"...that's the way it is, I hate wasting events. Everyone's time is precious. So I thought, with some time until dinner, we might as well wrap things up before I invite you for a taste of authentic Italian Macaroni." When Gao Qi was speaking, he crossed his palms and looked at me: "I'm very interested in your current film company. And the film you are investing in now, I have passed certain channels , thinking you might be running out of funds. And I, hope to invest.”
It's that simple.
Contrary to my expectations, Gao Qi made no secret of his intentions and purposes as soon as he came up. There is no cover-up, no detours... Similarly, there is no chance for me to be sloppy!
I took a deep breath and felt that the other party was scrutinizing me. His gaze was not aggressive, on the contrary, it made people feel very peaceful... But after this peace, I smelled a hint of danger.
The atmosphere in the room was originally very solemn, but at this moment, I fell silent, and felt a little depressed and uncomfortable. Hammer was standing behind me, and Gao Qi's subordinates were also standing on the side.
Unlike me, some of his men wore holsters under their ribs, while others wore pistols in their waistbands under their suits—and they made no secret of it.
"Mr. Gao Qi." I carefully chose to use honorifics, and then smiled slowly: "You are also very interested in the film industry?"
He smiled, then his eyes drifted to the movie screen intentionally or unintentionally, and said lightly: "Our family has always been inseparable from movies."
I immediately said: "Well, I know that. The movie "The Godfather" should be about the legendary experience of Mr. Gambino. But I remember that the black... family should have controlled several film companies. If To plan to shoot a movie, with your funds and strength, you should have more opportunities than me."
I almost said the word "mafia" just now. Because in the United States, mafia members are very disgusted when others call them "mafia" because they think it is a disrespectful name. Even in the 1970s, the mafia was able to hold a parade of 100,000 people! With this kind of demonstration, the US government was forced to compromise, and the Attorney General ordered that the discriminatory term "mafia" should not be mentioned in public from now on! Instead, I can only say the word "black".
How awesome is this!
He smiled, as if he didn't notice the almost mistake in my words just now, but said casually: "Oh, you mean MGM? Those idiots actually sold it to the Japanese. But that's New York I have nothing to do with the matter of the Crombault family. Although I still have some influence on Paramount's board of directors... But you know, no one will think that there are few opportunities to make money."
I can't help but speechless.
This guy actually said such a despicable thing in such a high-sounding manner, he didn't even hint at it or cover it up, it directly showed that he just didn't want to let go of the opportunity to make money.
I thought about it for a while, and decided to bypass this topic for a while. At the same time, I pretended not to hear what he said, and smiled to myself: "Indeed, everyone likes opportunities to make money. But what surprised me Yes, I can actually see you here. I know that the power of your family should be in New York."
A smile flashed in his eyes, as if he saw my intention, but he didn't expose it, he just said slowly: "You are wrong, in fact, the Gambino family has been investing in movies, and in Hollywood, we also It also has its own power."
Afterwards, he waved his hand lightly, pointed around the room, and said with a smile, "Do you know who this manor originally belonged to?"
I shake my head.
"This manor originally belonged to the great Mr. Carlo Gambino! The greatest godfather in our family." Gao Qi said it in a flat tone, which made me feel awe immediately! Can't help but look around the room.
The red heavy curtains, the ancient fireplace, the red bricks, the black iron fence, the thick cashmere carpet...all of these actually belonged to the greatest godfather in history? !
"You see, this manor was built in the 1960s." Gauchi seemed very interested in saying this: "Mr. Gambino is very interested in movies. He thinks that this is not just an art of sound and light. , and can also be an excellent PR tool!"
"Oh, I think I've heard about this." I nodded and said sincerely, "For this, I admire Mr. Gambino's vision."
Indeed, in those days, from the 1960s to the 1970s, several mafia families in the United States fought frequently, and the violence and bloodshed continued for a long time. The public security of the whole society was badly affected. Everything from the mafia doesn't change color! Public opinion in the entire society is extremely unfavorable to the Mafia!
"If an organization is hated and extremely hostile by people from all walks of life, it will be a very dangerous signal. Because it may cause attacks and suppression from all walks of life in society. If the government makes up its mind, there will be no Our living space is gone." Gao Qi said lightly: "So, the great Mr. Gambino was determined to change this situation. And the Godfather movie was produced under such a background."
There is no doubt that the movie Godfather is very high in terms of artistic achievements. But that doesn't hide the film's deliberate glorification of the Mafia.
"However, as I remember, it seems that this movie was planned by the godfather Mr. Crombault in New York... Could it be that all this is actually from Mr. Gambino?" This is an anecdote. Because according to the history of the gangsters I know, the Godfather movie was planned by another famous criminal master Kelongbo who was a contemporary of Gambino in the history of the mafia. Specially used to improve the reputation of the Mafia.
Gao Qi didn't affirm, but he didn't deny it either. He just smiled mysteriously, and then said to himself: "I was a child back then, but I was once honored to come here to participate in the event held by Mr. Gambino. A birthday party. I remember that night, sitting next to Mr. Gambino in this room, and I saw the movie once, even though I had seen it a few times before that, but that time , is something I will never forget in my life.”
I can't help but sigh.
Watching movies with the legendary gangster godfather Gambino... I am now a member of the underworld, and this kind of experience really makes me feel a little envious.
Really, I'm really envious!
"Actually, Mr. Gambino established this manor here a long time ago. Occasionally, he would come and live here for a few days to handle some business of Hollywood film companies... You see, our family has always had The tradition of investing in movies.” Gao Qi’s words turned the topic back to movies: “And now, I have inherited all of this. The business in New York, I come here to live every winter, and the New York The business is handed over to my brother. When I lived here, every Friday night, I would choose to stay in this room and watch a movie alone, sometimes it was the first episode of Godfather, sometimes Choose one of the other two episodes."
I nodded: "Well, I know, your family has always attached great importance to tradition."
At this time, Gao Qi looked at a heavy pendulum clock in front of the wall, and then casually pulled a rope next to his sofa. Following a crisp bell, a moment later, there was a knock on the door, and then a waiter walked in pushing a dining cart.
On the dining car is a bottle of 1982 "Raphael".
Gao Qi poured himself half a glass of red wine, and then poured me another half glass: "This is also one of our traditions... In fact, it is good to drink a little red wine before meals."
He raised his glass as a signal to me, and I immediately picked up the glass, touched him lightly, and drank it down.
Gao Qi tasted the red wine calmly, swallowed it after a while, and then he stood up—when he stood up, I realized that he was very short, only 170 centimeters at most. This is rare among Caucasians, especially Italians.
"Okay, it's time for dinner, I think we can eat and talk."
Dinner is in a restaurant decorated in a medieval style. A very long dining table with candles lit on a silver candlestick in the middle, but no lights in the room, all candlelight! The dark tablecloth, the beautifully carved chairs, everything looked so old.
And the dinner that the godfather Mr. Gao Qi invited me to was also very simple.
A croissant, a soup, a fried liver, and a plate of pasta that is said to be very authentic.
During the meal, he didn't say another word to me, but he took care of the food in front of him very seriously. In the end, he even broke the bread and dipped the tomato sauce in the remaining pasta on the plate until the plate was covered. After wiping the bread clean, he wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin.
It was just the two of us in the room during the meal and it was very quiet!
The hammer had already been taken out by his men. And in such a big restaurant, the lights are dim. There is a long dining table, and the two of us sit at both ends.
When I was holding the silver table knife in my hand, looking at Gao Qi opposite me, he looked so calm, so gentle... so fragile!
I couldn't help but come up with a thought in my mind... If, if I shoot out the table knife in my hand now, there is at least an 80% chance that I can shoot him through the throat with one knife!