Bret Easton Ellis. American psycho (№ 458)

... and then someone asks, no reason, no reason at all: “But why?” and although I am very proud that I manage to keep cool and sit still, and conform to what people think about me, I hear the question and automatically comprehend it: “Why?” and mechanically the same answer, from the light, for no apparent reason, I open my mouth and words flow by themselves, so this is the result for idiots:
Well, although I know I had to do it, and I didn't, but I'm twenty-seven, and it...life is what it seems in the bars and clubs of new York, and maybe not only new York, but in General, everywhere, at the end of our century... and so, I think, people behave... that means to be yourself, to be with Patrick, so... in General...
I stop, sigh, a little shrug, and again, sigh, and above one of the doors, curtained red velvet curtain, hangs a sign that says in red letters to match the curtain: THIS is NOT an option.