Dallas (1978–1991): Season 6, Episode 15 - The Reckoning - full transcript

I can't believe you're intent
on tarnishing Dad's memory.

- Don't you say that to me.
- I don't know how else to get through.

I wouldn't underestimate
your mama now.

She's angry. She's determined.

We can't lose this. Harv.
There's too much at stake.

She made up her mind herself.

If you don't know that.
You don't know her.

I know my own mother.
I know you too. Sweetheart.

Ever since you moved in
you've been trouble.

Stay out of it. It's not your fight.

Are you saying that when your husband
wrote the codicil...



he was mentally incompetent?

SOUTHFORK RANCH

- Hello. Darling.
- Hi. Sweetheart.

Everyone's inside waiting for us.
Miss Ellie has something to tell us.

- About breaking the will?
- I think so.

Did she say anything
about changing her mind?

- No.
- Okay.

Here he is now.

Well. I'm sorry. I didn't know
everybody's waiting for me.

Miss Ellie has something she
wants to say before dinner.

Well. Let me get a little fortification
here and I'll be all ears.

You all know my feelings
about Jack's will...

particularly about the codicil
that he wrote before he died.

Well. I've had some time to consider
the whole thing.



I've talked to Harv Smithfield
and another lawyer, Brooks Oliver.

Well. I hope they've talked you out of
making any hasty decisions.

Mr. Oliver has agreed to represent me.

He doesn't think my decision was hasty.

He thinks we have a good chance
to break the will.

- You're going ahead with it?
- Yes. I am.

I can't believe you're still intent
on tarnishing Daddy's memory.

I am not tarnishing his memory.

- Don't you say that to me.
- I don't know how else to get through.

And I don't know how else
to save this family.

Mama. I hope you understand
that I'm with J.R. on this.

Yes. I know. You're both so caught up
in this battle...

neither one of you understands
what's happening.

Don't you two realize she's trying
to stop you from hurting each other?

- Keep out of this. Pam.
- What's going on is between J.R. and me.

- I don't think you should get involved.
- I'm not here to explain my reasons.

Only to tell you what I'm doing.

Do you think this is fair. Miss Ellie?

It has to do with survival.
Not fairness, Sue Ellen.

Hope you're proud of yourselves.

- This is all your fault. Pam.
- My fault? You can really twist things.

Hadn't been for you.
She'd never have that lawyer.

She made up her mind herself.

If you don't know that.
You don't know her.

I know my own mother.
I know you too. Sweetheart.

Ever since you moved in
you've been trouble.

Now. Stay out of it. This is
not your fight. Give me that.

Thanks. That was a wonderful defense
of your own wife.

You let him talk to me that way?

J.R. is wrong in a lot of things.
But he's not wrong in this.

As my wife.
I thought you'd stand by me in it.

Really isn't Pam's fault, you know.

She's interfering
where she doesn't belong.

Because she cares for Bobby.

She feels that overturning the will
may get Bobby out of the fight.

At the expense of all of us
losing Ewing Oil?

Darling. If she really cares for him.
She'll help him.

Help him do whatever he thinks is right.

That's the way I feel. But it'll put
a terrible strain on their marriage.

Darling. You and Pam
are good friends, now.

Why don't you talk to her. Huh?
Not here at Southfork.

Take her out to lunch, someplace
where you can really be alone.

And what am I gonna say?

That the two of us should stay out
of your dispute?

- I've tried that.
- No.

You tell her that if she really believes
in her husband. She'll support him...

just the way you're supporting me.

Darling. This is the first time in years
that Bobby and I have been on the same side.

And I know. Sue Ellen...

if she believes in your friendship
as much as you do...

and cares as much.
You'll convince her.

I know you will.

We cannot let Mama break Daddy's will.

It just means too much to everybody.

You are such a good boy.

He has such a sweet nature.

I'm so happy for Pam and Bobby.

Ellie. There's nothing wrong
between them. Is there?

Oh. It's this business
about breaking Jack's will.

Pam's on my side and it's
causing some friction among them.

Oh. Well. They'll get over that.

But since you bring it up.
I wanna tell you...

I think what you're doing
is absolutely right.

- Well. That's good to hear.
- You think you have a chance to win?

- My attorney thinks I do.
- I hope so.

Meantime. I've told Cliff
that I want him to soften up a bit.

I appreciate that. Rebecca.

Wouldn't it be nice
if you and I could show them...

that the Barneses and the Ewings
can be friends?

Well. We have good reason to now.

Hi. Hi.

Are you a good boy?

You have to understand. Boys. Brooks
Oliver is a highly respected attorney.

He wouldn't accept Ellie's case
if he didn't think he could win.

On what grounds. Harv?

Well. If it were me. I'd probably try to
prove that Jock wasn't of sound mind...

when he wrote that codicil.

Yeah. It figures.

Mama's never gonna stand up in court
and say something like that.

Bobby. I wouldn't underestimate
your mama right now.

She's angry. She's determined.

She's gonna do
what she feels she has to.

What happens if she wins?

- It's possible. Isn't it?
- Of course it is.

By attacking the codicil.
Ellie puts the entire will into question.

Now. The judge
has total discretionary powers.

He could throw out the codicil, the will.
Both. Or neither.

- He can overturn the whole will?
- Yes. Of course. Or any part thereof.

Well. What happens if
he does throw out the entire will?

Then the previous one comes into effect.

- That was written 14, 15 years ago.
- About that.

Do you remember what's in it?

No. I'm planning
to read it this afternoon.

But as young as you boys were
at the time...

I'd venture to say that Jock left
most everything to your mama.

- You can bet money on that.
- You'll let us know?

- As soon as I've read it.
- We can't lose this. Harv.

- There's too much at stake.
- Sure your mama feels the same way.

MARIO MESSINA'S IL SORRENTO
CUCINA ITALIANA

Pam. I really feel that we should
help our husbands stop Miss Ellie.

If Bobby feels
that he really wants to beat J.R...

I don't see why he shouldn't
be given a chance to try.

Sue Ellen. I don't care if Bobby
beats J.R. or doesn't beat J.R.

I want my husband and my family
all in one piece.

That's what's important to me.

- Shouldn't a wife stand by her husband?
- Of course she should.

But that doesn't mean she can't disagree
if she feels he's wrong.

That battle
is really going to hurt somebody.

Really hurt somebody.

Now. I agree with Miss Ellie.
It's got to be stopped.

Pam? Hi.

I thought that was you.
What a pleasant surprise.

Mark. Hello.

What are you doing
eating in my restaurant?

- You own this restaurant?
- No.

I eat here almost every day. Though.
I'm surprised I haven't seen you here.

Well. It's our first time...

Oh. Do you know my sister-in-law.
Sue Ellen Ewing?

- This is Mark Graison.
- Hello.

How do you do? Brooks called.

- He said he's taking Miss Ellie's case.
- Yes. I can't thank you enough for that.

Listen. I told you I am here to help.

Anything that I can do for you.

Well. Thank you for letting him go.

You two enjoy your meal.
Very nice having met you.

I don't understand the point
of all this discussion.

We've had our vote.
And J.R.'s variance stays.

You do realize that as soon as this battle
between the Ewings is over with...

the gasoline prices
are gonna shoot right up again?

- That's not a certainty.
- I guarantee it.

I mean. You don't seriously believe...

that J.R. Ewing is lowering
gasoline prices to help the little man?

He is doing it to beat his brother.

That battle's gonna be going on
for a while yet.

Don't you bet on it.
Because if Jack's will is overturned...

the whole company is gonna revert
to his widow.

She is going to sell it.

That is the end of the battle
and of low gasoline prices.

Donna's right about that.

No one can predict
if the will is going to be overturned.

What difference does it make?

This commission is gonna look like fools
as soon as the battle is over with.

Something we should think about.
Not as far as I'm concerned.

Voting against that variance now
is like voting against motherhood.

- And I'm not gonna do it.
- Neither am I.

Do you really think that J.R. Ewing...

has all of a sudden become
the man of the people?

Well. It looks like he is right now.
And that's good enough for me.

- I think it's time to go home.
- Excuse me.

CATTLEMEN'S CLUB

- Twenty-five million dollars.
- Bobby's share of the Wellington field?

May be closer to 30.
We're still waiting for the appraisal.

Well. Our other choice
is to uncap the wells.

So. What do we do with all that oil?

Stick it in holding tanks.
Or cut prices like Bobby's threatening?

Oh. No. We can't uncap those wells.

It'll cost us 25 to 30 million dollars
not to.

The independents have to
draw the line somewhere.

We can't uncap those wells
and let Bobby undercut everybody.

I don't know.
That's an awful lot of money.

Only in the short range.

Eventually. When this glut is over. We'll
uncap the wells and make it all back.

Maybe they're right.

All to help Bobby Ewing's profit picture.

So. What's the answer?

Do we wanna cough up 25 or 30 million
and buy him out?

I sure don't want to.

Neither do I, but it's even stupider
to uncap the wells.

We only got two choices.

Isn't that ironic?
No matter which way we go...

we wind up helping Bobby Ewing.
How's that for a bone in your throat?

This is the old will.

It was drawn 15 years ago. April.

It goes into effect
if the present one is overturned.

- You have a chance to read that?
- Yes. And I was right.

Your mama would get 100 percent
of Ewing Oil.

And she'd be free to sell it
if she wanted to?

Yes. But that's not all of it.

The will is a problem
for what it doesn't include.

The grandchildren?

No. There are the usual provisions
for grandchildren...

even though Lucy was
the only one born at the time.

No. I mean Ray and Gary.

They'd lose out badly.

Fifteen years ago.
Jock was furious with Gary.

That's when Gary was drinking so much.

That's right. And he passed him off
with a gesture.

Gary would get virtually nothing.
Instead of the interest on $10 million.

Ray was just a ranch hand then.

Yeah. That was before anyone knew
he was Jack's son.

- He'd get a very minor bequest.
- More than he deserves. That's for sure.

Harv. That will would be disastrous
for us.

That's putting it mildly.
Tell us what you need to win. Harv.

We'll do whatever's necessary.

Gentlemen...

I am going to defend the current will
and the codicil.

It's my duty as the executor
and as Jack's personal friend.

I want you both to know. However.
That I do it with a heavy heart.

I take no joy
in fighting with your mama...

or in the fact that the both of you
forced her into taking this action.

I appreciate your sentiments. Harv.

Neither Bobby nor I wanted to go up
against Mama. You know that.

But we can't let those feelings
interfere with our winning.

That's the one thing
we damn well better do.

You mean Mark Graison
just waltzed in. Huh?

I guess he eats there quite often.

- Pam know that?
- I don't think so.

But I was under the impression
that he helped Miss Ellie find a lawyer.

You know. I didn't realize
that Mama knew the Graisons that well.

I couldn't swear to it...

but I think he helped Miss Ellie
because of Pam.

Are you suggesting that Pam and Graison
are having an affair?

No. No. She wasn't
even impressed by him.

- But he was definitely impressed by her.
- Yeah? How do you know that?

Well. I think a woman can tell
when a man is interested in her.

Oh. This could be quite a break, honey.

What are you talking about?

Pam and Graison.
Aren't you paying attention?

Well. Of course I am. But I told you
it had nothing to do with that.

Well. It could.

From what I understand.
Graison's quite the lady's man.

Likes all those macho things...

like parachuting and fast cars.
So forth.

- Turns ladies on. You know?
- J.R.. it has nothing to do with Pam.

It could. It sure could.

Given the right signals.
He just might make a move on her.

J.R.. I don't like what you're saying.

Well. Why not. Honey?
Bobby and I are on the same side now.

But that's not gonna last forever.
We'll be battling again real soon.

I wouldn't mind if he was distracted by
a nasty little marital problem right now.

I don't want anything bad happening
to Bobby and Pam's marriage.

Oh. I was just passing it
through my mind. Honey. That's all.

- Imagine if somebody did that to us.
- Hey. Don't get so upset.

You know how much winning Ewing Oil
means to me, darling.

You know that.

Don't you see that breaking Daddy's will
is gonna affect Gary and Ray?

It's gonna affect them badly. They're
gonna get a fraction of what's theirs.

All Miss Ellie wants to do
is stop the battle between you and J.R.

I know that. Honey.
But this is not the way to do it.

The only other way is for you and J.R.
to call off the fight...

but neither one of you'll do it.

That is not the only other way.

You can also persuade Mama
what she's doing is wrong.

- But I don't think she's wrong.
- Even if it hurts Gary and Ray?

Oh. Bobby. You know your mother.

Never in a million years
would she hurt Gary or Ray.

Honey. I understand Mama's intentions.
They're the best. The best in the world.

But she does not fully understand
the consequences of what she's doing.

I don't agree.

- Morning. Lucy.
- Good morning.

Grandma down yet?

She's gone already.

Seems she had an early appointment
at her lawyer's.

You know. Grandma's going to do
whatever she thinks is best...

no matter what you do.
And I know that bothers you. J.R.

This is just a joke to you. Isn't it?

I can't say it would bother me
if you lost Ewing Oil.

Well. Let me tell you something. Honey.

If this will is thrown out...

your granddaddy's old will is valid.
And everybody loses.

I'm not especially worried.

I'm sure Granddaddy provided for me
just fine in his old will.

That's all you care about. Isn't it?
Yourself.

Well. If your grandma
is successful in court...

your daddy's inheritance
is gonna be reduced to a stipend.

That means a handout. Honey.

Or don't you give a damn?

Oh. Pam. I'm sorry.
Have I kept you waiting?

No. I haven't been here long.
The car's just over there.

Well. What did Mr. Oliver say?

Well. He received a copy
of Jack's old will.

It leaves everything pretty much to me.
But there are some problems.

Ray and Gary?

Bobby said Harv Smithfield
told him there might be.

Oh. Yes.

Well. Actually. Where Gary's concerned.
It could be a blessing.

I could improve on the way
that Jock dealt with him in the old will.

And. Of course. I'd take care of Ray too.

But. Pam. Ray is so much his own man.

He might refuse to accept anything
from me.

Well. I think you should talk to him.
You know. He really loves you...

and I think he'll understand
more than you think.

Yes. I'll talk to him.

Door's open.

Mr. Ewing. We haven't seen you
for a while.

Well. How you doing?

- Your table is ready.
- Oh. Thank you.

Say. Mark Graison wouldn't be
having lunch here. Would he?

- Yes. He's at his usual table.
- Oh. Good.

Hold my table for me. Would you?
Thank you very much.

Hello. Phil. How you doing?
Good to see you.

Well. Mark Graison.

- It's funny seeing you here.
- J.R.. how are you?

Seems like you've been running into
half my family lately.

- Oh. You mean your mother?
- And my sister-in-law. Pam.

She's quite taken with you.
Talking about it at dinner the other night.

She found you quite charming.

- What do you mean?
- You made quite an impression on her.

By the way. I just wanna tell you I don't
hold any hard feelings towards you.

Hard feeling? Now. Why should you?

Well. You getting your lawyer
to work with Mama against me.

Your mother is a very lovely lady.

Yeah. Yeah. It's a shame we're on
opposite sides of the fence right now...

but. You know. As they say.
This too shall pass.

- Now. Pam is still on your mother's side?
- Yeah. Unfortunately.

Pam's a wonderful girl.

Too bad she and Bobby
are having problems right now.

Are they?

Well. They only been married a couple
years. And this fight's not helping at all.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm not one to publicize family problems.
So I'll be seeing you.

- Enjoy your lunch.
- Thank you.

Oh. Say. We've never done any business
together, have we?

No.

Well. We ought to get together
and see what we have in common.

The only thing we have in common
is we're eating in the same restaurant.

Well. We'll see what we can do
to remedy that. Huh?

Good seeing you.

We just fawned over him. Ellie and I.

- Oh. That baby is so cute.
- He must be.

He's bringing us closer
than we've ever been.

- Hi. Darling.
- Hello. Mama.

I was just telling Afton what a nice time
I had with Ellie yesterday.

You been out there again. Huh?

It's getting to be a habit, isn't it?

But she's been going through
a lot of pain of late.

Well. With sons like hers.
What do you expect?

- Anybody want a drink?
- Not for me. Thanks.

No. Not for me.
She seemed very grateful...

that we're keeping the pressure
off of Ewing Oil just now.

Well. I don't know how much longer
we can keep that up.

Cliff. I promised her.

And you promised me.

You can forget about J.R.
for a while. Can't you?

Sure I can. But what about Bobby?

- You know what he's doing?
- What?

Little brother Bobby...

is about to make the cartel
take a nosedive on the Wellington field.

- What has he done?
- He's put us in a no-win situation.

We stand to lose
about 25. 30 million dollars.

And if we keep turning the other cheek.
Then they'll keep spinning us like a top.

Cliff. It's only for a little while.

And if Ellie wins in court.
Both problems will be solved.

- Mama...
- Please.

Mama. I thought Barnes-Wentworth
was mine to run.

I'm not asking
as the head of Wentworth Industries.

I'm asking as your mother.

Ray. You understand what happens
if I win. Don't you?

The entire will could be thrown out.
The trust funds, everything.

Even the $10 million that Jock left you.
It could all revert to me.

Well. I never had that money before.

I guess I'd keep on living all right
without it. Miss Ellie.

Well. I wouldn't allow that.

I want you to know that
whatever happens...

I won't let you lose that money.

Yes. Ma'am.

Well. I think we ought to take things
one step at a time right now.

Well. It's important that you realize it.

I'd sell the company. And I'd see to it
that you got everything back...

that Jock wanted you to have.

Well. First things first.
And the first thing is for you to win.

Ray. I have to try to break that will.

Sure you do.

Well. Good night. Ma'am.

Good night. Ray. And thank you.

Hey. Ray-

Say. You been talking to Mama?

- Matter of fact, I have.
- Oh. Yeah? What'd she say?

I don't see how that's
any of your business.

Well. We're all in this together.
You know.

That's how it looks to you, huh?

Well. I mean. You and Bobby and me.
We're all together.

You just don't understand me at all.

See. I find it hard to believe you're
fighting against your own $10 million.

Because if she wins.
That's what you stand to lose, boy.

You don't give a damn about anybody.
Not even your own mother.

You really are a dumb old cowboy.
Aren't you?

Listen. J.R..
I'm gonna explain something to you.

I'd give up my house. My inheritance.
Every damn cent I've got...

before I'd go with you
against Miss Ellie.

Thought you had some cattle
to move today.

Well. I got Charlie out there
with the crew today.

Are you feeling all right?

Yeah. I'm okay.

Is it that conversation you had
with Miss Ellie?

Is that what's bothering you?

I guess.

You gonna change your mind
about backing her?

- No.
- But then what?

You're not worried
about losing that money?

She wins the case. I lose the money.
That's all there is to that.

I think Miss Ellie would see
that you got your 10 million.

Well. That $10 million
was an inheritance from my father.

Getting it from Miss Ellie as a gift
is nowhere near the same thing.

Jock wanted you to have that.

Oh. I know. And I love him for it.

But taking charity from Miss Ellie.
Who's not even my real mother...

well. I just don't
think I could do that.

I don't think I'd call it charity.

Don't you understand
what I'm trying to tell you. Donna?

- Yes. But...
- Well. A man has his pride.

I just don't think I could take the money.

I understand.

Okay. Up. One. Two. Three. Four.
Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

Now breathe. One.

Two.

- Ivy. Take over. Three.
- Okay.

- All major credit cards accepted?
- What are you doing here?

I just thought I'd stop by
to see how the case was going.

Well. I saw you at the restaurant.
Remember?

That was ages ago.

It was the day before yesterday.

Well. Somehow it seems longer.

Listen. When you're through here.
What are you doing?

I'm going home to have dinner
with my husband.

That's right, you've got a husband.

That's right. And I think we've had
this discussion already.

I remember.
It's all beginning to come back now.

- Mark...
- Please. Call me Mr. Graison.

I really appreciate what you did
for me and Miss Ellie...

but that's as far as it goes.
I am a married woman.

Sounds like I'm being thrown out
on my ear.

- You are.
- All right. And I shall leave gracefully.

But you will see me again.

Yeah?
.I.R., Mr. Anderson is here.

Send him in.

- Hey. Punk. Good to see you.
- J.R.

- Punk. Glad you could make it.
- Bobby.

- Get you a drink?
- No. Thank you.

Well. Sit down. Sit down, Punk.

Punk. We found out that Dave Culver
is gonna testify for Mama at the trial.

- What about you?
- What about me?

Can we count on you in court?

You mean. Will I be a hostile witness
against your mama?

No. We mean. Will you testify
as to what Daddy's intentions were?

- Are you?
- Yes.

No. You're not.
I know what Jack's intentions were.

And I know the feeling behind them.

And neither of you
care anything about that at all.

Well. Punk. We didn't ask you here
to give us a sermon.

Well. You sure as hell could use one.
The both of you.

It wasn't Jack's intention to let you
use the codicil to destroy Ewing Oil.

Punk. Are you with us or not?

- I don't know.
- Now. What does that mean?

It means I'm caught in the middle.
That's what it means.

Between my duty to your daddy
and my affection for your mama.

Punk. The only way Mama can win...

is to prove that Daddy
was mentally incompetent.

Now. You were with him at the very end.
Would you testify to that?

I don't know what I'll testify to,
if I testify to anything.

- Punk. Don't walk out on us.
- Boys. I got no more business here.

All I can tell you
is I'll be in the courtroom.

Let's just leave it at that.

Hi.

- Hi. You've had along day. Haven't you?
- Sort of.

Can't wait to get in a hot tub.

You had a few calls today.

All from the same person. Mark Graison.

- Mark Graison called here?
- A couple of times.

But I just saw him.
He came by the studio today.

- I don't understand it.
- Pam?

This is none of my business...

and. Well. You can stop me right now
if you want to. But...

Well. I'm just getting
a little worried about you.

Why?

- Mark Graison, among other things.
- What do you mean?

Look. Pam. I'm certainly not
trying to judge you.

- I hope not.
- I'm not.

But I'm just kind of worried about
how you've been acting lately.

I mean. I've never seen you
go against Bobby before.

And it's really not something
that a happily married woman does.

And now. With Mark Graison...

Why do you keep mentioning
Mark Graison?

- What are you trying to suggest?
- Nothing. Honestly.

I'm just concerned about
you and Bobby. That's all.

Look. As I said before.
It's none of my business.

Right. It is none of your business.

But just so you know.
My marriage to Bobby is rock solid.

Then why is this man calling you
and running after you at the studio?

I don't know. That's his problem.
It has nothing to do with me and Bobby.

And if that's true.
Then why are you getting so angry?

- Because you're making me angry.
- Pam. I'm your friend.

Then act like it.

Come in.

Lucy. What's wrong?

Is it true that if the will is overturned.
My daddy will lose his inheritance?

- Who told you that. J.R.?
- Did he lie to me?

No. Not exactly.
He just didn't tell you all the facts.

Lucy. Do you think I'd ever do anything
to hurt your daddy?

No.

Of course I wouldn't.

But J.R. told me
the court would make an older will legal.

My daddy was hardly mentioned
in that will.

Well. That's true.
But what he didn't tell you was that...

that will would give me the power
to do anything I want.

And I'd make very sure that
Gary got everything that he was due.

You do know that. Don't you?

Yes.

So are you through worrying?

Yeah. I guess so.

Lucy. Gary was my son along time
before he became your daddy.

Now. Let's go downstairs to dinner and
forget some of these problems, okay?

Okay.

- Thank you. Teresa.
- Yes. Ma'am.

Well. The atmosphere around this table
is cold enough to chill the wine.

I think we all know the cause of that.

We could try and be a little more civil
to each other.

Well. Perhaps you'd
like to teach us. Lucy.

Who could that be?

I'm not expecting anybody.
That's for sure.

Hello. I'm Brooks Oliver. I'd like to see
Miss Ellie for a moment. Please.

Just one moment.

Brooks. Come in.
Doesn't he know what time people eat?

Remarks like that
you can keep to yourself. J.R.

I'm sorry to barge in on you like this.
But I've got something to tell you.

And I was on my way
to see friends nearby.

Well. That's all right.
Have you met my family?

- No. I know Pam.
- Brooks.

My sons. Bobby. J.R..
J.R.'s wife, Sue Ellen...

and my granddaughter. Lucy.

- Hi.
- My pleasure.

Don't let me interrupt your dinner.
May I talk to you for a minute?

Yes. Of course.

I was able to get a date on the
court calendar sooner than I expected.

- The name Ewing helped.
- Yes.

The hearing on the will
is scheduled for next Tuesday.

All rise. Court will come to order.

Judge Howard Mantee presiding.
Court case number 4418.

Eleanor Southworth Ewing v. The estate
of John Ross Ewing Sr., deceased.

Mr. Oliver. Are you
ready for the plaintiff?

Yes. Your Honor.

Mr. Smithfield.
Are you ready for the defense?

Lam. Your Honor.

Mr. Oliver. May we have
your opening statement?

Your Honor. Although our action...

places the entire will
of John Ross Ewing Sr. In jeopardy...

in point of fact.
My client wishes to address herself...

solely to the codicil to the will...

drawn by her husband
shortly before his death.

It is our contention that the codicil...

is inconsistent
with Mr. Ewing's character...

inconsistent with his known devotion
as a husband and father.

We further believe
that the codicil casts serious questions...

as to the soundness of his judgment
toward the end of his life.

And we petition the court to eliminate it.

Mr. Smithfield?

Your Honor. On behalf of the estate...

we will present testimony
supporting our belief...

that the late Mr. Ewing
was indeed of sound judgment...

to the very end of his days...

and that his codicil
very precisely reflects his intention...

with respect to his inheritors
and the Ewing Oil Company.

Bailiff. Call the first witness.

Will Senator David Culver
take the witness stand.

Raise your right hand.

Do you swear that the testimony you
are about to give in the case on trial...

will be the truth, the whole truth.
Nothing but the truth?

- I do.
- State your name and occupation.

Dave Culver.
I'm a United States senator.

You may be seated.

Senator Culver. It was you. I believe...

who first approached Jock about
taking that trip for the State Department.

Yes. All I wanted was his advice.

I thought he'd suggest someone
suitable for the job.

- And he suggested himself.
- He sure did.

He seemed anxious to go.
He wanted to jump in with both feet.

- Did that concern you?
- Well. Yes.

He wasn't a young man.
It would be a great strain put upon him.

But once he hit upon an idea.
He just wouldn't let go of it.

You mean in an obsessive way?

Objection. Your Honor.
Counsel is leading the witness.

Sustained.

I understand.
I don't know if I'd call it obsessive.

It was more like
this trip could be his last hurrah.

Last hurrah?

Sort of a last grand gesture
of a great man.

Now. Mr. Horner, these letters
he wrote you from South America...

would you please tell the court what
it was you found different about them?

Well. It's just that Jock seemed
so concerned about the company.

Was that unusual?

Well. It was the degree of concern
that struck me. Minor, trivial details.

He wasn't a man to worry
about such things.

As president of the Cattleman's Bank.
You knew him pretty well.

We were his principal bankers.

And you found these letters to be
inconsistent with the man you knew.

They were quite different.

In what way?

Well. He kept going over and over
the same thing. Like he was forgetful.

He couldn't keep things straight.

There's a word for that
in a man of his age.

- You mean “senility“?
- Objection. Your Honor.

The witness is a banker.
Not a psychiatrist.

We grant that. Your Honor.

The witness has known the deceased
for more than 30 years.

He's certainly qualified to recognize
a marked difference in behavior.

Let the testimony stand.

- Thank you. Mr. Homer.
- You may step down.

Your Honor, that will be
our last witness for now.

I would like to delay calling
Mrs. Eleanor Ewing...

until after the defense
has presented its people.

So noted.

Mr. Smithfield. Will you call
your first witness. Please.

You've told us. Mr. Anderson...

that you and Jock were together
a great deal down there.

Now. Did he ever tell you
what his thinking was...

that led to his writing that codicil?

Jock had been worrying a lot
about the future of Ewing Oil.

Matters stood. Miss Ellie was to inherit
total control of the company...

and he was afraid it might be
a little bit too much of a burden for her.

He must have been aware at the time...

that the codicil would lead
to some conflict between his sons.

Oh. He was aware. All right.

He couldn't figure out a better way
to handle the problem.

So if I understand correctly...

it's your opinion that Jock
knew exactly what he was doing...

when he set up that contest?

He knew it'd be tough.

Thank you. Mr. Anderson.

Your witness. Mr. Oliver.

Mr. Anderson...

you've indicated that
Jock Ewing's mind was clear and sharp.

Wasn't he running a fever
the last week of his life?

We both had a little fever.
It came and went.

Fever can be really debilitating.

How high was his temperature?

Hundred and one, two.

My word.
You can become delirious at 103.

Jock wasn't delirious.

How can you tell?
You were burning up. Just like he was.

That is what you've just told us.
Isn't it. Mr. Anderson?

So in your opinion. Mr. Ewing...

what your father wrote in that codicil
was exactly what he meant.

That's right. Really no different
than what he had done before.

He was always pitting Bobby and me
against each other.

I'd run the company. And then he'd give
it to Bobby. And then I'd run it again.

It's just the way my daddy did things.
It was his way of toughening us up.

And it also told him
who was the best man for the job.

Now. Sir. That codicil...

was just an extension of the way
we were raised all our lives.

Well. I see your little wife over there
giving aid and comfort to the opposition.

Opposition? J.R.. that's your mother.

The judge is coming back.

Mrs. Ewing. Did your husband
ever write to you about the codicil?

- No.
- Nothing at all?

Well. He told me on the phone
that he had been trying to plan ahead...

but it was hard. He was tired.

He said that he just wanted to lie down
and go to sleep for a while.

I remember that that frightened me.

Had you ever heard him
say anything like that before?

Never. Jock was as strong as a bull.

It must have been the fever
or whatever. I don't know.

But he just...
He just wasn't himself down there.

But he did write to you
about how he was feeling. Though?

Yes. Yes. Several times.

Mrs. Ewing...

can I ask you to read
some of what he wrote to you?

“I've forgotten how miserable
the jungle can be.

Between the heat and the fatigue.
I'm about done in.

I've been running a fever lately.
But I guess I'll get over that.

If Punk can survive it, so can I.
We're getting things done.

It's not like when
we were young. Though. Ellie.

I'm really feeling the years down here.

My concentration
isn't what it used to be either.

I find myself
trying to figure something out...

then just drifting off someplace...

back to younger days...

younger times.

It's funny. I stare out...

and all of these jungle plants
just kind of dissolve...

and there's your face instead...

just waiting there for me...

my pretty little girl.
My pretty little Ellie.

Lord. How I miss you down here.“

Mrs. Ewing. I won't ask you
to read any more.

May we place these letters in the hands
of the judge for his personal scrutiny?

Mrs. Ewing.
I have just one more question for you.

Aside from the fever. The exhaustion...

are you saying that at the time
your husband wrote the codicil...

he lacked mental competence?

Mrs. Ewing. Please answer the question.

Are you saying that when your husband
wrote the codicil...

he was mentally incompetent?

I'm saying...

that his sense of judgment
was not up to his usual standards.

That's not what I'm asking.

If that's the legal term
you need to break the will...

then yes.

Jock was not mentally competent.

Ladies and gentlemen, you may take
your seat. Court is again in session.

You may be seated.

The court finds the testimony
on the plaintiff's behalf...

both touching and persuasive.

It would appear that the codicil as drawn
was possibly a mistake in judgment.

However. Considering
all the testimony offered...

and even given the fact of the
pressures and illness of Mr. Ewing...

it does appear that he was
of sound mind to the very end.

The court cannot find grounds enough
to overturn his final intentions.

Therefore. It is the decision of this court
to rule for the defendant...

that the will of Mr. John Ross Ewing
Sr.. and its codicil in all particulars...

shall remain intact as drawn.
Judgment is so entered.

- Court is adjourned.
- Harv.

Mama.