[quote=Lana]
As for leaving Zasa out: it was a device for setting up the helicopter attack--except that Zasa had to have arranged the attack well in advance of having been left out of the divvying up of the casino assets.
I don't think snubbing Zasa was a plot device to explain the helicopter attack. As you note, that was clearly worked out well in advance.
That's one of the many, many script weaknesses--it's so obvious that he had to have worked it out in advance.
Zasa reacted so strongly because he had to create a pretext to get out of the room before the helicopter attack. Michael gave him an opening and he took full advantage.
Yessiree, split second timing--just like Roth used to have that cop come into Richie's bar and interrupt Pentangeli's garrotting, as some here probably still believe.
