Alternate Ending to "A Doll's House"

The stage is set like a dimly lit street. Businesses closed for the night lined up like sleeping cattle. There are two street lamps, one on each side of a cobble stone road. Under the street lamp on stage left, Mrs. Linde stands leaning against it smoking a cigarette. Nora enters from stage right, suitcase in hand, expressing a strong sense of urgency. She is composed but visually bothered. As she turns the corner under stage right’s street lamp, Nora spots Mrs. Linde.

Nora: Kristine! (Nora runs towards Mrs. Linde as if her legs could barely support her weight.  Her eyes are watery but she is not crying) Oh Kristine! What have I done all these years? 

Mrs. Linde: (startled and confused, takes one last brief drag and tosses her cigarette into the street) What? What do mean?

Nora: These last eight years of my life. The sacrifices I have made, the risks I took, all for what? A boy wearing a man’s disguise.

Mrs. Linde: Nora, slow down. Why do you have a suitcase? What’s going on? Did you tell Torvald the truth?

Nora: (catching her breath) I didn’t have to. He read Krogstad’s letters. But oh how horrible. The     things he said to me. I sat there and listened to him tear me to shreds with his words, never once acknowledging what I did for him! I’m a fool Kristine! (looks to the dark  nights sky) A fool!  

Mrs. Linde: Calm down Nora. You’re not a fool. (goes to give Nora a hug) You were in love. You did what you felt was the right thing to do at the time. (after a pause she releases Nora from the friendly hug) I understand why you borrowed the money. I may not have agreed with it, but I understand why. If Torvald wasn’t able to see past the illegal nature of what you did then he is the fool Nora, not you.

(Nora looks down and gently rubs her eyes clear from any would-be tears, then looks  back up at Mrs. Linde)

Nora: Really? Do you think so?...But what about the children? What if this is all a big mistake?

Mrs. Linde: (confident and stern) Listen to me. Leaving tonight was the best decision you have           ever made. You are free. (Nora looks at Mrs. Linde and forms unbreakable, but soft eye contact) Free to make something of yourself. Free to find someone who sees you as a partner in life, not a pet. As for the children, they will be in good hands with Helene. Torvald… he will recover from this and he will still have a job so your babies wont starve. Write them, and when they are old enough to understand, you can explain to them how the strength you possessed as a woman was far too intimidating to Torvald. He            left you no choice but to walk away.

Nora: (after a short pause, takes a deep breath and exhales slowly) You’re right. You were always right Kristine. Thank you. You really are a true friend.

(Stage lights dim and the curtain closes)