Sue Ellen Ewing for Governor: All Bite, No Bark - Story Collection

[Cowboy Wrangler]

No! That was too short! I got my coworkers reading it so we can discuss it LOL. I do not like Aubry, what a B.

[Texas Tea]

oh I'm on the edge of my seat reading this, please update soon!

So thrilled to know this! Thank you

@Cowboy Wrangler That's amazing! And I don't much like Aubrey either. I think nearly every office has one though.

[Texas Tea]

[This scene shows Sue Ellen discovering something disturbing on her way to the State Health Care Reform meeting at UNT in Fort Worth where she is a guest as candidate for governor. After some panic, Sue Ellen takes comfort knowing her campaign assistant Mark will come through by finding something about Harris Ryland that Sue Ellen can use as a counter-attack on his attempts to blackmail her. Unbeknownst to Sue Ellen though, Mark has come up empty back at the office even though he led her to believe otherwise before she left this afternoon as seen in Post #19 of this thread.*Also, the scene in the Dallas 2012 finale where Ann records Ryland confessing to his blackmail has not happened in my story.]

"The Virus"
SCENE 4
Created 8/17/12

About halfway from the health care meeting site, Sue Ellen’s iPad makes the sound indicating a new message received in her private email account. Only a few people have the address. Sue Ellen hopes it’s from John Ross, accepting her invitation to dinner. She wishes she’d taken Aubrey’s suggestion of hiring a driver to take her to the meeting. The traffic on the I-30 is congesting and she’s traveling out to Fort Worth at little over 35 mph. She’s tempted to pull her iPad out of her bag and open the email. As a novice iPad user, she thinks better of it while driving.

Nearly 30 minutes later, Sue Ellen sees the University of North Texas Health Science Center up ahead. She pulls into the parking structure and games for a spot, happy she has almost 20 minutes to spare. After a few passes on the lower floors she drives all the way up to the roof. Better reception up there for the iPad anyway. She parks but keeps the air conditioner running and takes out the iPad. She taps her little email icon and smiles in anticipation that John Ross has made some time for her. Her inbox displays and indicates one new message from Harris Ryland. What? Sue Ellen’s disappointment is quickly replaced with annoyance and a bit of alarm. How did he get this email address and what’s this about? The message’s subject line is simply “Check Mate” and there is a media file attached.

Should she open it? What if it’s a virus? That is something Ryland would do just for the hell of it. She wishes Mark were here to ask. She could call him. No. She doesn’t want to seem like a paranoid old broad afraid of technology. Plus he’s busy working on her project. But what if opening it allows Ryland access to her linked accounts? Her campaign emails and personal correspondence? God! Sue Ellen curses the day Harris Ryland was born.

Stop it. Calm down. This hysteria is exactly what he would enjoy. Now think. Didn’t Mark explain to her how secure the Apple operating system is? And the email clearly indicates it’s from Ryland. Wouldn’t it be stupid to use your own name to launch a virus? To hell with it. She double clicks the media file. A video begins playing. Sue Ellen gasps and her stomach churns. She turns the volume up all the way, shaking her head in disbelief.

There she is, in the Medical Examiner’s lab asking him to rule Marta Del Sol’s death a suicide for John Ross’s sake. Sue Ellen closes her eyes when the video replays her offering the Examiner a post in her gubernatorial cabinet as a bribe. She hears her own voice trying to manipulate him. She thinks she sounds ridiculous. How could she have been so careless? Of course there are video cameras in the coroner’s office.

Sue Ellen pauses the video. That familiar wave of despair is rising within her. For a few moments she wonders what gave her the idea she could do this – make power plays against these men, virtually bust her son out of jail, run for governor – any of it, all of it? She turns the air conditioner vent towards her and cranks it full blast. She looks upward, searching for something…an idea, a favor to call in…She focuses on the mighty UNT Center for BioHealth tower rising above her. So much ground-breaking research going on in there. So many lives, possibly her own, may be saved by the beautiful minds inside some day. And the meeting she’s here for is a step towards that.

No. She will not be moved by Harris Ryland’s bullying and she won’t clean his dirty money either. He can kiss my rich Texas ass on that, she says to herself. I’m not anyone’s fool anymore and I’ll be damned if I’ll be in someone’s pocket forever just for one small mistake on behalf of my son’s welfare. Bring it, you dirty bastard, Sue Ellen says aloud. Is this all you’ve got?

It dawns on her that if Ryland were to use this video against her he would also expose the Medical Examiner’s crime of ruling the death a suicide. So his friend is only collateral damage to him. Sue Ellen makes a mental note of this. Ryland’s not to be trusted on any level, surprise, surprise.

She makes herself watch the rest of the video, closes the player and scrolls down the message to see the text, “You’ve got 24 hours to get back to me, or this plays on the evening news. Tick, tock honey.” Sue Ellen slaps her iPad cover closed. Just wait until Ryland sees whatever unscrupulous things Mark’s uncovered on him. It’s sure to turn the tables and we’ll see who’s clock is ticking then, Sue Ellen thinks. She powders her face, applies fresh red lipstick and walks to her meeting with a big smile.

[Jessie]

Great updates Ryland is a total jerk, I love seeing Sue Ellen strong, great story.

[Texas Tea]

Great updates Ryland is a total jerk, I love seeing Sue Ellen strong, great story.

Thank you Jessie! It's fun to read your reactions. I wasn't sure I would like a strong, clear-headed Sue Ellen but I do. She's going to have some backsliding now and then but she has better coping skills now

[Diamond]

I love this story! I always find it amazing when I can read fiction that is better...FAR better than a paid writer's script.

[Texas Tea]

I love this story! I always find it amazing when I can read fiction that is better...FAR better than a paid writer's script.

Wow! What a nice thing to say. I'm so pleased you're enjoying it and I think I'll celebrate the end of my first episode by devouring a normally forbidden cupcake. Please stay tuned everyone! Episode "Cold as Ice" is forthcoming.

[Lovely Linda]

I really wish the new Sue Ellen would have been a little more like you write her

[Texas Tea]

I really wish the new Sue Ellen would have been a little more like you write her

I'm honored, thank you. I am following some of the threads on the other side of this board about the discontent over Sue Ellen's governor storyline. I seem to be in the minority of those who think the idea has great potential. I believe the most trouble lies with cheating viewers, and Sue Ellen, out of back story explaining the desire. I think characters are only limited by writers' imaginations. Again I use Breaking Bad as a master example. Just when you think it can't possibly get worse for any particular character, it does but they find a way out. And the opposite too - when things couldn't be better, they screw it up and it all goes wrong. It's the perfect yin and yang and it so beautifully imitates life.

[MrsSuperman93]

I'm sorry I've missed a few updates, but they've been brilliant to read! I can't wait to see how Sue Ellen will deal with Ryland.

[Texas Tea]

I'm sorry I've missed a few updates, but they've been brilliant to read! I can't wait to see how Sue Ellen will deal with Ryland.

Oh thank you so much! I appreciate you checking back to read on. Ryland is becoming the boogie man.

[Texas Tea]

[This scene takes place after Harris Ryland emailed Sue Ellen a video of her offering the Medical Examiner a bribe in exchange for him ruling Marta del Sol's death a suicide as seen in Post #23 of this thread. Sue Ellen watched the video on her iPad in her car in Fort Worth as she's about to attend a State health care reform meeting. She is unsettled as she didn't know Ryland had proof of her bribe, which he was using to blackmail her.]

"Cold as Ice"
SCENE 1
Created 8/19/12

Harris Ryland’s computer dings with the arrival of a new email. He checks his Rolex Daytona watch, 11:15 a.m., and rolls his desk chair over to the large iMac monitor. His inbox shows one new message, a return receipt for the unpleasant video he sent Sue Ellen this morning. Excellent, she’s opened it. Harris nearly squeals with glee. Even he is surprised by the extent of joy he feels knowing she has seen his proof of her laughable attempt to bribe the Medical Examiner. Silly old gal.

Yes, Sue Ellen was just another mama battling blind for her child, lobbing little firecrackers at foes who mean him harm only to have them fizzle out on impact. She’s got no business with these political aspirations of hers, none at all. What’s she think? Any old rich bitch can come along and buy the governorship like a new handbag? Well now, it just may be her lucky day. The office might be for sale and Harris might broker the deal for her. But she’ll damn well do as she’s told. Sooner she learns that the better, for both of them.

Harris cuts his reveling short and gets in the right frame of mind to receive a phone call any moment from a hysterical Sue Ellen. He’s got to play this just right, like the owner of a new puppy that’s soiled the carpet – firm enough to show who’s boss but forgiving to where the puppy still wants to please its owner. Harris hopes he doesn’t laugh. The work day is so much more entertaining with these emotional little women dabbling in business.

Twenty minutes pass. His phone does not ring.

[Cowboy Wrangler]

Wow Harris Ryland is a piece of work. What big jerk. LOL I log on to post here and call your characters names! Enjoyed the update. suspenseful! Why does he have it out for Sue Ellen so much?

[Jessie]

I loved the update maybe Sue Ellen will come face to face with him maybe he will get a big old slap, he is a piece of work. Great story.

[Texas Tea]

Wow Harris Ryland is a piece of work. What big jerk. LOL I log on to post here and call your characters names! Enjoyed the update. suspenseful! Why does he have it out for Sue Ellen so much?

Yes Harris Ryland is a douche in my story. I love him! As for having Sue Ellen in his sights, his underlying motive is being chauvinistic. He enjoys devaluing women as I've seen with his interactions with Ann and Sue Ellen. I think his issues with Sue Ellen got personal when she didn't launder his money. He sees her as a pawn and her disobedience, aka strength, has become something he wants to break in her at all costs. In my story, he also despises her because she introduced his ex-wife to Bobby, resulting in marriage and he hates the Ewings simply because he envies their wealth and power. You saw him go up against Bobby with the assault charges last season, demanding that apology or else. He wants to clip the men's wings but he'd like to annihilate the women. It's sport to him. He would definitely belong to Slytherin at Hogwarts.

I loved the update maybe Sue Ellen will come face to face with him maybe he will get a big old slap, he is a piece of work. Great story.

Thanks Jessie. Sue Ellen's got something special for Ryland. She's going all in, so to speak!

[Fajita Mel]

I am intrigued. The virus...how long has she had it, how did she get it, who else knows about it?

[Texas Tea]

I am intrigued. The virus...how long has she had it, how did she get it, who else knows about it?

Yes I had the same questions. All will be revealed by the story's end. I struggled with giving it to her; that's not at all what I want for Sue Ellen but I decided not to fight the fiction or my rather unbridled imagination. Also I think it's a believable catalyst to call someone to action if they're so inclined - in her case seeking the governorship and its power to help those she represents. Sue Ellen has become very maternal at this stage and this is an extension of that. I think it's natural for her and even JR to think about mortality as seniors and I'm experimenting with how that might affect their behavior while still respecting their personalities. It's simultaneously challenging and marvelous. My storyline involves less affairs and other vices but perhaps the issues they struggle with now are even more conflicting than that, which should make for some good drama

Thanks very much for commenting!

[Texas Tea]

[Sue Ellen is at the State Healthcare Reform Committee meeting hosted at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. She is a guest observer of the State Medicaid Director, her friend Amalie Marx. As the meeting starts, Harris Ryland sits in his Dallas office certain he'll receive a call any minute from Sue Ellen in hysterics over a blackmail video he emailed her this morning as seen in Post #32 of this thread. The call does not come, throwing Ryland off his game momentarily. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen's campaign assistant Mark is back at her campaign office coming up empty with his Ryland research although he led Sue Ellen to believe he'd found something useful before she left for Fort Worth]

Cold as Ice
SCENE 2
Created 8/24/12

Sue Ellen listens to the health care discussion from her chair on one side of the longest conference table she’s ever seen. The great length between table ends could not be more apropos for the polarizing views this Texas Health Care Reform Committee expresses today. It is easy to pin political affiliation on each speaker, even if Mark hadn’t researched the attendees for her.

Sue Ellen sits next to her friend, State Medicaid Director Amalie Marx, who introduced her as seeking candidacy for governor when the meeting began. The discussion sounds so clinical to Sue Ellen. She doubts any of these people are personally affected by the points they are making. The group members are all employed by well-known agencies. They have health insurance and perhaps they’ve never even had to use it beyond routine things.

The discussion turns toward prescription drugs. Sue Ellen listens patiently at first. Before long her tail feathers are bristling. She bites her lip trying to keep quiet; she’s only an observer here.

A health insurance executive is speaking about the pre-existing condition exclusions now. He confirms his risk analysis figures with his underwriter sitting beside him for emphasis. He is endorsing current policy as if it were as simple as deciding to invest in waterfront property or a double wide trailer in Redbird.

Before she knows it, Sue Ellen is standing. The speaker stops. Other attendees look up from their mobile devices. They turn from him to Sue Ellen who is staring at him as she stands in place. “Pardon me for interrupting. But I have something to add, if I may,” she asks.

Certain she can’t pass up a chance to plug her campaign, the insurance manager says, “Oh. I’m sure you do Mrs. Ewing. Please, continue,” he says with a smirk.

“Thank you. Just a quick moment, if you please. I qualify for Medicare this year, although you may find that hard to believe,” Sue Ellen winks and gets a few tentative laughs. I’m thankful for it, because before turning 65 this year I paid for my care myself. Not just insurance, my entire care – medicine, tests, procedures, surgeries – all of it. Good thing I’m wealthy because on occasion my medical bills were more than a year’s salary for most of you,” Sue Ellen says. With this, she has everyone’s complete attention.

“You see, I have a pre-existing condition. I am one of those risks you were talking about,” she says. A young assistant sitting one row behind the table makes the sign for drinking with his thumb and pinky and holds it to his mouth for a second. He and his coworker share a knowing smile.

“And it's not for drinking,” Sue Ellen continues. “Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room, ladies and gentleman. I am a recovering alcoholic. I’m not proud of it, but I haven’t touched a drop in 20 years and I am proud of that. So end of story,” she says.

“My point is that I am very fortunate I can pay for my care and I’m reminded of that every evening at 6 p.m. when I take my expensive pill. Without it I’d be long dead. I take Atripla because I am HIV positive. I was diagnosed 12 years ago. Overall I’m doing well because I get proper treatment. I’ve had an undetectable viral load for quite some time and I may even expect to live an average life span. But that changes the instant I stop my treatment regimen. Simple as that,” Sue Ellen says. The room is silent.

Sue Ellen clears her throat and continues. She is surprised and emboldened by her own steadiness. “I’m not looking for your pity or your well wishes. I am telling you this to put a face on your policy decisions, to humanize this most important process. There are tens of thousands of us on the cliff’s edge, if not already thrown off. The able-bodied unemployed who do not qualify for Medicaid, the part-time uninsured workers who develop conditions before they can get coverage, the fixed income seniors facing Medicare cuts, these are all failures of humanity. We can do better. We must do better and it starts here, with your committee. I urge you to support health care reform. I changed political parties because of it and it is a cornerstone of my campaign,” Sue Ellen says.

All the attendees sit transfixed on her. No one moves or speaks. As Sue Ellen sits back down, her friend Amalie touches her hand. Sue Ellen notices the woman on her other side scoots her chair slightly away and she is reminded once more of the scarlet letter she wears.

The meeting adjourns shortly after with food for thought and items tabled for next month. Sue Ellen thanks the group for the experience and walks back to Amalie’s office with her. Along the way Sue Ellen shares her frustration with the chair scooter.

“Sue Ellen, honey, my grandparents were German Jews who fled to America to escape the Holocaust. You don’t have to explain feeling persecuted to me. I understand this most cruel injustice on any level. Channel your fury, use it to change what needs changin’. You’re here today, you spoke up. You’re doing it and I believe in you. Sue Ellen smiles and nods her head. Amalie hugs her and says, “How about dinner now?”

“Oh I’d love to, I really would – “

“But?”

“But I’ve got an important meeting with a campaign assistant,” Sue Ellen says.

“Huh. Driving back to Dallas in rush hour on a Thursday night? Must be real important, honey,” Amalie jokes.

“He’s disarming an incoming missile,” Sue Ellen replies.

“Ooh sounds dangerous. I hope you counter-attack! Well as always, let me know if I can be of help. Goodnight honey, you drive safe now,” Amalie says.

Sue Ellen blows her a kiss and nearly runs back to her car. Making her statement in the meeting was exhilarating. She is meant to do this, she knows it. She wants be a spokesperson at the State level, a real policy maker. Imagine.

Sue Ellen sits in her car on the parking structure roof and calls Mark. He picks up on the first ring. “Hello Mark! The meeting went so well. I spoke about what my illness would be like for the uninsured…put a real face to policy, you know? Everyone sat bug-eyed and frozen in place. It felt wonderful. If nothing else, I got them thinking about what they’re doing here, what they’re doing to people’s lives. Well, more later. How are you doing? I can’t wait to meet and see what you’ve got for me on Harris Ryland!...Mark? Are you there?”

“Yes, yes I’m here. That’s just great Mrs. Ewing. I admire you, I really do. It’s an honor to work on your campaign. It really is. Um. Yes. Well, Mrs. Ewing? You know I completely support your candidacy right?” Mark asks.

“Well of course, yes of course I do Mark. Is everything alright? You sound, I don’t know, different...Hey, is someone trying to recruit you? Is that it Mark? I’m not surprised. You are so smart and clever with those computers,” Sue Ellen says.

“No! Oh no, not at all Mrs. Ewing. No, I’m fine and I’m not interested in another job. I think I’m just hungry. Low blood sugar or whatever it is,” Mark says.

“Oh of course. I’m sorry Mark, I’ve kept you waitin’ on me and it’s nearly dinner time. You sit tight. I’m calling Bob’s Steak and Chop right now and have a delicious meal fit for a king delivered to you. I –”

“Oh god no Mrs. Ewing, that is not necessary, believe me – “

Sue Ellen interrupts, “Now you listen to me young man. There will be steak and you will eat it and love it, because you deserve it. Is that clear?” She laughs and says goodbye. Hiring him was a great decision. She’s got to call Lucy and thank her again.

###

Mark hangs up his desk phone. The receiver is wet from his sweaty palm. God. Mrs. Ewing is driving back from Fort Worth totally psyched about her health care meeting and eager to hear what he’s got for her…and he’s got air, absolutely nothing. And she’s sending a steak dinner from a five-star chop house to boot. Mark laughs aloud at his epic failure.

He takes his coffee-stained tie, as Aubrey so kindly pointed out this morning, and pulls it up around his neck like a noose. He suddenly sees Aubrey’s reflection in his computer monitor. She is looking at him through the blinds of his office window as he tightens his tie noose. He turns and waves at her. She shakes her head and leaves for the day.

Mark’s phone rings again. Oh god. Here she is again. It’s Mrs. Ewing calling back to ask exactly what he’s found. Why wouldn’t she? He couldn’t believe she hadn’t already. The phone rings two, three, four times. Mark punches his thigh with his fist. Oh man up, he says to himself. Shoot the dying horse already.

“Hello?”

“Hey there Marky, it’s Lucy! How’s my little geeky brother-in-law?”

“Oh, Lucy! Oh – “

“Well you sure sound happy I called,” Lucy giggles. “I have that effect on people, you know.”

“Yeah, well, it must be great to be you,” Mark says.

“Geez, why so cranky Marky? Is my Auntie Sue Ellen bustin’ your ass at work?”

“No, no. It’s been busy but I love it. It’s a great job and Mrs. Ewing is cool. I think she’s a real good candidate, too. She's pushing honesty in politics and true to form she'll take any question from press or public. Mrs. Ewing's pretty amazing.”

“Mrs. Ewing, huh? Sue Ellen bein’ haughty with you, is she? She does have that little streak of bitch in her, Mark! You should have seen how mean she was to Bobby’s first wife Pamela when she come to live at Southfork a hundred years ago,” Lucy says.

“No, she’s been real nice. But some of her visitors been pretty rude lately.”

“Who, JR? Hahaha! I heard he’s back at Southfork stirring up trouble already,” Lucy says.

“No not Mr. Ewing. Some older business man came in here yesterday, just barged right in on us when I was briefing Mrs. Ewing in the conference room. And this guy brought her a bottle of wine. Wine, Lucy! Everyone knows her, well, situation. And then he poured her a glass, I saw through the window after she told me to leave the room – “

“What!”

“Yeah. She looked real weird, like a little scared and mad as hell at the same time,” Mark said.

“Well did she drink it?”

“The wine? No! Of course not. She spilled it. Knocked over the glass and asked me to help her clean it up,” Mark said.

“Well who was the man? Are you sure it wasn’t JR? Sure sounds like something he would do,” Lucy asked, still laughing.

“No. It was Harris Ryland, the transportation company owner, you know, Ryland Trucking, the oil tankers and all?”

“Harris Ryland! Is that what he’s calling himself now? I remember him years ago flirtin' with me at Southfork, and I was only sweet 16, mind you! He was a lot older than me. JR brought him around a few times. Yeah back then he was Lloyd Ryland Harris. I liked his middle name, thought it was sexy. Told him he should go by that. But you know they used to call him Stretch, on account of being so tall and skinny. He was real skinny for a grown man, you know? Guess he thought Harris was a better first name than last, huh? Better than Lloyd anyway. I mean really, that’s an old man’s name. Who would name a little baby Lloyd?...”

Mark had stopped listening at Lloyd Ryland Harris. He watches wide-eyed as the LexisNexis screen displays an ever growing link chart of buildings, commodities, vehicles and other assets attached to the name he typed in as soon as Lucy said it.

“Mark? Are you there? MARK!”

“Yes! Lucy, sorry, yes I’m here! Listen, I’ve got to go. I’m up against a deadline so talk to you soon, okay? Thank you so much for calling Lucy. You’re the best! I mean it!” Mark doesn’t wait for her to say goodbye. Lucy hears him scream “F*** yeah!” before the line goes dead. Lucy smiles at the countless men she’s heard that from.

[Cowboy Wrangler]

Oh wow wonderful update! I was hoping we would learn more about the virus. Its really not that far fetched considering all the men Sue Ellen was with in the 80's. Which one was it I wonder? Or is that even how she got it? I do like how she doesnt hide it. Thats pretty brave. And the lady who scoots away from her, omg how sad but unfortunately realistic too.

Mark is goofy but i like him! Totally surprised that he is Lucy's bro in law. Curious about that.

[Texas Tea]

Totally surprised that he is Lucy's bro in law. Curious about that.

I loved Lucy back in the day, most of the time. She often said aloud what everyone else was thinking. And if I remember right, she was the only one who attended Sue Ellen's wedding to Don Lockwood. I liked that they sort of maintained a relationship even after Sue Ellen was no longer a proper Ewing. Thanks for your feedback