Jimmy scene from Boardwalk Empire, practice script

NUCKY

What are you off your nut?

JIMMY

You didn’t drink that piss, I did.

NUCKY

You’re still breathing, aren’t you?

JIMMY

So’s he, that’s the problem.

NUCKY

He’s a major part of my operation, kid.

JIMMY

(Waving him off)

You don’t need him.

NUCKY

(In his face)

Oh yeah? What do you know about it?

NUCKY (CONT’D)

What’s with you? And don’t tell me it’s your goddamn stomach.

JIMMY

Honestly? (Beat) Paddy Doyle. Do you really expect me to go work for that Mick?

NUCKY

You’d rather be my driver?

JIMMY

Of course not, it’s just - You make Doyle clerk? I could run rings around that chump.

NUCKY

Well listen to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

JIMMY

C’mon, Nuck, you were assistant sheriff at my age.

NUCKY

And for eight years prior I spent night and day kissing the Commodore’s ass.

JIMMY

I’ve been kissing yours since I’m twelve.

NUCKY

And the last three years?

JIMMY

I was drafted, Nucky.

NUCKY

I recall offering to fix that problem.

JIMMY

I know you did. I wanted to serve my country.

NUCKY

And nearly got yourself killed. Did it ever occur to you how your wife might feel after that? Your little boy?

JIMMY

If that was my fate, so be it.

NUCKY

And he wants to be in politics! You know who dies for their country, kid? Fucking rubes, that’s who.

JIMMY

Well, I’m home now, so how about that?

NUCKY

Had you stayed where you belonged it’d be you in that job, not Doyle.

JIMMY

So now you’re punishing me, is that it?

NUCKY

I’m telling you to slow down, get the lay of the land. You been home out of the hospital what, a month now?

JIMMY

I’m not the same kid who left here, Nucky. I’ve seen things, done things.

NUCKY

(Mocking)

Well how we gonna keep you down on the farm?

JIMMY

I can help you. I’m serious.

NUCKY

That’s a thousand bucks. Go buy a decent suit of clothes.

JIMMY

I don’t want your money!

NUCKY

Fella hands you a grand, you tell him to go fuck himself? You’re a pip, kid, I gotta say.

JIMMY

All I want is an opportunity.

NUCKY

It’s America, ain’t it? Who the fuck’s stopping you?