Dallas, Texas
"JR", Jock burst into his office without knocking, though he was fairly used to it by now, "yes sir", he knew his attention was required immediately, his father had spoken in an insistent tone. "I need you to fly to Midland this afternoon, probably stay a few days, spread around a few B's. Some of the ole boys need a reminder about what doing business with Ewing Oil is all about; how it benefits everyone to deal with us instead of someone else". JR nodded as his father spoke, "yes sir", he grinned, he had definitely missed the social side of the oil business, and a few days spreading a few B's was just what he needed. He had concluded that he and Sue Ellen had been spending too much time together lately, things were more enjoyable when they came together after a long wait, he didn't like when life was too easy. A little time apart was just what they needed, it would give her time to miss him, and it would give him time to remember what his life was like before; he didn't actually plan on partaking in all of the activities he would provide, but there was nothing wrong with enjoying from afar. "Good, go home and pack a few things, the jet will be ready at three. You know what to do", he slapped JR on the back and left the room, he trusted that JR knew exactly what to do; JR had connections and ways of making things happen that he didn't question. Jock didn't care how things happened as long as Ewing Oil reaped the rewards, and they did, in the years that JR had been working for the company they had grown exponentially, they were well on their way to making Ewing Oil the biggest independent oil company in Texas.
"Good idea, the furniture stores will get publicity and the homeless will get beds; it's a win-win. Now, what about food…" the DOA ladies were gathered outside by the Southfork swimming pool for their weekly meeting and Sue Ellen was eagerly listening and joining the conversation. She was enjoying being involved in such important plans, it felt good to be a part of something that mattered. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a car coming up the driveway and she turned her head to see who it was; "excuse me", she muttered a few quiet words and stood as she realised that JR was home. She had to go see him and find out what was going on; it was strange and unexpected because it was only just past one in the afternoon, he would normally be working at this time. "JR" she arrived at his car just as he was closing the door, "afternoon darlin'", he lightly kissed her and they walked into the house together where he explained that he had to go out of town for a few days on business. Sue Ellen's heart dropped as he told her that he had to leave, she had already experienced a little time without him when she went to her mother's house for a few days, and she wasn't ready for another break yet. "Whatever Ewing Oil needs", she smiled and didn't let on that she was upset, he shouldn't have to worry about her feelings when it came to business, she knew that his job would keep him busy when she married him, her job was to encourage and support him, not nag and make him feel bad. "I have to go and make a few calls now and my flight leaves at three, but I'll be back in a few days", he said as he finished packing everything he would need for his trip, Teresa was busy with the DOA function and he'd elected to just do it himself, he wasn't totally incapable. "Ok", she quietly responded, she couldn't act excited about his sudden trip, but she wasn't going to act negatively either, "call me when you're coming home, I'll pick you up at the airport", she wanted to be helpful, but it seemed as if he didn't need her. "No need darlin', I'll just leave my car at the airport, I don't know when I'll be coming home and I wouldn't want you to go to any trouble", he was in a hurry and he didn't notice her reaction to his words, he didn't need her to start worrying about making plans, he was perfectly able to drive himself. "Oh, ok", she whispered, his argument seemed reasonable, but she felt useless, she didn't like that he was so self-sufficient that he didn't seem to need her for anything. He picked up his suitcase and walked toward the door, "you can come downstairs and kiss me goodbye though", he grinned as he walked out the door and she quickly followed, it wasn't much, but she would do whatever he wanted.
Midland, Texas
JR stood in a hotel suite with a group of associates, he was throwing an informal get-together to hopefully make a few deals for Ewing Oil, "gentlemen, gentlemen, have you forgotten your previous experiences with Ewing Oil? We offer so much more than just oil…" he grinned as the men nodded, it always surprised him how it only took a little visit from the Ewing Oil Goodwill Ambassador to loosen the purse strings and get the business relationship flowing again. If they didn't come willingly, then JR had other methods, the three B's were certain to provide enough incriminating evidence that they had to work with Ewing Oil. Booze, broads and booty had a certain way of bringing out both the best and the worst in men; a friend of Ewing Oil had nothing to worry about, but making an enemy of them was a bad idea, especially with JR Ewing running half the business. Ethics were not Jock Ewing's strong suit, but his son, JR Ewing had even less ethical values than his daddy did, he wanted to succeed, and he would do anything necessary to make that happen. "Well…?" the first of the group of men spoke and JR grinned, they were intrigued and his trip wouldn't be for nothing, his daddy would be proud of him when he returned home. "All in good time, but first, let's have a drink", he clicked his fingers and a group of 'waitresses' entered the room, "ladies, get these men a drink, and anything else they'd like"; he would never directly say it, because it wasn't exactly legal, but the women he hired had a lot more skills than regular hotel waitstaff.
Dallas, Texas
"Did my husband call?" Sue Ellen asked Teresa as she and Miss Ellie arrived home from their shopping trip; she'd been wary about leaving Southfork for most of the day when she hadn't spoken to JR yet. She didn't want to miss his call, he was a busy man and would probably call when it suited him, she didn't want to inconvenience him by not being available when he did call. "No Mrs Ewing", Teresa replied and Sue Ellen didn't know how to feel, on one hand she was pleased that she hadn't missed his call, but on the other, she was upset that he'd been gone almost twenty-four hours and hadn't called her yet, he hadn't even bothered to tell her he'd arrived safely. "Thank you", she replied and walked inside the house; she unpacked and put away all of her things from the shopping trip and reasoned that his job was obviously time consuming and tiring and he'd probably just forgotten to call. He had probably returned to his hotel room after dinner and gone straight to bed, forgetting and not yet being used to having to call his wife; he had been going on business trips for over a decade, but this was the first one where he had a wife waiting for him at home. He would call when he remembered to and he would be home in a few days, it wasn't the end of the world and she was probably just making a big deal about nothing. She pushed the thoughts out of her mind and walked down the hall to find Lucy and give her the new clothes she had bought for her, that would occupy her thoughts and time for a while.
To be continued…