All My Sons – Different Ending

(Joe is sitting alone in the living room, holding a photo of Larry. He looks sad and defeated. Ann enters)

Ann: Joe, what’s wrong?

Joe: (looks up at Ann) I can’t do this anymore. I can’t live with this guilt.

Ann: What are you talking about?

Joe: (stands up, holding the photo) Larry died because of me. Because of the faulty parts my company supplied.

Ann: Joe, no. That’s not true.

Joe: (voice breaking) It is true. I can’t live with this guilt. I have to turn myself in.

Ann: Joe, please don’t. Think about what this will do to our family.

Joe: I have to do this. It’s the only way to make things right.

(Joe exits)

Act III, Scene 2: (Joe is on trial. Chris and Kate are sitting in the courtroom, looking on. Ann is sitting in the back, looking worried. Joe is in the dock, looking remorseful)

Judge: Joe Keller, you have been found guilty of supplying faulty parts that led to the death of soldiers in World War II. How do you plead?

Joe: (stands up) Guilty, your honor.

Judge: (pauses) I sentence you to community service, working with veterans’ organizations and speaking out against the corruption that led to the death of Larry and other soldiers.

(Joe nods, looking relieved)

Act III, Scene 3: (Joe, Ann, Chris, and Kate are gathered at a veterans’ memorial. Joe is speaking to a group of veterans)

Joe: (voice choked with emotion) I know I can never make up for the mistakes I made, but I promise to spend the rest of my days working to honor the memory of Larry and the other soldiers who lost their lives because of the faulty parts my company supplied.

(The scene ends with Joe, Ann, Chris and Kathy standing together as the memorial, united in their grief and their determination to make a difference)