The play begins with Bill Maitland in a dream where he is before a Judge who is trying his life. Maitland dismisses his attorney from the start of the trial. This is significant as Bill begins to prosecute himself rather than defend. All of this is happening in the subconscious level, but once we are introduced to reality we understand that Bill is a man who is terrified. He knows he is a fraud and he has created an exterior of bullying and power that protects him from having to reveal this to anyone. This is symbolized by the setting of his law office and his bullying and sexually harassing behavior. We also see this in the scene with his daughter towards the end, as she has come to speak with him, but he allows her no room to talk; he only goes on and on. This represents how he takes all the energy out of the room leaving no one the opportunity to respond, thus no relationships can be created nor carried on.
Bill's journey is one of his internal beliefs about being a fraud come true in his present reality. His practice falls apart as his employees all leave, his marriage is over as his wife leaves him and his mistresses leave him as well. He is left in his hollow office, alone, and he knows the lie is over. Thus, his final word, "Goodbye," is greatly significant. Whether he is saying goodbye to his fraudulent life, or to life itself is hard to say. Maitland is left at a precipice in his life. He can either choose to continue to spiral deeper into the depths that he's lived in which lead only to death, or he can begin to let go of the lies and grab on to reality for once in his life and attempt to create a life worth living.
