The five most annoying ways to use an ellipsis - Emphasis

The five most annoying ways to use an ellipsis The five most annoying ways to use an ellipsis The three little innocent-looking dots of an ellipsis () probably carry more power to annoy and confuse your readers than any other punctuation mark. Apostrophe mistakes look harmless in comparison. Nobody seriously reads ‘orange’s 45p’ and assumes that the orange must own a small amount of loose change. Ellipses, by contrast, can completely change the tone and meaning of what you write. And people who misuse them often don’t realise what they’re doing. Here are five ways not to use an ellipsis. 1. Using them like a written erm Trailing off in the middle of sentences in spoken conversation is common and almost unavoidable. (Unless you’re Oscar Wilde – WB Yeats said Wilde was the first person he’d met who spoke in perfect sentences.) But it’s rarely necessary to do this in writing. In spoken conversation, you can rely on various cues to tell you whether the other person understands what you’re saying, and clarify as needed. But in writing, you need to be clear first time. Many writers use ellipses like written equivalents of ‘erm’ and ‘er’, but this can be confusing and frustrating for the reader. To avoid inadvertently creating a ‘fill in the blanks’ puzzle, force yourself to finish your sentences. This might mean you have to do a bit more work before pressing send – quite possibly work you were trying to avoid. But just console yourself with the knowledge that you’re sending out a little more good sense into the world. Compare these emails: ‘I haven’t had the full invitation to tender back yet whom do I talk to? no idea about the competitors haven’t started the tender not sure about our solution or details.’ ‘I haven’t received the full invitation to tender document yet. And I only know the bare bones of the solution we’re going to propose. At this stage, I don’t even know whom to talk to about getting all the necessary information (about costs, materials, people) together. Do you have any suggestions?’ Concrete writing like this will naturally take longer than simply typing the first things that come to mind. But the extra time you spend focusing on what you’re actually saying, and why, will help clarify your message both for you and your reader, and ultimately increase your chances of getting the kind of response you want. If you need to create a pause (a purposeful one, not an ‘erm’), consider using an en-dash instead of an ellipsis. It feels much more confident, especially when you need to link related parts of a sentence – like this. 2. Trailing off for no reason An ellipsis at the end of a sentence implies that the writer has trailed off. But why has the writer trailed off? Are they suggesting something? Does it represent a nudge or a wink? Those three little dots suggest something is going on, but give the reader no clue about what it might be. This can make otherwise straightforward sentences confusing and (occasionally) somewhat unsettling. Compare these sentences: ‘It’s not a problem for us to meet on Monday.’ ‘It’s not a problem for us to meet on Monday ’ The trailing off in the second example could suggest the writer is having doubts (perhaps it is a problem). Or maybe it expresses confusion about why a meeting is even necessary. Or, if the writer is a chronic ellipsis-abuser, it may mean nothing at all.  The reader must then judge what the meaning might be, or ask for clarification. If you’re unsure about meeting on Monday, say so and explain why. For example: ‘It’s not a problem for us to meet on Monday, but I’m not sure if that will be helpful because John won’t be here and we need his input.’ 3. Three is the magic number Some style guides recommend writing an ellipsis as three full stops: Some prefer three full stops with spaces between them: . . . And some tell you to use a special ellipsis character (PC shortcut: ALT+0133, Mac shortcut: ALT+semicolon): †¦ Whichever you use (we prefer three full stops without spaces, except on Twitter), all style guides agree that ellipses are three dots long. Not four, or two (and five is right out). You may see what appears to be a four-dot ellipsis at the end of some sentences (eg ‘And then John fell asleep .). This is in fact an ellipsis with a full stop at the end. You may also sometimes see three dots, a space and then a further dot (eg ‘And then John fell asleep .). Again, style guides vary on this. 4. Omitting crucial parts of a quotation You’ll often find that you need to condense quotes, and you can use an ellipsis to show that you’ve removed parts of the original. But be careful. To be completely transparent, you need to be sure that you’re not changing the meaning of what somebody has said. Take this remark from US President Coolidge and the often-quoted condensed version: ‘The chief business of the American people is business’ ‘The business of the American people is business’ This changes the meaning of his sentence. The original version says that business is the most important concern, whereas in the second it sounds as if business is the only important thing. 5. Implying you have more to say when you haven’t This is a very particular kind of trailing off, and possibly the most annoying of all. It often implies that what needs to be said is so obvious to the (knowledgeable) writer that it should be obvious to the reader, too. This can backfire badly – at worst, it can appear smug or condescending. For example: ‘That’s a good plan, but there are important considerations ’ This kind of ellipsis is more suited to enigmatic status updates on social media (’OMG some people are so annoying ’), not that we advocate that sort of thing. For business it’s better to spell things out. Ask yourself why you’re tempted to use an ellipsis, get the answer straight in your head, then politely say that instead: ‘That’s a good plan, but I’m worried about how expensive it is. We’re also working on so many other projects that I’m not sure we’ll have the time to spare’. Use with caution Like many of the best things in life, ellipses are fine when used well and in moderation, but troublesome when used recklessly. (OK, OK, we’re sounding like your dad now.) So keep using them, if you wish, but do so consciously. And if you catch yourself dot-dot-dotting to cop out of saying what you actually mean, take a moment’s pause. What is likely to be the most positive approach in the long run? At work, usually, clarity is king. Sure, overused ellipses are annoying but good writing at work is about far more than just airing our personal peeves. Its about communicating effectively and efficiently, in a way which informs, inspires and persuades others. Thats why weve distilled our 18 years experience working with over 40,000 professionals in every sector and industry into a 64-page guide, The Write Stuff. Its ideal if you write emails, reports, bids or any other business document. Download your free copy of The Write Stuff today.

Global Demographics and the Death Penalty Essay

Global Demographics and the Death Penalty - Essay Example However, global patterns can be examined which can help uncover the underlying indicators that are common to countries that have the death penalty. The fair institution of the death penalty can be evaluated in the United States. Research can show the motivations, targets, and eventual victims of capital punishment in the world and in the United States. Two thirds of the world's countries have abolished the death penalty either in law or in practice and membership in the European Union requires its abolishment. There are still 69 countries that maintain and practice capital punishment. China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the USA were responsible for 94% of the known executions that took place in 2005. China had the greatest numbers of executions and though accurate data is difficult to obtain, at least 1,170 people were confirmed executed in 2005. Other estimates for China range as high as 8.000 ("Facts and Figures"). Though China had the greatest number, on a per capita basis Saudi Arabia had the largest percentage of its population executed. A Saudi was almost five times as likely to be executed than a Chinese and eighteen times as likely as an American. Saudi Arabia's unusually high rate is due to the wide range of crimes that are punishable by death. Renouncing of Islam, witchcraft, sexual offenses, drug dealing, and corruption can all carry a death sentence. China uses the death penalty for criminal activities that range from murder to economic crimes. It should be noted that both China and Saudi Arabia are highly guarded societies. Their legal system is extremely secretive and people charged are afforded almost no legal rights as we perceive them in the United States. There may be no right to an appeal and execution may take place on the same day as sentencing. The denial of rights and the broad range of crimes account for the high rates of executions in both China and Saudi Arabia. While methods of execution have evolved in some countries, others such as Afghanistan and Iran still use the barbaric means of stoning. In nearby Saudi Arabia, beheading is the method of choice. China still uses the firing squad but is slowly moving towards lethal injection. Hanging, which the United States has only recently moved away from, is still found in Japan and Egypt. Electrocution is used only in the United States though most executions are carried out through the more humane method of lethal injection ("Facts and Figures"). Support for the death penalty usually comes from extreme religious positions or totalitarian regimes. The high rate in China is perpetuated by the tyranny of ideology and reflects the mass executions of political foes that have occasionally cropped up around the globe. Castro executed an estimated 1,000 members of the opposition in his first 3 months of power. Still, the mainstay of support for capital punishment is religion. In Iran and Saudi Arabia, the ruling theocracy condemns prisoners for crimes against Islam. In the United States the support comes from biblical justification. In the Scandinavian countries, which are less religious, capital punishment is banned and has little support. Though the Catholic Church officially denounces capital punishment, American Catholics favor the death penalty in greater numbers than the general population (Davis and Smith). Davis and Smith also report

Epidemiology and Public Health Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5500 words

Epidemiology and Public Health - Research Paper Example The monarch lives in Buckingham Palace. Parliament meets in Westminster Palace. The borough has an important railroad terminal (Paddington). In Westminster are the administrative offices of the British Broadcasting Corp.; London's chief shopping district; Harley St., a center of medical practice; and a clothing industry. Westminster School is a leading public school, founded in the 14th cent and reestablished by Queen Elizabeth I in 1560(Encyclopedia). Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Saint James's Palace, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, the imposing Central Mosque, the Imperial College of Science and Technology, St. James's Park, Hyde Park, parts of Regent's Park and Kensington Gardens, Mme Tussaud's waxworks, and Kensal Green Cemetery, resting place of several literary figures are other notable features of the borough of Westminster (Encyclopedia) . The data on population other demographic variables of the borough of Westminster have been collected from the office for National Statistics. For the purpose of the course work these data have been rearranged and presented by means of a pyramid (Figure 1.1). The data belong to the period of 2006 and it mainly exhibits the data relating to male and female and their age group. The following table (Table 1.1) and the pyramid (Figure 1.1) exhibits the entire data in a more comprehensible way. Table 1.1- Sex-wise Demographic Data Age Group Male Female Total 0-4 5900 5800 11700 5-9 4600 4500 9100 9-14 4000 3800 7800 15-19 5300 5100 10400 20-24 10800 12600 23400 25-29 15400 16800 32200 30-34 15700 13700 29400 35-39 12200 9500 21700 40-44 8900 7800 16700 45-49 6700 6400 13100 50-54 5000 5400 10400 55-59 5600 5900 11500 60-64 4300 4800 9100 65-69 3300 3600 6900 70-74 2800 3400 6200 75-79 2400 2800 5200 80-84 1600 2200 3800 85 + 1200 2000 3200 Table no.1.2 Population for Westminster, 2006 Age Group Males Females 0-4 5900 5800 5-9 4600 4500 10-14 4000 3800 15-19 5300 5100 20-24 10800 12600 25-29 15400 16800 30-34 15700 13700 35-39 12200 9500 40-44 8900 7800 45-49 6700 6400 50-54 5000 5400 55-59 5600 5900 60-64 4300 4800 65-69 3300 3600 70-74 2800 3400 75-79 2400 2800 80-84 1600 2200 85+ 1200 2000 Total 115900 116000 Total Population 231900 Table 1.3: Resident Population Estimates by Age Group and Sex Westminster Borough MALE FEMALE Age Group Population Total Percentage Age Group Population Total Percentage 0-4 5900 115900 5 0-4 5800 116000 5 5-9 4600 115900 3.96 5-9 4500 116000 3.87 9-14 4000 115900 3.45 9-14 3800 116000 3.27 15-19 5300 115900 4.57 15-19 5100 116000 4.39 20-24 10800 115900 9.31 20-24 12600 116000 10.86 25-29 15400 115900 13.28 25-29 16800 116000 14.48 30-34 15700 115900 13.54 30-34 13700 116000 11.81 35-39 12200 115900 10.52 35-39 9500 116000 8.18 40-44 8900 115900 7.67 40-44 7800 116000 6.72 45-49 6700 115900 5.78 45-49 6400 116000 5.51 50-54 5000 115900 4.31 50-54 5400 116000 4.65 55-59 5600 115900 4.83 55-59 5900 116000 5.08 60-64 4300 115900 3.71 60-64 4800 116000 4.13 65-69 3300 115900 2.84 65-69 3600 116000 3.10 70-74 2800 115900 2.41 70-74 3400 116000 2.93 75-79 2400 115900 2.07 75-79 2800 116000 2.41 80-84 1600 115900 1.38 80-84 2200 116000 1.89 85

Marks Spencers Internationalization Ventures and Failures

Marks Spencers Internationalization Ventures and Failures Introduction For years, successful businesses have sought to increase their share of the markets by expanding their operations and by making their products and services available to a larger percentage of customers. Expansion is normally attained on two different levels, namely, local expansion and internationalization. Globalization, and the benefits that can be sought from it, has encouraged businesses to focus more on internationalization strategies as a means of expansion while ensuring that their local footing is firm and not marred by competition or other local issues. Marks Spencer, for one, has been trying time and again to expand its business internationally not only through franchising but also by opening retail stores (retail internationalization) in the most promising of all international markets. A look into the history of Marks Spencers internationalization ventures shows nothing but failure in almost all of its foreign markets leading the company to either exit these markets or p artially selling off its stores (Kollewe 2010). The report throws light on the issues faced by Marks Spencer in the past and also focuses on its current position in order to analyze the newly developed strategies for internationalization, whether or not it is worth the risk. It then follows with possible recommendations for the senior management of Marks Spencer while ending with a conclusion that, keeping in mind the present scenario, recommends whether or not the new strategies for internationalization are worth pursuing and investing capital in to help the company regain its market value and achieve growth. Marks Spencers Internationalization ventures and failures Over the years, Marks and Spencer has faced rocky business ventures in most of the foreign lands where it decided to expand its business. Marks Spencer has opened retail stores and franchises in many countries of Europe and also expanded its business to Canada and America. These ventures, however, did not prove to be as successful as was hoped by the companys management because they were seen as more of a distraction than benefit. The management at MS believed that these low-profit global ventures were making the management lose its focus on UK, the primary market of MS. The company has, therefore, been forced to resort to exit from the some of the markets and partial pullouts from others by closing or selling off 38 of its stores all around Europe under its desire to revamp its stores in Britain in an attempt to shift focus to the retail business of UK and its British customers. These pullouts have resulted in serious damage to the brand image of Marks Spencer as the company perfo rmed brutal overnight layoffs and thus causing widespread anger among employees and customers. These unannounced and abrupt pullouts caused displeasure among MSs loyal customers as they felt betrayed by the company for not being informed about its withdrawal from their markets. This deed of Marks and Spencer is going to cost it employee and customer loyalty in the future, if ever it wishes to step into these markets again. Employees would consider twice before accepting a job at MS while customers too would find it hard to rely completely on the brand. One of the major problems with Marks Spencers earlier ventures, as spotted by Bolland, was that it tried getting into too many markets at the same time without actually completing its entry into one market. It simply shifted its attention from one country to another in an attempt to capture more market share than paying attention towards maintaining a firm grip on the markets share captured already (Holmes 2009). This therefore resulted in less profitability and lower revenues causing the company to withdraw eventually. Current internationalization strategy Marks Spencers new Chief Executive, Marc Bolland, has set new strategies for the internationalization of MS. A new wave of international ventures has thus been planned in an attempt to restore the companys position in Europe and to reach out to the markets of Asia. Marc Bollands strategy of selective internationalization includes stepping carefully into international markets in order to avoid recurrence of failures that the company faced in the past. He has therefore, proposed India and China as the markets in Asia where he would introduce MS (Roy 2008). For this, he has advised a selected approach wherein only markets that promise a higher profitability would be tapped and there will be more franchises than company-owned stores. Marks Spencer has planned on entering India by partnering with the countrys Reliance Group while for China, Bolland has clearly stated that it would proceed to, and focus on Shanghai rather than the whole of China as China is, according to him, a group of multicultural countries that neither shares a same language nor a similar view on style (The richest 2011). The management has been advised by Bolland to make use of Chinese knowledge when establishing the companys presence in China. Bolland has also advised a combination of bricks and clicks in their new internationalization strategy due to which the company would open one flagship store in the capital, a few stores in major shopping malls while the rest of the operations would be taken online as these markets have high internet density and online shopping is not an alien concept for the people of these markets. The company has also planned on moving into Egypt by opening its very first store in the country. A combination of bricks and clicks has not been emphasized upon as internet has not yet gained much popularity in the country thus rendering too much dependence on online business useless. Egypt will not be, however, discussed in this report as the main focus of this report is internationalization with respect to India and China. The new internationalization strategies adopted by Marks Spencer seem very promising and indicate higher profitability and customer shares than the previous strategies adopted by the company. India and China are, indeed, densely populated countries where the rich have high purchasing powers and are more aware of and interested in international brands than most countries of Asia. These countries are also host to a high number of foreign travelers that would help the company gain more in terms of sales and revenues. Conclusion The new plans of international expansion undertaken by Marks Spencer are a series of carefully calculated steps that the company decides to take in order to prevent itself from stepping into the quicksand of failure. The company should, again, try to expand its business internationally so as to increase its business operations. Globalization is an important factor that successful companies should consider as it helps them gain recognition by people all around the world. It is about time that Marks Spencer starts focusing on internationalization as a means of expansion to avoid being forced out of the market by competitors. By moving into the markets of India and Shanghai, MS has not only targeted two of the most densely populated countries of Asia but also two of the largest economies in emerging markets. Investment decisions in these two countries hold a promising future for MS that would not only be promising but also stable. The consumer market of India is also a highly adaptable market. People of these markets are easily influenced and are more prone to shift towards international brands regardless of how expensive their products are. The market of India has adopted the concept of westernization more rapidly and it has gives higher preference to international brands than local brands. China too holds better future prospects as it has now become the second largest economy of the world (BBC, 2011). India ranks as the fifth largest economy in terms of PPP GDP (CIA World Factbook, 2011). Hence the company should proceed with internationalization. Recommendations Even though the market of Asia is greatly influenced by western culture, it is also inclined towards its own regional culture and traditions. In order to gain greater popularity among customers, MS should introduce a line of traditional wear in whichever region it is targeting to operate in. Choosing regional brand ambassadors instead of international celebrities would help them gain popularity faster and even increase their brand equity and credibility. This would highlight the regional emphasis in the brand more. Clothes should be stitched keeping in mind the size definitions of the region being operated in and not simply introducing apparel with UK based sizes. MS should opt for test marketing by opening only a flagship store first to see how well the markets respond to the idea of MS in their country rather than investing heavily all at once. Adopting cultures of the regions or sectors MS is operating in will enhance brand loyalty. The company should also merge into accessories and home apparels market for the sector. Giving options under a single brand increases the likelihood of equity and attraction of customers which will directly effect on the brand and sales. Since China and India are emerging markets, MS should focus more on the middle-class segments of these markets.

Non Tariff Barriers

NON TARIFF BARRIERS What are non tariff barriers? Non- tariff barriers are broadly defined as any impediment to trade other than tariffs. Non tariff barriers can be classified into two groups; Direct and Indirect. (a)Direct Barriers are barriers that specifically limit import of goods or services. Eg: Embargoes and quotas EMBARGOES: Embargoes are the most restrictive of the direct non tariff barriers. They are either a complete ban on trade with a foreign nation or a ban on sales or transfer of specific products. Eg: The U. S. has imposed embargoes on Afghanistan, Cuba, Iraq and Iran. QUOTAS: Quotas are a quantitative restriction on imports. They are based on either value of goods or on quantity. They can be placed on all goods of a particular kind coming from all countries, a group of countries or only one country. (b) Indirect Barriers are laws, administrative regulations, industrial/commercial practices and even social and cultural forces that either limit or discourage sale or purchase of foreign goods or services in a domestic market. To restrict imports, countries may impose monetary or exchange controls on currencies. Foreign governments can impose technical barriers to trade, for example, performance standards for products, product specifications or products safety. Eg: Japan has governmental restrictions on the use of food preservatives. It is a trade barrier in disguise, because foods without preservatives cannot be transported long distance. Import Licensing Schemes and Customs Procedures Some governments require importers to apply for permission to import products, subjecting them to complex and discriminatory requirements. It is often expensive and time-consuming. Let us look at some tariff measures that are maintained against Indian exports: 1)Country- The United States of America Product- Marine Products Non tariff barrier- Increased in-detailed inspections under the Bio-Terrorism Act. -Customs Bond requirement -Mandatory labeling discriminating ‘farm-raised’ & ‘wild’. -Punitive fines in case of non-compliance -Non-recognition of EIC certification 2)Country- Columbia Product- Pharmaceuticals Non tariff barrier – Registration by Columbian Drug Control and Certification takes 11-12 months and is very tedious. Inspections are undertaken for environmental compliance and punitive fines are levied in case of non-compliance 3)Country- Bangladesh Product- Poultry products Non tariff barrier- Bangladesh continues to ban imports of poultry products despite India gaining the ‘Avian influenza free’ status. )Country- Chile Product- Wheat, wheat flour, sugar Non tariff barrier- Complex price band system -A minimum import price (well above international and domestic prices) is stipulated. The Argentinean Customs can ask for validation of Indian Customs Invoice and a full set of original documents if they suspect that the invoiced value is less than the minimum import price established. 5)Country- China Service- Banking Non tariff barrier- China maintains a number of regulatory barriers which make investment in the banking sector very difficult. While foreign banks are allowed to open branches, regulatory treatment remains discriminatory. Branches of foreign banks are for example subject to higher capital norms than Chinese banks, which moreover are coupled with the number of their offices. Costs for establishing bank branches in China are therefore very high and foreign banks market share in China remains marginal REFERENCES International Business Law and its Environment- Richard Schaffer, Filiberto Augusti & Beverly Carle International Business- Francis Cherunilam

Out of Control Interview

Application Case – The Out-of-Control Interview 1. How would you explain the nature of the panel interview Maria had to endure? Specifically do you think it reflected a well-thought-out interviewing strategy on the part of the firm or carelessness on the part of the firm’s management? If it was carelessness, what would you do to improve the interview process at Apex Environmental? It is possible that the panel interview of Maria Fernandez at Apex International was a stress interview designed to determine how she reacts under pressure and with a barrage of irrelevant and sexist questions. However, stress interviews are viewed as unethical and of poor taste. Apparently, Apex International management was careless in its interview strategy. First, it constituted a panel of five men who maybe well acquainted with the company’s operations but could be possibly lacking in experience in HR functions, particularly in recruitment and selection. It is assumed that the HR manager or any HR specialist who could have provided structure, direction and control to the interview was not part of the panel. To address this concern, it is highly recommended that Apex International conduct trainings for interviewers in order to maximize utility of interviews as a tool at arriving at a selection decision as well as to avoid straying off course and asking questions that have potential job discrimination implications. 2. Would you take the job if you were Maria? If you’re not sure, is there any additional information that would help you make your decision, and if so, what is it? I am unsure in taking the job offer. I would take into careful consideration the company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. Based on what happened, it appears that there are concerns on the culture of the company, particularly on sexual harassment and equality in the workplace. Questions asked during the panel interview indicate loose policies on sexual harassment. While interviews are primarily designed to find out if the job applicant has the experience and skills needed for the position, it could also be a tool for the company to emphasize its culture, leadership, among others. . The job of applications engineer for which Maria was applying requires: (a) excellent technical skills with respect to mechanical engineering; (b) commitment to working in the area of pollution control; (c) the ability to deal well and confidently with customers who have engineering problems; (d) willingness to travel worldwide; and, (e) a very intelligent and well-balanced personality. What questions would you ask when interviewing applic ants for the job. Sample Questions: 1. How do you think your mechanical engineering degree can help you in your job in pollution control? 2. If I were to ask your reporting staff to comment on your leadership style, your leadership strengths, and your leadership weaknesses, how would they respond? What would this discussion tell me about you as a leader? 3. Suppose a client approached and asked you a difficult technical question that you could not answer. What would you do?

Death of a Salesman A Play by Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman was written by Arthur Miller in 1949. The play earned him success and a prominent place in theater history. It is a popular production for school, community, and professional theater companies and is considered one of the essential modern plays that everyone should see.​ For decades, students have been studying Death of a Salesman,  exploring various elements of the play, including  the character of Willy Loman,  themes of the play,  and  criticism of the play.  Dramatists Play Service  holds the rights to Death of a Salesman. Act One Setting: New York, the late 1940s Death of a Salesman  begins in the evening. Willy Loman, a salesman in his sixties, returns home from a failed business trip. He explains to his wife, Linda, that he was too distracted to drive and therefore headed home in defeat. (This wont earn him any brownie points with his boss.) Willys thirty-something sons, Happy and Biff, are staying in their old rooms. Happy works as an assistant to the assistant buyer at a retail store, but he dreams of bigger things. Biff was once a high school football star, but he could never embrace Willys concept of success. So he has just been drifting from one manual labor job to the next. Downstairs, Willy talks to himself. He hallucinates; he visualizes happier times from his past. During one of the memories, he recalls an encounter with his long-lost older brother, Ben. An adventurous entrepreneur, Ben declares: When I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out I was twenty-one. And by God, I was rich. Needless to say, Willy is envious of his brothers achievements. Later, when Biff confronts his mother about Willys unstable behavior, Linda explains that Willy has been secretly (and perhaps subconsciously) attempting suicide. Act One ends with the brothers cheering up their father by promising to meet with a big shot businessman, Bill Oliver. They plan to pitch a marketing idea -- a concept that fills Willy with hope for the future. Act Two Willy Loman asks his boss, 36-year-old Howard Wagner, for $40 a week. (Recently, Willy has not been making zero dollars on his commission-only salary). Somewhat gently (or, depending on the actors interpretation, perhaps disrespectfully), Howard fires him: Howard: I dont want you to represent us. Ive been meaning to tell you for a long time now.Willy: Howard, are you firing me?Howard: I think you need a good long rest, Willy.Willy: Howard -Howard: And when you feel better, come back, and well see if we can work something out. Willy tells his troubles to his neighbor and friendly rival, Charley. Out of sympathy, he offers Willy a job, but the salesman turns Charley down. Despite this, he still borrows money from Charley -- and has been doing so for quite some time. Meanwhile, Happy and Biff meet at a restaurant, waiting to treat their dad to a steak dinner. Unfortunately, Biff has bad news. Not only did he fail to meet with Bill Oliver, but Biff swiped the mans fountain pen. Apparently, Biff has become a kleptomaniac as a way of rebelling against the cold, corporate world. Willy doesnt want to hear Biffs bad news. His memory drifts back to a tumultuous day: When Biff was a teenager, he discovered that his father was having an affair. Ever since that day, there has been a rift between father and son. Willy wants to find a way for his son to stop hating him. (And hes been considering killing himself just so Biff could do something great with the insurance money.) At home, Biff and Willy shout, shove, and argue. Finally, Biff bursts into tears and kisses his father. Willy is deeply touched, realizing that his son still loves him. Yet, after everyone goes to bed, Willy speeds away in the family car. The playwright explains that the music crashes down in a frenzy of sound symbolizing the car crash and Willys successful suicide. The Requiem This short scene in Death of a Salesman takes place at Willy Lomans grave. Linda wonders why more people didnt attend his funeral. Biff decides that his father had the wrong dream. Happy is still intent on pursuing Willys quest: He had a good dream. Its the only dream you can have -- to come out number-one man. Linda sits on the ground and laments the loss of her husband. She says: Why did you do it? I search and search and search, and I cant understand it, Willy. I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear. And theyll be nobody home. Biff helps her to her feet, and they leave the grave of Willy Loman.