American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

The Colonel approaches Lester in the garage and kisses him; Lester pushes him away, and the Colonel runs into the rain.

Scene 135 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Lester
Colonel

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:25 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 135

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.
Scenes 103–128
Jane and Ricky's plans, the Colonel's expulsion of Ricky and Carolyn's gun bring serious costs to the upheaval.
Just before
Scene 132
Lester finishes lifting and notices the Colonel watching him.
Scene 133
Lester and the Colonel stare at each other through the garage window.
Scene 134
Lester opens the garage to let the soaked Colonel inside.
Scene 135
This scene

135INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - GARAGE - CONTINUOUS

Lester pulls the Colonel inside. The Colonel moves stiffly and seems preoccupied, slightly disoriented.

LESTER

You want me to get Ricky? He's in

Jane's room.

The Colonel just stands there, looking at Lester.

LESTER (CONT'D)

You okay?

COLONEL

(his voice thick)

Where's your wife?

LESTER

Uh... I don't know. Probably out

fucking that dorky prince of real

estate asshole. And you know what?

I don't care.

The Colonel moves closer towards him.

COLONEL

Your wife is with another man and

you don't care?

LESTER

Nope, our marriage is just for

show. A commercial, for how normal

we are. When we are anything but.

He grins... and so does the Colonel.

LESTER (CONT'D)

You're shaking.

He places his hand on the Colonel's shoulder. The Colonel closes his eyes.

LESTER (CONT'D)

We really should get you out of

these clothes.

COLONEL

(a whisper)

Yes...

He opens his eyes and looks at Lester, his face filled with an anguished vulnerability we wouldn't have thought possible from him. His eyes are brimming with tears. Lester leans in, concerned.

LESTER

It's okay.

CONTINUED: (2)

COLONEL

(hoarse)

I...

LESTER

(softly)

Just tell me what you need.

The Colonel reaches up and places his hand on Lester's