American Psycho: Paul Smith Summary & Analysis

Bateman is at Paul Smith, a designer store, talking to another Wall Street couple. While they talk, he describes in detail the fine clothes they’re all wearing. He interrupts to tell the couple how much he loves to torture and murder other people, but is completely ignored. From behind, Luis Carruthers approaches the group. The man Bateman’s speaking to begins to introduce him incorrectly, but Bateman corrects him and quickly excuses himself to look at ties.

Luis follows Bateman mercilessly, asking him what he’s doing (buying a tie for his brother’s birthday) and begging him to speak with him. Bateman keeps trying to ignore Luis and lose him as he moves through the store, but it’s no use. Even at the checkout counter, Bateman tries to make small talk with the cashier (he reports that a bum is outside and the police should be called). Luis follows Bateman onto the street, where Bateman turns and pulls a switchblade on him, threatening him with aggressive jabs. Even this doesn’t do the trick; Bateman only loses Luis when he jumps into his cab and is whisked away.