Dallas, Texas

"…distribute favours to anybody who can help Ewing Oil. We call them the three B's: booze, broads and booty. A visit from the Ewing Oil Goodwill Ambassador means a good evening for everyone, tailored to whatever it is our guest may enjoy; you need to remain firmly in control though, whatever happens out there isn't purely for pleasure, it's business too. A couple of incriminating photos or a voice recording can go a long way; we have to keep our friends close and make acquaintances feel like friends…" Explaining the main points of the job to Jack, Jock was pleased to see JR nodding agreeably with his statements, he didn't anticipate JR would be so agreeable when they were alone and debating things, however he was pleased that he was keeping his opinions on Jack to himself for now. In his opinion, based on personality, partial experience, surname, and his clear interest in doing as the role required, Jack was the perfect man for the job and his employment what was best for Ewing Oil. It was necessary for Ewing Oil to employ someone to spread a little goodwill around, someone new since Bobby was out of the question now and it was a waste of JR's business talent to have him travelling, pimping and promoting, not to mention he was married and no longer was his wife a meek, naïve, accepting girl. In addition to those things there was a much simpler reason for why JR couldn't just resume the role he'd played prior to bringing Bobby on board, no longer was he a young, carefree man, he was grown, he had to grow up and face his responsibilities some time and now was that time.

"It's true; you'd be surprised how easily a little visit from the Ewing Oil Goodwill Ambassador loosens purse strings and get business relationships flowing again. You'll find some people are resistant and don't want to come willingly though, that's where the three B's really work to our advantage, we're sure to receive enough incriminating evidence from those meetings that even the unwilling eventually realise Ewing Oil is not a company to work against. The B's have 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 us is a bad idea…" Jumping in to the conversation, JR added to what his father had been saying, mostly because he wanted Jack to realise exactly what he was entering into by expressing an interest in the job, though it was also partly because he wanted to remind his cousin who was in control and who had experience of being in control. They had gone out together on Saturday night socially, though Jack had mentioned something to him earlier in the day on Saturday about it being a good opportunity to show them his social skills 'for practical job interview purposes'. He had done that, though simply being able to interact socially at a club wasn't really proof of anything more than exactly what it appeared to be, he was young, apparently attractive to women, and he could interact with both men and women equally as well; none of that really qualified him for the roadman position though. If they did give Jack the job, he would soon learn it was about more than just socialising; if it turned out he didn't like or wasn't good at everything else the job required, they'd be right back where they started, however, if they warned him beforehand, it could help avoid having to go through the whole recruitment process again.

"JR's right, it's important to always keep in mind that there is another reality to the one that appears when you're out there entertaining. Like I said, you must maintain control, even if you're having a nice, easy evening and your guests aren't any trouble; one slip and all of a sudden we're the ones having to watch our backs". Studying Jack as he listened to JR talking, Jock looked at his nephew with a serious expression as he added to what his son had been saying. There was something in JR's words that reminded him to seriously consider the responsibility that came with the job and he briefly wondered whether JR had been right and he was being a bit premature in thinking Jack was perfect for the position. His nephew was very young and he did seem extremely eager to join the company, and while that wasn't a bad thing and he did have some experience in the oil business, so he didn't think it would be appropriate to make him start from the very bottom all over again, he did have to seriously think about it. Jack could be perfect for the job, he was personable and that was a huge part of what was necessary, he really needed to understand his function and be trained to react to the situations he would be put in though.

"I understand, this is networking, this is business, not just fun, the roadman, goodwill ambassador, pimp, whatever you want to call it, that man is representing Ewing Oil and working for Ewing Oil above all else. The way you both describe the job gives me a good idea of what you want and need from your employee; from the responsibilities to the personality traits, I believe I have a good understanding of what you're looking for and I believe with my natural temperament and the right training and direction, I would be suitable for the job. I understand you haven't offered me the job and I don't expect you to either, I know Ewing Oil is a very large company and you've probably been inundated with applications, some from men more qualified on paper than I am. I really would like the opportunity to be considered a serious applicant alongside those other men though".

Listening to Jack speaking, Jock found himself swinging back the other way with his opinion; Jack was young and would need training, he was aware of that though, he was aware of his lack of experience in the position they needed him for, just as he was aware of how small he was in a large group. To Jock, that honesty and lack of assumption about his positon was nice to see, partly because it was refreshing to hear something contrasting to JR's complete confidence and partly because it reminded him of a younger Bobby. His youngest son had had a hard time when he'd first started at Ewing Oil after college, that was until he had been given an opportunity to show where he could really work well for the company. The change in Bobby's confidence from doing office work to PR work was huge and something about Jack reminded him of that time just a few years prior. Jack would need to take control of his social confidence and build some business confidence if he was to succeed in the role at Ewing Oil, however, to Jock that was less of a challenge than rewiring the thoughts of an overconfident, but less skilled employee.

"Thank you", considering the situation again, Jock knew he and JR would have to have a long discussion about what could be done and who would do it, because Jack was not a given, however, he was looking like a reasonable candidate, especially considering the lack of other interested or suitable applicants that had walked into his office. JR would be resistant though, even if Jack did look like he could be trained to act and think as they wanted and needed him to all while possessing enough of his own personal charm to succeed at the most basic level. Using Bobby as an example would probably work though, especially since JR had appeared to be relieved and quite pleased when Bobby had assumed the role, most likely because it meant he was gone, away from the office most of the time. In the actual job though, Bobby was a fine example of personality plus training and he was confident the same could be done with Jack.

"Mm, I'm pleased to hear you're aware of the tough decision we have to make and that you'll understand if our answer is no. As I'm sure you'll understand too, we're in the midst of the process and therefore cannot give you any answer at this point in time. Your application is valuable to us though and will be considered alongside the rest". Still not completely on board with Jack joining Ewing Oil, or his family if he was being completely honest, JR responded in a steady, controlled voice before offering his hand, and continuing the spiel he gave all interviewees at the conclusion of their meetings, "thank you for coming in, we'll be in touch". Shaking Jack's hand, he looked his cousin in the eye, holding his gaze for a few seconds before turning to his father and waiting for him to do the same, forcing an end to their meeting. There was a lot to talk about, not to mention more men to interview, and keeping Jack around any longer than necessary could prove dangerous, therefore, although there was probably more that could be discussed, it was best to end things now, before his father got carried away and started getting comfortable with making Jack the new Bobby.

To be continued…