Alternative Ending to "The Lady or the Tiger"

She gave me the signal. My stomach was turning; my palms were sweating. I knew

this decision must have been killing her. Her little hand flicked towards the right door, but

her face was cold. Deep down inside I had the growing suspicion that she would rather see

me dead then with another woman. I did not know if I could trust her. She had gotten me

into this mess and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to die. I have loved this girl with every fiber

of my being, but she is royalty and I am a peasant. Now, I am standing in an ampitheatre

shaking. I looked back up at the person I loved the most, and strolled towards the right

door. The crowd fell silent, but my body did not stop moving. I approached the handle; but I

glanced one last look at her.

She gave me a weak smile, and I swung the door open. My lungs seemed to

collapse underneath of the breath of relief I took. I saw a graceful young lady who I had

talked to before once. The petite girl wore a white wedding dress, with beautiful gold lace

decorating it. Her face lit up and she pranced out, hugging me merrily.

The amphitheatre exploded with noise. Bells, cheering, singing and other

celebrations erupted, but I felt myself feeling angry. She never loved me! I peered into the

booth she was seated in, and saw gloom and despair and jealousy hung over her

hauntingly pale face. She stood up and suddenly bolted off. The young lady who I was

going to be wed to kept grabbing onto me. The priest made his way down to the arena. All

of these events seemed to be happening in a blur; I was standing still. My heart ached for

my love. She chose my happiness over her own. The feelings of anger I had slipped away

and I began to search around for her. As I started to walk away, the arena hushed to silence

and the ceremony was to begin. My ‘prize’ hung onto my arm and dragged me over to the

priest.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in