ordeal, or deal

Ordeal or ordeal ( one word ) means a harsh, prolonged, experience; a trial or test of endurance--
Trial by ordeal was once used to prove guilt or innocence.
They needed a long rest after their harrowing ordeal.

Or deal or or deal ( two words ) means, as an alternative ( or ), to  take action with respect to something, most commonly meaning the distribution of cards in a game ( deal )--
Are you going to talk all night, or deal the cards?
Are you going to whine, or deal with the problem?

Or deal may also mean, as an alternative ( or ), plain wood planks ( deal )--
Do you want the table top made of plywood or deal?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"When the ordeal was over, he didn't want to talk to the police, or deal with the reporters."