Dallas, Texas

"…daddy, it's about trust. You keep saying that JR has the knowledge and experience that Ewing Oil needs, and I understand that, but I'm a part of Ewing Oil too. How am I supposed to get to the same level of understanding if you never let me do anything?" Sue Ellen paused as she walked past the downstairs office after dinner, she knew that it wasn't polite to eavesdrop, but she couldn't help herself, it was something that interested her and affected her husband, she had to know what was going on to make sure that JR wasn't faced with any avoidable challenges. Jock sighed, Bobby had a point, but things weren't good for Ewing Oil right now, and he couldn't risk sending an inexperienced man like Bobby out on the road to negotiate things when he had JR available to him. He wanted Ewing Oil to truly be a family business, but he wasn't about to risk everything by putting the wrong man in charge of negotiations; Bobby was very good at the social side of business, making people feel welcome and special, but he didn't have the same understanding of the whole industry that JR had. While Bobby had had a life outside of Ewing Oil and had gained other skills, JR was always right there working for him and learning everything he could about the oil business. Even while he was in high school and college, JR had been there and done every job in the office, in the fields, and anywhere else that Ewing Oil required him to be. Jock had trained JR and taught him everything he knew and JR had taken that knowledge on board and even learned a few things on his own; he had established a hunger for big business and developed new strategies for getting what he wanted, and what was best for Ewing Oil. As much as he wanted to include Bobby in every aspect of the business, there were just some things that were best left to JR, because although he wasn't his favourite son, he couldn't deny that JR was truly the best man for the job right now. Pausing for a moment before he spoke, he carefully chose his words, he didn't want to make promises that he couldn't keep, but he also didn't want to disappoint Bobby, because he was a good man, and he had a point. "I hear what you're saying, and I'll consider it. But I don't want to make any hasty decisions, especially not before we hear what news JR comes back with. However, with that being said, I agree with you. So, how about later in the week, after JR returns, the three of us sit down and discuss the possibility of you taking on a little more responsibility?" Bobby smiled as his father spoke, he knew that the discussion would lead to more opportunities for him, his father had all but given him a better job with more power and influence, he was just being cautious before he officially committed to it.

Sue Ellen stood silently outside the door, shocked that Jock was so open to the idea that Bobby should have more say in what went on in Ewing Oil. JR had always said that his brother didn't have what it took to be totally successful, that he wasn't suited to real work, that he was only good at one thing in the oil business and it wasn't anything to do with oil itself. Sue Ellen had never worked with Bobby, and she liked him as a person, but she couldn't help but agree with her husband, JR knew what he was talking about, he knew what was best for Ewing Oil, and he wouldn't be happy when Jock called him for their meeting. "Thank you daddy; I'll let you get back to your reading now", Bobby smiled at his father, he had gotten what he wanted and he didn't feel the need to disturb his father's time alone any longer; walking toward the exit, he turned as his father called his name. "Bobby", Jock sat behind the desk as he thought about their conversation, "you do realise that you'll have to work more closely with JR if you want to learn everything about the business", he thought Ewing Oil as a family company was a wonderful idea, but the reality of his sons working together harmoniously wasn't an easy feat. The fact of the matter was that experience had shown that they seemed to work best separately, and he couldn't imagine that JR would be too pleased about his younger brother's increased presence in his working environment; he needed Bobby to be prepared for JR's backlash, because it definitely wouldn't be a smooth, effortless transition. Bobby sighed, he couldn't understand his older brother sometimes, he wasn't trying to steal anything that belonged to JR, he just wanted to experience the same things that he did, and in his mind, they could work alongside each other toward a common goal without one of them being better than the other. Unfortunately, JR didn't seem to see it the same way, and he would do everything in his power to make sure that he was never in a vulnerable position, even if that meant scheming against his family to ensure his own personal success. "Yes daddy, I understand. I want this, I want to be a productive member of Ewing Oil, and if that means I have to work with JR, then I'll do it", he wanted to present a positive front to his father, although inside, he was less sure about working alongside JR and possibly being under JR's management. He knew that JR wouldn't be very happy about it and when JR was upset about something, it didn't matter who the person was, he would try and destroy them. He had learned that the hard way when he had worked for Ewing Oil a few summers ago, and again just last year when he had first started working there full time; he was always assigned the small, out-of-the-way jobs and never anything important if JR had anything to do with the decisions. "Good, as long as you understand", Jock nodded and waved his son out of the room, he wanted to get his reading done before his wife came and asked him to play backgammon, she always did and he enjoyed that she did, but he also had other work to do, and Bobby's presence had interrupted his alone time.

Sue Ellen continued to listen outside the door until she heard what seemed to be the end of their conversation; not wanting Bobby to catch her in a compromising position, she quickly exited the hallway and made her way upstairs. She would relay everything to JR when he called her later, and hopefully he would thank her; it didn't matter to her that Bobby wasn't really a threat, she was on JR's side, and she would always ensure that she helped him wherever she could. He would definitely want to know about the changes at Ewing Oil before they sprung a meeting on him when he returned, and she was sure that he would come up with a brilliant plan, but she wanted to make sure that he had enough time to do it. Meanwhile in the living room, Lucy Ewing sat reading a magazine as she drank a cup of hot cocoa; she was engrossed in the pages until she heard the clicking of high heels and noticed Sue Ellen quickly making her way upstairs. Just as she was about to call out to her, she heard the office door open and watched as Bobby walked out into the hallway, just seconds after Sue Ellen had come from that very direction. She didn't know exactly what was going on, but she was fairly certain that it was something important; Sue Ellen didn't run up the stairs for no reason, she was trying to get away without being noticed, and Lucy couldn't wait to find out why.

To be continued…