VIEW ON MICHAEL

is handed a piece of cake. Roth moves over to a folder of documents.

ROTH
(continuing)
Here are applications from Friends
all over the States. I understand
Santo Virgilio in Tampa is trying
to make his own deal. Well, the
Cuban Government will brush him off.
The Lakeville Road Boys are going
to take over the Nacionale here.
I'm planning a new hotel casino to
be known as Riviera. The new Capri
will go to the Corleone Family.

MED. VIEW

The cake is sliced and carried to each of the men.

ROTH
Then there's the Sevilla Biltmore;
the Havana Hilton, which is going
to cost twenty-four million --
Cuban banks will put up half, the
Teamsters will bankroll the rest.
Generally, there will be friends
for all our friends including the
Lieutenant Governor of Nevada;
Eddie Levine of Newport will bring
in the Pennino Brothers, Dino and
Eddie; they'll handle actual casino
operations.

And seeing that all of his friends have been served, Roth
raises his fork.

ROTH
Enjoy.

MICHAEL
I saw a strange thing today. Some rebels were being arrested. One of them pulled the pin on a grenade. He took himself and the captain of the command with him. Now, soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't.

The various men look up as Michael eats his cake, wondering
what the point of it is.

ROTH
What does that tell you?


MICHAEL
It means they could win.*

VIEW ON ROTH

He understands Michael's point, if the others do not.

ROTH
This country has had rebels for the
last fifty years; it's part of
their blood. Believe me, I know...
I've been coming here since the
twenties; we were running molasses
out of Havana when you were a baby.
To trucks owned by your father.
(he chuckles warmly
over the memory)
We'll talk when we're alone.

And he returns his attention to the men who are gathered
with him on his birthday.

EXT. ROTH'S PRIVATE TERRACE - DAY

Michael sits alone with the old man, on a terrace that
overlooks the city.

ROTH
You have to be careful what you say
in front of the others... they
frighten easy. It's always been
that way, most men frighten easy.

MICHAEL
We're making a big investment in
Cuba. That's my only concern.

ROTH
My concern is that the three
million never arrived at Batista's
numbered account in Switzerland.
He thinks it's because you have
second thoughts about his ability
to stop the rebels.

MICHAEL
The money was sent.

ROTH
Then you have to trace it. Michael,
people here look at me as a reliable
man. I can't afford not to be
looked on as a reliable man. But
you know all that; there's nothing
you can learn from me. You
shouldn't have to put up with a
sick old man as a partner.

MICHAEL
I wouldn't consider anyone else.

ROTH
Except the President of the United States.

He laughs slyly, as though this is some private joke between
them. Then his laughter becomes a cough, which he painfully
stifles with a handkerchief.