American Psycho: Deck Chairs Summary & Analysis

Courtney has invited Bateman out to dinner with friends of hers, Scott and Anne Smiley (both Camden graduates), at a new restaurant called Deck Chairs. On the cab ride over, Courtney tells Bateman about her day – shopping, a facial. She tells Bateman to be on his best behavior, and he retorts that she should just take some more Lithium. While at dinner, the two couples discuss the current pop culture highlights of the day. Bateman mentions that he and Anne have a mutual acquaintance: a woman he sexually assaulted at a ski resort. Their conversation turns towards the restaurant’s style of cuisine, “California classic.” Though Bateman isn’t quite sure what that even means, he launches into a speech about “post-California cuisine,” impressing Anne greatly.

Meanwhile, Courtney is slumping over, having nearly fallen asleep just reading her menu. Bateman props her up and continues the conversation while their food arrives. A waiter appears, asking to take a drink order, and Scott and Anne have an extended, loving fluster over what kind of wine they’ll drink, whether or not Anne even wants a drink, and the benefits of Pepsi vs. Coke.

Bateman’s mind wanders, as he starts thinking about (and describing in detail) the porn he watched the other night. Conversation at the table turns to a recent exhibit by artist David Onica. Courtney, who has been drinking heavily in addition to her pill-taking, mentions that Bateman owns a piece of his, citing the price. Bateman aggressively tells her it was even more expensive. Still, Anne suspiciously remarks that this price is surely far too low. She seems not to trust Bateman, especially when Courtney is in such a condition, and Anne brings up Courtney’s boyfriend, Luis Carruthers. Bateman continues to daze in and out, thinking that “no sex is worth this dinner.” Conversation turns to the latest in stereo equipment and music. While Bateman and Scott are talking, Courtney excuses herself to go to the bathroom, only to be found asleep in the coat check room thirty minutes later.

Back at her apartment, however, Courtney is in an entirely different mood. She and Bateman are having sex, and she is egging him on to be more and more passionate. Suddenly, Bateman stops short. He runs to the bathroom, shouting to Courtney that they’ve forgotten to use a spermicidal lubricant. He scours the bathroom for it, shouting to Courtney for assistance, and eventually finds a tube behind a giant bottle of Xanax. Back in bed, the mood has left Courtney. As they resume having sex, she stops Bateman and mentions her boyfriend, Luis Carruthers. Bateman has, however, misheard her; she’s actually asking about the condom they’re using, which she now insists they turn on the light to examine. Bateman gets angry, insisting she take another Lithium. Courtney then becomes upset, sobbing into her pillow and eventually telling Bateman to “get it over with.” He does; they finish having sex and are both unpleased.