Mickey Blue Eyes Page #3

...but I've always had this silly thing about

standing on my own two feet in business.

I hope you understand.

Of course.

I respect your feeling.

"You're nobody...

"...till somebody loves you"

I'm so proud of you.

-No. You see, I am so proud of you.

-No, you.

-No, you.

-Oh, shut up!

All right.

Perfect!

I am so happy for you.

One more!

"Somebody to love. "

Talk to Helen about tonight's catalog.

Rent GoodFellas, Casino,

Godfa ther l, ll, Ill....

Excuse me. Can I help you?

How much is this one?

On this, the reserve is $30,000, I think.

That being, of course,

the opening bid on tonight's auction.

Do you have much experience

when it comes to buying art?

No.

But I hear it can be a good investment.

Yes.

My father...

...recently died...

...and left me some money.

Your father?

That must've been a terrible shock.

If you're looking for something beautiful

to put on your wall...

...you might like to think about a mirror.

Oh, you!

I really want a painting.

-Can I have a word?

-One moment.

Tonight, if there's a nice painting

going for less than it's really worth...

...perhaps I could let you know about it.

You mean like a signal?

Exactly.

I have an important potential client

I have to talk to.

I'll leave Helen here to work out

the exact details of this with you.

-Where is he?

-Not here yet.

But the trucks are.

That means they're early.

Incredible, huh?

Fantastic!

Hello.

What?

-So that's everything.

-Yes, sir. All 44 pieces.

I just want you to know,

if I've said anything...

...or done anything in the past

that in any way offended you...

...l'm very deeply sorry.

Thanks.

-Are you okay?

-Sorry.

Yes, I'm fine. I was just....

The delivery was complete and on time.

It was a bit of a shock.

I can imagine.

Morganson's here.

I thought you could soften him up a bit,

then I'll move in for the kill.

Absolutely.

Lovely.

We do like to think we can...

...match Sotheby's in the two qualities

most important to any auction house.

One being, obviously,

a tradition of unquestioned respectability.

And the other being,

for want of a better word...

...shall we say, "class."

I know Mr. Cromwell

is anxious to talk to you.

I'm sorry, I'm confused.

What's the problem?

Mr. Graziosi wants me

to auction it for $50,000.

People would pay $50,000 just to avoid

being in the same room as this thing.

Michael, please.

Your trucks show up on time

for the first time in God knows how long.

And you get to give a little happiness

to an important friend.

What's the matter?

I thought you'd be happy.

No. Mr. Vitale--

No, Dad.

You don't understand. This is exactly

what Gina said would happen.

If she even found out

that this thing had been sent over here--

You're early.

Just on the phone with your dad.

Let me talk.

You got my message?

Great. And everything's okay

for tomorrow?

And tomorrow at noon

is okay for the fittings?

Well, here's the deal. I'm gonna be there...

...and Carol's gonna come along too,

to take photos.

She's doing the whole wedding, so be nice.

We have to talk

about the wedding reception.

Now, I know you and Mom used Louie's--

Hold on.

We have two key attributes for which,

in this business, there is no substitute.

The first being, obviously,

a tradition of unparalleled respectability.

And the other being, shall we say,

for want of a better word--

We'll come back later.

Right. Fine.

Daddy, we have to go.

I love you too.

He wants to say 'bye.

It's gonna be okay.

You put the thing up for auction.

It don't sell, Gina will never know.

I don't think I can do that.

Listen, this favor....

If you don't do it, it's really not that great.

Not for you, and to be honest with you,

not for me.

So just do it this once,

and I'll talk to Vito...

...and explain how in the future

you two would prefer to go it alone, okay?

Is that a promise, Dad?

That's a promise.

Fabulous. Noon tomorrow then it is.

Okay, 'bye.

What is wrong with you?

You, come here!

I swear to God, Frankie,

I ain't got the money!

Now I gotta put you on mountain climb.

-We worked out the signals.

-What?

With the old lady.

If you want her to start bidding, you cough.

Easy enough.

If you want her to stop bidding,

you just say "ha."

Fine. What? Say what?

Ha!

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

And welcome to

"Portraiture:
1450 to 1750. "

And down it goes, then...

...at $25,000 to bidder number 977.

And so to our final piece of the evening...

...and a last-minute addition

to your catalog...

...lot number 277A...

...oil on canvas, signed by the artist:

The Road To Damascus

by Jonathan Graziosi.

This item...

...has a reserve of $50,000.

$50,000, anyone?

No.

Well, too bad. Thank you very much.

That concludes the business for--

Was that....

We have $50,000.

$50,000.

$55,000, anyone?

All through. All done, then...

...at $50,000 to bidder number 235.

I believe that's a record for a Graziosi.

Thank you very much,

ladies and gentlemen, and good night.

You snuck that last one in on me,

didn't you?

Yes, I'm afraid so. I'm sorry.

Do that more often.

Congratulations. Quite a painting

you have for yourself, sir.

Thank you. I appreciate that.

I'm sorry. Have we met somewhere?

I don't believe so.

But may I ask,

do either of you enjoy steak?

Very much so.

University and 9th. I'm very proud of it.

You make me very proud

and Johnny very happy.

There's something going on here!

-Nothing's going on.

-I don't like your face.

Frank? I've been trying

to get you since last night.

Listen, it sold. Did you know

that the painting actually sold?

Right on. I heard. That's great.

Did you talk to your friend?

That is it, right? Finito, no more favors.

Trust me, Michael.

-It's gonna be okay.

-Great.

Wait. Wait. Sorry.

It is, or it's going to be?

Hello?

Sorry, gotta go. See you at the tailor.

Excuse me. What's going on?

Big fire over on 72nd Street.

A restaurant or something?

Some art place.

Sotheby's?

That's it.

There are some men here

to see you from the FBl.

Good.

Good, good.

We often sell works by first-time artists.

I don't see how this time is any different.

The difference is this painting was bought

by a restaurant owner...

...who owed the artist's father $50,000.

It's a setup.

They bought it from themselves.

I don't understand. Someone buys your

painting for $50,000, you make $50,000.

But if they owed you the money,

you make nothing.

It's called money laundering.

You mind?

Not at all, no.

They do it through car washes,

restaurants...

...bars and, last night, through you.

Have you at any time come into contact...

...with anyone who might be connected

with organized crime?

Absolutely not.

You sure about that?

I am positive.

Are we okay to see Michael?

He's in with the FBl.

Lovely.

Perhaps later, then.

Have you had lunch?

Thank you very much for the warning.

If anything like this crops up again,

I'll certainly be in touch.

We'd appreciate that.

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