EPISODE 241 - Barbecued! Part One

 Christopher is working in one of the horse barns at Southfork late in the afternoon.  As he works, cleaning one of the horse saddles, his mind goes back in time to the night before, and his date with Erin Ward, and the bombshell she dropped on him.....

********FLASHBACK....THE OMNI HOTEL**********

"Five,"  the little boy says.

 

"Five?"

 

"K.C., come on, it's time you were in bed.  Say goodnight to Christopher."

 

"Good night."

 

"Good night,"  Christopher says as Erin leads the child back into the bedroom by the hand.  A moment later she returns, closing the bedroom door behind her.  "Erin, he's adorable.  Why didn't you tell me you had a son?"

 

"I was just waiting for the right moment."

 

"Casey, that's a nice name for him."

 

"Christopher, his name isn't Casey.......it's K.C.  A 'K' and then a 'C.'  It's his initials."

 

"Oh?"  Christopher asks, a look of extreme curiosity on his face.  "What does the K.C. stand for?"

 

"I named him after his grandfather, and his father,"  Erin replies.  "His name is Kenneth Christopher."

 

"Kenneth..........Christopher?"

 

Erin nods.  "Yes, Christopher.  That's what I came to Dallas to tell you........K.C. is your son."

 

 

 

 

Christopher is left stunned speechless by Erin's revelation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

****************RETURN TO PRESENT***********

Christopher picks one of the saddles up and hangs it on a rack in the stable.  Then, once again, his mind travels back to the previous night....

 

****************THE OMNI HOTEL***************

"Why did you wait so long to tell me?"  Christopher asks Erin in response to what she had just told him about her son.  "And why are you telling me now?"

 

"Because I wanted K.C. to get to know his father, and I wanted you to know about him.  He's going to need his father soon."

 

"Erin, what do you mean by that?"  

 

Erin looks at him, a tear falling down her cheek.  "I'm sick, Christopher.  I have cancer, and the doctor said that, unless I can get a bone marrow transplant, I have a year left at best.  And so far, they haven't been able to find any matches.  Christopher, I didn't want any more time to go by without telling you about your son because........if and when something happens to me, I want you to be the one to raise him."

***************RETURN TO PRESENT*************

 

Christopher is snapped back into the present by the sound of a car approaching.  He looks out and sees Erin's car coming out to the stables.  Erin brings her car to a stop in front of the stables.  She gets out and walks over to Christopher.  "Hi,"  she says.

 

"Hi,"  Christopher says.

 

"I'm sorry things ended the way they did last night."

 

"I'm sorry, too.  Sorry I reacted the way that I did."

 

"It's okay, Christopher.  You had every right.  After all, I came here after we haven't seen each other for six years and dropped this huge bomb in your lap.  Not only about K.C., but about my cancer, as well.  It was unfair of me to ask you to take K.C."

 

 

"Erin, no, it wasn't.  K.C. is my son.  All I have to do is look at him, and I can see that he's mine.  God forbid, if something happens to you, I wanna take him."

 Pamela is unpacking some things from a box in her and Justin's new home in Dallas.  She unwraps some framed photos that had been wrapped tightly in bubble wrap, photos of her and Justin and of the children.  She places the photos on a desk in the room as Justin comes in.  

"The kids okay?"  Pamela asks.  

"Yeah, they're fine.  Exploring their new rooms with Devon.  Hunter is really excited about movin' in here because we have a pool."

"I think we're all gonna enjoy having a pool,"  Pamela says.  

Justin looks around.  "This is a really nice room.  It's gonna look great when you get it all fixed up in here."

"Yeah.  It'll be a perfect office for me here at home.  I can work out of here whenever I'm not at Westar."

Justin sighs.  "I been thinkin' about Devon and what you told me a few nights ago.  We haven't even talked about it since then, and I think we should.  I think we need to figure out how we're gonna find out whether or not Tripp was Devon's father, and how we're gonna handle it if that turns out to be the case."

Pamela rubs her temples in frustration.  "Well, obviously the only way to find out for sure would be to have a DNA test done, which I don't see how we can do that since we don't want Devon to know anything about this.  And we certainly don't want Sharon or Jeremy Wendell to know that Devon might be Tripp's son, so that rules out asking either of them to provide a DNA sample."

"Darlin', aren't we over lookin' the obvious here?"  Justin asks.  "If Tripp McKay was Devon's father, then Devon is Hunter's half-brother.  So we could use a DNA sample from Hunter."

"I thought about that, but I really hate the thought of using my son for this."

"I understand that, but it may be the only way.  I think we have to find out the truth.  If Devon Lewis is Tripp's son, then we need to know."

Pamela looks at her husband, realizing that Justin is right.  She is about to say something when the doorbell rings.  "That's probably my mother,"  Pamela says.  "She said she was gonna drop by this morning."

 A moment later, Pamela and Justin come into the foyer and open the front door to Afton.  "Good morning,"  Afton cheerfully says.

"Hi, Mom,"  Pamela says, greeting her mother with a hug.  "Come in."

"Thank you.  Hello, Justin."

"Hi, Afton.  Well, if you ladies will excuse me, I'll go and see what the boys are up to."

"Alright,"  says Pamela.  

Afton smiles at her son-in-law as Justin leaves the room.  "Well, how's the move going?"  Afton asks her daughter.

"It's coming along fine."

"And what about your young houseguest?"

"Devon is fine.  In fact, he's been a huge help with the move.  And he's.........."  Pamela pauses for a second.  "He's great with the kids."

Afton looks at her daughter, sensing that something is wrong.  "Pamela, what is it?"

"It's nothing."

"Come on.  I know you better than that.  Is something going on with that Devon kid?"

Pamela sighs.  "Mom, can I tell you something, and will you promise me you won't breathe a word of this to anyone?  I just need to confide this to someone.  Justin isn't exactly objective on the subject."

"Darling, of course.  You know you can tell me anything."

"It's Devon.  Or rather, his mother,"  Pamela says.

"His mother?  I thought the boy's mother was in prison."

"She is.  But it's WHO she is, Mom."

"Pammy, I'm afraid you've lost me."

"Devon's mother is a woman named Jennifer Lewis.  15 years ago, Tripp had an affair with her."

"Really?"  Afton asks, surprised.  "Wow, that's quite a coincidence, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is.  I really think that was still in love with Jennifer, and that's why he fired her husband from Westar.  But that's not all.  Mom, I found some old letters in some of Tripp's things when I was packing up the apartment for the move.  One of those letters is dated October 29, 2006."

"So?"

"So...........that was only a few months before Devon was born."

"Pammy, what exactly are you saying?"  Afton asks.

"Mom, I think there's a very real possibility that Devon could be Tripp's son."

"What?  Are you kidding me?"

"I wish I were kidding.  Justin thinks that we should find out for sure."

"Well, I have to agree with him.  Darling, if this boy you have living in your home is really the son of your ex-husband, then you SHOULD know."

"And what purpose would it serve?"  Pamela asks.  "If Devon ever found out, it would devastate him.  He hates Tripp after what Tripp did to his family.  And I'm not so sure that I wanna know."

"Well, of course it's up to you, but, darling, if it were me........I'd need to know the truth.  And then if you found out that it IS true, you'll have to make a decision.  You'll have to decide whether or not you want Tripp McKay's son living in your house."

Pamela looks at her mother.

Southfork....

 Ann, Krystina, and Sue Ellen are in the den at Southfork stuffing envelopes with invitations to the Ewing Bar-B-Q.  "How many more do we have?"  Ann asks.

"Umm.......just seventeen more,"  replies Krystina.

"Good.  I don't think I could lick too many more envelopes."

"Well, we're almost done,"  says Sue Ellen.  "And I'll drop these off at the post office on my way home."

"Sue Ellen, thank you for your help again this year,"  Ann says.  "I don't know what we'd do without you."

"Ann, you know I'm always happy to help with the Bar-B-Q,"  Sue Ellen says.  "I've been planning these things for more years than I care to remember, and I always enjoy it."

"And you're an expert at it, which is why I always rely on your help."

"I hope this is going to be the best Bar-B-Q ever," says Krystina.  

"I'm sure it'll be one of the best for you, having your mother here,"  Sue Ellen says.

"Oh, yes.  And I also invited some of my other family from Denver, so hopefully they can make it."

"It'll be wonderful if they can,"  Ann says.  

Bobby comes into the room.  "Well, hello, ladies,"  he says.  "How's the planning for the Barb-B-Q coming?"

"Just fine,"  replies Ann.  "We're almost done with the invitations."

"That's good.  Hard to believe it's already time for the Bar-B-Q again.  Sue Ellen, we really appreciate your help with the planning again this year."

"Of course,"  Sue Ellen says, a rather cold tone in her voice.  "Ann, I'll just drop these invitations off at the post office on my way back into Dallas."

"Thank you, Sue Ellen."

"No problem."  Sue Ellen gets up from her seat on the sofa.  "I'll see you all later,"  she says, and leaves the room.  

"Excuse me,"  Bobby says, following Sue Ellen out of the room.  He catches up to her in the foyer as she is about to leave.  "Sue Ellen, wait,"  he says.

She pauses at the front door and turns to face him.  "What do you want, Bobby?"

"You're still angry with me because of this contest between John Ross and Clay, aren't you?"

"If you want the honest truth, yes, I am.  Bobby, John Ross has worked very hard to earn your trust and mine.  He's done a wonderful job running Ewing Oil in your absence, and I think it was very unfair, even cruel of you, to force him to go through this stupid contest to prove his worth to become president of the company."

"Sue Ellen, I'm sorry you feel that way, but I've already explained my reasoning for setting up this contest."

"Bobby, frankly, I couldn't care less about your reasoning.  John Ross has been groomed to run Ewing Oil for years.  It's something he's wanted for years.  Clay Beaumont has no place in that company."

"Clay is J.R.'s grandson, Sue Ellen,"  Bobby says.

"He's the illegitimate son of J.R.'s illegitimate son.  That should hardly qualify him to be next in line of succession."

"Ewing Oil isn't a monarchy, Sue Ellen, it's an oil company.  Clay is a very good businessman who has proven himself invaluable to the company.  I only want to put the best man in the position to run the company, and the only fair way I could think of to find out who was best for the job was this contest.  This is nothing personal against John Ross, contrary to what you and he seem to think."

"Nothing personal?"  Sue Ellen asks.  "Keep telling yourself that, Bobby, if it helps."  Sue Ellen quickly leaves the house.  Bobby shakes his head and sighs in frustration.  

Perry's Steakhouse And Grille....early afternoon....

 Muriel Gillis is sitting at a table at Perry's at lunchtime waiting for Lucy to arrive for their lunch date. Muriel watches the other patrons of the restaurant as they have lunch and carry on various conversations around the crowded room, her mind unable to think about anything but her encounter with her former husband Peter Richards a few nights earlier.  She takes a sip of water, then she sees Lucy arrive at the restaurant.  The hostess leads Lucy to the table where her friend is seated.  "Hi, Muriel,"  she says. taking a seat at the table.

"Hello, Lucy."

"Sorry I'm late, but traffic is a nightmare out there.  I heard on the radio that there was an accident on the Central Expressway."

"Oh, I hope no one was seriously hurt,"  Muriel says.

"Me, too."

"Would you like a drink, Mrs. Cooper?"  The hostess asks.

"Yes, I'll have a glass of white wine."

"Coming right up.  I'll give you ladies a moment to decide what you'd like to order."

"Thank you, Shannon,"  Lucy says as the young woman walks away.  

"I take it you come here a lot, since you know the waitress by her name."

"Oh, yeah, Mitch and I come here all the time.  In fact, Mitch's son Daniel works here as a waiter."

"Oh, that's nice,"  Muriel says.

"So, Muriel, how would you and Zach like to come over for dinner again tomorrow night?"  Lucy asks.

"Thank you, Lucy, but......"

"Oh, come on, why not?  Don't tell me you have a hot date."

Muriel smiles.  "No, I don't have a date."

"Then it's settled.  You and your son have to eat, and it'll give Zach and Mitch a chance to talk.  Mitch said he'd give Zach some pointers on surviving medical school."

Muriel nods.  "Alright.  We'll come."

"I can't tell you how happy I am that you're in town.  And I can't wait to get started helping you find a place to live."

"Actually, Lucy, I've decided to hold off on that for now,"  Muriel says.  

"What?  Hold off?  But why?"

"Because I'm not so sure that I'll be moving back to Dallas after all."

"But Muriel, I thought you wanted to move back here to be close to Zach while he attends medical school.  What's changed since the other night?"

"I just changed my mind, that's all,"  Muriel says. 

"Okay, Muriel,"  Lucy says.  "I've known you since we were sophomores in high school.  The other day you were all excited about moving back to Dallas so you could be here with your son, and now all of a sudden, you've changed your mind?  Suppose you tell me what's really going on here."

Muriel looks at Lucy, not sure how she would answer her friend's question without revealing the true reason why she doesn't want to move back to Dallas.

An oil rig off the California coast....

With a small entourage of three other men, John Ross is touring an offshore oil rig off the coast of southern California that afternoon, one of the wells that is part of Ewing Oil's joint, and secret, venture with ColbyCo Oil.  

"Well, Mr. Ewing, what do you think of our operation?"  The head of the crew on the rig asks.  

"I like it just fine, Larry,"  John Ross replies.  "You and your crew are doin' a real good job here."

"We're up to almost 600 barrels a day on this well, Mr. Ewing,"  Larry says.  

"Good, good,"  says John Ross.  "Larry, I knew I was doin' the right thing when I made you foreman of this crew."

Larry smiles.  "Well, I appreciate that, Mr. Ewing.  I do have one question, though."

"Well, ask away."

"Just how much longer are we gonna have to keep this operation under wraps?"  Larry asks.  

"Not much longer, Larry,"  replies John Ross.  "Just as soon as this contest to see who'll run Ewing Oil is over and I win, I'll be able to reveal this operation to my Mama and my Uncle Bobby.  They didn't want Ewing Oil doin' business with ColbyCo because of that book Alexis Colby wrote about my father, so that's why I had to keep my partnership with Adam Carrington a secret.  But once I control Ewing Oil, there'll be no need to keep it a secret anymore, and when they see how much money these two offshore wells have brought in, they'll regret not bein' on board with this venture from the start."

"Well, I'm sure rootin' for you to win that contest, Mr. Ewing,"  Larry says.  "I've never met your nephew, Clay Beaumont, but after dealin' with you all these years, I'd really hate to get use to anybody new."

John Ross smiles.  "Well, Larry, you won't have to worry about that, because I have every intention of winning that contest and becoming the  permanent president of Ewing Oil.  Well, if there's nothin' else you have to show me, Larry, I really need to be headin' back to Dallas."

"Fine, Mr. Ewing.  When can we expect another visit?"

"Soon.  I'll let you know,"  John Ross says.  He turns to one of the men with him.  "Carl, let's get out of here."

Carl nods.  John Ross shakes Larry's hand, then he and the three men accompanying him climb the ladder to the helicopter pad on top of the oil rig.  John Ross and the three men get into the helicopter, and a few seconds later, the propeller starts spinning.  Larry and some of the other crewmen on the 

oil rig watch as John Ross's helicopter lifts off from the rig and begins its flight back to Los Angeles. 

Ewing Oil....

 Clay comes out of his office at Ewing Oil and approaches Sly's desk as she works.  "Sly, has John Ross come back from wherever it is he had to go today?"  He asks.

"No, Clay, he hasn't come back yet,"  Sly replies.  

"Any idea when John Ross might be returning?"  Clay asks.

"No, no idea."

"Where is it he had to go, anyway?"

"All he said was that he had to go out of town for a few hours on some business, and that he'd be back SOME time this afternoon."

"I wonder what kind of business he had to leave town on,"  Clay says.  "You, uh.....you wouldn't happen to know, would you, Sly?"

"Now, Clay, even if I did know, you know good and well I couldn't divulge that information,"  Sly says.

"Especially to me, right?"

"Not to anyone."

Clay sighs.  "Okay, fine, I understand.  Just forget I asked.  But I do have some contracts that require both our signatures, so would you please make sure he reads and signs these when he comes back?"  Clay places a stack of papers on Sly's desk.

"I'll see that he gets them."

"Thanks,"  Clay says.  He starts to return to his office when the elevators open and Michelle McKinnon steps off.  Clay smiles, and goes over to her.  "Well, look who's here,"  he says, greeting Michelle with a kiss.  "This is a nice surprise."

"I thought I'd see if you were free for lunch,"  Michelle says.  

"As a matter of fact, I am.  Come on into my office."

Michelle smiles.  Sly watches as Michelle follows Clay into his office.  

Closing his office door, Clay goes to his bar and pours himself a drink. 

"Hey, what's bothering you?"  Michelle asks.

 Donna is sitting at the kitchen table at the Krebbs home that afternoon typing on her laptop computer, her various notes on the book she is writing strewn about on the table.  Ray comes into the kitchen.  "Hey, how's the book comin'?"  He asks.

"Alright, I guess.  I'm up to 1966, and to J.R.'s relationship with Vanessa Beaumont and his little fling with Alexis Carrington."

"I see."  Ray goes to the refrigerator, opens it, and takes out a bottle of beer, which he immediately opens and takes a sip of.

"Ray, did you ever know Vanessa Beaumont when J.R. was involved with her?"  Donna asks.

"Nope.  Never met the lady back then.  In fact, I never even heard the name until years later, after I found out J.R. was the father of her son.  From what I understand, none of the family knew Vanessa.  J.R. kinda kept their relationship a secret back then.  I don't even think Bobby met her until after she followed James here."

"I'm using some of the information from Alexis Colby's book, but, given that lady's reputation, and the fact that before he died, James was able to force her book to be taken out of every bookstore in the country, who knows how reliable this information is."

"What exactly happened between her and J.R. anyway?"  Ray asks.

Donna lets out a sigh.  "Well, according to her book, Alexis and Vanessa were very close friends.  Alexis and J.R. were involved in an affair, but what Alexis didn't know was that J.R. was also involved with her good friend Vanessa at the same time."

"Sounds like ol' J.R.,"  Ray says, taking a sip of his beer.

"Both Vanessa and Alexis became pregnant by J.R. at the same time."

"That was when Vanessa was pregnant with James?"

"That's right,"  Donna replies.  "Alexis lost her baby one night when she found J.R. and Vanessa in bed together, and she was so devastated that she ran out into the street and was hit by a car, causing a miscarriage.  Alexis blamed J.R. and Vanessa for the loss of her baby, and that's why she wrote this book."

"For revenge?"  Ray asks.

"I guess so."

"Well then why wait 50 years to write that damned book, AFTER both J.R. and Vanessa were dead and gone and couldn't tell their side of the story?"

"Good question, which is why I'm skeptical of anything that's in Alexis Colby's book."

"So how are you gonna find out the truth of what really happened?"  Ray asks.

"More research, I guess.  I might even have to take a little trip to Denver to talk to Alexis Colby in person."

"Not sure I like the sound of that.  This book's turnin' out to be a little bit more of a challenge than you anticipated, itn't it?"  Ray asks.

"Oh wow,"  Jasmine says, out of breath.  

"Oh wow is right,"  says Dylan.  "Perfect way to spend an afternoon, huh?"

"Yes........PERFECT,"  Jasmine says.  

Dylan is silent for a moment as he lays on his back looking up at the ceiling.  "Every time we do this, we say it's gonna be the last time, but then, next thing we know, here we are, hooking up again,"  he finally says.  

"Well, I don't have any complaints, or any regrets,"  says Jasmine.  "Do you?"

Dylan looks at her.  "No.  No complaints, and no regrets."

"Why should we have any?  We're both consenting adults with needs and desires.  We're just helping each other fulfill those needs."

"I just don't wanna complicate either one of our lives, Jasmine.  I'm really trying hard right now to get back on my feet and stay sober, and forget all about Ashley."

"And I wanna help you do all those things, Dylan.  I don't want or need any complications in my life any more than you do.  We're friends, and we're helping each other through a tough time right now, by being there for each other, supporting each other emotionally, and occasionally having out of this world sex."

"Just so that we both understand that's all this is.......just sex, and nothing more,"  Dylan says.  "I don't ever wanna go through again what I went through with Ashley.  Feelings, commitments, attachments, and relationships.........they just aren't worth the heartbreak."

"So what are you saying, Dylan?  That you never wanna fall in love again, EVER, because Ashley cheated on you with your brother?"

"I never want to feel that kind of pain again, Jasmine.  Not ever."

"Neither do I, Dylan.  I may not have been as deeply involved in a relationship with Conner as you were with Ashley, but I still fell in love with him.  And when he slept with Ashley.........it hurt, Dylan.  What they did hurt me just like it did you."

Dylan reaches up and places his hand on Jasmine's back.  "I know."

"I still wanna get back at them,"  Jasmine says.  "I still wanna make them both pay for what they did to us."

"No, Jasmine.  Believe me, I felt that way at first.  I hated them.  I wasn't sure which one I hated the most.......Ashley, the girl I had loved and given my heart to, or Conner, my own brother who betrayed me in the worst possible way.   But my hating them and wanting revenge was one of the reasons I was drinking myself to death.  Now I realize that if I wanna stay sober, I have to let that hate and that need for revenge go.  You have to let it go, too."

"Let it go?"  Jasmine asks.  "I'm not sure I can."

"You can, Jasmine. Otherwise, that hate can consume you.  Karma will take care of Conner and Ashley.  What they did to us will one day come back to haunt them.  In the meantime, we have to get on with our own lives."

Jasmine nods her head and then looks down at Dylan.  "You're absolutely right.  Conner and Ashley aren't worth a second thought.  And you're also right about karma.  They'll get paid back one day.  I'm sure of it,"  Jasmine says, a devious look on her face as she speaks of karma repaying Conner and Ashley for their betrayal.  Clearly, in her mind, Jasmine is hatching a plot to aid karma in making Conner and Ashley pay for their sins.

Southfork....that evening....

 John Ross's car pulls up and comes to a stop at Southfork that night.  A couple of minutes later, he 

walks into his and Krystina's bedroom.  "Krystina?"  He calls out.  

"Hey,"  Krystina says, coming out of the bathroom.  

"Sorry I'm late, darlin'," John Ross says, greeting his wife with a kiss. 

"John Ross, I was worried.  I called your cell phone a couple of times today and it went straight to voicemail.  I even called the office and Sly said that you were out all day."

"Darlin', I told you I had to go check on some wells."

Krystina sighs.  "That's right, you did.  I'm sorry, I forgot.  So where did you have to go?"

"California."

"California?  I didn't think Ewing Oil had any active wells out there anymore."

"These are new wells,"  John Ross says.  "And if everything works out the way I hope it will, it won't be long before I win this contest that's gonna make me permanent president of Ewing Oil."

Krystina smiles at him.  "That's wonderful.  You deserve it."

"Damn right, I deserve it.  And Uncle Bobby's gonna see that.  I'm already way ahead of Clay Beaumont in terms of profits."

"John Ross, I am so proud of you."

"Thank ya, darlin',"  John Ross says, giving her a quick kiss.  "I'm gonna take a shower real quick before dinner."

"Okay.  Umm, John Ross?"  

"Yeah?"  He replies, taking off his shirt and tossing it into the hamper.  

"These new wells in California that have put you so far ahead of Clay in this contest.........you're not conducting deals in secret again, are you?"

"What?  Krystina, I can't believe you would ask me that."

"I'm sorry.  It's just that.......John Ross, I want you to win this contest.  You DESERVE the presidency of Ewing Oil.  But I want you to win it fairly.. You know what Bobby said about doing everything above board."

"Darlin', rest assured.  I AM doin' everything above board.  I am gonna win that contest with Clay fair and square.  And nothin' is gonna go wrong.  I promise."  John Ross walks over to his wife and embraces her.

"Okay,"  Krystina says as the two hug.  "I'm sorry I questioned you.  I just don't want anything to jeopardize your chance of winning control of Ewing Oil."

"I know, darlin'.  And nothin' will,"  John Ross says, a worried look on his face as he continues to embrace Krystina.  

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....the next day....

 "The nightmares have stopped,"  Alex says during a therapy session with Dr. Peter Richards in Peter's office at the hospital the next day.  

"That's good.  How long has it been since you've had a nightmare about your time with Shawn?" Peter asks.

"A couple of months, at least.  It's a great feeling to go to bed and finally be able to get a good night's sleep without reliving what Shawn did to me."

"I'm very glad to hear you say that, Alex."

"I owe it all to you, Dr. Richards.  I think if I hadn't started coming to you, I'd probably still be in that dark place I was six months ago."

Peter smiles.  "Alex, you found your own way out of that dark place.  I just gave you the tools you needed to find your way out."

"Still, if you hadn't shown me the way, I don't know where I'd be right now."

"Well, thank you, Alex, I really appreciate you saying that."

"It's the truth, Dr. Richards."

Peter looks at his watch.  "Well, I'm afraid that our time is up for today.  See you back here this same time next week?"

"You bet.  Dr. Richards, do you have any plans for a week from Saturday?"  Alex asks.

"A week from Saturday?  Hmmm......not that I can think of.  Why do you ask?"

"If you don't have anything to do that day, I'd like to invite you to the Ewing Barbecue."

Peter is silent for a few seconds as he looks at Alex, unsure of how to respond.  "The Ewing Barbecue?"  He asks.

"Yeah, it's this annual event my family hosts out at Southfork.  It's like the biggest social event of the season around here.  The Ewings have been doing it for generations.  So would you like to come?"

"Alex, I really don't know....."

"It'd really mean a lot to me.  Kinda my way of repaying you for all you've done to help me deal with my kidnapping and Shawn's death.  And I'd really like for you to meet my family.  I'm sure they're dying to meet you after all the talking about you I've done these last few months.  So, can you come?  And you can bring your wife, or your girlfriend, or whoever you want."

"Thank you, Alex, I'll.........I'll think about it,"  Peter says.  

Alex smiles as he stands to his feet.  "Awesome.  Well, in the meantime, I'll see you next week, and you can let me know then if you're gonna be able to come."

Peter nods.  "Sure, I'll, uh, I'll let you know."

"Good.  Have a great week.  Oh, and Dr. Richards, I really wish you'd do something about your office, especially the walls."  

"The walls?"  Peter asks, confused.

"Yeah.  I mean, this new office is nice and all, but, it's way too.......white.  It looks so clinical, like a hospital."

Peter laughs.  "Alex, this IS a hospital."

"Yeah, but your office should make your clients feel comfortable, and trust me, all this white......NOT cool.  Have a good week,"  Alex says, and leaves the office.

 A little less than 15 minutes after leaving Peter's office, Alex walks into the upscale and elegant Tower Club Restaurant located on the 48th floor of Thanksgiving Tower in downtown Dallas.  He is greeted by the club's beautiful hostess, who leads him through the restaurant and to a table across the room where Bridget and Michelle are seated.  "Hey, I'm sorry I'm late,"  Alex says, taking a seat beside Bridget at the table.  "My session with Dr. Richards ran a minute or two over, and traffic was a nightmare."

"It's okay, we've only been here a couple of minutes ourselves,"  Bridget says.  

"What can I get you to drink?"  The hostess asks.

"Umm, I'll take a bourbon and branch,"  Alex replies.  

"I'll need to see some I.D."

"Oh, yeah.  Hold on."  Alex reaches into his pocket, pulls out his wallet and shows the young woman his driver's license.  

The young woman smiles.  "Coming right up,"  she says.  She winks at Alex, then turns and walks away.

"God, I love being over 21,"  Alex says.

"Looks like you've got yourself a new admirer,"  Michelle says.

"Yeah, that girl was flirting with you," says Bridget.

"What?  No, she wasn't."

"Yes, she was,"  Bridget says.  

Alex looks at her and smiles.  "Jealous?"

"No, I guess that's what I have to get use to, having such a smoking hot boyfriend,"  Bridget says.  She and Alex kiss.

"Oh, come on, you guys make me sick,"  says Michelle.

"Like you and Clay have never made out in public,"  Bridget says.

Alex laughs.  "Yeah, I remember one night when we all went out, we thought you were literally gonna suck Clay's tongue out of his mouth right there in the middle of Chick-Fil-A."

Michelle smiles.  "Okay, so my sister isn't the only one with a smoking hot boyfriend."

The hostess returns with Alex's drink.  "Here you go, Mr. Ewing,"  she says.  

"Thank you, but......how did you know my name is Ewing?" 

"Tamara, one of our waitresses, she told me who you are.  Anyway, my name is Megan, and I'll be taking your order."

"I thought you were the hostess, not a waitress,"  says a slightly jealous Bridget.

"No, actually I was just filling in for our hostess, Carol, while she was on lunch break.  I'm just a waitress.  Are you guys ready to order?"

"Sure, I'm ready,"  Alex says.  "What about you girls?"

"All set,"  Bridget replies.

"Me, too,"  says Michelle.

Bridget looks at the menu.  "I'll have the Blackened Salmon, with a classic Cesar salad."

The waitress writes down Bridget's order, then looks at Michelle.  "And you, Miss?"

"I'd like the Alaskan Halibut."

"Would you like a salad?"

"Yes.  Same as my sister, the Classic Cesar."

The waitress turns to Alex.  "And you, Mr. Ewing?"

"I'll have the Bistro Steak,"  Alex says.  

"With fries or baked potato?"

"Fries."

"And would you like a salad?"

"No, thanks,"  Alex replies.  

"Your orders will be out shortly,"  the waitress says, smiling at Alex, who returns her smile, a gesture which arouses Bridget's jealousy.  

"Better watch out, Alex,"  Michelle says.  "That little waitress definitely has you in her sights, and I can tell by my sister's reaction that she isn't very happy about it."

Bridget gives her sister an angry look, then turns her gaze to Alex.

"Michelle, that's ridiculous,"  Alex says.  "She was just being friendly."

"A bit OVERLY friendly, if you ask me,"  says Bridget.

Ewing Oil....

Clay is looking at his computer in his office that afternoon.  He opens up a CD case on his desk, takes out a disc, and pops it into the DVD slot on his computer.  Then he waits for the disc to load.  When the disc loads, he presses a key on the computer, then looks intently at the screen.  "Okay, John Ross,"  he says quietly to himself.  "What the hell are you up to?  And where did those extra profits come from that put you ahead of me in this contest?"

Sally buzzes Clay's intercom.  "Clay, your Uncle Bobby is here to see you."

"Oh yeah?  Well, send him in,"  Clay says with a smile.  He quickly shuts down the program on his computer and ejects the disc, placing it back into its case and putting it in his desk drawer just as Sally comes into the office with Bobby.  

"Can I get you anything, Mr. Ewing?"  Sally asks.

"No, thank you, Sally,"  Bobby says.

"It's really good to see you."

"Good to see you, too,"  Bobby tells the secretary as Sally leaves the office.

"Uncle Bobby, hello,"  Clay says.  "What brings you to the office?"

"Hello, Clay, I had some business in town, so I thought I would drop into the office and take a look at the books,"  Bobby says.

"The books?"  Clay asks.

"Yeah.  We're gonna be nearing the end of this contest soon, and I just wanted to see where things stand so far."

Clay smiles.  "Great,"  he says.  "I think that's a terrific idea, you taking a look at the books."

"Well, that's only one reason I dropped by.  Clay, you know the Ewing Barbecue is coming up a week from Saturday, right?"

"Yeah, I do know, and I wouldn't miss it."

"Well, this Saturday, we're having a little get together at Southfork, sort of a pre-Barbecue, Barbecue for just the family, and I'd like for you and Ashley to be there if you don't have plans."

"Thank you, I'd love to be there.  I'll check with Ashley, but I'm sure she'd love to come, too."

"Glad to hear, it's gonna be at 5, and bring your swim suit,"  Bobby says.  "I'll let you get back to work, and I'll be on my way to accounting."

"Thanks for stopping by."

"You're welcome.  See you Saturday,"  Bobby says, and starts to leave.

"Uncle Bobby?"  Clay says.

Bobby stops at the door and turns back to him.  "Yes?"

"I just wanna say thanks, for always including me in family events and stuff."

Bobby smiles.  "Clay, you ARE family.  Don't ever forget that,"  he says, then leaves.  

"I won't,"  Clay says after Bobby has left.  "So, Uncle Bobby is gonna check the books.  Could the timing be more perfect? With any luck, he'll find that little discrepancy and do some digging.  Let's see you worm your way out of this one, John Ross."

Denver, Colorado....

A taxi pulls up in front of the large skyscraper that houses ColbyCo Oil in downtown Denver.  Donna Krebbs gets out of the taxi and pays the driver.  She pauses for a moment as she looks up at the incredibly imposing building.

In an elegantly furnished office on the 17th floor of the building, Alexis Colby is working at her desk, reading over some reports when her secretary buzzes her office.  "Mrs. Colby?  Donna Krebbs is here to see you."

"Thank you, Carol.  Send Mrs. Krebbs in."

Alexis's secretary, Carol, enters the office, followed by Donna.  "Can I get you anything, Mrs. Krebbs?"

"Thank you, no.  I'm fine,"  Donna replies.

"That will be all, Carol,"  Alexis says.  

Carol smiles, and leaves the office.  

"Mrs. Colby, I really appreciate you taking the time to see me on such short notice,"  says Donna.

"My pleasure.  You said on the phone that you wanted to discuss J.R. Ewing."

"Yes, that's right.  I'm writing a biography on J.R. Ewing, and I was hoping to talk with you about your connection to J.R."

"My CONNECTION to J.R.?"  Alexis asks.  "My dear, what J.R. and I had was much more than a mere......connection."

"Would you be willing to tell me about it?"

"Of course.  What is it you'd like to know?"

"Everything,"  Donna replies.  "Or, at least everything you're willing to share with me."

Alexis smiles.  "Alright.  I suppose I'll begin at the beginning."  Alexis stands from her seat at her desk and walks to her bar.  "Would you care for a drink, Mrs. Krebbs?"

"Please, call me Donna.  And yes, I would love one."

"Is scotch alright with you?"

"Yes, scotch is fine,"  Donna says.  

Alexis pours herself a glass of scotch, then pours a second glass, which she hands to Donna.

"Thank you,"  says Donna.  

Alexis takes a sip of her drink, then sighs deeply.  "I first met J.R. Ewing at a party in London in the summer of 1966.  It was an extremely difficult time in my life.  Only a year earlier I had been banished from Denver, and from my children's lives by my former husband."

"Blake Carrington?"  Donna asks.

"Yes.......Blake........Carrington.  J.R. was perhaps the most handsome and charming man I had ever met.  And he was very different from the suave men I had known back in Denver.  I fell in love with this charming, simple, and uncomplicated Texan."

Donna laughs slightly.

Alexis slowly turns and looks at her disapprovingly.  "You find that amusing, Donna?"

No, it's just that.........uncomplicated isn't a word I've ever heard used to describe J.R."

"You sound as though you knew the man intimately.  Tell me, were you one of J.R.'s many conquests?"

"Oh, heavens, no,"  Donna replies.  "But I did know J.R. very well.  You see, he was my brother-in-law."

"How interesting.  Well, back to my story.  As I said, I fell in love with J.R. and I thought that he loved me, as well.  But, I made one fatal mistake.  J.R. accompanied me to a get together with some friends one evening, and it was there that he met my old and dear friend, Vanessa Beaumont.  That was the beginning of the end for J.R. and I.  We continued to see each other, and he made frequent trips to London just to see me, or so I thought.  While he was wining and dining me in all of London's best restaurants, little did I know that he was bedding my dear friend Vanessa at the same time.  And then came that night.......the night I learned of J.R. and Vanessa's tawdry little affair.  The night I walked in and found the two of them in bed together.  I was completely devastated at what I saw.  So devastated that I fled from the room and out into the street where.........where I was struck by an automobile.  That night I miscarried J.R.'s child.  And then, afterward, J.R. told me that it was all over between us.  That he was in love with Vanessa.  And that little tramp Vanessa took great pleasure in rubbing it in my face that her child was conceived that night.  The night I miscarried MY child.  Later, I learned that Vanessa's relationship with J.R. had also ended and she had returned to her husband, Allister."

"I'm very sorry,"  says Donna.  "That must have been very painful for you."

"It was.  It still is.  It was such a painful time in my life, in fact, that I never spoke of it with anyone.  My own children never knew any of this until a few years ago, when I wrote my memoirs."

"Mrs, Colby, I do have one question.  Why did you wait so many years, until after both J.R. and Vanessa had died, to reveal all of this?"

"As I said, my dear, it was very painful.  Perhaps the single most painful thing that had ever happened to me.  My so called best friend bedded the man that I loved, and got pregnant with his child as I was suffering the unbearable pain of losing my own child.  If you need confirmation of my story, I suggest that you contact Dr. Henry Fielding in London.  He was my attending physician the night I miscarried my baby in 1967."

"Well, I want to thank you, Mrs. Colby, for your time and for your incredible candor.  I'm sure retelling this story couldn't have been easy for you."

"You're right, it's not,"  Alexis says.  "I wish you all the best on your book, Donna."

"Thank you,"  Donna says, standing from her seat.  "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Colby."

"Likewise, my dear."

Donna smiles.  She starts to leave, but turns back to Alexis.  "Oh, I would like Dr. Fielding's number if you could get it for me, or tell me how I could get in touch with him."

Alexis walks to her desk.  "I'll give it to you,"  she says, picking up a pen and a piece of paper.  She opens a small black address book on her desk, and then writes down Dr. Fielding's phone number.  She hands the piece of paper to Donna.  "Here.  Dr. Fielding's London telephone number."

"Thank you.  Have a good day, Mrs. Colby."

"Yes, and you do the same,"  Alexis says as Donna leaves.  

Justin and Pamela's home....that night....

 Devon is in bed that night reading a comic book when someone knocks on his door.  "Come in,"  the boy says.  

Pamela enters the room.  "Hi,"  she says.

"Oh, hey."

"Finished with your milk?"  

"Yeah, and thanks,"  Devon says.

"You're welcome,"  Pamela says, walking over and picking up a glass from the table beside the bed.  "So how do you like your new room?"

"It's okay I guess."

"You don't sound too happy it.  Devon, if you don't like this room, we can find you another."

"No, the room's fine."

Pamela takes a seat on the bed beside him.  "Then what's wrong?"

"Nothing.  Mrs. Ewing, the room's fine.  I just don't wanna get too comfortable here."

"Devon, what do you mean by that?"

"Because I know I won't be here that long."

"Why would you say that?"  Pamela asks.  

"Because I know that as soon as you find a good foster home for me, you're gonna send me away."

"Devon, we haven't even thought about that.  Justin and I told you when you came to stay with us that you were welcome to stay with us for as long as you need to."

"You and your husband have been so nice to me after everything."

"Nothing that happened was your fault, Devon, and we don't blame you.  Now why don't you try and get some sleep?"

"I will, but I wanna finish this comic book first."

Pamela smiles at the boy.  "Alright.  But don't stay up too much longer."

"I won't."

"We have to get you registered for school tomorrow, so, fifteen more minutes, and then lights out."

Devon looks at her and nods.  "Okay, fifteen minutes."

"Good night,"  Pamela says.  She picks up the glass the boy had drank some milk from earlier, and leaves the room.  

Meanwhile, Justin is sitting in his recliner in the living room watching a movie on television when Pamela comes down the stairs and walks into the room, holding Devon's glass in her hand.  She walks over and takes a seat on the sofa, a worried look on her face.

Justin looks at her.  "Honey, what's wrong?"

"I have it right here,"  she says, holding up the glass.

"What?  A glass?''

"Not just any glass.  Devon drank milk from this glass.  Justin, we can use it to get his DNA."

"So, you decided to go through with a DNA test to find out if he's really Tripp McKay's son?"  Justin asks.

"Yes, I have.  You and my Mom are both right.  I don't think we can live with the uncertainty of not knowing."

"And what happens if Devon does turn out to be McKay's son?  What then?"  Justin asks.

"Let's try and get through one problem at a time,"  replies Pamela.  "We'll deal with that problem if.......or when we face it."

"Agreed,"  Justin says.  Pamela gets up from her seat and leaves the room.  A few seconds later she comes into the kitchen, where she goes to a cabinet and takes out a plastic zip lock bag.  She places Devon's glass into the bag and seals it shut.  Justin's question of what they will do if the DNA results show Devon to be Tripp's son replays in her mind, and Pamela herself wonders how they will handle the situation if it turns out to be true and Devon really is Tripp's son........and Hunter's half-brother.

Southfork....two days later....

 On Saturday afternoon of that week, the pool and patio at Southfork are alive with activity, as members of the extended Ewing family are gathered for a cookout and pre-Barbecue family get together.  While John Ross and Bobby are grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks and ribs on two large grills, Ann, Krystina, and Heather bring some plastic plates, cups, and paper towels out of the house and place them on the table on the patio.  Ann walks over to Bobby and kisses him, then takes in a deep breath, savoring the smell of the delicious food her husband and nephew are cooking.  Meanwhile, some of the younger generation present, including Alex and Bridget, Cory, and Jasmine, are having fun in the pool.  Justin and Pamela's young houseguest, Devon Lewis, is sitting on the patio with his feet dangling in the pool, but the boy hasn't ventured into the water yet.  Several feet away, Pamela is watching Devon with concern when Justin walks up to her.

"Hey,"  he says.

"Hey."

"What are you doin'?"

"I was just watching Devon,"  Pamela replies.  "He looks so alone over there, all by himself.  He really hasn't made any friends, Justin, and I'm worried."

"C'mon, the kid's just shy, that's all.  And, he's been through a lot.  Cameron's sentencing is comin' up in a few days, and I'm sure that's weighin' real heavy on his mind."

"I think it's more than that,"  Pamela says as Lucas comes over to them.  

"Hey, guys,"  Lucas says.  "Why the long faces?"

"Michael, why don't you go over and talk to Devon?  He's new here, and he doesn't know anybody except for you, so I think it'd be a good idea if you tried to make him feel welcome."

Michael looks across the pool at the lonely boy sitting with his feet in the water, sadly watching everyone around him having fun. 

"Or, better yet, why don't you and some of the others get some sort of game going?  Maybe toss the football around or something and make Devon feel included."

"Yeah, okay, sure, Dad.  I'll see if anybody wants to play."

"Good, and thanks,"  Lucas says, and walks away.  

Michael looks over at Devon, and his feelings are conflicted.  Part of him feels deeply sorry for the boy, but another part of him is unable to forget being held hostage by Devon's older brother just a few weeks ago.  After a brief pause, Michael walks over to Devon.  "Hey, man,"  Michael says..

"Hey,"  Devon replies.

"So how's it going?"

"Fine."

"So, dude, you wanna toss the football around?"  Michael asks.

"Sure."

"Cool.  Hey, why don't we see if anybody wants to get a game going?"

Devon smiles.  "Yeah, that'd be great."

"Hey, Cory, Alex,"  Michael says.  "You guys wanna play a game of touch football?"

"Sure, I'm always down for a game,"  Alex replies.  

"How about you, Cory?"  Michael.

"Yeah, sounds like fun."

"I'll go up to my room and get my football,"  Michael says.  "Meet you guys at the basketball goal in five minutes.  Devon, you wanna come with me?"

"Yeah, sure,"  Devon replies with a smile.  The boy stands to his feet and follows Michael to the house, where they meet Clay and Michelle coming out of the house onto the patio.  

"Hey, Clay, a bunch of us are gonna play a game of touch football,"  Michael says.  "Will you play?"

"Well, well,"  says Clay.  "I learn something new about you every day."

"Why, whatever do you mean, Mr. Beaumont?" Michelle playfully asks.

"I had no idea you liked playing touch football."

"Oh, yeah, we use to play all the time when Bridget and I were kids, with our older brothers, Steven and Kirkland."

"Well, I can't wait to see this."

"I think I need to change first, though,"  Michelle says.  

"Yeah, you don't wanna mess up that pretty sun dress."

"I'll change into my shorts.  Be right back."

"Okay,"  Clay says.  Michelle walks away from him.  After she leaves, John Ross approaches Clay.  

"Kinda surprised to see you here today,"  John Ross says.  "I figured you'd be out tryin' to drum up some deals for your half of Ewing Oil, since I'm way ahead of you in this contest."

"Don't be so sure of yourself, John Ross,"  Clay says.  "This contest isn't over yet, and I still have time."

John Ross laughs.  "Yeah.  Time to fall further behind.  You may as well face it, Clay.  I'm gonna be the president of Ewing Oil and when that happens, you're gonna be out on your ass."

"We'll just see about that, John Ross,"  Clay says as Michael comes out of the house.  "I can't wait to see you explain exactly HOW you got so far ahead of me in such a short time."

"Pure skill, boy."

"Hey, Clay, you ready?"  Michael asks.

"Yeah, just a second, buddy.  Skill, you say, John Ross?  I took a look at the books, and there seems to be a slight oversight in them."

"Oversight?"  John Ross asks.

"Yeah.  Like, your profits are ahead of mine, but, where those profits came from seems to be missing from the books.  So how'd that happen?"

John Ross's heart sinks as he looks at Clay.  "Just an oversight, I'm sure."

"Uncle Bobby looked at the books a couple days ago, and I guess he must have missed that little oversight.  You'd have to look closely to find it, and since accounting was one of my majors in college, it was easy for me to find.  Maybe I should bring that oversight to Uncle Bobby's attention."

"Not necessary,"  says John Ross.  "I'll look into it myself."

"Yeah, I'll just bet you will."

Alex walks up to the group.  "Hey, guys, what's goin' on?  Are we gonna play some football, or what?"

"Just waitin' on Clay,"  Michael replies.

"I'm all set,"  Clay says.  

"Dad, you wanna play?"  Alex asks.

"No, thanks.  I'm on grill duty."

"Okay, come on, guys,"  Alex says to Clay and Michael.

Clay smiles at John Ross.  "You're looking a little pale there, John Ross.  Try not to burn those steaks," he says, then walks away with Michael.  

"You don't like John Ross very ,much, do you?"  Michael asks as he and Clay make their way over to where the others have gathered for their game.

"No, I don't,"  replies Clay.

Michael laughs.  "Me, either."

Meanwhile, a worried John Ross watches Clay with an angry look as Krystina comes out of the house and walks over to him.  

"Hey,"  Krystina says.  "I saw you talking to Clay.  It looked pretty intense.  What was that all about?"

"Nothin', darlin'.  Just Clay Beaumont bein' a thorn in my side as usual.  And I think it's time I plucked that thorn out.  Darlin', can you take care of these steaks for a couple minutes?"

"Sure.  Where are you going?"

"To take care of a little business.  I'll be right back,"  John Ross replies, going into the house.  A minute later, John Ross walks into his and Krystina's bedroom and takes his cell phone out of his pocket.  He dials a number and on the fourth ring, a man answers.  "Nolan, what the hell is the matter 

with you?"  John Ross asks the man.  "I don't give a damn that it's Saturday.  I told you I wanted you to make an entry in the books to make it look like my profits for my half of Ewing Oil were comin' from a deal with Petro Tech, now what the hell happened?"  John Ross listens for a moment as the man speaks.  "Yeah, well Clay Beaumont looked at the books and he saw that an entry for my profits was missing.  Do you know how much trouble this could cause me if that little snake decides to go to Uncle Bobby with this?  Well you damned well better fix it, Nolan.  That is, IF you wanna keep your job, and if you wanna keep gettin' paid those big bonuses you've been gettin'.  I want this fixed by Monday mornin'."  John Ross ends the call and tosses his phone onto the bed.  "Damn,"  he says.  

Meanwhile, back downstairs, Ray is standing beside the hedge on the patio drinking a bottle of beer and watching the young people as they play their game of touch football.  

Donna comes over to him.  "You wishing you were out there playing with them?"

"Are you kiddin'?"  Ray asks with a laugh.  "Couldn't you just see me out there?  I'd break every bone in my body, and then some.  Say, you never did tell me how your trip to Denver and your meeting with Alexis Colby went the other day."

"Well, she told me the story of her relationship with J.R.  She gave me the name of the doctor in London who attended to her after she miscarried J.R.'s baby in 1967, and I checked with the doctor and he verified her story."

Standing nearby, Sue Ellen and Catlin happened to hear Ray and Donna's conversation.  Curious, they walk over to them.  "Donna?"  Sue Ellen says.  "Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but did I hear you say that you've just returned from Denver and meeting with Alexis Colby?"

"Yes, Sue Ellen, that's right.  I interviewed her about her connection to J.R."

"And you were able to verify of her pregnancy and miscarriage?"  Catlin asks.  

"Yes.  Her former doctor in London confirmed everything, and I even had him checked out.  Dr. Fielding is a very reputable man, well thought of in the medical community."

Sue Ellen lets out a deep sigh.  

Catlin looks at his wife.  "Sue Ellen, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Y'all excuse me,"  Ray says.  "Think I'll go see if Bobby needs a hand with the food."  Ray kisses Donna on the cheek and goes over to where Bobby is taking some burgers off the grill and placing them on a platter Ann is holding.  

"There,"  Bobby says.  "The rest of these should be up soon."

"I'll be back,"  Ann says.  She smiles at Bobby and Ray and then walks away carrying the platter of burgers.  

"Need any help?"  Ray asks.  

"Thanks, Ray, but the burgers are almost done."

"Say, Bob, where's Christopher?"

"Christopher is in California,"  Bobby replies.

"California?"

"Yeah, he went out there with a friend of his to be there for her for moral support.  A friend of hers was killed in a car accident.  Ironically, this friend of Erin's was Mack MacKenzie, Gary and Val's next door neighbor."

"I'm sorry to hear that,"  says Ray.  "This Erin.......that's Christopher's friend?"

"Yep.  I kinda get the feeling she's a little more than just a friend."

"So I guess it really is over between Christopher and Courtney, huh?"

Bobby sighs.  "Yeah.  They've already filed for divorce.  I was really hopin' they could work things out, but, apparently their problems were beyond fixing."

"It's always sad whenever a marriage ends."

"Nobody knows that better than the two of us, brother,"  Bobby says. 

"Umm, excuse me,"  Jasmine says, walking over to Bobby and Ray.  "Hi.  I was just wondering...... where's Dylan?"

"Dylan's at home,"  replies Ray.  "He didn't wanna come in case Ashley might be here.  He didn't wanna take a chance of runnin' into her."

"According to Clay, that's why Ashley didn't wanna come," says Bobby.  "She was afraid Dylan would be here and things would be too awkward.  But, since Ashley's not here, Ray, why don't you call Dylan and ask him to come over and join us?"

"I think I'll do just that."

"Umm, tell you what,"  Jasmine says.  "Why don't I just go over and invite Dylan personally?  I think that's a great idea.  I'll just go over right now."

"Well, Jasmine......."  Ray starts to say something, but the girl quickly walks away before he's able to.

"What on Earth was that all about?"  Bobby asks.

"I hope I'm wrong, but I really think Jasmine has her sights set on Dylan."

"Oh, really?"

"Yep, and that worries me.  Somethin' tells me that girl is nothin' but trouble."

Meanwhile, Ann and Sue Ellen bring two more platters of food out of the house and place it on the table on the patio.  "Oh, darn, I forgot that big bottle of barbecue sauce I was gonna bring out,"  Ann says.

"I'll get it,"  Sue Ellen says.

"Sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all."

"Thank you, the bottle is on the counter in the kitchen, next to the sink,"  Ann says.

"I'll be right back,"  Sue Ellen says.  She goes into the kitchen through the sliding glass door 

connecting the kitchen to the patio.  Sue Ellen makes her way to the kitchen counter and finds the bottle of sauce on the counter by the sink.  As she is about to head back onto the patio, she sees Krystle Carrington walking down the hallway past the kitchen door.  "Krystle?"  Sue Ellen calls to her, but Krystle ignores her and continues walking.  Curious and concerned, Sue Ellen walks out of the kitchen and into the hallway leading to the living room.  Proceeding down the hallway, she finds Krystle standing in the middle of the living room, her back to Sue Ellen, seemingly staring blankly into space.  "Krystle?"  Sue Ellen calls her to her again.  "Krystle?"

Finally, Krystle turns to face her.  "Yes?  What is it?"

"Krystle, are you alright?"  Sue Ellen asks.

"Yes, Ann, I'm fine."

"Krystle, I'm not Ann.  I'm Sue Ellen."

Meanwhile, over at the Krebbs Ranch, Dylan is in his bedroom working out by lifting dumbbells.  Dylan's workout is interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell downstairs.  Dylan puts his weights down, picks up a towel, and wipes the sweat from his face and forehead.  As the doorbell rings a second time, Dylan makes his way down the stairs and into the foyer to answer the door.  He opens it to find Jasmine standing on the front porch in a seductive pose.

Back at Southfork, with their game of touch football over, Clay, Michelle, and Bridget are on the patio walking by the pool and chatting, while Alex is laying on a float in the pool, his eyes closed, and a slight smile on his face.  

"Alex looks like he's fast asleep and dreaming out there,"  Clay says, looking at Alex.  "And from the look on his face, it must be a good dream."

 "Hey, WHAT THE HELL?"  Alex says.  He looks up at Michelle, in the pool beside him.  "Are you nuts?"

"Sorry, Alex, I couldn't resist."

Clay laughs.  "What's the matter, Alex?  Get a rude awakening?"

"Shut up, Clay,"  Alex says.  

"Are you okay?"  Michelle asks Alex.

 "Y'know, you could've drowned me doing that!"

"So, you WERE asleep,"  Michelle says.

"Yeah, I was tired, okay?"

"You sure had a smile on your face.  What were you dreaming about?  That little waitress from the other day?"

"Waitress?  You mean Megan?"  Alex asks.

"Megan?"  Asks a jealous and annoyed Bridget.  "You remember her name?  I guess she made quite an impression on you, huh?"  Bridget turns and walks away from the pool.

 "Bridget!"  Alex calls to her, but Bridget continues into the house.  Alex then looks at his girlfriend's sister.  "Thanks a lot, Michelle."

"Hey, I didn't do anything.  Can I help it if my sister's so jealous of some dumb little waitress?"  Michelle asks.  She swims to the edge of the pool and climbs out.  She follows Bridget to the house.

 Alex thinks about what Clay just said to him, and he wonders if Clay isn't right, and if Bridget isn't right.  Maybe somewhere in his subconscious mind he did find this waitress, Megan, very attractive.  He realizes that his best bet now is to avoid the Tower Club in hopes that he will never see this girl again.

An apartment in downtown Dallas....

 The elevator doors open in the hallway on an upper floor of an apartment building in downtown Dallas, and Megan, the young waitress from the Tower Club, steps off.  She makes her way down the hallway a short distance until she reaches the door of an apartment.  Megan takes her key from her pocket and unlocks the door, then goes in.  "Dad,"  she calls out, entering the apartment and closing the door behind her.  "Dad, are you home?"

"Yeah, honey, be right there,"  a man's voice calls from another room.  

Megan picks up a stack of mail from a small table by the sofa and looks through it.  

A moment later, Megan's father comes into the room.  "Hey, sweetheart, how was your day?" He asks.

"My day was great, how was yours?"

"Oh, it was fine,"  replies Megan's father, who is none other than Dr. Peter Richards.  "You like your new job at the Tower Club?"

"I love it.  I work with some really great people, and, I get to meet a lot of Dallas's movers and shakers."

Peter smiles.  "I'm very happy you like it.  Listen, sweetheart, do you have to work next Saturday?"

"I dunno yet.  Nick said he's gonna make next week's schedule tonight."

"Give him a call before he makes the schedule and request the day off,"  says Peter.

"Why?"  Megan asks.

"Because I want you to go someplace with me."

Megan smiles.  "Really?  Where?"

"They're having a big barbecue out at Southfork Ranch in Braddock next Saturday.  It's an annual event the Ewing family throws.  They've been doing it for decades, and I was invited."

"The Ewing?"  Megan asks with interests.

"Yeah, the Ewings.  I use to know them a long time ago."

"When you lived here when you were in college?"  

"Yes, when I was in college here.  So, would you like to go?"

Megan looks at her father and smiles.  "Yes, Daddy, I'd love to.  I've heard of the Ewings.  They sound like an interesting family to know."

"Interesting is not exactly how I would describe them.  Why don't you go get ready for dinner?  I'm making Chinese tonight."  Peter flashes his daughter and smile, then leaves the room.

Megan nods her head.  "Southfork Ranch,"  she says quietly to herself.  "The Ewings.  ALEX Ewing.  A real hottie.  Well, thanks for the invite, Dad.  I can hardly wait until next Saturday."  The girl smiles with anticipation.  It is becoming apparent that Alex and Bridget's relationship is headed for rough waters ahead with Megan Richards in town!

END OF EPISODE 241....