Patrick Bateman attempts to break up with his fiancée Evelyn in a high-end restaurant while casually confessing to his homicidal urges. Evelyn ignores his dark revelations, focusing instead on social status and their shared friend group, leading to a surreal and tense confrontation that ends with Bateman's iconic excuse to flee the scene.
EVELYN: I want a firm commitment.
BATEMAN: I think, Evelyn, that... we've lost touch.
EVELYN: Why? What's wrong?
BATEMAN: My need to engage in homicidal behaviour on a massive scale cannot be, um, corrected... but I have no other way to fulfill my... needs.
EVELYN: Talk about what, Patrick? What is there to talk about?
Format: Duologue · Genre: Drama · Source: American Psycho · Author: Mary Harron · Characters: Bateman, Evelyn
This two-minute duologue, "I Have to Return Some Video Tapes," presents a dark and intensely humorous breakup scene between Bateman and Evelyn. Set in a high-end restaurant, the tension arises from Bateman's almost casual confession of homicidal urges while Evelyn remains oblivious, consistently redirecting the conversation to social anxieties and superficial concerns. It offers a fascinating study in emotional disconnect and an unreliable narrator dynamic.
Bateman, an anti-hero within the 25-35 age range, is meticulously controlled and outwardly perfect, yet internally he wrestles with profoundly disturbing thoughts. His attempts to communicate his true nature to Evelyn are delivered with a chilling precision, highlighting his deep-seated psychological fragmentation and detachment from social norms. Evelyn, also fitting the 25-35 age range and well-suited for a Leading Lady or Upper Class casting type, embodies blissful ignorance and superficiality, her priorities firmly rooted in social status and appearances. Her inability or unwillingness to acknowledge Bateman's dark revelations underscores her character's self-absorbed nature and acts as a profound counterpoint to his internal turmoil.
This scene is a fantastic choice for auditions due to its unique blend of dark humor and emotional intensity, allowing actors to showcase a wide range of dramatic and comedic skills. The distinct power dynamic and complete lack of understanding between the characters provide ample opportunity for nuanced performances and strong character choices. Its contained nature and clear arc within two minutes make it ideal for self-tapes, drama school auditions, and agent showcases.
This scene is best suited for actors in the 25-35 age range who can confidently portray complex characters with a dark edge and a sophisticated facade. It particularly shines for those aiming for leading roles or anti-hero types who can embody both external composure and internal chaos. Actors comfortable with social satire and characters who operate on completely different emotional planes will find this scene particularly rewarding.
For Bateman, focus on maintaining a veneer of composure while subtly revealing the character's unsettling interior. Pay close attention to vocal precision and controlled physicality to convey his internal struggle without resorting to overt melodrama, making his pronouncements all the more chilling. For Evelyn, the key is to lean into her obliviousness and social anxieties, showing her priorities through physical distraction and a bright, almost forced, demeanor, regardless of what Bateman is saying. The contrast between their performances is crucial for the scene's impact, so ensure your choices are distinct and purposeful.