by ARTUR walue CHARACTERS WILLY Lowman Happy BERKARD boneue HOWARD WaonER act1 = rege A ner th pps, we re ea a ‘portion fe ‘oiesening hong, fight chai. On a shelf coer the bed asibe athlete tn ‘ly stands. A window opens onto te aperture ‘the side, aint ined he Kitchen on a level raised sis and aha fet, Efe bes" bedroom, at present barely visi, Too bak oe [imb sen, an a the back of he roma dormer eondnn U0 ram chow he usen ingroom | At toigh 4 stair curves up tit from the ktchon pte seing is whol om some plas, partly ‘eansparent, The wofline of the house dood rng neh SILLY Lost, the Salman, es, | carnying tao loge sample cases. The flute Blas oe te | DEATH OF A SALESMAN JENNY MISS rousyrue Lert ‘SCENE kein aes lace in we Loan’ house and yd Fag varis plates he visits in the New York and Becher of today, e 3 t oe z 3 a F = {NDA isle bas tine in her baat the right She St Gnd Puls on arate, listening. Mes oftos foot wie has developed an irom rmsion of her eeepc MALLY Dehavior—she more than loves him, ae ine JOM @8 tough his mercurial nature, his tempor he mon sive dreams and title cruetics, served hey oe UNDA (earng witty ouside the teroom, calls with ome ‘pidaton): Wily wut Isall righ, came back Lisa: Why? What happened? (Sight pause Did some: ‘hing happen Wile witsy: No, nothing happenee LINDA: Yon did't sae the cay, id youd MIMS Cath casual matin) Ta othing_ hap ened. Didn't you hear mez luna" Don’ jou Gel wee ‘witty, Vm teed othe death, The te has fade ‘ests om the bd beside hr ithe manda take it jus couldn't make ane ‘owns (om eo dea Where we ou all dy? Youtaok terble ‘eax: Tgotas fara lite abore Yonkers, stopped loratipoteoise Majeed seP P= supa! Wha WILLY (afr a Baus) 1 suddenly coud’ dive a Fen, The car kept going off onto the shoudee yiknow?ny acti tana (helpfully): Oh. Maybe it was the steering agai Tdon't think Angelo knows the Studebaker. wana: No it'sime, it's me. Suddenly I realize I'm goin’ ‘sixty miles an hour and I doo't remember the last five minutes. mI can’tseem to—keep my mind toit wpa: Maybe its your glasses, You never went for your new glases. witay: No, [see everything. Icame back tea miles an hhout. It took me nearly four hours from Yonkers. wpa (resigned): Well, you'll just have to take a rest, ‘Willy, you can’t continue this way. vwiLtx: [just got back from Florida, tina: But you didn’t rest your mind. Your mind is ‘Overactive, and the mind is what counts, dear. wiry: TM start out in the morning. Maybe Ill fee! Detter in the morning. (She is taking off his shoes.) ‘These goddam arch supports are kiling me. ipa: Take an aspirin, Should I get you an asp Tel soothe you. wiLey (with wonder): Twas driving along, you under- stand? And I was fine. T was even observing the Scenery. You can imagine, me looking at scenery, ‘on the road every week of my life, Butit’s so beau tiful up there, Linda, the trees are so thick, and the sun js warm. opened the windshield and just Tet the warm air bathe over me. And then all of sudden Tm goin’ off the road! I'm tellin’ ya, 1 absolutely forgot I vas driving, If 'd've gone the fother way, over the white line I might're Killed Somebody. So J went on again—and five minutes, later I'm dreamin’ again, and Inearly—(He presses tuo fingers against his ees) have such thoughts, 1 have such strange thoughts. na: Willy, deat. Talk to them again. There's no rex son why you can’t work in New York. ‘wunay: They don’t need me in New York. I'm the New England man. 'm vital in New England uumpa: But you're sixty years old, They can't expect ‘you to keep traveling every week. wuty: Tl have (@ send a wire (0 Portland, I'm sup- posed to sce Brown and. Morrison tomorrow morning at ten o'clock to show the line. God- ‘danni could sell them! (He stants puting on his jacket) ump (taking the jacket from him): Why don’t you go ‘down to the place tomorrow and tell Howard you've simply got to work in New York? You're too accoramoslating, dear wnuty: If old man Wagner was alive I'd a been in charge of New York now! That man was a prince, hhe was a masterful man. But that boy of his, that Howard, he don't appreciate. When I was north the first time, the Wagner Company didn’t know ‘where New England was! lunpa: Why don't you tell those things to Howard, dear? DEATHOFASALESMAN / 869 wir (encouraged): Lill I definitely will. Is there any ‘cheese? inna: T'll make youa sandwich, ‘wILty: No, go to sleep. Pll take some milk, ll be up, right away. The boys in? inna. They're sleeping. Happy took Biff on a date tonight uty (inerstad): That so? tinpa: Tt was s0 nice to see them shaving together, ‘one behind the other, in the bathroom. And going out together. You notice? The whole house Smells of shaving lotion. wicur: Figure it out. Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there's nobody to live init, uimoa: Well, dea, life isa cast ‘way. witty: No, no, some people—some people accom- plish something. Did Bifsay anything after I went this morning? tayoa! You shouldn't have criticized him, Willy, espe- Cally after he just got off the tain. You mustn’t loge your temper with him. .v; When the hell did I lose my temper? I simply asked him if he was making any money, Is that a criticism? uinpa: But, dear, how could he rake any money? ‘wanty (worried and angered): There's such an under Current in him. He became a moody man. Did he apologize when [eft this morning? uunpat He was crestllen, Willy. You know how he ‘admires you. 1 think if he finds himself, then you'll both be happier and not fight any more, witty: How can he find himself on a farm? Is that a life? A farmband? In che beginning, when he was young, I thought, well,a young man, it’s good for him to tramp around, take a lot of different jobs. Butit’s more than ten years now and he has yet © take thiry-five dollars a week! una: He's finding himself, Willy. wiity: Not finding yourself atthe age of thirg-four is a disgrace! awpa: Sh ‘wuLty: The trouble is he's lazy, godldammitl Luna: Willy, please! WILLY: Biffisalazy bum, TINDA: They're sleeping. Get something to eat. Goon ‘down witty: Why did be come home? I would like to know ‘what brought him home. Lanna: T don't know. T think he’s ‘think he’s very lost. wiry: Biff Loman is lost, In the greatest country in the world a young man with such—personal altractiveness, gets lost, And such a hard worker ‘There's one thing about Biff~he's not lazy: unoa: Never. off. I's always that I lost, Willy. 1870 | DEATH OF ASALESMAN vu (ith pty nd rao: Vee him inthe moen- ings T'have ane tak him. get him ajob selling, He could be big inno tite, My Cod! Remember how they weed to follow him around in high sehool? When he smiled at one of them theie faces lit up. When he walked down the street» (He ln intel in reniniscncs) Laying toring hi eu of Wl ea, I gota new hind of Americaniype cheese today Its whipped vwruie: Why do you got American when Like Swiss? Unba: Tus thought you'd ikea change witty: Tdon'c want x change! T ant Sviss cheese ‘Why am Talay being contradicted? LNA (ath cori longh)T tought it would be a surprise vwuniz: Why don’ you open a window in here, for God's sake? Lapa (wih nine patience: They're alt open, dear wwiuie: The way they boxed us in here: Bricks and win- lows, windows and bricks tana? Weshoutdve bought the land next door. witty: The street is lined wih cans "There® not a breath of ftesh air in the neighborhood. The gas don’t grow any more, you en tris acarot Inthe back yard. They shoubve bad lav against apartment houses. Remember those two beau fielm trees out there? When (and Bil hung the sing between them? sanpat Vea ke Being milion mls fom the ci. ‘WiLL: They should've arzesied the builder for cue ting these down, They massacred the neighbor. hhoad, (Lot) More and more T think of those days Linda Tht time of year it was Itc an wie teria And then the peonits would come out and the daffodils What fragrance inthis room! anon Wl afterall, people had to move somewhere wiuix: No, there's more people now. LN: Tdon' think there's more people think — Wwitix: Thete's more people ‘That's what's ruining this country! Population is getting out of contre The compaion i maddening! Smet the sink from that apartment howe! And another oue on tether side.» How can diy whip diese? (On wit. last tine, niee and HAPPY raise themceoes ‘up in ther eds, tring) Linpa: Go down, tryitAnd be quiet. WILLY (honing to LINDA, guilty): You're not worried about me, are you, sweetheart? ure: What's the matter? siapev: Listen! LINDA: You've got too much on the ball ta worry About. witty: You're my foundation and my support, Linda, Lipa: Just ty o relax, dear: You make mouniains out of nolehills acry WILLY: Iwon't ight him any mote. IFhe wants t0 go back to Texas, let him go. nba: He'll find his way. witty: Sure. Certain men just don’t get started ti later ia life. Like Thomas Edison, think, Or B.F, Goodrich. One of them was deaf. (He stars fa the Dedvoom deoreay.)V'l put may money on Bifl tinpa: And Willyif it’s warm Sunday we'll drive the country. And we'll open the windshield, and take lunch. wit: No, the windshields don’t open on the new Lina: But you opened it today. | WILLY: Me? I didn’t. (He stops.) Now isn’t that pecie lias! Isn't that a vemarkable—(Fe dneaks off in ‘amazement and fright asthe flute is heard distantly) unpa: What, darling? witty: Thatis the most remarkable thing luna: What, dear? wnuty: Twas thinking of the Chevy. (Slight pause) Nineteen wenty-eight...shen I had thae red Chewy (Breaks off) That funny? I coulda sworn | was driving that Chevyy tod, tina: Well, that’s nothing. Something must've re- ‘minded you. { wiiy: Remarkable. Ts. Remember those days? The way Biff used to simonize that car? The dealer refused (0 believe there was eighty thousand rniles on it, (He shakes his head.) Heh! (00 LiNba) Close your eyes, I'll be right up. (He waths out ofthe bedioom.) HAPPY (to BIFE): Jesus, maybe he smashed up the car NDA. (calling afer wnuty): Be careful on the stairs, dear! The cheese is on the middle shelf! (Ske ‘ums, gors ove (othe bed, takes his jacket, and goes out ofthe bedroom.) (Light has rien on the bops" room. Unseen, wniix is heard talking to himself, “Eighty thousand miles," and a lite laugh. BEF gets Out of bed comes downstage «bil, ‘and stands attentively. pure is tao years older than his brother MaPeY, well buil, but in these days boars a norm air and seers less self.assiered, He has succeeded les, and his dreans are stronger and ess acceptable than HAPPY apr ts tall, powerfully made. Seeuaity is like a visible. color on him, ora sot that many women have discovered. He, like his brother is lst, but bn a diferent way, for he Tas never allowed himself to turn his foce toward defeat and is thus more confused and harskinned, although seemingly more conten.) UAPPY (getting ut of bed): He's going to get his license taken avay if ee Keeps that up. I'm getting nevv ‘ous about him, y'know, Biff? sire: His eyes are going, apy: No, I've driven with him, He sees allright. He {just doesn't keep his mind on it Tdrove into thesort cay with hiun ast week. He stops ata green light find thea i tuens red and he goes. (He laughs.) sire: Maybe he's colorblind tiavoy: Pop? Why he's got the finest eye for color in the business. You know that sure (iting down on his be): I'm going to sleep. itarey: You're not sill sour on Dad, are you, Bill? bite: He'sall ight, T guess {WILY (underneth' them, in the livingroom): Ves, si Cighty thousand miles—-eight)-t0o thousand 1» You smoking? tuarre (holding out a pack of cgaretes): Want one? TYE (aking a cigar): can never sleep when I smell ‘wun.y: What a simonizingjob, heht uavow (with deap rentinent): Funny, Bif, y'know? Us ‘sleeping in here again? The old beds. (He pats his ded affetionate) AIL the tlk chat went across those two beds, huh? Our whole lives, sure: Yeah, Lots dreams and plan avow (ith & deep and masculine laugh): About five Thundred women would like to know whac was said this room, (Thay share soft laugh.) aire: Remember that big Betsy something—what the hell was her name—over on Bushwick Avenue? HAPPY (combing his has): With the collie dog! aire: That's the one, I got you in there, remember? arey: Yeah, that was my first time—t think, Boy, there was a pig! (They laugh, almost crude.) You ‘aught me everything E know about women. Don't forget that, T bet you forgot how bashful you used to be. Especially with girls uspey: Oh, Istil am, Buf bir: Oh, goon. uuapry: Tjust control it, that's all, I think 1 got les bashful and you got more so. What happened, Biff? Where's the old humor, the old confidence? (He shakes wives hore. BEF ges upp and moves reste lesly about the room.) Wat's the matter? ire: Why does Dad mock me all the time? lixpry: He's not mocking you, he— tr, Ererthing Loy tere! evr of mockery om his face. Peart get near him. nappy: He just wants you to make good, that's all. ‘wanted to talk to you about Dad for a long time, Biff, Something’--happening to him. He—talks tohimself. sunt: I noticed that this morning, Buthe always mum bled. napry: But notso noticeable. It got so embarrassing I sent him t0 Florida, And you know something? Most of the time he's talking t0 you. BIFE: What's he say about me? Hapey: Tean't make vont DEATH OF ASALESMAN / 871 bare: What’ he say about me? warev: Think the fact that you're not settled, that You're sil kind of up in the ai sire There's one oF two other things depressing him, Happy snaps: What do you mesn? burr Never mind, Just don'tlayit all to me. happy, Bat think ifyou just got started-—T mean: there any future for you out there? nue Tellya, Hap, {don know what the futare i, 1 don’t know—twhat I'm supposed to want nian: What doyou mean? burr: Well, Tapent si or seven years after high school trying to work myself up. Shipping clerk, sales iman, business of one kind or another, And its a tueaily manner of existence. To get on that sub- vray on the hot mornings in summer. To devote your whole life to keeping stock, or making Phone calls, or selling oF buying. To suffer fity Inecks of the year forthe sake of a wwo-week vaca: tion, when all you really deste is to be outdoors, with your shirt off. And always to have (© get ahead of the next fella. And still—that’s how you build a cure rianry: Well, you really enjoy it on a farm? Are you ‘content out there? wire (wih rising agitation): Hap, T've had twenty or hire different kinds of jobs since T left home before the war, and italvays turns out the same. I ust realize i lately. In Nebraska when T herded Cattle, and the Dakotas, and Arizona, and now in ‘Texas, Its why Leame home now, guess, because realized it This farm [work on, its spring there ow, see? And they've got about fifteen new coll ‘There's nothing mote inspiring or—beautiful than the sight of mare and a new colt. And cool there nov, see? Texas is cool pring, And whenever spring comes to where [ am, Tsiddenly get the Feeling, my God, I'm not getin’ anywhere! What the bell am T doing, playing around with horses, eventycight dollars A week! I'm thirgyfour years old, | oughta be imakin’ my future, That’ when I come running home, And now, 1 get here, and I don't know what to do with myselt. (Afr a pause) ve always made a point of not wasting my life, and every. time I come back here Lknov thatall 've done to waste my life aapeye You're poet, you know chat, Biff? You're a— you're an idealist sor: No, I'm mived up very bad. Maybe Foughta get ‘married, Maybe I oughta get stuck into tome- thing. Maybe that's my touble. I'm lke a boy. 'm ot marred, 'm notin business [just—l'm ikea boy. Are you content, Hap? You're a success, aren‘ you? Areyou content? harry: Hell, nol872 / DEATH OF ASALESMAN ner: Why? You're making money, aren't you? meree ving aot with energy epresteens) ALT ee ovat for the merchandise manager ‘athe And suppose Igettobe merehandive man- toe fier a food fend of mine, and ie just | ieiatertic Estate on Long land And he tived | a dbour two mont and sod i and now he's UStuing another ome, He ea’ enjoy ieonce its Aeehee And know thar'sjustwhat {would dot | font now what the ell [im work’ Tor Some sear im my apartmentall alone. And | think of the rene Vim paying. And is eray But | cee Sect T always wanted. MY own apart | soe ee nd plenty ofwomen, And sl god | damnit in lonely \ sire (oil ouastasm) Listen, why don'tyou come out West nih me? apes You and, eh? Sar maybe we could buy a ranch. Raise cate, ere iabecies Men bul ike we are should be working out nthe open avn oidh Te Loman Brothers, neh? Se ol nt afcion) Sure, we'd be known all over the counties sewer (onlay, That's what dveam about Bill Bo tates want to just ip my clothes of ia the Sakic of estore and outbox that goddam mer reel anager Lipean lca box, OULU, See Seti anjbedy in that stove, and T have (0 aie iets fom those commen, pety Sono | bitches [can stand icany more sure Telia you, hide fyouwere with me Pd be | nappy out there wart elius) See, Bit everybody around me isso. | Ag inat Pm constant overingmy ideals. | see Baby together we'd sand up for one anotier, wed Fave someone to UUs vaste It were around you Sap, the trouble fs we weren't brought up (0 ‘gation money Ldontknow how to de savtie Neither can Sire Then lets go! ittee The only thing i+—what ean you make out there? surr But look at your Bend. Bilds an esate and ‘hon has the peace of mid olive ni carte Ye bue ohn he walks ino he store the fave paren front of isn. Thats iyo thou [alae year coming dough the reviving oor and T got more in wy pinky ger than he’s gauinnishead sue Yeah, but yo just aid | water gota'show some of chose pompous self | “hapotiutexeeuines over there Gat Hap Loman spore peade want to walk into the sore Se egNeweliaine Then Lil go ih you, Bi. Well be together yet, I swear, But tke those ro wwe had tonight. Now werent they gorgeous crea: aint: Yeah, yeah, most gorgeous I've had in years, Happy: f get that any ime 1 want, Biff, Whenever { Heel disgusted. The only trouble is, it gets like ‘bowling or something. [just Keep knockin’ them over and it doesn't mean anything. You still run around a lot? nusr, Naa. Ud like to find a girl—steady, somebody with substance, raprv: That's what I long for bite: Go onl You'd never come hor Harry: Twould! Somebody with character, with resis ‘ance! Like Mom, y'know? You're gonna call mea bastard when [tell you this. That gir! Charlotte f ‘was with tonight is engaged to be married in five ‘weeks. (He tres om his new hat) lee: No kiddin’! apy: Sure, the guy’s in line for the vice-presidency ‘of the store. 1 don't know what gets into me, maybe [just have an overdeveloped sense ofc petition or something, but I went and ruined her land furthermore [can't get rid of het, And he's the third executive I've done that to. Isn't that a ‘crummy characteristic? And to top it all, I go 10 their weddings! (Fndignantly but laughing) Like Tm not supposed to take bribes, Manufacturers offer me a hundred dollar bill now and then to throw an order their way: You know how honest L dam, but its like this gel, see, T hate myself for it Because I don't want the girl, and, sil, Teake it and— love i pire: Lets go to sleep. | Hapey. [guess we dida’tsettle anything, heh? birt. Ljust got one idea that J think I'm goingto uy. | apey: What's that? tire: Remember Bill Oliver? APY: Sure, Oliver is very big nove. You want to work or him again? sive: No, butwhen I quit he said something tome. He put his arin on my shoulder, and he said, “Bi you ever need anything, come to me.” warry: Tremember that, That sounds good. fire: T think T'll go to sec him, (ff could get ten thos ‘sand of even seven of eight thousand dollars { ‘could buy.a besuiful ranch. ape: [bet he'd back you. ‘Cause he thought highly ‘ol you, Biff I mean, they all do, You're well liked, DBitt. That's why I say to come back here, and we both have the apartment. And I'm tellin’ you, Biff, any babe you want... irr: No, with a ranch Tcould do the work Like and ‘sll be something. I just wonder though. T won: dder if Olver still thinks I stole thar carton of bas: hetballs Tae TMy work He i, thow lars f ighty liked, nd we you ceand 1 wor of bat act parry: Oh, he probably forgot that long ago. Its almost ten years. You're too sensitive. Anyway, he didn’t really re you. sige! Wel, [think he was going to. I think that's why T “quit was never sure whether he knew or not. J Rhow he thought the world of me, though. I was the only one he'd let lock up the place. wiuiy (delow)* You gonna wash the engine, Biff aver: Shh! (oter looks at uarry, who is goxing down, listening sweety is mumbling inthe parlor.) avev: You hear that? (Pe Histon, wun lags wary.) tse (grzwing angry): Doesn't he know Mom can hear that wnay: Don’t get your sweater dirty, Biffl (A look of pain roses wt’ face.) aver: Isn't that terible? Don’t leave again, will you? ‘You'll find a job here. You gotia stick around, T don't know what to do about him, its geting ‘embarrassing wnuty: Whatasimonizing job! ire, Mom's hearing that! witty: No kiddin’, Biff, you gota date? Wonderful Harev: Go on to sleep. But talk to him in the mor ing, will you? ve (reluctant getting inte bed): With her in the house, Brother! uavey (getting into bed): Tish you'd have a good talk with him. (Th tight om their room begins to fade.) ‘irr (to himself bed): That selfish, stupid arr: Sh... Sleep, Bil. (Dhar ight sont. Wo Deore they haw finshed speaking, {wan.y b form ts dimly stem below inthe darkened Ritch. He opens the refrigerate, searches there, and takes ou! ot of mile The opartment houses are fading out, and the entie house and surroundings become covered with leaves, Musi insinuats itself the leave appear.) wry: Just wanna be careful with those girls, Bitl that's all. Don't make any promises. No promises fof any kind. Because a girl, y'know they always believe what you tell em, and you're very young, Biff, you're 100 young t© be talking seriously (0 airs (Light rises on the kitchen, wsurx, talking, shuts the tefrgerator door ad comes downstage othe kitchen table. He pours milk into a glass. He is totally inmersed ihm 8 DEATHOFASALESMAN / your schooling first. Then when you're all set, There'll be plenty of girls for a boy like you. (He ‘smiles broadly ata kitchen chair.) That so? ‘The gins pay for you? (He laughs.) Boy, you rmust realy be ‘makin’ a hit. (witty is gradually addressing —physicall—a point off Hage, speaking through the wall of the Kitchen, and his ‘he ats boon ving in wale that of a normal conver sation.) wiuix: [ been wondering why you polish the ear so careful. Hal Don't leave te hubeaps, boys. Get the chamois 10 the hubcaps. Happy, use news- paper on the windows, its the casiest thing, Show itm how to do It, BHT You see, Happy? Pad it up, ‘use it like a pad. That's it, that’s it, good work. You're doin’ allright, Hap. (Hepauses, then neds in ‘approbation fora few seconds, then looks uid) BI fest thing we gotta do when we get time is clip that big branch over the house. Afraid i's gonna fall in# storm and hit the roof. Tell you what. We get a rope and sling her around, and then we {mb up there with a couple of saws and take her Gown, Soon a8 you finish the car, boys, T wanna See ya. I gota sutprise for you, boys. ure (offstage): Whatta ya got, Dad? winur: No, you finish frst. Never leave a job till you're Fnishea_—remember that. (Looking toword the “big tiees.") Biff, up in Albany I saw a beautiful ham mock. [think I'l buyit next trip, and we'll hang it Fight between those two elms. Wouldn't that be comnething? Just swingin’ there under those branches. Boy, that would be frouNc BtFF and YOUNG HAPEY appear from the diac ftom whit was oddmasing, HAPPY cartes rags and 4 Dail of water DIFF, wvaring o sweater with a Bock," teases fotball.) sar eit in he dit of eer 0 How's that, Pop, professional? nay: Terrific Terrific job, boys. Good work, Biff Harry: Where's the surprise, Pop? fwitty: Inthe back seat of the car Harry: Boy! (Heruns off) ture! What isit, Dad? Tell me, what'd you buy? witty (laughing, cuffs him): Never mind, something 1 ‘want you to have. uve (turns and state of: Whats it, Hap? Arey (offstage): Tea punching bag! pire: Oh, Pop! tvuuty: It’s got Gene Tunney's signature on it! (anne runs onstage with a punching bog.) aise: Gee, how'd you know we wanted @ punching ag? sel sing faintly.) wniy: Too young entirely, Biff. You want to watch swuty: Well, e's the finest thing for the timing.e74 / DEATH OF ASALESMAN sapey (lis down on his back and pedals with his fet): Tm | Tosing weight, you notice, Pop? i yiuty (toapey): jumping rope is good too. burr, Did you see ihe new football [got iciy (extonining the ball: Where'd you get a new ball? i itr: The conch told me to practice my passing. (wit.y: ‘That 50? And he gave you dhe ball, beh? firs Well, L:borrowed it from the locker room. (He laughs confidentially.) verity laughing eth him. at the thy}: T vant you 10 Teturn that sappy; [told you he wouldn't ike it burr (angry): Well, 'm bringing it back! SuItey (stopping the incipient argument, fo mavex: Sure he's gotta practice with a regulation ball, doesn’t he? fo pire) Coach'll probably congratulate you ‘on your initiative! ure Oh, he keeps congratulating my initiadve all the time, Pop. 1 nay" That's because he likes you: If somebody else ook that ball there'd be an uproar. So what's the Feport, boys, what's the report? aire, Where'd you go this time, Dad? Gee we were Tonesome for you. Wut (pleased, pus an arm around eack oy and they come lou to the apron). Lonesome, heh? pis: Missed you every minute Minty: Don't say? Tell you a secret, bys. Don't breathe to asoul. Someday Tit ave my ovm business, and Piinever have to leave home any more, Harr: Like Uncle Charley, heh? Witty. Bigger dian Unele Charley! Because Chatley is hot-—liked, He's liked, but he's not—wel liked. 11 Where'd you go this time, Dad? Muuys Well, I'got on the road, and { went north to | Providence. Met the Mayor i sure: The Mayor of Providence! | tits, Te yap sting the hotel lobby. du Whaed hesay? aie He sid, “Morning?” and Isai "You gova fine Mig here: Mayor And then he had coffee with oe And tner went wo Waterbury. Waterbury is sng. Big clock cig, the famous Waterbury ERAS Shad Sie bill there. And then Boston— eS te cradle of the Revolution. A fine the castes change sure lakingttit 3 hand): This Saturday Pop, this Sat oes eat for you, Vim gong to break through fora oachdow suarevs You've supposed to pats. er kin ute play for Pop. You watch me Pop and ute T take off my helmet, that means 1m Pee cue Then you watch me cach through chatlin! dyna iiss ures Oh, wai tll this Boston! onan exter in ices. He younger thon BEE, turned ya wore by.) auanano. Bif, where are you? You're supposed to sty wi " ‘watt Hey, toota Bernard, What're you lookin’ so anemic about, Bernard? pewnno” Hey gotta sy, Unele Willy He's got ‘Regents aext week saaves Mtmuntngy, spooning memos ond): Lees ‘bos. Becnara esa Bi Pe gets cay rom anv.) Linen, Bil i hear Me. Birrbaui say that you don't start Itdjust'mah he’s gonna Bunk you, and you fron graduate. head him! swiue Yothetecr study wit hi, Bit. Go ahead now Srawaap, V heard bic! BSR Pop you du't see my sneakers (He hols upafctproux to lok) wwaast Hey that’s 4 beatal job of prinaing! Wikia pings gases): Just because he printed erty Se abn on hin scakers does sees hey goto graduate him, Uncte Wily! wert Gengriys What ee you talking about? With Se Gnetnps to tree Universities they're yon funk him seawtay But heard Me Birnbaum s89— tat Don't bea pest Bernard (to is bs) What an anemicl eaianp: Okay, I'm vaiting for you in my house, Bilt (araann goes off The romans laugh.)actt syit.y: Bernard is not well liked is he? pire: He's liked, but he’s not well liked. arev: That's right, Pop. witty: That's ust what { mean. Bernard can get the best marks in school, y"understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y'understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. That's ‘why thank Almighty God you're both built ike ‘Adonises. Becaise the man who makes an ap- pearance in the business world, the man who ere {tes personal interest, isthe nan who gets ahead, Be iiked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line t0 see a buyer. "Willy Loman is herel” That's all they have to know, and Igo right through. site: Did you knock them dead, Pop? wnuty: Knocked “em cold in Providence, slaughtered ‘em in Boston. Happy (om his bach, padating again): I'm losing weight, you notice, Pop? (wpa enters, as of od,.0 ribbon in her hair, carrying a ashe of washing.) Limba (sth youl energy): Hello, deat! witty: Sweetheart! Lina: How'd the Chewy run? wiuty: Chevrolet, Linda, isthe greatest car ever built. (to the bos) Since when do you let your mother carry wash up the stairs? sirr: Grab hold there, boy! apry: Where (0, Mom? tixpa: Hang them up on the line. And you beter ‘go down to your friends, Biff The cellar is full Of boys. They don’t know what to do with them: sebes. rire: Ah, when Pop comes home they can wait! Witty (laughs apprecatively): You beter go down tell them what to do, Biff sure: I think Fl have them sweep out the furnace wiutx: Good work, Biff BUFF (goes through walline of kitchen to doorway at back and calls down): Fellas! Everybody sweep out the furnace room! I'l be right down! vorces: Allright! Okay, Bil BUFF: George and Sam and Frank, come out back! ‘We're hangin’ up the washt Come on, Hap, on the doublel (He and ware carry out the basket.) axpa: The way they ebey him! ‘way: Well, that’s (raining, the taining, I'm tellin’ ‘you, Twas sellin’ thousands and thousands, but 1 had to come home. 7 Lipa: Oh, the whole block’ll be at that game. Did you sell anything? wuy: Tid five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston, 1inpa: No! Waica minute, Ive got a pencil, (She pulls a DEATHOFASALESMAN / 875 pencil and paper out ofr apron pocket.) That makes our commission... Two hundred—my God! Two hundred and wceive dollars! ‘yout: Wel, I didn't Figure ityet, but Lixpa: How much did you de wiuty: Well, [=I did—about a hundred and eighty in Providence. Well, no—it came to— Foughly two hundred gross on the whole tip. ipa (aithout hesitation): ‘Two hundred gross. That's (She figures.) wary: The trouble was that three of the stores were half closed for inventory in Boston. Otherwise I woulda broke records, uinpa: Well, icmakes seventy dollars and some pen nies. That's very good. witty: What do we ove? LINDA: Well, on the frst there's sixteen dollars om the refrigerator— witty: Why sixteen? EINDA: Well, the fan belt broke, so it was a dollar ‘eighty wuiy! Butit’s brand new. ina: Well, the man said that’s the way itis, Till they work themselves in, know. (They move trough the wall tine into the hitchen,) witty: hope we didn’t getstuck on that machine. tuba: They got the biggest ads of any of them! WwiLty: I knows it'sa fine machine. What else? uisba: Well, there's ninesixty for the washing ma- chine. And for the vacuum cleaner there's three and a half due on the fifteenth. Then the roof, you got twenty-one dollars remaining. witty: Itdon't leak, does ie tina: No, they did a wonderful job. Then you owe Frank for the carburetor. warty: I'm not going to pay that man! ‘That goddam Chevrolet, they ought to prohibit the manufac tare of that car! una: Well, ou owe him three and a half, And odds ‘and ends, comes to around a hundred and twenty dollars by the fifteenth, wiuiy: A hundred and twenty dollars! My God, if business don't pick up I don't know sehat una: Well, next week you'll do betes. witty: Oh, Ill knock 'em dead next week. Pl go to Hartford. I'm very well liked in Hartford. You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don’t seem to take to me, (Prey move onto the frestage ) Oh, don't be foolish. Tknow it when I walk in, They seem ro laugh isa: Why? Why would they laugh at you? Don’t talk ‘hat way, Willy‘76 / DEATH OF ASALESMAN (ovat moves tothe ade ofthe stage. LANDA goes lathe | Kitchen and starts to darn stochings.) | wiuty: I don’t know the reason for it, but they just | pass me by. I'm not noticed. unoks But you're doing wonderful, dear. You're make ing seventy to a hundred dollars a week wun, Bur | gotta he at it ten, twelve hours 2 day: Saher men-—t don't know—they do it easier: 1 Gon Know why—1 can't stop myself talk 400 fhuch. Aman oughta come in with a few words ‘One thing about Charley. He's 2 man of few words, and they respect hitn tinnes You don't talk too much, you're just lively | se oiling): Well, T figure, what the hell, Bite is Short, a couple of jokes. (0 himself) 1 joke too much! (The sie goes.) unpa: Why? You're— cmt: Pm fat. Tin very—foolish to look at, Linda. T Midn’t tell you, but Christmas time 1 happened © fecallingen f HL Stewarts, and asalesman I know, eer was going in to see the buyer I heard hits say Sting about-—valrus, And It cracked him fight across the face. { won" take chat simply ll rake that But they do laugh at me. T know that, ups: Darling Utnr Tgotta overcome it. [know I gotia overcome it, Tim not dressing to advantage, maybe. Lunpa. ‘Willy, darling, you're the handsomest man in the workd— witty: Oh, no, Linda, Minna: ‘Tome you are, (Slight pause) The handsomest. (vom the darkness is heard the laughter of a woman. eer doesn't turd it bu it continues through LANDA'S lines.) inna: And the boys, Willy. Few men are idolized by their children the way you are. (Music is head as behind seri, tothe If of the house "rae womans, dimly sen, is dressings) wvuucy (with great foeling): You're the best there is Tinda, you're a pal, you know that? On. the aude tdn dhe road L want to grab you sometimes ‘aid just kiss the life outa you (The laughter is loud no, adhe moves into brighen- Sg area at the lt here ts. woman has come fom Tekind the sexim ana ie standing, puting on het ha, fook- ing nto a *miror” and laughing) eruays "Cause T get s0 lonely—especially when busi A agin bad and there's nobody to talk to. Tget the Feeling that Til never sell anything again, that 1 eeerytonake a living for you, or a business, a busi Meas for dhe boys. (He tals through THE WOMAN'S Mebsiding laughter, THe WOMAN primp ct the “mir sont) Tiere’s0 much I want to make for— aor “rue woman: Me? You didn’t make me, Willy. 1 pieked you. wut (pleased): You picked me? wee wentan’ (eho i quite properooking, win ¥ age): T Ue Te been sitting at that desk watching a the Salesmen go by. day in, day out. But you've got Sth a sense of humor, and we do have such a {good time together, don’t we? anit: Sure, sure. (He takes her in his arms.) Why do ‘you have to go now? me woman: Iestvo o'clock « wiry: No, come on in! (He pulls hen) whe WOMAN: -_ my sisters'l be scandalized. When'It {you be back? ernie Oh, two weeks about. Will you come up again? see oman: Sare thing, You do make me laugh. I's ood forme. (Ske squares his arm, kisses him.)AnaT fhink you're a wonderful man. warty: You picked me, heh? Mie WOMAN Sure, Because you're so sweet. And suctt akidder. uty. Well, lt see you next time I'm in Boston. wae oan, Tl pat you right through to the buyers Tree lapping her bottom). Right, well, owoms up! Wile WORAN (slaps him gently and laughs): You just Kil en Willy (He suddenly grabs fer and hisses her tovghly.) You kill me. And thanks for the stock: Ings. [love a lotof stockings. Well, good night wniayt Good night. And keep your pores open rae woMaNs Oh, Willy! fri woMan bursts ou loughing, and Lia's laughter Frtiin,raik womas desappears into the dank, Now the vor atthe kitchen table brightens, Lin és siting where She sas atthe htchen table, but now is mending a pair of hari stockings.) tinpa: You are, Willy, The handsomest man. You've igot no reason to feel thak— Witt (coming out of THE WOMAN'S dimming area and "eos fo Lina): FIL make it all up to you. Linda, 0— tino: There's nothing to make up, dear: You're ‘doing fine, better tban— urn. (noticing her mending): What's that? {inpas Just mending my stockings. They're so expet- wir fang, taking them from her): Lon’ Have you 3 eitding, stockings in. this house! Now throw them out! (ana puts the stockings i her pocket.) enwaen (entering on the run): Where is he? If he ‘doesn't study! nar moving. fo the forsiage, with great agitation) You'll give him the answers! nemnan: do, but [can’t on a Regents! That's state ‘exam! They're liable to arrest mel sor wns: hi sawpa! (owe END ‘BERRA ny pens! t 1 a 0 he wit