Dallas (1978–1991): Season 6, Episode 8 - The Ewing Touch - full transcript

If J.R. takes one step out of line...

I guarantee you. We'll destroy him.

Other people have fought the Ewings
before and they've regretted it.

That stupid grudge you're carrying will
cost you what little family you have.

Me and Mama will be together.

I won't be the one to lose the family.
You will.

I've invited Frank Crutcher to join us.

I want you to get to know Frank.

When's the last time
you saw Mama laugh like that?

Not since before Daddy died.

All right. This looks just fine. When are
we gonna be able to do business?



Today. If you like. Petro State is
officially and legally an operating company.

All right. Now. You be sure
and keep this stuff in your safe.

I don't want anybody to ever trace
the Petro State Corporation to me.

J.R.. I have used holding companies.
Umbrellas...

It would take 47 separate steps
for anybody to figure out...

that you and Petro State are the same.

You are a creative genius.
That's why I hire you.

Dummy corporations are my specialty.

I know my business.

Now. What else can I do for you?

I got unfinished business
to do this afternoon.

Why don't you stop back by say. 2:30.
And then we can get the ball rolling.

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

- Yeah?
- Mr. Driscoll is returning your call on three.



Walt. Where the hell is my variance?

These things take time to push through.
J.R. It's only been a couple of days.

It didn't take me any time at all...

to get Harry McSween
to pigeonhole that file on your wife.

Now, he can still press charges
on that hit-and-run thing, you know.

No. J.R.

I want that variance. Walt.

I wanna be able to pump to capacity.

And I want it by 1:00 this afternoon.
You understand?

- I'll try.
- No. No trying. You do it.

What do you mean.
Those parts aren't there yet?

- Hurry up. We're gonna be late.
- Coming.

I'm tired of that guy's excuses.
I'll go to Houston and talk to him.

Bobby. Time's getting short.

I can't go today. I'm tied up.
I'll go tomorrow.

- You have Christopher's blanket?
- Teresa's got it.

- Bobby. Please.
- I'll call to let you know what happens.

- I'm sorry. Honey. It was important.
- So is Christopher. It's his big day.

I know. Gonna be our son
all nice and legal, aren't you?

- I didn't think today would come.
- Lf we don't hurry. It'll pass us by.

- Well. Christopher's ready. Are you?
- Yes.

- Come. Let's go. We gotta see that judge.
- Come on. Honey. Come on.

Mr. McLeish.

I called you to tell you
I'm ready to make that deal.

The information checked out beautifully.

Mr. Barnes, I'm sorry to have to tell you
this. But the ship has already sailed.

What, I Inst it?

We thought the other party
was going to back out.

In fact. He was an hour late
for our meeting.

And you stuck around?

His wife met us.
She convinced us to wait for him.

As a matter of fact, if it hadn't been
for her. You might have beaten him out.

I'm sorry.
But let's think about the future.

Oh. Boy.

All right. Well. Now
that the dust is settled. Who was it?

I mean. Who was your first choice?

It was Bobby Ewing of Ewing Oil.

And his wife helped out?

Yes. She's a lovely lady.
Do you know her?

I know her.

- Thanks for calling.
- Sorry. Let's see what the future brings.

Certainly. Yeah. Yeah. We will.
We'll do something together sometime.

Mama. Where are you?

Very often in my court.
Lam called upon...

to render a decision
regarding a neglected child.

Such a task brings me
no joy whatsoever.

However. I am happy
to be able to place a child...

in a home so clearly loving and
generous as the one you seem to have.

Therefore. I am pleased to grant
on behalf of Braddock County...

full and permanent adoptive custody
of Christopher...

to Bobby and Pamela Ewing
of Braddock. Texas.

Parents. You may hug your son.

Thank you. Your Honor.

- Isn't it wonderful?
- I'm so pleased.

Bobby's invited us to a celebration lunch.
And I think we deserve it.

I'm not sure...

- Oh. Come on. Rebecca. We're all going.
- Mother. Please come with us.

All right. I guess I can.

Wonderful. Come on.

J.R.? Come right in.

Oh. Walt. Well. Good to see you.
Good to see you.

Here's your oil variance. J.R.

- Thank you.
- It'll be posted in two days.

Well. Now. You're sure
this is an unrestricted variance. Are you?

The OLM's given you permission
to pump full out if you want to...

though Lord knows why you would.

Well. You let him and me
worry about that.

I think there'll be more worrying
than that.

The OLM's made quite a few enemies
in the last couple of years.

There's talk of putting it out of business.
This variance may help that along.

Well. You know how politicians
are always talking.

Now. About this variance. It's for
Ewing fields one through 17. right?

That's what you asked for.

Bobby's fields are still restricted?

I said only one through 17
have the variance.

Yes. Yes. Of course. Walt, I really
appreciate this. You're a man of honor.

Yeah.

And my debt to you is paid in full.

Yes. Absolutely.

All it may cost me is my job and a career.

Now. The way I look at it.
I'm doing you a favor.

You're gonna miss
a freezing Dallas winter...

soaking up the sun down in the
Caribbean. Enjoying beautiful islands.

- Your wife will be with you. She'll love it.
- I'm sure.

And your tickets will be waiting for you
right now at the airport.

- We're on our way.
- Good.

And. Walt. I really am doing you favor.

Within 48 hours.
All hell is gonna break loose around here.

The Office of Land Management
is a farce.

It was set up originally
to regulate oil production in the state...

to comply with exacting
conservation standards.

It has failed to do that.

We need an agency appointed
by the legislative body...

not a group of highhanded appointees
who neither care about...

nor even understand
the intent of the act that created it.

Thank you.

Now. I'd like you to welcome
our next speaker. Oil analyst Barry Archer.

Barry?

I gotta go-

Senator Culver.

- Ray. This is...
- I know. But I gotta get back to the ranch.

You're not leaving. Are you?
I have 20 people you have to meet.

Well. Ray needs to get back.

- Maybe Dave can give you a ride back.
- Of course. I can.

- Are you sure?
- I'm sure.

- Dave.
- Ray.

Donna?

A lot of us believe the fault lies
with Walt Driscoll. Himself.

How do you feel about that. Mr. Archer?

Well. I generally don't like to single out
any one individual for blame...

but frankly. I too believe
the oil community needs a change.

Walt Driscoll and his bunch
have run things their way long enough.

We're gonna do something about it.

We're gonna form a coalition
in order to get the OLM in line...

with the thinking
of the people of Texas.

Now I'd like
an open discussion on this issue.

So I'm gonna take
some questions from the floor.

- Yes. Sir?
- Tell me...

Dave Culver wants an agency
set up by the legislature.

- That's right.
- You agree with that?

Yes. Sir. I do.

Well. Now. The OLM may not be
much good. But we know them.

How do you figure some agency set up
in Austin's gonna be a whole lot better?

That's a good question.
Now let me try to answer it.

So everything is fine
at the Southern Cross?

Not much changed since you left.

Dusty and his wife, they're...

They' re getting along?

It seems to be working out.
They both appear to be happy.

I'm glad to hear that.

But they'll be leaving soon.

Going back to the rodeo circuit.

Clayton. Have you ever considered
moving to Dallas after Dusty's gone?

It'd be so nice to have you nearby.

I never really considered it.

You could go back to the Southern Cross
anytime you wanted to.

Meanwhile. You'd have
all the advantages of city life.

The only advantage I can see is that...

I wouldn't have to fly all the way
up here when I wanted to see you.

I have a favor to ask of you.

Big one.

Then you ask it.

J.R. and I will be
getting married soon...

and I would consider it an honor...

and I'd be very grateful
if you would give the bride away.

You're the closest thing
I've ever known to a father...

and it would please me very much.

Sue Ellen...

it'd be my privilege.

There's nothing like a successful adoption
to whet the appetite.

Bobby. I have some things to do in town.
You go ahead. I'll take a taxi.

Okay. Mama. Bye-bye.

- Mama. Thank you for coming.
- Oh. Thank you for asking me.

- Bye-bye. You darling.
- Come on. Let's go.

- Bye-bye.
- Come on.

Rebecca?

We should talk.

All right.

You and I share a grandson now.

Let the two of us try to work together
and put a stop to this family feud.

Cliff has his own company now
and J.R.'s busy.

They're on equal ground. They really have
no reason to fight each other.

It's a very fine attitude
for you to have, Ellie.

But then again.
It wasn't your son who almost died.

But. Rebecca. That's over. It's behind us.

Cliff pulled out of it.

If it were one of your boys.
Would you be so quick to forgive?

I hope so.

I'll tell you something. Ellie...

I'm all for it.

But if J.R. takes one step out of line...

I guarantee you. We'll destroy him.

Rebecca. I've done everything I know
to put a stop to this nonsense...

but if it's a fight you want.
Just remember...

other people have fought the Ewings
before and they've regretted it.

We'll see.

All right. Rebecca. I tried.
Now it's up to you.

J.R.. I don't understand.

You had me set up a dummy corporation
to buy a company like that?

I don't want my name associated with it.

Now. You gonna be able
to close that deal or not?

Sure. That company is small potatoes.

That's why I don't understand
why a Ewing...

would want to get in bed with them.

No. Not Ewing. I keep telling you.
Petra State.

And a lot of small potatoes mashed up
together makes a pretty good meal.

Sounds like you have a master plan.

Yeah. I do.

I've got a plan that's gonna guarantee me
control of all of Ewing Oil.

Mickey?

Mickey?

You boys seen Mickey around?

Not since you left this morning. Ray.

He's supposed to be here
working with y'all.

I guess maybe he just took off.

I guess I better go and find him.

Come on. Girl. Give it to me. That's good.
Show me those eyes. That's it.

Good. Good. All right, hold the product
up a little bit. That's it.

Kick up one of those skates.
That's it. That's it. That's great!

Okay. Now profile. More profile.
And show me those eyes.

Show me the eyes.

That's great. That'll do it.

Oh. Great. My back is killing me.

Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe
the next session we'll do in a hot tub.

Good. I hope so.

- That was beautiful.
- Thanks. It's getting better.

Oh. Yeah. You know. I have a really
good feeling about this ad campaign.

If this works. We're gonna go national.

No kidding.

Lucy. It's late...

and there's a terrific little
Italian restaurant just round the corner.

Bill. I don't date clients.

I'm sorry.
But that's just the way it has to be.

Okay.

All right. Here we go.

A little bit more for you. Mama.

Okay. Everyone. I wanna propose a toast.

To the newest official member
of the Ewing family. Christopher Ewing.

- Hear. Hear.
- Hear. Hear.

To Christopher Ewing.
A good. Strong. Happy life.

And the knowledge that the Ewing family
will always be behind him.

Hear. Hear.

That's a toast from Jock.
That's something...

he'd want his grandson to know.

Listen. Everybody.
I booked a room at the Fairview tonight.

So you're all invited for a little dinner
in honor of this celebration.

We'd love to. Bobby.

And by the way. Tomorrow night.
I want you all home.

Punk and Mavis are coming for dinner.

We'll make sure we're there. Mama.

And I've invited Frank Crutcher
to join us.

Mama. I might be a little bit late.
I have to fly down to Houston.

Bobby. Try to make it if you can.
I want you all to get to know Frank.

They made the deal with Bobby.
Not Pam.

She didn't do much to kill it. Did she?

- Cliff. She's his wife.
- She's my sister too.

- Would you just relax?
- Soon as I get one Ewing off my back...

another one jumps on.
And this time it's my sister.

Cliff. Sit down. Please. Please.

You don't think that Pam
did this intentionally. Do you?

What am I supposed to think?

Listen to me. You're going to have to start
thinking things through more calmly...

or you're gonna get burned again.

No. I'm not. I am not.

In the past. You've let your emotions run
away with your judgment. And lost.

And this time I'm gonna win.

This time. I'm gonna turn the Ewing
empire into a broken-down...

two-pump filling station.

Fine.

But you're gonna have to do with brains.
Cliff. Not passion.

Okay.

No. I understand what you're saying.
Okay. Yeah.

But tomorrow I confront
my sister and her husband.

Sweetheart, you can't change the fact
that you lost the Canadian deal.

No. No. But I can let them know
how I feel.

And you can bet I will.

Now. Now... Now. Come on.

Now. There's gotta be room
in that pickup for the three of us.

- It'd be awful crowded.
- Well. That's the idea.

Mickey.

Hold on to your drinks.
Here comes the warden.

Is that your daddy? He's real cute.

I wanna talk to you. Mickey.

Well. I'm busy.

Wouldn't want these two
pretty girls here...

to see you knocked on your butt.
Would you?

- Excuse me. But keep that pickup running.
- You hurry back, now.

No. I will come back and we'll...
I'll hurry back.

You better start coming around. Mickey.
Because you are a flat-out disgrace.

That's your thinking. Not mine.

I brought you here to work, not to sit
around and wax some dumb barstool.

Hey. I'm a Kansas boy.

Who wanted to come here anyway?

Kansas was a dead end, and you know it.

I wouldn't have had you on my back.

No. You would've had a number
on your back.

You were headed straight
for the penitentiary.

And you... You saved me.

Mickey. You wanna make something
out of your life...

you gotta pay a few dues.

I've got a beer getting warm over there.

Hold it. You're heading back with me.

- Why do you care anyway?
- You're family.

Big deal.

Family may not mean much to you.
But it does to me. Mickey.

- Terrific.
- Just hold it. Listen!

From now on. I'm your shadow.
That means I'm on your tail day and night.

I'm either gonna make you.
Or I'm gonna break you.

- Listen. Take care of yourself. Okay?
- I will.

- I'll try and be home for dinner.
- All right.

- Hello?
- Pam? Cliff. I wanna talk ta Bobby.

Oh. You just missed him.
He left for Houston.

Then I wanna meet with you.

- Cliff. Is something wrong?
- Yeah.

Well. I... I can meet you.

Reunion Tower at 1:00.

All right. I'll see you then.

Bye.

Gentlemen. From now on.
Ewing fields one through 17...

- will be pumping at maximum capacity.
- What?

Anybody have any trouble with that?

Mr. Ewing. The OLM.
They'll shut us down.

By the time you get back.
You'll have clearance.

- To pump full-out?
- Right. To pump full out.

I don't know how you got the OLM
to agree to it. Or why...

but everyone else is
cutting back production.

Let's say it's a lack of foresight
on their part.

There's no demand for oil.
We're not gonna be able to ship it.

Are we just gonna put it into tank farms?
You know how much that'll cost.

You all pump it. I'll
take care of the rest.

Thank you. Gentlemen.
That's all for today.

Nice talking to you.

Morning. Miss Ellie.

Morning. Bud.

What brings you out here?

Well. It's about Mr. Ewing's car. Ma'am.

You know. We were all real sorry
about what happened to him.

Thank you. Bud.

I kind of been putting off
coming out here because we all...

Fact is. You know what good care
Mr. Ewing took of his car.

- He did take a lot of pride in it.
- Yes. Ma'am.

Well. Thing of it is
it's way overdue for servicing.

I guess it's just been sitting here
for quite a while now.

That's not too good for a car.

So unless you're gonna sell it
or something. I should take it in.

Oh. No. I don't want to sell it.

You... You take it in and do
whatever Jock would have done to it.

- It's in the garage.
- Yes. Ma'am.

If I can get the keys...

Keys?

Well. They must be up in the room
somewhere. I'll get them for you.

Yes. Ma'am. I'll wait.

Yes. Sir. Riding a horse is a lot better
than cleaning up after one.

Depends who you're riding with.

You riding with me. When I get to you...

you'll be as comfortable in a saddle
as you are on a barstool.

Why don't we just forget this?

Here.

You got any idea
which end of the horse that goes on?

I got an idea.

By the time I'm through with you.
You'll be able to ride as well as I do.

That's always been my goal in life.

Get in the truck.

Hi.

Took you long enough.

Don't start with me.
You wanna talk. We'll talk.

All right. Let's start about why you
stole that Canadian deal from me.

I didn't know
you were involved with that.

Oh. Don't give me that bull.

- I didn't know.
- The McLeish brothers...

were gonna pass that on to me
if they didn't make a deal.

I had no idea. And that's the truth.

Oh. Really? Well. They told me that
Bobby's lovely wife helped swing the deal.

Well. The McLeish brothers liked me.
But you can't blame me for that.

You really expect me to believe that?

It's all right. This shows me you've made
your choice on the Barnes-Ewing feud.

No. Cliff. You made my choice for me.

- To fight against your brother?
- To fight with my husband.

- Against me.
- Well. That's your choice.

Look. All I want is for you and me
and Mama to be a happy family.

Well. Then why did you cut me
out of my first major deal?

My first chance to really move upward.

What you're accusing me of
is totally untrue.

Pam. You're a Ewing
through and through.

Ewings.

Is that all you can think about?

That stupid grudge you're carrying
will cost you what little family you have.

Let me tell you something. Pam.

If this battle goes on with the Ewings
and us. Me and Mama will be together.

I won't be the one to lose the family.
You will.

Rumlin. I didn't fly down to Houston
just to be told my parts weren't ready.

- We ordered them months ago.
- They are ready.

Why haven't you
delivered them to my fields?

The parts were ordered by J.R.
when he was president.

- The paperwork's all in his name.
- Look. I understand all of that. So what?

Sc he called and cancelled the order.

You let me explain something to you.

My brother has no jurisdiction
over fields 18 through 34.

- They're mine.
- That's none of my affair.

- I need those parts.
- As soon as I get the new paperwork...

- I'll ship the supplies.
- I can't shut half my fields...

- while you wait for papers.
- I can't do nothing without paperwork.

You want paperwork?

You got it.

You know that ain't good enough.

Now. Look.
Either you give me my supplies...

or I'm gonna take you apart.
And then I'm gonna get them myself.

Okay. Mr. Ewing. I'll ship them today...

but what do I tell your brother?

I'll take care of my brother myself.

Jordan. Why don't you get us
a pizza somewhere.

Hey.

Traveling with the intellectual set. I see.

Got time for a little sun?

No. No. I just wanna talk.

It's about your refinery.

You see. You inherited
a whole bunch of contracts...

from suppliers when you bought it.

Now. A lot of those contracts are due
to expire in the next couple of weeks...

and I don't want you to renew them.

What good's a refinery without crude?

Oh. You'll be getting
a whole lot of crude real soon.

You know. I really wish
I understood what you're doing.

I'll tell you about it one of these days.

Why don't you just stretch out
and explain it right now.

Well. That might take some time.

I wouldn't wanna confuse Bonzo
when he gets back.

If he bothers you.
I could ask him to leave.

Wouldn't want you do without.

You mean that you've given up on me
without a struggle?

I'm trying to stay pure for my wedding.

And if I remember correctly.
You turned me down once already.

J.R. Ewing doesn't take one no
for an answer.

We have a nice relationship.

I hate to mess it up.

“Nice“ is not the kind of relationship
we could have.

Well. "Nice“ is the way I wanna keep it."

Hey. You better get
another bunch of bananas.

Your date's gonna want some
when he gets back.

I can't figure out
why you won't have dinner with me.

I'm tied up tonight.

Then how about tomorrow night?

Look. Lucy.
I think you're a terrific person.

I just wanna get to know you better.
That's all.

Bill. I've just started a divorce...

and it's hard for me
to handle the complications.

Now. What's so complicated about
two lobsters and a bottle of great wine?

I told you. I just cannot mix business
with my personal life ever again.

Lucy.

It's a real treat for me. Ms. Ellie.

I don't get the chance to enjoy
family life much anymore.

- J.R.. pour yourself one. Come around.
- I'm ahead of you, Punk.

- You were talking about your daughter.
- Yeah.

She married a Frenchman.

Oh. Is that right? Will you spend
much time with her in France?

No. No. She lives down in New Orleans.

- New Orleans?
- The French are wonderful cooks.

Did any of it rub off on her?

Knowing my daughter, I doubt it.

She says she's studying.
But I'll believe it when I taste it.

When Jock and I were married...

he used to threaten
to send me out to cooking school.

- Oh. Ellie. I find that hard to believe.
- Don't you believe that for a minute.

You're a marvelous cook. Miss Ellie.

I wish I were.

As far as I'm concerned.
There's nothing better...

than a good cut of prime Texas beef.

I'll sure drink to that.

Good. Because that's what
we're having tonight.

That suits me fine.

Where's Bobby. Anyhow?
I'm getting hungry.

Well. He should be home any minute.

Well. He should know what time
we eat around here. It's getting late.

Your antique silver in there.
That's Queen Anne. Isn't it?

Yes. You like antiques?

Oh. I love them. I probably bought out
half the stores in London over the years.

- I'll show you.
- Good.

J.R.. I've been hearing rumors.

Did you really get a variance
from the OLM to pump full out?

Come on. Punk. You know Mama doesn't
like business discussion before dinner.

J.R.

- Bobby. I'll buy you a drink.
- I don't want a drink. We have to talk.

Whatever it is.
Gonna have to wait till tomorrow.

Nothing's more important
than what's going on now.

What are you talking about?

When's the last time
you saw Mama laugh like that?

Not since before Daddy died.

Mama.

Can't you sleep. Bobby?

No.

Guess I have business on my mind
or something. Can I join you?

Of course.

I thought dinner
was a great success tonight.

It was nice to see the Andersons.

And Frank Crutcher?

Yes.

Isn't he a nice man?

Does it bother you that I invited him?

No. Mama. Not bother.

It felt strange
seeing you with another man.

Well. He was only a dinner guest.

I know.

But I'm surprised I felt the way I did.

You're not angry about it. Are you?

Mama. As far as I'm concerned.
You should do whatever makes you happy.

Nobody will ever take
your daddy's place.

You know that. Don't you?

Yes. Ma'am.

I thought long and hard
about having him...

How it would feel.

How did it feel?

He's been very kind and supportive.

But he's just a friend. That's all.

Case number 2809.

Cooper v. Cooper.

Suit for divorce.

Good morning. Mr. Colton.
I take it you're counsel for the plaintiff.

Good morning. Your Honor. Yes.
This is Mrs. Lucy Cooper.

Is the respondent
represented by counsel?

No. Your Honor.
If you look in the file...

you'll find an affidavit
from Dr. Mitch Cooper.

He has decided
not to contest the divorce.

Oh. Yes. Here it is.

- Are there any children of this union?
- There are not. Your Honor.

I see neither party has made a claim
in any way on the other.

- That is correct.
- Mrs. Cooper...

has every possible attempt
been made for reconciliation?

Yes. Your Honor.

I take it both you and your husband
no longer feel compatible.

I'm afraid so.

Seems like a very clear-cut matter.

The divorce is granted.

Gil Thurman. Please.

Hello. Gil. J.R. Ewing here.

I wonder if you could come over
to my office about 2:30 this afternoon.

All right. I appreciate it.

Well. Bobby. You look like
somebody picked your pocket.

No. Somebody has been messing
around with replacement parts for my rigs.

- Well. I got it sorted out.
- You're canceling the parts I need?

I tell you what this is all about.

When I was president of Ewing Oil.
I ordered these parts.

And then you took over.
And I cancelled that order.

The game is winner take all.

I should have known you'd do
whatever you could to sabotage me.

Well. Don't overreact. I'm not exactly
gonna blow up your wells. You know.

Especially since they're gonna be mine
this time next year.

- I wouldn't count on that.
- Bobby.

It's a race. Check your horse.
And watch my whip.

You interfere with my operation again.
And I'll wrap that whip around your neck.

Would you stop it?
Pam didn't deliberately hurt you.

I just don't understand her.
I really don't understand her.

She keeps talking about family
and how precious family is.

And she's the one that keeps
throwing Mama and me over.

Bobby is her husband.
What do you expect?

It's no reason for her to turn against me.

Can't you just forget it?
I wish you'd get out of this mood.

Why don't you come
to the club tonight. Huh?

Because I'm not in the mood
to come to the club tonight.

It's getting to be the place in town.

A lot of influential people
are dropping in.

I've met some of them.

They'd be good contacts for you.
People you should socialize with.

Afton. If there's one thing I hate.
It's being told what I should do.

Barnes here.
Cliff? Jordan Lee.

Something funny's going an.
We need to meet.

Can you make it
to the Cattlemen': Now?

I'll be right there.

- Hi. Donna.
- Hi. Miss Ellie.

Are you doing anything exciting today?

Exciting?
I was just thinking how quiet it is.

How about making a little noise?

I'm on my way to a political meeting.

Oh. No. Donna. I don't think so.

For heaven's sake. Miss Ellie.
It beats sitting around the house.

Well. There's always something to do.

Yes. You can always
make work for yourself.

Don't you remember the good old days...

when you ran the DOA.

It was fun.

Well. Come on. Besides.
You just might want to get involved.

What's the meeting about?

Well. I'm not sure exactly. But
Dave called and asked if I would go.

I really would like you to go with me.

- All right.
- Terrific.

- What's up?
- I guess he hasn't heard.

J.R. got a variance from the OLM.

- He's pumping to capacity.
- In a soft market.

I don't understand. Why?

We can't figure it out.

But if it's J.R.. he's up to something.
Now. We all know that.

Well. What did the OLM say?

Walt Driscoll signed the variance.
And he's out of town.

What an unusual coincidence.

You think J.R. and Driscoll
made some kind of a deal?

J.R. gets a variance.
Driscoll's suddenly on vacation.

Doesn't that strike you as strange?

Maybe we're assuming too much.

Oh. Wait. If it were any other man
in the state of Texas, but it's J.R. Ewing.

We gotta find out what he's doing.
We gotta stop him.

Because what the OLM has done
is not only irresponsible...

but it's also dangerous
to the economy of this state.

If this unprecedented act
doesn't give us a mandate...

to call for the OLM's dissolution.
I don't know what does.

- Walt Driscoll signed this variance?
- That's what I heard.

He went on a sudden vacation too.

Dave. Is it true who got the variance?

J.R. Ewing. Ewing Oil.
He's the pressure behind it.

- Should have known.
- It doesn't make sense.

Anybody know why he wanted it?

Maybe you can shed a little light
on this subject for us. Mrs. Ewing?

Look. I don't think it much matters
what J.R. wanted it for.

The point is.
The OLM is obviously corrupt.

And we are obliged
to try and change things.

- What do you suggest, Mrs. Krebbs?
- First of all. I agree with Dave.

It is a dinosaur.
What it deserves is extinction.

What do we put in its place?

A new energy commission.

One that is responsive
to the needs of the people...

and not just special interest groups.

Maybe you can help us. Mrs. Krebbs.

No. No. Thank you.
I'm staying out of politics.

Don't listen to her.
This is a lady with ideas.

I am really sorry
about the meeting. Miss Ellie.

I know it upset you.

What upset me the most was that...

so many of those people
were Jack's friends.

Seeing them turn against Ewing Oil...

it's difficult.

I guess I should have known
that something like this would happen...

when I heard what was in the will.

J.R. is so ambitious.

He'll do anything to beat Bobby.

Well. It may not be that easy for him.

Because if today's meeting
is any indication besides Bobby...

he's gonna have every oilman
in the state against him.

I see that.

And it's getting harder and harder for me
to keep from taking sides.

I know.

You know. Donna...

someday somebody's
gonna have to stop him.

I'm afraid you're right.

Well. Gil. You own one of the biggest
refineries in Texas. I wanna buy it.

Of course you do.

With all that crude you're pumping.
You've got nowhere to refine it.

News travels fast. Don't it?

Hell. There ain't an oilman in Texas
who hasn't heard of your variance.

They're buzzing like hornets
with a stick up their nest.

You wanna sell it or not?

Well. I gotta think on it.

It's interesting
being in the catbird seat. J.R...

knowing that you need what I got.

Maybe we can do some business
if the price is right.

Name your price. I'm willing to deal.

Well. Maybe first you ought to tell me...

exactly what you're gonna do
with all that oil?

What any good oilman would do.

Sell it. Make a healthy profit.

And make sure
that the company my daddy founded...

is headed by the man
who can best run it.

Me.