Empire (2015–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - The Outspoken King - full transcript

Lucious has to defend Empire's IPO launch after one of his artists is involved in a shooting.

All right already.
Come on.

Step through in 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.
- Torrio, you got a statement?

- Mr. Torrio! - 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?

- ***, alright?
- Back off.



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

Some respect for the dead, huh?

We understand the police
have already spoken with you.

When
did you speak to the police?

All right, 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 A.M.

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.

Well, 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...

Octoberfest, 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.

Hmm.

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

do 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.
- Ja.

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 Baxt.
He sells cutlery to the restaurants.

Well, 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, doll.
Say hello to Mr. Thompson.

- Hello. - Her name's Claudia.
She's a shy little thing.

Not especially.
Just sometimes.

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

Thompson's a b cheese,
big as they come.

Some say a big rat.

How about it?
Is he a card

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

We're gonna paint
the town, kiddo.

I wanna go rollerskating.

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.

Well, 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...

and his involvement
in illegal alcohol.

He was never in trouble
a day 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.

Question 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 the 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...
- You have 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 a 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.

Hey!

- Huh?
- Fleming.

- What do you say, huh?
- 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.

- Nucky.
- Look who's here.

- For the ice fund.
- Of course.

- Thank you.
- Oh, 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.
- Casis,

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, Mickey.
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.

- Mwah!
- 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.

Oh my God, what did you do?

Nucky 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.

Tada.

Is that a vacuum sweeper?

The fella said he can
bare keep them in stock.

Here, plug it in.

Mommy, mommy, mommy.

It's a noise.

Don't worry,
it's not gonna hurt you.

Come on, buddy.

Tommy, look.

Look, it's a vacuum sweeper.

You see?

Someone's very tired.

Mr. Rothstein, Charlie
Luciano to see you.

We've got a special guest.

- Frankie Yale.
How are you? - A.R.

I understand you just
got back from Chicago.

That's why you brung me here?

I asked him to, Frankie.

I was visiting
a friend. So what?

It was a lousy visit
though, huh?

Help yourself.

There was a man once...

I don't recall his name...

frequented the billiard
parlors downtown.

He made
a comfortable living

wagering whether he could
swallow certain objects,

billiard balls
being a specialty.

He'd pick a ball,

take it down
his gullet to here,

then regurgitate it back up.

And one evening I decided to
challenge this man to a wager...

10,000 in cash for him
to do the trick

with a billiard ball
of my choosing.

Now he knew I'd seen him
do this a dozen times,

so I can only surmise that
he thought I was stupid.

We laid down the cash and I
handed him the cue ball.

He swallowed it down.

It lodged in his throat

and he choked to death
on the spot.

What I knew and he didn't
was that the cue ball

was 1/16th of an inch larger
than the other balls...

just too large to swallow.

Do you know what the moral
of this tale is, Mr. Yale?

Don't eat a cue ball?

The moral of this story

is that if I'd cause a stranger

to choke to death
for my own amusement,

what do you think
I'll do to you

if you don't tell me who
ordered you to kill Colosimo?

Jimmy honey,

it's not a good time.

I don't mind.

Let's do something else.

Maybe...

maybe we could, you know,
do it the French way.

What?

Well, when we were
outside Paris,

some fellas were talking about
some gals they met that...

Oh, you want me to put
my mouth down there?

There were so many times
when I would think of you.

I would get so hard.

- Mama, mama.
- God damn it!

- It's okay.
- Shit.

Mama, where are you?

- Mama's right here, baby.
- I can't find you.

The kid's
got timing, huh?

Are you hungry?

You want me to fix you a steak?

No, I gotta do something.

We now take
you to ancient Greece!

Behold the sirens,

the stunning temptresses
who, in their wickedness,

enticed Odysseus to dash
himself upon the rocks.

Cue the waves crashing.

Sound, that's your cue!

Sound!

Let's break.

Five minutes.

I'm really .

- You want a something?
- Sure.

Yeah.

Jimmy!

Oh!

Oh, baby baby baby.

Jimmy.

Oh, my baby.

- Ma, it's all right.
- Baby baby baby.

Why didn't you write?
I thought you were dead.

I'm fine.

I missed you so much.
I missed you, I did.

It's all right.
Come on.

Oh my God, I'm shaking.

When did you come home?

I've been home
over a month now.

And you're just
coming to see me now?

I've been busy.

Come on, put on some clothes.

Oh, I...

I got you something.

What is this?

Oh.

Jimmy.

It's okay.
Come on, ma.

This is it.
This is the one.

It's close.
It's very similar.

Oh.

I had the same necklace
years ago from his father.

I don't have a father.

She sold it to keep
a roof over my head.

She's a good egg, your mom.

I promised you I'd
replace it, didn't I?

Just having you back...

I don't know what to say.

What are you doing?

It's 4:30.

I'm clocking in.

Just like that?

I'd say our relationship
has changed

rather significantly in the past few days.
Wouldn't you agree?

- You tell me.
- Actually, why don't you tell me?

You can start with what the
fuck happened the other night.

- How's that?
- All right.

Did I invite you to sit?

Me and Al, we got
to thinking about life...

- who's Al? - Capone.
He works for Johnny Torrio.

- The chubby kid?
- Yeah.

- Did Torrio sanction this?
- Only after the fact.

It was my idea...
mine and Al's.

We got to talking about
life, family, money.

- He's got a little boy of his own.
- Young children at home

and there's no goddamn
accountability whatsoever.

- I said I was sorry, Nuck.
- Really?

When was that?

I'm sorry.

I thought it would
be easy, okay?

Get the drop on them,
swipe the truck.

- No one would get hurt.
- And me? Where'd I figure in?

- It would have never been traced back to you.
- Oh well, guess what.

A fed came in to see me this morning,
standing right where you are now,

asking questions
about Saturday night.

- What'd you tell him? - To bugger himself.
What the fuck do you think?

There were deer in the woods.

Al got spooked.
He started shooting.

So you kill four fucking guys?

- Five.
- Actually, there were four,

but let's not quibble over
that little detail, shall we?

We couldn't leave
any witnesses, Nuck.

Fucking idiot.

I screwed up, okay?
I'm sorry.

I'm gonna make it up to you.
I'll work extra hours.

Hold on there. Wait a second.
You don't work for me anymore.

Let's get that
straight right now.

And you made
that decision, not me.

- Well, who's gonna drive you?
- What's the difference?

Wanna be a gangster, kid?
Go be a gangster.

But if you want to be
a gangster in my town,

then you'll pay me
for the privilege.

That envelope
you gave me, my end...

you're three grand short.

- What do you mean?
- Are you deaf and stupid?

You pull a stunt like that,
ass-fuck me with Arnold Rothstein

in the process, you owe me
another three grand.

Nucky, I spent
most of the money.

$3,000.
You got 48 hours.

What'll it be?

I'll take a whiskey and a
statement on the record.

How's that?

Eddie Corrigan, "Chicago tribune.
" I believe we already met.

- You drinking or what?
- Whiskey, like I said.

Three bucks.

- What's your name?
- Al brown.

Hit me again.

I'm going with a story
linking Johnny Torrio

to the big Jim murder.

Why would you do that?

Because I think it's true.

Would you like
to make a statement?

Sure.

What the fuck's going on?

I'm making a statement.

Arnold Rothstein again.

Put on a black suit.
You'll be driving me tonight.

Shall I wear a
chauffeur's cap as well?

- If you want.
- Well, I have to borrow one then.

Well then borrow one.
Or don't.

What are you asking me for?

The chauffeur must have a cap.

Hello?

Nucky,
Arnold Rothstein.

What a pleasant surprise.

Yeah, I'm sure.

So the reason
I've been calling...

the delivery I arranged,
I never received it.

You don't say.

The truck ran out of petrol.
Who knows?

We'll chalk it up
to a misunderstanding.

Chalk it up however you'd like.

Fine.

Then 100 grand should cover it.

Excuse me?

You owe me $100,000,
Mr. Thompson.

It's bad enough you sold
my load to Chicago.

My sister-in-law's nephew
was one of those drivers.

I didn't sell
your load to anyone,

and I don't care if your mother
was one of the drivers.

Is this the way
you do business?

You wanna see
how I do business?

Show your face again
in Atlantic city.

Shit.

Jimmy?

Go back to sleep.

What are you doing?

Nothing, I'm...
I'm getting something.

Is everything all right?

Go back to sleep.

You're gonna wake the baby.

- Mrs. Schroeder?
- Hello?

I'm Nelson van Alden.

I'm with the bureau
of internal revenue.

I'd like to speak to you
about your husband.

Please.

Is this a bad time?

I'm just back
from the hospital.

Oh, I didn't realize.

Please.

Sit.

First of all, my condolences.

I'm sure your husband
was a fine and decent man.

I realize this is cold comfort,

but I have reason to believe

that his murder is unrelated

to any alleged ties
to bootlegging.

I... I don't understand.

He was a patsy,
Mrs. Schroeder,

a dupe set up to take the fall.

- By whom?
- I'm not sure yet.

- Do you mind if I smoke?
- Please.

I, um...
I had a ribbon.

What exactly is the nature of your
relationship to nucky Thompson?

- Hey, Nuck.
- Hey, champ.

Say, can you lend me
a few bucks?

I'd like to,
but I'm a little short.

That one kills me!

Oh, look at the lovebirds.

Looks like you're
having a ball.

We're having
a swell time, sure.

Saltwater Taffy!
Would you like some?

No, but you go ahead.

Talk about a flat tire.

Lionel Barrymore last night,
dinner at the knife & fork,

champagne till dawn
and not so much as a smooch.

- She looks like a push-over.
- That's what I thought.

What are you, about 20, 21?

Oh, forgive me for asking.

- It's just that George and
I were talking. - I'm 19.

Why, that's ideal.

You see, I'm thinking of
sponsoring a beauty contest

right here in Atlantic city.

And if you don't
mind my saying,

- you've got plenty of what it takes.
- A beauty contest?

Naturally.
Who doesn't love a pretty girl?

- What would I have to do?
- Keep in touch and I'll let you know.

Oh, incidentally, Georgie here
will be one of our judges.

- Really?
- Certainly.

- Thanks, Nuck. You're the darb.
- That oughtta warm her up.

Hello?
Atlantic city, new Jersey,

to Chicago, Illinois.

It took you long enough.
I've been waiting a half-hour.

Go ahead, please.

Hello?

Al. Al.

- Come here.
- Hello? Is anyone there?

Who's this?

Al, it's Jimmy.

- Jim Darmody.
- Who?

Jimmy, Atlantic city.

What gives?

I'm in a fix.
I need your help.

What kind of fix?
The coppers?

No, it's not that.

I-I need money.

You blew all that dough
already?

It's a long story.

I need you to wire me $500.

What?
I didn't hear you.

I need you to go
to Western union

and wire me $500.

I can't hear you, pal.

There's trouble
on the wire.

Al.

Jimmy?
Jimmy, are you there?

- Al, can you hear me?
- I can't hear you.

- Al!
- Call me back, pal.

Sounds like you need help.

Son of a bitch!

Al!

Operator.
May I help you?

Yeah, you... you can go jump
in a fucking lake.

Why is the money cold?

- It was in my pocket.
- You walked here?

I let Jimmy go.

It's time he struck
out on his own.

Well, maybe it'll
be good for him,

toughen him up
a little bit.

Pour me one of those
cognacs, will you?

Fuckin' indigestion.

- You and me both.
- Stomach's been killing me.

So what do you hear
from Trenton?

Senator edge
is coming down,

Frank Hague too
from Jersey city,

for my birthday.

Oh Jesus.

A grown man still throwing
himself birthdays.

Does that mean I
should cancel your cooze for the night?

The fuck it does.

I'm hoping to pin edge down on
that road appropriation money.

You should horse-trade.
The election's coming up.

He's got his eye on Washington.

I think he can go all the way.

- God knows the ladies like him.
- Yeah.

- That could be a lot of goddamn votes.
- That's a frightening thought.

Well, a vote's a vote,
isn't it?

You think so?

Louanne.

Louanne?

God damn it.

Louanne.

Jesus. What the hell are
you doing back there?

Fixing your supper,
commodore...

when you hear this bell,
get your ass in here.

- Do you understand that?
- Yes, sir.

Is there something
I could do for you?

I want you to tell
Mr. Thompson here

what your thoughts are
on the league of nations.

Beg pardon?

Tell Mr. Thompson
what your thoughts are

on the league of nations.

Big meeting there
last week, right?

Paris?

I don't know what that is, sir.

Well, how do you feel
about the Harriday act?

- Holiday?
- Harriday.

Allows banks to operate
through subsidiaries.

Sorry, commodore,

I'm not versed
in these matters.

Of course she isn't.
She empties my pisspot.

That's your woman's vote.

We now take
you to feudal Japan!

- Come on, come on!
- Aw, Jesus.

- What are you waiting for!
- That's us.

- The cue's coming.
- Come on, let's go.

- It happens every time.
- Yeah.

"My dearest rose,

I trust and pray
to our lord

that this missive
finds you well

and in good spirits.

Important agency business

keeps me from home,

for how much longer
I cannot say.

Please see to it

that you run the faucets
at least twice a day,

as the winter weather
can cause the pipes to crack.

Your devoted husband,

Nelson."

Whoa.

Shoe.

You know, you oughtta
grow a mustache.

What?

Sure.

Like Douglas Fairbanks.

Douglas Fairbanks
belongs in snake alley

with the other powder puffs.

You ask me, he's all man.

He's starring
in "the mark of Zorro."

I'll put that on my list.

Ahem, Mrs. Schroeder
is here.

- Now?
- She says she must see you.

Who's Mrs. Schroeder?

Just wait in the car
with Eddie.

Mrs. Schroeder,
what a surprise.

I'm sorry.
I know it's late.

It's nearly midnight.
Where are your children?

They're with a neighbor.

Shall we?

Here, have a seat.

Mr. Thompson,
I apologize,

but I need to return this.

Well, that certainly could
have waited till tomorrow.

No, it couldn't.

That money...

I don't know what it is,
what it's for.

It was weighing too heavily
on my conscience.

Your conscience?

Well, why should it do that?

With my husband gone...

I understand what
you're going through,

whatever the circumstances.

Was she very young, your wife?

Yes, she was.

28.

She was a beautiful
loving woman.

I'll keep her in my prayers.

Thank you.

When I came to you for help,

it was only to ask
for employment for my husband.

I was a parlormaid
back in Ireland.

With these soft hand

my point is I wasn't
seeking alms.

But we're christians.
That was the charitable thing.

Charity degrades
those who receive it

and hardens those
who dispense it.

That's French or something, isn't it?

- George sand.
- He was a poet.

He was a she, actually.

Baroness Amandine Lucile Dupin.

Sand was her pen-name.

My employer was a barrister.

The house was filled
with books.

- And I'll bet you read them all.
- As many as I could.

Will you help me,
Mr. Thompson?

All I want is to provide
for my children.

I'd like to help you.

Then tell me what to do.

What do you want from me?

To vote republican.

- George, stop!
- Kiss me, baby. Come on.

You see what
you're doing to me?

Stop getting fresh.

Come on, honey.
I'm crazy for you.

Stop. I'm not
that kind of girl.

Really? Well, what kind
of girl are you, huh?

So that's the way
it's gonna be, huh?

Come near me and I'll scream.

Come near you?
Who can get close to you?

Get your things.
I'm taking you back to Baltimore.

At this hour?

Well, I've got headlamps,
haven't I?

A guy comes home
and he sees his wife

in bed with a stranger.

He says, "what the hell
are you two doing?"

She turns to the stranger and says, "see?
I told you he was stupid."

Fella comes
home to his wife and he says,

"honey, pack your bags.
I've just won the Irish sweepstakes."

She says, "well, should I pack
for warm weather or cold?"

"Doesn't matter to me,"
he says,

"as long as you're gone by noon.

- You had one the other day...
- Nucky.

Sir James of the Absecon isle.

I got what you asked for.

Do I need to count it?

Only if you don't trust me.

So we're square?

As a block of ice.

Gentlemen and ladies,
to the tables.

Money plays.

3,000 on black.

Check play.

No more bets.

Anthe world turns.

- 23 red.
- Aw.

Not my night apparently.

- It's okay, baby.
- I know.

I've still got you though.
Right?

A waste of time,
that's what this trip was.

There are plenty of girls...

plenty, who'd give
their eye teeth

for a time like I showed you...

theater, champagne,
fancy suppers,

$70 in a dress shop!

You could've shown a little
gratitude, you know.

"Not that kind of girl."

What kind of girl goes away with
a fella she just met, anyway?

You can forget about
that beauty pageant,

I'll tell you that right now.

All right, enough.
Quit your jabbering.

Pull over.

Go on, do it.

You wanna kiss me?
Go ahead.

You bet I do.

Go on, unbutton your trousers.

Ahh!

? I want to spoon ?

? I want to spoon ?

? to my honey I'll croon
love's tune ?

- ? honey moon ?
- ? Honey moon, honey moon ?

- ? keep a-shining in June ?
- ? In June ?s tune ?

? your silvery beams
will bring love's dreams ?

? we'll be cuddling soon ?

? we'll cuddle soon ?

? by the silvery moon ?

? by the silvery moon ?

? choir sings,
bell rings ?

? preacher says you'll wait
forever more ?

? act two, all through ?

? every night
the same encore ?

- ? by the light ?
- ? By the light of the moon ?

? of the silvery moon ?

? of the silvery moon ?

? your silvery beams
will bring love's dreams ?

- ? we'll be cuddling soon ?
- ? We'll cuddle soon ?

- ? by the silvery moon ?
- ? By the silvery moon. ?