How It Ends

Summary

• Mrs Elm, now older and residing at Oak Leaf Care Home, plays chess with Nora.
• Nora visits Mrs Elm who appreciates the company, revealing that nobody else at the care home plays chess.
• Nora is already booked with piano lessons and volunteering at a homeless shelter, but she pledges to spare one hour for Mrs Elm.
• Mrs Elm acknowledges her loneliness and opens up about her personal life, revealing her regrets about her relationships with her family and past decisions.
• Nora comforts Mrs Elm by reminding her of her kindness in school days when Nora was her student.
• Towards mid-game, Mrs Elm takes a stronger position and Nora admits about seeing her lose the chess game to which Mrs Elm replies that uncertainty is the beauty of the game.
• Nora leaves the game mid-way, reflecting about the pieces she can still use to change the course of the game.