Inside his office, Nucky tries to fight off his blurry vision so he can make his case in the most confidence-inspiring way possible. He stumbles over a word here or there, but he ends up making a classic politician's speech about banding together through adversity and the opportunities that wait for them on the other side. "Expansion, cooperation, profit, peace." It might as well be a bumper sticker. Waxey Gordon says he's got no beef with Rosetti and the others seem to agree with him. Nucky says this isn't their fight yet, but it will be soon, and they wouldn't have come if they didn't already know that. He puts his plan forward: back him in his war with Masseria and Rosetti, and in return, he will be proud to call each one of them his partner. There's silence throughout the room, until Rothstein finally speaks up. Everybody is obviously deferring to him, and it's clear from the outset that this isn't going to be good news. They all accepted this invitation out of respect, he says, but while they wish him the best of luck, but they won't back him. Nucky accuses Rothstein of rallying everyone against him, though they say it didn't take much persuading. Rothstein can't resist playing a bit of the TOLDJA game, too, harkening back to their conversation earlier this season about Nucky's head not being in the game. Nucky says Rothstein is letting emotion get in the way of sense. "Have you know that to be a habit of mine," Rothstein says evenly. Good point. He gathers Luciano and Lansky and exits, followed by everybody else. "I won't forget this!" Nucky repeatedly calls after Rothstein. All alone.

Elsewhere, in Tabor Heights, Rosetti breaks into the glass surrounding that statue of "Mad" Anthony Wayne and steals its tri-corner hat. As dawn breaks, he strides down to the beach, where the last of the crates are being loaded, with the hat on his head. What a quirky fucking guy. Truly the Zooey Deschanel of his era.

Joe R is glad to be rid of the vicarious vertigo this episode brought on. He can be reached for lavish praise and nothing but at joseph.reid21@gmail.com.