WILLY: Oh. Can we talk a minute?
HOWARD: Records things. Just got delivery yesterday. Been driving me crazy, the most terrific machine I ever saw in my life. I was up all night with it.
WILLY: What do you do with it?
HOWARD: I bought it for dictation, but you can do anything with it. Listen to this. I had it home last night. Listen to what I picked up. The first one is my daughter. Get this. Listen to that kid whistle.
– Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman, Act 2. When Willy goes to his boss Howard’s office to to discuss a job move to New York, the meeting takes a disastrous turn. Howard completely ignores Willy’s request to talk, he is so distracted by his latest technological toy, a wire recorder. He continues to play with his new toy, oblivious to Willy’s needs and wants.