Boardwalk Empire Recap: Promises, Promises

Mickey comes back with Owen and the men get down to business. Sawicki’s heard from his NYC contact that Masseria goes to the Turkish baths every Thursday at 9:00. Owen thinks it could work and Eli thinks that if it’s dark and steamy the other patrons will be distracted…and Mickey wants to know if they have mineral baths. Nucky’s contemplating the cleaning costs of shooting Mickey on principle right where he sits, but decides to ridicule him instead. Eli offers to go with Owen as backup but Nucky wants Eli in Chicago to see if he can’t get Torrio’s men. If they take out Masseria, then Gyp will be weakened without Masseria and his muscle to hide behind. But Nucky thinks they’ll still need Torrio’s help.

Then he tells Mickey to pack his bags, too. Mickey claps his hands together and pleads with Nucky to him he’s going to Paris. Oh, Mickey the Roach. How I’ve missed you. Nope, not Paris. West Overton, PA. He’s going there to get the distillery up and running so they can take over Remus’ old operation. Mickey thinks that will take some money so Nucky throws a big leather billfold at him. Mickey is the living embodiment of the phrase “failing upward.”

Never change, roach. Never change.

Nucky wants to know Owen’s plan for Masseria and he thinks he’ll just take Agent Sawicki to cause a distraction long enough for him to take care of business. Nucky’s questioning the viability of just the two of them slipping in and taking out Masseria but Owen thinks more men leave them open to more mistakes. What the job needs is patience and opportunity. Nucky considers it briefly then dismisses them all with a curt “Don’t you all have valises to pack?”

Meyer’s pitching their heroin sideline to Arnold while he plays pool with Charlie. Meyer thinks that booze is their bread and butter, but “this mishegoss” can’t last forever. Arnold’s a little put out at Meyer’s obvious ass-kissing through Yiddish so Meyer brings it down to Arnold’s favorite medium: money. He thinks it’s just a good idea to branch out. Charlie backs up Meyer that Arnold’s always telling them to look for something new, and that’s what the heroin sideline is. Fifty pounds, for $100K.

This leads Arnold into one of his oblique and long-winded stories, with the added bonus of visual aids. He explains what a shot to nothing is. It’s attempting a difficult shot but with the cushion of safety that if it fails, he leaves his opponent with no shot. Then he remembers he’s talking to Charlie and explains it more plainly. Until Nucky or Masseria is dead, it’s best to lay low and not look for any new deals. Meyer thinks the deal can’t wait but Arnold says a deal can always wait but fools rush in. The idea is sound but the timing is wrong. Then Arnold misses an easy shot just to prove his point, I guess.

And that, boys, is where babies come from.