An Alternate Ending For The Green Mile

By Shaykeleher85

John Coffey is strapped into the infamous old sparky. Close up of the clock as it ticks loudly toward the final moment. Close up of John as he's singing.

John:

(Broken Voice) Heaven. I'm in Heaven.

Paul wipes a tear from his eyes as the second hand reaches the twelve. An expectant hush falls over the gathered crowd. Nothing happens. Brutus steps forward to whisper into Paul's ears.

Brutus:

Just remember I'm with you a hundred percent. Whatever you decide Paul.

Paul:

(To The Spectators)

Ladies and gentlemen you have no doubt come here tonight to see a man die.

Paul points to the twins parents.

The man who killed your daughters. You want justice for them. And rightly so. I know that if someone hurt my boys I wouldn't sleep until I know that that person is dead and burning in Hell.

Points to John.

But John Coffey is not a murderer. He is a gift from God if ever I've seen one. He may even be an angel.

The twins' Detterick, Klaus Detterick stands up.

Detterick:

An Angel! How dare you. I found that man covered in their blood. Howling like a monster.

Paul:

Did you ever wonder why he was screaming that day.

Detterick:

It doesn't matter goddamn it! I don't care if he's haunted by what he's done. Why shouldn't he be? I am. Every day!

Mr. Detterick bolts forward shouting as he rushes toward the chair.

And if you won't kill him I'll do it my self.

Paul takes his pistol from his holster and stands directly in front of John. He cocks the gun and points it at Mr. Detterick's chest.

Paul:

Don't you touch him. This man has a gift. One I've seen with my own eyes. He has the ability to heal the sick and dying. But your girls were too far gone to help by the time John Coffey found them by that stream. He couldn't take back their deaths and the grief he felt damn near broke his heart in two.

Detterick:

I don't. Believe. You.

Paul:

Of course not.

Without warning Paul turns the gun on himself, pointed directly above his heart. Brutus lunges for him but too late. The gun goes off. The crowd gasps.

John:

(Howling) No! Boss Edgecomb!

John fights against his restraints and easily breaks them. He sinks to his knees and cradles Paul's head in his gigantic arms.

Don't worry boss. I'll take it back.

Paul:

(Weakly) I know you will.

John places an open hand above Paul's heart. Light emanates from beneath the hand and after a few tense seconds Paul sits up. Breathing heavily. The crowd murmur and gasp as Brutus helps Paul to his feet. Paul opens his shirt to reveal the absence of a bullet hole. Mr. Detterick falls to his knees. A broken man. John goes to him. Sinking down onto his knees.

John:

(To Mr. Detterick) I'm sorry you're haunted. Real sorry. I know what it's like to be haunted. I see your little girls every time I close my eyes. Sometimes they even speak to me. They want me to tell you something.

Detterick:

(Sobbing) What? What?

John:

They want me to tell you they is in Heaven now and its such a happy place cause they can play in the fields all day and it never gets dark or cold. And they get to eat all the cherry pie they want without ever gettin' too full up. Doesn't that sound just so nice?

Mr. Detterick nods, sobbing. Fade to black. The end.