Dallas (TV Series)

And the Winner Is... (1984)

Ken Kercheval: Cliff Barnes

Quotes 

• Cliff Barnes : You haven't given me an answer on that off-shore lease. I wanna know if I can count on you.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : You know, you're really something. You know Christopher's been sick, you don't even ask how he is?

  Cliff Barnes : [gives the kid one glance]  He looks all right to me. I mean, what's the big deal? The deadline for that auction is the day after *tomorrow*. I gotta get my bid in. I want you with me.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : I can't give you an answer right now.

  Cliff Barnes : Pam, just because Mark's out of town doesn't mean that you can't make a decision. You know, I told you, I've got somebody who's willing to come in a third with me. You stalled me long enough. I don't know what the hell's wrong with you? Can't you make a decision on your own anymore?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : [annoyed]  Yes, damn it, I can make a decision.

  [doorbell rings] 

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : And if you need an answer right this moment, the answer is no!

  Cliff Barnes : [as the servant girl opens the door for Bobby]  Well, so much for the Barnes family sticking together! Is that your final answer?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Absolutely.

  Cliff Barnes : Pam, I want to tell you, you're lucky you inherited money, because you sure wouldn't know how to earn it.

• Marilee Stone : [takes drink from waitress]  Thanks, Cassie. I'm gonna need this.

  [mingles with crowd, approaches Cliff and Afton's table] 

  Cliff Barnes : [relieved to see her, approaches:]  Marilee!

  [chuckles] 

  Cliff Barnes : Am I glad to see you!

  Marilee Stone : [coldly]  Are you really?

  Cliff Barnes : We did it!

  Marilee Stone : No, you did it.

  Cliff Barnes : What are you talking about?

  Marilee Stone : I'm pulling out of the deal, Cliff.

  Cliff Barnes : You can't.

  [voice trembling:] 

  Cliff Barnes : Because I don't know if I can do it without you.

  Marilee Stone : I said I wanted to be a silent partner. Well, it's no longer silent, and I am no longer a partner.

  Cliff Barnes : I never said anything to anybody.

  [doesn't realize he's been set up] 

  Marilee Stone : You talked, Cliff, and not only about business.

  Cliff Barnes : I never said anything.

  Marilee Stone : You *disgust* me.

  [walks off] 

  Cliff Barnes : [sees J.R. watching amused]  What are you doing here?

  J.R. Ewing : Curiosity. I wanted to see if the biggest idiot in the oil business was really gonna show his face here tonight.

  Cliff Barnes : Well, you're a sore loser.

  J.R. Ewing : Yeah, maybe. But I've been in this business a long time, Cliff. You're just a rookie. You're in over your head, Barnes. You're not gonna bring those wells in, so I'm gonna give you a little piece of advice: Cut your losses. Forfeit that 20 percent deposit you had to give the government.

  Cliff Barnes : You suggesting I get out?

  J.R. Ewing : Well, I'm telling you that a $32 million loss is a hell of a lot better for you than the loss of your whole company

  [taunts:] 

  J.R. Ewing : that your mother gave to you.

  Cliff Barnes : That's a rich tract. There are *millions* of dollars worth of oil down there.

  J.R. Ewing : You wouldn't recognize oil if it was dripping out of your crankcase.

  Cliff Barnes : And you can't stand the fact that Barnes-Wentworth is gonna be bigger than Ewing ever dreamed of being.

  J.R. Ewing : Barnes, you're as dumb as your Daddy used to be. You know the difference between your Daddy and my Daddy? My Daddy knew how to invest in the right talent and the right tools. He knew how to pump oil out of the ground. But your Daddy claimed that he could sniff oil out of the ground. Didn't need anything but his nose. The only place his nose ever led him... was skid row.

  Cliff Barnes : I'll tell you where your mouth's gonna lead you.

  J.R. Ewing : You were right about one thing, Cliff. There is oil in that tract. Millions and millions of dollars worth of oil. But you're not gonna get it. You're gonna bankrupt your Mama's company and wind up *just* like your Daddy. A drunk and a bum.

  Cliff Barnes : I'll show you who can find oil. 'Cause I am drilling full out, and not anybody's gonna stop me! And when I hit, I'm gonna buy and sell Ewing Oil!

  [J.R. gives a roar of a laugh in his face, and Cliff walks out] 

  Marilee Stone : I think he was ready to back out until you came on so strong.

  J.R. Ewing : Is that a fact?

  Marilee Stone : He won't now.

  J.R. Ewing : [smirks, enters elevator]  I know.

• Sly : Mr. Barnes, I can understand if you wanna take me off the payroll. I guess I really goofed.

  Cliff Barnes : I don't know...