Boardwalk Empire

All right, already. Come on.

Step through here.

Behind the back. We're going.

Sir, thank you. That's him.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

- Pardon me. There he is. Keep it moving, folks.

Tome, you got a statement? Mr. Torrtot!

Ask him who ordered the hit on Colosimo.

Mr. Torrio, is it true the police questioned you about Big Jim's murder?

- We was like brothers, me and Jim. - Like Cain and Abel?

- Wiseacre, huh? - Back off, creep.

- So why do you think he was killed? - It was a robbery. How should I know?

Cops said nothing was taken.

Some respect for the dead, huh?

We understand the police have already spoken with you.

Is that true?

All right, folks, a couple steps back. There we go. All right.

Come on, keep it moving here.

Come on, here we go. Here we go.

- Watch the socks there, eh? - Yes, sir.

You a family man, Harlan?

Got me a wife and four boys.

- Agent Van Alden. - What?

- To see you. - Nelson Van Alden,

Senior Prohibition Agent, Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Nucky Thompson.

Shoeshine? Coffee? Or something stronger maybe?

Nice that you boys have a sense of humor. Have a seat.

You're a difficult man to see. I've been waiting since 9:00 am.

Well, there's your mistake right there.

I don't keep regular hours.

That's a little odd for the county treasurer, isn't it?

Both I and the City of Atlantic march to our own drummers.

What can I do for you?

I'm investigating Saturday night's shootings.

What's to investigate?

We can all rest now that the architect of that slaughter's been killed himself.

- Hans Schroeder. - A Hun.

Is it any wonder, though, the level of brutality?

Hans Schroeder was a baker's apprentice for the past 11 years.

He has one citation for public drunkenness,

Oktoberfest, 1912.

I wrote that summons myself. I used to be sheriff here.

- He pissed inside of a moving trolley. - Yet no other criminal record.

Be that as it may, innocent people don't end up dead in fishing nets.

Not even in Atlantic City?

You know, you really should be speaking to our current sheriff.

- Your brother Elias. - That's right.

Have you seen The Hottentot?

It's a terrific show. Laugh a minute.

And if you're stag, I can certainly introduce you to some eligible young ladies.

- I don't go in much for the theater. - Then tell me what you do like.

I stopped by Schroeder's home. His wife isn't there.

You have any idea where I might find her?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but your bailiwick's alcohol, isn't it?

Shouldn't you be out somewhere raiding another still?

I suppose I march to the beat of my own drummer as well.

- How the hell did he get in here? - He was waiting for...

- Get my brother on the phone. - Ja.

Now.

Citizens, countrymen, veterans, patriots,

join your white brothers in the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

Here you are.

Sir, take one.

We are a Christian,

fraternal, and pro-American organization governed by...

Thompson. Mr. Thompson.

Shit. What's this sap's name again?

It's George Baxter. He sells cutlery to the restaurants.

If it isn't good old Baxter. How's tricks, my friend?

I'm in clover, I tell you.

Business is grand and I just picked up this little Chippy down in Baltimore.

Come here, do”. Say hello to Mr. Thompson.

- Hello. - Name's Claudia. She's a shy little thing.

Not especially. Just sometimes.

Well, you're in good hands with this one, I'll tell you that.

- Thompson's a big cheese, big as they come. - Some say a big rat.

How about it? Is he a card?

Well, I certainly hope you'll take in some of our attractions.

- We're gonna paint the town, kiddo. - I wanna go roller skating.

Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me.

- Your friend's a big shot, huh? - Old Baxy knows 'em all, baby.

Mrs. Schroeder, there's a Mr. Thompson here to see you.

Oh.

Yes, please.

- I wasn't sure if you wanted visitors. - I'll need a moment.

It'll just be a minute.

She's just woken up from her nap.

You can come in now.

Mrs. Schroeder,

- Elias Thompson. I'm the sheriff. - Yes, I know.

- You're looking well. - I go home tomorrow, back to the children.

That's fine.

I wanted to talk to you about your husband... Late husband.

His involvement in illegal alcohol.

He was never in trouble a day in his life,

not in that manner.

The man beat you, Mrs. Schroeder.

He was not a murderer.

Didn't you just lose a child?

Did you ever follow your husband when he went out at night?

Of course not.

Questioned who his friends were, his associates?

No.

Then the fact is you don't really know what he was up to,

and he could have been involved in these shootings.

Well, I...

- I suppose anything... - Then he could have been involved.

I suppose so.

Then, if anyone happens to ask, that's what you'll tell them.

- I don't see how... - Your children,

Theodore, Emily?

I'm sure you'd be horrified if they ended up in the custody of the county.

Please, I meant no disrespect.

Of course not.

My brother would like you to have this.

Keep what we discussed in the forefront of your mind.

Who is he, the mayor?

He's the county treasurer, but he lives like a pharaoh.

The entire eighth floor of the Ritz.

All at the public's expense.

Grand furniture, crystal vases, oil paintings, tailored suits.

Drives 3 Rolls-Royce, too. At least his chauffeur does.

He's corrupt as the day is long.

And I'm not just talking about a little graft.

There isn't a single business he doesn't get a piece of.

- Fleming. What do you say? - Two coffees.

Nor a public employee who doesn't pay for the right to hold his job.

His aldermen make the collections, then fill his coffers every week.

Mucky . - Look Who's here.

- For the Ice Fund. - Of course.

- Thank you. - No, thank you.

Sanitation, police...

- Right on time. - Fire department.

The envelope catch on fire?

He's got the entire town paying off.

Yet they still vote him in.

The people love him, the darkies especially.

Remember, gentlemen, to vote excessively but smoke moderately.

Every waiter, busboy and porter swears allegiance to him come election time.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

No more bets. - Casinos, Whorehouses.

Even owns a wire service for the racing results.

White Shadow in the fifth.

And alcohol? It hasn't slowed down a bit.

There's hardly a bar or a restaurant where you can't get a drink.

It's practically out in the open.

You went down to Atlantic City following Arnold Rothstein. What about him?

Frankly, sir, I'm beginning to think Nucky Thompson is the bigger fish.

How did she seem? Was she in good spirits?

She took the money, if that's what you mean.

A little defensive about the husband.

You should've dumped him like I told you. Side of the road somewhere.

"Get rid of him" is what you said.

- I meant publicly, so he could be identified. - He was identified.

The fish could have ate his face off, Eli. He could have drifted to Nova Scotia.

Use your noodle next time, eh?

I'll be up front.

Mickey.

Mickey, wake up.

Jesus.

- What fucking took you so long? - You're out, Mickey.

So long, sucker. See youse in the funny papers.

Not out of jail, out of business. Chalky White's taking over.

What are you talking about? Why?

You broke the cardinal rule, Mickey. You got caught.

That was a set-up. The fix was in from the beginning.

Shut the fuck up!

- What am I supposed to tell my partners? - Tell them whatever you'd like.

The Feds know who you are now, Mick. You're contagious.

So you'll bail me out at least?

No can do. I can't risk them tying us together.

So you're just gonna leave me in here with slanty-eyes?

He don't even talk English!

Think of it as a way to broaden your horizons.

Nucky!

Go ahead.

Surprise!

Merry Christmas.

Ho,ho,ho,ho!

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

- What is this? - It's Christmas. What does it look like?

It was Christmas over a month ago.

Yeah, but not like this, it wasn't.

CHUCKLES} My God, what cm you do? Mucky gave me a bonus.

I mean, why wait till next year, right?

The tree, I found it in the alley around the corner.

Say, pal, what do you think of this?

- Rip it. - Here, I'll help you.

Truck!

That's right.

- Truck. - Truck.

For you.

What is it?

Oh, my God!

Jimmy, this must have cost $100.

- Do you like it? - Yes, of course.

Then let me worry about the cost.

Here, and this one, too.

Ta-da!