Dallas, Texas

Observing JR from the mirror of her dressing table as she finished touching up her makeup and he dressed for dinner, Sue Ellen nodded and made small sounds of encouragement as he explained himself. "Darlin', it's just like I've told you, I've been thinking about Jack and how he fits in to things here and I've decided to make the most of it. As Ewing Oil roadman Bobby spends a lot of time travelling out-of-town, I expect Jack will be the same once he's trained, assuming of course he's good enough to become a permanent employee. I've had some time to think about what you said and what the good doctor is always saying, about trying to make friends and not seeing everyone as a threat to my power".

"You were right when you said I'm the vice president of Ewing Oil and that's a much more important position than the roadman or assisting with ranching. I'm already on top in business and not even daddy is dumb enough to hand any real power or control over to a newcomer like Jack. Since I don't want anything to do with the running of the ranch either, it doesn't matter one bit to me what Bobby does or doesn't do with his days once he's out of the office and no longer an employee of Ewing Oil. I know I criticise his performance as a rancher, because every time I hear about him from you he's hanging around Southfork, not working, but I really do find that slacking preferable to having him on the payroll at Ewing Oil".

"I've decided to give Jack a chance. That doesn't mean I trust him implicitly, because I don't, however, I no longer believe he's up to something shady. I don't think he's here for any more sinister reason than greed and if I can make him work for what he wants rather than just giving it to him like daddy would find a way to do if he were employed by someone else, then that's better than nothing. He's determined to hang around Dallas and I've decided that I might as well have him on my side during his time here; he won't be uncomfortably close though, the travel will ensure he's gone reasonably frequently. When he is here though, I suppose I can make an effort to get to know him, perhaps even spend time with him like a friend would, he seems keen on that and who am I to deny him that pleasure?"

"So to answer your question, I'm not up to anything, or I suppose, I'm not up to anything destructive. It's always good to keep people on their toes though. Keeps them guessing, wondering what I'm up to and how it affects them". Listening to the various tones JR used to explain himself, Sue Ellen could tell where he was letting his friendless vulnerability show and where he was avoiding investigating things a bit deeper in case they ended up revealing further vulnerabilities. What she couldn't quite tell from his tone was what his true intentions were, that was what stuck out to her the most.

Turning around so she was looking at him directly rather than in the mirror, she responded, "have you ever thought about just playing it straight? Just giving Jack a chance to become a friend and a good employee on his own, without planning ahead to keep him in line by relying on his fear of the unknown and fear of dealing with your wrath for minor indiscretions. I'm thrilled you've decided to do something, you know I'd love you to have friends and Jack and Bobby are the perfect people to begin making an effort with, I just think you might have a more transparent, trusting friendship if you didn't go into it expecting your friends to always be wondering whether you're genuine or not".

"For example, tonight, instead of leading Jack, Bobby, or even your daddy to wonder why you're being nice, how about starting the evening with a genuine, honest toast, and then socialising as honestly and friendlily as you can. I know you have a certain amount of sharp, sarcastic wit inside you and you wouldn't be you if you didn't say what you were thinking or bring attention to things you see as important, I'm really just saying that perhaps instead of starting the evening with a defensive attitude, you could try and do what you just described. Instead of leaving Jack to wonder whether you're being nice in an effort to trick him into lowering his guard so that you can pounce and get rid of him once and for all, make it clear that that's not what you're doing".

"I want friends, and I'm trying hard to make friends, I love that you are considering making the same efforts, I just think you might have more success if you went in with a completely open mind". Explaining herself, hoping JR didn't think she was treating him like a child, she knew she had hurt his feelings a bit when his face fell, turning his grin into a frown. Upsetting him hadn't been her intention and now that it was clear she had, she felt as if she shouldn't have said anything.

"Sue Ellen, I really need you to listen to everything I say, not just certain lines. I told you, I've decided to give Jack a chance, a chance at Ewing Oil and a chance in this family. I told him as much as that earlier when I invited him for dinner and he seemed receptive, I think that's enough for now, until further developments occur. I think he knows how I feel about his intentions to come and claim a slice of the good life here in Dallas without really working for success but I think he also understands now that that's not going to happen, not with me around. If he works hard, he will be successful and he may enjoy some of the privileges of being a Ewing; I want to make sure he doesn't think he can just have everything without doing anything for it though. It's not tricky or underhanded to keep an eye on him and want to get to know him more personally to protect Ewing assets".

"I suppose I can see your point though, if he thinks I am only spending time with him to catch him out then that's not going to benefit our personal relationship with each other, is it?" Observing her husband as he responded to her comments, she couldn't help but laugh out loud as he paused and then out of nowhere muttered, "'benefit our personal relationship'? Hell, that damn doctor really has a way of making his ideas sound like my ideas". It wasn't the first time JR had referred to Doctor Williams' advice, but apparently this time he had actually noticed himself doing it. Shaking his head, as if to get rid of Doctor Williams' presence, he then continued speaking and she smiled to herself as he did, because his earlier upset seemed to have disappeared.

"All I'm trying to say is I suppose I can see what you mean about a possible friendship with Jack. If I make it clear that I want to know him as a person, my cousin, not just as the man who just turned up out of nowhere, wanting to join the family and the company, perhaps that's a better foundation for a good relationship. Like I said, there is an element of both, I can't just trust him, it's not who I am and it wouldn't be smart, but I also don't think he's anything more than a young opportunist and I suppose I can learn to live with that. There's nothing wrong with wanting everything, I do; I know you have to settle in some areas though, for me, that settling takes place in my relationship with daddy, I know he'll always prefer Bob, but I have a clear path to being his favourite business partner. Jack is a disruption to the natural order, but not one I can't accept, and I have accepted him now".

"Tell me at least some of that makes sense to you and you don't still think I'm not trying hard enough. I don't think I have the willpower to explain it to you again, but I will if it means you understand where I'm coming from by the end of this conversation". Hearing the tone he spoke to her using, a tone that indicated he was trying and he really wanted her support, not another set of questions or criticisms, she stood and walked over to where he was standing, kissing him softly and wrapping her arms around his neck before looking him in the eye and responding. "I understand, and I am very proud of you. It thrills me that you're interested in making this family work and finding the positive side of Jack's addition to Ewing Oil".

Looking toward the door as the sound of the doorbell rang throughout the house, she unlinked her arms from JR's neck and smiled at him as he spoke. "It sounds like some of our guests are here. Shall we?" A little disappointed their time together had ended so quickly, she couldn't stay down when he seemed so positive, especially about something he wouldn't usually be thrilled about; his change of heart was pleasing and she was going to encourage it as much as she could. "Mm, let's go. We have a dinner party to host".

To be continued…