Dallas s06e05 Episode Script
171105 - Jock's Will
Jack's gone and it's It's time to let the court make it official.
- I have a notion you know something.
- Daddy was a fair man.
And if you think he would've slighted his first and eldest you never knew Jock Ewing.
That will is gonna determine who finally owns Ewing Oil.
If Daddy gave him back the company.
Then we're gonna get out of here.
- Bobby.
- I won't watch him take over again.
A company the size of Ewing Oil can have only one man at the helm.
And that's got to be He just drove in.
- Where's Mama? - She's upstairs.
I'll go get her.
Yeah.
Do that.
- Thank you.
Teresa.
- You're welcome.
Mr.
Smithfield.
- Hello.
Harv.
- J.
R.
Bobby went upstairs to tell Mama you're here.
Want a drink? Not this hour of the day.
I don't have your stomach.
Well.
I'm not sure I do either anymore.
Did Mama say what she wanted to talk to you about? I have an idea.
- Harv.
- Miss Ellie.
Bobby.
- Thanks for coming.
- Not at all.
Harv.
Last night.
In that speech I made I heard myself talking about moving on.
Facing tomorrow.
All the things that I hadn't yet done myself.
- Mama.
We all understand why.
- No need to explain.
Well.
I'm ready to do it now.
Jock is gone, and it's time to let the court make it official.
Miss Ellie.
I know how hard this is for you but I believe you're doing the right thing.
Yeah.
So do l.
Mama.
And to make it as painless as possible I think we ought to do it as quick as we can.
I agree.
All right.
The first thing we've gotta do is get on the calendar.
I'll put in a call to Judge Karns at the district court see if he can't slip us into some cancellation.
But when that happens.
We're gonna have to move fast.
Now.
I want to see all the paperwork you've accumulated on this so far.
Of course.
We'll need to round up some character witnesses.
Character witnesses? For Jock? Just to assure the judge that Jock wasn't the type to run off with a girl hide from creditors.
That sort of thing.
- I'll line up a few names for you.
Harv.
- Good.
Now.
He'll want to make sure.
Also.
That you looked hard enough to find him.
Well.
We have the search-party reports.
There was a witness to the actual crash, an eyewitness? - Well.
That pilot.
Evans or something.
- Lee Evans.
See if you can't locate him.
Get him to testify in person.
The case would be a lot firmer with him on the stand.
You don't figure it's weak.
Do you? Well.
You never know about these things.
Especially since Jack's body was never found.
Lucy? What are you doing? I thought you were going into Dallas this morning.
I'm too tired.
Lucy.
I know how you must feel.
But what's done is done.
You can't change some things.
You don't know how I feel.
I know how the abortion affected you but moping around Southfork is not gonna make it better.
I'm not exactly up to partying yet.
Well.
Nobody's asking you to party.
You might think about going back to work, though.
- Work? - Why not? Call your agent.
Get something done.
You can't just sit around like this.
I'm not ready to go back to work yet.
Yes.
You are.
You've just got to do it.
And if you can't.
Maybe you should get some help.
I don't need a psychiatrist.
Well.
Then prove it.
Get up.
Get out of that nightgown.
Get out of this room.
Join the world of the living again.
Blair Sullivan Agency.
Yes.
May I please speak to Blair? Mr.
Sullivan': Out of town for a few days.
May I ask who's calling? No.
No.
I'll just call him back.
Where's Mickey.
Aunt Lil? Figured he'd be down by now.
Oh.
No.
He's already gone.
- This early? - Before you even came down.
Just gets up and goes.
Well.
Where does he go? I don't know.
I've given up asking.
Even when I do, he won't tell me.
That's not right.
What's he do all day? You told me he didn't work.
No.
I don't think so.
Not since the last six months, anyway.
When he finished high school.
He just drifted around for a while trying to find himself.
I guess.
One job after another.
Mostly working with his hands.
He loves to work with his hands.
Last job was at the packing plant.
He kept that one for nearly two years.
What happened? Hard times.
Is all.
The plant cut back and they let Michael go.
Last one hired.
The first one dropped.
You know.
You know.
If you're gonna take me to town.
It's getting late.
- Oh.
Never mind about them dishes.
- Oh.
no.
It's all right.
Ray's gonna show me some of the spots he liked as a kid.
Where we used to park.
You know.
The place has changed a lot since then.
Yeah.
I've noticed.
Yeah? Call on line two from Toronto, Bobby.
A Mr.
Mcleish.
Thornton McLeish? McLeish Canada? - You remembered.
- Sure I du.
Daddy introduced us at that convention in Chicago.
He did some wildcatting with you in the Northwest Territories.
Didn't he? With my father.
Right.
I was sorry to hear about your father.
Well.
Thank you very much.
Mr.
Ewing.
The reason I called my brother and I are gonna be in Dallas in the next few days.
We're involved in an investment situation on some oil fields up here that looks awfully good.
We're in the market for an American partner.
Might you be interested in hearing some details? Well.
I just might indeed.
Call me when you get to town.
We'll set something up here.
- Perfect.
- T hanks for calling.
Excuse me, ma' am.
- Just in time.
I'm ready to faint.
- Enjoy your lunch.
Looks delicious.
Ketchup? You got some ketchup? You haven't told me anything about your new job.
- I'm managing.
- Ls Marilee pleasant to work for? Oh.
Yeah.
She's great.
She's not perched on my shoulder all the time.
- Cliff.
I was just - No.
No.
It's fine.
Everything in my life's fine.
My job is fine.
Everything's fine.
How's the roast.
Cliff? Thinking of having it myself.
Cliff.
Does Marilee know you're spending lunch hours with pretty young ladies? Gentlemen.
This is my mother.
Rebecca Wentworth.
Delighted.
Mrs.
Wentworth.
I'm Jordan Lee.
Wade Luce.
Ma'am.
I'm pleased to meet you.
They're oilmen.
They're in the cartel.
The cartel? Yes.
Cliff's mentioned it.
Yeah.
Except Wade here wants out.
Wade? What.
You're thinking of leaving the cartel? Leaving the oil business altogether if I can sell my company.
You had a decent year last year.
Didn't you? - That's what I keep telling him.
- Oh.
It's a family thing.
I've got a daughter in Arizona who's having some health problems.
My wife wants to move out there to be near her.
Yeah.
But sell the company? - I'm getting a little old to commute.
- Good luck.
Thank you.
Cliff.
You too.
- Pleasure.
Mrs.
Wentworth.
- Ma'am.
- Well.
That's it, Harv.
- Thank you.
J.
R.
Well.
These papers are fine for background but we'll still need those sworn depositions.
Well.
I talked to the government man.
He's going with a bunch of people over to the consulate.
Good.
If the judge rules in our favor I ought to be able to unseal the will right away.
- Can't say that would make me unhappy.
- Nor I.
This flip-flopping of leadership is unhealthy for the company.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Harv.
Let me ask you a question now.
Suppose the judge doesn't declare Daddy dead.
How long are we gonna have to wait to submit new evidence? Why? Ls there a problem? Well.
Yeah.
The witness to the crash happens to be down in South America.
And he doesn't want to come back? He wants to come back, all right.
Especially for what I'm paying him.
He's having a little trouble getting out of the country.
His testimony'd be very helpful.
Yes.
I know that.
Harv.
Now.
Suppose he gets hung up and we proceed without him and for some asinine reason.
The judge ruled against us.
How long do we have to wait before we can get Daddy declared dead? We'd have to wait the full seven years.
What did you say? And the will would stay sealed until then.
Well.
Right back there at the corner.
Signals are automatic now.
When I was a kid, they used to control all the tracks and the signals - right from that house.
- Only saw one track.
Well.
At the crossing.
Yeah.
There's a bunch of them down the way.
You know.
These buildings look pretty old.
Yeah.
They were here when I was growing up.
Sure looked a lot bigger then.
This place used to have an old coal-burning stove in the back and lots of used furniture.
I guess you'd call it a junk store.
No.
Darling.
Today.
They call it an antique store.
It sure is different around here.
Though.
Kind of funny.
Yeah.
I'm here.
Hey.
Mickey.
What are you doing here? What does it look like I'm doing here? How much gas you need? Fill it up.
Unleaded.
I can read.
I didn't know you had a job.
That's great.
Does your mama know about it? You know.
You really ought to tell her.
She'd probably be proud of you.
Yeah.
I just bet she would be.
What's with you, anyhow? I don't understand you at all.
You think I'm pumping gas because I got a natural ability for it? Then why are you? - Because it's better than doing time.
- Doing time? You mean in jail? What is it to you, anyway? Look.
We are blood kin whether you like it or not.
What is this jail business? Oh.
Nothing.
Me and some guys wired a car one night took it for a ride wrecked it up a little bit.
Some cops grabbed us.
That's all.
- That's all? - Yeah.
Judge said I could either work off the damages or sit out the time.
I'll tell you one thing.
Soon as I'm clear.
I'm out of here.
Well.
You sure are full of surprises.
- Does your mother know about all this? - No.
I'm taking care of it.
I guess you are.
Let's go.
Come along.
John Ross.
Let's eat dinner.
Doesn't taste good when it's cold.
Well.
Hello.
Ms.
Chambers.
- Mrs.
Ewing'll be down in a moment.
Sir.
- Okay.
Good.
No rush.
Hey, boy.
How you doing? I'm having trouble getting him into his chair tonight.
Well.
I don't blame him on that.
I'll feed him tonight.
All right.
Well.
I better warm it up.
Yeah.
You do that.
Do that.
Oh.
Daddy's gonna feed you real good.
You know what? Before long I'm gonna take you down to my big office.
You remember that? Downtown? - Yeah.
- Yeah.
I'll take you down to Ewing Oil.
Put you up in my big old chair and spin you around.
Teach you all about the oil business just like my daddy used to teach me.
And then.
Before you know it you're gonna be taking it over all by yourself.
Yeah.
- Ellie.
You are not a third wheel.
- Mavis is right, Ellie.
Oh.
You're both sweet.
Well.
We're also both very hungry.
Besides.
I can't wait to walk into that restaurant with two good-looking gals.
Casanova never had anything on you, Punk.
- Hi there.
- Hello.
- You eating out? - Yes.
- Why don't you and Pam go with us? - No.
Thank you.
- But you all go and have fun.
- See you all later.
- Good night.
- Bye.
- You want something? - Yeah.
Bobby.
Is something the matter? Yes.
Frankly.
I'm concerned about Daddy's will.
The will? When that hearing is over.
The Will's gonna be opened.
And I'm concerned about why Daddy had it sealed in the first place.
Well.
Aren't most wills sealed? No.
Not unless you have something you're trying to hide.
What would Jock have to hide from his family? Oh.
I don't know.
Honey.
Maybe I'm wrong.
But I'll tell you one thing I do know.
That will is gonna determine who finally owns Ewing Oil.
And I have a terrible feeling it's gonna be J.
R.
Come on.
That's not necessarily so.
If that happens.
Honey if Daddy gave him back the company.
You and I are gonna get out of here.
Bobby.
I'm not gonna sit around and watch him take over again.
Aren't you jumping the gun a little? Pam.
I can run Ewing Oil.
I proved it.
I didn't use to want to.
But now.
Damn it.
I do.
Hey.
Wait a minute.
Why are you getting so worked up over something that'll probably never happen? Wait until we know something for sure.
Okay.
You're right.
- I think you're dancing on my feet.
Dear.
- I'm dancing on your feet? Well.
Maybe it's me.
You know.
J.
R.
.
with Dusty married now and out of my life Yeah.
I sure hope that poor boy's cure is permanent.
- And Cliff getting better - Wonderful.
Well.
That's lifted a great deal of weight off my mind.
I guess you could call me a free woman.
You were always inexpensive.
But never free.
Unattached.
There's something attached to my feet right now.
- J.
R.
.
you are incorrigible.
- I take it back.
You dance like a gazelle.
My dear.
You two have been so wonderful.
There she goes again.
It's just a little steak and potatoes.
Ellie.
No.
I mean about everything.
Not just tonight.
Setting up the scholarship in Jack's name.
All the patience you've shown me.
I have needed friends and you've both been there.
We loved Jock.
We love you.
Patience wasn't hard to find.
Twice in one week.
I don't believe this.
- Well.
Hello.
Frank.
How you doing? - How you doing.
Punk? Mavis? You here by yourself? Yeah.
A fellow gets a little bored with his own company after a while.
We're not bored with it.
Have a drink.
- I'd love to if I'm not butting in.
- Come on.
You come sit down.
- You don't mind.
Do you.
Miss Ellie? - No.
Just go ahead and sit down.
Quit arguing with me.
Waiter.
Bring my friend a bourbon and branch.
Will you? He's been ordering me around ever since we were kids.
The exact opposite is true.
Oh.
These two can go on like that forever.
If you don't mind my saying so.
Miss Ellie I think that speech you made last night was one of the most moving things I ever heard.
Thank you.
And I think Jock Ewing was a very lucky man to have been married to a woman like you.
Well.
I think I may have been the luckier one.
But I mean that with respect.
And maybe someday we'll get around to having that dance we missed.
Now.
Here's your drink, Frank.
Thank you.
- It was a wonderful evening.
J.
R.
- Yeah.
Gotta do it again sometime.
J.
R.
.
you never talked about the marriage tonight.
Didn't I? - Not once.
- Well.
I thought I did.
No.
I told you that Dusty and Cliff were out of my life.
Oh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That must've been it.
Are you losing interest in me? Why would you say a thing like that? Then maybe you're losing interest in the marriage because I agreed to it.
Sue Ellen.
You're the most important thing in my life.
Especially with John Ross' voting shares that seem so important to you.
But now that you're no longer with Ewing Oil, you don't need them.
Is that what you think? I'm really trying to understand.
Well.
I'm kind of disappointed.
I was counting on your help.
I have this little affair we're invited to here.
What kind of an affair? Well.
It's a wedding invitation for two.
Some place called Southfork.
I believe you're the bride.
J.
R.
Oh.
I'd be so happy to go to my wedding with you.
- Morning.
Mama.
- Morning.
- Morning.
- Mail in? In the hallway.
Have you two had breakfast? - No.
Not yet.
- Good.
Have it with me.
We'd love to.
- Miss Ellie.
I have some news.
- What's that.
Sue Ellen? J.
R.
and I have set the wedding date.
That's wonderful.
If it's all right with you.
We'd like to keep it simple this time.
A few friends and family.
Whatever you want is fine with me.
Sue Ellen.
- Are you happy? - Very happy- - So am I.
- Thank you.
- Oh.
J.
R.
.
I'm very pleased.
- About what? Oh.
Yeah.
I'm glad.
Glad.
I really am.
- Hello.
- Hello, Ellie.
- Hello, Harv.
- The hearing is set for tomorrow.
Oh.
Good.
J.
R.
.
it's Harv Smithfield.
They've set the hearing for tomorrow.
I'll talk to him.
- Harv? - Yes, 1.
8.
? Got a cancellation? Yes, the judge will hear the case tomorrow.
Oh.
Well.
That's wonderful.
What about the eyewitness? Been able to get him into the country yet? Fm working on it.
Do what you have to.
We need him.
He'll be there if I have to swim him across the Gulf of Mexico.
Okay.
Bye.
Hello? Just a minute.
Please.
Ray.
Thanks.
Aunt Lil.
Hello? Oh.
Miss Ellie.
I thought you should know that we're having a hearing tomorrow about Jock.
Tomorrow? I'm not sure if we can get a plane by then.
Well.
That's all right.
There's no need for you to be there.
But if there are no hitches Harv'll be opening the will the day after tomorrow and I do think you should be back for that.
I know it's short notice.
No.
That's all right, really.
We'll manage.
Are you all right, Miss Ellie? Yes.
Ray.
I'm fine.
Thanks.
I'll see you when you get back.
Bye.
They're gonna read the will day after tomorrow.
Miss Ellie wants us to come back home.
Well.
I'll check the flight schedule.
There's an early flight on Thursday.
That sounds like a good one.
Then we could spend another day with you.
Aunt Lil.
I'll be back in a little while.
Okay.
Darling? Wait a minute.
- Ray.
Where are you going? - I just wanna go find Mickey.
- I need to talk to him.
- What for? I just need to talk to him.
Okay? I just love these family get-togethers.
Don't you.
Bobby? Cliff.
I mean.
The Ewings and the Barneses sitting down.
Festively breaking bread.
- How is it working at Stonehurst? - It's great.
Marilee's got a marvelous company.
I'll put in a good word for you if you want.
That's awfully kind.
But I have a job.
Thank you.
I know you do, but of course you won't have after your daddy's will is read.
But don't worry about it.
I'll help you out.
- What are brother-in-laws for? - What's all that about? Cliff thinks J.
R.
is going to get his old job back at Ewing Oil.
- Is that true? - It's possible, I suppose.
Excuse me.
But can't anybody think of anything to talk about besides J.
R.
? - I can't.
- Neither can I.
And if J.
R.
is going to take over Ewing Oil again as far as I'm concerned.
It's all-out war.
Mama.
You are vengeful.
Well.
If that's all you're gonna talk about.
I'll leave.
- Pam.
Wait.
- Bobby.
I'd like to go.
- Please.
Darling.
- There's no sense in staying.
Of course there is.
Come on.
Now.
Sit down.
You know.
I thought for once we could all have a nice, quiet dinner together and all you can do is talk about J.
R.
and revenge.
Now.
What's the point? Sit down.
We'll change the subject.
Please.
How soon did you start the search for Mr.
Ewing? Just as soon as I heard he was two hours overdue.
Jock was never late.
So I sent up the helicopters and light planes.
I had them circling that whole area in there.
I guess right at first.
I must've had about a dozen up there.
The depositions read earlier support that.
Your Honor.
I'm aware of that.
Counsel.
I'm just making a point.
Your Honor, I had ground searches sent off from every one of our drilling sites.
Now.
How long did they operate? All in all.
I reckon the better part of two months.
Everything is substantiated in the statements taken by the consulate.
All right.
All right.
Now.
Is there anything more that you want him to tell me? - No.
Your Honor.
That'll be all.
- All right.
Call the next witness.
Is there a Mr.
Lee Evans in the courtroom? If so.
Please step forward and take the stand.
The weather was so bad.
I didn't see the chopper until I was on it.
- But there was a collision? - Yes.
Sir.
I tried to bank.
But his rotor blade caught me right in the tail section.
Before I knew it.
I was shaking something awful.
I don't know how I did it.
But I managed to glide some.
I came down in a partial clearing about five miles from the crash.
Now.
Tell me.
Did you actually see Mr.
Ewing's helicopter crash? Yes.
Sir.
I did.
It dropped like a hunk of metal into the lake.
Thank you.
You can step down.
Call the next witness.
The court calls Bobby Ewing to the stand.
Please.
When we found Mr.
Evans.
We knew where to look for my father.
We got to the lake.
We combed the area all around it.
When that didn't turn up anything we got some boats, and Ray and I and a team of divers started going down.
Bottom of that lake is like quicksand.
It sucks up everything that it touches but we kept going back and we finally found two things.
We found a tail section of a rotor from a helicopter and a medallion.
Your Honor, if I may Exhibit 17.
That's the medallion that my daddy always wore around his neck.
- I'm gonna need an answer.
Mickey.
- I I gotta think about it.
I can appreciate that.
But we're going back to Dallas.
Don't push me, okay? Well.
You wanna tell me what this is all about? I asked him to come to Southfork.
I told him I'd talk to the judge and cover his debts and maybe he can work them off at the ranch.
Ray.
Don't you think that you are taking on just a little bit more than you can handle? I could keep an eye on him that way.
Donna.
Jock did the same thing for me.
Ray.
For heaven's sakes.
Jock raised three sons before he ever even met you.
He did have some experience.
I'll get it on the job.
You'll get it, all right.
Do you really hate the idea that much? Oh.
Look.
We'll work it out.
When's he coming? Well.
If he comes.
He's gonna go home with us.
Do you mean that he doesn't even wanna come? He's making up his mind.
Great.
- Well.
What do you think? - I don't know.
Daddy's gone.
I certainly don't need a judge to tell me that.
He's coming back in.
All rise.
Please.
Be seated.
Please.
The district court is again in session.
I have examined the evidence set before this court.
And it appears to bear out the fact that a helicopter had indeed crashed somewhere in the jungles of South America and its occupant was the chairman of the board of the Ewing Oil Company.
Now.
I wish that more tangible evidence had been presented today.
Unfortunately.
It wasn't.
Let me repeat the question that I first I asked at the outset of these proceedings.
Now.
The motion before the court is to declare John Ross Ewing.
Senior.
Dead.
Is any person in this court in possession of evidence to indicate any facts to the contrary? If so.
This is the time for him to speak up.
All right.
Then.
I see no reason to contradict the motion.
The judgment of this court is that John Ross Ewing Senior died in a place unknown in the jungles of South America.
I spent $5000 getting that witness out of that country.
If he's dumb enough to go back.
He can hitchhike as far as I'm concerned.
Lucy.
I just talked to your daddy.
He's flying in tomorrow for the reading of the will.
Gary's coming? There's nothing like a little inheritance to get a man back home.
Why shouldn't he be here? He is a Ewing.
Barely.
I hope you remembered to send him bus fare.
He'd have been here more if it hadn't been for you.
Will you two please stop it? Dinner's ready.
Come on.
Honey.
Let's go in.
Hey.
Mama.
Did Harv indicate what time he'd be over tomorrow? I told him we'd phone him when Gary and Ray arrive.
Oh.
Ray is coming too? Are you worried about the size of your share, J.
R.
? Well.
Gary and Ray.
Well.
What's a family for if it can't take care of its losers? Your family seems very upset about the will.
How come you're not? Daddy was a fair man.
I have a notion he provided for me very well.
I know about your notions.
They're usually based on research.
What? I have a notion that you know something.
How could I possibly know anything? You're talking about a sealed document.
I know what I'm talking about.
And I also know J.
R.
Ewing.
Well.
I gotta admit.
I did ask Harv Smithfield to let me take a peek at it and he slapped my wrist.
- And after that.
What did he tell you? - Absolutely nothing.
Daddy loved this family very much.
Sue Ellen and if you think he would've slighted his first and eldest you never knew Jock Ewing.
I guess Miss Ellie took it all right.
But it couldn't have been easy on her.
Look.
Why don't we change and go see her just as soon as we can? - Okay.
Give me a hand here.
Mickey.
- Yeah.
There you go.
What do you think? - About what? - The house.
I built it myself.
Well.
Can't have much of a problem with the neighbors.
- Ray.
Do you have the keys? - Yeah.
Here.
I hope I can sleep through the party noise.
Well.
This is where we live.
Donna and me.
Not me? No.
Give me that suitcase.
Here.
Throw the bag in the truck.
I'll show you where you're gonna stay.
Well.
It landed on time.
There he is.
Oh.
Here.
Let me take that.
- Oh.
Gary.
It's good to see you.
- I wish it were a happier occasion.
Let me look at you.
Are you all right? This has gotta be tough on you.
I'm all right.
Bobby.
You look more like an oil baron every time I see you.
Not a chance.
Come on.
- Lucy couldn't make it here? - You'll see her at the house.
You look a little tired.
- I'm fine.
- Sure? - What the hell is this? - Call it home.
Hey, how you doing.
Ray? Clarence.
Jack.
Come on up here.
I want you to meet my cousin Mickey.
How you doing? Mickey.
Clarence.
What do you say? I guess we ought to get over to the barn and get some work done there.
See you later.
Hey.
Mickey.
Come on over here.
You're gonna bunk in bunkhouse number two.
Well.
It's not so bad.
I guess.
At least I'll be on my own.
You and the other three guys you bunk with.
Three guys? Hey.
I didn't have to leave Kansas to go to prison.
We got Leavenworth right there.
You know.
You'd be real smart to mind that attitude.
Mickey.
Why? Ls it gonna get me farther in life? - Could be.
- Like you? Man.
I thought you pulled some weight around here but you're nothing but a foreman over a lot of cows.
How many years did it take you to rise to that position? I do what I do.
Mickey.
Because it's what I choose.
There's plenty of other things I could do.
Oh.
Yeah? Like what? I'm gonna let you in on a secret.
And I don't want it getting back to your mother.
My mother? That's right.
People talk in that town.
And I don't want her to be embarrassed.
Amos Krebbs was not my father.
Despite what everybody in Emporia thought.
- Jock Ewing was my father.
- Jock Ewing? The man that built this ranch.
Ranch.
Hell.
Ewing Oil.
You're an heir to all that? I have nothing to do with Ewing Oil.
But you got the money.
I have a trust.
I lead a separate life.
Mickey.
Man.
I don't believe you.
Well.
I'll be damned.
Well.
That jacks you up a whole notch in my book.
Yeah.
Well.
You just don't let that go to your head.
You just do your job around here and we're all gonna get along real fine.
This is a copy of the last will and testament Jock had me write.
There's one here for each of you.
But as in any formal instrument wording is complex.
So I've taken the liberty of preparing a summary of its contents for you.
If you don't mind.
I'd like to read it aloud.
That'll be fine.
Harv.
Thank you.
Let's get started.
Very well.
Jock wanted his will divided into three areas: Southfork, Ewing Oil.
Trust funds.
We'll take them one at a time.
Southfork: Miss Ellie full title and deed to Southfork as well as all future income derived from it will be placed in your name.
In addition, there's some $50 million in assorted community-property holdings on which both your names have appeared.
These will now revert entirely to you.
Now.
Jock set up two trust funds.
The primary fund makes provisions for the four Ewing sons.
Each of you J.
R.
.
Bobby Ray.
Gary.
Each of you will receive the sum of $10 million.
Lucy.
Since you've passed your 21st birthday you are also provided for in this fund.
You will receive five million.
The money is to be used as the beneficiaries see fit.
There is one exception.
Gary your father instructed that access to your share be limited for the first four years to use of the interest alone.
I guess Daddy was trying to help you, Gary.
Keep you from squandering your capital on one of your weaker weekends.
- J.
R.
- Sorry.
Mama.
To provide for John Ross Ill and any other grandchildren Jock instructed me to set up a fund out of which each grandchild on his 21st birthday.
Will receive an equal portion.
The money will be divisible by the number of grandchildren at the time.
Now.
As to Ewing Oil.
The provisions that Jock worked out for Ewing Oil in this document are now null and void.
They've been superseded by this codicil which he wrote when he was still in South America.
Harv.
That's handwritten.
Will it stand up in court? A holographic document is sometimes better than a typed one.
And this was witnessed by Punk Anderson.
It's fine.
And since it's in Jack's own handwriting I will read it verbatim.
âL.
John Ross Ewing.
Sr.
.
Being of sound mind and body do hereby add the following provisions to my last will and testament.
It's no secret that the company I built Some call it an empire.
Is precious to me.
Precious beyond anything in my life save my dear wife, Ellie.
And my sons.
It is.
However, that very preciousness that makes the choice of my successors an agonizing one.
Gary and Ray.
Although your place in my heart is just as large and shines just as bright as the place set aside for your brothers neither of you has ever shown any aptitude or inclination.
For that matter.
For business.
Therefore, my choice of successor is narrowed to Bobby and J.
R.
Sons.
This is addressed to you.
It's been my cherished hope that one day the two of you might run Ewing Oil as a team.
That was my hope.
Ewing Oil can have only one man at the helm.
And that's got to be the man who wants it the most.
â Oh, Jock, no.
âTherefore, upon my death I want an independent audit conducted of all the company's holdings.
I want everything divided on paper so that J.
R.
and Bobby each have control over exactly 50 percent of the total assets.
Punk Anderson a fine oilman and even finer friend has agreed to act as administrator of my estate.
After one year Punk will conduct a second audit.
Whichever son has managed to create the greatest gain for his half share of Ewing Oil will win 51 percent of the stock of the entire company and will be able to run it any way he sees fit.
The loser in this contest will get 19 percent and the remaining 30 percent I want divided equally between Ray.
Gary and Miss Ellie to make sure they're never without a share of the profits of the company I created.
Which.
Incidentally must never be owned by anyone other than a Ewing.
One final thing.
In the unfortunate event that before this year is up one son predeceases the other the remaining son will automatically inherit his shares and he will take over the company.
â Well.
Bobby to your good health and very long life.
- I have a notion you know something.
- Daddy was a fair man.
And if you think he would've slighted his first and eldest you never knew Jock Ewing.
That will is gonna determine who finally owns Ewing Oil.
If Daddy gave him back the company.
Then we're gonna get out of here.
- Bobby.
- I won't watch him take over again.
A company the size of Ewing Oil can have only one man at the helm.
And that's got to be He just drove in.
- Where's Mama? - She's upstairs.
I'll go get her.
Yeah.
Do that.
- Thank you.
Teresa.
- You're welcome.
Mr.
Smithfield.
- Hello.
Harv.
- J.
R.
Bobby went upstairs to tell Mama you're here.
Want a drink? Not this hour of the day.
I don't have your stomach.
Well.
I'm not sure I do either anymore.
Did Mama say what she wanted to talk to you about? I have an idea.
- Harv.
- Miss Ellie.
Bobby.
- Thanks for coming.
- Not at all.
Harv.
Last night.
In that speech I made I heard myself talking about moving on.
Facing tomorrow.
All the things that I hadn't yet done myself.
- Mama.
We all understand why.
- No need to explain.
Well.
I'm ready to do it now.
Jock is gone, and it's time to let the court make it official.
Miss Ellie.
I know how hard this is for you but I believe you're doing the right thing.
Yeah.
So do l.
Mama.
And to make it as painless as possible I think we ought to do it as quick as we can.
I agree.
All right.
The first thing we've gotta do is get on the calendar.
I'll put in a call to Judge Karns at the district court see if he can't slip us into some cancellation.
But when that happens.
We're gonna have to move fast.
Now.
I want to see all the paperwork you've accumulated on this so far.
Of course.
We'll need to round up some character witnesses.
Character witnesses? For Jock? Just to assure the judge that Jock wasn't the type to run off with a girl hide from creditors.
That sort of thing.
- I'll line up a few names for you.
Harv.
- Good.
Now.
He'll want to make sure.
Also.
That you looked hard enough to find him.
Well.
We have the search-party reports.
There was a witness to the actual crash, an eyewitness? - Well.
That pilot.
Evans or something.
- Lee Evans.
See if you can't locate him.
Get him to testify in person.
The case would be a lot firmer with him on the stand.
You don't figure it's weak.
Do you? Well.
You never know about these things.
Especially since Jack's body was never found.
Lucy? What are you doing? I thought you were going into Dallas this morning.
I'm too tired.
Lucy.
I know how you must feel.
But what's done is done.
You can't change some things.
You don't know how I feel.
I know how the abortion affected you but moping around Southfork is not gonna make it better.
I'm not exactly up to partying yet.
Well.
Nobody's asking you to party.
You might think about going back to work, though.
- Work? - Why not? Call your agent.
Get something done.
You can't just sit around like this.
I'm not ready to go back to work yet.
Yes.
You are.
You've just got to do it.
And if you can't.
Maybe you should get some help.
I don't need a psychiatrist.
Well.
Then prove it.
Get up.
Get out of that nightgown.
Get out of this room.
Join the world of the living again.
Blair Sullivan Agency.
Yes.
May I please speak to Blair? Mr.
Sullivan': Out of town for a few days.
May I ask who's calling? No.
No.
I'll just call him back.
Where's Mickey.
Aunt Lil? Figured he'd be down by now.
Oh.
No.
He's already gone.
- This early? - Before you even came down.
Just gets up and goes.
Well.
Where does he go? I don't know.
I've given up asking.
Even when I do, he won't tell me.
That's not right.
What's he do all day? You told me he didn't work.
No.
I don't think so.
Not since the last six months, anyway.
When he finished high school.
He just drifted around for a while trying to find himself.
I guess.
One job after another.
Mostly working with his hands.
He loves to work with his hands.
Last job was at the packing plant.
He kept that one for nearly two years.
What happened? Hard times.
Is all.
The plant cut back and they let Michael go.
Last one hired.
The first one dropped.
You know.
You know.
If you're gonna take me to town.
It's getting late.
- Oh.
Never mind about them dishes.
- Oh.
no.
It's all right.
Ray's gonna show me some of the spots he liked as a kid.
Where we used to park.
You know.
The place has changed a lot since then.
Yeah.
I've noticed.
Yeah? Call on line two from Toronto, Bobby.
A Mr.
Mcleish.
Thornton McLeish? McLeish Canada? - You remembered.
- Sure I du.
Daddy introduced us at that convention in Chicago.
He did some wildcatting with you in the Northwest Territories.
Didn't he? With my father.
Right.
I was sorry to hear about your father.
Well.
Thank you very much.
Mr.
Ewing.
The reason I called my brother and I are gonna be in Dallas in the next few days.
We're involved in an investment situation on some oil fields up here that looks awfully good.
We're in the market for an American partner.
Might you be interested in hearing some details? Well.
I just might indeed.
Call me when you get to town.
We'll set something up here.
- Perfect.
- T hanks for calling.
Excuse me, ma' am.
- Just in time.
I'm ready to faint.
- Enjoy your lunch.
Looks delicious.
Ketchup? You got some ketchup? You haven't told me anything about your new job.
- I'm managing.
- Ls Marilee pleasant to work for? Oh.
Yeah.
She's great.
She's not perched on my shoulder all the time.
- Cliff.
I was just - No.
No.
It's fine.
Everything in my life's fine.
My job is fine.
Everything's fine.
How's the roast.
Cliff? Thinking of having it myself.
Cliff.
Does Marilee know you're spending lunch hours with pretty young ladies? Gentlemen.
This is my mother.
Rebecca Wentworth.
Delighted.
Mrs.
Wentworth.
I'm Jordan Lee.
Wade Luce.
Ma'am.
I'm pleased to meet you.
They're oilmen.
They're in the cartel.
The cartel? Yes.
Cliff's mentioned it.
Yeah.
Except Wade here wants out.
Wade? What.
You're thinking of leaving the cartel? Leaving the oil business altogether if I can sell my company.
You had a decent year last year.
Didn't you? - That's what I keep telling him.
- Oh.
It's a family thing.
I've got a daughter in Arizona who's having some health problems.
My wife wants to move out there to be near her.
Yeah.
But sell the company? - I'm getting a little old to commute.
- Good luck.
Thank you.
Cliff.
You too.
- Pleasure.
Mrs.
Wentworth.
- Ma'am.
- Well.
That's it, Harv.
- Thank you.
J.
R.
Well.
These papers are fine for background but we'll still need those sworn depositions.
Well.
I talked to the government man.
He's going with a bunch of people over to the consulate.
Good.
If the judge rules in our favor I ought to be able to unseal the will right away.
- Can't say that would make me unhappy.
- Nor I.
This flip-flopping of leadership is unhealthy for the company.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Harv.
Let me ask you a question now.
Suppose the judge doesn't declare Daddy dead.
How long are we gonna have to wait to submit new evidence? Why? Ls there a problem? Well.
Yeah.
The witness to the crash happens to be down in South America.
And he doesn't want to come back? He wants to come back, all right.
Especially for what I'm paying him.
He's having a little trouble getting out of the country.
His testimony'd be very helpful.
Yes.
I know that.
Harv.
Now.
Suppose he gets hung up and we proceed without him and for some asinine reason.
The judge ruled against us.
How long do we have to wait before we can get Daddy declared dead? We'd have to wait the full seven years.
What did you say? And the will would stay sealed until then.
Well.
Right back there at the corner.
Signals are automatic now.
When I was a kid, they used to control all the tracks and the signals - right from that house.
- Only saw one track.
Well.
At the crossing.
Yeah.
There's a bunch of them down the way.
You know.
These buildings look pretty old.
Yeah.
They were here when I was growing up.
Sure looked a lot bigger then.
This place used to have an old coal-burning stove in the back and lots of used furniture.
I guess you'd call it a junk store.
No.
Darling.
Today.
They call it an antique store.
It sure is different around here.
Though.
Kind of funny.
Yeah.
I'm here.
Hey.
Mickey.
What are you doing here? What does it look like I'm doing here? How much gas you need? Fill it up.
Unleaded.
I can read.
I didn't know you had a job.
That's great.
Does your mama know about it? You know.
You really ought to tell her.
She'd probably be proud of you.
Yeah.
I just bet she would be.
What's with you, anyhow? I don't understand you at all.
You think I'm pumping gas because I got a natural ability for it? Then why are you? - Because it's better than doing time.
- Doing time? You mean in jail? What is it to you, anyway? Look.
We are blood kin whether you like it or not.
What is this jail business? Oh.
Nothing.
Me and some guys wired a car one night took it for a ride wrecked it up a little bit.
Some cops grabbed us.
That's all.
- That's all? - Yeah.
Judge said I could either work off the damages or sit out the time.
I'll tell you one thing.
Soon as I'm clear.
I'm out of here.
Well.
You sure are full of surprises.
- Does your mother know about all this? - No.
I'm taking care of it.
I guess you are.
Let's go.
Come along.
John Ross.
Let's eat dinner.
Doesn't taste good when it's cold.
Well.
Hello.
Ms.
Chambers.
- Mrs.
Ewing'll be down in a moment.
Sir.
- Okay.
Good.
No rush.
Hey, boy.
How you doing? I'm having trouble getting him into his chair tonight.
Well.
I don't blame him on that.
I'll feed him tonight.
All right.
Well.
I better warm it up.
Yeah.
You do that.
Do that.
Oh.
Daddy's gonna feed you real good.
You know what? Before long I'm gonna take you down to my big office.
You remember that? Downtown? - Yeah.
- Yeah.
I'll take you down to Ewing Oil.
Put you up in my big old chair and spin you around.
Teach you all about the oil business just like my daddy used to teach me.
And then.
Before you know it you're gonna be taking it over all by yourself.
Yeah.
- Ellie.
You are not a third wheel.
- Mavis is right, Ellie.
Oh.
You're both sweet.
Well.
We're also both very hungry.
Besides.
I can't wait to walk into that restaurant with two good-looking gals.
Casanova never had anything on you, Punk.
- Hi there.
- Hello.
- You eating out? - Yes.
- Why don't you and Pam go with us? - No.
Thank you.
- But you all go and have fun.
- See you all later.
- Good night.
- Bye.
- You want something? - Yeah.
Bobby.
Is something the matter? Yes.
Frankly.
I'm concerned about Daddy's will.
The will? When that hearing is over.
The Will's gonna be opened.
And I'm concerned about why Daddy had it sealed in the first place.
Well.
Aren't most wills sealed? No.
Not unless you have something you're trying to hide.
What would Jock have to hide from his family? Oh.
I don't know.
Honey.
Maybe I'm wrong.
But I'll tell you one thing I do know.
That will is gonna determine who finally owns Ewing Oil.
And I have a terrible feeling it's gonna be J.
R.
Come on.
That's not necessarily so.
If that happens.
Honey if Daddy gave him back the company.
You and I are gonna get out of here.
Bobby.
I'm not gonna sit around and watch him take over again.
Aren't you jumping the gun a little? Pam.
I can run Ewing Oil.
I proved it.
I didn't use to want to.
But now.
Damn it.
I do.
Hey.
Wait a minute.
Why are you getting so worked up over something that'll probably never happen? Wait until we know something for sure.
Okay.
You're right.
- I think you're dancing on my feet.
Dear.
- I'm dancing on your feet? Well.
Maybe it's me.
You know.
J.
R.
.
with Dusty married now and out of my life Yeah.
I sure hope that poor boy's cure is permanent.
- And Cliff getting better - Wonderful.
Well.
That's lifted a great deal of weight off my mind.
I guess you could call me a free woman.
You were always inexpensive.
But never free.
Unattached.
There's something attached to my feet right now.
- J.
R.
.
you are incorrigible.
- I take it back.
You dance like a gazelle.
My dear.
You two have been so wonderful.
There she goes again.
It's just a little steak and potatoes.
Ellie.
No.
I mean about everything.
Not just tonight.
Setting up the scholarship in Jack's name.
All the patience you've shown me.
I have needed friends and you've both been there.
We loved Jock.
We love you.
Patience wasn't hard to find.
Twice in one week.
I don't believe this.
- Well.
Hello.
Frank.
How you doing? - How you doing.
Punk? Mavis? You here by yourself? Yeah.
A fellow gets a little bored with his own company after a while.
We're not bored with it.
Have a drink.
- I'd love to if I'm not butting in.
- Come on.
You come sit down.
- You don't mind.
Do you.
Miss Ellie? - No.
Just go ahead and sit down.
Quit arguing with me.
Waiter.
Bring my friend a bourbon and branch.
Will you? He's been ordering me around ever since we were kids.
The exact opposite is true.
Oh.
These two can go on like that forever.
If you don't mind my saying so.
Miss Ellie I think that speech you made last night was one of the most moving things I ever heard.
Thank you.
And I think Jock Ewing was a very lucky man to have been married to a woman like you.
Well.
I think I may have been the luckier one.
But I mean that with respect.
And maybe someday we'll get around to having that dance we missed.
Now.
Here's your drink, Frank.
Thank you.
- It was a wonderful evening.
J.
R.
- Yeah.
Gotta do it again sometime.
J.
R.
.
you never talked about the marriage tonight.
Didn't I? - Not once.
- Well.
I thought I did.
No.
I told you that Dusty and Cliff were out of my life.
Oh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That must've been it.
Are you losing interest in me? Why would you say a thing like that? Then maybe you're losing interest in the marriage because I agreed to it.
Sue Ellen.
You're the most important thing in my life.
Especially with John Ross' voting shares that seem so important to you.
But now that you're no longer with Ewing Oil, you don't need them.
Is that what you think? I'm really trying to understand.
Well.
I'm kind of disappointed.
I was counting on your help.
I have this little affair we're invited to here.
What kind of an affair? Well.
It's a wedding invitation for two.
Some place called Southfork.
I believe you're the bride.
J.
R.
Oh.
I'd be so happy to go to my wedding with you.
- Morning.
Mama.
- Morning.
- Morning.
- Mail in? In the hallway.
Have you two had breakfast? - No.
Not yet.
- Good.
Have it with me.
We'd love to.
- Miss Ellie.
I have some news.
- What's that.
Sue Ellen? J.
R.
and I have set the wedding date.
That's wonderful.
If it's all right with you.
We'd like to keep it simple this time.
A few friends and family.
Whatever you want is fine with me.
Sue Ellen.
- Are you happy? - Very happy- - So am I.
- Thank you.
- Oh.
J.
R.
.
I'm very pleased.
- About what? Oh.
Yeah.
I'm glad.
Glad.
I really am.
- Hello.
- Hello, Ellie.
- Hello, Harv.
- The hearing is set for tomorrow.
Oh.
Good.
J.
R.
.
it's Harv Smithfield.
They've set the hearing for tomorrow.
I'll talk to him.
- Harv? - Yes, 1.
8.
? Got a cancellation? Yes, the judge will hear the case tomorrow.
Oh.
Well.
That's wonderful.
What about the eyewitness? Been able to get him into the country yet? Fm working on it.
Do what you have to.
We need him.
He'll be there if I have to swim him across the Gulf of Mexico.
Okay.
Bye.
Hello? Just a minute.
Please.
Ray.
Thanks.
Aunt Lil.
Hello? Oh.
Miss Ellie.
I thought you should know that we're having a hearing tomorrow about Jock.
Tomorrow? I'm not sure if we can get a plane by then.
Well.
That's all right.
There's no need for you to be there.
But if there are no hitches Harv'll be opening the will the day after tomorrow and I do think you should be back for that.
I know it's short notice.
No.
That's all right, really.
We'll manage.
Are you all right, Miss Ellie? Yes.
Ray.
I'm fine.
Thanks.
I'll see you when you get back.
Bye.
They're gonna read the will day after tomorrow.
Miss Ellie wants us to come back home.
Well.
I'll check the flight schedule.
There's an early flight on Thursday.
That sounds like a good one.
Then we could spend another day with you.
Aunt Lil.
I'll be back in a little while.
Okay.
Darling? Wait a minute.
- Ray.
Where are you going? - I just wanna go find Mickey.
- I need to talk to him.
- What for? I just need to talk to him.
Okay? I just love these family get-togethers.
Don't you.
Bobby? Cliff.
I mean.
The Ewings and the Barneses sitting down.
Festively breaking bread.
- How is it working at Stonehurst? - It's great.
Marilee's got a marvelous company.
I'll put in a good word for you if you want.
That's awfully kind.
But I have a job.
Thank you.
I know you do, but of course you won't have after your daddy's will is read.
But don't worry about it.
I'll help you out.
- What are brother-in-laws for? - What's all that about? Cliff thinks J.
R.
is going to get his old job back at Ewing Oil.
- Is that true? - It's possible, I suppose.
Excuse me.
But can't anybody think of anything to talk about besides J.
R.
? - I can't.
- Neither can I.
And if J.
R.
is going to take over Ewing Oil again as far as I'm concerned.
It's all-out war.
Mama.
You are vengeful.
Well.
If that's all you're gonna talk about.
I'll leave.
- Pam.
Wait.
- Bobby.
I'd like to go.
- Please.
Darling.
- There's no sense in staying.
Of course there is.
Come on.
Now.
Sit down.
You know.
I thought for once we could all have a nice, quiet dinner together and all you can do is talk about J.
R.
and revenge.
Now.
What's the point? Sit down.
We'll change the subject.
Please.
How soon did you start the search for Mr.
Ewing? Just as soon as I heard he was two hours overdue.
Jock was never late.
So I sent up the helicopters and light planes.
I had them circling that whole area in there.
I guess right at first.
I must've had about a dozen up there.
The depositions read earlier support that.
Your Honor.
I'm aware of that.
Counsel.
I'm just making a point.
Your Honor, I had ground searches sent off from every one of our drilling sites.
Now.
How long did they operate? All in all.
I reckon the better part of two months.
Everything is substantiated in the statements taken by the consulate.
All right.
All right.
Now.
Is there anything more that you want him to tell me? - No.
Your Honor.
That'll be all.
- All right.
Call the next witness.
Is there a Mr.
Lee Evans in the courtroom? If so.
Please step forward and take the stand.
The weather was so bad.
I didn't see the chopper until I was on it.
- But there was a collision? - Yes.
Sir.
I tried to bank.
But his rotor blade caught me right in the tail section.
Before I knew it.
I was shaking something awful.
I don't know how I did it.
But I managed to glide some.
I came down in a partial clearing about five miles from the crash.
Now.
Tell me.
Did you actually see Mr.
Ewing's helicopter crash? Yes.
Sir.
I did.
It dropped like a hunk of metal into the lake.
Thank you.
You can step down.
Call the next witness.
The court calls Bobby Ewing to the stand.
Please.
When we found Mr.
Evans.
We knew where to look for my father.
We got to the lake.
We combed the area all around it.
When that didn't turn up anything we got some boats, and Ray and I and a team of divers started going down.
Bottom of that lake is like quicksand.
It sucks up everything that it touches but we kept going back and we finally found two things.
We found a tail section of a rotor from a helicopter and a medallion.
Your Honor, if I may Exhibit 17.
That's the medallion that my daddy always wore around his neck.
- I'm gonna need an answer.
Mickey.
- I I gotta think about it.
I can appreciate that.
But we're going back to Dallas.
Don't push me, okay? Well.
You wanna tell me what this is all about? I asked him to come to Southfork.
I told him I'd talk to the judge and cover his debts and maybe he can work them off at the ranch.
Ray.
Don't you think that you are taking on just a little bit more than you can handle? I could keep an eye on him that way.
Donna.
Jock did the same thing for me.
Ray.
For heaven's sakes.
Jock raised three sons before he ever even met you.
He did have some experience.
I'll get it on the job.
You'll get it, all right.
Do you really hate the idea that much? Oh.
Look.
We'll work it out.
When's he coming? Well.
If he comes.
He's gonna go home with us.
Do you mean that he doesn't even wanna come? He's making up his mind.
Great.
- Well.
What do you think? - I don't know.
Daddy's gone.
I certainly don't need a judge to tell me that.
He's coming back in.
All rise.
Please.
Be seated.
Please.
The district court is again in session.
I have examined the evidence set before this court.
And it appears to bear out the fact that a helicopter had indeed crashed somewhere in the jungles of South America and its occupant was the chairman of the board of the Ewing Oil Company.
Now.
I wish that more tangible evidence had been presented today.
Unfortunately.
It wasn't.
Let me repeat the question that I first I asked at the outset of these proceedings.
Now.
The motion before the court is to declare John Ross Ewing.
Senior.
Dead.
Is any person in this court in possession of evidence to indicate any facts to the contrary? If so.
This is the time for him to speak up.
All right.
Then.
I see no reason to contradict the motion.
The judgment of this court is that John Ross Ewing Senior died in a place unknown in the jungles of South America.
I spent $5000 getting that witness out of that country.
If he's dumb enough to go back.
He can hitchhike as far as I'm concerned.
Lucy.
I just talked to your daddy.
He's flying in tomorrow for the reading of the will.
Gary's coming? There's nothing like a little inheritance to get a man back home.
Why shouldn't he be here? He is a Ewing.
Barely.
I hope you remembered to send him bus fare.
He'd have been here more if it hadn't been for you.
Will you two please stop it? Dinner's ready.
Come on.
Honey.
Let's go in.
Hey.
Mama.
Did Harv indicate what time he'd be over tomorrow? I told him we'd phone him when Gary and Ray arrive.
Oh.
Ray is coming too? Are you worried about the size of your share, J.
R.
? Well.
Gary and Ray.
Well.
What's a family for if it can't take care of its losers? Your family seems very upset about the will.
How come you're not? Daddy was a fair man.
I have a notion he provided for me very well.
I know about your notions.
They're usually based on research.
What? I have a notion that you know something.
How could I possibly know anything? You're talking about a sealed document.
I know what I'm talking about.
And I also know J.
R.
Ewing.
Well.
I gotta admit.
I did ask Harv Smithfield to let me take a peek at it and he slapped my wrist.
- And after that.
What did he tell you? - Absolutely nothing.
Daddy loved this family very much.
Sue Ellen and if you think he would've slighted his first and eldest you never knew Jock Ewing.
I guess Miss Ellie took it all right.
But it couldn't have been easy on her.
Look.
Why don't we change and go see her just as soon as we can? - Okay.
Give me a hand here.
Mickey.
- Yeah.
There you go.
What do you think? - About what? - The house.
I built it myself.
Well.
Can't have much of a problem with the neighbors.
- Ray.
Do you have the keys? - Yeah.
Here.
I hope I can sleep through the party noise.
Well.
This is where we live.
Donna and me.
Not me? No.
Give me that suitcase.
Here.
Throw the bag in the truck.
I'll show you where you're gonna stay.
Well.
It landed on time.
There he is.
Oh.
Here.
Let me take that.
- Oh.
Gary.
It's good to see you.
- I wish it were a happier occasion.
Let me look at you.
Are you all right? This has gotta be tough on you.
I'm all right.
Bobby.
You look more like an oil baron every time I see you.
Not a chance.
Come on.
- Lucy couldn't make it here? - You'll see her at the house.
You look a little tired.
- I'm fine.
- Sure? - What the hell is this? - Call it home.
Hey, how you doing.
Ray? Clarence.
Jack.
Come on up here.
I want you to meet my cousin Mickey.
How you doing? Mickey.
Clarence.
What do you say? I guess we ought to get over to the barn and get some work done there.
See you later.
Hey.
Mickey.
Come on over here.
You're gonna bunk in bunkhouse number two.
Well.
It's not so bad.
I guess.
At least I'll be on my own.
You and the other three guys you bunk with.
Three guys? Hey.
I didn't have to leave Kansas to go to prison.
We got Leavenworth right there.
You know.
You'd be real smart to mind that attitude.
Mickey.
Why? Ls it gonna get me farther in life? - Could be.
- Like you? Man.
I thought you pulled some weight around here but you're nothing but a foreman over a lot of cows.
How many years did it take you to rise to that position? I do what I do.
Mickey.
Because it's what I choose.
There's plenty of other things I could do.
Oh.
Yeah? Like what? I'm gonna let you in on a secret.
And I don't want it getting back to your mother.
My mother? That's right.
People talk in that town.
And I don't want her to be embarrassed.
Amos Krebbs was not my father.
Despite what everybody in Emporia thought.
- Jock Ewing was my father.
- Jock Ewing? The man that built this ranch.
Ranch.
Hell.
Ewing Oil.
You're an heir to all that? I have nothing to do with Ewing Oil.
But you got the money.
I have a trust.
I lead a separate life.
Mickey.
Man.
I don't believe you.
Well.
I'll be damned.
Well.
That jacks you up a whole notch in my book.
Yeah.
Well.
You just don't let that go to your head.
You just do your job around here and we're all gonna get along real fine.
This is a copy of the last will and testament Jock had me write.
There's one here for each of you.
But as in any formal instrument wording is complex.
So I've taken the liberty of preparing a summary of its contents for you.
If you don't mind.
I'd like to read it aloud.
That'll be fine.
Harv.
Thank you.
Let's get started.
Very well.
Jock wanted his will divided into three areas: Southfork, Ewing Oil.
Trust funds.
We'll take them one at a time.
Southfork: Miss Ellie full title and deed to Southfork as well as all future income derived from it will be placed in your name.
In addition, there's some $50 million in assorted community-property holdings on which both your names have appeared.
These will now revert entirely to you.
Now.
Jock set up two trust funds.
The primary fund makes provisions for the four Ewing sons.
Each of you J.
R.
.
Bobby Ray.
Gary.
Each of you will receive the sum of $10 million.
Lucy.
Since you've passed your 21st birthday you are also provided for in this fund.
You will receive five million.
The money is to be used as the beneficiaries see fit.
There is one exception.
Gary your father instructed that access to your share be limited for the first four years to use of the interest alone.
I guess Daddy was trying to help you, Gary.
Keep you from squandering your capital on one of your weaker weekends.
- J.
R.
- Sorry.
Mama.
To provide for John Ross Ill and any other grandchildren Jock instructed me to set up a fund out of which each grandchild on his 21st birthday.
Will receive an equal portion.
The money will be divisible by the number of grandchildren at the time.
Now.
As to Ewing Oil.
The provisions that Jock worked out for Ewing Oil in this document are now null and void.
They've been superseded by this codicil which he wrote when he was still in South America.
Harv.
That's handwritten.
Will it stand up in court? A holographic document is sometimes better than a typed one.
And this was witnessed by Punk Anderson.
It's fine.
And since it's in Jack's own handwriting I will read it verbatim.
âL.
John Ross Ewing.
Sr.
.
Being of sound mind and body do hereby add the following provisions to my last will and testament.
It's no secret that the company I built Some call it an empire.
Is precious to me.
Precious beyond anything in my life save my dear wife, Ellie.
And my sons.
It is.
However, that very preciousness that makes the choice of my successors an agonizing one.
Gary and Ray.
Although your place in my heart is just as large and shines just as bright as the place set aside for your brothers neither of you has ever shown any aptitude or inclination.
For that matter.
For business.
Therefore, my choice of successor is narrowed to Bobby and J.
R.
Sons.
This is addressed to you.
It's been my cherished hope that one day the two of you might run Ewing Oil as a team.
That was my hope.
Ewing Oil can have only one man at the helm.
And that's got to be the man who wants it the most.
â Oh, Jock, no.
âTherefore, upon my death I want an independent audit conducted of all the company's holdings.
I want everything divided on paper so that J.
R.
and Bobby each have control over exactly 50 percent of the total assets.
Punk Anderson a fine oilman and even finer friend has agreed to act as administrator of my estate.
After one year Punk will conduct a second audit.
Whichever son has managed to create the greatest gain for his half share of Ewing Oil will win 51 percent of the stock of the entire company and will be able to run it any way he sees fit.
The loser in this contest will get 19 percent and the remaining 30 percent I want divided equally between Ray.
Gary and Miss Ellie to make sure they're never without a share of the profits of the company I created.
Which.
Incidentally must never be owned by anyone other than a Ewing.
One final thing.
In the unfortunate event that before this year is up one son predeceases the other the remaining son will automatically inherit his shares and he will take over the company.
â Well.
Bobby to your good health and very long life.