Tessio Quotes in The Godfather (1972)

[as Tessio and Hagen walk to Michael's house, they are met by a bodyguard, Willi Cicci]

Willi Cicci: Sal... Tom... the boss says he'll come in a separate car. He says for you two to go on ahead.

Tessio: Hell, he can't do that; that screws up all my arrangements.

Willi Cicci: Well, that's what he said.

Tom Hagen: I can't go with you either, Tessio.

[just then, Michael's bodyguards materialize around them, Tessio understands everything]

Tessio: [to Hagen] Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him.

Tom Hagen: He understands that.

Willi Cicci: [removing Tessio's gun] Excuse me, Sally.

Tessio: Can you get me off the hook, Tom? For old times' sake?

Tom Hagen: [shakes his head] Can't do it, Sally.

[Hagen watches sadly as Tessio is led by Cicci and the others to a waiting car]

Tessio: Barzini's people chisle my territory and we do nothing about it. Pretty soon there won't be anyplace in Brooklyn that I can hang my hat.

Michael: Try and be patient.

Clemenza: I'm not asking for help, Mike, just take off the handcuffs.

Michael: Be patient.

Clemenza: We gotta protect ourselves. At least give me the chance to recruit some new men.

Michael: No. I don't want to give Barzini any excuse to start fighting.

Tessio: Mike, you're wrong.

Clemenza: Don Corleone, you once said the day would come when me and Tessio could form our own families. Until today I would never think of such a thing but now I must ask your permission.

Don Corleone: Well, Michael's head of the family now and if give his permission then you have my blessing.

Michael: After we make the move to Nevada you can break off from the Corleone Family and go off on your own. After we make the move to Nevada.

Clemenza: How long will that take?

Michael: Six months.

Tessio: Forgive me, Godfather, but with you gone me and Pete will come under Barzini's thumb sooner or later.

Clemenza: And I hate that Goddamn Barzini. In six months time there won't be nothin' left to build on.

Don Corleone: Do you have faith in my judgement?

Clemenza: Yes.

Don Corleone: Do I have your loyalty?

Clemenza: Yes, always Godfather.

Don Corleone: Then be a friend to Michael. Do as he says.

Michael: There are negotiations being made that are going to answer all of your questions and solve all of your problems. That's all I can tell you right now. Carlo, you grew up in Nevada. When we make our move there you're going to be my right hand man. Tom Hagen is no longer Consigliari. He's going to be our lawyer in Vegas. That's no reflection on Tom it's just the way I want it. Besides, if I ever help who's a better Consigliari than my father. That's it.

[Everyone except Hagen leaves]

Tom Hagen: Mike, why am I out?

Michael: You're not a wartime Consigliari, Tom. Things could get rough with the move we're making.

Don Corleone: Tom, I advised Michael. I never thought you were a bad Consigliari. I thought Santino was a bad Don, rest in peace. Michael has all my confidence as do you. But there are reasons why you must have nothing to do with what's going to happen.

Tom Hagen: Maybe I could help.

Michael: You're out, Tom.

[Clemenza and Michael arrive to find extra guards posted outside the house]

Clemenza: What's with all the new faces?

Tessio: We'll need 'em now. After the hospital thing, Sonny got mad. We hit Bruno Tattaglia at four o'clock this morning.

Clemenza: ...Jesus Christ.