Billy Loman, a second-rate salesman working hard to make ends meet, comes home every night to his wife Brenda and two sons, Jeff and Lucky, hoping that his day was enough to provide for his family. Lately he wonders how much longer he will have to play this game – waking up early to drive into the city and coming back late at night with less than a handful of sales. Those commission checks are gradually waning, and Brenda knows it. Billy was never a great salesman but he always did his best to provide.
The eldest, Jeff, has a career of his own now. The high school star quarterback is about to move into the city by himself. As for Lucky, he is finishing up his last semester at the local university and about to move in with his brother. With two sons moving out from under his roof, you might expect Billy’s stress to decrease, but Brenda seems to think otherwise. Putting two kids through college had left them financially exhausted.