American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Lester performs cheerfully for a customer in his cubicle before Brad calls him in.

Scene 11 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Lester
Brad

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 4 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 11

After becoming infatuated with his teenage daughter’s friend, a dissatisfied suburban father quits his job and pursues a more vivid life, unsettling his family and drawing him into the orbit of a troubled teenage neighbor.

Scene 2
Lester surveys his street and life as an ordinary suburban world he already experiences as death.
Just before
Scene 8
Jane studies a plastic-surgery site and her profile as Lester describes her insecurity and his reluctance to lie about her future.
Scene 9
Carolyn honks Jane into the car as Lester admits his family sees him as a loser.
Scene 10
Lester rides to school asleep and recognizes he may recover what he has lost.
Scene 11
This scene

11INT. 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 from

Media Monthly magazine, I'm calling

for Mr. Tamblin, please?... Well,

we're all under a deadline here,

uh, but you see, there is some

basic information about the product

launch that isn't even covered in

your press release and I... Yeah.

Can I ask you a question? Who is

Tamblin? Does he exist? 'Cause he

doesn'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.

LESTER

For you, Brad? I've got five.