Dallas (1978–1991): Season 6, Episode 13 - Mama Dearest - full transcript

I'm going to do everything I can
to change the will...

so I can sell Ewing Oil.

Mama. That's going against
Daddy's wishes!

I don't think you give a damn
about your daddy's wishes.

All you care about is yourself.

Daddy chose that
the future of Ewing Oil...

is gonna be in the hands of the son
strong enough to run it.

That's the way it's gonna be.

You leave me no choice. Mama.

I'll fight you all the way.

Your methods may have lost us
the company.



Not if we join forces against Mama.

I wanna know why all those oilmen
are so angry.

It has to do with the gas stations.
Doesn't it?

Lucy. It is none of your business.

It's all over now. Lucy.

We shouldn't talk about it anymore.

I saw that crowd through the window.

They looked like
they were gonna hang you.

Listen. Would you stop bugging me.
I got a headache.

And speaking of headaches...

was that the Trotter kid I saw coming
out of the living room when we came in?

Don't tell me you've taken up
with the hired hands.

Don't do that.
Don't change the subject. J.R.

I wanna know why Grandma's angry...



and why's she on the phone
to Harv Smithfield.

Why don't you tell her. J.R.?

What you're doing now just isn't
hurting Ewing Oil, but the whole family.

Bobby and Ray had to protect you
from a mob.

Your dirty deals might just get somebody
killed one of these days.

Now. Just hold on. It was your brother
who started that whole mess. Not me.

You're just as much to blame as he is.
It started with your cut-rate gasoline.

I don't think we need
any more of this bickering.

I'm going to see Harv Smithfield
tomorrow.

I'm going to do everything I can
to get the will changed...

so I can sell Ewing oil.

Miss Ellie. It's not like you to interfere
with the running of Ewing Oil.

- Aren't you being a little bit hasty?
- No.

I've thought about nothing else
for weeks.

Mama. Contesting Daddy's will.
That's a drastic step.

If Miss Ellie was as frightened as I was
at what nearly happened...

I don't think it's too drastic.

I don't believe it.

Selling Ewing Oil, that's the last thing
Daddy would want.

The company was his life. Mama.

And now it's ruining my life.
And my family's life.

Maybe Ewing Oil was only meant to exist
while your father was alive.

Don't worry. J.R.. you'll get your share.

I'll distribute the proceeds among
the four boys.

Well. That's just wonderful.
Did your hear that. Bobby?

She's gonna sell Ewing Oil and give half
the money to a drunk and a cowboy.

That's going against Daddy's wishes
and you know it!

Don't you shout at me. J.R.

I don't think you give a damn
about your daddy's wishes.

All you care about is yourself.

Jordan. Talk to me.

All we can do now is try and freeze J.R.
out of any deals he's planning.

- We'll get the word out all over Texas.
- Where's Cliff Barnes?

- Howdy. Punk.
- Punk.

- Cliff. I wanna talk to you.
- Hey. Punk.

Sit down and have a drink.

We're holding a wake
for the independent oilmen of Dallas.

Cut out the bull.
Ain't nobody here gone broke yet.

When I told you we ought to
go out to Southfork and talk to J.R...

I meant just that. Talk. Not riot.

Wait a minute. Punk.
You're just overreacting.

Overreacting?

You'll know I'm overreacting when you
wake up face-down on the floor.

Now. Boys.
This isn't gonna settle anything.

Jordan's right.

J.R. would love it
if we started fighting among ourselves.

It's up to you, Punk.

It's up to you to use your influence.

You don't understand.
I'm the administrator of the will.

I can advise.
But other than that. I'm hogtied.

Well. There's only one thing to do.

Let's cut prices.
Force J.R. out of business.

If we stick together.
We're a hell of a lot stronger than he is.

I don't like it.

There could be consequences
to cur pricing structure down the line.

Andy's right.
I'm not getting into any price war.

Well. I'll tell you something.
We better find some way to stop him.

I say we just let the Ewing boys
fight it out between themselves.

Then we'll do what we can
to confine J.R...

by putting pressure
on the refineries...

- not to touch Ewing product.
- Not enough.

That's not enough. Punk.

Well. Cliff. You think of something...

but it better not be violent.
Or you won't be just facing J.R.

You saw what happened
at the barbecue today.

There's nothing like the threat of violence
to bring the Ewing clan right together.

- Bobby. Where are you going?
- I'm going for a drive. I'll be back.

- Well. I'll go with you.
- No.

I'd just as soon be by myself.

Is that because of Miss Ellie's decision?

I'm sure it is.

I don't think Miss Ellie
should interfere with the will.

She has to do what she believes is right.

She's always talking about what
this fight is gonna do to the family.

What does she think overturning
Jack's will is gonna do to the family?

Well. It'll stop the brothers fighting.

You know. I've had it up to here
with Ewing Oil...

and the problems it's caused.

I think I know how Miss Ellie feels.

Pam. How do you think
she's gonna feel...

when she has to go to court
and publicly question Jack's judgment?

I don't think she's thought
about that yet.

Well. I think it's time she did.

Was what J.R. did really so wrong?

It was wrong because of why he did it...

only to get the best of Bobby.

And it hurt a lot of our friends
at the same time.

But it was a business deal. Wasn't it?

Yes. It was.

You know how I feel about J.R.

I mean. I hardly ever approve
of anything he does.

Lucy. You're very troubled
about this. Why?

Granddaddy would have known
that something like this could happen.

He knew how J.R. operated.

He had to take that into account
when he decided that...

J.R and Bobby should compete
for Ewing Oil.

Granddaddy was a very smart man...

especially when it came to business.

Yes. He was.

Then how can you try and change
what he wanted done?

It's very difficult for me, Lucy.

Well. Then don't do it.

I'm sure it's all turning out
just the way Granddaddy expected it.

Oh. Lucy.

I know how much you loved him.

I did too.

And I respected his judgment.
I found him very wise.

But even when he was alive...

things didn't always work out
the way he'd planned.

But then he was around to make the
changes and straighten everything out.

It's gone wrong...

and he's not around to fix it.

Grandma. Are you sure
you're doing what's right?

No.

No. I'm not sure.

I don't want to go against
your granddaddy's wishes.

But he's not here anymore...

and it's up to me to run this family.

Hi.

- Would you rather be alone?
- No.

Quite a day for you. Wasn't it?

I was really worried about you.

Oh. That was just bluster. Honey.

Nobody was gonna do anything to me.

J.R.. do you think that Miss Ellie
will really overturn the will?

She was just upset because
of that hothead Barnes.

A good night's sleep.
She'll calm down.

I know your mama.
She can be a stubborn lady.

Stubborn is one thing.
Going to court is something else.

When she's not so upset.
I'll have a nice long talk with her.

I just have a feeling that
she's not gonna back off.

We just have to deal with that when
it comes down the pipe. Won't we?

I've been worried about you.

It's really late.

Well. I had a lot on my mind.

You wanna talk about it now. Bobby?

Yes. Yes. I do.

Okay.

Pamela. It bothers me...

It bothers me a lot
you siding with Mama...

on this business about
overturning Daddy's will.

I won't let her go through this by herself
thinking the whole family's against her.

Pam. She doesn't have to
go through it at all.

She can leave it alone. And maybe she
will if you don't give her your support.

Well. I can't turn against her. Bobby.

I've never been enthusiastic about this
fight for Ewing Oi. You know that.

But seeing the way
it's affecting Miss Ellie...

She's such a strong woman...

but for her to challenge
Jack's wishes...

is the most difficult decision
she's ever made.

Pam. I appreciate the fact
that you sympathize with Mama...

but you don't understand
what this competition...

between J.R. and me is all about.

Yes. I do.

But how much power
do you or J.R. have to have?

As far as I'm concerned. You don't
have to be president of Ewing Oil.

We have more money
than we can ever spend.

You can be president of any company.

That's not it.

That's not it at all.

Pam. You don't understand
what drove Jock Ewing.

And I don't think you really understand
what drives me either.

When I was at the university...

making the football team
just wasn't enough.

I had to be varsity.

I had to be captain.
I had to make All-Southwest Conference.

And I did. I did all of that.

When you and I met...

I wasn't just a road man
for Ewing Oil...

I was the best road man
for any oil company.

Because that's what Daddy expected.

And that's what I expect from myself.

And J.R. and I are a lot alike...

because he's not gonna take
second-best either.

You see. That's why Daddy
turned away from Gary.

The Ewings must succeed.
And Gary didn't care about that.

But. Pam. J.R. and I do.

Now. Daddy chose
that the future of Ewing Oil...

is gonna be in the hands
of the son strong enough to run it.

And that's the way it's gonna be.

Addison's too far away.

No. I have to be south
of the LBJ Freeway.

What about that place
in Preston Hollow?

Excuse me. Yes. Come in.

Oh. Excuse me. Just give me a minute.

No. That's a ridiculous price.
I'm not paying that kind of money.

Yeah. I liked... I liked the condo
in Turtle Creek...

but what about Love Field?
What about the sounds from those jets?

Okay. I'll meet you there
tomorrow at noon.

Okay. Bye. Hi, Mama.

Hi. I didn't know
you were thinking of moving.

Look at this apartment.

This is hardly the image for
the president of Barnes-Wentworth Oil.

I didn't think you cared about image.

What I don't care about
is throwing money away...

but I really can't entertain here.
I can't hold business meetings.

Plus. A new place would be
a good tax write-off.

You know. I have a big house. Cliff.

- I was hoping that...
- Mama. Really.

Thank you. But I can't move in with you.

I really have to have my own place.

I understand.

Now. To what do I owe
this early morning visit?

I'm sure it's not my coffee.

No. It's not the coffee.

Cliff. I have to tell you...

I was really frightened at what
I saw happen at Southfork yesterday.

Mama. I was in no danger.

I'm not so sure. But that's not the point.

Look. I want to fight J.R.
as much as you do, but not that way.

That was a mob. Cliff.

Mama. None of that would have had
to have happened...

if he just sensibly sat down
with the cartel.

That's the only way I could get to him.
I had to smoke him out.

Well. All you succeeded in doing
was scaring the guests.

If you want to beat J.R..
It's going to have to be in business...

not with your fists.

Mama. Don't lay down rules for me.

I won't be a party to any violence. Cliff.

I want you to know that up front.

Okay. I know it.

- Cliff. I really...
- Mama. I said. Okay.

I know it.

Good morning. Mama.

J.R.

I want to apologize
for being so testy yesterday.

I should never have used
those harsh words to you.

Well. It was a hard day for all of us.

Yeah. It was.

And I'm sorry about
the party being spoiled.

I know how you look forward to that
annual barbecue every year. We all do.

It didn't seem that way yesterday.

No. But it won't happen again.

You get a good night's sleep?

J.R.. I don't think you really care
how I slept last night.

Of course I do.
I always care how you feel.

You care whether or not
I've changed my mind about the will.

I just thought if you
had a chance to sleep on it...

you might see that you'd made
a hasty decision.

I don't think so.

- Still going to see Harv Smithfield?
- Yes.

I have an appointment with him
at 2 this afternoon.

Then you leave me no choice.

I'm gonna fight you
every step of the way.

And I won't be alone.

I guarantee you, Bobby will be with me.

I just got through talking to Dave...

and the story about J.R. and his gas
stations is all over Washington by now.

I suppose anybody who cuts gas prices
is going to make national news.

You have any regrets
about protecting him yesterday?

No. It was the right thing to do.

I used to think that J.R. was about
the lowest forms of vermin around...

but I tell you.
Cliff Barnes runs a close second.

Or you just may have
a special reason for disliking Cliff.

You mean because of you and him?
It's over and done with, along time ago.

That's right.

You all set for that
energy meeting tonight?

I have got facts and figures prepared.

I just don't think the other members...

are gonna be very impressed
by my facts and figures.

You figure they'll reverse themselves
and allow him to keep that variance?

That's what I'm afraid of.

And I'm delighted you were able
to solve that gas-oil ratio at Ewing 22...

et cetera. Et cetera.
And I think that does it. Phyllis.

- Can I get you any more coffee. Bobby?
- No. I'm coffee'd out. Thank you.

I don't think I'll have any either.
Phyllis.

Having some problems with Ewing 22?
They all sorted out?

Yeah. I think they are.

Bob. I never got around to thanking you
for standing up for me at the barbecue.

It was building up a little blood lust
there for a few minutes.

Well. You're family. J.R.

I just wish you'd remember that when it
comes to what you're doing to Ewing Oil.

I never thought I owed you
an explanation for what I'm doing...

but since you're willing to stand up
and fight for me. I guess I do.

You know. Ever since I was a boy.
Ewing Oil has meant so much to me.

Running it and building it up
into the power that it is now.

You were out there sowing
your wild oats. And having fun...

you never really took an interest in it
until you married Pam.

That's not true.

Oh. Of course it is. I mean. You worked.
But to you it was like playtime.

Even Daddy called you
the company pimp.

I don't think you have the nerve
to say that again.

I'm sorry. Bob.

I've done a lot of things
that Daddy never approved of...

but it was always for Ewing Oil.

It was nothing that he wouldn't
have done if he stood to lose.

You're wrong. J.R.

He wouldn't have robbed from Peter
to pay Paul.

He wouldn't have depleted
our reserves...

to make a fast buck on cheap gas.

And he wouldn't turn every
independent oilman in Texas against him.

You have a glorified memory of Daddy.
He'd have done anything to keep control.

Well. Your methods may have
lost us the company.

Not if we join forces against Mama.

- She can't go up against both of us.
- Yes. She can.

And I'm afraid she will.

You gonna stand by me, Bob.
Like at the barbecue?

I can't give you an answer on that now.

I understand.

Bobby. We may battle a lot.
But I just want you to remember...

you're my brother. And I love you.

You know. This really is
the finest unit in the area.

I mean. Look at it, it's wonderful.

It's so light and just so airy...

and there's no end of things
you can do.

It really is lovely. Mrs. Stockwood.

The bedrooms are terrific.

Yeah. They're really big.

I could probably make a den
out of one of them.

- Would you like to make me an offer?
- Nope.

Nope. I want to think
about it a little bit.

Okay. Well. Look. Why don't I leave you
and Mrs. Barnes alone for a while...

and take your time.

Thank you.

“Mrs. Barnes.“ She thinks we're married.

I could put a bar right here.

You know. Put a bar. Really stock it.

Nothing like a well-lubricated
prospect to make a deal with.

Cliff. Do you ever think about marriage?

I think I'm liking this place.
A sofa here...

and a couple of chairs. Is that right?

I guess you never do.

What did you say?

Nothing. Nothing.

You know. There's a lot of closet space
in the bedrooms up there.

You could bring more of your stuff over.

Wouldn't have to keep carrying it
back and forth.

Terrific.

Come on. I want to show you.

What about this color?
You're gonna have to help me.

Maybe some wallpaper or something.

Plus the fact, you know. I think
I can get her down about 10 grand.

We're taking a little break.

It's going hot and heavy in there.

I'm optimistic, but I don't wanna make
any promises until after the meeting.

Remember that section of timber near
Marshall I'm gonna put in your name.

I'm thinking about it all the time.

- Y es. Janet.
- Mrs. Ewing is here.

Please send her right in.

- Ellie. Come in. Come in.
- Hello. Harv.

- Pam. This is a surprise.
- Mr. Smithfield.

Please sit down.

Can Janet get you something?
Coffee. Tea?

- No. Thank you.
- Nothing for me, thank you.

That will be all. Janet.

Well...

you sounded troubled on the phone.
Ellie. What is it?

Have you heard what happened
at the barbecue?

Yes. I heard the whole story at lunch.
Must have been awful.

I don't know how people
can behave that way.

Well. A lot of people are very angry
at the Ewings right now.

The competition between
J.R. and Bobby is causing...

problems with the people
they work with.

More than that. Harv.
It's tearing my family apart.

I know about J.R.'s gas stations
and the price-cutting.

I'm not surprised that tempers
are beginning to heat up.

Harv. My family is very important to me.

If this contest is allowed to continue.
I may not have a family left.

I'm sorry. Miss Ellie.
Those are the terms of the will.

I can't change them.

Yes. I know.

That's why I want to contest the will.

I see.

Well. Of course. That is your privilege.

If... If you like...

I can recommend
a very good estate lawyer.

Recommend?
What are you talking about?

If you want to contest the will, you'll
need a man experienced in that field.

But aren't you experienced?

Yes. Of course.
But I can't represent you.

But you've represented Ewing interests
for as long as I can remember.

What do you mean
you can't represent me?

Miss Ellie. I drew up that will for Jock.

It's my obligation. Morally and legally.
To represent that will.

Are you telling me that if I go to court.
You'll fight against me?

I have no choice.

I find that very hard to believe.

Miss Ellie!

Pamela. Please try to explain to her.

Thank you. Mrs. Krebbs. Thank you.

I'm sure we're all aware of the figures...

but what it comes down to is whether
or not this committee reverses itself...

and allows J.R. to keep his variance
and pump full-out.

Yes. We let J.R. keep his variance.

You know. Mr. Hicks. You used to
be known as a great conservationist.

When there was a need.

We got oil pouring in from Mexico now.
At good prices.

Why. If J.R. Ewing wants
to pump a lot of oil...

why. Mrs. Krebbs. Do you object?

Because without proper regulations...

in a couple of years we're not gonna
have enough oil left to pump.

No. I don't think so. I
think it's personal.

It is well known that you have no use
for J.R. Ewing.

Now. Please. Please. Mr. Hicks...

this committee does not engage
in personal attacks.

Mrs. Krebbs...

if one man decides to cut the price
of gasoline in times like these...

how can you object?

Because. Mr. Figueroa. What one man
wants to do is not the point.

Look. Gentlemen. We have our job to do.

Mighty hard to vote against
reasonable gas prices.

Yes. It is. And that is why we have been
appointed by the state legislature...

because we don't have to worry
about our public image.

We can do what we really think is right.

There is no way I'm gonna vote
for higher prices.

It's time everything came down.

Mr. Lawrence, did you know that we get
applications for drilling variances...

from wildcatters all over the state
every day in our office.

If we overturn that ruling
that we made in a public hearing...

and allow J.R. to keep his variance.
Then sooner or later...

we are going to have to allow
other variances, and then what?

I think we can deal with that issue
at another time.

I'd like a vote now on whether we allow
J.R. Ewing to continue his variance.

I think we should vote...

unless Mrs. Krebbs
has something new to add.

Well. As a matter of fact, I do.

This is a...
An environmental-impact report...

I would really like to draw
to your attention.

- Yeah?
- Mr. Smithfield is here.

Send him in.
Ask Bobby to come in too. Would you?

Yes, sir.

- Hey. Harv.
- J.R. Glad you could see me tonight.

- It's pretty important issue.
- Yes. It is.

- Harv.
- Bobby.

- Like a drink?
- Yes. Please. No ice.

Well. How did it go with Mama?

She's got me between a rock
and a hard place. Boys.

- I imagine she was pretty upset.
- Yes. Considerably. So did Pamela.

- Pamela?
- Yes.

Matter of fact, she offered Miss Ellie
quite a bit of moral support.

Say. Harv. I know this is tough on you...

but I take it you're going
to protect Daddy's wishes.

Of course.

If Miss Ellie pursues the case
with another lawyer...

I'll have to be in court.

And we'll be on opposite sides.

- I don't like it. I don't like it at all.
- Somebody's gotta speak for Daddy.

I promise you 100 percent
cooperation from me.

What she's doing is dead wrong.
I honestly believe that.

Well. Bobby?

We gonna work together on this?

Come on. Harv has to know.

Do you want him to go into court alone
or do you want to get behind him...

and defend Daddy's right to say
how he wanted this company run?

I'm with you, Harv.

There you are.
You got our full cooperation.

The Ewing brothers
are working together.

Thanks. Boys.

This is not a fight
I'm looking forward to.

- Yeah?
- Bobby has a phone call.

I'll take it here.

- Put it through here.
- Yes, sir.

Thanks. Harv. Appreciate it.

- Hello.
- Bobby. Are you in your office?

No. Donna. I'm not.

HI call you back.

No. No. It's all right.

J.R. gets to keep his variance.

Well. Thanks for
letting me know anyway.

- I'll talk to you later.
- Yeah. Goodbye.

Not bad news. I hope.

It would have been more fun
if we double-dated.

I'm sorry
if you didn't have a good time...

but I told you I am not ready to date.

Well. I think it would be good for you.

You make it sound
like a visit to the doctor.

Well. Now I know when
you're allowed outdoors, only at night.

Just what we needed
to spoil a pleasant evening.

Aren't you gonna introduce me
to your beautiful friend?

Muriel Gillis. This is Mickey Trotter.

He's Ray's cousin.
Our newest ranch hand.

Nice to meet you.

My pleasure.

Well. Lucy.
At least your friends are nice.

You know. I just have to drop this stuff
off with Miss Ellie and then I'm free.

What do you say? Wanna go
into Braddock and have a beer?

I don't know.

Well. If you're worried about Lucy.
She can tag along.

Gee. Thanks.

Hey. I asked you once
and you turned me down.

What do you say. Muriel?

Thank you very much, but I can't.

Well. At least I'm getting turned down
by a better class of people.

- See you around.
- Yes.

Come on. Muriel. I wanna go for a drive.

Why?

Because I don't want to be here
when he comes out.

Lucy. I don't understand you.

He's very attractive
and I think he likes you.

Didn't you hear him?
He's got some mouth on him.

Besides. He's too young for me.

Don't knock it until you've tried it.

Ready for dinner?

Should I go out and come back in again?

I remember when one of my kisses
used to get your engine running.

Harv Smithfield said you were
with Mama when she went to see him.

Is that why you're sitting here
like some kind of ice sculpture?

Damn it, Pam.

It's not a joke.

Why are you taking Mama's side
against me?

I'm not against anything.

I'm for what I believe is right.

Miss Ellie is right.

Pamela. You don't understand.

Bobby. We don't need all of this.
Let Miss Ellie sell Ewing Oil.

Spend some time with your family.
Let Christopher get to know his daddy.

Why are you doing this when
I need you beside me the most?

Sue Ellen's not fighting J.R.

Sue Ellen and I get along fine now.
But I'm not Sue Ellen.

Power. Money and wealth.
They don't mean that much to me.

I want a nice, ordinary life
with my husband.

I love you.

I love you so much.

I hope so.

Because I love you too
and I want you beside me...

but I'm gonna do everything I can
to stop Mama.

And then I'm gonna beat J.R.

And then I'm gonna run
Ewing Oil permanently.

I don't mean to drag you into
what's really a family problem.

I'm glad you called.

I can understand your dilemma.

Well. When Harv Smithfield
turned me down...

even said that he'd fight me...

I felt the rug had been pulled
right out from under me.

Don't be too harsh on Smithfield.

You really put him on the spot.

I guess so.

But I can't help feeling that
if he's going to oppose me...

I don't want him recommending
the lawyer that's gonna handle my case.

Miss Ellie. It doesn't work that way
with ethical lawyers.

Smithfield has a superb reputation.

And I'm sure that he'd recommend
only the finest attorneys.

No. I... I wouldn't feel right
going back to him now.

Well. If you really want to
find an estate lawyer...

I can recommend a man.
Brooks Oliver.

He's certainly the finest in Texas.
Fine gentleman.

I'll call him tomorrow.

Let me call him first.
Pave the way for you.

Thanks. Clayton. I'd appreciate that.

Clayton.

- Sue Ellen.
- Clayton.

Looks like you spend a hell of a lot more
time in Dallas than you do in San Angelo.

I get around, J.R.

Yeah. I can see that.
You and Mama look very cozy.

J.R.. I called Clayton.
I wanted some advice.

Your mother needs a lawyer. J.R..
But I'm sure you knew that.

It's family business.

J.R.. Clayton is only trying
to be a good friend.

Clayton has no right to get involved.

- You planning to throw me out?
- Now. J.R.. that's enough.

I still have some say about
what goes on in this house...

and right now.
I want to speak to Clayton alone.

Sure.

Sue Ellen.

- Good night. Sue Ellen.
- Good night. Clayton.

Sue Ellen.

I'm sorry. Clayton.

Don't be.

I can handle J.R.

That Clayton Farlow certainly
is attracted to Ewing women.

J.R.. there is nothing romantic
between Miss Ellie and Clayton.

I think it's reasonable that she would
ask Clayton help her find a lawyer.

Well. I promise you one thing.
I'm gonna win this fight with Mama.

Nobody's gonna take Ewing Oil from me.
Not Mama. Not Bobby. Anybody.

When this contest is over with Bobby.
There's not gonna be a thing left for him.

He's gonna have to pack up.
Leave Southfork...

take that little wife and baby
with him.

J.R.. it doesn't have to be that way.

Yes. It does.

Not one member of my family is ever
gonna interfere with Ewing Oil again.

What about your mother?

She's here.

She is mistress of Southfork.

In name only.

When she fails to overturn
my daddy's will...

I'm gonna be the power here
in Southfork.

And you. My darling.
Are gonna share that power with me.

There': A Mr. J.R. Ewing downstairs.

Send him up.

- Hello. Holly.
- J.R.

- Thank you...
- Elliot.

Elliot. Thanks very much. Appreciate it.

Oh. Nice little place you got here.

I've known of a lot of things
that can go on in a bedroom...

but this is the first time I've
ever seen an oil company run from one.

You know as many oil deals are made
in bedrooms as in boardrooms. J.R.

Touché. Holly. Touché.

I suppose it's kind of tough
on your male secretary.

I guess working in these surroundings
couldn't help his concentration...

especially on his typing
and shorthand.

I'm sure you're not here to discuss
my secretary's working conditions.

Well. No. As a matter of fact, I'm not.

Holly. The only way I can stay
well ahead of Bobby...

is to continue to expand
my gasoline-station operations.

And the only thing standing in way
of that is, as usual. Refinery space.

Listen. When we struck a deal
giving you 25 percent of Harwood Oil...

it was for you to build Harwood.
Not Ewing.

All you care about is Ewing. Isn't it?

You don't expect me to turn my back
on a company my daddy built. Do you?

Of course not.
And I'm taking care of Harwood Oil too.

I wonder.

Have you taken a look
at your profits lately?

Yes. They're good.

The sale of those gas stations
to your dummy corporation...

was responsible for a lot of it.

How are we coming with the refinery?

Have you canceled those contracts?

I'm gonna need your full capacity.

You're not gonna get full capacity. J.R.

One of our major contracts
is with the military.

Were you aware of that?

Holly. You're just gonna have to solve
that problem yourself.

Now. I suggest you get your pretty butt
out of this pleasure palace...

and start canceling contracts.

- But. J.R...
- My patience is running thin, darling.

You know what to do.

Do it.

No. Ted. What I want is not as drastic
as asking the Energy Commission...

for the same kind of variance
that J.R. got.

I agree. But what you're asking for...

is to eliminate our voluntary
25-percent cutback...

so that you can bring
your half of Ewing wells...

- back up to allowable capacity.
- Exactly.

That means that you're gonna flood the
market with oil when there's a surplus.

It'll cost you a fortune to store it.

I'm not gonna store it.
I'm gonna sell it.

You know what shape
my half of the company is in.

I need revenues. Yes. Phyllis.

Mr. Lee and Mr. Bradley are here.

Send them in. Please.

That will do it for now.

You notify the men in the fields
as soon as you can, okay?

Okay. Bobby.

Gentlemen.

- Andy. Jordan.
- Bobby.

Come on in. Sit down.

Well. I didn't think I'd be standing
on Ewing property again so soon.

I'd like you to convey my apologies
to Miss Ellie...

for my behavior at the barbecue.
I... I was way out of line.

If you'd like to speak to Mama.
I suggest you call her yourself.

I'd like to keep this meeting
strictly business.

Then get on with it.

Now. Some time ago. The cartel and
Ewing Oil went in on a deal together...

and brought in some lucrative wells on
a large tract called the Wellington land.

That's an old deal. Why are you
bringing that up now. Bobby?

I'm bringing it up because the Wellington
land is in my half of Ewing Oil.

That's a rich property.

Those wells will produce
for years and years to come.

Yes. But right now
those wells are capped.

We're not pumping
a drop of oil out them.

Well. Of course.
Ewing Oil agreed to that decision.

It's good business
to keep those wells capped.

We don't need that oil right now.

I need it, and I want those wells
uncapped and pumping.

That's ridiculous.

There's a surplus.

I intend to sell every drop of oil
I can pump.

What are you up to. Bobby?

You gonna follow J.R. and open
your own string of cut-rate stations?

No. But I will sell that oil
for whatever price I can get for it.

You mean you'd cut our throats?

If the cartel wants to keep
the oil prices high. That's their business.

I need profits and I need them fast.

Well. I'm dead set against it.

Come on. Andy.

You can hang before I'll agree
to open that damn field. Bobby.

Well. Frankly. Mrs. Ewing...

I don't know how the two of us
have been able to...

live in Dallas so many years
and never meet.

Well. I'm sure we have met. Mr. Oliver.
At one social function or another.

Perhaps. But I'm certain
I would have remembered you.

- Well. Thank you.
- May I offer you tea?

No. Thank you.

Now. Clayton Farlow
told me very little...

but he thought I might be able to help.

Why don't you tell me your problem.

You're aware that my husband was
declared legally dead not too long ago.

Yes. Of course.

And I also know.
In a rather sketchy way...

the unusual terms of his will.

Then you know that my two sons are in
competition for control of the company.

Yes. Bobby and J.R.

And to spare you
any more embarrassment...

I also know about the incident
at your barbecue last Sunday.

My boys have always had a need
to prove themselves to their father.

And now this need may be
the downfall of my family.

- I see.
- Their rivalry...

has become very destructive.

And the company
that Jock wanted to preserve...

may be destroyed by this competition.

I just... I just can't understand
what possessed him to do it.

Mrs. Ewing.
I take it the terms of the will...

in regard to Ewing Oil
came as a total surprise to you?

"Oh. That's" That's putting it mildly.

It didn't sound the sort of arrangement
that your husband would make?

No.

Mrs. Ewing. What do you want to do?

I want to challenge the will.

Well. I can understand why.

I suppose this is a matter
of some urgency.

Absolutely.

I was afraid of that
when I talked to Clayton...

but I wanted to hear
what you had to say.

Mrs. Ewing. At the moment...

I'm on retainer.
Settling the estate of Mark Graison. Sr.

Yes. I know the family.

It's a vast estate. Very time-consuming.

I'm not at all sure that Mark Jr. would
allow me to interrupt my work for him...

to take your case, you see?

Maybe I could talk to Mark Jr.
Would that help?

Well. It might.

I'd like to try and help you. Mrs. Ewing.
I really would.

I'll meet with Mark as soon as possible.

I didn't ask you, but how does a lawyer
go about breaking a will?

- It's premature. I'd have to read it first.
- I see.

But the usual way
would be to call into serious question...

your husband's mental competence
at the time the will...

or any subsequent codicil
was written.

Mental competence?

We don't have to go into that right now.

No. I guess not.

Because of that.
Miss Ellie has gone to see an attorney.

She's going to contest Jack's will.

She can't stand the fact that even
old family friends are being driven away.

It must be very difficult for Ellie.

She worshipped that man.

How could she question his judgment?

Well. She doesn't have any choice.

I'm sure J.R. will fight her.
What about Bobby?

He's with J.R.

What about you?

I think Miss Ellie's right.

That puts you and Bobby
on opposite sides.

You think your marriage can stand that?

I don't know. But I know it couldn't
go on this way much longer.

Please don't put any more pressure
on the Ewings right now. All right?

All right.

Do you think Ellie would see me
if I come to Southfork?

- I'm sure she would.
- I'll call her.

You know. Pam.
If J.R. would change his tactics...

Ellie wouldn't have to go
through this hell.

The Energy Commission
got the message.

The American public wants gasoline
they can afford. I can give it to them.

You feel the people
were the real winners...

when the Commission allowed
your variance to remain in effect?

Oh. Yes. Absolutely. With the price
of everything going sky-high...

I can reduce the cost of gasoline
and. By gully. I'm proud of that.

There are many who think
that this was used...

to wrest control of the company
from your brother.

Well. Teri. I'm a strong believer
in open and free competition...

and if competition between
my brother and I...

results in a break for the consumer.
Then what's to argue about that?

And how long can we expect
this break for the consumer to go on?

As long as the profiteers
stay off my back...

and. Of course. The government
doesn't interfere.

Bobby Ewing. You know your brother's
philosophy. Do you care to comment?

Anything I'd have to say
wouldn't be suitable for television.

J.R.. you heard what your brother
had to say. He wouldn't speak to us.

Do you have anything else
you'd like to add?

Well. There's nothing much to add.
Is there?

As you can see, there is only one Ewing
who really cares about the little man.

And I'm having not only
to fight the oilmen...

and the politicians in Austin
and Washington...

but I have to fight my little brother
to get the price of gasoline down.

But I know. Teri. With your help.
And the help of the rest of the media...

Mr. and Mrs. Average Citizen will
know that someone cares about them.

That somebody is on their side.

And that somebody is J.R. Ewing.