"Where'd you two run off to?" Lucy asks as JR and Sue Ellen walk into Southfork's foyer.
"We, uh, we went for a ride," Sue Ellen says.
"Riding?" Lucy says. "I haven't seen either of you on horseback for a hundred years."
"Oh. A hundred years, huh?" Sue Ellen says. "You sure know how to make a girl feel young again, Lucy."
Lucy giggles and walks to the den with her second piece of homemade Dutch apple pie. JR follows Lucy and winks at Sue Ellen, which Christopher notices.
"Which of my mares did you ride, Aunt Sue Ellen?" he asks with a sly smile.
Sue Ellen smiles and touches his cheek. "You don't miss a thing, do you honey?" she says. "Reminds me of someone."
"Oh? Who?" he says.
"Sue Ellen!" JR yells from the den. "Come on in here! Hurry up!"
Sue Ellen and Christopher rush to the den. The family is gathered around the television watching the evening newscast.
The blonde and bronzed news anchor flashes florescent white teeth as "Texas Governor Watch - 2013" scrolls on the screen beneath her.
"Dallas business mogul Sue Ellen Ewing advanced her gubernatorial bid for next year's Democratic nomination with a spirited rally in Fort Worth today," she says. "The large crowd was treated to Texas barbecue and some stirring words from the candidate that seemed to resonate with the voters. Let's take a look," the anchor says.
Tape rolls excerpts of Sue Ellen's speech. The camera pans the crowd, capturing many wearing their local union shirts. The Mexican man shouting "madrina!" precedes the final cut of Sue Ellen saying "We are Texas!".
"Mother Texas?" the anchor says to her co-anchor. "Catchy," he replies and they both laugh. "Well, you never know," the woman says. "Never underestimate the underdog." The anchors say goodnight and the broadcast goes to commercial.
"Underdog my ass!" JR shouts. "Ewings don't lose and you're about to school the whole damn state of Texas on that, Sue Ellen. Now what's that fool girl's name? She's about to be unemployed come tomorrow - "
"JR, calm down," Sue Ellen says, unable to hide her smile. "That doesn't bother me one bit. I am the underdog and there's no shame in that. All the more reason to celebrate this press," she says calmly.
JR sighs. "I suppose you're right," he says. "Well how about that! Our little Sue Ellen on the evening news!" JR says. Everyone claps but Ann who stands off to the side with arms crossed.
"That's fantastic, Sue Ellen," Bobby says. "Rally coverage on primetime network news! Congratulations."
He kisses Sue Ellen on the cheek. Ann's eyes narrow.
Christopher and Lucy give Sue Ellen hugs and Boone whistles so loud Carmen appears in the den's doorway.
"Yes? Did you need something?" Carmen asks.
"Good lord, no Carmen," Bobby says. "We'd never summon you with a whistle! Boone here's just a real enthusiastic down home guy, that's all. We're just celebrating some big TV press for Sue Ellen."
Carmen smiles nervously. "Oh, I see. Congratulations, Mrs. Ewing," she says. Ann winces at the words.
"Thank you so much, Carmen" Sue Ellen says and Carmen turns to go.
"Hold on there, honey!" JR calls out. "I think this calls for a celebratory toast. Help me pour, Carmen."
"No, no. That's alright, Carmen," Ann says. "I'll help you serve, JR."
JR raises his eyebrows. "Suit yourself," he says and smiles. He and Ann walk over to the bar in the corner of the room. They pour and mix drinks. Ann brings the full tray around to each guest and they take their desired drinks. She stops at Sue Ellen last and holds the tray out to her. The only glass left is the tonic water over ice with Sue Ellen's signature lime wedge on it.
"Thank you," Sue Ellen says and squeezes Ann's arm. "I'm just delighted with this coverage, Ann. It's been a day full of surprises!" Sue Ellen says and instantly regrets it, thinking about the developments at dinner.
"You know what I mean," she says as Ann walks away without a word. Sue Ellen tightens her mouth and looks around the room. Everyone holds their glasses up.
"To Sue Ellen," JR says, "and a successful campaign lead by a smart and beautiful woman," he says, tips his hat and raises his glass.
"Here, here! Cheers!" everyone says.
Sue Ellen smiles big and raises her glass to them as well. The light catches in her glass and she looks at the liquid. Strange….no bubbles fizzing about. She smells the drink. No odor but the zest of lime. She raises it to her lips and glances at Ann who is staring at her from the couch, gripping Bobby's hand tightly.
Sue Ellen pulls the glass back and swears Ann's shoulders drop.
"So great to see you on TV," Christopher says putting his arm around her.
"Thank you, Christopher. It's surreal, isn't it?" she says. "Honey, would you taste this please?" she says, handing him her glass.
He looks puzzled but takes a sip. His eyes widen and he swallows quickly.
"Whoa, this is not for you, Aunt Sue Ellen. This is straight vodka! Wow good catch," Christopher says. "Must've gotten mixed up on the tray. Hey who got Sue Ellen's soda water?" he yells out and laughs.
Sue Ellen looks at Ann in disbelief who smiles slowly. No one notices as they all chat amongst each other.
"We interrupt this broadcast for breaking news," the male voice booms on the television.
The same blonde anchor appears on the screen, trying to convey a look of concern despite a forehead paralyzed with Botox.
"Breaking news in a south Dallas neighborhood tonight. A Dallas police officer was found dead behind the wheel of his cruiser. Witnesses say the officer drove into an intersection against a red light near Lark Lane and 17th Street around 7 o'clock this evening. Other drivers are indicating the officer was already slumped over the steering wheel when his police car crossed into oncoming traffic and was struck by a utility van."
"Lark Lane? Isn't that your street, Sue Ellen?" Ann says. Sue Ellen nods.
Footage of the crash scene flashes on the screen. The police cruiser is crumpled and pushed halfway up the street curb, resting against a large Ficus tree. The Ewings gasp at the shocking pictures.
"The officer's next of kin have been notified. He is 36-year-old Steven Jensen, a nine-year veteran of the Dallas police force."
A photo of Jensen in uniform appears on the screen. Sue Ellen gasps loudly. Boone's head snaps around to her, back to the television screen and over to Sue Ellen again.
"You alright, Sue Ellen?" Ann says. The lightbulb goes off in Lucy's head now.
"What?," Sue Ellen says, startled, "Yes, I'm fine. I mean, just, that's a shame. One of Dallas' finest dead so young. Isn't it?" she says and smiles nervously.
"Do you know him, Boone?" Lucy asks.
"Yeah. Yeah, I know Jensen. Different squad, but I know who the guy is. Was," Boone says.
"Well was he unhealthy or something? Maybe he had a heart attack. I swear I worry about what this job does to your health, baby," Lucy says, with one eye still on Sue Ellen, trying to distract from her reaction.
"Seemed fine to me," Boone says. "Kind of a quiet dude, kept to himself. He just got a nice new ride, too. A brand new shiny black Corvette. Don't see a lot of officers driving 'Vettes around. Some of the guys took issue with that. Thought he was kinda boastful. And now look at him. Smashed like a snail on the sidewalk. You just never know," Boone says and downs his drink.
Sue Ellen slowly nods her head, her eyes darting around the room.
"Well, my squad's got an early call tomorrow," Boone says. "We best be off. Thank you kindly for a nice Sunday dinner, JR. You too, Bobby, Ann. Anyone else walking out?"
"Me. I am," Sue Ellen says.
"Oh come on, Sue Ellen. Relax a while longer. Don't y'all leave at once," Ann says.
"No, no I've got to go. I'm pretty tired. Long day," Sue Ellen says.
"You sure you're alright?" Ann says. "You do look a little pale. Are you feeling sick, honey?" she says and smirks.
"You know what I'm sick of?" JR says, standing up. "I'm sick of you trying to make Sue Ellen uncomfortable in my home."
Ann spins around to face JR. Sue Ellen turns to go but Christopher catches her arm.
"You got something to say to her, me, whomever, just come right out and say it!" JR says.
Ann walks right up to JR and smiles.
"Annie, JR, come on now. We've had a nice evening. Can't we just end it that way?" Bobby says.
"Oh shut it, Bobby," Ann says. "I've had just about enough of your placating and smoothing over and cheek turning when it comes to these two."
"These two?" Bobby says.
JR laughs.
"And you," Ann says to JR, "you're just a bully, JR. An old, wrung out bully trying to hold on to the past." JR's smile fades.
"Well life's moved on without you, JR. And I don't know what kind of fantasy game you're playing here but Sue Ellen's not your wife anymore. She's not a Ewing any more than Elena or Carmen is now, to use your words. She's not part of your life like she was 25 years ago and putting her in Miss Ellie's chair isn't going to turn back time no matter - "
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here," Sue Ellen says, stepping between Ann and JR. "And don't tell JR where I fit in his life. You don't understand us, Ann. No one does but JR and I. All the rest of you and anyone else needs to know is that as long as he invites me to dinner, I will be here every Sunday, whether you like it or not," she says.
Everyone is quiet. Sue Ellen puts on her wrap.
"Well sure is just like old times, isn't it Uncle JR!" Lucy says. Boone tips his hat to the family and pulls her away.
Boone and Lucy walk to the door and Sue Ellen follows, then turns around and walks back into the den.
"Thank you for a lovely evening, JR," she says and kisses him on the cheek. He closes his eyes and smiles.
As Boone, Lucy and Sue Ellen walk out to their cars, she looks over at Elena's cottage. John Ross is going to blame me for that. Surprisingly, the tears don't come.
When they reach the privacy of their cars, Boone slides into Sue Ellen's passenger seat as Lucy starts up the SUV.
"So that was him?" Boone says.
"Yes. I'm positive. I'll never forget that face and the way he smiled at me during the DUI test," Sue Ellen says.
Boone sighs and rubs his hand over his face. "Sue Ellen, why in hell did you blab on TV about having proof the stop was a set up?"
Sue Ellen looks shocked. "Well, because I do," she says.
"And?" Boone says.
Sue Ellen looks down. "And because it was a golden opportunity for some press."
"Yeah. Well good for you," Boone says. "I, however, didn't fare so well."
"What do you mean?" Sue Ellen says.
"I mean that I told you I'd handle this on the down low, remember? That I'd investigate the situation. I already gave the damn glove to the lab, Sue Ellen. It's gonna come back with Jensen's prints on it and now the son of a bitch is dead!" Boone shouts. "How's that look for me?"
Sue Ellen inhales, "I'm sorry, Boone, really. I didn't think you'd already given it to your contact, please believe me."
"Well you coulda asked. But somehow I doubt that woulda stopped you anyhow," he sighs. Sue Ellen doesn't argue the point.
"Is there anything I can do?" she says. "Would you like me to go down to the police department and tell them I recognized the officer's picture as the one who pulled me over?"
Boone sighs again. "No. Just sit tight until you hear from me. Let me see how things shake out first. And please, no more popping off to the TV people about your 'proof', alright?"
"Yes. I promise. And Boone? Thank you for helping me. I really do hope I haven't caused you any trouble. You're a good man and Lucy's lucky to have you."
Boone smiles, "I agree," he says and gets out of Sue Ellen's car. Lucy climbs over to the passenger seat as Boone takes the wheel. "Dammit, lil' lady, I am stressed the hell out right now," he says while turning their car around.
"Well gun it and get us home. I have just the remedy for you," she says and runs her fingers through his hair. They speed down the Southfork drive and away.
Sue Ellen sits quietly in the dark in her Porsche, looking at the back of Southfork silhouetted around light glowing from bedroom windows. She's unsettled by her feelings just now. She wants to drive away and yet she stays, gazing at JR's window. She looks upstairs to Miss Ellie and Jock's room where Bobby and Ann are surely arguing at this moment. The house is off kilter without Ellie, that's for certain. Sue Ellen feels a pang of sadness.
"I'm sorry, Miss Ellie," she says in the darkness of her car. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay. If only….well….anyway, I promise to look after your boy, as best I can."
Harris Ryland squints at the photo of the officer on the 10:00 news. Jensen? Dead? He sets his scotch down with a thud, spilling some onto the mahogany desk. He turns up the volume and throws the remote down on the couch.
"….rolled into an intersection near Lark Lane and 17th Street earlier tonight before being struck by oncoming traffic," the newscaster says. Lark Lane? Sue Ellen's street?
His eyes bulge and he jumps up from the couch, pacing in his study. He holds his head, trying to wrap his mind around what's happened. He hadn't figured Sue Ellen would get that dirty. He is both furious and aroused.
He calls his daughter.
"Hello?" Aubrey says.
"Sue Ellen's had my officer killed," Harris says matter-of-factly.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"You obviously haven't seen the news tonight," he says.
"Yes, I saw it," Aubrey rolls her eyes. "That policeman worked for you?"
Harris sighs impatiently. "He's the one who did the DUI stop. You knew that."
"Well I've never seen him before and I can't keep track of every name on your books. There are too many," she says.
Harris cocks his head at the annoyance in her voice. "You were the one who told me she said she was looking into the stop and would have answers soon, remember?"
"Yes, so?"
"So you should have followed up on that clue. Did you?"
"Followed up how? By asking Sue Ellen so many questions that she becomes suspicious?"
Harris pauses.
"Hello?" Aubrey says, that sinking feeling in her stomach telling her she's gone too far.
"You're losing your edge," Harris says.
"Well….maybe I'm not the right person for the job anymore," she says and holds her breath.
"Tell me baby girl, do you like your nice home and your pretty clothes? Your fast car? Your long vacations? What about the way Daddy made your police warrants disappear? Do you like those things?"
"Yes," Aubrey says flatly.
"Then you're still the right person for the job. And that's real good honey, because the stakes have just been raised," Harris says and hangs up.
While Bobby showers Ann creeps downstairs in the dark, unsure what she's sneaking around for but certain there's something to find. The house is quiet but for murmuring in the den. A flickering glow reflects on the wooden hallway floor. She stops mid-step and listens…a female voice. How dare she still be here at this hour. Ann tightens her robe, smooths her hair and walks right into the den. No one but the television talking, a replay of Sue Ellen's rally segment on the news.
"Naturally," Ann says and presses the power button with a hard flick of her finger. "I can't even get a break from you in my own house, Sue Ellen Ewing."
She flops down on the caramel Italian leather couch and runs her hands along the smooth and supple hide. She curves around the arm rest and her fingers come upon the row of cool, hard brass rivets. She clenches her jaw. This is what you are now, Sue Ellen, a hard rivet in my otherwise comfortable life. Her hand lingers on the rivets and she tries to dig one out. It doesn't budge.
Her nail cracks and she winces in pain. Sucking her bleeding cuticle, the green light on phone set on the end table catches her eye. Bingo. JR hasn't gotten his own phone line yet. For once Ann is delighted at his old school ways and how he hates getting a 'hot ear' from his cell. She removes the cordless handset from the cradle and slowly pushes the 'talk' button, covering the receiver to block the sound of her breathing.
"…..was the prior owner? Well I'll be damned," JR says.
A man laughs on the other end.
"How long was he on the title?" JR asks.
"One day, then he signed it over for a selling price of one dollar."
JR laughs. "Isn't that nice. Wouldn't you like to buy a brand new Corvette for a buck?"
"Sure as hell would, JR."
"Yeah. Well sorry Bum, that ain't gonna happen," JR says.
"Hey no complaints here. As far as I'm concerned, I'm well taken care of," Bum says.
"What do you want me to do tomorrow besides check on John Ross?"
"I want you to roll by the highways, outbound especially, and check for tankers or semis on the shoulder. I put Russell on a little job tomorrow. I'd like to see how it kicks off," JR says.
"Will do, JR."
"Night, Bum."
The phone clicks off.
"What are you doing down here in the dark?" Bobby asks in the den doorway, his hair wet and his bare chest glistening through the opening in his robe.
"Oh! What?" Ann says, replacing the handset in the cradle.
"Are you gonna call someone?" Bobby says.
"Who?" Ann says, smiling oddly.
"How should I know? You're holding the phone," he says. "Are you okay? You're acting weird."
"Oh. Well. Uh. Yes, yes…..I was going to call Sue Ellen and…..apologize for tonight," Ann says with big doe eyes.
"Oh honey," Bobby smiles, sits down and puts his arm around her. She sinks into him and he kisses her head. "What happened tonight? I've never seen you act like that. A harsh tongue is par for the course from JR, but not you Annie. You're the kindest person I know. What's going on?"
Ann sighs and looks up at him with watery eyes. "Oh Bobby, I'm sorry. I am. It's just…Sue Ellen's so gorgeous and…..elegant and I'm, well….not."
"Hey, wait a minute," Bobby says, taking her face in his hands. She closes her eyes as tears roll down her cheeks. "I don't ever want to hear you say that again," he says. "Look at me. Look at me, honey." Ann opens her eyes and Bobby wipes the tears away.
"I am looking at the most beautiful face in my world. I wish you saw what I see," he says.
Ann kisses him deeply. "I love you," she says. "Sue Ellen just makes me feel insecure. She doesn't think I belong here, I can feel it. And honestly, she's making me lose my confidence."
"You're my wife, Ann Ewing, and you belong right here at Southfork with me more than anyone, certainly more than Sue Ellen," Bobby says.
Ann kisses him again. "What about JR?" she says, searching his face.
Bobby wrinkles his forehead. "How do you mean? Are you asking me who I love more, you or my brother?"
"No, of course not. I'm just saying, well, it's awkward living here with other people in our home. Grown people who….who should be on their own, you know, in their own homes by now, like everyone else," she says tentatively.
"Grown people? Who else do you mean? …..Christopher?"
Ann remains quiet.
"You want JR and Christopher off Southfork?" he says.
"Bobby, you've lived this way all your life. You don't see how strange it is. Please, trust me, I'm trying to do what's best for us, for our marriage. Sharing our home with your crotchity old brother, your grown son and now Sue Ellen the local celebrity is not enjoyable. It's unhealthy. Who's next? Lucy and Boone? John Ross the train wreck, god forbid?" she says.
Bobby sits silent next to her. He removes his arm from around her shoulders. "Annie, I didn't know you felt this strongly about it."
"I do. And it's only getting worse."
"Well that's a shame, because I'm not throwing my brother or my son out of my house," he says. They're my family, Annie, our family. And you don't do that to your kin. At least Ewings don't."
Ann's expression turns icy. "So. You're choosing them over your wife?"
"No! I'm choosing kindness and family over jealousy and insecurity. That's what I'm doing. I hope you'll try to make the best of it, Ann. I think if you stop looking for fights, it'll be much easier on you. There's a lot of family history written at Southfork before you arrived - "
"Really? You don't think I know that? You don't hear JR reminding me of that damn near every day?" Ann shouts.
"Honey, calm down, please," Bobby says. "I was going to say there's a lot of family history that JR and Christopher were part of and building relationships with them will make you a part of it, too. I want you to be a part of this whole family, Annie, not just me."
Ann sighs, "Well, I'd like that too. I suppose I just want to feel included. And JR doesn't make that easy," she says.
Bobby grabs her hand, "Can't argue with you there," he says with a smile. "You know, all of Mama's photo albums are still upstairs. I'll set them out for you and you can go through them, have a look at all of us back in the day. Might be a good way to break the ice with JR, and deepen your bond with Christopher, too."
"Great," she says. Bobby is unconvinced.
"Annie, we're husband and wife, and you're the most important person in my life. Don't think for a minute we're not going to make our own history as a couple in this family," he says with pleading eyes.
Damn straight. "I know, sweetheart," she says lovingly and kisses him again.
They walk down the hall holding hands and through the living room on the way to the front door so Bobby can do his habitual check of the locks.
"Silly, isn't it?" he says. "No matter how many times I've already checked, gotta check once more before bed."
Ann smiles absently. She is staring at all the family photos on the grand piano.
"You coming up?" Bobby says.
"You go on ahead," she says. "I want to get the coffee pot ready for the early bird," she says and winks.
"Thank you, honey. JR will appreciate that!" Bobby says and climbs the stairs with a spring in his step.
When she hears his footsteps overhead, Ann walks to the white grand piano and looks at all the framed photos on it. Then she removes five pictures of JR, Sue Ellen and John Ross at various life stages. She rearranges the rest of the frames to fill the holes and throws the five pictures in the kitchen trash can, scrunching some old newspapers on top of them.