1

AmericanBeauty
(Drama/Comedy)(1998)
2000byRaymondWeschler

MajorCharacters
Lester(Les)Burnham.KevinSpacey Anunhappyandfrustratedadvertisingexecutivewhosewifenolonger caresabouthim,andwhosedaughteralmosthateshim. CarolynBurnhamAnnetteBenning Lestersunhappywife,whoisastrugglingrealestateagent. Jane(Janie)Burnham..ThoraBirch LesterandCarols16yearolddaughterwhoisatypicallyfrustrated andinsecureteenager,whostronglydislikesbothofherparents. AngelaHaysMenaSuvari Janesveryprettyfriendwhowantstobeafashionmodel,who isinterestedinLestereventhoughthatmakesJaneveryangry. RickyFittsWesBentley Agentlebutsomewhatstrangeteenagerwhomoves innextdoortotheBurnhams,wholikesJaneverymuch. ColonelFrankFitts..ChrisCooper Rickysextremelyconservativefather,amemberoftheUnited Statesmarines,whostronglydislikesdrugsandhomosexuals. BarbaraFitts..AllisonJannery Rickysquietandgentlemother,andFrankswife. BuddyKane.PeterGallagher Thetoprealestateagentintheneighborhoodwherethe Burnhamslive,whodecidestohaveanaffairwithCarolyn. JimOlmeyer.ScottBakula AgayneighboroftheBurnhamswhoisanattorney. JimBerkeley..SamRobards JimOlmeyerspartner,whoisananesthesiologist.

BradDupree..BarryDelSherman AnexecutiveattheofficewhereLesterworkswho decidestofirehimbecauseofhisbadattitude.

PlotSummary
ThisfilmisthestoryoftheBurnhams,atypicalAmericanfamilythatlivesinan uppermiddleclasssuburbinthestateofConnecticut,perhapsanhourortwo outsideofNewYorkCity.LesterBurnhamhasaprettywifeanddaughter,a nicehouse,andafairlygoodpayingcareer,butheisstillextremelyunhappy.He hateshisjob,heknowsthatbothhiswifeanddaughterhavenorespectforhim, andhefeelsheisgrowingoldwaytoofast. CarolynBurnhamisalsounhappy,inpartbecauseshehasaveryhardtime sellinghouses,andinpartbecausehermarriageishorribleandherdaughter seemstohateher.Finally,JaneBurnhamhasherownunhappiness,bothbecause shehatesherparents,andmoredisturbingly,becauseherbestfriendandher fatherseemliketheywanttosleepwitheachother.Inshort,theBurnhamsare theclassicdysfunctionalfamily. TheBurnhamssoonfacegreatchallengeswhenLesterdecidestoquithisjob, Carolyndecidestohaveanaffairwithhergreatestcompetitionintherealestate business,andJanefallsinlovewithRicky,thegentleyetsomewhatstrange youngmanwhomovesinnextdoor.ButthegreatestcrisiscomeswhenLester decidestorecapturehisyouthbybuyingcarsanddrugsfromhisteenyears,and bybecomingobsessedwithAngela,Janesbeautiful16yearoldfriend.As Lesterslifespinsoutofcontrol,Jane,CarolynandevenRickysdadfindtheir ownreasonswhyitwouldbebetterifLesterweredead.

SomeWordsandExpressionsthatYouMaynotKnow
Lesterintroducesustohisfamily,almostloses hisjob,andtriestoimprovehisrelationshipwithJane.

Ineedafatherwhoisarolemodel. Arolemodelisapersonwhootherslookuptoasan exampleofexcellentbehaviororgreataccomplishment. Notsomehornygeekboywhoisgoingtosprayhisshorts

3 wheneverIbringagirlfriendhomefromschool. Ifapersonishorny,theywanttohavesex.Ageekisasocially awkwardperson,oftenmoreateasewithcomputersthanpeople. Here,ifamansprayshisshorts,itsimpliedheisgettingsexually excited(Tosprayistoscattersmalldropsofwater,likeagardenhose). Whatalameo. Lameisaslangwordmeaningstupid,badorridiculous(aswellas injuredordisabled).Childrenwillsometimesaddthesuffixotoan adjectivelikethistoturnitintoanoun(butthisisrareforadults). Someoneshouldputhimoutofhismisery. Toputapersonoutoftheirmiseryistokillthem,perhapsbecausethey aresufferingsomuchthatitsconsideredahumanethingtodo. Lookatme;Jerkingoffintheshower. Tojerkoffisthemostcommonslangwayofsayingtomasturbate. Thiswillbethehighpointofmyday;Itsalldownhillfromhere. Thehighpointofadayoreventisthemostexcitingorbestpart.If somethinggoesalldownhillfromhere,itbecomesworse,thoughnote thatintherightcontext,itcouldmeanthatitbecomeseasier! Thehandleonthosepruningsheersmatcheshergardeningclogs. Pruningshearsaremetaltoolstocut(orprune)plantsandbushes. Clogsareatypeofshoe,usuallymadeofwoodonthebottom. Howdoyougetthemtoflourishlikethis?Eggshellsandmiraclegrow. Ifaflowerflourishes,itgrowswithstrengthandbeauty. Miraclegrowisawellknownproducttohelpplantsgrow. Angry,insecure,confused.IwishIcouldtellher thatsallgoingtopass,butIdontwanttolietoher. Apersonwhoisinsecurehaslittleconfidenceinthemselves,andis oftennervousaroundotherpeople.Inthiscase,ifasituationpasses,it goesawayordiesout. Nicegoingdad! Thisiswhatyousaytoapersoninajokingmannerwhen theyhavejustdomesomethingverystupidorridiculous. BothmywifeanddaughterthinkImthisgiganticloser.

4 Giganticisextremelybigorhuge.Inthiscase,aloserisaperson whoselifeingeneralisnothappy,orwhohaslittlegoodaboutthem. Ididntalwaysfeelthis.sedated. Apersonwhoissedatedissleepyornot veryalert,oftenbecauseoftheeffectsofadrug. Wereallunderadeadlinehere. Tobeunderadeadlineistobeinasituationwhere youhavetofinishsomethingbeforeacertaintime. Productlaunch. Abusinessexpressionfortheproduction,distributionandmarketing (advertising)foranynewproduct,fromsoftwaretofood. Ineedtocutcornersaroundhere. Ifacompanyhastocutcorners,ithastoreducethemoneyitspends. Timesaretightandyougottofreeupsomecash. Inthiscontext,iftimesaretight,thereslittlemoneyleft.Tofreeup cashistofindsavingsinoneareainordertospenditinanother. LikethetimeMr.Flourneyusedthe companyMasterCardtopayforthathooker. MasterCardisaverywellknownbrandofcreditcard. Hookerisaslangwordforaprostitute. Thatsunsubstantiatedgossip. Ifapieceofnewsisunsubstantiated,ithasnotbeenconfirmedor verified.Gossipisunofficialtalkorwriting,oftenaboutpeoples personallives,andoftenuntrue. ThatsbecauseGreghastopaywomentofuckhim. Tofuckapersonisaverycrudewayofsayingtohavesexwith them(obviously!),butbeawarethatthiswordcanbeusedinmany grammaticallydifferentways(SeeESLnotesforDogDayAfternoon). Ajobdescriptionmappingoutindetailhowtheycontribute. Tomapoutsomethingistoclearlyexpressinwritingall ofitsimportantdetailsandhowtheyrelatetoeachother. Managementcanasseswhosvaluableandwhoisexpendable.

5 Toassesasituationistoanalyzeorjudgeitcarefully. Ifapersonisexpendable,theyarenotreallyneeded. Imoneofthegoodguys,Les.Imtryingtolevelwithyou. Tolevelwithapersonistospeakwiththemveryhonestly,including,if necessary,bytellingthemunpleasantorbadnews. Youdontthinkitsweirdandkindoffascist? Weirdisanimportantwordthatmeansstrangeorbizarre(Itiswidely usedinthismovie).Fascistusuallyreferstoadictatorial politicalsystem,butnotemanypeopleuseitmoregenerallytoreferto anysystemtheythinkisunfair,suchashowpeoplearefiredatajob. LetsjustallselloursoulsandworkforSatan, becauseitsmoreconvenientthatway! Apersonssoulisthenonphysicalpartofthemthatlivesonafterthey die,andSatanisanothernameforthedevil.Ifsomethingis convenient,itisaccessible,easytoreach,orsuitedtoonesneeds. Thathousewouldneverhadsatonthemarketforsixmonths. Ifahousesitsonthemarket,itcontinuestobeforsale, butnobodyiswillingtopaythepricethatisbeingasked. TheirSycamore?!Comeon! Asycamoreisatypeoftree.Comeonisthemostversatilephrasal verbinEnglish.Here,itmeansStopsayingnonsenseandbeserious. Asubstantialportionoftherootstructurewasonourproperty! Asubstantialportionofsomethingisabigpartofit.Theroot structureofatreereferstothepartofthetreethatgrowsoutunderthe ground,insearchofwaterandfood. Iwouldnthavehadthehearttocutdown somethingifitwasntpartiallymine. Ifapersondoesnthavethehearttodosomething,theydonthavethe desiretodoit,ortheythinkitwouldbetoocrueltodoit. Dowealwayshavetolistentothiselevatormusic? Averynegativeexpressionforthetypeofmusicthatis playedsoftlyinelevators,storesandotherpublicplaces.

6 Anutritiousbutsavorymeal. Anotherwordfordelicious,orfilledwithflavor. Nodad,itwasspectacular. Astrongadjectivemeaningexcellent,wonderfuloramazing. TheyhiredthisefficiencyexpertnamedBrad. Anefficiencyexpertisapersonwhoishiredbyacompanyto helpitbemoreefficientorproductive,sothatitcansavemoney. Imean,hello,youvebarelyevenspokentomeformonths! Notethatintherightcontextandwhensaidwithasarcasticorcynical toneofvoice,thisisacommonwaytoimplythatapersonisbeing ridiculous,stupid,orinsensitive. Whathappened?Weusedtobepals. Anicelittlewordforfriends.

LestermeetsAngela,andsoonhefindshimselfobsessedbyher.

Waittillyouseethenativestonefireplace! WaittillyouseeisawayofsayingIthinkyoullbeexcitedby Asimplecreamcouldlightenthingsup. Tolightenupahouseistomakeitbrighterandfriendlier (Inthiscase,creamisthecolorofapaintthatCarolynsuggests). Skylight. Aglasswindowinaceilingtoallowlightin. Justfilledwithpositiveenergy,huh? People(andplaces)canhaveeitherpositiveenergy(whichisgoodand makespeoplehappy)ornegativeenergy(whichisbadandmakespeople angryorupset). Theadsaidthatthispoolwaslagoonlike. Alagoonisasmalllake,usuallyseparatedfromtheoceanbysand, andoftenfoundontropicalpacificislands.Ifthepoolislagoonlike, itlookslikealagoon.

Ithinklagoon,Ithinkwaterfall,tropical.Thisisacementhole. Tropicalreferstothoseplacesonearththatarehotandmuggy, suchasislandsintheCaribbeansea.Cementisthehardrockmaterial thatpoolsandsidewalksaremadeof. Theyretryingtotakeanactiveinterestinme. Totakeanactiveinterestinapersonistobecome veryconcernedbyhowtheyaredoinginlife. Gross!Ihateitwhenmymomdoesthat. Apopularslangwordfordisgusting,repulsive,orveryunpleasant. Theyresuchassholes. Averycrudebutcommoninsult,similartojerk,creeporshithead. ImmissingtheJamesBondmarathononTNT. AmarathonistheshowingofmanymoviesorTVshowsonthesame daythatfeaturethesameperson(Inthiscase,thecharacterJamesBond). TNTisacabletelevisionchannel. Shesjustwillful.::Shehatesyou,too. Aninterestingbutrarelyusedwordmeaningdeterminedorstubborn. RockwellHighsDancingSpartenettes. Notethathighschoolsareoftencalledjustbytheirnameandtheword high.Thisisareferencetotheschoolscheerleaders,whoarethe studentswhocheeronathletesatvariousschoolgames. Youwerealsoverygoodtonight.Veryprecise. Agoodwordforaccurate,exactorcorrect. Youdidntscrewuponce. Toscrewupsomethingistodoitverybadly.Verycommon. Doyouneedaride? Thenounyouneedfortheactofbeingtransportedbycar. Couldhebeanymore.pathetic? Anexcellentwordmeaningcompletelyhopelessorridiculouslybad. Itstheweirdestthing.IfeellikeIvebeeninacomaforabout20years.

8 Acomaisthestateofbeingunconsciousforalongperiodof time,usuallycausedbydiseaseorasharpblowtothehead. Imusedtoguysdroolingoverme. Todroolistoletsalivarunslowlyfromyourmouth(likeababy), soifonepersondroolsoveranother,theonewhoisdroolingisperhaps sexuallyattractedtotheother. IknewwhattheywerethinkingjustlikeIknewguys atschoolthoughtaboutmewhentheyjerkedoff. Tojerkoffistomasturbate. Vomit.::No,Ilikeit. Thisisliterallyfoodorothermatterthathasbeenthrownup,butashere, itsalsoaslangywayofsimplyexpressingdisgustorrevulsion. IfpeopleIdontevenknowlookatmeandwanttofuck me,itmeansIreallyhaveashotatbeingamodel. Tohaveashotatdoingsomethingisto havearealchanceorpossibilityofdoingit. Thereisnothingworseinlifethanbeingordinary. Inthiscase,anotherwayofsayingaverageornoteasilynoticed. Somebodyhungup,andIstar69ed,andIcalledyouback. Star69(*69)isafeatureinsomephonesystemsthatletsyouknow whojustcalledyouwithoutpickingupthephone.

TheFittsfamilymovesinnextdoor,Angeladreamsofbeing amodel,andCarolyndragsLestertoapartyofherbusinesscolleagues.

ColonelFrankFitts,U.SMarineCorps. AColonelisahighrankorlevelinthemilitary.TheMarineCorpsare themilitarybranchthatareknownforfightingonbeaches. Thisismypartner.::JimBerkeley,butpeoplecallmeJ.B. Notethattheuseofpartnertorefertoagaylover, apersonwhoisalsooftencalledasignificantother.

9 Letscuttothechase.::Whatareyouguysselling? Tocuttothechaseisaslangywayofsayingto quicklygettothepoint,orsaywhatneedstobesaid. Hesataxattorney.::Andhesananesthesiologist. Anattorneyisalawyer,andananesthesiologistisaperson whogivesanesthesiaandotherpainkillerstopeoplehavingsurgery. Howcomethesefaggotshavetoalwaysrubitinyourface? Faggotisaverynegativeslur(insultword)foragayman. Ifapersonrubsitinyourface,theyaremakingobvious whatyouwouldrathernotsee. Howcantheybesoshameless? Anexcellentwordtodescribeapersonwhoiswithoutshame, orwhosebehaviorsuggeststheyhavenomoralsordignity. DontplacatemelikeImyourmother,boy. Toplacateapersonistotryandstopthemfromfeelingangry,oftenby agreeingwiththem,ordoingsomethingtheywantyoutodo. Forgivemeforspeakingsobluntly,butthosefags makemewanttopukemyfuckinggutsout. Tospeakbluntlyistospeakhonestly,orfrankly.Fagisalsoaslurfor agayman.Topukeisaslangwordmeaningtovomitorthrowup,and gutsarestomachintestines. Hejustpulleddownhispantsandyankeditout. Toyanksomethingistopullitoutsuddenlyorforcefully. Sodidyoudoitwithhim? Intherightcontext,todoitwithapersonistohavesexwiththem. Hesawellknownphotographer.HeshootsforElle,onlike,aregularbasis. Elleisawellknownwomensfashionmagazine.Todosomethingona regularbasisistodoitregularly,orconsistently.Notetheuseoflike, whichisanextremelycommonfillerword(withnomeaning)among manyteenagersandothers.Beawareofit,butavoidit! Itwouldhavebeensomajorlystupidofmetoturnhimdown. Inthiscase,majorlyisaslangyadverbthatmeanscompletely. Here,toturndownapersonistorefusetohavesexwiththem.

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Yourethispamperedlittlesuburbanchick. Ifapersonispampered,theyarespoiledandalwaysgetwhatthey wantfromothers.Suburbanreferstothesuburbsorresidential neighborhoodsoutsidecities,andchickisaslangwordforafemale. StopactinglikeyourgoddamnChristiTurlington. Goddamnasafilleradjectiveisacrudewaytoexpressemotionsuch asangeroffrustration.Turlingtonisawellknownmodel. Cunt! ThisisconsideredbymanytobethemostvulgarwordinEnglish! Acrudewaytorefertofemalesexorgans,andaninsultwordthatiseven strongerthanbitch. Imsosickofpeopletakingtheirinsecuritiesoutonme. Ifapersonisinsecure,theyhavenoconfidenceinthemselves. Ifyoutakeyourinsecuritiesoutonanotherperson,youareblaming themforyourlackofconfidence. Thatsthepervertwhofilmedmelastnight. Apervertisastrangepersonwhoisoften thoughttohavestrangeorbizarresexualdesires. Noway,hesatotallunatic. Nowayisacommonwayofsayingabsolutelynot. Alunaticisacrazyorinsaneperson. Hewouldalwaysservethemostrandom,weirdthings. Ifsomethingisrandom,itismadeordonewithoutfitting anypatternorplan.Weirdmeansstrangeorbizarre. Hisparentshadtoputhiminamentalinstitution. Ahospitalrunbythestateforcrazyormentallydisturbedpeople. Youtotalslut!Yougotacrushonhim! Aslutisawomanwhohassexwithlotsofmen.Asillyword,inpart becausethereisnosuchwordforaman!Tohaveacrushonapersonis toliketheminaromanticway,eventhoughyoudontreallyknowthem verywell.Adatedbutfunexpression.

11 Irememberthiscreepyincidentwhenyouwerefilminglastnight. Ifsomethingiscreepy,itisscaryordisturbing. Anincidentisasmalleventoroccurrence. Ireallydontneedtohavesomepsychoobsessingabout merightnow.::Imnotobsessing,Imjustcurious. Psychoisafunnyslangwordforacrazyorinsaneperson.Toobsess aboutsomeoneistoconstantlybethinkingaboutthem. Whatafreak!Andwhydoeshedresslikeabiblesalesman? Afreakisapersonwholooksverystrange,orbehavesinverystrange orbizarreways.Apowerfulandcommonslangword. Everyonehereiswiththeirspouseorsignificantother. Aspouseisahusbandorwife.Significantotherisapopular expressionforaboyfriend,girlfriend,spouse,lover,orgaypartner. HowwoulditlookifIshowedupwithnoone? Awidelyusedwayofsayingtoarrive. Thisisanimportantbusinessfunction.Mybusinessis sellinganimage,andpartofthatjobistolivethatimage. Abusinessfunctionisadinnerorsocialeventsuchasapartyinwhich makingbusinessconnectionsisconsideredasimportantashavingagood time.ToliveanimageisCarolynswayofsayingtoappeartobeliving inacertainway,sothatotherswillseeherasbeingsuccessfulinbotha personalandbusinesssense. Saywhateveryouwanttosayandsparemethepropaganda. Sparemethedetailsisawayoftellingapersonyouarenotinterested inhearingaboutthem.Propagandaisideasandpublicity thatarespreadaroundbygovernments,inordertomanipulatepeople,or toconvincethemtothinkinacertainoracceptableway. Doyouparty?Doyougethigh? Topartyisarelativelynewandslangyverbwhichmeanstodothe thingsonedoesatapartydrink,takedrugs,dance,etcTogethigh istofeelthevariouseffectsofanillegaldruglikemarijuana. IwouldnttellyouthisifIwerentalittle tipsy.but,Imincompleteaweofyou.

12 Ifapersonistipsy,theyareslightlydrunk,dizzyandlikelytofallor stumble.Tobeinaweofapersonistohaveextremerespectforthem, possiblycombinedwithfearoftheirgreatauthority.

YourfirmishandsdowntheRollsRoyceoflocalrealestatefirms. Handsdownisagrammaticallycuriousexpressionwhichmeans absolutely,orwithoutcompetition.ARollsRoyceisoneofthemost expensivecarsintheworld. Yourpersonalsalesrecordisveryintimidating. Ifsomethingisintimidating,itisthreateningandscary. Idlovetositdownwithyouandpickyourbrain. Topickapersonsbrainistotalkwiththemforawhileinorder tofindoutwhattheythinkorknowaboutaparticularsubject. Technically,Imthecompetition,butIdontflatter myselfthatImeveninthesameleaguewithyou. Inthistypeofcontext,technicallyessentiallymeansOnecouldsay thatThisusageisverycommon.Toflatterapersonistospeak highlyorpositivelyaboutthem.Aleagueisadivisioninsportsthat dividesplayersbyhowgoodtheyare(ProLeague,AAALeague,etc).

LestermeetsRicky,remembershowhappyhehadbeenasa teenager,andrealizeshowdeadhislifeandmarriagehavebecome.

Didyouseethatmoviewherethebodyiscarryingits ownhead,wheretheheadgoesdownonthatbabe?! Inthiscontext,togodownonapersonistogivethemoral sex.Babeisaveryslangywordforagoodlookingwoman. Ijustdothesegigsasacover;Ihaveothersourcesofincome. Agigisaslangtermforajob,ormoreoften,aconcertforamusician. Todosomethingasacoveristodoitjusttofool otherpeople(InthiscasetofoolRickysdad). MydadinterfereslessinmylifewhenIpretendtobe anupstandingyoungcitizenwitharespectablejob.

13 Anupstandingcitizenisapersonwhoobeysthelaw,doesntcause problemsandiswellrespected.Alovedexpressionforpoliticians. Ishouldsayhitoyourdad.Idontwanttoberude. Agoodalternativetoimpolite,obnoxiousorbadlymannered. LasttimeIsawyou,youlookedkindofwoundup. Ifapersoniswoundup,theyareverytenseorperhapsupset.

Rootbeer. ApopularsoftdrinkthatmanyEuropeanssaytasteslikecoughsyrup. Shesgoingtospendthenight. Notetheverb:Tospendtimeataplaceistopasstimethere. Toyou,hesjustanotherguywhowantstojumpyourbones. Tojumpapersonsbonesisafunbut sillywayofsayingtohavesexwiththem. Yourmomistheonewhoisembarrassing.Whataphony! Apersonwhoisaphonyoftensaysthingstheydont reallybelieve,oractsinwaysthatarefalseorhypocritical. Ifhejustworkedoutalittle,hedbehot. Toworkoutisacommonwayofsayingtoexercise.Inthis context,ifapersonishot,theyareverysexyorattractive. Youneversneakedapeakathiminhisunderwear?Ibethesgotabigdick. Tosneakapeakatapersonistoveryquicklylookatthem,without themnoticing(perhapswhentheyarenakedandunaware).Dickis oneofthemostcommonslangtermsforapenis(alongwithcock). Youresogrossingmeoutrightnow. AclassiclineofteenageEnglish!Togrossoutapersonistodisgust them,orevenmakethemsick.Noteboththeuseofso,andputtingthe verbintheprogressivetense,addstoitscolloquialteencharm. Ifhebuiltuphischestandarms,Idtotallyfuckhim. Tobuildupyourarmsorchestistoincreasetheirmusclesizeby liftingweightsorotherexercise.Notethattotallyisamuchloved adverbthatisoverusedbymanyteenagers.

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Itsthepsychonextdoor!Whatifheworshipsyou?! Toworshipapersonistogreatlyadmire andrespectthem,asiftheywereaGod. Whatifhesgotashrinewithpicturesofyou surroundedbydeadpeoplesheadsandstuff? Ashrineisaplaceofworshiporprayer inhonorofaGodorreligiousfigure. WelcometoAmericasweirdesthomevideos. Homevideosareprivatemoviesmadebypeoplewiththeirownvideo cameras(AmericasFunniestHomeVideosisaTVshow). Sowhatsup? Averycommonwayofaskingwhatsnew,howslife,etc. Ineedaurinesample.::Wow,itsbeensixmonths! Aurinesampleisasmallglassofurine(piss)thatisoftenusedto seeifapersonhasbeenusingdrugs.Wowisaverycommonway ofexpressinggreatexcitement,surpriseorotheremotion. CanIgiveittoyouinthemorning?Ijusttookawhiz. Totakeawhizistourinate.Totakealeakismuchmorecommon. Youvebeenworkingout,haventyou?Icantell. Notetheverbtotelloftenmeanstoseeorrealize. Youweremasturbating!::Oh,allright,soshootme!Iwaswhackingoff. Soshootmeisafunnywaytoreplytoapersonwhohasaccusedyouof doingsomethingwrong.AwayofsayingIdontcarethatyoureupset. Towhackoffisanotherslangtermmeaningtomasturbate. Thatsright.Iwaschokingthebishop,chafingthe carrot,sayinghitomymonster.::Thatsdisgusting. Threeridiculouswaysofsayingtomasturbate,noneofwhicharereally used(Abishopisafigureinachurchandapieceinthegameofchess, andtochafeistobecomesoreafterbeingrubbedtoomuch). Well,excuseme,butsomeofusstillhavebloodpumpingthroughourveins.

15 Someofusisacolloquialwayofactuallyreferringtoyourselfwhen youwanttomakeapoint.Ifliquidispumpingthroughavein,itis movingquicklythroughit.Veinsarethesmalltubesthatcarryblood inthebody.ThisisLesterswayofsayingheisstillinterestedinsex. Ivechanged.Andthenewmewhacksoffwhenhefeelshorny, causeyoureobviouslynotgoingtohelpmeoutinthatdepartment. ThisisLesterscolorfulwayofsayingheknowsthat Carolynisnolongerinterestedinhavingsexwithhim. Dontyoumesswithme,Mister!Iwilldivorceyousofast, itwillmakeyourheadspin.::Onwhatgrounds?! Dontmesswithmeisawayoftellingapersontostopprovokingor upsettingthem(Notetheuseofyouforaddedemphasis).Itwillmake youheadspinisawayofsayingitwillgreatlysurpriseyou. Onwhatgroundsisawayofaskingthelegalreasonforanaction. Idonteventrytotouchyou,sinceyoumadeitso abundantlyclearhowunnecessaryyouconsidermetobe. Inthiscase,abundantlymeanscompletelyortotally. Ididsupportyouwhenyougotyourlicense,andsome peoplemightthinkthatentitlesmetohalfofwhatsyours. ThelicenseLesterisreferringtoisonetosellrealestate.Ifaperson isentitledtosomething,theyhavealegalrighttoit.ThisisLestersway ofsayingthatafteradivorce,hedgethalfofCarolynsmoney. Ifiguredyouguysmightbeabletogive mesomepointers;Ineedtoshapeupfast. Tofigureistothinkorbelieve.Apointerisahelpfulsuggestion,and toshapeupistogetingoodphysicalshape,oftenbyexercising. Doyouwantincreasedstrengthand flexibilityaswell?::Iwanttolookgoodnaked. Inthiscase,flexibilityistheabilitytomoveand stretchyourarms,legsandbodymuscleswithoutpain. Whatisthis?Fuckinggayprideparade? Notethatmanyethnicandothersocialgroupshaveannualparades tocelebratetheiridentities(Prideisasenseofselfrespect,andthusaGay Prideparadecelebratesgayculture).Alsonotetheuseoffuckingasan adjective,whichiscrudebutcommon.

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Myentirelifeispassingbeforemyeyes, andthosetwohavebarelybrokenasweat. Barelymeansonlyjust,orhardly.Tobreakasweatisto begintosweatorperspire,usuallybecauseofhavingexercised. IhavetotakeadrugtesteverysixmonthsjusttomakesureImclean. ImcleanisRickyswayofsayingthathesnotusingillegaldrugs. Areyoukidding?Youjustsmokedlastnight. Tokidistojokearoundornotspeakseriously(Butnote thatthisisalmostalwaysusedintheprogressivetense). Oneofmyclientsisanurseinapediatriciansoffice. Apediatricianisachildrensdoctor. Icutheradeal,andshekeepsmeincleanpiss. ThisisRickyswayofsayingthatheagreedtosellhisfriendmarijuana foraverycheapprice,andinexchange,thefriendgivesRickyurine(piss) fromthedoctorsofficethatwillnothaveanydrugsinit. PinkFloyd. Averypopularrockgroupinthe1970s. Howmuchisanounce? Anounceis1/16thofapound,andtheunitofmeasurement formanyillegaldrugslikecocaineormarijuana. Thisshitistopoftheline.ItscalledGB,andits geneticallyengineeredbytheUSgovernment. Ifsomethingistopoftheline,itisconsideredtheverybestquality. Ifadrugisgeneticallyengineered,itismadebychangingaroundthe basicbiologicalstructures(genes,orDNA)ofaplantoranimal. Itsextremelypotent,butacompletelymellowhigh.Noparanoia. Ifsomethingispotent,itisstrongorpowerful.Mellowisapopular slangwordformthe1970swhichmeansgentle,softorpleasant,andin thiscaseahighisthepleasantfeelingonegetsfromanillegaldruglike marijuana.Paranoiaisafeelingofgreatfearoranxiety. Howmuch?::Twogrand. Agrandisaslangtermfor1,000dollars.

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Jesus!Thingshavechangedsince1973. Acommonwayofexpressingemotionsuchassurpriseorfrustration. Youdonthavetopaynow.Iknowyouregoodforit. Ifapersonisgoodfortheirdebts,theyareresponsibleandwillpayit. Theresacardintherewithmybeepernumber.Beepmeanytime. Abeeperisasmallpocketdevicewhichtellsapersonwhentheyhave receivedaphonecall.Notethattheresbothanounandaverb. WhenIwasyourage,Iflippedburgersallsummer justtobeabletobuyan8track.::Thatsucks. Toflipburgersistoturnthemoverbythrowingthemgentlyintheair. An8trackisatypeofmusictapethatdiedoutafterthe1970s. Ifsomethingsucks,itisconsideredverybad.Crudebutcommon. AllIdidwaspartyandgetlaid. Togetlaidisacrudebutwidelyusedwayofsayingtohavesex. MydadthinksIpayforallofthiswithcateringjobs. Cateringjobsarethosejobsinwhichpeopleserve foodanddrinksatpartiesandothersocialmeetings. Neverunderestimatethepowerofdenial. Tounderestimatesomethingistonottakeitasseriously,orvalueitas highly,asoneshould.Denialistheactofdenyingorrefusingtoadmit something.

TheBurnhamsfallapartasLesquitshisjobinorderto becomeateenager,Carolyndecidestosleepwiththe enemy,andJaneandRickybecomeveryclosefriends.

Whatthehelldoyouthinkyouredoing? NotethatthehellisoftenaddedtoWhquestions toexpressemotionsuchasfrustrationoranger. Benchpresses.Imgoingtowhaleon mypecksandthenImgoingtodomyback.

18 Benchpressesisawayofliftingweights.Pecksareaslangtermfor chestmuscles,buttheexpressionaboveisrarelyifeverused.Thisis Lesterswayofsayinghesgoingtoincreasehischestandbackmuscles. Iseeyouvebeensmokingpotnow. Potisthemostcommonwayofreferringtomarijuana. Ithinkusingillegalpsychotropicsubstances. isaverypositiveexampletosetforourdaughter. Psychotropicsubstancesisamedicalwayofreferringtodrugslike marijuanathatcausepeopletohavestrangepsychologicaleffects. Ifyousetapositiveexampleforaperson,youactinsuchawaythat theycanlookuptoyouasanexampleforhowtheyshouldact. Youreonetotalk,youbloodlessmoneygrubbingfreak. Aclassicline.Youreonetotalkisawayoftellingapersonthattheyare beinghypocritical,orsayingonethingbutbehavingdifferently. Bloodlessmeanscowardlyorfearful,butthisisrarelyused.Ifaperson ismoneygrubbing,theyrealwayslookingforwaystomakemoneyin anypossibleway,andafreakisastrangeorbizarreperson. Youhavesuchhostilityinyou. Hostilityisangertowardanotherperson. Youwillnotgetawaywiththis. Togetawaywithsomethingistobeabletodoitwithout beingcaughtorpunished,evenifitisabadorillegalaction. Myjobbasicallyconsistsofmaskingmycontemptfortheassholesin charge,andatleastonceadayretiringtothemensroomsoIcanjerkoff.. Toconsistofmeanstobemadeof.Tomasksomethingistohideit, andcontemptisapowerfulnounmeaningcompletelackofrespect,or disdain.Themensroomisthemensbathroom. ..whileIfantasizealifethatdoesntsocloselyresemblehell. Tofantasizeaboutsomethingistodreamabout it,andtoresemblesomethingistolooklikeit. For14years,Ivebeenawhorefortheadvertisingindustry. Awidelyusedwordforaprostitute. Whatsortofseverancepackageismanagementpreparedtoofferme?.

19 Aseverancepackageisthemoneyandotheritemsthata companyoffersanemployeeaftertheyarefiredorletgo. consideringtheinformationIhaveaboutour editorialdirectorbuyingpussywithcompanymoney? Aneditorialdirectoristhepersonresponsibleforthecontentsof amagazineornewspaper.Pussyisacrudetermforfemalesexorgans, orinthiscase,forsexingeneral. IthinkitwouldinteresttheIRS,sinceittechnicallyconstitutesfraud. TheIRSistheInternalRevenueService,whichisthefederalgovernment agencythatcollectsalltaxes.Toconstitutemeanstobemadeof,orbe equalto.Fraudisalegaltermthatreferstotheillegalactoflyingtoor deceivingothersinordertogainpersonally. Imsuresomeofouradvertisersandrivalpublicationsmight liketoknowaboutitaswell,nottomention.Craigswife. Arivalisamajorcompetitor,andapublication isusuallyeitherabook,magazineornewspaper. Oneyearssalarywithbenefits. Inthiscontext,benefitsincludethevariousthingsthatemployersgive employeesbesidesmoney,includinghealthinsurance,retirementpayand paidvacations. WhatdoyousayifIthrowinalittlesexualharassmentcharge,toboot? Asexualharassmentchargeisanofficialaccusationthatonepersonhas triedtointimidateorscaretheotherintoofferingsexualfavorswhileon thejob.Tobootisacolloquialwayofsayinginaddition. CanyouprovethatyoudidntoffertosavemyjobifIletyoublowme? Inthiscase,toblowapersonistogivethemoralsex(Ablowjob isthemostcommonwayofreferringtooralsexonaman). Man,youareonetwistedfuck. Ifapersonistwisted,theyareimmoralorpsychologicallydisturbed. Notetheuseoffuckasaninsultnoun,whichisinterestingbutrare. Letsjustsaythatthingswerealittlehecticaroundthehouse. Ifthingsarehectic,theyarefilled withhurriedmovementsandexcitement.

20 Yes,wearesplittingup. Tosplitupisanalternativewayofsayingtobreakup. Accordingtoher,Imtoofocusedonmycareerasif beingdriventosucceedissomekindofcharacterflaw. Ifapersonisfocusedonsomething,theyconcentrateandspendmuch timeonit.Apersonwhoisdriventosucceedisdeterminedtodowell orbesuccessful.Acharacterflawisapersonaltraitorhabitthatis considerednegative,suchaswillingnesstolie. Itismyphilosophythatinordertobesuccessful, onemustprojectanimageofsuccessatalltimes. Toprojectanimageistoconstantlyactasif thatimageorreputationisaccurateandtrue. Ithinkmaybeyouforgotyourmedicationtoday,mentalboy. Medicationisawordformedicine,inthiscaseforamentaldisease. Mentalboyisasillyinsultforanemotionallydisturbedperson. Idontwanttoenduphackedtopiecesinadumpstersomewhere. Toendupistofinishorcomplete.Ifapersonishackedtopieces,they havebeencutintosmallpiecesbyanaxorknife.Adumpster isalargetrashcontaineroftenusedforbigapartmentbuildings. Jane,thatslike,almostamile. Aunitoflengththatisequaltoabout1,609meters. Youlikebeingnailedbytheking?!::Yeah,fuckme,yourmajesty. Inthiscase,tonailapersonistohavesexwiththem.Your majestyistheexpressiononeusestoaddressaKingorQueen. Idliketofilloutanapplication.::Theres nojobformanager,justforcounter. Ifyoufilloutajobapplication,youwriteininformationaboutyourself onastandardquestionformtoseeifanemployerisinterestedinyou.The counteratafastfoodplaceistheflatsurface wherethemoneyandfoodareexchanged. Idontthinkyoudfitinhere. Ifapersondoesntfitinataparticularplace,theywouldnotbe comfortablebeingthere,perhapsbecauseeveryoneelseissodifferent.

21 Imsuretheresbeenamazingtechnologicaladvancesinthe industry,butsurelyyoumusthavesomesortoftrainingprogram. Amazingisapowerfuladjectivemeaningincredibleorfantastic. Technologicaladvancesrefertothingssuchascomputers,cellphones, etc.Atrainingprogramteachespeoplenewskills. ThatwasexactlywhatIneeded.Theroyaltreatment,sotospeak. Royalisanadjectivethatreferstotheking,queenormonarchy (thoughthewordisalsowidelyusedinadvertising).Sotospeak isanexpressionthatisusedtoshowthatthewordsonejustusedcanbe interpretedormeandifferentthings. Iwassostressedout. Apersonwhoisstressedoutisfeelingverytenseornervous. Igotothisfiringrangedowntown,andIpopoffafewrounds. Afiringrangeisaplacewherepeoplepracticeshootingguns,andto popoffafewroundsistoshootafewtimes,usuallyfiringatatarget. Peoplewhousedtolivetherefedthestraycats,so theywerealwaysaround,anditdrovemymothernuts. Straycatsarethosecatsintheneighborhoodthatdontbelongto anybody.Ifsomethingdrivesapersonnuts,itmakesthemcrazy. Thisiswheremydadhangsout.::Itakeithehasathingforguns. Tohangoutinaplaceistopassalotoftimethere. Ifapersonhasathingforguns,theylikegunsalot. Oneofmyclientsisalocksmith. Apersonwhoworkswithkeysandlocks. Itslikeofficialstatechinaofthe3Reich rd . Inthiscase,chinareferstofineplates,cutsandsilverware. The3rdReichwasGermanysnazigovernmentunderHitler. TheresawholesubculturewhocollectthisNazishit. Asubcultureisagroupofpeoplewithinsocietythathavea specificinterestorlifestylethatisdifferentfromthemajority. Thisincrediblybenevolentforcewantedmeto knowthattherewasnoreasontobeafraid,ever.

22 Ifapersonisbenevolent,theyareniceorkindandhavegood intentions.Inthiscase,aforceisageneralpower,suchasaGod ornatureitself. SometimetheressomuchbeautyintheworldIfeel thatIcanttakeit,andmyheartisjustgoingtocavein. Ifapersoncanttakeit,theydonthavethestrengthorenergytodeal withit.Ifabuildingcavesin,itcollapsesorfallsdown. IquitmyjobandthenItoldmybosstogofuckhimself, andthenIblackmailedhimforalmost$60,000. Notethatafteryoutellapersonfuckyou,youcanthentella3rdperson thatyoutoldthemtogofuckthemselves.Verycrude,butuseful.To blackmailapersonistothreatentorevealsomethingtheywantkept secret,unlesstheyagreetopaymoney. YourmotherprefersIgothroughlifelikeafuckingprisoner whileshekeepsmydickinamasonjarunderthesink. Dickisaslangwordforapenis,andamasonjarisawidemouthed jarthatiscommonlyusedforstoringhomemadejam. Howdareyouspeaktomelikethatinfrontofher! Howdareyouisaverystrongwayofexpressingdisapproval. Imarvelthatyoucanbesocontemptuousofmeonthedayyouloseyourjob. Tomarvelatsomethingistobeamazedbyit.Tobecontemptuousof apersonistolookdownonthemwithdisgustoranger. Iwanttothankyouforputtingmeunderthe addedpressureofbeingthesolebreadwinnernow. Soleisaninterestingadjectivewhichmeansonly.Thebreadwinnerof thehouseisthepersonwhomakesthemoney. Dontgiveasecondthoughtastowhoisgoingtopaythemortgage. Themortgageisthemonthlypaymentthatismade toabankafterhavingborrowedmoneytobuyahouse. Youdontcomplain?::Yeah,letsbringinthe laughmeterandseehowlouditgetsonthatone. Amachinethatmeasureshowloudthelaughterisforanaudience. Fromnowonweregoingtoalternateourdinnermusic,

23 becausefrankly,IamreallytiredofthisLawrenceWelkshit. Toalternatetwothingsistogobackandforthbetweenthem. Franklyisacommonwayofstartingasentencewhenyouwanttobe totallyhonest.LawrenceWelkwasaconductorwhowasveryfamousfor verysoft,blandandpopularelevatormusic.

Iwishyouhadntwitnessedthatawfulscenetonight,butinaway,Imglad. Towitnesssomethingistoseeorobserveit.Inthiscase,asceneis adramatic,loudoremotionalargument.Ifapersonisglad,theyre satisfiedorhappy. Youcannotcountonanyoneexceptyourself. Thewordsthatapersonwouldsaywhohas beenbadlyhurtbysomeonetheyhadtrusted. Look,IreallydontfeellikehavingaKodakmomenthere,OK? AfamousexpressionfromaKodakfilmad;Anemotionalorsweet eventorincidentbetweentwopeoplethatbothwillrememberforever. Youungratefullittlebrat! Apersonwhoisungratefuldoesnotappreciatewhattheyhavebeen given,andabratisabadlymanneredperson,whoisusuallyachild. WhenIwasyourage,Ilivedinaduplex. Abuildingwithtwoseparatelivingunits. Youlittlebastard!Howdidyougetinthere? Acrudeandclassicinsult.Abastardisameanorabusiveman. Fightback,youlittlepussy!::NoSir,Iwontfightyou. Inthiscase,apussyisacoward,orapersonwhoistooscaredtoact. Ipickedthelock,Sir. Topickalockistoopenit,usuallybyusingasmalltool. Whatareyoulookingfor,money?Areyouondopeagain? Dopeisacommoncolloquialwordforillegaldrugslikemarijuana. Youneeddiscipline.::Dontgiveuponme,Dad.

24 Disciplineiseitherselfcontrolorthethreatofpunishment,usuallyto getachildtobehavecorrectly.Togiveuponapersonistodecidethat theywillnoteversucceed. Ithoughtyoudbehopeless,butyoureanatural. Apersonwhoisanaturalataparticularjoborskillis verygoodatit,eveniftheyhavenotdoneitinthepast.

LestercatchesCarolynwithBuddyasJaneandRicky growcloser,butRickysoonhasbigproblemswithhisdad.

1970PontiacFirebird!Irule! ThePontiacFirebirdisatypeofverysportycar.Iruleisateenagers wayofsayingthattheyaregreat(ormorecolloquially,cool),forhaving donesomethingcool(Inthiscase,forhavingboughttheFirebird). Shouldntyouhaveconsultedmefirst? Toconsultwithapersonistotalkwiththeminorder togettheiropinioninaparticulartopicorissue. Whendidyoubecomeso.joyless. Ararebutpowerfulwordforunhappy. Whateverhappenedtothatgirlwhousedto fakeseizuresatfratpartieswhenshegotbored? Aseizureisasuddenmedicalconditioninwhichpeopleoftenbeginto shakeviolentlyandlosecontrolovertheirbodilyfunctions.Afratparty isapartyatacollegefraternity,whichisusuallyahousewheremany malestudentslivewholovetodrinkbeer. Weusedtorunuptotherooftoflashthetraffichelicopters. Ifyouflashaperson,youpulldownyourpantsinordertoverybriefly showthemyourass.Itsabithardtoflashahelicopter! Lester,youregoingtospillbeeronthecouch. Tospillaliquidistoletitaccidentallypouroutofacontainer. Thisisa$4,000couch,upholsteredinItaliansilk!

25 Upholsteryismaterialthatisusedtocoverfurniture.Silk isaveryfineandexpensivethreadthatisusedtomakecloth. Itsjuststuff,anditsbecomemoreimportant toyouthanlife.Honey,thatsjustnuts. Here,stuffisjustanotherwordforthings,andif somethingisnuts,thenitiscrazyorinsane. Igotkickedout. Tobekickedoutofaschoolistobeofficiallyremoved. DadandIhadthishugefight,andthenextdayatschool, somekidmadeacrackaboutmyhaircut,andIjustsnapped. Inthiscontext,acrackisajokeorperhapsdisrespectfulremark. Ifapersonsnaps,theylosetheirtemperandoftenactviolently (Tosnapistoliterallybreakoff,ortobreakintotwoormorepieces).

Hesatotalasshole.Hesgotthiscrush onmyfriend,Angela,anditsdisgusting. Atotalassholeisacompletejerk,creeporbastard.Tohave acrushonapersonistosecretlyliketheminaromanticway. Iknowyouthinkmydadsharmless,butyourewrong. Ifapersonisharmless,theyrenotdangerousorharmfultoanybody. Hesdoingmassivepsychologicaldamagetome. Apowerfuladjectivemeaningextremelybig,hugeorenormous. Ivegotalmost$3,000.Ofcourse,Iwassavingitupforaboobjob. Asillyexpressionforplasticsurgerytomakeawomansbreastsbigger (Boobsarebreasts,andisprobablyasafercolloquialwordthantits). Todayisthefirstdayoftherestofyourlife. Afavoriteclichforpeoplewhowanttostarttheirlivesover. Dad,youstareatherallthetime.::Jane,youbetterwatchyourself, oryouregoingtoturnintoarealbitch,justlikeyourmother. Tostareatsomebodyistolookatthemforanextendedperiodoftime, withoutturningaway.Abitchisamean,abusiveorunpleasantfemale. Verycrude,butwidelyused.

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Ineedasupersmileywithcheese,ASAP. Assoonaspossible.Averyusefulabbreviation (Thesupersmileyisacheeseburger). Ithinkwedeservealittlejunkfoodaftertheworkoutwehadthismorning. JunkfoodisunhealthyfoodlikehamburgersandFrenchfries.A workoutusuallyreferstovigorousexercise,althoughhereCarolynis talkingaboutsex. Wewerejustataseminar.Buddy,thisismyhusband. Aseminarisapubliclectureorpresentationonaparticulartopic. Whoa,youaresobusted!::Thisreallydoesntconcernyou. Whoaisacommonwayofexpressingemotionsuchassurprise. Ifapersonhasbeenbusted,theyhaveprobablybeencaughtdoing somethingthatisillegalorembarrassing. Actually,Jamieisseniordrivethroughmanager,soyouareonherturf. Thedrivethroughpartofafastfoodrestaurantiswherepeopleincars pickuptheirfood.Turfisainterestingwordforlandorterritory.

Iguesswecouldcoolitforawhile Inthiscontext,tocoolitistostopit,atleastuntilthingscalmdown. So,youandpsychoboyarelikefuckingonaregularbasis. Psychoboyisasillywayofreferringtoapersonwhomaybecrazy.To dosomethingonaregularbasisistodoitregularlyorconsistently. Nowthatyouhaveaboyfriend,yourelikeaboveit? Inthiscontext,tobeaboveitistobemoreconcerned withotherthings,ortothinkthatitisnotsoimportant. Putupafight,dude.Youarelike,suchapushover. Toputupafightistotryandfightback.Dudeisaverypopular wordwithwhichyoungmalesaddresseachother.Apushoverisa personwhoeasilyagreestodoanything. Youshouldlearntorollajoint. Torollajointistomakeamarijuanacigarette, byaddingthedrugtoapieceofrollingpaper.

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IshouldprobablygoseewhatJanesupto. Aslangywayofaskingwhatapersonisdoing. Iwillnotsitbackandwatchmyonlysonbecome acocksucker.::Jesus,whatisitwithyou?! Acockisacrudetermforapenis,andthusacocksuckerisacrude termforapersonwhoperformsoralsexonmen(especiallyothermen). Whatisitwithyou?canbeawayofexpressinggreatanger. Youmeanthat?::YouredamnstraightIdo. Aslangyandsomewhatdatedwayofsayingcompletelycorrect. Idratheryouweredeadthanbeafuckingfaggot. Averycrudeslur(insultword)foragayman. Youshouldseemefuck.Imthebestpieceofassinthreestates. Anothercrudetermforapersonwhoislooked onasnothingmorethanasexobject. Theconstantcycleofvictimhood. Inthiscase,theideathatapersonwhofeelsthattheyareavictimof societywillalwaysbesountiltheychangetheiractionsorattitudes. Yourewaytoouptightaboutsex.::Justdontfuckmydad! Ifapersonisuptightaboutsomething, theyaretenseornervousaboutit. Yourejustakid,andheslikeamentalcase. Anotherslangywayofreferringtoacrazyordisturbedperson. Wecanusemyplasticsurgerymoney. Surgerythatisdesignedtoimproveapersonsphysicalappearance. Iknowpeopleinthecitywhocanhelpus getsetup.::What,otherdrugdealers? Inthiscase,togetsetupistofindanewhomeandestablishanewlife. Drugdealersarepeoplewhosellillegaldrugsoncitystreets. Youdbeoutofyourmindtogowithhim. Ifapersonisoutoftheirmind,theyrecrazyoremotionallyunstable.

28 Gofuckyourself!::Hey,shutup,bitch. Anhonorableifequallycrudealternativetofuckyou! Youtwodeserveeachother. Theexpressionyoudsaytoacouple whenyouareequallyupsetatbothpartners.

LesterBurnhamhasthestrangestdayofhislife.

Jesus,man,youresoaked. Ifapersonissoaked,theyarecompletelywet,usuallyfromrain. Wheresyourwife?::Probablyoutfucking thatdorkyprinceofrealestateasshole. Dorkisaslangwordforajerkorfool,thoughdorkyisrarelyused. Ourmarriageisjustforshow;Acommercialfor hownormalweare,whenwereanythingbut. Ifamarriageisjustforshow,itiskeptupjustsothatpeoplewillthink thepartnersarestilldoingwell,butnotforanyotherreason. Here,Wereanythingbutimpliesthatthenextwordisnormal. Doyouwantasip?::Sure. Asipisatheactofdrinkingjustasmallamountatatime. Thisismyfirsttime.::Yourekidding. Ifapersoniskidding,theyarejokingornotbeingserious.

Imstillalittleweirdedout,butIfeelbetter.Thanks. Ifapersonisweirdedout,theyarefellingalittlestrange,orperhaps scaredorshaken.Aninterestingbutveryslangyphrasalverb. Ivealwaysheardthatyourentirelifeflashes infrontofyouthesecondbeforeyoudie. Inthiscase,toflashistopassbyextremelyquickly. Thatonesecondstretchesonforever,likeanoceanoftime. Inthiscase,tostretchonforeverissimplytogoonforever

29 (Tostretchistogrowlonger,oftenbypullingtwosidesapart). Yellowleavesfromthemapletreesthatlinedourstreet. Amapletreecontainsmaple,whichisthedelicioussyrup thatAmericanslovetoputontheirbreakfastpancakes. IguessIcouldbeprettypissedoffaboutwhathappenedtome,but itshardtostaymadwhentheressomuchbeautyintheworld. Ifapersonispissedoff,theyareveryangryorupset.Verycommon. Myheartfillsuplikeaballoonthatsabouttoburst. Ifaballoonbursts,itexplodesbecauseithastoomuchairorwater. Andthenitflowsthroughmelikerain,andIcantfeelanything butgratitude,foreverysinglemomentofmystupidlittlelife. Ifaliquidflowsthroughabody,ittravelssmoothlythroughit,perhaps likeariver.Gratitudeisanimportantwordmeaningappreciationor gratefulness.

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AmericanBeauty
Possible Topics for ESL Class Discussion
1)AretheBurnhamsreallyatypicalAmericanfamily,oraretheyinfactmore dysfunctional(screwedup)thanmost?Whataboutcomparedto yourfamily?

2)WhyareLesterandCarolynsounhappy?Shouldtheybe?

3)Whichcharactershadpublicimagesthathidwhotheyreally were,andwhichonesseemedtobecompletelyhonest?

4)Doyouthinkmostmenover40dreamofbeing18again?

5)Whatdidyoulikeandnotlikeaboutthismovie?

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