Part 1: Act 1, Scene 6 Summary

Joe interrupts Louis crying in the men's restroom at work. Louis says that he is the first of four colleagues to stop and check up on him. He calls the others "Reaganite heartless macho asshole lawyers." Joe objects to this, explaining that he has twice voted for Reagan. Louis assumes that Joe is the only gay Republican. Joe is shocked by this and denies it, although there is confused joking about which is worse, gay or Republican. Joe offers him his hand to shake on leaving, but Louis playfully kisses his cheek instead.

Part 1: Act 1, Scene 6 Analysis

Joe's political optimism strikes us as unique in the world of the play. Louis describes Republicans as emotionally repressed and professionally ruthless. These troubles dominate the characters' relationships. For example, all of the couples have difficulty in expressing their emotions and relating...