Death of a Salesman_ Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a Requiem - Miller, Arthur [46]
WILLY [ pushing her offstage]: Get outa here! Go back, go back!
[BIFF slowly sits down on his suitcase as the argument continues offstage.]
THE WOMAN: Where’s my stockings? You promised me stockings, Willy!
WILLY: I have no stockings here!
THE WOMAN: You had two boxes of size nine sheers for me, and I want them!
WILLY: Here, for God’s sake, will you get outa here!
THE WOMAN [enters holding a box of stockings]: I just hope there’s nobody in the hall. That’s all I hope. [To BIFF] Are you football or baseball?
BIFF: Football.
THE WOMAN [angry, humiliated]: That’s me too. G’night. [She snatches her clothes from WILLY, and walks out.]
WILLY [after a pause]: Well, better get going. I want to get to the school first thing in the morning. Get my suits out of the closet. I’ll get my valise. [BIFF doesn’t move.] What’s the matter? [BIFF remains motionless, tears falling.] She’s a buyer. Buys for J. H. Simmons. She lives down the hall—they’re painting. You don’t imagine—[He breaks off. After a pause] Now listen, pal, she’s just a buyer. She sees merchandise in her room and they have to keep it looking just so . . . [Pause. Assuming command] All right, get my suits. [BIFF doesn’t move.] Now stop crying and do as I say. I gave you an order. Biff, I gave you an order! Is that what you do when I give you an order? How dare you cry? [Putting his arm around BIFF] Now look, Biff, when you grow up you’ll understand about these things. You mustn’t—you mustn’t overemphasize a thing like this. I’ll see Birnbaum first thing in the morning.
BIFF: Never mind.
WILLY [ getting down beside BIFF]: Never mind! He’s going to give you those points. I’ll see to it.
BIFF: He wouldn’t listen to you.
WILLY: He certainly will listen to me. You need those points for the U. of Virginia.
BIFF: I’m not going there.
WILLY: Heh? If I can’t get him to change that mark you’ll make it up in summer school. You’ve got all summer to—
BIFF [his weeping breaking from him]: Dad . . .
WILLY [infected by it]: Oh, my boy . . .
BIFF: Dad . . .
WILLY: She’s nothing to me, Biff. I was lonely, I was terribly lonely.
BIFF: You—you gave her Mama’s stockings! [His tears break through and he rises to go.]
WILLY [ grabbing for BIFF]: I gave you an order!
BIFF: Don’t touch me, you—liar!
WILLY: Apologize for that!
BIFF: You fake! You phony little fake! You fake! [Overcome, he turns quickly and weeping fully goes out with his suitcase. WILLY is left on the floor on his knees.]
WILLY: I gave you an order! Biff, come back here or I’ll beat you! Come back here! I’ll whip you!
[STANLEY comes quickly in from the right and stands in front of WILLY.]
WILLY [shouts at STANLEY]: I gave you an order . . .
STANLEY: Hey, let’s pick it up, pick it up, Mr. Loman. [He helps WILLY to his feet.] Your boys left with the chippies. They said they’ll see you home.
[A second waiter watches some distance away.]
WILLY: But we were supposed to have dinner together.
[Music is heard, WILLY’S theme.]
STANLEY: Can you make it?
WILLY: I’ll—sure, I can make it. [Suddenly concerned about his clothes.] Do I—I look all right?
STANLEY: Sure, you look all right. [He flicks a speck off WILLY’S lapel.]
WILLY: Here—here’s a dollar.
STANLEY: Oh, your son paid me. It’s all right.
WILLY [ putting it in STANLEY’S hand]: No, take it. You’re a good boy.
STANLEY: Oh, no, you don’t have to . . .
WILLY: Here—here’s some more. I don’t need it any more. [After a slight pause] Tell me—is there a seed store in the neighborhood?
STANLEY: Seeds? You mean like to plant?
[As WILLY turns, STANLEY slips the money back into his jacket pocket.]
WILLY: Yes. Carrots, peas . . .
STANLEY: Well, there’s hardware stores on Sixth Avenue, but it may be too late now.
WILLY [anxiously]: Oh, I’d better hurry. I’ve got to get some seeds. [He starts off to the right.] I’ve got to get some seeds, right away. Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground.
[WILLY hurries out as the light goes down. STANLEY moves over to the right after him, watches him off. The other waiter has been staring