American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Carolyn repeats that she refuses to be a victim, then puts her gun away.

Scene 136 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Tape Voice
Carolyn

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:27 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 136

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 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
The Colonel approaches Lester in the garage and kisses him; Lester pushes him away, and the Colonel runs into the rain.
Scene 136
This scene

136INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS

Carolyn is still listening to the same MOTIVATIONAL TAPE. She holds the GLOCK in her hand.

TAPE VOICE

"I refuse to be a victim." When

this becomes your mantra,

constantly running through your

head--

Carolyn switches the TAPE OFF and puts the gun in her purse.

CAROLYN

I refuse to be a victim.