American Beauty Script
American Beauty Script
American Beauty Script
Screenplay By
Alan Ball
FADE IN:
RICKY (O.C.)
(singing in time to the
water dripping)
I'M FIXING A HOLE... WHERE THE
RAIN GETS IN....
REVERSE ANGLE on the face OF a YOUNG MAN with his hair cut
short, military-style, watching the dripping water as if
hypnotized. We ZOOM slowly toward him...
This is RICKY FITTS. He's twenty, but his eyes are much
older. Underneath his Zen-like tranquility lurks something
wounded... and dangerous. He SINGS softly to himself:
RICKY (cont'd)
AND STOPS MY MIND FROM
WANDERING...
RICKY (cont'd)
WHERE IT WILL GO...
D.A. (O.C.)
Would you please tell the court
how long you and the defendant have
been friends?
ANGELA (O.C.)
Uh, we've known each other since
like, fifth grade? But we didn't
really become friends until this
past year?
D.A.
During that time, did Jane ever
say she disliked her father?
ANGELA
Yes.
D.A.
Exactly how did she say it?
ANGELA (cont'd)
Uh, she said she hated his guts,
and wished he was dead.
D.A.
Did she tell you why?
ANGELA (cont'd)
She said he was just too
embarrassing to live, okay?
ANGELA (cont'd)
She said both of her parents were
totally embarrassing, but her dad
was like, way beyond? And somebody
had to take him out. But she said
her mom was just pathetic and
probably didn't deserve to like,
die.
ANGELA (cont'd)
I'm sorry, Mrs. Burnham, but she
did.
At her table, JANE buries her face IN her hands.
ANGELA (cont'd)
You did. You said it.
The front door opens and COLONEL FRANK FITTS enters, carrying
a MANILA ENVELOPE. He's fifty, quite handsome, his graying
hair cut short, military-style. He still moves like the
athlete he once was, but his eyes tell us he's not happy, and
hasn't been for some time. As he approaches the front desk,
the uniformed clerk behind it looks up at him impassively.
COLONEL
I need to speak to Detective
Fleishman.
FLEISHMAN
Colonel Pitts. How goes it?
(off his look)
Forgive me. That was a stupid
question, after everything you've
been through.
FLEISHMAN (cont'd)
So what can I do for you?
COLONEL
I found something. I think you
should take a look at it.
FLEISHMAN
Okay.
COLONEL
I don't want to do this.
(fighting back tears)
But I was taught a little thing
called duty. Something I wasn't
able to teach my own son...
COLONEL (cont'd)
No.
RICKY
(singing softly)
I'M FILLING THE CRACKS THAT RAN
THROUGH THE DOOR...
ON TELEVISION:
ANCHORPERSON
(Australian accent)
Lester Burnham. Brutally murdered
in cold blood, allegedly the victim
of a teenage psychopath hired by
his own daughter, Jane. The case
that has outraged America, has now
become even more shocking. Tonight
on The Real Dirt, we'll show you -
for the first time anywhere - an
astonishing videotape in which Jane
and alleged killer Richard Fitts
actually make their unholy pact.
JANE
I need a father who's a role
model, not some horny geek-boy
who's gonna spray his shorts
whenever I bring a girlfriend home
from school.
(snorts)
Like he'd ever have a chance with
her. What a lame-o. Somebody really
should put him out of his misery.
RICKY (O.C.)
Want me to kill him for you?
JANE
Yeah, would you?
RICKY (O.C.)
It'll cost you.
JANE (O.C.)
I've been baby-sitting since I was
ten, I've got almost three thousand
dollars.
JANE (cont'd)
I was saving it for a boob job.
RICKY (O.C.)
You know, that's not a very nice
thing to do, hiring somebody to
kill your dad.
Tears spill from her blinking eyes, But she remains silent.
ON THE MONITOR: Jane is back on the bed.
JANE
Well, I guess I'm just not a very
nice girl, then, am I?
RICKY
(singing softly)
I'M TAKING THE TIME FOR A NUMBER
OF
THINGS... THAT WEREN'T IMPORTANT
YESTERDAY...
FADE to BLACK.
FADE IN:
As the MAN flies down the street, a BARKING DOG runs along
beneath him, jumping into the air, trying to catch him. The
Man swoops and dips effortlessly, teasing the dog, then
spots,
at the end of the street, a young boy on a bicycle tossing
newspapers onto people's porches, or as close as he can get.
Seeing the flying Man, the boy tosses a paper high into the
air. The dog tears off to catch the paper. The flying Man
LAUGHS and shoots upward like he's been blown out of a
cannon,
grabs the paper, and swoops down, dropping it lightly on the
front porch of a well-appointed, two-story HOUSE with
distinctive CEDAR SHINGLE SIDING and a RED FRONT DOOR.
The MAN we just saw FLYING Through the streets lies sleeping
amidst expensive bed linens, wearing the same PAJAMAS. His
hand reaches over and shuts the ALARM CLOCK OFF; his eyes
remain clamped shut as he tries to hang onto his dream....
but
it's gone. He sighs and opens his eyes.
His POV: A DOG - the same dog from Lester's flying dream -
BARKS excitedly at us from behind a white picket fence
surrounding the front yard of the house across the street.
The dog's POV: Lester looks down at us through the bay window
of the HOUSE from his dream - we recognize the distinctive
CEDAR SHINGLE SIDING. The dog continues to BARK.
LESTER (V.O.)
My name is Lester Burnham. I'm
forty two-years old. In less than a
year, I'll be dead.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - MASTER BATH - MOMENTS LATER
LESTER (V.O.)
In a way, I'm dead already.
LESTER (V.O.)
That's my wife Carolyn. See the
way the handle on those pruning
shears matches her gardening clogs?
That's not an accident
In the fenced front YARD OF the HOUSE across the street, the
familiar dog is still BARKING. A well-groomed, athletic MAN
in
a conservative suit rolls a blue plastic city GARBAGE
CONTAINER up the driveway to the curb.
JIM #1
Bitsy. Hush.
LESTER (V.O.)
That's our next-door neighbor Jim.
JIM #2
What in the world is wrong with
her? She had a walk this morning.
JIM #1
And a jerky treat.
JIM #2
(frowns)
You spoil her.
LESTER (V.O.)
(re: the second man)
And that's his lover Jim.
JIM #2
(sternly)
Bitsy. No bark. Come inside. Now.
LESTER (V.O.)
It's weird they have the same
name, but that's really no fault of
their own.
CAROLYN
(overly friendly)
Good morning, Jim! I just love
your tie! That color!
JIM #1
And I just love your roses. How
do you get them to flourish like
that?
CAROLYN
Well, I'll tell you. Egg shells
and Miracle Grow.
LESTER (V.O.)
Man. I get exhausted just watching
her.
Jim #2 pulls the Ford Taurus into the street; Jim #1 waves to
Carolyn, jumps inside and they drive off. Carolyn immediately
reverts to her previous resolute expression as she continues
cutting flowers.
LESTER (V.O.)
And this is my daughter Jane.
Only child. She takes after her
mother in a lot of ways, although
she'd never admit it.
We HEAR a CAR HORN from outside. JANE grabs her KNAPSACK and
a too-large flannel shirt from her closet and starts out.
CITY OF ROCKWELL
DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION
Let's Recycle!
CAROLYN
Jane. Honey. Are you trying to
look unattractive?
JANE
Yes.
CAROLYN
Well, congratulations. You've
succeeded admirably.
JANE
Nice going, Dad.
His POV: she looks down at us, slightly contemptuous But also
bored, as if she gave up expecting anything more long ago.
LESTER
I keep meaning to get this thing
fixed...
JANE
Why are we listening to this
whiny-ass music?
CAROLYN
It's just what was on.
JANE
I don't see how you people can
listen to that hillbilly crap. It
makes me want to buy a gun and
shoot up a Burger King.
CAROLYN
Well, your father was the last one
to drive this car. You know I
don't like country music myself.
It's so... common and twangy. I
much prefer the old ~b)V
standards. Sinatra, Bobby Darin
Doris Day...
JANE
Wake up, Dad, we're here.
JANE (cont'd)
Dad, look. It's Garth Brooks, and
he's wearing that groovy cowboy
hat. Maybe you can get his
autograph.
CAROLYN
(chuckling)
Jane. Hush.
LESTER (V.O.)
Both my wife and my daughter think
I'm this gigantic loser.
POV: from the front of the PATH train: We're ZOOMING along
aboveground, unnaturally FAST heading toward a TUNNEL.
LESTER
Hello, this is Lester Burnham from
Media Monthly magazine calling for
Mr.
Keene... actually, I've already
left a message, about four messages
to be exact... I understand, but I
have questions about the new
product launch that your press
release didn't quite cover...
LESTER (cont'd)
I've already given you my
number...
(sighs)
555-5419. Yes. Lester Burnham.
Thank you.
BRAD
Les. Got a minute?
LESTER
For you, Brad? I've got five.
BRAD
Good. Why don't we talk in my
office?
He smiles and crosses off. LESTER watches him go, frowning.
BRAD
...so I'm sure you can understand
the need to cut corners around
here.
LESTER
Sure. Times are tight, and you
need to free up cash. Gotta spend
money to make money.
BRAD
Exactly.
LESTER
(blurts)
Like when our editorial director
used the company MasterCard to pay
for a hooker, and then she used the
card number to stay at the St.
Regis for, what was it, three
months?
BRAD
(startled)
That's unsubstantiated gossip.
LESTER
That's fifty thousand dollars.
That's somebody's salary. Somebody
who's probably gonna get fired
because Craig has to pay women to
fuck him!
BRAD
Jesus. Calm down. Nobody's getting
fired yet. That's why we're having
everyone write a job description,
mapping out in detail how they
contribute. That way, management
can assess who's valuable and who's
LESTER
Expendable.
BRAD
It's just business.
LESTER
(angry)
I've been writing for this
magazine for fourteen years, Brad.
You've been here how long, a month?
BRAD
(frank)
I'm, one of the good guys, Les. I
trying to level with you. This is
your one chance to save your job.
As LESTER and Carolyn get out OF the ML320 and head toward
their front door:
CAROLYN
There is no decision. Just write
the damn thing!
LESTER
You don't think it's weird and
kinda fascist?
CAROLYN
possibly. But you don't want to be
unemployed.
LESTER
CAROLYN
(sighs)
Could you be just a little bit
more dramatic, please?
CAROLYN (cont'd)
Well. We've finally got new
neighbors. It's about time. If
the Lomans had let me represent
them, instead of...
(heavy disdain)
The Real Estate King, that house
would have sold within a week,
instead of sitting on the market
for six months.
LESTER
They were still mad at you for
cutting down their sycamore.
CAROLYN
Their sycamore? It was on our
property!
JANE
Mom, do we always have to listen
to this elevator music?
CAROLYN
(considers)
No. No, we don't. As soon as
you've prepared a nutritious yet
flavorful meal that I'm about to
eat, you can listen to whatever you
like.
LESTER
So Janie, how was school?
JANE
(suspicious)
It was okay.
LESTER
Just okay?
JANE
No, Dad. It was spec-tac-ular.
a beat.
LESTER
Want to know how things went at my
job?
LESTER (cont'd)
They've hired this efficiency
expert. He's really friendly, and
I really hate his guts. See,
they're going to lay somebody off,
but in the interest of being
democratic, everybody gets to write
a "job description" for him, in the
hopes the assholes in management
will read it and say, "Whoa, we
can't
do without this guy..."
LESTER (cont'd)
(finally)
You couldn't possibly care any
less, could you?
JANE (cont'd)
I mean, hello. You've barely even
spoken to me for months.
LESTER
Oh, what, you're mother-of-the-
year? You treat her like a
employee.
CAROLYN
(shocked)
what?!
LESTER
You treat us both like employees.
LESTER
Honey, I'm sorry I...
LESTER (cont'd)
I'm sorry I haven't been more
available, I just... I'm...
He's looking to her for a little help here, but she's too
uncomfortable with this sudden intimacy to give him any.
LESTER (cont'd)
You know, you don't always have
to wait for me to come to you...
JANE
0h, great. So now it's my fault.
LESTER stands at the sink, rinsing off his plate, his face
dark. His head suddenly jerks up and he looks out the window,
as if he realizes he 's being watched.
His POV: We're looking at the pint where Ricky was just
standing, but he's no longer there.
LESTER frowns, then turns off the faucet, grabs a towel and
dries his hands. He tosses the towel on the snack bar on his
way out, where it lands next to a FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH.
ANGELA
Who are you looking for?
JANE
My parents are coming tonight.
They're trying to, you know, take
an active interest in me.
ANGELA
Gross. I hate it when my mom does
that.
JANE
They're such assholes. Why can't
they just have their own lives?
LESTER
What makes you so sure she wants
us to be there? Did she ask us to
come?
CAROLYN
Of course not. She doesn't want
us to know how important this is to
her. But she's been practicing her
steps for weeks.
LESTER
Well, I bet you money she's going
to resent this. And I'm missing
the James Bond marathon on TNT.
CAROLYN
Lester, this is important. I'm
sensing a real distance growing
between you and Jane.
LESTER
Growing? She hates me.
CAROLYN
She's just willful.
LESTER
She hates you too.
ANNOUNCER
(over P.A.)
And now, for your half-time
entertainment, Rockwell High's
award-winning Dancing Pantherettes!
LESTER
We can leave right after this,
right?
The HIGH SCHOOL BAND plays "TOP OF THE WORLD." On the gym
floor, the girls perform synchronized dance steps, smiling
energetically. They're well-rehearsed, but too young to carry
off the ambitious Vegas routine they're attempting.
LESTER is spellbound.
The game is over. LESTER and Carolyn stand near the main
door, as people trickle out of the gym.
CAROLYN
(after a beat)
Okay, I can't wait any longer.
I've got a killer day tomorrow -
LESTER
(emphatic)
We don't leave without seeing her.
LESTER (cont'd)
Hey, this was your idea.
(then calls out)
Janie!
JANE and ANGELA, IN street clothes, have just come out OF the
gym. Jane rolls her eyes and crosses reluctantly toward her
parents, followed by Angela.
LESTER (cont'd)
You were really great, honey.
Congratulations.
JANE
I didn't win anything
LESTER
(to Angela)
Hi, I'm Lester. Jane's dad.
ANGELA
Oh. Hi.
An awkward beat.
JANE
This is my friend Angela Hayes.
LESTER
Okay, good to meet you. You were
also good, tonight. Very...
precise.
ANGELA
(warming)
Thanks.
CAROLYN
(hugs Jane)
Honey, I'm proud of you. I watched
you very closely, and you didn't
screw up once.
(then, to Lester)
Okay, we have to go.
LESTER
What are you girls doing now?
JANE
Dad.
ANGELA
We're going out for pizza.
LESTER
Well, can we give you a lift?
ANGELA
Thank s, but I have a car.
LESTER
That's great! Uh, Janie's hoping
to get a car soon, aren't you
honey?
JANE
(you freak)
Dad. Mom's waiting for you , and
she look like she's about to start
chewing her hair.
LESTER
Well, it's great to meet you,
Angela. Any, uh, friend of Janie's
is a friend of mine.
ANGELA smiles at him, fully aware OF the powers she has over
him. He is mesmerized; grateful, even.
LESTER (cont'd)
So... I guess I'll be seeing you
around.
I guess.
ANGELA
JANE
Could he be any more pathetic?
ANGELA
I think it's sweet.
(then)
And I think he and your mother
have not had sex for a long time.
LESTER (V.O.)
It's the weirdest thing.
LESTER smiles BACK and LAUGHS, as ROSE PETALS cover his face.
A WHITE BMW 328si CONVERTIBLE winds its way down the street
and pulls close to, but not into, the Burnham's driveway.
JANE
I'm sorry my dad was so weird
tonight.
ANGELA
It's okay. I'm used to guys
drooling over me.
(lights a cigarette)
It started when I was about
twelve. I'd go out to dinner with
my parents. Every Thursday night,
Red Lobster. And every guy there
would stare at me when I walked in.
And I knew what they were thinking.
Just like I knew guys at school
thought about me when they jerked
off...
JANE
Vomit.
ANGELA
No I liked it. And I still like
it. If people I don't even know
look at me and want to fuck me, it
means I really have a shot at being
a model. Which is great, because
there's one thing worse in life
than being ordinary.
JANE
I really think it'll happen for
you.
ANGELA
Oh, I know. Because everything
that was meant to happen, does.
Eventually.
(then)
Maybe I should come in a say good
night to your dad.
On VIDEO: JANE gets out OF the CAR, still LAUGHING, and waves
as Angela pulls away. We ZOOM in on Jane as she walks toward
the house. She turns suddenly, sensing our presence, and
looks
directly at us.
Her POV: We're looking at the pale blue COLONIAL HOUSE next
door where the moving van was parked earlier. The front porch
is shrouded in darkness... then a PORCH LIGHT abruptly
reveals
Ricky, perched on a white-washed Adirondack chair, having
just
turned on the overhead light. As usual, he wears very
conservative clothes. There is a BEEPER attached to his belt,
and his VIDEO CAMERA dangles loosely around his neck.
JANE
Asshole.
JANE enters, closes and locks the door, quickly turns off the
LIGHT that's been left on for her, then peeks through a
window..
Her POV: The Fitts' porch light is still on, but there's no
sign of Ricky.
FADE to BLACK.
FADE IN
JANE (O.C.)
I'VE HAD A HOLE... IN MY HEART...
FOR SO LONG...
CLOSE on LESTER, with the receiver to his ear, nervous.
ANGELA (O.C.)
(over phone line)
Hello? Hello?
JANE
Hello?
ANGELA
Why'd you call me?
JANE
I didn't.
ANGELA
Well, my phone just rung and I
answered it and somebody hung up
and then I star sixty-nined and it
called you back.
JANE
I was in the shower.
JANE (cont'd)
Oh, gross
RICKY
Be right there.
RICKY
(entering)
Mom.
BARBARA
Hello.
RICKY
I don't eat bacon, remember?
BARBARA
(unnerved)
I must have forgotten. I'm sorry.
RICKY
What's new in the world, Dad?
COLONEL
This country is going straight to
hell.
RICKY
So nothing's changed.
COLONEL
Are you expecting anyone?
BARBARA
No.
(things)
No.
The COLONEL rises and heads toward the living ROOM, a little
puffed up. Curious, Ricky follows. Barbara just stands
there, frightened.
INT. FITTS HOUSE - FOYER - CONTINUOUS
The COLONEL opens the front door to reveal the two JIMS.
JIM #1
Hi.
JIM #2
Welcome to the neighborhood.
JIM #1
Just a little something from our
garden.
JIM #2
Except for the pasta, we got that
at Dean and Deluca.
JIM #1
It's unbelievably fresh. You just
barely drop it in the water and
it's done.
JIM #1 (cont'd)
(offers his hand)
I'm Jim Olsen. I live across the
street. Welcome to the
neighborhood.
COLONEL
(shakes)
Colonel Frank Fits, U.S. Marine
Corps.
JIM #1
Nice to meet you . And this is my
partner...
JIM #2
(offers his hand)
Jim Boyd, but my friends call me
J.B.
COLONEL
Let's cut to the chase, okay?
What are you guys selling?
A beat.
JIM #2
Nothing. We just wanted to say hi
to our new neighbors -
COLONEL
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You said you're
partners. So what's your business?
JIM #1
Well, he's an entertainment
lawyer.
JIM #2
And he's an anesthesiologist.
COLONEL
(suddenly)
How come these faggots always have
to rub it in your face? How can
they be so shameless?
RICKY
That's the whole thing, Dad. They
don't feel like it's anything to be
ashamed of.
COLONEL
Well, it is.
RICKY
You're right.
COLONEL
Don't placate me like I'm your
mother, boy.
RICKY sighs, then looks at his father and speaks with sincere
hatred.
RICKY
Forgive me sir, for speaking so
bluntly, but those fags make me
want to puke my fucking guts out.
JANE and ANGELA are seated with two other TEENAGE GIRLS.
They're all smoking.
ANGELA
I'm serious, he just yanked it out
and showed it to me. You know, like
the President did to that woman.
TEENAGE GIRL #1
Gross
ANGELA
It wasn't gross. It was kind of
cool.
TEENAGE GIRL #1
So did you do it with him?
ANGELA
Of course I did. He is a really
well-known photographer? He shoots
for Elle on like, a regular basis?
It would have been so majorly
stupid of me to turn him down.
TEENAGE GIRL #2
You are a total prostitute.
ANGELA
Hey. That's how things really
are. You just don't know, because
you're this pampered little
suburban chick.
TEENAGE GIRL #2
So are you. You've only been in
Seventeen once, and you looked fat,
so stop acting like you're goddamn
Christy Turlington.
The two TEENAGE girls move away from JANE and Angela.
ANGELA
(calling off)
Cunt!
(then)
I am so sick of people taking
their insecurities out on me.
The Colonel's Ford Explorer pulls up, and Ricky gets out. The
creases on his trousers are sharp enough to cut glass.
JANE
Oh my God. That's the pervert who
filmed me last night.
ANGELA
Him? No way. Jane, he is a total
lunatic.
JANE
You know him?
ANGELA
He was in my earth science class
in eighth grade, and he always said
the creepiest things, and then one
day, he was just, like, gone. And
then Connie Cardullo told me he his
parents had to put him in a mental
institution.
JANE
Why? What did he do?
ANGELA
What do you mean?
JANE
Well, they can't put you away just
for saying creepy things.
ANGELA
You total slut. You've got a
crush on him.
JANE
What? Please.
ANGELA
You were defending him! You love
him. You want to have, like, ten
thousand of his babies.
JANE
Shut up.
RICKY
Hi. My name's Ricky. I just moved
next door to you.
JANE
Uh, yeah. I know. I kinda remember
this really creepy incident when
you were filming me last night?
RICKY
I didn't mean to scare you. I just
think you're interesting.
JANE
Thanks, but I really don't need to
have some psycho obsessing about me
right now.
RICKY
I'm not obsessing. I'm just
curious.
ANGELA
What a freak. And why does he
dress like a Bible salesman?
JANE
He's like, so confident. That
can't be real.
ANGELA
I don't believe him. He didn't
even like, look at me once.
FOR SALE
Call Leonard Kane - the Real Estate King
555-1957
Carolyn enters, hangs her garment bag IN the hall closet and
inspects the empty living room. The cathedral ceiling is
painted an alarming burnt orange, and the native stone
fireplace has shed a couple of stones onto the floor, which
she quickly picks up and wedges back into the fireplace.
CAROLYN
(quietly)
I will sell this house today.
MONTAGE
We see Carolyn, working with
fierce concentration as she:
CAROLYN
I will sell this house today.
I will sell this house today.
I will sell this house today...
She says This as if she believes she can actually will This
house into being something more than the dump it is.
CAROLYN
I will sell this house today.
CAROLYN
Welcome. I'm Carolyn Burnham!
MUSIC ENDS.
MAN
(looking up)
How high is that ceiling?
CAROLYN
Over twenty feet.
WOMAN
That color is hideous.
CAROLYN
a simple cream would really lighten things up. You could
even put in a skylight.
CAROLYN (cont'd)
Wait 'til you see the kitchen.
CAROLYN
As you can see, it's been
completely remodeled.
MAN
(opening cabinet)
These have just been refaced. no
new construction.
WOMAN
(re: faucet)
What is this, gold?
CAROLYN
No, it's solid brass.
WOMAN
Kinda gaudy, isn't it?
CAROLYN
...and you'll be surprised how
much a ceiling fan can cut down on
your energy costs.
MAN
I got a cousin, he was a
ballplayer. Ceiling fan fell on him
in a bar and severed a tendon in
his shoulder. Never fully regained
use of that arm. Ruined his career.
WOMAN
The ad said this pool was "lagoon-
like." But there's nothing "lagoon-
like" about it. Except for maybe
the bugs.
(slaps her arm)
There's not even any plants out
here.
CAROLYN
I have an excellent landscape
architect -
WOMAN
I mean, I think "lagoon," and I
think waterfall, I think tropical.
This is just a cement hole.
A beat.
CAROLYN
There are some tiki torches in the
garage.
CAROLYN
Stop it.
CAROLYN (cont'd)
Weak. Baby. Shut up. Shut up!
CAROLYN
Lester, listen to me. This is an
important business function. Now,
as you know, my business is selling
an image. And part of my job is to
live that image -
LESTER
(in unison with her;
he's heard this before)
is to live that image -
(then)
Just say whatever you want to say,
okay? Spare me the propaganda.
CAROLYN
(sighs)
Will you please do me a favor and
act happy tonight?
LESTER
(grins stupidly)
I am happy, honey.
CAROLYN
(spots someone)
Leonard!
CAROLYN (cont'd)
(shakes Leonard's hand)
It's good to see you again.
LEONARD
(friendly)
It's good to see you too,
Catherine.
CAROLYN
Carolyn.
LEONARD
Carolyn! Of course. How are you?
CAROLYN
Very well, thank you.
(to his wife)
Hello, Christy.
CHRISTY
Hello
CAROLYN
This is my husband, Lester -
LEONARD
(shakes Lester's Hand)
It's a pleasure.
LESTER
We've actually met. At this same
thing last year? Wait - maybe it
was that Christmas thing at the
Sheraton.
LEONARD
Oh, yes.
LESTER
(friendly)
It's okay. I wouldn't remember me
either.
CAROLYN
(forced gaiety)
Honey. Don't be weird.
LESTER
All right, honey. I won't be
weird.
LESTER (cont'd)
I'll be whatever you want me to
be.
LESTER (cont'd)
We have a very healthy
relationship.
LESTER
Whoa. Put a little more in there,
cowboy.
RICKY
Excuse me - don't you live on
Robin Hood Trail? The house with
the red door?
LESTER
(suspicious)
Yeah.
RICKY
I'm Ricky Fitts. I just moved into
the house next to you.
LESTER
Oh. Hi, Ricky Fitts. I'm Lester
Burnham.
RICKY
Hi, Lester Burnham.
A beat. LESTER looks away, scans the crowd, then downs the
rest of his drink in one gulp. Ricky just stands there,
watching him. Finally Lester turns back to Ricky: what does
this kid want?
RICKY (cont'd)
Hey, do you party?
LESTER
I'm sorry?
RICKY
Do you get high?
CAROLYN
I probably wouldn't even tell you
this if I weren't a little tipsy,
but... I am in complete awe of you.
Your firm is, hands down, the Rolls
Royce of local Real Estate firms,
and, well, your personal sales
record is, is, is very
intimidating. I'd love to sit down
with you, just to pick your brain,
if you'd ever be willing. I
suppose, technically, I'm the
competition, but... I mean, I
don't flatter myself that I'm even
in the same league as you...
LEONARD
I'd love to.
CAROLYN
(shocked)
Really?
LEONARD
Absolutely. Call my secretary and
have her schedule a lunch.
CAROLYN
I'll do that. Thank you.
LESTER
What about... did you ever see
that one movie, with the body
walking around holding its own
head? And then the head went down
on that babe?
RICKY
Re-Animator. It was okay.
MAN
(to Ricky)
Look. I'm not paying you to...
(eyes Lester,
suspiciously)
...do whatever it is you're doing
out here.
RICKY
Fine. Don't pay me.
MAN
Excuse me?
RICKY
I quit. So you don't have to pay
me. Now, leave me alone.
A beat.
MAN
Asshole.
LESTER
I think you just became my
personal hero.
(then)
Doesn't that make you nervous,
just quitting your job like that?
Well, I guess when you're all of,
what? Sixteen?
RICKY
Nineteen.
(off Lester's look)
I was held back a few years in
school. (then)
I just do these gigs every now and
then as a cover. I have other
sources of income. But my dad
interferes a lot less in my life
when I pretend to be an upstanding
young citizen with a respectable
job.
CAROLYN (O.C.)
Lester?
CAROLYN (cont'd)
What are you doing?
LESTER
Carolyn, this is Ricky Fitts.
RICKY
Hi, I just moved next door to you.
I also go to school with your
daughter.
LESTER
With Jane? Really?
RICKY
Yeah. Jane.
CAROLYN
Hi
(then to Lester)
I'm ready to leave. I'll meet you
out front.
LESTER
Uh-oh. I'm in trouble. Well, nice
to meet you, Ricky. Thanks for the,
uh, thing.
RICKY
Any time.
RICKY (cont'd)
(calls after him)
If you want any more, you know
where I live.
JANE and ANGELA are watching TV. we HEAR the BACK door open.
JANE
Oh, God. They're home. Quick,
let's go Up to my room.
ANGELA
I should say hi to your dad.
(off Jane's look)
I don't want to be rude.
She starts toward the kitchen. JANE comes BACK down the
stairs. She doesn't like this.
ANGELA (O.C.)
Nice suit.
His POV: ANGELA leans against the counter, twirling her hair.
ANGELA (cont'd)
You're looking good, Mr. Burnham.
(off his look)
You look all relaxed.
She starts toward him
ANGELA (cont'd)
Last time I saw you, you looked
kind of wound up.
(spots something)
Oo, is that root beer?
BACK IN Real TIME: she grabs the root beer and looks UP at
him; smiling.
ANGELA
I love root beer, don't you?
JANE
Mom, you remember Angela.
CAROLYN
(her sales smile)
Yes, of course!
JANE
I forgot to tell you, she's
spending the night. It that okay?
LESTER
Sure!
He takes a sip OF his root beer, But it goes down the wrong
way and he starts COUGHING violently.
JANE
I'm sorry about my dad.
ANGELA
Don't be. I think it's funny.
JANE
Yeah, to you, he's just another
guy who wants to jump your bones.
But to me... he's just too
embarrassing to live.
ANGELA
Your mom's the one who's
embarrassing. What a phony.
ANGELA (cont'd)
But your dad is actually kind of
cute.
JANE
Shut up.
ANGELA (O.C.)
He is. If he just worked out a
little, he'd be hot.
JANE (O.C.)
Shut up.
ANGELA (O.C.)
Oh, come on. Haven't you ever
sneaked a peek at him in his
underwear?
ANGELA
I bet he's got a big dick.
JANE
You are so grossing me out.
ANGELA
(really enjoying this)
If he built up his chest and arms,
I'd totally fuck him.
JANE covers her ears and starts singing to drown her out.
ANGELA (O.C.)
(laughs)
I would! I would suck your dad's
big fat dick, and then I would fuck
him 'til his eyes rolled back in
his head!
(then)
What was that noise? Jane.
JANE
Yeah, it was the sound of you
being a huge disgusting pig.
ANGELA
I'm serious.
ANGELA (cont'd)
See?
ANGELA (cont'd)
(spots something)
Oh my God. Jane
JANE
What is it?
ANGELA
It's that psycho next door. Jane,
what if he worships you? What if
he's got a shrine with pictures of
you surrounded by dead people's
heads and stuff?
JANE
Shit. I bet he's filming us right
now.
ANGELA
(intrigued)
Really?
LESTER
Shit. Shit!
LESTER rips off his jacket and tie and unbuttons his shirt.
He glances around, finding his REFLECTION in the WINDOW as he
pulls off his shirt, then the T-shirt underneath.
RICKY
Welcome to America's Weirdest Home
Videos.
COLONEL (O.C.)
Ricky!
RICKY
Coming, Dad.
COLONEL (O.C.)
You know I don't like locked doors
in my house, boy.
RICKY
I must have locked it by accident,
sorry. So what's up?
COLONEL
I need a urine sample.
RICKY
Wow. Is it six months already?
Can I give it to you in the
morning? I just took a whiz.
COLONEL
What the hell is that?
RICKY
Top Gun. It's about pilot training
in the Air Force. You never saw it?
RICKY (cont'd)
Oh, you would love this movie,
Dad. Want to watch it with me?
COLONEL
No.
ANGELA
I've been waiting for you.
ANGELA (cont'd)
Oh! You've been
working
out, haven't you? I can
tell.
She arches her BACK, and her breasts protrude Through the
surface of the water. She looks up at Lester.
ANGELA (cont'd)
I was hoping you'd give me a
bath... I'm very, very dirty.
LESTER gives her a hard look, then slowly slips his hand into
the water between her legs. Her eyes widen and she throws her
head back... and we SMASH CUT TO:
CAROLYN
What are you doing?
A beat.
LESTER
What does it look like I'm doing?
I'm whacking off.
CAROLYN
What?!
LESTER
Spanking the monkey. Flogging the
bishop. Choking the chicken.
Jerking the gherkin.
CAROLYN
How disgusting.
LESTER
Oh. Well, forgive me, but I still
have blood pumping through my
veins!
CAROLYN
Lester. I refuse to live like
this. This is not a marriage.
LESTER
This hasn't been a marriage for
years. But you were perfectly happy
as long as I kept my mouth shut.
Well, guess what? I've changed. And
the new me whacks off when he feels
horny, because you're obviously not
going to help me out in that
department.
CAROLYN
(furious)
Don't mess with me, mister, or I
will divorce you so fast it'll make
your head spin!
LESTER
On what grounds? I'm not a drunk,
I don't fuck other women, I've
never hit you, or mistreated you,
or even tried to touch you since
you made it clear just how
unnecessary you consider me to be.
But. I did support you while you
got your license. And some people
might think that entitles me to
half of what's yours.
LESTER (cont'd)
Turn the light off when you come
to bed, okay?
FADE to BLACK.
FADE IN:
LESTER (V.O.)
It's a great thing to realize you
still have the ability to surprise
yourself. Makes you wonder what
else you can do that you've
forgotten about...
LESTER (O.C.)
Hey! You guys!
They slow down until He catches UP, then the three men RUN
together in the early morning light.
JIM #2
Lester, I didn't know you ran.
LESTER
(panting)
Just started.
JIM #1
Good for you.
LESTER
I figured you guys might be able
to give me some pointers. I need
to shape up. Fast.
JIM #1
Well, are you just looking to lose
weight, or do you want increased
strength and flexibility as well?
LESTER
I want to look good naked.
His POV: LESTER and the Jims jog down the street.
RICKY
Here you go, Dad. Fresh-squeezed.
But the Colonel doesn't take it; he just keeps staring at the
joggers, frowning.
COLONEL
What is this, the fucking gay
pride parade?
LESTER
Yo! Ricky!
He breaks off from the two Jims, slapping one OF them on the
back as he does, then heads down the Fitts' driveway. The
Colonel turns and looks at Ricky, uneasy.
RICKY
That's Mr. Burnham. He lives next
door.
LESTER
My entire e life is flashing in
front of my eyes, and those two
barely broke a sweat.
COLONEL
(shakes)
Colonel Frank Fitts, U.S. Marine
Corps.
LESTER
Whoa. Welcome to the
neighborhood, sir.
LESTER (cont'd)
So, Ricky, uh, when you get a
chance, I just...
(stalls, then, pointed)
I just was thinking about that
movie you told me about...
RICKY
(quickly)
RE-ANIMATOR. Yeah. I've got it on
tape. Want to borrow it?
(before Lester can
answer)
It's up in my room. Come on.
RICKY
Mom. This is Lester. He lives next
door.
BARBARA
(distant)
All right, be careful.
RICKY
Can you hold his for a sec?
He gives the URINE SPECIMEN to LESTER, then locks the door.
RICKY (cont'd)
I don't think my dad would try to
come in when somebody else is here,
but you never know.
LESTER
(re: urine cup)
What is this?
RICKY
Urine. I have to take a drug test
every six months to make sure I'm
clean.
LESTER
Are you kidding? You just smoked
with me last night.
RICKY
It's not mine. One of my clients
is a nurse in a pediatrician's
office. I cut her a deal, she keeps
me in clean piss.
LESTER
Sweet.
LESTER (cont'd)
You a Beatles fan?
RICKY
I like a lot of music.
LESTER
(mockingly)
When everybody else in junior high
was listening to the Beatles, I was
into Three Dog Night.
He shakes his head, then puts the CD Case down. RICKY, Having
emptied the drawer, now removes a FALSE BOTTOM, revealing
rows
of MARIJUANA tightly packed in ZIP-LOC BAGS.
RICKY
How much do you want?
LESTER
Uh, I'm not sure. It's been a while. How much is an ounce?
RICKY
(indicates bag)
Well, this is totally decent, and
it's three hundred.
LESTER
Wow.
RICKY
(indicates another bag)
But this shit is top of the line,
It's called G-143. Genetically
engineered by the U.S. Government.
Extremely potent. But a completely
mellow high, no paranoia.
LESTER
Is that what we smoked last night?
RICKY
This is all I ever smoke.
LESTER
How much?
RICKY
Two grand.
LESTER
Jesus. Things have certainly
changed since 1973.
RICKY
You don't have to pay now. I know
you're good for it.
A beat.
LESTER
Thanks.
RICKY
There's a card in there with my
beeper number, feel free to call me
anytime day a or night. Oh, and I
only accept
LESTER
(looks around room)
Well, now I know how you can
afford all this equipment. When I
was your age, I worked at
McDonald's all summer just to buy
an eight track.
RICKY
That sucks.
LESTER
Actually, it was probably the best
time of my life. All I did was
party and get laid.
RICKY
My dad thinks I paid for all this
with catering jobs.
(laughs)
Never underestimate the power of
denial.
LESTER
Ooh. Mom's mad.
CAROLYN
What the hell do you think you're
doing?
LESTER
Bench presses. I'm going to wail on my pecs, and then I'm
going to do my back.
CAROLYN
You're smoking pot now? That's a
fine example to set for our
daughter.
LESTER
You're one to talk, you bloodless,
money-grubbing freak.
CAROLYN
(finally, re:
equipment)
You took the Mercedes to get all
this stuff?
LESTER
Of course I did. The Camry's too
small.
CAROLYN
Were you stoned then?
LESTER
What are you going to do, ground
me?
CAROLYN
Lester, that is a forty-thousand
dollar car. I don't want you
driving it when -
LESTER
Fine. I'll never drive your
precious Mercedes again. Big whoop.
It's just a glorified station wagon
that you paid way too much for
because you want to impress people.
LESTER (cont'd)
Do you mind? I'm trying to work
out here.
(then, suggestively)
Unless you want to spot me.
CAROLYN
You will not get away with this,
mister! I promise you!
And she's gone. Lester smiles, then leans back on the bench
and grabs the weights.
LESTER
(as he lifts)
That's. What. You. Think.
LESTER (O.C.)
Take that, alien bitches!
LESTER (cont'd)
Woo-hoo!
BRAD
(reads)
...my job consists of basically
masking my contempt for the
assholes in charge, and, at least
once a day, retiring to the men's
room so I can jerk off while I
fantasize about a life that doesn't
so closely resemble hell.
(looks up at Lester)
Well, you obviously have no
interest in saving yourself.
LESTER
(laughs)
I've spent fourteen years being a
whore for the advertising industry.
The only way I could save myself
now is to start firebombing.
BRAD
Whatever. Management wants you
gone by the end of the day.
LESTER
Whoa. What kind of severance
package is "management" prepared to
give me? Considering the
information I have about our
editorial director buying pussy
with company money.
A beat.
LESTER (cont'd)
Which I'm sure would interest the
I.R.S., since, technically, it does
constitute fraud. And some of our
advertisers and rival publications
might like to know about it as
well. Not to mention Craig's wife.
BRAD
What do you want?
LESTER
One year's salary, with continued
benefits.
BRAD
That's not going to happen.
LESTER
What if I throw in a little sexual
harassment charge?
BRAD LAUGHS.
BRAD
Against who?
LESTER
Against you.
LESTER (cont'd)
Can you prove you didn't offer to
save my job if I'd let you blow me?
BRAD
Man. You are one twisted fuck.
LESTER
(standing)
Nope. Just an ordinary guy with
nothing to lose.
LESTER (cont'd)
I hope you and I can still be
friends, Brad. And even though you
didn't save my job...
(smiling)
You can still blow me, asshole.
And He exits.
LEONARD
Carolyn.
LEONARD (cont'd)
I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.
Christy left for New York this
morning, and... let's just say
things were very hectic around my
house.
CAROLYN
What's she doing in New York?
LEONARD
She's moving there.
(off Carolyn's look)
We're splitting up.
CAROLYN
Leonard. I'm so sorry.
LEONARD
(bitterly)
Yes, according to her1 I'm too
focused on my career. As if being
driven to succeed is some sort of
character flaw. Of course, she
certainly took advantage of the
lifestyle my success afforded her
(then laughing)
Believe me, it's for the best.
CAROLYN
But when I saw you two at the
party the other night, you seemed
perfectly happy.
LEONARD
Well, call me crazy, but... it's
my philosophy that to actually be
successful, one must project an
image of success, at all times.
JOCK
(to Angela, grabbing
his crotch)
Just say the word, baby, and it's
yours.
ANGELA
Great. Wrap it up and I'll take it
home. Oh, and I'd like thin slices,
please.
JOCK
(laughs)
You know you want it, you stuck-up
bitch.
JANE
What is with you? Everyone I know
is dying to do it with him.
ANGELA
Oh, please. I would totally fall
asleep. Trust me, Jane, once you've
fucked that black guy who does the
Polo ads, you're a little spoiled.
JANE
Ow.
ANGELA
Look.
Her POV: RICKY stands at the edge OF the parking lot with his
VIDEO CAMERA, videotaping something on the ground at his
feet.
RICKY (O.C.)
I was filming this dead bird.
ANGELA
Why?
RICKY (O.C.)
Because it's beautiful.
ANGELA
I think maybe you forgot your
medication today, mental boy.
RICKY (O.C.)
Hi, Jane.
JANE
(uncomfortable)
Look. I want you to stop filming
me.
RICKY
Okay.
ANGELA
Hey, I have an idea! Let's all go
to the mall together.
(off Jane's look)
He can film us doing things.
JANE
ANGELA
I don't know.
(to Ricky, suggestive)
What kind of things do you like to
film?
RICKY
(looking at Jane)
Things that are beautiful.
ANGELA
Okay. We can take my car.
RICKY
(to Jane)
Do you do everything she says?
JANE
(defensive)
No. I want to go.
RICKY
Okay. Just making sure.
CAROLYN
Yes! Oh, God, yes!
LEONARD
You like getting nailed by the
king?
CAROLYN
Yes! I love it! Oh, yes! Fuck me,
your majesty!
LESTER
I WAS ALONE, I TOOK A RIDE, I
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD FIND
THERE... ANOTHER ROAD, WHERE MAYBE
I COULD SEE ANOTHER KIND OF MIND
THERE...
COUNTER GIRL
(zombie like)
Smile, you're at Smiley's Would
you like to try our new bacon and
egg fajita, just a dollar twenty-
nine for a limited time only?
LESTER
Actually, I'd like to fill out an
application.
COUNTER GIRL
There's not jobs for manager, it's
just for counter.
LESTER
Good. I'm looking for the least
possible amount of responsibility.
MANAGER
I don't think you'd fit in here.
LESTER
I have fast food experience.
MANAGER
Yes, like twenty years ago.
LESTER
Well, I'm sure there have been
amazing technological advancements
in the industry, but... surely you
have some sort of training process.
It seems unfair to presume I won't
be able to learn.
LESTER (cont'd)
Should you choose not to hire me,
I have to assume it's because of my
age, which I can only interpret as
discrimination and would have to
take up with my attorney.
The Manager sighs and runs an hand through his greasy hair,
wondering what he could possibly have done to deserve this.
ANGELA
Hi. I'm Angela, and welcome to my
car. My guest today is Jane
Burnham. Jane, why don't you tell
us about yourself?
JANE
No
ANGELA
Oh, come on.
(a pointed look to us)
I'm sure our audience wants to
know all about you.
JANE
Angela, look out!
ANGELA turns BACK around to see THAT traffic has Suddenly
backed up in front of her. She slams on the BRAKES.
RICKY
What's going on?
JANE
I think there's been a wreck.
RICKY
Really? A big one?
ANGELA
What are you doing?
RICKY hangs out OF the CAR window, focusing his VIDEO camera
as the traffic inches forward.
RICKY
Wow. I've always wanted to see the
Jaws of Life.
ANGELA
What the fuck is he talking about?
JANE
(disgusted)
Oh God.
ANGELA
Gross. There goes dinner.
Past the accident Now, They return to normal speed with the
rest of the traffic. Ricky climbs back into the car.
RICKY
That was amazing.
JANE
(snort)
What was amazing about it?
A beat.
RICKY
When you see something like that,
it's like God is looking right at
you, just for a second. And if
you're careful, you can look right
back.
JANE
And what do you see?
RICKY
Beauty.
JANE
(after a beat)
Is it only dead things?
RICKY
No. Not at all. No, it's
everywhere. You just have to be
open to it.
JANE
(to Angela)
You know what? Let's bag the mall.
It's boring.
ANGELA
Whatever.
(to Ricky)
Hey, turn that camera back on, and
do like it's my talk show again.
That was fun.
RICKY
I'd rather not.
CAROLYN
That was exactly what I needed.
The royal treatment, so to speak.
CAROLYN (cont'd)
I was soooo stressed out.
LEONARD
Know what I do when I get that
way?
LEONARD (cont'd)
I fire a gun.
CAROLYN
(intrigued)
Really.
LEONARD
Yep. I go to this little firing
range downtown, pop off a few
rounds, and it always makes me feel
better.
CAROLYN
(embarrassed)
I've never fired a gun before.
LEONARD
Oh, you have to try it. Nothing
makes you feel more powerful.
LEONARD
(cont'd)
Well, almost nothing.
Carolyn GASPS as his hand reach her neck. She's living some
kind of dream here, and she makes her most seductive face as
he pulls her to him...
CLERK
Catching up?
LESTER
Yep.
Angela's BMW pulls close to, but not into, the Burnham's
driveway. Jane and Ricky climb out, and Angela pulls off, her
tires SQUEALING as she goes.
JANE
What's her problem?
RICKY
She doesn't like when you're not totally focused on her.
JANE
A beat.
RICKY
I'll show it to you.
RICKY (O.C.)
Mom
(no response)
Mom
BARBARA
(pleasant)
Yes?
RICKY (O.C.)
What were you just thinking about?
BARBARA
I...
(thinks)
No. Nothing.
RICKY (O.C.)
Wow. People study meditation for
years to be able to reach that same
state of mind.
BARBARA
Huh. What do you know.
RICKY (O.C.)
Mom, I want you to meet somebody.
She's standing behind you.
RICKY (cont'd)
This is Jane.
BARBARA
Oh, my. I apologize for the way
things look around here.
We HEAR KEY TURNING IN the lock, then the door opens and
Ricky enters, holding a RING OF KEYS, followed by Jane.
RICKY
This is where my Dad hides out.
JANE
Wow. I take it he's got a thing
for guns.
RICKY
You got to see this one thing...
RICKY (cont'd)
Man, he would kill me if he knew I
was in here...
JANE
Did you steal his keys?
RICKY
No. One of my clients is a
locksmith. He was short on cash so
I let him pay me in trade.
RICKY (cont'd)
Turn it over.
JANE
Oh my God.
RICKY
It's like official state china
from the Third Reich. There's like
this whole subculture of people who
collect this Nazi shit. But my dad
just has this one thing.
He puts the platter back into the cabinet and shuts the door,
then notices Jane looking at him oddly.
RICKY (cont'd)
What's wrong?
JANE
Nothing.
RICKY
(concerned)
No, you're scared of me.
JANE
No I'm not.
RICKY
Come on, let's go to my room
JANE
So let me guess: you want to be,
like a movie director or something.
JANE (cont'd)
(irritated)
Ha. I should have known. You're
just like every other dweeb who
worships Quentin Tarantino for the
same reason you can't let go of
that camera: because you don't know
how to be a real person in real
life. It's so obvious.
RICKY
You think you're not obvious? You
sit in front of your mirror,
wondering what it would be like to
be beautiful, like Angela. But the
truth is, you're more beautiful
than she'll ever be. Because you're
more real. Because you...
RICKY (cont'd)
YOU... LIGHT UP MY LIFE...
RICKY (cont'd)
YOU GIVE ME HOPE... TO CARRY ON...
RICKY (cont'd)
Want to see the most beautiful
thing I've ever filmed?
RICKY
It was one of those days when it's
a minute away from snowing and
there's this electricity in the
air, you can almost hear it, right?
And this bag was like, dancing with
me. Like a little kid begging me
to play with it. For fifteen
minutes. And that's the day I knew
there was this entire life behind
things, and ... this incredibly
benevolent force, that wanted me to
know there was no reason to be
afraid. Ever.
A beat.
RICKY (cont'd)
Video's a poor excuse. But it
helps me remember... and I need to
remember...
RICKY (cont'd)
(distant)
Sometimes there's so much beauty
in the world I feel like I can't
take it, like my heart's going to
cave in.
JANE
(suddenly)
Oh my God. What time is it?
JANE
Sorry I'm late.
CAROLYN
That's quite all right, dear.
Your father and I were just
discussing his day at work.
(to Lester)
Why don't you tell our daughter
about it, honey?
LESTER
Janie, today I quit my job. I also
told my boss to fuck himself, and
then blackmailed him for almost
sixty-thousand dollars. Pass the
asparagus.
CAROLYN
Your father seems to think this
kind of behavior is something to be
proud of.
LESTER
And your mother seems to prefer I
go through life like a fucking
prisoner while she keeps my dick in
a mason jar under the sink.
CAROLYN
(ashen)
How dare you speak to me like that
in front of her?
LESTER
Will someone please pass me the
asparagus?
CAROLYN
(to Lester)
I hope you don't think for one
minute I'm going to support you
LESTER
I already have another job.
JANE
(rises
Okay, guys? I'm not going to be a
part of this.
LESTER
(means it)
Sit down.
LESTER (cont'd)
I'm sick of being treated like I
don't exist. You both do whatever
you want to do, whenever you want
to do it and I don't complain. All
I want is the same courtesy -
CAROLYN
(overlapping)
Do you really think -
LESTER
Don't interrupt me, honey.
He goes BACK to eating his meal, as if nothing unusual has
happened. Carolyn sits in her chair, shivering with rage.
Jane
just stares at the plate in front of her. "YOU'D BETTER LOVE
ME" continues to play on the STEREO.
LESTER (cont'd)
Oh, and another thing. From now
on, we're going to alternate our
dinner music. Because frankly, and
I don't think I'm alone here, I'm
really tired of this Lawrence Welk
shit.
His POV: We're driving past the two Jims' house. They're
reclining in their SWING, their dog Bitsy curled up at their
feet. One Jim runs his hand through the other's hair and
kisses him lightly.
JANE
Oh my God, Angela, it was like
they both turned into maniacs right
in from of me. And I think my ad
was high...
JANE (cont'd)
I'll have to call you back.
JANE (cont'd)
Go. Away.
CAROLYN (O.C.)
Honey, please let me in.
JANE rolls her eyes, crosses to the door and opens it.
CAROLYN
Me?
JANE
Aw, Christ, Mom.
CAROLYN
(tearful)
The reason I'm glad is because
you're old enough to learn the most
important lesson in life: you
cannot count on anyone except
yourself. It's sad, but the and the
sooner you learn it, the better off
you'll be.
JANE
Look, I really don't feel like
having a Kodak moment, here -
CAROLYN
You ungrateful little brat. Just
look at everything you have. When
I was your age, I lived in a
duplex. We didn't even have our
own house.
Jane's POV: We're across from Ricky's room, peering in. He's
moved his desk chair over by the window, where he sits with
his VIDEO CAMERA, videotaping us. On the WIDE ~ TV behind
him,
we see Jane standing in her window as she looks across at
him.
She waves. Ricky just keeps videotaping. A beat, then she
starts to unbutton her shirt.
We HEAR KEYS TURNING, then the door opens and the COLONEL
enters, still disturbed by what he just saw. He places his
briefcase and KEYS on the desk, then sits and tries to sort
through the mail in his hand. Unable to concentrate, he
throws
the mail down, angry. He sits very still for a moment, some
internal struggle obviously taking place, then grabs his KEYS
off the desk and turns to unlock the built-in CABINET behind
the desk, only to find that it's already open...
INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
RICKY
Dad, I just wanted to show-
COLONEL
You little bastard -
COLONEL
(unnerved)
Fight back you little pussy!
RICKY
No, sir. I won't fight you.
COLONEL
How did you get in there?
RICKY
I picked the lock.
COLONEL
What were you looking for? Money?
Are you on dope again?
RICKY
No sir. I was showing my
girlfriend your Nazi plate.
A beat.
COLONEL
Girlfriend?
RICKY
Yes, sir. She lives next door. The
Colonel glances toward the window.
His POV: IN the window across from us, JANE peeks out from
behind the curtain. She quickly pulls it shut.
RICKY (cont'd)
Her name's Jane.
COLONEL
This is for your own good, boy.
You have no respect for other
people's things, for authority,
for... anything.
RICKY
I know. I'm sorry.
COLONEL
You need structure, you need
discipline -
RICKY
(simultaneous)
Discipline. I know. Thank you
for trying to teach me.
(then)
Don't give up on me, Dad.
COLONEL
You stay out of there.
JANE sits on her bed crying, shaken By What she just saw.
His POV: Through the window over the sink, we can see Through
the GARAGE DOOR WINDOW of the Burnham house next door. Inside
the garage, Lester, wearing only briefs, stands doing
shoulder
presses. His upper body, glistening in sweat, is pumped.
FADE to BLACK.
FADE IN:
ATTENDANT
(loading gun)
I gotta say, Mrs. Burnham, when
you first came in here, I thought
you would be hopeless. But you're
a natural.
CAROLYN
Well, all I know is...
CAROLYN (cont'd)
I love shooting this gun!
CAROLYN
Whose car is that out front?
LESTER
Mine. 1972 Pontiac GTO. The car
I always wanted and now I have it.
I rule!
CAROLYN
Where's the Camry?
LESTER
I traded it in.
CAROLYN
Shouldn't you have consulted me
first?
LESTER
Hm. Let me think... No.
(off her look)
You never drove it.
A beat.
CAROLYN
Where's Jane?
LESTER
(mimicking her)
Where's the Camry? Where's Jane?
Where's my butt?
(then)
I don't know where Jane is. She's
probably as far away from you as
she could get.
CAROLYN
(quietly)
I'm not as helpless as you think I
am.
RICKY (O.C.)
Jesus, you're beautiful.
She looks at us and smiles, her guard down, her face empty OF
its usual vaguely contemptuous expression, and, indeed, she
is
beautiful: young, happy, hopeful. We linger on her face for
a
moment. She brings her hand up to caress her cheek, and
then,
still smiling, she slowly flips us the bird... we JUMP CUT
to:
JANE
(shy)
Don' t.
RICKY
Why?
JANE
(re: image on TV)
It's okay when you're just filming
me, because that's just you,
looking at me. But it's weird,
watching myself. I don't like how
I look.
RICKY
I can't believe you don't know how
beautiful you are.
JANE
Look, I'm not going to sit here
for that shit.
She gets out OF bed, takes his camera and focuses it on him.
We see his image on the TV as she videotapes.
JANE (cont'd)
Ha. How does it feel now?
RICKY
Fine.
JANE
You don't feel naked?
RICKY
I am naked.
JANE
You know what I mean.
JANE (cont'd)
Tell me about being in the
hospital.
RICKY smiles.
RICKY
When I was fourteen, my dad caught
me smoking dope. He totally freaked
and sent me to military school. I
told you his whole thing about
structure, and discipline, right?
(laughs)
Well, of course, I got kicked out.
Dad and I had this huge fight, and
he hit me... and then the next day,
at school, some kid made a crack
about my haircut, and I just...
snapped. I wanted to kill him. And
I would have, if they hadn't pulled
me off him.
(then)
That's when my dad put me in the
hospital. They drugged me up and I
was
there for almost two years.
JANE
You must really hate him.
RICKY
He's not really a bad man. He's
just one of those people who needs
everybody to make the same choices
he did. So he can feel good about
himself.
JANE
Yeah, but you lost two whole years
of your life.
RICKY
I didn't lose them. It taught me
how to step back, and just...
watch, and not take everything so
personally. And that's something I
needed to learn. That's something
everybody needs to learn.
JANE
Well... you better believe I'd
hate my father if he did something
like that
to me.
(laughs)
Wait. I do hate my father.
RICKY
Why?
He passes her the JOINT, then takes the camera and focuses it
on her. We see her image on the TV as he videotapes.
JANE
He's a total asshole and he's got
the hots for my friend Angela and
it's disgusting.
RICKY
What, you'd rather he had the hots
for you?
JANE
Gross, no!
(then)
But it'd be nice if I was anywhere
near as important to him as she is.
She LAUGHS, then leans BACK and takes a drag off the joint.
JANE
I know you think my dad's
harmless, but you're wrong. He's
doing massive psychological damage
to me.
RICKY
How?
JANE looks into the camera, a loopy, stoned grin on her face.
JANE
Hey. I need structure, okay? I
need discipline.
JANE (cont'd)
I'm serious, though. How can he
not be damaging me? I need a
father who's a role model, not some
horny geek-boy who's gonna spray
his shorts whenever I bring a
girlfriend home from school.
(snorts)
Like he'd ever have a chance with
her. What a lame-o. Somebody really
should put him out of his misery.
RICKY
Want me to kill him for you?
JANE
Yeah, would you?
RICKY
It'll cost you.
JANE
I've been baby-sitting since I was
ten, I've got almost three thousand
dollars. I was saving it for a boob
job.
She stands and shakes her breasts, then falls BACK on to the
bed, LAUGHING.
JANE (cont'd)
But my tits can wait.
RICKY
You know, that's not a very nice
thing to do, hiring somebody to
kill your dad.
JANE
Well, I guess I'm just not a very
nice girl, then, am I?
She smiles dreamily at him. He turns other camera off and
the TV screen goes BLUE. He lowers the camera and looks at
her intently.
JANE (cont'd)
(suddenly nervous)
You know I'm not serious, right?
RICKY
Of course.
He puts the camera down and joins JANE on the bed. a long
moment where neither of them speaks. He caresses her hair,
gazing into her eyes. Jane touches one of the scars on his
face. He smiles.
RICKY (cont'd)
Do you know how lucky we are to
have found each other?
LESTER (V.O.)
Remember those posters that said,
Today is the first day of the rest
of your life? Well, that's true
of every day except one.
(a beat)
The day that you die.
CAROLYN
Jane, Hurry up. I have a very
important appointment -
JANE
Mom, is it okay if Angela sleeps
over tonight?
CAROLYN
Of course it's okay. She's always
welcome here.
(on her way out)
I thought you and Angela might
have had a fight. We haven't seen
her in a while.
JANE
(nervous)
I've been too embarrassed to
invite her over. Because you always
hang around when she comes over,
and you, you -stare at her all the
time, like you're drunk. It's
disgusting.
A beat.
LESTER
If you don't watch out, you're
going to turn into a real bitch,
just like your mother.
COLONEL
How's your food?
RICKY
It's good.
(then)
Oh, Dad. I don't need a ride this
morning. I'm going to go in with
Jane and her mom.
COLONEL
(startled)
Jane?
RICKY
My girlfriend.
RICKY (cont'd)
Mom. Bacon?
BARBARA
(cheerful)
I know, I remember what you told
me, so I made it extra crispy!
She crosses off. from outside, we HEAR a CAR HORN, and RICKY
gets up from the table.
RICKY
Gotta go.
LESTER
Yo, Ricky. How's it going?
RICKY
Pretty decent, Mr. Burnham.
Then RICKY pulls his door shut, But not before LESTER mouths
call me and Ricky gives a slight nod in acknowledgment.
His POV: The car backs out of the driveway. Lester yawns,
stretches and runs his hands up and down his torso
absentmindedly...and then he glances at us, suddenly aware
he's being watched. He studies us for a beat, then grins and
salutes. He LAUGHS as he turns to go inside the house.
CAROLYN
You know, I rarely frequent places
like this, but...
CAROLYN (cont'd)
I think I can allow myself junk
food, after the workout we had this
morning.
LEONARD
(a grin)
Nothing.
CAROLYN
(turns to him)
Then I guess we'll just have to be
bad, won't we?
LESTER (O.C.)
Smile, you're at Smiley's.
LESTER (cont'd)
Would you like to try our new beef
and cheese pot pie on a stick, just
a dollar ninety nine, for a limited
time only?
CAROLYN
(re: Leonard)
We just came from a seminar.
(then, all business))
Leonard, this is my -
LESTER
Her husband. We've met before, but
something tells me you're going
[to] remember this time.
CAROLYN
Lester, please don't -
LESTER
(loving this)
Uh-un, You don't get to tell me
what to do. Ever again.
Carolyn closes her eyes, defeated, then turns and walks out.
Leonard glances at Lester, embarrassed, then follows Carolyn.
LESTER (cont'd)
(calls after them)
Smile! You're at Smiley's!
The sky is filled with ominous gray clouds, and the wind
whips garbage across the parking lot as Carolyn's Mercedes-
Benz ML320 pulls in next to Leonard's Jaguar.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
LEONARD
I'm sorry. I just think we should
cool it for a while. I'm facing a
potentially very expensive divorce.
CAROLYN
Oh, no. I understand completely.
(sarcastic)
In order to be successful, one
must project an image of success.
At all times.
She regrets it the second it's out of her mouth, and turns to
him. He just looks at her sadly, then gets out of the car and
shuts the door. She starts to CRY. As before, she SLAPS
herself, hard.
CAROLYN (cont'd)
Stop it. Stop it!
She closes her eyes tight, trying to STOP the Tears, then
suddenly SCREAMS as loud as she can until she runs out of
breath. She opens her eyes, gasping, trying with all her
might
to overcome this flood of emotion, and then her eyes wander
over to...
RICKY sits at the dinette with his mother and father, eating
dinner in silence.
BARBARA
(out of the blue)
I'm sorry, what?
RICKY
Mom. Nobody said anything.
BARBARA
Oh. I'm sorry.
We HEAR a BEEPING noise. RICKY pulls his BEEPER off his belt
and checks it.
RICKY
(getting up)
I have to run next door. My
girlfriend left her geometry book
in my backpack, and she needs it to
do her homework.
He heads into the hall. the COLONEL watches him go, uneasy.
ANGELA
So you and psycho boy are fucking
on a regular basis now, right?
JANE
(irritable)
No.
ANGELA
Oh, come on. You can tell me.
Does he have a big dick?
JANE
Look, I don't want to talk about
his dick with you. It's not like
that.
ANGELA
Not like what? Doesn't he have
one?
(then)
Jane, don't be a sap and fall for
the first guy you have sex with.
That is so stupid.
JANE
You know what's stupid? Only
fucking people because you think
it'll get you something! That's
pathetic.
ANGELA
We gotta get you a real man.
The COLONEL stands at the sink, rinsing off his dinner plate.
Something outside catches his eye, and he cranes his neck to
get a better look at...
His POV: Through the window over the sink, we can see into
the Burnham's GARAGE DOOR WINDOW. Our view is slightly
blurred
by the pouring RAIN, but we see Lester, walking back and
forth. his upper body pumped and glistening in sweat as he
counts out a wad of BILLS... and then Ricky walks into view.
His POV: LESTER drapes his arm around RICKY as He gives him
the money.
RICKY, his hair wet from the rain, puts the cash IN his
pocket. Lester's arm remains draped around his shoulder.
LESTER
Wanna smoke some now?
RICKY
I ought to get back home.
LESTER
Aw, come on. Just one...
RICKY
(grins)
Got any papers?
LESTER
Cigar box, under the bench.
(laughs)
Dude! Put up a fight! You are a
total pushover.
JANE and ANGELA enter Through the front door, wet from the
pouring rain, arguing.
ANGELA
Apparently, dating a psycho makes
you totally lose your sense of
humor.
JANE
Yeah, well, apparently, fucking
everything that walks turns you
into a total bitch.
LESTER
Thanks
RICKY
Anytime
JANE
Where's Mom?
Lester
Don't know.
ANGELA
Hi, Mr. Burnham.
LESTER
Hi.
ANGELA
Wow. Look at you. Have you been
working out?
LESTER
Some.
JANE rolls her eyes and exits. ANGELA walks over to Lester.
ANGELA
Well, you can really tell. Look at
those arms.
She places her hand on his arm flirtatiously, looks UP at him
and smiles, fully expecting to intimidate him by doing so.
But something has changed, and he isn't intimidated at all.
He
looks directly back at her, leans in and smiles slowly.
LESTER
You like muscles?
His voice is low and intense, and the moment is charged with
erotic tension.
ANGELA
(unnerved)
Uh, sure. I guess.
ANGELA (cont'd)
I - I should probably go see what
Jane's up to.
RICKY enters, wet from the pouring rain, and crosses to his
bureau, pulling the wad of CASH out of his pocket as he goes.
COLONEL (O.C.)
Where'd you get that?
His POV: The Colonel steps out of the shadows. He's staring
at us, his eyes blazing.
RICKY
From my job.
COLONEL
Don't lie to me. I saw you with
that faggot next door.
RICKY
(incredulous)
What? Are you spying on me?
COLONEL
What did he make you do?
RICKY
Dad, you don't really think I...
me and Mr. Burnham?
He LAUGHS.
COLONEL
(furious)
Don't you laugh at me!
COLONEL (cont'd)
I will not sit back and watch my
only son become a cocksucker!
RICKY
Jesus Christ! What is it with you
and gays? You're like, obsessed -
The COLONEL grabs RICKY By the throat and screams into his
face.
COLONEL
Shut up! I'm not the one going
next door to meet my "girlfriend!"
RICKY
Dad, you've got it all wrong -
COLONEL
I swear to God, I'll throw you out
of this house and never look at you
again.
RICKY
(taken aback)
You really mean that?
COLONEL
Damn straight I do. I'd rather
you were dead than be a fucking
faggot.
RICKY
You're right. I suck dick for
money. Look at this, two thousand
dollars. I'm that good.
COLONEL
Get out.
RICKY
And you should see me fuck. I'm
the best piece of ass in three
states.
COLONEL
(explodes)
Get out!! I don't ever want to see
you again!!
RICKY
What a sad old man you are.
He grabs his backpack, turns and walks out the door, leaving
the Colonel standing there, glassy-eyed and breathing
heavily.
BARBARA
Okay, wear a raincoat.
RICKY
(hugs her)
I wish things had been better for
you. Take care of Dad.
The Colonel's POV: Below us, Ricky dashes through the rain to
the Burnham's aback door and knocks. After a moment, Lester
opens it and lets him in.
JANE and ANGELA are sprawled across the bed, watching Melrose
Place.
ANGELA
Why do you even care? You are way
too uptight about sex.
JANE
Just don't fuck my dad, okay?'
Please? It's too weird. I don't
think we could be friends anymore.
ANGELA
Why not?
JANE
(angry)
Dad! Leave us alone!
RICKY (O.C.)
It's me.
JANE jumps UP and opens the door and lets him in. an awkward
beat, as Ricky and Angela stare at each other, then:
RICKY (cont'd)
(to Jane)
If I had to leave tonight, would
you come with me?
JANE
What?
RICKY
If I went to New York. To live.
Tonight. Would you come with me?
A beat.
JANE
Yes.
ANGELA
You guys can't be serious.
(to Jane)
You're just a kid. And he's like,
a mental case. You'll end up living
in a box on the street.
JANE
I'm no more a kid than you are.
Just because you've fucked way more
people than I have. And we can use
my plastic surgery money.
RICKY
We won't have to. I have over
forty thousand dollars. And I know
people in the city, they can help
us get set up.
ANGELA
What, other drug dealers?
RICKY
Yes.
ANGELA
Jane, you'd be out of your mind to
go him.
JANE
Why do you even care?
ANGELA
Because you're my friend.
RICKY
She's not your friend. She's
somebody you use to feel good about
yourself.
ANGELA
Go fuck yourself, psycho.
JANE
You shut up, bitch!
ANGELA
Jane! He is a freak!
JANE
So am I! And we'll always be
freaks and we'll never be like
other people. And you'll never be a
freak because you're like, too
perfect.
ANGELA
Oh, yeah? Well, at least I'm not
ugly.
RICKY
Yeah, you are. And you're boring.
You are totally ordinary. And you
know it.
ANGELA
You two deserve each other.
His POV: LESTER finishes his last rep, straining, then racks
the weights and sits up, sweaty and out of breath. He lights
a half finished JOINT and inhales deeply, running his free
hand over his chest... and then he glances at us, suddenly
aware he's being watched.
LESTER
Jesus, man. You're soaked.
LESTER
You want me to get Ricky? He's up
in Jane's room.
LESTER (cont'd)
You okay?
COLONEL
(his voice thick)
LESTER
Uh... Probably off fucking that
dorky prince of real estate
asshole. And you know what?
(laughs)
I don't care.
TAPE VOICE
...only by taking full
responsibility for your problems -
and their solutions - will you
break free from the constant cycle
of victimhood. Remember: you are
only a victim if you choose to be.
COLONEL
Your wife is with another man and
you don't care.
LESTER
Nope. Our marriage is just for
show. It's a commercial, proving
how normal we are, when we are
anything but.
LESTER (cont'd)
Dude. You're shaking.
LESTER (cont'd)
We really should get you out of
these clothes.
COLONEL
(a whisper)
Yes...
LESTER
It's okay.
COLONEL
(hoarse)
I...
LESTER
(softly)
Just tell me what you need.
LESTER (cont'd)
Whoa. You got the wrong idea,
pal. I do not go there.
CAROLYN
I refuse to be a victim.
She puts the Gun IN her PURSE, and pulls out into traffic.
ANGELA
I hope you don't mind if I play
the stereo...
LESTER leans against the wall and takes a swig OF his beer.
LESTER
Not at all.
ANGELA
Jane and I had a fight.
(after a beat)
It was about you.
ANGELA (cont'd)
She's mad at me because I said I
think you're sexy.
ANGELA (cont'd)
And she doesn't want anything to
happen between us.
LESTER
I'm not that interested in what
she wants.
ANGELA
I...
LESTER
(offering his beer)
Would you like a sip?
ANGELA
Sure...
LESTER
So... are you going to tell me?
What you want?
ANGELA
I don't know.
LESTER
You don't know?
ANGELA
What do you want?
LESTER
Are you kidding? I want you.
(his voice husky)
I've wanted you ever since I saw
you.
He holds the beer UP to her lips again. she sips, and This
time some dribbles down her chin. Lester gently wipes her
chin
with his fingertip, then licks the beer off it.
LESTER (cont'd)
You're the most beautiful thing
I've ever seen.
ANGELA
You don't think I'm ordinary?
LESTER
You couldn't be ordinary if you
tried.
ANGELA
Thank you.
CAROLYN
I refuse to be a victim.
I refuse to be a victim.
I refuse to be a victim...
JANE
Are you scared?
RICKY
I don't get scared.
JANE
My parents will try to find me.
RICKY
Mine won't. And I always figured
I'd have to wait until I was
twenty-one.
(then)
We could go further than New York.
Chicago, L.A., Europe even.
JANE
I've always wanted to go to Spain.
RICKY
Let's do it. We're not living for
anybody but ourselves. Not any
more.
JANE
You really think we could have a
normal life somewhere?
RICKY
Yeah. We're totally free.
ANGELA
This is my first time.
Lester LAUGHS.
LESTER
You're kidding.
ANGELA
(a whisper)
I'm sorry.
ANGELA (cont'd)
I still want to do it... I just
thought I should tell you... you
know, in case you wondered why I
wasn't... better...
LESTER
(compassionate)
Aw honey.
ANGELA
What's wrong?
LESTER gathers her clothes form the floor and hands them to
her. Angela is stunned.
ANGELA (cont'd)
I thought you said I was
beautiful.
LESTER
You are beautiful.
LESTER grabs a blanket from the BACK OF the couch and drapes
it around her shoulders, covering her nakedness.
LESTER (cont'd)
You're so beautiful... and I would
be a very lucky man, but...
ANGELA
I feel so stupid...
LESTER
Don't...
ANGELA
I'm sorry.
LESTER
You have nothing to be sorry
about.
But she keeps crying. LESTER hugs her again. we HEAR a loud
CLAP of THUNDER outside.
LESTER (cont'd)
It's okay... everything's okay...
CAROLYN
I refuse to be a victim...
ANGELA
(mouth full)
Wow. I was starving...
LESTER
Want me to make you another one?
ANGELA
No, no, no. I'm fine.
LESTER
(concerned)
Really?
ANGELA
Yes. Stop asking me that.
LESTER
Okay, just checking.
He turns off the faucet and joins her at the snack bar.
Angela reaches for the beer and takes a swig, then passes it
to Lester. He takes it but doesn't drink.
ANGELA
I mean, yeah, I'm still a little
weirded but...
(sincerely)
...but feel better. Thanks.
LESTER
How's Jane?
ANGELA
What do you mean?
LESTER
I mean, how's her life? Is she
happy? Is she miserable? I'd like
to know, and she'd die before she'd
ever tell me about it.
ANGELA
She's...she's really happy. She
thinks she's in love.
ANGELA rolls her eyes at how silly This is. LESTER just
smiles.
LESTER
(quietly)
Good for her.
An awkward beat.
ANGELA
How are you?
LESTER
(laughs)
It's been a long time since
anybody asked me that. I'm...
(thinks about it)
I'm great.
ANGELA
(suddenly)
I have to go to the bathroom.
She jumps UP and crosses off. LESTER watches her go, then
rubs his face, suddenly tired.
LESTER
I'm great...
FADE IN:
LESTER (V.O.)
They say your entire life flashes
in front of your eyes when you die.
LESTER (V.O.)
LESTER
It's just the moments that stood
out...
LESTER (V.O.)
And they're not the ones you'd
expect, either...
JANE
Oh God...
CAROLYN
(ashen)
My kitchen...
RICKY
(after a beat)
Man, I wish I had my video camera.
LESTER (V.O.)
The moments you remember are tiny
ones, some you haven't thought of
in years...
LESTER (V.O.)
If you've thought of them at
all...
LESTER (V.O.)
But in the last second of your
life, you remember them with
astonishing clarity...
LESTER (V.O.)
Because they're just so...
beautiful...
LESTER (V.O.)
For me it was, lying on my back at
Boy Scout camp, watching falling
stars...
NEWSCASTER
... police have identified the
suspect as nineteen-year-old
Richard Anthony Fitts, an alleged
drug dealer with a history of
mental illness...
LESTER (V.O.)
And yellow leaves from the ginkgo
trees that lined our street...
JANE
...Like he'd ever have a chance
with her. What a lame-o. Somebody
really should put him out of his
misery.
RICKY (O.C.)
Want me to kill him for you?
JANE (O.C.)
Yeah, would you?
RICKY (O.C.)
It'll cost you.
JANE (O.C.)
I've been baby-sitting since I was
ten, I've got almost three thousand
dollars.
LESTER (V.O.)
Or my grandmother's hands, and the
way her skin seemed like paper...
ANGELA
...he was obsessed with like, dead
things. Whenever he saw something
dead, he'd film it on that stupid
video camera. He said it was
beautiful.
LESTER (V.O.)
And the way I felt when Angela
first smiled at me...
JANE and her lawyers stand as the JURY FOREMAN reads the
verdict.
JURY FOREMAN
We find the defendant guilty of
murder in the first degree.
COLONEL
I'm here to support my son. He's
my son and I love him. No matter
what he did.
LESTER (V.O.)
And Janie.
Contact
LEONARD KANE/CAROLYN BURNHAM "The King & Queen of Real Estate
Kane/BURNHAM REALTY
555-1957
LESTER (V.O.)
And Carolyn's roses..
RICKY
(singing softly)
AND IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER IF
I'M WRONG I'M RIGHT...
And beauty...
RICKY (cont'd)
WHERE I BELONG I'M RIGHT... WHERE
I BELONG...
ANGELA
(a whisper)
I'm sorry.
LESTER (V.O.)
I guess I could be pretty pissed
of f about what happened to me...
but it's hard to stay mad, when
there's so much beauty in the
world. Sometimes I feel like I'm
seeing it all at once, and it's too
much, my heart fills up like a
balloon that's about to burst...
LESTER (V.O.)
And then I remember to relax, and
stop trying to hold on to it, and
then it flows through me like rain
and I can't feel anything but
gratitude for every single moment
of my stupid little life...