing laugh, "Hey,
Casanova, those broads really brushed you off."
2 The two young men turned on him with delight. Paulie Gatto looked like a
perfect outlet for their humiliation. Ferret-faced, short, slightly built and a wise
guy in the bargain. They pounced on him eagerly and immediately found their
arms pinned by two men grabbing them from behind. At the same moment Paulie
Gatto had slipped onto his right hand a specially made set of brass knuckles
studded with one-sixteenth-inch iron spikes. His timing was good, he worked out
in the gym three times a week. He smashed the punk named Wagner right on the
nose. The man holding Wagner lifted him up off the ground and Paulie swung his
arm, uppercutting into the perfectly positioned groin. Wagner went limp and the
big man dropped him. This had taken no more than six seconds.
3 Now both of them turned their attention to Kevin Moonan, who was trying to
shout. The man holding him from behind did so easily with one huge muscled
arm. The other hand he put around Moonan's throat to cut off any sound.
4 Paulie Gatto jumped into the car and started the motor. The two big men were
beating Moonan to jelly. They did so with frightening deliberation, as if they had
all the time in the world. They did not throw punches in flurries but in timed, slow-
motion sequences that carried the full weight of their massive bodies. Each blow
landed with a splat of flesh splitting open. Gatto got a glimpse of Moonan's face.
It was unrecognizable. The two men left Moonan lying on the sidewalk and turned
their attention to Wagner. Wagner was trying to get to his feet and he started to
scream for help. Someone came out of the bar and the two men had to work
faster now. They clubbed Wagner to his knees. One of the men took his arm and
twisted it, then kicked him in the spine. There was a cracking sound and
Wagner's scream of agony brought windows open all along the street. The two
men worked very quickly. One of them held Wagner up by using his two hands
around Wagner's head like a vise. The other man smashed his huge fist into the
fixed target. There were more people coming out of the bar but none tried to
interfere. Paulie Gatto yelled, "Come on, enough." The two big men jumped into
the car and Paulie gunned it away. Somebody would describe the car and read
the license plates but it didn't matter. It was a stolen California plate and there
were one hundred thousand black Chevy sedans in New York City.
Chapter 2
1 Tom Hagen went to his law office in the city on Thursday morning. He planned to
catch up on his paper work (нагнать /упущенное/; to catch up – быстро схватить,
подхватить) so as to have everything cleared away for the meeting with Virgil Sollozzo
136
on Friday. A meeting of such importance that he had asked the Don for a full evening of
talk to prepare for the proposition (чтобы подготовиться для предложения) they knew
Sollozzo would offer the family business. Hagen wanted to have all little details cleared
away so that he could go to that preparatory meeting with an unencumbered mind («с
необремененным умом»; to encumber [эn’kЛmb*] – загромождать).
2 The Don had not seemed surprised when Hagen returned from California late
Tuesday evening and told him the results of the negotiations with Woltz. He had made
Hagen go over every detail and grimaced with distaste (с отвращением = от
отвращения) when Hagen told about the beautiful little girl and her mother. He had
murmured "infamita," his strongest disapproval (неодобрение). He has asked Hagen
one final question. "Does this man have real balls (настоящие яйца = мужество,
пойдет ли он до конца)*"
3 Hagen considered exactly (поразмыслил точно) what the Don meant by this
question. Over the years he had learned that the Don's values (ценности: value
[‘vжlju:]) were so different from those of most people that his words also could have a
different meaning. Did Woltz have character ([‘kжrэkt*])* Did he have a strong will
(сильную волю)* He most certainly did, but that was not what the Don was asking. Did
the movie producer have the courage not to be bluffed* Did he have the willingness to
suffer heavy financial loss (понести тяжелую финансовую потерю; to suffer –
страдать) delay on his movies would mean (которую будет означать отсрочка), the
scandal of his big star exposed (выставленному напоказ) as a user of heroin* Again
the answer was yes. But again this was not what the Don meant. Finally Hagen
translated the question properly (как следует, верно) in his mind. Did Jack Woltz have
the balls to risk everything, to run the chance (рискнуть: «подвергнуться
возможности») of losing all on a matter of principle (ради принципа), on a matter of
honor; for revenge (ради мести)*
4 Hagen smiled. He did it rarely but now he could not resist jesting with the Don (не
мог удержаться от шутки, чтобы не пошутить; to resist – сопротивляться). "You're
asking if he is a Sicilian." The Don nodded his head pleasantly, acknowledging the
flattering witticism (признавая, подтверждая /одобрительно/ лестную остроту) and
its truth. "No," Hagen said.
5 That had been all. The Don had pondered the question (размышлял) until the next
day. On Wednesday afternoon he had called Hagen to his home and given him his
instructions. The instructions had consumed (поглотили) the rest of Hagen's working
day and left him dazed with admiration (изумленным от восхищения /Доном/; to daze
– изумить, ошеломить). There was no question in his mind that the Don had solved
the problem, that Woltz would call him this morning with the news that Johnny Fontane
had the starring part in his new war movie.
6 At that moment the phone did ring but it was Amerigo Bonasera. The undertaker's
voice was trembling with gratitude (дрожащим от благодарности). He wanted Hagen
to convey (передать, выразить /чувства/ [k*n’veэ]) to the Don his undying friendship.
The Don had only to call on him (пусть только позвонит ему). He, Amerigo Bonasera,
would lay down his life (жизнь положит) for the blessed (ради благословенного; to
bless – благославлять) Godfather. Hagen assured him that the Don would be told (что
Дону будет сказано).
7 The Daily News had carried a middle-page spread (разворот) of Jerry Wagner and
Kevin Moonan lying in the street. The photos were expertly gruesome
(«профессионально, умело» отвратительные, ужасные), they seemed to be pulps of
human beings (каждый из них казался какой-то бесформенной массой, а не
человеческим существом: «/из/ человеческого существа»; pulp – мягкая масса,
мяготь). Miraculously (как ни удивительно, чудесным образом), said the News, they
were both still alive though they would both be in the hospital for months and would
require plastic surgery (им понадобятся пластические операции; to require –
требовать; нуждаться в чем-либо). Hagen made a note to tell Clemenza that
something should be done for Paulie Gatto. He seemed to know his job.
8 Hagen worked quickly and efficiently for the next three hours consolidating earning
reports (объединяя отчеты о доходах) from the Don's real estate company (real estate
– недвижимое имущество), his olive oil importing business and his construction firm
(строительной фирмы). None of them were doing well (нигде дела не шли хорошо)
but with the war over (с окончанием войны) they should all become rich producers. He
had almost forgotten the Johnny Fontane problem when his secretary told him
California was calling. He felt a little thrill (возбуждение, нервная дрожь, трепет) of
anticipation (предчувствия) as he picked up the phone and said, "Hagen here."
9 The voice that came over the phone was unrecognizable with hate and passion.
"You fucking bastard," Woltz screamed. "I'll have you all in jail for a hundred years. I'll
spend every penny I have to get you (чтобы добраться до тебя). I'll get that Johnny
Fontane's balls cut off (устрою, чтобы ему отрезали яйца), do you hear me, you
guinea fuck*"
10 Hagen said kindly (любезным, вежливым голосом), "I'm German-Irish." There
was a long pause and then a click (щелчок) of the phone being hung up (которую
вешают). Hagen smiled. Not once (ни разу) had Woltz uttered a threat against Don
Corleone himself. Genius had its rewards (гениальность имеет свои вознаграждения).
1 Tom Hagen went to his law office in the city on Thursday morning. He planned
to catch up on his paper work so as to have everything cleared away for the
meeting with Virgil Sollozzo on Friday. A meeting of such importance that he had
asked the Don for a full evening of talk to prepare for the proposition they knew
Sollozzo would offer the family business. Hagen wanted to have all little details
cleared away so that he could go to that preparatory meeting with an
unencumbered mind.
2 The Don had not seemed surprised when Hagen returned from California late
Tuesday evening and told him the results of the negotiations with Woltz. He had
made Hagen go over every detail and grimaced with distaste when Hagen told
about the beautiful little girl and her mother. He had murmured "infamita," his
strongest disapproval. He has asked Hagen one final question. "Does this man
have real balls*"
3 Hagen considered exactly what the Don meant by this question. Over the years
he had learned that the Don's values were so different from those of most people
that his words also could have a different meaning. Did Woltz have character*
Did he have a strong will* He most certainly did, but that was not what the Don
was asking. Did the movie producer have the courage not to be bluffed* Did he
have the willingness to suffer heavy financial loss delay on his movies would
mean, the scandal of his big star exposed as a user of heroin* Again the answer
was yes. But again this was not what the Don meant. Finally Hagen translated the
question properly in his mind. Did Jack Woltz have the balls to risk everything, to
run the chance of losing all on a matter of principle, on a matter of honor; for
revenge*
4 Hagen smiled. He did it rarely but now he could not resist jesting with the Don.
"You're asking if he is a Sicilian." The Don nodded his head pleasantly,
acknowledging the flattering witticism and its truth. "No," Hagen said.
5 That had been all. The Don had pondered the question until the next day. On
Wednesday afternoon he had called Hagen to his home and given him his
instructions. The instructions had consumed the rest of Hagen's working day and
left him dazed with admiration. There was no question in his mind that the Don
had solved the problem, that Woltz would call him this morning with the news
that Johnny Fontane had the starring part in his new war movie.
6 At that moment the phone did ring but it was Amerigo Bonasera. The
undertaker's voice was trembling with gratitude. He wanted Hagen to convey to
the Don his undying friendship. The Don had only to call on him. He, Amerigo
Bonasera, would lay down his life for the blessed Godfather. Hagen assured him
that the Don would be told.
7 The Daily News had carried a middle-page spread of Jerry Wagner and Kevin
Moonan lying in the street. The photos were expertly gruesome, they seemed to
be pulps of human beings. Miraculously, said the News, they were both still alive
though they would both be in the hospital for months and would require plastic
surgery. Hagen made a note to tell Clemenza that something should be done for
Paulie Gatto. He seemed to know his job.
8 Hagen worked quickly and efficiently for the next three hours consolidating
earning reports from the Don's real estate company, his olive oil importing
business and his construction firm. None of them were doing well but with the
war over they should all become rich producers. He had almost forgotten the
Johnny Fontane problem when his secretary told him California was calling. He
felt a little thrill of anticipation as he picked up the phone and said, "Hagen here."
9 The voice that came over the phone was unrecognizable with hate and passion.
"You fucking bastard," Woltz screamed. "I'll have you all in jail for a hundred
years. I'll spend every penny I have to get you. I'll get that Johnny Fontane's balls
cut off, do you hear me, you guinea fuck*"
10 Hagen said kindly, "I'm German-Irish." There was a long pause and then a
click of the phone being hung up. Hagen smiled. Not once had Woltz uttered a
threat against Don Corleone himself. Genius had its rewards.
1 Jack Woltz always slept alone. He had a bed big enough for ten people and a
bedroom large enough for a movie ballroom scene, but he had slept alone since the
death of his first wife ten years before. This did not mean he no longer used women. He
was physically a vigorous man (крепкий; vigorous – сильный, энергичный ['vэg*r*s])
despite his age (несмотря на свой возраст), but he could be aroused (возбужден)
now only by very young girls and had learned that a few hours in the evening were all
the youth of his body and his patience could tolerate (это все, что молодость /то, что
от нее осталось/ его тела и его терпение могли вынести; to tolerate – терпеть,
сносить).
2 On this Thursday morning, for some reason, he awoke early. The light of dawn
(рассвета) made his huge bedroom as misty as a foggy meadowland (в дымке и в
тумане: «дымчатой и туманной», как низинные луга; meadow [‘med*u] – луг, низина,
пойменная земля). Far down at the foot of his bed was a familiar shape and Woltz
struggled up on his elbows (с трудом приподнялся на локтях) to get a clearer look. It
had the shape of a horse's head. Still groggy (еще не придя в себя; groggy –
любящий пропустить рюмочку, хмельной; шаткий, непрочный), Woltz reached
(протянул руку) and flicked on the night table lamp (включил; to flick – слегка ударить
/быстрым, легким движением; щелкнуть/).
3 The shock of what he saw made him physically ill. It seemed as if a great
sledgehammer (кувалда: sledge – сани; кувалда + hammer – молот) had struck him
on the chest (ударила его в грудь), his heartbeat jumped erratically (неравномерно;
erratic [э'rжtэk] – переменчивый, непостоянный: «блуждающий») and he became
nauseous (его начало тошнить; nauseous ['no:sj*s] – тошнотворный; nausea ['no:sj*]
– тошнота). His vomit (рвота ['vomэt]) spluttered on the thick flair rug (расплескалась,
разбрызгалась по его толстому, стильному, шикарному ковру; flair – чутье; вкус;
стиль).
4 Severed from its body (отделенная, отрезанная: to sever [‘sev*]), the black silky
head of the great horse Khartoum was stuck fast (крепко сидела, торчала, увязла; to
stick – втыкать, насаживать) in a thick cake of blood. White, reedy tendons showed
(виднелись белые, жесткие сухожилия; reed – камыш, тростник). Froth covered the
muzzle (пена покрывала морду) and those apple-sized eyes that had glinted like gold,
were mottled (были покрыты крапинками, испещрены; mottle – крапинка, пятнышко)
the color of rotting fruit (цвета гниющих плодов) with dead, hemorrhaged blood. Woltz
was struck by a purely animal terror (поражен чисто животным ужасом, страхом) and
out of that terror he screamed for his servants and out of that terror he called Hagen to
make his uncontrolled threats. His maniacal raving (бред, несвязная речь; to rave –
говорить несвязно, слишком возбужденно) alarmed the butler (встревожила
дворецкого), who called Woltz's personal physician (врача) and his second in
command at the studio (и его заместителя). But Woltz regained his senses (пришел в
себя: «обрел снова, вернул чувства») before they arrived.
5 He had been profoundly (глубоко) shocked. What kind of man could destroy an
animal (погубить: «разрушить») worth six hundred thousand dollars* Without a word
141
of warning (предупреждения; to warn – предупреждать). Without any negotiation to
have the act, its order, countermanded (не дав возможности, после переговоров,
отменить, приостановить приказ). The ruthlessness (беспощадность; ruthless –
безжалостный), the sheer disregard for any values (совершенное неуважение,
непринятие во внимание каких-либо ценностей; sheer – абсолютный, полнейший),
implied a man (предполагало, подразумевало; to imply) who considered himself
completely his own law, even his own God. And a man who backed up (подкреплял,
обеспечивал выполнение; to back up – поддерживать: «подпирать») this kind of will
with the power and cunning (хитростью, коварством) that held his own stable security
force of no account («считали за ничто его охрану» = перед которыми охрана его
конюшен была просто ничто). For by this time Woltz had learned that the horse's body
had obviously been heavily drugged (напичкано снотворным) before someone
leisurely hacked the huge triangular head off with an ax (спокойно, не спеша оттяпал
треугольную голову топором; leisure [‘leG*] – досуг; triangle [‘traэж*gl] –
треугольник). The men on night duty (которые были на ночном дежурстве) claimed
(заявляли, утверждали) that they had heard nothing. To Woltz this seemed impossible.
They could be made to talk (их можно заставить говорить). They had been bought off
(были подкуплены, от них откупились; to buy off – откупаться) and they could be
made to tell who had done the buying.
1 Jack Woltz always slept alone. He had a bed big enough for ten people and a
bedroom large enough for a movie ballroom scene, but he had slept alone since
the death of his first wife ten years before. This did not mean he no longer used
women. He was physically a vigorous man despite his age, but he could be
aroused now only by very young girls and had learned that a few hours in the
evening were all the youth of his body and his patience could tolerate.
2 On this Thursday morning, for some reason, he awoke early. The light of dawn
made his huge bedroom as misty as a foggy meadowland. Far down at the foot of
his bed was a familiar shape and Woltz struggled up on his elbows to get a
clearer look. It had the shape of a horse's head. Still groggy, Woltz reached and
flicked on the night table lamp.
3 The shock of what he saw made him physically ill. It seemed as if a great
sledgehammer had struck him on the chest, his heartbeat jumped erratically and
he became nauseous. His vomit spluttered on the thick flair rug.
142
4 Severed from its body, the black silky head of the great horse Khartoum was
stuck fast in a thick cake of blood. White, reedy tendons showed. Froth covered
the muzzle and those apple-sized eyes that had glinted like gold, were mottled the
color of rotting fruit with dead, hemorrhaged blood. Woltz was struck by a purely
animal terror and out of that terror he screamed for his servants and out of that
terror he called Hagen to make his uncontrolled threats. His maniacal raving
alarmed the butler, who called Woltz's personal physician and his second in
command at the studio. But Woltz regained his senses before they arrived.
5 He had been profoundly shocked. What kind of man could destroy an animal
worth six hundred thousand dollars* Without a word of warning. Without any
negotiation to have the act, its order, countermanded. The ruthlessness, the
sheer disregard for any values, implied a man who considered himself completely
his own law, even his own God. And a man who backed up this kind of will with
the power and cunning that held his own stable security force of no account. For
by this time Woltz had learned that the horse's body had obviously been heavily
drugged before someone leisurely hacked the huge triangular head off with an ax.
The men on night duty claimed that they had heard nothing. To Woltz this seemed
impossible. They could be made to talk. They had been bought off and they could
be made to tell who had done the buying.
1 Woltz was not a stupid man, he was merely a supremely egotistical one (только
крайне: «в высшей степени» эгоистичный; supreme [sju'pri:m] – высший,
высочайший). He had mistaken the power he wielded in his world to be more potent
than the power of Don Corleone. He had merely needed some proof (доказательство)
that this was not true. He understood this message. That despite all his wealth, despite
all his contacts with the President of the United States, despite all his claims of
friendship with the director of the FBI, an obscure importer of Italian olive oil (obscure
[*b’skju*] – темный, тусклый, плохо освещенный; незаметный, никому не
известный) would have him killed (мог бы его убить). Would actually have him killed!
Because he wouldn't give Johnny Fontane a movie part he wanted. It was incredible.
People didn't have any right to act that way. There couldn't be any kind of world if
people acted that way. It was insane (безумно, абсурдно [эn'seэn]). It meant you
couldn't do what you wanted with your own money, with the companies you owned, the
power you had to give orders. It was ten times worse than communism. It had to be
smashed (это должно бы быть сокрушено). It must never be allowed (это никогда,
вовсе не должно быть позволено).
2 Woltz let the doctor give him a very mild sedation (легкое успокоительное; mild
[maэld] – мягкий, спокойный; неострый, некрепкий). It helped him calm down again
(успокоиться) and to think sensibly (разумно). What really shocked him was the
casualness (легкость /поступка/; casually – ненароком, мимоходом) with which this
man Corleone had ordered the destruction of a world-famous horse worth six hundred
thousand dollars. Six hundred thousand dollars! And that was just for openers (только
начало; opener – начальное событие /в серии событий/; for openers – для начала).
Woltz shuddered (содрогнулся). He thought of this life he had built up. He was rich. He
could have the most beautiful women in the world by crooking his finger (поманив
пальцем: «согнув палец») and promising a contract. He was received by kings and
queens. He lived a life as perfect as money and power could make it. It was crazy to
risk all this because of a whim (из-за каприза). Maybe he could get to Corleone. What
was the legal penalty for killing a race-horse* He laughed wildly and his doctor and
servants watched him with nervous anxiety (с беспокойством, тревогой [ж*g’zaэ*tэ]).
Another thought occurred to him (пришла: «случилась» ему в голову). He would be
the laughingstock (посмешищем) of California merely because someone had
contemptuously defied his power (презрительно бросил вызов его власти; to defy
[dэ’faэ] – вызывать, бросать вызов) in such arrogant fashion (таким высокомерным,
наглым образом). That decided him (это решило дело, заставило его принять
решение). That and the thought that maybe, maybe they wouldn't kill him. That they
had something much more clever and painful in reserve (хитрое и болезненное в
запасе).
3 Woltz gave the necessary orders. His personal confidential staff swung into action
(его личная доверенная команда бросилась выполнять). The servants and the
doctor were sworn to secrecy (поклялись хранить тайну, принесли присягу о
соблюдении секретности) on pain of incurring the studio's and Woltz's undying enmity
(под угрозой навлечения на себя вечной вражды; to incur [эn’k*:] – подвергаться,
навлекать на себя). Word was given to the press that the racehorse Khartoum had
died of an illness contracted during his shipment from England (от болезни,
полученной при его переправке). Orders were given to bury the remains (захоронить
останки) in a secret place on the estate (на территории имения).
4 Six hours later Johnny Fontane received a phone call from the executive producer
(от исполнительного директора) of the film telling him to report for work (явиться на
работу; to report – сообщать; докладывать; являться, представать) the following
Monday.
1 Woltz was not a stupid man, he was merely a supremely egotistical one. He
had mistaken the power he wielded in his world to be more potent than the power
of Don Corleone. He had merely needed some proof that this was not true. He
understood this message. That despite all his wealth, despite all his contacts with
the President of the United States, despite all his claims of friendship with the
director of the FBI, an obscure importer of Italian olive oil would have him killed.
Would actually have him killed! Because he wouldn't give Johnny Fontane a
movie part he wanted. It was incredible. People didn't have any right to act that
way. There couldn't be any kind of world if people acted that way. It was insane. It
meant you couldn't do what you wanted with your own money, with the
companies you owned, the power you had to give orders. It was ten times worse
than communism. It had to be smashed. It must never be allowed.
2 Woltz let the doctor give him a very mild sedation. It helped him calm down
again and to think sensibly. What really shocked him was the casualness with
which this man Corleone had ordered the destruction of a world-famous horse
worth six hundred thousand dollars. Six hundred thousand dollars! And that was
just for openers. Woltz shuddered. He thought of this life he had built up. He was
rich. He could have the most beautiful women in the world by crooking his finger
and promising a contract. He was received by kings and queens. He lived a life as
perfect as money and power could make it. It was crazy to risk all this because of
a whim. Maybe he could get to Corleone. What was the legal penalty for killing a
race-horse* He laughed wildly and his doctor and servants watched him with
nervous anxiety. Another thought occurred to him. He would be the
laughingstock of California merely because someone had contemptuously defied
his power in such arrogant fashion. That decided him. That and the thought that
maybe, maybe they wouldn't kill him. That they had something much more clever
and painful in reserve.
3 Woltz gave the necessary orders. His personal confidential staff swung into
action. The servants and the doctor were sworn to secrecy on pain of incurring
the studio's and Woltz's undying enmity. Word was given to the press that the
racehorse Khartoum had died of an illness contracted during his shipment from
England. Orders were given to bury the remains in a secret place on the estate.
4 Six hours later Johnny Fontane received a phone call from the executive
producer of the film telling him to report for work the following Monday.
1 That evening, Hagen went to the Don's house to prepare him for the important
meeting the next day with Virgil Sollozzo. The Don had summoned his eldest son to
attend (вызвал присутствовать; to summon [‘sЛm*n] – вызывать, созывать; to attend
[*‘tend] – уделять внимание; посещать, присутствовать), and Sonny Corleone, his
heavy Cupid-shaped face drawn with fatigue (вытянутое от усталости, с печатью
усталости), was sipping at a glass of water. He must still be humping that maid of
honor (должно быть, все еще трахает; hump – бугорок, кочка; горб; горбиться;
вкалывать, напрягаться; /вульг./ совокупляться), Hagen thought. Another worry (еще
одна забота, еще одно беспокойство).
2 Don Corleone settled into an armchair puffing his Di Nobili cigar. Hagen kept a box
of them in his room. He had tried to get the Don to switch to Havanas (переключиться)
but the Don claimed they hurt his throat.
3 "Do we know everything necessary for us to know*" the Don asked.
4 Hagen opened the folder (папку; to fold – складывать) that held his notes. The
notes were in no way incriminating (записи были ни в коей мере не
«изобличительные, инкриминирующие» = вполне безопасные, конспиративные),
merely cryptic reminders (всего лишь таинственные, секретные пометки; reminder –
напоминание) to make sure he touched on every important detail. "Sollozzo is coming
to us for help," Hagen said. "He will ask the family to put up at least a million dollars
(вложить; to put up – выставить /на продажу/; вложить /деньги/) and to promise
some sort of immunity from the law (обещать что-то вроде неприкосновенности со
стороны закона; immunity [э'mju:nэtэ] – неприкосновенность; иммунитет). For that we
get a piece of the action (долю), nobody knows how much. Sollozzo is vouched for by
the Tattaglia family (за него поручилась; to vouch – ручаться) and they may have a
piece of the action. The action is narcotics. Sollozzo has the contacts in Turkey, where
they grow the poppy (мак). From there he ships to Sicily. No trouble. In Sicily he has the
plant to process into heroin (фабрика для переработки; plant [plб:nt] – фабрика,
завод; to process [‘pr*uses] – перерабатывать). He has safety-valve operations
(safety-valve – предохранительный клапан, отдушина) to bring it down to morphine
and bring it up to heroin if necessary (суть которых /операций для безопасности/ в
том, что можно переработать это в морфий, а затем обратно в героин, если
необходимо, если понадобится). But it would seem that the processing plant in Sicily
146
is protected in every way. The only hitch (задержка, заминка, неполадка = загвоздка)
is bringing it into this country, and then distribution (распределение,
распространение). Also initial capital (а также начальный капитал). A million dollars
cash doesn't grow on trees." Hagen saw Don Corleone grimace (как его лицо
исказилось гримасой /недовольства/ [grэ'meэs]). The old man hated unnecessary
flourishes in business matters (излишние прикрасы; flourish [‘flЛrэ*] – цветение
/плодового дерева/; завитушки, цветистые выражения). He went on hastily
(продолжил поспешно).
5 "They call Sollozzo the Turk. Two reasons. He's spent a lot of time in Turkey and is
supposed to have a Turkish wife and kids (предполагается, что у него есть = кажется,
у него). Second. He's supposed to be very quick with the knife, or was, when he was
young. Only in matters of business, though, and with some sort of reasonable complaint
(и только при наличии какой-либо весомой причины для недовольства; complaint
[k*mp’leэnt] – жалоба, неудовлетворенность). A very competent man and his own
boss. He has a record, he's done two terms in prison (два срока), one in Italy, one in
the United States, and he's known to the authorities (властям) as a narcotics man. This
could be a plus for us. It means that he'll never get immunity to testify (он не будет
иметь права свидетельствовать, давать показания /против нас/), since he's
considered the top and, of course, because of his record. Also he has an American wife
and three children and he is a good family man. He'll stand still (стоять на месте) for
any rap (легкий удар, стук; /сленг/ наказание, обвинение, приговор) = (его не
поколеблет никакой приговор) as long as he knows that they will be well taken care of
for living money (пока будет знать, что о них позаботятся и у них всегда будут
деньги на жизнь)."
1 That evening, Hagen went to the Don's house to prepare him for the important
meeting the next day with Virgil Sollozzo. The Don had summoned his eldest son
to attend, and Sonny Corleone, his heavy Cupid-shaped face drawn with fatigue,
was sipping at a glass of water. He must still be humping that maid of honor,
Hagen thought. Another worry.
2 Don Corleone settled into an armchair puffing his Di Nobili cigar. Hagen kept a
box of them in his room. He had tried to get the Don to switch to Havanas but the
Don claimed they hurt his throat.
3 "Do we know everything necessary for us to know*" the Don asked.
4 Hagen opened the folder that held his notes. The notes were in no way
incriminating, merely cryptic reminders to make sure he touched on every
important detail. "Sollozzo is coming to us for help," Hagen said. "He will ask the
family to put up at least a million dollars and to promise some sort of immunity
from the law. For that we get a piece of the action, nobody knows how much.
Sollozzo is vouched for by the Tattaglia family and they may have a piece of the
action. The action is narcotics. Sollozzo has the contacts in Turkey, where they
grow the poppy. From there he ships to Sicily. No trouble. In Sicily he has the
plant to process into heroin. He has safety-valve operations to bring it down to
morphine and bring it up to heroin if necessary. But it would seem that the
processing plant in Sicily is protected in every way. The only hitch is bringing it
into this country, and then distribution. Also initial capital. A million dollars cash
doesn't grow on trees." Hagen saw Don Corleone grimace. The old man hated
unnecessary flourishes in business matters. He went on hastily.
5 "They call Sollozzo the Turk. Two reasons. He's spent a lot of time in Turkey
and is supposed to have a Turkish wife and kids. Second. He's supposed to be
very quick with the knife, or was, when he was young. Only in matters of
business, though, and with some sort of reasonable complaint. A very competent
man and his own boss. He has a record, he's done two terms in prison, one in
Italy, one in the United States, and he's known to the authorities as a narcotics
man. This could be a plus for us. It means that he'll never get immunity to testify,
since he's considered the top and, of course, because of his record. Also he has
an American wife and three children and he is a good family man. He'll stand still
for any rap as long as he knows that they will be well taken care of for living
money."
1 The Don puffed on his cigar and said, "Santino, what do you think*"
2 Hagen knew what Sonny would say. Sonny was chafing (сердился, раздражался;
chafe – ссадина; гнев, досада) at being under the Don's thumb (что он все время
находится под опекой: «под большим пальцем Дона» [иЛm]). He wanted a big
operation of his own. Something like this would be perfect.
3 Sonny took a long slug of scotch (глоток /спиртного – сленг/). "There's a lot of
money in that white powder (в этом белом порошке)," he said. "But it could be
dangerous (опасно; danger ['deэndG*] – опасность). Some people could wind up in jail
148
for twenty years. I'd say that if we kept out of the operations end, just stuck to protection
and financing (если ограничимся), it might be a good idea."
4 Hagen looked at Sonny approvingly (одобрительно). He had played his cards well.
He had stuck to the obvious (держался очевидного), much the best course for him.
5 The Don puffed on his cigar. "And you, Tom, what do you think*"
6 Hagen composed himself to be absolutely honest. He had already come to the
conclusion (к заключению) that the Don would refuse Sollozzo's proposition (отвергнет
предложение). But what was worse, Hagen was convinced (убежден; to convince
[k*n’vэns] – убеждать) that for one of the few times in his experience, the Don had not
thought things through (не продумал /как следует/). He was not looking far enough
ahead.
7 "Go ahead (давай, начинай, вперед), Tom," the Don said encouragingly
(подбадривающе; encourage [эn’kЛrэdG] – ободрять, поддерживать). "Not even a
Sicilian Consigliori always agrees with the boss." They all laughed.
8 "I think you should say yes," Hagen said. "You know all the obvious reasons. But the
most important one is this. There is more money potential in narcotics than in any other
business. If we don't get into it, somebody else will, maybe the Tattaglia family. With the
revenue (с доходом, выручкой ['revэnju:]) they earn they can amass (собрать, скопить
[*‘mжs]) more and more police and political power. Their family will become stronger
than ours. Eventually (в конце концов) they will come after us to take away what we
have. It's just like countries. If they arm (вооружаются), we have to arm. If they become
stronger economically, they become a threat to us (угрозой). Now we have the
gambling and we have the unions and right now they are the best things to have. But I
think narcotics is the coming thing («грядущая вещь» = в этом будущее, это самая
перспективная вещь). I think we have to have a piece of that action or we risk
everything we have. Not now, but maybe ten years from now.
9 The Don seemed enormously impressed. He puffed on his cigar and murmured,
"That's the most important thing of course." He sighed and got to his feet. "What time do
I have to meet this infidel tomorrow (этого неверного = турка, мусульманина; infidel
[‘эnfэd*l])*"
10 Hagen said hopefully, "He'll be here at ten in the morning." Maybe the Don would
go for it (пойдет на это).
11 "I'll want you both here with me," the Don said. He rose, stretching (потянувшись),
and took his son by the arm. "Santino, get some sleep tonight, you look like the devil
himself. Take care of yourself, you won't be young forever (вечно)."
149
12 Sonny, encouraged by this sign of fatherly concern (заботы [k*n's*:n]), asked the
question Hagen did not dare to ask (не осмелился). "Pop, what's your answer going to
be*"
13 Don Corleone smiled. "How do I know until I hear the percentages (о процентах;
percentage [p*'sentэdG] – процент, процентное отчисление, доля) and other details*
Besides I have to have time to think over the advice given here tonight (о данном здесь
сегодня вечером совете). After all, I'm not a man who does things rashly (поспешно)."
As he went out the door he said casually to Hagen, "Do you have in your notes that the
Turk made his living from prostitution before the war* As the Tattaglia family does now.
Write that down before you forget." There was just a touch of derision (маленький
оттенок насмешки [dэ’rэG*n]) in the Don's voice and Hagen flushed (покраснел,
залился краской; to flush – забить струей, хлынуть; прилить /о крови/). He had
deliberately not mentioned it (сознательно, нарочно не упомянул; to deliberate
[dэ’lэb*rэt] – /глубоко/ обдумывать, размышлять), legitimately so since it really had no
bearing (законно, потому что это не относилось к делу, не имело основания;
bearing – ношение; опора; отношение; смысл), but he had feared it might prejudice
the Don's decision (/негативно/ повлиять на решение; to prejudice [‘predGudэs] –
предубеждать, создавать предвзятое мнение, настраивать против). He was
notoriously straitlaced in matters of sex (было известно насколько он щепетилен:
«туго стянут, зашнурован» в вопросах пола).
1 The Don puffed on his cigar and said, "Santino, what do you think*"
2 Hagen knew what Sonny would say. Sonny was chafing at being under the
Don's thumb. He wanted a big operation of his own. Something like this would be
perfect.
3 Sonny took a long slug of scotch. "There's a lot of money in that white
powder," he said. "But it could be dangerous. Some people could wind up in jail
for twenty years. I'd say that if we kept out of the operations end, just stuck to
protection and financing, it might be a good idea."
4 Hagen looked at Sonny approvingly. He had played his cards well. He had
stuck to the obvious, much the best course for him.
5 The Don puffed on his cigar. "And you, Tom, what do you think*"
6 Hagen composed himself to be absolutely honest. He had already come to the
conclusion that the Don would refuse Sollozzo's proposition. But what was worse,
150
Hagen was convinced that for one of the few times in his experience, the Don had
not thought things through. He was not looking far enough ahead.
7 "Go ahead, Tom," the Don said encouragingly. "Not even a Sicilian Consigliori
always agrees with the boss." They all laughed.
8 "I think you should say yes," Hagen said. "You know all the obvious reasons.
But the most important one is this. There is more money potential in narcotics
than in any other business. If we don't get into it, somebody else will, maybe the
Tattaglia family. With the revenue they earn they can amass more and more
police and political power. Their family will become stronger than ours.
Eventually they will come after us to take away what we have. It's just like
countries. If they arm, we have to arm. If they become stronger economically,
they become a threat to us. Now we have the gambling and we have the unions
and right now they are the best things to have. But I think narcotics is the coming
thing. I think we have to have a piece of that action or we risk everything we have.
Not now, but maybe ten years from now.
9 The Don seemed enormously impressed. He puffed on his cigar and murmured,
"That's the most important thing of course." He sighed and got to his feet. "What
time do I have to meet this infidel tomorrow*"
10 Hagen said hopefully, "He'll be here at ten in the morning." Maybe the Don
would go for it.
11 "I'll want you both here with me," the Don said. He rose, stretching, and took
his son by the arm. "Santino, get some sleep tonight, you look like the devil
himself. Take care of yourself, you won't be young forever."
12 Sonny, encouraged by this sign of fatherly concern, asked the question
Hagen did not dare to ask. "Pop, what's your answer going to be*"
13 Don Corleone smiled. "How do I know until I hear the percentages and other
details* Besides I have to have time to think over the advice given here tonight.
After all, I'm not a man who does things rashly." As he went out the door he said
casually to Hagen, "Do you have in your notes that the Turk made his living from
prostitution before the war* As the Tattaglia family does now. Write that down
before you forget." There was just a touch of derision in the Don's voice and
Hagen flushed. He had deliberately not mentioned it, legitimately so since it really
had no bearing, but he had feared it might prejudice the Don's decision. He was
notoriously straitlaced in matters of sex.
151
1 Virgil "the Turk" Sollozzo was a powerfully built, medium-sized man (среднего роста)
of dark complexion (с темным цветом лица) who could have been taken for a true Turk.
He had a scimitar of a nose (/изогнутый/ нос, напоминающий турецкую саблю;
scimitar [‘sэmэt*] – кривая турецкая сабля) and cruel (жестокие) black eyes. He also
had an impressive dignity (внушительное чувство собственного достоинства,
важность).
2 Sonny Corleone met him at the door and brought him into the office where Hagen
and the Don waited. Hagen thought he had never seen a more dangerous-looking man
except for Luca Brasi.
3 There were polite handshakings all around. If the Don ever asks me if this man has
balls, I would have to answer yes, Hagen thought. He had never seen such force in one
man, not even the Don. In fact the Don appeared at his worst (в худшей своей форме,
был не в форме). He was being a little too simple, a little too peasantlike (по-
крестьянски, деревенский) in his greeting.
4 Sollozzo came to the point immediately (сразу перешел к сути). The business was
narcotics. Everything was set up (подготовлено). Certain poppy fields in Turkey had
pledged him (обещали, заверили = гарантировали) certain amounts (определенные
количества; amount [*‘maunt]) every year. He had a protected plant in France to
convert into morphine. He had an absolutely secure plant in Sicily to process into heroin.
Smuggling (провоз контрабанды; to smuggle – провозить контрабанду) into both
countries was as positively safe as such matters could be (настолько безопасен,
насколько такие вещи могут быть /безопасны/). Entry into the United States (ввоз;
еntry [‘entrэ] – вход, въезд) would entail (повлечет за собой [эn'teэl]) about five percent
losses since the FBI itself was incorruptible (неподкупно [эnk*'rypt*bl]), as they both
knew. But the profits would be enormous (но выгоды, доходы будут огромными), the
risk nonexistent («несуществующим» = а риска никакого).
5 "Then why do you come to me*" the Don asked politely. "How have I deserved your
generosity (чем я заслужил вашу щедрость, великодушие [dGen*'rosэtэ])*"
6 Sollozzo's dark face remained impassive («осталось бесстрастным»). "I need two
million dollars cash," he said. "Equally important (и что не менее: «одинаково» важно),
I need a man who has powerful friends in the important places. Some of my couriers
(некоторые из моих курьеров /с контрабандным товаром/ ['kurэ*]) will be caught over
the years (будут пойманы с течением времени). That is inevitable (неизбежно
[эn'evэt*bl]). They will all have clean records (у них не будет судимостей), that I
promise. So it will be logical for judges to give light sentences (легкие приговоры). I