Angels in America: Perestroika: Act 5, Scene 7 Summary & Analysis

Prior finds himself lying in bed, surrounded by Belize, Emily, and Hannah. He tells his friends that he’s had a bizarre dream. Emily notes that Prior’s fever has gone down, and Hannah complains that she’s been sleeping in the same chair for a whole night. She claims she needs to go—she’s also had a strange dream.

Before Hannah can leave, Louis enters the room—he’s still horribly bruised from his fight with Joe. Hannah pushes past Louis, and Prior calls to her, “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Hannah replies, “That’s a stupid thing to do,” and walks out the door. Belize also says goodbye to Prior—he offers Prior a “gift from a bad fairy”: Cohn’s stash of AZT. Prior studies the pills. He knows they can save his life, but they’ll also make him weak and anemic. Belize assures Prior that they can discuss these matters in the future. He walks out the door.

Prior and Louis are alone in the hospital room. Louis tells Prior that he wants to get back together with him. He explains that he’s failed Prior—he’s run away from Prior instead of expressing his love. Louis tells Prior that he loves him deeply.