Midland, Texas

Returning his attention to his cousin after looking out the window as the plane began it's ascent to cruising altitude, Jack broke the comfortable silence that had settled between them, "remind me about the bad parts of this job". He remembered his interview with Jock and JR well, the job they had described to him sounded cruel at times, which didn't disgust him like one might think, however, he now had to wonder if they were exaggerating a bit in their comments as he'd just spent a very enjoyable couple of days 'working'. He definitely remembered Jock explaining that a couple of incriminating photos could go a long way and that they had to keep their friends close and make acquaintances feel like friends, but the way he'd said it had made it sound as if most social visits were vaguely threatening, which challenged what he'd experienced recently with Bobby. It seemed to him that what Bobby did best was genuinely make connections with people, people who might be of use to Ewing Oil one day, but he did it though being personable and making people want to work with him rather than collecting embarrassing information to practically force agreement and support later on.

"Why?" appearing surprised by his question, Bobby gave him a curious look, asking him to explain before he answered. "Because this has been great and I can't understand why you'd give it up", responding honestly, he grinned as he spoke, he didn't need to explain to his cousin exactly what had been great about their time away; a man would have to be crazy to not see the appeal of free drinks and a stream of available women. "You'll learn, don't worry about rushing the reveal", laughing and nodding in agreement, his cousin didn't hesitate before answering him, indicating to him that a good time was to be had for a reasonable period of time before it all became ordinary or difficult, like what he was used to at work. "Alrighty, if you say so", continuing to grin, he considered Bobby's circumstances and why he was leaving, remembering snippets of things JR and Jock had said; supposedly he would handle the uncomfortable parts of the job better than Bobby did, though nobody could actually know that before he actually took over and started doing things his own way.

Sitting quietly again, he found his mind constantly wandering back to the good time he'd had the past couple of days, the good time Bobby had participated in respectfully, a little too respectfully for his liking at times, but who was he to judge if the man wanted to delay pleasure until he was back with his girl in Dallas. "So uh, I know you're not completely partaking in the entertainment we're providing, but ordinarily you would, wouldn't you?" already mostly knowing the answer, he asked anyway out of curiosity. JR was married and if he was smart, he was taking full advantage of his striking wife's dedication to him, not running around town looking at other women, but Bobby, he was only very newly committed and he was interested in what life before Pamela had been like for him. As he was about to take Bobby's place in some respects, his old lifestyle was probably a good indicator of what his life in Dallas could be like.

"I would, yes, so if you're asking whether it's ok for you to do so, then the answer is also yes. First and foremost you're working for Ewing Oil and if that means sitting and talking out details all night then that's what you have to do, but if the situation is less demanding than that then feel free to enjoy the good time, everyone else will be. I'd be careful not to do anything that could put Ewing Oil in a vulnerable position though, which means be safe, know who is working what role in the game and always stay on our side. If those girls are working for us then you should be safe, no incriminating pictures are going to appear anywhere unless we want them to, but like I said about being safe, you need to remain cautious when it comes to other women, this is business and business can get dirty quickly if you're not careful". Responding in a way which was sincere but not too serious, as what they were really talking about was pleasure as well as business, Bobby's comments made a lot of sense to him and sounded like something he could see himself following.

"So know who's on the payroll and who's not, because the ones who aren't are dangerous?" Summarising Bobby's answer to his question with another question, he had to laugh at his cousin's facial expression as he considered how to respond, he looked as though he was really thinking about it, deciding whether a stranger in a bar or at a party was truly dangerous. "In less words, yes. That doesn't just apply to women you meet at random, it applies to any woman who is present who you haven't arranged to be present. Wives, girlfriends, secretaries, mistresses, unidentified guests, anyone like that, I'd personally stay away from those sorts on company time. Outside of work anything goes, do what you wish with whoever you wish, within reason of course, I guess I mean nobody here is going to tell you no, except of course if it brings negative attention to Ewing Oil".

Nodding as Bobby continued to speak, he finally understood; they were playing a game, but they weren't necessarily playing fairly, neither were those they were playing with, and if they weren't careful their position could easily flip and suddenly they'd be the victim. "Right, so stay away from business connections but everyone else is fair game", laughing as Bobby shrugged in agreement to his comments, he didn't even think before making his next comment. "I think I'm probably safe considering you're sneaking around with Pamela Barnes and I take it that wouldn't exactly be welcome news at Southfork or Ewing Oil, but you're still doing it", saying what he said as a joke, he could immediately tell from Bobby's facial expression that he didn't think of whatever he had with Pamela as so casual. "Do me a favour ok? Don't say anything about that to mama or daddy about that just yet". Replying in a hushed tone, despite no one around them eavesdropping, his cousin seemed to be genuinely concerned about him ruining everything by saying something to his parents, which wasn't his intention anyway, he already knew and he hadn't said anything as he was smart enough to see that Bobby himself hadn't said anything yet either.

"I won't, I'm not here to ruin your life, and unlike JR I can see the appeal with Pamela. It doesn't benefit me in any way to say something just for the sake of it either, so if you want me to stay quiet and keep your secret then I will". Reassuring his cousin that his secret was safe with him, he could see a noticeable change in Bobby's facial expression, he looked very relieved which wasn't surprising considering all of the things he'd heard muttered about the Barnes family even in his short time in Dallas. Bobby dating a Barnes was sure to ruffle a few feathers and he could understand completely why he'd want to delay that conflict for as long as possible if he could; as a newcomer himself, he knew how it felt to be treated with suspicion, in his case mostly just from JR, but for Pamela, JR was only the beginning.

"Thanks. It's not a secret as such; it's just not something I'm really ready to deal with the fallout of yet, I want us to actually have some time to enjoy a relationship together before accepting the hostility that is inevitably going to be aimed at us". Speaking in a resigned tone, as if he knew exactly what was to come eventually, Bobby's feelings for Pamela were evident, their relationship was serious to him despite its newness, which he had to respect. "Whatever you want", smiling friendlily, little else really needed to be said, they understood each other and falling back into a comfortable silence as their conversation came to a natural pause, both men knew that of the other; they were cousins, but they were also becoming friends, and friends supported each other.

To be continued…