Hence, in an act of complete humbleness, Willy asks Bernard Willy: What- what's the secret? Bernard: What secret, Willy? Willy: How- how did you? Why didn't he ever catch on? Here is when the most important conversation in the play occurs. When Willy tries to embellish Biff in front of Bernard, he finds no other choice but to, sort of, give up. He is surprised to know that Bernard is a lawyer, that he has a case pending in D.C., and that he knows people who own their own tennis court in their houses. Willy is amazed to see that Bernard has done so well for himself. Willy sees Biff's admission as a sign that Biff likes him and decides to leave him the money he will be 'magnificent'. Willy goes to Charley's office to borrow money meets Bernard, Charley offers him a job and Willy is again furious at the 'insult'. Back then, Willy tells Howard, it was all about "personality," with the opportunity to "bring friendship to bear." Now, as the efficient, slick and ruthless way with which Howard treats Willy amply demonstrates, it is "all cut and dried." Again we have another example of Willy being unable to accept the reality of the present and looking back to a brighter and better past. 'Cause what could be more satisfying than to be able to go, at the age of eighty-four, into twenty or thirty different cities, and pick up a phone, and be remembered and loved and helped by so many different people? Not only does Dave Singleman therefore represent the reason why Willy went into his particular profession, but he also represents the way in which being a travelling salesman has changed. Note how Willy was struck by meeting Dave Singleman: And when I saw that, I realised that selling was the greatest career a man could want. He workes until the age of 84 successfully earning his living as a salesman and was immensely popular. Dave Singleman, to Willy, captures the essence of being a travelling salesman. Willy refers to Dave Singleman as he is a deeply important figure for Willy, and inspired him to become a salesman in the first place. This of course is a highly significant scene as it comes as Willy gets fired by the company that he has worked for for so long.
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