Behind every great fortune there is a crime.
Amerigo Bonasera sat in New York Criminal Court Number 3 and waited for justice; Vengeance on the
man who had so cruelly hurt his daughter, who had tried to dishonor her.
The judge, A formidably heavy-featured man, rolled up the sleeves of his black robe as if to
physically chastise the two young men standing before the bench. His face was cold with majestic
contempt. But there was something false in all this that Amerigo Bonasera sensed but did not yet
understand.
"You act like the worst kind of degenerates," The Judge said harshly. Yes, yes, thought Amerigo
Bonasera. Animals, Animals. The two young men, glossy hair crew cut, scrubbed clean-cut faces
composed into humble contrition, bowed their heads in submission.
The Judge went on." you act like wild beasts in a jungle and you are fortunate you did not
sexually molest that poor girl or I'd put you behind bars for twenty years." The Judge paused.
His eyes beneath impressively thick brows flickered slyly toward the sallow-faced Amerigo
Bonasera, then lowered to a stack of probation reports before him. He frowned and shrugged as if
convinced his own natural desire. He spoke again.
"But because of your youth, your clean records, because of your fine families, and because the law
in its majesty does not seek vengeance, I hereby sentence you to three years' confinement to the
penitentiary. Sentence to be suspended."