American Psycho Page #10

BATEMAN:

(To Daisy) Ask me a question.

DAISY:

So, what do you do?

BATEMAN:

I'm into, uh...well, murders and executions mostly.

DAISY:

(Unfazed) Do you like it?

BATEMAN:

Welt it depends...why?

DAISY:

Well, most guys I know who work in mergers and acquisitions really don't like it.

Silence.

BATEMAN:

So, where do you work out?

EXT. CLUB - NIGHT

Bateman and Daisy are waiting for a cab.

DAISY:

You think I'm dumb, don't you?

BATEMAN:

What?

DAISY:

You think I'm dumb. You think all models are dumb.

BATEMAN:

(insincerely) No. I really don't.

DAISY:

That's okay. I don't mind. There's something sweet about you.

She takes his hand as they get into a cab.

INT. BATEMAN'S OFFICE - LATE AFTERNOON

Bateman sits at his desk wearing Wayfarers doing the New York Times crossword puzzle at dusk, while messing with a piece of blonde hair.

Jean knocks gently on the door and Bateman tucks the hair into his pocket as she walks in with a folder. He ignores her.

JEAN:

Doin' the crossword?

Bateman continues without looking up.

JEAN:

Need any help?

Bateman doesn't respond. We see that every space on the puzzle has been filled in with the words MEAT or BONE. Jean drops the folder on his desk and then walks out.

BATEMAN:

Jean?

JEAN:

Yes, Patrick?

BATEMAN:

Would you like to accompany me to dinner? That is...if you're not doing anything.

JEAN:

Um...no. I don't have any plans.

BATEMAN:

Well, isn't this a coincidence.

A pause.

BATEMAN:

Listen, where should we go?

JEAN:

Anywhere you want?

BATEMAN:

Let's not think about what I want. How about anywhere you want.

JEAN:

I don't know Patrick, I can't make this decision.

BATEMAN:

Come on (chuckles) Where do you want to go? Anywhere you want. Just say it. I can get us in anywhere.

A long pause.

JEAN:

What about...Dorsia?

Bateman stops looking through the Zagat's guide and smiles at her.

BATEMAN:

Soooo...Dorsia is where Jean wants to go...

JEAN:

Oh, I don't know. No, we'll go anywhere you want to go.

BATEMAN:

Dorsia is...fine.

He dials the number.

MAITRE D':

Dorsia, yes?

BATEMAN:

Yeah, can you take two tonight, oh, let's say at nine o'clock?

He checks his Rolex and winks at Jean.

MAITRE D':

We are totally booked.

BATEMAN:

Really? That's great.

MAITRE D':

No, I said we are totally booked.

BATEMAN:

Two at nine? Perfect. See you then.

He hangs up the phone. He walks over to the coat rack. He glances over at Jean, who is still standing in front of the desk, confused.

BATEMAN:

Yeah? You're dressed...okay.

JEAN:

You didn't give them a name.

BATEMAN:

They know me.

Pause.

BATEMAN:

Why don't you meet me at my place at 7 for drinks.

She turns to leave.

BATEMAN:

And Jean? You'll want to change before we go out.

INT. BATEMAN'S APARTMENT - EARLY EVENING

Jean stands by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out.

JEAN:

Patrick, it's so...elegant. What a wonderful view.

Bateman opens up the freezer where Daisy's head is clearly visible.

BATEMAN:

Jean? Sorbet?

JEAN:

Thanks, Patrick. I'd love some.

Bateman walks in with a bottle of wine and a corkscrew in his hand and hands her the sorbet.

Jean is eating the sorbet.

JEAN:

Want a bite?

BATEMAN:

I'm on a diet. But thank you.

JEAN:

You don't need to lose any weight. You're kidding, right? You look great. Very fit.

BATEMAN:

(Weighing the corkscrew examining the point for sharpness) You can always he thinner. Look...better.

JEAN:

Well, maybe we shouldn't go out to dinner. I don't want to ruin your willpower.

BATEMAN:

No. It's all right. I'm not very good at controlling it anyway.

Silence, as Bateman walks around his apartment, opens up his knife drawer, looking at the knives.

BATEMAN:

So listen, what do you really want to do with your life? Just briefly summarize. And, uh...don't tell me you enjoy working with children. Okay?

Bateman is touching a knife in the drawer, feeling the edge of the blade.

JEAN:

Well...I'd like to travel and...maybe go back to school, but...I don't really know. I'm at a point in my life where there seems to be...so many possibilities.

Bateman is touching the edge of big butcher knives now.

JEAN:

But, um...I don't know. I'm just so unsure.

BATEMAN:

Do you have a boyfriend?

JEAN:

No, not really.

BATEMAN:

Interesting.

JEAN:

(Shyly) Are you seeing anyone? I mean, seriously?

BATEMAN:

Maybe. I don't know...not really.

Bateman opens up a cupboard where there are a lot of very Bateman opens a cupboard where there are a lot of neatly ordered weapons - an ax, a rifle, a chain saw, duct tape, twine and a nail gun.

BATEMAN:

Jean, do you feel...fulfilled? I mean, in your life?

JEAN:

I guess I do. For a long time I was too focused on my work, but now I've really begun to think about changing myself, you know, developing, and...growing.

BATEMAN:

Growing. I'm glad you said that.

Bateman picks up the duct tape.

BATEMAN:

Did you know that Ted Bundy's first dog, a collie, was named Lassie? (laughs) Had you heard this?

JEAN:

Who's Ted Bundy?

BATEMAN:

Forget it.

JEAN:

What's that?

BATEMAN:

Duct tape. I...need it for, uh...taping something.

Bateman goes back to the cupboard for the nail gun.

JEAN:

Patrick, have you ever wanted to make someone happy?

Jean puts her spoon down on the table.

BATEMAN:

(Looking up from loading nails into the gun) What...No! Put it in the carton.

JEAN:

Sorry. (She puts the spoon in the carton)

BATEMAN:

Jean? What?

JEAN:

Um...Make someone happy-have you ever wanted to?

From behind, we follow Bateman as he walks across the room and stands behind the couch.

BATEMAN:

I'm looking for uh...I guess you could say I just want to have a meaningful relationship with someone special.

JEAN:

Hmmmm.

He points the nail gun at the back of Jean's head. The phone RINGS. Startled, Bateman hides the nail gun behind his back. The answering machine picks up. As Bateman listens he discreetly places the nail gun behind the couch. He sits down opposite Jean, enjoying her discomfort as she listens to the message.

EVELYN:

Patrick, Patrick I know you're there. Pick up the phone, you bad boy. What are you up to tonight? It's me. Don't try to hide. I hope you're not out with some little number you picked up because you're my Mr. Bateman. My boy next door. Anyway...um, you never called me and you said you would and I'll leave a message for Jean about this too to remind you but we're having dinner with Melania and Taylor-you know Melania, she went to Sweet Briar, and we're meeting at the Cornell Club, so l'll call you tomorrow morning honey! Oh, sorry I know you hate that. (chuckles) Bye Patrick. Bye Mr. Big Time CEO. Bye, Bye.

Silence. Jean is obviously embarrassed and upset.

JEAN:

Was that...Evelyn?

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