Vitos lame excuse seems totally absurd, but it’s hard to imagine a better rationale, given the situation. I’ve always wondered - Is there any excuse Vito could have given in that situation to successfully explain away why he was at a gay bar, prancing around in a gay motorcycle outfit, with a gay gay guy being towed around by a gay leash?
shareThere was absolutely nothing he could have said. Vito was dead as soon as he was recognized like that.
Even if he had a good excuse it was just a matter of time before word got around to Phil. Phil's the reason Tony didn't ultimately take Vito back. Given how everyone in the entire organization felt about homosexuality it would have made Tony look weak to accept Vito back with Phil screaming about it.