Dallas in the 90's

[Karin]

Thank you Ms Southworth for the detailed feedback. I always look forward to reading your comments.

True I guess I did plant the seed about Pam's past...

I am glad that you enjoyed the breakfast update so much. Interesting notion that Sue Ellen doesn't trust herself alone in JR's company. I think there's some truth to it even though so far she's been able to keep up her walls where he is concerned.

Yeah I suppose we do have a bunch of storylines going on at once right now, which reminds me how is that re-read coming along or have you given up on that idea?

Then as for JR's tricks, I think tonight's update will explain what business he had to take care of at the office:

The white two-storage house was located on a nice suburban street in the La Jolla district north of San Diego. It was a typical middle class neighborhood in Southern California with well moved lawns and white picket fences. Only this particular house had a brick and stone fence framing its yard. The house had a porch with two white sofas that were standing on each side of the door. The garden had a couple of fruit trees and flower arrangements. Katherine was standing in the garden talking to her next door neighbor, “Oh it sounds wonderful,” the lady said. “You and Tomas are really lucky to be able to travel so much.”

Katherine smiled a little. “Well Tomas does have a lot of business trips and I guess I am lucky to be able to go with him. I only wish we could bring Wendy more often but she does have school…”

“Well I am happy to look after her.”

“I know and that is a comfort when we are on the road.” A car stopped in front of the house and Tom got out. Katherine smiled when she saw him approach them, “Hello darling I didn’t expect you home for lunch today.”

“Well quiet day at the office,” Tom smiled before he waved at their neightbour, “Hello Mrs. Mayham.”

“Hello Tomas. Kathy was just telling me about your lovely trip.”

Tom smiled, “Yes Chile was very beautiful…. and profitable!” Tom blinked at Katherine. “Come on Kathy we still have a lot to unpack.”

“Yes we do. Bye Mrs. Mayham nice talking to you,” Katherine said.

“You too. Bye, bye Kathy. Bye Tomas!”

Katherine and Tom walked towards their house and as soon as they were in through the door Katherine turned to her husband with an expectant look on her face, “So…?”

“Guess who called today?”

“JR?!”

“Yes. I guess it did pay off after all that you risked following him to that doctor.”

“You know I had to. We had to get him to trust us. Then if it will cause a few problems for my dear sister…”

Tom rolled his eyes. “Anyway, he has reconsidered and wants us to go ahead with sinking Cliff’s ship!”

Katherine laughed, “Honey that’s the best news today!”

“Yeah! I told you things would work out.”

“I hope your right!” Katherine said but looked a bit doubtful, since she still wasn’t convinced that sinking Cliff's ship was such a good idea.

 

[Ms Southworth]

Yeah I suppose we do have a bunch of storylines going on at once right now, which reminds me how is that re-read coming along or have you given up on that idea?

Re-reading the first seven episodes are still on my agenda!

 

[Ms Southworth]

Interesting update from La Jolla ... ... about the days and lives of "Kathy" and "Tomas" ... and Wendy! :cooler:

Nice description of the surroundings!

LOL ... If "Kathy" had been my neighbor, I'd be a bit suspicious of her going on business trips with her husband all the time! Especially since they have a young daughter! "Kathy" is not your all American mother ... that's for sure!

So JR didn't want his son to hear about his business deals with Tom and Katherine? Go figure!

I've forgotten the details about Cliff and his ship! Perhaps it's a good idea to re-read the first episodes!

Why is Katherine having doubts about their "mission"? And why is she still seeking some kind of revenge toward Pam? Time will tell, I'm sure!

Don't let us wait too long for another update, please! :thank:

 

[Presea]

As soon as JR said that he had a confidential meeting, I figured that it would be time for some Katherine action. This scene is a good example of one of the many reasons why I don't try to get to know my neighbors. Lol. Katherine really seems like she is worried about the risks of this plan, but with how she has chosen to handle her life, she really can't blame anyone but herself. She might have a shot at redemption if she actually tries to stop judging Pam and make an effort to patch things up and get to know her as a sister. But she lets this stupid revenge thing cloud her thoughts. Pam might (or might have) actually have some sympathy for her and try to get the charges dropped if Katherine sincerely apologized and shaped up. But it looks like she just doesn't want to try. But I really wish she would. It looks like we might finally get to meet Wendy! I am hoping for some cute mother-daughter scenes! A nice change from all of those god-awful fics where Katherine hates her kids just because Bobby wasn't the father.

 

[Jessie]

Wonderful updates, I'm caught up again.
So the movie is out, I thought Don was awful reading parts of her diary on the air. I hope Sue Ellen divorces him he obviously doesn't respect her. She didn't want the film out, and he could careless about her feelings. He only wants to embarrass JR. I have to laugh Cliff is helping Don but the movie makes Afton, and himself look like fools too.
I was glad Melissa told John Ross off. It was only their first date, and he expected her to make out.
He should call Melissa and apologize.

Rebecca is funny, I'm glad Pam and Bobby are back home.
The family breakfast was fun. Pam, and Bobby are going to remarry which is great. I hope she isn't hiding something from Bobby.

I hope Jenna talks to Ray soon. I think they should divorce but I'm sure Jenna will cause some trouble.
I can't wait to see what will happen next.

 

[Karin]

Thank you everyone for the feedback. It's great to read your comments as always.

Ms Southworth, yeah of course JR wants to hide his dirty dealings from John Ross. The detail about Cliff's ship can be found in episode six when Tom and Katherine first meet JR at his office.

Presea, you are right that you never know who really lives next door. On the surface Kathy and Tomas seem like an ordinary suburban couple. But if you scratch a little...
Well even if Pam was sympathetic to Katherine it's not up to her to get the charges dropped, but Bobby. Still considering how tight Pam and Bobby have been lately maybe she could have some influence over him...

Sorry but Wendy won't make an appearance just yet. But when she does I think you'll get your wish!

Jessie, I'm delighted that you've caught up again.
Yeah Cliff sure made a mistake when he decided to back up Don in the promotion of his movie as it does make him and Afton look the fools too!
Hmm...why would Jenna cause trouble?
I don't have the faintest idea why you'd think that!

Okay so it's time for tonight's update:


It was lunch hour in Dallas and JR, Sue Ellen and John Ross were just walking in through the door at Madison’s restaurant. The guests at the tables in the restaurant were surprised to see them. As they walked towards their reserved table Sue Ellen said to JR, “Well it seems to be working, people are talking about us.”

“I hope you’re right,” JR replied. “But I still don’t get why you had to pick this ladies place to eat. I mean what’s wrong with the oil baron’s?”

“Nothing but since we’re dining there on Friday I figured the more places we are seen at the better,” Sue Ellen smiled. “Besides this restaurant is a favorite with the Daughters of the Alamo crowd, so I think us putting in an appearance here is just what’s needed to start the tongues waggling.”

JR looked around and noticing all the ladies that were pretending not to look at them as they talked in hushed voices he knew that Sue Ellen was right. They then sat down at their table and ordered some lunch.

After they’ve placed their orders John Ross said, “Nice restaurant mom, there sure are a lot of pretty ladies here.”

“Oh so you’ve noticed that haven’t you?” Sue Ellen smiled.

“Yeah I’d have to be blind not to,” John Ross grinned and checked out a younger blond girl having lunch with her mother.

“What about you JR, are you also looking at the ladies?” Sue Ellen asked.

“Why do you ask, are you getting jealous?” JR asked.

“Of course not,” Sue Ellen replied a bit too fast. “I mean as far as I am concerned you can pick up anyone you want as long as you do it when I am not here.”

“Well if that’s the way you really feel then…”

“Oh no, don’t you two start again,” John Ross interrupted them. “Remember you promised me to be on your best behavior?” The way John Ross said that lightened up the mood as both JR and Sue Ellen smiled.

“Seems like our son is keeping us on the right track,” JR smiled.

“He is,” Sue Ellen replied.

“Well I try,” John Ross smiled, when the waitress returned with their drinks.

“So John Ross, are you looking forward to going into the office with me after lunch?”

“I sure am dad,” John Ross grinned. “I can’t wait to see your new office building.”

“Well it’s our old office building actually but still,” JR smiled.

“I can tell you he is very excited, he hasn’t talked about anything else all way here,” Sue Ellen confirmed.

“I am glad to hear that John Ross, because some day the company will be yours and Christopher’s to run and I think it’s about time that you start learning the business.”

“Really do you mean that?”

“Yeah, you’re the right age now,” JR smiled.

“That’s awesome did you hear that mama?”

“Yeah I think it’s good,” Sue Ellen nodded. “As long as you don’t teach John Ross the dirty business tricks you’ve got,” she then added for JR’s benefit.

“What dirty business tricks?” John Ross asked.

“The ones your mama has picked up. I tell you John Ross I’ve taught her every dirty trick she knows,” JR grinned challengingly at Sue Ellen. She just shifted uncomfortably at that.

John Ross looked confused, “You’re joking right?”

“Of course he’s joking,” Sue Ellen hurried to insist, even if she knew he was in fact telling the truth. She had learnt at the feet of the master. By being married to JR she had learnt how to run her business, how to get rid of Mandy Winger, how to steal control over Weststar from JR and how to keep him in check with holding the movie over his head. However since John Ross didn’t need to know about any of that she changed the topic. “So JR what are you planning to teach John Ross this afternoon?”

“Oh not much, I’m just gonna give him the grand tour of the office. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like?”

“Thanks but I think I’ll pass this time,” Sue Ellen replied. “I need to buy a new dress so I have something to wear on Friday night.”

“Oh so you’ve got a hot date or something?” JR asked flirtatiously.

“Or something,” Sue Ellen replied, as she took a sip on her club soda.

John Ross smiled at that before he said, “You know I have been thinking and don’t you think it’s about time that I’ll start practicing driving?”

“You haven’t done that yet?” JR asked.

“No,” John Ross shook his head. “The age limit for that is 17 in England. But the law doesn’t apply here in Texas so…”

“I see,” JR smiled. “You want us to teach you how to drive this summer?”

“Yes,” John Ross nodded. “I mean if I’m gonna go to school here in Dallas this fall I need to learn how to drive or I’ll be the only one without wheels.”

“Well I’ll be happy to teach you how to drive,” JR grinned.

“Great, then you and Mama can take turns teaching me,” John Ross grinned.

“Sure until your Mama’s going back to England,” JR agreed.

“But dad hasn’t she told you, Mama’s not going back to England,” John Ross grinned.

“Oh is that a fact?” JR grinned. “So when was all this decided?”

“Nothing’s been decided yet,” Sue Ellen squashed JR’s hopes. “I just told John Ross this morning that I was thinking about moving back to Texas.”

“Well that’s the best news I’ve had all day,” JR grinned. “I think that deserves a toast.”

“Not so fast, I still need to talk to Don before I make a final decision. So I wouldn’t cork up the champagne just yet if I were you,” Sue Ellen said sarcastically.

“Well whatever you say darling,” JR replied. “Still I’ve got my boy back at Southfork and I’m sorry if I am being inconsiderate of your feelings, but I still think that alone is worth a toast,” JR smiled, as he put his arm on John Ross’ shoulder and gave it a little pat. John Ross smiled happily at the attention and Sue Ellen couldn’t help but feel her heart melt when she saw father and son together. For a moment she wished that things could always be like this, because being out with her family she felt a sense of unity that she never felt when she was with Don. Because even if she loved Don deep down in her heart she knew that she was only with him because JR threw them away…

 

[Ms Southworth]

Ms Southworth, The detail about Cliff's ship can be found in episode six when Tom and Katherine first meet JR at his office.

Thank you very much! :thank:

 

[Ms Southworth]

Great update from Madison's restaurant in Dallas!

Very clever move by Sue Ellen to pick this particular restaurant for the family lunch! The best way to get the word out through the grape vine is by having members of the DOA witness the "action"!

I love how John Ross is so much like his dad; i.e. noticing the young and pretty girls! :wink@

LOL ... of course, JR had to jump at the chance and ask if Sue Ellen was jealous! :lolo: Her response was great: “Of course not, ... I mean as far as I am concerned you can pick up anyone you want as long as you do it when I am not here.”

Honestly, I laughed out loud at JR's genious reply to John Ross' question about "dirty business tricks": “The ones your mama has picked up. I tell you John Ross I’ve taught her every dirty trick she knows.”

Great summary of some of the things that Sue Ellen must have picked up from the "master" himself!

I love the way that JR and Sue Ellen kept on "teasing" each other! Very cute, but perhaps not appropriate in front of their son who may get his hopes up for his parents to reconsile! :mo:

John Ross will have to pass the written drivers' ed test before he can start driving, right? I wonder how he will do (since he's not much of a study freak)!

I love the way John Ross shared his mother's news about possibly relocating to Texas! And I can just see JR saying: “Well that’s the best news I’ve had all day ... I think that deserves a toast.” Perfect JR line!

PLEASE UPDATE SOON!!!

 

[Karin]

Thank you for the feedback Ms Southworth.
I'm glad you enjoyed the references to their past and how Sue Ellen learnt all her dirty tricks from the "master" himself. I remember her telling him that "she learnt at the feet of the master" or something like that when she showed him the Valentine's video.

Honestly I don't know if you have to pass the written driver's ed to be able to start practising driving in the USA or not. Maybe someone in the US can shed some light on this for me?

Also if that is the case we have written it all wrong since there's a scene when John Ross is out practising driving with his parents before he starts taking driver's Ed classes in the fall!
Here in Sweden you don't have to pass the written test to start practising driving with your parents. You just have to be 16 years old. So I guess this is yet another example of how this is written from a European perspective!

Anyway here's tonight's update:


Cliff was sitting in his office, eating some Chinese food from a box when his secretary Jackie came in through the door, “Cliff I’m going out to lunch now.”

“Sure that’s fine Jackie,” Cliff said and Jackie turned around to leave. She was halfway out through the door when Cliff called out to her. “Oh and just one more thing Jackie, have you had any luck reaching Pam yet?”

“No I’m sorry Cliff. The last time I tried Southfork I only got hold of her niece.”

“Okay so what did she say?”

“That Pam and Bobby came back home this morning but that they weren’t in right now,”

“Okay,” Cliff nodded.

“So do you want me to try again later this afternoon?” Jackie asked.

“Yes, it’s really urgent I get hold of Pam,” Cliff said. Jackie then left the room and Cliff muttered to himself, “Damn it Pam. Where are you?”

Cliff then threw a glance at a picture on the desk of himself, Becky and Afton that was taken at the fun fair earlier this summer. He picked up the phone and for a moment he considered calling Afton. But then he put it down again. Because he knew that he’d better not call Afton until he’d got a concrete date for dinner with Pam. Only problem was that he needed to get hold of Pam first and he was not sure that was going to be easy. Because after all the years they’d been apart Cliff felt like his own sister was a stranger to him and he was not even sure if she was really out or if she was simply avoiding his calls since she didn’t want to talk to him. So no Cliff didn’t like it one bit that the only person who could help him get back on Afton’s good side was Pam, because he didn’t know if she could be trusted to help him…

 

[Karin]

Bobby, Pam, Chris & Rebecca were out playing miniature golf. Chris hit his ball and watched the ball go straight into the volcano. “Yes a hole in one,” Christopher exclaimed and walked up to pick up the golf ball.

“My turn, my turn!” Rebecca exclaimed impatiently. She then put down the ball and hit it as hard as she could. The ball flew out of the lane and landed on the ground.

“No Rebecca this isn’t regular golf, you need to hit the ball with less strength,” Bobby coached his daughter. Rebecca picked up the ball and put it on the lane where it flew out.

“Uh-uh it didn’t pass the red mark you need to put it back from the beginning,” Chris objected.

“But can’t I just put it here?” Rebecca asked.

“No the rules say you should put it back at the beginning,” Chris insisted.

“But I don’t want to, mom?” Rebecca turned to Pam.

“I’m sorry sweetie but those are the rules.”

Rebecca moped as she put the ball back at the beginning, “Okay now I’m on strike two.”

“No actually its strike three,” Chris corrected Rebecca.

“Three?” Rebecca complained. “But I only hit the ball once before!”

“Yeah but you got an extra strike because it hit out of the lane,” Chris laughed.

“Mom?” Rebecca whined.

“Well maybe we could make an exception, I mean Rebecca’s so young,” Pam said.

“No, no exceptions, she’s already gotten a handicap of 18 strikes, that’s enough,” Christopher insisted.

Bobby and Pam exchanged a look and Pam sighed, “Alright, Rebecca you are now on strike three.”

“Okay,” Rebecca sighed, before she hit the ball so loose that it only moved a couple of inches.

She took a step forward to hit the ball again when Chris said, “You need to put that back, it’s still not past the red line.”

“Mom do I have to?” Rebecca whined.

“Yes Rebecca,” Pam said.

“Typical,” Rebecca moved the ball back. “Okay so strike four,” Rebecca hit the ball again and this time it had the right speed but unfortunately it was crocket so it missed the opening in between the flower pots and hit the flower pot instead and bounced back.

“Oh no Rebecca,” Pam sighed.

“I’m sure you’ll do better next strike,” Bobby said encouragingly.

“Well she better as she only has seven strikes and she used more than half of them already,” Christopher pointed out.

“Yeah come on Rebecca we know you can do it,” Pam said encouragingly.

Rebecca put the ball back at the beginning and hit it hard because she was angry. The ball flew away and landed straight into the water of another court.

“Ha ha, you got the water again,” Chris laughed. “That’s two more strikes.”

“Damn!” Rebecca exclaimed and threw her golf club onto the ground.

“Rebecca, what are you doing?” Pam asked.

“Throwing my golf club,” Rebecca replied angrily.

“We can see that but why?” Bobby asked.

“Because golf is no fun, Christopher is just picking on me all the time,” Rebecca whined.

“Christopher you need to go a little easier on Rebecca, remember she’s a beginner at miniature golf,” Bobby lectured their son.

“But I didn’t do anything,” Chris complained.

“Yes you were, you were teasing your sister,” Pam said.

“So what?” Christopher shrugged his shoulders. “I thought that’s what big brothers do, I mean Uncle JR is always picking on you!”

Bobby sighed since Chris was not totally wrong. “Well that may be so. Still siblings looks out for each other too. You have a choice here pal, you can be a mean big brother or a nice one, so which is it gonna be?”

“Alright, I’ll be nicer,” Christopher sighed.

“Good, now go pick up your club and ball Rebecca,” Bobby said. Rebecca picked up the club. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Bobby asked.

“What?” Rebecca asked.

“The ball,” Bobby said.

“No you’ll get the ball, it’s in the water.”

“I know that now go get it.”

“I don’t want to, I’m afraid I’m gonna fall in,” Rebecca whined. Bobby sighed before he went over to the water and picked up the ball. Somehow when he had suggested they’d spend some time together with their family this wasn’t how he’d pictured the afternoon.

 

[Presea]

It was nice to see JR and Sue Ellen making an effort to be civil to each other in front of their son, especially after it initially appeared that that she would just whine about him looking at other women even though they are divorced. But I am still waiting on some true one-on-one problem solving and communication here. I think that you made a an error when you wrote that JR had taught Sue Ellen about business. I don't remember him giving her any sort of formal business training or even really discussing his job with her at all. He mostly kept his business life completely separate from his marriage. Sue Ellen only received some off-screen advice from Mr. Valentine, so the writers turned her into a Mary Sue by suddenly making her able to run a multi-million dollar business with multiple branches. It takes a lot longer just to learn how to manage a business, so I always found Sue Ellen's magical turnaround extremely unrealistic.

Same old Cliff. He is such a loser about Afton. He created this mess himself by getting into this movie thing, and if he was a REAL man, he would try to fix things with Afton by himself, not try to get his sister to bail him out.

I can understand Rebecca's frustration with golf. lol. And now it looks like the language at Southfork is foul enough to the point that a seven year old kid is picking it up. What is wrong with Bobby and Pam!? They did not even ask her to refrain from swearing!

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I think that you made a an error when you wrote that JR had taught Sue Ellen about business. I don't remember him giving her any sort of formal business training or even really discussing his job with her at all. He mostly kept his business life completely separate from his marriage. Sue Ellen only received some off-screen advice from Mr. Valentine, so the writers turned her into a Mary Sue by suddenly making her able to run a multi-million dollar business with multiple branches. It takes a lot longer just to learn how to manage a business, so I always found Sue Ellen's magical turnaround extremely unrealistic

Agreed regarding realism, but it is in the show that JR "taught" Sue Ellen, not directly but indirectly. When she sits him down to watch the videotape of the interview he compliments her and she responds she had a great teacher. Now, I don't think it was necessarily all business, especially since her business plan ended up being a personally motivated revenge plot to rid Dallas of Mandy, but I also don't think it was far-fetched to think she might have picked up a few things from observing and listening to JR over the years.

Real realness though, life and running a business is not that easy. In real life Sue Ellen probably could have/would have bought a business and outsourced all but the publicity of the company being "hers". Nicholas Pearce was a step in that direction, a bit later than you'd expect though (and far more personally involved than professionally appropriate lol).

 

[Ray&Donna]

I can understand Rebecca's frustration with golf. lol. And now it looks like the language at Southfork is foul enough to the point that a seven year old kid is picking it up. What is wrong with Bobby and Pam!? They did not even ask her to refrain from swearing!

Yes, I was going to comment on the saltiness of Rebecca's language. Some people think it is "cute" when children swear, but I try to refrain from it even as an adult. I curse much more in writing than I ever do aloud. :hello: Otherwise I am very much enjoying Bobby and Pam trying to integrate their new lives together with their old one.

 

[pd fan]

:fantastic:

 

[Karin]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I always enjoy reading your comments and insights.

Presea, I do think Sue Ellen learnt something from just observing and listening to JR for all those years. She knew him really well and like Miss Texas 1967 rightly points out there was a scene on the show where Sue Ellen says that she'd learnt from the master.

I do agree with you that it is unrealistic that someone can learn everything about how to run a business from just observing someone else though as there's a lot of things involved in running a business. But considering how Sue Ellen kept Mr. Valentine on her pay roll to start with I think he actually kept running the business end of things and Sue Ellen's influence to start with was limited to telling him to hire Mandy and put her in trampy lingerie so that it would sell!

So it wasn't really until later that she got her own office and got more involved with the day to day operations.

Well Cliff tries to use Pam to get back on Afton's good side since she told him not to contact her for a good long while. So then he played the Pam card and she did agree to dinner with Pam and Bobby which is why Cliff is now desperate to get hold of his sister.

I think Bobby and Pam were more concerned with Rebecca throwing her golf club than her cursing. :lolo:
But I can understand why a child who is around cursing picks it up. I began cursing when I was about 7-8 years old and I picked up all the bad language from a Swedish soap opera my parents let me watch. So before I was 10 I cursed so badly that I remember a friend telling me to use nicer language!

Miss Texas 1967, exactly right about the scene with JR/SE. That lunch scene and the dialogue is in fact a reference back to that scene. So well spotted.
I agree with you about Nick Pearce, Sue Ellen really shouldn't have mixed business with pleasure...

Tommie, I'm glad that you enjoy the Bobby and Pam scenes.
I think you speak nicer than I do though as I admit to cursing a lot in real life. Especially when my computer locks up or doesn't work properly then I really yell ugly words in frustration!

Silvie, thank you I'm glad you think the update was fantastic.

Okay so it's time for tonight's update and finally some father-son time at the office:


JR and John Ross were standing in front of Jock’s painting at the Ewing Oil office, “And this is of course the most important part of the office,” JR said, as he switched the light on so that Jock’s face was illuminated.

“Granddaddy’s portrait,” John Ross smiled. “I remember it from when I was little.”

“Yeah remember John Ross that without this man, there wouldn’t be a Ewing Oil,” JR said seriously. “We owe everything we’ve got to your grand-daddy.”

“I won’t forget,” John Ross replied, and standing there looking at his grandpa’s portrait a faded memory sprung to life in his mind. “I used to sit in his lap, his voice was so strong when he told me stories,” John Ross reminisced.

“So you do remember your grandpa?” JR wondered.

“Only a little, but he was nice to me. I used to feel so safe when he was around.”

“I’m glad,” JR smiled. “Anyway that was the tour of the office so what do you think?”

“It’s impressive and I’m really looking forward to working with you here,” John Ross smiled.

“Me too, it’s going to be great,” JR grinned, before he cast a glance at his watch. “Anyway I think we’d better get going now or we’re going to be late for dinner and you know your grandma doesn’t like that.”

“You’re right dad, we’d better get going,” John Ross agreed. “By the way I’m so glad that you’re going out with mama on Friday,” John Ross smiled.

“So am I,” JR said, as he walked over to his coat hanger and put on his cowboy hat. “So has your mama said anything about me that I should know?”

“You want to know if she still has feelings for you?” John Ross asked and JR nodded. So John Ross went on, “Well she hasn’t said it. But I think she does, because she dodged the subject when I asked her.”

“I see,” JR replied as they started walking towards the elevator. On the way there they passed by the secretaries empty desks as JR had already sent them home for the day.

“She also told me this morning that she was thinking about divorcing Don.”

“Well that sure is great news,” JR grinned.

“I know dad, I so hope she follows through with it as I can’t stand the guy.”

“He’s hasn’t treated you bad now, has he?”

“Not really, it’s just that he’s always butting in, scaring off my girl-friends and he doesn’t make Mama happy either. They are just arguing all the time.”

“Well thanks son that’s good to know,” JR grinned and as he placed his hand on John Ross’ shoulder he couldn’t help but noticing that his son had grown up a lot in the four years they’d been apart. He was almost as tall as JR now. A year or two and he might pass him by in height.

“So you’re thinking of making a move on mama?” John Ross asked.

“When the time is right yes,” JR confided in John Ross. “But your mama’s a sensitive woman, so I can’t move too fast or I’ll scare her away.”

“Like I scared away Melissa you mean?”

“Yeah son, consider that a lesson how not to treat a lady.”

“Well believe me dad when I say the lesson has been learned.”

“Good, you’ll see John Ross. I am going to teach you everything I know, about the oil business and also about other things. So it makes my heart good to know that you’re learning already,” JR grinned, as he and John Ross entered the elevator and the doors closed.

 

[Ms Southworth]

Honestly I don't know if you have to pass the written driver's ed to be able to start practising driving in the USA or not. Maybe someone in the US can shed some light on this for me?

Also if that is the case we have written it all wrong since there's a scene when John Ross is out practising driving with his parents before he starts taking driver's Ed classes in the fall!
Here in Sweden you don't have to pass the written test to start practising driving with your parents. You just have to be 16 years old. So I guess this is yet another example of how this is written from a European perspective!

There may be small differences in the rules and regulations regarding driving licenses in the diffferent states, but after googling a bit about the subject, I feel fairly certain that you always have to pass a written test at the local DMV (Dept. of Motor Vehicles) before you're allowed to drive on public roads. After all, it's one thing to study and learn the traffic rules, traffic signs, etc., and it's a completely different thing to be able to "operate" a car.

Until you explained the rules in Sweden, I had never heard of a place, where the authorities supposedly allow young drivers out in the streets before having passed an official, written test. To me, it's a bit scary to think about teenagers driving in the streets amongst other cars, pedestrians, bike riders, etc. even if they have their parents sitting next to them! I mean, it's not like the parents can do anything if something comes up all of a sudden, right?

Maybe a Swedish teenager is only allowed to drive in a car with their parents next to them on private property? If so, that changes everything!

 

[Ms Southworth]

Great update from Cliff's office! It had the character of Cliff "written" all over it, so thumbs up to you and Jenny for your writing style! Jackie's lines were perfectly written too! I can easily see the two of them talking when I close my eyes!

LOL ... of course, Cliff was eating Chinese food! Isn't he always? :lolo:

It's true ... Cliff hasn't treated his sister very well since her return to Dallas. It's not like she's all innocent, so these two siblings definitely have to set aside time to work on their relationship!

 

[Mrs Bobby James Ewing]

Great updates Karin. I still enjoy reading your story everyday. I am so happy that Bobby and Pam are finally spending time together with Christopher and Rebecca as a family but I am not impressed with Rebecca and her use of curse words in front of her brother Christopher and their parents. Bobby and Pam really need to talk to Rebecca about how inappropriate it is to cuss and swear in front of people. I hope Cliff is able to get in touch with Pam soon so so he can start to repair his relationship with Pam and Afton both before Mario steals Afton and Pamela Rebecca from him.

 

[Ms Southworth]

Great update about Bobby and Pam's family outing! :loveit:

Oh, my! Miniature golf can be so much fun, but at the same time, it can also test your nerves! :rlol:

I can recognize both my own (and also other's) children's behavior in the way that you wrote Rebecca. (Well, except for the cursing when it comes to my own children. For some reason, they're haven't picked up on foul language ... yet.). You did an awesome job at getting the frustration Rebecca was feeling and also the "helplessness" she was experiencing across, Karin!

LOL ... Rebecca tried to get her mom to help her bend the rules! With no success, thank goodness! I'm the exact same way with my kids. Rules are rules, and you really shouldn't bend them in order to suit young children's needs! Bobby and Pam both showed excellent parenting skills in giving their daughter emotional support!

I can understand Christopher's need to laugh at his sister's funny mistakes, but I still think that he is old enough to be able to tell when NOT to laugh or tease! :mo:

I really enjoyed this part of the update:

• “So what?” Christopher shrugged his shoulders. “I thought that’s what big brothers do, I mean Uncle JR is always picking on you!”
• Bobby sighed since Chris was not totally wrong. “Well that may be so. Still siblings looks out for each other too. You have a choice here pal, you can be a mean big brother or a nice one, so which is it gonna be?”
• “Alright, I’ll be nicer,” Christopher sighed.

Maybe it's just me, but I didn't understand what Bobby's problem with the family outing is? It's not what he imagined? :thinks: I think that their afternoon was fine ... just like any other family going out for some family fun! There'll be good moments and not so good moments!

 

[Ms Southworth]

I loved the scene with JR and John Ross at Ewing Oil!

“Granddaddy’s portrait,” John Ross smiled. “I remember it from when I was little. ... ... . “I used to sit in his lap, his voice was so strong when he told me stories,” John Ross reminisced. ... ... I used to feel so safe when he was around.”. Very cute and believable for John Ross to remember this!

Of course, JR had to try to "pump" his son for information about his mother!

Hmmm ... I realize that Don is bad news, not only for Sue Ellen but also for John Ross, but I have to wonder why John Ross chose to blame Don for scaring off his girlfriends! Based on what happened with Melissa, I have a feeling that John Ross carries all the blame for his unhappy love life himself!

I loved this part: “Well thanks son that’s good to know,” JR grinned and as he placed his hand on John Ross’ shoulder he couldn’t help but noticing that his son had grown up a lot in the four years they’d been apart. He was almost as tall as JR now. A year or two and he might pass him by in height." :wink@

I loved how blunt John Ross was: “So you’re thinking of making a move on mama?” :lolo:

Perfect ending to the father/son scene, when JR says this to his teenage son: “... ... I am going to teach you everything I know, about the oil business and also about other things. So it makes my heart good to know that you’re learning already.”.

All right ... I'm all caught up giving feedback! Thus, I'll be looking forward to many more updates! Please update soon!