EPISODE 173 - Some Gotta Win, Some Gotta Lose

 A Greyhound bus pulls into the parking lot of the station in Dallas next to the Omni Hotel and comes to a stop in rear of the station.  Moments later, more than a dozen passenger step off the bus and head into the station to await their baggage.  The last passenger off the bus is a mysterious man wearing a black hoodie and a thick, dark beard and mustache.  As the man steps off the bus, the driver eyes him curiously.  It's a warm spring night, so why would anyone be wearing a heavy hoodie you would normally see in the middle of winter.  The mystery man walks into the bus station, lowering his head as he spots a police officer standing nearby in the parking lot talking to another man.  The mysterious stranger proceeds into the bus station, quickly retrieves one duffle bag, and hurries out through the front exit of the building.  Once outside, the man looks around in both directions, then, he removes the

hood from his head, which is also wrapped in a bandanna.  Spotting a taxi, the man hails it.  The taxi pulls up to the sidewalk and comes to a stop.  The mystery man gets into the back of the taxi.

 

"Where too, man?"  The Hispanic taxi driver asks.

 

"The nearest, cheapest motel,"  the man replies in a low, gravelly voice.  

 

"You new in town?"  The driver asks.

 

"Not really," replies the mystery man.  

 

"Oh, you from Dallas?"

 

"Not exactly.  I'm just coming back to take care of some unfinished business," the man says as the taxi continues down the street.

A few minutes later....

 The mystery man walks into a room at a motel in Dallas a short time later.  Tossing his bag onto the bed, he removes the bandanna from his head.  After a short pause, he touches his beard, then slowly begins to remove the top layer of the beard, showing that it's fake.  Underneath, the man has a thinner beard.  The mystery man is none other than Brian Manning, homicidal and dangerous son of Katherine Wentworth!!

 John Ross steps off the elevator and walks into the Ewing Oil offices as Lucas comes out of his own office and hands some papers to Sally, one of the secretaries.  He and John Ross lock eyes and give each other angry stares for a few seconds, then John Ross walks over to Lucas and Sally.  Lucas looks at his cousin one more time, then starts to head back to his office.  John Ross steps in front of him.  "Get out of my way, John Ross,"  Lucas says.

 

"Not until you and I have a word.  You caused one hell of a scene the other night at Southfork, and I don't like bein' made to look bad in front of the whole fam'ly."

 

"Then maybe you shouldn't do things to make yourself look bad."

 

"Lucas, why don't you do us all a favor, and just go back to runnin' Southfork?  You don't belong at Ewing Oil."

 

"And you DO?"  Lucas asks.

 

"That's right.  Because Ewing Oil is in my blood.  I was born to run this comp'ny one day.  I was groomed for it. You were raised a Krebbs, not a Ewing.  I guess that means you've got cows in your blood.  But one way or another, I'm gonna get you outta Ewing Oil."

 

"Big words comin' from a guy who's lucky to even have a job here after the stunt you pulled with that Wentworth deal,"  Lucas says as Sally looks on, very uncomfortable at witnessing the scene between the cousins.  "I can't wait for the day my father kicks your ass outta here."

 

"What, so YOU can take over?  Run Ewing Oil one day?  It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever let that happen."

 

"John Ross, I'm gonna give you about two seconds to get out of my way, or you're gonna spend the rest of the day in the emergency room bein' pieced back together.  I've had about enough of you to last me a lifetime, "  Lucas says.

 

"You've had enough of me?"  John Ross asks.  "Then get the hell outta Ewing Oil and off Southfork and that'll solve your problem.  You don't belong at either, Lucas.  You may be Uncle Bobby's son, but you're still an outsider and always will be."

 

"You go to hell.  I'm not goin' ANYWHERE."  Lucas bumps John Ross's shoulder as he brushes past him and heads to his own office.

 

John Ross looks around, and sees that not only Sally, but several other employees who witnessed the confrontation staring at him.  "Don't y'all have some work to do?"  He angrily asks, then proceeds to his office and slams the door.

Drew Demarest's office....

 Drew Demarest pours himself a drink in his office, then pours another and hands it to Christopher as he and Courtney are meeting with the attorney.  

 

 

"Christopher, Courtney,  I wish the two of you had come to me before going to see Chase Gioberti and asking him to sign away his parental rights,"  Drew says.  "I'm sorry to tell you, but that was about the dumbest thing you could've done."

 

 

"Did we hurt our chances?"  Courtney asks.

 

"Quite frankly, yes, you did,"  replies Drew.  

 

"Drew, we didn't see any other way,"  says Christopher.  "I want to adopt Jacob, and we needed Gioberti's permission for me to do that."

 

"Christopher, you should've waited until AFTER this custody case."

 

"We didn't........"  Christopher pauses for a moment.  "We weren't sure there'd be a custody case.  Months have gone by and Gioberti has kept his distance."

 

"Yeah, until you poked the sleeping bear,"  Drew says.   He walks over to the couple and sighs.  "What were the two of you thinking?  You had to know that Gioberti was not gonna react favorably to you asking him to sign away his parental rights."

 

"Drew, I want the truth,"  Courtney says.  "What are our chances of losing this case?  Could I lose my son to Chase?"

 

"Courtney, I can promise you that I'm gonna put up one hell of a fight to make sure that doesn't happen,"  Drew says.

 

"You didn't answer my question.  Could Chase take my son away?"

 

"We have an uphill battle, guys.  Courtney, we have a lot stacked against us.  Courtney's history, her keeping the truth from Chase for all those years that he had a son.  And now, this stunt you pulled, trying to get Chase to sign away his rights..........despite my best efforts, yes, it's possible that Gioberti could win custody of Jacob."

 

Courtney and Christopher look at each other, expressions of fear on their faces.  Christopher puts his arms around his wife to comfort her.

 

 

Ewing Oil....

 Janice buzzes Bobby's office.  "Mr. Ewing, Donna Krebbs is here to see you."

 

"Thank you, Janice, send her in,"  Bobby says.  Standing from his desk, he walks over to the door to greet her as Donna walks in.  

 

"Hello, Bobby,"  Donna says.

 

"Donna, it's great to see you,"  Bobby says, greeting her with a hug.  

 

"Great to see you, too."

 

"Can I offer ya a drink?"

 

"No, thanks, I'm fine."

 

"Well, is everything okay?  You and Ray haven't been over to Southfork in a while."

 

"Well, you know, with this whole thing with John Ross, and with Conner's situation, his trial coming up in a few days, the more distance between us and John Ross, the better."

 

"I understand,"  Bobby says.  "How is Conner?"

 

"He's not so good.  With Dylan still at the rehab center, and with this trial coming up, he's very depressed and worried."

 

Bobby sighs.  "I'm real sorry to hear that.  If there's anything I can do, just let me know."

 

"Thank you, we appreciate that."

 "Donna, please, have a seat,"  Bobby says.  

 

"Thank you,"  Donna says, taking a seat across from Bobby's desk.

 

"Now, what can I do for ya?"

 

"Well, Bobby, I'm here on business.  Business for the Bureau of Land Management.  Bobby, the Bureau has some concerns about a lot of the independents pumping too much crude.  And, they're taking steps to stop it."

 

"What kinda steps?"  Bobby asks.

 

"New regulations."

 

Bobby sighs.  "Donna the oil industry is already regulated to death."

 

"I know, and that's why a few of us are hoping to stop the Bureau from adding more regulations."

 

"Just how do you propose to do that?"  Bobby asks.  

 

"By convincing the independents to voluntarily cut back on production."

 

 

"Donna, cutting back on production would mean a loss of a lot of profit for these independents, some of which are struggling as it is."

 

"I know,"  Donna says.  "But cutting back voluntarily would only be temporary.  If these regulations are passed by the Bureau of Land Management, they would be in place for quite some time, maybe even permanently.  You know how it is once regulations are passed, it's practically impossible to have them and would take a judge to do so.  I understand that Ewing Oil has joined the new Dallas Oil Cartel.  Bobby, if you could talk to the other Cartel members and get them to voluntarily cut back on a temporary basis, the Bureau would be pacified, and in time, you could all go back to pumping more crude."

 

"Alright,"  says Bobby.  "I'll talk to the other Cartel members, and see if I can convince them to cut back their production, and I can guarantee that Ewing Oil will cooperate with the Bureau."

 

Donna smiles.  "Thank you, Bobby.  I knew I could count on you."

 

"Now, if you have a little time, how about I take you to lunch?  Been a long time since we sat down and talked."

 

"As a matter of fact I'm free for the next hour and a half, and I would LOVE to have lunch with my favorite brother- in-law."

 

"Good, then let's go,"  Bobby says, getting up from his seat.  "You have any new pictures of that grandbaby of yours?"  He asks.

 

"As a matter of fact, I do,"  Donna replies as they leave the office together.

Barbara Davis Hagman Center, Fort Worth....

 At the Hagman Center that afternoon, Dylan and a group of several other young people are in a session of group therapy with their counselor, Josh.  As Dylan and the others listen, one young man is sharing his story.  "For me, 

"Wait,"  Dylan says.  

 

Josh and the others look at him.  "Wow, he can actually TALK,"  says a girl in the group.

 

"Yes, Dylan, something you'd like to share?"  Josh asks.

 

"Umm, yeah.  I don't really know where to even start.  I've been here."

 

"Just tell us a little about yourself,"  Josh says.

 

Dylan pauses for a moment before continuing.  "This is kinda weird for me.  I've been in this place for several weeks now.  Actually, going on three months.  And, this is the first time I've shared in group.  But, I have been talking about stuff with Josh for a while.  For a long time I was angry.  Angry about being here, and angry with everyone.  Listening to Nick's story, it reminds me a lot of my own.  The day my brother and the people he and I live with brought me here........ that was one one of the worst moments of my life.  I felt totally abandoned, again.  I really just wanted to die physically, because, I was already dead inside.  I had been for a long time."

 

"You're really just breakin' my heart, man,"  says Ethan, the new boy in group.  

 

Dylan looks at him.  "Excuse me?"

 

"You're a rich kid, aren't you?  I could tell when I saw your folks visit you the other day, my first day here.  I saw the car they drove up in.  Must've been worth at least 50 thousand bucks.  I see your clothes.  Nice, fancy.  Expensive.  Your family looked like they cared a hell of a lot about you when they visited.  When my so called mother and her lover of the week dumped my ass off here in this hell hole, I watched through that window as you and your folks had a nice little visit.  I saw that lady kiss you before they left.  She looked a little old to be your mom, so I'm guessing she and that old man are your grandparents.  Least you got a family that cares about you, so how the hell did you turn into a drunk or a dope addict?"

 

"You wanna know?"  Dylan asks, looking at the boy angrily.  Those people who visited......one was my brother, Conner.  But those weren't my parents or my grandparents.  You wanna know where my parents are?  My real father is DEAD.  Yeah, he's dead.  He was murdered.  My mother?  I really have no idea where she is.  Last I heard she was traveling around Europe somewhere, and she obviously doesn't give a damn about me or the fact that I'm here.  I have another brother.  His name is Todd.  Three years ago, my brother Todd tried to kill himself because he couldn't face everyone finding out that he's gay, so he took an overdose of pills.  Guess who found him.  ME!  I found my brother, who had always been my hero, laying in his bed, unconscious and barely breathing.  Right after that was when I found out the man I'd always believed was my father had murdered my real father because he'd had an affair with my mother.  He went to prison for life for killing my real father.  I had a mental breakdown after that, and I spent several months in a mental hospital.  When I got out, my brother Conner and I went to live with our father's cousin.  That was him and his wife you saw visiting me.  So you wanna know what brought me here?  THAT is what brought me here.  Just because someone's family has money, doesn't mean their lives are perfect!"

 

"Yeah, we all got problems, so cue the violins,"  Ethan says rudely.  

 

"Okay, well, we are out of time,"  says Josh.  "I appreciate you all for sharing, and Ethan, we hope you learned something from your first group session."

 

"Oh, yeah, I learned what a big waste of time this place is gonna be,"  Ethan says, getting up from his seat.  

 

As everyone else gets up and the group members begin to disperse, Dylan leaves the group therapy room and heads down the hall toward his room.  One of the other boys, Nick, follows after him.  "Hey, Dylan, wait up!"  Nick calls to him.

 

Dylan stops and turns to face him.  

 

"Hey, don't let that new guy get to you.  He's my roommate and he's a total jerk.  By the way, I'm Nick."

 

"Yeah, I know, we've been in group together for a couple weeks now,"  says Dylan.

 

Nick smiles.  "Yeah, that's right.  Sorry.  It's just that, that's the first time I ever heard you say anything in group, or outside group.  That was quite a story."

 

"Yeah.  Well, like Ethan said, we all have problems, I guess."

 

"What are you doing now?"  Nick asks.

 

"I was just gonna go back to my room and watch a little television since I have the next hour free.  Not like there's much else to do around here.  Read, work in the garden, play basketball, pool, or chess, and watch TV."

 

"You wanna hang out?  How are you at pool?"

 

"Fair, I guess,"  Dylan replies.

 

Nick smiles.  "Come on.  I'll play you a few games."

 

"Sure, why not,"  Dylan says.  He and Nick head down the hall to the recreation room.

Jeremy Wendell's penthouse....night....

 Tripp walks into the living room of Jeremy's penthouse that night and finds Jeremy standing at the window looking out over the night skyline of Dallas, a drink in his hand.  Tripp walks to the bar and pours himself a glass of scotch.  "Aren't you even gonna ask me how my day was, Grandfather?"  Tripp asks with a sly smile.

 

Jeremy turns and looks at him.  "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"  He asks.  "Keeping me a virtual prisoner here in my own home?"

 

"Well, better to be a prisoner in the comfort of this luxurious penthouse suite than in an actual prison cell, which is where you'll be if the authorities find out you're harboring a wanted fugitive like Katherine Wentworth."

 

"You could easily end up in the cell next to me for the same thing."

 

"And who's gonna tell the police that I've known Katherine's been here for a while?  YOU?  Katherine?  Your over paid butler?  You think they'd take the word over the three of you over my word.  I'm CEO of Westar, and a highly respected citizen."

 

"As well as a snake in the grass."

 

"Well, if I am a snake, I come by it honest.  Look who my grandfathers were,"  Tripp says.  "Jeremy Wendell and Carter McKay.  By the way, what about your new will?"

 

"I'm really not accustomed to giving in to blackmail, especially not at the hands of my own grandson,"  Jeremy says.

 

"Well, unless you wanna spend what's left of your miserable life in prison......you don't have a choice.  I want that new will of yours drawn up and ready for your signature by day after tomorrow.  And if you refuse, well, let's just say you'll be spending next weekend in jail."

 

"In a big hurry, aren't you, Tripp?"  Jeremy asks.  "Expecting me to kick off anytime soon?"

 

Tripp smiles.  "Well, at your age, you never know.  Could happen any time.  So I want that will signed naming me as your sole heir as soon as possible.  No later than day after tomorrow."

 

"Why are you doing this, Tripp?  The money?"

 

"Money's part of it.  But mostly to pay you back for the hell you put me  through."

 

"The hell I put you through?"  Jeremy asks.  "What the hell is that supposed to mean?  I offered you part of my kingdom.  Made you one of my heirs.  Together, we planned to destroy the Ewings.  Now, you've turned on me.  Why?"

 

"You're gonna play dumb with me now, old man?"  Tripp asks.  "Pretend you didn't hire that guy who looked just like my dead twin brother?"

 

"What the devil are you talking about?"  

 

"A couple months ago, I saw this guy in a restaurant.  The guy looked exactly like Hunter.  I kept seeing him, all around town, and I was able to get the name of a car dealership from the license plate of a car he was driving.  I went to that dealership and I saw the contract from the sale of that car.  The buyer signed his name Hunter C. McKay."

 

"So, someone was masquerading as your brother,"  says Jeremy.

 

"And you're the one who hired him."

 

"Now why on Earth would I do that?"

 

"Who knows what goes on in that deranged mind of yours,"  Tripp says.  "But I have proof."

 

"What sort of proof?"  Jeremy asks.

 

Tripp walks out of the room, leaving Jeremy puzzled.  A moment later, he returns with a large envelope.  He opens the envelope and takes out some photos, holding them up to Jeremy.  "THIS proof!  I hired a private detective to find this man, and this is what he came up with.  Photos of you meeting with this imposter in a park.  Now you still gonna tell me you don't know anything about this?"

 

Jeremy walks over to him and takes the photos, looking at them closely with his glasses.  "Tripp, I know nothing about this, or about this man."

 

"You have the proof in your hand,"  Tripp says.

 

"These photos were faked.  Very easily done with today's technology.  Any amateur can photoshop pictures today at home on their own computer.  You're smarter than this.  I can't believe you didn't have these photos checked by an expert."

 

"You........you're telling me, that you didn't hire this man to gaslight me?"

 

Absolutely not."

 

Tripp takes the photos back and looks at the Hunter look-a-like closely.  "Then who did?"

 

"Think about it,"  says Jeremy.  "Who would have the most to gain by driving a wedge between us?  By hiring someone to pretend to be your late brother, and then making it look as if I were behind it?"

 

Tripp looks at his grandfather.  "The Ewings."

 

"Precisely,"  Jeremy says.  

 

Tripp feels his anger rising inside of him.  Unable to control his anger, he walks over to a table and angrily turns the table over, all of its contents, including photographs and some books, crashing to the floor.  "Only two Ewings I know of who would do this and that's John Ross or his brother Justin.  My money's on John Ross, and he's behind this.........God help him."  Tripp pauses and looks at Jeremy.  "And if you're lying to me and you're the one who did this........I'll put you back in prison to spend the rest of your life so fast it'll make your head spin."

 

 

 

 

 

Southfork....the next morning....

 Lucas and Christopher dive into the Southfork pool the next morning and race the entire length of the pool, Lucas winning the race. 

 

 

 

"That's two in a row,"  Lucas says.  "You wanna go for three?"

 

"Thanks, little brother, but, maybe another time."

"Maybe another time, little brother,"  Christopher replies with a smile.  "Right now, I have to get a shower before breakfast and get ready for an early meeting with Bum."

 

"Bum?  Why?"

 

"Something regarding mine and Courtney's custody case."

 

"Not going so well?"  Lucas asks.

 

Christopher sighs as he climbs out of the pool.  "No, not really.  But, I really don't wanna talk about it.  Least not yet."

 

"Okay, fair enough,"  Lucas says, following his brother out of the pool.  Both grab towels from a table and begin drying themselves off.

 

"How are things with you?"  Christopher asks.  "I heard about your big blow up with John Ross a few nights ago."

 

"Yeah.  Christopher, I swear, our cousin John Ross just has this way of pushin' every button I have."

 

"Trust me, I know.  Before you came to Southfork, I was the one who was always clashing with John Ross over one thing or another."

 

"Yeah, it was usually women, wasn't it?"  Lucas asks with a smile.

 

Christopher laughs.  "Yeah, mostly.  Or the family business, first Ewing Energies, then Ewing Global, and then Ewing Oil.  Lucas, even though you've dealt with John Ross for a few years now, I've dealt with him a whole lot longer.  Piece of advice......don't let him get to ya.  That's what he wants.  He loves pushin' those buttons."

 

Lucas smiles.  "That's the same thing Dad said to me a while back.  Easier said than done, though.  I'd better get upstairs and get a shower myself.  I have a long day ahead of me at the office," he says.  The two brothers head into the house.

Braddock High School....later....

 Brittany, Shawn, and a girl are walking down the hall at Braddock High a short time later in the morning.  "Can you guys believe it?"  Shawn asks.  "Only a couple more weeks until graduation and we will be OUT of here for good."

 

"I just hope that Alex is able to return soon,"  says Bridget.  "And that he can keep up his grades at home to graduate with the rest of us."

 

"How's he doing, anyway?"  The other girl asks.

 

"He's doing great, actually.  He's getting stronger every day,"  Bridget says, unaware that Alex has sneaked up behind them.  "Hopefully, he'll be back at school any day now."

 

"Yeah, like,......today?"  Alex says, startling the other three teens.

 

Bridget turns to him, smiling happily.  "Oh my God, you're back?"

 

"Sure am,"  Alex replies.

 

"Dude, welcome back to Braddock Hell,"  Shawn says.

 

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back to school today?"  Bridget asks.

 

"I just found out late yesterday that I could come back today, and I didn't tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise."

 

"Alex!"  The voice of another boy calls.  Alex turns around and the boy walks over to them.

 

"Hey, what's up, Tyler?"  Alex greets his friend with a hand shake.

 

"Dude, I didn't know you coming back to school this soon," Tyler says.

 

"Sure.  Doctor cleared me yesterday to come back."

 

"Dude, that's AWESOME.  You're gonna be here for graduation,"  Tyler says as a bell rings.

 

"Yeah, well, none of us are gonna graduate if we don't get to class on time,"  Shawn says.  "Alex, I'll see you next period."

 

"Yeah, bro, you bet."

 

"I have to get to class, too,"  Bridget says.  

 

"I'll see YOU at lunch,"  Alex says, kissing her. 

 

"Alex, it's great seeing you back,"  the other girl says as she and Bridget walk away.

 

"So you think you're up for hangin' out Saturday night?"  Tyler asks.  "Couple of us are gonna get together and go see a movie, maybe go swimmin' at my house afterward."

 

"Sounds great, bro."

 

"Great.  Ask Bridget, and see if Shawn wants to come, too.  I'll see you, man."

 

"Later, Tyler,"  Alex says as his friend walks away.  

Stone-Barnes Oil....

 "Well, so our loan has been paid off in full, thanks to that loan I got from Tripp,"  Brad says, pouring Cliff a drink in his office that afternoon.  

 

"That's good, but, I wish we hadn't had to borrow money from Tripp McKay,"  says Cliff.  "I don't really trust him."

 

"Well, neither do I, but, what choice did we have?  The bank wouldn't extend our loan, and no bank would grant us another loan because of our precarious financial situation."

 

"What's done is done.  Now, we just have to figure out how we're gonna pay Tripp back with the interest he set for us."

 

"We'll be able to do it when those wells start pumping again,"  Brad says as his secretart buzzes his office.  He walks over to his desk and presses the button.  "Yes?"

 

"Mr. Stone, your sister Pamela is here."

 

"Pamela?  Oh, send her in,"  Brad says.  "Did you know she was coming by?"

 

"Yeah, I haven't seen Pamela much lately, so I asked her to have lunch with me."

 

Pamela walks into the office.  "Hi, Daddy," she says.

 

"Hello, sweetheart."  Cliff greets his daughter with a kiss on the cheek.

 

"Hey, Pamela,"  says Brad.

 

"Brad, how are you?"

 

"Just fine."

 

"Yeah, we're even better now that we just paid off our bank loan in full and we can start pumping oil again,"  Cliff says with a smile.

 

"Wow,that's great, congratulations,"  says Pamela.  "I didn't realize you guys were having financial problems.  Daddy you should've come to me."

 

 

"We wanted to handle things on our own,"  Brad says.  "So, we did."

 

"Hey, why don't we all go to lunch?"  Cliff asks.  "My treat."

 

"Brad, I'd love it if you joined us,"  says Pamela.  

 

"I would love to."

 

Cliff smiles.  "Well, this day just keeps getting better and better.  Not only is our bank loan paid off in full, but I get to have lunch with two of my wonderful children.  If only Emma were here, it'd be perfect.  Come on, you two.  I'm buying."

 

"So where are we eating?"  Pamela asks.

 

"Well, there's this great little Chinese place just down the street."

 

"Chinese?"  Brad asks.  REALLY, Cliff?"

 

"Hey, I love Chinese food, I thought you did, too,"  Cliff says as the three leave.

Adair's Saloon in Dallas......evening....

 

 

John Ross walks into Adair's Saloon in Dallas early in the evening.  Seeing Bum seated in a booth across the room, he walks over and takes a seat across from him.  "Bum," he says.

 

"Evenin', John Ross."

 

"Got that information I asked you to track down for me?"

 

"Right here,"  Bum says, handing a folder to John Ross, who opens it and looks over some papers inside.  

 "Well, now,"  John Ross says.  "This Kathy Haines has been a real busy lady, hadn't she?"

 

 

 

"She sure has,"  Bum says.  "Real interestin' lady."

 

"With some real interestin' ways of spendin' her evenings."

 

"And, take a look at this one,"  Bum says, giving John Ross another file.

 

 John Ross looks at the contents of the file for a moment.  "Am I seein' this right?  Ol' Keith Foskey has been a real busy boy himself.  Now you're sure about all this?  It's all accurate?"

 

"Checked and doubled checked myself.  Mr. Foskey had better just hope that none of his colleagues at the Bureau of Land Management never decides to do some diggin' into his past."

 

"But I don't understand.......with these allegations against him, how the hell did Foskey get that appointment on the Bureau?"

 

"Two words......money, and influence,"  Bum replies.  "Foskey has a lot friends in high places in Austin.  Most of those closest to him already know all about this.  But, the public doesn't, and it's very unlikely the Governor or the head of the Bureau of Land Management, George P. Bush, know."

 

"And word of this became public......Keith Foskey would lose his position on the Bureau, and prob'ly never be able to land another job anywhere in state government, or local, either."

 

"That's right.  His career'd be over."

 

John Ross looks at Bum.  "Well, Bum, thank ya for this.  I really know why my Daddy never used any other P.I. after he met you.  You sure have a talent for findin' things out no one else can.  And this information right here is gonna make it possible for me to kill two birds with one stone......or in this case, one Stone, one Barnes, and a McKay."

Southfork.....night....

 John Ross and Krystina walk into their bedroom that night after dinner.  "How long will you be in Austin tomorrow?"  Krystina asks.

 

"No more'n a few hours.  Just long enough for me to see the people I need to see, and take care of my business.  You sure you don't wanna come with me, darlin'?"

 

"I wish I could, but both Little John and Ellie have appointments tomorrow with their pediatrician.  Since Little John Ross due for his checkup, I went ahead and scheduled them both at the same time."

 

"Hmmm, good."

 

"John Ross, now that we're alone, can you tell me why you're going to Austin tomorrow, and why you didn't want the rest of the family to know?" Krystina asks.

 

"Yes, I can.  Y'know I told you about the Bureau of Land Management wantin' the independents to cut back on production for a while?  Well, Ewing Oil can't really afford to do that right now, so, I am goin' to Austin to try and persuade two of the most powerful members of the Bureau to not pass that regulation that's gonna force a cut back."

 

"Okay, so why didn't you want Bobby or anyone else to know?"

 

"Well, darlin', let's just say that my means of persuasion......Uncle Bobby wouldn't approve of too highly."

 

"Blackmail?  John Ross, you're gonna BLACKMAIL two powerful people in state government?  Are you out of your mind?  Do you know how risky that can be if this backfires?"

 "Krystina, it's not gonna backfire, I promise,"  John Ross says.  "What I have on Kathy Haines and Keith Foskey is so explosive, that neither one of them is gonna risk any kind of retaliation for fear that their careers and their lives will be ruined.  I need their votes.  Especially Kathy Haines, because she is directly under Commissioner Bush."

 

"I'm surprised you're not gonna try to blackmail him,"  Krystina says.

 

"Couldn't.  Either Bush is too squeaky clean, or he's used his fam'ly's name to bury any secrets he's got so deep that not even Bum could find any.  But, on Haines, and Foskey.......Bum found a treasure trove of seedy misdeeds.  And both of them have a hell of a lot of influence on Bush.  Krystina, I don't want you to worry.  Now, when the time is right, I will reveal my little trip to Austin to Uncle Bobby and my Mama.  But ONLY when the time is right.  And they'll simply think that I just lobbied hard for that new regulation NOT to be passed.  And then, I'll be back in Uncle Bobby's good graces after that son of his tried to get me kicked out of Ewing Oil."

 

Krystina smiles.  "I am VERY impressed with how your mind works,"  she says, putting her arms around him.

 

John Ross looks at her and smiles.  "Is that all you're impressed with?"  He asks.

 

"No.  I'm impressed with how everything else works, too,"  Krystina says, and the two begin kissing passionately.

Austin, Texas.....the next day....

 "Mr. Ewing, please, come in,"  says Keith Foskey, welcoming John Ross into his office early the next afternoon.  

 

"Thank ya, Foskey.  And, call me John Ross."

 

"Fine, John Ross, and you call me Keith.  May I offer you a drink?"

 

"I'd love one,"  replies John Ross.

 

Foskey goes to his bar.  "What'll ya have?"

 

"Bourbon."

 

Foskey pours two glasses, and hands one to John Ross.  "Now, then, what in the world can I do for one of the Ewings of Dallas?"

 

"Well, Keith, I thought we could talk about those new regulations the Bureau of Land Management was considerin' imposin' on the oil comp'nies."

 

"For quite some time now, the Bureau has been concerned with the amount of crude oil being pumped here in the state by several independents, Ewing Oil being one of them.  The Land Committee is set to vote on the new regulations in a few days, as early as next Monday."

 

"That's what I was hopin' we could talk about, Keith.  I believe that passin' those regulations would be counter productive, and I'd like your cooperation in convincin' the other committee members of that fact.  I'd also like to be able to count on your vote AGAINST those new regulations."

 

"Well, I'm sorry, John Ross.  But I intend to cast my vote for the regulations, and Ewing Oil and the other independents will just have to deal with that."

 

"You might wanna change your mind, there, Keith.  Unless you want the whole world to hear about Emily Parker.  Or Chloe Jackson.  Or how about Brenda Sutton, the girl you were accused of date rapin' when you were in college back in 1987?"  John Ross says as Keith looks at him in shock.  "Should I continue?  Let's see, Emily Parker worked for you back in 2002, and after three months she quit her job and then accused you of rape, just as Brenda Sutton had 15 years earlier.  Chloe Jackson, a lot more recent.  2016, wasn't it?  Your money, and some friends in high places made those women keep quiet.  Brenda Sutton, she ended up killin' herself, didn't she?"

 

"How the hell did you......."

 

"How'd I find out all this?"  John Ross asks.  "Keith, when I need someone on my side, I always try to find out everything I can about that person.  You were real good at hidin' your past from your colleagues here in Austin.  But, given today's climate where so many men in power have been brought down by allegations of sexual misconduct, how long do you think you're gonna be able to hold on to the cushy job, and your reputation if word gets out that you're a predator?"

 

"You.......you would do this?"  Keith asks.  "You'd destroy a man's life and family and reputation for what?  So your damned company can pump more oil?  Make more money?"

 

"No, Keith,"  John Ross says.  "If anyone destroys your life, it'll be you.........by refusin' to cooperate with me.  So, can I count on your vote next week?"

 

"Do I have a choice?"  

 

John Ross looks at the man and smiles.  "No, Keith.  You really don't."

 

Ewing Oil....afternoon.... 

 Jill is sitting at her desk at Ewing Oil that afternoon, unable to concentrate on her work as her mind is on the threat Tripp McKay had made to her a few days earlier.  A knock comes at her door.  "Come in," she says.

 

Janice walks into the office.  "Jill here are those contracts that need your signature,"  she says, placing the contracts on her desk.

 

"Thank you, Janice."

 

"Jill, is everything okay?"

 

"Yes, everything is fine.  Thanks.  I'm just real busy right now."

 

"Okay, well, let me know if you need anything."

 

"Thanks,"  Jill says as Janice leaves the office.  Jill again tries to return to her work, but her mind is elsewhere.  She is startled when her cell phone begins to vibrate on her desk.  Picking her phone up, she looks at it, then answers.  "Hello?"

 

"Jill, Tripp.  You had a chance to think about that offer I made to you the other day?"

 

"Offer?  THREAT, you mean."

 

"Call it whatever you will.  But I want an answer.  Keep me informed of what John Ross is up to?  Or does your little fling with Detective Craig Anderson become known to your hubby?"

 

Jill remains silent for several seconds as her anger rises up and she holds back tears.

 

"Jill?  Either yes or no,"  Tripp says.

 

Again, Jill is silent.

 

"Well, alright then.  I guess by not saying anything, you're refusing my offer.  I guess that leaves me with only one choice.  Bye, Jill."

 

 

"Wait!"  Jill says quickly.  "Alright, I'll do it."

 

"You made the right decision, Jill."

 

"Tripp, I'm warning you.  If Jay finds out about me and Craig, I swear, I'll make you pay."

 

"Duly noted.  I expect to hear from you very soon,"  Tripp says, then quickly hangs up.  

 

Jill puts her phone down and sighs deeply.  

 

 

Southfork....evening....

 John Ross walks into the living room at Southfork that evening and pours himself a glass of bourbon.  He smiles as he takes a sip.   

 

"Hi,"  Krystina says, walking into the room.  

 

"Hey, darlin',"  John Ross says, greeting his wife with a kiss.  

 

"So how'd it go in Austin?"

 

"It went just as I expected it would,"  John Ross replies.  "When that committee takes that vote in a few days, it's gonna go my way.  OUR way."

 

"You're sure about that?"  Krystina asks.

 

"Oh, yes.  Keith Foskey and Kathy Haines were both REAL cooperative because neither one wants their deepest, darkest secrets to ever become public knowledge."

 

Krystina puts her arms around his neck and sighs.  "John Ross, some day one of these little blackmail schemes of yours is going to backfire and someone is gonna call your bluff."'

 

"Maybe, darlin'.  But not today,"  he says as Bobby and Ann walk into the room, followed by Christopher, Courtney, and Jacob.  

 

"John Ross,"  Christopher says, going to the bar.

 

"Christopher."

 

"John Ross, where were you today?"  Bobby asks.  "You didn't come in to the office."

 

"I figured there wasn't any point,"  John Ross replies.  "Since my input is not welcome at Ewing Oil and never has been."

 

"That's not true, John Ross,"  Bobby says.  "You ARE  a valuable part of Ewing Oil.  But how am I supposed to react when you constantly go behind my back and make deals and get Ewing Oil involved with companies I specifically told you I won't do business with?"

 

"Uncle Bobby, that Wentworth drill is gonna make Ewing Oil a lot of money over the next few years.  I know how you feel about Wentworth, but you'll never have to even deal with Wentworth now that we got that drill."

 

"Can't we talk about this later?"  Ann asks.  "It's almost dinner time."

 

"Ann's right,"  Christopher says.  "Business talk can wait.  Let's try and have a nice, peaceful dinner around here."

 

Bobby and John Ross exchange angry looks at each other.

Southfork....the next morning....

 Christopher is swimming a lap in the pool early the next morning.  As he climbs out of the pool and grabs a towel from one of the patio tables, Lucas comes out of the house.  "Hey, Lucas,"  Christopher calls to his brother.

 

Lucas stops, turns and walks over to him.  "Morning."

 

"Where are you off to so early?"  

 

"I'm heading to the office,"  Lucas replies.  

 

"Before breakfast?"  Christopher asks.  "You also weren't at dinner last night, or the night before."

 

"Heather, Michael, and I went out to dinner."

 

"Because of John Ross?"

 

"I just can't stand sittin' across the table from him.  Not after the other night."

 

"Lucas, you live in the same house.  You both work at Ewing Oil now.  You can't avoid contact with John Ross."

 

"I know that,"  Lucas says.  "But I can try to have a s little contact with our cousin as possible.  John Ross has given me a hard time since I first set foot on Southfork four years ago when everyone thought you were dead.  And he hasn't let up since."

 

"I know,"  says Christopher.  "I've lived with the guy for much of my life, so I know how he is.  But Lucas, somehow the two of you are gonna have to find a way to coexist for the sake of this family."

 

"Not if Heather, Michael, and I move out of Southfork,"  Lucas says.

 

Christopher looks at his brother.  "I hope you don't mean that.  Lucas, Southfork is your home, and Dad wants you here."  

 

"I know that, too.  I love Southfork, Christopher.  I really do.  And I want my son to have the chance to grow up here, a chance that I never had.  But John Ross owns half this ranch. And no matter how hard I try, I can't stop feelin' like a guest in this house."  Lucas walks away.  Christoper watches him as he gets into his car and drives away.  

 

Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.....later....

 Justin is waiting at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport later in the morning for his mother, Cally, who is arriving from New York.  Spotting her, he makes his way through the crowd to meet her.  "Mama!"

 

"Justin, hey, baby!"  Cally says, embracing her son.  "How are you?"

"They're back at the house with Jimmy.  I thought it best if you meet them there,"  Justin says as he and his mother begin walking.

 

"Tell me about 'em.  What are they like?"

 

Justin smiles.  "They're great kids, Mama.  You'll love 'em.  And, I have a lot to tell you on the way out to the ranch.  We got a lot to catch up on."

Ewing Oil....

 By early afternoon, rumbles of thunder could be heard as a heavy downpour of rain begins falling over the city of Dallas.  John Ross is standing at his office window, watching the rain.  His intercom buzzes.  He continues to watch the rain for another few seconds, then walks over to his desk.  "Yes?"

 

"John Ross, Keith Foskey is on line two,"  Sally says.  

 

John Ross smiles.  "Thank ya, darlin'," he says.  He picks up the phone.  "Well, hello, there, Keith.  I sure hope for

your sake you're callin' to tell me some good news."

 

"The committee meeting has been moved up, to late this afternoon,"  Foskey says on the other end of the line.  "And I think I've garnered enough votes to insure that the new regulations don't pass."

 

"Well, now, that IS good news, Keith.  REAL good news."

 

"We may face some opposition, however, from Senator Matt Culver and his mother-in-law, Railroad Commissioner Donna Krebbs.  Culver is one of the most vocal proponents of those new regulations bein' passed."

 

"Keith, it just so happens that Donna Krebbs is married to my Uncle Ray," John Ross says.  "You just let me worry about her and my cousin-in- law, Senator Culver.  You just worry about makin' sure those new regulations DON'T get passed, and that both Westar and Stone-Barnes Oil are denied permits for any and all upcomin' drillin' ventures."

 

"You really overestimate my power in the Bureau of Land Management, John Ross."

 

"No, I don't think I do, Keith.  I know that you are one of the most influential people in the Bureau, and just about any recommendation you make, the Bureau and all its subcommittees act on.  So I'm countin' on ya, bud.  Don't let me down, and your secret past will never see the light of day.  Call me as soon as that committee meetin' is over and give me some more good news."  John Ross quickly hangs up the phone and smiles.

 

Meanwhile, Jill comes out of her office as a young man in his 20s walks by.  He accidentally bumps into her.  "Oh,  

ma'am, I'm REAL sorry about that."

 

"No, it's fine, no harm done,"  Jill says.

 

"You sure you're okay?"  The young man asks.

 

"Yes, I'm fine, thanks."

 

The young man smiles at her, then walks away.  

 

Jill walks over to Sally's desk.  "Sally, Janice already gone to lunch?"

 

"Yes, Jill, she left about 15 minutes ago."

 

"Well, it's almost 12:30, so why don't you go on and go yourself?"  Jill asks,

 

"Okay, I will, just as soon as I finish filing these contracts for John Ross,"  Sally says.

 

"Oh, I'll do that.  You go on to lunch."

 

"You sure you don't mind, Jill?"  Sally asks.

 

"No, not at all.  I'm waiting for a call from my husband to see if he's free for lunch, so, until then I have absolutely nothing to do.  So you go on, and I'll finish the filing."

 

"Okay.  Thanks,"  says Sally, handing Jill a small stack of files..  "I'll see you in an hour and a half or so."  She grabs her purse from her desk drawer, then leaves.

 

After Sally is gone, Jill looks at the files.  She looks around to make sure than no one else is looking, then, as she opens one of the folders to take a look at the contents inside, Lucas comes out of his office. 

 

Spotting Jill curiously looking at a file, he stops in his doorway and watches her for a moment, noticing a strange and uneasy look on her face.  Lucas steps back into his office and pushes the door almost shut, peaking at Jill through a small crack in the door.  Since it's lunch time, Bobby, Sue Ellen, and almost everyone else is out of the office.  Lucas watches as Jill takes a piece of paper from one of the folders, quickly puts the folders into the file cabinet behind Sally's desk, then hurries into her office, closing the door behind her.  His curiosity aroused, Lucas emerges from his office and goes to the filing cabinet.  He pauses a moment to make 

sure that Jill isn't coming out of her office again, then opens the file drawer and pulls it out.  He flips through the files until he finds the one he had seen Jill with and removes it.  Lucas opens the folder and begins looking through some of its contents about Ewing Oil's current deals and projects, as well as some information about the Cartel.  "Now why would Jill take that piece of paper. Most of these are John Ross's deals.  If she wanted to know something, why didn't she just ask him?"  Lucas asks aloud to himself.

 

Meanwhile, in her office, Jill looks at the piece of paper she had taken from one of Ewing Oil's files.  She puts the paper on her desk and sits back for a moment to think.  After more than 30 seconds, she pulls her laptop closer to her on the desk, opens up a program, and looks at the screen for a few seconds.  She again looks at the paper on her desk, and back at the computer, then she begins typing something.

Southfork....

 As rain comes down hard at Southfork that afternoon, Ann is comfortably curled up on one of the sofas in the living room reading a book when Courtney walks in with Jacob.  "Hi, Ann,"  Courtney says.

 

"Hello, Courtney.  Jacob."

 

"Boy, it's really coming down out there," says Courtney.

 

"Sure is,"  says Ann.  "Hard to believe the sun was shinin' this mornin' and looked like it was gonna be a nice day.  I was gonna do a little gardenin' this afternoon, but then this storm came up.  Well, Jacob, you only have one more week of school left, don't you?"

 

The boy nods.

 

"Jacob, you go on upstairs and change out of those wet clothes,"  Courtney tells her son.  The boy leaves the room without saying a word.  

 

"Is he alright?"  Ann asks.

 

"Yeah, he's just.........he knows about Chase's custody suit, and it's really bothering him."

 

Ann puts her book down.  "I'm sorry, sweety, I wish I could do somethin' to help."

 

Courtney walks over and takes a seat on the sofa across from her.  "So do I.  Unfortunately, no one can help.  No one, that is, except Chase.  If he would just drop this custody suit."

 

"How's Christopher handling all of this?"  Ann asks.  "I know how much he had hoped to be able to adopt Jacob."

 

"He's not handling it any better than I am," Courtney replies.  "And neither of us are handling it well.  We argue a lot now, over this.  Christopher has his way of wanting to handle Chase, and I just don't think that's the best way to do this."

 

"And what way is that?"  Ann asks.

 

"The EWING way.  Ann, I'm scared.  I'm really scared I'm gonna lose my little boy.  If only Christopher and I hadn't gone to California to see Chase to ask him to sign away his parental rights.  Chase had kept his distance for months, just as he said he would.  I feel like we woke up a sleeping lion or something.  I sure have made a mess of things.  Of my life, of Jacob's, and Christopher's."

 

"Sometimes, things.......circumstances happen that creates a mess for you, and takes control out of your hands,"  Ann says.

 

Courtney looks at her curiously.  "What do you mean?"

 

"Just that, sometimes we find ourselves in a mess that we didn't exactly create, but rather, we just stepped into."

 

"Ann, are you alright?"  Courtney asks.

 

Ann fights back tears.  "Yes, I'm fine,"  she says with a nod of her head.  "Just, umm, this rainy, gloomy weather always makes me a little depressed and emotional."  The front doorbell rings at that moment.  Maria walks through the living room and into the foyer to answer the ringing doorbell.  "I wonder who that could be comin' to visit on a day like this,"  Ann says. 

 

A moment later, Maria returns with a medium sized package.  "Mrs. Ewing?  This package just came for you,"  Maria says to Ann, words that cause Ann's heart to sink with fear.  She looks at the package in Maria's hand for several seconds, not saying a word.

 

"Mrs. Ewing?"  Maria says.

 

"Ann?"  Courtney calls to her.

 

"Yes, I'm sorry."

 

Maria takes the boxed package, covered in plain brown wrapping, over to Ann.  

 

"Thank you, Maria,"  Ann says.  The maid turns and leaves the room as Ann places the box in her lap and stares at it.

 

"Well, aren't you gonna open it?"  Courtney asks.

 

Ann looks at her.  "No.  This is somethin' I ordered.  It's a surprise for Bobby.  I just didn't expect it to arrive so soon. I'm gonna take it upstairs and put it somewhere he won't find it until I'm ready to give it to him."

 

"What's the occasion?"

 

"An early anniversary gift,"  Ann lies.  She takes her package, stands from her seat, then quickly leaves the room.  A few moments later, Ann walks upstairs and into her and Bobby's bedroom, where she places the box on a table.  She looks at it for several seconds, unsure of whether to open it or not.  Finally, her curiosity wins, and she rips the brown wrapping from the package and reveals a plain brown box with a lock.  On top is an envelope.  Ann opens the envelope and finds a small key, obviously to the box, and a note that says, "open the box."  Picking up the key, Ann looks at it, then at the box.  After a brief hesitation, she unlocks the box and slowly opens it.  Inside the box, 

 she finds two photos, one of Lucas and Heather, the other of Emma.   Also inside the box were several other photos of Bobby, Ann, Lucas, Heather, Emma, and some newspaper clippings about the Ewings.  Ann looks at the stuff, a chill running down her spine that someone, most likely Katherine, has photos of her and her family, stalking them, waiting to do Lord only knows what at any given moment.  Then, Ann sees a small strip of paper at the bottom of the box.  She reaches in and picks up the strip of paper and looks at it.  It's another note with the 

 same ominous message she had been getting before.  Ann looks at the note, then at the box and the photos, her bottom lip trembling, a look of both fright and anger on her face.  Finally, unable to control the rage she felt at having this done to her, Ann picks up the box with all its contents and angrily smashes it to the floor as she lets out a scream!

Justin's ranch....evening....

"Corey, why would you think that?"  Justin asks.

 

"Because, you're makin' us leave.  Makin' us go to Florida with your Mama."

 

"Because I honestly think that's what's best for you.  Corey, it's not that I don't want you here.  I do.  But I just......right now, I'm not really equipped to take care of you and Kasey."

 

"We can take care of ourselves,"  Corey says.  "Always did before."

 

"But you shouldn't have to.  You're not SUPPOSED to have to.  You and Kasey, you guys are kids, and you should live like kids.  If I was married, and you had a mother figure here, then things might be different.  But you know I'm not here a lot of the time, and you and Kasey, you  been alone too much as it is.  Besides, you two are gonna be livin' with my Mama, and you can't do no better'n her.  She's gonna give you and Kasey more love than you'll know what to do with.  Besides, you can come here and visit any time you want.  You can even come back and spend some time here this summer."

 

"Really?"  Corey asks.

 

"Yeah.  Anytime,  And I'll be visitin' you, too."

 

 

 

"You're just sayin' that.  You'll probably forget all about us."

 

Justin smiles.  "Now how can I do that when you're gonna be livin' with my Mama?"

 

"Oh, yeah."

 

"It'll be like we're brothers."

 

"I guess,"  Corey says.  

 

"How about we go downstairs and eat some of that chicken Kasey worked so hard to fix us, huh?  I dunno about you, but I'm pretty hungry."

 

"Okay."

 

Justin smiles, then pats the boy on the back.  

 Meanwhile, downstairs, Jimmy is standing at the window in the dining room looking out at the rain as Cally and Kasey come into the dining room from the kitchen carrying plates of food......Kasey a plate of fried chicken, and Cally a plate of biscuits and a bowl of mashed potatoes.  "Boy, still comin' down like crazy out there,"  Jimmy says.  "I thought it'd let up sometime this evening."  He turns and looks at the table.  "Hey, that sure smells good.  Callly, it's been a while since I've had one of your delicious biscuits."

 

Cally looks at the young man, but says nothing.  Instead, she turns and walks back into the kitchen, leaving Jimmy feeling hurt over being snubbed by Justin's mom.  Justin and Corey come down the stairs and walk into the dining room just as Cally returns with another plate.  "Well, everything's ready,"  she says.  "Everybody sit down and dig in."

 

The group take their seats around the table.  "I hope the chicken's alright,"  Kasey says.

 

"I'm sure it is,"  Justin tells her.

 

As everyone fills their plates and begins eating, an awkward silence falls over the room.  Cally looks across the table at her niece and nephew.  "Y'all are really gonna like it where I live," she finally says, breaking the silence.

 

"Where do you live, again, Aunt Cally?"  Kasey asks.

 

"I live near Tampa."

 

"Yeah, and that's not too far from the beach," says Jimmy.

 

"Me and Corey, we aint never been to no beach before,"  Kasey says.  "Never seen the ocean."

 

"You haven't?"  Cally asks.  "Well, then, you're in for a real treat.  Since our flight's not until two tomorrow afternoon, it'll prob'ly be too late to go to the beach when we get there, but we'll go for sure on Sunday. Would ya like that?"

 

"I would,"  says Kasey.

 

"Me, too, I guess,"  says Corey.

 

"Kids, this is gonna be real nice,"  Cally says.  "For all of us.  I'm real happy that you're comin' to live with me.  I've lived alone for so long, that, well, it gets real lonely sometimes."

 

"How come you don't move here?"  Corey asks.

 

"I've asked her that same question, I don't know how many times,"  says Justin.

 

"Because my home is in Tampa.  I have my half ownership in an art gallery there.  Kasey, maybe you could even help me in the gallery."

 

The girl smiles and nods.  "Sure, Aunt Cally, I'd like that."

 

"And, I will keep you both up to date on what's goin' on with Josh,"  Justin says.  

 

"So, Cally, how was New York?"  Jimmy asks.  

 

"It was just fine,"  she replies, her tone short and a bit cold toward the young man who had so deeply hurt her son.  Jimmy and Justin exchange sad looks with each other, and everyone returns to eating in silence.

The Krebbs Ranch....

 Ray and Conner walk into the Krebbs home that evening, but soaked to the skin from being out in the rain.  They take off their rain coats.  "Boy, if this keeps up all night, we may have some real problems with that fence come mornin',"  Ray says.

 

"I'll go out and check it early,"  Conner says as Donna walks into the foyer.  

 

"Well, you two are gonna have pneumonia if you don't get out of those wet clothes."

 

"Yeah, I think I'll go upstairs, take a hot shower, and relax for a while,"  Conner says as he takes off his wet shoes and heads up the stairs.

 

"Everything alright?"  Ray asks his wife.  

 

"Not really,"  Donna replies with a deep sigh.

 

"Why, what's wrong?"

 

"Matt phoned.   You know that committee that was supposed to meet NEXT week and vote on those new regulations imposing restrictions on the oil industry?"

 

"Yeah,"  Ray says.

 

"Well, the committee met this afternoon.  For some reason, Keith Foskey, the chairman of that committee, moved the vote from next week to today, and the news is not good."

 

"Don't tell me they voted down the new regulations,"  Ray says.

 

"Okay, I won't tell you, but that's exactly what happened."

 

"Why?  You and Matt both seemed so sure they were gonna pass."

 

"We were.  And I have no idea why the committee, or specifically Keith Foskey and Kathy Haines had this sudden change of heart,"  says Donna.  "It doesn't make any sense.  Matt is very upset, needless to say."

 

"Well, then, I guess that's that."

 

"No, not quite,"  Donna says.  "I am NOT giving up that easily.  First thing tomorrow, I'm gonna call Commissioner Bush and see what his reaction to this is.  And see if there's ANYTHING we can do to reverse that decision."

 

"Well, good luck,"  Ray says.  "I'm gonna go up and change outta these wet clothes."

 

Donna nods as Ray kisses her on the cheek, then heads upstairs.

A motel in Dallas.....night....

 

 

 

 

Brian Manning is sitting in his motel room that night, staring blankly at the wall, almost as if in a daze.  After a while, he looks to his right, at a newspaper laying on the table beside the bed.  

He reaches over and picks up the paper and looks at it, with a large photo on the page of his brothers Jonathon Lord and Austin Wentworth, and an article about a looming battle over Wentworth Industries between the two brothers.  First anger and then pure rage rises up inside of Brian as he looks at the photo of his two siblings......his older brother and his twin, both of whom are feuding over who will run their mother's company, while Brian himself is hold up in a seedy motel, wanted for murder and on the run from the police.  Brian is so filled with rage that he begins shaking.  He violently rips up the newspaper into dozens of pieces, which land on the bed.  Looking down at the pieces of the photo, the faces of Austin and Jonathon are for the most part, intact.  Tears begin streaming down Brian's face.

 b "It's not fair,"  he says to himself.  "Jonathon is CEO of Wentworth.  Austin is back home in that big, nice mansion of his.  The house Mommy dearest bought for him.  And I'm here, in this place, running.  Hiding.  Why?  Why do they ALWAYS get everything, and I get nothing.  It's just not fair."  He reaches down and picks up the piece of the picture with parts of the faces of his brothers on it.  "I saved your life, Austin," he says.  "TWICE.  If it weren't for me you would've died in that plane.  Hell, if it weren't for me, you'd have been shot by that punk and right at this very moment, instead of living back in that mansion, you'd be buried out there on that farm, and nobody would ever even know what happened to you.  Because of me, you got your life back.  But did you show me any gratitude, brother?  Hell no.  But that's okay, because I'm gonna get you.  I'm gonna get you both.  You, and Jonathon, you've both had all the comforts and advantages life has to offer.  What have Katie and I ever had?  Not a damned thing.  Well now, brothers, I'm gonna make sure you both end up with nothing, too.  I'm gonna kill you both, because at this point, I have absolutely nothing to lose.  Nothing.  The cops find me, they're gonna kill me because no way am I gonna go to prison.  But before they kill me, I swear I'm gonna kill both of you, and the three of us can have a little family reunion.......in hell."

Barbara Davis Hagman Center.....the next morning...

 Early the next morning, Dylan is having a very restless sleep, tossing and turning, his sleep disturbed by horrible

him.  Dylan again moans.  "Hey, Baxter?"  He calls again, but Dylan still doesn't awaken.  The boy turns on the light next to his bed.  "Baxter!"  He calls in a louder voice.  Dylan lets out another loud moan, almost a yell, then finally awakens.  "Dylan, you alright?" 

 Dylan rubs his eyes.  After a few seconds, he is fully awake and realizes he is drenched in sweat.  

 

"Dylan, you okay?"  The boy asks.

 

"Yeah, I, uh, I'm okay, Kyle.  Just a bad dream."

 

"Sure must've been SOME dream.  You were moaning out in your sleep."

 

"Sorry.  Sorry I woke you."

 

"No problem, bro,"  Kyle says.

 

"It's only like 6:30,"  Dylan says, looking at his watch.  "Kyle, it's only 6:30.  You try and get some more sleep.  I'm gonna go to the bathroom."

 

"Okay, sure,"  Kyle says.  He lays back down on the bed and turns over on his right side, his back to Dylan.  

 

Dylan gets out of bed and walks over to the dresser.  He looks at himself in the mirror, flashes of memory of his nightmare begin flooding his mind.  He closes his eyes and, in his mind, he can hear the sounds of screeching tires.  He opens his eyes and looks at his reflection again, wondering what these nightmares he's been having mean.  He begins to silently cry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later....

 

A few hours later, Dylan is having a one on one session with his counselor, Josh.  "Dylan, how long have you been having these nightmares?"  Josh asks.

 

"Not sure.  A few weeks, I guess."

 

"Why didn't you say anything until now?"

 

"They were just dreams,"  Dylan says.  "It didn't seem important."

 

"But the dreams do now?  Seem important, I mean?"

 

"I......I dunno.  It's just.........the dreams are different now.  More like, memories."

 

"Memories, Dylan?"  Josh asks.

 

"Yes."

 

"Dylan, describe the dreams to me as best you can.  What do you see?  What do you hear?  Is anyone you know in the dreams?"

 

"I don't think so.  Josh, I really don't know.  I hear.......I hear, like, tires screeching.  Like a car crash.  I think I........ I think I'm starting to remember stuff about those missing days back in January when I was so drunk I was blacked out."

 

"That time you were beaten up and robbed?"  Josh asks.

 

"Yes.  I can......it's like I can feel the pain of being beaten.  But, I can't see their faces, or make out anything about them.  I don't even know if this is real or if I'm remembering part of my dreams."

 

"It'll come to you, Dylan.  Sooner or later, if we keep working at it and keep talking about it, I'm confident that your memory will come back."

 

Dylan sighs.  "I hope so.  You have no idea how horrible it is to have whole pieces of your life missing.  Days that you can't remember."

 

"Actually, Dylan, I do.  I know all too well what that's like."

 

"If ONLY I could remember what happened to me on New Year's Eve,"  Dylan says.  

Justin's home....

 Justin and Jimmy are carrying three suitcases out to Justin's car and placing them in the trunk.  Cally comes onto the front porch.   "I'll get the rest of the stuff from the house,"  Jimmy says.

 

"Thanks, Jimmy,"  Justin says as Cally walks out to him.  "You sure you can't stay a few more days?"  He asks.

 

"I'd love to, but, I've been away from home for a couple months now, and I'm real anxious to get the kids settled.  But we'll come back for a visit real soon."

 

"I hope so,"  Justin says, hugging his mother.  After a moment, he looks at her.  "Mama, why are you actin' the way you are toward Jimmy?"

 

Cally looks at her son.  "I can't forget what Jimmy did to you.  Justin, I don't see how you could forgive him and let him move into your home, the same home where he slept with your wife."

 

"Mama, that's all water under the bridge,"  Justin says.  "For more'n a year, I hated him.  But then, I got tired of hatin'.  And he's suffered for what he did.  Suffered a LOT.  And, who knows, maybe Jimmy really did do me a favor.  He showed me what kinda woman I was married to in Amanda.  He's a good guy, Mama, and he's fam'ly."

 

Cally nods.  "Well, alright, then.  If you can forgive Jimmy, then, I guess I can, too."

 

"Good.  Here they come,"  Justin says as Jimmy, Kasey, and Corey come out of the house.

 

"We got time to have some lunch before I gotta get y'all to the airport,"  says Justin.

 

"I wish I had time to stop at Southfork and see everyone, and to see Sue Ellen while I'm here, but, Justin, you tell 'em I'll see 'em next time,"  Cally says.

 

"I will, Mama,"  Justin says as a car turns into the drive way.  

 

"Who can that be?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"I dunno,"   Justin replies as the car comes to a stop behind his car.

 

Austin Wentworth gets out of the car and walks over to the group.  "Austin!"  Corey says with excitement as he runs to meet him,

 

"Corey, how ya doin', buddy?"  Austin asks.  

 

"Well, well,"  says Justin.  "Austin Wentworth.  What in the world brings you all the way out here?"

 

"I heard that Kasey and Corey were leaving today, so I wanted to see them before they left,"  Austin replies.

 

"How'd you hear about that?"  

 

"I called him, Justin,"  Corey says.  "I wanted to see him."

 

"Oh, well, that's fine.  Austin Wentworth, I'm not sure if you know my nephew, Jimmy Beaumont, and my Mama, Cally Harper."

 

"Hello,"  Austin says.

 

"Hi, Austin,"  says Cally.  

 

"Austin, we're real glad we got to see you again,"  Kasey says.

 

"I'm glad, too.  I'm glad Corey called me."

 

"Austin, we wanna thank you,"  says Kasey.

 

"Thank me for what?"

 

"For not pressin' any charges against Josh.  You could have.  You had every right to, and reason.  But thank you for not."

 

"There wouldn't have been a point, Kasey,"  Austin says.  "Everyone has suffered enough.  I'm just glad that Josh will be gettin' the help he needs, and that the two of you will have a good home now.  Kasey, you treated me really good during that time on the farm.  I appreciate that."

 

"Are we ever gonna see you again?"  Corey asks.

 

"I don't know, Corey.  Would you like to?"

 

"I sure would."

 

Austin smiles.  "Well, good.  Because I'd like to see you, too.  I'm sure that, Ms. Harper will probably bring you back to Dallas to visit sometime, and maybe we can see each other then.  Well, since you're loading suitcases into the car, I assume you're about to leave so I won't hold you up anymore.  Kasey, Corey, you two take care of yourselves.  And I'll see you again."

 

Corey hugs Austin tightly for several seconds, then Kasey kisses him on the cheek.  "Bye, Austin."

 

"Bye, Kasey.  Corey."  Austin flashes a smile, then goes back to his car and gets in.  Kasey, Corey, Cally, and Jimmy watch as he drives away.  

 

"Well, come on, y'all,"  Justin says.  "We better get goin'."

Jeremy Wendell's penthouse....

"I'm afraid so,"  Jeremy says.  "That was the clinic in New Orleans.  It seems that your daughter, Katelyn, has escaped from the clinic."

 

"What?"  Katherine asks in shock.  "She ESCAPED?  Jeremy, how could this have happened?  That's supposed to be one of the best clinics in the entire country."

 

"I don't know, but I'm sure as hell going to find out.  As if we didn't have enough problems already, with Tripp holding us both virtual prisoner here, now we have your crazy daughter to worry about."

"That's not all you'll have to worry about, Jeremy,"  Katherine says.  "You promised me that my daughter would be safe in that clinic in New Orleans.  And now she's gone.  And I swear to you, Jeremy, if any harm comes to Katelyn......I'll make you pay."

 

"I've warned you before about threatening me, Katherine,"  Jeremy says.

 

"You have NOTHING to scare me with anymore, Jeremy.  We're in this mess together.  If you turn me in to the police, you go to jail, too, and I have Tripp now to back me up.  So if I go down.......we BOTH go down, together."

 

 

 

 

 

 

END OF EPISODE 173....