Dallas (1978–1991): Season 7, Episode 8 - The Oil Baron's Ball - full transcript

No, you can't.
You can't do that.

Sit down, Ray.

Damn it. You weren't
supposed to call her.

I didn't have a choice.

Mr. Krebbs, take your seat.

Will Lillian Trotter
please take the stand.

I'll have you move into the
stand, please, and face me.

Raise your right hand.

Do you swear the
testimony you give...

in the matter pending
before this court...

will be the truth and
nothing but the truth?



Answer, please.

Do.

State your name and residence.

Lillian May Trotter.

17 Bria! Lane, Emporia, Kansas.

Or, uh...

the Krebbs' house in Braddock.
I don't know the number.

It's quite all right, Mrs.
Trotter, Please be seated.

Mr. Morgan.

Mrs. Trotter...

were you in Michael's room the
day that Ray Krebbs was arrested?

Mrs. Trotter?

Yes, I was there.

Was there anyone
else in the room...



when Michael's life-support
system was turned off?

No.

Just you and Ray?

Yes.

Did one of you tum off
Michael's life-support system?

Mrs. Trotter?

Yes.

One of us did.

Mrs. Trotter, would you please
tell us in your own words...

what happened that day?

I was sitting in
Michael's room...

looking at him, listening to that
machinery keeping him alive.

Andi couldn't see my
boy there anymore.

All I could see was another piece
of machinery lying on that bed.

Nut thinking...

nut even breathing fur himself.

And from what the doctor said...

he could be like that
for veal: and years.

And then suddenly I knew...

there was only one thing to do.

I thought there must be a
way to turn the machines 0”...

ta let Michael pass away,
to find peace for his soul.

Not to keep him locked
to that machine forever.

But when I went
to turn it off...

J couldn't.

I didn't have the
courage to do it.

I kept seeing him as a baby.

And then as a little
boy growing up.

And though I asked the
Lord for the strength to do it...

J couldn't.

When Raymond came in...

J knew what had to happen.

I asked him to do what I
didn't have the strength to.

To let Michael pass
on with some dignity.

He didn't want to.

He kept saving that it
wasn't up to us to do that.

I told him that the
sin was mine, not his.

Burl was willing to
answer to my Maker...

for what I asked Raymond to do.

And finally, he did it.

And! sat there...

and held Michael's hand.

And watched all his
troubles leave him.

And he moved into the hereafter.

And today's...

the first day since
Michael died...

I've been able to look back...

and see what happened.

So you see...

if anyone's responsible
for Michael's death, it's me.

All Raymond did was...

to keep me from having
to find the strength myself.

And I would have.

If anyone has to be
punished for Michael's death...

it should be me.

Not Raymond.

Thank you, Mrs. Trotter.

Mr. Meredith.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Just a few simple
questions, Mrs. Trotter.

We all sympathize with what
you have just gone through...

reliving that terrible day.

Thank you.

You do understand that
answering to your Maker...

is a religious concept,
not a legal one?

I understand that I have
answered to him all my life.

And that our society demands those
who are helpless to defend themselves...

they cannot just have
their lives taken away.

I'm willing to pay for that.

Mrs. Trotter...

was your son alive...

when Ray Krebbs
entered his room?

Yes.

And no matter the reason...

did Ray Krebbs take his life by
disconnecting his life-support system?

Your Honor.

You must answer the question.

Yes, he did.

I have no more
questions, Your Honor.

Mr. Morgan.

No, Your Honor.

You're excused...

Mrs. Trotter.

That completes the
defense, Your Honor.

Very well.

The hour being what it is, this
court will recess till 10 a.m. tomorrow.

All rise.

The court is now adjourned.

Is he asleep yet?

Finally.

Ray, why didn't you tell me?

What could I tell you, Donna?

What happened in
that room with Mickey.

Don't you think it
mattered to me?

Sure.

What happened in that room
was between I” and myself.

I did not want her
involved afterwards.

And you thought that
I would involve her.

In the end, you did.
You and Paul Morgan.

Ray, I was scared to death,
don't you understand that?

You are my husband. I
had to know what happened.

We had to find out what
happened in that room.

Well, now you know.

I can't see how it changed
anything very much.

Except maybe to make
Aunt Lil think back to that day.

You know, it almost killed her.

I just didn't know if she could
handle even thinking about it.

And that's
supposed to explain...

why you didn't have enough
faith in me to tell me the truth.

I told you what mattered.

I'm the one that pulled the plug
on Mickey's lite-support system.

I'm prepared to face
the consequences.

Look...

I wish...

I wish I could tell you...

that I think what
you did was right.

But I can't.

I just don't think that
any of us have the right...

to take another person's life, no
matter what the circumstance is.

Honey, I really don't
need to hear this now.

Listen to me.

But you see, I know...

just like I know how
much I love you...

deep inside you really
believed what you did was right.

And the point is...

right or wrong...

I don't want you to go to
prison for what happened.

I couldn't stand it.

It's not something
I want either.

It's just really
out of our hands.

We'll find out the
answer tomorrow.

Oh, tomorrow.

- That's the worst thing I've ever done.
- Cliff, honey, tum the lights on.

- Lights.
- What is all this?

Well, surprise for who?

When did you have this done?

I had this done while
we were out to dinner.

Why?

Well, because I'm
celebrating, to which end...

I did not purchase two tickets to
the Oil Barons Ball this year, oh, no.

I got 10, a whole table,
a thousand bucks a clip.

You spent $10,000 on
tickets to the Oil Barons Ball?

Yeah, sure I did, because I want
us all to sit there and enjoy the night.

Cliff Barnes, I know
you better than that.

For you to spend that
money, there's some reason.

There is a reason.
You know what it is?

I haven't the foggiest.

No, just me and my
inside source know.

Cliff, what are
you talking about?

Every year at the Oil Barons
Ball, they give an award...

for the Oil Baron of the Year.

- So?
- So because of the development...

of the Tundra Torque drill
bit... This is very confidential.

I am one of the three finalists
for Oil Baron of the Year.

- Cliff, you're kidding.
- 80 shall we have a toast...

to the possibility of me
being the next king of Dallas.

- Yes.
- King, Mr. King.

The Third District Court in and for
the County of Dallas is now in session.

Honorable Judge Emmett
Blocks presiding. Be seated.

Order, please.

Will the defendant please stand?

Now, I have spent the
time since the adjournment...

going over and
over the testimony...

that was presented in the
case we have before us.

On the face of it, it would seem to
be a simple case of felony murder.

Mr. Krebbs, the defendant...

having had his
rights read to him...

confessed to terminating
the life of Michael Trotter.

Mr. Krebbs did not testify at this
trial, which was, of course, his right.

And so his thoughts
and feelings...

at the time must necessarily
be conveyed to us by others.

Particularly the mother
of the deceased...

Mrs. Lillian Trotter.

And though I found her
testimony both persuasive...

and moving and showing, uh,
reasons for Mr. Krebbs' actions...

there is no legal course for me but to
find the defendant guilty as charged.

However...

there are latitudes
and distinctions...

which the law accepts in
its sentencing provisions.

There are precedents
in both directions...

tor terminating life in
somewhat similar situations.

So taking into account
the testimony at the trial...

and Mr. Krebbs' standing
in the community...

and by that I mean he is
not a menace to society...

and is indeed a caring,
loving human being...

who was willing to take full
responsibility for his actions.

I sentence you...

to five years in the
state penitentiary.

Suspended.

Eighteen months' probation.

You will contact your
probation officer...

who will report to the court
the first of every month.

And don't ever give me cause
to regret my decision, Mr. Krebbs.

No, sir.

So ordered. This
case is now adjourned.

All rise.

Heard the good news on
the radio. It's wonderful.

Yes, it is, Doris. Thank you.

- Phyllis, any messages?
- Punk here yet?

Yes. He's waiting
in your office.

Here you are. Oh, and,
uh, Mrs. Krebbs called.

She said that she talked
with Clayton Fallow...

and she told him about Ray.

She also says everything
is fine with your mother.

- Come on, Bob. Punk's waiting for us.
- All right.

- Do you want me to take notes?
- No, if I want you, I'll call you.

- Hello, Punk.
- Howdy, boys. Howdy.

I heard the news about Ray,
that's sure a big relief, isn't it?

Yeah, I can't tell you
how wonderful I feel.

What can we do for you, Punk?

Oh, I just dropped by to try to clear
up a few details on Oil Barons Ball.

Well, you can save yourself
a trip, we're not going.

You're not what?

You know the situation with
our family. Mama being gone.

Ray coming off the court trial.

Bobby and Pam are divorced.

Little Lucy is upset about
the Trotter boy's death.

- You can't blame us.
- Now, wait a minute, boys...

I know this doesn't come at
a really good time for you...

but you all have an
obligation to the oil community.

And to your daddy's memory.

Well, we got problems, Punk.

Well, you're gonna
have to set them aside.

This is the first year of the Jock
Ewing Memorial Scholarships...

and you mean there's not going to
be a Ewing up there presenting them?

You know Mama should
be the one handing those out.

But you and I know
she's not gonna be there.

I tell you, it's up to you.
Ewing Oil is your company now.

All right, okay, fine, fine. You
can count on Sue Ellen and me.

That's good. Now,
what about you?

I think Bobby might feel kind
of funny going without Pam.

It's for your daddy.

All right, I'll be there. I'll try and
get Donna and Ray to come...

and maybe Lucy.

Well, in that case,
I propose a toast:

To the Jock Ewing
Memorial Scholarship...

and the Oil Barons Ball.

Uh, do you want something?

Yes, I want something.

Mmm. Mm.

It's the nicest
affair of the year.

It doesn't have
anything to do with me.

Katherine, you're pan
of Wentworth Industries...

and Wentworth Tool and Die.

Oh, I don't feel like I belong.

I think the whole
family should be there...

when Cliff receives his award.

If he receives the award.

Remember, he's only
one of three finalists.

Well, if he does win
or if he doesn't win...

we should all be
there to support him.

- Well, are you gonna go with Mark?
- Yes.

- Won't the Ewings be there?
- I'm sure they will.

Won't it bother you to see
Bobby there with somebody else?

Bobby and I are divorced.

He's free to go with
whomever he wants.

Then it won't bother you?

No more than it will bother
him to see me with Mark.

Pam, you've done everything
but answer my question.

And you haven't answered mine.

Are you or are you not going
to the Oil Barons Ball with us?

Oh, I tell you what.
I'll think about it.

Chances are, I'll be there.

Where are you going?

Back to my room.

Back to your room?

After tonight, we'll
be sleeping together.

What makes you think that?

The way you came in here.

You wanted me as much
as I ever wanted you.

Well, that's only
partially true.

Well, all our problems are over.

Not quite. You see, J.R.. I
have no desire to live with you.

Now, granted,
from time to time...

I may need you.

And it and when that
happens, then. Uh, I'll be back.

But that's all.

That's as close to being
married as we will ever be.

I'll be damned if you
can come in here...

and use me like some
kind of stud service.

What other possible
use would I have for you?

Good night.

Good morning, J.R.

- Bob.
- Good morning.

- It's a lovely day, isn't it?
- Yeah, it's just wonderful.

And I gotta go to work.

Don't rush 0”. Why don't you sit
down and we can talk for a while.

Well, I'm not sure we got
that much to talk about.

See you tonight.

Is there something
going on that I don't know?

No, just J.R.'s foolish pride.

Whatever it is, you sure
seem to be enjoying it.

Am.

It's one of those rare
occasions in my life...

when J.R. really understood me.

Come on, come on, pull, pull.

- Come on, Johnny, pull, pull.
- Hi, Peter.

- Pal, what are you doing here so early?
- My mama wanted to talk to you.

- She did? Is anything the matter?
- I don't know.

Hm. Well, let's go see.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Sweetheart, Mommy would
like to talk to Peter alone.

Could you go in the
clubhouse and change?

- Okay, see you later, Peter.
- Bye.

Have, uh...

Have I done something
wrong, Mrs. Ewing?

No. Why?

Oh, I know, it's because I
asked to speak to you alone.

It's, um, a personal
matter. Do you mind?

Heck, no. I'm glad I just didn't
do anything to get you mad.

Peter, do you know
about the Oil Barons Ball?

Sure. I mean, I know of it.
Everybody in Dallas does.

It's the largest charity
affair of the year.

And it's very important
to the Ewings.

And I was just wondering if you
would like to go with us this year.

I don't understand. You want
me to go to the ball with you?

Well, actually, it's
with my niece, Lucy.

She's had a very difficult time
lately and, uh, she didn't want to go.

So I promised her a very
charming escort. And she agreed.

Well, I don't know. I mean,
I've never met her or anything.

But she's a very sweet
and beautiful young lady.

I would never take
advantage of our friendship...

but I had hoped that if I asked
you, you would agree to take her.

Well, I mean, for you, sure...

but I wouldn't know anybody there
and I think I'd really be out of place.

No, you won't. We'll
all be sitting together.

If there are any rough spots, I'll be
right next to you to smooth them over.

Besides, I really can't think of a place
that you wouldn't fit in just perfectly.

I only have one suit and it's
not even dark, does that matter?

Well, it is formal...

but here's the address
of my husband's tailor.

If you'll be so kind as
to stop by for a fitting...

he promised me he'd have a
tuxedo ready for you in time.

Uh, I told him to expect you.

You were pretty sure I was
gonna say yes, weren't you?

I just thought you'd
understand the problem.

I do owe you a favor.

So you do.

Well, here's to
the Oil Barons Ball.

I know I should be there
if Cliff wins the award...

but there's just no one
Heel like going with.

I can't imagine Cliff winning
an award for anything...

let alone Oil Baron of the Year.

I know, and it's for the development
of the Tundra Torque drill bit.

If anybody deserves an award
for that, it happens to be you.

It wouldn't have been
field-tested if not for you.

Well, I'm afraid only
you and I know that.

- Are you going to the ball?
- I guess I am.

- Do you have a date yet?
- No, I'll probably go by myself.

Oh, do you really think you should?
I mean, Pam will be there with Mark.

Wouldn't it be
embarrassing to go alone?

I hadn't thought
about it that much.

Well, I have and there's
no question in my mind...

you definitely should
have a date for the ball.

You know, I think you're right.

Bobby, I don't know.

The hall's only a few days away.

Are you telling me you're worried
about having something to wear?

No, not really.

I guess I'm trying to find
reasons not to go with you.

Why? We enjoy each other.

That's the problem.

I don't know how good
we are for each other.

Falling in and out of love with
you is not the easiest way to live.

I'm not talking
about falling in love.

We've always had strong
feelings for one another.

We're more mature
now, we're not kids.

We'll take it one
dance at a time.

What about Pam? Is
she gonna be there?

I suppose she will. So what?

So of all the
women in the world...

I'm the last she's gonna
wanna see you with.

You're not asking me
just to spite her, are you?

Wow.

You women have
very devious minds.

That thought never
occurred to me.

But it's true, she's not
gonna be happy to see me.

All right, she won't
be happy to see you.

That's not why I want
you to be my date.

You know what, I think you're right.
I think this is way too tough for you.

I just better withdraw
this offer new.

Oh, what's that,
reverse psychology?

You dangle the bait,
then you take it away.

I've never run from a
confrontation before.

Except maybe
once, along time ago.

As I recall, that was just
before an Oil Barons Ball...

you were supposed to be my date.

We were gonna
announce our engagement.

- That was a whole lifetime ago.
- You still owe me the date.

You're persistent, aren't you?

- If I have to be.
- All right.

You have a date to
the Oil Barons Ball.

And let the chips
fall where they may.

I don't believe it.

Would you all look who
Bobby just walked in with. Huh?

What a night
this is going to be.

Excuse me.

Hey, Jenna. Jenna Wade.
What a pleasant surprise.

- Hello, J. R., how are you?
- Fine. You just look beautiful.

Thank you.

Uh, let's see who
you don't know here...

my wife, Sue Ellen. Lucy,
my niece, and her date.

Our ranch foreman, Ray
Krebbs, and his lovely wife, Donna.

Jenna was Bobby's first love.

J.R., you do have
a way with words.

Jenna and I are
very old friends.

And as you know, Ray just
happens to be our brother.

Just another one of
J.R.'s funny little jokes.

- Well, it's nice meeting all of you.
- Come on, let's sit down.

Yeah, please sit down. We
got a lot of catching up to do.

- Right here.
- Thank you.

Now, tell me, how did you and
Bobby ever make contact again?

And so soon after his divorce.

Just lucky I guess, J.R. I told
you, things haven't changed.

Oh, yes, there's been changes
Bobby. You and I each have a son.

And now tell me what about
that wonderful daughter of yours.

Charlie. She's just
fine, J.R.. Thank you.

Charlie, that's an unusual name.

Well, if I remember correctly,
Charlie is a very unusual girl.

Do you have some point
you'd like to make with all this?

I can't believe they seated
us this close together.

Well, if it isn't the whole
Barnes-Wentworth clan.

Oh, by the way, Pam...

what name are you using, new
that you're no longer a Ewing?

It's really none of
your business, is it?

Oh, well, I'm just curious as to
how I'm gonna introduce everybody...

but you know Jenna Wade.

Jenna, you remember Pam?

Bobby married her
after you ran out on him.

J.R., cut it out.

For those who don't
have a program...

I'm gonna have to announce
all the names of the players.

Don't bother, J.R., this is one
night that not even you can spoil.

- Now, as I was saying...
- Bobby, can we dance, please?

Oh, sure.

Well, this has all the earmarks of
one of the great nights of my life.

Nothing brings out the best in
you like other people's unhappiness.

I think Bobby might just take
you apart if you keep it up.

Oh, not in front of the
next Mrs. Ewing, he won't.

- You mean Jenna Wade?
- Nothing would make me happier.

Who is that Jenna Wade?

Pam was certainly upset
when she saw Bobby with her.

Oh, that's Bobby's first
love. They grew up together.

They were supposed
to get married.

- So why didn't they?
- I don't know.

I wasn't exactly taken into
the Ewings' conference...

but the way I heard it
was that she jilted Bobby...

and she goes off to Europe
and married some count...

and then got divorced. She
shows up in Dallas with a daughter...

who was supposed to be
his, but she calls herself Wade.

What do you mean, supposed
to be? It's someone else's?

Well, the daughter
is 13 years old...

and that's how long she and
Bobby would have been married.

You mean it's Bobby's daughter?

Well, everybody denies that...

but who really knows but Jenna?

No wonder Pam's so upset.

- I was just surprised, that's all.
- Is that so?

If I didn't know any better, I'd think
you were jealous of Jenna Wade.

I am not.

I just don't understand why Bobby
brought her here and had to flaunt her.

Perhaps for the same
reason we're here together.

Neither one of you
wanted to show up alone.

That's not true, Mark.
I really care about you.

Then I suggest that since you
and Bobby are no longer married...

you try to put him and Jenna out
of your mind and concentrate on me.

Well, that's exactly
what I'm going to do.

Let's go back to the table and
help Cliff celebrate his big night.

Perhaps later we'll
celebrate ours, maybe?

Maybe we should.

I tell you. I think it's just
what I need, is a good fight.

Help me get rid of
some of these pressures.

Can't you think of
something better than that?

Well, sure, but not in
front of all these people.

Besides, I think J.R.'s just
gonna keep pushing them...

until he starts
something here tonight.

Well, I tell you what, you can
hit somebody as long as it's J.R.

Are you going through this
entire dance without talking?

I can't dance and
talk at the same time.

Oh, is that like walking
and chewing gum?

I guess so, a little bit.

So how did it feel?

And don't say what.

You mean, to see Pam?

That's what I mean.

Are you with the
right date tonight?

If I didn't wanna be with you...

I wouldn't have asked
you to come here.

Pam and I are
divorced, you know.

Lots of people who are
divorced love each other.

- Are you one of them?
- Don't you ask any simple questions?

Did I ever?

No, I was hoping
you'd changed a little bit.

Well, then?

Do you really wanna know?

Not really, but
I think I have to.

It hurt to see her
with someone else.

- Maybe I shouldn't have asked.
- No, no, no, come on, you know me.

It takes me a little while to
get over feelings like that.

It took me a long time to
get over you the first time.

Do you think I'm gonna say it's
better the second time around?

Yes.

Maybe you're right.

Ladies and gentlemen, can
I have a little quiet, please?

Hey, all you oil
barons out there...

I've got an announcement
to make, so hush up.

The first thing I
wanna tell all of you...

is that it's just great to see another
big, full turnout like we've got tonight.

You know what that means.
That means the charities in Dallas...

are gonna get another big
donation because of your generosity.

It was just a year ago that I
made another little speech up here.

And at that time, I
had the pleasure...

of announcing the establishment of
the Jock Ewing Memorial Scholarships...

at SMU.

Tonight, we've gathered here
to meet the first four students...

who are the winners
of those scholarships.

Unfortunately, Miss Ellie
Ewing can't be here with us...

to greet the winners tonight.

So in her place...

I'd like to ask a former
student at SMU...

Jock's granddaughter, Lucy Ewing.
To come up and do the honors. Lucy?

I don't know what to say.

Uh...

Thank you.

It's an honor for me to be able
to present these scholarships...

especially here.

I know how much pride my
granddaddy took in being an oil baron.

And how proud he would have been
that you all thought so highly of him...

that you setup these
scholarships in his name.

And now for the winners.

Um, Miss Cheryl Larkin.

Mr. Frank Walker.

Mr. Thomas Alcala.

Mr. Mitchell Warren.

J.R. tells me that your daddy
is in the oil business too.

Oh, yes. Old Lucas Wade turned
the richest fields in East Texas...

into dust by the time I was 16.

Is that why you went to Europe?

Well, it offered a lifestyle I liked and
they did still think I was an heiress.

And so you left Bobby behind?

Uh, were you and Pam very close?

We were friends. Why?

I just wondered whose side
of the fence you were on.

You know, they were divorced
before I ever saw Bobby again this time.

Well, I really don't
think it's any of my affair.

I don't know. I don't know.

I don't wanna think
about it. Oh, God.

Hi, Sue Ellen. Jenna.

Hi, Pamela, how are you?

I'm fine, thank you.

It's nice we're all trying
to be so civilized, isn't it?

I don't think you're in any position
to talk about being civilized...

the way you latched
on to Bobby in a hurry.

Do you think this is
any affair of yours?

Well, it didn't take you
very long to find him, did it?

He found me. But then,
I knew him first, didn't I?

Uh, ladies, I don't think this is
the proper place for an argument.

Why don't we go
back to our table?

Afton, why don't you
just stay out of this?

This is between Pam and Jenna.

- And you?
- I don't know why we're arguing?

You're not married to Bobby
anymore, Pam. You gave him up.

You're right. We really don't
have anything to argue about.

Well, then, let's all
go back to our tables.

I'm happy with my date, Pam.

I certainly hope you're
happy with yours.

I'm sorry, Pam.

She's a real witch.

Well, she's right.

I did divorce Bobby. And I
am very happy with Mark.

So when we get back to the
party, let's have a real good time.

Ladies and gentlemen...

as all of you know...

Clayton Fallow was supposed to
be chairman of this year's event.

But unfortunately, Clayton
has been detained elsewhere...

and he asked me
to take over for him.

So it's gonna be my honor...

to name the recipient of the
Oil Baron of the Year Award.

That time is at hand...

just like the Academy Awards.

That gentleman's
name is right here.

And the winner is...

for the development of the Tundra
Torque drill bit, Mr. Cliff Barnes.

J.R., I hope your
seat belt's fastened...

because I'm about to tell the
whole world the true story...

of the great Jock Ewing
and Digger Barnes.