Dallas, Texas

Having tried to avoid selling himself solely on the Ewing name, because he wanted Pamela to like him for him, not just what he could offer her, Bobby found himself cornered when she asked him directly about his job. He had to tell her about Ewing Oil and his role in the company now, it would be a lie to tell her anything else, especially since the truth was that he'd never worked anywhere else, at least not as a paid employee. The problem was, he always felt a bit self-conscious telling potential girlfriends that his job involved a lot of tasks where his being a young, single man really came in handy. Meeting a woman and having that meeting develop into casual sex was a very different ball game to meeting a woman and trying to woo her and build a relationship with her, and after the past few years, he felt quite experienced in one area, and a bit inexperienced in the other. He was no stranger to enjoying himself and he was no stranger to being a gentleman, but in most instances the two didn't really mix. He was never rude to the women he bedded, but he also didn't try to pretend whatever they had was anything close to a personal relationship, so there was little real talk with them; with dates things were different, he wanted to talk, but to talk so frankly about the nature of his job wasn't something that he really enjoyed. His new job was one he felt less self-conscious telling potential girlfriends about, it was good, honest, hard work, and it didn't involve pimping, bribery, or blackmail. Of course, he didn't hate his current job and he would miss getting paid to travel around handing out favours and making connections; additionally, he had a feeling that one day he might regret his rush to get away from the world of easy women, he knew though that he wouldn't miss the way one particular question made him feel.

"Hm, an infinite loop of filing and typing does sound kind of dry, though I think I can match that level of dull. I don't think I've ever been quite as bored or frustrated with a work task as the time I was asked to read a series of geological reports for what turned out to be dry land, I spent hours staring and maps and reports waiting for something to jump out at me. Luckily, that's not my job; my job is people, I'm good with people and I enjoy people; I'm a goodwill ambassador, I travel to promote the company, to make sure people know our name and have a favourable opinion of us. That won't be my job for much longer though, in a few weeks I'm shifting gears and moving into a new role that focuses on the other thing I'm good at and enjoy, ranching. That's why I'm applying to grad schools, my daddy wants me to have some kind of formal business training as well as the agricultural knowledge I'm learning by getting out there and working the ranch. I love both of my jobs, but I think ranching is where my heart is, it's what I can see myself doing when I think of the future and my older self, plus, it really helps family relations. My brother JR, Sue Ellen's husband, he did just about everything he could to get me out of the oil business, his business, and at first it bothered me, but now that I've secured a future in ranching, I couldn't care less about whether he wants me at the office or not". Taking a drink, he paused for a few moments to gather his thoughts again and study her reaction to the information he had given her; he trusted her, even though he had only just met her, but still, he wasn't like JR, he didn't feel the need to splash the Ewing name everywhere in order to get noticed. Observing the way she interestedly nodded and then thoughtfully crinkled her forehead, he suddenly wasn't quite so sure about how much he trusted her though; he couldn't describe why he felt that way, he just felt it, there was something going on in her mind in reaction to something he had said.

Before Bobby had a chance to say anything further, either asking Pam what she was thinking, or continuing with his previous explanation, Pam took advantage of the momentary silence at their table. "That makes a lot of sense…" pausing herself, she smiled at him as he did as she had done before, crinkled his forehead in a thoughtful, likely confused manner. "Ranching and people, it fits", shrugging as if that explained everything, she then switched topics slightly, bringing the conversation back to the part that had most intrigued her, the ease and access Bobby had to whatever he felt like pursuing. "You're lucky, it sounds like you have everything at your fingertips; you tried office work, but it bored you, so instead you moved into a new role in promotions, and now you're moving into ranching and it sounds like you'll be running the place soon enough. I don't want to assume anything, you know how that can cause problems, but am I right to conclude that apart from your brother, you have a very supportive family?" He also seemed to have the resources to do whatever he wanted, but she didn't say that as she thought it might be a bit gauche.

Relaxing as Pamela spoke, not saying anything that really validated his earlier unease about trusting her, Bobby considered Pamela's point for a moment before nodding and then speaking again, "mm, assuming can be a dangerous thing, but in this situation, you're right, well, sort of. My daddy likes to be in control, the problem is, so does JR, and when it's between those two, you're better off doing what I did and getting out. JR is thrilled that I'm leaving the oil business, it can't happen fast enough for him; my daddy on the other hand, he had a plan and I skipped ahead and that displeased him, ultimately though my plans do please both of them; the rest of my family is just along for the ride, they'd probably support whatever I chose. The ranch has been in my mama's family for generations, so she's thrilled I've decided to make it my fulltime job, but she never pressured me into it, not like daddy did with his sons and oil. Growing up it was Ewing Oil this, Ewing Oil that, I didn't know any better, until one day I did and now here we are. I am lucky, you're right about that. I'd like to think that being lucky doesn't make me a bad person though; I still have to work hard and live up to the expectations that come with such support…" Pausing as he noticed her facial expression change, he tilted his head in confusion, she had clearly reacted to something he had said, but again, he didn't really understand exactly what that something was, especially since everything he had been saying had been somewhat related to her question and their conversation. Sitting in silence with her for a few moments, still totally confused, he then spoke again, attempting to break through whatever it was that was coming between them again "Pamela? Is everything ok?"

Across the table, Pamela Barnes sat stunned. She had found the source of the niggling feeling in the back of her mind, but instead of making things clearer, everything was now just a little bit more complicated.

To be continued…