| Notes | Once the mob could have a hand in politics. It was possible back then for Mafia bosses and government officials to scheme together. A man with a gun and a politician in his pocket is rather formidable. Today mobsters are so unsavory that even elected officials are expected to shun them. “There are two people coming in,” Betty, the receptionist, was told. This is going back some years. “A Meade Esposito and Paul Castellano. If they come while I’m out, put them in the back office and then walk away. Don’t stand there.” Betty didn’t have the least idea who they were. She was young and just out of college, where she had studied architecture. She had this job in the law office, back in the seventies, until she could start working in her chosen field. Some minutes later a short man with square shoulders walked in. “I’m Meade Esposito,” he said in a raspy voice. She escorted him back to the office, and he shut the door as she left. Ten minutes later a tall man with large glasses sauntered in. “Mr. Castellano,” he said. She took him back to the office and said, “Mr. Esposito is already there.” Castellano went in. Betty was told, “Esposito is a politician. Castellano is the Godfather.” “A killer?” Betty said. “He gives the orders to get people killed.” At the meetings of the two, which were often, she never said a word to them and always tried to be busy so she wouldn’t have to look. Castellano, the boss of his crime family, was the man in charge, and Esposito was a loud messenger boy. |