Act IV

            Today I have been voted out of office, the final blow to my reputation. The witch trials are fresh in everyone’s memory, especially mine. I knew this day would come, since those fateful executions…

            I had known that night that the morning’s executions would mark the end of the witch trials. I went to the Salem jail that night, knowing that if the executions were not postponed there would be rebellion in Salem. Earlier that day I had learned of the rebellion in Andover, and I knew that if the same were to happen here, I would be their first target. Furthermore, Abigail and Mercy Lewis had disappeared after taking my money! They were lucky because they knew when to flee, but I was still in Salem, and I was on the verge of ruin. The only ones who could stop rebellion would be Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor. Both being the most moral people in the village, their executions would surely catalyze rebellion. They were no Bridget Bishop or Isaac Ward. However, if they confessed to witchcraft, their lives would be spared, and the public would remain loyal to the court and church.

I called for Reverend Hale to plead with Rebecca, but she refused to confess. After Judge Danforth arrived at the jail, I pleaded with him to postpone the executions until Goody Nurse came to her senses. Danforth, stuck in his old ways and drowning in his pride, refused to postpone the executions. I tried to reason with him, revealing that my life had been targeted, that I had found a dagger waiting at my front door. I had received threats from the people of Salem! They were out for my blood! Hale also asked that Danforth pardon the prisoners, but he refused. I thought all hope was lost, but then Danforth suggested that Proctor might confess to save his life if he saw his heavily pregnant wife. I thought it was a viable option, being my only option. The plan was carried out. Elizabeth was brought out to talk to Proctor, and he agreed to confess. However, the entrance of Rebecca Nurse ruined everything! Her presence seemed to stir something inside Proctor, and he refused to sign his written confession, instead destroying it. I pleaded with him to change his mind, but he was adamant. He proclaimed that all he wanted to keep was his name. Did he not know that his selfish desires would lead to rebellion, the undermining of the court, and my potential death? His wife refused to reason with him, and so the sun rose and he was led out. I did not stay to watch the execution. From then on, the succeeding events have been blurred. His execution did spur rebellion as I had predicted, and this was cemented when the Governor’s wife was accused. I was swiftly voted out of office, and today is my last day in Salem. My reputation is ruined. I have nothing left here.