Arnold Rothstein quotes from Boardwalk Empire

Arnold Rothstein

You know the nice thing about the Bronx Zoo, Charlie? There's bars between you and the monkeys.

Arnold Rothstein

All of man's troubles come from his inability to sit quietly in a room, by himself.

Arnold Rothstein

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, and regurgitate it back up. One evening, I decided to challenge this man to a wager. Ten thousand 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 is one sixteenth 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?

Arnold Rothstein

The moral of the story is: 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 Collisimo?

Arnold Rothstein

There's a lot of money in that pot. Do you know how much?

Yeah, 20.

Arnold Rothstein

22,500. How much mining equipment would you have to sell to make 22,000 bucks, Buck?

A lot. Are you in or out?

Arnold Rothstein

I'll see your 2, and raise you 5.

[after a moment's hesitation] Take it. I was bluffing.

Arnold Rothstein

I know. So was I.

[about the case against Rothstein for fixing the World Series] You get mud on your trousers, or horse shit, you don't rub it off. You let it dry and set awhile, then you brush it off nice and easy.

Arnold Rothstein

The World Series was months ago, Lawyer Fallon, and the horse shit hasn't dried yet!

Jimmy Darmody

I won't pretend you're inclined to be warm to me. I wouldn't insult you like that, cuz before anything else, I have great respect for you, your wisdom, your achievements.

Arnold Rothstein

You're better spoken than I expected.

Jimmy Darmody

We never really talked before.

Arnold Rothstein

You and Charlie are acquainted?

Jimmy Darmody

We have someone in common [Lucky slept with James' mother and tried to murder him].

Arnold Rothstein

You hear, Charlie? Discretion. Charlie volunteered to absent himself from this meeting. He felt his presence might be disruptive, but I counseled what?

Lucky Luciano

Never let the past get in the way of the future.

Jimmy Darmody

We are all learning, Mr. Rothstein.

Arnold Rothstein

And what can I learn from you, Mr. Darmody?

Jimmy Darmody

That things are changing in Atlantic City. If you're in the market for quality liquor coming in off the beaches at a reasonable price and in good supply, I can get it for you.

Arnold Rothstein

You personally?

Jimmy Darmody

Me. My associates. I'm expanding my business and you are precisely the type of discerning customer I'm looking for.

Arnold Rothstein

And Nucky Thompson?

Jimmy Darmody

Nucky's like a father to me.

Lucky Luciano

I have a father. Barely said hello in 5 years.

Jimmy Darmody

Sorry to hear it.

Arnold Rothstein

Who are you, Mr. Darmody?

Jimmy Darmody

Pardon?

Arnold Rothstein

Y-Y-You show up well dressed with a suit cravat and a bold proposal. A year ago you were a brigand in the woods. Who are you?

Jimmy Darmody

I'm a businessman, a veteran, I just got married.

Arnold Rothstein

Congratulations.

Jimmy Darmody

I have a son. He's almost 4.

Arnold Rothstein

Cart before the horse?

Jimmy Darmody

Do you have kids, Mr. Rothstein?

Arnold Rothstein

No, but I'm told they often say unexpected and amusing things. I appreciate you coming to me. I applaud your audacity. And I give you my word that your offer remains in this room.

Jimmy Darmody

What does that mean?

Lucky Luciano

I'll show you out.

Arnold Rothstein

[discussing Rosetti's blockade of Nucky's liquor] It's bad for business?

Nucky Thompson

Isn't it?

Arnold Rothstein

And what would you know about it, conducting yours like a drunken shopkeeper?

Nucky Thompson

Alright, Arnold. You're allowed to blow off steam.

Arnold Rothstein

It's not alright. Do you think I entered into this arrangement because I value your companionship? You are a convenience, of geography and supply. You promised a quantity and a price. You have failed to deliver! And now, owing to your inability to manage your affairs in New Jersey - a state I have little interest in or affection for - you expect me to start a war? In New York? Where things actually matter?

Nucky' Thompson

I expect you to understand that Gyp Rosetti is trouble for everyone. I lost an entire convoy...

Arnold Rothstein

Because of your own cavalierness! Because you run off to Manhattan at a moment's notice to rut with some showgirl!

Nucky Thompson

You'd be wise to leave Miss Kent out of this.

Arnold Rothstein

Why? You can't. Do you even begin to understand how weak that makes you look?

Nucky Thompson

That's a big noise from a man who is dead below the waist.

Arnold Rothstein

I practice discretion.

Nucky Thompson

You practice bullshit! Who the fuck are you, Arnold, aside from a little weasel with a good poker face?

Valentin Narcisse

20 pounds, uncut. I will weigh it myself to ensure good measure.

Arnold Rothstein

80,000 in cash. Large bills only.

Valentin Narcisse

Why would you expect otherwise?

Arnold Rothstein

My understanding, you control the local numbers racket.

Valentin Narcisse

Therefore, I transact my business like a schoolboy, dealing in pennies, nickels and dimes?

Arnold Rothstein

It was not my intention to offend you.

Valentin Narcisse

Nonetheless, you have succeeded despite yourself.

Arnold Rothstein

You're a type I recognize.

Nucky Thompson

What type is that?

Arnold Rothstein

A small town gladhander, peeking up over the fence, eager to stick his finger in a new piece of pie.

Nucky Thompson

I don't like pie.

Arnold Rothstein

Well, I have learned something new about you.

Arnold Rothstein

May I offer you some free advice?

Is there anything more expensive in the world?