American Psycho Scene

Jean, Patricks secretary, enters his oce. Patrick is looking at a magazine, a woman in a bikini.
JEAN: Patrick, a Mr. Donald Kimball is here to see you.
PATRICK: Who?
JEAN: Detective, Donald Kimball.
PATRICK: Tell him Im at lunch.
JEAN: Patrick, I think he knows youre here. Its only ten-thirty.
PATRICK: (Pause) Send him in, I guess.

Jean leaves and reenters moments later with Detective Donald Kimball.
KIMBALL: (Holding out hand) Hi. Im Donald Kimball.
PATRICK: (Shaking firmly) Hi. Pat Bateman. Nice to meet you.
KIMBALL: Sorry to barge in on you like this. I know how busy you guys can get.

Kimball stares at the open copy of the magazine. Patrick less the look and sweeps the magazine into
the top drawer of his desk.
PATRICK: So, whats the topic of discussion.
KIMBALL: Ive been hired by Meredith Powell to investigate the disappearance of Paul Allen.
PATRICK: Ah, I see. Pauls disappearanceYes.
KIMBALL: So, its nothing ocial. I just have some basic questions. About Paul Allen and yourselfPATRICK: Coee?
KIMBALL: No, Im okay.
PATRICK: Apollenars?
KIMBALL: No, Im okay.

Patrick buzzes Jean.

PATRICK: Jean, can you bring Mr
KIMBALL: Kimball.
PATRICK: ApolleKIMBALL: Oh, no Im okay.
PATRICK: Its no problem. (Pause) So, whats the topic of discussion.

PATRICK: Its no problem. (Pause) So, whats the topic of discussion.

KIMBALL: The disappearance of Paul Allen.

Jean enters and gives Kimball his drink. As shes about to put it down on the desk, Patrick quickly
grabs a coaster and puts it underneath the drink. Jean leaves.
PATRICK: Oh right. Well, I havent heard anything about the disseverance or anythingnot on page
six at least.
KIMBALL: I think his family wants this kept quiet.
PATRICK: Understandable. (Staring at the untouched bottle) Lime?
KIMBALL: No, really. Im okay.
PATRICK: You sure? I can always get you a lime.
KIMBALL: Just some preliminary questions that I need for my files.
PATRICK: Shoot.
KIMBALL: How old are you?
PATRICK: Twenty-seven.
KIMBALL: (Scribbling in his notebook) Where did you go to school?
PATRICK: Harvard. Then Harvard business school.
KIMBALL: Your address?
PATRICK: The American Gardens Building. West Eighty-First Street.
KIMBALL: (Looking up, impressed) Nice. Very nice.
PATRICK: Thanks.
KIMBALL: What can you tell me about Paul Allen?
PATRICK: Imat a loss. He was part of that wholeYale thing.
KIMBALL: Yale thing?
PATRICK: YeahYale thing.
KIMBALL: What do you meanYale thing?
PATRICK: Well, for one I think he was probably a closet homosexual. Who did a lot of cocainethat
Yale thing.
KIMBALL: (Not what he wanted to hear) What kind of man was he? Besides the information youve
just given.

PATRICK: I hope Im not being cross-examined here.

KIMBALL: Do you feel that way?
PATRICK: (Pause) No. Not really.
KIMBALL: (As he writes without looking up) Where did Paul hang out?
PATRICK: Hang out?
KIMBALL: Yeah. You knowhang out.
PATRICK: Let me think. The Newport. Harrys. Fluties. Endochine. Nells. The Cornell Club. The New
York Yacht ClubKIMBALL: He had a yacht?
PATRICK: No, he just hung out there.
KIMBALL: And where did he go to school?
PATRICK: (Pause) Dont you know this?
KIMBALL: I just wanted to know if you know.
PATRICK: Before Yale? If I remember correctly, Saint PaulsListen, I justI just want to help.
KIMBALL: I understand.
PATRICK: Do you have any witnesses or fingerprints?
KIMBALL: Well, theres a message on his answering machine. That says he went to London.
PATRICK: Well, maybe he did, huh?
KIMBALL: His girlfriend doesnt think so.
PATRICK: But has anyone seen him in London?
KIMBALL: Actually, yes. But Ive had a hard time getting verification. A Stephen Hughes said he saw
him at a restaurant there. But I checked it out and what happened is he mistook a Herbert Ainsworth
for Paul.
PATRICK: Had his apartment been burglarized?
KIMBALL: No, actually it hadnt. Toiletries were missing, a suit was gone, so was some luggage and
thats it.
PATRICK: I mean, no ones dealing with the homicide squad yet or anything, right?
KIMBALL: No, not yet. As I said, were not sure. Butbasically no one has seen or heard anything.
PATRICK: Thats so typical, isnt it?

PATRICK: Thats so typical, isnt it?

KIMBALL: Its just strange. One day someones walking around, going to work, alive, and then
PATRICK: Nothing.
KIMBALL: People justdisappear.
PATRICK: The earth just opens up and swallows them. (He checks his Rolex)
KIMBALL: Eerie. Really eerie.
PATRICK: (Standing up) Youll have to excuse me. I have a lunch meeting with Cli Huxtable at the
Four Seasons in twenty minutes.
KIMBALL: Isnt the Four Seasons a little far uptown? I mean arent you going to be late?
PATRICK: Uh, no. Theres onedown here.
KIMBALL: Oh really? I didnt know that.

Patrick leads Kimball to the door.

PATRICK: Yes. Its very good.
KIMBALL: (Turns to face him) Listen, if anything occurs to you, any information at all
PATRICK: Absolutely, Im 100% with you.
KIMBALL: Great, and thanks for you, uh, time, Mr. Bateman.

Patrick closes the door firmly on Kimball. He closes his eyes and leans against the door, sweating.