The Fate of Moe Greene and Don Barzini in The Godfather

In The Godfather, Moe Greene, a prominent casino owner, faces a critical decision when approached by Don Barzini. This plot point raises an interesting hypothetical: what would have happened if Greene had made a deal with Barzini to keep his casino while Michael Corleone had Fredo Corleone killed?

The Harsh Reality of the Situation

Regardless of the deal, both Greene and Barzini would ultimately meet their demise. Michael Corleone, the de facto leader of the Corleone family, would not have tolerated such a betrayal. The Corleones had already been providing financing for Greene's casino for years. Any attempt by Greene to negotiate a settlement with Barzini would have been futile.

Furthermore, Barzini was also making moves to acquire properties that had previously belonged to the Corleones. The Corleones were unfairly surrounded by a web of conflicts, each backed into a corner by greed and pride. However, Michael's unyielding drive and loyalty to his family would ensure that Greene and Barzini would not come out of this unscathed.

Lack of Legal Protections in 1950s Las Vegas

During that era, the concept of legal ownership in the mob world was rather fluid. Las Vegas, despite being a city attempting to leave the 19th century behind, was still in its early stages, much like a Wild West town. Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel, the inspiration for Moe Greene, was a significant figure in the city's history, but his murder put the Italian "organization" in control.

After Siegel's assassination, David Berman and his associates took over the Flamingo casino with no legal formalities. This display of raw power was akin to a 'Wild West' takeover, with no lawyers or probate processes involved. When Michael Corleone dealt with Moe Greene, he faced the same lack of legal protections and had to enforce his will through brute force.

Michael's Unyielding Approach to Power

The deal with Barzini under these circumstances would have been nothing more than a mundane piece of paper. Barzini, like many mob leaders, would have reneged on any agreements that no longer suited his interests. By extension, Moe Greene, as a loyal but peripheral figure, would also have faced elimination.

When both Greene and Barzini met their end, Michael would have swiftly taken control of Las Vegas, as he planned. The outcome would have been the same as in the film: Greene and Barzini gone, and the Corleones firmly established as the dominant force in Las Vegas.

Real-World Implications and Takeaways

While the film The Godfather is based on a fictional story, its portrayal of the mob in 1950s Las Vegas provides a vivid insight into the harsh realities of power within organized crime. The story of Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel and the Italian "organization" taking control of Vegas after his death reflects the real-world dynamics of power play in the mob world. Greene's fate serves as a cautionary tale about the capricious nature of mob deals and the unforgiving environment in which they operate.

The takeaways from this hypothetical scenario are clear: in the world of organized crime in the 1950s, loyalty was paramount, and any form of betrayal, no matter how well-planned, could lead to dire consequences. Even the concept of legal protections was secondary to the enforcement of force and loyalty.