Boyhood · written by Richard Linklater · 2014

Jim confronts Mason for coming home late and says his role paying the bills gives him authority; Mason tells him he is not his father.

Scene 126 of 160 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act three

Mason
Jim

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 2:11 into a 3:02 film

The story so farBefore scene 126

As his mother’s homes and relationships change, Mason grows from a restless child into a young photographer learning to choose his own direction before leaving for college.

Scenes 1–11
Mason’s world is a child’s local orbit of school, siblings, play, and a family not yet displaced.
Scenes 12–23
The move exposes Mason’s wish to keep his friends and stay connected to his absent father while Olivia seeks a more secure life.
Scenes 24–74
Mason enters successive new family arrangements: Dad’s return, Olivia’s marriage to Bill, and finally escape from Bill’s house.
Scenes 75–123
He adapts to new homes and schools, tests independence with friends and work, and develops an eye for photography.
Just before
Scene 123
At the football game, Nick tells Mason to stop shooting artistic details and photograph the action; he also arranges a ride to a party.
Scene 124
At a party, Mason drinks and talks with Sheena while Samantha socializes with a boy and Nick plays drums.
Scene 125
Mason tells Sheena he wants to do what makes him feel alive instead of appearing normal; she shares the pressure people feel to meet others' judgments.
Scene 126
This scene

126EXT. JIM'S HOUSE - LATER

Mason comes home late. Jim sits outside on a chair surrounded by empty beer cans and one in hand.

MASON

Hey, Jim. I'm sorry I'm so late.

JIM

What time were you supposed to be

home?

MASON

I don't know. Awhile ago.

JIM

Awhile ago like, thirty minutes ago,

an hour ago? Cause, truthfully,

nobody even knew where you were until

your sister told us. She's been

home for awhile.

MASON

I'm sorry.

JIM

Yeah, been hearin' a lot of that

lately. See, but you don't actually

care. You just kinda... kinda come

and go as you please and you don't

care if your mom's upset or what

time you gotta be home... Is that

what's up?

MASON

I don't know what to tell you.

JIM

Stop mumbling! You know, speak up!

I can't understand a word comin'

outta your mouth. It's just like,

"uh uhh nuhh" and I ask you questions

and you just--

MASON

Man, can I just have one day where

everyone isn't all over my ass!?

Jim gets up abruptly and advances on Mason.

JIM

I'm up your ass? This is my house.

Now, if you wanna live in my house

then you get home when you say you're

gonna be home.

MASON

You know, Jim, you're not my dad.

JIM

No, I'm not your dad! You know how

I know that? Cause I'm actually

here. I'm the guy with the job,

paying the bills, taking care of