The Last Don

by Mario Puzo

  “You, the studio, and the stars,” Deere said, laughing.

  “I don’t sell it unless I get approval of the director,” Clau-dia said.

  “Okay,” Deere said. “So first tell the studio you want to direct, then back down, and they’ll be so relieved that they’ll give you the approval.” He paused for a moment. “Who do you have in mind?”

  “Dita Tommey,” Claudia said.

  “Good. Clever,” Deere said. “Female stars love her. The Studio too. She brings everything in on budget, she doesn’t live off the picture. But you and I do the casting before we bring her on.”

  “Who will you bring it to?” Claudia asked.

  “LoddStone,” Deere said. “They go with me pretty much so we won’t have to fight too much about casting and directors. Claudia, you’ve written a perfect script. Witty, exciting, with a great point of view on early feminism and that’s hot today. And sex. You justify Messalina and all women. I’ll talk to Melo and Molly Flanders about your deal and she can talk to Business Affairs at LoddStone.”

  “You son of a bitch,” Claudia said. “You’ve already talked to LoddStone?”

  “Last night,” Skippy Deere said with a grin. “I brought the script over to them and they gave me the green light if I can put everything together. And listen, Claudia, don’t shit me. I know you’ve got Athena in your pocket on this, that’s why you’re being so tough.” He paused for a moment. “That’s what I told LoddStone. Now let’s go to work.”

  That had been the beginning of the great project. She could not let it go down the drain now.

  Claudia was approaching the traffic light where she would have to take a left turn onto the side road that would lead her to the Colony. For the first time, she felt a sense of panic. Athena was so strong-willed, as stars must be, that she would never change her mind. No matter; if Athena refused, she would fly to Vegas and ask her brother, Cross, to help. He had never failed her. Not when they were growing up, not when she went to live with her mother, not when their mother died.

  Claudia had a memory of the great festive occasions at the Clericuzio mansion on Long Island. A setting from a Grimm’s fairy tale, mansion enclosed by walls, she and Cross playing among the fig trees. There were two groups of boys ranging from eight to twelve years old. The opposing group was led by Dante Clericuzio, grandson of the old Don who had stationed himself at an upstairs window like a dragon.

  Dante was an aggressive boy who loved to fight, who loved to be a general, and the only boy who dared to challenge her brother, Cross, in physical combat. Dante had Claudia on the ground, hitting her, trying to beat her into submission, when Cross appeared. Then Dante and Cross had fought. What had struck Claudia then was how confident Cross had been in the face of Dante’s ferocity. And Cross won easily.

  And so Claudia could not understand her mother’s choice. How could she not love Cross more? Cross was so much more worthy. Proving his worth by electing to go with his father. And Claudia never doubted that Cross had wanted to stay with his mother and her.

  In the years that followed the disruption, the family still maintained a relationship of sorts. Claudia came to know, by conversations, by the body language of the people around them, that her brother Cross had to some degree achieved their father’s eminence. The affection between her and her brother remained constant, though they were now completely different. She realized that Cross was part of the Clericuzio Family, she was not.

  Two years after Claudia moved to L.A., when she was twenty-three, her mother, Nalene, was diagnosed with cancer. Cross, then working with Gronevelt at the Xanadu after making his bones for the Clericuzio, came to spend the last two weeks with them in Sacramento. Cross hired nurses around the clock and a cook and housekeeper. The three of them lived together for the first time since the breakup of the family. Nalene forbade Pippi to visit her.

  The cancer had affected Nalene’s eyesight, so Claudia read to her constantly, from magazines, from newspapers and books. Cross went out to do the shopping. Sometimes he had to fly to Vegas for an afternoon to take care of Hotel business, but he always returned at evening.

  During the night, Cross and Claudia would take turns holding their mother’s hand, comforting her. And though she was heavily medicated, she continually pressed their hands. Sometimes she hallucinated and thought her two children were little again. One terrible night she wept and begged forgiveness of Cross for what she had done to him. Cross had to hold her in his arms and reassure her that everything had turned out for the best.

  During the long evenings when their mother was deep into a drugged sleep, Cross and Claudia told each other the details of their lives.

  Cross explained that he had sold the Collection Agency and left the Clericuzio Family, though they had used their influence to get him his job at the Xanadu Hotel. He hinted at his power and told Claudia that she was welcome at the Hotel anytime, RFB—room, food, and beverage free. Claudia asked how he could do that and Cross told her with just a touch of pride, “I have the Pencil.”

  Claudia found that pride comical and a little sad.

  Claudia seemingly felt their mother’s death far more strongly than Cross, but the experience had brought them together again. They regained their childhood intimacy. Clau-dia frequently went to Vegas over the years and met Gronevelt and observed the close relationship the old man had with her brother. During these years Claudia saw that Cross had a certain kind of power, but that he never linked his power with the Clericuzio Family. Since Claudia had severed all ties with the Family and never attended the funerals, weddings, and christenings, she didn’t know that Cross still was part of the Family social structure. And Cross never spoke of it to her. She rarely saw her father. He had no interest in her.

  New Year’s Eve was the biggest event in Vegas; people all over the country flocked there, but Cross always had a suite for Claudia. Claudia was not a big gambler, but one New Year’s Eve she got carried away. She had brought an aspiring actor with her and was trying to impress him. She lost control and signed fifty thousand dollars in markers. Cross had come down to the suite with the markers in his hand, and there was a curious look on his face. Claudia recognized it when he spoke. It was his father’s face.

  “Claudia,” Cross said, “I thought you were smarter than me. What the hell is this?”

  Claudia felt a little sheepish. Cross had often warned her to gamble only for small stakes. Also to never increase her bets when she was losing. And to spend no more than two or three hours gambling every day, because the length of time spent gambling was the greatest trap. Claudia had violated all his advice. . . .

  She said, “Cross, give me a couple of weeks and I’ll pay it off.”

  She was surprised by her brother’s reaction. “I’ll kill you before I let you pay off these markers.” Very deliberately he tore up the slips of paper and put them in his pocket. He said, “Look, I invite you down here because I want to see you, not to take your money. Get this through your head, you cannot win. It has nothing to do with luck. Two and two make four.”

  “Okay, okay,” Claudia said.

  “I don’t mind having to tear up these markers, but I hate your being dumb,” Cross said.

  They had left it at that, but Claudia wondered. Did Cross have that much power? Would Gronevelt approve or would he even know about this?

  There had been other such incidents, but one of the most chilling involved a woman named Loretta Lang.

  Loretta had been a singing and dancing star in the Xanadu Follies show. She had an abundance of verve and a natural humorous perkiness that charmed Claudia. Cross introduced them after the show.

  Loretta Lang was as charming in person as she was on the stage. But Claudia noticed that Cross was not as charmed, in fact seemed a little irritated by her vivacity.

  On Claudia’s next visit, she brought along Melo Stuart for an evening in Vegas where they could catch the Follies show. Melo had come merely to indulge Claudia, not expecting much. He watched apprai
singly and then told Claudia, “This girl has a real shot. Not singing or dancing, but she’s a natural comic. A female with that is gold.”

  Backstage to meet Loretta, Melo put on his game face and said, “Loretta, I loved you. Loved you. Understand? Can you come to L.A. next week? I’ll arrange to have you on film to show to a studio friend of mine. But first you have to sign a contract with my agency. You know I have to put in a lot of work before I make any money. That’s the business, but remember I love you.”

  Loretta threw her arms around Melo. There was no witty mocking of devotion here, Claudia noted. A date was set and the three of them had dinner together to celebrate, before Melo caught his early morning plane back to L.A.

  During supper Loretta confessed that she was already under an airtight contract with an agency that specialized in nightclub entertainment. A contract with three years to run. Melo assured Loretta that everything could be ironed out.

  But things could not be ironed out. Loretta’s showbiz agency insisted on controlling her career for the next three years. Loretta, frantic, astonished Claudia by asking her to appeal to her brother, Cross.

  “What the hell can Cross do?” Claudia asked.

  Loretta said, “He has a lot of clout in this town. He can get a deal I can live with. Please?”

  When Claudia went up to the penthouse suite on the roof of the Hotel and presented the problem to Cross, her brother looked at her with disgust. He shook his head.

  “What the hell’s the big deal?” Claudia asked. “Just put the word in, that’s all I’m asking.”

  “You are dumb,” Cross said. “I’ve seen dozens of dames like her. They ride friends like you up to the top and then you’re history.”

  “So what?” Claudia said. “She’s really talented. This could change her whole life for the better.”

  Cross shook his head again. “Don’t ask me to do this,” he said.

  “Why not?” Claudia asked. She was used to asking people favors for other people, it was part of the movie business.

  “Because once I get into it, I have to succeed,” Cross said.

  “I’m not expecting you to succeed, I’m just asking you to do your best,” Claudia said. “At least then I can tell Loretta we tried.”

  Cross laughed. “You really are dumb,” he said. “Okay, tell Loretta and her agency to come and see me tomorrow. Ten A.M. sharp. And you might as well be there too.”

  At the meeting the next morning, Claudia met Loretta’s showbiz agent for the first time. His name was Tolly Nevans, and he was dressed in the casual Vegas style, modified by the seriousness of the meeting. That is, he wore a blue blazer over a collarless white shirt and blue denim pants.

  “Cross, a pleasure to see you again,” Tolly Nevans said.

  “We’ve met?” Cross asked. He never had handled the business details of the Follies show personally.

  “A long time ago,” Nevans said smoothly. “When Loretta opened her first time at the Xanadu.”

  Claudia noted the difference between the L.A. agents who dealt with big-time film talent and Tolly Nevans, who managed the much smaller-time world of nightclub entertainment. Nevans was a little more nervous, his physical appearance not so overpowering. He did not have the complete confidence of Melo Stuart.

  Loretta pecked Cross on the cheek but did not say anything to him. Indeed she showed none of her usual vivacity. She sat next to Claudia, who sensed Loretta’s tension.

  Cross was in a golf outfit, white slacks, a white T-shirt, and white sneakers. He wore a blue baseball cap on his head. He offered drinks from the wet bar but they all refused. Then he said quietly, “Let’s get this business settled. Loretta?”

  Her voice trembled. “Tolly wants to keep his percentage of everything I earn. That includes any movie work. But the L.A. agency naturally wants their full percentage of any movie work they get me. I can’t pay two percentages. And then Tolly wants to call the shots on anything I do. The L.A. people won’t stand for that and neither will I.”

  Nevans shrugged. “We have a contract. We just want her to live up to that contract.”

  Loretta said, “But then my film agent won’t sign me up.”

  Cross said, “It seems simple to me. Loretta, you just buy your way out of the contract.”

  Nevans said, “Loretta is a great performer, she makes a lot of money for us. We’ve always promoted her, we always believed in her talent. We’ve invested a lot of money. We can’t just let her go now when she’s paying off.”

  Cross said, “Loretta, buy him out.”

  Loretta almost wailed, “I can’t pay two percentages. It’s too cruel.”

  Claudia tried to control the smile on her face. But Cross did not. Nevans looked hurt.

  Finally Cross said, “Claudia, go get your golf gear. I want you to shoot nine holes with me. I’ll meet you downstairs at the Cashier’s cage when I’m finished here.”

  Claudia had wondered at Cross being dressed for the meeting in such a cavalier way. As if he were not taking it seriously. It had offended her and she knew it offended Loretta. But it had reassured Tolly. The man had not proposed any compromise. So Claudia said to Cross, “I’ll stick around, I want to see Solomon at work.”

  Cross could never get angry at his sister. He laughed and she smiled back at him. Then Cross turned to Nevans. “I see you’re not bending. And I think you’re right. How about a percentage of her movie earnings for one year? But you have to relinquish control or it won’t work.”

  Loretta burst in angrily, “I’m not giving him that.”

  Nevans said, “And that’s not what I want. The percentage is okay but what if we have a great booking for you and you’re tied up in a movie? We lose money.”

  Cross sighed and said almost sadly, “Tolly, I want you to let this girl out of her contract. It is a request. Our hotel does a lot of business with you. Do me a favor.”

  For the first time Nevans seemed alarmed. He said in almost a pleading tone, “I’d love to do you this favor, Cross, but I have to check with my partners at the Agency.” He paused for a moment. “Maybe I can arrange a buyout.”

  “No,” Cross said. “I’m asking a favor. No buyout. And I want your answer now so I can go out and enjoy my golf game.” He paused. “Just say yes or no.”

  Claudia was shocked by this abruptness. Cross was not threatening or intimidating as far as she could see. In fact he seemed to be giving up the whole affair, as if he had lost interest. But Claudia could see that Nevans was shaken.

  What Nevans replied was surprising. “But that’s unfair,” he said. He shot a reproachful glance at Loretta, she lowered her eyes.

  Cross pulled his baseball cap sideways in a swaggering manner. “It’s just a request,” he said. “You can refuse me. It’s up to you.”

  “No, no,” Nevans said. “I just didn’t know you felt so strongly, that you were such good friends.”

  Suddenly Claudia saw an amazing change in her brother. Cross leaned over and gave Tolly Nevans a half hug of affection. His smile warmed his face. That bastard is handsome, she thought. And then Cross said in a voice full of gratitude, “Tolly, I won’t forget this. Look, you have carte blanche here at the Xanadu for any new talent you want to showcase, third billing at the least. I’ll even arrange to have a special night at the Follies with all the talent from you and on that night, I want you and your partners to have dinner with me at the Hotel. Call me anytime and I’ll leave word you get through. Direct. Okay?”

  Claudia realized two things. Cross had deliberately shown his power. And that Cross had been careful to recompense Nevans to some degree but only after he had knuckled under, not before. Tolly Nevans would have his special night, would bask in power for that one night.

  Claudia realized further that Cross had allowed her to see that power to show his love for her and that that love had a material force. And she saw in his beautifully planed face, in that beauty she had envied from childhood, of the sensual lips, the perfect nose, the oval eye
s, all slightly hardening as if turning into the marble of ancient statues.

  Claudia turned off the Pacific Coast Highway and drove to the gate of the Malibu Colony. She loved the Colony, the houses right on the beach, the ocean sparkling in front of them, and far off on the water, she saw again the reflections of the mountains behind them. She parked the car in front of Athena’s house.

  Boz Skannet was lying on the public beach south of the Malibu Colony fence. That fence of plain wire mesh ran down the beach for about ten steps into the water. But this fence was only a formal barrier. If you went out far enough, you could swim around it.

  Boz was scouting for his next attack on Athena. Today would be a probing foray and so he had driven out to the public beach, bathing suit covered with a T-shirt and tennis slacks. His beach bag, really a tennis bag, held the vial of acid wrapped in towels.

  From his spot on the beach he could look through the mesh fence at Athena’s house. He could see the two private security guards on the beach. They were armed. If the back was covered, certainly the front of the house was covered. He didn’t mind hurting the guards but he didn’t want to make it seem like a madman slaughtering a whole bunch of people. That would detract from his justified destruction of Athena.

  Boz Skannet took off his slacks and T-shirt and stretched out on his blanket, staring over the sand and the blue sheet of the Pacific Ocean beyond. The warmth of the sun made him drowsy. He thought of Athena.

  In college he had heard a professor lecturing on Emerson’s essays and quoting, “Beauty is its own excuse.” Was it Emerson, was it Beauty? But he had thought of Athena.

  It is so rare to find a human being so beautiful in physical form and so virtuous in other parts of her nature. And so he thought of Thena. Everybody had called her Thena in those days of her girlhood.

  He had loved her so much in his youth that he lived in a dream of happiness that she loved him. He could not believe that life could be so sweet. And little by little everything had been tarnished with decay.