The Ultimate Gift

On the first day of Jason’s trial, he appears, but he’s not enthusiastic. Hamilton pulls another tape from Red’s box, and Hastings takes charge of it. Red again appears on the screen. He reminds Jason that Hamilton isn’t someone to be trifled with.

Red extols the virtue of hard work: He resented the labor he had to perform as an impoverished young man, but later he realized it became a habit that sustained him. Jason will fly to a ranch in Texas, where his own lesson on work awaits. Hamilton says the flight leaves at 6:45am; Jason complains, wishing it were later.

The next morning, Jason barely makes it to the plane in time. Hastings and Hamilton fly first-class, but Jason must fly in coach. He complains to no avail. They fly to the Midland-Odessa airport, where rancher Gus Caldwell, a friend of both Hamilton and Red, meets them. Gus is elderly but very strong. He seems skeptical of Jason but orders him to collect the luggage. Jason does so, then is told to ride in the back of Gus’s pickup with the luggage.

They drive a great distance and arrive at the ranch, where a large family, ranch hands, and several dogs greet them.