American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Lester confronts Carolyn and Buddy at the window, saying he wants her to be happy but will not be controlled.

Scene 111 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Carolyn
Buddy
Lester
Counter Girl

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:14 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 111

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 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
Lester flips burgers at Mr. Smiley's and recognizes Carolyn and Buddy ordering at the drive-through.
Scene 111
This scene

111EXT. 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 junk

food, after the workout we had this

morning.

BUDDY

(nuzzles her neck)

I'm flattered.

They are too involved with each other to notice Lester watching them from the drive-thru window.

LESTER

(overly cheerful)

Smile! You're at Mr. Smiley's!

Carolyn almost jumps out of her skin. Lester leans out of the drive-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, just

a 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, but

something tells me you're going to

remember 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 drive-

thru manager, so you kind of are on

her turf.

(to Carolyn, quietly)

So. This makes sense.

CAROLYN

(miserable)

Oh, Lester--

LESTER