Previously On DALLAS:
--------------Ann longed to find her brother Mark.
--------------John Ross used his knowledge or Brad's paternity to blackmail Marilee Stone into selling him some wells her father opened.
--------------Ray asked Donna to remarry him on the 35th anniversary of their first wedding.
--------------Christopher was bothered by Lucas's increasing closeness with Heather and Michael.
--------------Sue Ellen learned from Kimberly Cryder that J.R. had known about Jill for several months before his death.
--------------Ray and Donna were remarried in a quiet ceremony at Ray's ranch house.
--------------A vengeful Austin dropped the bombshell on Brad that Cliff is Brad's father!
Brad Stone's apartment.....late afternoon
Brad Stone stands on his patio of his apartment looking at Austin Wenwtorth, stunned by the bombshell Austin has just dropped on him.
"You're absolutely OUT of your damned mind," Brad says. "And if you're not outta my sight in ten seconds, you'd better pray for wings, because I'm gonna toss you right off this balcony."
"That's ridiculous."
"If you don't believe me, then why not ask your own mother? She had an affair with dear old Uncle Cliff while she was married to Seth Stone, and you're the product of that little affair. So how does it feel, knowing you're a bastard?"
"You little punk!" Brad says, walking over and grabbing Austin by the shirt collar, forcing against a wall.
"So what are you gonna do, Bradley? Beat the crap outta me just for telling you the truth? Your own Mommy is the one who's lied to you your whole life."
Brad quickly shoves Austin to the floor. "Get the hell out. GET OUT!!! Before I beat more than the crap outta you!"
Austin quickly scrambled to his feet and hurries into the apartment, Brad watching him. When Austin reaches the front door, he turns and looks back to Brad, who stands at the patio door. Austin smiles. "By the way.........welcome to the family," he says, then quickly leaves.
After Austin leaves, Brad returns to the patio, still reeling from the shock of what he's just heard. He walks over to his punching bag and looks at it. Unable to control his anger, he punches the bag as hard as he can.
Tripp and Pamela's apartment....
"Hey," Tripp says, breathing hard from his run. "Oh, that run felt good. I even ran all the way up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Now I'm ready to take a shower and spend a relaxing Saturday evening with my gorgeous wife."
Pamela walks over to him, a look of sadness on her face. "Tripp......"
"Tripp, I tried calling you on your cell," Pamela says.
"Yeah, I always leave my phone at home when I go running, you know that."
"I know, I just forgot. Tripp, while you were out, your Aunt Tracey called. Your grandfather's had a stroke. A bad one. They don't expect him to make it."
A stunned look crosses Tripp's face as he tries to process the terrible news he's just received about the grandfather who raised him from the time he was very young....
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital......later
As dusk begins to settle over Dallas that Saturday evening, Tripp and Pamela step off an elevator in the intensive care unit at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. They walk up to the nurse's desk. "Excuse me," Tripp says. "My grandfather, Carter McKay, was brought in here a little while ago."
Tripp's aunt, Tracey McKay, is seated in the waiting room across the hall and spots them. She gets up and walks into the hall. "Tripp," she says.
The young man turns around to face her, then walks over to her. "Aunt Tracey, we got here as fast as we could. How is he?"
"I just can't believe it," Tripp says. "I just talked to him a couple days ago, and he sounded fine."
"I know. He was fine earlier today. I was going to take him out to lunch, and then he said he had a splitting headache and he wanted to lie down. So, he went into his bedroom and took a nap. Then, about two hours later he got up and came into the kitchen. He asked if I would fix him a sandwich. He sat down at the table, and while I was making the sandwich, he called my name. I turned around and looked at him, and I said, 'yes, Daddy?' But he wasn't able to answer. He just, started to fall over. I ran over and caught him somehow, before he hit the floor. He couldn't speak and I could see that didn't seem to be able to move at all. I knew it had to be a stroke. I called 911."
"Aunt Tracey, I'm so sorry," Tripp says, embracing his aunt.
"Tracey, are you okay?" Pamela asks. "Is there anything I can get for you?"
"No, thank you, Pamela."
"Miss McKay?" The nurse calls from the desk.
"Yes?" Tracey says, walking over to the nurse's desk with Tripp and Pamela.
"The doctor will be out to speak with you shortly."
Realizing that this couldn't be a good sign, Tracey exchanges worried looks with her nephew and his wife. "Thank you," she says.
"I think I'm gonna go call my father," Pamela says. "He'd wanna know."
"Sure," Tripp says. Pamela kisses him and then walks away. Tripp puts his arms around his aunt as Tracey begins to cry.
Marilee Stone's home....
"Bradley, well, this is a nice surprise," she says, standing from her seat.
"You won't think so when you hear what I have to say."
Marilee's smile fades. "What's wrong?"
"I just wanna know one thing, Mother. And don't you DARE lie to me. Not again."
"Lie to you about what?" Marilee asks, fearing her son's answer.
Marilee heart sinks. "Son, I don't know what you mean. Of course Seth was your father. Where on earth is this coming from?" She asks, feigning ignorance.
"What about Cliff Barnes? Did you have an affair with him while you were married to my father? Or rather, to the man I've always believed to be my father?"
"I don't know where this is comin' from, but if you've been talking to that bitch Katherine Wentworth....."
"Katherine?" Brad asks. "So........that part IS true. That's why Katherine broke things off between us, because SHE believes it's the truth. She believes Cliff is my father, too, huh?"
"Is that what she told you?" Marilee asks.
"No. I haven't seen Katherine. But I am asking YOU, Mother. Did you sleep with Cliff Barnes while you were married to Seth Stone."
"Whoever told you that is an out and out LIAR!"
"Really, well that's great coming from you, the QUEEN of liars. Maybe I should just go to Cliff Barnes and ask him." Brad turns and starts to leave as the sound of thunder can be heard outside.
"Bradley, wait!" Marilee calls, running after her son as he walks out of the room. "Look, son, this is a terrible mistake."
"What mistake?" Brad asks, the sound of his voice almost drowned out by the clap of thunder outside.
"Alright. I'll tell you. I didn't like your little.......whatever it was........with Katherine Wentworth, so I went to her and told her a lie. I told her that Cliff is your father in hopes that she would do the decent thing and stay away from you. I see it worked."
"Is that the truth? Or is it just another one of your lies?"
"It's the truth," says Marilee. "I couldn't think of any other way to get that woman away from you."
"Bradley, wait," Marilee says, grabbing her son by the arm.
Brad looks at his mother, forcefully removes her hand from his arm, then walks out of the house and into the storm outside as another loud clasp of thunder could be heard and lightening flashes through the windows of Marilee's home.
Standing alone in her foyer after her son leaves, Marilee shakes her head. "Katherine. Damn that woman. I warned her what would happen if she crossed me." Marilee walks over to the table by the stairs and picks up her phone, as more thunder sounds and lightening flashes through the windows of Marilee's foyer. As she is about to dial a number, a sharp, stabbing pain hits her in the chest. Marilee drops the phone and clutches her left chest. "What the hell," she says. The pain is becoming so intense she walks over to the stairs, having to hold on to the railing, and sits down on the stairs. "George!" Marilee calls for her butler. "GEORGE! COME QUICKLY!"
After several seconds, George hurries into the foyer. "Mrs. Stone, what is it?" He asks, rushing to her aid.
"My,,,,,,my chest. George.....call 911. HURRY!"
"Yes," George says, rushing over and picking up the phone as Marilee continues holding her chest and gasping for breath.
Southfork....
Bobby walks up behind his wife and puts his arms around her. "You always did enjoy watchin' the lightning," he says.
"Hmm. For some reason, I find storms comfortin'. Always have, since I was a little girl. But this night......
"This night, what?" Bobby asks.
"I dunno, Bobby. I just have this feelin'. Like a chill. You know that feelin' of dread like somethin' bad's gonna happen."
"Maybe just nerves. Maybe it has somethin' to do with Bum searchin' for your brother."
"I suppose," Ann says. "It's been so long since I've seen Mark, that, I'm sure I'll know what to say to him if and when I do see him."
"I kinda know how ya feel," Bobby says. "I know I've told you before that, Gary left Southfork when I was just thirteen. I didn't see my brother again for sixteen years. Then one day not long after Pam and I got married we went on a business trip to Las Vegas, and guess who was workin' as a bellboy in our hotel......none other than my brother Gary himself. And, even after all those years, it wasn't awkward at all. Gary and I got reacquainted and it was as if no time at all had passed."
"But things were different with your fam'ly, Bobby."
"Not really. Your brother Mark had a drug and alcohol addiction. My brother Gary was an alcoholic. Both of our families have their share of dysfunction, and while mine may not have been on the same level as yours, I was estranged from Gary same as you've been from Mark. And things will fall into place."
"I hope you're right," Ann says. "I'm also worried about Emma. I hate the thought of her bein' out in California, so far away."
Bobby turns Ann around to face him. "Emma is a grown woman," he says. "She'll be fine. In the meantime, why don't we crawl into our nice, warm bed, and watch the lightning from there?"
Ann smiles. "I'd like that," she says.
Brad Stone's apartment....
"Mr. Stone, this is George," comes the voice of Marilee's butler on the other end of the line.
"Yes, sir, she did, but....."
"Look, George, you can tell my mother that I don't wanna talk to her, and she can just stop calling me."
"Mr. Stone, I am with your mother at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital."
"The hospital?" Brad asks, concerned. "Why, George, what happened?"
"After you left tonight, your mother experienced some sort of attack. Chest pains. I phoned for an ambulance and they're examining her now. Sir, I fear it could be her heart."
"Oh my God," Brad says with a sigh. "Alright, George, look, I'll be there as fast as I can. Just sit tight." Brad ends the call and puts his phone away. "Damn it!" He says angrily. He quickly grabs his jacket from the coat rack near the door and leaves the apartment.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....
"How're you feeling now, Mrs. Stone?" The doctor asks.
"Some better. But it still hurts. So give it to me straight, doctor. What's wrong with me? Is it my heart?"
"No, Mrs. Stone. Your EKG was normal, and your blood pressure is slightly elevated, but not within a range of being dangerous. Our tests indicate nothing more serious than a bad case of indigestion."
"Indi.......are you sure?" Marilee asks.
"Quite sure. Have you had this problem before?" The doctor asks.
"Well, I've had indigestion, and I do have a problem with reflux, but never this bad."
"Well, I wouldn't be concerned at the moment. I'm going to write you a prescription for some antacid, and you should get plenty of rest for a couple days, watch what you eat, and, try to keep the stress to a minimal."
"So that's it?" Marilee asks, annoyed. "I come in here in a damned ambulance feelin' like I'm havin' a heart attack, and you tell me it's nothin' more than indigestion?"
"You should be happy. At least it WASN'T a heart attack."
"Yes, that's true," says Marilee. As her doctor begins writing the prescription, a strange look comes over Marilee's face as she thinks about the confrontation she had with her son earlier in the evening, and her fear that Brad will confront Cliff with the question of their long ago brief affair. "Doctor," she says.
"Yes, Mrs. Stone."
"I need to ask a favor of you. A fairly large favor, but, trust me, I'll definitely make it worth your while......and the hospital's."
The doctor looks at Marilee curiously, wondering what favor she could want.
Meanwhile....in a waiting room down the hall
Pamela smiles, and silently nods, then walks over to Tracey, who sits alone on a sofa across the room. She hands Tracey the other cup.
"No, thank you, Pamela. I'm so nervous, I don't think I could drink it," Tracey says.
"You might want to," says Pamela. "It could be a long night."
Cliff walks into the waiting room and heads over to Pamela and Tracey. "Hey," Cliff says. "How is he?"
"He's not good," Pamela replies. "The doctor said he'll be back out to talk to us soon, and let us know something."
"Thank you, Cliff," Tracey says.
"You're welcome. Pamela, I talked to your mother and Afton will drop by here as soon as the lounge closes."
"Fine, Daddy."
Cliff smiles at his daughter, then walks across the room to his son-in-law. "Howya doin', Tripp?" He asks, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"I'm scared to death, Cliff," replies Tripp. "That old man in there.......he's my grandfather, but he's more than that. He's been a father to me. Since I was 7 years old. And I can't imagine my life without him."
"Y'know, son, I have known your grandfather a long, long time. Even longer than you have. And if there's one thing I can say about Carter Mckay is, he's a tough one. If anybody can beat a stroke, he can. Hell, he beat that heart attack, didn't he?"
"Yeah, he did," Tripp says with a nod.
At that moment, a doctor walks into the room. "McKay family?"
"Yes," Tracey says, quickly springing from her seat on the sofa. "My father, how is he?"
Pamela, Tripp, and Cliff also gather around the doctor. "I'm very sorry, but, your father's condition is deteriorating fast."
"What does that mean?" Tripp asks.
"I'm afraid that, Mr. McKay..........it won't be long."
Tracey begins to cry. "How much time?" She asks in tears.
"Could be any time. Minutes, maybe even an hour. It's just hard to say. But, unless a miracle occurs, he won't make it through the night. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but, I do believe in being honest and in preparing you."
"Can we see him?" Tracey asks.
"Yes. I think you and your family should. Come this way."
Tracey, Tripp, and Pamela follow the doctor out of the waiting room, as Cliff stays behind, both saddened and stunned by the news that his long time friend and one time adversary, is dying.
Down the hall, Tracey, Tripp, and Pamela walk into the intensive care room where Carter is. The only audible sounds in the room are the beep of the heart monitor and the sound of the old man's labored breathing.
A hospital room.....
"Look, Dr. Bracket, I am paying big bucks for the use of this room, and in exchange for just doing me this small favor, I have agreed to make a very generous contribution to this hospital. I could even set you up very comfortably in your own private practice if that's what you want."
"SMALL favor? SMALL favor, Mrs. Stone?" Dr. Bracket asks. "This small favor could cost me my medical license."
"That won't happen, I can guarantee that," says Marilee. "Look, just play along with me on this. I promise you won't get into any trouble, and you and this hospital will benefit. All I need is the use of this room for a few days, and for you to let my son believe that my problem is my heart rather than simple indigestion."
"Mrs. Stone, this is a hospital, not a hotel," the doctor says. "We might need this room for a patient who's actually sick."
"Well, if that happens, then I'll willingly vacate the room."
"And letting your son think you've had a heart attack is absolutely cruel."
"Just let ME worry about that," Marilee says.
Before Dr. Bracket can say anymore, the door opens and Brad walks in. Marilee quickly lays back in bed in order to make herself look sick. "Mother?" Brad says, walking over to her.
"Oh, hello, sweetheart," Marilee says in a weak voice.
"Mother, what happened?"
"It.......it's my heart, darling. Just a minor attack. But Dr. Bracket says I'll be fine in a few days if I get plenty of rest and avoid any undue stress."
Brad turns to the doctor. "Is that true?" He asks. "Is my mother going to be alright?"
Dr. Bracket looks at Brad, then at Marilee, then back to Brad. "Yes. Your mother should be just fine, with rest. She's very lucky."
"Thank God," Brad says, turning back to his mother.
"You can go now, Doctor," Marilee says. "I'd like some time with my son. Actually, I'd like some sleep. Bradley, would you stay with me until I fall asleep?"
"Of course," Brad says, taking a seat at Marilee's bedside.
Dr. Bracket looks at the mother and son and shakes his head in dismay. Then he turns and walks out of the room.
Meanwhile....
Tracey takes her father's hand, and gently touches his shoulder with her other hand. "Daddy," she says, tears streaming down her face. "I love you so much, Daddy. I know that we had our problems through the years, and the two of us spent a long time estranged from one another. I blamed you for Mama's death, and for everything that went wrong in mine and Tommy's life. But I was wrong. I will always be grateful that you and I found each other again when we did, and that we've had all these years together to make up for the time we had lost in the past. I know I wasn't the best daughter at times, and for that, I'm sorry. Daddy, I don't want you to worry about me. Or Tripp. We'll be fine. I love you SO much, Daddy." Tracey leans over and kisses her father on the head. Then she nods to Tripp. She stands from her seat and walks over to Pamela as Tripp approaches his grandfather's bed.
Taking a seat beside the bed, Tripp takes Carter's hand. "Granddad," he says. "You will never know how special you are to me. I.....I don't even know what to say to you right now. Bet you never thought you'd hear those words from me, did you? Granddad you......you have to get better. You can beat this. You have a great-grandchild on the way, and you have to be around to see him. Granddad, I love you. I......."
At that moment, Carter's heart monitor flatlines. Tracey begins to become frantic.
"Granddad!" Tripp calls. Tripp stands to his feet and backs away from his grandfather's bed as Tracey retakes her seat beside Carter.
A doctor and two nurses rush into the room and to Carter's bedside. Tracey stands back to let them work on her father. After a moment, the doctor turns to Tracey and shakes his head. "I'm very sorry," he says. Tracey begins sobbing.
Southfork....the next morning
"Morning," Christopher says, he and Lucas taking their seats.
"Good morning," says Bobby.
"You two almost overslept," Ann says.
"Yeah, Heather and I were out pretty late last night," Lucas says.
"Been spendin' an awful lot of time with your baby mama lately, huh, Lucas?" John Ross asks.
"Well, John Ross, not that it's any of your business, but yes, I have."
"Alright, you two," Bobby says. "Let's not get started on a Sunday morning." He picks up the morning newspaper from the table and opens it. As he scrolls down the front page, a look of shock comes over Bobby's face. "Well, I'll be damned," he says sadly.
"Bobby, what is it?" Ann asks.
"Carter McKay died last night," Bobby replies.
"Oh no," Ann says.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Christopher says.
"Yeah, so am I," says John Ross. "Even after all the trouble that old man caused this fam'ly over the years."
Bobby sighs. "McKay was a worthy adversary."
"How could I ever forget?"
"Range war?" Krystina asks.
"Oh, yeah, a real range war," John Ross replies. "Complete with shootin's and everything."
"Why would Carter McKay start a range war with Southfork?" Krystina asks.
"Yeah, I'll never forget that day," Christopher says.
"What happened?" Conner asks.
"Well," Bobby says. "With the danger here at Southfork, we sent Christopher and John Ross to stay with Sue Ellen until the trouble with McKay was over. J.R., however, didn't like the boys being with Sue Ellen because they were spendin' a lot of time with Cliff Barnes, so he brought 'em home too soon, before the danger was over."
"And Christopher just happened to come along while Ray and I were engaging in a little gunfight with some of McKay's men. One of the bastards took some shots at Christopher. Thank God he wasn't hit, but he was thrown from his horse and knocked unconscious."
"I remember I had a headache for a week from that bump on the head," Christopher says.
"Oh my Lord," Ann says. "You were just a child. How could anyone shoot at a child?"
"Well, the guy who did soon paid for it.......dearly," Bobby says.
Krystina sighs. "And this guy was working for Carter McKay?"
"Yeah," Bobby replies. "But, turned out McKay was actually working for Jeremy Wendell, who wanted that oil for Westar. And then, McKay turned on Wendell and helped us put him behind bars where he belonged, and that got Wendell out of our hair once and for all....."
"Only problem is, McKay just replaced Wendell as this fam'ly's most dangerous enemy," John Ross says.
"I don't understand," Lucas says. "If McKay helped you nail Jeremy Wendell, then why was he an enemy of the Ewings?"
"Carter McKay was a very complicated man," Bobby says. "There were times when you really didn't know which side he was on. One of the main causes for some of the bitterness between our families was McKay's son, Tommy."
"Tripp's father?" Lucas asks.
"That's right. Tommy McKay was a very disturbed and very dangerous young man."
"Yeah, he even tried to kill Bobby," Lucy says.
"In the end, it was Tommy who was killed by his own psychotic need for revenge against me," says Bobby. "And then McKay blamed me for his son's death."
"Sounds like all the McKays are a little nuts," Conner says.
"It's a good thing you didn't marry Tracey, Dad," Christopher says.
Ann looks at her husband with a smile. "Yes, itn't it, though?"
Bobby returns his wife's smile.
Tripp and Pamela's apartment....
"Hello, sweety. I really appreciate you and Pamela letting me stay here last night."
"I'm glad you were here. I didn't want you driving all the way home that late. Besides, you didn't need to be alone." Tripp takes a seat at the table.
"Pamela still asleep?" Tracey asks, taking a seat beside him.
Tracey laughs at her nephew's story. "Oh, that was so mean," she says. "Poor little Hunter."
"Yeah, well, you know what a wuss Hunter could be sometimes, especially when he was sick. It was all in fun. Granddad finally felt sorry for him, so he went and picked Hunter up in those great big arms of his and told him it was all a joke. Of course it took a long time to convince Hunter that he wasn't gonna die."
"I never knew about that," Tracey says. "It's nice to know my father developed a sense of humor with kids in his old age. He sure didn't have one when Tommy and I were little."
"Things were pretty rough, huh?" Tripp asks.
"Yeah. I'm just glad that we became a family again before Tommy died. But I was afraid Tommy's death had destroyed that...." Tracey's mind flashes back on a memory from long ago....
"Yes, we did," Tracey says with a sigh. "Well, I guess we should get started on the funeral arrangements."
Tripp reaches over and takes Tracey's hand.
A funeral home in Dallas....three days later
"Granddad sure was handsome in that uniform, wasn't he?" Tripp asks.
"Yes he was," Tracey agrees.
An older couple in their 60s walks up to them. "Tracey," the man says.
"Ken, thank you so much for being here," Tracey says.
"We always thought so highly of your father," the woman says.
"Tripp," Ken says, shaking Tripp's hand. "I worked for your grandfather at Westar years ago."
Tripp smiles and nods at the man.
"Tracey, you have our deepest sympathy," Ken says.
"And if there's anything we can do, just let us know," Janet adds.
"Thank you, I will," Tracey says. She smiles at the couple as they walk away.
"Oh my God, I don't believe it," Tripp says. "Look who had the nerve to show up."
Tracey looks toward the door and sees Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Sue Ellen, John Ross, and Krystina walk in.
"I'm gonna kick those Ewings RIGHT outta here," Tripp says.
"No, Tripp," Tracey says. "Just keep your cool. They knew your grandfather a long time, and our history with the Ewings wasn't always ugly. Please don't start a scene here."
Bobby, Ann, Sue Ellen, Lucy, and Christopher walk over to them as Pamela walks over and joins her husband at his side.
"Tracey," Bobby says.
"Hello, Bobby," Tracey replies.
"Your father and I may have butted heads numerous times over the years, but, I always respected him. Mack was a worthy adversary. We're all very sorry for your loss."
"Thank you for saying that, and thank you all for being here. It means a lot."
"Tripp, I'm sorry about your grandfather," Christopher says to Carter's grandson.
Trip simply looks angrily at Christopher. "Pamela, excuse me, I need some air," he says, then turns and walks away.
"I'm sorry, Christopher," Pamela says. "He's very upset. You know how close Tripp was to his grandfather."
"Yeah, it's okay. I understand," Christopher says.
Meanwhile, as Tripp heads toward the exit, he runs into John Ross and Krystina. "Well, McKay," John Ross says. "Headin' somewhere?"
"Well, I see you're still the same rude jackass as always, even at your granddaddy's funeral," John Ross says.
"You hated my grandfather, so why are you even here? You weren't invited, so why don't you get lost?" Tripp asks.
"Look, the Ewings came here to offer their condolences for your family's loss," says Krystina. "And from what I've heard, they had plenty of reasons for disliking your grandfather."
"You don't know a damned thing about it, okay? So just stay the hell outta this," Tripp says.
"Wanna try that?" Asks an angry Tripp.
"Let's just step outside."
"John Ross, no," Krystina says, putting her hand on her husband's chest to stop him. "Let's just walk around, shall we?"
John Ross and Tripp glare angrily at each other for a moment, then he and Krystina walk away.
Across the room, Pamela walks up to Afton, who is standing alone and seems to be nervous. "Mom," Pamela says.
"Hello, sweetheart," Afton says, kissing her daughter on the cheek. "How's Tripp?"
"He's taking it hard. Carter was more like a father to him than a grandfather. Are you alright? You seem upset."
"I'm fine, Pamela. Just fine," Afton replies, unconvincingly.
"Mom, this is just a wild guess, but have you gotten another one of those mysterious gifts?"
Afton sighs. "I got another one this morning. A brooch. A fairly expensive one."
"Yes," says Afton. "I admit when these gifts and flowers from this secret admirer first started, I was flattered. But then after they kept coming,.........well, it's really starting to bother me a little."
"Maybe you should contact the police," Pamela says.
"And tell them what? That I've been receiving gifts and flowers from an unknown admirer? They'll just tell me that no crime has been committed. So for right now, all I can do is wait it out and hope whoever this person is, they'll get tired of sending the gifts and just stop."
Meanwhile, as Bobby and Ann chat, Cliff is walking by and bumps into Ann's arm.
"Oh, excuse me," he says as he turns around, but then he sees who he has bumped into. "Well, if it isn't the world famous Ewings," Cliff says. "I'm surprised you all had the nerve to show up here, considering all the bad blood between you and Carter McKay through the years."
"Come on, honey," Bobby says as he looks angrily at Cliff. "The air smells over here." He and Ann start to walk away from Cliff.
"I'm still gonna get you, Bobby," Cliff says.
Bobby and Ann stop and turn back to him. "What was that?" Bobby asks.
"You heard me. I'm still gonna make the Ewings pay for every thing you people have ever done to me, ESPECIALLY all those months I spent in a dark, stinking Mexican prison, thinking I was gonna spend the rest of my days there."
"You were exactly where you deserved to be, Barnes," Bobby says. "After all the terrible things you've done."
"Yes, I have done some things that I deeply regret, like hurting both of my daughters. But one thing I will NEVER regret is the day I finally find out who really killed J.R., and I don't buy for one second that it was some Mexican vagrant. You paid that guy off just like you paid Rhonda Simmons to say I was in Nuevo Laredo the night J.R. was killed, and then made her disappear. It's only gonna be a matter of time before the truth comes out."
Bobby walks over to Cliff, his face just inches from Cliff's. "You listen to me, Barnes. It's over. J.R.'s killer has been convicted and is serving life in prison. You're out of prison, so let it go. You come up against my family again and I promise you.......the time you spent in that prison in Mexico will look like a dream vacation on a tropical island." Bobby glares angrily at Cliff for a second, then he and Ann walk away.
"Hey, Ann, tell my daughter hello when you talk to her, since you turned her against me!" Cliff yells after them, as people around him begin to stare at him.
"Well, I see that old feud between you and the Ewings is still going as strong as ever," says a woman's voice from behind him.
Cliff turns around and is surprised when he sees who the voice belongs to. He smiles. "Oh my Lord. I don't believe it. Rose? Rose McKay?"
"Oh, Rose," Cliff says with a smile. "My, you look wonderful."
"Well, thank you. And it's Rose Jacobs, now. You look.......pretty wonderful yourself."
Cliff laughs. "Oh, come on now. You're just flattering an old man. I know I look a lot older and different than last time you saw me."
"Well, that HAS been a lot of years."
"Yes it sure certainly has. So, how in the world have ya been?" Cliff asks. "And what have you been doing since you left Dallas? I do know that McKay reunited with you for a while."
"Yes. Mack and I did get back together twice, but, it never worked out," Rose says, the smile leaving her face. "I guess we just weren't meant to be. The age difference did a lot to drive us apart."
"I'm sorry. I do know that he loved you."
"And I always loved him, despite everything that happened between us. I just couldn't live with him."
Meanwhile, Tripp and Pamela are chatting with Tracey and Afton, and greeting various McKay family friends as they walk by. As he shakes hands with a man, Tripp looks over toward the door and sees a blonde woman who looks familiar. The woman returns Tripp's gaze, but when a group of people walk in front of Tripp, obscuring his view of the woman, she is suddenly gone.
"Tripp," Pamela says to her husband. "Are you okay?"
"Tripp," Tracey says. "It's time to head to the cemetery for the graveside service."
Tripp sighs deeply. "Yeah," he says.
The director of the funeral home steps forward. "Excuse me, everyone," he says loudly. "Everyone, may I please have your attention?"
People all around the room begin to stop what they're doing and listen to the man.
"Thank you," he continues. "On behalf of the McKay family, thank you for being here. It is now time to head to the cemetery a few miles down the road for a graveside memorial service. So if the pallbearers would please come forward, and if everyone would begin moving outside to your vehicles, please."
A few minutes later.....
As the Ewings emerge from the funeral home, Bobby puts his hand on Sue Ellen's shoulder. "Are you alright, Sue Ellen?" He asks. "You've been real quiet all day."
Bobby puts his arms around both Sue Ellen and Ann, as they follow the rest of the crowd to the rows of cars lined up in the parking lot and even onto the side of the street.
A short time later....en route to Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery....
Tripp steps forward, and as he does, he passes by the graves of his father and twin brother. He fights back tears as he looks down at their headstones....
As Bobby listens to Tripp's eulogy of his grandfather, Bobby's mind wanders back in time as he remembers one of Carter McKay's public temper tantrums......
As the service concludes and a minister steps forward to say a closing prayer, the crowd is unaware they are being watched from afar by the same blonde woman whom Tripp had seen walk into the funeral home earlier. She stands beside a tree watching the crowd intently.
The cemetery......later
Tripp and Pamela's apartment.....later
"I was really impressed with the turnout today." Pamela says.
"So was I," agrees Tracey. "My father always did elicit strong feelings in others, whether good or bad. Pamela, you look tired. Let me finish this. You go sit down and relax, or spend some time with your husband."
Pamela sighs. "Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all. Go on. You don't need to overdo this late in your pregnancy."
"Thanks, Tracey." Pamela puts the dish towel she is holding down on the table and walks out of the kitchen as Tripp walks into the living room from the kitchen, carrying his jacket. "Tripp, where're you going?"
"I was just coming to tell you. I'm gonna go for a drive. I need some air."
"I'll come with you," Pamela says.
Pamela looks at him for a moment. "Alright," she says.
"I'll be back in a little while." He kisses her, then turns and leaves the apartment.
Pamela sighs deeply. She's worried about her husband and how he will cope with his grandfather's death in the days to come.
A street in Dallas....few minutes later....
Tripp and Pamela's apartment......later
"Pamela," he calls. "Aunt Tracey? I'm back."
Pamela comes in from the kitchen. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just needed some time to myself, to sort of let things out. Is everything okay here?"
"After you left, ummm, he had a visitor come by," Pamela says.
"A visitor?" Tripp asks.
At that moment, Tracey comes in from the kitchen, followed by the blonde woman from the cemetery. Tripp looks at the woman, who seems familiar.
"Hello, Tripp," the woman says with a slight smile.
"Hello," Tripp says. "I saw you at the funeral home."
"Yes, you did," the woman says. "Tripp, don't you even recognize me........ your own mother?"
Tripp looks at the woman in shock.......the woman who had abandoned him and his twin brother when they were only 7-years-old!