Southfork Ranch

The grass was green from the spring rains that had fallen upon the ranch and the horses and cattle grazed upon it out in front of Southfork. Earlier that morning, J.R. Ewing had left for his usual business at West Star Oil, his new passion ever since losing Ewing Oil. Bobby Ewing was still vacationing in Europe with Jennifer Jantzen and Sue Ellen found herself alone, running late for work. She walked down the large staircase, taking a moment to look at the splashes of sunlight that shone through the curtains and reflected on the chandelier and walls. As she put in her earrings, the telephone beside the staircase let out a shrill ring, startling her to the point that one of the earrings clattered to the stairs. It came to a stop at the base as Sue Ellen answered the phone.

"Hello?" she said in her Texas accent. She heard a familiar voice at the other end of the line. It was her only son, John Ross Ewing III.

"Hi Mom! How are you? It's great to hear your voice, sorry that it's been so long since I've called."

"John Ross, I'm glad you did call." She found herself smiling, despite her bad morning.

"You're going to be really glad when you hear my news."

"Oh, what's that?"

"I'm moving back to Southfork and I'm bringing someone with me...someone very special."

"Who?"

"My fiancé Karen."

"Fiancé?" Sue Ellen said in a very surprised and puzzled tone.

"Yeah. I've mentioned her to you a few times. We want to be married at Southfork.

"John Ross, how long have you known Karen?" Sue Ellen couldn't help but have reservations about John Ross rushing into something as important as marriage.

"Since last November," he replied.

"Well your father and I haven't even met her yet. Are you sure about this?"

"I'm positive. Trust me, you and Dad will love her when you get to know her!"

Sue Ellen shook her head and smiled. Obviously, she was fighting a losing battle, then, something occurred to her. "John Ross," she laughed, "I can't believe you would want your wedding at Southfork. You and I have talked endlessly about all of the failed Southfork weddings and the supposed Southfork wedding jinx..."

A laugh came across the phone lines from John Ross' side. "But this one is going to work. Besides, I'm not superstitious."

Sue Ellen suddenly remembered that she was running late for her meeting at Ewing Oil. "Listen John Ross," she said, picking up the portfolio in front of her. I have a very important meeting that starts in a while."

"Ok," he responded, "But Mom, I have to say this…"

"What is it dear?" she said, picking up the earring that had fallen earlier.

"It's important to me that you like her. She's so special to me."

Sue Ellen paused for a moment. "John Ross, I am sure that I will just adore her."

The two talked for a few more seconds before saying their good-byes. Sue Ellen cradled the telephone to her chest and thought about how John Ross had grown up. She thought of him when he was a baby and the times when she would stand staring at him in his crib, his very first day of school, and the day he graduated from high school.

"Oh my God," she thought, "my little baby's all grown up now." A tear trickled down her cheek, smearing her mascara. She wiped the tears away, freshened up, and walked out into the warm Texas air.

West Star Oil

J.R. Ewing sat with his boots propped on his desk, the desk that had once belonged to Carter McKay until he had managed to have McKay voted out and himself voted in as CEO of West Star Oil. J.R. enjoyed West Star, but he just didn't have the passion about it like he once did for Ewing Oil. It was not Jock Ewing's company and it was not something that J.R. could call his own company. He put his feet down and turned to the breathtaking view he had from the large glass window behind his desk. The sun had risen and the day was beautiful, something J.R. had not often managed to enjoy. The buzzing of the intercom distracted him from the view and he turned around.

"J.R., Sue Ellen is on line two," called Judy, J.R.'s secretary.

J.R. picked up the slate gray telephone. "Well, Sue Ellen, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call and how are you today?"

"Wonderful J.R.," said Sue Ellen in a sarcastic tone of voice. J.R., sensing the sarcasm, changed his tone as well. "Sue Ellen, you know I'm a busy man these days, what can I do for you?"

"I've got some good news for you Darlin'," she said. J.R. chuckled to himself, tapping his fingers on the file that lay before him on the desk. "Good news? And what would that be?"

"John Ross is coming home. This is his last semester of school and it's almost over. Can you believe that?"

"It seems like just yesterday that he was toddling around in diapers at Southfork."

"There's more J.R.," Sue Ellen said, pausing for a moment, "Our John Ross is bringing home his fiancé."

"Well I'll be damned, is that a fact?"

"Yes it's a fact."

"Who is she? Anyone I know?"

Sue Ellen remembered a time once before that she had heard that. Miss Ellie had called Jock to inform him that Bobby was bringing his new bride home, Pamela Barnes. After the moment of nostalgia passed, Sue Ellen spoke again. "Her name is Karen, I don't even know her last name."

"That gives us reason to celebrate, I would say," said J.R. standing up. "John Ross getting married." J.R. turned to the replica of Jock's painting. The original hung in Southfork, where it truly belonged, but J.R. had hired an artist to paint another that would hang in his office in order that he would always remember his father's legacy. "Well I hope he makes me a grandpa real quick!" J.R. opened the file that had been sitting on his desk. It read Ewing Oil.

"Don't flatter yourself too much J.R.," Sue Ellen laughed. "Let's just hope he doesn't become to much like his Daddy."

J.R. closed the file. Since his return to Dallas, he had been following closely the business of Ewing Oil. If things went right, he would soon have an inside source there. "Listen Sue Ellen, I've got to go. The oil business calls." With the phone still in hand, J.R. put the file in his top drawer.

"When will you be home J.R.? I think we should discuss this further," said Sue Ellen.

"I'll be home around six. I've got a meeting with the board at 4:30, hopefully it won't last very long."

"Ok, that sounds fine. Goodbye J.R."

"Bye Sue Ellen," said J.R., putting down the telephone. He thought for a moment and then the intercom went off again.

"J.R., Mark Pearson on line one with those drilling reports you asked for."

"Thank you Judy," he said, picking up the telephone. "J.R. Ewing here."

A pause at the other end.

"Hello?" said J.R. in an annoyed tone.

"Uh, yes. Sorry," came the response of the perplexed man on the line. "I'm sorry Mr. Ewing. Every time I hear your name, I think of Ewing Oil. I almost wondered if I had dialed a wrong number.

"Oh no, you dialed the right one and I fully understand what you mean," chuckled J.R.

"You must get that a lot. It's hard to fathom that you no longer work for Ewing Oil."

J.R. opened the drawer and produced the folder. "Well, you just never do know," he smiled, "you just never know."

The clock in the living room of Southfork chimed six depressing chimes. Sue Ellen was in her room waiting for John Ross to call and J.R. was in the study with a cool drink, examining several binders full of geological reports. Upon hearing the telephone ring, J.R., paranoid, hid the folder under the mattress. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen rushed downstairs to answer the phone, hoping that it would be her son again, but it wasn't. It was Ray.

"Hi Sue Ellen," said Ray.

"Hello Ray, you're back from Europe already?"

"Yes I am, and I brought a few surprises with me."

"Oh, surprises?" said Sue Ellen in an anxious tone.

"Yes, I'm at the SingleTree Hotel in downtown Dallas, and I thought I'd stop by later tonight," said Ray.

"That would be great, and would you be bringing these surprises?"

"You bet."

"Sounds great Ray, I'll see you then."

"Bye Sue Ellen."

"Goodbye Ray."

Sue Ellen had just hung up the telephone when it rang again. "Hi Mom," said John Ross, sounding a little distant.

"Hi John Ross, so when are you and Karen coming to Southfork?" she asked.

"Well, we're catching a plane tomorrow morning, we should be there by noon or so."

"That is terrific. Your Dad is very happy for you and neither him nor me can wait to meet Karen."

I can't wait to see you to meet her either. I was just calling to check on you again. I miss you and Dad so badly. I just have a few more things to finalize before we can leave. Karen is busy packing her suitcases right now and I need to turn in the key to the apartment."

"Ok, bye John Ross. Have a safe trip and your Daddy and I will see you tomorrow. I love you, and say hello to Karen for me," said Sue Ellen happily.

"Ok, love you too, bye Mom," said John Ross.

Sue Ellen hung up the telephone and headed toward the dining room to eat dinner. She and J.R. sat alone at the lonely table, something they had both gotten used to. Years ago, it would have been unheard of for the table to be this empty, but times changed. She looked at J.R. and let a subtle smile spread across her face.

"Well, that must've been John Ross judging from that pretty smile," said J.R., putting down his napkin.

"Yes it was. He and Karen are catching a plane first thing tomorrow morning. They should be here by noon," she explained.

"Well, isn't that great, my son back at Southfork with his pretty little bride Karen. Have they scheduled a date for their wedding?"

"No, not yet, I imagine Karen and I will work on that when they get here," smiled Sue Ellen, "you know J.R., at first I was kind of unhappy with John Ross' getting married, but now, I'm happy for him."

"We'll soon have two more at the table." J.R. smiled at Sue Ellen, put his fork down, leaned over and gave Sue Ellen a kiss on the cheek.

"Sue Ellen, I love you so much. You are the only woman for me."

"J.R.," said Sue Ellen, "I've heard that one before, many times. Just last month I caught you and that Smithfield tramp making out on your desk."

"Now Sue Ellen, I told you I'm a changed man. How can you talk about Anita like that? She happens to be a good woman and a good lawyer," argued J.R..

"Well, it seems as if she's a little more than just a lawyer to you J.R." said Sue Ellen.

"I told you, I don't plan on seeing her again."

"Are you telling the truth J.R., or is there more here than what meets the eye?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm telling the truth."

Sue Ellen picked up her wineglass, took a small sip, and laughed to herself. "J.R., I ought to dump this wine over your head."

"Sue Ellen, I can promise you that everything is going to be okay."

"J.R., I don't need your promises. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to freshen up, Ray's coming over."

"Well," said J.R. gritting his teeth, "Isn't that nice."

Cliff Barnes sat at the small, four-person table in the tastefully decorated kitchen of the Barnes residence. Afton Cooper Barnes dropped another lamb chop on her husband's plate before taking her seat across from him. The two had been living what they had always dreamed of, the perfect marriage. Cliff had never been so happy.

For weeks back in November of 1996, he had searched for Afton and his daughter Pamela Rebecca. When he had found Afton, conveniently stowed away in a sanitarium by none other than J.R…put there because of bogus drug charges he planted on her record, she had been reluctant to see him. For two months, Afton had not allowed Cliff to see Pamela Rebecca and Pamela didn't know that he was her father. On Christmas Day, however, Cliff had his own miracle. Afton had finally given him permission to tell Pamela that he was her father. Though Cliff didn't think it would happen so quickly, Pamela Rebecca accepted it and on January 15, Afton Cooper had become Afton Cooper Barnes and the three found a nice house in the Turtle Creek area of Dallas. It had been a nice change from the apartments that Cliff was accustomed to.

Pamela Rebecca picked at her lima beans. She was too excited to eat now. Her best friend and possibly more than that, Christopher, was supposed to call. The telephone rang and Pamela sprang forward to answer it. "Christopher!" she said, almost yelling into the telephone.

"Pamela Rebecca! It's your Uncle Mitch," said the voice on the other end.

"Well, hey Uncle Mitch. What's up?"

Afton stopped eating and listened to what Pamela was saying. It had been some time since her brother had called to check on them. "Not too much," said Mitch, "Is your mom there?"

"Yeah, she's right here. Hang on." Pamela Rebecca handed the phone over to Afton who had already gotten up and walked over to where they talked.

"Well hello long lost brother," said Afton laughing, "how is everything?"

"Well, everything is great with my career, but that's about it. Lucy and I are having more problems. I think she's going to leave me again."

"Oh Mitch, I'm so sorry."

"You know? I thought everything was going to work out fine. We were remarried, and you know they say that the third time is always a charm—obviously that's wrong."

"Is there anything that I can do for you?"

"Well," said Mitch hesitantly, "If you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if I could come to Dallas and stay with you for a few weeks. I think that maybe if Lucy and I spend a little time apart, then it would help things."

"That would be fine Mitch, but I have to ask. Why Dallas? Wouldn't the memories of your times together here be too much?"

"I don't think so. Besides, I've been meaning to come and visit you anyway. I've missed my sister."

"I've missed you too Mitch."

"Oh, I talked to Mom yesterday. She's doing great, though she still isn't that happy with your marriage to Cliff."

"What can I say," said Afton, rolling her eyes, "Mom is old and stuck in her ways."

"I know. So if it's all okay with you, I'll be leaving Atlanta hopefully tomorrow or the next day. I've got a few appointments scheduled, so I'll have to take care of those first."

"Ok Mitch, have a safe trip."

"Thanks Sis, I love you."

"Love you too."

"Bye."

"Good bye," said Afton, hanging up the phone.

"What did Mitch want?" asked Cliff.

"He's having problems with the marriage again. I told him it would be okay if he came to live with us for a while. That is okay with you isn't it?"

"Of course," said Cliff, kissing Afton, "anything to make you happy, honey."

The doorbell echoed throughout Southfork, breaking the deathly silence that had filled the lonely mansion.

"Jane!" said Sue Ellen, "would you get that please?"

The doorbell continued to ring, Sue Ellen got up to get the door, followed by J.R. J.R. swung open the door and was shocked to see Ray, Jenna, and Lucas standing outside.

"Oh my God," said J.R., his jaw dropping.

"Jenna!" said Sue Ellen, "so nice to see you!"

"It's good to see you too Sue Ellen, I've been away from Dallas for so long, it's great to be back."

Sue Ellen looked at Lucas. "And is this big man here Lucas?"

"Yes he is, say hi to Aunt Sue Ellen, Lucas," said Ray.

"Hi Aunt Sue Ellen," said Lucas.

"It seems like only yesterday that you were just a little baby," remarked Sue Ellen.

"I'm ten now though, almost eleven," replied Lucas politely.

"Jenna, welcome back to Dallas," said J.R., recovering from the shock.

"Yes, thanks J.R., I'm sure you're so happy to see me," replied Jenna.

"Now Jenna, you know I am. I always wanted you and Bobby to be together, you know that. Well, why don't you all come in and make yourselves comfortable," said J.R. in a mock nice voice.

Ray, Jenna, and Lucas followed J.R. and Sue Ellen into the living room.

"Jenna, if you don't mind me asking, where's Charlie?" asked Sue Ellen.

"Well, she's been very busy making a name for herself in the fashion world," said Jenna, handing her coat to Jane, who had been busy in the kitchen.

"Oh, is she a model?" asked Sue Ellen.

"Oh no," laughed Jenna, "she's a designer. She owns and operates Wade's of Paris."

"Paris?"

"Yes. Charlie moved to Paris a few years ago. The market is so much bigger there for fashion."

"My, my," that little girl has made quite a name for herself," said J.R., only half listening to the conversation.

"Yes she has J.R.," said Ray, "we're proud of her."

An hour later…

"You know," said Sue Ellen, "I was just thinking. It's crazy for you to go back to some old hotel room when we have all of this extra space at Southfork. Why don't you stay here with us?"

Upon hearing that, J.R. choked on his iced tea and began to cough. Ray looked at J.R. with an amused expression on his face.

"Sue Ellen," said J.R., red-faced and coughing, "I'm sure they wouldn't want to be stuck here with the two of us when they could have a nice hotel room all to themselves."

"Nonsense, we've got plenty of room and we could sure use the company," said Sue Ellen.

"Well, I don't know," said Ray hesitantly.

Jenna saw the look on J.R.'s face and made her decision.

"Maybe we will stay for a while," said Jenna smiling.

"Great!" exclaimed Sue Ellen, "it's going to be just like the old days, Southfork full again, isn't it J.R.?"

"Oh, yeah," said J.R. sarcastically, "just like the old days."

Pamela Rebecca sat in her room, working on her algebra homework. She tried to focus on her equations and factoring, but her mind kept wandering to Christopher. She had missed him terribly while he was away at college. Pamela had first met Christopher in November of 1996. She had been living with Afton's best friend, Julia Cunningham, while Afton had made a life for them. Julia and Pamela had met Bobby and Christopher while riding the ranch and the four had hit it off. It turned out that Christopher had just been taking a semester off and he normally attended school in California. In January, he had returned to school, leaving Pamela Rebecca in Dallas. Christopher had returned to Dallas that summer and the two had become really close friends, but nothing more. Pamela had always secretly hoped that the two would become more, but she was afraid Christopher did not want that. He had returned to California in September and remained there, except for the occasional visit, until now. This time, Christopher wouldn't be going back to California. Pamela Rebecca and Bobby had convinced him to transfer to SMU.

Suddenly, the phone rang, temporarily freeing her from her flashback. "Hello?" she said anxiously.

"Hey Pam!" said Christopher.

"Oh Chris," exclaimed Pamela, "I've been waiting for you to call."

"Sorry it's been so long. I've been busy with finals this week. But guess what?"

"What?" said Pamela Rebecca.

"I'm coming home this weekend and we can finally be together again," said Christopher happily.

"What exactly do you mean 'be' together?"

"I'll talk to you about that when I get there," he replied.

"Ok, but it's not going to be easy waiting! I guess I'll see you then."

"Yeah, I need to go too. My last exam is tomorrow and it's a toughie."

"Ok. Good luck on your tests and I'll be waiting for you."

"Bye Pamela."

It was Thursday morning and Sue Ellen was up earlier than usual, putting on her makeup and getting ready for John Ross to bring Karen to Southfork. The phone rang, waking up J.R.

"What the hell," said J.R. sleepily, "Who the hell could be calling at this ungodly hour?"

J.R. grabbed the phone and heard Bobby's voice on the other end.

"Hello J.R.!" said Bobby, "how are things at Southfork?"

"Oh, just great," said J.R. sarcastically.

"Oh?"

"John Ross and his fiancé, Karen, are on their way to Dallas this morning. I can't wait for him to get here, I've got big plans for that boy."

"That's great J.R.," said Bobby, "I'll be coming home soon also."

"Oh? Why?"

"Well, things just didn't work out between Jennifer and I. We decided that it would be better if we split up now before we get too involved. To be honest with you, I think she just wanted me in order to get to Ewing Oil."

"Sorry to hear that Bob."

"Well," said Bobby, "I was just calling to check on everyone, expect me home tomorrow."

"Ok Bobby, see you then," said J.R.

"Goodbye J.R."

"Bye Bob."

J.R. put the phone down just as Sue Ellen opened the door to his room.

"Who was that J.R.?"

"Oh, it was Bobby, he's coming home tomorrow. "

"That's great. Is Jennifer coming too?"

"No, they broke up."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I was hoping that Bobby had finally found true happiness. Breakfast is ready though, Ray, Jenna, and Lucas are waiting."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to miss that for the world," said J.R. sarcastically.

J.R., straightening his tie, descended the stairs and entered the dining room to find everyone waiting for him.

"Well, good morning everyone!" said J.R.

"Good morning J.R.," said Jenna.

The five ate their breakfast quietly. Strangely enough, there wasn't much to say. Sue Ellen, however, could barely suppress her happiness that John Ross was returning.

"I'm not going to the office today," she said, "I want to be here when John Ross gets home."

"Neither am I, I can't wait to see my son," said J.R.

"Where exactly is John Ross?" asked Jenna.

"Oh, I thought you knew Jenna," said Sue Ellen, "he's in Oklahoma attending college. He'll finish up his requirements for a degree in business this semester."

"That's great. Is he going to join Ewing Oil?" asked Jenna, eating a piece of toast.

"You bet he is," said J.R., "I haven't been preparing him for that all these years for nothing!"

Ray and Jenna finished their breakfast a few minutes later and went out to the stables with Lucas to go for a ride. "It's great to be back at Southfork," said Ray, soaking in the morning sun.

"I know how much you love it here," said Jenna.

"Yes, I do. If J.R. would just leave, then it would be great," said Ray in a joking tone.

"Well, I don't see that happening in the near distant future," replied Jenna.

"Ray, why don't you like Uncle J.R.?" asked Lucas.

"Oh, Lucas, I like your Uncle J.R. just fine, it's just that we haven't always seen eye to eye on everything."

"Oh," said Lucas.

"I wish Charlie could be here with us," said Jenna, "she always loved riding here at Southfork. Now she's so tied up in the business world, she doesn't have time for things like this."

"Well, maybe she can come for a visit sometime," said Ray, mounting the horse.

"I hope so," said Jenna, doing the same, "maybe I'll give her a call sometime soon."

Ray, Jenna, and Lucas rode across the green pasture towards the river.

Sue Ellen had just finished helping Jane clear the table when the doorbell rang. She almost ran to the door where she swung it open. John Ross and Karen stood outside and Sue Ellen gave John Ross a kiss before inviting them in.

"Welcome home John Ross!" said Sue Ellen.

"Well John Ross, hi Son!" exclaimed J.R.

"Hi, Mom and Dad. This is Karen."

"How do you do Karen?" smiled Sue Ellen.

"I'm fine Mrs. Ewing."

"Now, I'll have none of that. Just call me Sue Ellen."

"Well John Ross," said J.R., "It looks like you've found yourself a good wife."

"I know Dad, she's wonderful." Karen took John Ross' hand and blushed.

J.R. suggested that they go sit by the pool and the three followed him around where J.R. made himself comfortable in one of the lawn chairs. Sue Ellen, John Ross, and Karen gathered around the patio table where the Ewings sometimes had breakfast. The May sun danced on the sky blue water of the pool.

"You know," said Sue Ellen, "I have a great idea."

"What's that Mom?"

"Why don't we revive our little tradition of having the Ewing Barbecue? It's been so long since the last one."

"Sue Ellen!" said J.R., "that's the best idea I've heard all week."

"That is a great idea, we'll show Karen how the Ewings have fun," said John Ross, kissing his fiancé. "That sounds like fun," said Karen shyly, "I can't wait."

"It's all settled then, I'll inform the caterers."

"Now J.R., you weren't planning on having the barbecue without me now were you?" said a voice from behind him. J.R. nearly spilled his drink upon hearing the voice that was instantly recognizable as that of his niece Lucy. "Shame on you J.R.," said Lucy.

"Lucy, what the hell are you doing here?" asked J.R.

"J.R., are you not glad to see me? Not much has changed," she laughed.

"Of course he is Lucy. Welcome back to Southfork. I don't believe you've met Karen?" said Sue Ellen.

"No I haven't, but John Ross has told me a lot about her over the phone. Hi Karen," said Lucy.

"Hi Lucy," smiled Karen.

"Lucy! We're glad you've returned," remarked Sue Ellen, "this is going to be some barbecue.

"Sue Ellen," said Karen, "do you mind if I use your phone?"

"Of course not, it's right beside the staircase."

"Thanks!"

"I'll go with her to make sure she finds it," said J.R..

J.R. got out of his chair and followed Karen into the house. After they were inside, J.R. began to question her.

"Say, Karen, I don't believe I caught your last name."

"Oh, It's Beam. Karen Nicole Beam."

"Beam?" said J.R., "where did you say you were from?"

"Oh, I'm originally from Tulsa, but I lived in Pennsylvania for a while before moving back.

"Well, is that a fact?" said J.R., "the phone is right there, help yourself to it."

J.R. walked up the stairs, went into his room, and shut the door behind him. He walked over to his desk, picked up his cell-phone, and dialed Ratigan's number.

"Ratigan speaking."

"Hello, Ratigan, I need for you to do a little job for me."

"What's that J.R.?" asked Ratigan.

"See what kind of dirt you can dig up on a Karen Nicole Beam."

"What kind of dirt J.R.?"

"Oh, you know, the usual, but I'm especially interested in her family."

"Ok, I'll see what I can do."

"Good," said J.R., hanging up the phone.

Sue Ellen had walked into the room, catching the latter part of J.R.'s conversation.

J.R., what are you up to? . She turned and left before J.R. ever realized she was there. Sue Ellen walked back outside and explained that she would have to go into Dallas for the afternoon but she would be back later.

Sue Ellen pulled her car near the corner of Poplar Street and stepped out into the cloudy afternoon. The weather had gone from beautiful to nasty in a matter of minutes. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the air was hot and muggy. She glanced over her shoulder before entering a small office building. Sue Ellen continued down a long corridor and pushed open a door.

"Hello Sue Ellen," said a lady.

"Hello Claudia," said Sue Ellen, "I need those logged records of J.R.'s phone calls for the past twenty-four hours. Start with the most recent, say, in the last hour."

"Of course Mrs. Ewing, that's what you pay me for."

Claudia inserted a cassette into a player. She pushed play and Sue Ellen listened carefully, she recognized J.R.'s voice:

"Hello Ratigan, I need for you to do a little job for me."

"What's that J.R.?"

"See what kind of dirt you can dig up on a Karen Nicole Beam."

"What kind of dirt J.R.?"

"Oh, you know, the usual, but I'm especially interested in her family."

"Ok, I'll see what I can do."

"Good."

The conversation cut off and there was nothing more than a static sound emitting from the cassette player.

"That bastard," said Sue Ellen, the thunder drowning out her voice.

The tape began to clear up and Sue Ellen could make out J.R.'s voice again.

"Mrs. Ewing," said Claudia, "this one is live, J.R. is speaking to this man right now."

Sue Ellen listened to the conversation:

"J.R., it's Ratigan."

"What did you manage to dig up on Karen?"

"Nothing, her slate is clean."

"What?"

Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder sounded and the lights flickered. The tape crackled and the player went dead. Claudia tried to restart it, but it was useless.

"Damnit!" said Sue Ellen furiously.

"What is he up to?"

Meanwhile, unheard by Sue Ellen, the conversation continued.

"Well, she's a straight 'A' student, I mean, this girl's never even had detention. She's been living in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the past two years. Her mother is deceased and her father is a lawyer. Name's are Nicole and Alan Beam..."

"Alan Beam," J.R. broke in, "Well, well, it looks like my hunch was right. My son thinks he's going to marry Alan Beam's daughter does he? Well, old J.R. couldn't let that happen. Ratigan, do me another favor, since you couldn't find any dirt on this Beam girl, I want you to plant some. Just don't let anyone find out."

"Ok J.R., by the time I get through with her, she won't be able to even show her face in Dallas again."

"Good," said J.R. laughing, "Do whatever you have to do."

J.R. hung up the phone, laughed, and smiled his evil smile.

Credits Roll

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