Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes

A day later, in a split scene, Louis and Belize sit in a coffee shop, and Prior is at an outpatient clinic, tended to by the nurse Emily and receiving IV course of pentamidine, an anti-microbial medication. Louis delivers a barely interrupted monologue about democracy in America, in which he complains about liberal tolerance. Louis asserts that the AIDS epidemic has demonstrated that tolerance is just a thin veil over hatred. Belize agrees blandly. Louis goes on to argue that since America is so multi-racial, race issues are really about politics, unlike much older countries like England, in which the population is primarily pale and white. As a Jewish man, Louis explains, he doesn’t stand out in New York. But in England, he feels like an outsider because “it’s the racial destiny of the Brits that matters to them, not their political destiny, whereas in America…” and Belize, a Black man, finishes sarcastically, “Here in America race doesn’t count” (97). Louis immediately backpedals and insists that that is not what he means. Louis continues, declaring that the United States has “no indigenous spirits,” having killed most of the actual indigenous population, “so now, there are no gods here, no ghosts and spirits in America, there are no angels in America, no spiritual past, no racial past, there’s only the political” (98).

Dramatically, Belize interjects and exclaims that he needs to leave. Innocently, Louis asks if what he said is racist. Belize replies that he has been waiting patiently through Louis’s offensive rant, certain that he would eventually stop talking, but he already knows that Louis’s diatribe is about his guilt that is as big as his hemorrhoids. Defensively, Louis claims that he doesn’t have hemorrhoids, and then becomes angry at Prior, who must have told Belize. Belize points out that Louis agreed that they would not talk about Prior. When Belize calls Louis racist, Louis denies it and then admits that maybe he is. As a Black drag queen, Belize becomes annoyed at Louis for explaining oppression to him. Louis accuses Belize of hating him because he is Jewish, and Belize accuses Louis of hating him because he is Black. They argue about whether Black people are anti-Semitic or Jewish people are racist. Belize says that Louis is ambivalent about everything, and Louis insists that he loves Prior and has never been ambivalent about him. On the other side of the stage, Emily turns off Prior’s IV and pronounces his fourth treatment complete. Prior remarks that the drug is miraculous, having brought him back to life. Louis tentatively asks how Prior is doing, and Belize says that he is too thin and depressed, and he thinks he’s going crazy.

Emily examines Prior, who explains that most of his symptoms are improving, although he missed the funeral a friend who died of bird tuberculosis because he was too afraid to go. Additionally, Prior is sure that he is losing his mind. Emily reassures him that this is not the case and then suddenly starts speaking in Hebrew. Alarmed, Prior tells her to stop, and she laughs at the idea. Emily needs to move on to the next patient and suggests that Prior see a therapist. Suddenly, there is a bright flash of light and a choir singing a loud chord. An enormous book rises up from the stage, open to the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “aleph.” The book catches fire. Prior watches this agape as Emily, who doesn’t see anything, chuckles and exits. Prior runs off. To Belize, Louis begs, “Help me” (105). Louis is struggling and missing Prior badly, but he is also terrified that he is sick too. He pleads with Belize to tell Prior that he loves him. Belize replies that he isn’t sure what love is. When Louis insists that he’s dying, Belize says, “He’s dying. You just wish you were” (106). Belize urges Louis to smell the grace and forgiveness in the air. Louis is confused, but after Belize exits, he surreptitiously sniffs. Startled, Louis says, “Huh. Snow” (106).

On the same day, Mr. Lies transports Harper to Antarctica. Dressed in a flawless snowsuit, she is ecstatic. In the fresh ice and snow, with the smell of ozone in the air, Harper feels instantly better. Mr. Lies notes, “Cold shelter for the shattered. No sorrow here, tears freeze” (107). Harper remarks that she must have really lost her mind. Mr. Lies agrees, but Harper is thrilled because she wants to spend the rest of her life there. Mr. Lies reminds her that ice tends to melt eventually. It is too cold for trees, but Harper promises to plant them. She imagines a new life for herself in which she can have anything she wants—even a partner who is attracted to her. Harper wonders if Mr. Lies might be that person, but he replies that as a member of the International Order of Travel Agents, it is forbidden.

Undeterred, Harper declares that she can imagine an Inuit—referred to here by the now derogatory term “Eskimo”—to love her and care for her and the baby. Mr. Lies points out that there are no Inuit in Antarctica, and that Harper is not really pregnant. He warns her that where they are is only a “deep-freeze for feelings” where she can be “numb and safe,” adding that she should “respect the delicate ecology of [her] delusions” (108). Triumphantly, Harper points out an Inuit approaching, played by the actor who plays Joe, and announces that she feels the baby kicking. She imagines having a baby who is warm and covered in fur who will protect her from the cold, and they can heal together.

On the same day, Hannah is exhausted and lost, dragging her luggage through the South Bronx. Joe didn’t show up to pick her up at the airport, and she rode the bus to the end of the line trying to get to Brooklyn. Hannah meets a homeless woman, played by the actor who plays the Angel. Hannah is surprised and dismayed when the woman tells her where she is. The woman has a sudden outburst of profanity. When Hannah tries to ask her where to go, the woman responds with nonsensical jokes and more profane insults. Sharply, Hannah exclaims that she is angry and cold and she needs directions, snapping, “So I am sorry you’re psychotic but just make the effort – take a deep breath – DO IT!” (111) The two women breathe together, and after a moment, Hannah asks how to get to Brooklyn. The woman replies that she doesn’t know because she’s never been there. Frustrated, Hannah asks if she knows the location of the Mormon Visitor’s Center, and the woman immediately replies with an address and clear directions, explaining that she goes there because they let her sit all day and watch free—if boring—movies. Hannah thanks her, and the woman says, “Oh yeah. In the new century I think we will all be insane” (111).

Later that day, Joe and Roy meet in Roy’s upscale brownstone. Although he tries to hide it, Roy looks sick. Joe informs Roy that he cannot take the job. He explains that Harper is missing, his mother has traveled from Utah to ostensibly help him search for her, and Joe should be picking her up at the airport now, but he has also been in the hospital for two days after coughing up blood from a bleeding ulcer. Joe apologizes, adding, “It’s just a job” (112). This makes Roy furious, and he screams and insults Joe. Joe tells Roy that he loves him and wants to help him, but he cannot break the law. Roy calls Joe “a sissy” (113) who is too concerned with being nice. Acerbically, he tells Joe that the greatest accomplishment of his entire impressive career is the prosecution of Ethel Rosenberg. In 1953, Ethel Rosenberg and her husband Julius were convicted of espionage for the Soviet Union and executed. At the time, there was a public outcry on their behalf about their potential innocence and the harshness of their sentences, and the belief that they were victims of antisemitism. Roy divulges that he is the reason that Ethel is dead. Throughout the trial, Roy spoke to the judge every day, and then he petitioned mercilessly for her to receive a death sentence. Roy says that he did this because he despises traitors and communists.

Joe is appalled, since unofficial communication with the judge to influence a case is illegal. Moreover, in a death penalty case, Roy could even be charged with murder. Backtracking, Joe suggests that Roy is just ill from the cancer, but Roy claims that he isn’t sick at all. Roy offers Joe a handshake and then grabs him in a constricting hug, telling Joe that he loves him. Joe pulls back. Roy tells him to leave and then pushes him roughly. As Joe tries to go, Roy aggressively pulls him close again and calls him a traitor, asking what he wanted from Roy in the first place. Joe shoves Roy away, and Roy laughs, urging Joe to “transgress a little” (116) and find a law to break. Joe leaves, and Roy suddenly doubles over from the agony that he has been covering up throughout the scene. He screams for his assistant, Andy. But instead, a small Jewish woman, played by the actor who plays Hannah, enters and stares at him. After a second, Roy recognizes her as Ethel Rosenberg. Ethel mocks him as Roy, in pain, puts up a tough front. Ethel promises that she will see him soon because he is very sick. Calmly, Ethel goes to the phone and calls an ambulance, amused by the modern buttons and tones. She gives her full name to the operator. Roy insists that he has plenty of time because he is immortal, having “forced [his] way into history” (118). Ethel laughs and replies, “History is about to crack wide open. Millennium approaches” (118).

Later, in the middle of the night, Prior is in bed, petrified as Prior 1 and Prior 2, now with robes over their clothing, say excitedly that “tonight’s the night!” (119) Prior shouts at them to leave, and the two Priors muse that he undoubtedly has an erection because everyone becomes aroused when “they approach” (119). The historical Priors order Prior to dance with them, but Prior resists. Prior 2 recognizes that Prior would rather have a familiar dance partner. He conjures Louis, who speaks sweetly and asks Prior to dance. Prior argues that his leg hurts, but when he starts to dance with Louis, it stops hurting. They dance lovingly, and Prior 1 laughs cheerfully as he suddenly understands why Prior does not have any children. The Priors disappear as Prior and Louis dance. Then Louis disappears, and Prior dances alone. Abruptly, the room is alive with the sound of beating wings.

In a split scene, Prior is alone at home, and Louis sits in the park by himself. The noise of the wings returns. Prior cries out, trying to hold onto his sense of self. Joe enters, and he and Louis meet each other’s gazes for a moment. Louis asks Joe if he can tell him the story of Lazarus. Joe replies that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Louis asks, “Come here often?” (121) and Joe answers, “No. Yes. Yes” (121). Louis wonders if Joe believes in Lazarus, but Joe doesn’t know what he believes. He admits that he followed Louis to the park after work. Louis muses that Joe must have seen him crying and assumed that he was a kind person who would be willing to cry for Joe too. However, Louis says that the tears weren’t real. Joe touches his face, and Louis flinches, afraid that something bad might happen to Joe if he does. But Joe pleads with Louis to let him touch his face. He does.

Louis invites Joe to come home with him, which Joe finds surprising since they barely know each other and Louis hates republicans. Louis kisses Joe, admitting that he does not want to sleep alone. Both men confess that they aren’t good people, which Louis points out is common ground. Louis starts to leave, and Joe follows. The sound of wings is even closer, and Prior, terrified, reassures himself that he is strong. Suddenly he is overcome with a wave of sexual desire that confuses him. Prior cries out in fear. There is a burst of light and music. In awe, Prior whispers, “God almighty… Very Steven Spielberg” (124). Then there is a loud clatter of something massive landing on earth. Crashing through the ceiling, the Angel appears and hovers over the bed, proclaiming, “Greetings, Prophet; The Great Work begins: The Messenger has arrived” (125).