Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches Act 2, Scene 10 Summary

  • It's sunset of the same day.
  • Hannah, Joe's mom, is chilling with her friend Sister Ella Chapter in front of Hannah's house in Salt Lake City. (Yep, we're in Utah now.)
  • Sister Ella Chapter is going on and on about how awesome the view of Salt Lake is from Hannah's place. Hannah lives on the rim of the canyon above the city.
  • Getting kind of snippy, Hannah says, "It's just Salt Lake, and you're selling the house for me, not to me" (2.10.5).
  • They start talking about how it's not a good time to sell a house because the market is down.
  • Hannah claims she can't wait.
  • Sister Ella Chapter says Hannah is her only friend.
  • Ella goes on to say that she disapproves of people moving in general. That's why she got into real estate. "It's a way of saying: Have a house! Stay put!" (2.10.19).
  • She takes out some cigarettes and offers one to Hannah. Hannah says no because somebody might drive by and see her smoking.
  • Hannah says that sometimes Salt Lake can be hard place to live. People aren't particularly smart. She admits that sometimes she's thought about stepping over the rim of the canyon.
  • She asks for a puff of the cigarette.
  • Ella gives her one.
  • Hannah tells her to put the cigarette away.
  • Sister Ella Chapter says Salt Lake is a holy place and that Hannah is putting her soul in danger by leaving.
  • Hannah tells her to get at least $50,000 for the house. The view is impressive.