WARNING: Biblical references and prayer. Don't like, don't read!
The Crucible Alternate Ending
The setting is the gallows, with nooses around the necks of REBECCA NURSE, MARTHA COREY, and JOHN PROCTER. The EXECUTIONER is preparing to drop the trap doors when HALE, MARY WARREN, and BETTY PARRIS burst onto the platform.
HALE: Shouting as best he can while winded, Stop! For the love of God and all that is holy, stop!
EXECUTIONER: Looking surprised and irritated, Mister Hale, I cannot stop the execution. I have my orders from the court. He turns to pull the lever for the doors.
MARY and BETTY: In unison, They are innocent! The EXECUTIONER looks at the girls.
EXECUTIONER: Dubiously, Have you proof?
MARY: Flustered but determined, We do.
HALE: They say it has all been pretense. The villagers gasp, and THOMAS PUTNAM shoves his way through the crowd until he is in front of the platform.
PUTNAM: You two lie, or witched by John Procter!
BETTY: In a small but confident voice, We do not lie!
MARY: We repent what we have done. We have falsely accused our fellow Christians of witchcraft.
PUTNAM: Enraged, You lie! Fighting their way through the throng, RUTH PUTNAM and FRANCIS NURSE make it to the platform. PUTNAM is furious with RUTH, Child! He comes toward her in a menacing way, grabbing her upper arm and jerking her toward him, Come here or you will rue the day you were born! RUTH resists him, and PUTNAM raises his hand to strike her. HALE steps forward and tears RUTH from PUTNAM'S grasp, pulling the girl behind him and using his body as a shield.
HALE: With controlled rage, You shall not lay a finger on this child! PUTNAM charges to attack RUTH, but HALE slams the heels of his hands into PUTNAM'S chest and left shoulder, knocking him to the ground.
RUTH: From behind HALE, I won't lie for you any more Father! I won't help you take any more innocent lives! DANSFORTH and the other judges arrive and before anyone can say a word, Your Excellency! These people are innocent! I can prove it, please sir!
DANSFORTH: What be this proof? Speak, child! Speak nothing but the truth, for I tire of this folly!
NURSE: In an encouraging and supportive tone, Remember Cain and Abel. Remember what God did so that Cain would not be killed, even though he had murdered Abel.
MARY: We were dancing in the forest while Tituba sang her Barbados songs.
BETTY: Picking up where MARY left off, And Abby asked her to make a charm, a charm to kill Goody Procter! She drank blood!
PROCTER: In horror, Drank blood?! To kill Elizabeth?!
DANSFORTH: Abigail is to be arrested and -
RUTH: That's not all! My – her voice trembles with grief, M-m-my Father forced me to accuse Mister Jacobs of witchcraft, and my Mother, she – RUTH begins to sob.
HALE: Turns to comfort her, wiping the tears from her face, Be strong, the Lord forgives those who have repentant hearts.
RUTH: Still filled with grief, but not overcome by despair, My Mother forced me to name Goody Nurse a witch! As she begins to sob again HALE pulls her into a comforting embrace.
DANSFORTH: And what of Martha Corey and John Procter? You have given no evidence that they are innocent!
MARY: With certainty, A witch cannot say the Lord's Prayer. I have heard them say the Lord's Prayer! The villagers become restless.
DANSFORTH: If the accused can say the Lord's Prayer, together without a fault, they shall be released, and Abigail Williams, Thomas Putnam, and Ann Putnam will be arrested and tried! ANN PUTNAM wails in despair while PUTNAM looks on in rage. Now, recite the Lord's Prayer!
PROCTER, REBECCA, and MARTHA: In unison, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
DANSFORTH: In awe, Release them! Arrest Abigail Williams, Thomas Putnam, and Ann Putnam!
PUTNAM: On what charge?!
DANSFORTH: Perjury, coercion, and murder! Take them away! PUTNAM and ANN are taken away in chains. Mister Hale, if you would stay with Ruth until the trial is over . . .
HALE: Of course, I shall stay with all of the children. HALE, RUTH, MARY, BETTY, REBECCA, MARTHA, and PROCTER watch as the court heads to the meeting hall. REBECCA walks towards a still crying RUTH and makes her look at her.
REBECCA: You were brave, child. The Lord gave you the strength to tell the truth, He bade you to not make Sapphira's1 mistake. The group heads to the hall for the verdict, HALE carrying RUTH, who is still crying. DANSFORTH and the rest of the court come out; PUTNAM and ANN are being lead to the gallows. There is no need to verbalize the verdict.
HALE: looks around in confusion. Where isAbigail?
DANSFORTH: She has fled. Ruth, come with me.
HALE: With fear lacing his voice, What will happen to Ruth?
DANSFORTH: She will be taken to an orphanage in Boston –
REBECCA and HALE: No!
DANSFORTH: What, pray tell, am I to do with her then?
HALE: Desperately, I will take her! He looks at RUTH who has quieted in his arms; Do you wish to come with me? As an after thought, As my daughter? RUTH looks at him, bewildered.
DANSFORTH: In unadulterated shock, You wish to adopt her?
HALE: Firmly, with conviction, Yes. I have no intentions to leave Ruth alone in an unfamiliar place. I will even stay in Salem if that is what it takes.
DANSFORTH: It is up to the child.
RUTH: Almost inaudibly, Me?
HALE: With a loving smile, You.
RUTH: Deliberates for a moment, I want to go with Mister Hale
DANSFORTH: Very well. Reverend John Hale, do you swear to care for, raise, protect, and love this child in a good Christian home, so help you God?
HALE: I do so swear. DANSFORTH hands HALE a pen and document. HALE looks at RUTH with concern. Will you be all right if I put you down? She nods and HALEputs her down. She clings to his coat as he takes the pen and signs the document.
DANSFORTH: Will you stay in Salem or return to Beverly?
HALE: I will stay here in Salem, but must leave to gather my belongings. RUTH looks up at him and whimpers, clutching his coat more tightly. You are coming too, little one. Let us gather your things.
DANSFORTH: Do not worry Ruth. The court will handle the arrangements for your parents and find Abigail.
HALE: May God have mercy. He makes the sign of the cross.
HALE and RUTH leave hand in hand as all the accused are released.
The curtain falls.
1 Sapphira lied to God and was given a chance to tell the truth, she lied again and he punished her by killing her. (Acts 5:1-11)