Dallas, Texas

"Daddy, I'm not upset about the offer, it's the lack of communication that's the problem. I don't care if you ran it past Bobby, Bobby isn't the vice president of Ewing Oil, I am, and I need to know these things. Ewing Oil business is my business and I'd appreciate if you would respect and remember that in future". Stating his opinion in a strong tone, JR wasn't surprised when his father stared at him impassively before responding in his own strong voice, "now come on boy, don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. I was going to tell you, I just hadn't yet; I was going to do it yesterday afternoon, I told your mama last night. If you recall, you left the office early yesterday. Not a problem, but not my problem either. You know now though, so let's move on". Turning his attention to Julie who was sitting next to him, taking the meeting minutes, it was clear to JR that his father was not in the mood to discuss their working relationship again, and to be honest, neither was he; he just wanted to make sure his father knew he wasn't thrilled about not being kept in the loop.

His father had to understand that he didn't appreciate the way he treated him, but was it really worth his time or energy to continue to tell him that without anything ever changing? He wasn't sure. In some ways, he was ready to just give up and accept that things were the way they were and they were unlikely to change, so letting them slide was just easier and would probably be better for his stress levels. In an uncharacteristically hopeful sense though, he occasionally saw a different side to his father and didn't want to give up potentially one day having the kind of relationship he wanted with him. He had seen a change just a week ago when they'd all spent the day together as a family, his father had made a positive comment to him about his behaviour toward Jack, though the nice moment had only been brief as he'd also made mention of his previous 'jealousy' toward Jack. In agreeing about things at the office too, he felt the respect he deserved from his father, but so often it was only fleeting. He wasn't quite ready to give up on their relationship and accept that things would never just be nice and respectful, not yet, his father strung him along with small compliments, and where he wouldn't accept that from anyone else, he did from his father because he so desperately wanted to feel special and loved. He knew it wasn't normal in the greater scheme of life, but it was normal for him, and it was better than no paternal relationship or love at all.

"Item four, potential new sites to acquire", listening to Julie as she read off the next topic as instructed, JR sighed resignedly before turning his attention to the notes he'd had Diane prepare before their meeting, there was a time and a place for a long discussion about his and his father's personal relationship and now was not that time. Now was the time for him to shine in a different light though, he had a good business sense and unlike in their personal lives, he and his father usually had an easier time agreeing on which set of plans to move forward with. "You'll see from the notes provided, I've again compiled a list of companies that are tipped to fold in the near future, along with their most valuable assets. I propose we continue to do what we've been doing, set up meetings, make offers, negotiate to purchase those assets from the owners themselves before the banks step in. We'll continue to browse the bank foreclosures too; if we continue to do our research and make well thought out decisions we should be able to continue on the upward path we're on. I've provided a list of what's available and on page two you'll find the numbers we're working with depending on what we choose to do with the property we own and acquire. We can afford to have a few non-active sites if the output at our working sites continues to be high. We can also afford to do exploration and if the reports look promising, start the administrative work to turn those properties into drill sites. In short, what we're doing now appears to be working, so I've noted a few ways we can continue that success".

"Mm, I'll review this list in full this afternoon and get back to you, if it's as you describe and as it looks at a glance though, I don't see any problem with your proposal. We don't want to overextend ourselves, but I don't think we will if we continue making sound financial decisions like we have been. Picking up assets with value in someone else's moment of desperation is good business and Ewing Oil does very well at that business". Watching his father quickly peruse the report he'd prepared, JR felt a little better about the direction of their conversation; his father hadn't exactly said 'good job son' or 'I'm proud of you' but he had said something positive and that made him feel good. Being so up and down with his father was a problem, he knew that, and he couldn't deny that Doctor Williams was right when he questioned what exactly was different about Patricia and Sue Ellen's relationship to his and his father's but still, he wasn't ready to cut his father out like they had cut Patricia out of their lives.

"Hm, I see you've got WBM Oil on here, excellent work, Walt won't like us sniffing around his business but you know him, if it's between selling off a few assets and downsizing, or defaulting on his loans and letting the banks get their grubby little hands on everything, I think I know which one he'll choose. He's a proud man, he'd rather portray an image of being a wealthy victim of a changing economy than a foolish, overconfident businessman who couldn't even negotiate his way out of a few overdue loans. That pretty little wife of his is unlikely to stick around when times really get tough either, he knows that, he's not stupid, men our age don't get ladies like her circling without reason… Definitely look into this one, I want to know everything, I think we could do well there". Snapping back to full attention as soon as he heard the word 'excellent', JR smiled genuinely as he listened to everything his father was saying; when they agreed at work he was pleased, but it was even better when his father actually complimented him on his ideas, because that was unfortunately rare. Laughing at his father's comments about Walt's wife, a shapely blonde girl who was probably no more than twenty-two, a true trophy to a man of his father's age, he grinned at the comments about their plan. He and his father were on the same page when it came to taking advantage of other's misfortunes in business and to have that confirmed to him again pleased him; Bobby wasn't the right man for Ewing Oil, Jack could be, but he'd never get near the office if he could help it; things weren't so bad after all.

Hearing a knock and seeing Diane standing in the doorway, JR's attention shifted, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Mrs Ewing is here for your lunch appointment". Listening to his secretary, he felt a bit foolish for temporarily forgetting he had made plans with his wife, he did have an excuse though, he'd been occupied with work and when he was at the office that often took over all of his thoughts, though so did his frustrations with his relationship with his father. Getting carried away with thoughts of work and his father rather than the more pleasant parts of his personal life was hardly a crime though, he didn't keep his position as vice president of Ewing Oil just by cruising through the day, he had to work hard and focus on what was important in the business world. He still had time for lunch though, and as he had promised Sue Ellen he would introduce her to some of the wives of other Dallas businessmen, women who were in a similar position to her, he was now due to follow through on his promise. He couldn't be completely sure his introductions would lead to an actual friendships, because after trawling through the list of men he knew and their wives, crossing off anyone he had any slightly personal past with, the final group he'd eventually decided on were fairly bland. Knowing his wife, bland wasn't really what she was looking for; the Carol Parker's of the world were probably quite content with their lives, but would Sue Ellen be content living like them? He wasn't so sure.

"Do you mind if we come back to the rest of the items this afternoon? I've made lunch reservations…" Packing up his notepad and pen as he spoke, JR knew his father wouldn't argue with him, it was close to midday anyway, and after the rocky period he and Sue Ellen had had in the past, his father was supportive of him making an effort in his marriage, or a small effort at least. His father wasn't so keen on Sue Ellen being an equal, but as for treating her like the lady she was, he wasn't going to argue. "Meeting adjourned; meet back here at say, 3pm? Julie?" nodding at both him and Julie, his father did as he expected, accepted his request without a fuss, and with that, he stood and left the room, walking down the hallway in a better mood than he had been when he'd entered his father's office.

To be continued…