American Beauty Page #2
Lester sits at his workstation, a BEIGE CUBICLE surrounded
by IDENTICAL BEIGE CUBICLES. He's staring at a computer
monitor and talking on a HEADSET PHONE. The beleaguered
expression on his face is at odds with the light, friendly
tone of his voice.
LESTER:
Hello, this is Lester Burnham from
Media Monthly magazine, I'm calling
for Mr. Tamblin, please?... Well,
we're all under a deadline here, uh,
but you see, there is some basic
information about the product launch
that isn't even covered in your press
release and I... Yeah. Can I ask you
a question? Who is Tamblin? Does he
exist? 'Cause he doesn't ever seem
to come in... Yeah, okay, I'll leave
my number...
BRAD, a dapper man in his thirties, approaches and observes
Lester, who is unaware of his presence.
LESTER:
It's 555 0199. Lester Burnham. Thank
you!
Lester disconnects the call, obviously irritated.
BRAD:
Hey Les. You got a minute?
Lester turns around, smiling perfunctorily.
LESTER:
For you, Brad? I've got five.
INT. BRAD'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Brad is seated behind his desk in his big corner office.
BRAD:
I'm sure you can understand our need
Lester sits across from him, looking small and isolated.
LESTER:
Oh, sure. Times are tight, and you
gotta free up cash. Gotta spend money
to make money. Right?
BRAD:
Exactly. So...
Brad stands, ready to usher Lester out.
LESTER:
(blurts)
Like the time when Mr. Flournoy used
the company MasterCard to pay for
that hooker, and then she used the
card numbers and stayed at the St.
Regis for, what was it, like, three
months?
BRAD:
(startled)
That's unsubstantiated gossip.
LESTER:
That's fifty thousand dollars. That's
somebody's salary. That's somebody
who's gonna get fired because Craig
has to pay women to f*** him!
BRAD:
Jesus. Calm down. Nobody's getting
fired yet. That's why we're having
everyone write out a job description,
mapping out in detail how they
contribute. That way, management can
assess who's valuable and--
LESTER:
Who's 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 whole month?
BRAD:
(frank)
I'm one of the good guys, Les. I'm
trying to level with you. This is
your one chance to save your job.
Lester stares at him, powerless.
EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON
A MOVING VAN is parked in front of the COLONIAL HOUSE next
door to the Burnhams'. Movers carry furniture toward the
house.
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"American Beauty" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script/american_beauty_170>.
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