Dallas (1978–1991): Season 4, Episode 19 - The Gathering Storm - full transcript

You and I will be spending
a lot more time together.

We'll get to know each other good. Your
mama may not be around much anymore.

I either vote for Mama or Daddy.
Either way. I lose.

- You can do something about it.
- I'm gonna stand up...

and I'm gonna be counted.
Even if we have to leave Southfork.

Miss Ellie. Jock loves you.

I can't put up
with the Ewing ways any longer.

It could end in divorce.

A divorce? Come on.

They're only about four feet away. Bob.
And if that happens, goodbye. Ewing Oil.

Gonna stay in bed all day?



I just might. J.R.

- Do you really care. Anyway?
- No. Of course not.

- I thought you'd know that by now.
- Oh. I do.

- I just wondered why you bothered to ask.
- Yeah. I wonder sometimes myself.

Have you?

Yeah. Mostly I wonder
why I married you in the first place.

Well. Among other reasons...

you couldn't get me into bed
unless you did.

- It seemed to be real important to you then.
- Yeah.

Now. I can't seem to get you out of it.

Hello. J.R. Ewing here.

Oh. Hello. Tom. How you doing?

Is that right? Well. That's a very
interesting little piece of information.

Yeah. How's your family?
Good. Good. Talk to you later.



Good news so early this morning?

- Do you really care?
- Do you really want me to answer that?

No. I don't.

As a matter of fact.
The less we have to say to each other...

the better I'm gonna like it.

Thank you. Kathy.

Hey. John Ross.

Good morning. John Ross.
How you doing. Boy?

You and I are gonna be spending
a lot more time together.

Gonna get to know each other real good.

Because your mama
may not be around much anymore.

Just gonna be you and me.

Want me to eat one?

Well. Good morning.

- Donna. Ray.
- Morning. J.R.

- How very nice of you to grace our table.
- Well. Thank you. It is for us too.

We were just out for a morning ride
and happened to run into Jock.

He asked us to come here
and wait for him.

Is that a fact?
Oh. Don't get up. Ray.

Pardon me?

- You're in my place.
- Oh. Would you like me to move?

Well. Since you two are gonna be spending
a lot of time around here...

why don't you move over
to Gary's chair?

It's been some time since anybody sat there and
it's only fitting that you take his place.

And. Donna. You could sit in Lucy's place.
That way we'd be one big. Happy family.

Pam. You're mighty quiet this morning.
No bad news. I hope.

None that I know of. Why?

Oh. I'm just trying to make
a little polite conversation. That's all.

J. FL.

Is there a reason why you ask me
if I've had bad news?

No. No. I didn't mean anything by that.
It's just a figure of speech. That's all.

- Hello.
- Bobby. I didn't expect you so soon.

I took the first flight out this morning.

Staying in a hotel in Austin
made me miss you.

- Hi. Ray. Donna.
- Morning. Bob.

- J.R.
- Bobby.

You're awful chipper for a man
who must have a lot on his mind.

I always have a lot on my mind.

Yeah. I know.
That's what I heard this morning.

All right. J.R. What are you getting at?

This spot you got yourself into.

It seems like our new state senator
is on a committee to investigate Takapa.

You. Bobby?

I'm on the committee, yes.

Didn't take you long
to get in the middle. Did it?

You gotta vote against
Daddy and the developers...

or against Mama
and the good ladies of the DOA.

Any way you look at it.
It's a no-win situation.

Don't worry about it, J.R.
I can handle it.

Oh. I know you can. Bobby.
The intriguing part is how.

See you.

- I have to go upstairs and wash up.
- I'll come with you. Excuse me.

Well. Single-handedly. I seem to have
gotten everybody mixed up in this.

Oh. It'll all be over soon.
He's gotta vote for Takapa.

And what makes you so sure?

Oh. It just stands to reason.

He can't vote against his daddy.
No way.

I'm gonna take a quick shower.
I have to be in town at 10.

Well. Bobby. Wait a minute. Is it true?

- Yes. I'm right in the middle.
- You can do something about it.

What? Honey. It's like J.R. said:

I either vote for Mama or Daddy.
And either way. I lose.

- Well. Can't you just not vote?
- Yes. I can abstain.

Or I can ask to be excused
from the committee. But I won't do it.

Well. Why?

Pam. The bottom line is.
If I can't stand the heat...

- I don't belong in the kitchen.
- What?

When I was elected to the Senate, when I took
the oath of office. I promised to serve.

And so help me. That's what I'm gonna do.
So one way or the other. I have to vote.

You mean you're gonna vote
against one of your parents?

I'm not against anybody.
I'm for what I think is right.

Donna said it when the party committee
asked me to run.

She said there comes a time when people
have to stand up and be counted.

Well. I believe in my own integrity and I'm
gonna stand up and I'm gonna be counted.

Even if we have to leave Southfork.

Or even Dallas.

Leave Dallas?

- Bobby. We can't.
- Honey. I thought that's what you wanted.

Well. I did.

Bobby. My mother's living here in Dallas.
In fact. I'm gonna see her this morning.

Pam. That's wonderful.
Why didn't you tell me that before?

Well. I wanted to. But she's had a rough
time and didn't want me to tell anyone yet.

Her husband died suddenly
a few months ago.

I'm sorry.

Well. She'll be all right.

She's gonna need some time.
That's why I can't leave Dallas.

- You see that. Don't you?
- Look. Everything will work out.

That committee's gonna take
a lot of my time down in Austin.

I'm glad you're gonna have
your mama with you.

- I wish I could help you with your problem.
- So do I...

but like you say. It's my problem.

- Just pay the cashier.
- More coffee, Maggie.

- Sure thing.
- Thanks.

- Something for you?
- Just some coffee and a doughnut.

- Coming up.
- Thanks.

I thought you ate breakfast at home.
You oversleep?

No. I just didn't feel like eating alone.

Miss Lucy left the house
at 5:30 this morning in a limo.

- With about five jokers to hold her hand.
- Miss Young Dallas stuff again. Huh?

She's shooting a layout at Fair Park and
they have to be out before the park opens.

- Cold out there this time of year.
- Oh. She has limelight to keep her warm.

Well. That sounds a little bitter.

It does. I...
Yeah. Lt's not really what I mean.

So. What do you mean?

- I don't know. Lt's just not right.
- Why? She works hard.

There's nothing wrong with that.
Believe me. I know.

I'm working my way
through med school.

Yes. But it's all so easy.
I wanted to buy Lucy a locket.

Just a locket, but I had to work nights
for weeks to be able to pay for it.

So?

So Lucy comes home with a check
that's big enough to buy 50 lockets...

just for having her picture taken.
Do you see what I mean?

- Not entirely. No.
- Then maybe it's me.

I was brought up to believe something
has meaning only if you work hard for it.

Suppose you saw a pair of shoes.

Expensive shoes.
And you really wanted them...

so you worked for weeks
to be able to buy them.

Then wouldn't that
mean something to you?

Sure.

If you could just go out and buy 50 pairs
of shoes. It wouldn't mean much. Would it?

Maybe not.

But just once. Five pairs might be nice.

- There you go.
- Thank you.

I saw Bobby's car come in.
When did he get back from Austin?

Just a few minutes ago.
Went upstairs to change clothes.

- Jock. About Bobby.
- Yeah?

According to J.R...

he's on the senate committee
that's gonna decide about Takapa.

Well. Now. That's one vote
that we can count on.

Do you really think so little of Bobby?

He's smart enough to understand
good business when he sees it...

- that's for sure.
- Ls that what you call it?

- I call it ravaging the land for profit.
- Miss Ellie...

I understand how you feel about this.
But we're not going to ravage the land.

We just wanna turn a swamp
into something useful.

- Something that people might benefit by.
- A swamp?

When you were a ranch foreman.
You had a very high regard for the land.

It was very special to you.

All you used to care about
was the best price for cattle feed.

But since you've become a Ewing.
Your values seem to have changed.

Along with your knowledge.

You're now an expert
on knowing what's best for people.

Damn it. Woman. Get off of Ray's back.

Since this all started.
You haven't been fit to live with...

and I'm not putting up with it anymore.

I'm going to Dallas.

Jock. If that's the way you feel...

when you get to Dallas...

- stay there.
- That's just exactly what I'm gonna do.

Jock. Jock.

Jock.

Well. Miss Ellie...

what now?

Well...

at this moment...

I don't give a damn.

What's going on?

Where's Daddy?

- We've separated. J.R.
- Separated?

Oh. Mama. Certainly not because
of that development project.

It's lots of things.

Mama. You and Daddy
have had your troubles before.

- You've always found a way out of them.
- Not this time. J.R.

- Mama.
- J.R...

if you want to know any more.
I suggest you talk to your father.

You know that antique secretary
we picked out is gonna be perfect there.

I'll check the delivery
when I get back to The Store.

There's no hurry to decorate. Pamela.

- I'm not up to seeing people just yet.
- No. I guess not.

Except Cliff.

Well...

you know.
If you'd like to have an early lunch...

I know this little place near here.

Pamela.

Every time I bring up Cliffs name.
You change the subject.

Why?

Well. I just feel you have
enough adjustments to make.

Adjusting to a new life.
A new home and a new city.

But you haven't even told him
that I'm alive.

Or that I'm living here in Dallas.

Why not. Pam?
You must have a reason.

Yes. I do. But it's very complicated.

I love Cliff...

but I also understand his faults.

You've gotta remember.
He had a real tough time growing up.

He's had to fight for everything he's got.

He worked his way through high school.
Then college and then law school.

It hasn't been easy for him.

I can understand
that it wouldn't have been.

And he's very bitter about you.

I don't think he'd forgive you
for leaving.

- You did.
- Yes.

But...

Cliffs different.

He doesn't trust.

His world only knows givers and takers.
And he wants to be a taker.

He'll use people for anything.

Even his mother?

How could he use me?

- You're a very wealthy woman.
- But he doesn't know that.

No. But he'd find out.

I suppose he would. Lt's no secret.

I'm afraid that if Cliff knew
that you were a rich woman...

he would pretend to love you
because of the money.

That's very harsh. Pamela.

I know it is.

But I'm only trying to protect you.

If Cliff accepted you now...

even if he said
that he forgave you and loved you...

you'd never be sure...

whether it was you or for the money.

I know this is hard for you...

but you've got to know the truth.

I forgot to tell you
I had a phone call this morning...

from two people that I think are going
to turn out to be very valuable clients.

- Well. That's wonderful.
- I wanted to thank you...

and tell you that I was very grateful.

I told you I was gonna make you
the biggest public relations expert around.

Yes. You did.

It's going to take a little time...

but I've always thought there were
certain things worth waiting for.

- Does that include me?
- Especially you.

You know what I want
and you know how I feel.

I also realize
that what you're doing isn't easy.

Leaving a marriage never is.

You know how much I want you. Leslie.
And what I'm willing to do to prove it.

But the time is not right, not now.

No?

My mama and daddy have a problem.
Nothing serious...

but I don't wanna subject them
to any outside pressures.

I understand.

And I certainly don't wanna
put any pressure on you.

J.R.. we have a wonderful
working relationship.

Why don't we just leave it at that
for the time being?

Leslie.

All my life. I've been looking
for an understanding woman.

Oh. I understand you. J.R.

Truly. I do.

Just wash and hot wax.

Your game certainly has improved
since college.

My dear. It had nowhere to go but up.

You don't do badly either.

You know. A little more practice.
You'd be quite tough.

I haven't played tennis
in a couple years now.

We can change that.
We'll buy a house with a court.

- Clint...
- Why not? Why not have what we want?

Sue Ellen. We love each other.

I want to spend my life with you.
And I think you feel the same.

And I think it's time
Alisha knew I want a divorce.

- You haven't said anything yet, have you?
- Not yet. no.

But waiting isn't gonna make it any easier
or less painful for her or for you...

mo! JR.

Now. What's the matter?

Nothing. I just don't wanna hurt anyone.
That's all.

Nor do l.
But we can't go on the way we are.

- Well. It hasn't been so bad.
- I didn't mean that it has.

I've treasured every moment
we've been together.

So have I.

Clint. Everything is just perfect.
Let's not change it.

Sue Ellen.

We don't put any demands on each other.
We're together often.

That's what we want.

Things are so good right now.
Let's just keep it that way.

Besides...

Besides what?

I was just thinking
about Jock and Miss Ellie.

- I told you they were separated. Didn't I?
- Yes.

Now. What's that got to do with us
or your getting a divorce?

Well. Clint.
They've been very good to me.

Well. They've misjudged me at times.
But in their own way...

they really do love me.
Just as I really love them in my way.

Now that they have so many problems.
I just don't want to add any of my own.

Hey. You were great today. Lucy.
See you tomorrow.

Okay. I'll see you at 6 in the morning.

Hi. Honey. Sorry I'm late.

- No problem.
- Oh. You wouldn't believe it.

I had to pose for at least
30 different setups today.

And if that wasn't enough...

they're sending a limo for me
tomorrow at the crack of dawn.

- I heard. What's that?
- What? Oh. This?

Isn't it gorgeous?

It weighs a ton.
It must be at least 18 karats.

- They gave it to me.
- They? Who are they?

The garment people I posed for.

They wanted me to wear it
with one of their cashmere sweaters.

I liked it so much
they said I could keep it.

- Isn't that sweet of them?
- Very.

Well. Have you eaten dinner?
I could fix you something to eat.

It's 10:30. Yes. I've had dinner.

There's stuff out there if you're hungry.

No. I'm really too bushed to eat.

Well. If you're gonna study...

- I guess I'm just gonna go right to bed.
- Do I look like I'm studying?

No. But you always do after dinner.
Either that or you work.

I just said I don't have to study
and I don't have to work.

All right. Don't bite my head off.

I'm sorry.

Mitch. What do you say
I go back in the hall...

come in and we'll start all over. Huh?

Lucy. Do you realize
what's happening to us?

No. But apparently you do.

We're like roommates.
We pass each other either coming or going.

We don't have a marriage.
We have a quick-change routine.

And naturally. It's my fault.

Well. It certainly isn't mine. I don't have
limos calling for me at dawn every day...

- and I don't come in at 10:30 at night.
- Oh. No. No. Now. That I just won't take.

You said it. Mister.
You said it loud and clear:

- “We'll live on our income.“ Remember that?
- I didn't say our income.

I said we'd live on mine.

Oh. Great. So you're gonna park cars
and work at the lab for nickels and dimes.

And we're gonna live happily ever after.
Is that it?

Yes. If we have to!

I don't believe this.
What rulebook did you drag that out of?

Something that was written
in the Dark Ages?

I don't need a rulebook
to tell me how I feel.

Feel about what?

Well. That damn gold chain.
For one thing.

Don't you know I wanna be able
to give you things like that. But I can't?

- Oh. Mitch. Stop it.
- Yeah. What?

At nickels and dimes.
You'd have to wait 10 years.

Okay. I'm sorry I said that...

but it's not my money
and it's not your money.

It's ours.

What difference does it make
who earns it?

It makes all the difference in the world.
Now. If you don't see that...

and if you can't understand
what's wrong. Then we're in real trouble.

You said it, not me.
Just remember that.

- Lucy. Look...
- No. You look.

I have had it up to here
with this stupid macho act of yours.

I work my butt off to bring money home
so we can live decently...

and I'll be damned
if I'm gonna apologize for that!

You really don't see
anything wrong then. Do you?

Not a thing!

Well. I guess there's nothing left
to be said.

Is that all he said?

He won't come home
while Mama's involved with Takapa?

- Words to that effect.
- Thanks.

Then he went out to get drunk.

Didn't you try and talk to him. J.R.?
Convince him how wrong all this is?

Bobby. You know as well as I do.
Nobody tells Daddy he's wrong.

Not when he's in the mood
he was in this morning.

All right. Then Mama. We have her call him.
Ask him to come home.

Forget it. She made it perfectly clear
before she went out to dinner...

- that she won't even discuss it.
- She'll have to.

They both are. J.R.. we have to
get those two back together.

Have you got any suggestions
as to how to do that?

No. I don't.

But I know one thing for sure.
They're both stubborn.

The longer this lasts.
The worse it will get.

- Who knows where it's gonna end?
- Lt could end in divorce.

- A divorce? Come on.
- They're only about four feet away. Bob.

And if that happens.
Goodbye. Ewing Oil.

Ewing Oil? What are you talking about?

If they go to divorce court.
There's gonna be a settlement.

The court could order Ewing Oil sold and
they'd divide up the money between them.

We are talking about Mama and Daddy.
Now. You discussing family or Ewing Oil?

Frankly. I could never separate the two.

- Yes?
- There's a Mrs. Burke here to see you.

- She says it's urgent.
- A Mrs. Burke? I don't know any Mrs. Burke.

- What does she want?
- She says it's personal.

Send her in. Then.

- Mr. Barnes.
- Yes. What's this all about?

I've looked forward to meeting you
for a long time now.

Really? Why is that?

Your mother is a friend of mine.

A very old and dear friend.

My mother?

I've known her since our days
in Houston and Galveston.

Mr. Barnes. She wants to see you.

Does she?

Well. That would be a very neat trick.
Wouldn't it?

Considering the fact that she's dead.

Mr. Barnes. Your mother is not dead.

She's alive
and she wants to see you very much.

Excuse me. Now.
You said your name was Burke?

That's right.

Listen. Mrs. Burke.
I don't know what your game is...

but whatever it is. It won't work.
Now. If you'll excuse me. Truly. I am busy.

Mr. Barnes. Your mother is alive
and she loves...

I know...

how very much she loves you.

Look. Lady. I really would like
to get something straight.

I don't care
whether my mother is alive or not.

I mean. At one point, I might have.
When I was growing up. When I needed her.

And if she was alive.
Where was she then?

And don't talk to me about love.

I don't think the woman knows
what the word love means.

As far as I'm concerned.
She was dead then...

and she might as well be now.

Is there anything else
you would like to know?

“The chief artery of the thigh
located in the anterior inner chamber.“

Mitch?

I'm sorry. What?

- The femoral artery.
- Femoral artery. Let's sit down.

Never mind. He's gonna bear down
on the carotid. Anyway.

What's the matter?
Trouble in paradise again?

How did you know?

Oh. Couple of iced teas.

I just kind of guessed.

You know something?

You seem to know what I'm thinking
before I tell you.

One of my many hidden talents.

Yes. But you're not only talented.
You're...

Don't stop. I love it.

- You're good to talk with.
- Meaning you don't talk at home?

When? Lucy was out of the apartment
by 6 this morning...

she didn't get home
until after 10 last night.

Working?

- And that bugs you?
- No. Not in the way you think.

But you see.
I can see what's happening.

Lucy and I are drifting apart
and she does not understand why.

- Do you?
- Yes.

We have totally different values.

But. No. It's not Lucy's fault.
After all. She's a Ewing.

Now you've lost me.

I believe something has value
only when you work for it...

but if you're a Ewing.
You don't have to work.

All you have to do is hold out your arms
and everything you want falls into them.

I have a simple solution.
It's not really very simple.

And what's that?

If you want to stay married.
One of you is going to have to change.

Miss Ellie. I'm not very good
at beating around the bush.

And I find it very difficult
to just sit back and say nothing.

That's why I have to tell you...

Takapa is not worth the trouble
that it's caused.

Why?

Are you and Ray...?

No. No.

We...

We agreed to keep it
out of our marriage.

Well...

you found out quite early
that Ray was part of it.

It isn't worth
you and Jock separating over.

It's not just Takapa. Donna.

It's much more.

The things that used to hold us together
just aren't there anymore.

I don't believe that.

But it's true.

As long as I gave in.
Kept the peace, went along...

everything was fine.

But he's disrupted my life
just once too often.

Miss Ellie. Jock loves you.

I think you're right.

And I love him. I always will.

But l...

I can't put up
with the Ewing ways any longer.

Never knowing if...

If what he says is true.

I understand that.

But I believe in my heart
that separation is wrong.

Well...

I'm just sorry
that it affects you too...

but you did marry into the family.

At least partially.

Maybe I should have warned you.

Warned me about what?

About marriage to a Ewing.

Sooner or later. You find out...

that your marriage takes
a back seat to their...

Their great need to prove themselves.

- I'll take a short break and I'll be back.
- Dave?

- Dave Stratton?
- Cliff. Well. I'll be darned.

Golly. How you doing?

- Hey. I'm fine. You look great.
- Thanks. So do you.

Ladies. This is Cliff Barnes.

And if you can believe this.
These are the Smith sisters.

- Really?
- This is Tootie...

- and this pretty little thing is Jenny.
- Hi.

Cliff and l.
We were classmates in college.

- Sit down.
- No. Thanks.

- How you doing?
- I'm doing great. How you doing?

Are you still in the oil business?

Yeah. I'm still slaving away.

Some slaving.
Dave travels all over the world.

- No kidding.
- Well. I just got back from Southeast Asia.

You weren't down there during
that counterrevolution. Were you?

As a matter of fact. I was.

Wow. That must have been something.

Hey. I will sit down. If you don't mind.
If I'm not homing in.

Let me buy you a drink. Miss?

Phyllis.

This parcel right here.

Get on the phone
to the registrar of deeds office.

Bobby. The state and county offices
are closed this time of night.

Oh. I'm sorry.
I didn't know it was that late.

- I lost track of time. Why didn't you tell me?
- Oh. No problem.

Okay. First thing in the morning.
Get on it...

- I wanna know who owns that property.
- Okay.

You ended up paying
for the horse and buggy, didn't you?

I did.

- Oh. Cliff. What a yummy apartment.
- Lt's beautiful.

Thank you. Thank you.
I'm gonna make some drinks.

The john's straight in there.

- Want to powder your nose?
- Yes.

- Oh. I'd like a Scotch and ginger. Please.
- Me too.

I remember.

- Hold the ginger on mine.
- Okay.

Did she say
that the apartment was, “yummy“?

- I think she did.
- I think so too.

- Do you need any help?
- No. No. I'm fine.

So listen. You were in Southeast Asia
during that counterrevolution?

- That must have been something. Huh?
- Yeah. It was.

Bet you never thought you'd wind up
in a place like that. Was it scary?

Scary?
Hell. There wasn't even any shooting.

That war was fought with dollars.
Not bullets.

- Dollars?
- Well. That's the word.

Dollars put up by somebody
right here in the States.

No kidding.

Hey. I talked to a lot of people
on the scene. People who would know.

You mean government officials. Huh?

No. Operators. People like Norman Kincaid.
Peter Randall. Tom Harris.

There wasn't a guy named Hank Johnson.
Was there?

You know. A funny thing about Hank.

He was very visible
just before the counterrevolution.

Really? And then?

Dropped out of sight.
Nobody could find him.

Why do you ask? You know him?

No. I don't know him.
Only by reputation.

Now. Don't you look yummy.

- Thank you.
- Oh. You're not gonna drink that. Are you?

- Have you tried it?
- Lt's like oil and water. It doesn't mix.

You can't drink it.
You don't understand.

Bobby. I'm sorry.
But I'm not even getting to first base.

Phyllis. Somebody has to own
that parcel of land.

Call the tax office.
Find out who pays taxes on it.

I was on the phone to them an hour ago.

The taxes are paid out of an account
in a bank in Waco.

- Did you follow up on it?
- Yes.

The account's under a corporate name
and it's obviously a dummy corporation.

Well. It still has to have
a signatory on the account.

They're checking
and they'll get back to me.

- Yeah.
- Bobby. Cliff.

Listen. If you want to make that Takapa
hearing. Your plane leaves Dallas in an hour.

I'll be on it. Where you calling from?

Austin. I drove down this morning.
('H pick you up at the airport.

Cliff. I'm gonna ask the committee
for a delay.

- We'll discuss it on the way in.
- A delay. For what?

I'll explain it when I get there. Bye.

Call me in Austin as soon as you find out
who owns that property. Lt's important.

Mama. I tried to warn you.

I know you did.

But I couldn't help myself.

I wanted to see Cliff so badly.

I thought if I could just talk to him.
I could make him understand.

But he didn't?

He hates me. Pam.

I wanted...

so much to tell him
that I was his mother.

Oh. Mama.

That I did love him.

All the way back here...

I could hear him saying...

that his mother
didn't know what love was.

That all the time that he needed her.
She never came to him.

I can't blame him.
Most of what he said was true.

But it's not. Not really.

You did what you had to do.
Maybe someday Cliff will understand that.

You don't really believe that.

Neither do I.

You know...

I thought for a minute...

perhaps I should tell him
that I'm wealthy.

That I can help him now.
I can give him anything he wants.

But then you'd never know whether
it was you or the money that mattered.

And would that really be so bad?

I don't know. I just know
I don't want you to be hurt anymore.

Would it be any more difficult
to live with...

than the way things are now?

Here you go. Dad.

Just a few things Raul
might have forgotten last night.

- Want some coffee. J.R.?
- No. no.

I had a couple cups
before I left Southfork.

Everything all right?

- Sir?
- Southfork.

Oh. Yeah. Yeah. It's real quiet.

For a change. Huh?

Daddy. You and Mama
can't stay apart forever. You know that.

- The hell we can't.
- Are you really talking divorce?

Well. It's starting to look like it.

Now. You don't mean that.
You haven't thought this thing through.

Don't tell me what I mean. Boy.

- It's not only your marriage at stake here.
- What?

Well. I don't know if you're aware of it
or not...

but this is a community property state.

If you and Mama get divorced...

they're gonna divide up Ewing Oil
and Mama will get her share...

and that'll be the end
of the company.

Well. Over my dead body. Boy.

- Before I let her destroy Ewing Oil. I'd...
- You'd what?

I'd sell it.

Yes. Sir.
I'd sell it right out from under her.

Lock. Stock and barrel.

Watch it. Lt's still hot.

I talked to Miss Ellie yesterday.

Oh. Ray. This is all so wrong.

They won't stay apart long.
Not after 45 years of marriage.

They'll both come to their senses
about this thing.

That's what I thought until I
talked to her. Now I'm not so sure.

Believe me. They've been through a lot
rougher things than this Takapa business.

It's always worked out before.
It'll work out again.

It's a lot deeper than Takapa.

Miss Ellie is a very bitter woman.
Angry. Determined.

I've never seen her like this.

That's what it comes to.

Making a total of 12 million plus.

I'll have the exact figures for you
later this afternoon.

Yes.

Well. Send him in.

- J.R.
- Jeremy.

I sure appreciate you meeting me
on such short notice.

Well. My goodness. Any time at all.

J.R.. I don't think you've met
David Stratton. David. J.R. Ewing.

- Pleasure. Mr. Ewing.
- Likewise.

David ran into
an acquaintance of yours.

I think what transpired
might be interesting to you.

Does this acquaintance have a name?

Yes. Sir. Cliff Barnes.

- I went to school with him back at Texas U.
- Oh. Cliff. How about that.

Sit down. Gentlemen.

David. Why don't you tell
Mr. Ewing about it.

Well. Cliff and I haven't kept
in very close touch...

but I ran into him last night
at the Star Drift Lounge.

Yeah. I think I've...
I've heard of that place.

Well. Cliff joined me for a drink...

and later. We went to his apartment
with a couple of young ladies.

Cliff was always lucky.

I told him that I had just recently
returned from a trip to Southeast Asia.

- Now. That seemed to interest him.
- Oh. He has a lot of interests.

Sit down. Gentlemen.

But then he was really interested when
I told him that I had heard there was...

a chance that the counterrevolution
might have been privately financed.

Is that right? Are they saying that?

Well. Yes. Sir.

He asked me where I got my information
and I mentioned a few names.

Then he asked me about someone
that he seemed genuinely interested in.

And who was that?

- Hank Johnson.
- Hank Johnson.

Will there be anything else.
Mr. Wendell?

Well. No. Not unless Mr. Ewing would like
to ask you some questions. David.

No. I don't have any questions.

- It was a pleasure meeting you. Sir.
- Lt was indeed. Listen. As a matter of fact...

why don't we have a meeting
and do a little talking?

- Unless Jeremy objects.
- Well. I certainly have no objections.

I think the two of you
could find a lot to talk about.

- It'd be a pleasure. Sir.
- Bye. And I'll be contacting you real soon.

Any time.

Well. He's an impressive young man.
Don't you think?

Yes. He is.

Of course. I didn't have the faintest idea
of what he was talking about.

Oh. I'm disappointed.

I thought you would find
what he had to say intriguing.

J.R...

I'm extremely sorry to hear
about your parents.

I hope their separation isn't permanent.

We're all hoping that.

Now. Can we get down
to why you called and set this meeting?

I'd like you to understand something.
Jeremy. Clear the air. So to speak.

I'm always in favor of cleared air.

When Bobby was running Ewing Oil.
I understand...

- you had some problems with him.
- That is true.

I just wanted to assure you
that now that I'm back in the saddle...

- it's gonna be a different ball game.
- Well. That's nice to hear.

What kind of a game are we playing?

It could be a big one.
For both of us. Jeremy.

Well. I think I have some idea
what you mean.

Despite what you said before.
Your parents' separation is serious.

- It could end in divorce. Am I right?
- Lt's a possibility. Yes.

So I heard. If there is a divorce.
Ewing Oil will be part of the settlement...

and you'd be left
without a company to run.

Am I getting close
to why you wanted to see me?

You're a remarkably
well-informed man. Jeremy.

Remarkably well.

Well. It's one of the reasons
I'm important to Westar.

One of the eight largest oil companies
in the world.

Or. To put it another way.
It's a company much larger than Ewing Oil.

Large enough to make room for me?

What do you have in mind?

For me?

A suitable title. Substantial cash, preferred
and common stock with annual options...

a profit-sharing arrangement.
And of course, provisions for retirement.

With Ewing Oil remaining a corporate
entity. But wholly owned by Westar Oil.

If the terms I just outlined are
acceptable. And of course...

if you're interested in the deal
in the first place.

Well. I think you knew the answer to that
before you asked for the meeting.

Westar Oil is always interested
in a sound acquisition.

Well. If that's true.
I think you and I can do business.

Jeremy...

I'm here to sell you Ewing Oil.