Boardwalk Empire Recap: Promises, Promises

Franco explains what a rogue wave is and Gyp wants to know why Tonino didn’t know this if Franco did, since Franco’s father is Tonino’s uncle. No one really seems to know what to say to this bit of nonsense so they all just kind of look around at each other awkwardly, waiting to see who Gyp kills. Instead, he just makes a lame joke about Tonino and they all chuckle because they have short memories.

Meanwhile, over in Chicago, Nelson’s back to his door-to-door salesman ways. He’s in a restaurant and the barkeep’s all “No peddlers, I’m not buying,” but Nelson’s got a glint in his eye and a spring in his step. He asks the barkeep if maybe he’d like a taste of the homeland and opens his case full of aquavit. The barkeep is interested, asking where he got it. Cicero, but it was made by Sigrid who is, among many awesome, awesome things, Norwegian. Nelson pours a cup and says it’s $6 a bottle. The barkeep likes it and offers to pay him $20 for four bottles with a promise to buy more later. It’s a deal.

This is way better than a steam iron, my friend.

Nucky’s reading about Remus’ indictment, and foreshadowing about Jess Smith being involved, when Eddie comes in to reprimand him for not drinking his “powder” and tell him that Means is on the phone. Eddie takes his leave and Nucky picks up the ear piece but doesn’t speak. Means abhors a void so he starts off in his florid, David Lynchian ways. But the upshot is that although Smith is Daugherty’s problem, he’s erratic enough that he “will say anything to anybody regarding everyone he’s ever met. Such is the nature of hysterics.” Then a black cat meows and walks through Means’ legs because it just wasn’t quite Lynchian enough.

They get down to their point. Both Nucky and Means are known to Smith and they need to take care of it. Means thinks he can do it, although it will require finesse and another $40K. While the cat purrs Means wants to know if Nucky’s still there. He is and he thinks he could find someone to take care of it for $10. Means rightly points out that Nucky’s free to hire that person, but some things shouldn’t be done on the cheap. Nucky acquiesces and says Means will get paid when he sees the results.

Why I, why I, why I do declare. Words wound, Mr. Thompson. That’ll be $40K.

Owen’s in Katy’s room and getting dressed for the day. She’s still in her bedclothes and wondering why he’s leaving so early. He says “the Thompsons” are expecting him but despite her wide-eyed goofiness, Kewpie dolls and ridiculous nickname for Owen’s cock, Katy’s shrewder than she looks and corrects him that “Margaret” is expecting him. Caught in his lie, Owen resorts to accusing her of baiting him (with the truth) and that he won’t take it.