EPISODE 239 - The Lost Boys

 Bobby and Lucas arrive at Southfork late in the afternoon and walk into the den, where they find Courtney, Heather, Ann, Krystina, and her mother, Krystle Carrington, all looking worried.

 

"Hey, what's goin' on?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Heather, what's wrong?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Michael and Jacob,"  Heather replies.

 

"What about them?"  Asks Bobby.

 

"Jacob got upset with Christopher and me,"  Courtney says.  "He was angry, and he ran off.  Michael went after him, and neither of them came back."

 

"That was a couple of hours ago, and neither of them are answering their cell phones," Heather.

 

"Has anyone been out looking for them?"  Asks Lucas.

 

"Christopher and Alex are out lookin' now with Gavin and some of the other ranch hands,"  replies Ann.  

 

"I'm goin' out, too,"  says Lucas.

 

"So am I,"  Bobby says.

 

"What can we do to help?"  Krystina asks.

 

"The boys are probably somewhere on the ranch,"  Bobby says.  "But there's a LOT of land out there and a lot of places they could be.  It'll be gettin' dark in a couple of hours.  If you haven't heard from them.......or from us.......in about an hour, call the Braddock sheriff.  Lucas, let's go."

 

Lucas kisses Heather.  "Don't worry, we'll find them.  Like Dad said, they're probably still somewhere on the ranch."  Lucas follows his father out of the room.

 

Courtney begins to cry, privately blaming herself for the boys being missing.  Heather puts her arm around Courtney in an attempt to comfort her.  

Meanwhile.....somewhere on Southfork....

 

Christopher is riding in one of Southfork's many pastures, searching for the boys.  "JACOB!!  MICHAEL!!"  He calls for them.  "JACOB!!!  JACOB!!!!"

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Alex is riding his 4 wheeler across another pasture on the ranch, searching for the boys.  Alex brings the vehicle to a stop near the edge of 

 

 

the pasture and looks around.  "MICHAEL!!  JACOB!!!"  He calls out loudly, the sound of his voice echoing across the landscape.  "MICHAEL!!!  JACOB!!"  Alex looks around the pasture again.  After a few seconds, he again takes off across the pasture on the 4 wheeler, headed for a nearby wooded trail.

 

 

 

 

 

Near Braddock Road....

 While Christopher and Alex continue their frantic search for the boys, Jacob and Michael make their way across a small creek and onto a road that borders Southfork.  

 

"Okay, now where do we go?"  Michael asks.

 

"We gotta walk up to the main road and try and hitch a ride,"  Jacob replies.  "But we gotta be careful.  Our parents are gonna be looking for us, so we gotta make sure we're not seen by anyone who knows us."

 

"How do we hitchhike, then?  What if someone we know comes by and stops to pick us up?"

 

"I dunno, just......come on, let's go,"  Jacob says.

 

 

"Where are we gonna go?"  Michael asks.  

 Sally buzzes Clay's office.  "Clay, Holly Harwood is here to see you."

 

Sitting at his desk, Clay smiles.  "Thank you, Sally.  Send Ms. Harwood in."

 

Clay stands from his seat behind his desk.  A few seconds later, Holly enters the office.  "Ms. 

Harwood, please, come in,"  Clay says.

 

"Hello, Clay, and, I already told you......call me Holly."

 

"Of course......Holly.  Can I get you a drink or something?"

 

"Yes, thank you."

 

Still smiling, Clay goes to the bar.  "Bourbon okay with you?"

 

"Bourbon's fine,"  Holly replies.  "I see you inherited your grandfather's love of bourbon."

 

"So everyone tells me,"  Clay says, pouring Holly's drink.  He hands it to her, then pours one for himself.  

 

"It's too bad we don't have some champagne to celebrate our first well coming in."

 

"Well, we will definitely have to celebrate for sure,"  says Clay.  "I can have some champagne sent in, if you'd like."

 

"No, the bourbon's fine."

 

Clay returns to his desk and takes a seat.  "This first well is gonna mean a lot of money for both our companies, and when the other two come in.......I'll be way ahead of John Ross in our little contest."

 

"Don't underestimate your Uncle John Ross,"  Holly says.  "From what I've heard, he's J.R. Ewing's son in every sense of the word, right down to and including playing every bit as dirty as J.R. to win."

 

"Now you're underestimating me," Clay says.  "Don't forget, I'm J.R.'s grandson, and I know a few dirty tricks of my own."

 

"Maybe so, but John Ross has the advantage of having been taught by the master himself.  For what it's worth, I really do hope you win this contest and become president of Ewing Oil.  Now that our companies are in this deal together, I'd much rather continue doin' business with you than your uncle."

 

"Well, thank you, I appreciate that.  Now then, how about we go and celebrate our good fortune in style?  You have any plans for dinner?"

 

"No, I don't,"  Holly replies.

 

"Good.  Now you do,"  says Clay.  "We are going over to the Cattlemen's Club and have dinner, and some champagne."

 

"I can't think of any way I'd rather spend my evening."

 

"Okay, then, it's 5 o'clock right now, and I'm starving, so how about we go?"

 

"Lead the way."

 

Clay gets up from his seat. 

 

A moment later, Clay and Holly come out of his office just as Sue Ellen comes out of her office and places a stack of papers on Sally's desk.  She is surprised when she sees Holly there with Clay.  The two women look at each other.

 

"Hello, Sue Ellen,"  Holly says.

 

"Holly,"  Sue Ellen says.  "What, uh, what are you doing here?"

"Clay and I are doin' some business together,"  Holly replies.

 

"Are you, now?  Umm, what sort of business?"

 

"The kind of business that we're in here, Sue Ellen," Clay says.  "Oil."

 

"I see."

 

"Well, if you'll excuse us, Holly and I are going out to dinner to celebrate."

 

"Well, what the hell's goin' on out here?"  Asks John Ross, coming out of his office.  "Some kinda party or somethin'?"  Like Sue Ellen, John Ross is surprised to see their visitor.  "Holly Harwood.  What are you doin' here?"

 

Holly smiles slightly.  "As I was just telling your mother, I'm here because Clay and I are doin' a little business."

 

"And now if you will both excuse us, as I said, Holly and I are going to dinner to celebrate,"  says Clay.

 

"Celebrate?"  John Ross asks.  "Celebrate what?"

 

Clay looks at him with a smile.  "Well, John Ross, let's just say that, by my calculations, the events of today have put me quite a bit ahead of you in our little contest to determine which of us ends up controlling Ewing Oil."

 

"I wouldn't be too sure of that if I were you, Clay,"  says John Ross.  "I have a few tricks up my sleeve, too."

 

"I'm sure you do.  I'll see you both later."

 

"Clay, hold on,"  John Ross says.  "Can I have a word with you?  Alone?"

 

Clay sighs.  "Holly, why don't you go on down and I'll meet you in the lobby in just a minute."

 

"Alright.  Sue Ellen, good to see you again,"  Holly says, her tone laced with sarcasm.

 

"I'm sorry I can't say the same."  

 

Holly flashes her a smile, then gets onto the elevator and the doors close behind her.  Sue Ellen returns to her office.

 

"Okay, John Ross what do you want?"  Clay asks.  "Make it quick," 

 

"Holly Harwood?  Really, Clay?  You that desperate?  She must be at least 65 or 70."

 

"Typical John Ross,"  says Clay.  "Your mind's always in the gutter.  Well, you can take your dirty mind and shove it."  Clay turns and walks away from him.

 

John Ross watches as Clay gets on the elevator.  The two rivals glare at each other as the elevator doors close.  After Clay is gone, John Ross walks over to Sally's desk as she returns from a short bathroom break.  "Sally, what was Clay really doin' with Holly Harwood?"  He asks.

 

"Now, John Ross, you know I can't discuss Clay's business with you. anymore than you'd want Sly talking about your business with Clay."

 

"I could make it worth your while if you keep me informed on what he's up to."

 

"You're offering me a bribe?"  Sally asks.

 

"Call it......an incentive."

 

 

"Sorry, John Ross, but no,"  Sally says.

 

John Ross nods.  "You're very loyal.  Good, I always liked that about you," he says, and goes to Sue Ellen's office.  He knocks on the door.

 

"Come in,"  Sue Ellen says.  

John Ross walks into his mother's office.  "What do you suppose Clay was doin' with Holly Harwood?"

 

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it can't be good," Sue Ellen says.  "Holly Harwood has never been anything but trouble."

 

"See what you can find out from Sally," says John Ross.  "I tried and I couldn't get anything out of her.  She respects you, so maybe you can get her to open up."

 

"I'll try, but, John Ross, I'm not gonna pressure Sally."

 

"Mama, we're in a war here.  A war for control of Ewing Oil.  Now you know that Daddy always wanted ME to run this company one day, and that's not gonna happen if my illegitimate half-brother's illegitimate son is allowed to get ahead of me in this contest and Uncle Bobby makes HIM president. You said you were on my side and you'd do anything to help me win."

 

Sue Ellen nods.  "Alright.  Since Holly Harwood is involved, and I don't trust that woman as far as I could throw this building......I'll see what I can find out."

 

"Good.  Think I'm gonna head home.  Krystina and I are takin' her mother out to dinner tonight."

 

"After dinner, why don't you all stop by the house for a while?"

 

"Okay, if they want to, we'll do that.  See you later."

 

"Alright, John Ross,"  Sue Ellen says as her son leaves the office.  A look of worry mixed with anger comes over Sue Ellen's face.  "Holly, what the hell are you up to with Clay?"  She asks to herself.  Sue Ellen's find travels back in time to one of the worst nights of her life, a night that was orchestrated by Holly Harwood....

 

 

"Damn you, Holly Harwood,"  Sue Ellen angrily says.  "After all these years, what you did to me still hurts every bit as much as it did that night.  And I promise, I WILL pay you back somehow, if it's the last thing I do."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southfork....

 

 

"Mr. Ewing, don't you worry," Braddock Sheriff Lou Chambers tells Bobby.  "I'm puttin' every man I can spare on findin' your grandsons, and we WILL find them.  Chances are the boys are still nearby.  You said that they've both been told never to get in a car with a stranger, so it's not likely they'd hitchhike, and they couldn't have gotten too far on foot."

 

 

 "Thank you, Lou,"  Bobby says.  "And yes, the boys have been told never to accept a ride from a stranger, with them runnin' away like this, I'm not so sure they'd heed that warning."

 

"Try not to worry,"  Sheriff Chambers says.  He turns to Christopher.  "Now you said that your stepson was upset about somethin', Christopher?"  

 

"Yes.  His mother and I told him that we're getting a divorce."

 

"And that's when the boy ran off?"  Sheriff Chambers asks.

 

"Yes,"  replies Courtney.  "He was so angry with us both."

 

Sheriff Chambers looks over at Lucas and Heather.  "And what about your son?  Any idea why he might have run off with his cousin?"

 

"No, none,"  Heather replies.

 

 

"The boys are very close," says Lucas.  "My guess is, Michael thought he was helping Jacob by going away with him."

 

"Well, I'll put out an all points bulletin, and I'll have my men out looking.  I've dealt with a lot of cases of runaways.  Chances are, those boys will be home on their own just as soon as they get hungry enough."

 

"It's what could happen to them before then that scares me,"  says Heather.  

 

"Try not to worry, Miz Ewing," Sheriff Chambers says.  "We'll find 'em.  I'll be in touch, and you folks be sure to let me know if you hear from the boys or if they come back on their own."

 

"We will, Sheriff,"  says Christopher.

 

Sheriff Chambers tips his hat and leaves.  

 

"Where the hell could they be?"  Lucas asks.  

 

 

 

As Michael and Jacob make their way out of some woods and onto a road, the sound of thunder can be heard in the evening sky and suddenly it begins to rain.  

 

"Oh, great, it's raining," Michael says.

 

"Yeah, no kidding."

 

"So now what do we do?"

 

"We find some place to get out of the rain," Jacob says.

 

"God, I'm getting drenched,"  says Michael.  

 

Just then, a car drives up and comes to a stop along side of the boys.  The passenger window comes down.  "Hey, you guys need a ride?"  Asks the young driver, a boy of about 18 or 19.

 

"No, thanks,"  Jacob says.

 

"Dude, we're getting drenched," says Michael.

 

"Come on, you'll catch your death out in this,"  the young driver says.

 

Michael opens the front passenger door and gets in.  Reluctantly, Jacob gets into the backseat.  

 

"Where are you guys headed?"  The driver asks.

 

"No place in particular,"  replies Jacob.

 

"Okay," the young man says, and drives off.  

 

"Hey, thanks for the ride,"  Michael says.

 "Sure, no problem,"  the young man says.  "Aren't you two a little young to be out wanderin' around on a night like this?"

 

"We got caught in the rain,"  says Jacob.

 

"So, you said no place in particular?"

 

"That's right,"  Jacob says.

 

"You boys live around here?"

 

"No," Jacob quickly replies before Michael can say anything.

 

"Then what are you two doin' out here?"  

 

"You ask a lot of questions, bro," Jacob says.

 

"Sorry.  Look, why don't you guys come to my house for now.  I was on my way home.  You can dry off, and I'll toss your clothes in the dryer, and then you can decide where you wanna go."

 

"Sounds good to me," Michael says, cutting Jacob off before he can decline the young man's offer.

 

"Great,"  the young man says.  "My name's Cameron."

 

"Hi, I'm Michael, and he's Jacob."

 

"Nice to meet you both.  I don't live far from here."

 

Michael smiles, and looks in the backseat at Jacob, who doesn't seem pleased.

Southfork....

 

 

Meanwhile, back at Southfork, a worried Courtney is standing at the window in the den looking out at the pouring rain.  Heather comes into the room.  She pauses for a second and looks at her sister-in-law, then walks over to her.  "Boy, it's really comin' down out there now," she says.

 

Courtney nods in agreement while continuing to stare out the window.  

 

"Courtney, look, I'm really sorry about what I said earlier.  I was just so scared, and worried about the boys."

 

Courtney turns to her, tears in her eyes.  "I know.  I'm scared too, and it's okay," she says, and the two women hug.  

 

Ann comes into the room carrying a tray with a tea pot and some cups.  "I made us some tea,"  she says, placing the tray on the coffee table in the middle of the room.

 

"Thanks, Ann,"  says Heather.  

 

Gavin comes in, wet from the rain.  "Court,"  he says.

 

"Gavin, any sign of them?"  Courtney asks, rushing over to her brother.  

 

"I'm sorry, but no.  We've covered as much of the ranch as we can for now.  It's gettin' dark, and the rain is comin' down pretty hard."

 

"We've got to find them,"  Courtney says in tears.

 

"Sis, they'll be okay,"  Gavin says.  "They know how to seek shelter from the rain."

 

"But what if they can't?"

 

"They WILL.  Courtney, I've spent a lot of time with Jacob and Michael here on the ranch, and if there's one thing I know, it's that those two KNOW how to take care of themselves in just about any situation.  They couldn't have gotten very far on foot, so they're probably still on the ranch somewhere.  I'm sure they'll find a place to get out of the rain for the night, and they'll be home in the morning."

 

Heather sighs.  "I hope you're right."

 

"I'm sure of it."

 

"Thanks, Gavin,"  Courtney says.  

 

Gavin hugs his sister.  "I'm gonna go get out of these wet clothes.  I'll check back in the morning.  If you hear anything, give me a call, I don't care what time it is."

 

Courtney nods.  "We will.  And thanks again."

 

"You bet,"  Gavin says, and walks out.

 

Heather puts her arm around Courtney just as Courtney's cell phone rings.  She takes her phone from her pocket and looks at it.  "Excuse me, I have to take this,"  she says, and quickly leaves the room.  Courtney walks through the foyer and into the living room to answer her call.  "Hello, Joseph?"  She says.  

The Gioberti home, Tuscany Valley, California....

 "Hey, Courtney," Joseph Gioberti says, phoning Courtney from his home in California.  "I was just calling to see how things went when you and Christopher told Jacob about the divorce."

Southfork....

 

"Joseph, I was gonna call you,"  Courtney says.

 

"Courtney, what's wrong?  You sound upset."

 

"I am."

 

"Why, what happened? Did Jacob not take the news about the divorce well?"

 

"No, he didn't take it well at all,"  Courtney says.  "He ran away."

 

"He did WHAT?"  Joseph asks.

 

"He ran away, and Michael went with him.  The sheriff and his entire department are out looking.  Christopher, and his father and brother are also looking."

 

"Courtney, I'm coming to Dallas.  I'll be on the first available flight."

 

"Joseph, that's not necessary."

 

"Jacob's my son, Courtney.  I'm coming.  Hopefully he'll be home by the time I get there.  I'll call you when I arrive."

 

"Alright,"  Courtney says.  "I'll talk to you later."  She ends the call, puts her phone away, and begins to cry.

A house near Dallas....

 

Meanwhile, Cameron has brought Jacob and Michael to his home on the outskirts of Dallas, near the Dallas-Braddock county line.  

 

"Okay, guys, you can get changed in the bedroom down the hall, last door on the left," Cameron tells them.  "You can toss your clothes out into the hall, and I'll get you some dry clothes to change into."

 

"Thanks,"  Michael says.

 

"By the way, that's my brother, Devon," Cameron says, pointing to a boy of about 14.  "Dev, this is Michael, and.......Jacob."

 

"Hey, guys, what's up?"  Devon says.

 

"What's up, man?"  Michael greets the boy.  

 

"Dev, you're about Michael's size,"  Cameron says.  "See if you've got something he can put on while his clothes dry.  And Jacob, I'll see if I can find you somethin' of mine to wear."

 

"Sure, come on,"  Devon says.  Michael follows him down the hall.

 

Cameron looks at Jacob and smiles.  "Well, let's get you somethin' to wear."

 

"Yeah, thanks, man."

 

"Just go get out of those wet clothes and put them in the hall outside the bedroom,"  Cameron says.

 

"Sure.  Oh, hey, umm, where are your parents, by the way?"  Jacob asks.

 

Cameron looks at him and smiles strangely.  "I'll go get those clothes,"  he says, ignoring Jacob's question, making Jacob even more uneasy about their young host.  

 

Jacob looks around the shabby living room of the house, with its paint peeling off the walls and trash strewn about the floor of the room.  

A short while later....

 

 

 

Michael and Jacob are changing into some dry clothes in a bedroom that looks more like it would belong in an abandoned old house than a home that's lived in.  

 

"Jacob, I don't understand why you're acting this way," Michael says.  "The guy was nice enough to stop and pick us up and bring us here where it's warm and dry, and even give us these clothes.  Why are you being such a butt?"

"Michael, I'm telling you, there's something wrong here," says Jacob.  "Something weird."

 

"Like what?"

 

"I don't know.  But I've got a bad feeling about these guys, especially that older kid, Cameron.  Earlier, I asked him where his parents were, and he just smiled at me and didn't even answer the question.  He acted like he didn't even hear me."

 

"So?"  Michael asks.

 

"So?  Dude, there's something weird about that kid.  No parents around, and look at this house.  It looks like some old abandoned house they just found and moved into."

 

"That's dumb.  If that were the case then there'd be no electricity.  Jacob, just chill.  We'll spend the night here, and leave out in the morning."

 

"What if that Cameron guy is a pedophile or something?"  Jacob asks.  

 

"Dude, he can't be more than 18 or 19."

 

"So, is there an age limit on it?"

 

"Jacob, just chill, alright?"  Michael says.  "We'll be okay.  Let's just stay here and get some sleep.  It's still raining outside, so we can't get anywhere in the rain.  And I'm tired."

 

Jacob sighs.  "Yeah, I'm tired, too.  Okay, we'll stay the night, but we leave FIRST thing in the morning."

 

"Right,"  Michael says.  "Bro, you worry too much. Cameron and his brother, they seem really nice. And Devon, he's our age, so what's the problem?"

 

"Devon's not the one that gives me a weird feeling," Jacob says.

 

Meanwhile, downstairs in the basement, Cameron is putting Jacob's drenched clothes into the dryer.  When he picks up Michael's pants, he feels something in the pocket.  Reaching into the pocket, he finds Michael's wallet.  Curious, he opens the wallet and finds Michael's school I.D. card from Braddock Middle School.  Cameron smiles when he sees the name 'Michael Ewing' on the card.  "Ewing?  Could it be the Southfork Ewings?"  He asks quietly to himself.  "Now wouldn't that be somethin'?"

 

"Cam?"  Devon says, coming down the stairs into the basement.  "Hey, what's going on?"

 

"Dev, come here.  Check it out.  You'll never guess who our guests upstairs are."

 

"Who?"

 

"Take a look at what I found.  Michael's school I.D.  Check out the last name on that,"  Cameron says, handing the card to his brother.

 

"Michael Ewing.  So what?"

 

"So what?  So WHAT?  Dev, don't you get it?  Ewing, as in the SOUTHFORK Ewings.  Just about the richest family in these parts, maybe even this whole part of the state.  And we can use that to our advantage."

 

"How?"  Devon asks.  

 

"Don't you see, little brother?  Michael Ewing, and he said Jacob was his cousin, so that means they're BOTH Ewings.  And I'll bet the Ewing family would pay a pretty penny to get those two boys back."

 

"Cam, what are you saying?"  Devon asks.

 

"Dev, this is our big chance.  Our chance to get the hell out of this crap hole and out of this town."

 

"Oh my God.  You wanna..........you wanna kidnap them or something?"

 

"We're not gonna have to kidnap them, because they're already here," Cameron says.  "We just ask for a generous payment from the Ewings to let them go."

 

"I can't believe what you're saying.  You wanna hold those kids for ransom?  No.  No WAY!"

 

"Dev, look at us,"  Cameron says.  "Look at this crappy house we live in.  Nothing here works.  The paint's peeling off the walls and the bathroom floor is falling in.  Ever since Dad died and Mom went to prison, we've been wanting to get out of here.  Well now's our chance.  With the money the Ewings would be willing to pay us for Michael and Jacob's return, we could go anywhere.  Anywhere we wanted to go, and Dallas, Texas would be just a bad memory."

 

"Cam, you can't do this.  This kinda stuff never works on TV and we could get in a lot of trouble.  The court made you my guardian when Mom went to prison so we could stay together.  You wanna mess that up?"

 

"They're gonna take you away from me anyway because I can't find a better job than that damned job at McDonald's, and we can barely afford to even keep our lights on.  I'm telling you, Devon, I'm NOT passing this chance up.  Look, this isn't TV, and we're NOT gonna get in trouble.  We ask for a lot of money, we get it, and by the time the Ewings realize what hit them, we'll be long gone.  Just trust me."

 

"But Cam....."

 

"Look, I'M the older brother here.  What I say goes.  Now put the rest of these clothes in the dryer." Cameron takes Michael's wallet and goes up the stairs.  

 

Devon shakes his head.  "I know this isn't gonna end well," he says to himself.

 

Upstairs, as Michael and Jacob have finished dressing in the bedroom at the end of the hall, a knock sounds at the door.  "Come in,"  Michael says.

 

Cameron enters the room.  "Well, how are the clothes?  They fit okay?"

 

"Yeah, perfect,"  Michael replies.

 

"Just fine," agrees Jacob.  

 

"Good.  Oh, umm, Michael, I found this in the back pocket of your jeans," Cameron says, holding out Michael's billfold.

 

"Oh, my wallet, I forgot I even had it."  Michael reaches for the wallet.

 

"Not so fast,"  Cameron says, pulling the wallet away from him.  

 

"Dude, give me my wallet."

 

"I'll be happy to........Michael Ewing,"  Cameron says with a smile.  "That wouldn't happen to be the Ewings of Southfork Ranch, would it?"

 

"So what if it is?"  Michael asks.

 

"Thought so."

 

"What's going on?"  Jacob asks.  "Give him his wallet."

 

Cameron smiles, then tosses the wallet to Michael.  "Why don't you boys get some rest?"

 

"Y'know what, I think as soon as our clothes are dry, we'll be leaving,"  says Jacob.

 

"It's still raining.  Can't let you go out and get drenched again."

 

"We'll be fine, and it's not up to you."

 

"Oh yes, it IS up to me.  See boys, things have changed a little."

 

"What are you talking about?"  Michael asks.

 

"You boys are gonna be mine and my little brother's ticket out of this dump,"  Cameron replies.

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Your family is very rich, and I'm sure they'd pay a whole lot to have the two of you returned home safely, am I right?"

 

"Kidnapping?  You're KIDNAPPING us?"  Jacob asks.

 

"No, I didn't kidnap you because you came here willingly.  Let's just say I'm detaining you until my financial situation improves significantly."

 

"You can't do this,"  Michael says.  "You better let us go!"

 

"I will.  As soon as I get paid to do so.  Now in the meantime, you guys get some rest."

 

"I'm gonna kick your ass, man,"  Jacob says.  

 

"I don't think so,"  Cameron says, pulling a small hand gun on the two frightened boys.  "Make yourselves comfortable.  I'll have my little brother bring you some food in a bit.  And don't even think about trying to escape."  Cameron goes to the door, pauses and turns back to the boys.  "It sure was a stroke of luck that I had to go into town this evening, because if I hadn't, I never would have seen you two on the side of that road in the pouring rain.  I guess luck is finally on my side, and it's about damned time.  I was ready to give up hope of things ever gettin' better for me and Dev.  So thanks, guys.  Thanks for being in the right place at the right time."  He smiles, and leaves the room.  

 

"You were right,"  Michael says to Jacob after Cameron is gone.  "What are we gonna do?"

 

"We're gonna find a way out of here,"  says Jacob.  "No way are we gonna let that freak hold us here all night."

Southfork....

 

 

Rain continues to pour down on Southfork later that night as Christopher is in the living room pouring himself a drink.  A loud crash of thunder is heard outside, followed by a flash of lightening illuminating the night outside.  Christopher goes to one of the French doors in the living room and looks out at the rain, and the lightening flashing across the night sky.

 

Courtney comes into the room.  "Christopher,"  she says.

 

He turns to face her.  "You get somethin' to eat?"  He asks.

 

"No, I'm not hungry.  Did you?"

 

"Me either."

 

"God, I wish this storm would let up,"  Courtney says, going to the window.  "I pray the boys are okay."  She begins to cry.

 

Christopher walks over and puts his arms around her.  "The boys are gonna be fine.  Both of them know how to take care of themselves, and they have enough sense to take shelter from a storm."

 

"But what if they got caught in it some place where they couldn't seek shelter?  Christopher, I'm terrified."

 

"I know.  So am I.  I never thought Jacob would react that way when we told him about the divorce.  I sure as hell never thought he'd run off like that.  Or that Michael would go with him."

 

"That's what I can't figure out,"  Courtney says.  "We know why Jacob ran off.  But why did Michael? Why did he go with Jacob?"

 

"I dunno,"  Christopher replies.  "Obviously he felt he had a reason.  Who knows what goes on in kids' heads these days?  Look, umm, why don't you sleep in our old bedroom?  You'll probably be more comfortable there.  I'll sleep in the guest room."

 

"No, that's not necessary.  I'll take the guest room."

 

"If that's what you want.  I don't suppose you've spoken to Joseph about what's happened?"

 

"Yes, he called me earlier and I told him about Jacob running away,"  Courtney says.  "He's coming to Dallas.  He called me back and said he's booked on the 6 a.m. flight from San Francisco."

 

"Gioberti's coming here?  Oh, that's great, Courtney.  Just great,"  Christopher says, and leaves the room.  

 

Courtney begins to cry as she looks out the window again at the storm.

A house near Dallas....

 

Devon comes into the bedroom occupied by Jacob and Michael, carrying a tray of food.  "Sorry I'm so late bringing this," he says, placing the tray on a table.  "Hope you guys like it."

 

"Devon, do you know what your brother's up to?"  Jacob asks.  "Do you know that he's planning to hold us here?"

 

"Just til tomorrow,"  Devon says.  

 

"Dude, you gotta let us out of here,"  says Michael.  

 

"Sorry......I can't."

 

"Your brother's crazy, man,"  Jacob says.  

 

"Just shut up, okay!  Look, everything's gonna be okay.  Tomorrow morning, my brother's gonna call your folks, and ask them for some money.  When they deliver the money, you guys can go."

 

"Devon, how old are you?"  Jacob asks.

 

"14."

 

"Michael and I are 14.  You're the same age as us.  Devon, what you're doing is a crime.  You and your brother are gonna go to jail.  This is kidnapping."

 

"Quit trying to scare my little brother," says an angry Cameron, coming into the room.  

 

"We were just telling the truth,"  says Jacob.  "You're both goin' to jail."

 

"Shut up!  Dev, go to bed."

 

Devon looks at his brother, then obeys his orders, leaving the room without a word. 

 

Cameron walks over to Jacob and Michael.  "Leave my brother alone."

 

"Or what?"  Jacob asks.  "What are you gonna do?"

 

"Don't test me.  Look, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way.  The easy way is, we get our money, and you boys get to go home safe and in one piece.  The hard way......well, just don't piss me off.  I've had my fill of your kind."

 

"Our kind?  What's THAT supposed to mean?"  Michael asks.

 

 

"Privileged little rich boys,"  Cameron replies, an angry look on his face.  "You think you're so much better than the rest of us.  I knew kids like you in school.  Smug, arrogant bullies who loved to taunt kids like me who didn't have anything.  And you.......you EWINGS.  Even the two of you, at your age, stink of oil.  Well your kind owes me and my brother."

 

"We OWE you?"  Jacob asks.  "Dude, we don't you a thing!"

 

"The hell you don't.  You Ewings represent the oil business, and the oil business is what destroyed my old man and my whole family.  You know how old I am?  I just turned 19 three months ago.  Wanna know my me and my brother are living here in this dump without our parents?"

 

"Why?"  Michael asks.  "What happened to your parents?"

 

"People like you Ewings happened. My old man worked for an oil company in Dallas called Westar. He worked there for years, even before he married my Mom.  Well, a few years ago, my old man got sick, and as a result, Westar fired him.  No workman's comp, no nothin'.  The company's president, some jackass named Chip or Tripp or something like that......."

 

"Tripp McKay?"  Michael asks.

 

"Yeah, that's it,"  says Cameron.  "Tripp McKay.  My old man went to him for help, and that bastard REFUSED.  Basically told my old man, sorry you got cancer, but that's your problem.  20 somethin' years with a company, and they tossed him out because he got cancer.  My Dad, he hired an attorney, but all he could afford was a cheap one.  And Westar had these million dollar lawyers and the guy my Dad hired couldn't hold his own against them."

 

"But that was Westar,"  Michael says.  "Not Ewing Oil.  Ewing Oil and Westar are enemies."

 

"So?  They're all the same.  Those big corporations and the people who run them don't give a damn about people like us.  To them, we're like ants they can step on and kill any time they want.  My old man lost his insurance, and he died, leaving us deep in debt.  My Mom did anything she could to keep a roof over our heads and food in our mouths.  A few months after my old man died, she met this guy and got involved with him.  Moved him in here with us to help pay the bills.  Well one night, this guy decided to rob a convenience store, when my Mom was with him.  The clerk tried somethin' stupid and Bill, my Mom's boyfriend, shot him.  Bill and my Mom were both arrested and she went to prison as an accessory.  Child protective services, they were gonna put Devon in a foster home, but I begged them, and my Mom begged them to let me be his guardian.  Since I was 18, the court agreed.  And I've worked my ass off to provide a home for him.  I've struggled every day just to pay the bills.  And none of this would've happened if it hadn't been for Westar Oil and that Tripp McKay guy.  I heard on the news not long after my Dad died that somebody killed McKay, and I was glad.  Boy, was I glad because he got what he deserved."

 

"Look, I'm sorry for all the crap that happened to your family, but that has nothing to do with us," Jacob says.  

 

"Yeah.  Tripp McKay is dead,"  Michael says.  "Our Aunt Pamela runs Westar now, and she'd never treat people the way Tripp McKay did."

 

Cameron looks at him.  "What'd you just say?  You said that your aunt runs Westar now?"

 

"Well, she's not really our aunt.  She's my Dad's first cousin's wife."

 

"Michael, shut up,"  Jacob says.

 

Cameron nods his head and smiles.  "Well, this casts a different light on our little situation here."

 

"What are you talking about?"  Jacob asks.

 

"A family member of yours runs the company that ruined my family.  Thanks for sharing that information with me, Michael.  You boys get some sleep.  We've all got a big day tomorrow."  Cameron lets out a slight laugh, then leaves the room.  

 

"Gah, you and your big mouth," Jacob angrily says to Michael.  "Why'd you have to tell him about Pamela?"

 

Back at Southfork, the storm continues to rage outside.  Inside the mansion, Christopher is coming down the hallway downstairs heading back to his bedroom after working out in the exercise room when he hears the sounds of Courtney sobbing in the guest room.  He pauses outside the door for a few seconds and listens to the sounds of her sobs, his heart breaking, wanting desperately to comfort her, but unsure of whether she would accept any comfort from him.  Finally, he opens the door and walks part way into the room, finding Courtney sitting on the bed crying.  "Courtney?"  He says.

 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you,"  she says.

 

 

"No, no, you didn't,"  Christopher says.  "I've just been working out, and I was on my way back to my room when I heard you crying. Is there anything I can do?"

 

"Not unless you can bring my son back to me safely,"  Courtney says, standing.

 

"If I could, you know I would in a second."

 

"I know you would.  I know you love Jacob like he's your own son.  That's the one thing I've always known and never doubted."

 

 "Courtney, don't,"  Christopher says.  "Don't even think like that.  Jacob and Michael are gonna be okay.  Those two kids know how to survive, and how to take care of themselves.  You know I taught them that."

 

"I know, but that doesn't stop me from being terrified. I keep thinking of everything that could happen.  And I also keep thinking about the last time we saw him."

 

"Hey,"  Christopher says, putting his arms around Courtney to comfort her as she cries.  "It's gonna be okay,  Courtney.  I promise. Jacob is gonna be okay."

 

As Christopher comforts her, Courtney looks up at him and their eyes lock.  For several seconds, the two look deeply into each others' eyes, then they begin kissing.  After a moment, Courtney pulls back.  "Christopher,"  she says in a whisper.  "I......"

 

"Shhhhhh, don't say anything,"  Christopher replies, also in a whisper.  He looks at Courtney, gently touches her face, and begins kissing her again.  Christopher unbuttons Courtney's blouse and she slips it off.  Still kissing, the two move to the bed.  Courtney lays on her back, Christopher on top of her  as

 A light drizzle continues to fall on Southfork the next morning and a fog settles over the landscape of the ranch.  Inside Christopher's bedroom, he awakens in his bed, Courtney laying beside him, her head resting on his chest and her arm across his stomach.  For a moment, Christopher is confused, but then he remembers the events of the night before, when he and Courtney had made love for the first time in many months.  Christopher gently moves Courtney's head onto the pillow, and removes her arm from around him, and carefully slips out of bed.  He picks up his boxer briefs from the floor beside the bed and slips them on as Courtney begins to wake up.  

 

Sitting up in bed, Courtney looks around.  

 

"Morning,"  Christopher says.

 

"Christopher, what........."  she says,  and then she, too, remembers what had happened the night before between she and Christopher.  "Oh my God.  Last night, we......"

 

"We made love, yes we did."

 

"Oh, no."

 

"I'm sorry you feel that way.  Me, personally. I'm glad it happened.  Courtney, last night, we needed each other.  We were both worried and scared out of our minds about Jacob.  Holding you in my arms last night and waking up to you this morning, it was like old times.  Like none of the last year had even happened."

 

"Christopher, what happened between us last night.......it never should have happened,"  says Courtney.  "Nothing has changed between us."

 "You're still going through with this divorce and this move to California?"

 

"Yes."

 

Christopher looks away from her, a sad look on his face, and nods.  "I see.  I just thought after last night that, well, that maybe things had changed."  He walks over and takes a seat beside her on the bed.  "Courtney, I love you.  And last night, I could tell that you still love me."

 

"I do still love you, Christopher.  But not in the same way."

 

"I don't believe that,"  Christopher says, and begins kissing her.  Just then, Courtney's cell phone on the table beside the bed begins to ring.  Courtney pulls out of the kiss and reaches over and picks up her phone.  Looking at it, she's sees it's Joseph calling.  "Don't answer it,"  Christopher says.

 

"I have to," she says.  She answers the call.  "Hello, Joseph?"

 

"Courtney, hi, I'm at the airport.  Love Field,"  Joseph says.  "Are you at the hotel?"

 

"No, I'm at Southfork.  I spent the night here last night.....in the guest room.  I'll come right over and pick you up.  Give me about an hour."  Courtney ends the call and puts her phone down.  

 

"Courtney,"  Christopher says.

 

"I have to go.  Please, Christopher.......leave so I can get dressed."

 

Christopher looks at her for a second, then sadly nods.  Without saying another word to her, he stands to his feet, picks up his gym shorts from the floor he'd been wearing the night before, and quietly leaves the room.  

 

Courtney takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, realizing what a mistake she had made by spending the night at Southfork in the bedroom next door to Christopher.  

A house near Dallas....

Meanwhile, at the home of Cameron and Devon on the Braddock-Dallas county line, Michael is sitting at the window of the bedroom he and Jacob had shared the night before.  Michael looks over at Jacob, who is still asleep, then he returns his gaze out the window.  After a moment, Jacob begins to wake up.  He opens his eyes, sits up in bed, and looks around the room.  Then he sees Michael sitting at the window. 

 

"What time is it?"  Jacob asks.

 

"A little after 8,"  replies Michael.  

 

Jacob gets out of bed.  "We gotta find a way out of this place."

 

"There IS no way,"  says Michael.  "The windows are nailed shut, and the glass is like super thick.  I already tried to break it.  So we're stuck here."

 

"Like hell, we are.  There's gotta be a way out."

 

The boys are startled when they hear the sound of the door being unlocked, and Cameron walks in.  He smiles at them.  "Mornin', boys."

 

"Let us out of here,"  Jacob demands.  "You better let is go right now."

 

"Or what?"  Cameron asks.  "Don't worry.  If all goes well today, and if your parents......and Pamela Ewing cooperate, you boys will be sleepin' in your own beds tonight back in that big ol' house at Southfork Ranch."

 

"Pamela?"  Michael asks.  "What's Pamela got to do with any of this?"

 

"Weren't you listening to my story at all last night?"  Cameron asks.  "Pamela Ewing is president of Westar Oil, and Westar is the company that destroyed my family.  So I think it's only fitting that the head of Westar be the one to pay me compensation, don't you?"

 

"You're gonna asks Pamela to pay our ransom?"  Jacob asks.

 

"Now you've got the idea."

 

"And what if she won't?"  Michael asks.  

 

"Well, then she wouldn't be a very good aunt, would she?"

 

"Look, why don't you just ask our parents for the money?"  Michael asks.

 

"Because that wouldn't be much fun, or satisfaction.  Westar ruined mine and my brother's lives, and my Mom's life.  It's Westar, or rather it's president, that's gonna pay us for that.  I did a little research online last night after we talked, and I found out something real interesting.  Pamela Ewing was married that jerk Tripp McKay, which makes it even more fitting that she be the one to cough up the money to get you two back.  Now here's what we're gonna do.  I'm gonna go and make a phone call, and while I'm doing that I'm gonna have Devon bring you boys some breakfast.  Better eat it, too.  You're gonna need your strength today."  Cameron reaches into his pocket and pulls out the boys' cell phones.  "Michael, which phone is yours?"

 

"The blue one."

 

"Great.  Now, what's your passcode to unlock it?"

 

"Why?"

 

"Because I need the damned phone to call your folks.  Now what is the passcode?"

 

Michael sighs.  "4706."

 

"Okay, thanks,"  Cameron says with a smile, and leaves the room.  

 

Unable to control his anger, Jacob punches the wall with his fist.  "Just wait.  That Cameron guy is gonna be really sorry for this."

Southfork.....a short while later....

Lucas is coming down the stairs at Southfork later that morning when his cell phone rings.  Taking the phone from his pocket, he looks at it.  Seeing Michael's number calling, he quickly answers the call.  "Michael, thank God,"  he says.  "Where are you and Jacob?"

 

"Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Ewing, but this isn't Michael,"  Cameron says.

 

"What?  Who the hell is this, and what are you doing with my son's phone?"

 

"I have your son, Mr. Ewing, and the other kid, Jacob."

 

"You have them?  What do you mean, you HAVE them?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Just what I said, I have them here with me, and if you want these two kids back, listen carefully."

 

While Lucas is listening to Cameron on the other end of the line, Bobby,  Ann, and Christopher walk into the foyer and Heather comes down the stairs at the same time.  

 

"How do I know you're telling me the truth?"  Lucas asks.

 

"I called you from Michael's phone, didn't I?"  Cameron asks.  

"What do you want?"  Lucas asks.  Heather, Bobby, Christopher, and Ann stop in the foyer and listen curiously to Lucas's end of the conversation.  Lucas is silent for almost a full minute as he listens to Cameron's instructions.  "Yes, I understand."  Lucas ends the call and puts his phone away, his face turning pale white.

 

"Lucas, who was that?"  Heather asks.  "What was that about?"

 

"It was about Michael and Jacob.  The guy on the phone, he said that he has the boys.  And he wants money for their return."

 "A ransom?"  Bobby asks.  "The boys were kidnapped?"

 

"Yes,"  Lucas replies.

 

"Oh my God,"  Heather cries.  

 

"Lucas, what exactly did this guy say?"  Christopher asks.

 

"And how much does he want for the boys?"  Bobby asks.

 

"He didn't say.  He said that he would call back in exactly two hours with instructions, but......" Lucas pauses as he turns to look at his wife, father, brother, and stepmother.  "But he wants to deal with Pamela, not with us."

 

"What?"  Heather asks.

 

"Pamela?  Why Pamela?"  Asks Christopher.

 

"I don't know."

 

"I'm callin' the sheriff,"  Heather says.

 

"NO!"  Lucas says, grabbing his wife by the arm.  "Heather, this guy said that if we contact the police, or anyone........he'll kill them."

 

"What are we gonna do?"  Ann asks.

 

"How do we even know that this guy was telling the truth?"  Christopher asks.

 

"Because he called from Michael's phone."

 

"Cell phones can be cloned,"  Christopher says. 

"We can't take that chance,"  says Bobby.  "Not with the boys' lives.  I'll call Pamela and Justin and ask them to come over here."

 

"And then what?"  Heather asks.

 

"Then.....we wait.  For two hours and see if this man calls back like he said he would.  And if he doesn't, then we call Sheriff Chambers.  Agreed?"

 

"I don't like this,"  Christopher says.

 

"We have do it this way,"  says Lucas.  "We can't take a chance with the boys' lives."

Meanwhile....

 Courtney's car comes through the front gate at Southfork and heads down the long driveway to the house, coming to a stop in the parking area behind the mansion.  Courtney and Joseph get out of the car.  A moment later, they walk into the foyer and find Christopher, Ann, Lucas, and Heather in the den.  

 

"Has there been any word on the boys?"  Courtney asks.

 

Christopher looks at Joseph angrily.  "Yes,"  he replies.  "The boys have been kidnapped."

 

 

"What did you say?"  Joseph asks.

 

"Kidnapped?"  Courtney asks.

 

"Yes,"  replies Lucas.  "The kidnapper called me from Michael's phone and said he has the boys.  He's holding them for ransom."

 

"Oh my God,"  says Courtney.

 

"Have you called the police?"  Joseph asks.

 

"No,"  Lucas says.  "The kidnapper made it clear that we were not to contact the police."

 

"What did the kidnapper say?"  Asks Courtney.  "How much do they want for the boys?"

 

"For some reason, this kidnapper doesn't wanna deal with us," says Christopher.  "He specifically asked to deal with Pamela."

 

"Pamela?  Why Pamela?"  Courtney asks.

 

"We don't know,"  replies Lucas.  "The kidnapper didn't say.,  He said that he would call back in two hours with instructions and what he wants."

 

"Pamela?  Who the hell is Pamela?"  Joseph asks.

 

"Pamela Ewing," Courtney says.  "She's John Ross's brother's wife, and Christopher's ex-wife."

 

"Why would this kidnapper ask to deal with her?"  Joseph asks.

 

"Look, we don't know,"  replies an angry Christopher.  "All we can do is wait for this guy to call back and tell us what he wants."

 

"No, that's not all we can do.  We can call the cops,"  Joseph says, taking his cell phone from his pocket.  

 

"Like hell!"  Christopher says, knocking the phone out of Joseph's hand.  "This kidnapper said he would hurt the boys, or worse, if we call the police."

 

"Bobby's on the phone right now with Pamela,"  Ann says.  "He said that we should wait and see if this person calls back.  If he doesn't call back when he said he would in two hours, THEN we call the sheriff."

 

Joseph and Christopher exchange angry looks between them as Bobby walks in.  

 

"Dad, what did Pamela say?"  Lucas asks.

 

"I got ahold of her at Westar.  She said she and Justin will be over as soon as they can get here."

Westar Oil....

 

Pamela is sitting at her desk at Westar, a look of shock on her face, when a knock sounds at her door.  Justin walks in.  "Hey, you wanted to see me?"

 "I just got off the phone with Bobby,"  Pamela says.  "Michael and Jacob have been kidnapped."

 

"Oh my God."

 

"The crazy thing is, Bobby said that the kidnapper wants to talk to me, and negotiate with me."

 

"With you?"  Justin asks.  "Why? That doesn't make any sense."

 

"No, it certainly doesn't.  I told Bobby that we'd come right out to Southfork."

 

"Alright, well let's go,"  Justin says.

 

Pamela quickly shuts down her computer as she gets up from her seat at the desk, and she and Justin rush out of the office.

Southfork....a short time later....

 In mid-afternoon, Sue Ellen, John Ross, Phyllis, Jenna, and Charlie  all arrive at Southfork at almost the same time and enter the den, where Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Lucas, Heather, Courtney, Joseph, and Krystina are waiting.

 

"Bobby, what's going on?"  Sue Ellen asks as the group enters the foyer together.  

 

"Yeah, your message just said for us to get over here, and you didn't say what was wrong," John Ross adds.

 

"Whatever it is, it must be serious, especially since you asked Charlie, Phyllis and I to be here," says Jenna.

 

"It is serious,"  Bobby says.  "I asked you all to  be here because, well you're all family, and you have a right to know what's going on, and you'll likely find out sooner or later.  But there's one thing I need to make perfectly clear.  What I'm about to tell you, has to stay in this room, among the family."

 

John Ross looks at Joseph.  "What about him?  He's not fam'ly."

 

"No, but he's involved because he's Jacob's father."

 

"Bobby, what's this all about?"  Phyllis asks.  "Has something happened to Jacob?"

 

"Yes, Phyllis, I'm afraid so."

 

"Oh my God,"  Phyllis says.  "His heart?"

 

"No, Mom,"  replies Courtney.  

 

"Michael and Jacob have been kidnapped,"  Bobby says.

 

"What?"  Jenna asks.

 

"Kidnapped?  Dear God,"  Phyllis says.  

 

"Wait a minute, I thought you said those boys ran away,"  John Ross says.

 

"Ran away?"  Jenna asks.  "Bobby, Lucas, what the devil is going on here?"

 

"Now look, it's a long story,"  Bobby says.  "The short version is that.......Michael and Jacob ran away yesterday.  The reason itn't important right now.  What IS important is that, somehow this kidnapper got his hands on the boys and he's holding them for ransom."

 

"What are you gonna do?"  Charlie asks.  "Have you called the sheriff?"

 

"We did after they ran away,"  Lucas replies.  "But we haven't since the kidnapper called and told us that he has the boys.  He said he'd hurt them, or worse, if we called the cops."

 

Sue Ellen is about to say something when Justin and Pamela walk in. 

 

"Bobby,"  Pamela says.

 

"Pamela, Justin, thank you for comin',"  Bobby says.  

 

"What the hell are they doin' here?"  John Ross asks.

 

"This kidnapper, whoever he is, specifically asked to deal with Pamela when he calls back,"  Bobby replies.

 

"But why Pamela?"  Sue Ellen asks.

 

"We don't know,"  Lucas answers.  "That's just what he said.  He said he wants to speak with Pamela Ewing."

 

"Lucas, did he say anything else at all?"  Justin asks.  "He didn't give any indication why he wants to talk to Pamela?"

 

Lucas sighs.  "No, none."

 

Phyllis walks over to Courtney and puts her arm around her daughter.  "Dear Lord, you must be terrified."

 

"I am,"  says Courtney.  

 

"So what do we do now?"  Jenna asks.

 

"We wait,"  says Bobby.  "We wait for this bastard to call back."

 

While the others exchange looks, Lucas nervously checks his watch for the time, anxiously awaiting the kidnappers promised call.  

A house near Dallas....

 

Jacob is trying his level best to loosen the nails in the windows in the bedroom he and Michael are locked in, while Michael sits on the bed.  

 

"Y'know, I could use some help," Jacob says.

 

"Help with what?"

 

"Help trying to figure out a way out of here," Jacob says.  

 

"You might as well forget it," says Michael.  "You've been trying for hours.  You're never gonna get those nails out with your bare hands."

 

"If I just had something I could use to pry them up."

 

"Dude, there's nothing here.  We're trapped in here."

 

Jacob sighs.  "Just wait.  When that Cameron guy comes back, we'll jump him.  There's two of us and only one of him."

 

"Yeah, but he has a gun."

 

"You're no help at all."

 

"I'm just being real,"  Michael says. "We're locked in here and there's ni way out. Cameron has a gun, so if we try to jump him, somebody could get hurt."

 

"So what do we do?"  Jacob asks.

 

Before Michael can answer, the boys hear the sound of the door being unlocked.  Jacob hurries over to the door in hopes of catching Cameron by surprise from behind.  The door opens and Cameron walks in, but immediately turns to Jacob.  Cameron smiles.  

 

"Not planning to try anything stupid, now were ya, Jacob?"  Cameron asks, pulling out his gun.  "Get over there with Michael.  Not that I don't trust you, but......."

 

Reluctantly, Jacob moves over to the bed and takes a seat.  

 

"Mikey, I talked to your father earlier,"  Cameron says.  "Told him I'd call him back in two hours, and I also told him that when I do call back, I expect to speak with Pamela Ewing."

 

"It's a weekday,"  Michael says.  "Pamela's probably at her office now."

 

"Well, you'd better hope your old man is able to get in touch with her before I call back, and that she cares enough about you boys to cooperate."

 

"You're really sick, you know that?"  Jacob asks.  "You're never gonna get away with this.  They'll catch you, and when they do, they're gonna send you to jail for a long time."

 

Cameron smiles.  "Thanks for the warning, but, I'll take my chances.  You boys sit tight.  It's almost time for me to make my second call, and if all goes well, by tonight the two of you can be sleeping in your own beds and me and my little brother will be on our way out of this lousy town."  Cameron leaves the room.  

 

Jacob and Michael look at each other.  

Southfork....

 Lucas's cell phone rings.  He takes it from his pocket, looks at it, and seeing the call is from Michael's phone, he quickly answers.  "Hello,"  he says.  "Yes, she's here."  Lucas looks at Pamela, who is standing a few feet away with Justin.  "Alright, hold on."  Lucas hands the phone to Pamela.  "He wants to speak to you."

 

Pamela takes the phone.  "Hello?  Yes, this is Pamela Ewing,"  she says as Justin, Lucas, Heather, Christopher, Courtney, Joseph, Bobby, Ann, Sue Ellen, John Ross, Krystina, Jenna, Charlie, Phyllis, and Alex look on. "I really don't understand why you wanted to talk to me instead of to Michael and Jacob's parents."  For a moment, Pamela listens to Cameron on the other end of the  line as he spells out his demands. "But Tripp McKay has been dead for 3 years.  This has nothing to do with me, or with the Ewings,"  she says.  Again, she is silent as she listens to Cameron.  "That's an awful lot of money," she says.  "Yes, of course they are.  Alright, just tell me where."  Again, Pamela listens for almost half a minute.  "Yes, I understand.  Alright.  It may take me some time to get that much cash together.  Yes, I will. But first, I need to know......are the boys okay?  I'd like to speak to one of them.  Well, how do I know that you're really holding them, or that they're really all right?  Just let me speak to one of the boys, and then I'll see to it that you get your money, and anything else you want.  Yes, I'll wait."

 

"Pamela, what's going on?"  Courtney asks.

 

"He's going to let me speak to one of them."

 

The rest of the group waited anxiously, all eyes on Pamela, as she, too, waited for the kidnapper to let her speak to one of the boys.  

 

"Hello?"  Comes the voice of a boy on the other end of the line.  

 

"Michael?"  Pamela asks.  "Michael, is that you?"

Southfork....                                  Cameron's house....

"Yes, I'll get you the money,"  Pamela says.  

 

"Good,"  Cameron says.  "Do you know the old barn that sits off the road on Parker Lane, off Braddock Road?"

 

"No, I don't."

 

"Well, I'm sure one of the Ewings must know where it is.  I want two million dollars in unmarked bills taken their at 7 o'clock this evening.  I want the money in a briefcase.  Inside that old barn are some bales of hay.  Place the briefcase behind the first bale of hay on the righthand side, just as you walk in the barn.  And I want your husband to deliver the money.  Justin Ewing is his name, right?"

 

"Yes, that's right."

 

"And who's Alex Ewing?"  Cameron asks.  

 

"Alex?"

 

"Yeah, it's a name I got off Michael's contacts in his phone.  Who is he, or her?"

 

"Alex is my husband's nephew,"  Pamela replies, the mention of Alex's name arousing the curiosity of the family members listening to the conversation.  

 

"Fine.  You have this Alex go with your husband to deliver the money.  Tell them to just put the money in the barn where I said, and leave.  I'll be watching, and if there's any sign of any cops, or anyone else with them.......I have someone who'll be keeping an eye on Michael and Jacob, and if anything goes wrong.......ANYTHING.......my associate will kill them.  Understand?"

 

"Yes, I understand.  But I'm, not sure that I can get that kind of money on such short notice.  It's already 3 PM.  7 is in just 4 hours."

 

"You're a Ewing, and not only that, you're president of Westar Oil.  You probably have ten million bucks in your change purse, so I don't want any excuses.  Get me that money, or else.  I'll be expecting your husband and his nephew at 7.  And it better BE your husband who comes.  I looked you guys up on the internet, so I know what he looks like.  If your family wants to see Michael and Jacob again, then nothing had better go wrong."  Cameron hangs up.

 

Pamela puts Lucas's phone down.  

 

"What'd he say?"  Lucas asks.

 

"He wants two million dollars delivered to some old barn on, ummmm......Parker Lane?"

 

"I know where it is,"  Christopher says.  

 

"What the hell was that I heard about Alex?"  John Ross asks.

 

"The kidnapper wants Justin and Alex to deliver the money."

 

"No way,"  says John Ross.

 

"If that's what this lunatic wants, then I'll do it,"  Alex says.

 

"Pamela, you mentioned Tripp McKay,"  says Christopher.  "What was that all about?"

 

"This.......person........this kidnapper...........the reason he wanted the money from me is because I'm president of Westar, and, evidently because I was married to Tripp."

 

"I don't understand,"  Heather says.

 

"This guy said that his father worked for Westar when Tripp ran the company,"  Pamela says.  "His father became ill with cancer, and Tripp fired him."

 

"He what?"  Justin asks.

 

"My God, that's sick,"  Krystina says.

 

"Yes, well, we all know what kind of person Tripp became toward the end of his life," Pamela continues.  "After Tripp fired him, this man died, and this apparently destroyed his family."

 

"So now this guy's seeking revenge?"  Christopher asks.

 

"Why Michael and Jacob?"  Heather asks.

 

"I don't know,"  replies Pamela.  "I got the impression that this kidnapper is young.  Very young.  His voice, and the way he talks, he sound like a teenager himself, not much older than Michael and Jacob."

 

"I got that impression, too,"  says Lucas.

 

"Well, look, we're wasting time standing around debating how old this kidnapper is,"  Courtney says.

 

"Courtney's right,"  says Pamela.  "This kidnapper wants ten million dollars in unmarked bills by 7 o'clock this evening.  I need to call Joe Turner at the bank.  Excuse me."  Pamela takes her phone out again and dials the number of her banker as she leaves the room.  

 

Bobby puts a reassuring hand on Christopher's shoulder, while Joseph puts his arm around Courtney.

Southfork....the guestroom....

 

 

 

 

Krystle Carrington is sitting on the bed in the guest room upstairs looking through a photo album of her family.  A tear falls down Krystle's cheek as she looks at the family photos.  A knock comes at the door.  

 

"Come in,"  Krystle says.  

 

Krystina walks into the room.  "Mom,"  she says.  

 

"Hello, darling."

 

"Why are you hiding up here in your room all alone?"

 

"There's so much going on downstairs, with the boys missing and everything, I didn't wanna get in the way."

 

 "Would you look at that.  Just look at me and Danny."

 

Krystle looks at the photo and smiles.  "You were both so adorable.  That was your brother Adam's wedding to Dana Waring.  Do you remember that?"

 

"Very, very vaguely.  God, Adam.  How's he doing, by the way?  Do you ever see or talk to him?"

 

"Oh, he comes by the house from time to time.  He's fine.  I think ColbyCo keeps him pretty busy."

 

"Y'know, Mom, it's funny,"  Krystina says.  "I've always been so close to Steven and Fallon, and also to Amanda, even though she's lived in Europe during most of my life, but, I've never been close to Adam at all."

 

"Well, Adam has never made it easy for anyone to get close to him, not even your father."

 

 Krystina turns the page of the album and comes across an old photo of two little girls.  "Mom, is this you?"  Krystina asks, pointing to the smaller girl in the photo.  

 

Krystle looks at the photo and smiles.  "Yes, it is.  I was about 4 in this picture."

 

"And that must be Aunt Iris."

 

"Uh-huh,"  Krystle says.  

 

"And this is Aunt Iris?"  Krystina asks, pointing to the photo on the next page, a photo of a lovely young woman.

 

"Yes, that's her."

 

"Wow, she was really beautiful."

 

"That. she was,"  says Krystle.  "You look a lot like her."

 

"How come I've never seen these pictures before?"

 

"They were stored away in the attic.  I hadn't looked through some of my old photo albums in years."

 

"What made you so nostalgic for the past all of a sudden?"

 

"It's not all of a sudden,"  Krystle says.  "You know the past and its memories have always held a special place in my heart."

 

"I know, but....."

 

"Maybe it's just that I'm getting old, and my memories mean more to me now than they ever have, especially memories of loved ones who are gone now.  Looking at these photos brings me a lot of comfort, Krystina."

 

Krystina nods.  "I understand.  Well, I'm gonna get back downstairs and see if there's anything I can do.  Why don't you come down with me?"

 

"Thank you, darling, but no.  I'm kind of tired, so I'm just going to curl up in bed and do some reading, or maybe watch an old movie on TV."

 

"Okay, Mom,"  Krystina says, hugging her mother.  She smiles at Krystle, then leaves the room. 

 

Krystle again looks at the photo of her sister, and her mind travels back in time many years, to a spring day in the 1960s, when she was a young girl......

********FLASHBACK....DAYTON, OHIO, SPRING, 1963********

 

Krystle Grant is sweeping the front porch of her family's home in Dayton, Ohio when a car pulls up and comes to a stop on the road in front of the Grants' mailbox.  Krystle watches as her sister, Iris, kisses the male driver, then gets out of the car.  As the car drives off, Iris makes her way to the house, stopping in front when she sees Krystle.  Krystle walks off the porch to face her sister.  "Just getting home?"  Krystle asks.

 

"Yeah, I'm just getting home,"  Iris replies.  "Is that a problem?"

 

"Was that Daniel Reece you were out with again?"

 

"What is this, the third degree?  Yes, I was out all night with Daniel again. Now if you don't mind, little sister, I'm tired, so I wanna go inside and get some rest.  Is Mama home?"

 

"No, she had to go into town,"  Krystle replies.  

 

"Good,"  Iris says.  

 

"Frank Dean has been calling.  He called twice last night and again just a little while ago."

 

"So?"

 

"So......he's really in love with you.  He's a good man, Iris.  Don't blow it chasing after a man you'll never really have."

 

"And what makes YOU think I'll never have Daniel?"  Iris asks.

 

"Because I've heard all about him.  He's a love 'em and leave 'em type of man Iris.  Once he gets bored with you, he'll dump you."

 

"You don't know what you're talking about.  I can have Daniel Reece any time I want him, and I'll tell you something else, little sister........Daniel is gonna be my ticket out of this dump."

 

Krystle shakes her head.  "Poor Iris.  So restless.  Do you really wanna get out of here so badly?  Are you THAT anxious to leave?"

 In a private office at the Longhorn Bank later in the afternoon, Calvin Pierce, president of the bank, places a briefcase on his desk and opens it to reveal two million dollars in cash.  "There it is, Mr. Ewing,"  Pierce says to Justin.  "Two million dollars, just like you asked for."

 "Thank you, Cal,"  Justin says.  "I realize this was very short notice, so I really do appreciate you getting this much cash together for me.

 

 

 

"Mr. Ewing, if you don't mind me saying, this is an awful lot of money, even for you,"  Cal says.

 

"I know."

 

"I'm just curious.........why the urgency?  Couldn't this have waited until the bank opened tomorrow morning?"

 

 

 

 

 

"Look, Cal, no offense, but that's really none of your business," says Justin, irritated by Cal's question.  "You're my banker, not my keeper.  Thanks again."

 

"Anytime, Mr. Ewing,"  Cal says as Justin turns and leaves the office.  A look of concern comes over the young banker's face after Justin leaves with all that cash.

 

A couple of minutes later, Justin comes out of the bank carrying the briefcase filled with cash and makes his way across the parking lot to his car.  He gets into the car, where Alex is waiting.

 

"You get the money?"  Alex asks.

"Okay, so we're clear on this?"  John Ross asks as he, Bobby, Pamela, Christopher, Courtney, Joseph, Lucas, Heather, Ann, and Bum are gathered in the living room at Southfork.  

 

"We're clear,"  replies Bum.  "I watch the drop off from a distance, and then we use the drone to follow this kidnapper back to wherever he's hold up, and hopefully the boys will be there."

 

"John Ross, are you sure this is gonna work?"  Lucas asks.

 

"It'll work,"  replies John Ross.  

 

"I'm worried,"  says Pamela.  "What if something goes wrong?  The kidnapper said for no one else to be around....."

 

"Bum will be well out of sight."

 

"And what if the kidnapper has someone watching the drop off sight?"  Bobby asks.  "This whole scheme worries me, especially since we have such a short time to plan it."

 "Uncle Bobby, my son and my brother are the ones who are gonna be deliverin' this money," John Ross says.  "There's no way in hell I'd put either one of them in danger, and this may be the only way to find those boys, because we have no way of knowin' whether or not this kidnapper will let them go after he gets the money."

 

"John Ross is right, this is the only way to do this,"  says Christopher.

 

"I don't like this plan at all,"  Joseph says.  "Something could go wrong, and then you could be putting the boys in even more danger."

 

"Well, this itn't any of your business,"  John Ross says.  "This is Ewing family business."

 

"Jacob is my son, and that MAKES this my business, whether you like it or not."

 

"Joseph, why don't you just go back to the hotel and let us handle this?"  Christopher asks.

 

Cameron is in the bedroom where he is keeping Michael and Jacob prisoner.  He has just finished tying Michael and Jacob to their beds.  "Guys, I'm really sorry I had to tie you up like this,"  he says.  But, I have to go out and pick up that ransom money, and I don't really trust leaving you here without being tied up.  I promised I wasn't gonna hurt you, and I'm not."

 

Michael and Jacob look at Cameron, their eyes filled with contempt.  

 

"Would you two stop lookin' at me like that?"  Cameron asks.  "I'm not a bad guy.  I'm just desperate. You don't know what it's like livin' in a dump like this, barely getting by.  I asked two million for you both.  A million for each of you.  A million is gonna go to my brother, and I'll keep the other.  Even today, a million dollars is a lot of money.  My little brother's gonna be able to go to college and have the kind of start in life he deserves.  Pamela Ewing won't even miss that money.  She's got enough she could never spend it all in ten life times.  Just sit tight.  As soon as Devon and I are far away from here in a couple of hours, I'll contact your folks and tell them where they can find you."  Cameron walks out of the room.  A few seconds later, he enters the living room of the house.  Cameron goes to the mantle and takes down a framed photo of his parents and looks at it.   

 

Devon walks into the room.  

 

"Well, little brother,"  Cameron says.  "Almost time for me to go and pick up that two mil.  By tonight, we'll be on our way out of here to a better life."

 

"Or to jail,"  Devon says.

 

"We're not gonna go to jail."

 

"Cameron, we're kidnappers."

 

Cameron walks over to his brother.  "Dev, just relax.  I'm doin' this for us.  And for Mom and Dad.  They OWE us, little brother."

 

"The Ewings never did anything to us.  Tripp McKay is the one who fired Dad and screwed up our family.  The guy's dead, Cameron."

 

"It doesn't matter.  Devon, these rich people are all the same.  Besides, Pamela Ewing was married to that McKay guy, and now SHE runs Westar Oil.  She was married to McKay when he destroyed our family, so she owes us."

 

Michael and Jacob aren't even her kids,"  Devon says.

 

"So?  They're Ewings.  She's married to a Ewing.  Devon, this opportunity just fell into our laps.  It's like, after all this rotten luck we've had, God sent Michael and Jacob to us."

 

 

"What?"  Devon asks, confused by his brother's words.

 

"How else do you explain that those two just happened to be on the same road hitchhiking when I was driving home last night, at exactly that moment?  Everything just fell into place for us.  And that two million bucks?  Pamela Ewing must be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, maybe even a billion.  She'll never even miss two million."

 

"Cam, this isn't right,"  Devon says, near tears.  

 

"Dev, I'm doing this for us.  For YOU.  I am sick and tired of being dirt poor.  Tired of not even knowing if I'm gonna be able to pay our electric bill from month to month.  Or the insurance for that car Mom left us.  I'm sick and tired of having to rely on food stamps just so you and I don't starve.  I'm tired of living like this, and now we won't have to."

 

Cameron begins to cry.  

 

"It's gonna be okay, I promise,"  Cameron says, embracing his brother.  "Now, look, you stay here and keep an eye on our guests.  Stay away from them, and don't let them out of their room.  And whatever you do, don't let them get to you.  This will all be over soon.  I'll be back as soon as I can."

 

Devon nods.  Cameron looks at him, and then leaves as Devon watches him with worry.

An old barn three miles from Southfork....

 Justin's car pulls up in front of an old barn on an isolated country road three miles from Southfork, the location where Justin is to drop off the money.  "Well there it is,"  Justin says.  

 

"I wonder if the kidnapper is here,"  says Alex.

 

"Probably somewhere watchin' us.  C'mon, let's get this over with."

 

"Justin and Alex get out of the car and quickly make their way to the barn, Justin carrying the briefcase filled with money.  While Alex keeps a watch outside, Justin walks into the decrepit old 

barn, which has stood here for several decades and now looks as if it would fall in come a hard wind.  Justin enters the barn and looks around, listening carefully for sounds of anyone who might be hiding inside.  Very quietly and carefully, Justin places the briefcase behind one of the bales of hay, just as Cameron had instructed when he spoke to Pamela earlier.  He pauses for a second, then slowly backs out of the barn.  

 

Meanwhile, Alex is waiting outside the old barn keeping watch when Justin comes out.  

 

"Okay, it's done,"  says Justin.  "Now let's get the hell out of here."

 

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Alex says.  "This place gives me the creeps."

 

"You're not the only one.  C'mon,"  says Justin.

 

 

As Justin and Alex make their way back to Justin's car and get in, Cameron is watching them from his car, parked a good distance away from the old barn.  Using a pair of binoculars, Cameron watches Justin's car drive away from the old barn and head back in the direction of Southfork.  Cameron waits for almost a full minute after Justin and Alex drive off before making his move.   Starting his car, he drives out of the secluded, wooded area where he had been parked, and drives the short distance to the old barn.  He drives right up to the barn and comes to a stop behind the old building.  Getting out of his car, Cameron looks around to make sure no one followed him and that no one is watching, then he goes into the barn.  

 

 

 

 

As Cameron goes into the old barn to retrieve the ransom money, he is unaware that he, too, is being watched from a distance.  Sitting in his car behind some bushes atop a hill a quarter mile from the barn, Bum is watching the young man through a camera lens and taking pictures of Cameron.  

 Bum picks up his cell phone and dials John Ross's number.  "John Ross?"  Bum says.  "The guy just arrived at the old barn.  Yeah I got a good look at him, and some pics.  Yeah I'll send them to you.  The guy's young.  Real young, maybe 18 or 19.  He's coming out now."  Bum picks up a pair of binoculars and looks through them, watching Cameron as he hurries back to his car and quickly drives away.  Bum reaches over to the passenger seat in the car and picks up a small remote control.  He presses a button on the remote, which operates a drone that had been hidden near the barn.  The drone begins following Cameron's car.  "John Ross,"  Bum says.  "Everything's a go.  The drone is in operation and tracking the kid's car."

Southfork....

 

"Thanks, Bum,"  John Ross says.  "Go ahead and send me those pics."  John Ross ends the call nd puts his phone down.  A few seconds later, his phone makes a 'ding' noise, indicating that he has an incoming message.  John Ross looks at the phone and opens his message, which is the first of the photos Bum is to send him.  As he looks at the first, a second photo arrives.  

 

"John Ross, what is it?"  Pamela asks.

 

"Take a look,"  John Ross replies, holding out his phone to the others.  "This is the kidnapper. You were right, Pamela.  Bum said the kidnapper was real young, maybe 18 or so.  Here's a photo of him goin' to pick up the money."

 

Pamela takes the phone and looks at it.  "My Lord, he's just a boy."

 

"Can I see that?"  Christopher asks.  Pamela hands him the phone and Christopher looks at the picture.  "How do we know this is really the kidnapper?"

 

"He picked up the money,"  says John Ross.

 

"It's possible this could be the real kidnapper's son, or an accomplice," Christopher says.  

 

"Christopher's right,"  says Bobby.  

 "We'll know soon enough,"  says John Ross.  "Our drone is trackin' that kid's car as we speak."  John Ross walks over to his laptop computer, sitting on the coffee table.  He opens the laptop's and pulls up a screen which shows a live feed from the drone, which is being transmitted to the laptop.  Bobby, Christopher, Courtney, Lucas, Heather, and Pamela all gather around the laptop and watch.  

 

"That's Duffy Road," Christopher says, looking at the screen.  

 

"Look, he's turning back onto Braddock Road,"  Bobby says.  

 

 

 

"He's headin' south, toward Dallas," John Ross says.  

 

The group watches closely as the car continues traveling down Braddock Road in the direction of the Braddock-Dallas county line.  

 

"Look he's turnin' off Braddock Road," says John Ross.  

 

"Sycamore Lane,"  Christopher says.  

 

"You know that street?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Yeah, I use to date a girl who lived on Sycamore."

 

"He's slowing down," Bobby says.  

 

Charlie and Jenna walk into the room.  "What's going on?"  Jenna asks.

 

"Our drone is following the guy who picked up the ransom,"  Bobby replies.  "We're watching to see where he's headed."

 

The two women walk over to the others, and the assembled group watches as Cameron's car turns into his driveway near the end of Sycamore Lane.  

 

"Look, that's it,"  Lucas says.  

 

"John Ross, do you have an address?"  Christopher asks.

 

"1134 Sycamore Lane."

 

"I'm heading there now,"  Christopher says.

 

"Not without me,"  says Lucas.

 

"And me,""  Bobby says.

 

"Shouldn't we call the police?"  Charlie asks.

 

"NO!"  Lucas replies.  "The police could put the boys in even more danger if they show up and spook this kidnapper or any accomplices he may have."

 

"I just texted Bum.  He's on his way there now."

 

"Let's go,"  Bobby says.  

 

"Wait, I'm coming with you,"  Joseph says.

 

"No way,"  says Christopher.

 

"No way in hell are you gonna stop me."

 

"Alright, come on,"  Bobby says.  

 

"We're comin', too,"  Heather says, referring to herself and Courtney.

 

"No, you stay here, this could be dangerous,"  Lucas says.

 

"Michael is my son, too,"  Heather says in tears.

 

"Heather I'm gonna bring our son back, I promise,"  Lucas says as he, Bobby, Christopher and Joseph hurry out of the room.  

 

Ann and Courtney put their arms around Heather as she begins to cry.

Cameron's house....

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Meanwhile, Cameron enters his house carrying the briefcase full of money.  Devon comes into the living room to meet him.  "Cam, thank God, you're back.  I was worried to death something happened,"  Devon says.

 

"No, sir, little brother.  Everything went even better than I could've hoped.  That guy Justin Ewing left the money right where I told his wife.  Take a look at this."  Cameron places the briefcase on a coffee table and opens it to reveal the money.  "You ever see that much cash?"

 

"No."

 

"And it's all OURS, Dev.  A million for you, and a million for me.  Did you pack like I told you?"

 

"Yeah, I packed."

 

"Good,"  Cameron says.  "Go get your bags and put them in the car.  I'm gonna say goodbye to our guests, and then we need to get out of here ASAP."

 

Devon nods, and reluctantly obeys his brother's order.

 

Down the hall in the bedroom, Michael and Jacob remain tied to the two beds, both of their hearts pounding with fear as they are unsure of what will happen to them.  The boys are startled when they hear the sound of the bedroom door being unlocked.  Cameron comes into the room.  He walks over 

and takes a seat on the foot of Michael's bed and looks at the boys.  "Well, guys," he says.  "This whole ordeal is gonna be over real soon. I got the money.  Pamela Ewing and her husband Justin really came through. As soon as Dev and I have put some distance between us and Dallas, I'll call your folks and tell them where they can find you."  Cameron pauses and lets out a deep sigh.  "Look, I know you both must hate me, but, for what it's worth, I'm real sorry about everything.  I'm sorry I had to do this.  I swear, I never would've hurt you.  When I found out who you two were.......that you were Ewings........I saw an opportunity and I took it." Cameron again pauses as a tear falls down his cheek.  "All I wanted was a chance to give my little brother a better life, especially after what Pamela Ewing's ex-husband did to us.  You guys have no idea what it's like, watching someone you love go to bed without enough to eat.  Or to hear them cry themselves to sleep because you had to sell their computer and their guitar just so you could pay your electric bill and keep your lights on.  Me and Dev, we're not bad people.  We've just had a lot of bad luck, that's all.  I love my brother more than anything, and I would do anything to keep him with me.  You're probably wondering why I'm telling you all this.  I just want you to understand.  And I want you to know that I really am sorry I had to do this.  Just try and relax for a little while longer, and, like I said, when Dev and I are away from 

 Devon gets into the car as his brother had instructed.  The boy lowers his head, the guilt of what he and Cameron are doing getting to him badly.  Cameron gets in the driver's side of the car.  

 

"Let's get the heck outa here and not look back,"  Cameron says.  

 

"Cam, I smell smoke,"  Devon says.

 

"It's your imagination," Cameron says, putting his seatbelt on.  "C'mon, we gotta get out of here."

 

"No, man, I really smell smoke,"  Devon says.

 

Cameron looks at his brother, but ignores his words, and starts the car.  He puts the car in reverse and begins to back away from the house.

 

"CAM, LOOK!"  Devon says, pointing to the house.  "SMOKE!"

 

Cameron looks at the house and he indeed sees black smoke billowing from one of the windows in front of the house that's slightly open.  He sits there, transfixed for a moment, then he and Devon see the flames through the window of the bedroom where Michael and Jacob are.

 

"Cameron, FIRE!"  Devon yells.  "Do something!"

 

Cameron looks at his brother, then looks in the backseat at the briefcase containing the money.  He hesitates.

 

"CAM, YOU GOTTA GET THEM OUT!"  Devon yells.  

 

Cameron immediately gets out of the car and runs toward the house.  He reaches under the floor mat and gets the key to the house he had placed there only a minute earlier.  He fumbles to unlock the door.

 

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, as the flames spread, Jacob and Michael continue to struggle against the ropes that bind their hands and feet, the thick smoke and heat of the flames beginning to overwhelm them.  The boys look at each other, both knowing that they would probably die right here in only a few minutes.  Suddenly, Cameron runs into the room.  He rushes to Jacob first, since the fire was beginning to spread onto the foot of Jacob's bed.  Cameron quickly unties Jacob's feet, then his hands.  Jacob rips the duct tape from his mouth and begins coughing violently.  

 

"JACOB, GET OUTA HERE!"  Cameron yells.  "I'LL GET MICHAEL!"

 

While the flames continue spreading around the room, Jacob tries to make his way to the door, but he is overcome by the smoke and falls to his knees, then collapses, unconscious, the flames surrounding him.  Cameron quickly unties Michael's hands.

 

Michael rips the tape from his mouth, then unties his own feet.  When het gets off the bed, he, too, is overcome by the thick smoke and falls to the floor beside the bed.  

 

"MICHAEL!"  Cameron yells.

 

"Get Jacob out,"  Michael says in a weak voice as he coughs.  "He has a heart condition.  I'll be right behind you."

 

Hearing that Jacob has a heart condition overwhelms Cameron with guilt over what he has put the boys through.  Cameron runs over to Jacob, grabs his arms, and picks him up.  The flames are now almost blocking the door.  Cameron carries Jacob out of the bedroom and down the hall.  Michael struggles to get to his feet but the smoke is too overpowering, and he again falls beside the bed, this time unconscious.  

 

Outside, a frantic Devon is waiting in tears when Cameron carries Jacob out of the house.  Cameron places Jacob on the ground.  "Take care of him,"  he tells Devon.  "I have to go get Michael."

 

"CAM, NO!!!!"  Devon cries.

 

"Dev, I love you, and I'm sorry,"  Cameron says, then he quickly rushes back into the house, the flames now spreading throughout the building.  

 

Jacob begins to regain consciousness and coughs violently.  Devon tries to help him, but isn't sure what to do.  The boy takes out his cell phone and dials 911 while at the same time watching his home burn, his brother and Michael inside.  Just then, Bum's truck pulls into the driveway, followed immediately by Bobby's car, carrying Bobby, Christopher, Lucas, and Joseph.  The men get out of their vehicles and run over to where Devon and Jacob are.  Christopher and Joseph both rush to Jacob and put their arms around him.  

 

"WHERE'S MICHAEL?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Inside!"  Devon replies in tears.  

 

  

In the bedroom, Cameron finds Michael barely conscious beside the bed.  Grabbing his arms, he begins dragging Michael toward the door, but the flames are now almost totally blocking the door and the hallway outside the bedroom is also engulfed in flames.  Using all the strength he can muster, Cameron picks Michael up over his shoulder and carries him through the flames and down the burning hallway.  With Michael over his shoulder, Cameron enters the living room, which is also in flames, just as Lucas and Bobby rush into the house.

 

"Give him to me!"  Lucas says.  He takes Michael from Cameron and immediately carries him out of the house.  

 

"Come on, son,"  Bobby says to Cameron.  

 

The young man looks at him, tears in his eyes, then Bobby takes him by the arm and leads him out of the burning home.  As they come out of the house, the sound of sirens can be heard approaching in the distance.  

 

Seeing his brother emerge from the inferno with Bobby, Devon runs to Cameron and embraces him. 

 

Meanwhile, Lucas has placed Michael on the ground next to Jacob, and Michael regains consciousness.  He opens his eyes and begins coughing.  

 

"Michael, thank GOD!"  Lucas says, pulling his son into an embrace.  "Are you okay?"

 

"I'm fine, Dad.  Just fine now."

 

"Jacob, are you alright?"  Christopher asks.

 

Jacob nods.  "Never better," he says, struggling slightly to breathe.  

 

 

 

Christopher stands to his feet and looks at Cameron.  "You miserable little punk!"  He says, lunging at the young man.  

 

"Christopher, don't!"  Bobby says, grabbing his son and holding him back.  

 

"YOU ALMOST KILLED MY SON, YOU BASTARD!"  Lucas yells, lunging at Cameron.  Before Bobby can stop him, Lucas angrily shoves Cameron to the ground.

 

 Just then, two fire engines pull up to the house, their sirens blaring and lights illuminating the darkness that had now come over the scene.  Braddock County Sheriff Lou Chamber also pulls up in a sheriff's car.  Getting out of his car, Lou walks over to the Ewings.

 

"Bobby, what the hell is goin' on here?  What are you folks doin' here?  I got a call about a fire.  And I show up to find you and your sons here?"

 

 

 

"Lou, it's kind of a long story, but if you'll step over here, I'll tell ya all about it,"  Bobby says.  

 

As Bobby and Sheriff Chambers walk away from the crowd to talk, Michael and Jacob look over at Cameron and Devon, who are again embracing.  The brothers return Michael and Jacob's gaze, none of them knowing what the future would hold for any of them.

 

 

 

Southfork....

 Ann knocks on the door of the guest bedroom occupied by Krystle Carrington.  She walks into the room carrying a tray with a teapot and cup and finds Krystle standing at the window in the dark, looking out at nothing.  "Krystle?"  She says.  She places the tray on a table next to the bed and turns on the light, startling Krystle.

 

"Oh, Ann,"  Krystle says.  "I didn't hear you come in."

 

"No, you looked a million miles away.  I brought you some tea."

 

"Thank you."

 

"Christopher phoned with some good news,"  says Ann.  "The boys have been found safe."

 

"What boys?"  Krystle asks.  "Ann, what are you talking about?"

 

The smile quickly disappears from Ann's face.  She walks over to her.  "Michael and Jacob.  Ann, you know they ran away yesterday and they were kidnapped."

 

"Oh.......dear God, it's happened again,"  Krystle says.  "Of course, Jacob and Michael.  How could I have forgotten?"

 

"Krystle, what's goin' on?"  Ann asks.  "You've been actin' strangely ever since you got here.  This itn't just a regular visit to see Krystina and the kids, is it?"

 

"No,"  Krystle says, shaking her head.  

 

"What's goin' on?"

 

Krystle sighs.  "Oh, Ann, I've got to tell someone......someone I trust.  But you have to promise me that you won't say a word to Krystina, or to anyone.  Promise?"

 

"Yes, I promise.  Now what is it?  Are you ill?"

 

"I really don't know.  A few months ago, I started having these episodes.  Memory lapses.  They were minor at first, and then, over time, it grew worse. In the beginning, I just brushed it off as getting older, but I would forget names and faces that I should've known.  And lately, it's happening more frequently.  That's why I came here.  I wanted to spend some time with my daughter and my granddaughter while I still had enough mind left to enjoy it."

 

"Krystle, have you been to the doctor?"

 

"No.  I'm too afraid,"  Krystle replies in tears.  "Ann, I'm so frightened.  I'm really afraid that I may be experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer's.  And that absolutely terrifies me."

 

Ann puts her arms around Krystle and embraces her as she cries, Ann's heart going out to her friend.

 

END OF EPISODE 239....