It does hit a bit differently to watch the series knowing the background on Dack Rambo and Timothy Patrick Murphy. Timing is everything and today this wouldn't cause people to bat an eye, but back then. . .
There is one thing I really like about the character of Jack. He was one of the few people who knew they had the upper hand with J.R. and just played it cool. It was a new dynamic and kind of fun to watch. Here is the dialogue from their meeting:
JACK: Well, Mr. Ewing, I’m glad you could find time to make this meeting. I think you’ll find it time well spent.
J.R.: Well, I certainly hope so. I haven’t got a hell of a lot left.
JACK: First, I’d like to discuss the terms of our agreement.
J.R.: All right, shoot.
Cassie (Anne C. Lucas) approaches with J.R.’s drink.
CASSIE: Here you are, Mr. Ewing.
J.R.: Thank you, thank you, Cassie.
JACK: If I could stop Jason Ewing’s daughter and Digger Barnes’s son from stealing two-thirds of Ewing Oil, I think maybe a fair compensation would be 10 percent of Ewing Oil for myself.
J.R.: Oh, really? Well, I can give you a lot of money, but nobody but a Ewing is ever going to own Ewing Oil.
JACK: Cliff Barnes is not a Ewing. Unless you make a deal with me, Cliff Barnes is going to be sitting in your office.
J.R.: No way, and I’m not going to give you a piece of my company.
JACK: [
Chuckles] Mr. Ewing, I’m saving you 66 percent and asking for 10 in return. Now I could ask for 20, 30, it’d still be a good deal for you. I’m just trying to be reasonable. [
Sips his drink]
J.R.: And if I say no?
JACK: You lose control of Ewing Oil to Barnes.
J.R.: And you lose too.
JACK: [
Chuckles] Not quite. No, I’ll sell my silence to Barnes. Let him destroy the information that proves he has no legal claim on Ewing Oil.
J.R.: Well, I could go to trial and win.
JACK: No, you could go to trial and gamble away your inheritance.
J.R.: Are you telling me that the papers Barnes has are not real?
JACK: Oh, no, they’re very real. But I think I’ve got something better. Look at it this way. If what I’m selling doesn’t hold up in court, you don’t owe me a dime. You can’t lose.
J.R.: Who are you?
JACK: Well, who I am doesn’t really matter. What does matter is whether or not we have a deal. [
Reaches inside his jacket pocket, takes out a pin, scribbles on a napkin] Now, here is my number. If I don’t hear from you real soon, Cliff Barnes will hear from me. [
Hands J.R. the napkin] See you.
