Death of a Salesman

BIFF: Why not?LINDA: Last month... (With great difficulty.) Oh, boys, it’s so hardto say a thing like this! He’s just a big stupid man to you, but Itell you there’s more good in him than in many other people.(She chokes, wipes her eyes.) I was looking for a fuse. The lightsblew out, and I went down the cellar. And behind the fuse box— it happened to fall out — was a length of rubber pipe — justshort.HAPPY: No kidding!LINDA: There’s a little attachment on the end of it. I knew rightaway. And sure enough, on the bottom of the water heaterthere’s a new little nipple on the gas pipe.HAPPY (angrily): That — jerk.BIFF: Did you have it taken off?LINDA: I’m — I’m ashamed to. How can I mention it to him?Every day I go down and take away that little rubber pipe. But,when he comes home, I put it back where it was. How can I insulthim that way? I don’t know what to do. I live from day today, boys. I tell you, I know every thought in his mind. Itsounds so old-fashioned and silly, but I tell you he put hiswhole life into you and you’ve turned your backs on him. (Sheis bent over in the chair, weeping, her face in her hands.) Biff, Iswear to God! Biff, his life is in your hands!HAPPY (to Biff): How do you like that damned fool!BIFF (kissing her): All right, pal, all right. It’s all settled now. I’vebeen remiss. I know that, Mom. But now I’ll stay, and I swearto you, I’ll apply myself. (Kneeling in front of her, in a fever ofself-reproach.) It’s just — you see, Mom, I don’t fit in business.Not that I won’t try. I’ll try, and I’ll make good.HAPPY: Sure you will. The trouble with you in business was younever tried to please people.BIFF: I know, I...HAPPY: Like when you worked for Harrison’s. Bob Harrison saidyou were tops, and then you go and do some damn fool thinglike whistling whole songs in the elevator like a comedian.BIFF (against Happy): So what? I like to whistle sometimes.HAPPY: You don’t raise a guy to a responsible job who whistles in