Goodfellas : Paulie, Henry, and Sonny discussion

When Sonny is talking Paulie into becoming a partner and after he makes the comment about shooting Tommy, Paulies demeanor changes. Then, Sonny apologizes for what he said and Paulie agrees to go in with him on the club. Question...is Sonnys comment about Tommy the reason they bankrupt and eventually burn it down? Or do you think Paulie had intentions of that anyways?

Tommy had nothing to do with it. Paulie saw a chance to make a buck and most likely even had the wiseguys clean up their tabs because that too was going into Paulie's pocket. I wish there would have been a scene where Tommy was told to clean up the tab and see his reaction. I'm thinking since we see Sonny sign the last bank note going into the hole and Tommy plus the others most likely settled up ASAP when Paulie came aboard that Sonny got the last laugh. I don't think that Paulie cared enough about Tommy to fill Tommy in about Sonny's beef. Had it been Jimmy or Henry then it might have been different.

The way it went down in my mind:
The scene : Paulie's cabstand in the back room.
Paulie to Jimmy: I'm running the (Bamboo) Lounge now. Lock, stock, and barrel. Your guys got some tabs over there that I want cleaned up. I ain't runnin no charity.
Jimmy to Paulie: You want me to take care of it?
Paulie to Jimmy: Yeah, those guys aren't getting no freebees. Let'm know I got the books on the (Bamboo) Lounge and want it cleaned up yesterday. I need Sonny around so Tommy needs to know nothin about my arrangement. I already told Henry likewise.
Jimmy to Paulie: A quiet "alright." Jimmy walks out of the cabstand.

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Spend this money on more stock and once again, sell it on and pocket the cash

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I doubt that. All stock would be purchased on credit. Why would you waste good money on stock and then sell it straight on?

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But if you get the gear on credit, you can keep the original money and still have the money from selling the swag.

108 193 23 8114 246* 47.73 22 42

If you read the book Wiseguy which the movie is based off of Tommy plays two characters in the movie. He is Tommy but is also Pauline's son from the book. I always assumed that Pauline made that reaction because you would've been discussing his own son. I have always hated how Scorsese makes his movies assuming the viewer has read the book. Almost every loose end ever had about the movie was tied up once I read the book.

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Question...is Sonnys comment about Tommy the reason they bankrupt and eventually burn it down?

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ever since I first saw this movie, I got the vibe that as soon as Sonny said Tommy oughta be shot, Paul had no respect for him. they went in with him right after that but notice how it was clear that the "*beep* you; pay me." policy was rigorous from day one. this implies that Sonny was seen as business, not family. I think it was a way of showing how people outside the organization are truly outsiders. I think that there was a chance for Sonny to not get bankrupted/burnt if he had kept his mouth shut and not crossed that line

Sonny talking about Tommy made no difference in terms of how Paulie handled the restaurant. Paulie was only there to help himself. Period. The best way for that to happen was to bust the place out. Paulie was never looking to run it as a legit business. The fact is that most restaurants have trouble turning a profit so Paulie was not going to figure out the best way to run it as a legit business.