美国丽人 American beauty

American Beauty
(Drama/Comedy) ( 1998)
 

Major Characters

Lester (‘Les’) Burnhan...........Kevin Spacey
     An unhappy and frustrated advertising executive whose wife no
     longer cares about him, and whose daughter almost hates him.

Carolyn Burnham..................Annette Benning
     Lester’s unhappy wife, who is a struggling real estate agent.

Jane (‘Janie’) Burnham...........Thora Birch
     Lester and Carol’s 16 year old daughter who is a typically frustrated
     and insecure teenager, who strongly dislikes both of her parents.

Angela Hays.......................Mena Suvari
     Jane’s very pretty friend who wants to be a fashion model, who
     is interested in Lester even though that makes Jane very angry.

Ricky Fitts.......................Wes Bentley
     A gentle but somewhat strange teenager who moves
     in next door to the Burnhams, who likes Jane very much.

Colonel Frank Fitts...............Chris Cooper
     Ricky’s extremely conservative father, a member of the United
     States marines, who strongly dislikes drugs and homosexuals.

Barbara Fitts.....................Allison Jannery
     Ricky’s quiet and gentle mother, and Frank’s wife.

Buddy Kane........................Peter Gallagher
     The top real estate agent in the neighborhood where the
     Burnhams live, who decides to have an affair with Carolyn.

Jim Olmeyer.......................Scott Bakula
     A gay neighbor of the Burnhams who is an attorney.

Jim Berkeley…………………………………..Sam Robards
     Jim Olmeyer’s partner, who is an anesthesiologist.

Brad Dupree…………………………………..Barry Del Sherman
     An executive at the office where Lester works who
     decides to fire him because of his bad attitude.

Plot Summary

This film is the story of the Burnhams, a typical American family that lives in an
upper middle class suburb in the state of Connecticut, perhaps an hour or two outside
of New York City.  Lester Burnham has a pretty wife and daughter, a nice house, and
a fairly good paying career, but he is still extremely unhappy. He hates his job, he
knows that both his wife and daughter have no respect for him, and he feels he is
growing old way too fast.Carolyn Burnham is also unhappy, in part because she has a
very hard time selling houses, and in part because her marriage is horrible and her
daughter seems to hate her. Finally, Jane Burnham has her own unhappiness, both because
she hates her parents, and more disturbingly, because her best friend and her father
seem like they want to sleep with each other. In short, the Burnhams are the
classic dysfunctional family.

The Burnhams soon face great challenges when Lester decides to quit his job, Carolyn
decides to have an affair with her greatest competition in the real estate business,
and Jane falls in love with Ricky, the gentle yet somewhat strange young man who moves
in next door. But the greatest crisis comes when Lester decides to recapture his youth
by buying cars and drugs from his teen years, and by becoming obsessed with Angela,
Jane’s beautiful 16 year old friend. As Lester’s life spins out of control, Jane, Carolyn
and even Ricky’s dad find their own reasons why it would be better if Lester were dead….

Some Words and Expressions that You May not Know


              Lester introduces us to his family, almost loses
        his job, and tries to improve his relationship with Jane.


I need a father who is a role model.
     A "role model" is a person who others look up to as an
     example of excellent behavior or great accomplishment.

Not some horny geek boy who is going to spray his shorts
whenever I bring a girlfriend home from school.
     If a person is "horny," they want to have sex. A "geek" is a socially awkward
     person, often more at ease with computers than people. Here, if a man "sprays
     his shorts," it’s implied he is getting sexually excited (To spray is to scatter
     small drops of water, like a garden hose).

What a lame-o.
     "Lame" is a slang word meaning stupid, bad or ridiculous (as well as injured
     or disabled). Children will sometimes add the suffix ‘o’ to an adjective like
     this to turn it into a noun (but this is rare for adults).

Someone should put him out of his misery.
     "To put a person out of their misery" is to kill them, perhaps because
     they are suffering so much that it’s considered a humane thing to do.

Look at me; Jerking off in the shower.
     "To jerk off" is the most common slang way of saying to masturbate.

This will be the high point of my day; It’s all down hill from here.
     "The high point" of a day or event is the most exciting or best part. If something
     goes "all down hill from here," it becomes worse, though note that in the right
     context, it could mean that it becomes easier!

The handle on those pruning sheers matches her gardening clogs.
     "Pruning shears" are metal tools to cut (or prune) plants and bushes.
     "Clogs" are a type of shoe, usually made of wood on the bottom.

How do you get them to flourish like this?   Eggshells and miracle-grow.
     If a flower "flourishes," it grows with strength and beauty.
     "Miracle grow" is a well-known product to help plants grow.

Angry, insecure, confused.  I wish I could tell her
that’s all going to pass, but I don’t want to lie to her.
     A person who is "insecure" has little confidence in themselves, and is often nervous
     around other people. In this case, if a situation "passes," it goes away or dies out.

Nice going dad!
     This is what you say to a person in a joking manner when
     they have just dome something very stupid or ridiculous.

Both my wife and daughter think I’m this gigantic loser.
     "Gigantic" is extremely big or huge. In this case, a "loser" is a person
     whose life in general is not happy, or who has little good about them.

I didn’t always feel this...sedated.
     A person who is "sedated" is sleepy or not
     very alert, often because of the effects of a drug.

We’re all under a deadline here.
     To be "under a deadline" is to be in a situation where
     you have to finish something before a certain time.

Product launch.
     A business expression for the production, distribution and marketing
     (advertising) for any new product, from software to food.

I need to cut corners around here.
     If a company has to "cut corners," it has to reduce the money it spends.

Times are tight and you got to free up some cash.
     In this context, if "times are tight," there’s little money left. "To free up"
     cash is to find savings in one area in order to spend it in another.

Like the time Mr. Flourney used the company MasterCard to pay for that hooker.
     MasterCard is a very well known brand of credit card.
     "Hooker" is a slang word for a prostitute.

That’s unsubstantiated gossip.
     If a piece of news is "unsubstantiated," it has not been
     confirmed or verified. "Gossip" is unofficial talk or writing,
     often about people’s personal lives, and often untrue.

That’s because Greg has to pay women to fuck him.
     "To fuck" a person is a very crude way of saying to have sex with them
     (obviously!), but be aware that this word can be used in many grammatically
     different ways (See ESLnotes for "Dog Day Afternoon").

A job description mapping out in detail how they contribute.
     To "map out" something is to clearly express in writing all
     of its important details and how they relate to each other.

Management can asses who’s valuable and who is expendable.
     "To asses" a situation is to analyze or judge it carefully.
     If a person is "expendable," they are not really needed.

I’m one of the good guys, Les. I’m trying to level with you.
     "To level with" a person is to speak with them very honestly,
     including, if necessary, by telling them unpleasant or bad news.

You don’t think it’s weird and kind of fascist?
     "Weird" is an important word that means strange or bizarre (It is widely
     used in this movie). "Fascist" usually refers to a dictatorial political system,
     but note many people use it more generally to refer to any system they think
     is unfair, such as how people are fired at a job.

Let’s just all sell our souls and work for Satan,
because it’s more convenient that way!
     A person’s "soul" is the non-physical part of them that lives on after
     they die, and "Satan" is another name for the devil. If something is
     "convenient," it is accessible, easy to reach, or suited to one’s needs.

That house would never had sat on the market for six months.
     If a house "sits on the market," it continues to be for sale,
     but nobody is willing to pay the price that is being asked.

Their Sycamore?! Come on!
     A "sycamore" is a type of tree. "Come on " is the most versatile phrasal
     verb in English. Here, it means "Stop saying nonsense and be serious."

A substantial portion of the root structure was on our property!
     A "substantial portion" of something is a big part of it. The "root structure"
     of a tree refers to the part of the tree that grows out under the ground,
     in search of water and food.

I wouldn’t have had the heart to cut down something if it wasn’t partially mine.
     If a person doesn’t "have the heart " to do something, they don’t have
     the desire to do it, or they think it would be too cruel to do it.

Do we always have to listen to this elevator music?
     A very negative expression for the type of music that is
     played softly in elevators, stores and other public places.

A nutritious but savory meal.
     Another word for delicious, or filled with flavor.

No dad, it was spectacular.
     A strong adjective meaning excellent, wonderful or amazing.

They hired this efficiency expert named Brad.
     An "efficiency expert" is a person who is hired by a company to
     help it be more efficient or productive, so that it can save money.

I mean, hello, you’ve barely even spoken to me for months!
     Note that in the right context and when said with a sarcastic
     or cynical tone of voice, this is a common way to imply that a
     person is being ridiculous, stupid, or insensitive.

What happened? We used to be pals.
     A nice little word for friends.


                Lester meets Angela, and soon he
               finds himself obsessed by her.


Wait till you see the native stone fireplace!
     "Wait till you see…" is a way of saying "I think you’ll be excited by…"

A simple cream could lighten things up.
     "To lighten up" a house is to make it brighter and friendlier
     (In this case, cream is the color of a paint that Carolyn suggests).

Skylight.
     A glass window in a ceiling to allow light in.

Just filled with positive energy, huh?
     People (and places) can have either positive energy (which is good and makes
     people happy) or negative energy (which is bad and makes people angry or upset).

The ad said that this pool was lagoon-like.
     A "lagoon" is a small lake, usually separated from the ocean by sand,
     and often found on tropical pacific islands. If the pool is "lagoon-like,"
     it looks like a lagoon.

I think ‘lagoon,’ I think waterfall, tropical. This is a cement hole.
     "Tropical" refers to those places on earth that are hot and muggy,
     such as islands in the Caribbean sea. "Cement" is the hard rock material
     that pools and sidewalks are made of.

They’re trying to take an active interest in me.
     To "take an active interest" in a person is to become
     very concerned by how they are doing in life.

Gross! I hate it when my mom does that.
     A popular slang word for disgusting, repulsive, or very unpleasant.

They’re such assholes.
     A very crude but common insult, similar to jerk, creep or shithead.

I’m missing the James Bond marathon on TNT.
     A "marathon" is the showing of many movies or TV shows on the same
     day that feature the same person (In this case, the character James Bond).
     TNT is a cable television channel.

She’s just willful. :: She hates you, too.
     An interesting but rarely used word meaning determined or stubborn.

Rockwell High’s Dancing Spartenettes.
     Note that high school’s are often called just by their name and
     the word ‘high.’ This is a reference to the school’s cheerleaders,
     who are the students who cheer on athletes at various school games.

You were also very good tonight. Very precise.
     A good word for accurate, exact or correct.

You didn’t screw up once.
     "To screw up" something is to do it very badly. Very common.

Do you need a ride?
     The noun you need for the act of being transported by car.

Could he be any more...pathetic?
     An excellent word meaning completely hopeless or ridiculously bad.

It’s the weirdest thing….I feel like I’ve been in a coma for about 20 years.
     A "coma" is the state of being unconscious for a long period of
     time, usually caused by disease or a sharp blow to the head.

I’m used to guys drooling over me.
     "To drool" is to let saliva run slowly from your mouth (like a baby),
     so if one person "drools over" another, the one who is drooling is perhaps
     sexually attracted to the other.

I knew what they were thinking…just like I knew guys
at school thought about me when they jerked off.
     "To jerk off" is to masturbate.

Vomit. :: No, I like it.
     This is literally food or other matter that has been thrown up, but as
     here, it’s also a slangy way of simply expressing disgust or revulsion.

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.
     "To have a shot" at doing something is to
     have a real chance or possibility of doing it.

There is nothing worse in life than being ordinary.
     In this case, another way of saying average or not easily noticed.

Somebody hung up, and I star-69ed, and I called you back.
     "Star-69" (*69) is a feature in some phone systems that lets
     you know who just called you without picking up the phone.


            The Fitts family moves in next door, Angela
          dreams of being a model, and Carolyn drags
          Lester to a party of her business colleagues.


Colonel Frank Fitts, U.S Marine Corps.
     A "Colonel" is a high rank or level in the military. The "Marine Corps"
     are the military branch that are known for fighting on beaches.

This is my partner. :: Jim Berkeley, but people call me J.B.
     Note that the use of "partner" to refer to a gay lover,
     a person who is also often called a significant other.

Let’s cut to the chase. :: What are you guys selling?
     "To cut to the chase" is a slangy way of saying to
     quickly get to the point, or say what needs to be said.

He’s a tax attorney. :: And he’s an anesthesiologist.
     An "attorney" is a lawyer, and an "anesthesiologist" is a person
     who gives anesthesia and other pain killers to people having surgery.

How come these faggots have to always rub it in your face?
     "Faggot" is a very negative slur (insult word) for a gay man.
     If a person "rubs it in your face," they are making obvious
     what you would rather not see.

How can they be so shameless?
     An excellent word to describe a person who is without shame,
     or whose behavior suggests they have no morals or dignity.

Don’t placate me like I’m your mother, boy.
     "To placate" a person is to try and stop them from feeling angry,
     often by agreeing with them, or doing something they want you to do.

Forgive me for speaking so bluntly, but those
fags make me want to puke my fucking guts out.
     To speak "bluntly" is to speak honestly, or frankly. "Fag" is also
     a slur for a gay man. "To puke" is a slang word meaning to vomit or
     throw up, and "guts" are stomach intestines.

He just pulled down his pants and yanked it out.
     "To yank" something is to pull it out suddenly or forcefully.

So did you do it with him?
     In the right context, to "do it" with a person is to have sex with them.

He’s a well-known photographer. He shoots for Elle, on like, a regular basis.
     Elle is a well-known women’s fashion magazine. To do something
     "on a regular basis" is to do it regularly, or consistently. Note
     the use of "like," which is an extremely common filler word (with no
     meaning) among many teenagers and others. Be aware of it, but avoid it!

It would have been so majorly stupid of me to turn him down.
     In this case, "majorly" is a slangy adverb that means completely.
     Here, "to turn down" a person is to refuse to have sex with them.

You’re this pampered little suburban chick.
     If a person is "pampered," they are spoiled and always get what
     they want from others. "Suburban" refers to the suburbs or residential
     neighborhoods outside cities, and "chick" is a slang word for a female.

Stop acting like your god damn Christi Turlington.
     "God damn" as a filler adjective is a crude way to express emotion
     such as anger of frustration. Turlington is a well-known model.

Cunt!
     This is considered by many to be the most vulgar word in English!
     A crude way to refer to female sex organs, and an insult word that
     is even stronger than bitch.

I’m so sick of people taking their insecurities out on me.
     If a person is "insecure," they have no confidence in themselves.
     If you "take your insecurities out on" another person, you are blaming
     them for your lack of confidence.

That’s the pervert who filmed me last night.
     A "pervert" is a strange person who is often
     thought to have strange or bizarre sexual desires.

No way, he’s a total lunatic.
     "No way" is a common way of saying absolutely not.
     A "lunatic" is a crazy or insane person.

He would always serve the most random, weird things.
     If something is "random," it is made  or done without fitting
     any pattern or plan. "Weird" means strange or bizarre.

His parents had to put him in a mental institution.
     A hospital run by the state for crazy or mentally disturbed people.

You total slut! You got a crush on him!
     A "slut" is a woman who has sex with lots of men.  A silly word,
     in part because there is no such word for a man! "To have a crush on"
     a person is to like them in a romantic way, even though you don’t
     really know them very well. A dated but fun expression.

I remember this creepy incident when you were filming last night.
     If something is "creepy," it is scary or disturbing.
     An "incident" is a small event or occurrence.

I really don’t need to have some psycho obsessing about
me right now.  :: I’m not obsessing, I’m just curious.
     "Psycho" is a funny slang word for a crazy or insane person.
     "To obsess" about someone is to constantly be thinking about them.

What a freak! And why does he dress like a bible salesman?
     A "freak" is a person who looks very strange, or behaves in very
     strange or bizarre ways. A powerful and common slang word.

Everyone here is with their spouse or significant other.
     A "spouse" is a husband or wife. "Significant other" is a popular
     expression for a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, lover, or gay partner.

How would it look if I showed up with no one?
     A widely used way of saying to arrive.

This is an important business function. My business is
selling an image, and part of that job is to live that image.
     A "business function" is a dinner or social event such as a party in
     which making business connections is considered as important as having
     a good time. "To live an image" is Carolyn’s way of saying to appear to
     be living in a certain way, so that others will see her as being successful
     in both a personal and business sense.

Say whatever you want to say and spare me the propaganda.
     "Spare me" the details is a way of telling a person you are not interested
     in hearing about them. "Propaganda" is ideas and publicity that are spread
     around by governments, in order to manipulate people, or to convince them
     to think in a certain or acceptable way.

Do you party? Do you get high?
     "To party" is a relatively new and slangy verb which means to do the
     things one does at a party---drink, take drugs, dance, etc..."To get high"
     is to feel the various effects of an illegal drug like marijuana.

I wouldn’t tell you this if I weren’t a little tipsy...but, I’m in complete awe of you.
     If a person is "tipsy," they are slightly drunk, dizzy and likely to fall or stumble. 
     To be "in awe of" a person is to have extreme respect for them, possibly combined
     with fear of their great authority.

Your firm is hands-down the Rolls Royce of local real estate firms.
     "Hands-down" is a grammatically curious expression which means absolutely,
     or without competition. A "Rolls Royce" is one of the most expensive
     cars in the world.

Your personal sales record...is very intimidating.
     If something is "intimidating," it is threatening and scary.

I’d love to sit down with you and pick your brain.
     "To pick a person’s brain" is to talk with them for a while in order
     to find out what they think or know about a particular subject.

Technically, I’m the competition, but I don’t flatter
myself that I’m even in the same league with you.
     In this type of  context, "technically" essentially means  "One could say that..."
     This usage is very common. "To flatter" a person is to speak highly or positively
     about them. A "league" is a division in sports that divides players by how good
     they are (Pro League, AAA League, etc).


              Lester meets Ricky, remembers how happy
            he had been as a teenager, and realizes
           how dead his life and marriage have become.


Did you see that movie where the body is carrying its
own head, where the head goes down on that babe?!
     In this context, to "go down" on a person is to give them oral
     sex. "Babe" is a very slangy word for a good-looking woman.

I just do these gigs as a cover; I have other sources of income.
     A "gig" is a slang term for a job,  or more often, a concert for a musician.
     To do something "as a cover" is to do it just to fool other people (In this
     case to fool Ricky’s dad).


My dad interferes less in my life when I pretend to be
an upstanding young citizen with a respectable job.
     An "upstanding citizen" is a person who obeys the law, doesn’t cause
     problems and is well respected. A loved expression for politicians.


I should say hi to your dad. I don’t want to be rude.
     A good alternative to impolite, obnoxious or badly mannered.

Last time I saw you, you looked kind of wound up.
     If a person is "wound up," they are very tense or perhaps upset.

Rootbeer.
     A popular soft drink that many Europeans say tastes like cough syrup.

She’s going to spend the night.
     Note the verb: "To spend" time at a place is to pass time there.

To you, he’s just another guy who wants to jump your bones.
     "To jump a person’s bones" is a fun but silly way of saying to have sex with them.

Your mom is the one who is embarrassing. What a phony!
     A person who is a "phony" often says things they don’t
     really believe, or acts in ways that are false or hypocritical.

If he just worked out a little, he’d be hot.
     "To work out" is a common way of saying to exercise. In this
     context, if a person is "hot," they are very sexy or attractive.

You never sneaked a peak at him in his underwear?  I bet he’s got a big dick.
     "To sneak a peak" at a person is to very quickly look at them, without
     them noticing (perhaps when they are naked and unaware). "Dick" is
     one of the most common slang terms for a penis (along with "cock").

You’re so grossing me out right now.
     A classic line of teenage English! "To gross out" a person is to disgust them,
     or even make them sick. Note both the use of "so," and putting the verb in the
     progressive tense, adds to its colloquial teen charm.

If he built up his chest and arms, I’d totally fuck him.
     "To build up" your arms or chest is to increase their muscle size by
     lifting weights or other exercise. Note that "totally" is a much loved adverb
     that is over-used by many teenagers.

It’s the psycho next door! What if he worships you?!
     "To worship" a person is to greatly admire
     and respect them, as if they were a God.

What if he’s got a shrine with pictures of you
surrounded by dead people’s heads and stuff?
     A "shrine" is a place of worship or prayer in honor of a God or religious figure.

Welcome to America’s weirdest home videos.
     "Home videos" are private movies made by people with their own
     video cameras ("America’s Funniest Home Videos" is a TV show).

So what’s up?
     A very common way of asking what’s new, how’s life, etc….

I need a urine sample. :: Wow, it’s been six months!
     "A urine sample" is a small glass of urine (piss) that is often used to
     see if a person has been using drugs. "Wow" is a very common way
     of expressing great excitement, surprise or other emotion.

Can I give it to you in the morning? I just took a whiz.
     "To take a whiz" is to urinate. "To take a leak" is much more common.

You’ve been working out, haven’t you? I can tell.
     Note the verb "to tell" often means to see or realize.

You were masturbating!  :: Oh, all right, so shoot me! I was whacking off.
     "So shoot me" is a funny way to reply to a person who has accused you of doing
     something wrong. A way of saying "I don’t care that you’re upset." "To whack off"
     is another slang term meaning to masturbate.

That’s right. I was choking the bishop, chafing the
carrot, saying hi to my monster.  :: That’s disgusting.
     Three ridiculous ways of saying to masturbate, none of which are really used
     (A "bishop" is a figure in a church and a piece in the game of chess, and to
     "chafe" is to become sore after being rubbed too much).

Well, excuse me, but some of us still have blood pumping through our veins.
     "Some of us" is a colloquial way of actually referring to yourself when you
     want to make a point. If liquid is "pumping through" a vein, it is moving quickly
     through it. "Veins" are the small tubes that carry blood in the body. This is
     Lester’s way of saying he is still interested in sex.

I’ve changed. And the new me whacks off when he feels horny,
cause you’re obviously not going to help me out in that department.
     This is Lester’s colorful way of saying he knows that
     Carolyn is no longer interested in having sex with him.

Don’t you mess with me, Mister! I will divorce you so fast,
it will make your head spin. :: On what grounds?!
     "Don’t mess with me" is a way of telling a person to stop provoking or upsetting them
     (Note the use of ‘you" for added emphasis). "It will make you head spin" is a way of
     saying it will greatly surprise you. "On what grounds" is a way of asking the legal
     reason for an action.

I don’t even try to touch you, since you made it so
abundantly clear how unnecessary you consider me to be.
     In this case, "abundantly" means completely or totally.

I did support you when you got your license, and some
people might think that entitles me to half of what’s yours.
     The "license" Lester is referring to is one to sell real estate. If a person
     is "entitled" to something, they have a legal right to it. This is Lester’s way
     of saying that after a divorce, he’d get half of Carolyn’s money.

I figured you guys might be able to give
me some pointers; I need to shape up fast.
     "To figure" is to think or believe. A "pointer" is a helpful suggestion,
     and to "shape up" is to get in good physical shape, often by exercising.

Do you want increased strength and
flexibility as well? :: I want to look good naked.
     In this case, "flexibility" is the ability to move and
     stretch your arms, legs and body muscles without pain.

What is this? Fucking gay pride parade?
     Note that many ethnic and other social groups have annual parades
     to celebrate their identities (Pride is a sense of self-respect, and
     thus a Gay Pride parade celebrates gay culture). Also note the use of
     "fucking" as an adjective, which is crude but common.

My entire life is passing before my eyes,
and those two have barely broken a sweat.
     "Barely" means only just, or hardly. "To break a sweat" is to
     begin to sweat or perspire, usually because of having exercised.

I have to take a drug test every six months just to make sure I’m clean.
     "I’m clean" is Ricky’s way of saying that he’s not using illegal drugs.

Are you kidding?  You just smoked last night.
     "To kid" is to joke around or not speak seriously (But note
     that this is almost always used in the progressive tense).

One of my clients is a nurse in a pediatrician’s office.
     A "pediatrician" is a children’s doctor.

I cut her a deal, and she keeps me in clean piss.
     This is Ricky’s way of saying that he agreed to sell his friend marijuana
     for a very cheap price, and in exchange, the friend gives Ricky urine (piss)
     from the doctor’s office that will not have any drugs in it.

Pink Floyd.
     A very popular rock group in the 1970s.

How much is an ounce?
     An "ounce" is 1/16th of a pound, and the unit of measurement
     for many illegal drugs like cocaine or marijuana.

This shit is top of the line. It’s called G-B, and it’s
genetically engineered by the US government.
     If something is "top of the line," it is considered the very best quality.
     If a drug is "genetically engineered," it is made by changing around the
     basic biological structures (genes, or DNA) of a plant or animal.

It’s extremely potent, but a completely mellow high. No paranoia.
     If something is "potent," it is strong or powerful. "Mellow" is a popular slang
     word form the 1970s which means gentle, soft or pleasant, and in this case a "high"
     is the pleasant feeling one gets from an illegal drug like marijuana. "Paranoia" is
     a feeling of great fear or anxiety.

How much? :: Two grand.
     A "grand" is a slang term for 1,000 dollars.

Jesus! Things have changed since 1973.
     A common way of expressing emotion such as surprise or frustration.

You don’t have to pay now.  I know you’re good for it.
     If a person is "good for" their debts, they are responsible and will pay it.

There’s a card in there with my beeper number. Beep me anytime.
     A "beeper" is a small pocket device which tells a person when they have
     received a phone call. Note that there’s both a noun and a verb.

When I was your age, I  flipped burgers all summer
just to be able to buy an 8-track.  :: That sucks.
     "To flip" burgers is to turn them over by throwing them gently in the air.
     An "8-track" is a type of music tape that died out after the 1970s. If something
     "sucks," it is considered very bad. Crude but common.

All I did was party and get laid.
     "To get laid" is a crude but widely used way of saying to have sex.

My dad thinks I pay for all of this with catering jobs.
     "Catering jobs" are those jobs in which people serve
     food and drinks at parties and other social meetings.

Never underestimate the power of denial.
     "To underestimate" something is to not take it as seriously, or value it as highly,
     as one should. "Denial" is the act of denying or refusing to admit something.


           The Burnhams fall apart as Les quits his job in order to
            become a teenager, Carolyn decides to sleep with the
             enemy, and Jane and Ricky become very close friends.


What the hell do you think you’re doing?
     Note that "the hell" is often added to Wh questions
     to express emotion such as frustration or anger.

Bench presses. I’m going to whale on
my pecks and then I’m going to do my back.
     "Bench presses" is a way of lifting weights. "Pecks" are a slang term for
     chest muscles, but the expression above is rarely if ever used. This is Lester’s
     way of saying he’s going to increase his chest and back muscles.

I see you’ve been smoking pot now.
     "Pot" is the most common way of referring to marijuana.

I think using illegal psychotropic substances...
is a very positive example to set for our daughter.
     "Psychotropic substances" is a medical way of referring to drugs like marijuana
     that cause people to have strange psychological effects. If you "set a positive
     example" for a person, you act in such a way that they can look up to you as an
     example for how they should act.

You’re one to talk, you bloodless money-grubbing freak.
     A classic line. "You’re one to talk" is a way of telling a person that they
     are being hypocritical, or saying one thing but behaving differently. "Bloodless"
     means cowardly or fearful, but this is rarely used. If a person is "money-grubbing,"
     they’re always looking for ways to make money in any possible way, and a "freak" is
     a strange or bizarre person.

You have such hostility in you.
     "Hostility" is anger toward another person.

You will not get away with this.
     "To get away with" something is to be able to do it without
     being caught or punished, even if it is a bad or illegal action.

"My job basically consists of 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...
     "To consist of" means to be made of.  "To mask" something is to hide it, and
     "contempt" is a powerful noun meaning complete lack of respect, or disdain.
     "The men’s room" is the men’s bathroom.

...while I fantasize a life that doesn’t so closely resemble hell."
     "To fantasize" about something is to dream about
     it, and "to resemble" something is to look like it.

For 14 years, I’ve been a whore for the advertising industry.
     A widely used word for a prostitute.

What sort of severance package is management prepared to offer me?...
     A "severance package" is the money and other items that a
     company offers an employee after they are fired or let go.

...considering the information I have about our
editorial director buying pussy with company money?
     An "editorial director" is the person responsible for the contents of
     a magazine or newspaper. "Pussy" is a crude term for female sex organs,
     or in this case, for sex in general.

I think it would interest the IRS, since it technically constitutes fraud.
     The IRS is the Internal Revenue Service, which is the federal government
     agency that collects all taxes. "To constitute" means to be made of, or be
     equal to. "Fraud" is a legal term that refers to the illegal act of lying
     to or deceiving others in order to gain personally.

I’m sure some of our advertisers and rival publications might
like to know about it as well, not to mention….Craig’s wife.
     A "rival" is a major competitor, and a publication
     is usually either a book, magazine or newspaper.

One year’s salary with benefits.
     In this context, "benefits" include the various things that employers give employees
     besides money, including health insurance, retirement pay and paid vacations.

What do you say  if I throw in a little sexual harassment charge, to boot?
     A "sexual harassment" charge is an official accusation that one person
     has tried to intimidate or scare the other into offering sexual favors while
     on the job. "To boot" is a colloquial way of saying "in addition."

Can you prove that you didn’t offer to save my job if I let you blow me?
     In this case, to "blow" a person is to give them oral sex (A "blow job"
     is the most common way of referring to oral sex on a man).

Man, you are one twisted fuck.
     If a person is "twisted," they are immoral or psychologically disturbed.
     Note the use of "fuck" as an insult noun, which is interesting but rare.

Let’s just say that things were a little hectic around the house.
     If things are "hectic," they are filled with hurried movements and excitement.

Yes, we are splitting up.
     "To split up" is an alternative way of saying to break up.

According to her, I’m too focused on my career...as if
being driven to succeed is some kind of character flaw.
     If a person is "focused" on something, they concentrate and spend much time on it.
     A person who is "driven to succeed" is determined to do well or be successful.
     A "character flaw" is a personal trait or habit that is considered negative,
     such as willingness to lie.

It is my philosophy that in order to be successful,
one must project an image of success at all times.
     "To project" an image is to constantly act as if
     that image or reputation is accurate and true.

I think maybe you forgot your medication today, mental boy.
     "Medication" is a word for medicine, in this case for a mental disease.
     "Mental boy" is a silly insult for an emotionally disturbed person.

I don’t want to end up hacked to pieces in a dumpster somewhere.
     "To end up" is to finish or complete. If a person is "hacked to pieces,"
     they have been cut into small pieces by an ax or knife. A "dumpster"
     is a large trash container often used for big apartment buildings.

Jane, that’s like, almost a mile.
     A unit of length that is equal to about 1,609 meters.

You like being nailed by the king?! :: Yeah, fuck me, your majesty.
     In this case, to "nail" a person is to have sex with them. "Your
     majesty" is the expression one uses to address a King or Queen.

I’d like to fill out an application. :: There’s no job for manager, just for counter.
     If you "fill out a job application," you write in information about yourself
     on a standard question form to see if an employer is interested in you.
     The "counter" at a fast food place is the flat surface where the money
     and food are exchanged.

I don’t think you’d fit in here.
     If a person doesn’t "fit in" at a particular place, they would not be
     comfortable being there, perhaps because everyone else is so different.

I’m sure there’s been amazing technological advances in the
industry, but surely you must have some sort of training program.
     "Amazing" is a powerful adjective meaning incredible or fantastic.
     "Technological advances" refer to things such as computers, cell phones, etc.
      A "training program" teaches people new skills.

That was exactly what I needed. "The royal treatment," so to speak.
     "Royal" is an adjective that refers to the king, queen or monarchy (though the word
     is also widely used in advertising). "So to speak" is an expression that is used to
     show that the words one just used can be interpreted or mean different things.

I was so stressed out.
     A person who is "stressed out" is feeling very tense or nervous.

I go to this firing range downtown, and I pop off a few rounds.
     A "firing range" is a place where people practice shooting guns, and to
     "pop off a few rounds" is to shoot a few times, usually firing at a target.

People who used to live there fed the stray cats, so
they were always around, and it drove my mother nuts.
     "Stray cats" are those cats in the neighborhood that don’t belong
     to anybody. If something "drives a person nuts," it makes them crazy.

This is where my dad hangs out.  :: I take it he has a thing for guns.
     "To hang out" in a place is to pass a lot of time there.
     If a person "has a thing" for guns, they like guns a lot.

One of my clients is a locksmith.
     A person who works with keys and locks.

It’s like official state china of the 3rd Reich.
     In this case, "china" refers to fine plates, cuts and silverware.
     The "3rd Reich" was Germany’s nazi government under Hitler.

There’s a whole subculture who collect this Nazi shit.
     A "subculture" is a group of people within society that have a
     specific interest or lifestyle that is different from the majority.

This incredibly benevolent force wanted me to
know that there was no reason to be afraid, ever.
     If a person is "benevolent," they are nice or kind and have good intentions.
     In this case, a "force" is a general power, such as a God or nature itself.

Sometime there’s so much beauty in the world I feel
that I can’t take it, and my heart is just going to cave in.
     If a person "can’t take it,"  they don’t have the strength or energy
     to deal with it. If a building  "caves in," it  collapses or falls down.

I quit my job and then I told my boss to go fuck himself,
and then I blackmailed him for almost $60,000.
     Note that after you tell a person "fuck you," you can then tell a 3rd person
     that you told them to "go fuck themselves." Very crude, but useful. "To blackmail"
     a person is to threaten to reveal something they want kept secret, unless they
     agree to pay money.

Your mother prefers I go through life like a fucking prisoner
while she keeps my dick in a mason jar under the sink.
     "Dick" is a slang word for a penis, and a "mason jar" is a
     wide-mouthed jar that is commonly used for storing home made jam.

How dare you speak to me like that in front of her!
     "How dare you" is a very strong way of expressing disapproval.

I marvel that you can be so contemptuous of me on the day you lose your job.
     "To marvel" at something is to be amazed by it. To be "contemptuous"
     of a person is to look down on them with disgust or anger.

I want to thank you for putting me under the
added pressure of being the sole breadwinner now.
     "Sole" is an interesting adjective which means only. The
     "breadwinner" of the house is the person who makes the money.

Don’t give a second thought as to who is going to pay the mortgage.
     The "mortgage" is the monthly payment that is made
     to a bank after having borrowed money to buy a house. 

You don’t complain? :: Yeah, let’s bring in the
laugh meter and see how loud it gets on that one.
     A machine that measures how loud the laughter is for an audience.

From now on were going to alternate our dinner music,
because frankly, I am really tired of this Lawrence Welk shit.
     "To alternate" two things is to go back and forth between them.
     "Frankly" is a common way of starting a sentence when you want to be
     totally honest. Lawrence Welk was a conductor who was very famous for
     very soft, bland and popular elevator music.

I wish you hadn’t witnessed that awful scene tonight, but in a way, I’m glad.
     "To witness" something is to see or observe it. In this case, a "scene" is
     a dramatic, loud or emotional argument. If a person is "glad," they’re
     satisfied or happy.

You cannot count on anyone except yourself.
     The words that a person&