An epiphany for Moe Greene

😄

Oh wise guy huh?

I think it is was a joint share, or something like that. Remember when Mike said that he wanted to buy Moe's portion of the casino/hotel so that it could be completely owned by the Corleone family. This implies that it didn't completely belong to him. Not to mention they were bankrolling his casino. Which further implies the Corleone had some kind of investment in it.

And mind you. That Greene took offense to Michael's implied accusation when he straight up said "you think I'm skimming off the top, Mike!?" If that casino was 100% his. Porque Mikey le estaba reclamando sobre el dinero "perdido?"

Sorry about typing that last part in Spanish. I didn't know how to properly translate that bit. I'm basically saying that our friend Mikey wouldn't have been demanding an explanation about the fact that that casino was losing money. If at least some portion of it was rightfully theirs.

PS: Thanks for the reply and Merry Christmas.

"It was as private a conversation as Moe was going to get with Michael - the dancers and musicians were being cleared out before he'd even entered the room, leaving only Corleone family members there".

I can't remember if either Fredo and/or Johny were present in the novel.

"OK, Fredo and maybe Johnny Fontaine had a hand in the casino business too, but both had much deeper loyalty to the Corleones (or "should have had", Fredo!)"

This☝️

"Tom was always going to be present as the family's legal rep, and Al Neri or whoever, even if they weren't sat at the table with them, would have to be close by and within earshot for Michael's protection"

As he told senator Geary "I trust these men with my life. It would be an insult if I asked them to leave". The book explains that Neri was present so that he could take a good look at Moe Greene and remember his face. Apparently, Michael was already planning on killing him.

What do you mean "for Michael's protection?" I seriously doubt his life was in danger during this meeting.

"it's not like Michael called him out on the casino's losses or his treatment of Fredo etc in the middle of the casino floor in front of other employees and their regular gamblers"

I remember one user on IMDB mentioning that if Sonny was still alive and had found out about this. He would have gone to Vegas personally and slapped Moe Greene around in public. To see how he liked it.

"was under the impression that his visit was going to be more of a social call than anything, and was taken aback when it wasn't and shocked by the change in Michael and the demands he was making.
Especially since he'd already "talked to Barzini" !"

Exactly! He thought Michael was there to have a good time. His welcoming demeanor implies that that was the case. "The chef cooked your special, the dancers will kick your tongue out and your credit is good". To which Michael quips "is my credit good enough to buy you out?" His confused reaction seemed legit. But in the novel. He already heard rumors about Michael wanting to "push him out". Even before their meeting. Which is why he asked "what's all this talk about wanting to buy me out, Michael?" And yes! Everyone says it was a mistake to mention Barzini lol.

And how would he have known what was Michael's special by the way? 🤔

PS: Sorry about the multiple messages. I apparently reached my "character limit".

I think his ego got the better of him. I understand hindsight is 20/20 but at the time he legitimately felt the Corleone family was no longer in a position to make demands.

"Michael keeps his head the whole time. And learns plenty about Moe Greene by purposely agitating him"

This☝️

"He shows off his true colors (fragile ego, bad temper, prone to outbursts)"

You could say the same about Sonny.

"When you sit down with someone to do business - you keep a completely straight face, never raise your voice, and don't open your mouth unless necessary"

You could say the same about Sonny.