Transcripts - Forever Dreaming

[Theme music playing]

[Music playing]

[Thunder rumbling, streetcar bell ringing]

What you doing here?

Waiting.

On your man?

For business.

What kind of business you got in a cat house?

My business.

You need to go.

Now!

[Rain pattering]

She's not his.

Then whose?

Just mine.

[Knock at door]

Ma'am?

Yes?

Why you lock the door?

I was changing.

Been in these clothes for three days.

There's rooms for that.

My girl's asleep. I can't leave her.

Heard from the doctor.

Yes?

He'll come by. Unlock this when you done.

I will.

Walk out.

While you can.

Let's both see him.

[Band playing]

[Man coughing]

Shake it over here!

[Man belches]

I'm awake.

I ain't.

This kind of night...

It's like the clock's running backwards.

The middle of the week's always slow.

Look who's the expert now.

Pretty soon you'll be running the joint.

[Chuckles]

I don't know about that.

What I was doing, I was your age?

Knocking over storefronts with a little pocket colt.

Pow-pow.

[Laughs]

My own g*ng, 16 years old.

People respected me. I was going places.

What happened?

Your father set me up with your mother.

Wait. What did... he what?

Nothing.

I'm sure they're in the front pew every Sunday.

[Yawns]

Off your ass.

Fetch 'em up the sandwiches.

And don't forget the pickups later.

[Distant music playing]

[Knocks]

[Clicks]

Just brought the sandwiches.

[Knocks]

Señor.

Las medianoches.

The food...?

Me cago en dios.

Where did he go?

[Thumping]

[Faint clanking, clattering]

[Sighs]

What are you doing?

Strawberry pie.

Leave it for the morning.

They're starting to turn.

You came in late.

I couldn't get out of there.

It was just speech after speech.

Did you make one?

I had to.

What did you say?

[Sighs]

"Respected gentlemen of the hall, Mr. mayor, Commodore Kaestner... I regard it as both a duty and a privilege to put forward a man whose energy is unquenchable, whose character is unimpeachable, whose loyalty is inexhaustible."

A nice construction.

"The next alderman on the fourth ward and boon companion of my youthful years, the honorable James Patrick Neary."

The thing is, I've always considered him a real son of a sailor.

As long as you made a strong impression.

Everyone kept calling me Nucky.

Oh, no.

Mm-hmm.

[Southern accent]

My name's Nucky, boys.

I'm in ladies' garters. What's your line?

Say, have yourself a "see-gar."

Is that what it sounds like?

[Gasps]

What's wrong?

You nauseous again?

Should I fetch the doctor?

I just couldn't sleep.

I sat at that dinner and watched them slap Jim Neary on the back.

They'll make him alderman because that's what the Commodore wants.

13 years I've served him.

Never even says my name.

You'll be recognized.

He'll see you're working...

It doesn't matter.

I have you.

I'm gonna be a father.

I'll make my way.

I know what I'm doing it for.

[Southern accent]

How-de-do, fellas?

Have yourselves a "see-gar."

[Laughs]

[Distant music playing]

I don't like cigarettes.

Pissy little girlie smokes.

Cigarettes. Drinks with fruit.

Darling handbags. Lavender soap.

All that cunty shit.

Why don't you tell me your name?

Francis X. Bushman.

Really?

Absolutely.

What's the x stand for?

The x will stand for pretty much anything.

Francis X.

Francis X., where you from?

Where do you think I'm from?

Mmm...

What's that state between, uh, Ohio and California?

The State of Oblivion.

You f*cking with me, Francis X.?

No.

I don't like to be f*cked with.

I'm not f*cking with you.

So what's the state I'm talking about?

Missouri.

That's where you're from.

Isn't it?

You got me.

I'm a good judge of character.

Just ask my first two husbands.

They didn't know what they were missing.

About 800 bucks and some paste jewelry by the time I was done.

Ah.

Mm-hmm.

What brings you to our fair city, "Francis X. Bushman from Missouri"?

Judge my character.

You come for some kind of convention.

You sell hosiery or hair combs or hatbands or who gives a f*ck.

You're married, but your wife hasn't sucked your cock since Harding bought the farm.

You used to run around with your assh*le pals, get yourself boiled on Saturday night.

Line up at the one whorehouse in town, come quick, and lie about it after.

But now you're mostly thinking about f*cking your secretary, stealing a boatload off your boss, and whether or not it would hurt more to stand in front of a trolley or sh**t yourself in the head.

Oh... and you love your children.

How'd I do?

I sell floor polish.

Oh, you poor, sad f*ck.

What the hell are you doing here?

Looking for a good time.

You know what kind of place this is?

This is where hope comes to get f*cked in the ass.

When's she showing up?

[Laughs]

If we run now, how's D'Angelo gonna know?

Run where? With what?

Hey.

Get into the count room, drop off the money.

Leave the satchel, don't open it.

I step out, start a conversation...

"Anybody catch that cubs game?"

I double back with the key, empty the satchel, open the safe.

This has not been thought through.

[Sighs] f*ck.

What I said before, about your spouse, you know, being an accident...

I didn't mean it in a sense of something horrible.

What's all the whispering?

Drop-off.

Come back in the morning.

It's already a day late. We want to get it in now.

Give it to me.

We need to be sure it's added.

Nothing personal.

All right. Come on, hurry up.

[Faint music playing]

Wait, wait, wait. I don't have the key.

You know where the key is?

Big boy's desk?

Go get it.

No one touches the desk.

Unless he's here.

He's not here now.

We really need to drop this off.

Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing?

Trying the knob.

Can't do that.

If it's open, it's open, right?

[Moaning]

[Gasps]

We, uh...

Don't you f*cking move!

What are you creeping around for?

A drop-off.

The room is closed.

It was unlocked, so...

It was occupied!

It was as occupied as a room can get!

We were late.

Just a little late.

Last time there was some concern.

Give that to me.

Uh, technically that's supposed to go in the, uh...

Well, as long as it's in Ralph's hands, it's okay to...

What the f*ck are you trying to pull?

What are we trying to pull?

Ralph, you want us to track down the big boy?

Go find Mike D'Angelo.

Let me take her out of here. Just let me do that.

So you can book off again?

You didn't come for me.

You the honeypot, though, ain't you?

You can't want her part of this. It's not what you are.

You don't know me, do you?

I know you wouldn't stop.

I know I had to leave or never be free.

You free now?

Seven years I close my eyes at night.

Only thing got me to sleep was your voice in my head.

Then I realized I didn't even remember what you sound like.

Just made you up.

Tell me what happened.

Please?

Where are we?

Oh...

We're in New York, precious.

Like I said we'd be.

I fell asleep.

[Thunder rumbles]

Yes, you did.

Can I have something to eat?

As soon as we finish here.

How soon is that?

Not long.

Will it be?

Where you hail from, little one?

It's okay. You can tell him.

I was born in Oklahoma.

But we've been all over.

When your mama sing?

She doesn't sing.

Then what she do?

Work for Mr. Engler.

Yeah? Who that?

He's a white man in Memphis.

What she do for him?

I keep his toilets clean.

[Thunder rumbling]

I'm begging you.

[Doorknob rattling]

Will you let me in?

We can't talk if I'm not able to see you.

It's a long way to travel for foolish games.

Let him in.

Go on.

Okay.

Go sit over there and be quiet.

Go sit over there.

[Distant music playing]

I see.

[Thunder rumbling, streetcar bell ringing]

[Door closes]

What's your name?

My name's Althea.

That's pretty.

Do you know what it means?

It means "healing" in ancient Greek.

My name is Valentin.

And this man, do you know him?

They ain't a part of this.

Well, I suppose we all have our affairs to discuss.

[Music chiming]

[People chatting]

[Thunder rumbling]

How are you keeping, Mr. Glass?

Look at the ocean.

What about it?

That color... two weeks before the season starts?

Bad sign.

Looks all right to me.

That's hurricane water.

Kind of early for that.

Bad sign for the summer.

Let's hope for the best.

That's easy for you to say.

I have three and a half months to make my living out here.

If I don't turn a profit now, i don't turn one.

At all.

But that never stops the lot of you showing up like clockwork.

Does it?

How's that?

Where's Lindsay anyway?

Sheriff's got his hands full today, so...

There's a problem.

Yes, sir?

Little thief running around.

You need to get on it.

What?

Sneaky little monkey.

Comes in right behind the customers.

Before you know it, makes off with a box of caporals.

Twice now.

Can you describe him?

[Sighs] 10, 11.

Flat cap. Dirty little monkey.

Well, we'll keep an eye out.

I'm giving you this why?

I vow to bring that rascal to justice, Mr. Glass.

[Chiming continues]

[Women laughing]

"Take your w*r-club, puggawaugun, and your mittens, minjekahwun, and your birch-canoe for sailing"...

He's gonna blow it.

You can see it in his eyes.

"May pass the black pitch-water; slay this merciless magician, save the people from the fever that he breathes across the fen-lands, and"...

Oh, Francis. Give up.

I had to memorize the whole thing.

You lowly piece of crap.

You worm.

You dog. You hound.

You kangaroo.

[Laughing]

What?

You know, hop, hop.

I am a kangaroo. How do you do?

In my pouch I have a kazoo.

What the f*ck are you talking about?

Take your shirt off.

Huh?

You lost the bet. You got to take something off.

Let's go.

How come you never lose?

We're smarter than you.

And younger.

[Gulps] Oh, this is shit.

Worst booze in town.

Worst booze in New Jersey.

f*ck you, Irene.

What'd you have to say that for?

'Cause I felt like it.

You're a lousy, g*dd*mn lush.

And you're king Neptune's consort.

I almost was once.

King Neptune's c*cksucker.

Try it again, I'll brain you.

I know where to get the good stuff.

Yeah? Where?

The ritz-Carlton. I'll walk you right in.

And how you gonna do that?

Mama dressed me for the parade.

They know who I am there.

Well, then, Francis, what the f*ck are you doing with us?

I know them, but I'm not like them.

I'm like you.

I had little wings.

Start at the bottom.

With nothing. You have nothing.

A little tiara.

There's an opportunity. You take it.

What choice do you have?

I looked like an angel.

You don't have a choice. Get yourself ahead.

What else can you do?

For what, though, huh?

For what?

No one ever talks about that.

No one ever asks. What's the point...

Why don't you shut the f*ck up?

Excuse me?

Nobody wants to listen to your stupid shit.

I'm not talking to you.

I can hear you anyways. I'm f*cking sick of it.

Then go somewhere else.

This is my place. This is where I belong.

Sure is.

[Laughs]

What's that, you old whore? I'll punch your tits off.

You, too, you squirrel-faced c**t.

Why don't you watch your mouth?

Why don't you spoon the shit out of my assh*le and eat it for dinner?

[Women laughing]

I think you need to apologize to these ladies.

Make me.

Oh, Francis. Help us, please.

"Straightway from the shining wigwam came the mighty megissogwon, tall of stature, broad of shoulder, clad from head to foot in wampum, armed with all his warlike weapons."

Apologize.

Apologize.

Suck my d*ck, Mary Jane.

"Thus departed hiawatha, to the regions of the home-wind, to the islands of the blessed, to the kingdom of ponemah, to the land of the hereafter."

See? I do know it.

Guess you win after all.

What do I get?

What do you want?
Come on. Wake up, Walter.

I want to f*ck you both.

[Grunts]

Who wants to talk first?

Maybe you.

We...

Uh...

Came to rob the joint?

The f*cking balls.

We knew the big boy would be out and...

Skeleton crew.

Yeah, skeleton crew.

Figured it'd be easy.

How did you geniuses get that idea?

My wife.

Your wife told you to rob Al Capone?

We're having trouble at home.

I can vouch for that.

How you want to handle this?

Only one choice, right?

You're the boss. You want to do it?

Do you want me to do it?

Do you want to wait for Al?

[Sighs]

Just get 'em out of here.

Neat and quick.

That's me all over.

You need any of these guys?

Nah, I got my boys outside.

Let's go.

Where to?

Dance marathon.

Let's see how long you can stay on your feet.

Do you want another one?

No, sir.

Off to the races.

[Doors open]

[Laughing]

Evening, Al. You're back early.

Yeah.

♪ Any little duck can quack... ♪

[Laughing]

♪ any little worm can crawl ♪
♪ any little mole can frolic in the sun ♪
♪ and make a little hole and have a little fun. ♪

[Laughing]

Ralphie, meet my new friends.

Mr. Paul Muni, Mr. George Raft.

They've journeyed here from Hollywood, California.

Land of dreams. Tell him why you're here, George.

We're doing a crime picture.

Set in Chicago.

That's right.

About?

Kind of a shakespearean drama.

Man's rise and fall.

With lots of action.

And he gets it in the end, right?

That's how they have to do it.

And to show them how that works, I figured I'd introduce them to Mr. Bugs Moran.

[Laughing]

Break open the cubanos.

Drinks. Let's get a card game going, huh?

What are you doing here?

We were just leaving.

That's a different question.

Taking care of a problem, Al.

What problem?

[Whispering]

Interesting.

You two make yourselves at home.

[Laughs]

You two, over here.

If you would be so kind.

You heard the man.

Okay, folks, listen up. Look up, walk up, and pay up.

Yes, it's a grand day to stroll the boardwalk.

But we got more to see than water and sand.

Just one nickel pays admission to Atlantic City's very own...

Could you put a word in?

It's tricky.

I'm not looking for much. Just something in the department.

It needs to be the right time.

Jim Neary gets put up for alderman.

You want to be like Jim Neary?

Man doesn't have an honest bone in his body.

You paid money to go to that dinner.

What's that got to do with it?

Next time you see the Commodore...

I'll handle it.

Well, maybe one of the firehouses...

Eli, you need to trust me, okay?

Nuck.

Hey, Nuck.

What?

Last Sunday, I went with June and her parents up to brigantine.

We're all walking along the shore and she goes, "I lost my hair ribbon.

Help me find it."

We wind up behind the grass.

Caporals! Caporals!

And she lets me put my hand right there.

Hey, mister, cigarette?

I couldn't believe it.

You could hear them all talking on the other...

What's going on?

Hey!

Hey!

Watch out!

[Woman gasps]

Stop!

Watch it!

[Panting] Popcorn, peanuts, and a prize for the kiddies!

One little nickel gets you a lot of deliciousness!

Right here, get your pretzels...

[Barker continues]

[Seagulls squawking]

This really hurts my feelings.

[Faint music playing]

I mean, what'd I ever do to you, huh?

Except give you a leg up?

I take you in. Favor to your brother so you could lay low.

Didn't I do that?

You did.

You ever say thank you? I never heard it.

Thank you very much.

Doesn't count now.

And you.

I thought we was buddies.

Of course we are, Al.

You steal from buddies?

What kind of a man does that make you?

Greedy.

Just very greedy.

And you?

I'm greedy, too.

Here's what I'm thinking.

I don't believe you.

I think you're up to something.

I think Charlie Luciano was right.

I think you're a f*cking badge.

Al, you got your guests.

Turn up the radio, Ralphie.

[Music playing loudly]

What you have to say?

I am Nelson Kasper van Alden!

I am a sworn agent of the United States treasury.

And I swear by Jesus our lord justice will rain down upon you if it is my last...

[g*nsh*t]

f*cking fed piece of shit.

Get him off me!

Get him off me!

[Gasps]

You all right, snork?

He was gonna k*ll me. He was gonna k*ll me.

He was.

This concludes our broadcast day.

This is Herbert Carter signing off from Chicago.

All this time. f*ck.

The shit with the irons?

Huh?

f*ck! f*ck you!

f*ck!

I'm sorry, June.

f*cking son of a b*tch.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Boss, you all right?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, June.

It's all right.

What are you mumbling?

Stay out.

Hey!

I'm talking to you, huh?!

Spill it! Spill it now!

[Stammers]

W-we came for the ledgers.

Why?

We were told to.

By who?

This fed...

Who was squeezing us.

What's his name, huh?

Look, either way it's over, huh?

Tell me and I'll make it quick.

This "prohee"...

Named Ness.

We was barbers, Ralphie?

Yeah?

We would be asleep now.

[Chuckles]

Face down in a cornfield.

Sure thing, Al.

What do we tell his brother?

Luciano's taking care of him.

Mike?

Watch him.

You finish that, Al wants you to run this over to Cicero.

He's not feeling safe.

He's very grateful for what you've done.

Lobby.

[Elevator bell rings]

He had two kids.

So do I.

When they ask what I do, I won't be ashamed to tell them.

What happens to me?

You think I give a shit?

Buy yourself a bus ticket.

Hiawatha?

You like the decor?

Just what I was looking for.

Then what's your pleasure?

Her first, then you.

You don't like me?

Save you for last.

Where do you want to do it?

Right here.

[Laughs]

Filthy little boy.

Son of a piney, that's me.

I thought you was from Missouri.

I am a kangaroo. How do you do?

[Both laugh]

Let's get dirty.

Looking for my pouch?

[Gasps] Found it.

Hop on in.

Francis, just so you know, nothing personal.

Boss still inside?

Mm-hmm.

Well, is this how you imagined it?

These many years? With another innocent at hand? It can't be.

You think you getting out of this?

The battle is already over.

I walked in here on my own accord. I have no w*apon.

Your men outside.

That would all happen after.

Does that matter to you? I don't think it does.

Send the little one out.

But not miss Maitland?

[Distant streetcar bells ringing]

What you come here for?

True, now.

I need to open it.

[Suitcase latches click]

I paid for the studio, the musicians, the pressing.

No one will play it.

No one will hire me.

Not in Chicago. Not in Kansas City.

Not anywhere.

What have I to do with that?

You stopped them to stop me.

My reach extends to every h*nky-tonk and barrel house?

I can't live that way. Not with her.

Give her up. Others do.

You are drowning me.

Drop by drop.

Perhaps the failing is your own.

Won't you let me go?

I came here from a meeting downtown...

More truthful to say I was summoned...

With a Mr. Luciano.

I remember him.

I am being dictated terms.

I will be allowed to conduct my business, but only under his control.

In exchange, I will be protected from others of his kind.

He will allow me to conduct my business in my home.

This is the new order of things.

Ain't no concern of mine.

What if it were?

And am I worse than those devils who betrayed you?

You the only devil I know.

Call me what you will. I never claimed to be your friend.

I'll make a place for you.

I'll pay you well.

If it's blood you want, you'll have your chance to spill it.

[Scoffs] Me help you?

You help yourself.

Every soul in this room yearns to be free.

Put the record on.

I'm making you an offer. You'll not get a better one.

Put it on.

[Music playing]

♪ Stars shining bright above you ♪
♪ night breezes seem to whisper, "I love you" ♪
♪ birds singing in the sycamore tree ♪
♪ dream a little dream of me ♪
♪ say nighty-night and kiss me ♪
♪ just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me ♪
♪ while I'm alone and blue as can be ♪
♪ dream a little dream of... ♪

I'll take the bargain.

No.

Don't really matter to me.

It's not what I came for.

You came to be heard. That's your voice.

You set it up and I belong to you.

Pick the city. I'll make the call.

You'll be booked tomorrow.

You weren't put on this earth to be no of ay's maid.

[Softly] You can't trust him.

Don't you know that?

I say I can. Far as I need to.

[Chuckles]

You ever meet your daddy?

Mama loved him, but she had to leave.

Baby girl...

You stay real close to your mama now, you hear?

Keep her away from men like me.

Let's get to business.

I'll need the g*n. As a gesture of loyalty.

They leave first.

We'll all go together.

What sense that make?

We headed in different places.

Go on, now.

Help with that, ma'am?

Yes, of course you do.

Our collaboration begins.

Pop wants to see you.

Why, does he need money?

It's not like that.

Then what?

He's only got two sons.

I see ma, that's what matters.

Talks about you all the time.

f*ck him.

Don't use words like that.

Mabel's pregnant.

She is?

Well, that's bully.

[Distant music chiming, barker speaking]

Hold on there.

[Gasps]

[Grunting]

All right. All right.

Calm down. No one's gonna hurt you.

You're caught, that's all.

Been busy today, hmm?

What's your name?

You must have a name.

Nellie Bly.

Don't cut shines with me.

That's what it says on the book.

I'm Nucky.

That's my brother Eli.

It's not as bad as you think. Just tell me your name.

Gillian.

That's not a name for a boy.

I'm not a boy.

[Bottles rattling]

f*ck you looking at?

You think I don't know who you are?

You little thieving monkey.

I'll run you out of town.

What?

You expect some kind of favor?

You stupid f*cking child. Why would you trust me?

I don't understand.

[Groans]

Old rumpus. $50.

You hear me? I'll give you 50.

I said I'll pay you.

You don't have to pay me, sir. I already work for you.

[Seagulls squawking]

To see you.

[Distant waves crashing]

What's your name?

Joe Harper.

Where from?

Indiana.

What are you doing here?

Trying to get ahead.

What you saw tonight...

I didn't see anything.

You saw me.

Anything I might have said...

You just said you wanted to go home.

Take it.

No, sir.

Why not?

You just had a rough night.

That's all.

Besides, if you only help people to help yourself, what kind of world would it be?

Someone I was close to just died because of me.

Last thing I heard her say was, "have your coffee."

She's gone and I'm still here.

What kind of world is that?

Come on, now. It's not helping yourself.

It's helping me.

Señor?

They are downstairs.

What?

I need everybody to listen good.

You will swear an oath of allegiance to Mr. Nucky Thompson of Atlantic City, New Jersey, to protect and defend his person and property against all enemies, foreign and domestic, as long as you both shall live.

Nobody knew where you were.

So I done a Paul Revere.

We saddling up for a showdown or not?

We are.

Bring the car around.

You ain't never gonna stop them white boys.

Why do you say that?

They everywhere. You just here.

I'd call surviving a victory.

Well, you pretty slick at that.

Gonna keep your word to her?

'Cause I'm keeping to mine.

How will you know?

I won't.

Then tell yourself I will.

All a dream to begin with.

Ain't nobody ever been free.

All right, then.

♪ Stars shining bright above you ♪
♪ night breezes seem to whisper, "I love you"... ♪

[g*nsh*t]