# II explained — Little Caesar

> Chapter companion for Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett.

## What happens

Vettori and Rico are in a room when Carillo announces that Blackie wants to see them. Blackie reports that Tony is sick and has lost his nerve, prompting Vettori and Rico to decide to watch him closely and consider eliminating him if he doesn't recover.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Vettori and Rico's immediate suspicion of Tony's illness as a sign of weakness or betrayal, and their readiness to eliminate him, underscores the theme of loyalty and betrayal within the gang.

### Fear and Paranoia

The constant surveillance and quick judgment of Tony's condition reflect the pervasive fear and paranoia that govern the characters' actions.

## Character check-ins

### Rico

Reading a magazine story about a rich society girl and a bootlegger; indifferent to Blackie's report but agrees to give Tony until tomorrow.

### Sam Vettori

Impatiently questions Blackie about Tony's condition and gives him money to keep watch.

### Bat Carillo

Announces Blackie's arrival and then leaves.

### Blackie Avezzano

Reports that Tony is sick and has lost his guts; agrees to watch him.

### Tony Passa

Mentioned as being sick and having lost his nerve; under surveillance.

## Key lines

> Rico read everything he could find that had anything to do with society. He was fascinated by a stratum of existence which seemed so remote and unreal to him.

Rico devoured any material about high society, captivated by a world that felt distant and fantastical.

_Highlights Rico's fascination with social class and his aspiration for a life beyond his own._

> We can’t take no chances,” said Vettori. “I’ll give him till tomorrow,” said Rico; “he can’t go far wrong with Blackie watching him. After that if he don’t settle down there won’t be no more Tony.”

Vettori insists they cannot risk any uncertainty, and Rico agrees to give Tony one day under Blackie's watch before deciding to kill him.

_Reveals the cold pragmatism and lethal consequences of perceived disloyalty in the gang._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iii-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters