Originally posted by Alexander Supalov:
However, it's not clear whether Sr. Roberto decided to address Don Vito so respectfully by himself or was advised to do so by his neighbors and relations whom he asked, following Vito's own suggestion, about reputation of this young persuasive fellow.
Fear was certainly a factor in Sr. Roberto's demeanor. You wonder how he maintained sphincter control during that scene.
But young Vito provides a marvelous little irony for this thread: Sr. Roberto comes humbly before him and says, "Don Vito..." Smirking Vito replies, "Don Roberto..." It's as if to say, "Oh, you finally figured out that I'm a Man of Respect, eh? Well, here's a little sarcasm for you, you cheap slumlord."
There was a parallel of sorts in real life. Charlie Luciano, after he formed the Commission, invited his boyhood chum and valued adviser, Meyer Lansky, to counsel the Commission. Vito Genovese, who was then subordinate to Luciano, objected that Lansky wasn't even Italian. Luciano replied to the effect, "Don't think you're such a bigshot,
Don Vitone" [emphasis in original].
