Book 7, Chapter 23 Summary

At a press conference before the Inaugural Ball, Johnny Fontane is being hammered by reporters about his reputed ties to the Mafia. Johnny, best friend to President James Kavanaugh Shea, has arranged the entertainment for the ball and had recently had a drunken conversation with Jimmy about running for office. The reporters cream him with tough questions. Johnny tries to defend both the Corleones and President Shea, but the press knows too many lurid details. It ends badly.

Kay has agreed to fly the kids to New York to see their father, and accepts Michael's invitation to the Inaugural Ball. She's been teaching at a first-rate boarding school in Maine, where the kids have attended school ever since Michael suddenly dropped his bid for custody. He has gotten the wrong idea as to why she accepted his invitation; Michael tells her...