Nick had done what George had asked. He had told Ole Anderson about the two men in matching derby hats and black overcoats that were going to kill Ole Anderson. And Ole Anderson didn’t care. He didn’t even show as much as a glint of concern for what those two fellows want to do to him. Ole Anderson just laid on his too small of a bed and stared at the blank wall at his feet. “Why?” Nick spoke quietly to himself as he slowly trudged away from Hirsch’s rooming-house. “What awful deed could Ole Anderson have done to have two killers trailing him, and for him to just calmly wait for them in his room?” As Nick was deep in thought about this, he failed to notice two figures enter through Hirsch’s door.

Max and Al figured that someone from the lunch-room would try to warn Ole Anderson about them as soon as they left. “Well, this means we’ll get the job done quicker,” stated Max. “Won’t have to clean it up since there won’t be any witnesses either,” said Al. They kept their distance from Nick as he entered Hirsch’s and stayed in the shadows until he had left. It was easy for them to hide in the dark with their black coats. Entering the rooming-house was easy; the only thing Max and Al didn’t know was whether or not Ole Anderson would put up a fight. When they entered his room, Ole Anderson just gave them a passing glance from his bed and continued staring sullenly at the bedroom wall. He already knew why they were there. They didn’t need to explain anything to him. He just lied there on his small bed, staring at the wall with a sawn off shotgun resting on his temple, knowing that he deserved what was coming to him.

***

I decided to create an alternate ending for The Killers for the assignment Write An Alternative Ending, because I felt like it had an open ended ending where the hostages at the lunch-room could have contacted the police, Max and Al could have killed Ole Anderson or the other way around, or the ending I’ve written. I made this as a means to end an open-ended story; I enjoy and dislike stories with no definite ending because, on the one hand, the reader can create whatever ending to a story satisfies them the most. On the other hand, I really like to know how the author would have wanted the story to end and feel pressured to imagine the “correct” ending from an endless number of possible endings. I referenced the story for character names, personalities, and reading how the characters talked and how Ernest Hemingway wrote. After that, I just thought about the possible ending to the story that I preferred and wrote the ending in a Word Document and posted it here.

SHADOW: Dubrille is dead, Dr. Evans.

EVANS: Is? Corvet’s kept his word. Where is he?

SHADOW: Look there, on the floor by the window.

EVANS: Corvet? That’s Corvet?

SHADOW: Dubrille tried to save his life by promising to help that man kill you.

EVANS: Dubrille? Dubrille offered to help Corvet kill me?

SHADOW: Yes. And I sense this isn’t the end of the danger either.

EVANS: He’s alive- barely. Still breathing.

CORVET: Get away from me Evans. I hate you. You would have let me starve to death on that boat, and so I would have let you die by the work of my own hands. Pity I didn’t get the chance. But you see what I did to Dubrille here. Soon you will meet a similar fate. I may be gone, but my work will be finished. Would you like to know how Evans? Or would you like to be surprised? Hahahaha (laughter turns into gasps, as finally death envelops Corvet)

EVANS: What does he mean?

SHADOW: What happened to Martan?

EVANS: I’m not sure. I lost track of him.

SHADOW: Yes, I’m afraid we’re not out of the woods yet Dr. Evans. We need to get you some place safe.

THE END

Here is the Alternative Ending prompt that is three points. I was reading through The Shadow and I kept thinking that the Shadow character would reveal himself to be Corvet.So, here is the story if The Shadow was revealed to be Corvet.

Evans: You mean you won’t use your powers to save us from him?

The Shadow: No, I’ll use my powers to kill you all!!!

Evans: What?

The Shadow: You ratted me out and now I have found you to kill you!

The Shadow suddenly appears from the shadows. He was Corvet all along! Evans gasps.

Dubrille and Martin come to see what the commotion is and suddenly shots are heard and they drop to the floor covered in their own blood. As Corvet is distracted, Evans runs into a room and hides in the closet. Corvet walks towards the bodies to make sure that they are dead and notices that Evans is gone. He goes on a search

Corvet: Evans. I know your hiding from me. Don’t you wanna come out and say hi to an old friend.

Evans shivers with fear in the closet. The closet door opens, Evans looks up.

Corvet: Found you. (BANG!)

Evans lays dead in the closet. A few weeks later bodies are found and The Shadow lives to roam the streets as a free man.

At the end of Wild party Queenie tells Mr. Black to leave so that he does not get executed. I would like to add a ending where Queenie strikes back.

Look what you’ve done!

Beat it you fool!

Dont Stand there

Run!

If they get you

you will get the chair!

Run!

Get out!

Take the gun:

Dont let them catch you with it!

Run!

D’ye hear?

“kiss me before I go!” he said.

Her hands flew up beat at her head:

“God What a fool!

You make me sick!”

“Kiss me!”

“All right, then–

come on!–

quick!”

as thier lips met, she quickly grabbed the gun out of his hands.

“what are you doing babe!”

“You sicken me so much,

do you think I will let you shoot the man

I love and than kiss me

I gave you a chance to run!”

“I just wanted one last kiss!”

“Well You got what you wished for!!”

“What do you mean?”

Bang!!!

“Thats what I mean!”

She dropped the gun to the ground,

the cops burst in and see two bodies

with her standing over them.

Once George retrieves Sam and brings him out in front of Al and Max, Sam quickly realizes that something fishy is going on. “All right, both of you stand right there,” Al says, looking at Sam and Nick. “What is going on?” asked Sam. “I’m going back to the kitchen with the nigger and bright boy,” Al said. They all walk back to the kitchen with Al following. Sam, being the competitive boxer that he is, is thinking of his next move as he walks into the kitchen. As soon as the kitchen door closes behind Al, Sam springs into action. Sam quickly pulls the sawed off shotgun away from Al and hits him across the forehead with the butt of the gun. Al goes down and Sam gets him in a headlock and covers his mouth. Sam quietly whispers for Nick to retrieve something for Sam to tie up Al with. Nick quickly finds some old rope and throws it to Sam. Sam then ties Al up to one of the cooking ovens and covers his mouth up with a towel. Meanwhile, Max is interrogating George but George refuses to talk. Max begins to wonder why he hasn’t heard Al and begins to call for him. Out of nowhere, Sam comes through a hidden side door and tackles Max to the ground. Max puts more of a fight up than Al does and the two begin to scuffle. George grabs a lunch tray and begins to hit Max over top his head to aid Sam in his efforts. Max is able to break free from the two workers and runs out the door. Sam and George watch as Max runs out the building while they catch their breath. Sam then goes into the kitchen to check up on Al and Nick. Both Sam and George go into the kitchen and see Nick lying dead on the floor and the old rope lying on the ground where Al was tied up. Sam and George quickly realize that this is far from over…

Shadow- Everything, Dr. Evans. Your escape from Devil’s Island after Dubrill’s betrayal of Martan, that resulted in hundred lashes. His resolve for vengeance. From the authorities of Devil’s Island, I learned the truth about Corvet’s … last escape.

Evans- Yes? Yes, I see now why he hated us. But what about Corvet?

Shadow- I knew he would not strike here tonight.

Evans- What? How did you know this? Why did you not tell us?

Shadow- I knew of Martan’s plan and I needed to let it turn out the way it did. To protect you.

Evans- Why are you protecting me?

Shadow- There’s no time to talk about that. You need to go.

Evans- Why?

Shadow- Corvet is on his way here. I do not know how he knows of your presence here, but his is certainly here to kill you.

Evans- Ok, I will leave now!

Corvet- EVANS!!!!

Evans- Oh no, it’s too late. Shadow, what do I do?

Corvet- There you are. Now I finally get to kill you.

Evans- Shadow please help!

Corvet- You fool, I bet you are wondering how I got here. Well let’s just say I have a special friend who told me where you three would be.

Evans- Shadow?

Corvet- Well yes…. Hahah I am Shadow.

Evans- But how? But why? There’s no way.

Corvet- Luckily those two other idiots are already dead. Now it’s time for you to die.

Shadow- Goodbye Evans

BANG, BANG

“I’ll… I’ll..” Frank’s hand was raised above his head and his face grew more red with every yell. His voice was faltering and Cora fell back against the wall. She saw as his arm lowered slowly and he began to rub his temples. He sank into the chair next to the phone. “I can’t go on like this anymore. With this… this fear.”

“Fear?” Cora said disdainfully. She began to stand up straighter, pushing herself up from the wall. “You’re in fear?” she called out, her voice trembling with fear and rising with anger. “How can you be the one in fear?”

Frank looked up from his hands, his eyes wide and red. He looked at Cora standing defiantly across the room. She was firmly planted and breathing heavy. It was obvious there was something she had been holding in.

“I’m scared of you, Frank. You’re the one who is haunting this house with your paranoia. I’m the one who has gone through hell and back!”

“You think I haven’t been there in hell with you?”

“I know it!”

Frank was astonished. He knew she’d taken the fall, but he thought she understood he’s in the same place she is. He’s no more innocent than she, and they could both go down at any moment. She would certainly drop him for her own safety, but he couldn’t say he wouldn’t do the same.

“I don’t know what to do. I don’t trust you.”

“I’ve given everything up for you – for this life we’ve created. We did this.”

“So why does it feel like we’re not together in it?”

“Because you’re ready to run.”

“And you should be ready to go right beside me.”

“I’ll tell you, honey,” Cora said as she descended down the stair and back into the kitchen. “I’m ready, but I’m not bringing you with me.”

Frank looked over at her. She was staring down at the counter, contemplating something it seemed. Or maybe she wasn’t contemplating; maybe she already decided. 

“What are  you going to do, Cora?”

Cora opened a drawer and pulled out a box of cigarettes. She took one out and put it up to her lips. She turned slowly toward Frank. “I’m not going to do anything right now,” she shrugged. “I don’t have a light.”

Her red lips curled up slightly, revealing her white teeth starkly clenching the cigarette. Frank reached into his pocked and pulled out a box of matches. He lit one, and held it out in front of her, trying to stop his hands from shaking so rapidly. Cora leaned forward and caught the flame on the tip of her cigarette. 

Her body moved back upright as she puffed the cigarette. She pulled it down and blew a line of smoke into the air. Frank kept his eyes fixed on Cora, afraid of every move she was making. 

“You can stop worrying, darling. We both know this is over.”

“And what does that mean?”

Cora flicked her cigarette at Frank’s chest. It hit him and fell to the ground. He slowly moved his foot forward and stomped out the butt. 

“Go to bed, honey. I’ll be up soon.”

“I’m not going anywhere until we figure this out.”

“It’s been figured out.”

“Then tell me what to do!” Frank’s voice rose in frustration and his body lurched forward in a move of desperation but appeared as aggression. His arms were out before him and his eyes were wild. “What do you want from me?”

Cora’s body turned away, eyes closed. “I want nothing from you anymore.”

Frank moved toward here, trying to embrace her. As he moved to touch her shoulders, Cora’s hand flew toward the stove and her arm swung to Frank’s head, a frying pan in her grip. Frank immediately fell to the floor, a stream of blood rolling down his forehead. 

Cora looked up to the ceiling, pausing for a moment. She closed her eyes and felt her grip tighten on the pan. Then, she stepped over Frank’s body, grabbed the box of cigarettes off the counter and the keys off the hook by the phone. She walked outside and threw the pan into the back of the car. She’ll decide what to do with that later. 

I thought this assignment was very challenging. It is hard to rewrite the ending of something when you know how it concluded. You have to rethink the actions of the characters throughout the whole story, and you have to essentially recreate the characters in a new way. It honestly felt like a betrayal to the author’s intentions and vision, yet that challenge was still fun to take on.

Additionally, I am really enjoying writing in noir-esque ways (hopefully my writing has captured the noir feel at least a little bit). It’s fun to write mysterious plots and dramatic dialogue. I can certainly see why this genre became so popular amongst the many artists that embraced it. I tried hard to focus on the idea of using dialogue as the main point of action and focus majorly on slow action from the characters. 

I certainly do not think my writing is on par with James M. Cain’s, but hopefully this offers a different little twist on the story. 

The assignment is to write an alternate ending to a novel, movie, short story, poem, etc. What else can I say but make it damn good!

I decided to make an alternate ending to  “The Shadow” which is a script for The Death Triangle episode starring Orson Welles. This script was written in December of 1937. I like how the script gives very vivid descriptions on what is happening, what is being heard, etc. These very vivd descriptions are incorporated into the script and give the reader a sense of what it is like to be there. I found it very creepy how The Shadow was dictating Dr. Evans. The Shadow was used in multiple ways. The Shadow was a character in the episode, but The Shadow is also a figurative way of denoting something is there. In a way (though it’s a different form) it’s kind of like a hostage situation. I found it very creepy how at the end the script stated that “the shadow knows…”. Creepy! The plot/story line was all over the place and it seemed to be very twisted, like the other story I read.

This excerpt is from the script The Death Triangle from “The Shadow”

I begin my alternate ending after this excerpt.

Manservant: He doesn’t appear to be, I haven’t seen him in a few.

Margot: Oh, that’s incredibly odd.

Manservant: I’d say the same

Margot: Well, I guess I’ll go looking for him.

*As Margot exits the home, she sees his car leave the driveway, headed north at a high speed*

*Margot needs to catch up, so she jumps in a car that she found on the street. The keys were conveniently inside and she is scared because her neighbor is the owner and they aren’t on good terms*

Margot comes in contact with THE SHADOW.

She gets super scared.

THE SHADOW overtakes Margot and holds her hostage.

The Shadow: If Dr. Evans comes to save you I will kill you both.

Margot: No, please. Just kill me.

The Shadow: I will kill both of you and then everyone else who comes in contact with me.

Margot: No, take me and call it quits.

The Shadow: Not going to happen, but wishful thinking.

*Dubrille and Corvet go out on a search for Margot and Dr. Evans who are nowhere to be found*

Dubrille: Where do you think we will find them?

Corvet: I haven’t a clue. Let’s check the house.

Dubrille: I doubt they are there.

Corvet: If we can find one of them there is hope in finding the other.

Dubrille: Let’s start there.

*Dubrille and Corvet go to the house and nobody is in sight, not even the servant*

*THE SHADOW kills both of them*

*Margot is freaking out, THE SHADOW continues to threaten her*

*THE SHADOW kills Dr. Evans and then makes Margot live with him forever*

I wanted to change the ending and give it a similar, but different twist because that is how I felt about the reading as a whole. I felt that it was very twisted. I decided to have THE SHADOW kill Corvet, Dubrille, and Dr. Evans making it a Death Triangle, but in a different way. Three people are killed and they whole ending is sketchy, but The Shadow lives on. The mysterious shadow lives on.

The Killers – Alternate Ending

“I can’t stand to think about him waiting in the room and knowing he’s going to get it.  It’s too damned awful.”
“Well,” said George, “you better not think about it.”
Nick looked at George just once before he walked out the front door.
“For that boy’s sake, I hope we never see him again,” George said.
From the kitchen, Sam said “I don’t even want to hear about it George, not this time.  Just get it over with, will ya?”
George looked back at Sam, staring at the wall above the stove.  “Yeah alright,” he replied.

“Room four?” George asked Mrs. Bell as he walked past her.  He didn’t wait for an answer; he didn’t even look back to see her reluctant nod before he started climbing the stairs.  He knew they were in there.
It was over in less than ten seconds.  George unlocked and opened the door to room four.  Before Max or Al could get a look at their captor, George put a bullet in each of their chests from the pistol he brought with him.  He checked to make sure they were dead, then left the room, re-locking the door as he left.  He turned to the door across the hall, and opened it.
“Two more, Anderson.”
George held out his hand.  Without looking at him, Ole Anderson reached under the bed and pulled out an unclasped briefcase.  After handing George two stacks of bills from the emptying case, Anderson rolled to his side, facing the wall.
“You best figure out a better plan, Anderson”, George remarked as he turned to leave.  “Or you’ll just spend all your winnings on delaying the inevitable.  Nick is skipping town.  You may want to follow his example and get out while you can.”
“No point,” Ole Anderson quietly responded.
George shrugged, pocketed his money, and closed the door behind him, leaving Anderson to himself.