Dallas in the 90's

[Karin]

Thank you everyone for the detailed feedback. I enjoy reading your comments.

Miss Texas 1967, I'm glad that you've caught up again.
I'm sorry to disappoint you but neither Jenna nor Charlie are going to be written out of this story. We simply love the characters too much for that.
Good point about John Ross and Melissa and you are right that it takes an outsider looking at the Ewing family to realize how weird they really are! :lolo:

Ms Southworth, don't worry the matriarch of the family comment was in reference to what my grandmothers had in common with Miss Ellie. So it was not aimed at you at all.
Then as for Donna and Ray, since you can't remember the details from the later seasons I really would recommend you to rewatch the season after the dream season where they get a divorce. Also considering how much you love Bobby and Pam I think you would enjoy revisiting that season as they are properly back together again.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the latest updates and that you thought the dialogue was funny. You are right that Margaret and Rebecca's reaction to the bribe illustrates their different personalities just fine.

Also Rebecca and Margaret were not in JR's room as it said in the beginning of the first update that they were sitting on the balcony.

John Ross did in deed ask Chris for help to control the girls prior to his date since he didn't want the kids to ruin things for him. So Chris is on a mission trying to keep the kids away from John Ross.

Oh yeah I remember how some words were so nicely censored from my story before. But I guess hell is ok.

Sanda, I'm glad you've enjoyed Melissa and John Ross date. You will see if she will leave or stick around soon...
Miss Ellie ususally lectures her family about stuff, but she's not able to do so if she doesn't notice what's going on and today she's pretty preoccupied by her memories.

Okay so update time:


Cliff, Afton and Becky were driving home from the movies. A chilly silence was lingering in the air. Cliff harked before turning to his daughter, “So what did you think of the movie?”

“It was alright daddy,” Becky said. “Except for all those love scenes,” Becky glared at Afton. “Did you not find it weird that that mistress reminded so much of you mom?”

Afton glared angry at Cliff who said, “No honey I don’t think there was any resemblance at all!” Cliff tried to smooth it over, “Right dear?”

“I can’t believe that you took us to see that awful movie!”

“Oh come on Afton. It’s not my fault that JR’s been such a bastard!”

“You know what Cliff? Sometimes it’s hard to see the difference between you and him.”

“Hold it now you are being very unfair. I mean JR…”

“I know. Look the movie might have been about JR but you and your feud was in it too. Not to talk about…. It’s embarrassing!!!!”

“I am sorry dear but I had no idea that was in it!” Cliff apologized. “I just wanted to show what a jerk JR is.”

“Oh if I could only understand why you hate all the Ewings so much.”

“I don’t hate all of them. Bobby is okay.”

“Then I really don’t understand why you got so upset that he and Pam are back together again!”

“Afton he’s a Ewing! And so is JR and I know he won’t rest until he’s broken them up again. And that will only lead to Pam, Bobby and Christopher being hurt again.”

“I suppose you’re right. But the rest of the family likes Pam.”

“I know. But JR will always be there.”

“Daddy?” Becky asked. “Do you think we could have dinner someday with Uncle Bobby and Aunt Pam?”

“He’s not your uncle, they aren’t married anymore,” Cliff said.

“I know. But Rebecca said that John Ross, Margaret and Lucy still call Pam aunt, so why can’t I call Bobby uncle?”

“Well…”

“I don’t see no reason why not,” Afton said. “Do you Cliff?”

“No. I’ll talk to Pam about dinner,” Cliff said, as he stopped the car in front of Afton’s house.

They got out and Afton said, “Home at last! Say goodbye to daddy Becky, because we won’t be seeing him for a long time.”

Upon hearing this Cliff got upset, “What do you mean you won’t see me in a long time?”

“Exactly that,” Afton replied coldly.

“Oh come on Afton, don’t blame me for the movie, it was all JR’s fault…”

“No as far as I’m concerned it was your fault for bringing our daughter to see that piece of shit. I don’t even know what you were thinking Cliff.”

“But honey, I swear that I didn’t know what was in it.”

“Don’t you honey me,” Afton yelled. “I am not your honey and if it wasn’t for Becky I’d never want to see you ever again…”

“Afton please calm down. I know you’re upset but don’t take it out on Becky…”

“Exactly, I wanna see daddy mommy,” Becky whined.

“I know you do honey, but I think it’s better if we don’t see each other for a while.”

“Not even for dinner with Pam and Bobby?” Cliff asked as he was grasping at straws.

“Yes please mommy?” Becky pleaded.

Afton looked at Becky’s hopeful face and sighed, “Alright then, if you can arrange for us to have dinner with Pam and Bobby I suppose Becky and I can join you.”

“Great, I’ll call you as soon as I’ve set up a date with Pam,” Cliff smiled. “Thanks Afton, you won’t regret it.”

“I hope so,” Afton sighed. “But don’t call me. Have Pam call me, since I really don’t wanna talk to you.”

“But Afton…”

“No I’m too pissed to talk to you right now, ok?” Afton said before she took Becky’s hand.

“Okay,” Cliff nodded in defeat.

“Good, now Becky say goodbye to daddy,” Afton started to pull Becky away from Cliff.

“Goodbye daddy,” Becky yelled over her shoulder as they walked towards the house. “See you soon!”

“I hope so, goodbye for now sweetheart,” Cliff called out after them, as he watched Afton and Becky disappear inside their house. He sighed and made a mental note to himself to talk to Pam about dinner as soon as possible, since he’d be damned if he was about to lose his daughter over some crappy movie…

 

[Ms Southworth]

Ms Southworth, don't worry the matriarch of the family comment was in reference to what my grandmothers had in common with Miss Ellie. So it was not aimed at you at all.

als:

Then as for Donna and Ray, since you can't remember the details from the later seasons I really would recommend you to rewatch the season after the dream season where they get a divorce. Also considering how much you love Bobby and Pam I think you would enjoy revisiting that season as they are properly back together again.

Thanks so much for the recommendation, but I'm not sure that it's worth my money to "invest" in DVD's that I most likely won't watch very often (simply because it hurts too much to see the "damage" the writers/producers did to "Dallas" in the double digit seasons! And yes, there was a lot of bad stuff about Bobby and Pam too, unfortunately, Pam's disgratious departure being ione of them!

I'm glad that you enjoyed the latest updates and that you thought the dialogue was funny. You are right that Margaret and Rebecca's reaction to the bribe illustrates their different personalities just fine.

We haven't heard anything about how things are going with the two girls sharing a room! Will there be any scenes about that? Or should I just assume that all is "good" and there's nothing to "tell"?

Also Rebecca and Margaret were not in JR's room as it said in the beginning of the first update that they were sitting on the balcony.

I thought that it was established in the early seasons of "Dallas" that the Southfork balcony "belonged" to JR and Sue Ellen's bedroom (which I assumed would be JR's room now)! Anyone else remember the story of the balcony?

John Ross did in deed ask Chris for help to control the girls prior to his date since he didn't want the kids to ruin things for him. So Chris is on a mission trying to keep the kids away from John Ross.

Makes perfect sense ...

 

[Honkytonkangel]

I feel so bad for Becky here she doesn't need or deserve to be exposed to all that shit from the past any more than John Ross does.
Afton and Cliff however I think got what was long overdue for what they both did to Sue Ellen (which they both seem to have forgotten or just completely ignoring).
I do love that it's taken Cliff down a peg or two though.
Can't wait to see what kind of drama lands on everyone's doorsteps next.

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I'm sorry to disappoint you but neither Jenna nor Charlie are going to be written out of this story. We simply love the characters too much for that.

Fair enough.

Will they improve though? Rebecca used to drive me nuts but she's far less annoying now. Jenna and Charlie could use some of the Rebecca treatment, they get on my nerves, though even when they're not irritating they are less interesting than everyone else.

 

[Ray&Donna]

Thanks so much for the recommendation, but I'm not sure that it's worth my money to "invest" in DVD's that I most likely won't watch very often (simply because it hurts too much to see the "damage" the writers/producers did to "Dallas" in the double digit seasons! And yes, there was a lot of bad stuff about Bobby and Pam too, unfortunately, Pam's disgratious departure being one of them!

Yeah, I only purchased Pam and Donna's final season because I wanted to make music videos and screen caps. Otherwise it's not one I enjoy re-watching.

I thought that it was established in the early seasons of "Dallas" that the Southfork balcony "belonged" to JR and Sue Ellen's bedroom (which I assumed would be JR's room now)! Anyone else remember the story of the balcony?

Trying to figure out the upstairs at Southfork is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube! The fact that Kristin "leapt" to her death makes it seem like public space, but then in season eight we see Miss Ellie and Clayton dining there as though it was off their room. However, I have also seen it suggested that the front balcony was accessible only via Jock and Miss Ellie's room, despite the fact that J.R. watched Valene leave from that vantage point at the end of "Reunion, Part Two". There was a thread in the main forum that showed a reasonable floor plan for both upstairs and down, but I don't know if it's been reposted since the last crash...

 

[Ms Southworth]

Terrific update with Cliff, Afton, and Becky!

LOL ... ... Cliff is in quite "deep" at this point, right? And somehow, I don't really feel sorry for him, since he got himself (and others) into this mess and, thus, also must make an effort to get himself out!

The worst part is that he took his own daughter to see this movie! She's only 10 or so, right? Bad choice, Cliff! Espcially considering the fact that you're trying to win Afton's heart!

Real cute that Becky wants to have dinner with Pam and Bobby and also asked for "permission" to call him her "uncle"! :danc:

I had to swallow an extra time, when Afton said: (1) “Home at last! Say goodbye to daddy Becky, because we won’t be seeing him for a long time.” (2) “Don’t you honey me,” ... ... “I am not your honey and if it wasn’t for Becky I’d never want to see you ever again…”. (3) "But don’t call me. Have Pam call me, since I really don’t wanna talk to you.” (She's really furious, huh??? )

Once again, Cliff puts all the blame on JR! When are you (i.e. Cliff) going to grow up and own your share? :mo:

Thanks for leaving me with a good laugh, Afton: “No I’m too pissed to talk to you right now, ok?” :lolo:

Please update sooooooonnnnn!!!

 

[Pammy P]

Brilliant writing, in my head I can imagine all these scenes being acted by the original actors! Shame this was not Dallas reinvented, better than that Dallas 2.0 TNT Trash! Brilliant, hope CBS pick this up, Karin Schill you would be rich $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:fantastic:

 

[Ms Southworth]

Brilliant writing, in my head I can imagine all these scenes being acted by the original actors! Shame this was not Dallas reinvented, better than that Dallas 2.0 TNT Trash! Brilliant, hope CBS pick this up, Karin Schill you would be rich $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:fantastic:

I second all of this! :10::10::10::10::10::10::10::10:

 

[Ms Southworth]

Yeah, I only purchased Pam and Donna's final season because I wanted to make music videos and screen caps. Otherwise it's not one I enjoy re-watching.

I'm thrilled that you gets my point exactly!

Trying to figure out the upstairs at Southfork is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube! The fact that Kristin "leapt" to her death makes it seem like public space, but then in season eight we see Miss Ellie and Clayton dining there as though it was off their room. However, I have also seen it suggested that the front balcony was accessible only via Jock and Miss Ellie's room, despite the fact that J.R. watched Valene leave from that vantage point at the end of "Reunion, Part Two". There was a thread in the main forum that showed a reasonable floor plan for both upstairs and down, but I don't know if it's been reposted since the last crash...

Thanks for sharing this info! If the balcony potentially could be "public space", then it makes much more sense that JR and his nieces would spend time there at the same time! :wink@

 

[Karin]

Thank you so much for all of your comments and detailed feedback. I enjoy reading all of it. :thank:

Also this message is about to head into OT as I will join in on your discussion about the Southfork floorplan!
I agree with Tommie that it's really hard to figure it out and that it seems like Miss Ellie and Clayton has the front balcony all to themselves. Jenny and I actually spent some time this summer looking at old episodes while making new drawings of what we think Southfork upstairs and downstairs should look like on the show and in this story and it's not even the first time we've done this and I am sure our drawings are not perfect. But anyway I might as well share them with you all.

First of all when Dallas originally began in 1978 the upstairs seemed to look something like this:


As you can see in the image there is a landing that goes around upstairs next to the front of the house. The landing leads to Pam and Bobby's room and it seems like Lucy would also have her room over there. Above the landing there is front doors that leads into Jock and Miss Ellie's room. We can see Miss Ellie come out of them in the episode where Jock has his heart attack and tell Sue Ellen off as she parades up and down the stairs and pretends to be mistress of the house. JR and Sue Ellen's room are located on the otherside. Later on they built a nursery for John Ross but we have not been able to figure out where it's located as you never see the upstairs hallway. Just the landing and you can tell when they filmed at the actual house or at the set in Hollywood since on the set the roof of the landing above the stairs is higher. When they were in the actual house Patrick had to dodge to be able to walk underneath it! :lolo:

Anyway the upstairs hallway only appeared in 1983 a few episodes before the Southfork fire!
It would have made more sense if it had appeared afterwards. But oh well after the fire the upstairs looked something like this:



It seems like the landing was destroyed in the fire and not rebuilt as Miss Ellie and Clayton's room seems to have shifted places to be right above the front door later on and with direct access to the front balcony. The doors leading to the backyard balcony are in the hallway in between JR and Sue Ellen's room. On the actual house there is a chimney blocking the doors so you don't see them from a distance but on the Hollywood set the chimney was removed.

Downstairs looked something like this before the fire:


The room you can't read what it is in the right corner next to the dining is the kitchen. We guess the exercise room is the one who is next to the office room. But it didn't seem to exist at the same time as the office room and therefore it's likely to conclude that the office room might have been rebuilt into an exercise room after the fire. Although the two rooms didn't resemble each other much.

Anyway then as for the sake of this story. We imagine Southfork to look something like this in 1995:


That is the downstairs. As you can see we've added guest rooms.


Then this is upstairs. As you can see we've added two additional rooms to the main hallway that you enter from the side. It seems to us like the upstairs had to have more rooms than we saw on the actual show in order to hold all those people living there at the same time. Like for instance in early 1985 Miss Ellie, Clayton, JR, Sue Ellen, Bobby, John Ross, Lucy and Charlie and Jenna were living at Southfork. Christopher also had a nursery. So there had to have been more rooms than what we saw.

So well I hope that makes things a bit clearer about the Southfork upstairs floor plan.

Ms Southworth, I think what confuses you about the backyard balcony going straight into JR/SE's bedroom is the actual Southfork. Because anyone who's visited the ranch house knows that the interior of the actual Southfork and the Southfork we see on the show is nowhere near the same. On the actual Southfork you do in deed go straight into the master bedroom upstairs from the backyard balcony and that is JR/SE's bedroom. But on the show the doors to the backyard balcony are at the back of the upstairs hallway, you can see that really clear in the episode with the Southfork fire when Ray and Bobby pulls JR out that way.

Enough about the Southfork floor plans. But feel free to comment if you'd like.

As for the Dallas DVD's. I would recommend you to get two more seasons!
The dream season because of Donna and Ray and JR & Sue Ellen's storylines that seasons. They were both superb.
The season after the dream season because of Bobby and Pam remarrying. It's odd but I think Dallas season 1 & 2 and 10 (DVD) are actually my most watched seasons. I love, love, love Pam's final season. Just make sure you skip watching the last five minutes of the season so you don't have to watch the crash and it's all good.

Yeah you can assume that all is good with Rebecca and Margaret sharing a room and hence we haven't heard anything more about it.

Yeah Becky is 10 years old in this story. Yes Cliff brought this on himself. He really shouldn't have brought Afton and Becky to watch Sue Ellen's movie!

Honkytonkangel, I'm glad that you enjoyed Cliff and Afton finally getting theirs for what they did to Sue Ellen. It served them right, but I do feel sorry for Becky in all this as she's just an innocent child.

Miss Texas 1967, good question. I have no clue if Charlie and Jenna will improve. I mean the way they are perceived are very subjective after all. But I can promise you though that they will get better plots so maybe you will enjoy them more when their plots are more intergrated with the rest of the Ewing family rather than separate from everyone else like they are now...
I'm happy to hear that Rebecca has grown on you now.

Tommie, I guess why you don't like season 10 (DVD) is mainly because of the way the writer's broke up Donna and Ray that season. :brick:

Pammy, I am flattered that you think this is good enough to be on TV and it's great that you can see it all being played out by the original actors when you read it. Honestly I can picture it all in my mind when we write it too.
Also like I mentioned in another thread on the board. It's too late to film this now. So the only way this could ever be an official part of the Dallas universe would be if there were an official tie-in book series sort of like the "Soap & Serials" ones from the 1980's... :wink@
But I don't think that will ever happen since it would have to go through Time-Warner as they bought up Lorimar and owns the right to Dallas. Also I think most of the characters we've adopted legally belongs to David Jacobs.
Oh well at least this fanfic can be enjoyed by the fans on this board and it pleases me to know that you all enjoy it so much.

Okay an update will follow in the next post...

 

[Karin]

Charlie and Marnie were standing by the racecar track watching the race. “You can’t mean Lucas was screaming?”

“Yeah he sure was. Don’t ask me why but he really wanted to see this shit,” Charlie sighed.

“Yeah this sure is boring, but what can we do?” Marnie sighed. “The guys want us to watch them compete.”

“Your right Marnie,” Charlie said. “You know it’s really good to spend some time with you even thought we have to be at this boring place.”

“Yeah wouldn’t it have been great if we could have gone shopping instead?”

“Yeah or laying around on the beach,” Charlie said longingly.

“What beach?” Marnie asked. “There are no beaches around here. Oh I really hate these kinds of competitions. Every time an accident occurs I think it’s Dex who’s gotten hurt. I can’t understand why people pay to see this…”

In the next moment a car lost its course and drove off the track. “Ouch that was the second accident today,” Charlie shivered. “I can’t stand this. Come on let’s leave. I mean if Randy and Dex have to have an audience let them bring Lucas instead!”

“It’s too late to leave now. The race is finally over,” Marnie said. “But we’ll send him along the next time.”

Randy and Dex came walking up to them. Randy called, “Charlie!”

“Marnie!” Dex called.

Charlie ran up to Randy and hugged him, “Randy are you okay?”

“Sure. I’ve forgotten how much fun this was,” Randy smiled.

“Well if you like it, there are five more races to go this summer!” Dex said.

“Great, count me in,” Randy smiled.

“Five more races?” Charlie made a face before she turned to Marnie. “Well Lucas will be thrilled,” Charlie whispered to Marnie and they laughed as the four of them walked away from the racetrack together.

 

[Ms Southworth]

Thanks for sharing all the info and drawings regarding the potential Southfork floorplan, Karin!
I never had any doubt that the exterior and the interior of Southfork never "matched" (because that's usually always the case on television shows and films)!

As for the Dallas DVD's. I would recommend you to get two more seasons!
The dream season because of Donna and Ray and JR & Sue Ellen's storylines that seasons. They were both superb.
The season after the dream season because of Bobby and Pam remarrying. It's odd but I think Dallas season 1 & 2 and 10 (DVD) are actually my most watched seasons. I love, love, love Pam's final season. Just make sure you skip watching the last five minutes of the season so you don't have to watch the crash and it's all good.

It just seems like such a waste to have to fast forward (FF) through all the bad storylines in order to catch a few possible good ones in the dream season!

Honestly, in season 10 (DVD), there are only a few scenes with Bobby and Pam that I liked! And if I want to, I can watch them on Youtube! In that particular season, I really disliked how Jenna's pregnancy created so many sad moments for Bobby and Pam! And on top of that, it was just ridiculous to think that Pam (at least the one that I'd gotten to know) would ever offer to adopt Jenna's baby!

One day, I may change my mind about getting the double digit seasons, but for now, I'm quite content!

 

[Ms Southworth]

Thanks for today's update!

As you know, I'm indifferent to Charlie's presence, since I don't consider her to be a central character on "Dallas" ... sorry! And I'm afraid that I don't have any relevant comments to share ... except that Charlie continues to come across as being very immature for her age!

Hoping for many more updates ASAP!

 

[Karin]

Thank you for the feedback Ms Southworth.

As for the dream season what I really liked about it was how Sue Ellen hit rock bottom. There's no doubt in my mind that Linda should have and maybe would have won the Emmy for that performance if it hadn't turned out to be a dream!
Also the reconciliation with JR was believable since she had faced her demons and grown as a person and that impressed him and made him fall in love with her again...

The Down syndrome storyline was also really well made with Donna and Ray. That moment when they realize their baby have down syndrome is so emotional and heart-breaking.

JR and Pam working at Ewing Oil was fun too. What I really disliked about that season however were Pam and Mark.

Then as for season 10, I didn't have a problem with Jenna's pregnancy. Maybe because I knew about Lucas existance and that he was Bobby's son from the first season I watched the show. So I simply accepted it. I have a feeling I would have felt differently about it if I had watched Dallas from the beginning and followed Bobby and Pam for some 9 years prior to it. I guess Lucas only exists in Dallas because Priscilla was pregnant in real life that year and they wrote it into the show.

Anyway I love season 10.

Then as for Charlie, don't worry she will mature when she starts working. Right now she still thinks like a college girl when life is a party!

Okay so on to tonight's update:



Back at Southfork had Melissa and John Ross gotten tired of swimming and had changed back into their regular clothes again. They were standing kissing on the patio when they suddenly heard giggling coming from behind them. When they broke apart they could see Rebecca and Margaret standing there. John Ross asked, “What are you doing here?”

“We’re playing detectives like Nancy Drew,” Margaret replied.

“Yeah and right now we’re following you,” Rebecca grinned.

“Cute, now go follow someone else instead,” John Ross said annoyed.

“And if we don’t?” Rebecca asked.

“Then I’ll wring your little necks. You’ve been pestering us all day,” John Ross said threateningly to Melissa’s surprise. “Now shoo,” the girls realized that John Ross was seriously pissed and ran back into the house.

“Let’s go somewhere else, since here we certainly can’t have any privacy,” Melissa said.

“Good idea, so how about going to the barn?” John Ross suggested.

“Sure I love horses,” Melissa said.

John Ross leant forward and kissed Melissa again. “Me too but that’s not why we’re going there…”

“What do you mean?” Melissa asked confused.

But John Ross didn’t have the chance to answer before Christopher came out of the house and asked, “John Ross, have you seen Rebecca and Margaret?”

“Yeah we’ve seen them alright, they were spying on us!” John Ross complained. “What happened I thought you were supposed to watch them?”

“I was, but they got away from me when I was reading Margaret’s damn book!” Chris explained.

“Still couldn’t you have looked after them a little better?”

“Hey don’t blame me!” Chris said upset. “I was actually reading that stupid book and you ought to be glad that I agreed to look after them in the first place!”

“Well I am grateful for that, it’s just that the kids have been pestering us all afternoon,” John Ross sighed.

“I know they sure can be annoying,” Christopher said.

“That’s the understatement of the year,” John Ross complained when a car engine was heard in the background.

Chris who was standing facing the driveway looked up and smiled happily, “Wow, you’re never gonna believe who’s here!”

John Ross turned around just in time to see Cliff Barnes get out of the car. Oh f***! Not Cliff Barnes too, John Ross thought. Cliff got out of the car and Melissa turned to John Ross and said, “Great, now who’s that?”

“Cliff Barnes, he’s my dad’s arch-enemies,” John Ross sighed.

“Oh really so what’s he’s doing here then?” Melissa asked puzzled.

But John Ross didn’t have the time to answer before Chris exclaimed, “Uncle Cliff!” Christopher ran up to Cliff and gave him a huge hug.

Cliff hugged him back warmly, “Hello Christopher. So how’s my nephew today?”

“Just fine thanks,” Christopher said and they continued to small talk.

Melissa turned to John Ross and asked him in a puzzled voice, “Why did he just call him Uncle Cliff?”

“Because he is his uncle,” John Ross explained. “You’ll see Cliff’s Pam’s half-brother and Pam’s my Uncle Bobby’s ex-wife.”

Melissa frowned as she pondered the absurdness of that relationship when JR came out of the house. He said in a threatening voice, “Barnes, what the hell are you doing here?”

“Oh I just thought that I’d stop by to visit my sister and her children.”

“Well she isn’t here…”

“Not here?” Cliff asked. “But where is she then?”

“Bobby took her with him on a business trip to Houston, so get lost huh?” JR said.

“Oh no, not until I get the phone number to their hotel, it’s urgent that I’ll speak to Pam,” Cliff insisted.

“What do I look like a number service?” JR said sarcastically. “Look it up in the phone book Barnes!”

“I can’t without a name,” Cliff said.

“Mom and dad are staying at the Omni Houston Hotel,” Christopher replied. “If you wait here, I can get the number for you.”

“Thanks Christopher,” Cliff smiled.

Christopher disappeared into the house at the same time as Sue Ellen came out of the house. Sue Ellen was surprised to see that they’d got company, “Cliff?”

“Hi Sue Ellen, its sure is nice to see you.”

“You too, but what are you doing here?”

“Oh just visiting my nephew and niece,” Cliff replied. “By the way I just saw your husband earlier today.”

Sue Ellen’s jaw dropped at that statement, “Don’s in town?”

“Yeah,” Cliff nodded.

“What is he doing here?” Sue Ellen asked.

Noticing the grim expression on JR’s face Cliff smiled before he told a half truth, “Oh I think he’s just here to bring you home to England with him!”

“He is?” Sue Ellen asked pleasantly surprised.

“Yeah he sure has missed you a lot, couldn’t stop talking about you,” Cliff said, with a fake smile. “He said the house hadn’t been the same since you left and…”
“Enough with the bullshit Barnes,” JR interrupted Cliff as he sure didn’t like what he was hearing.

“It’s not bullshit, I’m telling the truth,” Cliff objected.

“Well that would be a first,” JR muttered. “So why don’t you piss off and mind your own business instead of…”

“Oh look who’s talking?” Cliff yelled. “I would gladly mind my own business if you only stayed out of mine!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Like you don’t know, you stole my Gold Everest 840 from me Ewing!”

“So what if I did?” JR said challengingly. “That’s business Cliff, but when you are going after my wife it’s personal…”

“Well that’s just it, Sue Ellen’s not your wife anymore Ewing. She was smart enough to divorce you,” Cliff taunted JR. “And you’ve got no one to blame for that but yourself.”

“I’m warning you, you’d better get off this property now or I’ll have someone kick you out.”

“Don’t bother Ewing, I’m leaving as soon as I get the number to my sister’s hotel. I need to get hold of Pam so I can smooth things over with Afton. She won’t even speak to me because of your stupid movie.”

Cliff’s words hit Sue Ellen hard, as she started to realize just why Don was really in town. Just to make sure she’d heard him right she asked in disbelief, “My movie?”

“What?!” JR exclaimed. “Do you mean to tell me that awful movie’s out in the states?”

“If you mean the one that’s based on your life with Sue Ellen, it sure is,” Cliff confirmed.

“Oh shit!” Sue Ellen cursed.

JR turned to Sue Ellen, “So you didn’t know about this?”

“Of course not,” Sue Ellen defended herself before she apologized, “I’m so sorry JR. I never meant to embarrass you.”

“Well if that’s so why did you do that awful film?” Cliff asked.

“What, don’t tell me that you didn’t like the movie either Barnes?” JR asked.

“I hated it,” Cliff sighed. “You see I brought Afton and Becky to the premiere this afternoon expecting it to be good. But I had forgotten all about your dirty little affair with Afton, so now Afton’s pissed with me and it’s all your fault!”

“Oh come on Barnes if you’re dumb enough to bring your child to watch that piece of shit how can it be my fault?” JR argued.

“Damn right it’s your fault. If you had treated Sue Ellen better she’d never made this movie and then Afton wouldn’t have seen it and…”

“Oh no Barnes don’t blame it on me, you brought this one on yourself!”

“Like hell I didn’t, this is all your fault Ewing!” Cliff yelled.

“Well let me tell you something and that is that you’re getting more and more like that drunk looser who was your father for every day. He always blamed everything on us Ewings and so are you!”

That got Cliff really mad, “Don’t you dare insulting my daddy!” Cliff finally threw the first punch at JR who was all too happy to hit back and soon was the fighting in full swing between them. Before long they fell into the pool and continued their fighting there.

Miss Ellie, Clayton, Christopher, Rebecca and Margaret came running out of the house and Miss Ellie screamed, “Stop it!”

“Yeah knock it off you two!” Clayton walked into the pool and tried to keep JR and Cliff apart. JR and Cliff were yelling at each other and then eventually Clayton managed to stop the fight and JR, Cliff and Clayton came up from the pool.

“Get the hell out of Southfork Barnes!” JR yelled.

“I’d be glad to get out of this hellhole. Christopher ask Pam to phone me once she gets back, ok?”

“Sure Uncle Cliff!” Christopher promised and Cliff left.

When he’d left John Ross turned to Melissa and said, “So where were we?”

“I think you were going to show me your horses,” Melissa reminded him, before she looked at her watch. “But I think it’ll have to wait until next time. Mike’s picking me up any minute now.”

“Oh that’s too bad since I was really looking forward to showing you our barn.”

“You mean your horses right?”

“Right, so when will I see you again?” John Ross asked.

“I don’t know, maybe tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow would be great,” John Ross smiled.

“So I’ll show up at two?” Melissa asked.

“Sure that works for me,” John Ross grinned.

“So we’re going out riding then?” Melissa asked.

“Yeah if we can make it out of the barn,” John Ross laughed.

Melissa frowned, “What do you mean?”

“Oh just that the barn is really great for, you know?”

“No I don’t know.”

“Oh so you haven’t ever done it in a barn before?” John Ross asked seductively.

“What?” Melissa’s jaw dropped as she finally realized what he was after. Melissa gave John Ross a slap on the cheek.

“Hey what was that for?” John Ross yelled puzzled.

“For being a slime John Ross,” Melissa yelled.

“So does that mean our second date is off?” John Ross asked.

“Damn right, you can forget about you and me, because that’s never ever gonna happen. Not now, not ever!”

“But I don’t understand you’ve been leading me on all afternoon so I thought you wanted to…”

“Well you thought wrong, I don’t,” Melissa yelled offensively. “What do you take me for John Ross, a slut?”

Seeing the fury in her eyes John Ross knew he’d made a mistake. “No of course not, look I’m sorry darling for pushing so hard. I mean you’re obviously not easy. So why don’t we slow down. Go out on a second date, I really like you Melissa,” John Ross pleaded with her.

“I thought I liked you too, hell John Ross all afternoon I’ve put up with your family doing one weird thing after another. But I think to myself, it’s okay, it’s his family but he’s different. He’s lived in England. There they know how to treat a lady,” Melissa cried.

“Well I do know how to treat a lady,” John Ross said defensively. “Why don’t you wait here and I’ll get you your flower?” John Ross asked when a car pulled up on the drive.

Melissa smiled relieved when she recognized her brother Mike. “No,” Melissa shook her head.

“But don’t you want the flower?” John Ross asked.

“No, I don’t want it or anything else that has to do with you, your perverse parents or the rest of your weird family. I never wanna see any of you ever again,” Melissa yelled before she picked up her bag and rushed off.

“Thanks everyone, you’ve just ruined my date!” John Ross yelled.

“We did?” JR asked. “Uh-uh, it was that Barnes fault!”

But John Ross didn’t listen to him, as he yelled angrily, “Like hell it was, it was me, I lost her for thinking with my pants, why do I have to be so much like you dad?”

John Ross ran into the house to be alone and JR asked puzzled, “What did he mean by that?”

“He meant that if you haven’t cheated on me, I wouldn’t have left you,” Sue Ellen clarified for JR.

“You’ve told him that?” JR asked.

Sue Ellen nodded, “Yes.”

“Maybe we’d better go talk to him?”

“No it’s no use, he wants to be alone,” Sue Ellen said. “Besides we have worse problems than that John Ross’ date went wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don released the damn movie,” Sue Ellen spelled it out to JR.

“I know, so what are you gonna do about it?” JR asked Sue Ellen.

“Well not go back to England with him that’s for sure.”

“You mean that your marriage is over?” JR lightened up.

“I think so,” Sue Ellen reluctantly revealed.

“Well darling, that’s the best news I’ve had all day,” JR grinned.

“So you’re not angry with me?” Sue Ellen asked.

“Hell no, I’m angry with Don,” JR replied.

“But I don’t understand. That movie will embarrass your entire family.”

“Our family Sue Ellen, you’re still a Ewing at heart,” JR reminded her.

“I guess you’re right,” Sue Ellen admitted. “So what are you gonna do about the movie?”

“Oh don’t worry, I’ll come up with something, since nobody crosses JR Ewing and gets away with it,” JR said in a voice that meant business and Sue Ellen looked at him appreciating, as for the first time in years she stopped denying what her heart had known all along. That she was still a Ewing. No matter what had happened in the past, she knew that when this family would need her she would be there for them. Just like they would be there for her and that was a nice feeling…


To be continued…

 

[pd fan]

Great chapter contrats Karin !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ms Southworth]

I just hate it when an otherwise excellent update ends with these words: To be continued

I won't get around to give detailed feedback today, but rest assured that this update contained both surprising and quite shocking elements, but also funny dialogue! This scene deserves nothing less than a full score: :10::10::10::10::10::10::10::10:


Karin and Jenny: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the daily entertainment that you have provided us with! :bravo: :thank:
I'm already counting the days until the start of the next episode!

 

[Honkytonkangel]

Woohoo that Melissa is one smart cookie and she stood up for herself and got out of there. John Ross was out of order at the end there. It's a shame though.
I hope John Ross will learn a lesson from this and that he will talk to his mom and dad when he calms down. I also hope the rest of the family will dial down the crazy if he brings another date to Southfork in the future.
Not surprised that Cliff showed up at Southfork shouting the odds. He's such a hypocrite and he obviously HAS forgotten the way HE treated Sue Ellen and the things he pulled on JR. Also in terms of blaming everyone else I think he's way worse than Digger (though that was a low blow from JR).
Happy that JR is not angry with Sue ellen and I can't wait to see him wipe the floor with Don and Cliff.
And SO happy Sue Ellen may FINALLY be realising that Don is not worth it (stick to your guns this time woman PLEASE) and I think she should kick him to the kerb as soon as possible and then make JR work VERY hard to win her back LOL.
Fabulous update and I can't wait to see what happens next.

 

[supermanfan]

:fantastic::10::fantastic::10::fantastic::10:

 

[Presea]

I am glad that Melissa yelled at John Ross here, but did sound like she was stereotyping men from England. John Ross is a horndog for wanting to just hurry up and have sex on their first date. And he can't blame his father for his own actions. I hate to say it, but I really don't like John Ross in this story. He is mostly just a whiny little brat who wants to take the easy way out of things and can't grow up and take responsibility for himself. He is almost an adult, so it is time he started acting like one. Unfortunately, it is common for kids their age to hook up fast and have make-out fests on their first dates, but it is still pretty sad that they don't have much reason for wanting to be together beyond: "I like you." and "I like you, too."

Cliff is as stupid as usual, but I expected something like this to happen. It was funny when they all went in the pool, though. Sue Ellen's reaction is quite disappointing, though. It looks JR is already completely forgiven, and that is just sad. Also, why doesn't she try to solve the problem with Don Dorkwood herself? It's so sad that after how strong she became in the later seasons, she has now basically been reduced to a helpless and easily manipulated puppet who is clapping for JR for proposing to take care of something that she would have had no problem taking care of herself in the canon-based later years of Dallas.

Just what is up with all of this profanity? It would make sense if this was for something where the characters actually cussed like this, but it just comes off as very OOC for Dallas. When did Afton have such a foul mouth? And since Sue Ellen is adopting her spineless "perfect lady" role from some of the earlier seasons, someone should tell her that it is not very ladylike at all to swear. (And no Sue Ellen, just marrying JR does not mean that you are a Ewing!) And before you claim that it makes sense because they used the word s*** in the TNT Dallas, you should know that I don't even consider that as an excuse since those writers had no idea what they were doing, and that they probably felt that level swearing was required just because it was a cable show. And sadly, all of this actually makes their usage of it look mild. I'm sorry if all of this sounds negative, but I do believe that the concept of being in-character is important when it comes to writing.

 

[Ray&Donna]

LOL, Melissa made a wise choice in getting away from the crazy Ewings. Of course her terror is our delight! So much action happening in and around the pool sounds like the glory days of the show, when Southfork was filled with people and not potted plants.