Then we can have dinner, see a show, and spend one more night.
He moves to the telephone.
MICHAEL (CONT'D.) Operator. Get me (fill in number)
KAY:
Michael, what are you doing?
MICHAEL:
Shhh, you be the long distance operator. Here.
KAY:
Hello...this is Long Distance. I have a call from New Hampshire. Mr.
Michael Corleone. One moment please.
She hands the phone to MICHAEL who continues the deception.
MICHAEL:
Hello, Tom? Michael. Yeah... listen, we haven't left yet. I'm driving down to the city with Kay tomorrow morning. There's something important I want to tell the old man before Christmas. Will he be home tomorrow night?
INT DAY:
OLIVE OIL OFFICE (WINTER 1945) HAGEN in the Olive Oil Company office. In the background, through the glass partitions, we can see the DON, at work in his office. TOM is tired, and steeped in paperwork.
HAGEN (O.S.) Sure. Anything I can do for you.
MICHAEL (O.S.) No. I guess I'll see you Christmas.
Everyone's going to be out at Long Beach, right?
HAGEN:
Right.
He smiles. MICHAEL has hung up. He looks at the piles of work, and can't face it. He rises, puts on his coat and hat, and continues out.
He peeks into the DON's office.
HAGEN:
Michael called; he's not leaving New Hampshire until tomorrow morning. I've got to go, I promised Theresa I'd pick up some toys for the kids.
The DON smiles and nods.
TOM smiles, and leaves; OUR VIEW remaining with DON CORLEONE.
FREDDIE is sitting on a bench in the corner, reading the afternoon paper. He puts aside the papers the office manager has prepared for him, and then moves to FREDDIE, raps his knuckles on his head to take his nose out of the paper.
DON CORLEONE:
Tell Paulie to get the car from the lot; I'll be ready to go home in a few minutes.
FREDO:
I'll have to get it myself; Paulie called in sick this morning.
DON CORLEONE:
That's the third time this month.
I think maybe you'd better get a healthier bodyguard for me. Tell Tom.
