Death of a Salesman is a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. It won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances, and has been revived on Broadway four times, winning three Tony Awards for Best Revival. It is considered by some critics to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century.
– Wikipedia
ACT I
SCENE I
A flute melody plays in Willy Loman’s home as he enters.
His wife Linda is also there.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m back home from my failed sales trips. My home is in Brooklyn, and I’m exhausted.
LINDA
Can I convince you to ask your boss, Howard Wagner, to let you work in New York so that you don’t have to travel so much?
WILLY LOMAN
I’ll talk to Howard tomorrow.
LINDA
Good. Biff, our oldest son, is back to visit.
WILLY LOMAN
It bothers me that he’s made nothing of his life.
LINDA
Don’t be so critical.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m going to the kitchen to get a snack.
SCENE II
Willy Lowman goes to the kitchen.
WILLY LOMAN
No one’s here and I’m still talking.
From a room that’s not the kitchen (but from where they can still hear Willy Loman talking to himself), Biff and Happy talk:
BIFF
Do you remember our childhood, Happy?
HAPPY
I’m also visiting home. Yes, I do remember it.
BIFF
Our father is babbling to himself again.
HAPPY
Most of his ramblings are criticisms of you, and the fact that you haven’t lived up to his expectations.
BIFF
I’m dissatisfied with my life.
HAPPY
I’m dissatisfied with my life, too.
BIFF
Wouldn’t it be such a fantasy to buy a ranch out West?
HAPPY
It really would.
SCENE III
A fantasy:
WILLY LOMAN
Biff and Happy, my young sons, I praise you both for your abilities to wash my car.
BIFF (young)
I’m a high school star, and I love you, Dad.
HAPPY (young)
I’m so happy you’re back from your business trip.
WILLY LOMAN
Here’s a secret, sons: I’m going to open my own business one day, and it’s going to be bigger than our neighbor Charley’s business.
Bernard enters the fantasy.
BERNARD (young)
Where’s Biff?
BIFF (young)
Here I am.
BERNARD (young)
We have to go study for math class, or you’ll fail.
WILLY LOMAN
See, Bernard is smart, but he’s not “well-liked,” which will ultimately hurt him in the long run.
Linda (but she’s younger) enters the fantasy.
LINDA (young)
Here I am.
BIFF (young)
I have to do chores.
HAPPY (young)
I also have to do chores.
BERNARD (young)
I also have to do chores.
All the boys leave the fantasy.
WILLY LOMAN
My sales trip was a phenomenal success.
LINDA (young)
Was it really?
WILLY LOMAN
It was only meagerly successful. Soon I won’t be able to make the payment on our appliances and our car. No one likes me and I’m bad at my job.
LINDA (young)
Let me console you.
WILLY LOMAN
Okay.
THE WOMAN
Ha ha ha…
Fantasy Willy Loman approaches The Woman. This is a fantasy within the fantasy:
THE WOMAN
Ha ha ha ha ha ha…
WILLY LOMAN
I’m flirting with you.
THE WOMAN
I’m flirting back. Thanks for the stockings.
This fantasy shifts back to Willy Loman’s earlier fantasy in the kitchen.
LINDA (young)
I assure you that all of the worries you mentioned will turn out okay.
WILLY LOMAN (angry)
Stop mending those stockings and throw them out.
Bernard bursts in.
BERNARD (young)
Again, where is Biff?!
LINDA (young)
Willy, remember that Biff has to return the football that he stole. Also, I think that Biff is a bit too rough with the neighborhood girls.
THE WOMAN
Ha ha ha…
WILLY LOMAN
I’m EXPLODING.
LINDA (young)
I’m leaving.
BERNARD (young)
I’m also leaving.
They leave and the daydream ends.
SCENE IV
WILLY LOMAN (muttering to himself)
Exploding, exploding.
Happy comes downstairs into the kitchen.
HAPPY
Dad, be quiet.
WILLY LOMAN (shouting)
I regret not going to Alaska with my brother Ben because he eventually found a diamond mine in Africa and became rich!
Charley enters.
CHARLEY
I entered because I heard the commotion.
HAPPY
I’m going to bed.
Happy goes.
CHARLEY
Let’s play cards.
WILLY LOMAN
Okay.
They play cards.
CHARLEY
Do you want a job with me?
WILLY LOMAN
That’s insulting and I refuse your offer.
CHARLEY
Take the job.
Ben enters, but he’s in Willy Loman’s imagination.
WILLY LOMAN
No, Ben.
BEN
I’ve inspected your house, and I have to catch a train soon to look at properties in Alaska.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m interested in the prospect of going to Alaska.
CHARLEY
Willy, no one’s there. I’m confused, and I’m questioning who you think you’re talking to right now.
WILLY LOMAN
Aaah!
CHARLEY
I’m leaving.
Charley leaves. Now this is just a fantasy. The younger version of Linda enters.
LINDA (young)
Hi, I’m Linda.
BEN
Hi, I’m Ben.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m impatient, how is your life?
BEN
I’ve travelled, and of course I have to mention our father.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m daydreaming even further now.
BEN
I’m about to leave now.
Bernard and Charley rush inside.
BERNARD & CHARLEY (young)
We’ve rushed here to tell you that Biff and Happy are stealing lumber.
BEN
I’m leaving.
Ben leaves.
WILLY LOMAN
Wait, I’m still talking to you.
SCENE V
Outside. Back in reality.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m outside.
LINDA
I found you.
SCENE VI
Inside the house. Biff and Happy come downstairs.
BIFF & HAPPY
Let’s discuss our father’s condition.
BIFF
I judge him for his condition.
LINDA
You’re being too harsh with your judgments.
BIFF
I know Willy is a fake.
LINDA
Can you elaborate on that?
BIFF
I could, but I refuse to.
LINDA
Willy tried to commit suicide, you know.
HAPPY
That makes me angry! Biff, I disapprove of your failures in the business world!
Willy Loman enters.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m also yelling at Biff! For the same reason!
HAPPY
Let me get in the middle of this argument. Dad, what if… Biff and I go into the sporting good business together?
WILLY LOMAN
That prospect brightens up my spirits immediately. I have a ton of tips for you about how to ask for a loan from Bill Oliver, because he was one of my old employers.
BIFF
Let’s argue again!
HAPPY
No, let’s reconcile!
WILLY LOMAN
Let’s argue!
LINDA
Let’s reconcile and go to bed!
WILLY LOMAN
Okay.
BIFF
Okay.
HAPPY
Okay.
They all go to bed.
ACT II
SCENE VII
Willy Loman and Linda are in the kitchen.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m really enjoying this breakfast that you made for me, Linda.
LINDA
Thank you for saying that.
WILLY LOMAN
The future seems bright… But these expensive appliances make me angry!
LINDA
Biff and Happy are going to take you out to dinner tonight.
WILLY LOMAN
That’s exciting! And, I’m going to make Howard Wagner give me a job in New York!
The phone rings, and Biff enters.
BIFF
Let’s chat, Mom.
LINDA
Be nice to your father at the restaurant tonight.
SCENE VIII
Willy Loman and Howard in Howard’s office.
HOWARD
I’m playing with this wire recorder.
WILLY LOMAN
I want to broach the topic —
HOWARD
Listen to my wife and kids on the wire recorder, will you?
WILLY LOMAN
Okay. I wanted to broach —
HOWARD
Keep listening to them.
WILLY LOMAN
— the topic of working in New York?
HOWARD
No.
WILLY LOMAN
Dave Singleman, the legendary salesman, was the person who inspired me to go into sales.
HOWARD
That was a lengthy recalling. I have to leave now.
Howard leaves.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m so angry.
Howard re-enters.
HOWARD
Why don’t you take some time off?
Howard leaves. And… the imagined Ben enters!
BEN
Why don’t you join me in Alaska?
The younger Linda enters.
LINDA (young)
Remember how you have sons and a job?
The younger Biff enters.
BIFF (young)
I’m your son, but as you remember me younger.
WILLY LOMAN
You have great prospects, and you’re also so well liked.
Ben leaves, and the younger Bernard rushes in.
BERNARD (young)
I rushed here because I’m so eager for Biff’s big football game!
The younger Charley also enters.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m so optimistic about this big game.
CHARLEY (young, mocking him)
i’M sO OpTiMiStiC AbOut tHIs BiG gAme.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m gonna get you!
Willy Loman chases Charley off.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m still yelling! I’m still yelling!
SCENE IX
Now reality and fantasy are colliding!! We’re at Charley and I think also Bernard’s office now.
JENNY
I’m Charley’s secretary. Bernard, can you quiet him down?
Willy Loman enters.
WILLY LOMAN
You know, Bernard, Biff is working on a very big deal. Very very big.
BERNARD
I’m going to Washington to fight a case.
WILLY LOMAN
Your success is daunting. Why has Biff turned out to be such a failure?
BERNARD
Well, what happened in Boston that made Biff decide not to go to summer school?
WILLY LOMAN
Don’t blame me for Biff’s failures.
Charley enters.
CHARLEY
Bernard, I’ll see you off now.
BERNARD
Okay.
Bernard exits.
WILLY LOMAN
Can I have more money than the amount that you usually loan me?
CHARLEY
I’m offering you a job again.
WILLY LOMAN
No, I don’t want to take a job from you… Also, I was fired.
CHARLEY
You always need to be liked! Here, I’m angry, take the money.
WILLY LOMAN
You’re my only friend. I’m not gonna cry.
Willy Loman exits.
SCENE X
At Frank’s Chop House. Stanley, a waiter, sets the table.
STANLEY
I’m setting the table because I’m a waiter.
HAPPY
I’ll help you set the table.
Mrs. Forsythe enters the restaurant.
STANLEY & HAPPY
Get a load of that woman who just entered.
STANLEY
I’m going to look at her only because I’m attracted to her appearance.
HAPPY
I’m going to flirt with her.
MRS. FORSYTHE
I’m going to flirt back.
HAPPY
Ohhhh.
Biff enters the restaurant.
HAPPY
Biff, this is Mrs. Forsythe.
MRS. FORSYTHE
Hello.
BIFF
Hello.
HAPPY
Mrs. Forsythe, should we continue to flirt?
MRS. FORSYTHE
Yes, yes we should.
HAPPY
Great.
MRS. FORSYTHE
I’m a call girl.
HAPPY
Will you call another call girl?
MRS. FORSYTHE
Yes. Let me go telephone her now.
She goes to the phone.
BIFF
I waited six hours for Bill Oliver to show up today, and when he did, he didn’t even recognize me. I’m upset at our father’s unrelenting misconception that I’m actually a salesman for Oliver. I’m so mad that I plan to shatter all of Willy’s illusions tonight.
Willy Loman enters and joins them at the table.
WILLY LOMAN
I’ve arrived for dinner.
BIFF (gently)
I waited six hours for Bill Oliver to show up today, and when he did, he didn’t even recognize me.
WILLY LOMAN
I was fired today.
BIFF
I’m stunned. (gently) I waited six hours for Bill Oliver to show up today, and when he did —
HAPPY
But Biff is going to be really, really successful anyway!
WILLY LOMAN
I can’t wait to hear the good news.
BIFF (exploding)
You’re being so unwilling to listen!!
WILLY LOMAN
No I’m not!
BIFF
Yes you are!
Fantasy and reality are blending again!! The younger Bernard and Linda enters the scene:
BERNARD (young)
Linda! Linda!
LINDA (young)
What happened?
BERNARD (young)
Biff failed math.
Back in the restaurant:
WILLY LOMAN
Biff, I can’t believe you failed math.
THE VOICE OF A HOTEL OPERATOR
I’m the operator of a hotel in Boston.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m not in my room right now!
BIFF
Be quiet! Actually, Oliver is talking to his partner about loaning me the money I asked for.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m so interested to know more! I have so many probing questions to ask you about the meeting and the loan.
BIFF (screaming)
Your questions irk me!!!
THE WOMAN
Ha ha ha…
WILLY LOMAN
I’m so angry that I am going to hit you!!
He does, and then he staggers.
WILLY LOMAN
Hitting you has caused me to stagger.
Mrs. Forsythe and Letta enter.
MRS. FORSYTHE
I’m back with another call girl.
LETTA
I’m the other call girl, my name is Letta.
HAPPY
Hello. I think I’ll flirt with you both.
MRS. FORSYTHE
Alright.
LETTA
Alright.
BIFF
Let me help you to the washroom, Dad.
Biff approaches Happy.
BIFF
Seeing you flirting with these women right now makes me want to argue with you about our father’s condition. And now I’m leaving.
Biff leaves.
HAPPY
I’m going to follow him.
MRS. FORSYTHE & LETTA
We’ll come with you.
SCENE XI
In a hotel room. All fantasy-mode. Willy and The Woman.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m dressing myself and flirting with you at the same time.
THE WOMAN
I’m dressing myself and flirting back.
There is a knock on the door.
THE WOMAN
Who could that be?
WILLY LOMAN
Quick, get in the bathroom.
Willy answers the door.
WILLY LOMAN
It’s Biff at the door, my young son.
BIFF (young)
I failed math.
WILLY LOMAN
I don’t want you to come into the room but I’m not going to say that…
BIFF (young)
My math teacher has a lisp.
WILLY LOMAN & THE WOMAN
Ha ha ha ha ha
BIFF (young)
Who is that woman?
WILLY LOMAN
I’m not cheating on your mother.
BIFF (young)
I don’t believe you. You’re a phony little fake. I’m leaving.
Biff storms out.
SCENE XII
Back in the restaurant again, which means we’re back in reality again.
STANLEY
You fell down, let me help you up.
WILLY LOMAN
Do you know where I can find a seed store?
STANLEY
Yes, and I can give you the directions there.
WILLY LOMAN
I have to go there quickly.
SCENE XIII
The kitchen in the Loman house. Happy enters.
HAPPY
Where’s Willy?
He goes into the living room. Biff also enters.
HAPPY
There’s Linda. Where’s Dad? I have these flowers in my hand.
BIFF
I’m inside too.
LINDA
You both didn’t listen to me when I asked you to be nice to your father!
HAPPY
You slapped my flowers!
LINDA
You abandoned Willy!
HAPPY
I’d like to try to appease you right now.
BIFF
I’ll go look for him.
He looks for a moment.
BIFF
He’s out here, planting seeds in the garden… at night… but he has a flashlight.
In Willy Loman’s fantasy, Ben is there.
WILLY LOMAN
Can I consult with you about a $20,000 proposition?
BEN
Of course.
BIFF
I’m here to say goodbye. Can I bring you inside?
WILLY LOMAN
Alright.
They move into the house.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m so angry about your failures!
HAPPY
Dad, calm down —
BIFF
I’m so furious at you!!
WILLY LOMAN
I’M so furious at YOU!!!
Biff sobs.
WILLY LOMAN
The fact that you’re crying right now touches me.
LINDA
I’m going to bed.
BIFF
Me too.
HAPPY
Me too.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m not.
They all go. Just Willy and his fantasies now.
WILLY LOMAN
Can we renew our conversation about the $20,000 proposition?
BEN
Of course.
WILLY LOMAN
I’m so excited about the prospect. Biff is going to do great with $20,000 of insurance money.
LINDA
Willy?
No response.
LINDA
I’m still listening for a response!
BIFF
I am, too.
HAPPY
Me too.
The sound of Willy Loman’s car speeding away.
BIFF & HAPPY
Did you hear that sound?
LINDA
Yes, it sounded like Willy’s car speeding away.
SCENE XIV
In the requiem which I think is still in the Loman’s house.
LINDA
I’m shocked that Willy’s funeral was so poorly attended.
HAPPY
I’m so shocked.
BIFF
He had the wrong dreams.
CHARLEY
Actually, Willy was just a victim of his profession.
Some time passes.
BIFF
I’m just about ready to leave. Happy, do you want to come back out West with me?
HAPPY
No, I’m going to stick it out in New York to honor Dad’s death.
Some time passes.
LINDA
Willy, will you ever forgive me for being unable to cry for you?
She starts crying.
LINDA
We’re free, we’re free, we’re free…
They all exit as the flute melody is heard again.
T H E E N D
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