Austin, Texas

"Welcome to 'Her Style' magazine Miss Shepard" Mr Collins smiled, this girl would be perfect for the new face of his magazine, they'd start off slow, taking a page from the popularity of 'Seventeen' magazine, but eventually they'd be the new 'Cosmopolitan', growing and changing with their readers. Of course, he didn't mention his eventual plans, Sue Ellen Shepard and her mother seemed like much too proper ladies to go anywhere near the contents of 'Cosmopolitan', but that was exactly what was needed, the transformation of a simple wholesome lady into a sexy lady, the readers would love it, he'd make them love it. Sue Ellen felt confident coming out of their meeting, the pitch sounded wonderful, she'd get to model doing a number of different things and even give her advice to some reader questions. Mr Collins had been very interested in her influence as Miss Texas and hopefully the future Mrs JR Ewing, this job would be good for both of them. As Patricia drove Sue Ellen back to the college campus, she wouldn't stop talking about the opportunities this would bring Sue Ellen, Kristin and herself; that was Patricia, always thinking about how she could use her daughters to benefit and advance her own interests. Sue Ellen was more excited about finally having something to focus on long-term, she didn't want to just sit around and hope that JR would propose, she liked having something to do and modelling was one thing she was talented at.

"Sue Ellen, I like the blue one. Why do you want me to wear the pink one?" Kristin whined, dress shopping was normally fun, but right now, she wasn't enjoying it, she hated being told what to do when it went against what she actually wanted to do. "The pink one is much more pageant queen appropriate, isn't that right Sue Ellen?" Patricia interjected and Sue Ellen hated to agree, but her mother was right, if she wanted to win, she had to have the pink dress, it was just much more appropriate for the occasion. Sue Ellen felt a little bad for her sister, she knew exactly how it felt to be told no and that your own decision was not good enough, she'd had a lifetime of compromises. "You do want to be a beauty queen like your sister don't you?" Patricia was always encouraging Kristin to be in a competition with Sue Ellen, they weren't even very close in age and she was still having to live up to the expectations and standards set by her older sister. Sometimes her sister would help her, but most of the time she just agreed with their mother or she wasn't present to defend Kristin; she hated that even with Sue Ellen away at college and still managed to overshadow the small achievements that she had. "Yes mama. The pink one is lovely" she conceded to their wishes and agreed. "Sue Ellen, have you given any thought to what you will wear in the Miss America pageant?" Patricia moved past her younger daughter and onto her eldest, Kristin sighed, she would always be in the shadow of Sue Ellen. "No mama, the pageant isn't for a few months though, so we still have time", they continued to look around the store and Patricia wandered over toward the bridal section, "these are lovely don't you think Sue Ellen? Yellow, just like the decoration at Southfork", Sue Ellen sighed, it was always about marriage, even when it wasn't about marriage.

Dallas, Texas

"Oh that is so exciting Sue Ellen" Miss Ellie gushed, "so, what kind of things will you be doing? Is it just fashion modelling or is there more?" Sue Ellen was visiting Southfork for the weekend, though JR had been tied up with business all day and they hadn't spent much time together, she began to wonder why he'd even invited her to Dallas this weekend, it seemed like he and Jock knew they'd be busy. "Well it's more of a lifestyle genre, a little bit of everything; they want me to be the face of their new direction, it will be like a women's magazine, but for teenagers and younger women. There will be a relationship advice section, a fashion section, some domestic things like recipes and decorating advice, things like that. The idea was pitched to me with my role being the main girl, people will know my name. My Miss Texas title is a big reason why they asked me, there will still be other girls modelling too though. They also said I would be the one giving the advice to reader questions, but so far most of the answers have been written for me and I just approve them for my name to be signed. It really is a fantastic opportunity, my mother is very pleased". Miss Ellie noticed the way Sue Ellen's voice changed at the end of her sentence, she was heavily influenced by her mother's opinions and attitudes, it was apparent that she worked hard for her mother's approval in her life choices.

"It sounds wonderful Sue Ellen, I'm very happy for you. What does JR think?" she smiled, but did genuinely wonder what her son thought of the whole thing. Sue Ellen was making big life choices in the absence of a marriage proposal, she had to have something to fill her time; Ellie wondered why JR was taking so long to ask, why he was so adamant that she belonged to him, but so hesitant to make the real commitment. "Well, he hasn't really said much. I know he's of two minds about me modelling" she left her comment vague, not wanting to start any trouble. JR liked the idea of dating a model, but he also had classic male jealousy and possessiveness when it came to her, he didn't like when other men made it known that they found her attractive. He was ok with her modelling ladies fashion and other things aimed at a female audience, but anything remotely sexy or suggestive was a problem. Sue Ellen didn't really mind too much though, she would never agree to selling her body in that way and her mother would never approve of such things either. The opinions of her mother and boyfriend also gave her the perfect excuse to turn down any offers of that nature; she'd definitely received a few after being crowned as Miss Texas. In her mind she knew that she would give up modelling when she married JR, she wouldn't have any real reason to continue, Jock had made it clear that Ewing women didn't work and her mother was of the same mindset. Sue Ellen was secretly happy about both her mother and Jock being such strong personalities, she didn't mind working as a model, but she enjoyed shopping and socialising a whole lot more, married life would be a nice change; first she had to actually get a proposal from JR though. Miss Ellie nodded at Sue Ellen's comment, she could just imagine what her son would do if his wholesome, virtuous, young girlfriend acted anything less than ladylike, especially in the public eye. She knew her son, he had an eye for loose women, but he'd never publicly flaunt his association with those types, always choosing acceptable women as dates for formal events, keeping his dirty habits behind closed doors. JR underestimated the amount his mother noticed about the way he lived his life; Sue Ellen was good for him and she really did want the best for them, hoping he would propose soon.

"Darlin' I'm sorry that took so long, the oil business waits for no one" he grinned, he and Jock had just acquired a small oil company, it was an excellent buy for Ewing Oil but they'd had to work hard to negotiate a fair price. All the hard work had paid off though; they were quickly on the way to making Ewing Oil the biggest independent in Texas. Sue Ellen smiled at him, "it's ok, business is important, I understand that", there was no point in starting an argument about why he'd invited her to Southfork when he knew he would be busy, she wasn't even that upset about it, she liked spending time with Miss Ellie. It was times like these that she got an idea of what it must be like to be a Ewing wife, her mother had trained her well, she knew what to expect with wealthy, powerful men, a wife shouldn't add her husband's pressures and a wife shouldn't make him uncomfortable, no, she wouldn't say anything. "It is, but thanks to the oil business and my expertise, we have something to celebrate. How about we all go to dinner tonight, mama?" Miss Ellie smiled and agreed, JR was never dull, but he was extra spirited when he was celebrating.

To be continued…