He stops at a green light and then it turns red and he goes.(He laughs.) BIFF:Maybe he's color-blind. HAPPY:Pop?Why he's got the finest eye for color in the busi- ness.You know that. BIFF(sitting down on his bed):I'm going to sleep. HAPPY:You're not still sour on Dad,are you,Biff? BIFF:He's all right,I guess. WILLY (underneath them,in the living room):Yes,sir,eighty thousand miles-eighty-two thousand! BIFF:You smoking? HAPPY (holding out a pack of cigarettes):Want one? BIFF:(taking a cigarette):I can never sleep when I smell it. WILLY:What a simonizing job,heh? HAPPY (with deep sentiment):Funny,Biff,y'know?Us sleeping in here again?The old beds.(He pats his bed affectionately.)All the talk that went across those two beds,huh?Our whole lives. BIFF:Yeah.Lotta dreams and plans. HAPPY (with a deep and masculine laugh):About five hundred women would like to know what was said in this room.(They share a soft laugh.) BIFF:Remember that big Betsy something-what the hell was her name-over on Bushwick Avenue? HAPPY (combing his hair):With the collie dog! BIFF:That's the one.I got you in there,remember?HAPPY: Yeah,that was my first time-I think.Boy,there was a pig. (They laugh,almost crudely.You taught me everything I know about women.Don't forget that. BIFF:I bet you forgot how bashful you used to be.Especially with girls. HAPPY:Oh,I still am,Biff. BIFF:Oh,go on. HAPPY:I just control it,that's all.I think I got less bashful and you got more so.What happened,Biff?Where's the old humor, the old confidence?(He shakes Biffs knee.Biff gets up and moves restlessly about the room.What's the matter?
He stops at a green light and then it turns red and he goes. (He laughs.) BIFF: Maybe he’s color-blind. HAPPY: Pop? Why he’s got the finest eye for color in the business. You know that. BIFF (sitting down on his bed): I’m going to sleep. HAPPY: You’re not still sour on Dad, are you, Biff? BIFF: He’s all right, I guess. WILLY (underneath them, in the living room): Yes, sir, eighty thousand miles — eighty-two thousand! BIFF: You smoking? HAPPY (holding out a pack of cigarettes): Want one? BIFF: (taking a cigarette): I can never sleep when I smell it. WILLY: What a simonizing job, heh? HAPPY (with deep sentiment): Funny, Biff, y’know? Us sleeping in here again? The old beds. (He pats his bed affectionately.) All the talk that went across those two beds, huh? Our whole lives. BIFF: Yeah. Lotta dreams and plans. HAPPY (with a deep and masculine laugh): About five hundred women would like to know what was said in this room. (They share a soft laugh.) BIFF: Remember that big Betsy something — what the hell was her name — over on Bushwick Avenue? HAPPY (combing his hair): With the collie dog! BIFF: That’s the one. I got you in there, remember? HAPPY: Yeah, that was my first time — I think. Boy, there was a pig. (They laugh, almost crudely.) You taught me everything I know about women. Don’t forget that. BIFF: I bet you forgot how bashful you used to be. Especially with girls. HAPPY: Oh, I still am, Biff. BIFF: Oh, go on. HAPPY: I just control it, that’s all. I think I got less bashful and you got more so. What happened, Biff? Where’s the old humor, the old confidence? (He shakes Biffs knee. Biff gets up and moves restlessly about the room.) What’s the matter?
BIFF:Why does Dad mock me all the time? HAPPY:He's not mocking you,he... BIFF:Everything I say there's a twist of mockery on his face.I can't get near him. HAPPY:He just wants you to make good,that's all.I wanted to talk to you about Dad for a long time,Biff.Something's- happening to him.He-talks to himself. BIFF:I noticed that this morning.But he always mumbled. HAPPY:But not so noticeable.It got so embarrassing I sent him to Florida.And you know something?Most of the time he's talking to you. BIFF:What's he say about me? HAPPY:I can't make it out. BIFF:What's he say about me? HAPPY:I think the fact that you're not settled,that you're still kind of up in the air... BIFF:There's one or two other things depressing him,Happy HAPPY:What do you mean? BIFF:Never mind.Just don't lay it all to me. HAPPY:But I think if you just got started-I mean-is there any future for you out there? BIFF:I tell ya,Hap,I don't know what the future is.I don't know -what I'm supposed to want. HAPPY:What do you mean? BIFF:Well,I spent six or seven years after high school trying to work myself up.Shipping clerk,salesman,business of one kind or another.And it's a measly manner of existence.To get on that subway on the hot mornings in summer.To devote your whole life to keeping stock,or making phone calls,or selling or buying.To suffer fifty weeks of the year for the sake of a two- week vacation,when all you really desire is to be outdoors, with your shirt off.And always to have to get ahead of the next fella.And still-that's how you build a future. HAPPY:Well,you really enjoy it on a farm?Are you content out there? BIFF(with rising agitation):Hap,I've had twenty or thirty differ-
BIFF: Why does Dad mock me all the time? HAPPY: He’s not mocking you, he... BIFF: Everything I say there’s a twist of mockery on his face. I can’t get near him. HAPPY: He just wants you to make good, that’s all. I wanted to talk to you about Dad for a long time, Biff. Something’s — happening to him. He — talks to himself. BIFF: I noticed that this morning. But he always mumbled. HAPPY: But not so noticeable. It got so embarrassing I sent him to Florida. And you know something? Most of the time he’s talking to you. BIFF: What’s he say about me? HAPPY: I can’t make it out. BIFF: What’s he say about me? HAPPY: I think the fact that you’re not settled, that you’re still kind of up in the air... BIFF: There’s one or two other things depressing him, Happy. HAPPY: What do you mean? BIFF: Never mind. Just don’t lay it all to me. HAPPY: But I think if you just got started — I mean — is there any future for you out there? BIFF: I tell ya, Hap, I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know — what I’m supposed to want. HAPPY: What do you mean? BIFF: Well, I spent six or seven years after high school trying to work myself up. Shipping clerk, salesman, business of one kind or another. And it’s a measly manner of existence. To get on that subway on the hot mornings in summer. To devote your whole life to keeping stock, or making phone calls, or selling or buying. To suffer fifty weeks of the year for the sake of a twoweek vacation, when all you really desire is to be outdoors, with your shirt off. And always to have to get ahead of the next fella. And still — that’s how you build a future. HAPPY: Well, you really enjoy it on a farm? Are you content out there? BIFF (with rising agitation): Hap, I’ve had twenty or thirty differ-
ent kinds of jobs since I left home before the war,and it always turns out the same.I just realized it lately.In Nebraska when I herded cattle,and the Dakotas,and Arizona,and now in Texas. It's why I came home now,I guess,because I realized it.This farm I work on,it's spring there now,see?And they've got about fifteen new colts.There's nothing more inspiring or- beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt.And it's cool there now,see?Texas is cool now,and it's spring.And when- ever spring comes to where I am,I suddenly get the feeling,my God,I'm not gettin'anywhere!What the hell am I doing,play- ing around with horses,twenty-eight dollars a week!I'm thirty-four years old,I oughta be makin'my future.That's when I come running home.And now,I get here,and I don't know what to do with myself.(After a pause.)I've always made a point of not wasting my life,and everytime I come back here I know that all I've done is to waste my life. HAPPY:You're a poet,you know that,Biff?You're a-you're an idealist！ BIFF:No,I'm mixed up very bad.Maybe I oughta get married. Maybe I oughta get stuck into something.Maybe that's my trouble.I'm like a boy.I'm not married,I'm not in business,I just-I'm like a boy.Are you content,Hap?You're a success, aren't you?Are you content? HAPPY:Hell,no！ BIFF:Why?You're making money,aren't you? HAPPY(moving about with energy,expressiveness):All I can do now is wait for the merchandise manager to die.And suppose I get to be merchandise manager?He's a good friend of mine, and he just built a terrific estate on Long Island.And he lived there about two months and sold it,and now he's building an- other one.He can't enjoy it once it's finished.And I know that's just what I would do.I don't know what the hell I'm workin'for.Sometimes I sit in my apartment-all alone.And I think of the rent I'm paying.And it's crazy.But then,it's what I always wanted.My own apartment,a car,and plenty of women.And still,goddammit,I'm lonely. BIFF (with enthusiasm):Listen,why don't you come out West with me? HAPPY:You and I,heh?
ent kinds of jobs since I left home before the war, and it always turns out the same. I just realized it lately. In Nebraska when I herded cattle, and the Dakotas, and Arizona, and now in Texas. It’s why I came home now, I guess, because I realized it. This farm I work on, it’s spring there now, see? And they’ve got about fifteen new colts. There’s nothing more inspiring or — beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt. And it’s cool there now, see? Texas is cool now, and it’s spring. And whenever spring comes to where I am, I suddenly get the feeling, my God, I’m not gettin’ anywhere! What the hell am I doing, playing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week! I’m thirty-four years old, I oughta be makin’ my future. That’s when I come running home. And now, I get here, and I don’t know what to do with myself. (After a pause.) I’ve always made a point of not wasting my life, and everytime I come back here I know that all I’ve done is to waste my life. HAPPY: You’re a poet, you know that, Biff? You’re a — you’re an idealist! BIFF: No, I’m mixed up very bad. Maybe I oughta get married. Maybe I oughta get stuck into something. Maybe that’s my trouble. I’m like a boy. I’m not married, I’m not in business, I just — I’m like a boy. Are you content, Hap? You’re a success, aren’t you? Are you content? HAPPY: Hell, no! BIFF: Why? You’re making money, aren’t you? HAPPY (moving about with energy, expressiveness): All I can do now is wait for the merchandise manager to die. And suppose I get to be merchandise manager? He’s a good friend of mine, and he just built a terrific estate on Long Island. And he lived there about two months and sold it, and now he’s building another one. He can’t enjoy it once it’s finished. And I know that’s just what I would do. I don’t know what the hell I’m workin’ for. Sometimes I sit in my apartment — all alone. And I think of the rent I’m paying. And it’s crazy. But then, it’s what I always wanted. My own apartment, a car, and plenty of women. And still, goddammit, I’m lonely. BIFF (with enthusiasm): Listen, why don’t you come out West with me? HAPPY: You and I, heh?
BIFF:Sure,maybe we could buy a ranch.Raise cattle,use our muscles.Men built like we are should be working out in the open. HAPPY (avidly):The Loman Brothers,heh? BIFF(with vast affection):Sure,we'd be known all over the coun- ties! HAPPY (enthralled):That's what I dream about,Biff.Sometimes I want to just rip my clothes off in the middle of the store and outbox that goddam merchandise manager.I mean I can out- box,outrun,and outlift anybody in that store,and I have to take orders from those common,petty sons-of-bitches till I can't stand it any more. BIFF:I'm tellin'you,kid,if you were with me I'd be happy out there. HAPPY (enthused):See,Biff,everybody around me is so false that I'm constantly lowering my ideals... BIFF:Baby,together we'd stand up for one another,we'd have someone to trust. HAPPY:If I were around you... BIFF:Hap,the trouble is we weren't brought up to grub for money.I don't know how to do it. HAPPY:Neither can I! BIFF:Then let's go! HAPPY:The only thing is-what can you make out there? BIFF:But look at your friend.Builds an estate and then hasn't the peace of mind to live in it. HAPPY:Yeah,but when he walks into the store the waves part in front of him.That's fifty-two thousand dollars a year coming through the revolving door,and I got more in my pinky finger than he's got in his head. BIFF:Yeah,but you just said... HAPPY:I gotta show some of those pompous,self-important executives over there that Hap Loman can make the grade.I want to walk into the store the way he walks in.Then I'll go with you,Biff.We'll be together yet,I swear.But take those two we had tonight.Now weren't they gorgeous creatures? BIFF:Yeah,yeah,most gorgeous I've had in years
BIFF: Sure, maybe we could buy a ranch. Raise cattle, use our muscles. Men built like we are should be working out in the open. HAPPY (avidly): The Loman Brothers, heh? BIFF (with vast affection): Sure, we’d be known all over the counties! HAPPY (enthralled): That’s what I dream about, Biff. Sometimes I want to just rip my clothes off in the middle of the store and outbox that goddam merchandise manager. I mean I can outbox, outrun, and outlift anybody in that store, and I have to take orders from those common, petty sons-of-bitches till I can’t stand it any more. BIFF: I’m tellin’ you, kid, if you were with me I’d be happy out there. HAPPY (enthused): See, Biff, everybody around me is so false that I’m constantly lowering my ideals... BIFF: Baby, together we’d stand up for one another, we’d have someone to trust. HAPPY: If I were around you... BIFF: Hap, the trouble is we weren’t brought up to grub for money. I don’t know how to do it. HAPPY: Neither can I! BIFF: Then let’s go! HAPPY: The only thing is — what can you make out there? BIFF: But look at your friend. Builds an estate and then hasn’t the peace of mind to live in it. HAPPY: Yeah, but when he walks into the store the waves part in front of him. That’s fifty-two thousand dollars a year coming through the revolving door, and I got more in my pinky finger than he’s got in his head. BIFF: Yeah, but you just said... HAPPY: I gotta show some of those pompous, self-important executives over there that Hap Loman can make the grade. I want to walk into the store the way he walks in. Then I’ll go with you, Biff. We’ll be together yet, I swear. But take those two we had tonight. Now weren’t they gorgeous creatures? BIFF: Yeah, yeah, most gorgeous I’ve had in years
HAPPY:I get that any time I want,Biff.Whenever I feel dis- gusted.The only trouble is,it gets like bowling or something.I just keep knockin'them over and it doesn't mean anything. You still run around a lot? BIFF:Naa.I'd like to find a girl-steady,somebody with sub- stance. HAPPY:That's what I long for. BIFF:Go on!You'd never come home. HAPPY:I would!Somebody with character,with resistance!Like Mom,y'know?You're gonna call me a bastard when I tell you this.That girl Charlotte I was with tonight is engaged to be married in five weeks.(He tries on his new hat.) BIFF:No kiddin'! HAPPY:Sure,the guy's in line for the vice-presidency of the store.I don't know what gets into me,maybe I just have an overdeveloped sense of competition or something,but I went and ruined her,and furthermore I can't get rid of her.And he's the third executive I've done that to.Isn't that a crummy char- acteristic?And to top it all,I go to their weddings!(Indig- nantly,but laughing.)Like I'm 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 I am,but it's like this girl,see.I hate myself for it.Because I don't want the girl,and still,I take it and-I love it! BIFF:Let's go to sleep. HAPPY:I guess we didn't settle anything,heh? BIFF:I just got one idea that I think I'm going to try. HAPPY:What's that? BIFF:Remember Bill Oliver? HAPPY:Sure,Oliver is very big now.You want to work for him again? BIFF:No,but when I quit he said something to me.He put his arm on my shoulder,and he said,xBiff,if you ever need any- thing,come to me. HAPPY:I remember that.That sounds good. BIFF:I think I'll go to see him.If I could get ten thousand or even seven or eight thousand dollars I could buy a beautiful ranch
HAPPY: I get that any time I want, Biff. Whenever I feel disgusted. The only trouble is, it gets like bowling or something. I just keep knockin’ them over and it doesn’t mean anything. You still run around a lot? BIFF: Naa. I’d like to find a girl — steady, somebody with substance. HAPPY: That’s what I long for. BIFF: Go on! You’d never come home. HAPPY: I would! Somebody with character, with resistance! Like Mom, y’know? You’re gonna call me a bastard when I tell you this. That girl Charlotte I was with tonight is engaged to be married in five weeks. (He tries on his new hat.) BIFF: No kiddin’! HAPPY: Sure, the guy’s in line for the vice-presidency of the store. I don’t know what gets into me, maybe I just have an overdeveloped sense of competition or something, but I went and ruined her, and furthermore I can’t get rid of her. And he’s the third executive I’ve done that to. Isn’t that a crummy characteristic? And to top it all, I go to their weddings! (Indignantly, but laughing.) Like I’m 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 I am, but it’s like this girl, see. I hate myself for it. Because I don’t want the girl, and still, I take it and — I love it! BIFF: Let’s go to sleep. HAPPY: I guess we didn’t settle anything, heh? BIFF: I just got one idea that I think I’m going to try. HAPPY: What’s that? BIFF: Remember Bill Oliver? HAPPY: Sure, Oliver is very big now. You want to work for him again? BIFF: No, but when I quit he said something to me. He put his arm on my shoulder, and he said, »Biff, if you ever need anything, come to me.« HAPPY: I remember that. That sounds good. BIFF: I think I’ll go to see him. If I could get ten thousand or even seven or eight thousand dollars I could buy a beautiful ranch