Dallas, Texas

"Now just wait a minute boy; firstly, I am the president, you are the vice president, it's customary for us to make decisions for this company together, but I do not need your signature in order to make changes, don't forget that and don't you ever try to threaten me. Secondly, do you think I'm stupid? Do you really think I haven't done any research into the man I'm considering bringing into Ewing Oil? We screen all our new employees here, you, Bobby, and Jack included. His story checks out, he's Jason's son, he worked summers in the Alaskan fields when he was a boy, then after high school he worked there full time, until a few weeks ago when he handed in his notice and left, not just left the job but left Alaska completely. I'm working on finding out exactly what went on with he and Jason that caused him to run from Alaska, because I'm not stupid, I know something happened there, just like if Gary were to show up in Jason's doorstep, it'd probably be clear that something happened here too. I don't have a full report on what that incident was yet, but what I do have is a basic report and my intuition and those are telling me that your suspicious nature is over-the-top".

"Jack's young, he has no criminal record, he has a steady employment history, he's polite and can maintain a conversation, he knows the oil business and he's interested in our family history, he seems to be smart, and if what I overheard Julie telling Diane this morning is true, apparently he possesses the Ewing charm. I don't have much time for gossip, but this seemed like useful information, it appears he spent last night getting acquainted with the nightlife this city has to offer, much like you and Bobby did at his age. I'm not talking about handing any kind of power over to him, Ewing Oil is yours if that's what you're worried about, that's not going to change; what I'm talking about is taking the talent we already know Jack possesses and using it to our advantage. All of those applications are for men who are looking for some kind of career position, something they can use to create a name for themselves; the position is really made for a Ewing, someone who understands the company, someone who can sell the image because he really believes it and because people can connect to him. I did it, you did it, Bobby did it, and one day John Ross will do it, before then though, we need someone to fill that role and I want that person to be Jack. He's a Ewing, I think he's capable, and I'm willing to give him a chance, and I mean just that, a chance, if he's useless, he's gone, no issue, he's an employee, we can give notice; if he proves to be good at the role though, then we have him, not some other company. This is what I want and it's what's going to happen. None of this was his idea, he's not, as you put it, 'worming his way in', and whether you trust him or not is irrelevant at present. If you're going to play the vice president card, then so am I, I'm the president of Ewing Oil and until the day I die I will have a say in what goes on around here".

Downing the last of his drink as he finished speaking, Jock continued to hold his eldest son's stare. He knew JR, he was just like him, he was stubborn and he didn't like being told no; it wasn't a bad trait, or it wasn't usually a bad trait, his perseverance had served Ewing Oil well, but in this case, it was causing more issues than necessary. JR used to be so obedient and willing, but recently things had been different, that was a problem, one that needed to be fixed, fast. He had previously expressed his displeasure at certain business decisions, most memorably Bobby's inclusion in Ewing Oil business at all, and he had previously lost that battle, he'd also learned to live with Bobby though, and he could certainly do the same with Jack if he just tried. His current bad attitude was both more of the same and something different; he was still being a whiny little boy, complaining about anything and everything he could in order to make Jack look bad, but this time, he also seemed to really hate Jack. This time JR wasn't just whining about not being the only second-generation Ewing at Ewing Oil, one who would be happy to socialise with Jack if he chose to leave the oil business alone and instead decided to take up ranching with Bobby, no, this time, unlike with Bobby, he wasn't interested in any kind of relationship. That was a problem, he liked Jack, but he loved JR, even if he didn't ever really say it and JR didn't seem to believe it. He wanted to include Jack in life in Dallas because he was family and he seemed to be a decent man, but JR was making everything so difficult, from talking to being a family, nothing was simple with JR.

"If he's that good then he'll have no problem coming out on top of the interview process then, will he?" breaking eye contact for a second, Jock was unable to mask his surprise at the fact that JR wasn't responding directly to his executive decision to bring Jack in regardless of his agreement. He had taught JR everything he knew, but there were still times where the way he approached things surprised him, this was one of those times. Before he got a chance to question exactly what JR was getting at though, his eldest son began to speak again, elaborating without being asked. "If you're so confident that he's what we need, and he's able to prove that to be true, then I'm willing to give him a chance. You're failing to see the possibility that perhaps his age, level of experience, and his understanding of actual business aren't what we need though, and there's a very real possibility that he won't be the next Bobby, instead he'll be the next Gary…"

"I think you're also forgetting that the position is promotion, gathering favours, and insurance; we're sending someone out to represent us, he's the face of the company, he has the ability to make or break our chances of getting ahead in certain places and with certain people. That's power; maybe not in starting salary, access to confidential information, or level of actual, real importance and necessity within the company, but in regard to how much that man can influence outsiders to love us, hate us, work with us, or refuse to acknowledge us, that's power, there's no denying that. For that reason, I propose we select the very best applicants, vet them thoroughly, and then interview. Like I said, if Jack's half the man you're describing him as, and not in fact the phony opportunist I think he is, then he'll have no problem coming out on top, and when that happens, the job is his. It's only fair, you put me through the wringer to get to where I am today, and Bobby, well, he had a much easier time, but even he started off reading facts, maps, and charts before he moved on up. Jack deserves no more than that, if anything he deserves less, but if you're insisting we give him a chance, I insist we first cover all the bases. You can't deny me that, you taught me the importance of due diligence, remember?"

Leaning back in his chair as JR spoke, Jock shook his head; JR was smart and he was loyal to Ewing Oil, he'd made him that way, and it was wonderful, but it was also a real pain at times. He had taught JR to question and dissect everything, and never to be too trusting, but he had done that with the intention that JR use those skills and traits to tear the enemy apart, not cause problems within Ewing Oil. Listening to JR though, he couldn't help but agree with his son; he hated to admit it, because he had confidence in Jack and he liked him as a person, but perhaps he had jumped ahead just a little too far, too soon, and perhaps it was time to take a step back and let Jack's skills speak for themselves. They needed someone to fill Bobby's role, soon, but a time constraint was no excuse for sloppy work; being rushed not a worthy defence from his employees and although he was the boss, he knew that that really applied to him too. "Fine. Hand me those resumes", not smiling or saying anything else in relation to what JR had just said, especially the never-ending comparison between he and Bobby, he held his hand out and accepted the manila folder. He still didn't believe any of the applicants in the folder were truly fit for the role, but he'd agreed to interview and if he was going to waste his time doing that, then he might as well meet the best of the bunch.

To be continued…