Oil! · Chapter
II: The Lease explained
Bunny Ross is heartbroken after Paul Watkins runs away, refusing his father's money.
What happens
Bunny Ross is heartbroken after Paul Watkins runs away, refusing his father's money. Meanwhile, J. Arnold Ross gives a persuasive speech to landowners about signing an oil lease on Prospect Hill, using threats of taking his business elsewhere to force agreement. During the tense meeting, Bunny is approached by a mysterious figure outside the window—Paul Watkins, who has run away from home and asks Bunny to help him get food from the kitchen. Bunny, moved by Paul's voice and story, agrees to help.
Themes in this chapter
Oil and Capitalism
The lease meeting centers on the economic stakes of oil drilling, with Ross leveraging his wealth and connections to secure the deal.
Deception and Truth
Bunny grapples with the ethical dilemma of whether to trust Paul's story and unlock the door, highlighting themes of honesty and suspicion.
Class Struggle and Labor
Ross's speech contrasts 'oil men' with 'speculators' and 'gamblers,' reflecting class tensions in the oil industry.
Characters to notice
- Bunny Ross
Sits in silence during the lease meeting, crying over Paul's departure; later helps Paul by unlocking the kitchen door.
- Paul Watkins
Appears outside the window, whispering to Bunny; has run away from home and asks for food.
- Dad Ross
Gives a speech at the lease meeting, threatening to take his business elsewhere to pressure the landowners into agreement.
- Mrs. Groarty
Hosts the lease meeting; leads Bunny to the kitchen for water, warming to him as the son of J. Arnold Ross.
- J. Arnold Ross
Delivers a persuasive speech at the lease meeting, emphasizing his experience and threatening to move to another lease.
- Mr. Golighty
Speaks in favor of Ross's proposal, advocating for majority rule.
Key passages
“All the way back to the hotel, while the men were discussing the new lease they planned to make, Bunny sat in silence, with tears stealing down his cheeks. Paul was gone! He might never see Paul again!”
On the drive back to the hotel, Bunny cried silently as the men talked about the lease, devastated that Paul had left and he might never see him again.
Bunny's emotional reaction to Paul's departure.
“I got a string of tools all ready to put to work. I can load a rig onto trucks, and have them here in a week. I've got business connections, so I can get the lumber for the derrick—such things go by friendship, in a rush like this.”
Ross boasts that he has equipment ready to move in within a week, thanks to his business connections and friendships.
Ross's pitch to the landowners about his readiness to drill.
“Hey, kid! I'm Paul Watkins, and the lady what lives here is my aunt. I dassn't let her know I'm here, see, cause she'll make me go back home. I live on a ranch up in the San Elido, and I run away from home 'cause I can't stand it, see.”
Paul whispers to Bunny that he is the aunt's nephew, has run away from his ranch home, and needs food without being discovered.
Paul's plea for help, establishing his backstory.