The Diamond Necklace: Alternate Ending

Class: The Writer’s Craft (EWC4U1)
Date: 2008
The Assignment: Write an alternate ending for the short story “The Diamond Necklace”.

…Loisel returned in the evening with his face drawn and pale: he had discovered nothing. “What you must do,” he said, “is write to your friend that you have broken the clasp of the necklace and are going to have it repaired. That will gain us some time.”

“No,” said she, “I simply cannot lie to Mme. Forestier! We must tell her the truth and promise to repay her.”

Shortly thereafter, Mme. Forestier showed up on the Loisel’s door step.

“Oh! Bonjour, madame! My, I was not expecting to see you so soon!” remarked Mme. Loisel. “Please, please, come in!”

“I’ve come about the necklace,” Mme. Forestier replied simply.

Mme. Loisel sighed. “Of course. I cannot apologize enough for what has happened! I’m a terrible friend and I know I could never replace the sentimental value of the necklace, but we will work as hard as we can until it can be replaced.”

Mme. Forestier was touched, and took both her friend’s hands as she replied: “Oh, my poor Matilda! That will never do! You simply must find the real necklace!”

“Oh, but we tried! We look everywhere, and we simply could not find it!” said Mme. Loisel.

“Matilda,” Mme. Forestier said seriously, “it is absolutely imperative that you find the original. You don’t understand,” she said urgently, “I got it in Egypt and —”

Mme. Loisel interrupted, “I am so, so, so sorry, Mme. Forestier! I can continue to search for it, but I can’t guarantee —”

“No, Marilda! The necklace is cursed!”

Mme. Loisel gasped.

“Unless the necklace is returned to its case in twenty-four hours, great misfortune will befall the last person who has worn it!”

“Th-that… that means… me!” Mme. Loisel cried.

“Yes, indeed it does. That’s why I was so willing to lend you the necklace in the first place. The curse has been lifted off of me and placed onto you, and for that, I am thankful. I just thought I’d give you the heads up before you suddenly dropped dead.”

Mme. Loisel suddenly dropped dead.

“Well, my work here is done,” said Mme. Forestier, and she lived happily ever after.