American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Jane asks Ricky to stop filming her; he agrees, and she chooses to walk with him.

Scene 79 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Save the Cat: B Story
Angela
Ricky
Jane

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 49 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 79

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.
Just before
Scene 76
Lester blackmails Brad into a year's severance by threatening to expose company fraud and a false harassment claim.
Scene 77
Lester leaves the office with his belongings, elated after quitting on his own terms.
Scene 78
Buddy tells Carolyn he is separating from his wife, and she admires his success image.
Scene 79
This scene

79EXT. HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS - LATER THAT DAY

Ricky stands with his DIGICAM, videotaping something on the ground at his feet.

On VIDEO: A DEAD BIRD lays on the ground, decomposing.

ANGELA (O.C.)

What are you doing?

On VIDEO: The camera JERKS up to discover Jane and Angela staring at us.

RICKY (O.C.)

I was filming this dead bird.

ANGELA

Why?

RICKY (O.C.)

Because it's beautiful.

On VIDEO: Angela looks at Jane, trying not to laugh.

ANGELA

I think maybe you forgot your

medication today, mental boy.

On VIDEO: She falls out of frame as we ZOOM toward Jane.

RICKY (O.C.)

Hi, Jane.

JANE

(uncomfortable)

Look. I want you to stop filming

me.

Ricky lowers the Digicam.

RICKY

Okay.

He looks at her, curious, his eyes searching hers. She doesn't look away.

ANGELA

Well, whatever.

(to Jane)

This is boring. Let's go.

JANE

(to Ricky)

Do you need a ride?

ANGELA

(to Jane)

Are you crazy? I don't want to end

up hacked to pieces in a dumpster

somewhere.

RICKY

It's okay. I'll walk. But thanks.

ANGELA

Yeah, see? He doesn't want to go

anyway. C'mon, let's go.

Angela starts off, but Jane doesn't follow. Ricky smiles at her. She almost smiles back, then:

JANE

(calls off to Angela)

I think I'm going to walk, too.