American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Carolyn listens to motivational advice about refusing victimhood and takes the Glock from the glove compartment.

Scene 127 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Tape Voice

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:22 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 127

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.
Scene 122
The Colonel expels Ricky, severing the fragile family tie that had begun to soften him.
Just before
Scene 124
The Colonel watches Ricky cross the rain to Lester's house, where Lester lets him in.
Scene 125
The Colonel closes the curtains after Ricky disappears into the Burnham home.
Scene 126
Carolyn's Mercedes sits on the freeway shoulder with its hazard lights blinking in the rain.
Scene 127
This scene

127INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS

Carolyn sits behind the wheel, listening to a MOTIVATIONAL TAPE on the STEREO.

TAPE VOICE

--disinvesting problems of their

power, and removing their ability

to make us afraid. This is the

secret to "me-centered" living.

Only by taking full responsibility

for your problems--and their

solutions--will you ever be able to

break free from the constant cycle

of victimhood.

Carolyn leans over and open the glove compartment. She takes out her GLOCK 19.

TAPE VOICE (CONT'D)

Remember, you are only a victim if

you choose to be a victim...