Silent partner
In “Changing of the Guard,” “Dallas’s” sixth-season opener, Holly and J.R. (Lois Chiles, Larry Hagman) sit at a table inside a dark cocktail lounge.
HOLLY: Well, what do you say? Do we have a deal?
J.R.: [Leans forward] Well, it’s a very tempting offer. Especially coming from such a lovely young lady.
HOLLY: It’s a dynamite offer. And you know it. [Smiles, squeezes a lime into her drink] You’re out of Ewing Oil. And I don’t know a damn thing about running an oil company.
J.R.: You’re very bright. [Sips his drink]
HOLLY: I’m bright enough to know what I don’t know. [Smiles, stirs her drink]
J.R.: All right, I’ll accept your offer. I’ll run Harwood Oil for you — on one condition: that I stay completely in the background. Nobody’s to know of my involvement.
HOLLY: Forever?
J.R.: Till I say so. You continue to act as president and I’ll give you all the moves. I don’t want an office, and I certainly don’t want to meet in your office.
HOLLY: Whatever you say. What about money? Or do you have somebody to take care of that for you?
J.R.: [Chuckles] Well, Holly, I think as you get to know me a little better, you’ll find that I take care of just about everything. I don’t want any money up front. But I do want 25 percent ownership of Harwood Oil.
HOLLY: [Smiling] Twenty-five percent? You don’t come cheap, do you J.R.?
J.R.: You wouldn’t want me if I did, would you? Look at it this way, Holly: With me, you have 75 percent of a profitable business. And without me, you just might have 100 percent of nothing.
HOLLY: [Long silence] All right. [Looks down, then back at him] Deal.
J.R.: [Smiles] That calls for a toast.
HOLLY: To Harwood Oil. Someday it may be bigger and stronger than Ewing Oil.
J.R.: [Hesitates, smiles, drinks] You know, it just occurred to me: I’ve only been out of work 48 hours.
HOLLY: [Smiles] To J.R. Ewing, back in power again.
J.R.: [Clinks her glass with his] As it should be.
