Four Cousins

[SteveW]

Really liked the first two shows and think there is a good chance at this working out. I felt really bad for John Ross - and frankly if he becomes the villain lots of people who have used him have it coming. Not that I don't like to see the "old" guys but I am hoping for more of a "new" show so I'm not one of those that is up set about the cameos. So lots of things rambled around inside my head thinking about who these people were and their children so I came up with an idea that pulls together the Lorimar '80's soaps - or at least there kids. I'm not a writer its just the only way I have to deal with all that stuff that gets stuck up in my head. What I'd really like to see is 20-somethings showing their '80's parents how its done. I'd like the Ewings to show us how a family works together (with some inner bickering of course) and have the antagonists come from the outside. Just my idea. So here goes with some examples of dialogue. Hope someone likes it. If not I just ask you to be kind. This isn't written in stone or done to be published, just sharing it with those who might be interested:


Set up: Get to the point, possibly a cliff hanger, where Bobby looses the ranch to the bank.

Added Characters:
1. Betsy Ewing (mid twenties, Gary's daughter)
2. Bobby Ewing (mid twenties, Betsy's twin brother)
3. Michael Channing (Betsy's fiancé and son of Richard Channing)

Added Character Details:
1. Betsy: a beautiful little California blonde girl who wears small little son dresses and smiles a lot, yet she has a 165 I.Q. and an Olympic gold medal in skeet shooting. She is a new kind of businesswoman, believing in team work and win-win, environmental and community responsibility and fair play. She is not naïve but pragmatic and a realist. She sees the good in people not because she is fooled but because she seeks to bring it out. For example, she is a fierce defender of her cousin John Ross, seeing him as a lonely boy who has been used by those around him who desperately loves Elena though she appears to have used him to get over Christopher. While the youngest she sees herself as the matriarch of the Ewing’s, and while a businesswoman she plans on having several children.
2. Bobby: a big, strapping, handsome California blonde boy who dresses like an English gentleman and smiles all the time with these disarming grins. He has a 165 I.Q. and an Olympic gold medal in polo. He is a lawyer and social activist, a fierce conservative he believes in limited government and that the prior generations have sold out his generation economically with fierce debt. He is also gay and a social liberal. Like Betsy, they never functioned well with their peers, but they had each other. Bobby tends to be blunter as in straight forward. Where he doesn’t seem to really have much control over what he says, he always means well. Like many gift people he is more sensitive to emotions and tactilely which explains the soft fabrics and the seeking out of sex as well as meaningful relationships.
3. Michael: he appears almost Mediterranean, very handsome and like Betsy simply dressed, never to impress. He his Michael Channing and that has always been enough to impress, countless generations of Channing’s at Hotchkiss and Yale, buildings with his name on them at Stanford. He is an avid reader, traveler and social commentator, yet he words very little. He is the new idly rich feeling a sense of noble responsibility, the highest of which is be a good father. He is madly in love with Betsy from the moment he sees her developing a crush on her. He is brilliant with words, writing and speaking, a charmer who at first glance my appear to be a lover not a fighter, he is in fact every bit the fighter as any one in his family and while it may seem like of the two Betsy is the warrior, Michael is more most fierce in his ability to protect her. His devotion to her is not a weakness but a strength as they are tested nothing can pull them apart.

From Knots Landing:
1. Greg Sumner
2. Abby Channing (nee Fairgate)
3. Gary Ewing
4. Val Ewing
5. Karen McKenzie
6. Mack McKenzie

From Falcon Crest:
1. Richard Channing (3^rd wife Abby Channing above)
(possibly Kevin Channing, Lance Comson, Lisa Comson)



Roles:

Protagonist 1: Christopher (portentous good-guy, spoiled and judgmental)
Protagonist 2: John Ross (sympathetic villain, hurt and acting out, appears at times as the antagonist, supported by Betsy)
Support: Support: Betsy (family matriarch)
Support: Michael (the matriarch's support)
Support: (L) Bobby (seen as a rational man, fair and balanced, moderator)
Antagonist: outside forces


Idea:
Betsy buys the ranch from the bank with the intention of being married and raising a family there based on her grandmother's stories about growing up on the ranch (note: when Miss Ellie stopped traveling with Clayton they moved to Knots Landing to be with Gary's family and away from the fighting in Dallas and where they were able to be grandparents to their youngest grandchildren). Betsy divides the ranch to once and for all settle the disputes. (note: the mineral rights were retained by the bank and sold to West Star). Betsy offers to let Bobby live in Ray Krebs old house.


-----------------------------------------------------------

Fade from Black.
Bobby and J.R. walk into the entry hall of Southfork from the back arguing over how they are going to get back Southfork. Bobby doesn't want to fight for Southfork, arguing "what's done is done." J.R. reminds him they still have to evict him. They are startled by Betsy leaning on the banister looking down at them.

BETSY
Uncle Bobby, Uncle J.R.

BOBBY
Betsy, sweetie, what are you doing here?
(running to hug her)

BETSY
(hugging him at the bottom of the stairs)
I heard things were pretty bad.

BOBBY
I'm afraid we lost the ranch. I've tried everything to come up with the cash. I half expected J.R. to pull it out of her bottom. Afraid there is nothing I could do to stop it.

BETSY
Just a bad investment Uncle Bobby. I am certain Christopher has a good idea, but doesn't mean it will always work when you want it to. I've lost a lot on these alternative energy ideas myself for Sumner Channing. Try explaining thirty million dollars vanishing to your boss.

BOBBY
Well I am certain you've hedged your bets and made good in the long run.

BETSY
Sure. You shouldn’t have risked the ranch though. My daddy did the same thing for some sort of wave energy idea. Actually made a profit, unfortunately, not for him.

BOBBY
Well it’s something you do for your children. You risk the farm.

BETSY
If you say so Uncle Bobby.

J.R.
So honey I hope you didn't come here to say good bye to the place because your Uncle J.R. ain't gonna let that happen.

BETSY
Actually no. I bought the ranch from the Dallas Bank and Trust this morning. I couldn't afford the mineral rights but I got the house and the land.

BOBBY
(grabbing a hold of Betsy tight and hugging her, picking her up off the ground and yelling ecstatically)
Oh Betsy, that's good news! That's wonderful news. How did you manage it? We couldn't even get them to work with us. Sue Ellen couldn't even pull any strings to help.

J.R.
Of course we wasn't about to let those mineral rights go.

BOBBY
You weren't J.R. but I don't care. At this point, I just want the house to stay in the family.


BETSY
It will Uncle Bobby. I'm engaged to be married we're going to get married right here. Raise a family here, just like all of Grandma's stories about her growing up right here at Southfork.


BOBBY
Oh Betsy I couldn't be happier. I don't know how you did it but I am so glad you did. So glad you'll be moving here too.


Fade to Opening Credits

-----------------------------------------------------------

Fade from Black

J.R. and John Ross meet with a private investigator at the Cattleman's Club. He hands file folders to the two of them and gives a summary.

INVESTIAGTOR
Clayton Farlow left everything he had to Betsy and Bobby. They put the assets together to form Farlow Oil and Farlow Farms as well as the Farlow Trust, a charitable foundation. All told they control nearly ten billion dollars in assets, half of which is with the foundation. But you'll notice that she's been living just two doors down for her parents in a modest sub-division house in Knots Landing, California. Neither one of them appear to live too high off the hog. Their properties include West Fork in California and the Southern Cross here in Texas, near San Angelo.

J.R.
You mean to tell me Clayton left everything he had to those kids.

INVESITAGOR
Every last thing. They both went to Stanford, where she met Michael Channing working on his doctorate in History. She went onto Wharton for an MBA and then Chicago for a Ph.D. in Economics. Her brother Bobby has his Masters in Psychology from Berkley and J.D. from Harvard.

JOHN ROSS
Well educated ain't they.

J.R.
Certainly useful studies. What are they doing with all that education?

INVESTIGATOR
Richard Channing put her in energy acquisitions with Sumner Channing. Now she's a Vice President as she's putting together a merger with West Star and Farlow Oil. Which by the way, West Star acquired the mineral rights to Southfork.

JOHN ROSS
Let’s be surprised.

J.R.
This Richard Channing, third on the Forbes list, some thirty billion dollars, he's Michael's father?

INVESTIGATOR
Yes. As I’m sure you know Richard is the Chairman of Sumner Channing, a conglomerate of investments, I think you know Greg Sumner; Richard Channing married Sumner's x-wife Abby.

JOHN ROSS
Aunt Abby?

J.R.
That's the one. She always did know how to trade up. Sumner's what number 220 on the list.

INVESTIGATOR
Channing controls about forty percent of Sumner Channing. But there's more money then that. He's got money stashed all over the world. You couldn't even begin to unravel that web. And, he's got friends that go back to his parents and east coast boarding schools.

JOHN ROSS
I'm familiar with those.

INVESTIGATOR
Anyway, Michael oversees about twenty billion in assets of the Angela Channing Foundation, his grandmother, and he's moving those offices here to Dallas. His brother Kevin meanwhile runs Globe Communications, which Sumner Channing is heavily invested in. I can keep digging but I just keep coming up with two facts, one, Betsy and her brother are exceedingly gifted, and two, these aren't people you can mess with.


JOHN ROSS
They messed with us.

INVESTIGATOR
(tapping on one of the folders)
That one details some very corrupt people, J.R. Richard Channing and his mother testified before Congress to bring about the end of a crime syndicate. You ask me they just disturbed things a bit. I'd say he's still got connections. I found connections to the Starvos's of Greece, the Reibmann's of Germany, even the Vargas crime family of Southern California.

BETSY
(sitting down in the empty chair at the table next to J.R.)
Uncle J.R. I could have saved you a lot of money. (tapping the folders) I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just don't insult me but thinking I don't know what you're doing. (looking at John Ross) I'd like you to move into Southfork, into Grandma's old room. As soon as we can figure it out, we can work on you buying the place from me. I'm going to give my brother and Christopher ten acres to build there own house. I've set aside a nice sixty acre parcel for me and in the next few years I plan on building a house of my own. The rest of the land is part of the Southfork Land Conservancy Foundation, a non-profit making money off of cattle grazing rents. We four cousins will be its board of trustees. I'm selling the cattle grazing operations to Farlow Farms. (looking at J.R.) See Uncle J.R. we can all get along. No one in this family is out to hurt anyone anymore. We need to start making better choices. I think it’s that I'm the only Ewing girl of my generation (looking at the Investigator), among all those Ewing boys, legitimate and otherwise.

J.R.
I don't plan to underestimate you my dear, but you tearing apart my family's ranch and thinking we are all going to get along is a bit naive.

BETSY
Well, if you want a war Uncle J.R. that is up to you. I just hope you realize I'm not my daddy and I'm not Uncle Bobby. And, I sure as hell ain't you. You turn this into a war and I'll discard you like a lame horse.

J.R.
See here, I always thought you were a sweet little girl. Good morals, don't drink, don't smoke, probably still a virgin; you exercise, eat right, plain dresser, well educated. The kind of girl who is charitable, thinking of the greater good. But I have a feeling your old Uncle J.R. didn't realize that you're every bit in control of your surroundings. I won't be underestimating you.

BETSY
I always thought you were a pathetic little boy, lonely and ugly, looking to charm and steel what ever you could get to fill you up because really you have nothing. Your wife married you for your money. Your son here doesn't look up to you like you did your daddy. Your illegitimate children, and there are many, despise you. You'll screw any girl you can get your hands on to take away that empty feeling of disgust in yourself. You try to control everything because frankly you have no control. Your daddy thought you were a fat worthless lump and your momma babied you too much. Turns out you're really very sad. Now ask yourself, which of us is going to get up and walk away? Because it sure isn't going to be me.

J.R.
What makes you think it’s going to be me? (Betsy hands him a folder which he opens and reads the contents. He looks up at her. Gives her a smile. He gets up and walks away).

JOHN ROSS
Should I even ask what's in the folder?

BETSY
You don't want to know. So John Ross, I have this idea. (looking at the Investigator) You can go now. (he leaves and she looks back at John Ross). I want to talk to Christopher about this too. Bobby and I have an investment in a little oil field services start up. I thought the four of us could go into business together, Ewing Oil. I think I can get us some contracted work in Qatar. You understand that and that girl you and Christopher grew up with, what's her name? Well anyway, I know you'll sneer but there's money in alternative energy too, so we bring in Christopher. Each of you gets your own focus. You make the money and he provides the reach for the future, technology that will one day make us all fabulously rich and the earth a bit cleaner, and oil people a bit poorer.

Fade to Black.

---------------------------------------------------------

Fade from Black

Ewing Bar B-Q out back at Southfork, including Christopher, Rebecca, John Ross, Elena, Betsy, Michael, (L) Bobby, Juan, J.R. and Megan McKenzie.

BETSY
(walking up and hugging John Ross) What is this I hear your father has Grandma's old room?

JOHN ROSS
I took a page from your book, not worth fighting over.

BETSY
How true.

CHRISTOPHER
(walking over to hug Betsy) and how is my favorite cousin?

BETSY
Wonderful. I saw the report on the progress you're making. Thirty years and we'll be leading the way in alternative energy. Elena has impressed me as well. Just goes to show you don't have to be old to make things happen. Speaking of which, did you hear about John Ross's deal in North Dakota, or should I say deals. What fifteen in all?

JOHN ROSS
I'm hoping for number 16 next Monday.

J.R.
A chip off the old block.

BETSY
Very True Uncle J.R. He's taking business away from Halliburton with every crack. (Megan steps up to her) Oh Megs, Christopher, I'd like you to meet Megs. She's coming on as legal counsel with Ewing Oil. You've got fifteen contracts to go over on Monday, you're going to be a busy woman working with my handsome cousin John Ross here, but don't neglect to make it to the other side of the campus to talk with Christopher here. He's fascinating. Doing stuff I just don't understand.

MEGAN
(shakes Christopher's hand) Nice to meet you. We should have lunch some time.

CHRISTOPHER
(with a cheesy grin) Certainly. Betsy has told me all about you. Richard Channing called you his barracuda.

MEGAN
He likes to flatter. (shaking John Ross's hand) Nice to meet you again Mr. Ewing. I greatly appreciated your time the other day for my interview.

BETSY
Now don't go flirting with John Ross, he's a heart breaker.

JOHN ROSS
I don't mind in the least cousin.

BETSY
I do, the two of you will be working a little too close for emotions to get involved. Besides you're heart's taken and I won't have you consoling your self with Megs. (taking Meghan and Christopher’s arms and leading them to walk away) Now the two of you go find a magnolia tree to sit under. Christopher get her a piece of pie. (turning back to John Ross) Keep an eye on her when you're working with her. I don't completely trust her.

JOHN ROSS
So you send her off with Chris?

BETSY
Anything to keep Rebecca away from him.

JOHN ROSS
And what about my heart being taken?

BETSY
Oh come on, lie to yourself but not to me. What's the line, something about you're poisoned with her . . . and don't think it doesn't pain me to say it.

JOHN ROSS
Alright I'm getting another drink. You want something? Dad?

J.R.
No thank you, son.

BETSY
No thank you.

(John Ross leaves)

BETSY
(to J.R.) Now I've got Elena giving me dirty looks for trying to set Christopher up. If I could figure a way to get her out of here I'd send her backing faster then Aunt Pam or momma.

J.R.
I'm starting to get to like you.

BETSY
Well I'll take that as a complement considering I'm the only girl on Southfork in your life time you won't sleep with since Grandma, who you feared, and my sister Lucy who you, detested.

J.R.
(laughing) What makes you think I feared my momma?

BETSY
Now don't you go lying to me, Uncle J.R.

Fade to black.


Further Ideas:

1. Betsy takes over running West Star, the youngest CEO of a major corporation in America. They being to drill for oil on Southfork and (Uncle) Bobby is outraged. He and Ann leave to travel like his mother did before him.

2. Sue Ellen is elected to the Senate and (Little) Bobby runs her campaign office in Texas while she spends most of her time in Washington, D.C. He argues for financial conservatism and gay rights.

3. J.R. takes the master bedroom at Southfork with a live-in nurse. His role is reduced to occasional appearances as head of the family (family patriarch, while Betsy is the acting head of the family)

4. Michael build's a school for poor children (mostly Hispanic)in Dallas that includes a boarding school and gets involved with the students including inviting them to weekends on the ranch for camp outs.

5. Bobby ends up dating an older guy (Juan Johnson, 44) who's the architect for Michael's school project and Betsy's new house. Turns out John Ross is trying to set him up to get him to leave Dallas which he thinks will send Betsy packing but the older man is being blackmailed and falls in love with Bobby.

6. Betsy intervenes with Elena trying to get her to see how much John Ross loves her and he needs her because he is so unhappy, and how happy they would be with children on Southfork.

7. Betsy tries to get Christopher to date her friend Megan, a lawyer with the new Ewing Oil. Megan begins an affair with John Ross. She has a secret that no one knows, she's heavy into partying and drugs.

8. Christopher tires to conceal loosing millions on another failed attempt at alternative energy not realizing that Betsy expects him too fail more then he succeeds. He becomes sad and depressed over his life falling apart without Elena and with his work failing.

9. Betsy announces she is pregnant and figuring its another boy decides to name him Andrew Channing after Michael's grandmother Angela. She is excited about building the new house now that they've started their family.

10. Meghan drugs and sleeps with Michael with the intent to take control of Sumner Channing as she knows Greg Sumner is her father and she thinks the company should be hers. Note: Meghan McKenzie as the first outside Antagonist

[SteveW]

In thinking about my fanfic I was asked how is it different then the original yet how is it the same so I'll try and answer. The same is it is a strong family tied to the land and playing in business. They are the Ewings - but unlike the last generation of Ewings - this generation works together - they have squabbles but they don't tear themselves apart - they tear others apart. The old series was fun to watch in its day - but I hope these kids learned something new. They learned that business is all about team work - working together to make something bigger then an individual. Anyway, maybe this is just my take. I am sure there are people who want the old JR and Bobby fighting and the old Ewing - Barns feud - but I want that as a back drop as to where they came from. I want to see these 4 cousins work together - to show the world what family is all about (kind of funny since they originally were the nations most dysfunctional family). So who are they: John Ross is a Rhett Butler type - a scoundrel, but not a bad guy, a guy hurt who is desperately in love with a woman, a charmer and a villain you love to hate, but less JR and more Rhett Butler. Betsy - a lot like John Ross in that she is tough and determined and can be ruthless, but she can also be charming and sweet, and family means everything - like Angela Channing. Neither are really "bad" guys - those come from outside the family - but I guess compared to Bobby, Christopher and Michael - they are a little more flexible on what they are willing to do. So no its not the 90210 of Dallas - these aren't young adults growing up spoiled - these are young adults forging a family that many people in the world have a desire to get something from them - but they won't be successful because after all these are the Ewings. Anyway that's just my idea for the story - I guess I'm hoping the new Dallas isn't the camp Dallas that ended the series or the dysfunctional family that started it or all the team dramas that followed - I'm hoping it will be young adults facing the world as a strong family - a good example - taking on their enemies in the business world. Just my take. Hope someone likes it.

[Sarah]

Thank you SO much for this, it's really unique and very much welcomed. Very well laid out and written also! Looking forward to more!

[SteveW]

Thank you SO much for this, it's really unique and very much welcomed. Very well laid out and written also! Looking forward to more!

Thank you much appreciated. I just gave some samples of an idea to see what people thought first. I guess I saw John Ross and Elena as a Rhett and Scarlett and wanted to include the other two - Knots Landing and Falcon Crest - and went from there. I have been hearing form people about this book Fifty Shades of Grey - not sure if you heard about it - but it sounds like what I'm thinking about for Michael and Betsy (maybe without the kinky stuff - ). Any way I appreciate it and I think I might just start working on something. I'll be out of the country starting on Wed for 3 weeks so don't expect much before then. I'll keep you posted.

[SteveW]

Ok please for give spelling and such. I wanted to put this together quick before I left (I'll be gone for three weeks) but I will be working on ideas.

So if I have John Ross & Elena based on Rhett Butler and Scarlett, and Bobby and Christopher as on again / off again singles I got thinking about Betsy and Michael and based them on Christian and Anna from Fifty Shades of Grey. Michael is unbelievably wealthy and very protective and madly in love with Betsy while Betsy is young, finding herself. They bicker a lot, but playfully. There is a great deal of passion in their relationship. They are both strong willed. They both have troubled childhoods and they take care of each other.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fade from Black
John Ross, Bobby and Christopher are in the steam room of the Dallas athletic club. Michael walks in and sits down.

Bobby
Well if it isn’t another Ewing.

Michael
I appreciate the offer, but I’ll stay a Channing. Nice club though.

John Ross
Yea we’ve got enough Ewing males here in Dallas.

Christopher
Well I’ll consider you family.

Michael
I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.

John Ross
(laughing) Sounds like he is a quick study. We’ve got our good sides but I’m not sure it’s all worth the side effects.

Michael
Betsy assures me you are a tight-knit family, loyal and dedicated to each other, would never hear of hurting one and other.

John Ross
Betsy told you all that.

Michael
Well, more like that’s your potential.

Bobby
There’s a lot of potential.

Michael
Well I think its nice every intention of hers.

John Ross
What do you mean intention?

Michael
That's why she's hear. She wants that. She didn't have a very stable upbrining Then again neither did I.

John Ross
We probably have more in common then in that way. So you thinking Betsy will be wife number one.

Michael
Not at all. My father loved my mother very much. When she died her remarried a wonderful woman, and she died.

John Ross
And what do you think of our Aunt Abbey?

Michael
Funny enough I like her. At first glance she's a gold digger but you soon realize that she is a fierce mother, and she considered me and my brother as much her children as her first two. She protected us, from preditors.

Christopher
Preditors?

Michael
I don't know your world, but in mine there are a great many people out to use you for a lot of different reasons.

Bobby
Our world was unstable in other ways. We were almost teens when grandma and grandpa moved to Knots Landing.

John Ross
Yes looks like Clayton took good care of you.

Bobby
He was generous yes, but if you mean our inheritence, we didn't grow up with that. He died less then a year ago.

Christopher
Really, I hadn't heard.

Bobby
We visted him in the nursing home for years ager grandma died. He use to ask me what God kept him hanging around. Without her he was miserable, and for years. If it wasn't for Michael here he wouldn't have left us anything.

John Ross
What do you mean? He talked Clayton into leaving you everything he had?

Bobby
He visited with Betsy all the time, even on days she couldn't make it. He talked a lot about family and what it means. I went to see him one day and I called him Grandpa and he nearly cried.

John Ross
So you're really into this family thing?

Michael
Me, I have a family. My brother, father, Abby, Brian, Oliva, aunt Emma and a cousin, Lance, and his family. This is what Betsy wants.

Bobby
Don't let their bickering fool you. They can't leave without each other and what Besty wants, Betsy gets.

John Ross
Including West Star.

Michael
I wouldn't suggest Sumner Channing make a bad investment; if she couldn't handle it, I wouldn't backer her. But she can handle that and more.

John Ross
You're the money behind Ewing Oil aren't you?

Michael
She has her own money.

John Ross
I can see your hand all over this.

Michael
I will take care of Betsy, make no mistake of that.

Bobby
If she likes it or not.

John Ross
I've got to admit, you're a hard man to size up.

Fade to Black

I'm not thrilled with this but want to put it out there before I left. Maybe I'll try and put together several scenes. Thank you Sarah for your comment - that is what I wanted, something unique to Dallas and to shows currently on TV.

[SteveW]

Ok I made some changes to the above - minor - I found out about some stuff on this TNT time line I didn't know about. Anyway - here is the latest version. This is just an example. I am going to work on extending it and then I'll create another threat. Any feedback on her would be great to help me develop this idea. The idea is that this "New" Dallas focuses on the children, not the older people and while I hope it is loyal to the original show I hope that it moves on to prove that the Ewing's are not dysfunction but in fact have become very functional - and a united family where the antagonists come from outside the family. Anyway its just an idea I am hoping to develop for the fun of it and maybe say something about family. BTW I will gone from 6/20/2012 - 7/9/2012.

Dallas
"Four Cousins"
by Ronald Tobine

Set up: Get to the point, possibly a cliff hanger, where Bobby looses the ranch to the bank.

Added Characters:
1. Betsy Ewing (mid twenties, Gary's daughter)
2. Bobby Ewing (mid twenties, Betsy's twin brother)
3. Michael Channing (Betsy's fiancé and son of Richard Channing)

Added Character Details:
1. Betsy: a beautiful little California blonde girl who wears small little sun dresses and smiles a lot, yet she has a 165 I.Q. and an Olympic gold medal in skeet shooting. She is a new kind of businesswoman, believing in team work and win-win, environmental and community responsibility and fair play. She is not naïve but pragmatic and a realist. She sees the good in people not because she is fooled but because she seeks to bring it out. For example, she is a fierce defender of her cousin John Ross, seeing him as a lonely boy who has been used by those around him who desperately loves Elena though she appears to have used him to get over Christopher. While the youngest she sees herself as the matriarch of the Ewing’s, and while a businesswoman she plans on having several children.
2. Bobby: a big, strapping, handsome California blonde boy who dresses like an English gentleman and smiles all the time with these disarming grins. He has a 165 I.Q. and an Olympic gold medal in polo. He is a lawyer and social activist, a fierce conservative he believes in limited government and that the prior generations have sold out his generation economically with fierce debt. He is also gay and a social liberal. Like Betsy, they never functioned well with their peers, but they had each other. Bobby tends to be blunter as in straight forward. Where he doesn’t seem to really have much control over what he says, he always means well. Like many gifted people he is more sensitive to emotions and tactilely which explains the soft fabrics and the seeking out of sex as well as meaningful relationships.
3. Michael: he appears almost Mediterranean, very handsome and like Betsy simply dressed, never to impress. He is Michael Channing and that has always been enough to impress, countless generations of Channing’s at Hotchkiss and Yale, buildings with his name on them at Stanford. He is an avid reader, traveler and social commentator, yet he works very little. He is the new idly rich feeling a sense of noble responsibility, the highest of which is be a good father. He is madly in love with Betsy from the moment he sees her developing a crush on her. He is brilliant with words, writing and speaking, a charmer who at first glance my appear to be a lover not a fighter, he is in fact every bit the fighter as any one in his family and while it may seem like of the two Betsy is the warrior, Michael is more most fierce in his ability to protect her. His devotion to her is not a weakness but a strength as they are tested nothing can pull them apart.



From Knots Landing:
1. Greg Sumner
2. Abby Channing (nee Fairgate)
3. Gary Ewing
4. Val Ewing
5. Karen McKenzie
6. Mack McKenzie

From Falcon Crest:
1. Richard Channing (3rd wife Abby Channing above)
(possibly Kevin Channing, Lance Comson, Lisa Comson)


Idea:
Betsy buys the ranch from the bank with the intention of being married and raising a family there based on her grandmother's stories about growing up on the ranch (note: when Miss Ellie stopped traveling with Clayton they moved to Knots Landing to be with Gary's family and away from the fighting in Dallas and where they were able to be grandparents to their youngest grandchildren). Betsy divides the ranch to once and for all settle the disputes. (note: the mineral rights were retained by the bank and sold to West Star). Betsy offers to let Bobby live in Ray Krebs old house.

Fade from Black.
Bobby and J.R. walk into the entry hall of Southfork from the back arguing over how they are going to get back Southfork. Bobby doesn't want to fight for Southfork, arguing "what's done is done." J.R. reminds him they still have to evict him. They are startled by Betsy leaning on the banister looking down at them.

BETSY
Uncle Bobby, Uncle J.R.

BOBBY
Betsy, sweetie, what are you doing here?
(running to hug her)

BETSY
(hugging him at the bottom of the stairs)
I heard things were pretty bad.

BOBBY
I'm afraid we lost the ranch. I've tried everything to come up with the cash. I half expected J.R. to pull it out of his bottom. Afraid there is nothing I could do to stop it.

BETSY
Just a bad investment Uncle Bobby. I am certain Christopher has a good idea, but doesn't mean it will always work when you want it to. I've lost a lot on these alternative energy ideas myself for Sumner Channing. Try explaining thirty million dollars vanishing to your boss.

BOBBY
Well I am certain you've hedged your bets and made good in the long run.

BETSY
Sure. You shouldn’t have risked the ranch though. My daddy did the same thing for some sort of wave energy idea. Actually made a profit, unfortunately, not for him.

BOBBY
Well it’s something you do for your children. You risk the farm.

BETSY
If you say so Uncle Bobby.

J.R.
So honey I hope you didn't come here to say good bye to the place because your Uncle J.R. ain't gonna let that happen.

BETSY
Actually no. Actually I own the house and the hundred sixy acres right around it. But it this morning, not the mineral rights of course.

BOBBY
(grabbing a hold of Betsy tight and hugging her, picking her up off the ground and yelling ecstatically)
Oh Betsy, that's good news! That's wonderful news. How did you manage it? We couldn't even get them to work with us. Sue Ellen couldn't even pull any strings to help.

J.R.
Of course we wasn't about to let those mineral rights go.

BOBBY
You weren't J.R. but I don't care. At this point, I just want the house to stay in the family.

BETSY
It will Uncle Bobby. I'm getting married right here, raise a family on the ranch, just like all of Grandma's stories about her growing up right here at Southfork, one big Ewing family.


BOBBY
Oh Betsy I couldn't be happier. I don't know how you did it but I am so glad you did. And, so glad you'll be moving here.

Fade to Opening Credits
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fade from Black
J.R. and John Ross meet with a private investigator at the Cattleman's Club. He hands file folders to the two of them and gives a summary.

INVESTIAGTOR
She's a team leader for the Energy Division of Sumner Channing who just made Vice President, and not even thirty. They say she's brillant.

J.R.
How brillant?

INVESITAGOR
Both her and her brother went to Stanford, where she met Michael Channing working on his doctorate in History. She went onto Wharton for an MBA and then Chicago for a Ph.D. in Economics. Her brother Bobby has his Masters in Psychology from Berkley and J.D. from Harvard.

JOHN ROSS
Well educated ain't they.

J.R.
Certainly useful studies. What are they doing with all that education?

INVESTIGATOR
Richard Channing put her in energy acquisitions with Sumner Channing. Now she's a Vice President as she's putting together a merger with West Star. Which by the way, West Star acquired the mineral rights to Southfork.

JOHN ROSS
Let’s be surprised.

J.R.
This Richard Channing, third on the Forbes list, some thirty billion dollars, he's Michael's father?

INVESTIGATOR
Yes. As I’m sure you know Richard is the Chairman of Sumner Channing, a conglomerate of investments, I think you know Greg Sumner; Richard Channing married Sumner's x-wife Abby.

JOHN ROSS
Aunt Abby?

J.R.
That's the one. She always did know how to trade up. Sumner's what number 220 on the list.

INVESTIGATOR
Channing controls about thirty percent of Sumner Channing. But there's more money then that. He's got money stashed all over the world. You couldn't even begin to unravel that web. And, he's got friends that go back to his parents and east coast boarding schools.

JOHN ROSS
I'm familiar with those.

INVESTIGATOR
Anyway, Michael oversees about fiftenn billion in assets of the Angela Channing Foundation, his grandmother, and he's moving those offices here to Dallas. He bought the rest of the ranch but I'm told he's turning it over to Betsy. Appartently he funded the purchase of the house too. His brother Kevin meanwhile runs Globe Communications, which Sumner Channing is heavily invested in. I can keep digging but I just keep coming up with two facts, one, Betsy and her brother are exceedingly gifted, and two, these aren't people you can mess with.


JOHN ROSS
They messed with us.

INVESTIGATOR
(tapping on one of the folders)
That one details some very corrupt people, J.R. Richard Channing and his mother testified before Congress to bring about the end of a crime syndicate. You ask me they just disturbed things a bit. I'd say he's still got connections. I found connections to the Starvos's of Greece, the Reibmann's of Germany, even the Vargas crime family of Southern California.

BETSY
(sitting down in the empty chair at the table next to J.R.)
Uncle J.R. I could have saved you a lot of money. (tapping the folders) I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just don't insult me but thinking I don't know what you're doing. (looking at John Ross) I'd like you to move into Southfork, into Grandma's old room. As soon as we can figure it out, we can work on you buying the place from me. I'm going to give my brother and Christopher each ten acres to build there own houses. I've set aside a nice sixty acre parcel for me and in the next few years I plan on building a house of my own. The rest of the land is part of the Southfork Land Conservancy Foundation, a non-profit making money off of cattle grazing rents to maintain the land and donate to worthwhile causes in the Dallas area. We four cousins will be its board of trustees. Michael is selling the cattle grazing operations to Farlow Farms. (looking at J.R.) See Uncle J.R. we can all get along. No one in this family is out to hurt anyone anymore. We need to start making better choices. I think it’s that I'm the only Ewing girl of my generation (looking at the Investigator), among all those Ewing boys, legitimate and otherwise.

J.R.
Tearing apart my family's ranch and thinking we are all going to get along is a bit naive.

BETSY
Well, if you want a war Uncle J.R. that’s up to you. I just hope you realize I'm not my daddy and I'm not Uncle Bobby. And, I sure as hell ain't you. You turn this into a war and I'll discard you like a Ewing bastard.

J.R.
See here, I always thought you were a sweet little girl. Good morals, don't drink, don't smoke, probably still a virgin; you exercise, eat right, plain dresser, well educated. The kind of girl who is charitable, thinking of the greater good. But I have a feeling your old Uncle J.R. didn't realize that you're every bit in control of your surroundings. I won't be underestimating you.

BETSY
I always thought you were a pathetic little boy, lonely, looking to charm and steel what ever you could get to fill you up because really you have nothing. Your wife married you for your money. Your son here doesn't look up to you. Your illegitimate children, and there are many, despise you. You'll screw any girl you can get your hands on to take away that empty feeling of disgust in yourself. You try to control everything because frankly you have no control. Your daddy thought you were a fat worthless lump and your momma babied you too much. Turns out you're really very sad. Now ask yourself, which of us is going to get up and walk away? Because it sure isn't going to be me.

J.R.
What makes you think it’s going to be me? (Betsy hands him a folder which he opens and reads the contents. He looks up at her. Gives her a smile. He gets up and walks away).

JOHN ROSS
Should I even ask what's in the folder?

BETSY
You don't want to know. So John Ross, I have this idea. (looking at the Investigator) You can go now. (he leaves and she looks back at John Ross). I want to talk to Christopher about this too. Bobby and I have an investment in a little oil field services start up. I thought the four of us could go into business together, Ewing Oil. I think I can get us some contracted work in Qatar, of course all of the West Star work we can handle. You understand that and that girl you and Christopher grew up with, what's her name? Well anyway, I know you'll sneer but there's money in alternative energy too, so we bring in Christopher. Each of you gets your own focus. You make the money and he provides the reach for the future, technology that will one day make us all fabulously rich and the earth a bit cleaner, and oil people a bit poorer.
Fade to Black.
---------------------------------------------------------
Fade from Black
Ewing Bar B-Q out back at Southfork, including Christopher, Rebecca, John Ross, Elena, Betsy, Michael, (L) Bobby, Juan, J.R. and Megan McKenzie.
BETSY
(walking up and hugging John Ross) What is this I hear your father has Grandma's old room?

JOHN ROSS
I took a page from your book, not worth fighting over.

BETSY
How true.

CHRISTOPHER
(walking over to hug Betsy) and how is my favorite cousin?

BETSY
Wonderful. I saw the report on the progress you're making. Thirty years and we'll be leading the way in alternative energy. Elena has impressed me as well. Just goes to show you don't have to be old to make things happen. Speaking of which, did you hear about John Ross's deal in North Dakota, or should I say deals. What fifteen in all?

JOHN ROSS
I'm hoping for number 16 next Monday.

J.R.
A chip off the old block.

BETSY
Very True Uncle J.R. He's taking business away from Halliburton with every crack. (Megan steps up to her) Oh Megs, Christopher, I'd like you to meet Megs. She's coming on as legal counsel with Ewing Oil. You've got fifteen contracts to go over on Monday, you're going to be a busy woman working with my handsome cousin John Ross here, but don't neglect to make it to the other side of the campus to talk with Christopher. He's fascinating. Doing stuff I just don't understand.

MEGAN
(shakes Christopher's hand) Nice to meet you. We should have lunch some time.

CHRISTOPHER
(with a cheesy grin) Certainly. Betsy has told me all about you. Richard Channing called you his barracuda.

MEGAN
He likes to flatter. (shaking John Ross's hand) Nice to meet you again Mr. Ewing. I greatly appreciated your time the other day for my interview.

BETSY
Now don't go flirting with John Ross, he's a heart breaker.

JOHN ROSS
I don't mind in the least cousin.

BETSY
I do, the two of you will be working a little too close for emotions to get involved. Besides you're heart's taken and I won't have you consoling your self with Megs. (taking Meghan and Christopher’s arms and leading them to walk away) Now the two of you go find a magnolia tree to sit under. Christopher get her a piece of pie. (turning back to John Ross) Keep an eye on her when you're working with her. I don't completely trust her.

JOHN ROSS
So you send her off with Chris?

BETSY
Anything to keep Rebecca away from him.

JOHN ROSS
And what about my heart being taken?

BETSY
Oh come on, lie to yourself but not to me. What's the line, something about you're poisoned with her . . . and don't think it doesn't pain me to say it.

JOHN ROSS
Alright I'm getting another drink. You want something? Dad?

J.R.
No thank you, son.

BETSY
No thank you.

(John Ross leaves)

BETSY
(to J.R.) Now I've got Elena giving me dirty looks for trying to set Christopher up. If I could figure a way to get her out of here I'd send her packing faster then Aunt Pam or momma.

J.R.
I'm starting to get to like you.

BETSY
Well I'll take that as a complement considering I'm the only girl on Southfork in your life time you won't sleep with since Grandma, who you feared, and my sister Lucy who you, detested.

J.R.
(laughing) What makes you think I feared my momma?

BETSY
Now don't you go lying to me, Uncle J.R.

Move Camera to Next Scene on the Patio.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Fade from Black
John Ross, Bobby and Christopher are in the steam room of the Dallas athletic club. Michael walks in and sits down.

Bobby
Well if it isn’t another Ewing.

Michael
I appreciate the offer, but I’ll stay a Channing. Nice club though.

John Ross
Yea we’ve got enough Ewing males here in Dallas.

Christopher
Well I’ll consider you family.

Michael
I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.

John Ross
(laughing) Sounds like he is a quick study. We’ve got our good sides but I’m not sure it’s all worth the side effects.

Michael
Betsy assures me you are a tight-knit family, loyal and dedicated to each other, would never hear of hurting one and other.

John Ross
Betsy told you all that.

Michael
Well, more like that’s your potential.

Bobby
There’s a lot of potential.

Michael
Well I think its nice every intention of hers.

John Ross
What do you mean intention?

Michael
That's why she's here. She wants that. She didn't have a very stable upbrining Then again neither did I.

John Ross
We probably have more in common then in that way. So you thinking Betsy will be wife number one.

Michael
Not at all. My father loved my mother very much. When she died he remarried a wonderful woman, and she died.

John Ross
And what do you think of our Aunt Abbey?

Michael
Funny enough I like her. At first glance she's a gold digger but you soon realize that she is a fierce mother, and she considered me and my brother as much her children as her first two. She protected us, from preditors.

Christopher
Preditors?

Michael
I don't know your world, but in mine there are a great many people out to use you for a lot of different reasons.

Bobby
We are probably more a like then different in that regard.

John Ross
Looks like you take good care of my cousin.

Bobby
He does.

Christopher
In love ha?

Bobby
Yes he very much is.

John Ross
Well that's good. Novel around her among Ewing men.

Bobby
You'd be surpised.

John Ross
So you're really into this family thing?

Michael
Me, I have a family. My brother, father, Abby, Brian, Oliva, aunt Emma and a cousin, Lance, and his family. This is what Betsy wants.

Bobby
Don't let their bickering fool you. They can't live without each other and what Besty wants, Betsy gets.

John Ross
Including West Star.

Michael
I wouldn't suggest Sumner Channing make a bad investment; if she couldn't handle it, I wouldn't backer her. But she can handle that and more.

John Ross
You're the money behind Ewing Oil aren't you?

Michael
I suppose.

John Ross
I can see your hand all over this.

Michael
I will take care of Betsy, make no mistake of that.

Bobby
If she likes it or not.

John Ross
I've got to admit, you're a hard man to size up.

Fade to Black


Ideas:
1. John Ross & Elena become based on Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, Betsy and Michael are based on Christian and Anna (from Fifty Shades of Grey), and Bobby and Christopher as on again / off again singles. Note: Michael and Betsy are madly in love and he is unbelievably wealthy and very protective and while they bicker a lot about him being overwhelming it is playful. They are both strong willed. Betsy sits on the boards of West Star, Ewing Oil, Dallas Bank and Trust, Sumner Channing, Farlow Farms, etc. Betsy is the treasurer of Ewing Oil, while John Ross is the President and Bobby is the Vice President of Alternative Energies, president of EAE, a wholy owned subsiderary.

2. Sue Ellen is elected to the Senate and (Little) Bobby runs her office in Texas while she spends most of her time in Washington, D.C. He argues for financial conservatism while being socially liberal (including gay rights). Bobby and Ann leave to travel. J.R. takes the master bedroom at Southfork with a live-in nurse. His role is reduced to occasional appearances as head of the family (family patriarch, while Betsy is the acting head of the family)

3. Michael build's a school for poor children (mostly Hispanic)in Dallas that includes a boarding school and gets involved with the students including inviting them to weekends on the ranch for camp outs. He spends his day running the Angela Channing Foundation.

4. (L) Bobby ends up dating an older man (Juan Johnson, 44) who's the architect for Michael's school project and Betsy's new house. Turns out John Ross is trying to set him up to get him to leave Dallas which he thinks will send Betsy packing. Juan and Bobby are forced to 'come out' when they fall in love, ruining John Ross’s plan.

5. Betsy intervenes with Elena trying to get her to see how much John Ross loves her and he needs her because he is so unhappy, and how happy they would be with children on Southfork.

6. Betsy tries to get Christopher to date her friend Megan, a lawyer with the new Ewing Oil. Megan begins an affair with John Ross. She has a secret that no one knows, she's heavy into partying and drugs.

7. Christopher tires to conceal loosing millions on another failed attempt at alternative energy not realizing that Betsy expects him too fail more then he succeeds. He becomes sad and depressed over his life falling apart and with his work failing.

8. Betsy announces she is pregnant and figuring its another boy decides to name him Andrew Channing (Andrew after Anglea Channing). She is excited about building the new house now that they've started their family.

9. Meghan drugs and sleeps with Michael with the intent to take control of Sumner Channing as she knows Greg Sumner is her father and she thinks the company should be hers. Note: Meghan McKenzie as the first outside Antagonist the Ewings have to come together to fight.

Roles:
Protagonist 1: Christopher (portentous good-guy, spoiled and judgmental)
Protagonist 2: John Ross (sympathetic villain, hurt and acting out, appears at times as the antagonist, supported by Betsy)
Support: Betsy (family matriarch)
Support: Michael (an outsider to the family, supprotive of Betsy)
Support: (L) Bobby (seen as a rational man, fair and balanced)
Antagonist: outside forces

[SteveW]

Ok I made some changes to the above - minor - I found out about some stuff on this TNT time line I didn't know about. Anyway - here is the latest version. This is just an example. I am going to work on extending it and then I'll create another threat. Any feedback on her would be great to help me develop this idea. The idea is that this "New" Dallas focuses on the children, not the older people and while I hope it is loyal to the original show I hope that it moves on to prove that the Ewing's are not dysfunction but in fact have become very functional - and a united family where the antagonists come from outside the family. Anyway its just an idea I am hoping to develop for the fun of it and maybe say something about family. BTW I will gone from 6/20/2012 - 7/9/2012.

Dallas
"Four Cousins"

Set up: Get to the point, possibly a cliff hanger, where Bobby looses the ranch to the bank.

Added Characters:
1. Betsy Ewing (mid twenties, Gary's daughter)
2. Bobby Ewing (mid twenties, Betsy's twin brother)
3. Michael Channing (Betsy's fiancé and son of Richard Channing)

Added Character Details:
1. Betsy: a beautiful little California blonde girl who wears small little sun dresses and smiles a lot, yet she has a 165 I.Q. and an Olympic gold medal in skeet shooting. She is a new kind of businesswoman, believing in team work and win-win, environmental and community responsibility and fair play. She is not naïve but pragmatic and a realist. She sees the good in people not because she is fooled but because she seeks to bring it out. For example, she is a fierce defender of her cousin John Ross, seeing him as a lonely boy who has been used by those around him who desperately loves Elena though she appears to have used him to get over Christopher. While the youngest she sees herself as the matriarch of the Ewing’s, and while a businesswoman she plans on having several children.
2. Bobby: a big, strapping, handsome California blonde boy who dresses like an English gentleman and smiles all the time with these disarming grins. He has a 165 I.Q. and an Olympic gold medal in polo. He is a lawyer and social activist, a fierce conservative he believes in limited government and that the prior generations have sold out his generation economically with fierce debt. He is also gay and a social liberal. Like Betsy, they never functioned well with their peers, but they had each other. Bobby tends to be blunter as in straight forward. Where he doesn’t seem to really have much control over what he says, he always means well. Like many gifted people he is more sensitive to emotions and tactilely which explains the soft fabrics and the seeking out of sex as well as meaningful relationships.
3. Michael: he appears almost Mediterranean, very handsome and like Betsy simply dressed, never to impress. He is Michael Channing and that has always been enough to impress, countless generations of Channing’s at Hotchkiss and Yale, buildings with his name on them at Stanford. He is an avid reader, traveler and social commentator, yet he works very little. He is the new idly rich feeling a sense of noble responsibility, the highest of which is be a good father. He is madly in love with Betsy from the moment he sees her developing a crush on her. He is brilliant with words, writing and speaking, a charmer who at first glance my appear to be a lover not a fighter, he is in fact every bit the fighter as any one in his family and while it may seem like of the two Betsy is the warrior, Michael is more most fierce in his ability to protect her. His devotion to her is not a weakness but a strength as they are tested nothing can pull them apart.



From Knots Landing:
1. Greg Sumner
2. Abby Channing (nee Fairgate)
3. Gary Ewing
4. Val Ewing
5. Karen McKenzie
6. Mack McKenzie

From Falcon Crest:
1. Richard Channing (3rd wife Abby Channing above)
(possibly Kevin Channing, Lance Comson, Lisa Comson)


Idea:
Betsy buys the ranch from the bank with the intention of being married and raising a family there based on her grandmother's stories about growing up on the ranch (note: when Miss Ellie stopped traveling with Clayton they moved to Knots Landing to be with Gary's family and away from the fighting in Dallas and where they were able to be grandparents to their youngest grandchildren). Betsy divides the ranch to once and for all settle the disputes. (note: the mineral rights were retained by the bank and sold to West Star). Betsy offers to let Bobby live in Ray Krebs old house.

Fade from Black.
Bobby and J.R. walk into the entry hall of Southfork from the back arguing over how they are going to get back Southfork. Bobby doesn't want to fight for Southfork, arguing "what's done is done." J.R. reminds him they still have to evict him. They are startled by Betsy leaning on the banister looking down at them.

BETSY
Uncle Bobby, Uncle J.R.

BOBBY
Betsy, sweetie, what are you doing here?
(running to hug her)

BETSY
(hugging him at the bottom of the stairs)
I heard things were pretty bad.

BOBBY
I'm afraid we lost the ranch. I've tried everything to come up with the cash. I half expected J.R. to pull it out of his bottom. Afraid there is nothing I could do to stop it.

BETSY
Just a bad investment Uncle Bobby. I am certain Christopher has a good idea, but doesn't mean it will always work when you want it to. I've lost a lot on these alternative energy ideas myself for Sumner Channing. Try explaining thirty million dollars vanishing to your boss.

BOBBY
Well I am certain you've hedged your bets and made good in the long run.

BETSY
Sure. You shouldn’t have risked the ranch though. My daddy did the same thing for some sort of wave energy idea. Actually made a profit, unfortunately, not for him.

BOBBY
Well it’s something you do for your children. You risk the farm.

BETSY
If you say so Uncle Bobby.

J.R.
So honey I hope you didn't come here to say good bye to the place because your Uncle J.R. ain't gonna let that happen.

BETSY
Actually no. Actually I own the house and the hundred sixy acres right around it. But it this morning, not the mineral rights of course.

BOBBY
(grabbing a hold of Betsy tight and hugging her, picking her up off the ground and yelling ecstatically)
Oh Betsy, that's good news! That's wonderful news. How did you manage it? We couldn't even get them to work with us. Sue Ellen couldn't even pull any strings to help.

J.R.
Of course we wasn't about to let those mineral rights go.

BOBBY
You weren't J.R. but I don't care. At this point, I just want the house to stay in the family.

BETSY
It will Uncle Bobby. I'm getting married right here, raise a family on the ranch, just like all of Grandma's stories about her growing up right here at Southfork, one big Ewing family.


BOBBY
Oh Betsy I couldn't be happier. I don't know how you did it but I am so glad you did. And, so glad you'll be moving here.

Fade to Opening Credits
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fade from Black
J.R. and John Ross meet with a private investigator at the Cattleman's Club. He hands file folders to the two of them and gives a summary.

INVESTIAGTOR
She's a team leader for the Energy Division of Sumner Channing who just made Vice President, and not even thirty. They say she's brillant.

J.R.
How brillant?

INVESITAGOR
Both her and her brother went to Stanford, where she met Michael Channing working on his doctorate in History. She went onto Wharton for an MBA and then Chicago for a Ph.D. in Economics. Her brother Bobby has his Masters in Psychology from Berkley and J.D. from Harvard.

JOHN ROSS
Well educated ain't they.

J.R.
Certainly useful studies. What are they doing with all that education?

INVESTIGATOR
Richard Channing put her in energy acquisitions with Sumner Channing. Now she's a Vice President as she's putting together a merger with West Star. Which by the way, West Star acquired the mineral rights to Southfork.

JOHN ROSS
Let’s be surprised.

J.R.
This Richard Channing, third on the Forbes list, some thirty billion dollars, he's Michael's father?

INVESTIGATOR
Yes. As I’m sure you know Richard is the Chairman of Sumner Channing, a conglomerate of investments, I think you know Greg Sumner; Richard Channing married Sumner's x-wife Abby.

JOHN ROSS
Aunt Abby?

J.R.
That's the one. She always did know how to trade up. Sumner's what number 220 on the list.

INVESTIGATOR
Channing controls about thirty percent of Sumner Channing. But there's more money then that. He's got money stashed all over the world. You couldn't even begin to unravel that web. And, he's got friends that go back to his parents and east coast boarding schools.

JOHN ROSS
I'm familiar with those.

INVESTIGATOR
Anyway, Michael oversees about fiftenn billion in assets of the Angela Channing Foundation, his grandmother, and he's moving those offices here to Dallas. He bought the rest of the ranch but I'm told he's turning it over to Betsy. Appartently he funded the purchase of the house too. His brother Kevin meanwhile runs Globe Communications, which Sumner Channing is heavily invested in. I can keep digging but I just keep coming up with two facts, one, Betsy and her brother are exceedingly gifted, and two, these aren't people you can mess with.


JOHN ROSS
They messed with us.

INVESTIGATOR
(tapping on one of the folders)
That one details some very corrupt people, J.R. Richard Channing and his mother testified before Congress to bring about the end of a crime syndicate. You ask me they just disturbed things a bit. I'd say he's still got connections. I found connections to the Starvos's of Greece, the Reibmann's of Germany, even the Vargas crime family of Southern California.

BETSY
(sitting down in the empty chair at the table next to J.R.)
Uncle J.R. I could have saved you a lot of money. (tapping the folders) I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just don't insult me but thinking I don't know what you're doing. (looking at John Ross) I'd like you to move into Southfork, into Grandma's old room. As soon as we can figure it out, we can work on you buying the place from me. I'm going to give my brother and Christopher each ten acres to build there own houses. I've set aside a nice sixty acre parcel for me and in the next few years I plan on building a house of my own. The rest of the land is part of the Southfork Land Conservancy Foundation, a non-profit making money off of cattle grazing rents to maintain the land and donate to worthwhile causes in the Dallas area. We four cousins will be its board of trustees. Michael is selling the cattle grazing operations to Farlow Farms. (looking at J.R.) See Uncle J.R. we can all get along. No one in this family is out to hurt anyone anymore. We need to start making better choices. I think it’s that I'm the only Ewing girl of my generation (looking at the Investigator), among all those Ewing boys, legitimate and otherwise.

J.R.
Tearing apart my family's ranch and thinking we are all going to get along is a bit naive.

BETSY
Well, if you want a war Uncle J.R. that’s up to you. I just hope you realize I'm not my daddy and I'm not Uncle Bobby. And, I sure as hell ain't you. You turn this into a war and I'll discard you like a Ewing bastard.

J.R.
See here, I always thought you were a sweet little girl. Good morals, don't drink, don't smoke, probably still a virgin; you exercise, eat right, plain dresser, well educated. The kind of girl who is charitable, thinking of the greater good. But I have a feeling your old Uncle J.R. didn't realize that you're every bit in control of your surroundings. I won't be underestimating you.

BETSY
I always thought you were a pathetic little boy, lonely, looking to charm and steel what ever you could get to fill you up because really you have nothing. Your wife married you for your money. Your son here doesn't look up to you. Your illegitimate children, and there are many, despise you. You'll screw any girl you can get your hands on to take away that empty feeling of disgust in yourself. You try to control everything because frankly you have no control. Your daddy thought you were a fat worthless lump and your momma babied you too much. Turns out you're really very sad. Now ask yourself, which of us is going to get up and walk away? Because it sure isn't going to be me.

J.R.
What makes you think it’s going to be me? (Betsy hands him a folder which he opens and reads the contents. He looks up at her. Gives her a smile. He gets up and walks away).

JOHN ROSS
Should I even ask what's in the folder?

BETSY
You don't want to know. So John Ross, I have this idea. (looking at the Investigator) You can go now. (he leaves and she looks back at John Ross). I want to talk to Christopher about this too. Bobby and I have an investment in a little oil field services start up. I thought the four of us could go into business together, Ewing Oil. I think I can get us some contracted work in Qatar, of course all of the West Star work we can handle. You understand that and that girl you and Christopher grew up with, what's her name? Well anyway, I know you'll sneer but there's money in alternative energy too, so we bring in Christopher. Each of you gets your own focus. You make the money and he provides the reach for the future, technology that will one day make us all fabulously rich and the earth a bit cleaner, and oil people a bit poorer.
Fade to Black.
---------------------------------------------------------
Fade from Black
Ewing Bar B-Q out back at Southfork, including Christopher, Rebecca, John Ross, Elena, Betsy, Michael, (L) Bobby, Juan, J.R. and Megan McKenzie.
BETSY
(walking up and hugging John Ross) What is this I hear your father has Grandma's old room?

JOHN ROSS
I took a page from your book, not worth fighting over.

BETSY
How true.

CHRISTOPHER
(walking over to hug Betsy) and how is my favorite cousin?

BETSY
Wonderful. I saw the report on the progress you're making. Thirty years and we'll be leading the way in alternative energy. Elena has impressed me as well. Just goes to show you don't have to be old to make things happen. Speaking of which, did you hear about John Ross's deal in North Dakota, or should I say deals. What fifteen in all?

JOHN ROSS
I'm hoping for number 16 next Monday.

J.R.
A chip off the old block.

BETSY
Very True Uncle J.R. He's taking business away from Halliburton with every crack. (Megan steps up to her) Oh Megs, Christopher, I'd like you to meet Megs. She's coming on as legal counsel with Ewing Oil. You've got fifteen contracts to go over on Monday, you're going to be a busy woman working with my handsome cousin John Ross here, but don't neglect to make it to the other side of the campus to talk with Christopher. He's fascinating. Doing stuff I just don't understand.

MEGAN
(shakes Christopher's hand) Nice to meet you. We should have lunch some time.

CHRISTOPHER
(with a cheesy grin) Certainly. Betsy has told me all about you. Richard Channing called you his barracuda.

MEGAN
He likes to flatter. (shaking John Ross's hand) Nice to meet you again Mr. Ewing. I greatly appreciated your time the other day for my interview.

BETSY
Now don't go flirting with John Ross, he's a heart breaker.

JOHN ROSS
I don't mind in the least cousin.

BETSY
I do, the two of you will be working a little too close for emotions to get involved. Besides you're heart's taken and I won't have you consoling your self with Megs. (taking Meghan and Christopher’s arms and leading them to walk away) Now the two of you go find a magnolia tree to sit under. Christopher get her a piece of pie. (turning back to John Ross) Keep an eye on her when you're working with her. I don't completely trust her.

JOHN ROSS
So you send her off with Chris?

BETSY
Anything to keep Rebecca away from him.

JOHN ROSS
And what about my heart being taken?

BETSY
Oh come on, lie to yourself but not to me. What's the line, something about you're poisoned with her . . . and don't think it doesn't pain me to say it.

JOHN ROSS
Alright I'm getting another drink. You want something? Dad?

J.R.
No thank you, son.

BETSY
No thank you.

(John Ross leaves)

BETSY
(to J.R.) Now I've got Elena giving me dirty looks for trying to set Christopher up. If I could figure a way to get her out of here I'd send her packing faster then Aunt Pam or momma.

J.R.
I'm starting to get to like you.

BETSY
Well I'll take that as a complement considering I'm the only girl on Southfork in your life time you won't sleep with since Grandma, who you feared, and my sister Lucy who you, detested.

J.R.
(laughing) What makes you think I feared my momma?

BETSY
Now don't you go lying to me, Uncle J.R.

Move Camera to Next Scene on the Patio.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Fade from Black
John Ross, Bobby and Christopher are in the steam room of the Dallas athletic club. Michael walks in and sits down.

Bobby
Well if it isn’t another Ewing.

Michael
I appreciate the offer, but I’ll stay a Channing. Nice club though.

John Ross
Yea we’ve got enough Ewing males here in Dallas.

Christopher
Well I’ll consider you family.

Michael
I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.

John Ross
(laughing) Sounds like he is a quick study. We’ve got our good sides but I’m not sure it’s all worth the side effects.

Michael
Betsy assures me you are a tight-knit family, loyal and dedicated to each other, would never hear of hurting one and other.

John Ross
Betsy told you all that.

Michael
Well, more like that’s your potential.

Bobby
There’s a lot of potential.

Michael
Well I think its nice every intention of hers.

John Ross
What do you mean intention?

Michael
That's why she's here. She wants that. She didn't have a very stable upbrining Then again neither did I.

John Ross
We probably have more in common then in that way. So you thinking Betsy will be wife number one.

Michael
Not at all. My father loved my mother very much. When she died he remarried a wonderful woman, and she died.

John Ross
And what do you think of our Aunt Abbey?

Michael
Funny enough I like her. At first glance she's a gold digger but you soon realize that she is a fierce mother, and she considered me and my brother as much her children as her first two. She protected us, from preditors.

Christopher
Preditors?

Michael
I don't know your world, but in mine there are a great many people out to use you for a lot of different reasons.

Bobby
We are probably more a like then different in that regard.

John Ross
Looks like you take good care of my cousin.

Bobby
He does.

Christopher
In love ha?

Bobby
Yes he very much is.

John Ross
Well that's good. Novel around her among Ewing men.

Bobby
You'd be surpised.

John Ross
So you're really into this family thing?

Michael
Me, I have a family. My brother, father, Abby, Brian, Oliva, aunt Emma and a cousin, Lance, and his family. This is what Betsy wants.

Bobby
Don't let their bickering fool you. They can't live without each other and what Besty wants, Betsy gets.

John Ross
Including West Star.

Michael
I wouldn't suggest Sumner Channing make a bad investment; if she couldn't handle it, I wouldn't backer her. But she can handle that and more.

John Ross
You're the money behind Ewing Oil aren't you?

Michael
I suppose.

John Ross
I can see your hand all over this.

Michael
I will take care of Betsy, make no mistake of that.

Bobby
If she likes it or not.

John Ross
I've got to admit, you're a hard man to size up.

Fade to Black


Ideas:
1. John Ross & Elena become based on Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, Betsy and Michael are based on Christian and Anna (from Fifty Shades of Grey), and Bobby and Christopher as on again / off again singles. Note: Michael and Betsy are madly in love and he is unbelievably wealthy and very protective and while they bicker a lot about him being overwhelming it is playful. They are both strong willed. Betsy sits on the boards of West Star, Ewing Oil, Dallas Bank and Trust, Sumner Channing, Farlow Farms, etc. Betsy is the treasurer of Ewing Oil, while John Ross is the President and Bobby is the Vice President of Alternative Energies, president of EAE, a wholy owned subsiderary.

2. Sue Ellen is elected to the Senate and (Little) Bobby runs her office in Texas while she spends most of her time in Washington, D.C. He argues for financial conservatism while being socially liberal (including gay rights). Bobby and Ann leave to travel. J.R. takes the master bedroom at Southfork with a live-in nurse. His role is reduced to occasional appearances as head of the family (family patriarch, while Betsy is the acting head of the family)

3. Michael build's a school for poor children (mostly Hispanic)in Dallas that includes a boarding school and gets involved with the students including inviting them to weekends on the ranch for camp outs. He spends his day running the Angela Channing Foundation.

4. (L) Bobby ends up dating an older man (Juan Johnson, 44) who's the architect for Michael's school project and Betsy's new house. Turns out John Ross is trying to set him up to get him to leave Dallas which he thinks will send Betsy packing. Juan and Bobby are forced to 'come out' when they fall in love, ruining John Ross’s plan.

5. Betsy intervenes with Elena trying to get her to see how much John Ross loves her and he needs her because he is so unhappy, and how happy they would be with children on Southfork.

6. Betsy tries to get Christopher to date her friend Megan, a lawyer with the new Ewing Oil. Megan begins an affair with John Ross. She has a secret that no one knows, she's heavy into partying and drugs.

7. Christopher tires to conceal loosing millions on another failed attempt at alternative energy not realizing that Betsy expects him too fail more then he succeeds. He becomes sad and depressed over his life falling apart and with his work failing.

8. Betsy announces she is pregnant and figuring its another boy decides to name him Andrew Channing (Andrew after Anglea Channing). She is excited about building the new house now that they've started their family.

9. Meghan drugs and sleeps with Michael with the intent to take control of Sumner Channing as she knows Greg Sumner is her father and she thinks the company should be hers. Note: Meghan McKenzie as the first outside Antagonist the Ewings have to come together to fight.

Roles:
Protagonist 1: Christopher (portentous good-guy, spoiled and judgmental)
Protagonist 2: John Ross (sympathetic villain, hurt and acting out, appears at times as the antagonist, supported by Betsy)
Support: Betsy (family matriarch)
Support: Michael (an outsider to the family, supprotive of Betsy)
Support: (L) Bobby (seen as a rational man, fair and balanced)
Antagonist: outside forces

[Jessie]

Great start to your story, I loved reading it, looking forward to more.

[SteveW]

Thank you. I'm going to be gone for three weeks but I will be writing so I am hoping in about 4 weeks to have something. The bits I gave are just examples and it seems liked enough so I'm going to work on my plot as if it is Season 2 - lots of assumptions I'll have to make but I think it will be fun. I am really hoping this show does well - not that they have to use my ideas - but I am hoping it works because I'd like to watch the Ewings again - just hope this time they find a way to be a family.

[Jessie]

Have a nice time on your trip, your ideas for the show are great. I hope the show does well to, I like it so far.

[SteveW]

Have a nice time on your trip, your ideas for the show are great. I hope the show does well to, I like it so far.

Thank you - got back a few days ago. I'm going to work on put together some more ideas and start a new threat - one without all these rewrites. I'll call it something 2.0. Then as the series changes I can change things and go to 3.0. First night I came home and couldn't sleep caught up on 4 of the new shows - really loved it. Yea I see some of the complaints regarding the old show but I think there is a lot of good too. I also think to make it long term and make it really big in 2012 they have to not just be the old Dallas but the new Dallas. I want a show my young adult children will watch too and we can talk about it and I can say something about the old Dallas and they can get it with a smile. Right now I'm not so sure how it plays with anyone but my age group and older. My children aren't interested and neither are their friends. My daughter said to me when I told her a bit - maybe if the boys said to their dad's - get out of our way and lets us run things, its our turn, it would be interesting. I had to laugh. I know a guy with 40,000 acres in Australia that said the same thing as he's about to retire and get out of his kids way. So my fingers are cross - kept a look out for 4 Cousins 2.0 (by the their is an Alcot novel called 8 Cousins - - kind of the idea but not so many cousins, though I could find 4 more, Cally's Son, Jason, Lucy, I think Bobby has another doesn't he? - all in the wood work I guess).

[original fan]

[QUOTE=SteveW;3397022] ..........They are the Ewings - but unlike the last generation of Ewings - this generation works together - they have squabbles but they don't tear themselves apart - they tear others apart. The old series was fun to watch in its day - but I hope these kids learned something new........

I love this line of thinking. I'm hoping that after this week's episode (where the Ewings are supposed to pull tgether) that the relationship is less combative.

[SteveW]

[QUOTE=original fan;3414937]

..........They are the Ewings - but unlike the last generation of Ewings - this generation works together - they have squabbles but they don't tear themselves apart - they tear others apart. The old series was fun to watch in its day - but I hope these kids learned something new........

I love this line of thinking. I'm hoping that after this week's episode (where the Ewings are supposed to pull tgether) that the relationship is less combative.

I am so glad someone agrees with me. I find that so many original fans want the original show back up and running and I don't - that's what the reruns are for. I want a new show. Thank you. I will use this statement in a post. Please look for it.

[SteveW]

Continuation of this or maybe not connected at all see The Next Generation Coming of Age

[SteveW]

Have a nice time on your trip, your ideas for the show are great. I hope the show does well to, I like it so far.

Jessie,

Thank you for reading my other fan fictions as the season went on.

I have developed another I plan on adding to between now and the start of Season 2:

http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.p...ng-to-Season-2

I would greatly appreciate your feedback. You'll noticed I've taken from my previous fan fictions as well.

I have tried to create the idea that John Ross and Betsy are the team on which the show is anchored. They are what we can rely on weak to weak. John Ross as the guy people love to watch and Betsy the girl they love to watch to see what the hell she does next, both as complex (not all good or all bad) and strong, John Ross a big tougher and Betsy a bit craftier. I see John Ross like a Jock and Betsy like an Abby. Their goal, to bring the Ewing's to the prominence they once had by controlling their cousins and fighting their parents. If Cat on a Hot Tin Roof inspired the original, then Fathers and Sons inspires my version - both excellent stories about families.

I am not a writer but I enjoy putting the rambling inside my head down on paper. Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy my story and I hope it gives you something to think about.

Steve

[SteveW]

Have a nice time on your trip, your ideas for the show are great. I hope the show does well to, I like it so far.

Jessie,

Thank you for reading my other fan fictions as the season went on.

I have developed another I plan on adding to between now and the start of Season 2:

http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.p...ng-to-Season-2

I would greatly appreciate your feedback. You'll noticed I've taken from my previous fan fictions as well.

I have tried to create the idea that John Ross and Betsy are the team on which the show is anchored. They are what we can rely on weak to weak. John Ross as the guy people love to watch and Betsy the girl they love to watch to see what the hell she does next, both as complex (not all good or all bad) and strong, John Ross a big tougher and Betsy a bit craftier. I see John Ross like a Jock and Betsy like an Abby. Their goal, to bring the Ewing's to the prominence they once had by controlling their cousins and fighting their parents. If Cat on a Hot Tin Roof inspired the original, then Fathers and Sons inspires my version - both excellent stories about families.

I am not a writer but I enjoy putting the rambling inside my head down on paper. Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy my story and I hope it gives you something to think about.

Steve

[Jessie]

I loved your new story SteveW, I love all your stories.