We were in Queens and visited my girlfriend’s family. Her uncle was originally from Sicily and had worked as an accountant in New York his entire adult life. He was now retired and a little forgetful in his old days. His background as a Sicilian accountant and my penchant for old mafia movies played out this evening.
I’m not a master of smalltalk so I said; – nice rug! It was a huge Persian rug that covered almost the entire living room. Luciano looked at it, shrugged and replied; Yeah – we lost the old one.
– Luciano had someone paint the living room and the old rug was sent for cleaning, his wife explained.
Luciano was on his way out of the living room while gesturing and almost shouting; – It fell off the truck! What can I say!
– We could just go into town and take out a whole new rug from the store. The old rug was both worn and well – old – his wife replied with a smile.
During dinner, the conversation revolved around what was new and not in the neighbourhood.
– Is Lou still alive?
– Yeah – he´s still around.
– Does he still drink as much as he used to? – Lucianos daughter wanted to know.
Luciano shrugged and waved his arms without saying anything.
– I never liked you giving him money. You know what he uses them on.
Luciano continued to eat, but shrugged and grimaced; – what can I say, he works for me!
– With what?
– Some gardening and snow shovelling.
– But the garden doesn’t look like anyone has done anything for years – and there hasn’t been any snow in Queens for several years?
Luciano shrugged; – It is what it is; nothing else.
Later the conversation came around to my daughter’s confirmation later that spring, and that I was going to buy her a diamond ring. The size of the stone was discussed, and I mentioned half a carat. Luciano’s wife wanted to know how much this was going to set me back and rolled her eyes when she heard the price.
Luciano lit up:
– Go to my guy in New York. He´s the best! He knows diamonds! He does not have a regular shop, just an office without goods. Just tell him what you want and what you want to pay, and he will fix the rest. For that price you get a whole carat ring. You’ll find him on the corner of…
– and bring cash! Luciano´s wife interrupted. You can bargain with cash!
As the movie geek I am I could hear Don Vito Corleone in the background: “Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this favour as a gift on your daughter’s confirmation day.”
Billy Bronco is telling you 