American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Carolyn tells Buddy that their affair relieves her stress; he recommends firing a gun.

Scene 86 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Carolyn
Buddy

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 53 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 86

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.
Scene 76
Lester blackmails Brad for severance and quits, committing to a life outside his corporate routine.
Scene 79
Jane asks Ricky to stop filming her, and chooses to walk with him after their earlier school encounter.
Just before
Scene 83
Lester sings along inside the Camry on his way to the fast-food restaurant.
Scene 84
Lester orders fast food and applies for a counter job to avoid responsibility.
Scene 85
A baffled manager doubts Lester can adapt, but Lester points to his past fast-food experience.
Scene 86
This scene

86INT. TOP HAT MOTEL - LATER THAT DAY

Carolyn and Buddy are in bed, post-sex.

CAROLYN

That was exactly what I needed. The

royal treatment, so to speak.

They laugh.

CAROLYN (CONT'D)

I was so stressed out.

BUDDY

Know what I do when I feel like

that?

CAROLYN

What?

BUDDY

I fire a gun.

Carolyn sits up, eager to learn from the master.

CAROLYN

(intrigued)

Really.

BUDDY

Oh yeah, I go to this little firing

range downtown, and I just pop off

a few rounds.

CAROLYN

(embarrassed)

I've never fired a gun before.

BUDDY

Oh, you've gotta try it. Nothing

makes you feel more powerful.

(smiles seductively)

Well, almost nothing.

Carolyn is quick to pick up her cue and kisses him, ready for another round.