Dallas (1978–1991): Season 6, Episode 3 - Billion Dollar Question - full transcript

J.R. tries to push his mother and Bobby into a decision that would open Jock's will. Bobby and J.R. agree that it is time their mother gets out and meet old friends.

Oh. Yeah. You want me
to lean on your brother Bobby?

Come down on him.
You know how to do it.

It's time. Bob.
Time to straighten out Daddy's affairs.

You don't think maybe that
reading Daddy's will...

would put you at the helm
of Ewing Oil?

Maybe you're afraid
there might be some changes.

When I hired you...

I hired you because I thought
you'd be best at running Harwood Oil.

If I had wanted a package that included
sex. I would've hired your brother Bobby.

Bobby. One way or another.
That will is going to be read.

I just wanted you to know.
I'm not trying to pressure you.



J.R., there just is no legal way
to unseal your daddy's will...

until he's declared legally dead.

I know. I know.

I just wanted to apologize
for coming on so strong.

I understand.

You've been a good friend
to this family.

I want you to know that too.

Have a good day. Bye.

- Hey. Teresa. The mail in yet?
- Yes. I have it right here.

Thank you.

- Mama. Are you all right?
- I'm fine.

I've got to go.
I promised to drive Lucy into town.

- Bye-bye.
- Bye. Miss Ellie.

Bye. Pam.



- Good morning. Pam.
- J.R.

- Off to that exercise studio of yours?
- No. Not today.

I just might drop in there
one of these days.

Thanks to your brother and husband...

I've got more time
than I know what to do with.

Well. Had you thought about
a round-the-world cruise?

Hey. Mama.

I got some mail for you.

Invitation to the Oil Barons Ball.

I've been thinking about this
since dinner with Punk and Mavis.

The Ewings have never missed one yet.

Your daddy always enjoyed it so much.

I think it's time for you to get out
and visit with your old friends.

I don't know.

Well. We'd all be with you. Mama.

It would be good for you to get out.
It would be good for all of us.

I gotta go. You think about it. Okay?

You look as if you're going into town.

Well. Nothing to do here.

Ray has got the ranch under control
and I wasn't cut out to punch cattle.

No. I guess not.

Bobby's living my life.

He's doing everything I should be doing.

J.R.. I know how you feel.

You are my son
and I do care about you.

- I have a hard time believing that.
- I know what Ewing Oil means to you...

but I can't allow the company
to be used to savagely destroy someone.

I worked for years with Daddy.
Side by side...

when he was running Ewing Oil.

Now. He was a fair man...

but he was tough and ruthless
when he had to be.

He wouldn't let the Cliff Barneses
of this world tell him what to do.

Your daddy never set a trap
the way you did.

You don't know the half of what Daddy
did when he was running that company.

He brought strong leadership
to the company...

and he brought strong leadership
to the family.

Do you think he'd approve of the way
the family's been handled since he died?

Dividing up all the shares.
Supposed to be temporary.

Well. How long is temporary?

What direction
the family going in anyhow?

Who's gonna provide for Christopher.
John Ross and Lucy?

Are you handling the family
the way he would want you to?

That's great.

I tell you. If they ever legalize
horse-racing in Texas...

I wanna bet on any pony
that's got you for a jockey.

You know. For a while there. I...

A ride like that. I felt I could just
leave the past behind.

That's why you're down here.
Give yourself some time.

Get some perspective on your future.

Maybe you're right.
But every time I think about the future...

the past gets in the way.

Changed your mind about marrying J.R.?

I've considered it.

If you have any doubts, don't do it.

He's caused you
a lot of pain in the past.

I think he's changed.
He really does love me.

You know. Clayton. Coming here
has complicated my life more than ever.

My life with Dusty was so very special.

I don't think my life
will be the same again.

It could be. Sue Ellen.

No.

Dusty is lost to me.

You have choices
other than marrying J.R.

I don't want to think about this. Okay?
Let's ride to the house...

and maybe I can talk you
into taking me to lunch in San Angelo.

All right. If I can catch you.

Dr. Grovner. How is she?

Well. Physically. She's fine.

She'd have no problems
carrying a child full term.

- What about emotionally?
- Emotionally. I'm not too sure.

But I'm not a psychiatrist.

I've always felt
that it's difficult for a man...

to make a proper judgment
on a case like this. Very difficult.

Lucy.

I'd like to talk
to Lucy alone for a few moments.

- Would you excuse us. Please?
- Oh. Of course.

- L'll be outside.
- Okay.

Sit down. Lucy. Sit down.

Well. Dr. Grovner. When do we do it?

“When“ could be the next day or so.

I think the big question is “if.“

Not in my mind.

I want an abortion.

Well. You're only two months pregnant.
So it's a relatively minor procedure.

Now. I'll call you tonight and tell you
what time to come in to the hospital.

I've also arranged for an excellent
obstetrician. Dr. Anita Krane.

Fine.

Lucy. Lucy. I told your Aunt Pam
that you're in good physical condition.

- You could have the baby.
- No.

Dr. Grovner, I was raped.
How could I be a good mother...

if when I looked at the baby.
It reminded me of that?

You could put the child
up for adoption.

If I don't get this over and behind me.
I think I might just go out of my mind.

Lucy. I'm sorry. I don't mean to
make things more difficult for you...

than they already are.

It's just that some women have
tremendous psychological problems...

after a therapeutic abortion.
Even when they wanted it.

It can't be any worse
than I feel right now.

I'll tell Dr. Krane about our talk.

I'm sure she'll wanna spend some time
with you before you go ahead.

Tell her not to try to talk me out of it.

Hey.

Pete. Would you run this one
over there for me?

- Sure thing. Ray.
- L'll catch you in a little bit.

What do you got there?
Some new farm-machinery catalog?

Very funny.
You know exactly what this is.

Blood. Sweat and tears.
Six hundred neatly typed pages of it.

Sam Culver, The Early Years.

- All finished.
- You bet.

And I am on my way
to the post office in Dallas...

to get the dang thing to the publisher.

I just came by for a good-luck kiss.

You know. I think I have a better idea.

Instead of mailing that
to the post office...

I think it deserves
to be hand-delivered personally.

- The publisher is in New York City.
- I know that.

- Are you trying to get rid of me?
- No.

I'm just saying you and I have
never been on a real honeymoon...

and I have never seen New York City.

Are you serious?

Just the two of us?

- Oh. Thank you.
- We'll go the day after tomorrow.

- L'll just get things in order around here.
- Oh. I'll make the reservations.

You order us the finest suite in the city.

Thank you.

Well. Thanks for coming with me.

It's a good excuse to get out of
the apartment. I was getting cabin fever.

There's a store over there.
You said you needed ties.

I don't need them anymore.
That's for people who work.

Cliff. I'll buy them for you.
It will cheer you up.

You bought me lunch.
I don't want you buying me things.

Four fifty for a sandwich.
I can manage that.

- Come on. Let's go see about those ties.
- Let's go.

- What's wrong?
- Come on. Let's go.

- It's your mother.
- I wanna go.

Cliff. She sees us.

Afton. Cliff.

Hi. Mrs. Wentworth.

- Hi. Mama.
- I tried to call you this morning.

We were out most of the day.

I had a meeting with the Wentworth
board of directors.

Mama...

They haven't replaced you yet
at the Tool and Die division.

- I thought...
- I've decided to take other work.

I decided to go to work
for Stonehurst Oil.

Marilee Stone? You didn't tell me.

I just made up my mind.

Why did Marilee Stone offer you a job?

Maybe she feels guilty.
The reasons don't make any difference.

- I just need the money.
- Cliff. I...

Don't say anything.

Cliff. When did you see her?

She stopped by the apartment.

Oh. And you weren't there.

Don't worry. She likes her men
very young or very rich.

And she's expecting a call
from me right now.

I gotta go-

I'll see you.

I told you when you
straightened out the problem...

with that little filly from Fort Worth.
I'd hope to return the favor someday.

- But I wouldn't do anything illegal.
- Nelson. You know me better than that.

Well. I need a little tax advice.
Is what it is. I thought to myself...

who knows the ins and outs
of the IRS...

better than their top agent.
Nelson Harding.

Well. You're right there.

So. What's the problem?

- Well. It's my daddy's estate.
- Oh. Yeah.

Yeah. I took special note of that
since you and I are friends.

Too bad everything's up in the air
because of the way he disappeared.

I imagine your family
would like it settled.

I've been pushing
to get it settled legally...

but my brother's in charge of Ewing
Oil and I've been fighting tooth and nail.

I suppose the government
wants it wrapped up pretty soon too.

Uncle Sam wants his cut.

But there's nothing we can do
under the circumstances.

What if I was to tell you that there's
solid proof of my daddy's death?

That it's being withheld to keep
the will from going into probate.

I don't know. Postpone paying taxes.
I guess.

Now. J.R.. I don't see you
doing something like that.

No way. Not me.

You want me to lean
on your brother Bobby?

Why don't you have a little talk
with him? Maybe tell him you got a tip...

I see.
The old anonymous-informer bit. Huh?

Come down on him. Nelson.
You know how to do it.

Now do you wanna tell me
what's going on?

My informant tells me
that the Ewings are stalling.

Oh. To increase the size of the estate
while interest rates are high.

Well. Hopefully to postpone probate
till taxes come down.

Your informant is wrong.

Now. I suggest that if the IRS
does want information about Ewing Oil...

that you go to my comptroller.
Ted Prince...

or to my lawyer, Harv Smithfield.

I don't involve myself
in tax matters at all.

But you see. If the Ewings
are withholding information...

about your father's death, see it's...

It's not just a tax matter. It's fraud.

There's nothing I'd like better
than to see my daddy's estate settled.

Mr. Harding.
I don't take kindly to threats.

And I do believe
that you're trying to threaten me.

So unless you have more
than rumor or innuendo...

I suggest you get
the hell out of my office now.

Yeah. Harv Smithfield. Please.
Bobby Ewing.

Harv. I think we might have a little
trouble with the Tax Department.

I just threw one of their boys
out of my office.

That wasn't the smartest thing
you could do, Bobby.

But I know how you feel.
I've had the urge myself, several times.

- Who was it?
- Nelson Harding.

Harding?

You happened to have picked on
the toughest investigator in the office.

I promised Louise I'd meet her
at 6 for dinner tonight...

but you and I better meet here
tomorrow morning. How's 10:00?

I'll be there.

Hello.

Lucy, Dr. Grovner. Mes?

Dr. Krane can perform the therapeutic
abortion the day after tomorrow.

Now, I suggest you check
into Dallas Memorial in the morning.

- How long will it take?
- Oh, nut very lung.

It would be a good idea if you stayed
in the hospital overnight.

You'll wan! To rest.

Okay. Thank you very much.

Bye-bye. Goodbye.

Request permission to come aboard.

Permission granted.

If you take those boots off.

All right.

I'm gonna need a little help.

There you go.

Well. It's a nice office you got here.

It's a little something Daddy left
to go with Harwood Oil.

Is that right?

Actually. He said he made some
of his best deals right here.

Yeah. I'll bet he did.

I think Nelson Harding
was being overzealous.

So you don't think we're gonna
have any trouble from the IRS?

Harding nailed a couple of big tax cheats
beginning of his career...

and that gave him a reputation
he's lived on ever since.

- But it's wearing thin.
- So he's not gonna let us off easy.

I think he's going to keep you
and your accounting department...

tied up in audits
until this is settled...

even though
there's no way to prove fraud.

All right. Harv.
How do I get this man off my back?

Settle your daddy's estate.

But you know how I've felt about that.

The company's been lucky so far
being able to operate temporarily...

based on that letter from your daddy.

Harv. You don't have to sell me
on the idea.

I just don't wanna go through
what I did with Mama again.

Bobby. A lot of time has passed.

Certainly. Miss Ellie has become more
realistic about Jack's death by now.

Maybe on the surface.
But she doesn't talk about it much.

Well...

I can only offer you advice
as a lawyer.

The Ewings do not have a tax problem
as I see it.

But Nelson Harding could be the first
in a series of difficulties...

that could hamper
the operation of Ewing Oil.

And how you deal with Miss Ellie...

is something for you
and your brothers to decide.

Thanks. Harv.

I want you to go
into your office tomorrow...

and fire that vice president
who told you to let those leases lapse.

But what about the oil surplus?

The first thing you have to learn
about the oil business...

is that surpluses come and go.
Now. I know it's hard to believe...

but just a few years ago. Oil was
selling for as little as a dollar a barrel.

I know. My daddy told me that much.

Well. Now. We talked about
the equipment replacement...

pipeline problems and natural gas.

And now I think we ought to
talk about the refinery.

Harwood Oil doesn't have a refinery.

Oh. I know that. I want you to buy one.

But. J.R.. refineries have
cut back production.

In that case you ought to get
a pretty good deal on one.

I know there's a good buy
down in Galveston.

I don't know. It doesn't sound right.

If you're not gonna trust me. You might
as well tear up that agreement right now.

My deal calls for 25 percent
of Harwood Oil.

Twenty-five percent of nothing
is nothing.

I don't do business that way.

It's just. A refinery.
I hadn't expected to have to buy one.

Well. I think the better
you get to know me...

the more you'll understand
that I do the unexpected.

I'll remember that.

Can I fix you another drink?

Yeah. That'd be real nice.

Well. I think that's
enough work for today.

We haven't discussed those acquisitions.

Plenty of time for that.

Did you hire me for my mind?

J.R.. do I look like a woman
that's doing without?

No.

I was just offering a little variety.
That's all.

For a man who tends to do the
unexpected. This is very expected.

There's something to be said
for the expected.

There's also a lot to be said
for not mixing business and pleasure.

I've heard arguments from both sides.

J.R.. when I hired you...

I hired you because I thought you'd
be the best at running Harwood Oil.

If I had wanted a package that included
sex. I would've hired your brother Bobby.

Well. I think the meeting's over.

I want you to buy that refinery.
You hear.

- Cliff. I'm delighted you called.
- I'm delighted you called too.

Thank you.

But. You see. I have these two problems:

I need the job. That's the first problem.

And the second problem is
I don't trust you.

The first problem is solved.

You're working for Stonehurst Oil
as of now.

The second problem.
Well. That's a little harder to deal with.

Yeah. I know that.

I have this fantasy
that runs around in my head.

That I'm in a nice office.
I have my name on the door...

I have a lovely view of the city...

then I look up and I see this
guy out there scraping my name off.

You come waltzing in. You tell me
I'm fired. Orders from J.R.

Cliff. It won't happen.

I don't take orders from J.R.
or anybody else.

Maybe you don't believe that now.
But give it time. You will.

Oh. Well.

Okay. You got yourself a new boss.

Now. With my vast experience
in the oil business...

where do you suggest I start?
In the mail-room?

You'll be senior vice president
of operations...

with a salary to match that title.

That's very generous.
I don't know anything about operations.

There are two vice presidents
who know everything about operations...

and they report to you.

You're smart. Cliff. You'll catch on fast.

J.R. will never be able
to put anything over on you again.

Absolutely right, because
I don't compete with him anymore.

Cliff. Once you learn the ropes...

we'll make an unbeatable team.
J.R. won't have a chance.

Hold it.

If you're doing all this for me
so I can help you fight J.R...

then you've got to find another guy.

I thought that's what you wanted.

No. No. I'm through fighting them...
J.R.

I know when I've been beaten.

Well. The job is still yours. Cliff.

Welcome to Stonehurst.

Yes. That's fine. And thanks.

All right. I'll see you then. Bye.

Well. Mama. You look pretty pleased
with yourself.

That was Mavis Anderson.
She's gonna help me shop for a dress.

I've decided to go to the Oil Barons Ball.

- I think that's wonderful.
- Yeah. So do I.

If you don't mind an ex-oil baron
going along too. I'd like to come.

Matter of fact, I might ask Sue Ellen
to be my date.

Well. I want my family with me. J.R.
I'll need them.

We'll be there. Mama.

Would you help me put
John Ross and Christopher to bed?

Of course I will.

Bobby. I'd like to talk to you.

I don't think we have
anything to talk about.

Just hold on a minute.

Look. Because of
our respect for Mama...

we haven't done a blessed thing about
the legal problems this family faces.

Now. Why are you
bringing all this up now?

Well. You heard Mama.
She's going to the Oil Barons Ball...

she's letting Donna publish her book.

You saw what happened
that night in the kitchen.

Reality of Daddy's death hit her.

It's time. Bob.
Time to straighten out Daddy's affairs.

Now. Isn't that a coincidence?

You know. There was an IRS man
in my office yesterday. Nelson Harding.

Now. He tried to scare me
into doing just that very thing.

- Is that right?
- You wouldn't know anything about that?

I can't think of a group of people less
likely to be friends with than the IRS.

You don't think maybe
that reading Daddy's will...

would put you at the helm
of Ewing Oil?

You know. I find this very strange.

When I was the president of Ewing Oil.
You were all fired up to read that will.

And now that you're president...

I detect a strong note of reluctance.
Now. Why?

You just don't give a damn?

Or maybe you're afraid there might be
some changes made around here?

How do you like this?

I got it for dinner at Twenty One.

Dancing at the Rainbow Room.

You bet. And you know what?

My publisher has gotten us tickets to
two of the hottest shows on Broadway.

That may be an awful lot of culture
for a cowboy.

Don't forget the Museum of Modern Art.

I had something else in mind for that
hotel suite that you reserved for us.

I mean. After all. This is our honeymoon.

You bet.

Hello.

"Raymond? Wes?"

This is your aunt, Lil Trotter.

I hope I didn't wake you up.

No. You didn't. Aunt Lil.

I'm sorry I have to call you like this.

What's the matter?

Your father passed away this evening.

I know you two
weren't especially close...

but I wondered if you could come
to Emporia for the funeral.

There isn 't very much family left.

Raymond, are you there?

Yes. I'm here. Aunt Lil.

I'll come. As soon as
I can catch a plane tomorrow.

Fm sorry I! Look something like this...

but it'll be very nice to see you again.

- Me too.
- Good night, Raymond.

Good night.

What happened?

Amos Krebbs is dead.

I promised my Aunt Lil
I'd go to the funeral.

Well. I understand.

Hon. You have to know that you're
going for your aunt, not for Amos.

I know.

My Aunt Lil is really very nice
and she loved my mother a lot.

Listen. You don't have to tell
anybody anything...

about Jock being your real daddy.

I know. I just wanted to close the door
on that part of my life forever.

Just when I'm getting used to
being a Ewing...

now I gotta deal with
being a Krebbs again.

Well. I'm going with you.

I'm gonna call and cancel
all those New York reservations.

Donna...

I want to go.

Thank you.

Thank you. Honey.

J.R.'s right on time.

So I see.

He hasn't told me why he's coming yet.

Well. Whatever it is. It must be
important enough for him to fly down.

John Ross is with him.

John Ross. J.R.'s secret weapon.

- Hi. J.R.
- Hi.

Hi. Sweetheart. Did you miss Mommy?

You wanna go for a swim with me?

The water's nice.
Look who's here. Clayton's here.

Hi there. John Ross.

Look at that motherly love.

You can move mountains
if you can harness that.

I suspect you're gonna try that. J.R.

I could sure use a cold. Tall drink.
Clayton.

Be my guest.

I should have just gone to a clinic.

Everything takes so long here.

The doctors talked to me.
I've been poked and tested.

They just want to be careful.

I've heard of women going in.
A few hours later they go home.

It's over.

Lucy. It's gonna be all right.

Pam. I don't want to think about it.
Do you understand?

Every time a doctor or nurse comes in
here. I think about what I'm doing here.

Well. It's not too late
to change your mind.

Is that what you want me to do?

It doesn't matter what I want.
This concerns you.

If you were me. What would you do?

I'm not you, and I can't decide for you.

That's not what I asked.
I just asked what you would do.

All my life more than anything in
the world. I have wanted a child.

That's not fair to say to you...

because I didn't go through
what you went through with Roger.

I don't know what I'd do about rape.

- Pam. Don't hate me for this.
- Hate you?

I could never hate you, no matter what.

I love you.

Mrs. Cooper, I have to get you ready.

Pam. Will you be here after?

I sure will.

I love you. Lucy.

Oh. That's so good.

Look. Here comes the boat.

There he is.

I think you... Oh. There he went.
Oh. Well. You'd had enough.

How about some cookies and milk?

Oh. Will that taste good?

I'll be right back.

Take your time, darling.

Clayton and I are just sitting here
enjoying each other's company.

I understand you cut back production
at your refinery.

- Some. Yes. Just like everyone else.
- Yeah.

Pretty dull in
the oil business right now.

I understand you're out
of the oil business.

Well. I thought this would be a
good time for Bobby to learn the ropes.

He can't mess up too much. I suppose.

Sounds like you don't trust your brother.

Experience has taught me
not to trust too many men.

You're a prime example of that. Clayton.

I don't give a damn
whether you trust me or not.

Well. In that case. Maybe I should place
more importance on trust...

since my future wife
is living in your house.

I'm not sure if
she's gonna be your future wife.

Are you confusing Sue Ellen
by telling her how much you care?

Haven't said a thing.

Good.

Dealing with one lovesick Cliff Barnes
is about all I can take.

Say. Sue Ellen. Darling.
One of the reasons I came down here...

was to ask you to go
to the Oil Barons Ball with me.

Has Miss Ellie decided to go?

Yes. She has. This is gonna be her first
social engagement since Daddy died.

I know.

I wanted the family to be around her.
She'll need all the support she can get.

Well. I really don't know. J.R.

I'll decide and then I'll call you.

All right. Fine.

If John Ross is ready.
I'd be glad to take him home.

Thank you for bringing him to see me.

I just want to make you happy.

I think it's time for John Ross
to have a proper family. Don't you think?

- Will your wife be joining you?
- No. She won't.

I have to go back to the office.
You can bring me a menu.

- Okay.
- Thank you.

Hi. Chris. How are you doing?

You go ahead, sweetheart.
I see somebody I need to talk to.

It's business.

Well. No wonder
the Ewings are so successful.

You work day and night.

Holly Harwood.

Oh. Of course. Ms. Harwood.
Nice to see you again. Join me. Please.

Well. Thank you.
I can only stay a minute.

- Well. Can I get you a drink?
- No. Thanks. I have a date.

He's got big plans for me this evening.

Ms. Harwood, a cocktail?

Oh. Nothing for me right now. Thank you.

I am really glad you're here. Can I pick
your brain for a couple of minutes?

Go right ahead.

Well. It's about business.

You have a reputation for being the most
honest independent oilman in Dallas.

Well. Thank you very much.

As well as the handsomest.

Well. You know
that I am a novice in the oil business...

but I have hired an expert.

Well. So far. So good.

Well. The trouble is
I'm so inexperienced...

I can't tell if my expert
is giving me sound advice.

Is there something specific
you'd like to ask me about?

You want me to check out this expert?

Oh. No. That won't be necessary.
It is specific.

He's advised me to buy a refinery.

You know what the market is today.

It just seems to me
like a very odd request.

You don't always make your decisions
based on the market at the present time.

You gotta plan for the future.
You have the capital?

Yes. I do.

Asking price for the refinery all right?

Well. I've been assured that it's low.

Well. I don't know
any of the particulars about it...

but offhand.
I'd say you've got good advice.

Thanks.

- Well. I feel better.
- Well. Good.

I think my date is getting restless.

Do you often dine out alone?

No. As a matter of fact, I don't.

I didn't think so.

Too bad. Bye.

Goodbye.

Hi.

How are you feeling?

So empty-

I felt that way after my miscarriage.

Pam. I don't know
if I did the right thing or not.

I know.

I know.

Bobby. Could you stop?
I wanna talk to you.

Listen. Promise or no promise.
I gotta talk to you about something.

About what you didn't wanna
talk about last night?

Yeah. Lucy didn't want me
to say anything to you.

Lucy? Why?
Has something happened?

I was with her yesterday at the hospital.
She had an abortion.

Oh, Pam, no.

Bobby. She was raped.

Roger Larson.

She didn't tell the doctor.
She didn't tell the police.

- Why didn't she say something?
- Well. I don't know.

She believes she did something
to cause it to happen.

- Well. That's nonsense.
- Well. I know that.

But she's burying it
deep inside of herself.

I asked her to see a therapist.
But she won't.

Pam. Are you telling me
Mama doesn't even know?

No. And I don't think
we should be the ones to tell her.

That's something Lucy's gotta work out.

Maybe I should go talk to her.

I don't think she'd want you
to do that now.

Roger.

It's a good thing he's locked up
in a jail safe and sound...

where I can't get to him.

Well. I feel the same way you do.

I just wish she'd talk to me
before she did something like that.

- Come on. Let's get back.
- Yeah. Come on.

- Good morning. Come on in.
- Good morning.

You sounded so troubled on the phone.

What is it. Afton?

It's Marilee Stone.

Would you like some coffee?

Yes. Please.

I thought you'd be happy
that Cliff was working.

Well. I am.

- I just wish it weren't for her.
- Thank you.

Marilee has a reputation
for coming on strong with men.

Do you think of her as a rival?

Well. I guess that's part of it.

Afton. All you have to do
is look at yourself in the mirror.

You don't have to worry
about competition.

Mrs. Wentworth.
She has power and position.

Those things are as important
as looks are to Cliff, probably more.

But that isn't even
what's really worrying me.

Marilee's relationship with J.R.?

Yes.

Look...

it's true that Marilee hates J.R.
for the moment...

but she did set Cliff up for him once.

Face it. She's a businesswoman.
If it's useful for her...

I'm sure she wouldn't hesitate
to use Cliff again.

I don't know what we can do
about that now.

Neither do I.

But if Cliff gets hurt again...

I'm not sure he'll survive.

I've gotta change. Honey.

I have a luncheon appointment today.
I'll see you later.

- Hey. Bobby.
- J.R.

You must have the office pretty well
under control...

time for a ride in the morning.
Maybe a little dip in the pool.

Yeah. I just might do that.
What's with the truck?

Oh. Mama decided to do
the whole house over again.

Is she inside?

No. She went to town
with Mavis Anderson...

looking for a gown
for the Oil Barons Ball.

Well. That's a pretty good sign. Isn't it?

Bobby. I think you're missing
an important point here.

I assume you're gonna tell me
what that is.

You're damn right, I am.

If Mama can handle going
to the Oil Barons Ball without Daddy...

I think she's finally ready
to settle up his estate. Don't you?

I have other things I have to do.

Hello.

J.R.. it's me.

- Well, hello, darling, haw are you?
- Fine.

I just called to let you know...

that I decided to go
to the Oil Barons Ball with you.

Well. That's wonderful. Just wonderful.

Well. Mavis. What do you think?

I think you sound like a young girl
going to her first prom.

I mean about the dress.

I told you it was beautiful on the model.
It looked gorgeous on you...

and I think you're going to be
the belle of the ball.

Well. I'm not sure I'm up to that.

Oh. You know what I mean.

You're gonna be the center attraction
anyway. Why not enjoy it?

Can I get something for you. Ladies?

- Chablis. Please.
- L'll have the same.

- Anything else?
- No. Not right now.

I still feel strange about
going to a social event without Jock.

Of course you do.

It's like part of me is missing.

I was one half of a couple
for so many years.

The whole idea
of being alone is very strange.

I'd feel the same way
if anything happened to Punk.

Thank you.

Time.

Everyone says give it time.

And they' re right.

I'm glad I still have my family.

It'll be a comfort to have them with me.

Otherwise. I'm not so sure
I could make it.

I took care of the bill.

Somebody here in a few minutes
to take you out.

Thanks for everything. Pam.

Well. You needed someone
and I'm glad I could be here for you.

Are you okay?

Yeah. I feel all right. I just need to rest
for a few days. That's all.

The doctor said I can have a baby.
When and if I want one.

Well. That's good.

And I will want one
when I find the right man.

I've got some good news for you.

Blair Sullivan called from the agency.

I'm not ready to go back to work.

I think going back to work
would be the best thing for you.

I'm not sure if I still wanna be a model.

Oh. Why? You were so good at it.

Yeah. I was so good that
Roger couldn't keep his hands off of me.

That's wonderful news. When?

Well. I'm looking forward to it.

Goodbye.

Well. That was an interesting phone call.

- From whom?
- Dusty. Said he'd be home in a few days.

Does he know that I'm here?

No. I wasn't sure
you wanted to see him.

- I think that it might complicate things.
- Complicate what?

Well. You see. Clayton.
I still really care about him.

Does he know about J.R. and me?

When I heard. I told him.

Do you want to be here when he arrives?

Yes. I do.

I'd like to see him very much.

Hey. Boys.

- You finished for the day?
- Yes. Sir. Mr. Ewing.

Tell your mother
we'll be by early in the morning.

Wonderful.

- Miles.
- How's it going?

- J.R.
- Bobby. Fix yourself a drink.

I could use one of those.

Weight of responsibility
getting you down. Is it?

- Why don't you come in for a while?
- L'd love to. Ellie...

but Punk doesn't like it
if I'm not there when he gets home.

- I know. Thanks a lot. Mavis.
- Yes. Bye.

Hello. Bobby.

- Hello. Mother.
- Hello. J.R.

You spent all that time in town
and you didn't you buy anything?

Yes. I bought a dress for the ball.

I have to pick it up.
I thought it fitted perfectly...

but the dressmaker thought
it needed a tuck or two.

I'm proud of how you been accomplishing
things the last couple of days.

What do you mean. J.R.?

Well. Doing the house over
all on your own...

and going to the ball.

I think it's time for the next step.

I don't think this is
the time or the place.

Well. I do.

J.R.. what do you want?

Bobby is reluctant to say it straight
out. But I know he'd agree with me.

It's time to put Daddy's affairs in order.
The way he'd want.

It's time to hold a hearing
declaring him legally dead.

Mama...

J.R.'s being his usual tactful self.
But in this case, I do agree with him.

I still need more time.

You've had plenty of time. Mama.

You have to make a decision.

- Why are you so anxious?
- I just wanna do things right.

Well. J.R.. I'll make that decision
when I think the time is right.

J.R.

- Leave her alone.
- Bobby. One way or another...

that will is going to be read.