\

ACT TWO
Music is heard, gay and bright . The curt ain rises as the musi c fades away.
Willy, in shirt sleeves, is sitting at the kitchen tabl e, sipping coff ee, his hat in
his lap. Linda is filling his cup when she can.
WILLY: Wonderful coffee. Meal in itself.
LINDA: Can I make ou some e!!s"
WILLY: No. Take a #reat $.
LINDA: You look so rest ed% dear.
WILLY: f sle&t like a dead one. 'irst time in mont $s. Ima!i ne% slee&i n! till ten
on a Tuesda mor ni n!. (os left nice and earl% $e$"
LINDA: T$e )er e out of $er e # ei!$t oclock.
WILLY: *dod )ork+
LINDA: It )as so t$rillin! to see t$em lea,i n! to!et $er . I cant !et o,er t$e
s$a,i n! lotion in t$is $ouse+
WILLY% smiling: Mmm-
LINDA: (iff )as ,er c$an!ed t$is mor ni n!. .is )$ol e attit ude seeme d to #e
$o&eful. .e couldnt )ait to !et do)nt o)n to see Oli,er.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN 12
WILLY: .es $eadi n! for a c$an!e. T$eres no 3uest i on% t$er e si m&l are
cert ai n men t$at take lon!er to !et soli dified. .o) did $e dress"
LINDA: .is #lue suit. .es so $andsome in t$at suit. .e could #e a- ant $i n! in
t$at suit+
Willy get s up from the tabl e. Linda holds his jacket for hi m.
WILLY: T$eres no 3uesti on% no 3uesti on at all. *ee% on t$e )a $ome toni !$t
Id like to #u some seeds.
LINDA% laughi ng: T$atd #e )onderful. (ut not enou!$ sun !et s #ack t$er e.
Not$in!ll !ro) an mor e.
WILLY: You )ait% kid% #efor e its all o,er )ere !onna !et a little &lace out in
t$e count r % and Ill raise some ,e!et a#l es% a cou&l e of c$ickens .. .
LINDA: Youll do it et % dear.
Willy walks out of his jacket . Linda follows hi m.
WILLY: And t$ell !et marri ed% and come for a )eekend. Id #uild a little
!uest $ouse. Cause I !ot so man fine tools% all Id need )oul d #e a little
lum#er and some &eace of mind.
LINDA% joyfully: I se)ed t$e linin! .. .
WILLY: I could #uild t)o !uest $ouses% so t$ed #ot $ come. Did $e deci de
$o) muc$ $es !oin! to ask Oli,er for"
LINDA% get ti ng hi m into the jacket : .e didnt ment i on it% #ut I ima!i ne ten or
fifteen t$ous and. You !oin! to talk to .o)ard toda"
WILLY: Yea$. Ill &ut it to $i m strai !$t and si m&l e. .ell 4ust $a,e to take me
off t$e road.
LINDA: And Will% dont for!et to ask for a little ad,ance% #ecaus e )e,e !ot
t$e insur ance &remi um. Its t$e !race &eriod no).
ACT TWO 15
WILLY: T$ats a $undr ed . . . "
LINDA: A $undr ed and ei!$t % si6t- ei!$t . (ecaus e )ere a little s$ort a!ai n.
WILLY: W$ are )e s$ort "
LINDA: Well% ou $ad t$e mot or 4o# on t$e car ...
WILLY: T$at !odda m 0tude#aker +
LINDA: And ou !ot one mor e &ame nt on t$e refri!er at or. . .
WILLY: (ut it 4ust #roke a!ai n+
LINDA: Well% its old% dear.
WILLY: I told ou )e s$oul d,e #ou!$t a )ell- ad,er ti sed mac$i ne. C$arl e
#ou!$t a *ener al /lectric and its t)ent ear s old and its still !ood% t$at
son- of- a- #itc$.
LINDA: (ut% Will-
WILLY7 W$oe,er $ear d of a .asti n!s refri!er at or " Once in m life I )oul d like
to o)n somet $i n! outri !$t #efor e its #roken+ Im al)as in a race )it$ t$e
4unkar d+ I 4ust finis$ed &ai n! for t$e car and its on its last le!s. T$e
refri!er at or consume s #elt s like a !odda m mani ac. T$e ti me t$ose t$in!s.
T$e ti me t$em so )$en ou finall &aid for t$em% t$ere used u&.
LINDA% but t oni ng up his jacket as he unbut t ons it: All told% a#out t)o $undr ed
dollars )ould carr us% dear. (ut t$at includes t$e last &ame nt on t$e
mort !a!e. After t$is &ament % Will% t$e $ouse #elon!s to us.
WILLY: Its t)ent - fi,e ear s+
LINDA: (iff )as nine ear s old )$en )e #ou!$t it.
WILLY: Well% t$ats a !reat t$in!. To )eat $er a t)ent - fi,e ear mort !a!e is-
LINDA: Its an accom&li s$me nt .
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN 18
WILLY: All t$e cement % t$e lum#er% t$e reconst r uct i on I &ut in t$is $ouse+
T$ere aint a crack to #e found in it an mor e.
LINDA: Well% it ser,ed its &ur&os e.
WILLY: W$at &ur&os e" 0ome stran!erll come alon!% mo,e in% and t$ats t$at .
If onl (iff )ould take t$is $ouse% and raise a famil .. . e start s to go. *ood-
#% Im lat e.
LINDA% suddenl y reme mberi ng: O$% I for!ot+ Youre su&&os ed to meet t$em
for dinner.
WILLY: Me"
LINDA: At 'ranks C$o& .ouse on 'ort - ei!$t $ near 0i6t$ A,enue.
WILLY: Is t$at so+ .o) a#out ou"
LINDA: No% 4ust t$e t$ree of ou. T$ere !onna #lo) ou to a #i! meal +
WILLY: Dont sa+ W$o t$ou!$t of t$at "
LINDA: (iff came to me t$is mor ni n!% Will% and $e sai d% 9Tell Dad% )e )ant
to #lo) $i m to a #i! meal . 9 (e t$er e si6 oclock. You and our t)o #os are
!oin! to $a,e dinner.
WILLY: *ee )$i:+ T$ats reall somet $i n. Im !onna knock .o)ard for a loo&%
kid. Ill !et an ad,ance% and Ill come $ome )it$ a Ne) York 4o#. *odda mmi t %
no) Im !onna do it+
LINDA: O$% t$ats t$e s&irit% Will+
WILLY: I )ill ne,er !et #e$i nd a )$eel t$e rest of m life+
LINDA: Its c$an!i n!% Will% I can feel it c$an!i n!+
WILLY: (eond a 3uest i on. *#% Im lat e. e start s to go again.
LINDA% calling aft er hi m as she runs to the kitchen tabl e for a handkerchi ef: You !ot
our !lass es "
ACT TWO 1;
WILLY% feel s for them, then comes back in: Yea$% ea$% !ot m !lasses.
LINDA% giving hi m the handkerchi ef: And a $andker c$i ef.
WILLY: Yea$% $andker c$i ef.
LINDA: And our sacc$ari ne"
WILLY: Yea$% m sacc$ari ne.
LINDA: (e careful on t$e su#)a st airs.
!he kisses hi m, and a silk stocki ng is seen hangi ng from her hand. Willy notices it.
WILLY: Will ou sto& mendi n! stockin!s" At least )$ile Im in t$e $ouse. It
!et s me ner,ous. I cant tell ou. <lease.
Linda hides the stocki ng in her hand as she follows Willy
across the forest age in front of the hous e.
LINDA: =eme m#er % 'ranks C$o& .ouse.
WILLY% passi ng the apron: Ma#e #eet s )oul d !ro) out t$er e.
LINDA% laughi ng: (ut ou tried so man times.
WILLY: Yea$. Well% dont )ork $ard toda. e disappears around the right corner of
the hous e.
>NDA: (e careful+
"s Willy vani shes, Linda waves to hi m. !uddenl y the phone rings. !he runs across
the stage and into the kitchen and lifts it.
LINDA: .ello" O$% (iff+ Im so !lad ou called% I 4ust . . . Yes% sure% I 4ust told
$i m. Yes% $ell #e t$er e for dinner at si6 oclock% I didnt for!et . List en% I )as
4ust din! to tell ou. You kno) t$at little ru##er &i&e I told ou a#out " T$at
$e connect ed to t$e !as $eat er " I finall decided to !o do)n t$e cellar t$is
mor ni n! and take it a)a and dest r o it. (ut its !one+ Ima!i ne" .e took it
a)a $i mself% it isnt t$er e+ !he list ens. W$en" O$% t$en ou took it. O$- not $-
DEATH OF A 0AL/0MAN 1?
in!% its 4ust t$at Id $o&ed $ed taken it a)a $ims elf. O$% Im not )orri ed% darlin!%
#ecaus e t$is morni n! $e left in suc$ $i!$ s&irits% it )as like t$e old das+ Im not
afrai d an mor e. Did Mr. Oli,er see ou" . . . Well% ou )ait t$er e t$en. And make a
nice im&res si on on $im% darlin!. @ust dont &ers&ire too muc$ #efore ou see $im.
And $a,e a nice time )it$ Dad. .e ma $a,e #i! ne)s too+ . . . T$ats ri!$t% a Ne)
York 4o#. And #e s)eet to $im toni !$t % dear. (e lo,in! to $im. (ecaus e $es onl a
little #oat lookin! for a $ar#or. !he is trembli ng with sorrow and joy. O$% t$ats
)onderful% (iff% oull sa,e $is life. T$anks% darlin!. @ust &ut our arm around $im
)$en $e comes into t$e rest aur ant . *i,e $im a smil e. T$ats t$e #o . . . *ood- #%
dear. . . . You !ot our com#" . . . T$ats fine. *ood- #% (iff dear.
#n the mi ddl e of her speech, oward Wagner, thirty$ si%, wheel s on a small typewrit er
tabl e on which is a wirerecordi ng machi ne and proceeds to plug it in. This is on the
left forest age. Light slowl y fades on Linda as it rises on oward. oward is intent on
threadi ng the machi ne and only glances over his shoul der as Willy appears.
WILLY: <st+ <st+
.OWA=D: .ello% Will% come in.
WILLY : Like to $a,e a little talk )it$ ou% .o)ard.
.OWA=D: 0orr to kee& ou )aitin!. Ill #e )it$ ou in a minut e.
WILLY: W$ats t$at% .o)ard"
.OWA=D: Didnt ou e,er see one of t$es e" Wire recorder.
WILLY: O$. Can )e talk a minut e"
.OWA=D: =ecords t$in!s. @ust !ot deli,er est er da. (een dri,in! me cra:% t$e
most terrific mac$i ne I e,er sa) in m life. I )as u& all ni!$t )it$ it.
ACT TWO 11
WILLY: W$at do ou do )it$ it"
.OWA=D: I #ou!$t it for dict ati on% #ut ou can do ant $i n! )it$ it. Listen to t$is. I
$ad it $ome last ni!$t. Listen to )$at I &icked u&. T$e first one is m dau!$t er. *et
t$is. e flicks the switch and &'oll out the (arrel& is heard being whistl ed. Listen to
t$at kid )$istl e.
WILLY: T$at is lifelike% isnt it"
.OWA=D: 0e,en ear s old. *et t$at tone.
WILLY: Ts% ts. Like to ask a little fa,or if ou ...
The whistling breaks off, and the voice of oward)s daught er is heard.
.I0 DA>*.T/=: 9No) ou% Dadd. 9
.OWA=D: 0$es cra: for me+ "gain the same song is whistl ed. T$ats me+ .a+ e
winks.
WILLY: Youre ,er !ood+
The whistling breaks off agai n. The machi ne runs silent for a mome nt .
.OWA=D: 0$+ *et t$is no)% t$is is m son.
.I0 0ON: 9T$e ca&it al of Ala#ama is Mont !omer 7 t$e ca&it al of Ari:ona is <$oeni 67
t$e ca&it al of Arkans as is Little =ock7 t$e ca&it al of Californi a is 0acr ame nt o . .9 and
on, and on.
.OWA=D% holding up five fingers: 'i,e ear s old% Will+ WILLY: .ell make an
announcer some da+
.I0 0ON% conti nui ng: 9T$e ca&it al. . .9
.OWA=D: *et t$at- al&$a#et i cal order+ The machi ne breaks off suddenl y. Wait a
minut e. T$e mai d kicked t$e &lu! out.
WILLY: It cert ai nl is a-
.OWA=D: 0$% for *ods sake+
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN 1A
.I0 0ON : 9Its nine oclock% (ulo,a )at c$ ti me. 0o I $a,e to !o to slee&. 9
WILLY: T$at reall is-
.OWA=D: Wait a minut e+ T$e ne6t is m )ife.
They wait.
.OWA=D0 BOIC/: 9*o on% sa somet $i n!. 9 *ause. 9Well% ou !onna talk"9
.I0 WI'/: 9I cant t$ink of ant $i n!. 9
.OWA=D0 BOIC/: 9Well% talk- its turni n!. 9
.I0 WI'/% shyl y, beat en: 9.ello.9 !ilence. 9O$% .o)ar d% I cant talk into
t$is . . .9
.OWA=D% snappi ng the machi ne off: T$at )as m )ife.
WILLY: T$at is a )onderful mac$i ne. Can )e-
.OWA=D: I tell ou% Will% Im !onna take m camer a% and m $ands a)% and
all m $o##i es% and out t$e !o. T$is is t$e most fascinat i n! rel a6ati on I e,er
found.
WILLY: I t$ink Ill !et one mself.
.OWA=D: 0ure% t$ere onl a $undr ed and a $alf. You cant do )it$out it.
0u&&osi n! ou )anna $ear @ack (enn% see" (ut ou cant #e at $ome at t$at
$our. 0o ou tell t$e mai d to turn t$e radio on )$en @ack (enn comes on%
and t$is aut omat i call !oes on )it$ t$e radio . . .
WILLY: And )$en ou come $ome ou .. .
.OWA=D: You can come $ome t)el,e oclock% one oclock% an time ou like%
and ou !et ourself a Coke and sit ourself do)n% t$ro) t$e s)itc$% and
t$er es @ack (enns &ro!r a m in t$e mi ddl e of t$e ni!$t+
WIILY: Im definit el !oin! to !et one. (ecaus e lots of time Im on t$e road%
and I t$ink to ms elf% )$at I must #e mi ssi n! on t$e radio+
ACT TWO 1C
.OWA=D: Dont ou $a,e a radio in t$e car"
WILLY: Well% ea$% #ut )$o e,er t$inks of turnin! it on"
.OWA=D: 0a% arent ou su&&os ed to #e in (ost on"
WILLY: T$ats )$at I )ant to talk to ou a#out % .o)ard. You !ot a minut e"
e draws a chair in from the wing.
.OWA=D: W$at $a&&ene d" W$atre ou doin! $er e"
WILLY: Well. . .
.OWA=D: You didnt crack u& a!ai n% did ou"
WILLY: O$% no. No . . .
.OWA=D: *ee:% ou $ad me )orried t$er e for a minut e. W$ats t$e trou#l e"
WILLY: Well% tell ou t$e trut $% .o)ard. I,e come to t$e decision t$at Id
rat $er not tra,el an mor e.
.OWA=D: Not tra,el+ Well% )$atll ou do"
WILLY: =eme m#er % C$rist mas time% )$en ou $ad t$e &art $er e" You sai d
oud tr to t$ink of some s&ot for me $er e in to)n.
.OWA=D: Wit$ us"
WILLY: Well% sure.
.OWA=D: O$% ea$% ea$. I reme m# er . Well% I couldnt t$ink of ant $i n! for
ou% Will.
WILLY: I tell a% .o)ard. T$e kids are all !ro)n u&% kno). I dont need
muc$ an mor e. If I could take $ome -)ell% si6t- fi,e dollars a )eek% I could
s)in! it.
.OWA=D: Yea$% #ut Will% see I-
WILLY: I tell a )$% .o)ar d. 0&eaki n! frankl and #et )een t$e t)o of us%
kno)- Im 4ust a little tired.
.OWA=D: O$% I could under st and t$at % Will. (ut oure a
DEATH OF A 0AL/0MAN
road man% Will% and )e do a road #usines s. We,e onl !ot a $alf- do:en sal es me n
on t$e floor $er e.
WILLY: *od kno)s% .o)ard% I ne,er asked a fa,or of an man. (ut I )as )it$ t$e firm
)$en our fat$er used to carr ou in $ere in $is arms.
.OWA=D: I kno) t$at % Will% #ut-
WILLY: Your fat$er came to me t$e da ou )ere #orn and asked me )$at I t$ou!$t
of t$e name of .o)ard% ma $e rest in &eace.
.OWA=D: I a&&r eci at e t$at % Will% #ut t$er e 4ust is no s&ot $er e for ou. If I $ad a
s&ot Id slam ou ri!$t in% #ut I 4ust dont $a,e a sin!l e solitar s&ot.
e looks for his light er. Willy has picked it up and gives it to hi m. *ause.
WILLY% with increasi ng anger: .o)ard% all I need to set m ta#l e is fift dollars a
)eek.
.OWA=D: (ut )$er e am I !oin! to &ut ou% kid"
WILLY: Look% it isnt a 3uesti on of )$et $er I can sell merc$andi s e% is it"
.OWA=D: No% #ut its a #usi nes s% kid% and e,er#ods !ott a &ull $is o)n )ei!$t .
WILLY% desperat el y: @ust let me tell ou a stor% .o)ard.OWA=D: Caus e ou !ot t a
admi t% #usines s is #usines s.
WILLY% angrily: (usines s is definit el #usines s% #ut 4ust list en for a minut e. You dont
under st and t$is. W$en I )as a #o- ei!$t ee n% ninet ee n- I )as alread on t$e road.
And t$er e )as a 3uest i on in m mind as to )$et $er sellin! $ad a futur e for me.
(ecaus e in t$ose das I $ad a ear ni n! to !o to Alaska. 0ee% t$er e )ere t$ree !old
strikes in one mont $ in Alaska% and I felt like !oin! out. @ust for t$e ride% ou mi!$t
sa.
ACT TWO
.OWA=D% barel y interest ed: Don t sa.
WILLY: O$% ea$% m fat$er li,ed man ear s in Alaska. .e )as an ad,ent ur ous man.
We,e !ot 3uit e a little streak of self- reliance in our famil. I t$ou!$t Id !o out )it$
m older #rot $er and tr to locat e $im% and ma#e set tl e in t$e Nort$ )it$ t$e old
man. And I )as al most deci ded to !o% )$en I met a sal es ma n in t$e <arker .ouse.
.is name )as Da,e 0in!l ema n. And $e )as ei!$t - four ear s old% and $ed
drumme d merc$andi s e in t$irt- one st at es. And old Da,e% $ed !o u& to $is room%
under s t and% &ut on $is !reen ,el,et sli&&er s- Ill ne,er for!et - and &ick u& $is &$one
and call t$e #uer s% and )it$out e,er lea,in! $is room% at t$e a!e of ei!$t - four% $e
made $is li,in!. And )$en I sa) t$at % I reali:ed t$at sellin! )as t$e !reat es t career a
man could )ant . Caus e )$at coul d #e mor e sati sfin! t$an to #e a#l e to !o% at t$e
a!e of ei!$t - four% into t)ent or t$irt different cities% and &ick u& a &$one% and #e
reme m#e r e d and lo,ed and $el&ed # so man different &eo&l e" Do ou kno)"
)$en $e died- and # t$e )a $e died t$e deat $ of a sal es ma n% in $is !reen ,el,et
sli&&er s in t$e smoker of t$e Ne) York% Ne) .a,en and .artford% !oin! into (oston-
)$en $e died% $undr eds of sal es me n and #uer s )ere at $is funer al. T$in!s )ere
sad on a lott a trains for mont $s aft er t$at . e stands up. oward has not looked at
hi m. In t$os e das t$er e )as &ersonalit in it% .o)ard. T$ere )as res&ect % and
comr ades $i &% and !ratit ude in it. Toda% its all cut and dried% and t$er es no
c$ance for #rin!i n! friends $i & to #ear- or &ersonali t . You see )$at I mean"
T$e dont kno) me an mor e.
.OWA=D% movi ng away, to the right: T$ats 4ust t$e t$in!% Will.
WILLY: If I $ad fort dollars a )eek- t$ats all Id need. 'ort dollars% .o)ard.
.OWA=D: Did% I cant take #lood from a stone% I-
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN A2
WILLY% desperati on is on hi m now: .o)ard% t$e ear Al 0mit $ )as nomi nat e d% our
fat$er came to me and-
.OWA=D% starting to go off: I,e !ot to see some &eo&l e% kid.
WILLY% stoppi ng hi m: Im talkin! a#out our fat$er+ T$ere )ere &romi s es made
across t$is desk+ You must nt tell me ou,e !ot &eo&l e to see- I &ut t$irt - four ear s
into t$is firm% .o)ard% and no) I cant &a m insur ance+ You cant eat t$e oran!e
and t$ro) t$e &eel a)a- a man is not a &iece of fruit+ "ft er a paus e: No) &a
att enti on. Your fat$er- in EC2A I $ad a #i! ear. I a,er a!e d a $undr ed and se,ent
dollars a )eek in commi ssi ons.
.OWA=D% impati ent l y: No)% Will% ou ne,er a,er a!e d-
WILLY% bangi ng his hand on the desk: I a,er a!e d a $undr ed and se,ent dollars a
)eek in t$e ear of EC2A+ And our fat$er came to me- or rat $er% I )as in t$e office
$er e- it )as ri!$t o,er t$is desk- and $e &ut $is $and on m s$oul der-
.OWA=D% get ti ng up: Youll $a,e to e6cus e me% Will% I !ott a see some &eo&l e. <ull
ours elf to!et $er . +oing out: Ill #e #ack in a little )$ile.
,n oward)s e%it, the light on his chair grows very bright and strange.
WILLY: <ull ms elf to!et $er + W$at t$e $ell did I sa to $im" M *od% I )as ellin! at
$im+ .o) could I+ Willy breaks off, staring at the light, which occupi es the chair,
ani mat i ng it. e approaches this chair, standi ng across the desk from it. 'rank%
'rank% dont ou reme m#e r )$at ou told me t$at time" .o) ou &ut our $and on
m s$oul der% and 'rank . . . e leans on the desk and as he speaks the dead man)s
name he accident all y switches on the recorder, and instantl y
.OWA=D0 0ON: 9. . . of Ne) York is Al#an. T$e ca&it al of O$io is Cincinnat i% t$e
ca&it al of =$ode Island is . . .9 The recitation conti nues.
ACT TWO A5
WILLY% leapi ng away with fright, shouti ng: .a+ .o)ard+ .o)ard+ .o)ard+
.OWA=D% rushing in: W$at $a&&ene d"
WILLY% pointi ng at the machi ne, which conti nues nasall y, childishl y, with the capit al
cities: 0$ut it off+ 0$ut it off+ .OWA=D% pulling the plug out: Look% Will .. .
WILLY% pressi ng his hands to his eyes: I !ot t a !et ms elf some coffee. Ill !et some
coffee . ..
Willy start s to walk out. oward stops hi m.
.OWA=D% rolling up the cord: Will% look . .. WILLY: Ill !o to (ost on.
.OWA=D: Will% ou cant !o to (ost on for us. WILLY: W$ cant I !o"
.OWA=D: I dont )ant ou to re&r es e nt us. I,e #een meani n! to tell ou for a lon!
time no).
WILLY: .o)ard% are ou firin! me"
.OWA=D: I t$ink ou need a !ood lon! rest% Will.
WILLY: .o)ard-
.OWA=D: And )$en ou feel #et t er% come #ack% and )ell see if )e can )ork
somet $i n! out.
WILLY: (ut I !ot t a earn mone% .o)ard. Im in no &osition to-
.OWA=D- W$ere are our sons" W$ dont our sons !i,e ou a $and"
WILLY: T$ere )orkin! on a ,er #i! deal.
.OWA=D: T$is is no time for false &ride% Will. You !o to our sons and ou tell t$em
t$at oure tired. You,e !ot t)o !reat #os% $a,ent ou"
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN A8
WILLY: O$% no 3uest i on% no 3uest i on% #ut in t$e meant i me ...
.OWA=D: T$en t$ats t$at % $e$"
WILLY: All ri!$t% Ill !o to (oston tomorro).
.OWA=D: No% no.
WILLY: I cant t$ro) ms elf on m sons. Im not a cri&&l e+
.OWA=D: Look% kid% Im #us t$is morni n!.
WILLY% graspi ng oward)s arm: .o)ard% ou,e !ot to let me !o to (oston+
.OWA=D% hard, keepi ng hi ms el f under control: I,e !ot a line of &eo&l e to see t$is
morni n!. 0it do)n% take fi,e minut es% and &ull ours elf to!et $er % and t$en !o $ome%
)ill a" I need t$e office% Will. e start s to go, turns, reme mb eri ng the recorder,
start s to push off the tabl e holding the recorder. O$% ea$. W$ene,er ou can t$is
)eek% sto& # and dro& off t$e sam&l es. Youll feel #et t er% Will% and t$en come #ack
and )ell talk. <ull ours elf to!et $er% kid% t$er es &eo&l e out si de.
oward e%it s, pushi ng the tabl e off left. Willy stares into space, e%haus t e d. -ow the
musi c is heard$ (en)s musi cfirst distantl y, then closer, closer. "s Willy speaks, (en
ent ers from the right. e carries valise and umbrella.
WILLY: O$% (en% $o) did ou do it" W$at is t$e ans)er" Did ou )ind u& t$e Alaska
deal alread"
(/N: Doesnt take muc$ time if ou kno) )$at oure doin!. @ust a s$ort #usi nes s
tri&. (oardi n! s$i& in an $our. Want ed to sa !ood- #.
WILLY: (en% I,e !ot to talk to ou.
(/N% glanci ng at his wat ch: .a,ent t$e time% William.
ILLY% crossi ng the apron to (en: (en% not $i n!s )orkin! out. I dont kno) )$at to do.
ACT TWO A;
(/N: No)% look $er e% William. I,e #ou!$t tim#erl and in Alaska and I need a man to
look aft er t$in!s for me.
WILLY: *od% tim#erl and+ Me and m #os in t$os e !rand out door s+
(/N: You,e a ne) conti nent at our doorst e&% William. *et out of t$es e cities%
t$ere full of talk and time &ame nt s and court s of la). 0cre) on our fists and ou
can fi!$t for a fort une u& t$er e.
WILLY: Yes% es+ Linda% Linda+
Linda ent ers as of old, with the wash.
LINDA: O$% oure #ack"
(/N: I $a,ent muc$ time.
WILLY: No% )ait+ Linda% $es !ot a &ro&osi tion for me in Alaska.
LINDA: (ut ou,e !ot- To (en: .es !ot a #eaut iful 4o# $ere.
WILLY: (ut in Alaska% kid% I couldLINDA: Youre doin! )ell enou!$% Will+ (/N% to
Linda: /nou!$ for )$at% m dear"
LINDA% fright ened of (en and angry at hi m: Dont sa t$os e t$in!s to $im+ /nou!$ to
#e $a&& ri!$t $er e% ri!$t no). To Willy, while (en laughs: W$ must e,er#od
con3uer t$e )orld" Youre )ell liked% and t$e #osFloeF .ou% and someda -
toG(en- )$roDTman Wa!ner told $im 4ust t$e ot$er da t$at if $e kee&s it u& $ell
#e a mem#er of t$e firm% didnt $e% Will"
WILLY: 0ure% sure. I am #uildin! somet $i n! )it$ t$is firm% (en% and if a man is
#uildin! somet $i n! $e must #e on t$e ri!$t track% must nt $e"
DEATH OF A 0AL/0MAN 86
(/N: W$at are ou #uildin!" La our $and on it. W$ere is it"
WILLY% hesit antl y: T$ats true% Linda% t$er es not $i n!.
LINDA: W$" To (en: T$eres a man ei!$t - four ear s old-
WILLY: T$ats ri!$t% (en% t$ats ri!$t. W$en I look at t$at man I sa% )$at is t$er e to
)orr a#out "
(/N: (a$+
WILLY: Its true% (en. All $e $as to do is !o into an cit% &ick u& t$e &$one% and $es
maki n! $is li,in! and ou kno) )$"
(/N% picking up his valise: I,e !ot to !o.
WIL LY% holding (en back: Look at t$is #o+
(iff, in his high school sweat er, ent ers carrying suitcas e. appy carries (iff)s
shoul der guards, gold hel met , and foot ball pant s.
WILLY: Wit$out a &enn to $is name% t$ree !reat uni,ersi ti es are #e!!i n! for $im%
and from t$er e t$e sks t$e limit% #ecaus e its not )$at ou do% (en. Its )$o ou
kno) and4 t $e smil e on du'faceTlts cont act s% (en% cont act s+ T$e )$ol e
)ealtft Got GATaska 9&ass es o,erT.' lunc$9 ta#l e at t$e Commodor e .ot el% and
t$ats t$e )onder% t$e )onder of t$is count r% t$at a man can end )it$ diamonds
$er e on t$e #asi s of #ein! liked+ e turns to (iff. And t$ats )$ )$en ou !et out
on t$at field toda its im&ort ant . (ecaus e t$ous ands of &eo&l e )ill #e rootin! for
ou and lo,in! ou. To (en, who has again begun to leave: And (en+ )$en $e )alks
into a #usines s office $is name )ill sound out like a #ell and all t$e doors )ill o&en
to $im+ I,e seen it% (en% I,e seen it a t$ous and times+ You cant feel it )it$ our
$and like tim#er% #ut its t$er eHF@ G
(/N: *ood- #% William.
ACT TWO 87
WILLY: (en% am I ri!$t" Dont ou t$ink Im ri!$t" I ,alue our ad,ice.
(/N: T$eres a ne) conti nent at our doorst e&% William. You could )alk out ric$.
=ic$+ e is gone.
WILLY: Well do it $er e% (en+ You $ear me" Were !onna do it $er e+
.oung (ernard rushes in. The gay musi c of the (oys is heard.
(/=NA=D: O$% !ee% I )as afrai d ou left alread+ WILLY: W$" W$at time is it"
(/=NA=D: Its $alf- &ast one+
WILLY: Well% come on% e,er#od+ /##et s 'ield ne6t sto&+ W$er es t$e &ennant s" e
rushes through the wall$ line of the kitchen and out into the living$ room.
LINDA% to (iff: Did ou &ack fres$ under)ear "
(I''% who has been limberi ng up: # )ant to !o+
(/=NA=D: (iff% Im carri n! our $el met % aint I"
.A<<Y: No% Im carrin! t$e $el met .
(/=NA=D: O$% (iff% ou &romi sed me.
.A<<Y: Im carri n! t$e $el met .
(/=NA=D: .o) am I !oin! to !et in t$e locker room"
LINDA: Let $im carr t$e s$oul der !uar ds. !he put s her coat and hat on in the
kitchen.
(/=NA=D: Can I% (iff" Cause I told e,er#od Im !oin! to #e in t$e locker room.
.A<<Y: In /##et s 'ield its t$e clu#$ous e.
(/=NA=D: I meant t$e clu#$ous e. (iff+
.A<<Y: (iff+
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN AA
(I''% grandl y, aft er a slight pause: Let $i m carr t$e s$oul der !uar ds.
.A<<Y% as he gives (ernard the shoul der guards: 0t a close to us no).
Willy rushes in with the pennant s.
WILLY% handi ng the m out: /,er#od )a,e )$en (iff comes out on t$e field.
appy and (ernard run off. You set no)% #o"
The musi c has died away. (I'': =ead to !o% <o&. /,er muscl e is read.
WILLY% at the edge of the apron: You reali:e )$at t$is means"
(I'' : T$ats ri!$t% <o&.
WILLY% feeling (iff)s muscl es: Youre comi n $ome t$is aft ernoon ca&t ai n of
t$e All-0c$ol asti c C$am&i ons $i & Team of t$e Cit of Ne) York.
(I'' : I !ot it% <o&. And reme m# er % &al% )$en I take off m $el met % t$at
touc$do)n is for ou.
WILLY: Lets !o+ e is starting out, with his arm around (iff, when /harley
ent ers, as of old, in knickers. 0 !ot no room for ou% C$arl e.
C.A=L/Y: =oom" 'or )$at "
WILLY: In t$e car.
C.A=L/Y: You !oin for a ride" I )ant ed to s$oot some
casi no.
WILLY% furiousl y: Casino+ #ncredul ousl y: Dont ou reali:e
)$at toda is"
LINDA: O$% $e kno)s% Will. .es 4ust kiddin! ou.
WILLY: T$ats not $i n! to kid a#out +
ACT TWO AC
C.A=L/Y: No. Linda% )$ats !oin on" LINDA: .es &lain! in /##et s 'ield.
C.A=L/Y: (ase#all in t$is )eat $er "
WILLY: Dont talk to $i m. Come on% come on+ e is push) ing the m out.
C.A=L/Y: Wait a minut e% didnt ou $ear t$e ne)s"
WILLY: W$at "
C.A=L/Y: Dont ou list en to t$e radio" /##et s 'ield 4ust #le) u&.
WILLY: You !o to $ell+ /harley laughs. *ushing the m out: Come on% come on+
Were lat e.
C.A=L/Y% as they go: Dnock a $omer % (iff% knock a $omer+
WILLY% the last to leave, turning to /harley: # dont t$ink t$at )as funn%
C$arl e. T$is is t$e !reat es t da of $is life.
C.A=L/Y: Will% )$en are ou !oin! to !ro) u&"
WILLY: Yea$% $e$" W$en t$is !ame is o,er% C$arl e% oull #e lau!$i n! out of
t$e ot$er side of our face. T$ell #e callin! $i m anot $er =ed *ran!e.
T)ent - fi,e t$ousand a ear.
C.A=L/Y% kidding: Is t$at so"
WILLY: Yea$% t$ats so.
C.A=L/Y: Well% t$en% Im sorr% Will. (ut tell me somet $i n!.
WILLY: W$at "
C.A=L/Y: W$o is =ed *ran!e"
WILLY: <ut u& our $ands. *odda m ou% &ut u& our $ands+
/harley, chuckling, shakes his head and walks away,
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN CI
around the left corner of the stage. Willy follows hi m. The musi c rises to a mocki ng
fren1 y.
WILLY: W$o t$e $ell do ou t$ink ou are% #et t er t$an e,er#od else" You dont
kno) e,ert $i n!% ou #i!% i!nor ant % stu&i d . . . <ut u& our $ands+
Light rises, on the right side of the forest age, on a small tabl e in the recepti on room
of /harley)s office. Traffic sounds are heard. (ernard, now mat ure, sits whistling to
hi ms el f. " pair of tenni s racket s and an overni ght bag are on the floor besi de hi m.
WILLY% offst age: W$at are ou )alkin! a)a for" Dont )alk a)a+ If oure !oin! to
sa somet $i n! sa it to m face+ I kno) ou lau!$ at me #e$i nd m #ack. Youll
lau!$ out of t$e. ot$er side of our !odda m face aft er t$is !ame. Touc$do)n+
Touc$do)n+ /i!$t t$ous and &eo&l e+ Touc$do)n+ =i!$t #et )ee n t$e !oal &ost s.
(ernard is a 2ui et , earnes t , but self$ assured young man. Willy)s voice is comi ng
from right upst age now. (ernard lowers his feet off the tabl e and list ens. 3enny, his
father)s secret ary, ent ers.
@/NNY% distress ed: 0a% (ernar d% )ill ou !o out in t$e $all"
(/=NA=D: W$at is t$at noise" W$o is it"
@/NNY: Mr. Loman. .e 4ust !ot off t$e ele,at or.
(/=NA=D% get ti ng up: W$os $e ar!ui n! )it$"
@/NNY: No#od. T$eres no#od )it$ $im. I cant deal )it$ $im an more% and our
fat$er !et s all u&set e,erti me $e comes. I,e !ot a lot of t&i n! to do% and our
fat$ers )aitin! to si!n it. Will ou see $im"
WILLY% ent eri ng: Touc$do)n+ Touc$- e sees 3enny. @enn% @enn% !ood to see ou.
.o)re a" Workin" Or still $ones t "
@/NNY: 'ine. .o),e ou #een feelin!"
ACT TWO CE
WILLY: Not muc$ an more% @enn. Ha, $a+ e is surprised to see the racket s.
(/=NA=D: .ello% >ncle Will.
WILLY% al most shocked: (ernar d+ Well% look )$os $er e+ e comes 2uickl y, guiltily,
to (ernard and warml y shakes his hand.
(/=NA=D: .o) are ou" *ood to see ou. WILLY: W$at are ou doin! $ere"
(/=NA=D: O$% 4ust sto&&ed # to see <o&. *et off m feet till m train lea,es. Im
!oin! to Was$i n!t on in a fe) minut es.
WILLY: Is $e in"
(/=NA=D: Yes% $es in $is office )it$ t$e account a nt . 0it do)n.
WILLY% sitting down: W$atre ou !oin! to do in Was$i n!t on"
(/=NA=D: O$% 4ust a case I,e !ot t$er e% Will.
WILLY: T$at so" #ndicating the racket s: You !oin! to &la tenni s t$er e"
(/=NA=D: Im st ai n! )it$ a friend )$os !ot a court.
WILLY: Dont sa. .is o)n tenni s court. Must #e fine &eo&l e% I #et.
(/=NA=D: T$e are% ,er nice. Dad tells me (iffs in to)n.
WILLY% with a big smil e: Yea$% (iffs in. Workin! on a ,er #i! deal% (ernar d.
(/=NA=D: W$ats (iff doin!"
WILLY: Well% $es #een doin! ,er #i! t$in!s in t$e West. (ut $e deci ded to est a#lis$
$ims elf $er e. Ber #i!. Were $a,i n! dinner. Did I $ear our )ife $ad a #o"
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN 92
(/=NA=D: T$ats ri!$t. Our second.
WILLY: T)o #os+ W$at do ou kno)+
(/=NA=D: W$at kind of a deal $as (iff !ot"
WILLY: Well% (ill Oli,er- ,er #i! s&orti n!- !oods man$e )ant s (iff ,er #adl . Called
$im in from t$e West. Lon! dist ance% cart e #lanc$e% s&eci al deli,eri es. Your friends
$a,e t$eir o)n &ri,at e tenni s court"
(/=NA=D: You still )it$ t$e old firm% Will"
WILLY% aft er a paus e: Im- Im o,er4oed to see $o) ou made t$e !rade% (ernar d%
o,er4oed. Its an encour a!i n! t$in! to see a oun! man reall- reall- Looks ,er
!ood for (iff-,er- e breaks off, then: (ernar d- e is so full of emot i on, he breaks
off again.
(/=NA=D: W$at is it% Will"
WILLY% small and alone: W$at- )$ats t$e secr et "
(/=NA=D: W$at secr et "
WILLY: .o)- $o) did ou" W$ didnt $e e,er cat c$ on"
(/=NA=D: I )ouldnt kno) t$at% Will.
WILLY% confident i ally, desperat el y: You )ere $is friend% $is #o$ood friend. T$eres
somet $i n! I dont under st a nd a#out it. .is life ended aft er t$at /##et s 'ield !ame.
'rom t$e a!e of se,ent e e n not $i n! !ood e,er $a&&ene d to $im.
(/=NA=D: .e ne,er trained $ims elf for ant $i n!.
WILLY: (ut $e did% $e did. After $i!$ sc$ool $e took so man corres &onde nc e
cours es. =adio mec$ani cs7 tel e,ision7 *od kno)s )$at% and ne,er made t$e
sli!$t est mark.
(/=NA=D% taking off his glasses: Will% do ou )ant to talk candi dl "
WILLY% rising, faces (ernard: I re!ar d ou as a ,er #rilliant man% (ernar d. I ,alue
our ad,ice.
ACT TWO C5
(/=NA=D: O$% t$e $ell )it$ t$e ad,ice% Will. I couldnt ad,i se ou. T$er es 4ust one
t$in! I,e al)as )ant ed to ask ou. W$en $e )as su&&os ed to !raduat e% and t$e
mat $ teac$er flunked $im-
WILLY: O$% t$at son- of- a- #itc$ ruined $is life.
(/=NA=D: Yea$% #ut% Will% all $e $ad to do )as !o to summer sc$ool and make u&
t$at su#4 ect .
WILLY: T$ats ri!$t% t$ats ri!$t. (/=NA=D: Did ou tell $im not to !o to summer
sc$ool" WILLY: Me" I #e!!e d $im to !o. I order ed $im to !o+ (/=NA=D: T$en )$
)ouldnt $e !o"
WILLY: W$" W$+ (ernar d% t$at 3uesti on $as #een trailin! me like a !$ost for t$e
last fifteen ear s. .e flunked t$e su#4 ect % and laid do)n and died like a $ammer $it
$im+
(/=NA=D: Take it eas% kid.
WILLY: Let me talk to ou- I !ot no#od to talk to. (ernar d% (ernar d% )as it m fault"
Ysee" It kee&s !oin! around in m mind% ma#e I did somet $i n! to $im. I !ot
not $i n! to !i,e $im.
(/=NA=D: Dont take it so $ard.
WILLY: W$ did $e la do)n" W$at is t$e stor t$er e" You )ere $is friend+
(/=NA=D: Will% I reme m#e r % it )as @une% and our !rades came out. And $ed
flunked mat $.
WILLY: T$at son- of- a- #itc$+
(/=NA=D: No% it )asnt ri!$t t$en. (iff 4ust !ot ,er an!r % I reme m#e r % and $e )as
read to enroll in summer sc$ool.
WILLY% surprised: .e )as"
(/=NA=D: .e )asnt #eat en # it at all. (ut t$en% Will% $e
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN C8
disa&&ear ed from t$e #lock for al most a mont $. And I !ot t$e idea t$at $ed
!one u& to Ne) /n!l and to see ou. Did $e $a,e a talk )it$ ou t$en"
Willy stares in silence.
(/=NA=D: Will" -
WILLY% with a strong edge of resent me nt in his voice: Yea$% $e came to
(ost on. W$at a#out it"
(/=NA=D: Well% 4ust t$at )$en $e came #ack- Ill ne,er for!et t$is% it al)as
mstifies me. (ecaus e Id t$ou!$t so )ell of (iff% e,en t$ou!$ $ed al)as
taken ad,ant a!e of me. I lo,ed $i m% Will% kno)" And $e came #ack aft er
t$at mont $ and took $is sneaker s- reme m#e r t$ose sneaker s )it$ 9>ni,ersi t
of Bir!inia9 &rint ed on t$em" .e )as so &roud of t$ose% )ore t$em e,er
da. And $e took t$em do)n in t$e cellar% and #urned t$em u& in t$e
furnace. We $ad a fist fi!$t. It last ed at least $alf an $our. @ust t$e t)o of us%
&unc$i n! eac$ ot$er do)n t$e cellar% and crin! ri!$t t$rou!$ it. I,e oft en
t$ou!$t of $o) stran!e it )as t$at I kne) $ed !i,en u& $is life. W$at
$a&&ene d in (ost on% Will"
Willy looks at hi m as at an intruder.
(/=NA=D: I 4ust #rin! it u& #ecaus e ou asked me.
WILLY% angrily: Not$in!. W$at do ou mean% 9W$at $a&&ene d"9 W$ats t$at
!ot to do )it$ ant $i n!"
(/=NA=D: Well% dont !et sore.
WILLY: W$at are ou trin! to do% #lame it on me" If a #o las do)n is t$at
m fault"
(/=NA=D: No)% Will% dont !et-
WILLY: Well% dont- dont talk to me t$at )a+ W$at does t$at mean% 9W$at
$a&&ene d"9
/harley ent ers. e is in his vest , and he carries a bot tl e of bourbon.
ACT TWO C;
C.A=L/Y: .e% oure !oin! to miss t$at trai n. e waves the bot tl e.
(/=NA=D: Yea$% Im !oin!. e takes the bot tl e. T$anks% <o&. e picks up his
racket s and bag. *ood- #% Will% and dont )orr a#out it. You kno)% 9If at
first ou dont succeed ...9
WILLY: Yes% I #elie,e in t$at .
(/=NA=D: (ut somet i mes % Will% its #et t er for a man 4ust to )alk a)a.
WILLY: Walk a)a"
(/=NA=D: T$ats ri!$t.
WILLY: (ut if ou cant )alk a)a"
(/=NA=D% aft er a slight pause: I !uess t$ats )$en its tou!$. 4%t endi ng his
hand: *ood- #% Will.
WILLY% shaki ng (ernard)s hand: *ood- #% #o.
C.A=L/Y% an arm on (ernard)s shoul der: .o) do ou like t$is kid" *onna
ar!ue a case in front of t$e 0u&reme Court.
(/=NA=D% prot est i ng: <o&+
WILLY% genui nel y shocked, pained, and happy: No+ T$e 0u&reme Court+
(/=NA=D: I !ot t a run. (% Dad+ C.A=L/Y: Dnock em dead% (ernar d+
(ernard goes off.
WILLY% as /harley takes out his wallet: T$e 0u&r eme Court+ And $e didnt
e,en ment i on it+
C.A=L/Y% counti ng out money on the desk: .e dont $a,e to- $es !onna do
it.
WILLY: And ou ne,er told $i m )$at to do% did ou" You ne,er took an
int er est in $i m.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN C?
C.A=L/Y: M sal,ati on is t$at I ne,er took an int er est in ant $i n!. T$eres
some mone- fift dollars. I !ot an account ant inside.
WILLY: C$arl e% look . . . Wit h difficult y: I !ot m insurance to &a. If ou can
mana!e it-I need a $undr ed and ten dollars.
/harley doesn)t repl y for a mome nt 5 merel y stops movi ng.
WILLY: Id dra) it from m #ank #ut Linda )ould kno)% and I...
C.A=L/Y: 0it do)n% Will.
WILLY% movi ng toward the chair: Im kee&i n! an account of e,er t $i n!%
reme m# er . Ill &a e,er &enn #ack. e sits.
C.A=L/Y: No) list en to me% Will. WILLY: I )ant ou to kno) I a&&r eci at e .. .
C.A=L/Y% sitting down on the tabl e: Will% )$atr e ou doin" W$at t$e $ell is
!oin on in our $ead"
WILLY: W$" Im si m&l ...
C.A=L/Y: I offered ou a 4o#. You can make fift dollars a )eek. And I )ont
send ou on t$e road.
WILLY: I,e !ot a 4o#.
C.A=L/Y: Wit$out &a" W$at kind of a 4o# is a 4o# )it$out &a" e rises.
No)% look% kid% enou!$ is enou!$. Im no !eni us #ut I kno) )$en Im #ein!
insult ed.
WILLY: Insult ed+
C.A=L/Y: W$ dont ou )ant to )ork for me"
WILLY: W$ats t$e mat t er )it$ ou I,e !ot a 4o#.
C.A=L/Y: T$en )$atre ou )alkin in $er e e,er )eek for"
WILLY% get ti ng up: Well% if ou dont )ant me to )alk in $er e-
ACT TWO C1 C.A=L/Y: I am offerin! ou a 4o#.
WILLY: I dont )ant our !odda m 4o#+ C.A=L/Y: W$en t$e $ell are ou !oin!
to !ro) u&" WILLY% furiousl y: You #i! i!nor amus% if ou sa t$at to me a!ai n
Ill ra& ou one+ I dont care $o) #i! ou are+ e)s ready to fight.
*ause.
C.A=L/Y% kindly, going to hi m: .o) muc$ do ou need% Will"
WILLY: C$arl e% Im stra&&ed% Im stra&&ed. I dont kno) )$at to do. I )as
4ust fired.
C.A=L/Y: .o)ard fired ou"
WILLY: T$at snot nos e. Ima!i ne t$at " I named $i m. I named $i m .o)ard.
C.A=L/Y: Will% )$enr e ou !onna reali:e t$at t$em t$in!s dont mean
ant $i n!" You named $i m .o)ar d% #ut ou cant sell t$at . T$e onl t$in! ou
!ot in t$is )orld is )$at ou can sell. And t$e funn t$in! is t$at oure a
sal es ma n% and ou dont kno) t$at .
WILLY: I,e al)as tried to t$ink ot$er )i se% I !uess. I al)as felt t$at if a man
)as im&r es si ,e% and )ell liked% t$at not $i n!-
C.A=L/Y: W$ must e,er#od like ou" W$o liked @. <. Mor!an" Was $e
im&r es si ,e" In a Turkis$ #at $ $ed look like a #ut c$er. (ut )it$ $is &ocket s
on $e )as ,er )ell liked. No) list en% Will% I kno) ou dont like me% and
no#od can sa Im in lo,e )it$ ou% #ut Ill !i,e ou a 4o# #ecaus e- 4ust for
t$e $ell of it% &ut it t$at )a. No) )$at do ou sa"
WILLY: I-I 4ust cant )ork for ou% C$arl e. C.A=L/Y: W$atre ou% 4ealous of
me"
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN CA
WILLY: I cant )ork for ou% t$ats all% dont ask me )$.
C.A=L/Y% angered, takes out more bills: You #een 4ealous of me all our life% ou
damne d fool+ .ere% &aG#ur insur ance. e put s the mone y in Willy)s hand.
WILLY: Im kee&i n! strict account s.
C.A=L/Y: I,e !ot some )ork to do. Take care of ours elf. And &a our insur ance.
WILLY% movi ng to the right: 'unn% kno)" After all t$e $i!$)as% and t$e trains%
and t$e a&&oi nt me nt s% and t$e ear s% ou end u& )ort $ mor e dead t$an ali,e.
C.A=L/Y: Will% no#ods )ort $ not $i n dead. "ft er a slight paus e: Did ou $ear
)$at I said"
Willy stands still, dreami ng.
C.A=L/Y: Will+
WILLY: A&olo!i:e to (ernar d for me )$en ou see $im. I didnt mean to ar!ue )it$
$im. .es a fine #o. T$ere all fine #os% and t$ell end u& #i!- all of t$em.
0omeda t$ell all &la tenni s to!et $er. Wis$ me luck% C$arl e. .e sa) (ill Oli,er
toda.
C.A=L/Y: *ood luck.
WILLY% on the verge of tears: C$arl e% oure t$e onl friend I !ot. Isnt t$at a
remarka#l e t$in!" e goes out.
C.A=L/Y: @esus+
/harley stares aft er hi m a mome nt and follows. "ll light blacks out. !uddenl y
raucous musi c is heard, and a red glow rises behi nd the screen at right. !tanl ey, a
young wait er, appears, carrying a tabl e, followed by appy, who is carrying two
chairs.
0TANL/Y% put ti ng the tabl e down: T$ats all ri!$t% Mr. Loman% I can $andl e it ms elf.
e turns and takes the chairs from appy and places them at the tabl e.
ACT TWO CC .A<<Y% glanci ng around: O$% t$is is #et t er.
0TANL/Y: 0ure% in t$e front t$er e oure in t$e middl e of all kinds a noise. W$ene,er
ou !ot a &art % Mr. Loman% ou 4ust tell me and Ill &ut ou #ack $ere. Ykno)%
t$er es a lott a &eo&l e t$e dont like it &ri,at e% #ecaus e )$en t$e !o out t$e like
to see a lott a action around t$em #ecaus e t$ere sick and tired to st a in t$e $ous e
# t$eirself. (ut I kno) ou% ou aint from .ackens ack. You kno) )$at I mean"
.A<<Y% sitting down: 0o $o)s it comi n!% 0tanl e" 0TANL/Y: A$% its a do!s life. I
onl )is$ durin! t$e )ar t$ed a took me in t$e Arm. I coul da #een dead # no).
.A<<Y: M #rot $ers #ack% 0tanl e. 0TANL/Y: O$% $e come #ack% $e$" 'rom t$e 'ar
West.
.A<<Y: Yea$% #i! cattl e man% m #rot $er% so treat $im ri!$t. And m fat$ers comi n!
too.
0TANL/Y: O$% our fat$er too+ .A<<Y: You !ot a cou&l e of nice lo#st er s" 0TANL/Y:
.undr ed &er cent % #i!. .A<<Y: I )ant t$em )it$ t$e cla)s.
0TANL/Y: Dont )orr% I dont !i,e ou no mice. appy laughs. .o) a#out some
)ine" Itll &ut a $ead on t$e meal.
.A<<Y: No. You reme m#er % 0tanl e% t$at reci&e I #rou!$t ou from o,ers e as " Wit$
t$e c$am&a !ne in it"
0TANL/Y: O$% ea$% sure. I still !ot it tacked u& et in t$e kitc$en. (ut t$atll $a,e to
cost a #uck a&i ece an)as.
.A<<Y: T$ats all ri!$t.
0TANL/Y: W$atd ou% $it a num#er or somet $i n"
.A<<Y: No% its a little cel e#r at i on. M #rot $er is-I t$ink
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN IOO
$e &ulled off a #i! deal toda. I t$ink )ere !oin! into #usines s to!et $er .
0TANL/Y: *reat + T$ats t$e #est for ou. (ecaus e a famil #usi ness% ou
kno) )$at I mean"- t$ats t$e #est .
.A<<Y: T$ats )$at I t$ink.
0TANL/Y: Cause )$ats t$e difference" 0ome#od st eal s" Its in t$e famil.
Dno) )$at I mean" !ot t o voce: Like t$is #art ender $ere. T$e #oss is !oin
cra: )$at kinda leak $es !ot in t$e cas$ re!ist er. You &ut it in #ut it dont
come out.
.A<<Y% raising his head: 0$+
0TANL/Y: W$at "
.A<<Y: You notice I )asnt lookin ri!$t or left% )as I"
0TANL/Y: No.
.A<<Y: And m ees are closed.
0TANL/Y: 0o )$ats t$e- "
.A<<Y: 0trudels comi n.
0TANL/Y% catchi ng on, looks around: A$% no% t$er es no-
e breaks off as a furred, lavishl y dress ed girl ent ers and sits at the ne%t tabl e. (oth
follow her with their eyes.
0TANL/Y: *ee:% $o)d a kno)"
.A<<Y: I !ot radar or somet $i n!. !taring directl y at her profile: Oooooooo . ..
0t anl e.
0TANL/Y: I t$ink t$ats for ou% Mr. Loman.
.A<<Y: Look at t$at mout $. O$% *od. And t$e #inocul ar s.
0TANL/Y: *ee:% ou !ot a life% Mr. Loman.
.A<<Y: Wait on $er.
ACT TWO IOI
0TANL/Y% going to the girl)s tabl e: Would ou like a menu% maam"
*I=L : Im e6&ecti n! someone% #ut Id like a-
.A<<Y: W$ dont ou #rin! $er- e6cus e me% miss% do ou mi nd" I sell
c$am&a!ne% and Id like ou to tr m #rand. (rin! $er a c$am&a !ne%
0t anl e.
*I=L : T$ats a)full nice of ou.
.A<<Y: Dont ment i on it. Its all com&an mone. e laughs.
*I=L : T$ats a c$ar mi n! &roduct to #e sellin!% isnt it"
.A<<Y: O$% !et s to #e like e,ert $i n! else. 0ellin! is sellin!% kno).
*I=L: I su&&os e.
.A<<Y: You dont $a&&en to sell% do ou"
*I=L: No% I dont sell.
.A<<Y: Would ou o#4 ect to a com&li ment from a stran!er " You ou!$t to #e
on a ma!a:i ne co,er.
*I=L% looking at hi m a little archl y: I $a,e #een. !tanl ey comes in with a
glass of champagne.
.A<<Y: W$atd I sa #efore% 0tanl e" You see" 0$es a co,er !irl.
0TANL/Y: O$% I could see% I could see.
.A<<Y% to the +irl: W$at ma!a:i ne"
*I=L: O$% a lot of t$em. !he takes the drink. T$ank ou.
.A<<Y: You kno) )$at t$e sa in 'rance% dont ou" 9C$am&a !ne is t$e
drink of t$e com&l e6i on9- .a% (iff+ (iff has ent ered and sits wit h appy. (I'':
.ello% kid. 0orr Im lat e.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN IO2
.A<<Y: I 4ust !ot $ere. >$% Miss- "
*I=L: 'orst $e.
.A<<Y: Miss 'orst $e% - t$is is m #rot $er .
(I'' : Is Dad $ere"
.A<<Y: .is name is (iff. You mi!$t,e $ear d of $i m. *reat foot #all &laer.
*I=L: =eall" W$at team"
.A<<Y: Are ou familiar )it$ foot #all"
*I=L: No% Im afraid Im not.
.A<<Y: (iff is 3uart er #ack )it$ t$e Ne) York *iant s.
*I=L: Well% t$at is nice% isnt it" !he drinks.
.A<<Y: *ood $eal t $.
*I=L: Im $a&& to meet ou.
.A<<Y: T$ats m name. .a&. Its reall .arold% #ut at West <oint t$e called
me .a&&.
*I=L% now really impress e d: O$% I see. .o) do ou do" !he turns her profile.
(I'': Isnt Dad comi n!"
.A<<Y: You )ant $er"
(I'' : O$% I could ne,er make t$at .
.A<<Y: I reme m# er t$e time t$at idea )ould ne,er come into our $ead.
W$er es t$e old confidence% (iff"
(I'': I 4ust sa) Oli,er-
.A<<Y: Wait a mi nut e. I,e !ot to see t$at old confidence a!ai n. Do ou )ant
$er" 0$es on call.
(I'' : O$% no. e turns to look at the +irl.
ACT TWO IO5
.A<<Y: Im tellin! ou. Watc$ t$is. Turning to the +irl: .one" !he turns to
hi m. Are ou #us"
*I=L: Well% I am ... #ut I could make a &$one call.
.A<<Y: Do t$at % )ill ou% $one" And see if ou can !et a friend. Well #e
$er e for a )$ile. (iff is one of t$e !reat es t foot #all &laer s in t$e count r .
*I=L% standi ng up: Well% Im cert ai nl $a&& to meet ou.
.A<<Y: Come #ack soon.
*I=L: Ill tr.
.A<<Y: Dont tr% $one% tr $ard.
The +irl e%it s. !tanl ey follows, shaki ng his head in bewildered admiration.
.A<<Y: Isnt t$at a s$ame no)" A #eaut iful !irl like t$at " T$ats )$ I cant
!et marri ed. T$eres not a !ood )oman in a t$ous and. Ne) York is loaded
)it$ t$em% kid+
(I'': .a&% look-
.A<<Y: I told ou s$e )as on call+
(I''% strangel y unnerved: Cut it out% )ill a" I )ant to sa somet $i n! to ou.
.A<<Y: Did ou see Oli,er"
(I'': I sa) $i m all ri!$t . No) look% I )ant to tell Dad a cou&l e of t$in!s and I
)ant ou to $el & me.
.A<<Y: W$at " Is $e !oin! to #ack ou"
(I'': Are ou cra:" Youre out of our !odda m $ead% ou kno) t$at "
.A<<Y: W$" W$at $a&&ene d"
(I''% breat hl essl y: # did a terri#l e t$in! toda% .a&. Its #een t$e stran!es t
da I e,er )ent t$rou!$. Im all num#% I s)ear.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN EI8
.A<<Y: You mean $e )oul dnt see ou"
(I'': Well% I )ait ed si6 $ours for $i m% see" All da. De&t sendi n! m name in.
/,en tried to dat e $is secr et ar so s$ed !et me to $i m% #ut no soa&.
.A<<Y: (ecaus e oure not s$o)i n t$e old confidence% (iff. .e reme m#e r e d
ou% didnt $e"
(I''% stoppi ng appy wit h a gest ure: 'inall% a#out fi,e oclock% $e comes
out. Didnt reme m#e r )$o I )as or ant $i n!. I felt like suc$ an idiot% .a&.
.A<<Y: Did ou tell $i m m 'lorida idea"
(I'': .e )alked a)a. I sa) $i m for one mi nut e. I !ot so mad I could,e torn
t$e )alls do)n+ .o) t$e $ell did I e,er !et t$e idea I )as a sal es ma n t$er e" I
e,en #elie,ed ms elf t$at Id #een a sal es ma n for $i m+ And t$en $e !a,e me
one look and- I reali:ed )$at a ridiculous lie m )$ol e life $as #een+ We,e
#een talkin! in a drea m for fifteen ear s. I )as a s$i&&i n! clerk.
.A<<Y: W$atd ou do"
(I''% wit h great tensi on and wonder: Well% $e left% see. And t$e secr et ar
)ent out. I )as all alone in t$e )aitin!- room. I dont kno) )$at came o,er
me% .a&. T$e ne6t t$in! I kno) Im in $is office- &anel ed )alls% e,ert $i n!. I
cant e6&l ai n it. I-.a&% I took $is fount ai n &en.
.A<<Y: *ee:% did $e cat c$ ou"
(I'': I ran out. I ran do)n all ele,en fli!$t s. I ran and ran and ran.
.A<<Y: T$at )as an a)ful dum#- )$atd ou do t$at for"
(I''% agoni 1ed: I dont kno)% I 4ust- )ant ed to take somet $i n!% I dont kno).
You !ot t a $el& me% .a&% Im !onna tell <o&.
.A<<Y: You cra:" W$at for"
ACT TWO 105
(I'': .a&% $es !ot to under st and t$at Im not t$e man some#od lends t$at
kind of mone to. .e t$inks I,e #een s&itin! $i m all t$ese ear s and its
eati n! $i m u&.
.A<<Y: T$ats 4ust it. You tell $i m somet $i n! nice.
(I'': I cant.
.A<<Y: 0a ou !ot a lunc$ dat e )it$ Oli,er tomorro).
(I'': 0o )$at do I do tomorr o)"
.A<<Y: You lea,e t$e $ouse tomorr o) and come #ack at ni!$t and sa Oli,er
is t$inkin! it o,er. And $e t$inks it o,er for a cou&l e of )eeks% and !raduall
it fades a)a and no#ods t$e )orse.
(I'': (ut itll !o on fore,er+
.A<<Y: Dad is ne,er so $a&& as )$en $es lookin! for)ard to somet $i n!+
Willy ent ers.
.A<<Y: .ello% scout +
WILLY: *ee% I $a,ent #een $ere in ear s+
!tanl ey has followed Willy in and set s a chair for hi m. !tanl ey start s off but appy
stops hi m.
.A<<Y: 0tanl e+
!tanl ey stands by, waiting for an order.
(I''% going to Willy with guilt, as to an invalid5 0it do)n% <o&. You )ant a drink"
WILLY: 0ure% I dont mi nd.
(I'': Lets !et a load on.
WILLY: You look )orried.
(I'': N-no. To !tanl ey: 0cot c$ all around. Make it dou#l es.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN EI?
0TANL/Y: Dou#l es% ri!$t . e goes.
WILLY: You $ad a cou&l e alread% didnt ou"
(I'': @ust a cou&l e% ea$.
WILLY: Well% )$at $a&&ened% #o" -oddi ng affirmat i vel y, with a smil e:
/,ert $i n! !o all ri!$t "
(I''% takes a breat h, then reaches out and grasps Willy)s hand: <al . . . e is smiling
bravel y, and Willy is smiling too. I $ad an e6&eri ence toda.
.A<<Y: Terrific% <o&.
WILLY: T$at so" W$at $a&&ened"
(I''% high, slightl y alcoholic, above the eart h: Im !oin! to tell ou e,ert $i n! from
first to last. Its #een a stran!e da. !ilence. e looks around, compos e s hi ms el f as
best he can, but his breat h keeps breaki ng the rhyt hm of his voice. I $ad to )ait
3uit e a )$ile for $im% and-
WILLY: Oli,er"
(I'': Yea$% Oli,er. All da% as a mat t er of cold fact. And a lot of-inst ances-
fact s% <o&% fact s a#out m life came #ack to me. W$o )as it% <o&" W$o e,er
said I )as a sal es ma n )it$ Oli,er"
WILLY: Well% ou )er e.
(I'': No% Dad% I )as a s$i&&i n! clerk.
WILLY: (ut ou )er e &racti call-
(I''% wit h det er mi nat i on: Dad% I dont kno) )$o said it first% #ut I )as ne,er
a sal es ma n for (ill Oli,er.
WILLY: W$atre ou talkin! a#out "
(I'': Lets $old on to t$e fact s toni !$t % <o&. Were not !oin! to !et an)$er e
#ullin around. I )as a s$i&&i n! clerk.
WILLY% angrily: All ri!$t % no) list en to me-
ACT TWO IO1 (I'': W$ dont ou let me finis$"
WILLY: Im not int er est ed in stori es a#out t$e &ast or an cra& of t$at kind
#ecaus e t$e )oods are #urni n!% #os% ou under st and" T$eres a #i! #la:e
!oin! on all around. I )as fired toda.
(I''% shocked: .o) could ou #e"
WILLY: I )as fired% and Im lookin! for a little !ood ne)s to tell our mot $er %
#ecaus e t$e )oman $as )ait ed and t$e )oman $as suffer ed. T$e !ist of it is
t$at I $a,ent !ot a stor left in m $ead% (iff. 0o dont !i,e me a lect ur e
a#out fact s and as&ect s. I am not int er est ed. No) )$at,e ou !ot to sa to
me"
!tanl ey ent ers with three drinks. They wait until he leaves.
WILLY: Did ou see Oli,er"
\
(I'': @esus% Dad+
WILLY: You mean ou didnt !o u& t$er e"
.A<<Y: 0ure $e )ent u& t$er e.
(I'': I did. I-sa) $i m. .o) could t$e fire ou"
WILLY% on the edge of his chair: W$at kind of a )elcome did $e !i,e ou"
(I'': .e )ont e,en let ou )ork on commi ssi on"
WILLY: Im out+ 6riving: 0o tell me% $e !a,e ou a )ar m )elcome"
.A<<Y: 0ure% <o&% sure+
(I''% driven: Well% it )as kind of-
WILLY: I )as )onderi n! if $ed reme m#er ou. To appy: Ima!i ne% man
doesnt see $i m for ten% t)el,e ear s and !i,es $i m t$at kind of a )elcome+
.A<<Y: Damn ri!$t+
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN IOA
(I''% trying to return to the offensi ve: <o&% lookWILLY: You kno) )$ $e
reme m# er e d ou% dont ou" (ecaus e ou im&r es s ed $i m in t$ose das.
(I'' : Lets talk 3ui etl and !et t$is do)n to t$e fact s% $u$"
WILLY% as though (iff had been int errupti ng: Well% )$at $a&&ene d" Its !reat
ne)s% (iff. Did $e take ou into $is office ord ou talk in t$e )aitin!- room"
(I'': Well% $e came in% see% and-
WILLY% with a big smil e: W$atd $e sa" (etc$a $e t$re)
$is ar m around ou.
(I'': Well% $e kinda-
WILLY: .es a fine man. To appy: Ber $ard man to see%
kno).
.A<<Y% agreei ng: O$% I kno).
WILLY% to (iff: Is t$at )$er e ou $ad t$e drinks"
(I'': Yea$% $e !a,e me a cou&l e of- no% no+
.A<<Y% cut ting in: .e told $i m m 'lorida idea.
WILLY: Dont int erru&t . To (iff: .o)d $e react to t$e
'lorida idea"
(I'' : Dad% )ill ou !i,e me a mi nut e to e6&l ai n"
WILLY: I,e #een )aitin! for ou to e6&l ai n since I sat
do)n $ere+ W$at $a&&ene d" .e took ou into $is office
and )$at "
(I'' : Well- I talked. And- and $e list ened% see.
WILLY: 'amous for t$e )a $e list ens% kno). W$at )as
$is ans)er "
(I'': .is ans)er )as- e breaks off, suddenl y angry.
Dad% oure not lettin! me tell ou )$at I )ant to tell ou+
ACT TWO IO9
WILLY% accusi ng, angered: You didnt see $i m% did ou"
(I'': I did see $i m+
WILLY: W$atd ou insult $i m or somet $i n!" You insult ed $i m% didnt ou"
(I'': List en% )ill ou let me out of it% )ill ou 4ust let me out of it+
.A<<Y: W$at t$e $ell+
WILLY: Tell me )$at $a&&ene d+
(I''% to appy: # cant talk to $i m+
" singl e trumpet not e jars the ear. The light of green leaves stains the house,
which holds the air of night and a dream. .oung (ernard ent ers and knocks
on the door of the house.
YO>N* (/=NA=D% frantically: Mrs. Loman% Mrs. Loman+
.A<<Y: Tell $i m )$at $a&&ene d+
(I''% to appy: 0$ut u& and lea,e me alone+
WILLY: No% no+ You $ad to !o and flunk mat $+
(I'': W$at mat $" W$atre ou talkin! a#out "
YO>N* (/=NA=D: Mrs. Loman% Mrs. Loman+
Linda appears in the house, as of old.
WILLY% wildly: Mat$% mat $% mat $+
(I'': Take it eas% <o&+
YO>N* (/=NA=D: Mrs. Loman+
WILLY% furiousl y: If ou $adnt flunked oud,e #een set # no)+
(I'': No)% look% Im !onna tell ou )$at $a&&ene d% and oure !oin! to list en
to me.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN EEI
YO>N* (/=NA=D: Mrs. Loman+
(I'' : I )ait ed si6 $ours-
.A<<Y: W$at t$e $ell are ou sai n!" (I'': I ke&t sendi n! in m name #ut $e
)oul dnt see me. 0o finall $e ... e continues unheard as light fades low on
the rest aurant .
YO>N* (/=NA=D: (iff flunked mat $+
LINDA: No+
YO>N* (/=NA=D: (irn#aum flunked $i m+ T$e )ont !raduat e $i m+
LINDA: (ut t$e $a,e to. .es !ot t a !o to t$e uni,er si t . W$er e is $e" (iff+
(iff+
YO>N* (/=NA=D: No% $e left. .e )ent to *rand Cent r al. LINDA: *rand- You
mean $e )ent to (ost on+ YO>N* (/=NA=D: Is >ncle Will in (ost on"
LINDA: O$% ma#e Will can talk to t$e teac$er . O$% t$e &oor% &oor #o+
Light on hous e area snaps out.
(I''% at the tabl e, now audibl e, holding up a gold fount ai n pen: ... so Im
)as$ed u& )it$ Oli,er% ou under st and" Are ou list eni n! to me"
WILLY% at a loss: Yeali% sure. If ou $adnt flunked(I'' : 'lunked )$at "
W$atre ou talkin! a#out "
WILLY: Dont #lame e,er t $i n! on me+ I didnt flunk mat $ -ou did+ W$at
&en"
.A<<Y: T$at )as a)ful dum#% (iff% a &en like t$at is
)ort $-
WILLY% seei ng the pen for the first ti me: You took Oli,ers
&en"
ACT TWO in
(I''% weakeni ng: Dad% I 4ust e6&l ai ned it to ou. WILLY: You stol e (ill Oli,ers
fount ai n &en+
(I'': I didnt e6actl st eal it+ T$ats 4ust )$at I,e #een e6&l ai nin! to ou+
.A<<Y: .e $ad it in $is $and and 4ust t$en Oli,er )alked in% so $e !ot
ner,ous and stuck it in $is &ocket +
WILLY: M *od% (iff+
(I'': I ne,er int ended to do it% Dad+
O</=ATO=0 BOIC/: 0tandi s$ Arms% !ood e,eni n!+ WILLY% shouti ng: Im not
in m room+
(I''% fright ened: Dad% )$ats t$e mat t er" e and appy stand up.
O</=ATO=: =in!in! Mr. Loman for ou+
WILLY: Im not t$er e% sto& it+
(I''% horrified, get s down on one knee bef ore Willy: Dad% Ill make !ood% Ill make
!ood. Willy tries to get to his feet . (iff holds hi m down. 0it do)n no).
WILLY: No% oure no !ood% oure no !ood for ant $i n!.
(I'': I am% Dad% Ill find somet $i n! else% ou under st and" No) dont )orr
a#out ant $i n!. e holds up Willy)s face: Talk to me% Dad.
O</=ATO=: Mr. Loman does not ans)er. 0$all I &a!e $i m"
WILLY% att e mpt i ng to stand, as though to rush and silence the ,perat or: No% no% no+
.A<<Y: .ell strike somet $i n!% <o&.
WILLY: No% no ...
(I''% desperat el y, standi ng over Willy: <o&% list en+ List en to me+ Im tellin!
ou somet $i n! !ood. Oli,er talked to $is &art ner a#out t$e 'lorida idea. You
list eni n!" .e- $e
DEATH OF A SALESMAN 112
talked to $is &art ner% and $e came to me . . . Im !oin! to
#e all ri!$t% ou $ear" Dad% list en to me% $e said it )as 4ust
a 3uesti on of t$e amount +
WILLY: T$en ou ... !ot it"
.A<<Y: .es !onna #e terrific% <o&+
WILLY% trying to stand: T$en ou !ot it% $a,ent ou" You
!ot it+ You !ot it+
(I''% agoni 1ed, holds Willy down: No% no. Look% <o&. Im su&&os ed to $a,e
lunc$ )it$ t$em tomorr o). Im 4ust tellin! ou t$is so oull kno) t$at I can
still make an im&r essi on% <o&. And Ill make !ood some)$er e% #ut I cant !o
tomorr o)% see"
WILLY : W$ not" You si m&l (I'': (ut t$e &en% <o&+
WILLY: You !i,e it to $i m and tell $i m it )as an o,ersi !$t + .A<<Y: 0ure% $a,e
lunc$ tomorr o)+
(I'' : I cant sa t$at -
WILLY: You )er e doin! a cross)ood &u::l e and acci dent all used $is &en+
(I'': List en% kid% I took t$ose #alls ear s a!o% no) I )alk in )it$ $is fount ai n
&en" T$at clinc$es it% dont ou see" I cant face $i m like t$at + Ill tr
else)$er e.
<A*/0 BOIC/: <a!in! Mr. Loman+ WILLY : Dont ou )ant to #e ant $i n!"
(I'' : <o&% $o) can I !o #ack"
WILLY: You dont )ant to #e ant $i n!% is t$at )$ats #e$i nd it"
(I''% now angry at Willy for not crediting his sympat hy: Dont take it t$at
)a+ You t$ink it )as eas )alkin! into
ACT TWO 113
t$at office aft er )$at Id done to $i m" A team of $orses couldnt $a,e
dra!!ed me #ack to (ill Oli,er+
WILLY: T$en )$d ou !o"
(I'': W$ did I !o" W$ did I !o+ Look at ou+ Look at )$ats #ecome of ou+
,ff left, The Woman laughs.
WILLY: (iff% oure !oin! to !o to t$at lunc$ tomorr o)% or-
(I'': I cant !o. I,e !ot no a&&oi nt me nt +
.A<<Y: (iff% for . .. +
WILLY: Are ou s&itin! me"
(I'': Dont take it t$at )a+ *odda mmi t +
WILLY% strikes (iff and falt ers away from the tabl e: You rott en little louse+ Are
ou s&itin! me"
T./ WOMAN: 0omeone s at t$e door% Will+
(I'' : Im no !ood% cant ou see )$at I am"
.A<<Y% separati ng the m: .e% oure in a rest aur ant + No) cut it out% #ot $ of
ou+ The girls ent er. .ello% !irls% sit do)n.
The Woman laughs, off left.
MI00 'O=0YT./: I !uess )e mi !$t as )ell. T$is is Lett a.
T./ WOMAN : Will% are ou !oin! to )ake u&"
(I''% ignoring Willy: .o)re a% miss% sit do)n. W$at do ou drink"
MI00 'O=0YT./: Lett a mi!$t not #e a#l e to st a lon!.
L/TTA: I !ot t a !et u& ,er earl tomorr o). I !ot 4ur dut . Im so e6cit ed+
Were ou fello)s e,er on a 4ur"
DEATH OF A 0AL/0MAN EE8
(I'': No% #ut I #een in front of t$em+ The girls laugh. T$is is m fat$er.
L/TTA: Isnt $e cut e" 0it do)n )it$ us% <o&.
.A<<Y: 0it $i m do)n% (iff+
(I''% going to hi m: Come on% slu!!er% drink us under t$e ta#l e. To $ell )it$
it+ Come on% sit do)n% &al.
,n (iff)s last insist ence, Willy is about to sit.
T./ WOMAN% now urgentl y: Will% are ou !oin! to ans)er t$e door+
The Woman)s call pulls Willy back. e start s right, bef uddl ed.
(I'' : .e% )$er e are ou !oin!"
WILLY: O&en t$e door.
(I'': T$e door"
WILLY: T$e )as$r oom . . . t$e door . . . )$er es t$e door"
(I''% leadi ng Willy to the left: @ust !o strai !$t do)n.
Willy moves left.
T./ WOMAN : Will% Will% are ou !oin! to !et u&% !et u&% !et u&% !et u&"
Willy e%it s left.
L/TTA: I t$ink its s)eet ou #rin! our dadd alon!.
MI00 'O=0YT./: O$% $e isnt reall our fat$er+
f ) (I''% at left, turning to her resent f ull y: Miss 'orst $e% ou,e B%% 4ust seen
a &rince )alk #. A fine% trou#l ed &rince. A $ard J )orkin!% una&&r eci at ed
&rince. A &al% ou under st and" A !ood com&ani on. Al)as for $is #os.
K - L
L/TTA: T$ats so s)eet .
ACT TWO EE;
.A<<Y: Well% !irls% )$ats t$e &ro!r am" Were )asti n! ti me. Come on% (iff.
*at $er round. W$er e )ould ou like to !o"
(I'': W$ dont ou do somet $i n! for $i m"
.A<<Y: Me+
(I'': Dont ou !i,e a damn for $i m% .a&"
.A<<Y: W$atre ou talkin! a#out " Im t$e one )$o-
(I'': I sens e it% ou dont !i,e a !ood !odda m a#out $i m. e takes the
rolled$ up hose from his pocket and put s it on the tabl e in front of appy.
Look )$at I found in t$e cellar% for C$rists sake. .o) can ou #ear to let it
!o on"
.A<<Y : Me" W$o !oes a)a" W$o runs off and-
(I'': Yea$% #ut $e doesnt mean ant $i n! to ou. You could $el& $i m- I cant+
Dont ou under st and )$at Im talkin! a#out " .es !oin! to kill $i ms elf% dont
ou kno) t$at "
.A<<Y: Dont I kno) it+ Me+
(I'': .a&% $el& $i m+ @esus . . . $el& $i m . . . .el& me% $el & me% I cant #ear to
look at $is face+ 'eady to weep, he hurries out, up right.
.A<<Y% starting aft er hi m: W$er e are ou !oin!"
MI00 'O=0YT./: W$ats $e so mad a#out "
.A<<Y: Come on% !irls% )ell cat c$ u& )it$ $i m.
MI00 'O=0YT./% as appy pushes her out: 0a% I dont like t$at tem&er of
$is+
.A<<Y: .es 4ust a little o,erst r un!% $ell #e all ri!$t+
WILLY% off left, as The Woman laughs: Dont ans)er+ Dont ans)er+
L/TTA: Dont ou )ant to tell our fat$er-
.A<<Y: No% t$ats not m fat $er. .es 4ust a !u. Come on%
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN EE?
)ell cat c$ (iff% and% $one% )ere !oin! to &ai nt t$is to)n+ 0t anl e% )$er es
t$e c$eck+ .e% 0t anl e+
They e%it. !tanl ey looks toward left.
0TANL/Y% calling to appy indignant l y: Mr. Loman+ Mr. Loman+
!tanl ey picks up a chair and follows the m off. 7nocki ng is heard off left. The Woman
ent ers, laughi ng. Willy follows 8 er) 8 ne 9s in a black slip: he is but t oni ng his shirt.
'aw, sens uous musi c accompani es their speech.
WILLY: Will ou sto& lau!$i n!" Will ou sto&"
T./ WOMAN: Arent ou !oin! to ans)er t$e door" .ell )ake t$e )$ol e
$ot el.
WILLY: Im not e6&ecti n! an#od.
G\
T./ WOMAN: W$nt ou $a,e anot $er drink% 4$one% and sto& #ei n! so
damn self- cent er ed"
WILLY: Im so lonel .
T./ WOMAN: You kno) ou ruined me% Will" 'rom no) on% )$ene,er ou
come to t$e office% Ill see t$at ou !o ri!$t t$rou!$ to t$e #uer s. No )aitin!
at m desk an mor e% Will. You ruined me.
WILLY: T$ats nice of ou to sa t$at .
T./ WOMAN: *ee% ou are self- cent er ed+ W$ so sad" You are t$e saddes t %
self- cent er ede s t soul I e,er did see- sa). !he laughs. e kisses her. Come on
inside% drummer #o. Its sill to #e dressi n! in t$e mi ddl e of t$e ni!$t . "s
knocki ng is heard: Arent ou !oin! to ans)er t$e door"
WILLY: T$ere knockin! on t$e )ron! door.
T./ WOMAN: (ut I felt t$e knocki n!. And $e $ear d us talkin! in $er e. Ma#e
t$e $ot els on fire+
ACT TWO 117
WILLY% his terror rising: Its a mi st ake.
T./ WOMAN: T$en tell $i m to !o a)a+
WILLY: T$eres no#od t$er e.
T./ WOMAN: Its !et ti n! on m ner,es% Will. T$eres some#od st andi n!
out t$er e and its !et ti n! on m ner,es+
WILLY% pushi ng her away from hi m: All ri!$t% st a in t$e #at $room $er e% and
dont come out. I t$ink t$er es a la) in Massac$us et t s a#out it% so dont come
out. It ma #e t$at ne) room clerk. .e looked ,er mean. 0o dont come out.
Its a mist ake% t$er es no fire.
The knocki ng is heard agai n. e takes a few st eps away from her, and she vanishes
into the wing. The light follows hi m, and now he is facing .oung (iff, who carries a
suitcas e. (iff st eps toward hi m. The musi c is gone.
(I'' : W$ didnt ou ans)er"
WILLY: (iff+ W$at are ou doin! in (ost on"
(I'': W$ didnt ou ans)er" I,e #een knocki n! for fi,e minut es% I called
ou on t$e &$one-
WILLY: I 4ust $ear d ou. I )as in t$e #at $r oom and $ad t$e door s$ut . Did
ant $i n! $a&&en $ome"
(I'': Dad- I let ou do)n.
WILLY: W$at do ou mean"
(I'': Dad ...
WILLY: (iffo% )$ats t$is a#out " *utting his arm around (iff: Come on% lets !o
do)nst ai rs and !et ou a mal t ed.
(I'': Dad% I flunked mat $.
WILLY: Not for t$e ter m"
(I'': T$e ter m. I $a,ent !ot enou!$ credit s to !raduat e.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN EEA
WILLY: You mean to sa (ernar d )ouldnt !i,e ou t$e ans)er s"
(I'': .e did% $e tried% #ut I onl !ot a si6t- one. WILLY: And t$e )ouldnt
!i,e ou four &oint s"
(I'': (irn#aum refused a#sol ut el . I #e!!ed $i m% <o&% #ut $e )ont !i,e me
t$ose &oint s. You !ot t a talk to $i m #efore t$e close t$e sc$ool. (ecaus e if
$e sa) t$e kind of man ou are% and ou 4ust talked to $i m in our )a% Im
sure $ed come t$rou!$ for me. T$e class came ri!$t #efor e &ractice% see%
and I didnt !o enou!$. Would ou talk to $i m" .ed like ou% <o&. You kno)
t$e )a ou could talk.
WILLY: Youre on. Well dri,e ri!$t #ack. (I'': O$% Dad% !ood )ork+ Im sure
$ell c$an!e it for ou+
WILLY: *o do)nst ai r s and tell t$e clerk Im c$ecki n out. *o ri!$t do)n.
(I'': Yes% sir+ 0ee% t$e reason $e $at es me% <o&- one da $e )as lat e for class
so I !ot u& at t$e #lack#oar d and imit at ed $i m. I cross ed m ees and talked
)it$ a lit$&.
WILLY% laughi ng: You did" T$e kids like it"
(I'' : T$e nearl died lau!$i n!+
WILLY: Yea$" W$atd ou do"
(I'': T$e t$3uar e root of t$i6t $ t)ee is ... Willy burst s out laughi ng5 (iff
joins hi m. And in t$e middl e of it $e )alked in+
Willy laughs and The Woman joins in offst age. WILLY% without hesit ati on:
.urr do)nst ai r s and-
(I'' : 0ome#od in t$er e"
WILLY : No% t$at )as ne6t door.
The Woman laughs offst age.
ACT TWO EEC
(I'' : 0ome#od !ot in our #at $room+
WILLY: No% its t$e ne6t room% t$er es a &art -
T./ WOMAN% ent ers, laughi ng. !he lisps this: Can I come in" T$eres
somet $i n! in t$e #at $t u#% Will% and its mo,i n!+
Willy looks at (iff, who is staring open$ mout hed and horrified at The Woman.
WILLY: A$-ou #et t er !o #ack to our room. T$e must #e finis$ed &ainti n!
# no). T$ere &ainti n! $er room so I let $er take a s$o)er $er e. *o #ack%
!o #ack ... .e pushes her.
T./ WOMAN% resisting: (ut I,e !ot to !et dress ed% Will% I cant-
WILLY: *et out of $ere+ *o #ack% !o #ack . . . !uddenl y striving for the
ordinary: T$is is Miss 'ranci s% (iff% s$es a #uer. T$ere &ainti n! $er room.
*o #ack% Miss 'rancis% !o #ack . . .
T./ WOMAN: (ut m clot$es% I cant !o out naked in t$e $all+
WILLY% pushi ng her offst age: *et out a $er e+ *o #ack% !o #ack+
(iff slowl y sits down on his suitcase as the argume nt conti nues offst age.
T./ WOMAN: W$eres m stockin!s" You &romi sed me stocki n!s% Will+ -
WILLY: I $a,e no stocki n!s $er e+
T./ WOMAN: You $ad t)o #o6es of si:e nine s$eer s for me% and I )ant t$em+
WILLY: .ere% for *ods sake% )ill ou !et out a $ere+
T./ WOMAN% ent ers holding a bo% of stocki ngs: I 4ust $o&e t$er es no#od in
t$e $all. T$ats all I $o&e. To (iff: Are ou foot #all or #ase#all"
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN I2O
(I'': 'oot #all.
T./ WOMAN% angry, humiliat ed: T$ats me too. *ni!$t . !he snat ches her
clothes from Willy, and walks out.
WILLY% aft er a pause: Well% #et t er !et !oin!. I )ant to !et to t$e sc$ool first
t$in! in t$e mor ni n!. *et m suit s out of t$e closet . Ill !et m ,alise. (iff
doesn)t move. W$ats t$e mat t er " (iff remai ns moti onl es s, tears falling.
0$es a #uer. (us for @. .. 0immons. 0$e li,es do)n t$e $all- t$ere
&ainti n!. You dont ima!i ne- e breaks off. "ft er a pause: No) list en% &al%
s$es 4ust a #uer. 0$e sees mer c$andi s e in $er room and t$e $a,e to kee&
it lookin! 4ust so ... *ause. "ssumi ng command: All ri!$t % !et m suit s. (iff
doesn)t move. No) sto& crin! and do as I sa. I !a,e ou an order. (iff% I
!a,e ou an order+ Is t$at )$at ou do )$en I !i,e ou an order" .o) dar e
ou cr+ *utting his arm around (iff: No) look% (iff% )$en ou !ro) u& oull
under st and a#out t$es e t$in!s. You must nt - ou must nt o,er em&$a si :e a
t$in! like t$is. Ill see (irn#aum first t$in! in t$e mor ni n!.
(I'': Ne,er mi nd.
WILLY% get ti ng down besi de (iff: Ne,er mind+ .es !oin! to !i,e ou t$ose
&oint s. Ill see to it.
(I'': .e )ouldnt list en to ou.
WILLY: .e cert ai nl )ill list en to me. You need t$ose &oint s for t$e >. of
Bir!inia.
(I'': Im not !oin! t$er e.
WILLY: .e$" If I cant !et $i m to c$an!e t$at mark oull make it u& in
summer sc$ool. You,e !ot all summer to-
(I''% his weepi ng breaki ng from hi m: Dad .. .
WILLY% infect ed by it: O$% m #o . . .
(I'': Dad . . .
WILLY: 0$es not $i n! to me% (iff. I )as lonel% I )as terri#l lonel.
ACT TWO E2E
(I'': You- ou !a,e $er Mamas stocki n!s+ is tears break through and he
rises to go.
WILLY% grabbi ng for (iff: # !a,e ou an order+
(I'': Dont touc$ me% ou- liar+
WILLY: A&olo!i:e for t$at +
(I'': You fake+ You &$on little fake+ You fake+ ,vercome, he turns 2uickl y
and weepi ng fully goes out wit h his suitcase. Willy is left on the floor on his
knees.
WILLY: I !a,e ou an order+ (iff% come #ack $er e or Ill #eat ou+ Come #ack
$er e+ Ill )$i& ou+
!tanl ey comes 2uickl y in from the right and stands in front of Willy.
WILLY% shout s at !tanl ey: # !a,e ou an order ...
0TANL/Y: .e% lets &ick it u&% &ick it u&% Mr. Loman. e hel ps Willy to his
feet . Your #os left )it$ t$e c$i&&i es. T$e said t$ell see ou $ome.
" second wait er wat ches some dist ance away.
WILLY: (ut )e )er e su&&os ed to $a,e dinner to!et $er .
Music is heard, Willy)s theme.
0TANL/Y: Can ou make it"
WILLY: Ill-sure% I can make it. !uddenl y concerned about his clot hes: Do I-I
look all ri!$t "
0TANL/Y: 0ure% ou look all ri!$t . e flicks a speck off Willy)s lapel.
WILLY: .ere- $er es a dollar.
0TANL/Y: O$% our son &aid me. Its all ri!$t .
WILLY% put ti ng it in !tanl ey)s hand: No% take it. Youre a !ood #o.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN E22
0TANL/Y: O$% no% ou dont $a,e to ...
WILLY: .ere- $eres some more% I dont need it an mor e. "ft er a slight paus e: Tell
me- is t$er e a seed store in t$e nei !$#or $ood"
0TANL/Y: 0eeds" You mean like to &lant "
"s Willy turns, !tanl ey slips the mone y back into his jacket pocket .
WILLY: Yes. Carrot s% &eas . . .
0TANL/Y: Well% t$er es $ard)ar e stores on 0i6t$ A,enue% #ut it ma #e too lat e no).
WILLY% an%iousl y: O$% Id #et t er $urr. I,e !ot to !et some seeds. e start s off to the
right. I,e !ot to !et some seeds% ri!$t a)a. Not$in!s &lant ed. I dont $a,e a t$in!
in t$e !round.
Willy hurries out as the light goes down. !tanl ey moves over to the right aft er hi m,
wat ches hi m off. The other wait er has been staring at Willy.
0TANL/Y% to the wait er: Well% )$at t a ou lookin! at"
The wait er picks up the chairs and moves off right. !tanl ey takes the tabl e and
follows hi m. The light fades on this area. There is a long paus e, the sound of the
flut e comi ng over. The light graduall y rises on the kitchen, which is empt y. appy
appears at the door of the hous e, followed by (iff. appy is carrying a large bunch
of long$ st emme d roses. e ent ers the kitchen, looks around for Linda. -ot seei ng
her, he turns to (iff, who is just out si de the hous e door, and makes a gest ure with
his hands, indicati ng &-ot here, # guess.& e looks into the living$ room and free1 es.
#nside, Linda, unseen, is seat ed, Willy)s coat on her lap. !he rises omi nousl y and
2ui etl y and moves toward appy, who backs up into the kitchen, afraid.
.A<<Y: .e% )$atre ou doin! u&" Linda says not hi ng but moves toward hi m
implacabl y. W$eres <o&" e keeps
ACT TWO 123
backi ng to the right, and now Linda is in full view in the doorway to the living$ room.
Is $e slee&i n!"
LINDA: W$ere )er e ou"
.A<<Y% trying to laugh it off: We met t)o !irls% Mom% ,er fine t&es. .ere%
)e #rou!$t ou some flo)er s. ,ffering them to her: <ut t$em in our room%
Ma.
!he knocks the m to the floor at (iff)s feet . e has now come inside and closed the
door behi nd hi m. !he stares at (iff, silent .
.A<<Y: No) )$atd ou do t$at for" Mom% I )ant ou to $a,e some flo)er s-
LINDA% cut ting appy off, violentl y to (iff: Dont ou care )$et $er $e li,es or
dies"
.A<<Y% going to the stairs: Come u&st ai rs% (iff.
(I''% wit h a flare of disgust , to appy: *o a)a from me+ To Linda: W$at do
ou mean% li,es or dies" No#ods din! around $er e% &al.
LINDA: *et out of m si!$t+ *et out of $ere+
(I'': I )anna see t$e #oss.
LINDA: Youre not !oin! near $i m+
(I'': W$er e is $e" e moves into the living$ room and Linda follows.
LINDA% shouti ng aft er (iff: You in,it e $i m for dinner. .e looks for)ard to it all
day$ (iff appears in his parent s) bedroom, looks around, and e6it s- and t$en
ou deser t $i m t$er e. T$eres no stran!er oud do t$at to+
.A<<Y: W$" .e $ad a s)ell time )it$ us. List en% )$en #$Linda comes back
into the kitc$en- deser t $i m I $o&e I dont outli,e t$e da+
LINDA: *et out of $er e+
.A<<Y: No) look% Mom ...
DEATH OF A SALESMAN 124
LINDA: Did ou $a,e to !o to )omen toni!$t " You and our lous rott en
)$ores+
(iff re$ ent ers the kitchen.
.A<<Y: Mom% all )e did )as follo) (iff around trin! to c$eer $i m u&+ To
(iff: (o% )$at a ni!$t ou !a,e me+
LINDA: *et out of $er e% #ot $ of ou% and dont come #ack+ I dont )ant ou
tor ment i n! $i m an mor e. *o on no)% !et our t$in!s to!et $er+ To (iff: You
can slee& in $is a&art me nt . !he start s to pick up the flowers and stops
herself. <ick u& t$is stuff% Im not our mai d an mor e. <ick it u&% ou #um%
ou+
appy turns his back to her in refusal. (iff slowly moves over and get s down on his
knees, picking up the flowers.
LINDA: Youre a &air of ani mal s+ Not one% not anot $er li,in! soul )ould $a,e
$ad t$e cruelt to )alk out on t$at man in a rest aur ant +
(I''% not looking at her: Is t$at )$at $e said"
LINDA: .e didnt $a,e to sa ant $i n!. .e )as so $umiliat ed $e nearl
lim&ed )$en $e came in.
.A<<Y: (ut% Mom% $e $ad a !reat time )it$ us- -
(I''% cutti ng hi m off violentl y: 0$ut u&+
Without anot her word, appy goes upst airs.
LINDA: You+ You didnt e,en !o in to see if $e )as all ri!$t+
(I''% still on the floor in front of Linda, the flowers in his hand5 wit h self$
loat hing: No. Didnt. Didnt do a damned t$in!. .o) do ou like t$at % $e$"
Left $i m #a##li n! in a toilet .
LINDA: You louse. You ...
(I'': No) ou $it it on t$e nose+ e get s up, throws the flowers in the
wast ebas k et . T$e scum of t$e eart $% and oure lookin! at $i m+
ACT TWO 125
LINDA: *et out of $er e+
(I'': I !ot t a talk to t$e #oss% Mom. W$ere is $e" LINDA: Youre not !oin!
near $i m. *et out of t$is $ouse+
(I''% wit h absol ut e assurance, det er mi nat i on: No. Were !onna $a,e an
a#ru&t con,er s at i on% $i m and me.
LINDA: Youre not talkin! to $i m+
ammeri ng is heard from out si de the hous e, off right. (iff turns toward the noise.
LINDA% suddenl y pleadi ng: Will ou &leas e lea,e $i m alone" (I'': W$ats $e
doin! out t$er e" LINDA: .es &lanti n! t$e !arden+ (I''% 2uietl y: No)" O$% m
*od+
(iff moves out si de, Linda following. The light dies down on them and comes up on
the cent er of the apron as Willy walks into it. e is carrying a flashlight , a hoe, and a
handf ul of seed packet s. e raps the top of the hoe sharpl y to fi% it firmly, and then
moves to the left, meas uri ng off the dist ance with his foot. e holds the flashlight to
took at the seed packet s, readi ng off the instructions. e is in the blue of night .
WILLY: Carrot s . . . 3uart er- inc$ a&ar t . =o)s . . . one- foot ro)s. e meas ur es
it off. One foot. e put s down a package and meas ur es off. (eet s. e put s
down anot her package and meas ures again. Lett uce. e reads the package,
put s it down. One foot- e breaks off as (en appears at the right and moves
slowl y down to hi m. W$at a &ro&osi ti on% ts% ts. K Terrific% terrific. Cause
s$es suffered% (en% t$e )oman $as suffer ed. You under st and me" A man
cant !o out t$e )a $e came in% (en% a man $as !ot to add u& to somet $i n!.
You cant% ou cant- (en moves toward hi m as though to int errupt . You !ot t a
consi der% no). Dont ans)er so auick. =eme m#er its a euar ant e e d t)ent ,-
t$ous and- dollar
DEATH OF A 0AL/0MAN 126
&ro&osi tion. No) look% (en% I )ant ou to !o t$rou!$ t$e ins and out s of t$is
t$in! )it$ me. I,e !ot no#od to talk to% (en% and t$e )oman $as suffered%
ou $ear me"
(/N% standi ng still, consi deri ng: W$ats t$e &ro&osi tion"
WILLY: Its t)ent t$ousand dollars on t$e #arr el $ead. *uar ant ee d% !ilt-
ed!ed% ou under st and"
(/N: You dont )ant to make a fool of ourself. T$e mi !$t not $ono4 t$e
&olic.
WILLY: .o) can t$e dar e refuse" Didnt I )ork like a coolie to meet e,er
&remi um on t$e nose" And no) t$e dont &a off" Im&ossi #l e+
(/N: Its called a co)ar dl t$in!% William.
WILLY: W$" Does it take mor e !ut s to st and $ere t$e rest of m life rin!in!
u& a :ero"
(/N% yielding: T$ats a &oint% William. e moves, thinki ng, turns. And t)ent
t$ous and- t$at is somet $i n! one can feel )it$ t$e $and% it is t$er e.
WILLY% now assured, wit h rising power: O$% (en% t$ats t$e )$ol e #eaut of
it+ I see it like a diamond% s$inin! in t$e dark% $ard and rou!$% t$at I can &ick
u& and touc$ in m $and. Not like- like an a&&oi nt me nt + T$is )ould not #e
anot $er damne d- fool a&&oi nt me nt % (en% and it c$an!es all t$e as&ect s.
(ecaus e $e t$inks Im not $i n!% see% and so $e s&it es me. (ut t$e funer al-
!traight eni ng up: (en% t$at funer al )ill #e mas si ,e+ T$ell come from Maine%
Massac$us et t s% Bermont % Ne) .am&s $i r e+ All t$e old- timer s )it$ t$e stran!e
license &lat es- -t$at #o )ill #e t$under- struck% (en% #ecaus e $e ne,er
reali:ed- I am kno)n+ =$ode Island% Ne) York% Ne) @erse- I am kno)n% (en%
and $ell see it )it$ $is ees once and for all. .ell see )$at I am% (en+ .es
in for a s$ock% t$at #o+
(/N% comi ng down to the edge of the garden: .ell call ou a co)ard.
ACT TWO E21
WILLY% suddenl y fearful: No% t$at )ould #e terri#l e. (/N: Yes. And a damned
fool.
WILLY: No% no% $e must nt % I )ont $a,e t$at + e is broken
and desperat e.
(/N: .ell $at e ou% William.
The gay musi c of the (oys is heard.
WILLY: O$% (en% $o) do )e !et #ack to all t$e !reat ti mes" >sed to #e so full
of li!$t% and comr ades $i &% t$e slei!$ri din! in )int er% and t$e ruddi nes s on $is
c$eeks. And al)as some kind of !ood ne)s comi n! u&% al)as somet $i n!
nice comi n! u& a$ead. And ne,er e,en let me carr t$e ,alises in t$e $ouse%
and si moni:in!% si moni:in! t$at little red car+ W$% )$ cant I !i,e $i m
somet $i n! and not $a,e $i m $at e me"
(/N: Let me t$ink a#out it. e glances at his wat ch. # still $a,e a little time.
=emar ka#l e &ro&osi tion% #ut ou,e !ot to #e sure oure not maki n! a fool
of ourself.
(en drifts off upst age and goes out of sight. (iff comes down from the left.
WILLY% suddenl y consci ous of (iff, turns and looks up at hi m, then begi ns picking up
the packages of seeds in conf usi on: W$ere t$e $ell is t$at seed" #ndignantl y: You
cant see not $i n! out $er e+ T$e #o6ed in t$e )$ol e !odda m nei!$#or $ood+
(I'': T$ere are &eo&l e all around $er e. Dont ou reali:e t$at "
WILLY: Im #us. Dont #ot $er me.
(I''% taking the hoe from Willy: Im sai n! !ood- # to ou% <o&. Willy looks at hi m,
silent, unabl e to move. Im not comi n! #ack an more.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN E2A
WILLY: Youre not !oin! to see Oli,er tomorr o)"
(I'': I,e !ot no a&&oi nt me nt % Dad.
WILLY: .e &ut $is ar m around ou% and ou,e !ot no a&&oi nt me nt "
(I'': <o&% !et t$is no)% )ill ou" /,er ti me I,e left its #een a fi!$t t$at
sent me out of $ere. Toda I reali:ed somet $i n! a#out ms elf and I tried to
e6&l ai n it to ou and I-I t$ink Im 4ust not smar t enou!$ to make an sense
out of it for ou. To $ell )it$ )$ose fault it is or ant $i n! like t$at . e takes
Willy)s arm. Lets 4ust )ra& it u&% $e$" Come on in% )ell tell Mom. e gentl y
tries to pull Willy to left.
WILLY% fro1en, immobil e, with guilt in his voice: No% I dont )ant to see $er.
(I'': Come on+ e pulls agai n, and Willy tries to pull away.
WILLY% highl y nervous: No% no% I dont )ant to see $er.
(I''% tries to look into Willy)s face, as if to find the answer there: W$ dont ou )ant
to see $er"
WILLY% more harshl y now: Dont #ot $er me% )ill ou"
(I'': W$at do ou mean% ou dont )ant to see $er" You dont )ant t$em
callin! ou ello)% do ou" T$is isnt our fault7 its me% Im a #um. No)
come inside+ Willy strains to get away. Did ou $ear )$at I said to ou"
Willy pulls away and 2uickl y goes by hi ms el f into the hous e. (iff follows.
LINDA% to Willy: Did ou &lant % dear"
(I''% at the door, to Linda: All ri!$t % )e $ad it out. Im !oin! and Im not
)ritin! an mor e.
LINDA% going to Willy in the kitchen: I t$ink t$ats t$e #est )a% dear. Cause
t$er es no use dra)i n! it out% oull 4ust ne,er !et alon!.
ACT TWO 129
Willy does n)t respond.
(I'': <eo&l e ask )$er e I am and )$at Im doin!% ou dont kno)% and You
dont care. T$at )a itll #e off our mind and ou can st art #ri!$t eni n! u&
a!ai n. All ri!$t " T$at clears it% doesnt it" Willy is silent , and (iff goes to hi m.
You !onna )is$ me luck% scout " e e%t ends his hand. W$at do ou sa"
LINDA: 0$ake $is $and% Will.
WILLY% turning to her, seet hi ng wit h hurt: T$eres no necessi t to ment i on t$e
&en at all% kno).
(I''% gentl y: I,e !ot no a&&oi nt me nt % Dad
WILLY% erupti ng fiercel y: .e &ut $is ar m around ... "
(I'': Dad% oure ne,er !oin! to see )$at I am% so )$ats t$e use of ar!ui n!"
If I strike oil Ill send ou a c$eck. Meanti me for!et Im ali,e.
WILLY% to Linda: 0&it e% see"
(I'': 0$ake $ands% Dad.
WILLY: Not m $and.
(I'': I )as $o&in! not to !o t$is )a.
WILLY: Well% t$is is t$e )a oure !oin!. *ood- #.
(iff looks at hi m a mome nt , then turns sharpl y and goes to the stairs.
WILLY% stops hi m with: Ma ou rot in $ell if ou lea,e t$is $ouse+
(I''% turning: /6actl )$at is it t$at ou )ant from me"
WILLY : I )ant ou to kno)% on t$e trai n% in t$e mount ai ns% in t$e ,alles%
)$er e,er ou !o% t$at ou cut do)n our life for s&it e+%
(I'': No% no.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN E5I
WILLY: 0&it e% s&it e% is t$e )ord of our undoi n!+ And )$en oure do)n and
out% reme m# er )$at did it. W$en oure rotti n! some)$er e #esi de t$e
railroad tracks% reme m# er % and dont ou dar e #lame it on me+ (I'': Im not
#lami n! it on ou+ WILLY: I )ont take t$e ra& for t$is% ou $ear" appy
comes down the stairs and stands on the bot t om st ep, wat chi ng.
(I'': T$ats 4ust )$at Im tellin! ou+
WILLY% finking into a chair at the tabl e, with full accusati on: Youre trin! to &ut a
knife in me- dont t$ink I
dont kno) )$at oure doin!+
(I'': All ri!$t% &$on+ T$en lets la it on t$e line. e
whips the rubber tube out of his pocket and put s it on the
tabl e.
.A<<Y: You cra:-
LINDA: (iff+ !he moves to grab the hose, but (iff holds it
down with his hand.
(I'': Lea,e it t$er e+ Dont mo,e it+
WILLY% not looking at it: W$at is t$at "
E % (I'' : You kno) !odda m )ell )$at t$at is.
WILLY% caged, wanti ng to escape: I ne,er sa) t$at . (I'': You sa) it. T$e
mice didnt #rin! it into t$e cellar+ W$at is t$is su&&os ed to do% make a $ero
out of ou" T$is su&&os ed to make me sorr for ou"
WILLY: Ne,er $ear d of it.
(I'': T$erell #e no &it for ou% ou $ear it" No &it+
WILLY% to Linda: You $ear t$e s&it e+
(I'': No% oure !oin! to $ear t$e trut $- )$at ou are
and )$at I am+
ACT TWO E5E
LINDA: 0to& it+
WILLY: 0&it e+
.A<<Y% comi ng down toward (iff: You cut it no)+
(I''% to appy: T$e man dont kno) )$o )e are+ T$e man is !onna kno)+ To
Willy: We ne,er told t$e trut $ for ten mi nut es in t$is $ouse+
.A<<Y: We al)as told t$e trut $+
(I''% turning on hi m: You #i! #lo)% are ou t$e assi st ant #uer" Youre one of
t$e .t)o assi st ant s to t$e assi st ant % arent ou"
.A<<Y: Well% Im &racti call-
(I'': Youre &racti call full of it+ We all are+ And Im t$rou!$ )it$ it. To Willy:
No) $ear t$is% Will% t$is is me.
WILLY: I kno) ou+
(I'': You kno) )$ I $ad no addr es s for t$ree mont $s" I stol e a suit in
Dansas Cit and I )as in 4ail. To Linda, who is sobbi ng: 0to& crin!. Im
t$rou!$ )it$ it.
Linda turns away from them, her hands coveri ng her face.
WILLY: I su&&os e t$ats m fault+
(I'': I stol e ms elf out of e,er !ood 4o# since $i!$ sc$ool+
WILLY: And )$ose fault is t$at "
(I'': A44il4ie,er !ot an)$er e #ecaus e aa. #l e)4 ne s&K fullFol@iMtFair.@ could
ne,er st and takin! order s from an#od @T$atB)$&4 e fault it 4FsFL
WILLY: I $ear t$at +
LINDA: Dont% (iff+
(I'': Its !odda m ti me ou $ear d t$at + I $ad to #e #oss #i! s$ot in t)o
)eeks% and Im t$rou!$ )it$ it+
WILLY: T$en $an! ourself+ 'or s&it e% $an! ourself+
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN E52
(I'': No+ No#ods $an!i n! $imself% Will+ I ran do)n ele,en fli!$t s )it$ a &en in m
$and toda. And suddenl I sto&&ed% ou $ear me" And in t$e middl e of t$at office
#uildin!% do ou $ear t$is" I sto&&ed in t$e middl e of t$at #uildin! and I sa)- t$e sk.
I sa) t$e t$in!s t$at I lo,e in t$is )orld. T$e )ork and t$e food and time to sit and
smoke. And I looked at t$e &en and sai d to ms elf% )$at t$e $ell am I !ra##i n! t$is
for" W$ am I trin! to #ecome )$at I dont )ant to #e" W$at am I doin! in an
office% maki n! a cont e m&t uous % #e!!i n! fool of ms elf% )$en all I )ant is out t$er e%
)aitin! for me t$e minut e I sa I kno) )$o I am+ W$ cant I sa t$at% Will" e tries
to make Willy face hi m, but Willy pulls away and moves to the left.
WILLY% with hatred, threat eni ngl y: T$e door of our life is )ide o&en+
(I'': <o&FH'ni6di m. eFaFdo:en% and so are ou+
WILLY% turning on hi m now in an uncont roll ed out burst: I am not a dime a do:en+ I
am Will Loman% and ou are (iff Loman+
(iff start s for Willy, but is blocked by appy. #n his fury, (iff see ms on the verge of
attacki ng his fat her.
(I'': I am not a leader of men% Will% and neit $er are ou. You )ere ne,er ant $i n!
#ut a $ard- )orkin! drummer )$o landed in t$e as$ can like all t$e rest of t$em+ Im
one dollar an $our% ill+ I tried se,en st at es and couldnt raise it. A #uck an $our+ Do
ou !at $er m meani n!" Im not #rin!i n! $ome an &ri:es an mor e% and oure
!oin! to sto& )aitin! for me to #rin! t$em $ome+
WILLY% directl y to (iff: You ,en!ef ul% s&it eful mut +
(iff breaks from appy. Willy, in fright, start s up the stairs. (iff grabs hi m.
(I''% at the peak of his fury: <o&% Im not $i n!+ Im not $-
ACT TWO E55
in!% <o&. Cant ou under st a nd t$at " T$eres no s&it e in it an mor e. Im 4ust )$at I
am% t$ats all.
(iff)s fury has spent itself, and he breaks down, sobbi ng, holding on to Willy, who
dumbl y fumbl es for (iff)s face.
WILLY% ast oni shed: W$atre ou doin!" W$atre ou doin!" To Linda: W$ is $e
crin!"
(I''% crying, broken: Will ou let me !o% for C$rists sake" Will ou take t$at &$on
drea m and #urn it #efor e somet $i n! $a&&e ns " !truggling to cont ai n hi ms el f , he
pulls away and moves to the stairs. Ill !o in t$e morni n!. <ut $im&ut $im to #ed.
4%haust ed, (iff moves up the stairs to his room.
WILLY% aft er a long paus e, astoni shed, elevat e d: Isnt t$ati snt t$at remarka#l e" (iff-
$e likes me+
LINDA: .e lo,es ou% Will+
.A<<Y% deepl y move d: Al)as did% <o&.
WILLY: O$% (iff+ !taring wildly: .e cried+ Cried to me. e is choki ng with his love,
and now cries out his promi s e: T$at #o- t$at #o is !oin! to #e ma!nificent +
:(en appears in the light just out si de the kitchen.
(/N: Yes% out st andi n!% )it$ t)ent t$ous and #e$i nd $im.
LINDA% sensi ng the racing of his mi nd, fearf ully, caref ull y: No) come to #ed% Will.
Its all set tl ed no).
WILLY% finding it difficult not to rush out of the hous e: Yes% )ell slee&. Come on. *o
to slee&% .a&.
(/N: And it does take a !reat kind of a man to crack t$e 4un!l e.
#n accent s of dread, (en)s idyllic musi c start s up.
.A<<Y% his arm around Linda: Im !et ti n! marri ed% <o&% dont for!et it. Im c$an!i n!
e,ert $i n!. Im !onna run
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN E58
t$at de&ar t me nt #efor e t$e ear is u&. Youll see% Mom. e kisses her.
(/N: T$e 4un!l e is dark #ut full of diamonds% Will. Willy turns, moves,
list eni ng to (en.
LINDA: (e !ood. Youre #ot $ !ood #os% 4ust act t$at )a% t$ats all.
.A<<Y: Ni!$t% <o&. e goes upst airs.
.LINDA% to Willy: Come% dear.
(/N% wit h great er force: One must !o in to fetc$ a diamond out.
WILLY% to Linda, as he moves slowl y along the edge of the kitchen, toward
the door: I 4ust )ant to !et set tl ed do)n% Linda. Let me sit alone for a little.
LINDA% al most utt ering her fear: I )ant ou u&st ai rs.
WILLY% taking her in his arms: In a fe) minut es% Linda. I couldnt slee& ri!$t
no). *o on% ou look a)ful tired. e kisses her.
(/N: Not like an a&&oi nt me nt at all. A diamond is rou!$ and $ard to t$e
touc$.
WILLY: *o on no). Ill #e ri!$t u&.
LINDA: I t$ink t$is is t$e onl )a% Will.
WILLY: 0ure% its t$e #est t$in!.
(/N: (est t$in!+
WILLY: T$e onl )a. /,ert $i n! is !onna #e- !o on% kid% !et to #ed. You look
so tired.
LINDA: Come ri!$t u&.
WILLY: T)o minut es.
ACT TWO E5;
Linda goes into the living$ room, then reappears in her bedroom. Willy moves just
out si de the kitchen door.
WILLY: Lo,es me. Wonderi ngl y: Al)as lo,ed me. Isnt t$at a remar ka#l e
t$in!" (en% $ell )ors$i & me for it+
(/N% wit h promi se: Its dark t$er e% #ut full of diamonds.
WILLY: Can ou ima!i ne t$at ma!nificence )it$ t)ent t$ous and dollars in
$is &ocket "
LINDA% calling from her room: Will+ Come u&+
WILLY% calling into the kitchen: Yes+ Yes. Comi n!+ Its ,er smar t % ou reali:e
t$at % dont ou% s)eet $e ar t " /,en (en sees it. I !ot t a !o% #a#. (+ (+
+oing over to (en, al most danci ng: Ima!i ne" W$en t$e mail comes $ell #e
a$ead of (ernar d a!ai n+
(/N: A &erfect &ro&osi tion all around.
WILLY: Did ou see $o) $e cried to me" O$% if I could kiss $i m% (en+
(/N: Time% William% ti me+
WILLY: O$% (en% I al)as kne) one )a or anot $er4 ,e )er e !onna make it%
(iff and I+
(/N% looking at his watch: T$e #oat . Well #e lat e. e moves slowl y off into the
darknes s.
WILLY% elegiacally, turning to the house: No) )$en ou kick off% #o% I )ant a
se,ent - ard #oot % and !et ri!$t do)n t$e field under t$e #all% and )$en ou
$it% $it lo) and $it $ard% #ecaus e its im&ort ant % #o. e swi ngs around and
faces the audi ence. T$eres all kinds of im&ort ant &eo&l e in t$e st ands% and
t$e first t$in! ou kno) . . . !uddenl y reali1ing he is alone: (en+ (en% )$er e
do I . . . " e makes a sudden move me nt of search. (en% $o) do I . . . "
LINDA% calling: Will% ou comi n! u&"
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN E5?
WILLY% utt eri ng a gasp of fear, whirling about as if to 2ui et her: 0$+ e turns around
as if to find his way5 sounds, faces, voices, see m to be swar mi ng in upon hi m and he
flicks at them, crying, 0$+ 0$+ !uddenl y musi c, faint and high, stops hi m. #t rises in
int ensi t y, al most to an unbearabl e scream. e goes up and down on his toes, and
rushes off around the hous e. 0$$$+
LINDA: Will"
There is no answer. Linda waits. (iff get s up off his bed. e is still in his clothes.
appy sits up. (iff stands list eni ng.
LINDA% wit h real fear: Will% ans)er me+ Will+
There is the sound of a car starting and movi ng away at full speed.
LINDA: No+
(I''% rushing down the stairs. <o&+
"s the car speeds off, the musi c crashes down in a fren1y of sound, which become s
the soft pulsati on of a singl e cello string. (iff slowl y returns to his bedroom. e and
appy gravel y don their jacket s. Linda slowl y walks out of her room. The musi c has
devel ope d into a dead march. The leaves of day are appeari ng over everyt hi ng.
/harley and (ernard, somberl y dress ed, appear and knock on the kitchen door. (iff
and appy slowl y descend the stairs to the kitchen as /harley and (ernard ent er. "ll
stop a mome nt when Linda, in clothes of mourni ng, bearing a little bunch of roses,
comes through the draped doorway into the kitchen. !he goes to /harley and takes
his arm. -ow all move toward the audi ence, through the wall$ line of the kitchen. "t
the limit of the apron, Linda lays down the flowers, kneel s, and sits back on her
heel s. "ll stare down at the grave.
=/M>I/M
C.A=L/Y: Its !et ti n! dark% Linda.
Linda does n)t react. !he stares at the grave.
(I'': .o) a#out it% Mom" (ett er !et some rest % $e$" T$ell #e closin! t$e
!at e soon.
Linda makes no move. *ause.
.A<<Y% deepl y angered: .e $ad no ri!$t to do t$at . T$ere )as no necessi t
for it. We )ould,e $el&ed $i m.
C.A=L/Y% grunti ng: .mmm.
(I'': Come alon!% Mom.
LINDA: W$ didnt an#od come"
C.A=L/Y: It )as a ,er nice funer al .
LINDA: (ut )$er e are all t$e &eo&l e $e kne)" Ma#e t$e #lame $i m.
C.A=L/Y: Naa. Its a rou!$ )orld% Linda. T$e )ouldnt #lame $i m.
LINDA: I cant under st and it. At t$is time es&eci all. 'irst ti me in t$irt - fi,e
ear s )e )er e 4ust a#out free and clear. .e onl needed a little sal ar . .e
)as e,en finis$ed )it$ t$e denti st .
C.A=L/Y: No man onl needs a little sal ar.
D/AT. O' A 0AL/0MAN E5A
LINDA: I cant under st and it.
(I'': T$ere )ere a lot of nice das. W$en $ed come $ome from a tri&7 or on
0undas% maki n! t$e stoo&7 finis$in! t$e cellar7 &ut ti n! on t$e ne) &orc$7 )$en $e
#uilt t$e e6tr a #at $r oom7 and &ut u& t$e !ar a!e. You kno) somet $i n!% C$arl e%
t$er es mor e of $im in t$at front stoo& t$an in all t$e sal es $e e,er made.
C.A=L/Y: Yea$. .e )as a $a&& man )it$ a #at c$ of cement .
LINDA: .e )as so )onderful )it$ $is $ands.
(I'': .e $ad t$e )ron! drea ms . All% all% )ron!.
.A<<Y% al most ready to fight (iff: Dont sa t$at +
(I'': .e ne,er kne) )$o $e )as.
C.A=L/Y% stoppi ng appy)s move me nt and reply. To (iff: No#od dast #lame
t$is man. You dont under st and: Will )as a sal es ma n. And for a sal es ma n%
t$er e is no rock #ot t or n to t$e life. .e dont &ut a #olt to a nut% $e dont tell
ou t$e la) or !i,e ou medi ci ne. .es a man )a out t$er e in t$e #lue%
ridin! on a smile and a s$oes $i ne. And )$en t$e st art not smilin! #ack- -
t$ats an eart $3uake. And t$en ou !et ourself a cou&l e of s&ot s on our
$at % and oure finis$ed. No#od dast #lame t$is man. A sal es ma n is !ot to
dream% #o. It comes )it$ t$e territ or.
(I'': C$arl e% t$e44iaiLdidri- t@cno)- )$o$e G)a s .
.A<<Y% infuriat ed: Dont sa t$at +
(I'': W$ dont ou come )it$ me% .a&&"
.A<<Y: Im not licked t$at easil. Im st ai n! ri!$t in t$is cit% and Im !onna
#eat t$is racket + e looks at (iff, his chin set . T$e Loman (rot $er s+
(I'': I kno) )$o I am% kid.
.A<<Y: All ri!$t% #o. Im !onna s$o) ou and e,er#od
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else t$at Will Loman did not die in ,ain. .e $ad a !ood drea m. Its t$e onl
dream ou can $a,e- to come out num#er - one man. .e fou!$t it out $er e%
and t$is is )$er e Im !onna )in it for $i m.
(I''% with a hopel es s glance at appy, bends toward his mot her: Lets !o% Mom.
LINDA: Ill #e )it$ ou in a mi nut e. *o on% C$arl e. e hesit at es. I )ant to%
4ust for a mi nut e. I ne,er $ad a c$ance to sa !ood- #%
/harley moves away, followed by appy. (iff remai ns a slight distance up and left of
Linda. !he sits there, summoni ng herself. The flut e begi ns, not far away, playi ng
behi nd her speech.
LINDA: 'or!i,e me% dear. I cant cr. I dont kno) )$at it is% #ut I cant cr. I
dont under st and it. W$ did ou e,er do t$at " .el& me% Will% I cant cr. It
seems to me t$at oure 4ust on anot $er tri&. I kee& e6&ect i n! ou. Will%
dear% I cant cr. W$ did ou do it" I sear c$ and searc$ and I searc$% and I
cant under st and it% Will. I made t$e last &ame nt on t$e $ouse toda.
Toda% dear. And t$er ell #e no#od $ome. " sob rises in her throat . Were
free and clear. !obbi ng more fully, released: Were free. (iff comes slowl y
toward her. Were free .. . Were free ...
(iff lifts her to her feet and moves out up right with her in his arms. Linda sobs
2ui etl y. (ernard and /harley come toget her and follow the m, followed by appy.
,nly the musi c of the flut e is left on the darkeni ng stage as over the hous e the hard
towers of the apart me nt buildings rise into sharp focus, and
The /urtain ;alls