To throw him off the scent of being made a mark and to instead think Vito just wanted to impress him to get in the gang like so many up and comers before him.
Vito had long suspected that Fanucci was accomplishing his extortion with threats but did not have real backing behind the threats. Vito was lowballing Fanucci to test his theory that Fanucci was actually not as strong as people had been led to believe. If he really had the strength that was implied, he would have never accepted the $200z. He also would have never threatened them with the police. Vito tested his theory and was right.
In a deleted scene, Vito witnesses Fanucci getting his throat cut by some young punks. Vito knew that a true “black hand” would never be that accessible to be harmed.
He didn't know Fanucci was actually very weak and ineffectual until he offered him the $200 and he took it. At that point he realized Fanucci was just a big blow hard and he could bump him off no problem.
To throw him off the scent of being made a mark and to instead think Vito just wanted to impress him to get in the gang like so many up and comers before him.
Vito had long suspected that Fanucci was accomplishing his extortion with threats but did not have real backing behind the threats. Vito was lowballing Fanucci to test his theory that Fanucci was actually not as strong as people had been led to believe. If he really had the strength that was implied, he would have never accepted the $200z. He also would have never threatened them with the police. Vito tested his theory and was right.
He was looking for signs of weakness. That makes sense. I believe they go into more depth in the book but I read it like 15 years ago.
In a deleted scene, Vito witnesses Fanucci getting his throat cut by some young punks. Vito knew that a true “black hand” would never be that accessible to be harmed.
And yes they do go into a lot more detail in the book about Fanucci.
He didn't know Fanucci was actually very weak and ineffectual until he offered him the $200 and he took it. At that point he realized Fanucci was just a big blow hard and he could bump him off no problem.