Dallas, Texas

"Sue Ellen, Sue Ellen!" Lucy ran onto the Southfork patio followed by two of her friends, Muriel and Lisa, "will you autograph these pictures" Lucy excitedly handed her three pages torn from the newest issue of 'Her Style' magazine. "Well yes of course, but why do you want my autograph? I'm not famous" she was a little confused, Lucy knew her in real life; the usual autograph seekers were young girls and their mothers, and occasionally middle-aged men; the latter made her slightly uncomfortable but she signed pictures for them anyway because she didn't want to be rude. "But you are famous, you're Miss Texas. Some of the other girls at school don't believe me when I say that I know you; so now I am getting proof. When you become Miss America, then they'll be sorry" she finished speaking and Sue Ellen got an awful feeling; what would happen to her if she didn't win Miss America? Everyone seemed to expect that she would; but she knew that it didn't really work like that. "Oh, well in that case, of course I'll sign these pictures. But Lucy, there is a possibility that I may not be Miss America; it's a very big competition", Sue Ellen spoke and JR observed the scene; "of course you'll win, you're perfect. Remember, I was a judge in the last pageant. You had that contest won the minute you walked out onto that stage". Sue Ellen smiled; it wasn't often that JR so willingly expressed how he felt, "thank you JR, but I have to be realistic, there are forty nine states that aren't Texas and they all have their own version of me. The competition is so much harder this time around", she needed everyone to lower their expectations, she hated disappointing people, especially the ones she was close to. "I know you'll win; uncle JR will be there with you and he always gets what he wants" Lucy wasn't stupid, she knew how things worked for JR Ewing, he could make things happen that seemed impossible to other people. "She's right darlin', there are ways to guarantee a win" he spoke and she had no doubt that if she asked him to, he would, "no JR; that is dishonest and immoral and I will not wear a crown that I did not earn. I have to be the best and if the judges don't think that I am, then that's just how it is and I have to live with it", she was being completely honest, but she feared that he wouldn't listen now that she'd given him the idea. "I think that's very honourable" Muriel spoke and Sue Ellen was thankful that she had someone on her side, "thank you". The young girls ran back into the house and Sue Ellen returned to her previous conversation with JR.

"Mama, Daddy; Sue Ellen and I would like to finish our drinks outside if you don't mind", JR noticed that Sue Ellen had been distracted all afternoon, he hadn't said anything at first, but now he wanted to know what was bothering her. Miss Ellie smiled, "you go ahead JR", she liked Sue Ellen, she was good for JR; she hoped that things were getting serious between the two, because she'd love to start planning a wedding and decorating a nursery soon. Walking outside, Sue Ellen admired the ranch and JR agreed, though he really only wanted to ask one thing, "Sue Ellen, is everything ok with you?" She knew that it would be better to just explain her concerns to him, but she was still unsure about his reaction and how legitimate her problems even were, "I don't want to burden you with my issues", JR sighed, she closed herself off unnecessarily, probably something her mother had taught her to do, "it's not a burden; I'm asking". Sue Ellen took his interest as a sign, "I know we already talked about this earlier, but it got me thinking. What if I don't win Miss America? I don't want to disappoint everybody but so many people are convinced that I'll win; it's not that simple though. I know you offered to help, but I want to do it on my own. At the same time though, I'm so scared of trying and failing" she explained the problem but didn't voice her concerns about him escorting her. She was fairly certain now that he would do it when she asked, he had been nothing but supportive about the pageant and she realised that she was just being silly with that concern. "I know you don't want my help and I'll respect that, but know this, you're special for so many reasons that have nothing to do with your title and anyone who thinks less of you if you don't win isn't someone that deserves your respect. This is not something you should worry about. Besides, as Lucy said, with me as your escort you'll be sure to win, I always get what I want" he grinned and she laughed, realising that he was right, it wasn't her problem if other people thought badly of her because she didn't win the contest. "Actually, I'm glad you mentioned that, I've been meaning to ask you, but you beat me too it. Will you be my escort?" she shyly asked and internally berated herself for not asking sooner. "Darlin', if you think I'd let anyone else escort you, then you don't know JR Ewing very well", he grinned and kissed her and she was relieved, she already felt better from his words, but his kisses sealed the deal.

Austin, Texas

"Sue Ellen, look at what just arrived for you" Patricia brought a large bouquet of flowers into the kitchen and Sue Ellen was surprised, JR only ever sent her yellow roses so they weren't from him, but she didn't have any other admirers that she knew of. "Well, read us the card" Patricia prompted, though Kristin looked like she couldn't care less; the never-ending conversation about Sue Ellen was getting old. "Dear Sue Ellen, I wish you all the best with the Miss America pageant; I know you will be excellent. –Billy" she read the card aloud Patricia smiled, "that's very nice of him. Now, you make sure you call and thank Billy, it will serve you well to have Billy Frampton in your social circle, especially if JR doesn't commit soon". Sue Ellen sighed, that's all she was to her mother, a pawn in her game, her ticket to a better life, Sue Ellen's happiness had nothing to do with it. "Yes mama, of course", she was glad that she actually liked Billy; she could do a lot worse, especially with her mother's choice in men.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Sue Ellen's eyes wandered around the hotel lobby as Kristin stood by Patricia's side and they checked into their hotel. JR had kindly booked and paid for two of the penthouse suites, one for Sue Ellen and her family, and the other for himself. Patricia was always happy to accept gifts like that and JR knew it; it was a lot easier to make small gestures and keep her happy than it was to deal with an angry woman. Looking toward the hotel gift shop, Sue Ellen casually scanned the items for sale, candy, flowers, a few tacky souvenir trinkets and some postcards. There was a small newsstand outside the gift shop, she began to look over the magazines, and then the newspapers before one headline in particular stuck out to her, 'No More Miss America'. She was surprised, though the Miss Texas organizers had warned her; she hadn't expected it to actually happen. There was a protest planned for the following day by a group of feminists who disagreed with the whole idea of beauty pageants; Sue Ellen wasn't close enough to read the press release in the newspaper, but she already knew the general ideas. "Sue Ellen" Kristin tapped her on the arm and she realised that they'd finished checking in and were ready to go upstairs to their room; she followed her mother toward the elevator and hoped that nothing would go wrong tomorrow.

"This is a strange city, not my taste, but the hotel is nice at least", Patricia was always complaining about something and Sue Ellen was used to it. "I like seeing the ocean, it's very relaxing" she responded, deciding to make polite conversation because it was easier than talking about the pageant again. "It wasn't the ocean I was talking about. I suppose it doesn't matter much though, we're not here to sightsee. When you win that crown, the location and objectors will be irrelevant", she was confident that Sue Ellen would win, she raised winners and she expected nothing less. Sue Ellen felt sick, "mama, I'm going to the roof, I need a little time by myself", she left the room and walked up the stairs, the pressure was too much, she had to get some fresh air.

To be continued…

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