American Beauty - Corporate Life and Moral Dilemmas
Brad: [''Reading Lester's job description''; ''Lester lip syncs along'']
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." Well, you obviously have no interest in saving yourself.
Lester:
Brad, for fourteen years I've been a whore for the advertising industry. The only way I could save myself now is if I start firebombing.
Brad:
Whatever. Management wants you gone by the end of the day.
Lester: [[w:Internal Revenue Service|the I.R.S.; ''grins'']
Well, just what sort of severance package is management prepared to offer me? Considering the information I have about our Editorial Director buying pussy with company money - which, I think, would interest ], since it technically constitutes fraud; and I'm sure that some of our advertisers and rival publications might like to know about it as well. Not to mention... Craig's wife!
Brad:
What do you want?
Lester:
One year's salary, with benefits.
Brad:
That's not going to happen.
Lester: [[w:Sexual harassment in the workplace in the United States|a little sexual harassment charge, to boot?]
Well, what do you say I throw in ]
Brad: [''Chuckles in disbelief'']
Against who?
Lester: [''Chuckles derisively'']
Against you! Can you prove that you didn't offer to save my job if I let you blow me?
Brad: [''Whispers'']
Man. You are one twisted fuck.
Lester:
Nope; I'm just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
American Beauty - Business Ethics and Personal Choices
Brad: [''To Lester sitting looking forlorn and far away before his desk'']
I'm sure you can understand our need to cut corners around here.
Lester:
Oh, sure. Times are tight, and you gotta free up cash. Gotta spend money to make money. Right?
Brad: [''Stands up, ready to usher Lester out'']
Exactly. So...
Lester: [[w:St. Regis Hotels & Resorts|the St. Regis]
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 ] for, what was it, like, three months?
Brad: [''Sits back down'']
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 FUCK 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:
I've been writing for this magazine for fourteen years, Brad. You've been here how long, a whole month?
Brad:
I'm one of the good guys, Les. I'm trying to level with you. This is your one chance to save your job.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.