Southfork....
Bobby loved this land. This ranch he had called home since the day he was born. But sometimes he had to wonder if this place, this family, was cursed. Not only had he lost his adopted son Christopher only a few days ago, but now he finds himself at odds with his brother Ray over his other son, his only biological child, Lucas. As Bobby stands on the lawn, his wife Ann comes out of the house and walks out to him. "Bobby, are you all right?" She asks, her tone one of concern. "I really don't know how to answer that," Bobby replies. "Ya know, Annie, sometimes, I think we ought to just sell Southfork like I had planned to do a couple years ago, and move far away from here. Someplace where we can find peace." |
"Lucas is my son," says Bobby. "He has a right to know that."
"Bobby, let me ask you this. You've never had a real relationship with Lucas, and he's always thought of Ray as his father. How do you think that young man will feel if he finds out his whole life he's been lied to by the people he should be able to trust?"
Bobby turns and looks at her. "You think I'm wrong?"
"I am not sayin' that. I'm just sayin', sometimes, it's best to leave well enough alone. Bobby, Christopher is gone. Nothin' can ever bring him back. And I know you don't wanna hear this again right now, but you can never replace Christopher by assumin' the role as Lucas's father."
Tears begin streaming down Bobby's face. He nods. "You're right. Maybe I was tryin' to fill that void Christopher left in my life." He tries to fight back the tears, but he is unable to. "My God, Annie," he says. "He's gone. He's really gone. My son is gone...." Bobby breaks down crying, as Ann gently embraces him.....
The Ryland Home....
"Hey," Lucas says. "You okay?" "Fine," Emma replies, unconvincingly. "You sure?" "I said I'm fine." Lucas sits up in bed. "Look, Emma, I'm sorry. Maybe this was a mistake. I was really upset about what I heard at Southfork. I don't usually hop into bed with a girl the day after meeting her. At least not one I really wanna get to know." |
"You don't have to explain anything to me," Lucas says, standing to his feet.
"No, I think I do. I think I owe you that much. You seem like a really nice guy, and I know you're really hurt and confused right now. So the last thing you need is to get involved with me."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because, there's a lot about me you don't know," Emma says, near tears.
Lucas is silent for a moment as he walks to the window and looks out. Then he turns back to face Emma. "You slept with John Ross, didn't you?"
Emma looks at him. She remains silent.
Lucas nods his head. "Yeah it's pretty obvious you're kinda hung up on him."
"That's over," says Emma. "John Ross and I were like, poison for each other. But he did save my life."
"How?"
"Recently, I was kidnapped. I was held hostage in Mexico by this drug gang. John Ross rescued me."
"My cousin, the hero," Lucas says sarcastically.
"Lucas, what are you gonna do now? Now that you know the truth?"
Lucas sighs. "I have no idea. What does someone do when their whole world is turned upside down and they don't even know who the hell they are anymore?"
Emma walks over to Lucas and puts her arms around him. They embrace in the warm sunlight of the window. Unfortunately, Emma's father, Harris Ryland drives up and brings his SUV to a stop in front of the house. As het gets out, his eye happens to wander to the second floor window of Emma's bedroom. Harris is angered when he sees a half naked Emma and Lucas locked in an embrace.
Westar Oil....late afternoon
Jillian's secretary walks into the office with some papers. "Miss Cryder, here are the contracts you wanted, and I've typed up that letter you wanted to send to McNeil & Sons."
"Thank you, Melissa."
"And there's a John Ross Ewing here to see you."
A puzzled look comes across Jillian's face. "John Ross Ewing? Wow. That's J.R. Ewing's son. I remember hearing stories about him when I was growing up."
"Should I send him in?" Melissa asks.
"Sure. Why not," Jillian replies. "This might be interesting. And, you can go ahead and leave for the day, Melissa."
Melissa smiles. "Thanks. See you tomorrow."
Jillian stands from her seat as Melissa exits the elegant office. A moment later, John Ross struts in, closing the door behind him. "Miss Cryder. Thank you for seein' me without an appointment."
Jillian smiles. "What can I do for you, Mr. Ewing?"
"It's more like....what can I do for YOU, Miss Cryder. I have a business proposition to make to you."
Omni Hotel...
"I'm sure he's fine," says Ray.
"I've called his cell four times. He doesn't answer, and doesn't return my calls. Ray, I'm really worried."
Ray sighs. "Yeah, I have to admit I'm a little worried myself. And we wouldn't even know where to look for him."
Before Jenna is able to say anything, the door opens, and Lucas walks in. It's obvious he's been drinking. Ray and Jenna walk over to him. "Lucas, thank God," Jenna says. "Where have you been?"
"Been out, Lucas replies angrily.
"We know that, but where?" Asks Ray.
"Your father and I have been worried sick," says Jenna.
Lucas looks at them both, and pauses. "My.....father? And just which father would that be? You, Dad? Or Bobby?"
Ray and Jenna's hearts both sink as they hear Lucas's question. "Lucas, what do you mean?" Jenna nervously asks.
"I think you know damned well what I mean, Mom."
"Lucas, have you talked to Bobby?" Ray asks.
Lucas laughs slightly. "No. Didn't have to. I think you and Mom did enough talking to Bobby earlier today." Ray and Jenna exchange puzzled looks. "Yeah, I went to Southfork. I overheard you talking....or I should say arguing....with Bobby and Ann about telling me a little secret. A secret about who my real father is. So, when were you two gonna get around to divulging that information? Maybe....never?"
"Lucas, you don't understand," Jenna says.
"Don't understand?" Lucas repeats. "Yeah, you're right, I don't understand how my own parents, the two people I thought I could always count on most, could lie to me my whole life."
"Lucas, we didn't exactly lie to you," says Ray.
"Oh? Then what would you call it?"
Jenna walks over to her son. "We didn't lie. Lucas, for all intents and purposes, Ray is your father. He raised you. He has loved you since the day you were born."
"And that's supposed to justify you guys keeping this from me all these years?"
"Lucas, it was a very complicated situation," says Ray. When your mother found out she was pregnant, her relationship with Bobby had already ended. He had gone back to his ex-wife, Pam, and they were gonna get married again. I was there for your mother. Not Bobby. By the time you were born, Jenna and I had already fallen in love and wanted to make a family together, with you and your sister Charlie."
Lucas looks at them, tears streaming down his face. "And telling me all this now is supposed to make it right? My God, I had a brother. A brother I never got the chance to even know because you two and Bobby decided I didn't need to know who my real father was!"
"Lucas," Jenna says.
"No. Don't. I don't wanna hear any more from either one of you. I've heard enough of your lies for a lifetime. Oh, wait, I forgot.....I have been hearing your lies for a lifetime." Without another word, Lucas storms into his bedroom and slams the door. Ray and Jenna embrace.
A restaurant in Dallas
"Yes, I have heard of your reputation, and your family's, of course. I grew up hearing stories of J.R. Ewing. He must have been quite a man."
"He sure was," John Ross says.
"I'm sorry I never got to meet him," says Jillian. "However, not all the stories I heard were flattering ones."
"Well, that depends on who's doin' the tellin'."
Jillian takes a sip of her wine. "So, we've had dinner, and a couple drinks, and you've told me a little about your family's history in the oil business. With all that out of the way, why are we here?"
"We are here, Miss Cryder, because I have an offer that I don't think you're gonna be able to refuse."
"What kind of offer?" Jillian asks.
"I hear you're new to the oil business. Your mama retired and kinda left you the reigns of power at Westar. Must be a little overwhelming at your age, to suddenly find yourself runnin' a big oil comp'ny like Westar."
"It was at first. But slowly I'm getting the hang of it, although I do still have a lot to learn. But, my mother is available if I ever need any advice or questions answered."
"Speakin' of your mama, how is she? I was a little surprised to hear she retired from Westar."
"Well, it's not common knowledge, but my mother stepped down as CEO because of health reasons."
"Oh?" John Ross asks. "Nothin' serious, I hope."
"Mr. Ewing, why don't we stop all this small talk and cut to the chase. Why did you ask me to dinner? And what is this business proposition you keep talking about?"
John Ross smiles. "I would like to help you."
"Help me?"
"That's right. I'd like to help you learn about the oil business, and be somethin' of a coach, helpin' you run Westar."
"You wanna help me run Westar?" Jillian asks, a bit stunned by the offer.
"Yep. I feel that someone of your limited background in the business could use someone like me, someone with a lot more years of experience."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm doing just fine on my own."
"Are you, really?" John Ross smugly asks. "Even after you let that Wilson deal fall through? And wasn't it just a couple months ago that Westar lost a big deal to Aschere Energy?"
"Well, you have done your homework," says Jill.
"Yep, my daddy taught me it always pays to thoroughly check out someone you may potentially do business with. I also happen to know that Westar's board of directors was none too happy when your mama made you CEO in her place. They thought you were too young and inexperienced."
"Westar's board of directors is made up of nothing but a bunch of old dinosaurs of the oil business who were there when Jeremy Wendell was first made CEO back in the early 70s. Of course they're gonna see someone like me as being a bit young and inexperienced for the job."
"That's why I'm here," John Ross says. "Miss Cryder, I'm offering to help you snag some of the biggest oil deals in Dallas and put Westar back on top again. Show those old dinosaurs what the new generation of oil barons can really do."
"But why? Why are you offering to do this for me?" Jillian asks. "And what's in it for you?"
John Ross smiles. "Well, I"m offerin' to do this because I know what it's like to feel like an outsider in this business. My family's made me feel that way over at Ewing Global. What's in it for me? First of all, the satisfaction of knowin' I can do somethin' on my own. Maybe even steal a few deals away from my mama and my Uncle Bobby. Show 'em I really am capable of doin' business just as good as they are."
"What else? Surely that can't be all you expect in return."
"I'm sure we can work somethin' out that'll be mutually beneficial to us both."
"I'm really gonna need some time to think about this," Jillian says.
"Take all the time you need," John Ross says.
As the two talk, Pamela happens to walk into the restaurant. As the hostess is leading her to her table, she spots John Ross with the pretty blonde and walks over to them. "Well, what have we here?" Pamela asks. "What happen, John Ross? Was Emma busy tonight?"
"Pamela this isn't a good time," John Ross says.
"I'm sure it's not," Pamela says. She looks at Jillian. "Hello, I'm Pamela. Pamela Ewing. John Ross's wife."
"Hi, I'm Jillian Cryder. Nice to meet you."
"Yeah, same here," says Pamela, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, I suppose I should let the two of you get back to whatever it is you were talking about. By the way, Jillian, I'd be careful if I were you."
"Careful?" Jillian asks.
"Oh yes. You see my husband, he has this reputation for being a dirty, lying, cheating, backstabbing son of a bitch. But don't let that bother you, because he's not as bad as what people say about him. He's worse." Pamela gives John Ross a mean look, then turns and walks away.
Jillian laughs slightly. "Wow. And that was your....wife?"
"Soon to be ex," John Ross says. "Don't believe a word of what that woman has to say. Pamela and I have had some problems. But don't let her influence your decision for us to work together. Because if you decide to bring me in as a consultant, I can promise you won't be sorry."
Southfork....the next morning
"What would you like for breakfast?" Ann asks over the noise.
"Honey, to tell you the truth, with that noise, I don't think I can concentrate on eating breakfast. Why don't We drive into town for breakfast? You can bring my car home, or you can hang around town until I get ready to leave the office this afternoon."
"Tell you what, Mr. Ewing," Ann says. "I think I'm gonna take you up on that. I don't think I can get much done around here with this construction going on."
"Yeah. I think maybe we should think about gettin' a hotel room until it's done," says Bobby.
"Good idea. Just let me grab my purse and we can go."
As Ann heads upstairs to get her purse, Bobby picks up the previous day's evening edition of the Dallas Herald,with a headline on page three that catches his eye: NO LEADS YET IN CHRISTOPHER EWING DEATH. The anger begins to rise up inside Bobby as he thinks about the monster or monsters responsible for his son's death. Bobby knew who was behind it - Nicolas Trevino. No one else would've had a motive for Christopher's murder. Bobby was bound and determined to find Trevino even if it takes the rest of his life. He puts the paper down, and Ann returns.
"Okay, ready?" She asks.
"All set." Bobby gulps down the last sip of his coffee, then he and Ann bundle up in their coats and scarves, then exit via the sliding glass doors leading to the patio. As they are about to get into Bobby's car, a Dodge Charger pulls into the driveway and comes to a stop. They see that it's Ray. Ray gets out of his rented car and approaches them. "Mornin' Ray," Bobby says.
"Bob, Ann," Ray says. "Listen, we need to talk."
"Why don't I just wait inside until you're done?" Ann suggests.
"No, you don't have to. This kinda concerns you, too."
"Ray, what's goin' on?" Bobby asks.
"Lucas found out," Ray replies.
"Found out?" Bobby asks.
"Yeah. He knows everything."
"You and Jenna decided to tell him after all?" Ann asks.
"No, we didn't. Turns out Lucas came out here to Southfork yesterday. He heard us talkin'. He heard everything."
"Oh, no," Bobby says with a sigh. "How'd he take it?"
"Not so good. He really tied one on last night. He wa still sleepin' when I left. Jenna stayed at the hotel to be there in case he wakes up. I just thought you should know. He was so angry last night he wouldn't talk to me or Jenna. He just locked himself in his room at the hotel."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Ray says.
"Why not, Ray?"
"Lucas is angry right now. He's angry at Jenna and I, and angry at you. This is exactly what I was afraid was gonna happen if he found out the truth about who his father is."
"Or maybe this wouldn't have happened if he'd been told the truth and not had to find out this way," Bobby says.
"It wouldn't have happened anyway if you hadn't been so damned hell bent on tellin' him and turnin' that boy's life upside down in the first place."
"Ray, you know I never wanted Lucas hurt. I just wanted him to know the truth."
"And what is that truth, huh, Bob?" Ray asks angrily. "That you deserted Jenna to remarry Pam after Jenna became pregnant with your child?"
Bobby glares angrily at his brother. "That's not fair and you damned well know it, Ray. If you weren't my brother I'd tear you apart for that."
"Well, don't let that stop you."
"That's enough!" Ann intervenes. "Both of you. You're both actin' worse than kids here. What we need to be concerned with right now is Lucas. Helpin' him deal with this."
"You're right, Ann," Bobby says after a moment. "Somehow we have to make Lucas understand that what we did was for the best at the time."
"Jenna and I will handle this," Ray says. "I want you to stay away from him, Bob. I raised Lucas. He's still MY son." Without another word, Ray gets back into his car and drives away as Bobby and Ann watch.
Ewing Global....
Sue Ellen passes by the open door of Pamela's office. She pauses a moment, then walks in. "Pamela," she says.
"Sue Ellen," Pamela replies coldly.
"What on earth are you doing?"
"What does it look like. I'm cleaning out my desk. Since I'm no longer a part of this company."
"What do you mean?" Sue Ellen asks. "Pamela, you are still a part of Ewing Global."
"You and Bobby own this company, Sue Ellen. I refuse to be reduced to a mere employee in a company my father spent years building."
"You are NOT just an employee here, Pamela. Ewing Global is a family business. And you're still part of this family."
Pamela sighs. "Not for long."
"What's the use in staying married to John Ross anymore?" Pamela asks. "There's no way in hell we're ever getting back together. And no way in hell I could ever trust him again. He proved that last night."
"Last night? What happened last night?"
Sue Ellen is a little surprised by this news. She shakes her head in sadness. "Pamela, I am so sorry."
"Your son is the one who should be sorry, Sue Ellen," Pamela says. "And somehow, some day, I will make him pay for all the pain he's brought to me."
"I know how hurt and angry you are right now," says Sue Ellen. "But sweetheart, don't let that anger consume you."
"Don't worry. I won't let it consume and destroy me the way my father did. But I plan to use this anger to my advantage, Sue Ellen. I plan to use the anger and hurt I feel to give me the strength I need to make the Ewings pay."
"The Ewings?" Sue Ellen asks.
"That's right. John Ross betrayed me in the worst possible way. And you and Bobby, you stole what should've been mine. This company that was stolen from my family. My birthright. I'm not gonna forget this, Sue Ellen. Nor will I just roll over and play dead." Pamela picks up her things and starts to leave. She stops at the door and turns back to her mother-in-law. "As I told John Ross....my father's feud with the Ewings is over....but mine is only just beginning."
"I really hope you don't mean that, Pamela. Your father came up against the Ewings one time too many, and look where it got him."
Pamela gives Sue Ellen an angry look, then turns and leaves without another word.
The Ryland Home...
"We need to talk about somethin'," says Harris, standing from his seat. He walks over to his bar. "Can I fix you a drink?"
Ann sighs. "Look, Harris, if this is about what we discussed the other day, I thought I made myself clear...."
"No. This itn't about us. It's about Emma."
"Oh? What's wrong?" Ann asks, concerned. "Has somethin' happened?"
"Ya might say that."
"Well tell me, what is it?"
"Are you aware that Emma's been seein' Lucas Krebbs?" Harris asks.
"Oh, they know each," says Harris.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. He came here to the house the other night lookin' for Emma. And yesterday I saw 'em together. In the window of Emma's bedroom. They were half naked, so it's not hard to figure out what the hell they'd been doin'."
Ann lets out a deep breath. "Well, have you talked to her about it?"
"No. You know how Emma feels about me these days. She blames me for Drew Ramos's death and for that whole nightmare in Mexico. I hardly even see her. Stays close to her room. I thought maybe you could talk to her. Ann, after what happened between her and John Ross, the last person I want our daughter gettin' mixed up with is another young man with Ewin' blood."
Ann is silent for a moment. Then she looks at Harris. "I'll talk to her," she agrees. Harris smiles at her.
Downtown Dallas....late afternoon
"Sure. Why'd you wanna see me?" Emma asks.
"Just wanted to thank you again, for that file you gave me on J.R."
"No problem. So, I guess it was of some help."
John Ross smiles. "More'n you could know."
"Good," says Emma.
"Look, Emma, whenever you're ready to talk about what really happened down in Mexico, I want you to know you can come to me."
Emma is taken aback by John Ross's offer. "I don't know what you mean."
"I know somethin' happened. I wanna help."
"You can't help me, John Ross," Emma says. "No one can."
John Ross moves closer. "I can. I want to. Why don't we take a walk and we can talk?"
As John Ross and Emma are talking, a man sits in a gray truck across the street watching them. He picks up his cell phone and dials a number on speed dial. On the third ring, the other person picks up. "Mrs. Ewing," the man says. "I have him under surveillance now. He's with Emma Ryland."
Elsewhere...
"Yes, ma'am," Mr. Denning says on the other end of the line.
"Compile as much information on him as you can. And when we're done, he'll look so bad in divorce court that no judge would have the least bit of sympathy for him in a divorce case." Pamela ends the call and smiles.
Southfork....
"Are you?" Lucas asks, his tone one of anger.
Ann looks from Lucas to Bobby. "I'll wait inside," she says. Ann walks past Lucas and into the house.
"Ray told me you overheard our conversation yesterday," Bobby says.
"Oh yeah," Lucas says, walking off the porch and onto the lawn. "I heard everything. So....how should I address you now? Dad? Sure as hell can't keep calling you 'Uncle Bobby', can I?"
"Lucas, I need to explain to you. Explain everything."
"Lucas, this whole thing is very complicated," says Bobby. "When I found out that your mother was pregnant with you, our relationship had ended. I was back with Christopher's mother, Pam. We were plannin' to be married again."
"So, what happened?" Lucas asked. "Did Pam hate the idea that another woman was carrying your kid so much that she made you sign away your parental rights or something?"
"No, it wasn't like that. It is true that your mother and Pam didn't exactly care for each other, and yes, it was a problem for Pam, at first. But we worked through it. Right after you were born, Pam had her accident. That was the worst time of my life, up to that point. For a long time, things were really tense between Jenna and me. Eventually, it got better. But she and Ray were plannin' on gettin' married, and they wanted to be a family. Lucas, when I agreed to let Ray raise you as his son, I thought it was best. Ray and your mother decided to move away, to Europe, to start a new life."
"And you just let them take me?" Lucas asked, angrily. "You just let them take your kid away like that?"
"You saying Christopher turned out bad because he grew up here?" Lucas asks.
"No, of course not."
Lucas looks at Bobby with tears in his eyes. "I guess we know which son you really loved," he says sadly. He turns and starts to walk away.
"Lucas," Bobby calls to him. "I have always loved you. Please, come in the house, and we can sit down and talk some more."
Lucas stops and turns back to him. "You go to hell. You and Ray and my mother. All three of you liars who decided not to tell me who I really am....you can all go to hell!"
Bobby watches sadly as Lucas gets into his car and drives away. He desperately wants to go after his son, but he doesn't have the strength, either physically or emotionally right now.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Emma asks. Lucas doesn't answer. She can see he's been crying. "Are you okay?"
"No," he replies. "I'm not okay."
Emma pulls her car off the road and gets out. She walks over and gets into the passenger side of Lucas's car. "Let's go for a drive."
Without saying a word, Lucas puts the car in drive, and takes off, speeding out of the front gate of Southfork and heading left, toward Dallas.
Westar Oil....later
The door opens and John Ross walks in. He smiles. "Miss Cryder," he says.
"Mr. Ewing. Thank you for coming. Would you like a drink?"
"Yeah, I'd love one."
"What'll you have?" Jillian asks.
"Bourbon."
She smiles. "Bourbon. Always been my favorite, too." She walks to the bar, pours John Ross a glass, and hands it to him.
"Well, from your phone call and your request to meet with you here after office hours, I take it you've reached a decision about the proposition I made?"
Jillian walks over to her desk and picks up a file. "After I got home last night I phoned the private detective I keep on retainer. I had him do a little digging on you. And, in just one day, he was able to come up with quite a file on John Ross Ewing III."
"Hmmm....I"m intrigued," John Ross says smugly. "Just what all did your P.I. manage to dig up on me?"
Jillian opens the file and looks at it. "You were born here in Dallas in April, 1979, son of John Ross Ewing, Jr. and Sue Ellen Ewing. Your parents divorced when you were two, remarried a couple of years later. You spent most of your childhood growing up on your family's ranch, Southfork. When you were ten your parents divorced a second, and two years after that you moved to England to live with your mother and her second husband. You and your mother both came back to Dallas in 1996 and you've lived here ever since. Graduated from high school with less than impressive grades, and went on to major in business in college. Married Pamela Rebecca Barnes in 2013, and you've been involved in a number of other somewhat high profile relationships over the years."
"My, my," says John Ross. "I'm impressed. If your P.I. was able to piece all that together in just one day, I shutter to think what he could find on me in a whole week."
"So do I," Jillian says. "I didn't read it all. There are a few less than flattering facts in here. Facts that lead me to think you're not exactly the most trustworthy person in the world."
"I'm not. But that's one of the things that makes me a damn good businessman."
"Not being trustworthy makes you a good businessman?" Jillian asks.
"Bein' willin' to do whatever it takes to make a deal and succeed."
Jillian laughs slightly. "You're awful sure of yourself."
"Yep. Another thing that comes in handy in business," John Ross says. "So, now that you know my whole life story, do we have a deal? Do I come to work with you here at Westar as a consultant? Train you how to run this comp'ny the way a big oil comp'ny should be run?"
"You know what? I don't know what it is, but there's just something about you that makes it hard to say no. And don't tell me....that's ANOTHER thing that...."
"Makes me a good businessman," John Ross interrupts.
Jillian puts the file down on her desk. "Well, Mr. Ewing, I'm just enough of a gambler to accept your offer. I'll have my attorney draw us up a contract first thing tomorrow morning."
"Excellent," says John Ross. "I can guarantee.....you won't be sorry. Together, we're gonna make Westar the biggest oil comp'ny in Texas." He extends his hand to her.
Jillian smiles as she shakes John Ross's hand.
Southfork...
"She probably just got distracted by somethin' else," Bobby finally says.
"Distracted? Like you are? You've hardly said two words since Lucas left here this afternoon. Bobby, why didn't you go after him? I know you wanted to."
Bobby sighs, then turns to her. "Yeah, I wanted to. I just didn't have the strength to. You said to me not too long ago that I'm the strongest man you know. Well right now, Ann, I don't feel very strong. Not very strong at all."
Ann walks over and puts her hand on his arm. "You don't have to be anymore, Bobby. You've been through a week of pure hell. A person can only stay strong for so long." At that moment, Ann's cell phone rings. She picks it up off the nightstand and looks at it. "It's Harris, returning my call," she says. "Maybe he's heard from Emma." She quickly answers the call. "Harris?"
At the Ryland home, Harris is in the living room, talking to Ann on his phone. "Ann, I just got your message," he says. "Emma never showed?"
"No, she didn't," Ann replies. "And I'm worried. You haven't heard from her, ether?"
"Not a word," answers Harris, a look of grave concern on his face.
Meanwhile...
"I hate them, Emma," Lucas says. "I feel like.....I feel everything I ever knew, everything I ever believed in is gone." He starts to cry. "Why couldn't they just tell me the truth? I know why. I guess the person I should really hate is Bobby. My Mom and Dad.....Ray.....I guess maybe they tried to protect me from the truth."
"Lucas, Bobby's a good man," says Emma.
"Good man, my ass! How could a 'good' man just toss his real son....his BLOOD son....out and keep the son he adopted? I know Bobby loved Christopher's mother and not mine, but did he have to punish me? And Christopher. I could've had a brother. Now, I'll never get the chance to know him."
Lucas is so upset he isn't paying attention to his speed, as he begins to accelerate the car faster as he talks. Emma looks at the speedometer and sees he is far exceeding the speed limit. "Lucas, slow down," she says.
"I don't know what I'm gonna do now," he says, as if he didn't even hear Emma's request for him to slow the car down. "I won't go back home with Ray and my Mom. And I sure as hell can't stay here. I feel like I don't have anyplace to go. Like I just wanna keep driving and driving, far away from everyone here."
"Then why don't we?" Emma asks.
Lucas looks at her. "You'd really want to?"
"There's not a lot left for me here, either. After everything my father has done. The tangled web he created. If it wasn't for him, I never would've gotten kidnapped. I can't trust my grandmother. And Ann, she has her own life, her own worries right now. I don't have anyone here, either. Let's do it, Lucas. Let's just drive as far away from Dallas as we can. I don't care where. Just, away from here."
Lucas nods. He continues down the highway, finally lowering his speed. Just ahead, they see a sign that says FT. WORTH. As Lucas's car passes under this sign, another car speeds up behind them. The car gets into the next lane then speeds up alongside Lucas. The driver of the car is driving somewhat erratically, slowing down, getting behind Lucas's car again, then once again changing lanes and pulling up beside Lucas and Emma.
"What the hell is this idiot doing?" Lucas asks Emma.
"I don't know. See if you can pull ahead of him."
But just as Lucas starts to accelerate to get away from the erratic driver, the car pulls in front of him, sideswiping Lucas's car, causing him to lose control. As the other crashes into the guard rail ahead of them, Lucas desperately tries to regain control of his vehicle. He sees the other car ahead of him as it hits the guard rail and bounces back onto the highway. Emma screams as Lucas slams his foot onto the break pedal. The sound of screeching tires can be heard as Lucas's car skids into the other vehicle, now stopped. The next thing that can be heard is the sound of a loud crash piercing the night as Lucas and Emma collide with the other vehicle......