American Beauty Page #7

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The HIGH SCHOOL BAND plays "ON BROADWAY." On the gym floor,

the girls perform. They're well-rehearsed, but too young to

carry off the ambitious Vegas routine they're attempting.

Lester, watching from the stands, picks out his daughter.

His POV:
Jane performs well, concentrating. Dancing awkwardly

next to her is Angela. Suddenly Angela looks right at us and

smiles... a lazy, insolent smile.

Lester leans forward in his seat.

His POV:
We're focused on Angela now. Everything starts to

SLOW DOWN...

the MUSIC acquires an eerie ECHO...

We ZOOM slowly toward Lester as he watches, transfixed.

His POV:
Angela's awkwardness gives way to a fluid grace,

and "ON BROADWAY" FADES into dreamy, hypnotic MUSIC. The

light on Angela grows stronger, and the other girls DISAPPEAR

entirely.

Lester is suddenly alone in the stands, spellbound.

His POV:
Angela looks directly at us now, dancing only for

Lester. Her movements take on a blatantly erotic edge as she

starts to unzip her uniform, teasing us with an expression

that's both innocent and knowing, then...

She pulls her uniform OPEN and a profusion of RED ROSE PETALS

spill forth... and we

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - CONTINUOUS

Angela, fully clothed, is once again surrounded by the other

girls. The HIGH SCHOOL BAND plays its last note, the Dancing

Spartanettes strike their final pose, and the audience

APPLAUDS.

Carolyn claps along with the rest of the audience. Lester

just sits there, unable to take his eyes off Angela.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - LATER

The game is long over. Jane and Angela come out of the gym.

JANE:

Oh sh*t, they're still here.

Her POV:
Lester and Carolyn stand at the edge of the parking

lot.

LESTER:

Janie!

CAROLYN:

Hi! I really enjoyed that!

She crosses reluctantly toward her parents, followed by

Angela.

LESTER:

Congratulations, honey, you were

great.

JANE:

I didn't win anything.

LESTER:

(to Angela)

Hi, I'm Lester. Janie'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:

(to Angela)

Nice to meet you, Angela.

(to Jane)

Honey, I'm so proud of you. I watched

you very closely, and you didn't

screw up once.

(then, to Lester)

Okay, we have to go.

She starts toward the parking lot. Lester stays behind.

LESTER:

So, what are you girls doing now?

JANE:

Dad.

ANGELA:

We're going out for pizza.

LESTER:

Oh really, do you need a ride? We

can give you a ride. I have a car.

You wanna come with us?

ANGELA:

Thanks... but I have a car.

LESTER:

Oh, you have a car. Oh. That's great!

That's great, because Janie's thinking

about getting a car soon too, aren't

you, honey?

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