Different Ending to All My Sons

Act III, Scene 1:

(Joe Keller is sitting alone on a chair in his backyard. He looks worn and defeated. The sound of police sirens can be heard in the distance)

Joe Keller: (to himself) It’s over. It’s finally over.

(Chris enters)

Chris: Dad, what’s going on? The police are here.

Joe Keller: (stands up) Chris, I have something to tell you.

Chris: (suspicious) What is it?

Joe Keller: (takes a deep breath) I’m responsible for the faulty airplane parts. I knew they were defective, but I shipped them anyway.

Chris: (shocked) What? How could you do this?

Joe Keller: (desperate) I did it for the business, for our family. I thought I was doing the right thing.

Chris: (angrily) The right thing? You’ve destroyed lives, including your own son’s.

Joe Keller: (sorrowful) I know, and I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever it takes to make amends.

(The police enter)

Police Officer: Joseph Keller, you are under arrest for your role in the faulty airplane parts scandal.

Joe Keller: (resigned) I understand.

(Joe Keller is led away in handcuffs as the rest of the family enters)

Ann: (in tears) What’s happening?

Chris: (trying to compose himself) Dad’s been arrested. He’s taking responsibility for what he’s done.

Kate: (shocked) How could he do this?

Chris: (sighs) He thought he was doing the right thing for the family.

Ann: (looking at Joe being led away) And now, what will become of us?

Chris: (puts his arm around Ann) We’ll support each other. We’ll get through this together.

(The family stands together, looking towards the future with a sense of hope and healing)

(Curtain falls)