TRANSCRIPT: american beauty

INT. BRAD'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

BRAD is seated behind his desk, reading a document. LESTER
sits across from him, smiling.

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.

A beat. BRAD sighs.

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.

BRAD stops LAUGHING.

LESTER (cont'd)
Can you prove you didn't offer to save my job if I'd let you blow me?

BRAD leans BACK IN his chair, studying Lester.

BRAD
Man. You are one twisted fuck.

LESTER
(standing)
Nope. Just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose.

LESTER starts toward the door, then:

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.