cliff's dislike for lester becomes evident during the first screening of the film. it juxtaposes footage of lester with clownish poses of benito mussolini addressing a throng of supporters from a balcony. it also shows lester yelling at his employees and clumsily making a pass at an attractive young actress. lester fires him. cliff learns that professor levy, whom he had been profiling on the strength of his celebration of life, has committed suicide, leaving a curt note, "i've gone out the window." when halley visits to comfort him, he makes a pass at her, which she gently rebuffs, telling him she isn't ready for another romance.