American Beauty
by
Alan Ball

Final Draft (Undated)

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INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
On VIDEO: JANE BURNHAM lays in bed, wearing a tank top. She's
sixteen, with dark, intense eyes.
JANE
I need a father who's a role model,
not some horny geek-boy who's gonna
spray his shorts whenever I bring a
girlfriend home from school.
(snorts)
What a lame-o. Somebody reallyshould put him out of his misery.
Her mind wanders for a beat.
RICKY (O.C.)
Want me to kill him for you?
Jane looks at us and sits up.
JANE(deadpan)Yeah, would you?
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - EARLY MORNING
We're FLYING above suburban America, DESCENDING SLOWLY towarda tree-lined street.
LESTER (V.O.)
My name is Lester Burnham. This is
my neighborhood. This is my street.
This... is my life. I'm forty-two
years old. In less than a year,
I'll be dead.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
We're looking down at a king-sized BED from OVERHEAD: LESTERBURNHAM lies sleeping amidst expensive bed linens, face down,
wearing PAJAMAS. An irritating ALARM CLOCK RINGS. Lester
gropes blindly to shut it off.
LESTER (V.O.)
Of course, I don't know that yet.
He rolls over, looks up at us and sighs. He doesn't seem too
thrilled at the prospect of a new day.
LESTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And in a way, I'm dead already.

(CONTINUED)

2.

CONTINUED:
He sits up and puts on his slippers.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BATH - MOMENTS LATER
Lester thrusts his face directly into a steaming hot shower.
ANGLE from outside the shower: Lester's naked body issilhouetted through the fogged-up glass door. It becomesapparent he is masturbating.
LESTER (V.O.)(amused)Look at me, jerking off in theshower.
(then)
This will be the high point of myday. It's all downhill from here.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
CLOSE on a single, dewy AMERICAN BEAUTY ROSE. A gloved handwith CLIPPERS appears and SNIPS the flower off.
CAROLYN BURNHAM tends her rose bushes in front of the Burnham
house. A very well-put together woman of forty, she wears
color-coordinated gardening togs and has lots of useful andexpensive tools. Lester watches her through a WINDOW on thefirst floor, peeping out through the drapes.
LESTER (V.O.)
That's my wife Carolyn. See the way
the handle on those pruning shears
matches her gardening clogs? That's
not an accident.
EXT. JIMS' HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
In the fenced front yard of the house next door, a dog BARKS
repeatedly. A MAN in a conservative suit (JIM #1) chastises
the barking dog.
JIM #1
Hush, Bitsy. You hush. What iswrong?
LESTER (V.O.)
That's our next-door neighbor Jim.
A second MAN in a conservative suit (JIM #2) comes out of thehouse.
LESTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And that's his lover, Jim.

(CONTINUED)

3.

CONTINUED:
JIM #2(re: barking dog)
What in the world is wrong withher? She had a walk this morning.
JIM #1
And a jerky treat.
JIM #2
You spoil her.
(sternly)
Bitsy. No bark. Come inside. Now.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Lester watches all this from the window.
CAROLYN
Good morning, Jim!
Jim #1 walks toward the fence to greet Carolyn.
JIM #1Morning, Carolyn.
CAROLYN(overly friendly)
I just love your tie! That color!
JIM #1
I just love your roses. How do you
get them to flourish like this?
CAROLYN
Well, I'll tell you. Egg shells andMiracle Grow.
Jim #1 and Carolyn continue to chat, unaware that Lester iswatching them.
LESTER (V.O.)
Man. I get exhausted just watchingher.
Lester's POV: We can't hear what Jim and Carolyn are saying,but she's overly animated, like a TV talk show host.
LESTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
She wasn't always like this. She
used to be happy. We used to be
happy.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
JANE is seated at her desk, working at her computer.

(CONTINUED)

4.

CONTINUED:LESTER (V.O.)
My daughter Jane. Only child.
CLOSE on the COMPUTER MONITOR: A PERSONAL BANKING SOFTWARE
window suddenly disappears to reveal another window: a
PLASTIC SURGERY WEBSITE, featuring clinical "before" and"after" photos of surgically augmented breasts.
LESTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Janie's a pretty typical teenager.
Angry, insecure, confused. I wish I
could tell her that's all going topass...
Outside, a CAR HORN BLARES. Jane stuffs items into her
BACKPACK.
LESTER (CONT'D)
But I don't want to lie to her.
We HEAR the CAR HORN again from outside. Jane studies herself
in a mirror, then shifts to get a good profile of her
breasts.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn stands next to a platinum-colored MERCEDES-BENZ
ML320, reaching in through the drivers' window to blow the
HORN again. Jane shuffles out of the house, her backpack
slung over her shoulder.
CAROLYN
Jane. Honey. Are you trying to lookunattractive?
JANE
Yes.
CAROLYN
Well, congratulations. You've
succeeded admirably.
Jane gets in the car. Lester hurries out the front door,
carrying a BRIEFCASE.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
Lester, could you make me a little
later, please? Because I'm notquite late enough.
Lester's briefcase suddenly springs open and his papers spill
all over the driveway. He drops to his knees to gather
everything.
JANE
Nice going, Dad.

(CONTINUED)

5.

CONTINUED:
Lester smiles sheepishly, trying to lighten the moment. His
POV: Carolyn looks down at us, contemptuous but also bored,
as if she gave up expecting anything more long ago.
LESTER (V.O.)
Both my wife and daughter think I'mthis gigantic loser, and... they'reright.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - A SHORT TIME LATER
Carolyn is driving; Jane stares out the window. Lester isasleep in the back seat.
LESTER (V.O.)
I have lost something. I'm notexactly sure what it is, but I know
I didn't always feel this...
sedated. But you know what? It's
never too late to get it back.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
Lester sits at his workstation, a BEIGE CUBICLE surrounded by
IDENTICAL BEIGE CUBICLES. He's staring at a computer monitor
and talking on a HEADSET PHONE. The beleaguered expression on
his face is at odds with the light, friendly tone of his
voice.
LESTER
Hello, this is Lester Burnham fromMedia Monthly magazine, I'm callingfor Mr. Tamblin, please?... Well,
we're all under a deadline here,uh, but you see, there is somebasic information about the productlaunch that isn't even covered inyour press release and I... Yeah.
Can I ask you a question? Who is
Tamblin? Does he exist? 'Cause hedoesn't ever seem to come in...
Yeah, okay, I'll leave my number...
BRAD, a dapper man in his thirties, approaches and observes
Lester, who is unaware of his presence.
LESTER (CONT'D)
It's 555 0199. Lester Burnham.
Thank you!
Lester disconnects the call, obviously irritated.
BRAD
Hey Les. You got a minute?
Lester turns around, smiling perfunctorily.

(CONTINUED)

6.

CONTINUED:LESTERFor you, Brad? I've got five.
INT. BRAD'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Brad is seated behind his desk in his big corner office.
BRAD
I'm sure you can understand ourneed to cut corners around here.
Lester sits across from him, looking small and isolated.
LESTEROh, sure. Times are tight, and you
gotta free up cash. Gotta spendmoney to make money. Right?
BRAD
Exactly. So...
Brad stands, ready to usher Lester out.
LESTER(blurts)
Like the time when Mr. Flournoy
used the company MasterCard to pay
for that hooker, and then she usedthe card numbers and stayed at the
St. Regis for, what was it, like,three months?
BRAD(startled)That's unsubstantiated gossip.
LESTER
That's fifty thousand dollars.
That's somebody's salary. That's
somebody who's gonna get fired
because Craig has to pay women tofuck him!
BRAD
Jesus. Calm down. Nobody's getting
fired yet. That's why we're having
everyone write out a job
description, mapping out in detail
how they contribute. That way,
management can assess who'svaluable and-LESTER
Who's expendable.

(CONTINUED)

7.

CONTINUED:
BRAD
It's just business.
LESTER(angry)I've been writing for this magazine
for fourteen years, Brad. You've
been here how long, a whole month?
BRAD(frank)I'm one of the good guys, Les. I'mtrying to level with you. This is
your one chance to save your job.
Lester stares at him, powerless.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOONA MOVING VAN is parked in front of the COLONIAL HOUSE nextdoor to the Burnhams'. Movers carry furniture toward thehouse. The Mercedes-Benz pulls into the Burnham driveway.
Carolyn drives, Lester is in the passenger seat.
CAROLYN--there is no decision, you justwrite the damn thing!
LESTER
You don't think it's weird andkinda fascist?
CAROLYN
Possibly. But you don't want to be
unemployed.
LESTEROh, well, let's just all sell oursouls and work for Satan, because
it's more convenient that way.
CAROLYN
Could you be just a little bit more
dramatic, please, huh?
As they get out of the car, Carolyn scopes out the MOVERS
next door.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
So we've finally got new neighbors.
You know, if the Lomans had let me
represent them, instead of-(heavy disdain)--"The Real Estate King," thathouse would never have sat on themarket for six months.

(CONTINUED)

8.

CONTINUED:
She heads into the house, followed by Lester.
LESTER
Well, they were still mad at you
for cutting down their sycamore.
CAROLYN
Their sycamore? C'mon! A
substantial portion of the root
structure was on our property. You
know that. How can you call it
their sycamore? I wouldn't have theheart to just cut down something if
it wasn't partially mine, which ofcourse it was.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - DINING ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
We HEAR EASY-LISTENING MUSIC. Lester, Carolyn and Jane areeating dinner by CANDLELIGHT. RED ROSES are bunched in a vaseat the center of the table. Nobody makes eye contact, or even
seems aware of anybody else's presence, until...
JANE
Mom, do we always have to listen tothis elevator music?
CAROLYN(considers)No. No, we don't. As soon as you've
prepared a nutritious yet savory
meal that I'm about to eat, you canlisten to whatever you like.
A long beat. Lester suddenly turns to Jane.
LESTERSo Janie, how was school?
JANE(suspicious)
It was okay.
LESTER
Just okay?
JANE
No, Dad. It was spec-tac-ular.
A beat.
LESTER
Well, you want to know how things
went at my job today?
Now she looks at him as if he's lost his mind.

(CONTINUED)

9.

CONTINUED:LESTER (CONT'D)
They've hired this efficiency
expert, this really friendly guy
named Brad, how perfect is that?
And he's basically there to make itseem like they're justified infiring somebody, because they
couldn't just come right out andsay that, could they? No, no, thatwould be too... honest. And sothey've asked us-(off her look)--you couldn't possibly care any
less, could you?
Carolyn is watching this closely.
JANE(uncomfortable)
Well, what do you expect? You can't
all of a sudden be my best friend,just because you had a bad day.
She gets up and heads toward the kitchen.
JANE (CONT'D)
I mean, hello. You've barely evenspoken to me for months.
She's gone. Lester notices Carolyn looking at him critically.
LESTEROh, what, you're mother-of-theyear? You treat her like anemployee.
CAROLYN(taken aback)
What?!
Lester is quiet, staring at his plate.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)(more authority)
What?
Lester gets up and starts after Jane, taking his plate with
him.
LESTERI'm going to get some ice cream.
Carolyn watches him go, irritated.

10.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Jane stands at the sink, rinsing off her plate. Lester
enters.
LESTER
Honey, I'm sorry. I...
Jane turns and stares at him, waiting for him to finish.
LESTER (CONT'D)
I'm sorry I haven't been moreavailable, I just... I'm...
He's looking to her for a little help here, but she's too
uncomfortable with this sudden intimacy to give him any.
LESTER (CONT'D)(finally)
You know, you don't always have to
wait for me to come to you...
JANE
Oh, great. So now it's my fault?
LESTERI didn't say that. It's nobody's
fault. Janie, what happened? You
and I used to be pals.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
On VIDEO: We're looking through GREENHOUSE WINDOWS at Lester
and Jane in the kitchen. We can't hear what they're saying,but it's obvious it's not going well. Jane puts her plate in
the dishwasher and leaves. We FOLLOW HER out the door, thenthe camera JERKS back to Lester calling after her.
CLOSE on the face of RICKY FITTS, illuminated by the screenof his DIGICAM as he videotapes. Ricky is eighteen, but hiseyes are much older. Beneath his Zen-like tranquility lurks
something wounded... and dangerous.
His POV, on VIDEO: Through the kitchen window, we see Lesterat the sink, rinsing off his plate, muttering to himself. His
head suddenly jerks up and he looks at us, as if he realizes
he's being watched.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Lester's POV: We're looking out through the kitchen window at
the point where Ricky was just standing, but he's no longer
there.

(CONTINUED)

11.

CONTINUED:
Lester turns off the faucet, dries his hands, then tosses thetowel on the counter on his way out, where it lands next to aframed PHOTOGRAPH of Lester, Carolyn, and a much-younger
Jane, taken several years earlier at an amusement park. It's
startling how happy they look.
EXT. SALE HOUSE - DAY
CLOSE on a wooden SIGN that reads:
OPEN HOUSE TODAY
BURNHAM & ASSOCIATES REALTY
555-0195 Carolyn Burnham
The sign is planted in front of a RUN-DOWN HOME in a run-downneighborhood. The Mercedes is parked in front of the house.
Carolyn, wearing a smart business suit, is unloading a box ofcleaning supplies and a BOOMBOX from the back of the Mercedes
when something across the street catches her eye.
Her POV: In front of a different house with much more curb
appeal is another SIGN, featuring a picture of a handsome
silver-haired MAN. It reads: Another One SOLD By Buddy Kane
The Real Estate King 555-0100
Carolyn frowns and slams the back of the Mercedes shut.
INT. SALE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The interior of this house is ugly, oppressive and tasteless.
Carolyn opens the front door, breathes deeply and solemnly
announces:
CAROLYN
I will sell this house today.
She neatly arranges her sales materials on a desk, thenstrips down to her undergarments.
MONTAGE:
We see Carolyn, working with fierce concentration as she:
Cleans glass doors that overlook the patio and pool; Doggedly
scrubs countertops in the kitchen; Perches on a stepladder todust a cheap-looking ceiling fan in the master bedroom; Andvacuums a dirty carpet that will never be clean. Throughout
all this, she keeps repeating to herself:
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
I will sell this house today. I
will sell this house today. I willsell this house today.
INT. SALE HOUSE - BATHROOM - LATER(CONTINUED)

12.

CONTINUED:
Carolyn stands in front of the mirror, wearing her suit once
more, applying lipstick. She stares at her reflection
critically.
CAROLYN
I will sell this house today.
She says this as if it were a threat, then notices a smudge
on the mirror and wipes it off.
EXT. SALE HOUSE - FRONT YARD - LATER
The front door opens to reveal Carolyn, greeting us with thesmile she thinks could sell ice to an Eskimo.
CAROLYN
Welcome. I'm Carolyn Burnham!
INT. SALE HOUSE - FOYER - CONTINUOUS
Smiling, Carolyn leads a man and woman into the living room.
They're thirtyish, and they've seen a lot of houses today.
CAROLYN
This living room is very dramatic.
Wait 'til you see the native stone
fireplace!
The man and woman glance around the dark room, unimpressed.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
A simple cream would really lighten
things up. You could even put in askylight.
The woman wrinkles her face, skeptical.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
Well, why don't we go into the
kitchen?
INT. SALE HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER
Carolyn enters, followed by a different couple in theirfifties.
CAROLYN
It's a dream come true for any
cook. Just filled with positiveenergy. Huh?
INT. SALE HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - LATER
Carolyn stands with a different couple: African American,
late twenties. The woman is pregnant.

(CONTINUED)

13.

CONTINUED:CAROLYN...and you'll be surprised how mucha ceiling fan can cut down on yourenergy costs.
EXT. SALE HOUSE - BACK YARD - LATER
Carolyn stands by the pool next to two fortyish WOMEN.
CAROLYN
You know, you could have somereally fun backyard get-togethers
out here.
WOMAN #1
The ad said this pool was "lagoonlike." There's nothing "lagoonlike" about it. Except for maybe
the bugs.
WOMAN #2
There's not even any plants out
here.
CAROLYN(re: shrub)
What do you call this? Is this nota plant? If you have a problem withthe plants, I can always call mylandscape architect. Solved.
WOMAN #2
I mean, I think "lagoon," I thinkwaterfall, I think tropical. Thisis a cement hole.
A beat.
CAROLYN
I have some tiki torches in the
garage.
INT. SALE HOUSE - SUN ROOM - LATER
Carolyn enters, alone. She's furious. She locks the sliding
glass door and starts to pull the vertical blinds shut, thenstops. Standing very still, with the blinds casting shadows
across her face, she starts to cry: brief, staccato SOBS thatseemingly escape against her will. Suddenly she SLAPS
herself, hard.
CAROLYN
Shut up. Stop it. You... Weak!
But the tears continue. She SLAPS herself again.

(CONTINUED)

14.

CONTINUED:CAROLYN (CONT'D)
Weak. Baby. Shut up. Shut up! Shutup!
She SLAPS herself repeatedly until she stops crying. She
stands there, taking deep breaths until she has everything
under control, then pulls the blinds shut, once again all
business. She walks out calmly, leaving us alone in the dark,
empty room. We HEAR CHEERING and APPLAUSE.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - NIGHT
We're at a high-school BASKETBALL GAME. Teenage boys play afast and furious game. One team wearing pale blue and white
uniforms scores a basket. Perky cheerleaders jump up and down
as the CROWD goes wild. Seated in the bleachers, next to thehigh school BAND, is a group of about twenty TEENAGE GIRLS,
dressed in pale blue and white uniforms. Among them, Janesits next to ANGELA HAYES. At sixteen, Angela is strikingly
beautiful; with perfect even features, blonde hair and anubile young body, she's the archetypal American dream girl.
Jane stands and scans the bleachers.
ANGELAWho are you looking for?
JANE
My parents are coming tonight.
They're trying to, you know, takean active interest in me.
ANGELA
Gross. I hate it when my mom does
that.
JANE
They're such assholes. Why can't
they just have their own lives?
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn drives. Lester is slumped in the passenger seat.
LESTER
What makes you so sure she wants us
to be there? Did she ask us to
come?
CAROLYN
Of course not. She doesn't want us
to know how important this is toher. But she's been practicing her
steps for weeks.

(CONTINUED)

15.

CONTINUED:LESTER
Well, I bet money she's going toresent it. And I'm missing theJames Bond marathon on TNT.
CAROLYN
Lester, this is important. I'm
sensing a real distance growing
between you and Jane.
LESTER
Growing? She hates me.
CAROLYN
She's just willful.
LESTER
She hates you too.
Carolyn stares at him, unsure of how to respond.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - LATER
The uniformed girls now stand in formation on the gym floor.
ANNOUNCER(over P.A.)
And now, for your half-timeentertainment, Rockwell High'saward-winning Dancing Spartanettes!
In the crowded stands, Lester and Carolyn find seats.
LESTERWe can leave right after this,right?
The HIGH SCHOOL BAND plays "ON BROADWAY." On the gym floor,
the girls perform. They're well-rehearsed, but too young tocarry off the ambitious Vegas routine they're attempting.
Lester, watching from the stands, picks out his daughter.
His POV: Jane performs well, concentrating. Dancing awkwardly
next to her is Angela. Suddenly Angela looks right at us andsmiles... a lazy, insolent smile.
Lester leans forward in his seat.
His POV: We're focused on Angela now. Everything starts to
SLOW DOWN... the MUSIC acquires an eerie ECHO...
We ZOOM slowly toward Lester as he watches, transfixed.
His POV: Angela's awkwardness gives way to a fluid grace, and"ON BROADWAY" FADES into dreamy, hypnotic MUSIC.

(CONTINUED)

16.

CONTINUED:
The light on Angela grows stronger, and the other girls
DISAPPEAR entirely.
Lester is suddenly alone in the stands, spellbound.
His POV: Angela looks directly at us now, dancing only for
Lester. Her movements take on a blatantly erotic edge as she
starts to unzip her uniform, teasing us with an expression
that's both innocent and knowing, then... she pulls her
uniform OPEN and a profusion of RED ROSE PETALS spill
forth... and we SMASH CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - CONTINUOUS
Angela, fully clothed, is once again surrounded by the othergirls. The HIGH SCHOOL BAND plays its last note, the Dancing
Spartanettes strike their final pose, and the audience
APPLAUDS. Carolyn claps along with the rest of the audience.
Lester just sits there, unable to take his eyes off Angela.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - LATER
The game is long over. Jane and Angela come out of the gym.
JANE
Oh shit, they're still here.
Her POV: Lester and Carolyn stand at the edge of the parking
lot.
LESTER
Janie!
CAROLYN
Hi! I really enjoyed that!
She crosses reluctantly toward her parents, followed byAngela.
LESTER
Congratulations, honey, you weregreat.
JANE
I didn't win anything.
LESTER(to Angela)
Hi, I'm Lester. Janie's dad.
ANGELAOh. Hi.
An awkward beat.
JANE
This is my friend, Angela Hayes.

(CONTINUED)

17.

CONTINUED:LESTER
Okay, good to meet you. You werealso good tonight. Very... precise.
ANGELA(warming)
Thanks.
CAROLYN(to Angela)
Nice to meet you, Angela.
(to Jane)
Honey, I'm so proud of you. I
watched you very closely, and you
didn't screw up once.
(then, to Lester)Okay, we have to go.
She starts toward the parking lot. Lester stays behind.
LESTERSo, what are you girls doing now?
JANE
Dad.
ANGELA
We're going out for pizza.
LESTEROh really, do you need a ride? We
can give you a ride. I have a car.
You wanna come with us?
ANGELA
Thanks... but I have a car.
LESTEROh, you have a car. Oh. That's
great! That's great, because
Janie's thinking about getting a
car soon too, aren't you, honey?
JANE(you freak)Dad. Mom's waiting for you.
LESTER
Well, it was very nice meeting you,Angela. Any, uh, friend of Janie's
is a friend of mine.
Angela smiles, aware of the power she has over him. He is
mesmerized; grateful, even.

(CONTINUED)

18.

CONTINUED: (2)
LESTER (CONT'D)
Well... I'll be seeing you aroundthen.
Lester waves awkwardly as he crosses off.
JANE
Could he be any more pathetic?
ANGELAI think it's sweet. And I think heand your mother have not had sex ina long time.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - A FEW HOURS LATER
CLOSE on a solitary red ROSE PETAL as it falls slowly throughthe air. We're looking down on Lester and Carolyn in bed.
Even in sleep, Carolyn looks determined. Lester is awake andstares up at us.
LESTER
It's the weirdest thing.
The ROSE PETAL drifts into view, landing on his pillow.
LESTER (CONT'D)
I feel like I've been in a coma for
about twenty years, and I'm justnow waking up.
More ROSE PETALS fall onto the bed, and he smiles up at...
His POV: Angela, naked, FLOATS above us as a deluge of ROSEPETALS falls around her. Her hair fans out around her head
and GLOWS with a subtle, burnished light. She looks down at
us with a smile that is all things...
Lester smiles back and LAUGHS, as ROSE PETALS cover his face.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Spec-tac-ular.
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - CONTINUOUS
A WHITE BMW 328si CONVERTIBLE is parked on the street outside
the Burnham's house. We HEAR girlish LAUGHTER from inside.
INT. ANGELA'S BMW - CONTINUOUS
Angela is behind the wheel, Jane in the passenger seat.
They're passing a JOINT back and forth.
JANE
I'm sorry my dad was so weird
tonight.

(CONTINUED)

19.

CONTINUED:ANGELA
It's okay. I'm used to guys
drooling over me. It started when I
was about twelve, I'd go out todinner with my parents. Every
Thursday night, Red Lobster. And
every guy there would stare at me
when I walked in. And I knew what
they were thinking. Just like I
knew guys at school thought about
me when they jerked off.
JANE
Vomit.
ANGELANo, I liked it. And I still likeit. If people I don't even know
look at me and want to fuck me, itmeans I really have a shot at beinga model. Which is great, because
there's nothing worse in life thanbeing ordinary.
An awkward beat. Jane stares at the floor.
JANE
I really think it'll happen foryou.
ANGELAOh, I know. Because everything thatwas meant to happen, does.
Eventually.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
On VIDEO: Jane gets out of the car, still LAUGHING, and waves
as Angela pulls away. We ZOOM toward Jane as she walks up thedriveway. She turns suddenly, sensing our presence.
Her POV: We're looking at the COLONIAL HOUSE next door where
the moving van was parked earlier. The front porch isshrouded in darkness... then a PORCH LIGHT abruptly reveals
Ricky. As usual, he's dressed conservatively. There is a
BEEPER attached to his belt, and his DIGICAM dangles looselyaround his neck.
Irritated, Jane stares at him, hard.
JANE
Asshole.
He looks back at her curiously, then raises his Digicam andstarts to videotape her.

(CONTINUED)

20.

CONTINUED:
His POV, on VIDEO: Jane, angry and self-conscious, turns andwalks quickly toward her house, flipping us off as she goes.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FOYER - CONTINUOUS
Jane enters, closes and locks the door. She quickly TURNS OFF
THE LIGHT that's been left on for her, then peeks through awindow.
Her POV: There's no sign of Ricky. Jane turns back into theroom, her heart racing... and smiles.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S BEDROOM - THE NEXT MORNING
CLOSE on an ADDRESS BOOK: A man's hand flips to the H page
and then his finger stops at the name Angela Hayes. Lester,
dressed for work, goes through Jane's address book. We HEAR
the SHOWER running in the adjacent bathroom. He grabs Jane's
phone and dials, then stands with the receiver to his ear,nervous.
ANGELA(over phone line)
Hello? Hello?
Lester is frozen, unable to speak. Suddenly, the SHOWER isturned off in the next room. Lester hangs up and exits
quickly. A moment, then the PHONE RINGS. Jane emerges fromthe bathroom, a towel wrapped around her torso, drying her
wet hair. She picks up the PHONE.
JANE
Hello?
INT. HAYES HOUSE - ANGELA'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Angela is sprawled across her bed, on the phone.
ANGELA
Why'd you call me?
INTERCUT WITH JANE IN HER BEDROOM:
JANE
I didn't.
ANGELA
Well, my phone just rang and I
answered it and somebody hung up
and then I star sixty-nined and it
called you back.
JANE
I was in the shower.
Then Jane notices her address book open to the H page.

(CONTINUED)

21.

CONTINUED:JANE (CONT'D)
Oh, gross.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
On VIDEO: We're across from Jane's WINDOW, looking in. Janepicks up the address book, frowning. She speaks into thephone, but we can't hear her.
WOMAN'S VOICE (O.C.)(sing song)
Rick-y! Break-fast!
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ricky stands at his window, videotaping. He lowers his
Digicam, but his eyes remain locked on Jane across the way.
RICKY
Be right there.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
BARBARA FITTS stands at the stove, flipping bacon strips
mechanically, her eyes focused elsewhere. At least ten years
younger than her husband, she's pretty in a June Cleaver-ish
way. The Colonel sits at a dinette reading The Wall Street
Journal. Ricky enters.
RICKY
Mom.
Startled, Barbara turns to him.
BARBARA
Hello.
As she attempts to serve him bacon:
RICKY
I don't eat bacon, remember?
BARBARA(unnerved)
I'm sorry, I must have forgotten.
Ricky serves himself scrambled eggs from another pan, thenjoins his father at the table.
RICKY
What's new in the world, Dad?
COLONEL
This country is going straight tohell.

(CONTINUED)

22.

CONTINUED:
A DOORBELL rings. The Colonel and Barbara look at each other,alarmed.
COLONEL (CONT'D)
Are you expecting anyone?
BARBARA
No.
(thinks)No.
The Colonel heads toward the living room, a little puffed up.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - FOYER - MOMENTS LATER
The Colonel opens the front door to reveal the two JIMS.
JIM #1Hi.
JIM #2
Welcome to the neighborhood.
Jim #1 holds out a basket filled with flowers, vegetables anda small white cardboard box tied with raffia.
JIM #1
Just a little something from ourgarden.
JIM #2
Except for the pasta, we got thatat Fallaci's.
JIM #1
It's unbelievably fresh. You justdrop it in the water and it's done.
The Colonel stares at them, suspicious.
JIM #1 (CONT'D)(offers his hand)
Jim Olmeyer. Two doors down.
Welcome to the neighborhood.
COLONEL(shakes)
Colonel Frank Fitts, U.S. Marine
Corps.
JIM #1
Nice to meet you. And this is mypartner...
JIM #2(offers his hand)(CONTINUED)

23.

JIM #2(CONT'D)CONTINUED:
Jim Berkley, but people call me
J.B.
COLONEL
Let's cut to the chase, okay? What
are you guys selling?
JIM #2(after a beat)Nothing. We just wanted to say hi
to our new neighbors-COLONEL
Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you said
you're partners. So what's yourbusiness?
The Jims look at each other, then back at the Colonel.
JIM #1
Well, he's a tax attorney.
JIM #2And he's an anesthesiologist.

The Colonel looks at them, confused. Then it dawns on him.
INT. COLONEL'S FORD EXPLORER - LATER
The Colonel drives, staring darkly at the road ahead. In thepassenger seat, Ricky is using a CALCULATOR and jotting
numbers down in a NOTEBOOK.
COLONELHow come these faggots always haveto rub it in your face? How canthey be so shameless?
RICKY
That's the whole thing, Dad. They
don't feel like it's anything to beashamed of.
The Colonel looks at Ricky sharply.
COLONEL
Well, it is.
A beat, as Ricky continues his calculations, before herealizes a response is expected from him. Then:RICKY
Yeah, you're right.
The Colonel's eyes flash angrily.

(CONTINUED)

24.

CONTINUED:
COLONEL
Don't placate me like I'm yourmother, boy.
Ricky sighs, then looks at his father.
RICKY
Forgive me, sir, for speaking so
bluntly, but those fags make mewant to puke my fucking guts out.
The Colonel is taken aback but quickly covers.
COLONEL
Me too, son. Me too.
Case closed, Ricky goes back to his calculations.
CLOSE on the pencil in his hands: He's totaling two columns
of NUMBERS. Under the column "Income" he writes in swift,bold strokes: $24,950.00.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS - A SHORT TIME LATER
Jane and Angela are standing with two other TEENAGE GIRLS.
ANGELAI'm serious, he just pulled down
his pants and yanked it out. You
know, like, say hello to Mr. Happy.
TEENAGE GIRL #1
Gross.
ANGELAIt wasn't gross. It was kind ofcool.
TEENAGE GIRL #1
So, did you do it with him?
ANGELAOf course I did. He is a reallywell-known photographer? He shoots
for Elle on like, a regular basis?
It would have been so majorly
stupid of me to turn him down.
TEENAGE GIRL #2
You are a total prostitute.
ANGELA
Hey. That's how things really are.
You just don't know, because you're
this pampered little suburban
chick.

(CONTINUED)

25.

CONTINUED:TEENAGE GIRL #2
So are you. You've only been in
Seventeen once, and you looked fat,so stop acting like you're goddamn
Christy Turlington.
The two TEENAGE GIRLS move away from Jane and Angela.
ANGELA(calling off)
Cunt!
(then)I am so sick of people taking theirinsecurities out on me.
The Colonel's Ford Explorer pulls up, and Ricky gets out.
JANE
Oh my God. That's the pervert who
filmed me last night.
ANGELA
Him? Jane. No way. He's a total
lunatic.
JANE
You know him?
ANGELA
Yeah. We were on the same lunch
shift when I was in ninth grade,and he would always say the mostrandom, weird things, and then one
day, he was just like, gone. And
then, Connie Cardullo told me hehis parents had to put him in amental institution.
JANE
Why? What did he do?
ANGELA
What do you mean?
JANE
Well, they can't put you away justfor saying weird things.
Angela stares at Jane, then her mouth widens into a smile.
ANGELAYou total slut. You've got a crushon him.
JANE
What? Please.

(CONTINUED)

26.

CONTINUED: (2)
ANGELAYou were defending him! You love
him. You want to have like, ten
thousand of his babies.
JANE
Shut up.
Jane suddenly finds Ricky standing in front of her.
RICKY
Hi. My name's Ricky. I just moved
next door to you.
JANE
I know. I kinda remember thisreally creepy incident when you
were filming me last night?
RICKY
I didn't mean to scare you. I justthink you're interesting.
Angela shoots a wide-eyed look at Jane, who ignores it.
JANE
Thanks, but I really don't need tohave some psycho obsessing about meright now.
RICKY
I'm not obsessing. I'm justcurious.
He looks at her intently, his eyes searching hers. Jane isunnerved and has to look away. Ricky smiles and walks off.
ANGELA
What a freak. And why does he dress
like a Bible salesman?
JANE
He's like, so confident. That can't
be real.
ANGELAI don't believe him. I mean, he
didn't even like, look at me once.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - DEN - THAT NIGHT
CLOSE on a TV SCREEN: "Hogan's Heroes" on Nick at Nite.
The Colonel and Barbara are seated on a couch, watching
television. The Colonel is smiling, enjoying the show;
Barbara just stares.

(CONTINUED)

27.

CONTINUED:
The Colonel CHUCKLES at a joke and startles her. We HEAR adoor opening elsewhere in the house, and Ricky enters.
RICKY
Hey.
He sits on the couch, next to his father, and watches TV
along with them. The Colonel's smile fades.
BARBARA(out of the blue)
I'm sorry, what?
RICKY
Mom. Nobody said anything.
BARBARAOh. I'm sorry.
The three of them stare at the TV, like strangers in an
airport.
INT. HOTEL BALLROOM - NIGHT
We HEAR MUSIC under a room full of people all talking at
once, as Lester and Carolyn enter a hotel ballroom. We FOLLOW
THEM as they pass a SIGN that reads:
GREATER ROCKWELL REALTOR RESOURCES GROUPCAROLYN--everyone here is with theirspouse or their significant other.
How would it look if I showed up
with no one?
LESTER
Well, you always end up ignoring me
and going off-Inside the ballroom, well-dressed real estate professionals
stand in clumps, chatting. Catering waiters serve horsd'eouvres.
CAROLYN
Now listen to me. This is an
important business function. As you
know, my business is selling animage. And part of my job is tolive that image-LESTER
Just say whatever you want to say
and spare me the propaganda.

(CONTINUED)

28.

CONTINUED:CAROLYN(spots someone)
Hi, Shirley!
(to Lester)
Listen, just do me a favor. Act
happy tonight?
LESTER(grins stupidly)
I am happy, honey. Carolyn's jaw
tightens, then:
CAROLYN(spots someone)
Oh! Buddy!
She drags Lester toward a silver-haired MAN and his muchyounger WIFE. We recognize the Man as BUDDY KANE, The Real
Estate King.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)(shakes Buddy's hand)
Buddy! Buddy. Hi! Good to see you
again.
BUDDY
It's so good to see you too,Catherine.
CAROLYN
Carolyn.
BUDDY
Carolyn! Of course. How are you?
CAROLYN
Very well, thank you.
(to his wife)
Hello, Christy.
CHRISTY
Hello.
CAROLYN
My husband, Lester-BUDDY(shakes Lester's hand)It's a pleasure.
LESTEROh, we've met before, actually.
This thing last year. Or the
Christmas thing at the Sheraton.

(CONTINUED)

29.

CONTINUED: (2)BUDDYOh, yes.
LESTER
It's okay. I wouldn't remember meeither.
He LAUGHS. A little too loudly. Carolyn quickly joins in.
CAROLYN(forced gaiety)
Honey. Don't be weird.
She smiles her most winning smile at him. He knows thispersona well, only it's never pissed him off as much as it
does right now.
LESTERAll right, honey. I won't be weird.
(his face close to hers)
I'll be whatever you want me to be.
And he kisses her--a soft, warm kiss that speaks unmistakablyof sex--then turns to the others and grins.
LESTER (CONT'D)
We have a very healthy
relationship.
BUDDY
I see.
Carolyn's smile is frozen on her face.
LESTER
Well. I don't know about you, but I
need a drink.
He crosses off. Carolyn, Buddy and Christy watch him go.
INT. HOTEL BALLROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Lester stands at the bar. A bartender pours him a drink.
LESTER
Whoa. Put a little more in there,
cowboy.
The bartender complies. Lester takes his drink and turns toface the center of the room.
His POV: Carolyn is talking to Buddy and Christy. She's on:
smiling, animated, LAUGHING too loud at their jokes.
Lester shakes his head. Ricky approaches him, wearing awaiter's uniform, carrying a tray of empty glasses.

(CONTINUED)

30.

CONTINUED:
RICKY
Excuse me. Don't you live on Robin
Hood Trail? The house with the red
door?
LESTER(suspicious)
Yeah.
RICKY
I'm Ricky Fitts. I just moved into
the house next to you.
LESTER
Oh. Hi, Ricky Fitts. I'm Lester
Burnham.
RICKY
Hi, Lester Burnham.
A beat. Lester looks away, scans the crowd, then downs therest of his drink in one gulp. Ricky just stands there,
watching him. Finally Lester turns back to Ricky: what does
this kid want?
RICKY (CONT'D)
Do you party?
LESTER
Excuse me?
RICKY
Do you get high?
Lester's surprised, but instantly intrigued.
INT. HOTEL BALLROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Carolyn and Buddy are deep in conversation. Christy has
wandered off. Carolyn is nervous; Buddy seems amused.
CAROLYN
You know, I probably wouldn't eventell you this if I weren't a little
tipsy, but... I am in complete aweof you. I mean, your firm is, hands
down, the Rolls Royce of local Real
Estate firms, and your personal
sales record is, is, is very
intimidating. You know, I'd love tosit down with you and just pickyour brain, if you'd ever bewilling. I suppose, technically,
I'm the "competition," but...

(CONTINUED)

31.

CAROLYN(CONT'D)CONTINUED:
I mean, hey, I don't flatter myselfthat I'm even in the same league as
you...
BUDDY
I'd love to.
CAROLYN(shocked)
Really?
BUDDY
Absolutely. Call my secretary andhave her schedule a lunch.
CAROLYN
I'll do that. Thank you.
They look at each other for a beat, then look away. Thissituation is loaded and they both know it.
EXT. HOTEL - LATER

Ricky and Lester stand next to a dumpster behind the service
entrance to the hotel, smoking a JOINT.
LESTER...did you ever see that movie,
where the body's walking aroundholding its own head? And then thehead goes down on that babe?
RICKY
Re-Animator.
Suddenly, the service entrance opens, and a large CATERINGBOSS in a cheap suit peers out at them. Ricky hides thejoint.
CATERING BOSS
(to Ricky)
Look. I'm not paying you to...
(eyes Lester,
suspiciously)...do whatever it is you're doingout here.
RICKY
Fine. So don't pay me.
CATERING BOSS
Excuse me?
RICKY
I quit. So you don't have to pay
me. Now, leave me alone.

(CONTINUED)

32.

CONTINUED:
CATERING BOSS
Asshole.
He goes back inside. Lester looks at Ricky, who shrugs.
LESTERI think you just became my personal
hero.
(then)
Doesn't that make you nervous, justquitting your job like that? Well,
I guess when you're all of, what?
Sixteen?
RICKY
Eighteen.
(then)
I just do these gigs as a cover. I
have other sources of income. But
my dad interferes less in my life
when I pretend to be an upstanding
young citizen with a respectablejob.
CAROLYN (O.C.)
Lester?
Carolyn is standing in the open service entrance. Lester
quickly hides the joint behind his back.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
What are you doing?
LESTER
Honey, this is...
(laughs)
Ricky Fitts. This is Ricky Fitts.
RICKY
I'm Ricky Fitts, I just moved in
the house next to you. I go toschool with your daughter.
LESTER
With Jane? Really?
RICKY
Yeah. Jane.
CAROLYN
Hi.

(then, to Lester)I'm ready to go. I'll meet you out
front.
And she goes back inside.

(CONTINUED)

33.

CONTINUED: (2)
LESTERUh-oh. I'm in trouble. Nice meeting
you, Ricky Fitts. Thanks for the,uh, thing.
RICKY
Any time.
Lester goes inside.
RICKY (CONT'D)(calls after him)
Lester. If you want any more, youknow where I live.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - LATER
Jane and Angela are watching MTV. We HEAR the back door open.
JANE
Oh, shit. They're home. Quick,
let's go up to my room.
Jane switches off the TV.
ANGELAI should say hi to your dad.
(off Jane's look)
I don't want to be rude.
She starts toward the kitchen. Jane doesn't like this.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Lester enters and opens the refrigerator.
ANGELA (O.C.)
Nice suit.
He turns, and is instantly transfixed by: His POV: Angela
leans against the counter, twirling her hair.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
You're looking good, Mr. Burnham.
She starts toward him.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
Last time I saw you, you lookedkind of wound up.
(spots something)
Ooh, is that root beer?
She reaches inside the refrigerator to grab a bottle. As she
does, she moves to place her other hand casually on Lester's
shoulder. He sees it coming. Everything SLOWS DOWN, and allsound FADES...

(CONTINUED)

34.

CONTINUED:EXTREME CLOSE UP on her hand as it briefly touches hisshoulder in SLOW MOTION. We HEAR only the amplified BRUSH ofher fingers against the fabric of his suit, and its
unnatural, hollow ECHO...
BACK IN REAL TIME: She grabs the root beer and smiles at him.
CLOSE on Lester: his eyes narrow slightly, then: He cups her
face in his hands and kisses her. She seems shocked, butdoesn't resist as he pulls her toward him with surprisingstrength. He breaks the kiss, looking at her in awe, then hereaches up and touches his lips. His eyes widen as he pulls a
ROSE PETAL from his mouth right before we SMASH CUT TO:
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Angela is back against the counter, drinking the root beer.
Lester stands by the refrigerator, gazing at her, still lostin fantasy.
ANGELAI love root beer, don't you?
Jane watches from the doorway to the family room, feelingincredibly awkward in her own home. Carolyn enters from thedining room. Lester snaps out of it and grabs a root beerfrom the refrigerator.
JANE
Mom, you remember Angela.
CAROLYN(her sales smile)
Yes, of course!
JANE
I forgot to tell you, she's
spending the night. Is that okay?
LESTERSure!
He takes a sip of his root beer, but it goes down the wrong
way and he starts COUGHING violently.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
Angela lays on the bed, in bra and panties, reading amagazine. Jane, in an oversized T shirt, plays a video gameon her computer.
JANE
I'm sorry about my dad.
ANGELA
Don't be. I think it's funny.

(CONTINUED)

35.

CONTINUED:
JANE
Yeah, to you, he's just another guy
who wants to jump your bones. But
to me... he's just too embarrassing
to live.
ANGELAYour mom's the one who'sembarrassing. What a phony.
Jane glances at Angela, irritated.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
Your dad's actually kind of cute.
JANE
Shut up.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Lester, still in his suit, stands outside Jane's room, his
ear up against the door. He can't believe what he's hearing.
ANGELA (O.C.)
He is. If he just worked out alittle, he'd be hot.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
JANE
Shut up.
ANGELAOh, come on. Like you've neversneaked a peek at him in his
underwear? I bet he's got a big
dick.
JANE
You are so grossing me out rightnow.
ANGELA(really enjoying this)If he built up his chest and arms,
I would totally fuck him.
Jane covers her ears and starts SINGING to drown her out.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Lester, still listening, looks like he's about to implode.
ANGELA (O.C.)(laughs)
I would!

(CONTINUED)

36.

ANGELA(CONT'D)CONTINUED:
I would suck your dad's big fat
dick, and then I would fuck him'til his eyes rolled back in hishead!
(then)
What was that noise? Jane.
Jane's SINGING stops.
ANGELA (O.C.) (CONT'D)
I swear I heard something.
Panicked, Lester scurries down the hall.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
JANE
Yeah, it was the sound of you beinga huge disgusting pig.
ANGELAI'm serious.

We HEAR the sharp TAP of a penny being thrown against glass.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
See?
Angela crosses to the window and looks out.
ANGELA (CONT'D)(spots something)
Oh my God. Jane.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
We see Angela standing at the window in her underwear,
looking down at us. Jane joins her and is immediately
unnerved by:
Their POV: In the Burnham's DRIVEWAY, the word "JANE" isspelled out in FIRE.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
ANGELA
It's that psycho next door. Jane,
what if he worships you? What if
he's got a shrine with pictures ofyou surrounded by dead people's
heads and stuff?
JANE
Shit. I bet he's filming us rightnow.

(CONTINUED)

37.

CONTINUED:ANGELA(intrigued)
Really?
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
On VIDEO: We're across from Jane's window, looking in. Janetries to shut the drapes, but Angela won't let her.
Irritated, Jane retreats into the room. We ZOOM toward her,even as Angela poses in the window; we're clearly notinterested in Angela. The ZOOM continues, searching for Jane,
who has disappeared. Finally, we settle on the small make-up
MIRROR where we see a REFLECTION of Jane, back at her
computer. She's smiling. Then suddenly the DRAPES CLOSE andshe's gone.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ricky sits in darkness with his DIGICAM, videotaping. He
lowers the camera and smiles... then something below catches
his attention. He leans out the window to get a better lookat:
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Ricky's POV: Through a WINDOW on the side of the Burnham's
GARAGE DOOR, we see Lester, still in his suit, digging
through shelves against the back wall.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Lester digs through stuff stored on the shelves, searchingfor something as if his very life depended on it.
LESTER
Shit. Shit!
He yanks aside COLLEGE YEARBOOKS, a racquetball RACQUET,
boxes of old HOT ROD MAGAZINES, an unopened remote-controlled
MODEL JEEP KIT, stacks of old vinyl LPs... finally his facelights up when he finds: A pair of DUMBBELLS obviously unused
for many years. Lester rips off his jacket and tie andunbuttons his shirt. He glances around, finding his
REFLECTION in the WINDOW as he pulls off his shirt, then theT-shirt underneath. He eyes himself critically: Angela wasright, he's not in bad shape. Just a few extra pounds aroundhis middle that wouldn't be hard to shed. He kicks off his
shoes and begins to step out of his pants.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ricky holds his Digicam up and starts to videotape.

38.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Ricky's POV, on VIDEO: Through a WINDOW on the side of the
Burnham's garage, we see Lester step out of his pants andbriefs. Then, naked except for his black socks, he grabs thedumbbells and starts lifting them, watching his reflection in
the window as he does.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ricky stands at the window, videotaping.
RICKY
Welcome to America's Weirdest Home
Videos.
Suddenly we HEAR someone trying to open a locked door.
COLONEL (O.C.)
Ricky!
Moving swiftly, Ricky pulls the drapes shut and switches on alight. His room is a haven of high-tech. A state-of-the-art
multimedia COMPUTER crowds his desk, and high-end STEREO andVIDEO EQUIPMENT line the shelves, as well as HUNDREDS OF CDs.
There is easily twenty thousand dollars worth of equipment inthis room.
RICKY
Coming, Dad.
COLONEL (O.C.)
You know I don't like locked doors
in my house, boy.
Ricky opens the door. The Colonel stands outside, eyeing him.
RICKY
I'm sorry, I must have locked it byaccident. So what's up?
The Colonel holds out a small PLASTIC CUP WITH A CAP.
COLONELI need a urine sample.
RICKY
Wow. It's been six months already.
Can I give it to you in themorning? I just took a whiz.
COLONEL
Yeah, I suppose.
(an awkward beat)Well. Good night, son.

(CONTINUED)

39.

CONTINUED:
He disappears down the hall. Ricky smiles, shuts and locks
his door. He puts the plastic cup on the shelf, then crosses
to a MINI REFRIGERATOR in the corner of his room and takesout a cup-sized TUPPERWARE CONTAINER from the freezer,
already filled with urine, albeit frozen, and places it on asaucer to thaw overnight.
INT BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
Carolyn lies sleeping. Lester is awake, staring at theceiling. After a moment, he gets up, taking care not todisturb Carolyn, and walks toward the bathroom.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BATH - CONTINUOUS
Lester enters and switches on the LIGHT. The room is filledwith STEAM. Lester looks around, confused, then focuses on:
His POV: Across from us, in a PEDESTAL BATHTUB, is Angela.
She smiles and beckons us, and we MOVE CLOSER. ROSE PETALS
float on the surface of the water, obscuring her naked body.
ANGELA
I've been waiting for you.
Lester kneels by the bathtub like a man in church.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
You've been working out, haven't
you? I can tell.
She arches her back and looks up at him provocatively.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
I was hoping you'd give me abath... I'm very, very dirty.
Lester gives her a hard look, then slowly slips his hand into
the water between her legs. Her eyes widen and she throws herhead back... and we SMASH CUT TO:
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
CLOSE on Carolyn, her eyes wide, listening to the rhythmic
BRUSH of Lester's hand as he masturbates under the covers.
She flips over and faces him.
CAROLYN
What are you doing?
A beat.
LESTER
Nothing.
Carolyn switches on the bedside LIGHT.

(CONTINUED)

40.

CONTINUED:CAROLYN
You were masturbating.
LESTERI was not.
CAROLYN
Yes, you were.
He turns to her, trying to look innocent, then gives up.
LESTERAll right, so shoot me. I was
whacking off.
Carolyn gets out of bed, repelled. Lester LAUGHS.
LESTER (CONT'D)
That's right. I was choking thebishop. Shaving the carrot. Saying
hi to my monster.
CAROLYN
That's disgusting.
LESTER
Well, excuse me, but I still haveblood pumping through my veins!
CAROLYN
So do I!
LESTER
Really? I'm the only one who seems
to be doing anything about it.
CAROLYN
Lester. I refuse to live like this.
This is not a marriage.
LESTER
This hasn't been a marriage foryears. But you were happy as longas I kept my mouth shut. Well,guess what? I've changed. And the
new me whacks off when he feels
horny, because you're obviously notgoing to help me out in thatdepartment.
CAROLYN
Oh. I see. You think you're theonly one who's sexually frustrated?

(CONTINUED)

41.

CONTINUED: (2)
LESTERI'm not? Well then, come on, baby!
I'm ready.
CAROLYN(furious)
Do not mess with me, mister, or I
will divorce you so fast it'll makeyour head spin!
LESTEROn what grounds? I'm not a drunk, I
don't fuck other women, I don't
mistreat you, I've never hit you,or even tried to touch you since
you made it so abundantly clear
just how unnecessary you consider
me to be. But. I did support you
while you got your license. And
some people might think that
entitles me to half of what's
yours.
She sinks into a chair, stunned. It's clear he knows where
she's most vulnerable. He sees this, and likes it; it feels
good to win for a change. He curls up under the covers
contentedly.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Turn out the light when you come tobed, okay?
CLOSE on Lester, smiling.
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - EARLY MORNING
We're FLYING high above the neighborhood. Below us we see thetwo Jims, jogging. We APPROACH them steadily.
LESTER
It's a great thing when you realize
you still have the ability tosurprise yourself. Makes you wonder
what else you can do that you've
forgotten about.
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - CONTINUOUS
We're now at street level, FOLLOWING the two Jims.
LESTER
Hey! You guys!
Still running, the Jims turn back in perfect unison, asLester runs INTO FRAME, wearing a baggy sweatshirt and a pairof faded old sweatpants.

(CONTINUED)

42.

CONTINUED:
The Jims slow down until he catches up, then the three men
run together in the early morning light.
JIM #2Lester, I didn't know you ran.
LESTER(panting)
Well, I just started.
JIM #1
Good for you.
LESTERI figured you guys might be able togive me some pointers. I need toshape up. Fast.
JIM #1
Well, are you just looking to lose
weight, or do you want haveincreased strength and flexibility
as well?
LESTERI want to look good naked.
EXT. FITTS HOUSE - A SHORT TIME LATER
The Colonel is washing his Ford Explorer, squatting to scrub
the bumper, when something Catches his eye:His POV: Lester and the Jims jog down the street. The Colonel
stands, scowling, as Ricky comes out of the house, holding
the URINE SAMPLE in front of him.
COLONEL
What is this, the fucking gay pride
parade?
Lester breaks off from the two Jims and jogs up to Ricky andthe Colonel, out of breath. He grabs hold of his knees andbends over, panting.
LESTER
Hey! Yo! Ricky!
(re: the Jims)
My entire life is passing before myeyes, and those two have barely
broken a sweat.
He LAUGHS, and extends his hand to the Colonel.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Sorry, hi. Lester Burnham, I live
next door. We haven't met.

(CONTINUED)

43.

CONTINUED:
COLONEL(shakes)
COLONEL Frank Fitts, U.S. Marine
Corps.
LESTER
Whoa. Welcome to the neighborhood,sir.
He salutes the Colonel good-naturedly, grinning. The Colonel
doesn't think it's funny. An awkward beat.
LESTER (CONT'D)
So, Ricky, uh, I was thinking about
the, uh... I was gonna... the movie
we talked about...
RICKY(quickly)
Re-Animator.
LESTER
Yeah!
RICKY
You want to borrow it?
(before Lester can answer)
Okay, it's up in my room. Come on.
He heads into the house. Lester waves at the Colonel, thenfollows him. The Colonel watches them go, his eyes dark.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Ricky enters, followed by Lester.
RICKY
Can you hold this for a sec?
LESTERSure.
He gives the URINE SPECIMEN to Lester, then locks the door.
RICKY
I don't think my dad would try tocome in when somebody else is here,
but you never know.
Ricky crosses to a bureau and opens a DRAWER. He takes
clothing out and piles it on his bed.
LESTER(re: urine sample)
What is this?

(CONTINUED)

44.

CONTINUED:
RICKY
Urine. I have to take a drug test
every six months to make sure I'mclean.
LESTERAre you kidding? You just smokedwith me last night.
RICKY
It's not mine. One of my clients isa nurse in a pediatrician's office.
I cut her a deal, she keeps me inclean piss.
Lester picks up a CD case from a shelf and examines it.
LESTERYou like Pink Floyd?
RICKY
I like a lot of music.
LESTER
Man, I haven't listened to thisalbum in years.
He shakes his head, then puts the CD case down. Ricky, having
emptied the drawer, now removes a FALSE BOTTOM, revealingrows of MARIJUANA, tightly packed in ZIP-LOC BAGS.
RICKY
How much do you want?
LESTERI don't know, it's been a while.
How much is an ounce?
RICKY(indicates bag)Well, this is totally decent, andit's three hundred.
LESTER
Wow.
RICKY(indicates another bag)
But this shit is top of the line.
It's called G-13. Geneticallyengineered by the U.S. Government.
Extremely potent. But a completely
mellow high, no paranoia.
LESTERIs that what we smoked last night?

(CONTINUED)

45.

CONTINUED: (2)RICKYThis is all I ever smoke.
LESTER
How much?
RICKY
Two grand.
LESTER
Jesus. Things have changed since
1973.
RICKY
You don't have to pay now. I know
you're good for it.
A beat.
LESTER
Thanks.
RICKY(hands him a bag)
There's a card in there with my beeper number, call meanytime day or night. And I only accept cash.
LESTER(looks around room)
Well, now I know how you can afford
all this equipment. When I was yourage, I flipped burgers all summer
just to be able to buy an eighttrack.
RICKY
That sucks.
LESTER
No actually, it was great. All I
did was party and get laid.
(smiles)
I had my whole life ahead of me...
RICKY
My dad thinks I pay for all thiswith catering jobs.
(off Lester's look)
Never underestimate the power ofdenial.
Lester smiles. This kid's cool.

46.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - LATER
Carolyn, carrying a basket of fresh cut ROSES, passes by the
GARAGE WINDOW. From inside the garage, we HEAR ROCK MUSIC.
Carolyn stops and SNIFFS the air, frowning. She peers throughthe window.
Her POV: Lester, in a T-shirt and gym shorts, lies on a new
WEIGHT BENCH, doing bench presses with shiny new BARBELLS.

INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
ROCK MUSIC blasts from a new BOOMBOX on the floor. The garage
is in the process of becoming Lester's sanctuary. An ugly but
comfortable 70's BOWL CHAIR has been pulled out and cleaned
off, his old hot rod magazines strewn across it, and theremote-controlled MODEL JEEP KIT is spread across a card
table. The SHELVES that Lester tore through earlier have been
dismantled, leaving a blank wall on which now hangs a DARTBOARD. Lester finishes his last rep, straining, then puts theweights in their rack and sits up. As he takes a drag off a
joint, the GARAGE DOOR suddenly starts to open. Lester looks
up, squinting at:
His POV: The door raises to reveal Carolyn, silhouetted
against the bright sunlight outside, pointing a REMOTE at us.
LESTERUh-oh, mom's mad.
CAROLYN
What the hell do you think you're
doing?
LESTER
Bench presses. I'm going to wail on
my pecs, and then I'm going to do
my back.
CAROLYN
I see you're smoking pot now. I'm
so glad. I think using illegal
psychotropic substances is a very
positive example to set for our
daughter.
LESTER
You're one to talk, you bloodless,money- grubbing freak.
CAROLYN(hostile)
Lester. You have such hostility inyou!

(CONTINUED)

47.

CONTINUED:LESTER
Do you mind? I'm trying to work out
here.
(then, suggestively)
Unless you want to spot me.
CAROLYN
You will not get away with this.
You can be sure of that!
And she's gone. Lester leans back on the bench and grabs theweights.
LESTER(as he lifts)
That's. What. You. Think.
INT. BRAD'S OFFICE - DAY
Brad is seated behind his desk, reading a document. Lestersits across from him, smiling.
BRAD(reads)"...my job consists of basicallymasking my contempt for theassholes in charge, and, at least
once a day, retiring to the men's
room so I can jerk off, while I
fantasize about a life that doesn't
so closely resemble hell."(looks up at Lester)Well, you obviously have nointerest in saving yourself.
LESTER(laughs)
Brad, for fourteen years I've been
a whore for the advertisingindustry. The only way I could savemyself now is if I start
firebombing.
BRAD
Whatever. Management wants you goneby the end of the day.
LESTER
Well, just what sort of severance
package is "management" prepared tooffer me? Considering theinformation I have about our
editorial director buying pussy
with company money.
A beat.

(CONTINUED)

48.

CONTINUED:LESTER (CONT'D)
Which I'm sure would interest the
I.R.S., since it technicallyconstitutes fraud. And I'm surethat some of our advertisers andrival publications might like toknow about it as well. Not tomention, Craig's wife.
Brad sighs.
BRAD
What do you want?
LESTEROne year's salary, with benefits.
BRAD
That's not going to happen.
LESTER
Well, what do you say I throw in alittle sexual harassment charge toboot?
Brad LAUGHS.
BRAD
Against who?
LESTER
Against you.
Brad stops laughing.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Can you prove you didn't offer tosave my job if I'd let you blow me?
Brad leans back in his chair, studying Lester.
BRAD
Man. You are one twisted fuck.
LESTER(standing)
Nope. I'm just an ordinary guy withnothing to lose.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - MOMENTS LATER
Exhilarated, Lester walks down a corridor, his belongings ina box on his shoulder. He's happier than he's been in years.
LESTER
Yeah!

49.
INT. RESTAURANT - LATER THAT DAY
Carolyn sits at a table, lost in thought. There are two menus
on the table. After a moment, Buddy Kane, the Real Estate
King, joins her. Carolyn immediately becomes warm andgracious.
BUDDY
Carolyn.
CAROLYN
Buddy.
Carolyn smiles, genuinely touched that he remembers her name.
BUDDY
I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.
Christy left for New York thismorning, and... let's just say
things were very hectic around thehouse.
CAROLYN
What's she doing in New York?
BUDDY
She's moving there.
(off Carolyn's look)
Yes. We are splitting up.
CAROLYN
Buddy. I'm so sorry.
BUDDY(bitterly)
Yes, according to her, I'm too
focused on my career. As if being
driven to succeed is some sort ofcharacter flaw. Well, she certainly
knew how to take advantage of thelifestyle my success afforded her.
Oh. Wow.
(then, laughing)Ah, it's for the best.
CAROLYN
When I saw you two at the party theother night, you seemed perfectly
happy.
BUDDY
Well, call me crazy, but it is myphilosophy that in order to be
successful, one must project animage of success, at all times.

(CONTINUED)

50.

CONTINUED:
He smiles, then opens his menu. Carolyn picks hers up
mechanically, but continues to stare at him, enraptured, likea fervent Christian who's just come face to face with Jesus.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS - LATER THAT DAY
Ricky stands with his DIGICAM, videotaping something on the
ground at his feet.
On VIDEO: A DEAD BIRD lays on the ground, decomposing.
ANGELA (O.C.)
What are you doing?
On VIDEO: The camera JERKS up to discover Jane and Angela
staring at us.
RICKY (O.C.)
I was filming this dead bird.
ANGELAWhy?
RICKY (O.C.)
Because it's beautiful.
On VIDEO: Angela looks at Jane, trying not to laugh.
ANGELAI think maybe you forgot your
medication today, mental boy.
On VIDEO: She falls out of frame as we ZOOM toward Jane.
RICKY (O.C.)
Hi, Jane.
JANE(uncomfortable)
Look. I want you to stop filmingme.
Ricky lowers the Digicam.
RICKY
Okay.
He looks at her, curious, his eyes searching hers. She
doesn't look away.
ANGELA
Well, whatever.
(to Jane)This is boring. Let's go.

(CONTINUED)

51.

CONTINUED:
JANE(to Ricky)
Do you need a ride?
ANGELA(to Jane)
Are you crazy? I don't want to end
up hacked to pieces in a dumpstersomewhere.
RICKY
It's okay. I'll walk. But thanks.
ANGELA
Yeah, see? He doesn't want to go
anyway. C'mon, let's go.
Angela starts off, but Jane doesn't follow. Ricky smiles ather. She almost smiles back, then:JANE(calls off to Angela)
I think I'm going to walk, too.
Angela stops and stares at her.
ANGELA
What? Jane, that's like, almost amile.
EXT. TOP HAT MOTEL - LATER THAT DAY
Carolyn's Mercedes is parked next to a JAGUAR CONVERTIBLE
with a VANITY LICENSE PLATE that reads "R E KING."
INT. TOP HAT MOTEL - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn and Buddy are in the middle of sex.
CAROLYN
Yes! Oh, God! I love it!
BUDDY
You like getting nailed by the
king?
CAROLYN
Oh yes! I love it! Fuck me, yourmajesty!
EXT. STREET - LATER THAT DAY
Lester's TOYOTA CAMRY cruises through the streets. We hear
Lester SINGING along to "AMERICAN WOMAN" on the STEREO.

52.
INT. TOYOTA CAMRY - CONTINUOUS
Lester is driving, smoking a joint.
LESTERAMERICAN WOMAN, STAY AWAY FROM
ME... AMERICAN WOMAN, MAMA LET ME
BE... DON'T COME A HANGIN' AROUND
MY DOOR... I DON'T WANT TO SEEYOUR FACE NO MORE...
EXT. MR. SMILEY'S - CONTINUOUS
Lester continues singing along to "AMERICAN WOMAN," as the
Camry pulls into the parking lot of a FAST FOOD RESTAURANT.
Lester pulls up to the drive-thru speaker box.
DRIVE-THRU GIRL (O.C.)(over speaker box)
Smile you're at Mr. Smiley's.
Lester turns down the volume on the stereo.
LESTER
What?
DRIVE-THRU GIRL (O.C.)
Would you like to try our new baconand egg fajita just a dollar twentynine for a limited time only.
LESTER
Uh... no. But thank you.
(reading menu)
I'll have a Big Barn Burger, Smileyfries, and an orange soda.
DRIVE-THRU GIRL (O.C.)
Please drive up to the window,
thank you.
He pulls the car around to the WINDOW, where a teenage GIRL
wearing a headset is waiting.
DRIVE-THRU GIRL (CONT'D)
Smile, you're at Mr. Smiley's,
that'll be four eighty-nine,please.
Lester pays her. As she hands him his food, he notices a SIGN
in the corner of the window that reads:
NOW TAKING APPLICATIONSCOUNTER GIRL
Would you like some Smiley Sauce?

(CONTINUED)

53.

CONTINUED:LESTER
No. No, actually... I'd like tofill out an application.
She stares at him, confused by his age and attire.
COUNTER GIRL
There's not jobs for manager, it's
just for counter.
LESTER
Good. I'm looking for the least
possible amount of responsibility.
INT. MR. SMILEY'S - A SHORT TIME LATER
Lester sits at a booth with the MANAGER, a greasy kid wearinga white short sleeve shirt and a tie covered with the Mr.
Smiley's logo. He looks over Lester's application, baffled.
MANAGERI don't think you'd fit in here.
LESTERI have fast food experience.
MANAGER
Yeah, like twenty years ago.
LESTER
Well, I'm sure there have beenamazing technological advances in
the industry, but surely you havesome sort of training process. It
seems unfair to presume I won't beable to learn.
The Manager sighs and runs a hand through his greasy hair,wondering what he could possibly have done to deserve this.
INT. TOP HAT MOTEL - LATER THAT DAY
Carolyn and Buddy are in bed, post-sex.
CAROLYN
That was exactly what I needed. The
royal treatment, so to speak.
They laugh.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
I was so stressed out.
BUDDY
Know what I do when I feel likethat?

(CONTINUED)

54.

CONTINUED:CAROLYN
What?
BUDDY
I fire a gun.
Carolyn sits up, eager to learn from the master.
CAROLYN(intrigued)
Really.
BUDDY
Oh yeah, I go to this little firing
range downtown, and I just pop off
a few rounds.
CAROLYN(embarrassed)
I've never fired a gun before.
BUDDY
Oh, you've gotta try it. Nothing
makes you feel more powerful.
(smiles seductively)
Well, almost nothing.
Carolyn is quick to pick up her cue and kisses him, ready for
another round.
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - LATER THAT DAY
Ricky and Jane walk along without speaking. He seems
comfortable with the silence; she doesn't. After a beat:
JANE
So how do you like your new house?
RICKY
I like it.
A beat.
JANE
The people who used to live there
fed these stray cats, so they werealways around, and it drove mymother nuts. And then she cut down
their tree.
An automobile FUNERAL PROCESSION appears and begins to passthem slowly.
RICKY
Have you ever known anybody who
died?

(CONTINUED)

55.

CONTINUED:
JANE
No.

(a beat)Have you?
RICKY
No, but I did see this homelesswoman who froze to death once. Just
laying there on the sidewalk. She
looked really sad.
They watch the FUNERAL CARS pass.
RICKY (CONT'D)
I got that homeless woman on video.
JANE
Why would you film that?
RICKY
Because it was amazing.
JANE
What was amazing about it?
A beat.
RICKY
When you see something like that,it's like God is looking right atyou, just for a second. And if
you're careful, you can look right
back.
JANE
And what do you see?
RICKY
Beauty.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Barbara Fitts sits at the kitchen table, staring off into
space as if hypnotized. Behind her, Ricky enters, followed by
Jane.
RICKY
Mom, I want you to meet somebody.
(no response)
Mom.
Barbara's eyes flutter and she turns to him slowly.
BARBARA(pleasant)Yes?

(CONTINUED)

56.

CONTINUED:
RICKY
I want you to meet somebody. Thisis Jane.
JANE
Hi.
BARBARAOh, my. I apologize for the way
things look around here.
Jane glances around. The room is spotless.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - THE COLONEL'S STUDY - MOMENTS LATER
We HEAR KEYS TURNING in the lock, then the door opens andRicky enters, holding a RING OF KEYS, followed by Jane.
RICKY
This is where my dad hides out.
GLASS CASES filled with GUNS line the walls.
JANE
I take it he's got a thing for
guns.
Ricky crosses to a built-in CABINET behind the desk.
RICKY
You got to see this one thing...
He unlocks the cabinet and opens it, revealing shelves
stacked with WAR MEMORABILIA.
RICKY (CONT'D)
My dad would kill me if he knew I
was in here.
JANE
Did you steal his keys?
RICKY
No. One of my clients is alocksmith. He was short on cash onenight, so I let him pay me intrade.
He reaches into the cabinet and carefully removes an oval
CHINA PLATTER, which he hands to Jane. She examines it.
RICKY (CONT'D)
Turn it over.
CLOSE on the bottom of the plate: A small SWASTIKA is
imprinted in the center.

(CONTINUED)

57.

CONTINUED:
JANE
Oh my God.
RICKY
It's like official state china of
the Third Reich. There's a wholesubculture of people who collectthis Nazi shit. But my dad just has
this one thing.
He puts the platter back into the cabinet and shuts the door,
then notices Jane looking at him oddly.
RICKY (CONT'D)
What's wrong?
JANE
Nothing.
RICKY(concerned)
No, you're scared of me.
JANE
No I'm not.
But she is. Ricky studies her.
RICKY
You want to see the most beautiful
thing I've ever filmed?
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
On VIDEO: We're in an empty parking lot on a cold, gray day.
Something is floating across from us... it's an empty,
wrinkled, white PLASTIC BAG.
We follow it as the wind carries it in a circle around us,
sometimes whipping it about violently, or, without warning,sending it soaring skyward, then letting it float gracefully
down to the ground... Jane and Ricky sit on the bed, watching
his WIDE-SCREEN TV.
RICKY
It was one of those days when it'sa minute away from snowing. And
there's this electricity in theair, you can almost hear it, right?
And this bag was just... dancing
with me. Like a little kid begging
me to play with it. For fifteen
minutes.

(CONTINUED)RICKY(CONT'D)CONTINUED:
That's the day I realized that
there was this entire life behindthings, and this incredibly
benevolent force that wanted me toknow there was no reason to beafraid. Ever.

58.

A beat.
RICKY (CONT'D)
Video's a poor excuse, I know. But
it helps me remember... I need toremember...
Now Jane is watching him.
RICKY (CONT'D)(distant)
Sometimes there's so much beauty inthe world I feel like I can't takeit... and my heart is going to cavein.
After a moment, Jane takes his hand. Then she leans in andkisses him softly on the lips. His eyes scan hers, curious tosee how she reacts to this...
JANE(suddenly)
Oh my God. What time is it?
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Lester sits at the table in sloppy clothes, eating his dinnervoraciously and drinking beer from a bottle. Across from him,
Carolyn picks at her food, watching him with contempt. EASYLISTENING MUSIC plays on the STEREO. We HEAR the back door
SLAM, then Jane enters and quickly takes her seat at thetable.
JANE
Sorry I'm late.
CAROLYN(overly cheerful)
No, no, that's quite all right,
dear. Your father and I were justdiscussing his day at work.
(to Lester)Why don't you tell our daughter
about it, honey?
Jane stares at both her parents, apprehensive. Lester looks
at Carolyn darkly, then flashes a "you-asked-for-it" grin.

(CONTINUED)

59.

CONTINUED:LESTER
Janie, today I quit my job. And
then I told my boss to fuckhimself, and then I blackmailed him
for almost sixty thousand dollars.
Pass the asparagus.
CAROLYN
Your father seems to think thiskind of behavior is something to be
proud of.
LESTERAnd your mother seems to prefer I
go through life like a fucking
prisoner while she keeps my dick ina mason jar under the sink.
CAROLYN(ashen)How dare you speak to me that way
in front of her? And I marvel thatyou can be so contemptuous of me,on the same day that you lose yourjob!
LESTER
Lose it? I didn't lose it. It's not
like, "Oops, where'd my job go?" I
quit. Someone pass me theasparagus.
CAROLYN
Oh! Oh! And I want to thank you for
putting me under the added pressureof being the sole breadwinner now-LESTERI already have a job.
CAROLYN(not stopping)No, no, don't give a second thought
as to who's going to pay the
mortgage. We'll just leave it all
up to Carolyn. You mean, you'regoing to take care of everything
now, Carolyn? Yes. I don't mind. I
really don't. You mean, everything?
You don't mind having the sole
responsibility, your husband feels
he can just quit his job--(CONTINUED)

60.

CONTINUED: (2)
LESTER(overlapping)Will someone pass me the fucking
asparagus?
JANE(rises)Okay, I'm not going to be a part ofthis-LESTER(means it)
Sit down.
Jane does so, surprised and intimidated by the power in his
voice. Lester gets up, crosses to the other side of the tableto get a PLATE OF ASPARAGUS, then sits again as he serves
himself.
LESTER (CONT'D)
I'm sick and tired of being treatedlike I don't exist. You two do
whatever you want to do whenever
you want to do it and I don't
complain. All I want is the same
courtesy-CAROLYN(overlapping)Oh, you don't complain? Oh, excuse
me. Excuse me. I must be psychotic
then, if you don't complain. Whatis this?! Am I locked away in apadded cell somewhere,
hallucinating? That's the only
explanation I can think of-Lester hurls the plate of asparagus against the wall withsuch force it SHATTERS, frightening Carolyn and Jane.
LESTER(casual)Don't interrupt me, honey.
He goes back to eating his meal, as if nothing unusual has
happened. Carolyn sits in her chair, shivering with rage.
Jane just stares at the plate in front of her.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Oh, and another thing. From now on,
we're going to alternate our dinnermusic. Because frankly, and I don't
think I'm alone here, I'm reallytired of this Lawrence Welk shit.

61.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S BEDROOM - THAT NIGHT
Jane is sitting on her bed. There is a KNOCK at the door.
JANE
Go. Away.
CAROLYN (O.C.)
Honey, please let me in.
Jane rolls her eyes, crosses to the door and lets Carolyn in.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
I wish that you hadn't witnessedthat awful scene tonight. But in away, I'm glad.
JANE
Why, so I could see what freaks you
and Dad really are?
CAROLYNMe?
She stares at Jane, then starts to cry.
JANE
Aw, Christ, Mom.
CAROLYN(tearful)
No, I'm glad because you're oldenough now to learn the mostimportant lesson in life: you
cannot count on anyone except
yourself.
(sighs)
You cannot count on anyone except
yourself. It's sad, but true, andthe sooner you learn it, thebetter.
JANE
Look, Mom, I really don't feel likehaving a Kodak moment here, okay?
Carolyn suddenly SLAPS Jane, hard.
CAROLYN
You ungrateful little brat. Just
look at everything you have. When I
was your age, I lived in a duplex.
We didn't even have our own house.
Embarrassed, she quickly leaves. Jane looks in a mirror andrubs her cheek, then crosses to the window and looks out.

62.
EXT. FITTS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Jane's POV: We're across from Ricky's room, looking in. He
stands at the window with his DIGICAM, videotaping us. On the
WIDE-SCREEN TV behind him, we see Jane standing in her window
as she looks across at him. She waves. Ricky just keeps
videotaping. A beat, then she starts to take off her shirt.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
We're behind Ricky as he videotapes Jane in her window. She
has now removed her shirt. She stands there in her bra, thenreaches behind her back to unhook the bra.
On VIDEO: We ZOOM toward her as she takes off her bra
clumsily. She's obviously embarrassed, but she's gone thisfar and there's no turning back. She stands there with herbreasts exposed, trying to look defiant, but she's achingly
vulnerable...
Suddenly, the door is thrown open and the Colonel enters,
incensed. Startled, Ricky turns around. As soon as his eyes
meet his father's, he knows what's up.
COLONELYou little bastard-Ricky scrambles to dodge his father, but the Colonel is too
fast; he punches Ricky in the face, knocking him to thefloor.
COLONEL (CONT'D)
How did you get in there?
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
From her window, Jane watches, pulling the drapes in front ofher.
EXT. FITTS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Jane's POV: In the WINDOW across from us, the Colonel
proceeds to give Ricky a serious beating, punching his face.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ricky's lip is bleeding, but he maintains a steady gaze at
his father during this violence.
COLONEL(unnerved)
How!? How?! C'mon, get up! Fightback, you little pussy!
RICKY
No, sir. I won't fight you.

(CONTINUED)

63.

CONTINUED:
The Colonel grabs him by the collar.
COLONELHow did you get in there?
RICKY
I picked the lock, sir.
COLONEL
What were you looking for? Money?
Are you on dope again?
RICKY
No, sir. I wanted to show mygirlfriend your Nazi plate.
A beat.
COLONEL
Girlfriend?
RICKY
Yes, sir. She lives next door.
The Colonel glances toward the window.
His POV: In the WINDOW across from us, Jane peeks out frombehind the drape. She quickly pulls it shut.
RICKY (CONT'D)
Her name's Jane.
A beat. The Colonel is suddenly, deeply shamed.
COLONEL
This is for your own good, boy. You
have no respect for other people's
things, for authority, for...
RICKY
Sir, I'm sorry.
COLONEL
You can't just go around doing
whatever you feel like, you can't-there are rules in life-RICKY
Yes, sir.
COLONELYou need structure, you needdiscipline--(CONTINUED)

64.

CONTINUED: (2)RICKY(simultaneous)Discipline. Yes, sir, thank you fortrying to teach me. Don't give up
on me, Dad.
The Colonel stands, still breathing heavily. Tenderness fills
his face, and he reaches out to touch Ricky's cheek.
COLONELOh, Ricky...
But something keeps him from doing it.
COLONEL (CONT'D)
You stay out of there.
He leaves. Ricky gets up and goes to his bureau. He looks at
his reflection in the mirror, calmly takes a cloth and starts
to wipe the blood from his face.
FADE TO BLACK.
In darkness, we HEAR repetitive GUNSHOTS.
FADE IN:
INT. INDOOR FIRING RANGE - ONE MONTH LATER
Carolyn, wearing PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR, is holding a GLOCK 19
AUTOMATIC REVOLVER with both hands, FIRING it directly at us.
She empties a round and stands there, exhilarated. An
ATTENDANT approaches with a new round of ammunition.
ATTENDANT(loading gun)I gotta say, Mrs. Burnham, when you
first came here I thought you would
be hopeless. But you're a natural.
CAROLYN
Well, all I know is... I loveshooting this gun!
And she starts FIRING again.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - LATER
Bobby Darin sings "DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE" on the RADIO.
Carolyn SINGS along as she drives. Her face has lost its
usual resolute determination; she's actually enjoying herself
spontaneously, and the lack of her usual self-consciousness
allows us to see just how beautiful she is.

(CONTINUED)

65.

CONTINUED:
ANGLE ON the GLOCK 19 sitting on the passenger seat amidst
some CDs. Carolyn takes the gun and holds it at arm's length,
admiring it as she continues to SING.
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - CONTINUOUS
The Mercedes turns onto Robin Hood Trail.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn's POV: We turn into the Burnham driveway. A 1970
PONTIAC FIREBIRD with racing stripes blocks our access to thegarage.
CLOSE on Carolyn: She doesn't like having things in her way.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Lester's REMOTE-CONTROLLED MODEL JEEP is zooming across thefloor of the family room, expertly maneuvering corners andnarrowly avoiding crashing.
Lester is sprawled on the couch in his underwear, drinking a
BEER and controlling the car. His working out is beginning to
produce results. The room, too, seems changed: sloppier, more
lived in.
Carolyn enters through the kitchen, flushed and angry. She
just stands there, staring at Lester. After a moment, helooks up at her.
LESTERWhat?
CAROLYN
Ah, whose car is that out front?
LESTER
Mine. 1970 Pontiac Firebird. The
car I always wanted and now I haveit. I rule!
CAROLYN
Where's the Camry?
LESTERI traded it in.
CAROLYN
Shouldn't you have consulted me
first?
LESTER
Hmm, let me think... No. You neverdrove it.
(then)(CONTINUED)LESTER(CONT'D)CONTINUED:
Have you done something different?
You look great.

66.

CAROLYN(brusque)
Where's Jane?
LESTER
Jane not home. We have the wholehouse to ourselves.
He smiles at her playfully. She stares back, annoyed. It's
the same look she had at the beginning, when he dropped his
briefcase, but whatever power that look had is gone. Lester
just LAUGHS.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Christ, Carolyn. When did you
become so... joyless?
CAROLYN(taken aback)
Joyless?! I am not joyless! There
happens to be a lot about me thatyou don't know, mister smarty man.
There is plenty of joy in my life.
LESTER(leaning toward her)
Whatever happened to that girl who
used to fake seizures at frat
parties when she got bored? And who
used to run up to the roof of our
first apartment building to flash
the traffic helicopters? Have you
totally forgotten about her?
Because I haven't.
His face is close to hers, and suddenly the atmosphere ischarged. She pulls back automatically, but it's clear she's
drawn to him. He smiles, and moves even closer, holding his
beer loosely balanced. Then, just before their lips meet...
CAROLYN(barely audible)
Lester. You're going to spill beeron the couch.
She's immediately sorry she said it, but it's too late. His
smile fades, and the moment is gone.
LESTER
So what? It's just a couch.

(CONTINUED)

67.

CONTINUED: (2)
CAROLYN
This is a four thousand dollar sofa
upholstered in Italian silk. This
is not "just a couch."
LESTER
It's just a couch!
He stands and gestures toward all the things in the room.
LESTER (CONT'D)
This isn't life. This is just
stuff. And it's become more
important to you than living. Well,
honey, that's just nuts.
Carolyn stares at him, on the verge of tears, then turns andwalks out of the room before he can see her cry.
LESTER (CONT'D)(calls after her)I'm only trying to help you.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
On VIDEO: Jane lays in Ricky's bed, wearing a tank top. She
glances at us.
JANE
(shy)
Don't.
We're watching the WIDE-SCREEN TV in Ricky's room. A CORD
leads from the TV to Ricky's DIGICAM. Ricky holds the camera,
sitting naked in a chair. It's been almost a month since hisfather beat him up, and there are still slight SCARS on his
face. He's aiming his camera at Jane.
RICKY
Why?
JANE
(re: image on TV)
It's weird, watching myself. I
don't like how I look.
RICKY
I can't believe you don't know how
beautiful you are.
JANE
I'm not going to sit here for thatshit.
She gets out of bed, takes his Digicam and focuses it on him.
We see his image on the TV as she videotapes.

(CONTINUED)

68.

CONTINUED:JANE (CONT'D)
Ha. How does it feel now?
RICKY
Fine.
JANE
You don't feel naked?
RICKY
I am naked.
JANE
You know what I mean.
Jane ZOOMS in on his face, which remains placid.
JANE (CONT'D)
Tell me about being in thehospital.
Ricky smiles.
RICKY
When I was fifteen, my dad caught
me smoking dope. He totally freaked
and decided to send me to militaryschool. I told you his whole thing
about structure and discipline,
right?
(laughs)
Well, of course, I got kicked out.
Dad and I had this huge fight, andhe hit me... and then the next day
at school, some kid made a crack
about my haircut, and... I justsnapped. I wanted to kill him. And
I would have. Killed him. If they
hadn't pulled me off.
(then)
That's when my dad put me in thehospital. Then they drugged me up
and left me in there for two years.
JANE
Wow. You must really hate him.
RICKY
He's not a bad man.
He grabs a half-smoked JOINT from an ashtray and lights it.
JANE
Well... you better believe I'd hate
my father if he did something likethat to me.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)JANE(CONT'D)

69.

(laughs)
Wait. I do hate my father.
RICKY
Why?
He passes her the joint, then takes the Digicam and focuses
it on her. We see her image on the TV as he videotapes.
JANE
He's a total asshole and he's got
this crush on my friend Angela andit's disgusting.
RICKY
You'd rather he had the crush on
you?
JANE
Gross, no! But it'd be nice if I
was anywhere near as important tohim as she is.
(then)
I know you think my dad's harmless,but you're wrong. He's doing
massive psychological damage to me.
RICKY
How?
Jane looks into the camera, a loopy, stoned grin on her face.
JANE
Well, now, I too need structure. A
little fucking discipline.
They LAUGH. She lays back on the bed.
JANE (CONT'D)
I'm serious, though. How could henot be damaging me? I need a father
who's a role model, not some horny
geek-boy who's gonna spray his
shorts whenever I bring a
girlfriend home from school.
(snorts)
What a lame-o. Somebody reallyshould put him out of his misery.
Her mind wanders for a beat.
RICKY
Want me to kill him for you? Janelooks at him and sits up.

(CONTINUED)

70.

CONTINUED: (3)JANE
Yeah, would you?
RICKY
(smiles)
It'll cost you.
JANE
Well, I've been baby-sitting since
I was about ten. I've got almost
three thousand dollars. 'Course, I
was saving it up for a boob job.
She stands and sticks out her breasts, then falls back on thebed, LAUGHING.
JANE (CONT'D)
But my tits can wait, huh?
RICKY
You know, that's not a very nicething to do, hiring somebody tokill your dad.
JANE
Well, I guess I'm just not a very
nice girl, then, am I?
She smiles dreamily at him. He turns the Digicam off and the
TV screen goes BLUE. He lowers the camera and looks at her
intently.
JANE (CONT'D)(suddenly nervous)
You know I'm not serious, right?
RICKY
Of course.
He puts the Digicam down and joins Jane on the bed. A long
moment where neither of them speaks. He caresses her hair,gazing into her eyes.
RICKY (CONT'D)
Do you know how lucky we are tohave found each other?
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - EARLY MORNING
We're FLYING above Robin Hood Trail. We see the BURNHAM'S
HOUSE below us as we APPROACH it steadily.

(CONTINUED)

71.

CONTINUED: (4)LESTER
Remember those posters that said,"Today is the first day of the restof your life?" Well, that's true of
every day except one.
(a beat)
The day you die.
We're almost on top of the Burnham house now, as Lester,
wearing sweatpants and running shoes, bursts out of the front
door and dashes up the driveway.
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - A SHORT TIME LATER
We're now at street level, as Lester runs toward us. He
carries a WALKMAN and wears EARPHONES, and we HEAR ROCK MUSICas he runs. The endorphins have kicked in, and Lester grins,
reveling in the sheer physical pleasure of his body.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - A SHORT TIME LATER
The blender GRINDS as Lester, still in his sweatpants, makes
himself a high-protein shake. He's in excellent shape; evenhis posture has changed, and he moves with the confident,
easy swagger of an athlete. Jane watches him blankly from the
kitchen table. Carolyn enters. Lester leans against thecounter, drinking his shake directly from the blender
pitcher, eyeing her. He's got a newfound sexual energy thatmakes her uncomfortable, and he knows it. Carolyn quickly
rinses off her coffee cup, avoiding his eyes, and starts out.
CAROLYN
Jane, hurry up. I've got a very
important appointment-JANE
Mom, is it okay if Angela sleeps
over tonight?
Jane looks at Lester to see how he reacts. He doesn't.
CAROLYN
Well, of course, she's always
welcome.
(on her way out)
You know, I thought maybe you two
had a fight. I haven't seen her
around here in a while.
And she's gone. Jane continues staring at her father.
Finally, he glances over at her.
LESTER
What?

(CONTINUED)

72.

CONTINUED:
JANE(nervous)
I've been too embarrassed to bringher over. Because of you, and theway that you behave.
LESTER
What are you talking about? I've
barely even spoken to her.
JANE
(angry)Dad! You stare at her all the time,
like you're drunk! It's disgusting!
LESTER(angry himself)
You better watch yourself, Janie,or you're going to turn into a real
bitch, just like your mother.
Jane is stunned. She quickly rises, trying to get out of the
kitchen before she starts crying.
ANGLE on Lester, and the immediate regret in his eyes.
LESTER (CONT'D)(under his breath)
Fuck.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
We're outside Ricky's room, MOVING slowly toward the open
door, through which we can see Ricky, standing at his bureau
mirror, combing his hair. The scars on his face are almost
gone now.
A REVERSE ANGLE reveals the Colonel standing outside the door
looking in, watching Ricky with great tenderness. Then Ricky
looks up at him, and the Colonel is suddenly self-conscious.
COLONEL(brusque)
You ready to go?
RICKY
Oh, I don't need a ride. I'm goingto go in with Jane and her mom.
EXT. FITTS HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - MOMENTS LATER
Ricky emerges from the house, followed by the Colonel, whowatches his son as he heads toward the Burnham house. His
POV: Carolyn waves from the Mercedes, flashing an insincere
smile.

(CONTINUED)

73.

CONTINUED:
Jane leans forward from the passenger seat and glares at us.
As Ricky starts to get in the car, Lester emerges from thehouse in his sweatpants.
LESTER
Yo, Ricky. How's it going?
RICKY
Pretty decent, Mr. Burnham.
Ricky pulls his door shut, but not before Lester mouths "callme" and Ricky gives a slight nod in acknowledgment.
CLOSE on the Colonel's face: he looks confused. As the
Mercedes backs out of the driveway, Lester glances over at
him.
Lester's POV: The Colonel watches the car driving off, thenlooks at us. His face tightens.
LESTER studies him for a moment, then grins and salutes
before going inside the house. CLOSE on the Colonel, deeply
troubled.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The door swings open silently and the Colonel enters. He
starts going through Ricky's bureau. He opens the DRAWER in
which we know Ricky keeps his marijuana, but he doesn't
discover its false bottom.
He stands and looks around, his eyes finally landing on: The
DIGICAM and a stack of CASSETTES on a shelf. The camera isstill connected to the TV. The Colonel turns on the TV,
examines the Digicam and presses "play." The TV's blankscreen suddenly gives way to...
On VIDEO: Barbara Fitts sits at the kitchen table, staring
off into space.
The Colonel watches, at first baffled, then impatient. He
takes the cassette out of the Digicam and inserts another. On
the TV screen we see...
On VIDEO: Through the Burnham's GARAGE WINDOW, we see Lester
step out of his pants and briefs. Then, naked except for his
black socks, he grabs the dumbbells and starts lifting them,watching his reflection in the window as he does...
The Colonel sinks slowly onto Ricky's bed, mesmerized.
INT. MR. SMILEY'S - LATER
Lester, wearing a Mr. Smiley's uniform, is happily flipping
burgers on a grill.

(CONTINUED)

74.

CONTINUED:
CO-WORKER
Hey Lester, I need that Super
Smiley with cheese, A.S.A.P.
LESTERYou need more than that, my little
hombre.
Lester looks up suddenly when he HEARS:CAROLYN (O.S.)(over speakers)
What's good here?
BUDDY (O.C.)(over speakers)
Nothing.
CAROLYN (O.C.)(over speakers)
Then I guess we'll just have to bebad, won't we?
(then)
I think I'll have a double Smiley
Sandwich and curly fries, and avanilla shake.
BUDDY (O.C.)(over speakers)
Make that two.
COUNTER GIRL (O.C.)(over speakers)
Please drive around thank you.
Lester's face darkens, then... he smiles. He puts his spatula
down.
EXT. MR. SMILEY'S - CONTINUOUS
The Mercedes pulls around to the DRIVE-THRU WINDOW. Carolyn
drives; Buddy sits beside her.
CAROLYN
I think we deserve a little junkfood, after the workout we had thismorning.
BUDDY(nuzzles her neck)I'm flattered.
They are too involved with each other to notice Lester
watching them from the drive-thru window.

(CONTINUED)

75.

CONTINUED:LESTER(overly cheerful)
Smile! You're at Mr. Smiley's!
Carolyn almost jumps out of her skin. Lester leans out of thedrive-thru window, grinning at her, holding bags filled with
fast food. The Counter Girl stands next to him, staring
blankly.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Would you like to try our new beef
and cheese pot pie on a stick, justa dollar ninety-nine for a limited
time only?
Carolyn struggles to appear nonchalant.
CAROLYN(re: Buddy)
We were just at a seminar.
(then, all business)
Buddy, this is my-LESTER
Her husband. We've met before, butsomething tells me you're going toremember me this time.
COUNTER GIRL
(to Carolyn)
Whoa. You are so busted.
CAROLYN(flustered)
You know, this really doesn't
concern you.
LESTER
Actually, Janeane is senior drivethru manager, so you kind of are on
her turf.
(to Carolyn, quietly)
So. This makes sense.
CAROLYN(miserable)
Oh, Lester-LESTER
Honey, it's okay. I want you to be
happy.
(then)
Would you like Smiley Sauce withthat?

(CONTINUED)

76.

CONTINUED: (2)
CAROLYN
Lester, just stop it!
LESTERUh-uh. You don't get to tell me
what to do. Ever again.
Carolyn closes her eyes, defeated, then grabs the wheel,
shifts gears and drives off.
EXT. TOP HAT MOTEL - A SHORT TIME LATER
The sky is filled with ominous gray clouds. Wind whips
garbage across the parking lot as Carolyn's Mercedes pulls innext to Buddy's Jaguar.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn grips the wheel tightly, staring straight ahead.
Buddy looks at her unhappily.
BUDDY
I'm sorry. I guess we should cool
it for a while. I'm facing a
potentially very expensive divorce.
CAROLYN
Oh, no. I understand completely.
(sarcastic)
In order to be successful, one must
project an image of success. At all
times.
She regrets it the second it's out of her mouth, and turns tohim. He just looks at her sadly, then gets out of the car andshuts the door. She starts to CRY. As before, she SLAPS
herself, hard.
CAROLYN (CONT'D)
Stop it. Stop it!
She closes her eyes tight, trying to stop the tears, thensuddenly SCREAMS as loud as she can.
EXT. TOP HAT MOTEL - CONTINUOUS
Buddy's Jaguar speeds off, leaving the Mercedes alone in theparking lot. We can still HEAR Carolyn's muffled SCREAMING.
There is a sound of distant THUNDER.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - THAT NIGHT
It's RAINING outside. We HEAR ROCK MUSIC as Lester pumps
iron. He puts the weights down and looks at his REFLECTION in
the window:(CONTINUED)

77.

CONTINUED:
His POV: His arms are pumped.
He smiles. He reaches under the bench and grabs a CIGAR BOX.
Opening it, he digs through MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA, only topull out an empty ZIP-LOC BAG.
LESTER
Shit.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Ricky and the Colonel sit at the table, eating in silence.
Barbara rinses off a pan at the sink, then stares at it as if
she can't quite remember what she meant to do with it. We
suddenly HEAR a BEEPING noise. Ricky pulls his BEEPER off his
belt and checks it.
RICKY(getting up)
I have to run next door. Jane left
her geometry book in my bag and sheneeds it to do her homework.
He heads into the hall. The Colonel watches him go, uneasy.
INT. ANGELA'S BMW - CONTINUOUS
Angela drives, squinting through the windshield as the wipers
move back and forth.
ANGELA
So you and psycho boy are fucking
on like, a regular basis now,
right?

No.

JANE(irritable)

ANGELAOh, come on. You can tell me. Does
he have a big dick?
JANE
Look, I'm not gonna talk about his
dick with you, okay? It's not likethat.
ANGELA
Not like what? Doesn't he have one?
(then)Why don't you want to talk about
it? I mean, I tell you every single
detail about every guy that I fuck.

(CONTINUED)

78.

CONTINUED:
JANE
Yeah, and maybe you shouldn't, allright? Maybe I don't really want tohear all that.
ANGELAOh, so now that you have aboyfriend, you're like, above it?
(rolls her eyes)
We gotta get you a real man.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The Colonel rinses off his plate at the sink. Somethingoutside catches his eye, and he cranes his neck to get abetter look at...
His POV: Through the window over the sink, we can see into
the Burnham's GARAGE WINDOW. Our view is blurred by the RAIN,
but we see Lester, his upper body pumped and glistening insweat as he counts out a wad of BILLS... and then Ricky walks
into view.
The Colonel's face tightens.
His POV: Lester drapes his arm around Ricky as he gives him
the money. We can only see Lester from the waist up, so helooks naked.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Ricky, his hair wet from the rain, puts the cash in his
pocket. Lester's arm remains draped around his shoulder.
RICKY(grins)You got any papers?
LESTER
Yeah, in the cigar box, right overthere.
(laughs)
You know, put up a fight, dude! Youare such a pushover. "No I can't.
Really. Okay."
And he slaps Ricky playfully on the chest. Ricky grins, thensquats down and reaches under the weight bench.
RICKY
You should learn to roll a joint.
Lester sits in the bowl chair and leans back, his hands
behind his head, watching Ricky roll the joint.

79.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The Colonel's POV: Lester leans back in his chair. We see
only Ricky's back and shoulders as he rolls the joint. Aftera beat, Lester's jaw drops, then he throws his head back.
From our perspective, it looks very much like Ricky is giving
Lester a blow job.
The Colonel watches, incredulous. Then we HEAR a CAR
APPROACHING, and the Colonel glances over at:
His POV: Angela's BMW pulls into the driveway, stopping
behind Lester's Firebird. As Angela and Jane get out and run
toward the house, our focus MOVES back to the GARAGE WINDOW.
Ricky stands, looking a little panicked. Lester pulls on his
T-shirt, and both he and Ricky cross out of view.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Lester leans nonchalantly against the counter. Jane andAngela enter. Jane frowns when she sees him.
LESTER
Oh. Hi.
JANE
Where's Mom?
LESTER
Don't know.
ANGELA
Hi, Mr. Burnham.
LESTERHi.
He's trying to remain cool, and doing a pretty good job.
ANGELA
Wow. Look at you. Have you beenworking out?
LESTER
Some.
Jane rolls her eyes and exits. Angela walks over to Lester.
ANGELAYou can really tell. Look at thosearms.
She places her hand on his arm flirtatiously, looks up at him
and smiles, fully expecting to intimidate him by doing so.
But something has changed, and he isn't intimidated at all.
He looks directly back at her, leans in and smiles slowly.

(CONTINUED)

80.

CONTINUED:LESTERYou like muscles?
His voice is low and intense. She moves away, suddenly
insecure.
ANGELAI--I should probably go see what
Jane's up to.
And she heads out quickly. Lester watches her go, baffled.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ricky enters, wet from the pouring rain, and crosses to his
bureau, pulling the wad of CASH out of his pocket as he goes.
COLONEL (O.C.)
Where'd you get that? Ricky turns,
startled.
His POV: The Colonel steps out of the shadows. Ricky takes a
step back.
RICKY
From my job.
COLONEL
Don't lie to me.
(beat)
I saw you with him.
RICKY
(incredulous)
You were watching me?
COLONEL
What did he make you do?
RICKY(laughs)Dad, you don't really think... me
and Mr. Burnham?
COLONEL(furious)
Don't you laugh at me!
(then)
I will not sit back and watch my
only son become a cocksucker!
RICKY
Jesus, what is with you-The Colonel BACKHANDS Ricky so hard it sends the boy
sprawling.

(CONTINUED)

81.

CONTINUED:
COLONELI swear to God, I will throw youout of this house and never look at
you again.
RICKY(taken aback)You mean that?
COLONEL
Damn straight I do. I'd rather you
were dead than be a fucking faggot.
A beat. Ricky suddenly smiles. He gets up.
RICKY
You're right. I suck dick formoney.
COLONEL
Boy-RICKY
Two thousand dollars. I'm that
good.
COLONELGet out.
RICKY
And you should see me fuck. I'm thebest piece of ass in three states.
COLONEL(explodes)
Get out!! I don't ever want to see
you again!!
Ricky eyes the Colonel. He's finally discovered a way tobreak free from his father, and he can't believe it was thissimple.
RICKY
What a sad old man you are.
COLONEL(a whisper)
Get out.
Ricky grabs his backpack, turns and walks out the door,leaving the Colonel standing there, glassy-eyed and breathingheavily.

82.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Ricky enters to discover Barbara standing in the middle of
the room, clutching a dish, frightened. She's obviously heard
his argument with his father, and she looks into his eyes,
searching, aware that something eventful is taking place.
RICKY
Mom, I'm leaving.
A beat.
BARBARAOkay, wear a raincoat.
RICKY(hugs her)
I wish things would have been
better for you. Take care of Dad.
He kisses her cheek softly, then exits out the back door,leaving her standing alone, still clutching her dish.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The Colonel's POV: Below us, Ricky dashes through the rain to
the Burnham's front door and knocks. Lester opens it and lets
him in.
EXT. FITTS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
The Colonel looks coldly down at us from Ricky's bedroom
window, and then he pulls the drapes shut.
EXT. FREEWAY - CONTINUOUS
The MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 is parked in the breakdown lane, its
HAZARD LIGHTS BLINKING. Cars ZOOM past in the rain.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn sits behind the wheel, listening to a MOTIVATIONALTAPE on the STEREO.
TAPE VOICE--disinvesting problems of theirpower, and removing their ability
to make us afraid. This is thesecret to "me-centered" living.
Only by taking full responsibility
for your problems--and theirsolutions--will you ever be able tobreak free from the constant cycleof victimhood.

(CONTINUED)

83.

CONTINUED:
Carolyn leans over and open the glove compartment. She takesout her GLOCK 19.
TAPE VOICE (CONT'D)
Remember, you are only a victim if
you choose to be a victim...
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Angela is sprawled across the bed. Jane stands across theroom from her.
JANE
I don't think we could be friends
anymore.
ANGELAYou are way too uptight about sex.
JANE
Just don't fuck my dad, all right?
Please?
ANGELAWhy not?
There is a KNOCK on the door. Jane sits up, alarmed.
JANE(angry)Dad! Leave us alone!
RICKY (O.C.)
It's me.
Jane jumps up and opens the door and lets him in.
RICKY (CONT'D)(to Jane)
If I had to leave tonight, would
you come with me?
JANE
What?
RICKY
If I had to go to New York. To
live. Tonight. Would you come with
me?
JANE
Yes.
ANGELAYou guys can't be serious.
(to Jane)(CONTINUED)

ANGELA(CONT'D)CONTINUED:
You're just a kid. And he's like, amental case. You'll end up living
in a box on the street.

84.

JANE
I'm no more a kid than you are!
( to Ricky)
We can use my plastic surgery
money.
RICKY
We won't have to. I have over forty
thousand dollars. And I know people
in the city who can help us get set
up.
ANGELA
What, other drug dealers?
RICKY
Yes.
ANGELA
Jane, you'd be out of your mind togo with him.
JANE
Why do you even care?
ANGELA
Because you're my friend!
RICKY
She's not your friend. She's
somebody you use to feel better
about yourself.
ANGELA
Go fuck yourself, psycho!
JANE
You shut up, bitch!
ANGELA
Jane! He is a freak!
JANE
Well, then so am I! And we'll
always be freaks and we'll never belike other people. And you'll never
be a freak because you're just too
perfect.
ANGELAOh, yeah? Well, at least I'm not
ugly.

(CONTINUED)

85.

CONTINUED: (2)RICKY
Yes, you are. And you're boring.
And you're totally ordinary. And
you know it.
Angela stares at him, stunned, then starts toward the door.
ANGELAYou two deserve each other.
And she exits, SLAMMING the door behind her. Jane turns to
Ricky and he takes her in his arms.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Angela sits on the stairs, shaken, crying.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
We're MOVING SLOWLY toward the Burnham's GARAGE WINDOW
through the RAIN. Through the window, we see Lester, wearing
only his sweatpants, performing bench presses.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Through the window, we see the Colonel standing outside,watching. We ZOOM slowly in on him as he watches, transfixed.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
His POV: Lester finishes his last rep, then racks the weights
and sits up, sweaty and out of breath. He runs his free handover his chest... and then he glances at us, suddenly aware
he's being watched.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Lester and the Colonel stare at each other through thewindow.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
The RAIN is coming down in sheets now, and there is a sharp
CLAP of THUNDER. We're directly outside the GARAGE DOOR as it
slowly lifts to reveal Lester smiling at us.
LESTER
Jesus, man. You're soaked.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Lester pulls the Colonel inside. The Colonel moves stifflyand seems preoccupied, slightly disoriented.

(CONTINUED)

86.

CONTINUED:LESTER
You want me to get Ricky? He's inJane's room.
The Colonel just stands there, looking at Lester.
LESTER (CONT'D)
You okay?
COLONEL(his voice thick)
Where's your wife?
LESTER
Uh... I don't know. Probably out
fucking that dorky prince of realestate asshole. And you know what?
I don't care.
The Colonel moves closer towards him.
COLONELYour wife is with another man andyou don't care?
LESTER
Nope, our marriage is just forshow. A commercial, for how normal
we are. When we are anything but.
He grins... and so does the Colonel.
LESTER (CONT'D)
You're shaking.
He places his hand on the Colonel's shoulder. The Colonel
closes his eyes.
LESTER (CONT'D)
We really should get you out ofthese clothes.
COLONEL(a whisper)
Yes...
He opens his eyes and looks at Lester, his face filled withan anguished vulnerability we wouldn't have thought possible
from him. His eyes are brimming with tears. Lester leans in,concerned.
LESTER
It's okay.

(CONTINUED)

87.

CONTINUED: (2)I...

COLONEL(hoarse)LESTER(softly)
Just tell me what you need.
The Colonel reaches up and places his hand on Lester's
cheek... and then kisses him. Lester is momentarily stunned,
and then he pushes the Colonel away. The Colonel's facecrumples in shame.
LESTER (CONT'D)
Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm sorry. You
got the wrong idea.
The Colonel stares at the floor, blinking, and then he turns
and runs out the open garage door into the rainy night.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn is still listening to the same MOTIVATIONAL TAPE. She
holds the GLOCK in her hand.
TAPE VOICE"I refuse to be a victim." When
this becomes your mantra,
constantly running through yourhead-Carolyn switches the TAPE OFF and puts the gun in her purse.
CAROLYN
I refuse to be a victim.
EXT. FREEWAY - CONTINUOUS
The Mercedes pulls away from the shoulder.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Lester enters, opens the refrigerator and grabs a BEER.
Suddenly we HEAR MUSIC coming from the other room. Lester
opens his beer and starts toward the family room.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
His POV: AS we MOVE SLOWLY around a corner, Angela comes into
view, standing at the STEREO, holding a CD case. She's been
crying; her face is puffy, and her hair mussed. She regards
us apprehensively... then puts on a slightly defiant smile.
ANGELAI hope you don't mind if I play thestereo.

(CONTINUED)

88.

CONTINUED:
Lester leans against the wall and takes a swig of his beer.
LESTER
Not at all.
(then)
Bad night?
ANGELA
Not really bad, just... strange.
LESTER(grins)Believe me. It couldn't possibly be
any stranger than mine.
She smiles. They stand there in silence; the atmosphere ischarged.
ANGELA
Jane and I had a fight.
(after a beat)
It was about you.
She's trying to be seductive as she says this, but she's
pretty bad at it. Lester raises his eyebrows.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
She's mad at me because I said I
think you're sexy.
Lester grins. He is sexy.
LESTER(offering beer)
Do you want a sip?
She nods. Lester holds the bottle up to her mouth and she
drinks clumsily. He gently wipes her chin with the back of
his hand.
LESTER (CONT'D)
So... are you going to tell me?
What you want?
ANGELAI don't know.
LESTER
You don't know?
His face is very close to hers. She's unnerved--this ishappening too fast...
ANGELA
What do you want?

(CONTINUED)

89.

CONTINUED: (2)
LESTERAre you kidding? I want you. I've
wanted you since the first moment I
saw you. You are the most beautiful
thing I have ever seen.
Angela takes a deep breath just before Lester leans in tokiss her cheek, her forehead, her eyelids, her neck...
ANGELAYou don't think I'm ordinary?
LESTERYou couldn't be ordinary if you
tried.
ANGELA
Thank you.
(far away)
I don't think there's anythingworse than being ordinary...
And Lester kisses her on the lips.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn drives, her face resolute.
CAROLYN
I refuse to be a victim. I refuse
to be a victim. I refuse to be a
victim...
(angry)Lester, I have something I have to
say to you...
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATERAngela lays back on the couch as Lester moves in over her. He
pulls her jeans off and gently brushes his fingers over her
legs, then moves up and caresses her face...
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ricky and Jane, fully clothed, lie curled up on Jane's bed.
JANE
Are you scared?
RICKY
I don't get scared.
JANE
My parents will try to find me.

(CONTINUED)

90.

CONTINUED:
RICKY
Mine won't.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Lester starts unbuttoning Angela's blouse. She seems
disconnected from what's happening. Lester pulls her blouse
open, exposing her breasts. Lester looks down at her,
grinning, unable to believe he's actually about to do what
he's dreamed of so many times, and then...
ANGELAThis is my first time.
Lester LAUGHS.
LESTER
You're kidding.
ANGELA(a whisper)
I'm sorry.
A beat. Lester looks down at her, his grin fading. His POV:Angela lies beneath us, embarrassed and vulnerable. This is
not the mythically carnal creature of Lester's fantasies;
this is a nervous child.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
I still want to do it... I justthought I should tell you... incase you wondered why I wasn't...
better.
Lester's face falls. There's no way he's going to go throughwith this now.
ANGELA (CONT'D)(confused)
What's wrong? I thought you said I
was beautiful.
LESTER(tenderly)
You are beautiful.
He grabs a blanket from the back of the couch and drapes itaround her shoulders, covering her nakedness.
LESTER (CONT'D)
You are so beautiful... and I would
be a very lucky man...
He smiles and shakes his head. Humiliated, Angela starts tocry.

(CONTINUED)

91.

CONTINUED:ANGELAI feel so stupid.
LESTER
Don't.
He hugs her, letting her put her head on his shoulder,stroking her hair and rocking her gently.
ANGELAI'm sorry.
Lester takes her by the shoulders and looks at her, serious.
LESTER
You have nothing to be sorry about.
But she keeps crying. Lester hugs her again. We HEAR a loud
CLAP of THUNDER outside.
LESTER (CONT'D)(smiles)
It's okay. Everything's okay.
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - MOMENTS LATER
The Mercedes pulls onto Robin Hood Trail.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
CLOSE on Carolyn's eyes, reflected in the REAR-VIEW MIRROR.
She turns her head to look out the window:
Her POV: The RED DOOR of the Burnham house stands out, evenin the pouring rain.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATERAngela, once again fully clothed, sits at the kitchencounter. She's eating a turkey sandwich.
ANGELA
Wow. I was starving.
Lester puts a jar of mayonnaise back in the refrigerator.
LESTER
Do you want me to make you anotherone?
ANGELANo, no, no. I'm fine.
He turns to her and cocks an eyebrow.

(CONTINUED)

92.

CONTINUED:LESTER(concerned)
You sure?
ANGELAI mean, I'm still a little weirded
out, but...
(sincerely)...I feel better. Thanks.
A long beat, as Lester studies her, then:
LESTER
How's Jane?
ANGELA
What do you mean?
LESTERI mean, how's her life? Is she
happy? Is she miserable? I'd reallylike to know, and she'd die before
she'd ever tell me about it.
Angela shifts uncomfortably.
ANGELA
She's... she's really happy. She
thinks she's in love.
Angela rolls her eyes at how silly this notion is.
LESTER(quietly)
Good for her.
An awkward beat.
ANGELAHow are you?
LESTER(smiles, taken aback)God, it's been a long time sinceanybody asked me that.
(thinks about it)
I'm great.
They just sit there, smiling at each other, then:
ANGELA(suddenly)
I've gotta go to the bathroom.
She crosses off. Lester watches her go, then stands there
wondering why he should suddenly feel so content.

(CONTINUED)

93.

CONTINUED: (2)
LESTER(laughs)
I'm great.
Something at the edge of the counter catches his eye, and hereaches for...
CLOSE on a framed PHOTOGRAPH as he picks it up: It's thephoto we saw earlier of him, Carolyn and Jane, taken several
years ago at an amusement park. It's startling how happy theylook.
Lester crosses to the kitchen table, where he sits andstudies the photo. He suddenly seems older, more mature...
and then he smiles: the deep, satisfied smile of a man who
just now understands the punch line of a joke he heard longago...
LESTER (CONT'D)
Man oh man...
(softly)
Man oh man oh man...
After a beat, the barrel of a GUN rises up behind his head,
aimed at the base of his skull.
ANGLE ON an arrangement of fresh-cut ROSES in a vase on the
opposite counter, deep crimson against the WHITE TILE WALL.
Then a GUNSHOT suddenly rings out, ECHOING unnaturally.
Instantly, the tile is sprayed with BLOOD, the same deep
crimson as the roses.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FOYER - MOMENTS LATER
Ricky comes down the stairs, followed by Jane.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Ricky opens the door from the dining room, then stops. Janeappears behind him.
JANE
Oh God.
Their POV: A pool of blood is forming on the kitchen table.
Ricky comes into the kitchen and slowly approaches Lester's
lifeless body, wide-eyed but not afraid. Jane follows him, inshock. Ricky kneels, gazing at Lester's unseen face... thenhe smiles, ever so slightly.
His POV: Lester looks back at us; his eyes are lifeless, but
he's smiling the same slight smile.

(CONTINUED)

94.

CONTINUED:

Wow.

RICKY
(an awed whisper)

LESTER (V.O.)
I had always heard your entire life
flashes in front of your eyes thesecond before you die.
EXT. SKY - DAY
We're FLYING across a white blanket of clouds.
LESTER (V.O.)
First of all, that one second isn't
a second at all, it stretches on
forever, like an ocean of time...
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
In BLACK & WHITE: Eleven-year-old Lester looks up, pointing
excitedly at:
His POV: A DOT OF LIGHT falls across an unbelievably starrysky.
LESTER (V.O.)
For me, it was lying on my back at
Boy Scout camp, watching fallingstars...
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Ricky and Jane lie curled up on Jane's bed, fully clothed. We
HEAR a GUNSHOT from downstairs. They look at each other,alarmed.
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DUSKIn BLACK & WHITE: Maple trees in autumn. Ghostly LEAVESFLUTTER slowly toward pavement.
LESTER (V.O.)
And yellow leaves, from the maple
trees, that lined my street...
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - POWDER ROOM - NIGHT
Angela stands in front of the mirror, fixing her make-up. We
HEAR the GUNSHOT again. Angela turns, frightened.
INT. SUBURBAN HOUSE - DAY
In BLACK & WHITE: CLOSE on an ancient woman's papery HANDS as
they button a cardigan sweater.

(CONTINUED)

95.

CONTINUED:LESTER (V.O.)
Or my grandmother's hands, and theway her skin seemed like paper...
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - NIGHT
Carolyn walks slowly toward the RED DOOR, drenched to thebone, clutching her PURSE tightly. We HEAR the GUNSHOT again.
EXT. SUBURB - DAY
In BLACK & WHITE: A 1970 PONTIAC FIREBIRD in the driveway of
a suburban home. The SUN'S REFLECTION in the windshield
FLASHES BRILLIANTLY.
LESTER (V.O.)
And the first time I saw my cousin
Tony's brand new Firebird...
INT. FITTS HOUSE - THE COLONEL'S STUDY - NIGHT
The Colonel enters, wet. He's wearing LATEX GLOVES. BLOOD
covers the front of his T-shirt. He paces in front of one of
his GUN CASES; the GLASS DOOR is open, and a gun isconspicuously missing from inside.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - HALL - NIGHT
In BLACK & WHITE: Jane opens her bedroom door, staring at us.
LESTER (V.O.)
And Janie...
EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSE - DUSKIn BLACK & WHITE: A door opens to reveal 4-YEAR-OLD JANE,
dressed for Halloween in a Princess costume, holding a lit
SPARKLER aloft and smiling shyly at us.
LESTER (V.O.)
And Janie...
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Carolyn enters, terrified, still clutching her PURSE. She
shuts the door and locks it, then takes the GLOCK 19 out ofher purse. She opens the closet door and shoves the gun intoa HAMPER. Then, suddenly aware of Lester's scent, she grabs
as many of his clothes as she can and pulls them to her,burying her face in them. She sinks to her knees, pulling
several items of clothing down with her, and she begins to
cry.

96.
EXT. AMUSEMENT PARK - NIGHT
IN BLACK & WHITE: A younger Carolyn sits across from us in
one of those SPINNING-TEACUP RIDES, LAUGHING uncontrollably
as she twists the wheel in front of her, making us SPIN evenfaster.
LESTER (V.O.)(with love)
And... Carolyn.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
On VIDEO: We're watching the video Ricky showed Jane earlier,of the empty white PLASTIC BAG being blown about. The windcarries it in a circle around us, sometimes whipping it about
violently, or, without warning, sending it soaring skyward,
then letting it float gracefully down to the ground...
LESTER (V.O.)
I guess I could be pretty pissed
off about what happened to me...
but it's hard to stay mad, when
there's so much beauty in theworld. Sometimes I feel like I'mseeing it all at once, and it's too
much, my heart fills up like aballoon that's about to burst...
EXT. - ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - DAY
We're FLYING once again over Robin Hood Trail, ASCENDINGSLOWLY.
LESTER (V.O.)...and then I remember to relax,
and stop trying to hold on to it,
and then it flows through me likerain and I can't feel anything but
gratitude for every single momentof my stupid little life...
(amused)You have no idea what I'm talking
about, I'm sure. But don't worry...
FADE TO BLACK.
LESTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
You will someday.
THE END