EPISODE 21
" When a Child is Born "
EEwing Oil Conference Room
JR walked into the conference room at Ewing Oil, carrying two file folders of information. One was a red folder, and the other a plain manila folder. He walked down the left side of the large conference table, pausing momentarily, to open the cabinet against the wall, revealing a large television and a small bar. He fixed himself a drink and took his place at the head of the table, slinging one of the folders of papers across it at Elizabeth Benson.
“Alright Ms. Benson. I've had my lawyers look over these documents, and I'm satisfied with the terms of the agreement. There are your copies. As you can see, I've signed them, and they've been notarized. Now that we are in bed together, so to speak, I want to know exactly where all this cheap oil that we're gonna to pour into my refineries, and onto the open market is coming from.”
"Mr. Ewing, all you need to know is that you will receive regular shipments of crude at a very reasonable price,” she sneered glancing over the paperwork. “Everything appears to be in order,” she continued, rising to her feet.
“Not so fast darlin',” JR said grabbing her arm. “You are not leaving this building until you answer all of my questions.” JR pointed toward the door. Two big burly gentlemen in suits appeared in the doorway, smiled, nodded at JR and closed the doors behind them.
Elizabeth Benson sat back down into her chair. “What the hell is going on Mr. Ewing? Are you holding me captive,” she asked angrily?
“No more so than you're holding my company captive,” he mocked, “All you have to do is tell me what's going on. I suspect it's something, shall we say, not completely legal. I mean that is why you came to me isn't it? And since I'm now a party to the transactions, then I'm a party to whatever illegal activity is occurring. So what harm can come from you sharing your knowledge.”
Elizabeth sighed, “Fine. I suppose there isn't any harm in you knowing now. The truth is, I represent a group of, let's call them, investors. These investors are European and Arab businessmen who happen to have figured out a way to subordinate the sanctions imposed against Iraq, and are exporting millions of barrels of oil. The Iraqi's sell the oil to a dummy corporation in an unembargoed nation, who in turn sells it to another dummy corporation, and so on. Eventually, the oil has changed hand so many times on paper, that it is as clean as a whistle.”
“This sounds like a pretty intricate network, so why did you need me,” JR asked?
“Mostly, we needed a legitimate American business to use as a front, and quite frankly, if the deal goes sour, to use as a scape goat.”
JR wanted to come out of his chair and strangle Elizabeth Benson, but managed to restrain himself. “Basically, you're gonna offer me up as a lamb to the slaughter?”
“Not unless the deal goes bad,” she smiled sweetly, “which, as long as you keep your mouth shut, it won't. Now, if you don't mind, could you call off your goons and let me leave. I have more pressing matters to attend to.”
“I want to meet these businessmen,” JR said, “and not next week. Tomorrow.”
“I'm afraid that is impossible,” she replied.
“Oh I don't think so, Ms. Benson,” JR smiled evilly.
He picked up the remote control for the television. He turned on the power, and pushed another button. As the image on the screen became visible, Elizabeth saw her face appear on the screen. JR hit the play button, and a video of their conversation began to play.
“Now,” JR continued, “I want to meet these gentlemen. I want to meet them here at 10am tomorrow morning. You see Ms. Benson, I'm no amateur. I've threatened and been threatened by the most devious and the best in this business. I also have high friends in low places, and I always know with whom I am dealing. I've done extensive research into your background, and into your business associates, and I know the name of each and every one of your so called investors.” JR's smile grew larger as he could see gleam of horror growing in Elizabeth's eyes.
He pushed the red folder to her, and she opened it. As she read, her face turned ashen white.
“You can keep that if you like, I have copies. Now,” JR continued, leaning back smugly in his chair, “if you don't want that file and the tape of this conversation to go to the CIA, the FBI and Interpol, I suggest you convey my message to your investors and have them here tomorrow morning.”
Elizabeth was speechless. JR stood up, and took her by the arm, helping her to her feet. He picked up the file folders and placed them in her hands, walking her out of the room. He laughed evilly as they exited the room, “You see darlin, nobody crosses JR Ewing.”
The next morning, Ewing Oil Conference room
JR strode triumphantly into the conference room, fashionably late for the meeting, of course. He reached his spot, and stood behind his chair gripping it's back in his hands, smiling his most charming smile.
“First, let me welcome all of you here. Second, Ms. Benson, let me compliment you on your perseverance and success in arranging this meeting.”
As he finished his sentence, the double doors of the conference room burst open, revealing Wesley Scott of the FBI, and his CIA counterpart. J
R smiled, “Ah, I see our other guests have arrived. Gentlemen, and Lady,” he grinned, looking directly at Elizabeth Benson, and moving toward her, “say hello to the CIA and the FBI.” The agents busied themselves handcuffing and clearing everyone out of the room. When JR reached Elizabeth, he leaned over and whispered into her ear. “Gotcha.”
Elizabeth jumped to her feet, knocking JR slightly off balance. She pulled out a gun and pointed it at JR. “You may have double crossed me you son of a bitch but you will pay the ultimate price.”
Elizabeth grabbed JR and, as she steered him out of the room, warned the others that she would pull the trigger if they tried to stop her. Quickly, she moved him toward the elevator. Pushing him inside as the doors closed, she could see the contingent of agents pursuing them.
“Look lady whatever you are thinkin' of doin' you're gonna make it a hell of a lot worse if you pull that trigger.” JR said.
“Well Mr. Ewing you have framed me good and proper so what do I have to lose. At least while I am rotting in a jail cell I will have the pleasure of remembering your faee just as I pull this trigger.”
JR felt Elizabeth push the gun harder into the side of his neck and he closed his eyes. Unexpectedly Elizabeth whispered into his ear.
“You deserve to die, but you're right you are not worth it. I will get my revenge on you JR Ewing and when I do you'll wish you were dead.”
The elevator suddenly opened and Elizabeth banged the revolver into the side of JR's head momentarily knocking him sideways. By the time he had recovered, the FBI had arrived, but Elizabeth was long gone.
SouthFork Ranch
Lucy sat at the breakfast table alone sipping a cup of coffee, the ranch seemed awfully lonely to Lucy without Miss Ellie. As she idly flipped through the morning paper Theresa broke her trance-like state by bringing in the telephone.
“Phone call Miss Lucy.”
Lucy smiled absently at Theresa and took the phone from her.
“Hello.”
“Mrs. Hillman, this is Dr. Jordan's secretary here. The doctor has your results here and would like you to come in to discuss the findings. Are you free this afternoon?”
“Yes that's fine, say about 3.30.”
“3.30 this afternoon is fine Mrs. Hillman. I will tell the Doctor that we will see you then.”
Lucy placed the receiver back into place and again fell in to deep thought. So this was it, she was going to find out why she couldn't conceive. She picked up the phone again to call Dean. She hadn't told him yet about the doctor's visit. He had been so busy at Charlie's since he took up the management position at the bar they had barely seen each other, not for the first time Lucy changed her mind and put the phone down. There was no point in worrying him unnecessarily.
Lucy put her head in her hands and closed her eyes, missing her grandma. She decided to see if she could catch Ellie on her cell phone. After several seconds the line connected.
“Grandma.”
“Lucy, how lovely to hear your voice. How are you and the rest of the family?”
“Everyone is fine grandma, we miss you. How is everything with you and Mavis? Are you nearly done yet?”
“Well Mavis and I have decided to travel a little bit more.”
“Oh, okay, so are you done sorting out Amanda's business?”
Ellis paused slightly and then continued. “Yes we've left Arkansas now,” Ellie replied.
“But you can't say when you'll be home though?”
“No, not just yet Lucy. Are you sure everything is fine?”
“Oh yeah, nothin' to worry about here. I'll call you in a few days to see how and where you are, okay?”
“Okay Lucy, speak to you soon.”
The line went dead and once again Lucy was left alone with her thoughts, she sighed and then roused herself and decided if she was going into to town she might as well go there early and do some retail therapy.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Christopher stood anxiously waiting at the entrance lounge. Ian's plane was in and he should have been walking through the entrance at any minute. Chris wasn't sure how he felt, at once he was excited to see his lover but at the same time it was another big step for him.
He may have told most people he was gay and had mainly been play but it was a different ball game his family actually seeing him in a couple.
Suddenly Ian appeared and there eyes met. Ian raised his eyebrows and gave a half smile and walked over to Chris, punching his arm and then pulling him into an embrace. The two men hugged for several seconds and then pulled away.
“So my man, is Dallas ready for me?” Ian asked with a smile.
“I don't know about Dallas but I can certainly say that I've never been so happy to see a scruffy footballer.”
Ian messed up his hair and rubbed his five o'clock shadow acknowledging his dishevelled appearance.
“Well you look good enough to eat,' Ian said trying once again to pull Chris into an embrace.
“Hey,” Chris said “this is Dallas not Camden, we have to be a little bit more discrete here.”
Ian looked slightly troubled for a moment, grinned seductively, took a firm hold of Chris's arm and began to walk him across the lounge area. Looking around Ian suddenly saw an unoccupied first aid area and proceeded to lead Chris into the furthest corner of the room. Chris tried to object but Ian silenced him with a ferocious kiss. “Oh Chris, it's been so long.” Christopher felt his resistance begin to crumble, as they began to become intimate. Soon, both were lost in the heat of their passion as they began to rediscover each other again.
