Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Don’t Give Up on Her’

To the rescue

In “Eye of the Beholder,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen and Clayton (Linda Gray, Howard Keel) walk through an outdoor plaza.

SUE ELLEN: Clayton, am I going to have to wait until we get to lunch to find out what’s troubling you?

CLAYTON: No, it’s just hard to talk about it, that’s all. I guess your dreams of my being your father-in-law are over.

SUE ELLEN: Oh? Why?

CLAYTON: Ellie called off the marriage.

SUE ELLEN: No, she didn’t.

CLAYTON: Yes, she did. I’m thinking about moving back down to San Angelo. There’s a spread there I’d like to buy.

SUE ELLEN: Why did she do that?

CLAYTON: Oh, she gave a lot of reasons. I don’t really believe in any, though.

SUE ELLEN: But what did she say?

CLAYTON: Marriage would cause problems — problems with the boys, problems with Southfork.

SUE ELLEN: But you’ve been over that ground before. I thought you’d reached some kind of an understanding. [They reach a table at a sidewalk café and sit.] Besides, Bobby and Ray are no problem.

CLAYTON: I don’t believe any of the boys are a problem.

SUE ELLEN: You don’t think that J.R. has anything to do with it?

CLAYTON: No. Ellie sounded scared, and that’s not like her. Very little scares her, and certainly not J.R.

SUE ELLEN: Well, he could have made her feel guilty in some way.

CLAYTON: No, it has to do with me. I don’t know what it is.

SUE ELLEN: [Long pause] Clayton, how much has Miss Ellie told you about herself? About her life with Jock?

CLAYTON: I think I know most of it. We spent a lot of time together.

SUE ELLEN: But not as together as you would be if you were married.

CLAYTON: No.

SUE ELLEN: Then … don’t give up on her. I don’t think she’s told you everything.

CLAYTON: Sue Ellen, I do have my pride. The woman says she doesn’t want me, and I have to believe her.

SUE ELLEN: Talk to her again.

A waitress approaches and asks to take their order.

CLAYTON: No, no, no. Thank you. [The waitress leaves.] Would you mind if we skipped lunch? I’d like to spend some time with myself.

SUE ELLEN: Of course. I understand.

Clayton gets up and holds out the chair for Sue Ellen. They walk away.