American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Lester flips burgers at Mr. Smiley's and recognizes Carolyn and Buddy ordering at the drive-through.

Scene 110 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Co-Worker
Lester
Carolyn
Buddy
Counter Girl

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:14 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 110

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.

Scenes 1–13
Lester is trapped in a suburban routine of corporate work and a marriage performed for appearances.
Scenes 14–31
Family estrangement and his attraction to Angela expose how urgently Lester wants to feel alive.
Scenes 32–75
Lester follows the desire into risky fantasy, exercise and open defiance of Carolyn.
Scenes 76–90
Lester quits and takes a fast-food job while Jane and Ricky begin connecting in parallel.
Scenes 91–102
Lester wins control of his daily life and openly rejects the family's old rules.
Just before
Scene 107
The Colonel watches Ricky get ready and hides his tenderness when Ricky says he will ride with Jane's family.
Scene 108
Ricky leaves with Jane and Carolyn while Lester signals him to call; the Colonel watches, troubled.
Scene 109
The Colonel searches Ricky's room and watches Ricky's recordings of Barbara and Lester lifting weights.
Scene 110
This scene

110INT. MR. SMILEY'S - LATER

Lester, wearing a Mr. Smiley's uniform, is happily flipping burgers on a grill.

CO-WORKER

Hey Lester, I need that Super

Smiley with cheese, A.S.A.P.

LESTER

You 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 be

bad, won't we?

(then)

I think I'll have a double Smiley

Sandwich and curly fries, and a

vanilla 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.