American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

The Colonel accuses Ricky of sex with Lester, strikes him and expels him after Ricky provokes him.

Scene 122 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Save the Cat: All Is Lost
Colonel
Ricky

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:20 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 122

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 119
Lester pays Ricky for marijuana and teases him as Ricky rolls a joint in the garage.
Scene 120
The Colonel mistakes Ricky rolling a joint for oral sex, then sees Jane and Angela arrive.
Scene 121
Angela compliments Lester's muscles and flirts until his direct response makes her retreat.
Scene 122
This scene

122INT. 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.

COLONEL

I swear to God, I will throw you

out 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 for

money.

COLONEL

Boy--

RICKY

Two thousand dollars. I'm that

good.

COLONEL

Get out.

RICKY