Dallas, Texas

"Is JR back yet?" addressing both Julie and Diane as he walked out of the elevator and into the Ewing Oil offices, Jock's impatience was clear by the tone of voice he used. He had things to discuss with JR and now was not the time for his son to be off having a late lunch with business acquaintances or analysing nonsense like emotions and past wrongdoings with a man who in his opinion, hardly deserved the title of doctor. "Yes, he's in his office", nodding curtly at Julie as she swiftly responded to his question, he continued walking, making his way down the hallway, stopping only for a moment to knock and announce himself when he reached JR's door, before entering anyway.

"JR, we need to talk", speaking in a gruff voice as he entered the room, he was pleased when JR looked up from the paperwork on his desk and appeared to be listening to him, waiting for him to elaborate. "I've just had a very interesting lunch with Punk, he tells me Jack's been sending out resumes and he's had some interest… It's time to make a decision. Is Jack in or out?" Knowing he had ultimate control in the situation if he wished to exercise it, he still made an effort to include JR in important decisions because he was the vice president and he didn't want to cause more problems with the future president and part-owner of Ewing Oil than they already had. He had some tact when it came to business, he knew how to at least appear to be considering all options, even if in his own mind the final decision had already been made.

"You know my opinion on this, I want him, he's family, and I like the boy, plus, he's a good fit for the vacancy we have available. You heard him, he's willing to learn to do things the way we do them, and I think that natural charm he has will make it easy for him to pick up where Bobby's going to be leaving things. No denying he needs to be trained, but we were never going to hire a new man and not train him, so that's not something I'm concerned about. I need your answer though, yes or no? Is he in or is he out? Remember, out doesn't mean gone from Dallas if that's what you're hoping; he's here to stay, I'm sure of that". Hoping to remind JR that it was futile to say no to employing Jack in order to get him to leave Dallas, because there was a lot more to Jack's trip to Dallas than just job opportunities, he was pleasantly surprised when JR didn't immediately protest.

Naturally, JR was stone-faced for a few moments, saying nothing as he considered the question; after a long pause though, he opened his mouth to respond, shocking him again with his lack of overreaction. "Well, before we make any decision, I'd just like to point out that any interest in Jack from our competitors is surely based on the surname on his resume rather than the rest of the contents…" Making sure he got his opinion in before anything else, JR then paused, giving Jock time to really hear what he was saying, which Jock did, and while he didn't want to admit it aloud, he couldn't deny his eldest son had a point.

Jack wasn't a complete rookie when it came to the oil business, he had a reasonable amount of practical experience and a family history in the industry, he lacked experience in business dealings though. As charming as he was, he had no proven history in sales or marketing and while he likely understood some of the geological processes and business theories being used in decision-making at the office, out in the fields, and on the road, he didn't actually have the academic background to back up his judgements. A college degree was not necessary to succeed, he of all people knew that, he'd worked his way to success without any higher education, as had many of the men in the industry that were of his generation rather than Bobby or JR's generation. In saying that though, through his sons and the men he employed, he absolutely saw the value of a formal education, and he understood JR's point about Jack's appeal to other companies.

"That may be so, but it is what it is and I don't think it changes anything for us, because whether you like it or not, Jack is a Ewing and in this town that means something. People here know the Ewing name and want a piece of what we have; Jack may not tick every box but the appeal of getting some kind of insider information from his connection to us has to appeal to other companies. I don't like the idea of that happening; if he's going to be here in Dallas, I want him working for us, not Stonehurst or any of the others. You and I both know he has no knowledge to give away, but it doesn't sit well with me to have one of our own working for our competitors".

It was true, he hated the idea of Martin Hurst or Wade Luce getting their hands on one of his family members, he could only imagine the kind of conversations and games that would take place despite the fact that Jack knew very little about the inner workings of Ewing Oil. It was only natural that their competitors would try to use Jack against them, it was what he would do if he were in their position. Things had moved on from where they had been just a day earlier, no longer was Jack just in Dallas, getting to know his surroundings and his family, now he was exploring all his options and receiving feedback that may cause him to put down roots somewhere, somewhere that he had no control over. With that in mind, he knew what had to happen, they had to hire Jack and do it soon, before he was offered something more appealing than JR's unfriendliness and Bobby's leftovers. He had already decided to offer Jack the condo for the time being, not that JR knew that though, a job with Ewing Oil was naturally the next step, it only made sense.

"I understand that daddy, I don't want him working for one of our competitors either, even if he has nothing to tell them, it's just not right. I still don't think we should be obliged to employ him though, not if he's no good. I'm not saying that he's no good, because after thinking about it, I think hiring him might have some advantages, at least in the short term, however, I think we're setting a dangerous precedent if we employ any old stranger that walks into our lives and announces themselves as a Ewing. Who knows how many others there are out there? I don't mean Gary's going to turn up and want a job, that's never going to happen, but what about this sister of Jack's? Or anyone else who decides they are a member of this family? I'm not prepared to hire based on name only, it's reckless and frankly I think it's unfair too. I had to work my way up the ladder to get to where I am today, you built that ladder and Bobby, well he skipped a few rungs but still, he had to do something to prove he was worth employing. I understand we need someone to replace Bobby when he leaves us in less than a month, however, I see no reason to jump on hiring Jack, it's not as if we don't have any other options".

Listening to JR as he spoke, Jock frowned, JR always made things more difficult than they had to be. It didn't take anything away from him to employ Jack and it was a bit of a stretch to make it seem like a dangerous precedent was being set when the reality was Jack was the first and likely only additional family member to seek employment at Ewing Oil. To add to that too, he had never said they were going to hire Jack and give him everything without first expecting him to prove himself worthy; in fact, it was actually more unbelievable that he would give him everything, especially when he expected so much of his own sons. In his mind, there was a difference between being hospitable and letting nepotism get out of control, apparently JR didn't see that difference though, it also didn't help that JR was of a suspicious and jealous nature to begin with; he saw everyone as a threat to his position, even if they weren't.

"Now come on boy, I'm not suggesting we make Jack anything more than the roadman; we need one of those and I think it's a job best done by someone who bears the Ewing name. As for other Ewings, I'll make it clear now, after Jack, the next Ewing I intend to have working here is John Ross; oil, and business for that matter, is no place for women. Lucy will have everything, but Ewing women don't work, at least Ewing women here in Dallas. I don't pretend to know what Jason does up there in Alaska, but if Jack's sister is working in oil there and we have no part in it then I suppose it's none of our business, but I'll put it out there now, there's no job for her here in Dallas if she were to follow her brother. As for Gary, like you mentioned, that's not going to happen; he had his chance and made it very clear how he felt about it, so let's not even go there".

Pausing as he considered how many people actually bore the Ewing name, and how many of them were actually eligible to work for the company that supported their family so well, he had mixed feelings. On one hand he was proud of the fact that the women in his immediate family were well looked after and he could firmly say that Ewing women didn't work. On the other hand though, he did have two sons who had decided Ewing Oil wasn't for them and he couldn't deny that it pained him a bit to see his legacy regarded in such a negative manner. To have Jack take such an interest in Ewing Oil pleased him, even if it made JR suspicious and brought out his difficult side.

JR's complaints weren't completely falling on deaf ears though, he did understand some of where he was coming from. He had expected a lot from both of his sons before they were given any real power or privilege at Ewing Oil and it did seem rather unfair to consider giving Jack a job Bobby had landed only after a trial period of bookwork, and a job JR had done alongside everything else he did. From JR's perspective everyone had it easier than he did, whether that was actually true or not was a matter of opinion, in this case though, he could see how it may be accurate.

"Let's get back to the point here; we need to make a decision, quick. Now, I'm sure you'll agree that there were only two or three decent candidates out of the lot, which I'll be honest, is disappointing. We're not going to stand around dwelling on the quality of the group that useless agency sent us though, we don't have time for that. I propose we hire Jack, for all the reasons I've mentioned before; to quell your concerns though, I propose we have Harve draw up some kind of trial period clause to insert into his contract, and I propose you have a hand in training him. I trust that you can train him without compromising your marriage and without letting your negativity get in the way of his progress. He has a basic knowledge, you've said that yourself, now it's time for him to learn to do things our way and that doesn't mean just showing up for the socialisation; there's more to the job than just the three B's and if it's between you and Bobby to teach that information, you're the best man for the job".

Acknowledging JR's position, it was still clear from the way Jock spoke to his son that they weren't really discussing any future where Jack had no part in the company. Even in saying what he had though, offering JR a compromise, he wasn't surprised that JR looked as if he were about to respond with more than a simple acceptance comment, he had taught his sons never to accept a proposal without negotiating their own terms first. He had set the stage though, they were now discussing the terms of Jack's employment rather than whether they were going to even to employ him at all. He had accomplished something and that was a small victory, the larger victory was still to come, but it would come, eventually.

To be continued…