WILLY:You better study with him,Biff.Go ahead now. BERNARD:I heard him! BIFF:Oh,Pop,you didn't see my sneakers!(He holds up a foot for Willy to look at.) WILLY:Hey,that's a beautiful job of printing! BERNARD(wiping his glasses):Just because he printed Univer- sity of Virginia on his sneakers doesn't mean they've got to graduate him.Uncle Willy! WILLY (angrily):What're you talking about?With scholarships to three universities they're gonna flunk him? BERNARD:But I heard Mr.Birnbaum say... WILLY:Don't be a pest,Bernard!(To his boys.)What an anemic! BERNARD:Okay,I'm waiting for you in my house,Biff. (Bernard goes off.The Lomans laugh.) WILLY:Bernard is not well liked,is he? BIFF:He's liked,but he's not well liked. HAPPY:That's right,Pop. WILLY:That's just what I 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 I thank Almighty God you're both built like Adonises.Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world,the man who creates personal interest,is the man who gets ahead.Be liked and you will never want.You take me,for instance.I never have to wait in line to see a buyer.xWilly Loman is here!That's all they have to know, and I go right through. BIFF:Did you knock them dead.Pop? WILLY:Knocked 'em cold in Providence,slaughtered 'em in Bos- ton. HAPPY(on his back,pedaling again):I'm losing weight,you no- tice,Pop? (Linda enters as of old,a ribbon in her hair,carrying a basket of washing.) LINDA(with youthful energy):Hello,dear!
WILLY: You better study with him, Biff. Go ahead now. BERNARD: I heard him! BIFF: Oh, Pop, you didn’t see my sneakers! (He holds up a foot for Willy to look at.) WILLY: Hey, that’s a beautiful job of printing! BERNARD (wiping his glasses): Just because he printed University of Virginia on his sneakers doesn’t mean they’ve got to graduate him. Uncle Willy! WILLY (angrily): What’re you talking about? With scholarships to three universities they’re gonna flunk him? BERNARD: But I heard Mr. Birnbaum say... WILLY: Don’t be a pest, Bernard! (To his boys.) What an anemic! BERNARD: Okay, I’m waiting for you in my house, Biff. (Bernard goes off. The Lomans laugh.) WILLY: Bernard is not well liked, is he? BIFF: He’s liked, but he’s not well liked. HAPPY: That’s right, Pop. WILLY: That’s just what I 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 I thank Almighty God you’re both built like Adonises. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. »Willy Loman is here!« That’s all they have to know, and I go right through. BIFF: Did you knock them dead. Pop? WILLY: Knocked ‘em cold in Providence, slaughtered ‘em in Boston. HAPPY (on his back, pedaling again): I’m losing weight, you notice, Pop? (Linda enters as of old, a ribbon in her hair, carrying a basket of washing.) LINDA (with youthful energy): Hello, dear!
WILLY:Sweetheart! LINDA:How'd the Chevvy run? WILLY:Chevrolet,Linda,is the greatest car ever built.(To the boys.)Since when do you let your mother carry wash up the stairs? BIFF:Grab hold there,boy! HAPPY:Where to,Mom? LINDA:Hang them up on the line.And you better go down to your friends,Biff.The cellar is full of boys.They don't know what to do with themselves. BIFF:Ah,when Pop comes home they can wait! WILLY (laughs appreciatively):You better go down and tell them what to do,Biff. BIFF:I think I'll have them sweep out the furnace room. WILLY:Good work,Biff. BIFF (goes through wall-line of kitchen to doorway at back and calls down):Fellas!Everybody sweep out the furnace room!I'll be right down! VOICES:All right!Okay,Biff. BIFF:George and Sam and Frank,come out back!We're hangin' up the wash!Come on,Hap,on the double!(He and Happy carry out the basket.) LINDA:The way they obey him! WILLY:Well,that's training,the training.I'm tellin'you,I was sellin'thousands and thousands,but I had to come home. LINDA:Oh,the whole block'll be at that game.Did you sell any- thing? WILLY:I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston. LINDA:No!Wait a minute,I've got a pencil.(She pulls pencil and paper out of her apron pocket.)That makes your commission... Two hundred...my God!Two hundred and twelve dollars! WILLY:Well,I didn't figure it yet,but... LINDA:How much did you do? WILLY:Well,I-I did-about a hundred and eighty gross in Providence
WILLY: Sweetheart! LINDA: How’d the Chevvy run? WILLY: Chevrolet, Linda, is the greatest car ever built. (To the boys.) Since when do you let your mother carry wash up the stairs? BIFF: Grab hold there, boy! HAPPY: Where to, Mom? LINDA: Hang them up on the line. And you better go down to your friends, Biff. The cellar is full of boys. They don’t know what to do with themselves. BIFF: Ah, when Pop comes home they can wait! WILLY (laughs appreciatively): You better go down and tell them what to do, Biff. BIFF: I think I’ll have them sweep out the furnace room. WILLY: Good work, Biff. BIFF (goes through wall-line of kitchen to doorway at back and calls down): Fellas! Everybody sweep out the furnace room! I’ll be right down! VOICES: All right! Okay, Biff. BIFF: George and Sam and Frank, come out back! We’re hangin’ up the wash! Come on, Hap, on the double! (He and Happy carry out the basket.) LINDA: The way they obey him! WILLY: Well, that’s training, the training. I’m tellin’ you, I was sellin’ thousands and thousands, but I had to come home. LINDA: Oh, the whole block’ll be at that game. Did you sell anything? WILLY: I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston. LINDA: No! Wait a minute, I’ve got a pencil. (She pulls pencil and paper out of her apron pocket.) That makes your commission... Two hundred... my God! Two hundred and twelve dollars! WILLY: Well, I didn’t figure it yet, but... LINDA: How much did you do? WILLY: Well, I — I did — about a hundred and eighty gross in Providence
Well,no-it came to-roughly two hundred gross on the whole trip. LINDA (without hesitation):Two hundred gross.That's...(She figures.) WILLY:The trouble was that three of the stores were half-closed for inventory in Boston.Otherwise I woulda broke records. LINDA:Well,it makes seventy dollars and some pennies.That's very good. WILLY:What do we owe? LINDA:Well,on the first there's sixteen dollars on the refrigera- tor WILLY:Why sixteen? LINDA:Well,the fan belt broke,so it was a dollar eighty. WILLY:But it's brand new. LINDA:Well,the man said that's the way it is.Till they work themselves in,y'know. (They move through the wall-line into the kitchen.) WILLY:I hope we didn't get stuck on that machine. LINDA:They got the biggest ads of any of them! WILLY:I know,it's a fine machine.What else? LINDA:Well,there's nine-sixty for the washing machine.And for the vacuum cleaner there's three and a half due on the fif- teenth.Then the roof,you got twenty-one dollars remaining. WILLY:It don't leak,does it? LINDA:No,they did a wonderful job.Then you owe Frank for the carburetor. WILLY:I'm not going to pay that man!That goddam Chevrolet, they ought to prohibit the manufacture oft hat car! LINDA:Well,you owe him three and a half.And odds and ends, comes to around a hundred and twenty dollars by the fifteenth. WILLY:A hundred and twenty dollars!My God,if business don't pick up I don't know what I'm gonna do! LINDA:Well,next week you'll do better. WILLY:Oh,I'll knock 'em dead next week.I'll go to Hartford.I'm very well liked in Hartford.You know,the trouble is,Linda
Well, no — it came to — roughly two hundred gross on the whole trip. LINDA (without hesitation): Two hundred gross. That’s... (She figures.) WILLY: The trouble was that three of the stores were half-closed for inventory in Boston. Otherwise I woulda broke records. LINDA: Well, it makes seventy dollars and some pennies. That’s very good. WILLY: What do we owe? LINDA: Well, on the first there’s sixteen dollars on the refrigerator WILLY: Why sixteen? LINDA: Well, the fan belt broke, so it was a dollar eighty. WILLY: But it’s brand new. LINDA: Well, the man said that’s the way it is. Till they work themselves in, y’know. (They move through the wall-line into the kitchen.) WILLY: I hope we didn’t get stuck on that machine. LINDA: They got the biggest ads of any of them! WILLY: I know, it’s a fine machine. What else? LINDA: Well, there’s nine-sixty for the washing machine. And for the vacuum cleaner there’s three and a half due on the fifteenth. Then the roof, you got twenty-one dollars remaining. WILLY: It don’t leak, does it? LINDA: No, they did a wonderful job. Then you owe Frank for the carburetor. WILLY: I’m not going to pay that man! That goddam Chevrolet, they ought to prohibit the manufacture oft hat car! LINDA: Well, you owe him three and a half. And odds and ends, comes to around a hundred and twenty dollars by the fifteenth. WILLY: A hundred and twenty dollars! My God, if business don’t pick up I don’t know what I’m gonna do! LINDA: Well, next week you’ll do better. WILLY: Oh, I’ll knock ‘em dead next week. I’ll go to Hartford. I’m very well liked in Hartford. You know, the trouble is, Linda
people don't seem to take to me. (They move onto the forestage.) LINDA:Oh,don't be foolish. WILLY:I know it when I walk in.They seem to laugh at me. LINDA:Why?Why would they laugh at you?Don't talk that way, Willy (Willy moves to the edge of the stage.Linda goes into the kitchen and starts to dam stockings.) WILLY:I don't know the reason for it,but they just pass me by. I'm not noticed. LINDA:But you're doing wonderful,dear.You're making seventy to a hundred dollars a week. WILLY:But I gotta be at it ten,twelve hours a day.Other men- I don't know-they do it easier.I don't know why-I can't stop myself-I talk too much.A man oughta come in with a few words.One thing about Charley.He's a man of few words, and they respect him. LINDA:You don't talk too much,you're just lively. WILLY (smiling):Well,I figure,what the hell,life is short,a cou- ple of jokes.(To himself.)I joke too much (The smile goes.) LINDA:Why?You're... WILLY:I'm fat.I'm very-foolish to look at,Linda.I didn't tell you,but Christmas time I happened to be calling on F.H. Stewarts,and a salesman I know,as I was going in to see the buyer I heard him say something about-walrus.And I-I cracked him right across the face.I won't take that.I simply will not take that.But they do laugh at me.I know that. LINDA:Darling… WILLY:I gotta overcome it.I know I gotta overcome it.I'm not dressing to advantage,maybe. LINDA:Willy,darling,you're the handsomest man in the world... WILLY:Oh,no,Linda. LINDA:To me you are.(Slight pause.)The handsomest (From the darkness is heard the laughter of a woman.Willy doesn't turn to it,but it continues through Linda's lines.)
people don’t seem to take to me. (They move onto the forestage.) LINDA: Oh, don’t be foolish. WILLY: I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me. LINDA: Why? Why would they laugh at you? Don’t talk that way, Willy. (Willy moves to the edge of the stage. Linda goes into the kitchen and starts to dam stockings.) WILLY: I don’t know the reason for it, but they just pass me by. I’m not noticed. LINDA: But you’re doing wonderful, dear. You’re making seventy to a hundred dollars a week. WILLY: But I gotta be at it ten, twelve hours a day. Other men — I don’t know — they do it easier. I don’t know why — I can’t stop myself — I talk too much. A man oughta come in with a few words. One thing about Charley. He’s a man of few words, and they respect him. LINDA: You don’t talk too much, you’re just lively. WILLY (smiling): Well, I figure, what the hell, life is short, a couple of jokes. (To himself.) I joke too much (The smile goes.) LINDA: Why? You’re... WILLY: I’m fat. I’m very — foolish to look at, Linda. I didn’t tell you, but Christmas time I happened to be calling on F. H. Stewarts, and a salesman I know, as I was going in to see the buyer I heard him say something about — walrus. And I — I cracked him right across the face. I won’t take that. I simply will not take that. But they do laugh at me. I know that. LINDA: Darling... WILLY: I gotta overcome it. I know I gotta overcome it. I’m not dressing to advantage, maybe. LINDA: Willy, darling, you’re the handsomest man in the world... WILLY: Oh, no, Linda. LINDA: To me you are. (Slight pause.) The handsomest. (From the darkness is heard the laughter of a woman. Willy doesn’t turn to it, but it continues through Linda’s lines.)
LINDA:And the boys,Willy.Few men are idolized by their chil- dren the way you are. (Music is heard as behind a scrim,to the left of the house;The Woman,dimly seen,is dressing.) WILLY (with great feeling):You're the best there is,Linda,you're a pal,you know that?On the road-on the road I want to grab you sometimes and just kiss the life outa you. (The laughter is loud now,and he moves into a brightening area at the left,where The Woman has come from behind the scrim and is standing,putting on her hat,looking into a>mirror<and laughing.) WILLY:Cause I get so lonely-especially when business is bad and there's nobody to talk to.I get the feeling that I'll never sell anything again,that I won't make a living for you,or a business,a business for the boys.(He talks through The Woman's subsiding laughter;The Woman primps at the *mir- ror.)There's so much I want to make for... THE WOMAN:Me?You didn't make me,Willy.I picked you WILLY (pleased):You picked me? THE WOMAN:(who is quite proper-looking,Willy's age):I did. I've been sitting at that desk watching all the salesmen go by, day in,day out.But you've got such a sense of humor,and we do have such a good time together,don't we? WILLY:Sure,sure.(He takes her in his arms.)Why do you have to go now? THE WOMAN:It's two o'clock... WILLY:No,come on in!(He pulls her.) THE WOMAN:...my sisters'll be scandalized.When'll you be back? WILLY:Oh,two weeks about.Will you come up again? THE WOMAN:Sure thing.You do make me laugh.It's good for me.(She squeezes his arm,kisses him.)And I think you're a wonderful man. WILLY:You picked me,heh? THE WOMAN:Sure.Because you're so sweet.And such a kidder
LINDA: And the boys, Willy. Few men are idolized by their children the way you are. (Music is heard as behind a scrim, to the left of the house; The Woman, dimly seen, is dressing.) WILLY (with great feeling): You’re the best there is, Linda, you’re a pal, you know that? On the road — on the road I want to grab you sometimes and just kiss the life outa you. (The laughter is loud now, and he moves into a brightening area at the left, where The Woman has come from behind the scrim and is standing, putting on her hat, looking into a »mirror« and laughing.) WILLY: Cause I get so lonely — especially when business is bad and there’s nobody to talk to. I get the feeling that I’ll never sell anything again, that I won’t make a living for you, or a business, a business for the boys. (He talks through The Woman’s subsiding laughter; The Woman primps at the »mirror«.) There’s so much I want to make for... THE WOMAN: Me? You didn’t make me, Willy. I picked you. WILLY (pleased): You picked me? THE WOMAN: (who is quite proper-looking, Willy’s age): I did. I’ve been sitting at that desk watching all the salesmen go by, day in, day out. But you’ve got such a sense of humor, and we do have such a good time together, don’t we? WILLY: Sure, sure. (He takes her in his arms.) Why do you have to go now? THE WOMAN: It’s two o’clock... WILLY: No, come on in! (He pulls her.) THE WOMAN:... my sisters’ll be scandalized. When’ll you be back? WILLY: Oh, two weeks about. Will you come up again? THE WOMAN: Sure thing. You do make me laugh. It’s good for me. (She squeezes his arm, kisses him.) And I think you’re a wonderful man. WILLY: You picked me, heh? THE WOMAN: Sure. Because you’re so sweet. And such a kidder