Dallas (1978–1991): Season 5, Episode 25 - Acceptance - full transcript

- Did you hear about your friend Cliff?
- He's not my friend.

I hear he's not anybody's
friend anymore.

Cliff. I want you to resign. Now.

That's all I have to say.

I just knew it was
only a matter of time...

before you'd be sitting
right where you are. Gloating.

Any time you need a favor.
Come to old J.R.

Your favors are too expensive.

Cliff has a fatal weakness:
His ambition.

Shouldn't a person be allowed
to make mistakes?

But shouldn't they be prepared
to pay a price if they do?



- All right.
- Thank you. Sir.

Do you mind playing it back
to see if you got it straight?

Yes. You want two dozen yellow roses...

sent to Mrs. Sue Ellen Ewing
at her home address.

- Every day.
- Yeah. That's right.

Starting today. Every morning
from now on. And not too early.

- Nine o'clock will be fine.
- Nine a.m. every day.

- Including weekends?
- Yeah. Sure.

Oh. Wait a minute.

I want you to send
one dozen red roses...

to Marilee Stone at this address.

- [Is that Miss or Mrs]
- Ms.

- And are the red roses to go every day?
- Oh. Hell. No. Just this once.

Bobby, there's a Detective White
on the phone for you.



Thank you.

This is Bobby Ewing.

Mr. Ewing. Think you could come
to headquarters on that Farraday matter?

Sure. Later today all right?

- It's okay. Just don't make it too late.
- Fine. I'll be there.

Yeah. I appreciate you coming
all the way from New York.

But if I put it down truthfully...

it's gonna hurt somebody
that I care for very much.

And if I leave it out...

that would be dishonest.

Anyway. You see my problem.

Look. Is it possible to...

well. To tell it in such a way that...
You know. That...

That it's watered down?

Yeah. I guess that's what
I was reaching for.

No. There isn't.

I can either put it in. Leave it out...

or just not do the book at all.

- Hi. Honey.
- Hi.

Mr. Chapman. Isn't it?

- How are you. Mr. Krebbs?
- Fine. Thanks.

Donna...

Look. All I can say is I hope
you can find a way to do the book.

Take your time. Think it through.

Call me in New York
in a couple of days and we'll talk.

- I will. But I have to tell you...
- No. No. Don't.

Don't say anything more now.

Give it a couple more days.
As much time as you need.

- Bye. Donna.
- Thank you. Ed.

- Mr. Krebbs.
- Mr. Chapman.

Take care.

- There is no way that I can...
- Just hold on, honey.

Like the man says. You don't
have to make a decision yet.

- Things can turn around.
- How?

Well. Who knows?

Just let it be for a while. Huh?

Come here.

Mes?
Mr. Barnes, your mother is here.

Send her in. Please.

- Hello. Mama.
- Cliff.

- Mes?
- Mr. Goram is on line one.

You told me to put him through.

This will only take a minute.

Tell Mr. Goram that I'm in a meeting.
And hold all my calls, please.

Yes, sir.

Mother. I know why you're here.

But I would like to explain the situation
from my point of view.

Cliff. I think I'm entitled to tell you
what's on my mind.

And from my point of view.

Sure.

This is...

one of the hardest things
I've ever had to say.

I've had to face something
that I didn't want to.

The fact that my own son
is an embezzler.

- Oh. Now. Wait a minute.
- Please...

there's no nice way to say this.

You took $4.5 million
of company funds for your own use.

No. I didn't take the money.
I borrowed it.

And it's been paid back. Most of it.

Cliff. If the president of this company
were not my son...

and he did what you did.
What would you call it?

Borrowing or embezzling?

I'm not a businesswoman.

I'm not talking about how you betrayed
this company.

But you betrayed me.

I trusted you.

I made you president here at a time
when you were down and out.

- You don't have to remind me of that.
- It seems I do.

You wanted a free hand.
I made it possible.

You didn't wanna go
through the board...

I paved the way for you.

And this is how you repaid my trust.

I realize how this must look to you.

We're not talking appearances.
We're talking facts.

Everybody warned me against you.

Pam. Katherine.

You yourself warned me
about how ambitious you were.

Look. Mother. You have to hear
my side of the story.

You see. Something came up
that was a fantastic opportunity.

I mean. It was a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
The facts and figures were unbelievable.

So I borrowed the money
from Wentworth...

because I knew I could pay it back.

But then. It just didn't
work out that way.

Because the figures had been faked
and I'd been set up.

You haven't heard a word I've said.

I don't care about deals. Good.
Bad or fake. I'm not talking about deals.

You used me for your own selfish greed.

And that's the truth of it.

Cliff. I want you to resign. Now.

Don't look at me like that.

If it were anybody else.
I'd have called the district attorney.

What you did was criminal.

You can say that you're resigning
for personal reasons...

or for no reason whatsoever.

Don't address the letter to me. Just send
it to the board. I don't wanna see it.

That's all I have to say to you.

Mama.

I've made restitution.

I will resign.

But I don't wanna lose you.

It took too long for us
to find each other.

Can't we keep that?

Goodbye. Cliff.

Thank you for coming down. Mr. Ewing.

Please have a seat.

All right. Why did you call me?

We're beginning to believe
the story about the two men you met.

- Why all of a sudden?
- We ran a check with Los Angeles police.

Got an answer back
from their Narco Division.

Farraday was into narcotics.
A minor-league pusher.

So it is possible that he was buying
from the two men that you met.

So where does that leave me?

Not exactly in the clear.
Until we get the case wrapped up.

Mr. Ewing...

there's still the evidence
that led us to you.

Just what is this “evidence“?

There was an envelope with your name
on it hidden in Farraday's apartment.

I'd like to see that.

Not as long as it's evidence...

which it will be until we find out
who killed Farraday.

You may never find out who killed him.
That envelope's very important.

Until the case is closed.
The envelope stays with us.

Miss Ellie?

Hello. Ray.

I'm glad you're here alone.

I wanted to talk to you
for a minute. Privately.

Well. If it's about Donna.
I'd rather not talk at all.

Well. It's about Donna.
But it's also about Jock.

Some very peculiar things
have been happening here at Southfork.

I know Jock being gone
has been on everybody's mind.

The whole family.

Yet nobody seems to talk
to you about him.

And that's not right.

Ray. I don't need to talk about Jock.
And I'd rather not.

Miss Ellie. Maybe you don't need
to talk about him. But I do.

He's been on my mind a lot lately.

Almost all the time.

I keep remembering things...

like how I used to look up to him
when I was a kid.

How I idolized him.

I'd goof something up though...

and he'd chew me up
one side and down the other.

And I thought, ”How could
somebody I idolize act like that?“

Now I know he was concerned
about me. He was teaching me.

He knew when to be firm
and he knew when to be affectionate.

He was all those things.

Mostly. I guess I just thought
he was almost perfect.

And I remember running
into this guy in a bar...

and he called Jock
a land-grabbing crook.

If you're trying to justify what
Donna said. I don't want to hear it.

Miss Ellie. I belted that guy
right on the spot.

As for Donna...

I think you ought to know that she's
just about decided not to write her book.

Well. Good.

Well. The thing is, though...

that guy in the bar.
He may have had his reasons.

I didn't think so then.
I thought of Jock as almost like a god.

But he wasn't.

He was a man. Just like anybody else.

He had friends. He had lots of friends.
But he had enemies too.

He was human, ambitious.

He knew that the oil game
was rough hardball all the way...

but he wanted what was best
for his wife and for his sons.

He did what he thought was right.

He'd be the last man in the world to
ever want us to put him on a pedestal.

Miss Ellie...

there's never gonna be
another man like Jock.

Not for me. Not for you.

He was my father. And your husband.

The truth is, until we start
remembering him like he really was...

we're never gonna be able
to do justice to his memory.

Come in.

Good morning.

Oh. Pam. I thought it was Teresa.

Thank you.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

We were worried
when you didn't come down...

to dinner last night
or breakfast this morning.

There's nothing to worry about.

- Can I do anything for you?
- No. Thanks. Pam.

I just need to be alone
for a little while.

All right.

See you this evening.

- I'll get it.
- Thank you.

Hello?

Mrs. Chambers.
It's me again. Mr. Barnes.

- Is Mrs. Ewing in?
- Cliff Barnes.

No. Sir. I'm afraid she isn't.

- She left early this morning. Didn't she?
- Yes, sir.

Quite early.

When she does get back,
would you have her call me at home.

I'm not at the office. I'm home.

- You got that okay?
- Yes, sir.

L certainly will.

Goodbye, Mr. Barnes.

More flowers.

Aren't they lovely?

Mr. Ewing is certainly very persistent.

Yes.

From Austin, we have Sue Ellen Shepard.

Twenty years old,
5-foot-7-and-a-half-inch brunette.

She is a senior
at the University of Texas.

The eyes of Texas are upon her.

Miss Corpus Christi, Mary Lou Bond...

This is 555-4781.

When you hear the tone, leave your name
and number and I'll get back to you.

This is Bobby Ewing.
You know where to reach me.

- J.R.. just passing by?
- Yeah. Just passing by.

Oh. I also happen to be carrying
some yellow roses.

These flowers
are getting overwhelming.

Do YOU enjoy them?

Yes. Very much.

Well. That's the important thing.

Can I fix you a drink?

No. I really ought to be
getting back to the office.

- Well. Just a short one. Maybe.
- All right.

Sorry you missed John Ross.

He went for a walk with Mrs. Chambers.

Well. Give the little devil a kiss
from his daddy. Will you.

Actually. You're the one
I wanted to see, Sue Ellen.

And did you hear
about your friend Cliff Barnes?

He's not my friend anymore.

Well. The way I hear it.
He's not anybody's friend anymore.

- Rebecca fired him. You know that?
- No.

Yeah. That weakling
betrayed his own mama.

Now. That's about as low
as a man can sink in my book.

Have you done something new
to this place?

No, Why?

I don't know. It just looks different.

Maybe it's the way
the light hits it this time of day.

You look beautiful in this light.

Color suits you. It always has.

Thank you.

Well. I gotta be getting back
to the office.

Thanks for the drink. I appreciate it.

- J.R.. can I fix you another drink?
- No. I'm fine.

Something to eat?

That's very thoughtful of you.

I've got a lot of decisions
to make back at the office.

Bobby, there's a Joe Smith on line one.
He says he's returning your call.

Thank you.

This is Bobby Ewing.

- You wanted to talk?
- Yes, I did.

I've thought over your offer.
I'm ready to deal.

Yeah? I'm not sure if I'm ready.

Is this gonna be worth my while?

Well. How about
a $100,000 buy to start?

Yeah, that's worth my while.

- You're free to meet tomorrow night?
- Where?

Meet me on Commerce.
Across from the viaduct.

There's a warehouse there.

Eight o'clock tomorrow night, inside.

And be prepared to do business.

I'll be there and I'll be ready.

Come in.

Grandma. You have a visitor.

Lucy. I really don't wanna see
anyone right now.

It's Punk Anderson.

Punk?

Oh. Well. That's different.
Tell him I'll be right there.

- Okay.
- Offer him a drink.

I already did.

Tell him I'll be there in a second.

Okay.
-

- Mr. Anderson, she'll be right down.
- Oh. Thank you. Thank you.

I'm really glad you came by tonight.

She's been in her room all day...

and I'm not sure she would have
come down for anyone else.

You know. Lucy.
You're looking awful good.

Hey. I saw your picture
on a magazine cover the other day.

Mavis showed it to me.
You sure looked pretty.

Well. Thank you. I'm glad you saw it.

If you're not careful, you're gonna be
a celebrity one day.

There's the lady.

Punk.

Oh. Punk.

- What a nice surprise.
- Ellie. I am so glad to see you.

How have you been?

- Are you doing okay?
- I'm fine.

And you? How's Mavis?

We're doing just fine.
She sends her love.

Oh. I miss you. It's been too long.

It sure has been.
And I'm here to fix that.

Mavis and I wanna invite you
to go with us to the Oil Barons Ball.

- Oh. Punk. I don't think so.
- Lt's gonna be terrific.

Listen. Here's the plan.

Mavis is gonna call you in the morning.

She's gonna come by and pick you up.
You two are going out shopping.

And you're gonna buy
something beautiful for the ball.

- Punk...
- We're gonna knock their eyes out.

Look. I'm going the whole way.
I got myself a new tuxedo being fitted.

I got a black alligator boots.
I'm going all the way.

What the hell, I am an oil baron.

Remember what Jock said?
“You gotta look the part.“

Punk. I can't.

What do you mean. You can't?
Of course you can.

Well. I've never gone without Jock.

- I wouldn't feel right.
- Well. That's just the point. Ellie.

You see. Me and some of the boys
got together.

And we're establishing...

a memorial scholarship
out at SMU in Jock's name.

Of course. You gotta be there
for the ceremonies.

Memorial scholarship?

Ellie. I know how that sounds to you...

and it's hard for any
of us to believe...

but Jock is dead.

Ellie...

Most people wait to be invited in.

Well. I'm not like most people.
You know that. Afton.

Say. Look here.
Isn't that something else? My goodness.

J.R.. what do you want?

Oh. You got that backwards. Darling.

It's not what I want.
It's what you want.

And I'm here to give it to you.

Do you remember Cliff Barnes?

The entrepreneur at large.

Well. His nearest and dearest
have dumped him.

His company. His mama.
His sisters...

and now Sue Ellen.

He's all yours, honey. I just thought
you'd be pleased to hear that.

I'd rather have lost him
than have this happen.

You really put him
through a meat grinder.

Well. I had to.
You saw it coming even if he didn't.

Of course. You were always
a lot smarter than he was.

And I hope you're making
some good money nowadays...

because you might
have to support him.

Just when everything started
to look so good for Cliff. I knew...

I just knew it was
only a matter of time...

before you'd be sitting
right where you are. Gloating.

Well. I'm here to tell you I owe you one.

It was pretty sharp of you...

to spot that situation
with Clayton Farlow.

So any time you need a favor.
Come to old J.R.

J.R...

your favors are too expensive.

There's nothing I want from you.

You never can tell.

I'll see you around, honey.

Well. I can't say you didn't warn me.

Mama. I never wanted
to say I told you so.

Pam...

do you think I went too far.
Firing Cliff?

After all.
He did try to replace the money.

We didn't take a big loss.

You know you did the only thing
you could. Letting Cliff go.

But he's my son.

Well. He should've thought of that
when he took the money.

Why?

Why does he feel
so competitive with J.R.?

Can't he ever outgrow that?

Mama. It's not just J.R..
It's all the Ewings.

It's one of those feuds
that's just going to go on and on.

And worse than that.
Cliff has a fatal weakness: His ambition.

Like a horse with a wild streak.
It runs away with him.

I love him too.
But I don't know if he'll ever change.

I know what you're saying.

And you're right...

but shouldn't a person
be allowed to make mistakes?

Oh. Yes...

but shouldn't they be prepared
to pay a price if they do?

You did.

- Hi.
- Mitch.

This is certainly a surprise.

I hope you don't mind my dropping in
without calling first.

Of course not. I'm glad to see you.

How are you feeling?

Fine. But I'm sure
that's not why you're here.

No. I...

I came to say goodbye.

I asked Dr. Waring
for a release, and he agreed.

What are you gonna do?

There's a very good
burn center in Atlanta.

I sent them my résumé.
They made an offer. And I accepted.

Atlanta?

Well. I guess leaving Dallas
would be best for you.

For both of us.

Well. You know the old saying
about I hate long goodbyes?

Now I know what they mean.

Goodbye. Lucy.

I wish only good things for you.

You too. Mitch.

Will you write once you've settled.
To let me know how things are going?

Yes. I will.

Blazer.

You miss him too. Don't you?

I wish I had some sugar for you.

No. He's not here.

- May I come in?
- Sure.

If you ever decide to stop singing.
You should take up fortune-telling.

You're really quite good at it.
You called me to a turn.

Everything you predicted came true.

The minute I got serious
about Sue Ellen...

J.R. set me up like a duck
in a shooting gallery.

Bull's-eye. If you wanna
enjoy yourself, go for it.

- Cliff...
- Look. I wanna tell you.

I got fired.

Nobody in my family is speaking to me.

I'm in debt. Worse than that.
I'm in the hole.

Sue Ellen doesn't even answer
the phone when I call her.

So now I've got you here
to tell me. “I told you so.“

Cliff. That's not why I'm here.

I'm sorry about what happened.

But just...

Just give it some time.

Things will change.

I bet you haven't eaten all day.

Can I fix you something?

Would you like a drink?

Would you like me?

I'm just trying to tell you. Cliff...

that I would do just about
anything for you.

Anything.

That's sweet of you, Aft...

but there isn't anything I want.

Nothing.

Smith?

Smith. Are you here?

You're right on time.

I was starting to have
second thoughts about this thing.

That so? Why's that?

I don't know you guys.

I knew Farraday.
Look what happened to him...

when he was dealing with you.

Hey. You got nothing to worry about.

Is that what you told him?

Forget Farraday.
He tried to jerk us around.

He said he had the money
and he didn't.

I don't think that's a reason
to kill him.

I told you that wasn't our fault.
It got out of hand.

Enough chattering. You got the money?

- Let me see the stuff.
- Let me see the money.

All right.

Freeze!

Get him out of here.

You do good work. Mr. Ewing.

Ever consider joining the force?

No. I'm afraid not.
I think you have something for me.

You can pick it up at headquarters.
Believe you got something for me.

- Here you go.
- Thank you.

We owe you. Mr. Ewing.

I'll get it.

- Morning.
- Good morning.

John Ross is upstairs.
Mrs. Chambers is getting him ready.

Sue Ellen...

- Oh. Can I get you anything?
- No. No. I'm fine. Thank you.

I have a little request.
On behalf of Mama.

What kind of a request?

Well. She's been having it
pretty tough lately...

with Daddy gone.

Well. She misses the family
the way it was.

When Cliff Barnes was in the picture...

she was afraid
that she was gonna lose you forever.

Go on.

Well. I just thought it'd be nice...

if you spent the day
with John Ross and me...

and came back to Southfork
and had dinner with us all.

Did Miss Ellie ask you to ask me?

Oh. No. Mama would never
interfere with your life. You know that.

But it sure would please her
to see all three of us together...

with her and the whole family
having dinner. Just like in the old days.

I think I'd like that.

I can't tell you how happy
Mama will be.

So will I.

- What are you thinking?
- I'm not thinking.

I can't think, I can't focus, I...

I just gotta get away from Dallas.

Look. There may be a better way
of handling things...

than letting J.R. win this way.

Cliff. There's a lot we can talk about.

But first I need a commitment from you.

About us? You and me?

Yes.

Afton. Look. What do you wanna tie up
with a loser for?

Cliff. You don't have to be a loser.

Listen...

I'm not gonna press you.

Just hang in here in Dallas.

You gotta give yourself time
to come around.

I know...

I know you've always had to do it
by yourself. Cliff. But not anymore.

I can help you.

Listen...

together, the two of us...

we can beat J.R.
and come out winners all around.

I know a way.

Baby. There isn't any way
lam ever gonna beat J.R.

Come in.

- Gentlemen.
- You're off the hook. Mr. Ewing.

- You got a confession out of him?
- Well. As good as.

The bullet from Smith's gun
matched the one that killed Farraday.

In addition, we got him dead to rights
on all the narcotics violations.

Any way you look at it, Mr. Ewing.
They'll both be put away for a long time.

So here you are.

- Have you two seen this?
- Yes.

I guess you understand what that is.
Because we don't.

I know who she was.
It doesn't mean I know what this is.

PAID JAN 81981

- Can I keep it?
- Lt's all yours.

- But the case is closed?
- As far as your end.

When the trial comes up
we'll need your testimony.

- Thanks again.
- Sure.

Mr. Ewing.

- Well. I can't wait.
- Oh. Don't say that.

- Hello. Mama.
- Hi. Grandma.

- Hello. Miss Ellie.
- Sue Ellen.

It's so nice to be here with you.

Hi. John Ross.

There you go. Mama.

Well. I hope you don't mind. Mama.
But I didn't wait.

We missed you at cocktails.

Oh. I was busy upstairs.
I decided to skip it.

The one drink of the day
I don't wanna miss.

Of course not. I can't picture you...

without your usual couple of drinks
before dinner.

Lucy. I think you miss the point.

Cocktail time is the only time of the day
that the family gathers together.

- And I think that's nice.
- I tell you. I sure like having a drink.

Lets me unwind after a hard day.

I'm beginning to appreciate it.

It's nice to come home
and have a quiet drink.

What I like best
is just what we're doing right now.

All the family together, having dinner.

I think you're right, J.R.
This is the best time.

What about you, Sue Ellen?

Yes. I remember Jock saying...

how much he loved to have his family
together at dinnertime.

He always insisted that
we be right on time.

Teresa. See if they want anything.

Jock.

Oh. Damn you.

Damn you.

Teresa. Wait.

Why?

Oh. Jock.

Oh. Jock.

Why did you leave me? Why?

Why?

Oh. Jock.

Why did you die?

Why?

Why. Jock?

Yeah. I'm afraid today's the day.

For what?

I've got to call Ed Chapman.

Give him my decision on the book.

It's not fair to keep a publisher
waiting this long.

Honey. He can wait.
The publisher can always wait.

Do you wanna get that.

Miss Ellie. Morning.

Good morning. Ray.

Donna.

Miss Ellie.

Donna...

would you forgive me?

I want you to...

To write your book. Your way.

The way you see fit.

No. Ma'am.

- I won't do that to you.
- Lt's all right.

I realize now...

that Jock was a great man...

but only human.

Jock may have done things in his life
that he lived to regret...

but he'd never. Never lie about it.

Jock didn't lie.

Ever.

Not ever.

Did he. Ray?

No. Ma'am.

Well...

Jock is dead.

Whatever you say about him...

his friends will understand.

And his enemies. Well...

they never will.

So you write your book.

Miss Ellie.

I know that Jock's not coming back...

but I have my memories of him.

And my memories...

are forever.