Previously on DALLAS:
-------------John Ross blackmailed Todd Baxter into filing a motion contesting the codicil to J.R.'s will.
------------Amanda contacted Christopher, who set her up in a motel and agreed to help her.
------------Sue Ellen was heartbroken when John Ross told her he would do anything he had to in order to succeed.
------------Bum found Amanda, and told John Ross about Christopher's visit to her.
------------Charlie finally told Jenna that she has cancer.
------------Bobby and Sue Ellen were served with subpoenas to testify on John Ross's behalf.
------------Amanda contacted Christopher, who set her up in a motel and agreed to help her.
------------Sue Ellen was heartbroken when John Ross told her he would do anything he had to in order to succeed.
------------Bum found Amanda, and told John Ross about Christopher's visit to her.
------------Charlie finally told Jenna that she has cancer.
------------Bobby and Sue Ellen were served with subpoenas to testify on John Ross's behalf.
Southfork....evening
An angry Bobby storms into Southfork early in the evening, still fuming over receiving a subpoena to testify for John Ross in his case to overturn the codicil to J.R.'s will. As Bobby walks into the foyer and starts to head upstairs, he meets Ann coming out of the den.
"Bobby, what's wrong?" Ann asks.
"Is John Ross home yet?"
"No, of course not. What's wrong?"
"John Ross has subpoenaed both Sue Ellen and myself to testify on HIS behalf in his court case to overturn J.R.'s codicil."
"He what? Well, what does this mean for you?" Ann asks.
"It means that Sue Ellen and I are gonna have to take the stand and testify to whether we think J.R. was mentally competent or not. And sometimes, Annie, I'm not so sure he was."
"Bobby, just calm down," Ann says as Christopher walks in.
"What's goin' on?" Christopher asks.
"John Ross has done it again," replies Ann.
"Done what?"
"Bobby, what's wrong?" Ann asks.
"Is John Ross home yet?"
"No, of course not. What's wrong?"
"John Ross has subpoenaed both Sue Ellen and myself to testify on HIS behalf in his court case to overturn J.R.'s codicil."
"He what? Well, what does this mean for you?" Ann asks.
"It means that Sue Ellen and I are gonna have to take the stand and testify to whether we think J.R. was mentally competent or not. And sometimes, Annie, I'm not so sure he was."
"Bobby, just calm down," Ann says as Christopher walks in.
"What's goin' on?" Christopher asks.
"John Ross has done it again," replies Ann.
"Done what?"
"I was subpoenaed to testify on John Ross's behalf when he goes to court to overturn J.R.'s codicil. So was Sue Ellen."
Christopher sighs.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of," Bobby continues. "A fight like this putting members of this family on opposite sides."
Before anyone is able to say another word, they hear John Ross coming from the living room. He walks into the foyer, a look of anger on his face to rival that of Bobby's.
"Christopher, what the HELL are you up to?" John Ross asks angrily.
"What are you talking about?" Asks Christopher.
"John Ross, I have a question of my own I need answered," says Bobby. "Just what is the big idea of having your mother and me subpoenaed?"
"Not now, Uncle Bobby. I need to find out exactly why my cousin here has been seein' that little bitch Amanda who lied to me and betrayed me!" John Ross says, getting in Christopher's face. "Have you been conspirin' with her and Barnes against me all along?!"
Bobby and Ann's mouths drop open in shock upon hearing John Ross's accusation.
Southfork....
"John Ross, what the hell are you talkin' about?" Bobby asks, as John Ross faces Christopher in the foyer.
"You'd better be able to back up an accusation like that," says Ann.
"Oh I can back it up," John Ross says. "I've had Bum tryin' to find Amanda ever since the night she skipped out. Well he found her this afternoon in a motel in Dallas, and guess who paid a visit to her room. None other than my own cousin here."
"Is this true, son?" Bobby asks.
Christopher looks from John Ross to his father and stepmother. "Yeah, it's true, I went to see Amanda today."
"You knew where she was all the time?" John Ross asks.
"No, I didn't. Amanda called me the other day and asked for my help. She was scared and alone and almost broke. So I helped her. I gave her some money and got her a room at the Singletree."
"You did that, knowin' what she did to me?" John Ross yells.
"Yeah, I did. The girl needed help, John Ross, and she's pregnant."
"How do we really know that? Because of some phony pregnancy test?"
"As much as I hate to admit it, Christopher, John Ross may be right," Bobby says.
"Amanda told me her story. And I believe her."
"Why in the hell didn't you tell me you knew where she was?" John Ross asks. "You knew I had Bum lookin' for her."
"Because Amanda isn't ready to see you yet," Christopher replies. "Especially not in the state of mind you're in these days."
John Ross looks at his cousin angrily, then turns and starts to leave.
Christopher grabs him by the arm. "John Ross, leave her alone," he says. "Amanda will talk to you when she's ready."
"Let go of my arm and stay the hell out of my life, Christopher. This is none of your damned business." John Ross jerks him arm away from Christopher's grasp and storms out.
"John Ross!" Christopher calls after his cousin. As he starts after him, Bobby stops his son.
"Christopher, just stay out of it," Bobby warns his son. "This is between John Ross and Amanda. Let them handle it."
"I can't do that, Dad," says Christopher. "I"m gonna call Amanda and warn her that John Ross is on his way." As Christopher takes his cell phone out of his pocket and walks out of the foyer, Bobby and Ann exchange worried looks.
"You'd better be able to back up an accusation like that," says Ann.
"Oh I can back it up," John Ross says. "I've had Bum tryin' to find Amanda ever since the night she skipped out. Well he found her this afternoon in a motel in Dallas, and guess who paid a visit to her room. None other than my own cousin here."
"Is this true, son?" Bobby asks.
Christopher looks from John Ross to his father and stepmother. "Yeah, it's true, I went to see Amanda today."
"You knew where she was all the time?" John Ross asks.
"No, I didn't. Amanda called me the other day and asked for my help. She was scared and alone and almost broke. So I helped her. I gave her some money and got her a room at the Singletree."
"You did that, knowin' what she did to me?" John Ross yells.
"Yeah, I did. The girl needed help, John Ross, and she's pregnant."
"How do we really know that? Because of some phony pregnancy test?"
"As much as I hate to admit it, Christopher, John Ross may be right," Bobby says.
"Amanda told me her story. And I believe her."
"Why in the hell didn't you tell me you knew where she was?" John Ross asks. "You knew I had Bum lookin' for her."
"Because Amanda isn't ready to see you yet," Christopher replies. "Especially not in the state of mind you're in these days."
John Ross looks at his cousin angrily, then turns and starts to leave.
Christopher grabs him by the arm. "John Ross, leave her alone," he says. "Amanda will talk to you when she's ready."
"Let go of my arm and stay the hell out of my life, Christopher. This is none of your damned business." John Ross jerks him arm away from Christopher's grasp and storms out.
"John Ross!" Christopher calls after his cousin. As he starts after him, Bobby stops his son.
"Christopher, just stay out of it," Bobby warns his son. "This is between John Ross and Amanda. Let them handle it."
"I can't do that, Dad," says Christopher. "I"m gonna call Amanda and warn her that John Ross is on his way." As Christopher takes his cell phone out of his pocket and walks out of the foyer, Bobby and Ann exchange worried looks.
The Krebbs Ranch....
Ray walks into his dark house that evening after a long day's work on the ranch. "Hello?" He calls upon walking into the house. "Where is everyone?" He switches on the light in the living room, where he finds Jenna curled up on the sofa. "Hey. Why're you sittin' here all alone in the dark? Where are Charlie and Alex?"
"Lucas and Emma took Charlie and Alex out to dinner," Jenna replies.
"Ya mean Alex actually agreed to go?"
"It was either that, or stay home and have leftovers with us."
"Leftovers, huh? Now is that any way to feed your husband who's been workin' hard on the ranch all day? I sure hope I can soon hire a hand so I can at least get home before dark." Ray notices that his wife has been crying. "Hey, Jenna," he says, walking over to her. "You been cryin'. What's the matter?"
Jenna looks up at her husband, her eyes and face wet with tears. "Oh, Ray. It's Charlie."
"Well what about Charlie?" Ray asks, taking a seat beside her on the sofa.
"She told me this afternoon. Ray, she's sick. My daughter has cancer."
"Cancer? Good Lord. Bad?"
"Yes. She has to have a bone marrow transplant. She goes in on Monday to start treatments."
"How long's this been goin' on?" Ray asks.
"She said she found out just before she and Alex came for Christmas," Jenna replies.
"Lucas and Emma took Charlie and Alex out to dinner," Jenna replies.
"Ya mean Alex actually agreed to go?"
"It was either that, or stay home and have leftovers with us."
"Leftovers, huh? Now is that any way to feed your husband who's been workin' hard on the ranch all day? I sure hope I can soon hire a hand so I can at least get home before dark." Ray notices that his wife has been crying. "Hey, Jenna," he says, walking over to her. "You been cryin'. What's the matter?"
Jenna looks up at her husband, her eyes and face wet with tears. "Oh, Ray. It's Charlie."
"Well what about Charlie?" Ray asks, taking a seat beside her on the sofa.
"She told me this afternoon. Ray, she's sick. My daughter has cancer."
"Cancer? Good Lord. Bad?"
"Yes. She has to have a bone marrow transplant. She goes in on Monday to start treatments."
"How long's this been goin' on?" Ray asks.
"She said she found out just before she and Alex came for Christmas," Jenna replies.
"Alex know?" Ray asks.
"No. Only Lucas. And Christopher."
"How come we were the last to know about this?"
"Charlie didn't want to worry us. Ray, I'm so frightened."
"It's okay, sweetheart," Ray says, putting his arm around his wife to comfort her.
"Alex," Jenna says. "How is that poor child going to handle this news, only a year after losing his father?"
"Everything's gonna be okay. You know, they've made a lot of advances in medicine these days. We just have to believe Charlie's gonna beat this thing." Ray holds Jenna as she cries, worried and unsure himself of whether he actually believes his own words.
"No. Only Lucas. And Christopher."
"How come we were the last to know about this?"
"Charlie didn't want to worry us. Ray, I'm so frightened."
"It's okay, sweetheart," Ray says, putting his arm around his wife to comfort her.
"Alex," Jenna says. "How is that poor child going to handle this news, only a year after losing his father?"
"Everything's gonna be okay. You know, they've made a lot of advances in medicine these days. We just have to believe Charlie's gonna beat this thing." Ray holds Jenna as she cries, worried and unsure himself of whether he actually believes his own words.
Singletree Motel....
John Ross drives up in front of the Singletree Motel in Dallas and parks next to Bum's truck. He gets out and finds Bum waiting for him outside of a room.
"She's inside," Bum says. "She tried to make a run for it, but I reminded her it was in her best interest to stick around for a while."
"I guess Christopher must've tipped her off," John Ross says. "Thanks, Bum." John Ross walks over to Amanda's room door and knocks. "AMANDA, IT'S JOHN ROSS!" He yells. "MIGHT AS WELL LET ME IN, CAUSE I'M NOT GOIN' ANYWHERE!"
Inside the room, Amanda is in tears. John Ross pounds on the door again and yells for her to open it. Finally, the frightened young woman walks over and unlocks the door. Slowly, she opens it, and john Ross barges in. He looks around and sees her suitcase on the bed, packed.
"Figurin' on skippin' town?" He asks.
"I'd have made it if your goon out there hadn't kept me a prisoner in this room."
"I loved you, Amanda," John Ross says. "God help me, I fell deeply in love with you, and you lied to me the whole time. You were just workin' for Cliff Barnes to destroy me and my family?"
Amanda starts to cry. "It started out that way, John Ross. But then I fell in love with you."
"Don't give me that bull!"
"It's true, John Ross," Amanda cries. "Why do you think I didn't go through with it? John Ross it's because I love you. And because of this baby I'm carrying inside of me. OUR baby, John Ross."
"She's inside," Bum says. "She tried to make a run for it, but I reminded her it was in her best interest to stick around for a while."
"I guess Christopher must've tipped her off," John Ross says. "Thanks, Bum." John Ross walks over to Amanda's room door and knocks. "AMANDA, IT'S JOHN ROSS!" He yells. "MIGHT AS WELL LET ME IN, CAUSE I'M NOT GOIN' ANYWHERE!"
Inside the room, Amanda is in tears. John Ross pounds on the door again and yells for her to open it. Finally, the frightened young woman walks over and unlocks the door. Slowly, she opens it, and john Ross barges in. He looks around and sees her suitcase on the bed, packed.
"Figurin' on skippin' town?" He asks.
"I'd have made it if your goon out there hadn't kept me a prisoner in this room."
"I loved you, Amanda," John Ross says. "God help me, I fell deeply in love with you, and you lied to me the whole time. You were just workin' for Cliff Barnes to destroy me and my family?"
Amanda starts to cry. "It started out that way, John Ross. But then I fell in love with you."
"Don't give me that bull!"
"It's true, John Ross," Amanda cries. "Why do you think I didn't go through with it? John Ross it's because I love you. And because of this baby I'm carrying inside of me. OUR baby, John Ross."
"You lied to me about bein' pregnant before," John Ross says. "Why the hell should I believe you're pregnant now? And even if you are, how do I know it's mine?"
"Because it IS, John Ross. I haven't been with anyone else. Not in a very long time. This baby is yours."
"If it is, then it was conceived in a lie!"
"No, John Ross. This baby was conceived in love. Please, you have to believe that. I tried so many times to get Mr. Barnes to let me out of our agreement, but he wouldn't. He wouldn't."
"Then why didn't you just walk away?" John Ross asks. "Barnes duttin' give a damn about you or anybody."
"I know that now. But john Ross, when my mother was sick, Mr. Barnes was so good to us. He was all we had. And he never asked for anything in return."
John Ross looks at her in silence for a moment, then walks across the room. He turns back to her. "I don't even know what the hell to say to you right now. When I was drivin' over here, my first instinct was to have you arrested or run out of town. But I can't do that. Not if there's even the slightest chance you may be carryin' my child. But let's get one thing straight." John Ross walks over to her. "Nothin' has changed between us. I look at you right now and I don't know who I'm lookin' at. Sure as hell aint the girl I fell in love with."
"John Ross, I....."
"Don't," he interrupts. "I don't wanna hear anymore lies. Listen to me, Amanda. I'm gonna move you to a better place. And it's there that you're gonna stay. Don't even think about tryin' to leave town, because I'm gonna have you watched. And first thing next week, you're goin' to a doctor of my choosin' for a real pregnancy test. If I find out you're lyin' to be about this pregnancy.......I'm gonna take you down right along with Cliff Barnes. Now get your stuff together."
Amanda looks at John Ross, realizing that he would never feel the same about her.
"Because it IS, John Ross. I haven't been with anyone else. Not in a very long time. This baby is yours."
"If it is, then it was conceived in a lie!"
"No, John Ross. This baby was conceived in love. Please, you have to believe that. I tried so many times to get Mr. Barnes to let me out of our agreement, but he wouldn't. He wouldn't."
"Then why didn't you just walk away?" John Ross asks. "Barnes duttin' give a damn about you or anybody."
"I know that now. But john Ross, when my mother was sick, Mr. Barnes was so good to us. He was all we had. And he never asked for anything in return."
John Ross looks at her in silence for a moment, then walks across the room. He turns back to her. "I don't even know what the hell to say to you right now. When I was drivin' over here, my first instinct was to have you arrested or run out of town. But I can't do that. Not if there's even the slightest chance you may be carryin' my child. But let's get one thing straight." John Ross walks over to her. "Nothin' has changed between us. I look at you right now and I don't know who I'm lookin' at. Sure as hell aint the girl I fell in love with."
"John Ross, I....."
"Don't," he interrupts. "I don't wanna hear anymore lies. Listen to me, Amanda. I'm gonna move you to a better place. And it's there that you're gonna stay. Don't even think about tryin' to leave town, because I'm gonna have you watched. And first thing next week, you're goin' to a doctor of my choosin' for a real pregnancy test. If I find out you're lyin' to be about this pregnancy.......I'm gonna take you down right along with Cliff Barnes. Now get your stuff together."
Amanda looks at John Ross, realizing that he would never feel the same about her.
The Cattleman's Club....
That night, Justin and Jimmy are having dinner and a few drinks at The Cattlemen's Club in Dallas. A waitress brings the two young men their second round of drinks. "Thank ya, darlin'," Justin says. The pretty young blonde waitress, who appears to be around twenty, smiles, then turns and walks away. The two watch as she walks back to the bar. "Damn, look at that ass, man," Justin says.
"Yeah, I see it, bro."
"Think I might just ask her what time she gets off tonight. It's been a while for me, if ya know what I mean."
Jimmy laughs. "It's nice to see you finally smiling. You weren't in that great a mood when we first got here."
"Yeah, I see it, bro."
"Think I might just ask her what time she gets off tonight. It's been a while for me, if ya know what I mean."
Jimmy laughs. "It's nice to see you finally smiling. You weren't in that great a mood when we first got here."
"Yeah, well, it's Friday night, I'm out on the town with my best friend and nephew, so I might as well forget my troubles and have a good time."
"Troubles? You thinkin' about going to court to fight John Ross?"
"Yeah," Justin replies sadly.
"Troubles? You thinkin' about going to court to fight John Ross?"
"Yeah," Justin replies sadly.
"You're not alone in this fight, you know," Jimmy says. "My Dad's gonna be right there with you. There's no way John Ross is gonna win this."
"That's only part of it."
"Okay then, what's the rest?"
Justin sighs. "I really wanted a fam'ly. A brother. When I found out who my father was, and I found out I had two brothers, I was excited, Jimmy. And I'll never forget the first day I came to Southfork and Bobby hired me on as a ranch hand without knowin' who I was. As I was leavin' that day, John Ross came in the house, and I saw him for the first time, face to face. My big brother. I was hopin' that him and me could be friends. Real brothers. But he always looked down on me when he thought I was just a ranch hand. Then, after he found out I was J.R.'s son, John Ross treated me even worse. He just wanted to get rid of me, and he pretty much told me I wouldn't be around long. And now he's tryin' to take away what our father left to me. John Ross acts like he's the only one entitled to anything J.R. had. The only one entitled to J.R.'s love. Well he aint, Jimmy. My daddy had three other children."
"Don't worry about it, man," Jimmy says. "Like I said, John Ross doesn't have a prayer."
Justin hesitates a moment, then smiles. "You're right. Besides, we didn't come here tonight to talk about my brother, did we? We come here to have a good time." Justin looks over to a nearby table where their waitress has just served some customers and he smiles and waves to her. The young woman smiles back, and then walks over to their table.
"Can I get you guys anything else?" The young blonde asks.
"As a matter of fact, there is," Justin says. "What time you get off tonight?"
The waitress smiles at him. "Eleven. Why?"
Justin takes a pen from his pocket and picks up a napkin. He writes something on the napkin, then hands it to the girl. "Here's my cell number. Give me a call when you get off. Maybe we can have a few drinks, or......somethin'."
"I don't even know you," the girl says, smiling flirtatiously.
"Well, my name is Justin Harper. Now ya do."
The girl laughs. "I'm Courtney."
"Nice meetin' you, Courtney. So now, about later....?"
"Maybe," Courtney says. "I have to get back to work. Let me know if y'all need anything else."
"Oh, definitely," Justin says. Courtney sticks the napkin with Justin's number into her pocket and walks away.
"You're really somethin' else, dude," Jimmy says.
"Just gotta turn on the old charm, Jimmy, my man. Now, unless we can find you a lady friend for the night, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to excuse yourself at eleven o'clock."
"Yeah, maybe I just will," Jimmy says, looking past Justin at a beautiful brunette smiling at him from the bar.
Justin turns around and sees the girl Jimmy is smiling at, then turns back to him and smiles. "Jimbo, I'm REAL glad we decided to go out tonight."
"That's only part of it."
"Okay then, what's the rest?"
Justin sighs. "I really wanted a fam'ly. A brother. When I found out who my father was, and I found out I had two brothers, I was excited, Jimmy. And I'll never forget the first day I came to Southfork and Bobby hired me on as a ranch hand without knowin' who I was. As I was leavin' that day, John Ross came in the house, and I saw him for the first time, face to face. My big brother. I was hopin' that him and me could be friends. Real brothers. But he always looked down on me when he thought I was just a ranch hand. Then, after he found out I was J.R.'s son, John Ross treated me even worse. He just wanted to get rid of me, and he pretty much told me I wouldn't be around long. And now he's tryin' to take away what our father left to me. John Ross acts like he's the only one entitled to anything J.R. had. The only one entitled to J.R.'s love. Well he aint, Jimmy. My daddy had three other children."
"Don't worry about it, man," Jimmy says. "Like I said, John Ross doesn't have a prayer."
Justin hesitates a moment, then smiles. "You're right. Besides, we didn't come here tonight to talk about my brother, did we? We come here to have a good time." Justin looks over to a nearby table where their waitress has just served some customers and he smiles and waves to her. The young woman smiles back, and then walks over to their table.
"Can I get you guys anything else?" The young blonde asks.
"As a matter of fact, there is," Justin says. "What time you get off tonight?"
The waitress smiles at him. "Eleven. Why?"
Justin takes a pen from his pocket and picks up a napkin. He writes something on the napkin, then hands it to the girl. "Here's my cell number. Give me a call when you get off. Maybe we can have a few drinks, or......somethin'."
"I don't even know you," the girl says, smiling flirtatiously.
"Well, my name is Justin Harper. Now ya do."
The girl laughs. "I'm Courtney."
"Nice meetin' you, Courtney. So now, about later....?"
"Maybe," Courtney says. "I have to get back to work. Let me know if y'all need anything else."
"Oh, definitely," Justin says. Courtney sticks the napkin with Justin's number into her pocket and walks away.
"You're really somethin' else, dude," Jimmy says.
"Just gotta turn on the old charm, Jimmy, my man. Now, unless we can find you a lady friend for the night, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to excuse yourself at eleven o'clock."
"Yeah, maybe I just will," Jimmy says, looking past Justin at a beautiful brunette smiling at him from the bar.
Justin turns around and sees the girl Jimmy is smiling at, then turns back to him and smiles. "Jimbo, I'm REAL glad we decided to go out tonight."
Southfork....the next morning
Ann is arranging some flowers on the dining room table at Southfork the next morning when the front doorbell rings. She makes her way from the dining room into the foyer and opens the door to find Jenna standing there. Needless to say, Ann is not happy to see her.
"Hello, Ann," Jenna says.
"Jenna, what are you doin' here?"
"I need to see my son. Is Lucas home?"
"He is. Come in," Ann says coldly.
Jenna walks into the house as Bobby walks into the foyer. "Jenna," he says.
"Good morning, Bobby. I came by to see Lucas."
"He and Emma are in the livin' room watchin' TV.," Bobby says.
"Thank you," says Jenna. She walks past them and into the living room, where she finds Lucas and Emma sitting on the sofa.
"Mom," Lucas says. "What brings you over?"
"I need to speak with you, Lucas. Alone, please."
Lucas and Emma exchange looks, then Emma stands. "I'll be in our room," she says. Lucas grabs the cane he is now using because of his injured leg and stands to his feet. With the aid of the cane he walks over to his mother.
"Hello, Ann," Jenna says.
"Jenna, what are you doin' here?"
"I need to see my son. Is Lucas home?"
"He is. Come in," Ann says coldly.
Jenna walks into the house as Bobby walks into the foyer. "Jenna," he says.
"Good morning, Bobby. I came by to see Lucas."
"He and Emma are in the livin' room watchin' TV.," Bobby says.
"Thank you," says Jenna. She walks past them and into the living room, where she finds Lucas and Emma sitting on the sofa.
"Mom," Lucas says. "What brings you over?"
"I need to speak with you, Lucas. Alone, please."
Lucas and Emma exchange looks, then Emma stands. "I'll be in our room," she says. Lucas grabs the cane he is now using because of his injured leg and stands to his feet. With the aid of the cane he walks over to his mother.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Lucas asks.
"Charlie told me yesterday. About the cancer," Jenna says. "And that you've known since Christmas."
Lucas sighs and lowers his head, then after a brief hesitation, he looks at his mother. "Mom, I begged her to tell you. But she didn't want you to worry."
"She starts treatments on Monday."
"Yeah, and I have to go for some more tests myself at Baylor, make sure I'm okay to donate bone marrow to Charlie."
"I can't believe this is happening," Jenna says as she starts to cry. Lucas walks over to his mother and embraces Jenna as Bobby and Ann walk into the room.
"What's goin' on?" Bobby asks.
"Bobby, Ann, there's somethin' that you guys need to know," Lucas says. "Mom will tell you. I need to go talk to Emma. I want her to hear this from me." Lucas turns and heads down the hall to his and Emma's bedroom.
"Jenna, what is it?" Bobby asks.
"Bobby, it's Charlie," Jenna replies.
Lucas sighs and lowers his head, then after a brief hesitation, he looks at his mother. "Mom, I begged her to tell you. But she didn't want you to worry."
"She starts treatments on Monday."
"Yeah, and I have to go for some more tests myself at Baylor, make sure I'm okay to donate bone marrow to Charlie."
"I can't believe this is happening," Jenna says as she starts to cry. Lucas walks over to his mother and embraces Jenna as Bobby and Ann walk into the room.
"What's goin' on?" Bobby asks.
"Bobby, Ann, there's somethin' that you guys need to know," Lucas says. "Mom will tell you. I need to go talk to Emma. I want her to hear this from me." Lucas turns and heads down the hall to his and Emma's bedroom.
"Jenna, what is it?" Bobby asks.
"Bobby, it's Charlie," Jenna replies.
Meanwhile....the bunkhouse
As Justin still sleeps soundly, his companion from the previous night, Courtney, wakes up beside him. Opening her eyes, Courtney looks over at the young man beside her and smiles. She leans over and gently kisses him on the cheek, which rouses him from his sleep. Slowly, he opens his eyes and looks at the beautiful naked girl beside him.
"Good mornin'," she says.
"Hmmmm.....good mornin' to you," Justin says.
"Last night was........out of this world."
"It sure was, wuttin' it?" Justin asks with a smile.
"I wonder if your friend hooked up with that other girl."
"I hope so. But Jimmy's not just my friend, he's my nephew."
Courtney looks at him, surprised. "He's your nephew?"
"Yeah. His daddy is my half-brother, but Jimmy's two years older than me."
"Sounds like you have a pretty interesting family."
Justin smiles. "I'm glad you decided to hit me up last night after you got off work."
"I'm glad you gave me your number," Courtney says. "I usually don't take them when random guys give me their numbers, much less go home with them. You're a really nice guy, Justin Harper. And damned good in bed."
Justin takes Courtney by the hand and pulls her down on the bed to him and kisses her. Their kiss is interrupted by a knock at Justin's door. "Damn it," he says, pulling out of the kiss. "Just be quiet and maybe whoever it is will just go away." The person knocks a second time, then a third.
"I don't think they're gonna go away," says Courtney.
"I think you're right," Justin agrees. "Better get dressed."
Courtney quickly grabs her clothes and starts dressing as the person knocks a fourth time.
"Good mornin'," she says.
"Hmmmm.....good mornin' to you," Justin says.
"Last night was........out of this world."
"It sure was, wuttin' it?" Justin asks with a smile.
"I wonder if your friend hooked up with that other girl."
"I hope so. But Jimmy's not just my friend, he's my nephew."
Courtney looks at him, surprised. "He's your nephew?"
"Yeah. His daddy is my half-brother, but Jimmy's two years older than me."
"Sounds like you have a pretty interesting family."
Justin smiles. "I'm glad you decided to hit me up last night after you got off work."
"I'm glad you gave me your number," Courtney says. "I usually don't take them when random guys give me their numbers, much less go home with them. You're a really nice guy, Justin Harper. And damned good in bed."
Justin takes Courtney by the hand and pulls her down on the bed to him and kisses her. Their kiss is interrupted by a knock at Justin's door. "Damn it," he says, pulling out of the kiss. "Just be quiet and maybe whoever it is will just go away." The person knocks a second time, then a third.
"I don't think they're gonna go away," says Courtney.
"I think you're right," Justin agrees. "Better get dressed."
Courtney quickly grabs her clothes and starts dressing as the person knocks a fourth time.
"Aight, hold your damned horses, I'm comin'," Justin says as he gets out of bed, grabs his pair of boxers from the floor and slips them on. He then walks to the door and, making sure that Courtney is sufficiently dressed, Justin opens the door to find Christopher there.
"Justin," Christopher says.
"Mornin', Christopher. What can I do for you?"
"I need to talk....." Christopher stops short when he looks into the room and sees Justin's young lady friend.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you had company."
"Nah, it's cool. Come in," Justin says, ushering Christopher into the room. "This is Courtney. Courtney, my cousin Christopher Ewing."
"Hi," Courtney says.
"Hi," Christopher says to the young woman. "Justin, my father was gonna come over and tell you this himself, but, he's dealin' with an issue up at the house, so I figured I'd come and tell you before you heard it from anyone else."
"Sounds kinda serious."
"John Ross has subpoenaed my dad to testify for him in court when your case comes up," says Christopher, uncomfortable that he had come at an awkward moment.
Justin is silent for a moment. "Guess that aint too surprisin'. Bet your daddy was pretty pissed."
"Yeah, he is. He's gonna have to testify to whether or not he thinks Uncle J.R. was of sound mind when he wrote that codicil. Just thought you should know."
"I appreciate that, Christopher," Justin says.
"Well, I'll get out of here."
"Thanks for stoppin' by to tell me."
"No problem," Christopher says as he walks out.
Justin closes the door behind him. "Damn it," he says.
"Justin," Christopher says.
"Mornin', Christopher. What can I do for you?"
"I need to talk....." Christopher stops short when he looks into the room and sees Justin's young lady friend.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you had company."
"Nah, it's cool. Come in," Justin says, ushering Christopher into the room. "This is Courtney. Courtney, my cousin Christopher Ewing."
"Hi," Courtney says.
"Hi," Christopher says to the young woman. "Justin, my father was gonna come over and tell you this himself, but, he's dealin' with an issue up at the house, so I figured I'd come and tell you before you heard it from anyone else."
"Sounds kinda serious."
"John Ross has subpoenaed my dad to testify for him in court when your case comes up," says Christopher, uncomfortable that he had come at an awkward moment.
Justin is silent for a moment. "Guess that aint too surprisin'. Bet your daddy was pretty pissed."
"Yeah, he is. He's gonna have to testify to whether or not he thinks Uncle J.R. was of sound mind when he wrote that codicil. Just thought you should know."
"I appreciate that, Christopher," Justin says.
"Well, I'll get out of here."
"Thanks for stoppin' by to tell me."
"No problem," Christopher says as he walks out.
Justin closes the door behind him. "Damn it," he says.
"Is everything alright?" Courtney asks in her sweet southern bell accent.
"Nah, not really," Justin replies. "Let's get dressed. I'll take you for some breakfast and then take you home."
Courtney is disappointed in Justin's change in moods after his cousin's visit, and she was curious as to what it was all about.
"Nah, not really," Justin replies. "Let's get dressed. I'll take you for some breakfast and then take you home."
Courtney is disappointed in Justin's change in moods after his cousin's visit, and she was curious as to what it was all about.
Sue Ellen's home....
John Ross walks into his mother's house later that morning and finds Sue Ellen standing alone in the living room. He pauses for a moment in the foyer, then walks in.
"Okay, I'm here," John Ross says. "What'd you wanna see me about?"
"About this little piece of paper that was delivered to me yesterday," Sue Ellen replies, holding out the subpoena she received. "Bobby got one too."
"Nothin' to explain, Mama. You and Uncle Bobby will be called as witnesses at the hearin' to testify to J.R.'s state of mind. It's pretty cut and dry."
"John Ross, nothing about this is cut and dry. How could you put Bobby in that position? How could you put ME in that position?"
"I'm doin' what I have to do, Mama. I told you that the other night, that I would...."
"Do anything at any cost," Sue Ellen interrupts. "Yes, I know. John Ross, I don't know what's happened to you. There was a time when my son had a heart. A time when my son was a decent person. But now, I honestly don't recognize the man I'm seeing in front of me now."
"Ya know, I'm gettin' sick and tired of hearin' this same old tired song," John Ross says angrily. "Every time I do ANYTHING to try and protect what's rightfully mine, you and Uncle Bobby and the rest of this so-called fam'ly team up against me. 'How can you do this, John Ross? I don't recognize you anymore, John Ross. You're just like your father, John Ross.' Well, I am NOT my father. I am my own man. But I do use what my father taught me, and that is if you want anything in this world, then you gotta TAKE it. And whoever gets in the way, you push aside."
"Even your own flesh and blood?" Sue Ellen asks.
"ANYONE," John Ross replies. "I am only doin' what I have to do to hold on to what's mine. Pamela has already taken half of my Westar shares away from me. And you know what? Cliff Barnes came into my office after those shares were divided between me and Pamela and he gloated to my face, Mama. He called me a loser TO MY FACE! If J.R.'s will is let stand, then my half-brother and half-sister can team up with Pamela and have me voted out of that comp'ny. Well I aint about to let that happen. All my life my fam'ly has been takin' what's mine. You and Uncle Bobby sold Ewing Oil which was my birthright. Then you took Ewing Global away from me. Westar is MINE and I'll do whatever I have to in order to hold on to it. And anybody who gets in my way, I'll take 'em down. And that includes you."
"I thought your father was bad," Sue Ellen says. "I thought my sister Kristin was bad. But YOU are the most cold-hearted person I have ever met, John Ross, and it rips my heart out to say it."
"Cold-hearted? Maybe. But I sure as hell aint weak like the rest of the Ewings."
"Get out," Sue Ellen says, fighting back tears. "Just get out of here."
John Ross stands in the doorway looking at his mother for a moment, then he turns and starts to leave. He pauses in the doorway. He looks at her again, then without saying another word, he leaves. After her son is gone, Sue Ellen starts to cry. Her heart breaks for the son she feels she has lost. More than anything else at this moment, she wants a drink.
"I'm doin' what I have to do, Mama. I told you that the other night, that I would...."
"Do anything at any cost," Sue Ellen interrupts. "Yes, I know. John Ross, I don't know what's happened to you. There was a time when my son had a heart. A time when my son was a decent person. But now, I honestly don't recognize the man I'm seeing in front of me now."
"Ya know, I'm gettin' sick and tired of hearin' this same old tired song," John Ross says angrily. "Every time I do ANYTHING to try and protect what's rightfully mine, you and Uncle Bobby and the rest of this so-called fam'ly team up against me. 'How can you do this, John Ross? I don't recognize you anymore, John Ross. You're just like your father, John Ross.' Well, I am NOT my father. I am my own man. But I do use what my father taught me, and that is if you want anything in this world, then you gotta TAKE it. And whoever gets in the way, you push aside."
"Even your own flesh and blood?" Sue Ellen asks.
"ANYONE," John Ross replies. "I am only doin' what I have to do to hold on to what's mine. Pamela has already taken half of my Westar shares away from me. And you know what? Cliff Barnes came into my office after those shares were divided between me and Pamela and he gloated to my face, Mama. He called me a loser TO MY FACE! If J.R.'s will is let stand, then my half-brother and half-sister can team up with Pamela and have me voted out of that comp'ny. Well I aint about to let that happen. All my life my fam'ly has been takin' what's mine. You and Uncle Bobby sold Ewing Oil which was my birthright. Then you took Ewing Global away from me. Westar is MINE and I'll do whatever I have to in order to hold on to it. And anybody who gets in my way, I'll take 'em down. And that includes you."
"I thought your father was bad," Sue Ellen says. "I thought my sister Kristin was bad. But YOU are the most cold-hearted person I have ever met, John Ross, and it rips my heart out to say it."
"Cold-hearted? Maybe. But I sure as hell aint weak like the rest of the Ewings."
"Get out," Sue Ellen says, fighting back tears. "Just get out of here."
John Ross stands in the doorway looking at his mother for a moment, then he turns and starts to leave. He pauses in the doorway. He looks at her again, then without saying another word, he leaves. After her son is gone, Sue Ellen starts to cry. Her heart breaks for the son she feels she has lost. More than anything else at this moment, she wants a drink.
Reverchon Park, Dallas.....afternoon
That afternoon, taking advantage of the unseasonably warm day of almost 70 degrees, Jimmy is taking a run in Dallas's beautiful Reverchon Park. As he is about to head back to his car, he happens to notice Jillian doing some stretches at a park bench. Jimmy stops and watches her for a moment, then jogs over to her.
"Hey," he says, breathing hard from his run.
Jill looks up at him and smiles. "Jimmy, hey," she says.
"I thought that was you."
"Yeah, I come running here every Saturday afternoon," Jill says. "Well, when the weather's nice, anyway. What on earth are you doing here?"
"Same thing. Taking a run, and I'm exhausted," Jimmy replies as he drops and takes a seat on the ground. "It's been a while since I've worked out, and I didn't realize how out of shape I was."
Jill smiles. "Well, you sure don't look out of shape to me."
"Thanks," Jimmy says.
"You're welcome. Can you believe this gorgeous weather today?" Jill asks.
"Not at all. Sure doesn't feel like the middle of January."
Jill smiles, then she is silent for a moment. "Say, Jimmy, has your father said anything about what John Ross is doing?" She asks after a few seconds. "Trying to overturn J.R.'s will."
Jimmy sighs. "Oh, yes. My Dad is pretty mad at john Ross about it. He'll be arriving in Dallas in a day or two for the hearing. And Justin's pissed about it too. And I guess so are you, since Justin gave you half his Westar shares."
"It's so like John Ross to do something this underhanded. And I kinda feel like it's my fault."
"YOUR fault?" Jimmy asks. "How can it be your fault?"
"Because Justin gave me those shares, and then he and I went to John Ross's office and gloated about it to him. We basically told him we were gonna work together with his ex-wife Pamela to get him out of Westar."
"Wait a second, I'm lost here. How can you guys do that? I mean, doesn't John Ross control a majority of the stock in Westar? That's how he got to be CEO?"
"It's complicated," Jill says. "Long story short.....I was CEO of Westar. My Mom made me CEO last year. Then John Ross came along and he went behind my back to the three people who, together, controlled the most shares of stock in Westar. John Ross dug up some dirt from their pasts, and blackmailed them into selling him their shares at a very low price he could afford."
Jimmy smiles and shakes his head. "I'm not surprised. Sounds like John Ross."
"Those shares gave John Ross 51% or controlling interest in the company, and at a board meeting, he used his power to have himself voted in as CEO and I was removed."
"Wow. What a low down bastard, to do something like that to his own sister. Don't worry. We're gonna fight him."
"We?" Jill asks.
"Sure," says Jimmy. "This fight involves all of us. Grandpa J.R. left those shares of stock in Jensen Technologies to my Dad. He stands to lose those shares if John Ross has his way."
"It's a mess, isn't it?" Jill asks. "I'm just afraid this is gonna get ugly."
"Yeah. But, the Ewings have been through some ugly battles before and always come out it just fine."
"Would you care to be my running partner this afternoon? Unless you've had enough."
Jimmy looks at his half-aunt and smiles. "Now that I've rested and caught my second wind, I'd love to go another couple laps."
"Great, then let's do it." Jill reaches out, Jimmy takes her hand, and she helps him to his feet. Then the two head off for their afternoon run.
"You're welcome. Can you believe this gorgeous weather today?" Jill asks.
"Not at all. Sure doesn't feel like the middle of January."
Jill smiles, then she is silent for a moment. "Say, Jimmy, has your father said anything about what John Ross is doing?" She asks after a few seconds. "Trying to overturn J.R.'s will."
Jimmy sighs. "Oh, yes. My Dad is pretty mad at john Ross about it. He'll be arriving in Dallas in a day or two for the hearing. And Justin's pissed about it too. And I guess so are you, since Justin gave you half his Westar shares."
"It's so like John Ross to do something this underhanded. And I kinda feel like it's my fault."
"YOUR fault?" Jimmy asks. "How can it be your fault?"
"Because Justin gave me those shares, and then he and I went to John Ross's office and gloated about it to him. We basically told him we were gonna work together with his ex-wife Pamela to get him out of Westar."
"Wait a second, I'm lost here. How can you guys do that? I mean, doesn't John Ross control a majority of the stock in Westar? That's how he got to be CEO?"
"It's complicated," Jill says. "Long story short.....I was CEO of Westar. My Mom made me CEO last year. Then John Ross came along and he went behind my back to the three people who, together, controlled the most shares of stock in Westar. John Ross dug up some dirt from their pasts, and blackmailed them into selling him their shares at a very low price he could afford."
Jimmy smiles and shakes his head. "I'm not surprised. Sounds like John Ross."
"Those shares gave John Ross 51% or controlling interest in the company, and at a board meeting, he used his power to have himself voted in as CEO and I was removed."
"Wow. What a low down bastard, to do something like that to his own sister. Don't worry. We're gonna fight him."
"We?" Jill asks.
"Sure," says Jimmy. "This fight involves all of us. Grandpa J.R. left those shares of stock in Jensen Technologies to my Dad. He stands to lose those shares if John Ross has his way."
"It's a mess, isn't it?" Jill asks. "I'm just afraid this is gonna get ugly."
"Yeah. But, the Ewings have been through some ugly battles before and always come out it just fine."
"Would you care to be my running partner this afternoon? Unless you've had enough."
Jimmy looks at his half-aunt and smiles. "Now that I've rested and caught my second wind, I'd love to go another couple laps."
"Great, then let's do it." Jill reaches out, Jimmy takes her hand, and she helps him to his feet. Then the two head off for their afternoon run.
Southfork....that night
Bobby stands alone on the patio that night when Ann comes out of the house and walks over to him.
"Missed you at supper," she says.
"I just wasn't hungry."
"I'm sorry about Charlie. She seems like a lovely young woman."
"She is," Bobby says. "I just can't believe this. Charlie was once like a daughter to me. She could've been my daughter if things had worked out differently. She's my son's half-sister. To get news like this, it's.....it's hard."
"I know," Ann says, taking hold of his arm. "Believe me, I know. It's exactly how I felt two and a half years ago when I found out you had cancer. Helpless. Scared. Even hopeless."
"I keep thinkin' about her son," Bobby says. "The boy is only 15-years-old. He just lost his father a year ago, and now his mother has cancer? How unfair is that? Just how much is one kid supposed to have to take?"
"Bobby, I wish I knew the answer," Ann says as a truck drives up and comes to a stop in the parking area. "Now who can that be?" Ann wonders.
"It's Ray," Bobby replies as he sees his brother get out of the truck and walk toward them.
"Evenin' Bob, Ann," Ray says.
"Evenin', Ray," Ann says.
"Jenna told me that she told you two about Charlie today."
"Yes, she did," Bobby says.
"Ray, is there anything we can do?" Ann asks.
"Just keep Charlie and the family in your prayers. That's about all I can think of."
"Consider it done. I'll let you two talk." Ann gives a half smile to Ray, then turns and walks back into the house.
"Why, Ray?" Bobby asks. "Why Charlie?"
"I dunno, Bob," Ray replies sadly. "Been askin' myself that same question ever since Jenna told me the other night."
"Has Alex been told yet?"
"No. Charlie duttin' want the boy knowin' until it becomes absolutely necessary. I'm not so sure that's a good idea, keepin' this from him, but, it's the way she wants it. Ya know, Bob, I've never been a religious man. But, I do have my beliefs. I always believed in God, and that He was in control, no matter what happened. Sometimes, goin' through life it's been kinda hard holdin' on to that belief. One time in particular was when my cousin Mickey was in the hospital after the accident that left him paralyzed. I never could understand why God would let somethin' like that happen to a healthy young man, just a kid, whose life was just gettin' started. Another time was when......when Jock died. And now I'm feelin' that way again. Wonderin' why. Not just for Charlie but for the boy."
"Somehow we just have to believe that Charlie will beat this," Bobby says. "She's young and strong. And with Lucas as a marrow donor, she has a chance."
Ray nods. "I know," he says quietly. "Well, it's gettin' late. Jenna seemed to need some time alone, so I just went for a drive and ended up here. Not sure why."
"I'm glad ya did, Ray. It's not that cold tonight, so why don't we have a seat out here, and have a few beers? Like the old days. And we can talk, as long as you want."
"I'd like that, Bob. I sure miss the old days."
"So do I, Ray. So do I," Bobby says sadly.
"Missed you at supper," she says.
"I just wasn't hungry."
"I'm sorry about Charlie. She seems like a lovely young woman."
"She is," Bobby says. "I just can't believe this. Charlie was once like a daughter to me. She could've been my daughter if things had worked out differently. She's my son's half-sister. To get news like this, it's.....it's hard."
"I know," Ann says, taking hold of his arm. "Believe me, I know. It's exactly how I felt two and a half years ago when I found out you had cancer. Helpless. Scared. Even hopeless."
"I keep thinkin' about her son," Bobby says. "The boy is only 15-years-old. He just lost his father a year ago, and now his mother has cancer? How unfair is that? Just how much is one kid supposed to have to take?"
"Bobby, I wish I knew the answer," Ann says as a truck drives up and comes to a stop in the parking area. "Now who can that be?" Ann wonders.
"It's Ray," Bobby replies as he sees his brother get out of the truck and walk toward them.
"Evenin' Bob, Ann," Ray says.
"Evenin', Ray," Ann says.
"Jenna told me that she told you two about Charlie today."
"Yes, she did," Bobby says.
"Ray, is there anything we can do?" Ann asks.
"Just keep Charlie and the family in your prayers. That's about all I can think of."
"Consider it done. I'll let you two talk." Ann gives a half smile to Ray, then turns and walks back into the house.
"Why, Ray?" Bobby asks. "Why Charlie?"
"I dunno, Bob," Ray replies sadly. "Been askin' myself that same question ever since Jenna told me the other night."
"Has Alex been told yet?"
"No. Charlie duttin' want the boy knowin' until it becomes absolutely necessary. I'm not so sure that's a good idea, keepin' this from him, but, it's the way she wants it. Ya know, Bob, I've never been a religious man. But, I do have my beliefs. I always believed in God, and that He was in control, no matter what happened. Sometimes, goin' through life it's been kinda hard holdin' on to that belief. One time in particular was when my cousin Mickey was in the hospital after the accident that left him paralyzed. I never could understand why God would let somethin' like that happen to a healthy young man, just a kid, whose life was just gettin' started. Another time was when......when Jock died. And now I'm feelin' that way again. Wonderin' why. Not just for Charlie but for the boy."
"Somehow we just have to believe that Charlie will beat this," Bobby says. "She's young and strong. And with Lucas as a marrow donor, she has a chance."
Ray nods. "I know," he says quietly. "Well, it's gettin' late. Jenna seemed to need some time alone, so I just went for a drive and ended up here. Not sure why."
"I'm glad ya did, Ray. It's not that cold tonight, so why don't we have a seat out here, and have a few beers? Like the old days. And we can talk, as long as you want."
"I'd like that, Bob. I sure miss the old days."
"So do I, Ray. So do I," Bobby says sadly.
Southfork....the next morning
Bobby comes down the stairs the next morning and walks into the kitchen, where he finds Ann preparing to make a pecan pie.
"It's been a long time since I slept in this late," he says, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"It's been a long time since I slept in this late," he says, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"I didn't wanna wake you. You and Ray were out on the porch talkin' til real late. I went to bed at one and you were still out there."
"Yeah," says Bobby. "It was nice. Since Ray moved back here, he and I haven't really just sat and talked over beers like we use to. I think it did us both good."
"Talk about Charlie all that time?" Ann asks.
"Charlie, Alex. J.R. And we talked a lot about the old days. Just relivin' some good memories. About when Daddy use to take us huntin' and fishin'."
"I bet you four were somethin' else in those days," says Ann.
"Yeah," says Bobby. "It was nice. Since Ray moved back here, he and I haven't really just sat and talked over beers like we use to. I think it did us both good."
"Talk about Charlie all that time?" Ann asks.
"Charlie, Alex. J.R. And we talked a lot about the old days. Just relivin' some good memories. About when Daddy use to take us huntin' and fishin'."
"I bet you four were somethin' else in those days," says Ann.
Bobby smiles. "Oh, we were. And we sure had some good times. I remember one time when Daddy took us back to this place he use to take us when we were kids, and some trouble started."
"Trouble?" Ann asks. "What kinda trouble?"
"It was in a little town in Louisiana where Daddy, J.R., Ray and me went huntin'. We stopped in town to buy some supplies and then had a couple drinks and this man about Daddy's age came in with his son and another man. The older guy had known Daddy years earlier, and a fight broke out...."
"Sounds like that was quite a trip," Ann says.
"It was. You know, I was thinkin', it's been a really long time since Christopher and I went huntin'. Years, in fact. I think one weekend soon, I'd like to take him and Lucas on a trip. I've never actually done anything with Lucas. It's time I start."
Ann walks over to her husband. "Bobby, it's Charlie that's botherin' you?"
"Talkin' to Ray last night, Annie, I realized just how short life really is. And how fast things can change. That's why I hate all this strife in this family because of John Ross's fight to overturn that codicil to J.R.'s will. That cruise I promised you? We're takin' it this spring, come hell or high water."
Ann looks at him and smiles. "Oh Bobby, I do love you," she says.
"It was. You know, I was thinkin', it's been a really long time since Christopher and I went huntin'. Years, in fact. I think one weekend soon, I'd like to take him and Lucas on a trip. I've never actually done anything with Lucas. It's time I start."
Ann walks over to her husband. "Bobby, it's Charlie that's botherin' you?"
"Talkin' to Ray last night, Annie, I realized just how short life really is. And how fast things can change. That's why I hate all this strife in this family because of John Ross's fight to overturn that codicil to J.R.'s will. That cruise I promised you? We're takin' it this spring, come hell or high water."
Ann looks at him and smiles. "Oh Bobby, I do love you," she says.
The Krebbs Ranch....
Alex is outside shooting basketball by himself at the Krebbs Ranch later when Christopher drives up and brings his car to a stop in front of the house. Christopher gets out of his car and watches for a moment as Alex makes three baskets in a row. Smiling, he walks over to the boy.
"Hey," Christopher says. "You're pretty good. Ever play on a team?"
"In middle school back home," Alex replies. "But last year or so, mostly just in the neighborhood with some other kids."
"Let me see that thing," Christopher says, holding out his hands for the ball. Alex tosses it to him. Christopher dribbles, does a few moves, then shoots and makes the basket four times in a row.
"Not so bad yourself," Alex says. "For an older guy."
"Older guy? Christopher says, looking at the boy with a smile. "Just how old do you think I am?"
"How should I know? Thirty, thirty-five, I guess."
"Hey," Christopher says. "You're pretty good. Ever play on a team?"
"In middle school back home," Alex replies. "But last year or so, mostly just in the neighborhood with some other kids."
"Let me see that thing," Christopher says, holding out his hands for the ball. Alex tosses it to him. Christopher dribbles, does a few moves, then shoots and makes the basket four times in a row.
"Not so bad yourself," Alex says. "For an older guy."
"Older guy? Christopher says, looking at the boy with a smile. "Just how old do you think I am?"
"How should I know? Thirty, thirty-five, I guess."
"Eh, that's close enough," Christopher says as Charlie walks out of the house. "Here." Christopher tosses the basketball back to Alex, who catches it. "I'm gonna go talk to your mom for a few minutes, then how 'bout I come back out and show you some moves?"
"Yeah, sure," Alex says.
As Alex returns to shooting baskets, Christopher walks over to the house, where Charlie stands on the porch. "Hey," he says.
"Hi, Christopher."
"I'm gonna show him some moves on the court."
"Good. Thank you for taking an interest in my son."
"It's no problem, Charlie. Can we talk?"
"Sure," Charlie says. "Come on in."
Christopher follows Charlie into the house and she closes the door. "Are Uncle Ray and Jenna here?"
"Yeah, sure," Alex says.
As Alex returns to shooting baskets, Christopher walks over to the house, where Charlie stands on the porch. "Hey," he says.
"Hi, Christopher."
"I'm gonna show him some moves on the court."
"Good. Thank you for taking an interest in my son."
"It's no problem, Charlie. Can we talk?"
"Sure," Charlie says. "Come on in."
Christopher follows Charlie into the house and she closes the door. "Are Uncle Ray and Jenna here?"
"No, they went to lunch with an old friend, Mavis Anderson," Charlie replies. "So what did you wanna talk to me about?"
"Charlie, you know that your Mom told my Dad and Ann about your situation?"
"Yes. I know."
"Look, I'm not tryin' to pry into your business or anything, but don't you think it's time you tell your son what's goin' on?"
Charlie turns and walks across the room, then after a moment, she turns back to him. "Christopher, it's not that easy. My son lost his father only a year ago. How can I tell him that his mother has cancer and may die, too? How is a 15-year-old boy going to be able to handle that?"
"Charlie I wish I could answer that," says Christopher. "But he's gonna have to know. You start your chemo tomorrow. What's gonna happen when you get sick from the treatments, or when you have to go into isolation to prepare for the transplant?"
"Christopher, I don't know. I can't think that far ahead. I can't even think past today, much less next week, or even tomorrow. I'm doing the best I can. I don't want my child to go through anymore hurt." Charlie stops talking and starts to cry.
Christopher walks over to her and puts his arms around her. "I know," he says, stroking her brown hair. "It's okay, Charlie. Everything's gonna be okay."
"I'm so scared, Christopher. I try to be brave around everyone, but I'm not sure I can for much longer."
"You don't have to," says Christopher. "Not anymore."
While Christopher holds Charlie in his arms, Alex walks onto the front porch. As the boy walks past the living
"Charlie, you know that your Mom told my Dad and Ann about your situation?"
"Yes. I know."
"Look, I'm not tryin' to pry into your business or anything, but don't you think it's time you tell your son what's goin' on?"
Charlie turns and walks across the room, then after a moment, she turns back to him. "Christopher, it's not that easy. My son lost his father only a year ago. How can I tell him that his mother has cancer and may die, too? How is a 15-year-old boy going to be able to handle that?"
"Charlie I wish I could answer that," says Christopher. "But he's gonna have to know. You start your chemo tomorrow. What's gonna happen when you get sick from the treatments, or when you have to go into isolation to prepare for the transplant?"
"Christopher, I don't know. I can't think that far ahead. I can't even think past today, much less next week, or even tomorrow. I'm doing the best I can. I don't want my child to go through anymore hurt." Charlie stops talking and starts to cry.
Christopher walks over to her and puts his arms around her. "I know," he says, stroking her brown hair. "It's okay, Charlie. Everything's gonna be okay."
"I'm so scared, Christopher. I try to be brave around everyone, but I'm not sure I can for much longer."
"You don't have to," says Christopher. "Not anymore."
While Christopher holds Charlie in his arms, Alex walks onto the front porch. As the boy walks past the living
room window, he looks in and sees Christopher embracing his mother. A look of shock comes over the teenager's face, a look that soon turns to sadness, and then anger. How could his mother do this, with his father dead only a year? Alex thinks to himself. Angry, the boy quickly runs off the porch and heads toward the stables.
Southfork....late afternoon
Ann walks out of the house later in the afternoon and as she heads to her SUV, she sees Emma sitting alone at the gazebo. Ann pauses a moment as she watches her daughter, then walks over to her.
"Emma, are you alright?" Ann asks. "You been cryin'?"
"Emma, are you alright?" Ann asks. "You been cryin'?"
"I was just thinking," Emma says. "Wondering. When does life stop being so complicated, and sad?"
Ann walks closer. "You're thinkin' about Charlie?"
"Yeah. And her son."
"I know. It's so sad."
"I also don't know how to feel about Lucas right now."
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," Ann says.
"On one hand, I feel so bad for him because he's so close to his sister, and this is really hurting him. I'm also scared to death about him being a bone marrow donor for Charlie. I know it's supposed to be safe, but there can always be complications."
"And on the other hand?"
Emma looks up at her mother. "On the other hand.......I'm mad as hell at him because he didn't feel like he could share this with me."
"Honey, Charlie asked him not to," says Ann.
"But he told Christopher. He could tell his brother but not the girl he lives with and is supposed to be in love with."
"Darlin', Lucas was torn up over this. I'm sure that he wanted to tell you and prob'ly agonized over it."
"It's not just this. Things haven't been the same between Lucas and I in a while. Not since John Ross and Pamela's divorce hearing, and Lucas had to sit in court and hear all the sordid details of my affair with John Ross. It seems like every time Lucas and I get on solid footing, something else comes along to knock us down again. First it was the rape....."
"Hey," Ann says as she takes a seat beside her daughter on the gazebo steps. "Has the rape been an issue between you and Lucas?"
"He hasn't said so. But I can tell."
"But it IS an issue with you."
Emma fights back tears. "I thought I could get past this. What Luis did to me. But, sometimes, when Lucas is making love to me, I have flashbacks to that day in Mexico."
Ann walks closer. "You're thinkin' about Charlie?"
"Yeah. And her son."
"I know. It's so sad."
"I also don't know how to feel about Lucas right now."
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," Ann says.
"On one hand, I feel so bad for him because he's so close to his sister, and this is really hurting him. I'm also scared to death about him being a bone marrow donor for Charlie. I know it's supposed to be safe, but there can always be complications."
"And on the other hand?"
Emma looks up at her mother. "On the other hand.......I'm mad as hell at him because he didn't feel like he could share this with me."
"Honey, Charlie asked him not to," says Ann.
"But he told Christopher. He could tell his brother but not the girl he lives with and is supposed to be in love with."
"Darlin', Lucas was torn up over this. I'm sure that he wanted to tell you and prob'ly agonized over it."
"It's not just this. Things haven't been the same between Lucas and I in a while. Not since John Ross and Pamela's divorce hearing, and Lucas had to sit in court and hear all the sordid details of my affair with John Ross. It seems like every time Lucas and I get on solid footing, something else comes along to knock us down again. First it was the rape....."
"Hey," Ann says as she takes a seat beside her daughter on the gazebo steps. "Has the rape been an issue between you and Lucas?"
"He hasn't said so. But I can tell."
"But it IS an issue with you."
Emma fights back tears. "I thought I could get past this. What Luis did to me. But, sometimes, when Lucas is making love to me, I have flashbacks to that day in Mexico."
"That's normal, Emma," says Ann. "You went through a terrible ordeal, and it's gonna take time. A lot of time."
"I still can't help but wonder if I'm being punished."
"Emma...."
"Mom, I can't help it. I did some pretty horrible things. My affair with John Ross destroyed his marriage. I hurt you."
"Emma, listen to me," Ann says, putting her arm around her daughter. "Now we've had this conversation before. You are NOT bein' punished. Bad things happen in life to people, no matter what they've done. It's just the way life is. You have to stop blamin' yourself for what that animal did to you."
"It's so hard," Emma cries.
"I know. Sweetheart, I really think you need to talk to someone about this."
"I thought that's what I was doing."
"I mean a professional."
"You mean a shrink?" Emma asks.
"Emma, I'm your mother. And I want so much to be able to help you. But I really don't know how help with this. A professional can give you the help you need, and the tools to deal with what happened to you."
"Would you go with me?"
"Of course I will," Ann says, embracing her daughter. "Of course, I will."
"I still can't help but wonder if I'm being punished."
"Emma...."
"Mom, I can't help it. I did some pretty horrible things. My affair with John Ross destroyed his marriage. I hurt you."
"Emma, listen to me," Ann says, putting her arm around her daughter. "Now we've had this conversation before. You are NOT bein' punished. Bad things happen in life to people, no matter what they've done. It's just the way life is. You have to stop blamin' yourself for what that animal did to you."
"It's so hard," Emma cries.
"I know. Sweetheart, I really think you need to talk to someone about this."
"I thought that's what I was doing."
"I mean a professional."
"You mean a shrink?" Emma asks.
"Emma, I'm your mother. And I want so much to be able to help you. But I really don't know how help with this. A professional can give you the help you need, and the tools to deal with what happened to you."
"Would you go with me?"
"Of course I will," Ann says, embracing her daughter. "Of course, I will."
Baylor Cancer Center....the next morning
Charlie sits in the waiting room of the Baylor Cancer Center in Dallas the next morning, along with Jenna, Ray, and Lucas, as they wait for Charlie to be called in to begin her first chemotherapy treatment. As she sits nervously fidgeting in her seat, Jenna reaches over and touches her daughter's hands.
"Charlie, try to calm down," Jenna says.
"How can I, Mom? In a few minutes I'm about to undergo a treatment that's gonna make me sick, and probably lose my hair. And how am I gonna explain to Alex when he sees me sick?"
"Charlie, I think it's time he knows," Lucas says.
"It's not that easy, Lucas."
"I think Lucas is right, sweetheart," says Ray. "We know these treatments are gonna make you sick. There's no way you can hide that from the boy, and even if you do at first you can only hide it for so long."
Before Charlie can reply, a nurse comes to the door. "Charlotte Walton?" The nurse says.
After a moment's hesitation, Charlie stands, and followed by her family, she follows the nurse through the double doors down a long corridor to a procedure room.
"There's a patient gown for you," the nurse says. "You can step into the bathroom and change. The doctor will be with you in just a moment."
"Charlie, try to calm down," Jenna says.
"How can I, Mom? In a few minutes I'm about to undergo a treatment that's gonna make me sick, and probably lose my hair. And how am I gonna explain to Alex when he sees me sick?"
"Charlie, I think it's time he knows," Lucas says.
"It's not that easy, Lucas."
"I think Lucas is right, sweetheart," says Ray. "We know these treatments are gonna make you sick. There's no way you can hide that from the boy, and even if you do at first you can only hide it for so long."
Before Charlie can reply, a nurse comes to the door. "Charlotte Walton?" The nurse says.
After a moment's hesitation, Charlie stands, and followed by her family, she follows the nurse through the double doors down a long corridor to a procedure room.
"There's a patient gown for you," the nurse says. "You can step into the bathroom and change. The doctor will be with you in just a moment."
"Thank you," Charlie says.
The nurse smiles, then walks out of the room. As Ray, Jenna, and Lucas take seats, Charlie grabs the hospital gown and steps into the living room. Ray, Jenna, and Lucas sit in silence as they wait.
"This looks like a nice place," Ray finally says to break the silence.
"Yeah, it does," Lucas agrees. "This is supposed to be one the best cancer hospitals in the whole country. Charlie's gonna be fine, Mom."
"I know," Jenna says. "I won't accept it any other way."
At that moment, a female doctor walks into the room. "Good morning," she says. "I'm Dr. Conrad. Are you the family of Charlotte Walton?"
"Yes, I'm her mother," replies Jenna as Charlie comes out of the bathroom.
"Hello, Charlotte," the doctor says. "Are you ready to begin?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Charlie says.
"Good."
"Dr. Conrad," says Jenna. "These treatments, will they be painful?"
"Well, I'm not going to lie to you. I want you all to be prepared for what's ahead, especially you, Charlotte. The first treatment, you'll probably just feel a little queasy, and sick to your stomach. You may throw up, and you'll likely have a headache. As the treatments progress, the side effects will become more pronounced."
"What about my.......what about my hair?" Charlie asks nervously. "Will I lose it?"
"I'm afraid so. Noticeable hair loss may begin after the third treatment. Now, are we ready to begin?"
Charlie nods.
"Then let's get started," Dr. Conrad says.
Charlie looks at her family, then braces herself for the rough day she knows lies ahead for her.
The nurse smiles, then walks out of the room. As Ray, Jenna, and Lucas take seats, Charlie grabs the hospital gown and steps into the living room. Ray, Jenna, and Lucas sit in silence as they wait.
"This looks like a nice place," Ray finally says to break the silence.
"Yeah, it does," Lucas agrees. "This is supposed to be one the best cancer hospitals in the whole country. Charlie's gonna be fine, Mom."
"I know," Jenna says. "I won't accept it any other way."
At that moment, a female doctor walks into the room. "Good morning," she says. "I'm Dr. Conrad. Are you the family of Charlotte Walton?"
"Yes, I'm her mother," replies Jenna as Charlie comes out of the bathroom.
"Hello, Charlotte," the doctor says. "Are you ready to begin?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Charlie says.
"Good."
"Dr. Conrad," says Jenna. "These treatments, will they be painful?"
"Well, I'm not going to lie to you. I want you all to be prepared for what's ahead, especially you, Charlotte. The first treatment, you'll probably just feel a little queasy, and sick to your stomach. You may throw up, and you'll likely have a headache. As the treatments progress, the side effects will become more pronounced."
"What about my.......what about my hair?" Charlie asks nervously. "Will I lose it?"
"I'm afraid so. Noticeable hair loss may begin after the third treatment. Now, are we ready to begin?"
Charlie nods.
"Then let's get started," Dr. Conrad says.
Charlie looks at her family, then braces herself for the rough day she knows lies ahead for her.
Smithfield And Bennett....
The elevator doors open in the hallway outside of the Smithfield And Bennett Law Firm the next morning. A woman dressed in a gray dress and black high heels steps off and walks down the hall, entering the Smithfield And Bennett offices. She walks over to the receptionists desk. "Excuse me," the woman says to the receptionist.
"Yes, may I help you?" The receptionist asks.
"I'm here to see Mr. Todd Baxter."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I don't need one," replies the woman.
"I'm sorry but without an appointment....."
"Just tell him his cousin is here to see him. Anita Smithfield."
"Oh, yes, Ms. Smithfield. Of course." The receptionist picks up the phone and buzzes Todd's office. "Excuse me, Mr. Baxter, your cousin Anita Smithfield is here to see you." The young woman hangs up the phone and looks at Anita. "He'll be right with you."
"Thank you," Anita says as Todd walks out of his office.
"Anita, hello," he says. "Please, come in."
Anita looks at her younger cousin and walks past him into his office. Todd follows and closes the door behind him.
"Have a seat," Todd says, then takes a seat at his desk. "What brings you back to Dallas after five years?"
"Yes, may I help you?" The receptionist asks.
"I'm here to see Mr. Todd Baxter."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I don't need one," replies the woman.
"I'm sorry but without an appointment....."
"Just tell him his cousin is here to see him. Anita Smithfield."
"Oh, yes, Ms. Smithfield. Of course." The receptionist picks up the phone and buzzes Todd's office. "Excuse me, Mr. Baxter, your cousin Anita Smithfield is here to see you." The young woman hangs up the phone and looks at Anita. "He'll be right with you."
"Thank you," Anita says as Todd walks out of his office.
"Anita, hello," he says. "Please, come in."
Anita looks at her younger cousin and walks past him into his office. Todd follows and closes the door behind him.
"Have a seat," Todd says, then takes a seat at his desk. "What brings you back to Dallas after five years?"
"I heard about the motion you filed to contest the codicil to J.R. Ewing's will," says Anita.
"That's right. I'm representing J.R.'s son, John Ross."
"Todd, what the HELL are you thinking? I drew up that codicil for J.R. myself."
"I know that," Todd says.
"By contesting that codicil, you're calling into question my competence as an attorney."
"This isn't about your competence as an attorney, Anita. John Ross Ewing asked me to represent him, and that's what I'm doing."
"My suggestion is to recommend another attorney for John Ross."
"I can't do that. I've already taken the case."
"Todd, I am STILL technically a senior partner in this law firm," Anita says.
"With all due respect, cousin Anita, you haven't taken an active role in Smithfield And Bennett in over five years. Jay and I run the firm now since my Dad retired."
"Whether or not I have taken an active role is beside the point, Todd. I drew up that codicil to J.R.'s will and I can tell you that J.R. Ewing was definitely NOT mentally incompetent when he dictated that codicil."
"That's right. I'm representing J.R.'s son, John Ross."
"Todd, what the HELL are you thinking? I drew up that codicil for J.R. myself."
"I know that," Todd says.
"By contesting that codicil, you're calling into question my competence as an attorney."
"This isn't about your competence as an attorney, Anita. John Ross Ewing asked me to represent him, and that's what I'm doing."
"My suggestion is to recommend another attorney for John Ross."
"I can't do that. I've already taken the case."
"Todd, I am STILL technically a senior partner in this law firm," Anita says.
"With all due respect, cousin Anita, you haven't taken an active role in Smithfield And Bennett in over five years. Jay and I run the firm now since my Dad retired."
"Whether or not I have taken an active role is beside the point, Todd. I drew up that codicil to J.R.'s will and I can tell you that J.R. Ewing was definitely NOT mentally incompetent when he dictated that codicil."
"That's fine, then you can testify to that in court," Todd says. "But I'm telling you like I've already told Jay.....I'm not dropping this case."
"Why is this so important to you?" Anita asks. "Smithfield And Bennett has turned down cases before, why not simply refer John Ross to another attorney in town so that you're not going up against your own law firm in court?"
"It would be unethical for me to turn down a case."
"Unethical?" Asks a stunned Anita. "Unethical in what way?"
Todd stands to his feet and walks across the room. "Anita, I grew up in a family of lawyers," he says, turning back to her. "Granddaddy. My Dad. You. All my life, it's all I've ever wanted to do with my life. I was only thirteen when Granddaddy died, but I remember what he use to say about ethics and obligation. Smithfield And Bennett has represented the Ewing family since the 1930s. John Ross Ewing asked me to represent him in contesting the codicil to J.R.'s will, and as his attorney I'm obligated to do that."
"I understand and admire your dedication," Anita says as she stands. "Uncle Harve was the most dedicated lawyer I've ever known. But I did see him turn down cases, even from clients he'd represented for years if it meant a conflict of interest, and that's EXACTLY what this is, Todd. A major conflict of interest. You're going up in court against your own cousin and law partner. I hope you reconsider and recommend another attorney to John Ross. If not, I will help Jay win this case."
"Fair enough. But you'll lose."
Anita looks at her younger cousin for a moment and shakes her head. Then she turns and walks out of the office. After a moment's pause, Todd walks back over to his desk and takes a seat. He sighs deeply, then his eyes fix on a framed photo of his grandfather sitting on his desk. He picks the photo up and looks at it. A slight smile crosses his face as he looks at his grandfather, then a tear falls down his face.
"Why is this so important to you?" Anita asks. "Smithfield And Bennett has turned down cases before, why not simply refer John Ross to another attorney in town so that you're not going up against your own law firm in court?"
"It would be unethical for me to turn down a case."
"Unethical?" Asks a stunned Anita. "Unethical in what way?"
Todd stands to his feet and walks across the room. "Anita, I grew up in a family of lawyers," he says, turning back to her. "Granddaddy. My Dad. You. All my life, it's all I've ever wanted to do with my life. I was only thirteen when Granddaddy died, but I remember what he use to say about ethics and obligation. Smithfield And Bennett has represented the Ewing family since the 1930s. John Ross Ewing asked me to represent him in contesting the codicil to J.R.'s will, and as his attorney I'm obligated to do that."
"I understand and admire your dedication," Anita says as she stands. "Uncle Harve was the most dedicated lawyer I've ever known. But I did see him turn down cases, even from clients he'd represented for years if it meant a conflict of interest, and that's EXACTLY what this is, Todd. A major conflict of interest. You're going up in court against your own cousin and law partner. I hope you reconsider and recommend another attorney to John Ross. If not, I will help Jay win this case."
"Fair enough. But you'll lose."
Anita looks at her younger cousin for a moment and shakes her head. Then she turns and walks out of the office. After a moment's pause, Todd walks back over to his desk and takes a seat. He sighs deeply, then his eyes fix on a framed photo of his grandfather sitting on his desk. He picks the photo up and looks at it. A slight smile crosses his face as he looks at his grandfather, then a tear falls down his face.
Westar Oil....
Melissa buzzes John Ross's intercom at his Westar office. "Mr. Ewing, your brother, James Beaumont is here to see you."
Sitting at his desk, John Ross hesitates a moment before answering. "Send my brother in," he says.
Sitting at his desk, John Ross hesitates a moment before answering. "Send my brother in," he says.
John Ross closes the open window on his computer as James walks into the office. "James," John Ross says. "What brings you to Dallas two days before the hearin'?"
"That's what I came to talk to you about, John Ross. That hearing of yours."
"James, if you're here to try to convince me to give up and drop the case, you're wastin' your time," John Ross says as he stands.
"I was hoping to at least talk some sense into you," James says. "Taking this to court and contesting J.R.'s will isn't accomplishing anything but hurting the family."
"The fam'ly?" John Ross asks. "Since when did you ever give a damn about the fam'ly? Where you been the last twenty-some odd years, James? Livin' back East with your own little fam'ly?"
"John Ross why're you really doin' this? Is it just because J.R. left Justin that stock in Westar? Or is there somethin' bigger goin' on here?"
"You mean like you and Justin each bein' one third of the stock in Jensen that was supposed to go to me? Stock my Granddaddy left for me?"
"OUR granddaddy," James corrects.
John Ross turns and looks at his brother with a sly smile. "Oh, my bad. OUR granddaddy."
"So part of this really is about me, isn't it?"
"How many times in all those years since J.R. came back from Europe did you come visit? Three, four times max, includin' Grandma's fun'ral? I was the son who was here all this time at J.R.'s side, takin' all his criticism and abuse while you were livin' your own comfortable life with your wife and kids. Why the hell should you or Justin deserve anything that J.R. left behind?"
"So, that really is it, huh? You can't stand the fact that you weren't J.R. Ewing's only son."
"I was the only son that counted. The only son who bore his name. Bore the EWING name. You never were a son to J.R. You cut out on him just as soon as bein' around got a little inconvenient for you. You don't deserve a damned thing, and you're sure as hell not gettin' anything of mine."
James looks at John Ross for a moment. "You really are J.R.'s son in every way. Not only do you have his name, but you could be the same person."
"You through now?" John Ross asks impatiently.
"No, I'm not through. Not by a long shot." James moves closer to his brother. "J.R. left that stock in Jensen to me, to you, and to our kid brother. And part of that inheritance also belongs to my children, John Ross. I'm not gonna let you take that away from them. If it's a fight you want, little brother, then you're gonna get one you'll never forget."
"Get out, James. Get the hell out of my office!"
"Gladly. I don't like the smell in here." Without another word, James turns and walks out of the office. After he's gone, John Ross walks to the bar and pours himself a glass of bourbon. He takes a sip, then looks out the window at the Dallas skyline. He finishes off his bourbon, then pours another glass. After finishing it off in two gulps, he puts the glass down on the bar and walks out of the office.
"That's what I came to talk to you about, John Ross. That hearing of yours."
"James, if you're here to try to convince me to give up and drop the case, you're wastin' your time," John Ross says as he stands.
"I was hoping to at least talk some sense into you," James says. "Taking this to court and contesting J.R.'s will isn't accomplishing anything but hurting the family."
"The fam'ly?" John Ross asks. "Since when did you ever give a damn about the fam'ly? Where you been the last twenty-some odd years, James? Livin' back East with your own little fam'ly?"
"John Ross why're you really doin' this? Is it just because J.R. left Justin that stock in Westar? Or is there somethin' bigger goin' on here?"
"You mean like you and Justin each bein' one third of the stock in Jensen that was supposed to go to me? Stock my Granddaddy left for me?"
"OUR granddaddy," James corrects.
John Ross turns and looks at his brother with a sly smile. "Oh, my bad. OUR granddaddy."
"So part of this really is about me, isn't it?"
"How many times in all those years since J.R. came back from Europe did you come visit? Three, four times max, includin' Grandma's fun'ral? I was the son who was here all this time at J.R.'s side, takin' all his criticism and abuse while you were livin' your own comfortable life with your wife and kids. Why the hell should you or Justin deserve anything that J.R. left behind?"
"So, that really is it, huh? You can't stand the fact that you weren't J.R. Ewing's only son."
"I was the only son that counted. The only son who bore his name. Bore the EWING name. You never were a son to J.R. You cut out on him just as soon as bein' around got a little inconvenient for you. You don't deserve a damned thing, and you're sure as hell not gettin' anything of mine."
James looks at John Ross for a moment. "You really are J.R.'s son in every way. Not only do you have his name, but you could be the same person."
"You through now?" John Ross asks impatiently.
"No, I'm not through. Not by a long shot." James moves closer to his brother. "J.R. left that stock in Jensen to me, to you, and to our kid brother. And part of that inheritance also belongs to my children, John Ross. I'm not gonna let you take that away from them. If it's a fight you want, little brother, then you're gonna get one you'll never forget."
"Get out, James. Get the hell out of my office!"
"Gladly. I don't like the smell in here." Without another word, James turns and walks out of the office. After he's gone, John Ross walks to the bar and pours himself a glass of bourbon. He takes a sip, then looks out the window at the Dallas skyline. He finishes off his bourbon, then pours another glass. After finishing it off in two gulps, he puts the glass down on the bar and walks out of the office.
Grove Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Dallas...
Meanwhile, Todd stands in the middle of Grove Hill Memorial Park Cemetery over the grave of his grand-
father. He looks down at the headstone and a tear falls down his cheek.
"I still miss you, Granddad. Even after all this time," Todd says. "I was only thirteen when you died, but, I still remember everything you taught me. I remember how you use to give me and Jay each twenty bucks a piece to help you on Saturdays with whatever you needed done. If it was a bigger job, you paid us more. You know, sometimes, I wish I never had to grow up. Life seemed so simple when I was a kid, and you were around. I could always come to you when I couldn't go to my mom and dad. I wish I could go to you about what's bothering me now. Would you be able to help me? Would you even want to? I've really backed myself into a corner. Either I compromise my principles and go against Jay, or I stick to what I believe is right and risk John Ross exposing me. Why couldn't I have been more like Jay? Or even my kid brother? They never have any problem doing what's right. I guess every family has to have a blacksheep, huh? Well, I'm the blacksheep of the Smithfield and Baxter clans. I made it all the way through law school, passed the bar, and became a lawyer just like I told you I would when I was eleven. Just like you, Granddad. With one huge difference. I have all these demons to fight. For you, it was easy. You became a well respected lawyer. You met Grandmother, fell in love, got married. Had three kids, and grew old with the woman you loved. I'd give anything if I had that kind of a life. All I know for sure is, I can't let my secret be exposed. I could never see Grandmother hurt like that. So, I only have one choice. Give in to John Ross's blackmail. But I know it won't stop here. A guy like John Ross Ewing, he won't be happy forcing me to do this one thing for him. Oh, no. He'll keep coming to me for these little.....'favors'........and hold my lifestyle over my head every time, forcing me to give in. I'm sorry, Granddad. Sorry I've shamed you." Todd lowers his head as he continues to sit by his grandfather's grave.
Meanwhile, at Southfork....
At the same time Todd is visiting his grandfather's grave, John Ross is kneeling beside J.R.'s grave at Southfork. For a moment, he stares at his father's headstone in silence.
"Damn you, Daddy," he says. "Damn you for puttin' me in this situation. I've always been the one who was there for you, right by your side. Not James. Not Cally's kid. ME. But you took what was supposed to be mine and you gave part of it to them. How, Daddy? How could you do that to me. I'm your son. And because of what you did, I've gotta go up against the rest of the fam'ly. Mama hates me. Uncle Bobby hates me. Not only that, I've got Cliff Barnes out to destroy me because of that stupid plan of yours to frame him and get him out of the way. That night you called me.....the night you died......you told me I shouldn't have to pay for your sins. But that's exactly what I'm doin' now. I'm payin' for what you did. But I aint gonna let 'em get me, Daddy. I'm gonna take Cliff Barnes down once and for all, and Pamela and Tripp McKay with him. And I'm gonna do whatever I have to do to keep what's mine, because knowin' how to fight and win is one thing you gave me that nobody, not even you, can take away from me." John Ross stands to his feet and looks down at his father's grave for a moment, then he turns and walks away.
Dallas County Courthouse....two days later
Bobby, Christopher, and Ann are waiting outside the courtroom at the George L. Allen building in downtown Dallas two mornings later as they prepare for the hearing to determine whether the codicil to J.R.'s will is to be overturned. Sue Ellen and Dusty step off the elevator and walk over to them.
"Morning," Sue Ellen says.
"Morning, Sue Ellen," Bobby says.
"I've dreaded this ever since we got the subpoena, Bobby."
"Yeah, so have I," he agrees. "This is definitely not gonna be pretty."
At that moment, John Ross arrives with his attorney, Todd. John Ross stops in the hallway and looks at his family for a second, then without saying a word to him, he and Todd proceed into the courtroom.
Meanwhile, Justin, James, Cally, Debra Lynn, and Jimmy are seated in the courtroom conferring with their attorney, Jay Smithfield, when they see John Ross walk in. They each look at John Ross harshly as he takes his seat on the opposite side of the courtroom.
"Look at him," Justin says. "Pompous ass."
"Yeah I'd love to wipe that smirk off his face," Jimmy says.
"That won't solve anything," says Cally.
"She's right," agrees Jay. "We have a good case here. We all just have to keep our cool."
"I can't imagine how hard this is for Bobby and Sue Ellen, bein' called as witnesses for John Ross," Cally says.
James sighs. "Yeah. Well, I think that was part of John Ross's plan to divide this family over this."
Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Sue Ellen, and Dusty all walk into the courtroom and take their seats on the same side as the other Ewings assembled for the hearing. A moment later, Jillian arrives, andLucas and Emma walk in and take their seats with them as a bailiff steps to the front of the courtroom.
"Court is now in session," the bailiff says. "The Honorable Judge Richard Brewster presiding."
Judge Brewster, a somewhat heavyset man in his early to mid-60s, takes the bench.
"Morning," Sue Ellen says.
"Morning, Sue Ellen," Bobby says.
"I've dreaded this ever since we got the subpoena, Bobby."
"Yeah, so have I," he agrees. "This is definitely not gonna be pretty."
At that moment, John Ross arrives with his attorney, Todd. John Ross stops in the hallway and looks at his family for a second, then without saying a word to him, he and Todd proceed into the courtroom.
Meanwhile, Justin, James, Cally, Debra Lynn, and Jimmy are seated in the courtroom conferring with their attorney, Jay Smithfield, when they see John Ross walk in. They each look at John Ross harshly as he takes his seat on the opposite side of the courtroom.
"Look at him," Justin says. "Pompous ass."
"Yeah I'd love to wipe that smirk off his face," Jimmy says.
"That won't solve anything," says Cally.
"She's right," agrees Jay. "We have a good case here. We all just have to keep our cool."
"I can't imagine how hard this is for Bobby and Sue Ellen, bein' called as witnesses for John Ross," Cally says.
James sighs. "Yeah. Well, I think that was part of John Ross's plan to divide this family over this."
Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Sue Ellen, and Dusty all walk into the courtroom and take their seats on the same side as the other Ewings assembled for the hearing. A moment later, Jillian arrives, andLucas and Emma walk in and take their seats with them as a bailiff steps to the front of the courtroom.
"Court is now in session," the bailiff says. "The Honorable Judge Richard Brewster presiding."
Judge Brewster, a somewhat heavyset man in his early to mid-60s, takes the bench.
"Please be seated," Judge Brewster says. "This is civil case number 87145-3, case of John Ross Ewing III vs. the last will and testament of John Ross Ewing, Jr. Having heard all preliminary motions in this case, Mr. Baxter, are you ready to present your case?"
"I am, your Honor," Todd says, standing to his feet. "We are here today to determine whether Mr. John Ross Ewing, Jr., was mentally competent at the time he had a special codicil added to his last will and testament."
"I am, your Honor," Todd says, standing to his feet. "We are here today to determine whether Mr. John Ross Ewing, Jr., was mentally competent at the time he had a special codicil added to his last will and testament."
As Todd begins his argument, John Ross sits in court listening intently, determined to have the codicil overturned and his two half-brothers removed from his father's last will and testament.
Later....
After presenting his opening statement, Todd calls Bobby to the stand as his first witness. "Would you please state your full name for the court?" Todd asks as he begins his questioning
"Bobby James Ewing.".
"And what was your relationship to John Ross Ewing, Jr.?"
"He was my brother."
Mr. Ewing, were you and your brother close?"
"Yes, we were very close," Bobby answers.
"You and your brother lived in the same house most of your lives, didn't you?"
"Yes, we did."
"Would you please describe for the court the events of the night of May 3, 1991?"
"1991? That was almost twenty-four years ago. Do you honestly expect me to recall certain events from that long ago?"
"Just do your best, Mr. Ewing," says Todd. "That was a Friday, am I right?"
"Yes, I believe it was."
"Did you go anywhere that evening?"
"Bobby James Ewing.".
"And what was your relationship to John Ross Ewing, Jr.?"
"He was my brother."
Mr. Ewing, were you and your brother close?"
"Yes, we were very close," Bobby answers.
"You and your brother lived in the same house most of your lives, didn't you?"
"Yes, we did."
"Would you please describe for the court the events of the night of May 3, 1991?"
"1991? That was almost twenty-four years ago. Do you honestly expect me to recall certain events from that long ago?"
"Just do your best, Mr. Ewing," says Todd. "That was a Friday, am I right?"
"Yes, I believe it was."
"Did you go anywhere that evening?"
"Yes, as I recall that evening I drove my son Christopher to the airport to catch a flight to London for a visit with his Aunt Sue Ellen and cousin John Ross."
"Was your brother at home alone while you took your son to the airport?" Todd asks.
"Yes, he was."
"And would you please describe to the court what happened when you returned home that night, Mr. Ewing?"
"I walked into the house, and I was about to head upstairs. I had told J.R. that we would have a talk when I got back from the airport."
"Did you and your brother talk that night?" Todd asks.
"No, not exactly."
"Objection, Your Honor," Jay says, standing to his feet. "I don't see the relevance of events that happened almost twenty-four years ago."
"Where are you headed with this, Mr. Baxter?" Judge Brewster asks.
"That will become apparent if I'm allowed to continue, Your Honor," says Todd.
"I'll allow this questioning, but proceed with caution."
"Yes, sir. Well, Mr. Ewing? What happened when you came home from taking your son to the airport that night?"
"I started upstairs, and I heard a gunshot. It came from J.R.'s room."
"Please continue."
"I ran up the stairs and down the hall to J.R.'s room. When I went in, he was standing in the middle of the room holding a revolver. He had shot a mirror."
"Did your brother say anything?" Todd asks.
"Yes. He was disoriented, and ranting about seein' the devil."
"After that night, you didn't see your brother for five years, did you?"
Bobby hesitates before answering. "No," he says as audible gasps can be heard from the courtroom.
"Was your brother at home alone while you took your son to the airport?" Todd asks.
"Yes, he was."
"And would you please describe to the court what happened when you returned home that night, Mr. Ewing?"
"I walked into the house, and I was about to head upstairs. I had told J.R. that we would have a talk when I got back from the airport."
"Did you and your brother talk that night?" Todd asks.
"No, not exactly."
"Objection, Your Honor," Jay says, standing to his feet. "I don't see the relevance of events that happened almost twenty-four years ago."
"Where are you headed with this, Mr. Baxter?" Judge Brewster asks.
"That will become apparent if I'm allowed to continue, Your Honor," says Todd.
"I'll allow this questioning, but proceed with caution."
"Yes, sir. Well, Mr. Ewing? What happened when you came home from taking your son to the airport that night?"
"I started upstairs, and I heard a gunshot. It came from J.R.'s room."
"Please continue."
"I ran up the stairs and down the hall to J.R.'s room. When I went in, he was standing in the middle of the room holding a revolver. He had shot a mirror."
"Did your brother say anything?" Todd asks.
"Yes. He was disoriented, and ranting about seein' the devil."
"After that night, you didn't see your brother for five years, did you?"
Bobby hesitates before answering. "No," he says as audible gasps can be heard from the courtroom.
Again....later....
Todd's next witness is Sue Ellen, who reluctantly rises from her seat, gives John Ross a stern look of disapproval, then makes her way to the stand. The bailiff approaches her and she places her left hand on the Bible and raises her right. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I do," Sue Ellen says. She takes her seat on the stand and Todd approaches her.
"Please state your full name for the court."
"Sue Ellen Shepherd Ewing."
"Mrs. Ewing, you were married to John Ross Ewing, Jr. twice, were you not?"
"Yes, I was. The first time from 1971 to 1981. And then again from 1982 to '88."
"And you are the mother of the plaintiff in this case, John Ross Ewing III?"
"Yes."
"Mrs. Ewing, how would you describe your marriage to J.R. Ewing?"
"Objection, Your Honor," Jay says. "How is this at all relevant to whether or not Mr. Ewing was mentally competent at the time the codicil was written in 2006?"
"Your Honor, I'm attempting to establish a long pattern of unpredictable behavior by Mr. J.R. Ewing that dates all the way back at least to the 1970s, during his first marriage to Mrs. Ewing."
"I'll allow, but again, Mr. Baxter, use caution with this line of questioning."
"Thank you, Your Honor. Mrs. Ewing? During your ten year first marriage to J.R., he cheated on you numerous times with multiple women, is that correct?"
"Objection, Your Honor!" Jay says angrily. "A lot of men cheat on their wives but that doesn't make them mentally incompetent."
"Objection sustained."
"I do," Sue Ellen says. She takes her seat on the stand and Todd approaches her.
"Please state your full name for the court."
"Sue Ellen Shepherd Ewing."
"Mrs. Ewing, you were married to John Ross Ewing, Jr. twice, were you not?"
"Yes, I was. The first time from 1971 to 1981. And then again from 1982 to '88."
"And you are the mother of the plaintiff in this case, John Ross Ewing III?"
"Yes."
"Mrs. Ewing, how would you describe your marriage to J.R. Ewing?"
"Objection, Your Honor," Jay says. "How is this at all relevant to whether or not Mr. Ewing was mentally competent at the time the codicil was written in 2006?"
"Your Honor, I'm attempting to establish a long pattern of unpredictable behavior by Mr. J.R. Ewing that dates all the way back at least to the 1970s, during his first marriage to Mrs. Ewing."
"I'll allow, but again, Mr. Baxter, use caution with this line of questioning."
"Thank you, Your Honor. Mrs. Ewing? During your ten year first marriage to J.R., he cheated on you numerous times with multiple women, is that correct?"
"Objection, Your Honor!" Jay says angrily. "A lot of men cheat on their wives but that doesn't make them mentally incompetent."
"Objection sustained."
Still later....
After the lunch recess, Bobby, Ann, Sue Ellen, and Dusty are standing outside the courtroom talking when John Ross walks out of the courtroom. He looks at the four, who return his gaze, then he turns and walks a short distance down the hall and meets Bum, who is walking toward the courtroom.
"How's she's doin'?" John Ross asks.
"A little antsy, but she's okay," Bum replies. "I have one my men watchin' her."
"How's she's doin'?" John Ross asks.
"A little antsy, but she's okay," Bum replies. "I have one my men watchin' her."
"Good."
"John Ross, i haven't said anything until now, but, I sure wish you hadn't carried this thing this far."
"Oh, Bum, not you, too," says John Ross. "Look, I have taken this from my fam'ly for days, I don't need it from you, too."
"I'm not tryin' to give you crap about it. But John Ross, your Daddy was my friend. J.R. was real good to me. He took a drunken, down and out ex-cop, got me set up in my own private eye business, and he helped me a lot over the course of the sixteen years I knew him. And now, you want me to take that stand and testify that J.R. was mentally incompetent and had been for some time?"
"I understand your position, Bum. Don't think for a minute that I don't. But I'm doin' what I have to do to hold on to what's rightfully mine. Just like my Daddy always did," John Ross turns and walks away from Bum and into the courtroom.
"John Ross, i haven't said anything until now, but, I sure wish you hadn't carried this thing this far."
"Oh, Bum, not you, too," says John Ross. "Look, I have taken this from my fam'ly for days, I don't need it from you, too."
"I'm not tryin' to give you crap about it. But John Ross, your Daddy was my friend. J.R. was real good to me. He took a drunken, down and out ex-cop, got me set up in my own private eye business, and he helped me a lot over the course of the sixteen years I knew him. And now, you want me to take that stand and testify that J.R. was mentally incompetent and had been for some time?"
"I understand your position, Bum. Don't think for a minute that I don't. But I'm doin' what I have to do to hold on to what's rightfully mine. Just like my Daddy always did," John Ross turns and walks away from Bum and into the courtroom.
A short time later....
When court resumes, James is on the stand, being questioned by Todd. "Mr. Beaumont, you are the first born son of J.R., is that correct?"
"Yes."
"When did you first meet your father? I mean, he wasn't a part of your life until you were a young adult, is that correct?"
"That's correct," James replies. " first met my father in the early fall of 1989."
"And how old were you?"
"I was twenty."
"What was your relationship with your father like?" Todd asks.
"It was complicated. Very complicated."
"What do you mean by that, Mr. Beaumont?"
"When I first came to Dallas, all I wanted was to find my father. To get to know him. And I did. There were times when J.R. and I were friends. Like a real father and son, and at other times, we were at odds with each other."
"Isn't it true that in 1990, less than a year after you arrived in Dallas searching for your father, J.R. Ewing checked himself into a mental institution?"
"Yes, he did."
"And that you had possession of your father's release papers, but rather than getting him out of the hospital, you chose to rip those papers up and leave him there? And his wife at the time, Cally Harper, knew this?"
James hesitates for a moment as he looks out at the crowded courtroom, particularly his family.
"Mr. Beaumont, would you please answer the question?"
"Yes," James replies to the audible gasps from the spectators.
Sitting in the courtroom, Debra Lynn and Jimmy look at James in shock, while Justin looks at his mother, the shock of this long hidden secret starting to sink in.
"No further questions, Your Honor," says Todd.
Jay stands from his seat and approaches James on the witness stand. "Mr. Beaumont, why did your father have himself committed to a psychiatric hospital in 1990?"
"It was the only way he was able to get to a patient he needed to see. A woman named Jessica Montford. She had some papers that J.R. needed her to sign. So he checked himself in."
"How did you come to have possession of his release papers?" Jay asks. "Did your father give them to you?"
"No."
"Then how did you get your hands on them?"
"J.R.'s secretary, Sly Lovegren, had them."
"And Ms. Lovegren gave them to you, is that right?" Jay asks.
"No. I stole them from her."
"Stole them?"
"Yes. While she was......passed out."
"Why? Why would you steal papers that your father entrusted to his secretary?"
"Because I wanted to have leverage against J.R. Leverage to help Cally, his wife, obtain a favorable divorce settlement."
"Yes."
"When did you first meet your father? I mean, he wasn't a part of your life until you were a young adult, is that correct?"
"That's correct," James replies. " first met my father in the early fall of 1989."
"And how old were you?"
"I was twenty."
"What was your relationship with your father like?" Todd asks.
"It was complicated. Very complicated."
"What do you mean by that, Mr. Beaumont?"
"When I first came to Dallas, all I wanted was to find my father. To get to know him. And I did. There were times when J.R. and I were friends. Like a real father and son, and at other times, we were at odds with each other."
"Isn't it true that in 1990, less than a year after you arrived in Dallas searching for your father, J.R. Ewing checked himself into a mental institution?"
"Yes, he did."
"And that you had possession of your father's release papers, but rather than getting him out of the hospital, you chose to rip those papers up and leave him there? And his wife at the time, Cally Harper, knew this?"
James hesitates for a moment as he looks out at the crowded courtroom, particularly his family.
"Mr. Beaumont, would you please answer the question?"
"Yes," James replies to the audible gasps from the spectators.
Sitting in the courtroom, Debra Lynn and Jimmy look at James in shock, while Justin looks at his mother, the shock of this long hidden secret starting to sink in.
"No further questions, Your Honor," says Todd.
Jay stands from his seat and approaches James on the witness stand. "Mr. Beaumont, why did your father have himself committed to a psychiatric hospital in 1990?"
"It was the only way he was able to get to a patient he needed to see. A woman named Jessica Montford. She had some papers that J.R. needed her to sign. So he checked himself in."
"How did you come to have possession of his release papers?" Jay asks. "Did your father give them to you?"
"No."
"Then how did you get your hands on them?"
"J.R.'s secretary, Sly Lovegren, had them."
"And Ms. Lovegren gave them to you, is that right?" Jay asks.
"No. I stole them from her."
"Stole them?"
"Yes. While she was......passed out."
"Why? Why would you steal papers that your father entrusted to his secretary?"
"Because I wanted to have leverage against J.R. Leverage to help Cally, his wife, obtain a favorable divorce settlement."
"So, you and J.R.'s wife, were conspiring against him?" Jay asks.
"In a way, yes."
"Just yes or no, Mr. Beaumont."
"Yes."
"Were you in love with your father's wife?"
"No, of course not. Cally and I were friends. Good friends, and I was only trying to help her." James looks out in the courtroom to his wife and son, both of whom are watching him with expressions of disappointment and shock upon hearing the ugly details of their family's history.
"In a way, yes."
"Just yes or no, Mr. Beaumont."
"Yes."
"Were you in love with your father's wife?"
"No, of course not. Cally and I were friends. Good friends, and I was only trying to help her." James looks out in the courtroom to his wife and son, both of whom are watching him with expressions of disappointment and shock upon hearing the ugly details of their family's history.
Later....
The next witness to take the stand is Anita Smithfield herself. As Anita takes her seat on the stand, Jay approaches his cousin. "Ms. Smithfield, you were the attorney for Mr. J.R. Ewing, is that right?" "Yes, I was." "How long did Mr. Ewing retain you as his lawyer?" "From 1996, when he returned to Dallas from Europe, until 2009, when I left Dallas." "And you are the attorney who drew up the codicil to Mr. Ewing's will?" "That's right," Anita replies. "Did Mr. Ewing explain his reasons for adding this codicil after his original will was written?" |
"Yes. J.R. had lost his position as Chief Executive Officer of Westar Oil. And he had also lost most of his money and his other holdings through bad investments, and, I suppose just bad misfortunes. But he wanted to leave something to his other two sons, James, his eldest, and Justin Harper, his youngest. So he asked me to draw up a codicil to his will, which I did."
"At the time Mr. Ewing dictated the contents of the codicil, in August of 2006, what was his state of mind? Was he confused? Disoriented?"
"No, not at all," says Anita. "J.R. was always in his right state of mind. At that time, he was concerned about his other two sons. Justin didn't even know that J.R. was his father, so he added a special condition to the codicil, and that was that it remained sealed until Justin Harper became aware that he was J.R.'s son. Or until Justin's 25th birthday, whichever came first."
"What was the reasoning behind this condition?" Jay asks.
"J.R. had never been a part of his youngest son's life. And he didn't want to cause any problems for the boy or his mother."
"So, basically, what Mr. Ewing did, in adding Justin to his will and in attaching this condition, was an act of love? Not the act of a man who was mentally incompetent?"
"Absolutely," replies Anita. "I've never known a man who was more mentally in control of all his faculties than J.R. Ewing."
"Objection," Todd says.
"Objection sustained."
Jay smiles. "Thank you, Ms. Smithfield. No further questions." Jay turns and walks back to his seat.
Todd rises and approaches Anita. "Ms. Smithfield, not long after you wrote that codicil to J.R. Ewing's will, Mr. Ewing suffered some sort of a breakdown, didn't he?"
"He was depressed."
"Why was he depressed?"
"Because he'd lost everything. Westar and most of his holdings, and then, his brother Bobby had made the decision to sell Ewing Oil because the company was in severe financial crisis, and because he wanted out of the oil business again. Having lost everything was a terrible blow for a man like J.R. Ewing, who'd always been on top."
"So this depression led to Mr. Ewing being admitted to a nursing home, did it not?"
"Yes."
"And in the nursing home he declined to a state of near catatonia?"
"Yes."
"From 1996 until 2009, you handled most of J.R.'s affairs, correct?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Such as helping him fake his own death in 1996 in order to get his hands on Cyberbyte, now renamed jensen Technologies?"
Anita remains silent.
"Your Honor..." Todd says.
"Ms. Smithfield, I instruct you to answer the question," the judge says.
"Yes," Anita replies to more gasps from the courtroom.
"What was the purpose behind this rather bizarre plot?"
"J.R. needed money. A lot of it, to stop a merger from going through between Ewing Oil and Westar, companies run at the time by Cliff Barnes and Carter McKay."
"How would faking his death help him to get that money?" Asks Todd.
"In his will, J.R.'s father, Jock Ewing, had left some stock he'd purchased in a software company to John Ross." Anita tells her story as she thinks back to the day J.R. returned to Dallas from Europe....
"At the time Mr. Ewing dictated the contents of the codicil, in August of 2006, what was his state of mind? Was he confused? Disoriented?"
"No, not at all," says Anita. "J.R. was always in his right state of mind. At that time, he was concerned about his other two sons. Justin didn't even know that J.R. was his father, so he added a special condition to the codicil, and that was that it remained sealed until Justin Harper became aware that he was J.R.'s son. Or until Justin's 25th birthday, whichever came first."
"What was the reasoning behind this condition?" Jay asks.
"J.R. had never been a part of his youngest son's life. And he didn't want to cause any problems for the boy or his mother."
"So, basically, what Mr. Ewing did, in adding Justin to his will and in attaching this condition, was an act of love? Not the act of a man who was mentally incompetent?"
"Absolutely," replies Anita. "I've never known a man who was more mentally in control of all his faculties than J.R. Ewing."
"Objection," Todd says.
"Objection sustained."
Jay smiles. "Thank you, Ms. Smithfield. No further questions." Jay turns and walks back to his seat.
Todd rises and approaches Anita. "Ms. Smithfield, not long after you wrote that codicil to J.R. Ewing's will, Mr. Ewing suffered some sort of a breakdown, didn't he?"
"He was depressed."
"Why was he depressed?"
"Because he'd lost everything. Westar and most of his holdings, and then, his brother Bobby had made the decision to sell Ewing Oil because the company was in severe financial crisis, and because he wanted out of the oil business again. Having lost everything was a terrible blow for a man like J.R. Ewing, who'd always been on top."
"So this depression led to Mr. Ewing being admitted to a nursing home, did it not?"
"Yes."
"And in the nursing home he declined to a state of near catatonia?"
"Yes."
"From 1996 until 2009, you handled most of J.R.'s affairs, correct?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Such as helping him fake his own death in 1996 in order to get his hands on Cyberbyte, now renamed jensen Technologies?"
Anita remains silent.
"Your Honor..." Todd says.
"Ms. Smithfield, I instruct you to answer the question," the judge says.
"Yes," Anita replies to more gasps from the courtroom.
"What was the purpose behind this rather bizarre plot?"
"J.R. needed money. A lot of it, to stop a merger from going through between Ewing Oil and Westar, companies run at the time by Cliff Barnes and Carter McKay."
"How would faking his death help him to get that money?" Asks Todd.
"In his will, J.R.'s father, Jock Ewing, had left some stock he'd purchased in a software company to John Ross." Anita tells her story as she thinks back to the day J.R. returned to Dallas from Europe....
"So," Todd says, continuing his questioning. "J.R. asked you to conveniently make a typographical error and have that stock transferred in HIS name, rather than John Ross's name?"
"Yes," Anita replies nervously.
"In other words, J.R. Ewing was attempting to steal the birthright his father left to John Ross?"
"Objection, Your Honor!" Jay says angrily.
"Objection overruled," says Judge Brewster.
"Thank you, Your Honor," Todd says. "Ms. Smithfield, do I need to repeat the question?"
"No, you don't need to repeat the question," Anita snaps.
"Then please answer. Was Mr. Ewing trying to steal those shares of Cyberbyte that John Ross's grandfather left to him?"
"Technically, yes, but...."
"And you helped him?" Todd asks, interrupting Anita.
"Yes."
"Didn't you find this just the SLIGHTEST bit unethical?"
"J.R. later replaced those shares."
"Until such time as he decided to steal them again by giving one third each to his other two sons?" Todd asks.
"Objection!" Jay says, losing patience with his cousin.
"Objection sustained."
"Only one more question. Ms. Smithfield, were you and J.R. Ewing......involved?"
"Involved?" Asks a nervous Anita.
"Were you and J.R. lovers?"
"Your Honor, I must object to this line of questioning," says an irritated Jay. "Ms. Smithfield is not on trial here."
"Your Honor, I merely wish to show that this witness was so devoted to J.R. Ewing that she would do anything he asked her to do, including writing a codicil to his will even though he was suffering from diminished capacity at the time."
"I'm going to allow the question, Mr. Baxter," the judge says. "But I warn you for the last time....proceed with extreme caution."
"Yes, sir. Ms. Smithfield, did you have an affair with your client, J.R. Ewing?"
Anita remains silent for a moment, a tear falling down her face as she looks at her cousin. "Todd, don't do this," she says quietly.
"Please answer the question, Ms. Smithfield, and remember, you ARE under oath," Todd says.
Anita looks out at the crowd staring back at her in the courtroom, including J.R.'s family. "Yes," she finally says. "J.R. and I were.....involved."
The courtroom erupts in audible gasps as the Ewings react to this revelation that J.R. had been sleeping with the lawyer who drew up his will and codicil.....Sue Ellen breaks down in tears, Bobby's face shows anger, while Christopher, John Ross, and Justin look stunned by the news.
"Yes," Anita replies nervously.
"In other words, J.R. Ewing was attempting to steal the birthright his father left to John Ross?"
"Objection, Your Honor!" Jay says angrily.
"Objection overruled," says Judge Brewster.
"Thank you, Your Honor," Todd says. "Ms. Smithfield, do I need to repeat the question?"
"No, you don't need to repeat the question," Anita snaps.
"Then please answer. Was Mr. Ewing trying to steal those shares of Cyberbyte that John Ross's grandfather left to him?"
"Technically, yes, but...."
"And you helped him?" Todd asks, interrupting Anita.
"Yes."
"Didn't you find this just the SLIGHTEST bit unethical?"
"J.R. later replaced those shares."
"Until such time as he decided to steal them again by giving one third each to his other two sons?" Todd asks.
"Objection!" Jay says, losing patience with his cousin.
"Objection sustained."
"Only one more question. Ms. Smithfield, were you and J.R. Ewing......involved?"
"Involved?" Asks a nervous Anita.
"Were you and J.R. lovers?"
"Your Honor, I must object to this line of questioning," says an irritated Jay. "Ms. Smithfield is not on trial here."
"Your Honor, I merely wish to show that this witness was so devoted to J.R. Ewing that she would do anything he asked her to do, including writing a codicil to his will even though he was suffering from diminished capacity at the time."
"I'm going to allow the question, Mr. Baxter," the judge says. "But I warn you for the last time....proceed with extreme caution."
"Yes, sir. Ms. Smithfield, did you have an affair with your client, J.R. Ewing?"
Anita remains silent for a moment, a tear falling down her face as she looks at her cousin. "Todd, don't do this," she says quietly.
"Please answer the question, Ms. Smithfield, and remember, you ARE under oath," Todd says.
Anita looks out at the crowd staring back at her in the courtroom, including J.R.'s family. "Yes," she finally says. "J.R. and I were.....involved."
The courtroom erupts in audible gasps as the Ewings react to this revelation that J.R. had been sleeping with the lawyer who drew up his will and codicil.....Sue Ellen breaks down in tears, Bobby's face shows anger, while Christopher, John Ross, and Justin look stunned by the news.
John Ross looks across the courtroom at his mother. Unable to listen any longer, Sue Ellen gets up and rushes out of the courtroom. Dusty follows her.
"I have no further questions, Your Honor," Todd says.
"You may step down, Ms. Smithfield," the judge tells the stunned and humiliated witness.
Outside the courtroom, Dusty catches up to Sue Ellen as she's about to get on the elevator. "Sue Ellen, are you alright?" He asks.
"No, Dusty, I'm not. I couldn't stay in there and listen any longer. J.R. stole my son's birthright, and he faked his death to do it. Not only that, he was sleeping with that woman. I have to get out of here."
"Come on," says Dusty. "I'll take you home." The elevator opens and the two get on.
Back in the courtroom, as Todd begins to deliver his closing statement: "We've heard quite a bit of testimony here today. J.R. Ewing was a very wealthy, and a very powerful man. I think it's even safe to say he's something of a legend here in Dallas. But, as evidence has shown today, he could also be a very unstable man, prone to unpredictable behavior that goes back decades. Not only did he cheat on both of his wives, he also checked himself into a psychiatric hospital in 1990 in order to get a patient there to sign a paper he needed. In 1996, Mr. Ewing faked his own death in order to have his attorney, with whom he was having an affair, transfer stock that his own father, Jock Ewing, had left to J.R.'s son, John Ross, to J.R.'s name instead. These are hardly the acts of a rational man...."
Christopher gets up to leave. Bobby reaches over and grabs his son's arm. "Christopher," Bobby says.
"I don't think I wanna listen to anymore of this," he says. "I'm just gonna go over to Uncle Ray's and see how Charlie's doing."
Bobby nods, and Christopher walks out of the courtroom.
"I have no further questions, Your Honor," Todd says.
"You may step down, Ms. Smithfield," the judge tells the stunned and humiliated witness.
Outside the courtroom, Dusty catches up to Sue Ellen as she's about to get on the elevator. "Sue Ellen, are you alright?" He asks.
"No, Dusty, I'm not. I couldn't stay in there and listen any longer. J.R. stole my son's birthright, and he faked his death to do it. Not only that, he was sleeping with that woman. I have to get out of here."
"Come on," says Dusty. "I'll take you home." The elevator opens and the two get on.
Back in the courtroom, as Todd begins to deliver his closing statement: "We've heard quite a bit of testimony here today. J.R. Ewing was a very wealthy, and a very powerful man. I think it's even safe to say he's something of a legend here in Dallas. But, as evidence has shown today, he could also be a very unstable man, prone to unpredictable behavior that goes back decades. Not only did he cheat on both of his wives, he also checked himself into a psychiatric hospital in 1990 in order to get a patient there to sign a paper he needed. In 1996, Mr. Ewing faked his own death in order to have his attorney, with whom he was having an affair, transfer stock that his own father, Jock Ewing, had left to J.R.'s son, John Ross, to J.R.'s name instead. These are hardly the acts of a rational man...."
Christopher gets up to leave. Bobby reaches over and grabs his son's arm. "Christopher," Bobby says.
"I don't think I wanna listen to anymore of this," he says. "I'm just gonna go over to Uncle Ray's and see how Charlie's doing."
Bobby nods, and Christopher walks out of the courtroom.
The Krebbs Ranch....later
Half an hour later, Christopher brings his car to a stop in front of Ray and Jenna's home. He gets out, walks up to the porch, and rings the doorbell. A moment later, Jenna opens the door.
"Christopher, hello," she says. "Come in."
Christopher walks into the house. "I came by to see how Charlie's doing."
Jenna sighs. "First couple of days, weren't so bad. But today, the treatment's hit her pretty hard. She got sick even before it was over, and she's been in bed since we got home an hour ago."
"Christopher, hello," she says. "Come in."
Christopher walks into the house. "I came by to see how Charlie's doing."
Jenna sighs. "First couple of days, weren't so bad. But today, the treatment's hit her pretty hard. She got sick even before it was over, and she's been in bed since we got home an hour ago."
"I'm really sorry to hear that."
At that moment, Charlie comes down the stairs. "Christopher," she says.
"Hi, Charlie. I came to see how you're feeling."
At that moment, Charlie comes down the stairs. "Christopher," she says.
"Hi, Charlie. I came to see how you're feeling."
"Well, so far the only good thing is my hair hasn't started falling out yet. But, it will by this weekend, I'm sure."
"What about Alex?" Christopher asks. "Have you told him?"
"Not yet," Charlie replies. "But I know I'm gonna have to very soon. He's been even more moody and difficult than usual, so he hasn't even noticed that I haven't been feeling well."
"How about I take him out for a while when he gets home from school? Maybe for a horseback ride at Southfork."
"Christopher that would be very nice," says Jenna. "He should be getting home from school any minute now. I think I'll make some coffee. Excuse me." Jenna smiles then walks toward the kitchen.
"I really dread the moment I have to tell my son this," Charlie says.
"I know," Christopher says, reaching out and gently touching Charlie's shoulder. "If you'd like, I'd be glad to be with you when you tell him. Might make it easier."
"Thank you, I'd like that. Christopher, I can't thank you for your support. It means a lot to me right now."
"What about Alex?" Christopher asks. "Have you told him?"
"Not yet," Charlie replies. "But I know I'm gonna have to very soon. He's been even more moody and difficult than usual, so he hasn't even noticed that I haven't been feeling well."
"How about I take him out for a while when he gets home from school? Maybe for a horseback ride at Southfork."
"Christopher that would be very nice," says Jenna. "He should be getting home from school any minute now. I think I'll make some coffee. Excuse me." Jenna smiles then walks toward the kitchen.
"I really dread the moment I have to tell my son this," Charlie says.
"I know," Christopher says, reaching out and gently touching Charlie's shoulder. "If you'd like, I'd be glad to be with you when you tell him. Might make it easier."
"Thank you, I'd like that. Christopher, I can't thank you for your support. It means a lot to me right now."
"Charlie, you're gonna beat this," Christopher says. "I really believe that, and you have to believe it, too."
Charlie smiles. "Christopher, I want to believe it. And to hear you say it, I almost do."
"Good."
"I think I'd like to sit on the porch for a while. Wait for Alex. He should be getting off the bus any minute. I've been cooped up in this house ever since I got back from the hospital."
"Some fresh air'd probably do you some good," says Christopher. "Come on." Christopher takes her by the arm and they walk onto the porch together. As Charlie takes a seat on the porch, Alex's school bus drives up and comes to a stop in front of the Krebbs driveway.
Christopher and Charlie watch as Alex gets off the bus and walks up the long driveway to the house. The boy stops in the front yard when he sees Christopher's car. He takes a few more steps, then stops again when he sees Christopher on the porch with his mother.
"Hey, Alex," Christopher says to him. "How was school?"
Alex remains silent as he looks angrily at Christopher. Then he walks closer and looks at his mother. "What' HE doing here?"
"Christopher came by to see us."
"Yeah, and I was hopin' maybe you and I could go ridin' over at Southfork for a little while before dark," says Christopher.
Charlie smiles. "Christopher, I want to believe it. And to hear you say it, I almost do."
"Good."
"I think I'd like to sit on the porch for a while. Wait for Alex. He should be getting off the bus any minute. I've been cooped up in this house ever since I got back from the hospital."
"Some fresh air'd probably do you some good," says Christopher. "Come on." Christopher takes her by the arm and they walk onto the porch together. As Charlie takes a seat on the porch, Alex's school bus drives up and comes to a stop in front of the Krebbs driveway.
Christopher and Charlie watch as Alex gets off the bus and walks up the long driveway to the house. The boy stops in the front yard when he sees Christopher's car. He takes a few more steps, then stops again when he sees Christopher on the porch with his mother.
"Hey, Alex," Christopher says to him. "How was school?"
Alex remains silent as he looks angrily at Christopher. Then he walks closer and looks at his mother. "What' HE doing here?"
"Christopher came by to see us."
"Yeah, and I was hopin' maybe you and I could go ridin' over at Southfork for a little while before dark," says Christopher.
"WHAT is this guy doing here?" Alex angrily asks.
"Alexander, what is your problem?" Charlie asks. "Christopher is a friend and he came over to visit."
"Is that all?" Alex asks,
"What do you mean by that?" Christopher asks.
"I saw you the other day. Sunday. With my Mom. You were holding her in the living room and you looked like a hell of a lot more than just a friend!"
"Alex, that's enough!" Charlie says, standing from her seat.
"Dad's not even been dead a year yet, and already you're hookin' up with this guy? Did you even love Dad at all??"
"Alex, there is NOTHING between your mother and me except friendship," Christopher protests.
"Don't lie to me! I'm not some stupid kid who doesn't know what's going on. I know what I saw."
"Alexander, what is your problem?" Charlie asks. "Christopher is a friend and he came over to visit."
"Is that all?" Alex asks,
"What do you mean by that?" Christopher asks.
"I saw you the other day. Sunday. With my Mom. You were holding her in the living room and you looked like a hell of a lot more than just a friend!"
"Alex, that's enough!" Charlie says, standing from her seat.
"Dad's not even been dead a year yet, and already you're hookin' up with this guy? Did you even love Dad at all??"
"Alex, there is NOTHING between your mother and me except friendship," Christopher protests.
"Don't lie to me! I'm not some stupid kid who doesn't know what's going on. I know what I saw."
"Alex, that's ENOUGH! You're upsetting your mother," says Christopher.
"You're not my father. You can't tell me what to do, so why don't you just get out of here!?"
Suddenly, Charlie begins to feel dizzy, and finds it hard to breathe. She starts to take a step, but loses her balance and falls the short distance from the porch to the ground.
"Charlie," Christopher says, rushing to her. "Charlie, what's wrong?"
"Charlie," Christopher says, rushing to her. "Charlie, what's wrong?"
"Christopher....I.....I can't.....breathe," Charlie manages to say as she gasps for air.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Alex asks, upset now upon seeing his mother on the ground. "What....Christopher, what's going on? What's wrong with her?"
"Charlie, can you sit up?" Christopher asks, kneeling beside her. Charlie shakes her head to indicate that she can't sit up, and her gasping for breath becomes worse.
"MOM?"
"Alex, go in the house and tell your grandmother to call 911!" Christopher says. 'DO IT NOW!!!"
The boy quickly runs into the house as Christopher continues to try to help Charlie and make her more comfortable.
"Charlie, can you sit up?" Christopher asks, kneeling beside her. Charlie shakes her head to indicate that she can't sit up, and her gasping for breath becomes worse.
"MOM?"
"Alex, go in the house and tell your grandmother to call 911!" Christopher says. 'DO IT NOW!!!"
The boy quickly runs into the house as Christopher continues to try to help Charlie and make her more comfortable.
Dallas Courthouse....
Back at the courthouse, Judge Brewster has been deliberating his decision in the case. The bailiff steps to the front of the courtroom. "All rise," he says as everyone stands. "Court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Richard Brewster presiding."
Judge Brewster returns and takes his seat on the bench. "Be seated," he says. "We've heard a lot of testimony in this case today from both sides. Cases like these are always difficult where you have families, siblings, on opposite sides. I've weighed both sides of this case, and carefully deliberated my decision. It is clear from the testimony in this case that there was most likely Mr. John Ross Ewing, Jr. was suffering from diminished capacity at the time this codicil was drawn up. I tend to agree with Mr. Baxter's assessment that many of Mr. Ewing's acts, particularly in the years after 1990, were not acts of a rational thinking individual.
Judge Brewster returns and takes his seat on the bench. "Be seated," he says. "We've heard a lot of testimony in this case today from both sides. Cases like these are always difficult where you have families, siblings, on opposite sides. I've weighed both sides of this case, and carefully deliberated my decision. It is clear from the testimony in this case that there was most likely Mr. John Ross Ewing, Jr. was suffering from diminished capacity at the time this codicil was drawn up. I tend to agree with Mr. Baxter's assessment that many of Mr. Ewing's acts, particularly in the years after 1990, were not acts of a rational thinking individual.
Therefore, I am ruling in favor of the plaintiff in this case. The codicil to Mr. Ewing's will is set aside in favor of the terms of the original will. Court is adjourned." The judge bangs his gavel,
Everyone in the crowd stands and prepares to leave the courtroom. John Ross shakes Todd's hand and smiles over their big win, as John Ross looks across the room at Justin and James, who have looks of disappointment and sadness on their faces.
"I'm sorry," Jay Smithfield says to Justin. "I really thought we could win this."
"It's not your fault, Jay," Bobby tells the young lawyer. "I have to admit, John Ross and Todd did have a lot of ammunition to use."
An angry Anita Smithfield walks over to Todd. He turns to her, but before he can say anything, Anita slaps him across the face as hard as she can, then turns and walks out of the courtroom without a word. Jay walks over to his cousin as Todd rubs his stinging cheek.
"Congratulations, cousin," Jay says. "You've just divided two families here today. The Ewings.....and ours. Nice work," Jay looks at his cousin with disappointment, then turns and walks away, leaving Todd near tears and riddled with guilt.
Outside the courtroom, Debra Lynn stands with Jimmy. James walks over to them. "Well," James says. "That did not go like I thought it would."
"Which part, James?" Debra Lynn asks her husband. "The part about you losing that stock your father left you? Or more of your secrets coming out?"
"Debra Lynn, let me explain...."
"Explain? James, all these years, you never told me about that whole episode where you and Cally left J.R. to rot in a mental ward. First, that whole thing about Cally telling J.R. that Justin was your son, and now this? Just how many more facts about your past have you never told me? Wait, never mind. I don't think I wanna know." Without another word, Debra Lynn turns and walks away from her husband. Jimmy looks at his father, then follows his mother down the hall as James watches his family walk away.
Meanwhile, As Justin walks down the hall away from the courtroom, John Ross follows him. "Hey, little brother," John Ross calls.
Justin stops and turns to face him.
"I'm sorry," Jay Smithfield says to Justin. "I really thought we could win this."
"It's not your fault, Jay," Bobby tells the young lawyer. "I have to admit, John Ross and Todd did have a lot of ammunition to use."
An angry Anita Smithfield walks over to Todd. He turns to her, but before he can say anything, Anita slaps him across the face as hard as she can, then turns and walks out of the courtroom without a word. Jay walks over to his cousin as Todd rubs his stinging cheek.
"Congratulations, cousin," Jay says. "You've just divided two families here today. The Ewings.....and ours. Nice work," Jay looks at his cousin with disappointment, then turns and walks away, leaving Todd near tears and riddled with guilt.
Outside the courtroom, Debra Lynn stands with Jimmy. James walks over to them. "Well," James says. "That did not go like I thought it would."
"Which part, James?" Debra Lynn asks her husband. "The part about you losing that stock your father left you? Or more of your secrets coming out?"
"Debra Lynn, let me explain...."
"Explain? James, all these years, you never told me about that whole episode where you and Cally left J.R. to rot in a mental ward. First, that whole thing about Cally telling J.R. that Justin was your son, and now this? Just how many more facts about your past have you never told me? Wait, never mind. I don't think I wanna know." Without another word, Debra Lynn turns and walks away from her husband. Jimmy looks at his father, then follows his mother down the hall as James watches his family walk away.
Meanwhile, As Justin walks down the hall away from the courtroom, John Ross follows him. "Hey, little brother," John Ross calls.
Justin stops and turns to face him.
"Told you I was gonna win," John Ross says. "Now that your presence in our lives has caused all this trouble, why don't you just do the right thing and head on back to Florida with your mama?"
"You think this is over?" Justin asks. "Well it's not, BROTHER. You may have won the battle, but I'm damned sure gonna win the war. Anyway I have to. Because I'm J.R. Ewing's son, too, and I can fight just as dirty as you can. So you'd best be ready. I aint goin' anywhere. I'm here to stay, and I'm gonna be a thorn in your side from now til the day you die." Justin turns and walks away from his brother, an all-out war between J.R.'s sons having begun....