Alliances

Part 24

Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie drove into Dallas to pick up the dresses they purchased to wear to the Annual Oil Baron's Ball. Miss Ellie selected an elegant, two-piece ensemble. The blouson style top had a wrap around bow that tied below the waist, and three-quarter length sleeves, in silver, silk organza, with a matching jersey knit floor-length skirt.

Sue Ellen chose a black high-waist, floor length, Nu-Georgette gown with a surplice bodice, and crystal encrusted straps. The gown was fitted through her hips, and fell to a gradual flare at the hemline. The dress could be worn with, or without the optional bolero jacket. Sue Ellen chose not to purchase the jacket. She felt it detracted from the intricate beauty of the surplice bodice of the gown.

After they paid for their dresses, Sue Ellen offered to treat Miss Ellie to lunch at Seventeen-Seventeen Restaurant on 1717 N. Harwood Street. The restaurant was quietly hidden on the second floor of the Dallas Museum of Art, next to the atrium. Large windows illuminated the white clothed tables that were randomly scattered throughout the restaurant's two dining rooms.

Patrons of the restaurant could enjoy the view of downtown Dallas, as they dined on dishes such as grilled banana beef tenderloin with Japanese fried rice. The restaurant's menu and dessert items changed with the Art Museum's exhibitions. A variety of wines were also available in the restaurant, and served by the glass.

The hostess escorted Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie to their table, next to a window, and inquired about what they would like to drink. Miss Ellie asked for a glass of Chardonnay, while Sue Ellen said that she would like a tall, glass of ice cold water.

Miss Ellie thanked Sue Ellen for driving her into Dallas, and for inviting her to lunch.

Sue Ellen smiled, and touched Miss Ellie's clasped hands, and said, "There's no one else I'd rather go dress shopping with than you, Miss Ellie."

Miss Ellie beamed at Sue Ellen, and said, "You look happy Sue Ellen. How are things going between you and J.R.?"

Sue Ellen smiled her most dazzling Miss Texas smile, and said, "Thank you, Miss Ellie, I am happy. Things between J.R. and I are going surprisingly well. We have our little disagreements, but we're trying to rise above petty differences, and work on keepin' the lines of communication open between us."

Miss Ellie returned Sue Ellen's brilliant grin, and said, "I can't tell you how happy that makes me, Sue Ellen."

Miss Ellie continued, "The last time I saw J.R. this happy was when he found out that you were pregnant with John Ross."

Sue Ellen was about to speak, when their waiter approached their table, and said, "Good Afternoon, Ladies. Are you ready to order?"

Sue Ellen looked at Miss Ellie, and Miss Ellie said, "Yes, we are. I think I'll try the Cedar Plank roasted Salmon cakes with the truffled spinach, walnuts and Madeira Aioli."

The waiter nodded, as he approved of Miss Ellie's selection form the menu, and turned to Sue Ellen, and said, "And for you, Madam?"

Sue Ellen said, "All of the items look so delicious, but I think I'll have to go with the honey mustard dressed Tempura Gulf Shrimp with Asian greens in the filled rice paper basket and Thai chili."

"Very well, I'll bring your selections out to you as soon as they are ready." The waiter replied, as he turned to take their orders to the chef.

Miss Ellie took a sip of her Chardonnay, and said, "You were going to say something before our waiter arrived?"

Sue Ellen said, "Oh, yes, I lost my train of thought. I don't remember J.R. bein' happy about findin' out that I was havin' a baby. Then again, I was in a drunken stupor most of the time."

Miss Ellie smiled and said, "Well, those times are all behind you, now, Sue Ellen. You and J.R. have your whole future ahead of you."

Sue Ellen took a drink of her ice water, and swallowed the refreshing liquid.

Miss Ellie asked, "Is everything all right, Sue Ellen? You look a little pale."

Sue Ellen coughed to clear her throat, and said, "I'm fine, Miss Ellie. I guess I'm not used to the hot Texas summers, yet."

Miss Ellie said, "I hope that's all it is, and that you're not coming down with something?"

Sue Ellen smiled, and said, "I'm sure it's just the heat, Miss Ellie. I'll be fine once I get used to it, again."

The waiter returned to their table with their meals, and asked if they required anything else.

Sue Ellen glanced at the waiter, and said, "No, I think we'll be fine. Thank you."

Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie enjoyed a leisurely walk through the Dallas Art Museum after their meal. The Museum was featuring an exhibit of selected works of art from the Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher collection. The exhibit would be on display until January fourteenth of 1996. Sue Ellen gasped when she saw one of her favorite pieces in the collection. It was a painting of the Seine by Claude Monet, titled, The Seine at Lavacourt.

Sue Ellen was drawn to the painting for its warmth and it's depth and vibrant, almost translucent use of color. The vivid blue and green colors in the painting made Sue Ellen want to travel to France, just to see if the artist had actually managed to capture the beauty of the Seine the way she envisioned it.

Miss Ellie held Sue Ellen's arm, as they walked out of the museum to Sue Ellen's car. Miss Ellie waited while Sue Ellen unlocked the passengers' door for her, then Sue Ellen walked around the car to the driver's side. Sue Ellen climbed into the car, and started the engine. She told Miss Ellie that she would have J.R. help carry their dresses into the house when they got back home.

Sue Ellen drove back to Southfork, while Miss Ellie enjoyed the scenery. Miss Ellie didn't like to drive in the frantic Dallas traffic. She preferred leisurely drives on small, winding, congestion-free, two-lane country roads. Sue Ellen had developed a keen driving ability when she traveled through Europe. The high-speed thrill of driving on the Autobahn in Germany made the speed of the Dallas freeways seem like a snail's pace, in comparison.

J.R. met Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie in the driveway at Southfork. J.R opened the passengers' door for Miss Ellie, and gently kissed her on her cheek. J.R. raced around the car to open the driver's side door for Sue Ellen. J.R. pulled Sue Ellen into his embrace, and hungrily kissed her lips. Miss Ellie smiled, as she shook her head at J.R.'s romantic display.

Sue Ellen pulled away from J.R., and asked, "What did I do to deserve that?"

J.R. winked at Sue Ellen, and said, "I missed you, Sugar. Did you and Mamma get your dresses for the Oil Baron's ball?"

Sue Ellen said, "Yes, we did. Will you help me carry them into the house?"

J.R. replied. "Of course, Darlin', as long as I get to watch you get dressed for the ball."

Sue Ellen grinned at J.R. as they walked inside the house.

Th Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Dallas had been completely renovated for the Fiftieth Annual Oil Baron's Ball. The ballroom had been tastefully decorated for the evening's festivities by members of the Daughters of the Alamo. Several long banquet tables were filled with a variety of delicious dishes, and dessert items that should more than satisfy the palates of any of the two-hundred fifty guests in attendance.

The adult members of the Ewing family, along with Clayton and Miss Ellie Ewing - Farlow walked into the ballroom to look for their reserved table. J.R. and Sue Ellen nodded greetings to a few of the guests whom J.R. still considered friends, before J.R. invited Sue Ellen to join him for a dance.

J.R. held Sue Ellen's hand up to his chest, as he placed his arm around her waist, just above the small of her back. They moved gracefully together across the wooden tiled dance floor, as the band played 'The More I See You.' J.R. hummed a few bars of the song, in an effort to get Sue Ellen's attention.

J.R. moved his hand, and touched the side of Sue Ellen's cheek. Sue Ellen lifted her eyes, and looked directly into J.R.'s penetrating gaze. J.R. kissed Sue Ellen's temple, as he pulled her closer to him. J.R. and Sue Ellen's flight of fancy footwork was interrupted by the incomprehensibly slurred speech of an obviously intoxicated Cliff Barnes.

Cliff said, "Marilee, I want to introduce you to the new model for Valentine Lingerie, Sue Ellen Ewing, herself."

The irritating sound of Marilee Stone's voice was akin to fingernails on a chalkboard as Marilee spoke, "Poor, Sue Ellen. Is business so bad for you that you can't afford to hire a real model?"

J.R. growled at Cliff in a low voice, and said, "Barnes, you're drunk. Get the hell away from us, and take this decrepit, old whore with you."

Marilee angrily pushed Cliff into J.R., as J.R. doubled-up his fist, and punched Cliff squarely in the mouth. Cliff's jaw snapped, as J.R.'s knuckles collided with Cliff's jawbone, sending Cliff flying on his back, on top of a banquet table. Marilee jumped on top of J.R., just as Sue Ellen called for Clayton and Bobby's help with settling the ruckus.

Clayton and Bobby pulled a frantically kicking and screaming Marilee off of J.R. The hotel's Security personnel came into the ballroom, and physically removed the viciously protesting Marilee Stone, and the unconscious body of Cliff Barnes from the ballroom, much to the obvious delight of the rest of the guests.

The remainder of the evening was pleasant and uneventful, until the moment arrived for the announcement of the winner of the Oilman of the Year Award. J.R. had been nominated for the award for the first time in his life. Sue Ellen nervously rubbed her fingers over the back of J.R.'s hand while they waited to hear the name of this year's award recipient.

Punk Anderson stood behind the microphone on the podium that had been set-up on the stage, as he slid his finger underneath the seal of the envelope inscribed with the name of the winner. Punk glanced over the name of the winner, and the reason for their being selected for the prestigious award, and smiled.

Punk looked out over the crowded ballroom, and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to announce the winner of 1995's Oilman of the Year Award recipient for the first successful installation of a Compliant Tower oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, in addition to the incredible strike he had on his fixed platform rig, Mister John Ross Ewing, Jr. Get on up here, J.R."

The guests arose from their tables and applauded J.R.' s success. J.R. kissed Sue Ellen's cheek, as he grabbed her hand to take her on stage with him to accept his award. Sue Ellen accompanied J.R., as they walked around their table toward the stairs leading up to the stage.

J.R. hugged Punk, as he thanked Punk for the award and graciously accepted his plaque, before taking his place behind the microphone.

J.R. said, "I'm truly honored by this award, and I want to thank all of you for your friendship, and loyalty over the years. Many of you knew my Daddy, Jock Ewin', and I know how proud he would be of this award."

J.R. looked over at Sue Ellen, as he reached for her hand, and said, "I'd like to introduce y'all to my future business partner, my wife, and my best friend, Sue Ellen Ewin'."

Sue Ellen tried to pull away from J.R.'s hand, as he laughed, and said, "C'mon, Honey. Don't be shy."

Sue Ellen took an unsteady step toward J.R., then she stopped, and said, "J.R., I . . . "

Sue Ellen collapsed, and fell to the stage . . .

This will be the last installment of 'Alliances.'

Look for more love, lust and intrigue for J.R. and Sue Ellen in 'Return to Camelot.'