WILLY:No,I see everything.I came back ten miles an hour.It took me nearly four hours from Yonkers. LINDA(resigned):Well,you'll just have to take a rest,Willy,you can't continue this way. WILLY:I just got back from Florida. LINDA:But you didn't rest your mind.Your mind is overactive, and the mind is what counts,dear. WILLY:I'll start out in the morning.Maybe I'll feel better in the morning.(She is taking off his shoes.)These goddam arch sup- ports are killing me. LINDA:Take an aspirin.Should I get you an aspirin?It'll soothe you. WILLY (with wonder):I was driving along,you understand?And I was fine.I was even observing the scenery.You can imagine, me looking at scenery,on the road every week of my life.But it's so beautiful up there,Linda,the trees are so thick,and the sun is warm.I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me.And then all of a sudden I'm goin'off the road! I'm tellin'ya,I absolutely forgot I was driving.If I'd've gone the other way over the white line I might've killed somebody. So I went on again-and five minutes later I'm dreamin' again,and I nearly...(He presses two fingers against his eyes.)I have such thoughts,I have such strange thoughts. LINDA:Willy,dear.Talk to them again.There's no reason why you can't work in New York. WILLY:They don't need me in New York.I'm the New England man.I'm vital in New England. LINDA:But you're sixty years old.They can't expect you to keep travelling every week. WILLY:I'll have to send a wire to Portland.I'm supposed to see Brown and Morrison tomorrow morning at ten o'clock to show the line.Goddammit,I could sell them!(He starts putting on his jacket.) LINDA (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 accommodating,dear. WILLY:If old man Wagner was alive I'd a been in charge of New York now!That man was a prince,he was a masterful man
WILLY: No, I see everything. I came back ten miles an hour. It took me nearly four hours from Yonkers. LINDA (resigned): Well, you’ll just have to take a rest, Willy, you can’t continue this way. WILLY: I just got back from Florida. LINDA: But you didn’t rest your mind. Your mind is overactive, and the mind is what counts, dear. WILLY: I’ll start out in the morning. Maybe I’ll feel better in the morning. (She is taking off his shoes.) These goddam arch supports are killing me. LINDA: Take an aspirin. Should I get you an aspirin? It’ll soothe you. WILLY (with wonder): I was driving along, you understand? And I was fine. I was even observing the scenery. You can imagine, me looking at scenery, on the road every week of my life. But it’s so beautiful up there, Linda, the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm. I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me. And then all of a sudden I’m goin’ off the road! I’m tellin’ya, I absolutely forgot I was driving. If I’d’ve gone the other way over the white line I might’ve killed somebody. So I went on again — and five minutes later I’m dreamin’ again, and I nearly... (He presses two fingers against his eyes.) I have such thoughts, I have such strange thoughts. LINDA: Willy, dear. Talk to them again. There’s no reason why you can’t work in New York. WILLY: They don’t need me in New York. I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England. LINDA: But you’re sixty years old. They can’t expect you to keep travelling every week. WILLY: I’ll have to send a wire to Portland. I’m supposed to see Brown and Morrison tomorrow morning at ten o’clock to show the line. Goddammit, I could sell them! (He starts putting on his jacket.) LINDA (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 accommodating, dear. WILLY: If old man Wagner was alive I’d a been in charge of New York now! That man was a prince, he was a masterful man
But that boy of his,that Howard,he don't appreciate.When I went north the first time,the Wagner Company didn't know where New England was! LINDA:Why don't you tell those things to Howard,dear? WILLY (encouraged):I will,I definitely will.Is there any cheese? LINDA:I'll make you a sandwich WILLY:No,go to sleep.I'll take some milk.I'll be up right away. The boys in？ LINDA:They're sleeping.Happy took Biff on a date tonight. WILLY (interested):That so? LINDA:It was so nice to see them shaving together,one behind the other,in the bathroom.And going out together.You no- tice?The whole house smells of shaving lotion. WILLY:Figure it out.Work a lifetime to pay off a house.You finally own it,and there's nobody to live in it. LINDA:Well,dear,life is a casting off.It's always that way. WILLY:No,no,some people-some people accomplish something. Did Biff say anything after I went this morning? LINDA:You shouldn't have criticised him,Willy,especially after he just got off the train.You mustn't lose your temper with him. WILLY:When the hell did I lose my temper?I simply asked him if he was making any money.Is that a criticism? LINDA:But,dear,how could he make any money? WILLY (worried and angered):There's such an undercurrent in him.He became a moody man.Did he apologize when I left this morning? LINDA:He was crestfallen,Willy.You know how he admires you. I think if he finds himself,then you'll both be happier and not fight any more. WILLY:How can he find himself on a farm?Is that a life?A farm- hand?In the beginning,when he was young,I thought,well,a young man,it's good for him to tramp around,take a lot of dif- ferent jobs.But it's more than ten years now and he has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week! LINDA:He's finding himself,Willy. WILLY:Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace!
But that boy of his, that Howard, he don’t appreciate. When I went north the first time, the Wagner Company didn’t know where New England was! LINDA: Why don’t you tell those things to Howard, dear? WILLY (encouraged): I will, I definitely will. Is there any cheese? LINDA: I’ll make you a sandwich. WILLY: No, go to sleep. I’ll take some milk. I’ll be up right away. The boys in? LINDA: They’re sleeping. Happy took Biff on a date tonight. WILLY (interested): That so? LINDA: It was so 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. WILLY: Figure it out. Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there’s nobody to live in it. LINDA: Well, dear, life is a casting off. It’s always that way. WILLY: No, no, some people- some people accomplish something. Did Biff say anything after I went this morning? LINDA: You shouldn’t have criticised him, Willy, especially after he just got off the train. You mustn’t lose your temper with him. WILLY: When the hell did I lose my temper? I simply asked him if he was making any money. Is that a criticism? LINDA: But, dear, how could he make any money? WILLY (worried and angered): There’s such an undercurrent in him. He became a moody man. Did he apologize when I left this morning? LINDA: He was crestfallen, Willy. You know how he admires you. I think if he finds himself, then you’ll both be happier and not fight any more. WILLY: How can he find himself on a farm? Is that a life? A farmhand? In the 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. But it’s more than ten years now and he has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week! LINDA: He’s finding himself, Willy. WILLY: Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace!
LINDA:Shh! WILLY:The trouble is he's lazy,goddammit! LINDA:Willy,please! WILLY:Biff is a lazy bum! LINDA:They're sleeping.Get something to eat.Go on down. WILLY:Why did he come home?I would like to know what brought him home. LINDA:I don't know.I think he's still lost,Willy.I think he's very lost. WILLY:Biff Loman is lost.In the greatest country in the world a young man with such-personal attractiveness,gets lost.And such a hard worker.There's one thing about Biff-he's not lazy. LINDA:Never. WILLY (with pity and resolve):I'll see him in the morning;I'll have a nice talk with him.I'll get him a job selling.He could be big in no time.My God!Remember how they used to follow him around in high school?When he smiled at one of them their faces lit up.When he walked down the street...(He loses himself in reminiscences.) LINDA(trying to bring him out of it):Willy,dear,I got a new kind of American-type cheese today.It's whipped. WILLY:Why do you get American when I like Swiss? LINDA:I just thought you'd like a change... WILLY:I don't want a change!I want Swiss cheese.Why am I always being contradicted? LINDA(with a covering laugh):I thought it would be a surprise WILLY:Why don't you open a window in here,for God's sake? LINDA(with infinite patience):They're all open,dear. WILLY:The way they boxed us in here.Bricks and windows,win- dows and bricks. LINDA:We should've bought the land next door. WILLY:The street is lined with cars.There's not a breath of fresh air in the neighborhood.The grass don't grow any more,you can't raise a carrot in the back yard.They should've had a law against apartment houses.Remember those two beautiful elm
LINDA: Shh! WILLY: The trouble is he’s lazy, goddammit! LINDA: Willy, please! WILLY: Biff is a lazy bum! LINDA: They’re sleeping. Get something to eat. Go on down. WILLY: Why did he come home? I would like to know what brought him home. LINDA: I don’t know. I think he’s still lost, Willy. I think he’s very lost. WILLY: Biff Loman is lost. In the greatest country in the world a young man with such — personal attractiveness, gets lost. And such a hard worker. There’s one thing about Biff — he’s not lazy. LINDA: Never. WILLY (with pity and resolve): I’ll see him in the morning; I’ll have a nice talk with him. I’ll get him a job selling. He could be big in no time. My God! Remember how they used to follow him around in high school? When he smiled at one of them their faces lit up. When he walked down the street... (He loses himself in reminiscences.) LINDA (trying to bring him out of it): Willy, dear, I got a new kind of American-type cheese today. It’s whipped. WILLY: Why do you get American when I like Swiss? LINDA: I just thought you’d like a change... WILLY: I don’t want a change! I want Swiss cheese. Why am I always being contradicted? LINDA (with a covering laugh): I thought it would be a surprise. WILLY: Why don’t you open a window in here, for God’s sake? LINDA (with infinite patience): They’re all open, dear. WILLY: The way they boxed us in here. Bricks and windows, windows and bricks. LINDA: We should’ve bought the land next door. WILLY: The street is lined with cars. There’s not a breath of fresh air in the neighborhood. The grass don’t grow any more, you can’t raise a carrot in the back yard. They should’ve had a law against apartment houses. Remember those two beautiful elm
trees out there?When I and Biff hung the swing between them? LINDA:Yeah,like being a million miles from the city. WILLY:They should've arrested the builder for cutting those down.They massacred the neighbourhood.(Lost.)More and more I think of those days,Linda.This time of year it was lilac and wisteria.And then the peonies would come out,and the daffodils.What fragrance in this room! LINDA:Well,after all,people had to move somewhere. WILLY:No,there's more people now. LINDA:I don't think there's more people.I think WILLY:There's more people!That's what's ruining this country! Population is getting out of control.The competition is mad- dening!Smell the stink from that apartment house!And an- other one on the other side...How can they whip cheese? (On Willy's last line,Biff and Happy raise themselves up in their beds,listening.) LINDA:Go down,try it.And be quiet. WILLY(turning to Linda,guiltily):You're not worried about me, are you,sweetheart? BIFF:What's the matter? HAPPY:Listen! LINDA:You've got too much on the ball to worry about. WILLY:You're my foundation and my support,Linda. LINDA:Just try to relax,dear.You make mountains out of mole- hills. WILLY:I won't fight with him any more.If he wants to go back to Texas,let him go. LINDA:He'll find his way. WILLY:Sure.Certain men just don't get started till later in life. Like Thomas Edison;I think.Or B.F.Goodrich.One of them was deaf.(He starts for the bedroom doorway.)I'll put my money on Biff. LINDA:And Willy-if it's warm Sunday we'll drive in the coun- try.And we'll open the windshield,and take lunch. WILLY:No,the windshields don't open on the new cars
trees out there? When I and Biff hung the swing between them? LINDA: Yeah, like being a million miles from the city. WILLY: They should’ve arrested the builder for cutting those down. They massacred the neighbourhood. (Lost.) More and more I think of those days, Linda. This time of year it was lilac and wisteria. And then the peonies would come out, and the daffodils. What fragrance in this room! LINDA: Well, after all, people had to move somewhere. WILLY: No, there’s more people now. LINDA: I don’t think there’s more people. I think WILLY: There’s more people! That’s what’s ruining this country! Population is getting out of control. The competition is maddening! Smell the stink from that apartment house! And another one on the other side... How can they whip cheese? (On Willy’s last line, Biff and Happy raise themselves up in their beds, listening.) LINDA: Go down, try it. And be quiet. WILLY (turning to Linda, guiltily): You’re not worried about me, are you, sweetheart? BIFF: What’s the matter? HAPPY: Listen! LINDA: You’ve got too much on the ball to worry about. WILLY: You’re my foundation and my support, Linda. LINDA: Just try to relax, dear. You make mountains out of molehills. WILLY: I won’t fight with him any more. If he wants to go back to Texas, let him go. LINDA: He’ll find his way. WILLY: Sure. Certain men just don’t get started till later in life. Like Thomas Edison; I think. Or B. F. Goodrich. One of them was deaf. (He starts for the bedroom doorway.) I’ll put my money on Biff. LINDA: And Willy — if it’s warm Sunday we’ll drive in the country. And we’ll open the windshield, and take lunch. WILLY: No, the windshields don’t open on the new cars
LINDA:But you opened it today. WILLY:Me?I didn't.(He stops.)Now isn't that peculiar!Isn't that a remarkable...(He breaks off in amazement and fright as the flute is heard distantly.) LINDA:What,darling? WILLY:That is the most remarkable thing. LINDA:What,dear? WILLY:I was thinking of the Chevvy.(Slight pause.)Nineteen twenty-eight...when I had that red Chevvy...(Breaks off.)That funny?I coulda sworn I was driving that Chevvy today. LINDA:Well,that's nothing.Something must've reminded you. WILLY:Remarkable.Ts.Remember those days?The way Biff used to simonize that car?The dealer refused to believe there was eighty thousand miles on it.(He shakes his head.)Heh!(To Linda.)Close your eyes,I'll be right up.(He walks out of the bedroom.) HAPPY (to Biff):Jesus,maybe he smashed up the car again! LINDA (calling after Willy):Be careful on the stairs,dear!The cheese is on the middle shelf.(She turns,goes over to the bed, takes his jacket,and goes out of the bedroom.) (Light has risen on the boys'room.Unseen,Willy is heard talk- ing to himself,xeighty thousand miles,"and a little laugh.Biff gets out of bed,comes downstage a bit,and stands attentively.Biff is two years older than his brother Happy,well built,but in these days bears a worn air and seems less self-assured.He has suc- ceeded less,and his dreams are stronger and less acceptable than Happy's.Happy is tall,powerfully made.Sexuality is like a visible color on him,or a scent that many women have discovered.He,like his brother,is lost,but in a different way,for he has never allowed himself to turn his face toward defeat and is thus more confused and hard-skinned,although seemingly more content.) HAPPY (getting out of bed):He's going to get his license taken away if he keeps that up.I'm getting nervous about him, y'know,Biff? BIFF:His eyes are going. HAPPY:I've driven with him.He sees all right.He just doesn't keep his mind on it.I drove into the city with him last week
LINDA: But you opened it today. WILLY: Me? I didn’t. (He stops.) Now isn’t that peculiar! Isn’t that a remarkable... (He breaks off in amazement and fright as the flute is heard distantly.) LINDA: What, darling? WILLY: That is the most remarkable thing. LINDA: What, dear? WILLY: I was thinking of the Chevvy. (Slight pause.) Nineteen twenty-eight ... when I had that red Chevvy... (Breaks off.) That funny? I coulda sworn I was driving that Chevvy today. LINDA: Well, that’s nothing. Something must’ve reminded you. WILLY: Remarkable. Ts. Remember those days? The way Biff used to simonize that car? The dealer refused to believe there was eighty thousand miles on it. (He shakes his head.) Heh! (To Linda.) Close your eyes, I’ll be right up. (He walks out of the bedroom.) HAPPY (to Biff): Jesus, maybe he smashed up the car again! LINDA (calling after Willy): Be careful on the stairs, dear! The cheese is on the middle shelf. (She turns, goes over to the bed, takes his jacket, and goes out of the bedroom.) (Light has risen on the boys’ room. Unseen, Willy is heard talking to himself, »eighty thousand miles,« and a little laugh. Biff gets out of bed, comes downstage a bit, and stands attentively. Biff is two years older than his brother Happy, well built, but in these days bears a worn air and seems less self-assured. He has succeeded less, and his dreams are stronger and less acceptable than Happy’s. Happy is tall, powerfully made. Sexuality is like a visible color on him, or a scent that many women have discovered. He, like his brother, is lost, but in a different way, for he has never allowed himself to turn his face toward defeat and is thus more confused and hard-skinned, although seemingly more content.) HAPPY (getting out of bed): He’s going to get his license taken away if he keeps that up. I’m getting nervous about him, y’know, Biff? BIFF: His eyes are going. HAPPY: I’ve driven with him. He sees all right. He just doesn’t keep his mind on it. I drove into the city with him last week