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Emily the Nurse (Emma Thompson) and Prior Walter (Justin Kirk) in the film adaptation of Angels in America, directed by Mike Nichols.

I wanted to share one of my favorite scenes from Angels in America with you. Bryan mentioned it in lecture on Wednesday. It’s the beginning of Part II: Perestroika, Act Four: John Brown’s Body, Scene 6.

It features Prior Walter, one of the play’s protagonists, who is dying of AIDS, his nurse-practitioner Emily, and Hannah, who is . . . well, you’ll see.

Night. Prior, Emily (Prior’s nurse-practitioner) and Hannah in an examination room in St. Vincent’s emergency room. Emily is listening to his breathing, while Hannah sits in a nearby chair.

EMILY: