Dad Ross

Bunny Ross

Bunny and Dad Ross share a close, often tense father-daughter bond marked by his protective yet controlling nature.

Paul Watkins

Dad Ross views Paul as a threat to his daughter and family, leading to open hostility and manipulation.

Harvey Manning

Dad Ross and Harvey Manning are business partners or employer-employee in the oil industry, with mutual respect.

Aunt Allie

Aunt Allie and Dad Ross are siblings who share a strained but familial bond, often disagreeing on family matters.

Eli Watkins

Dad Ross and Eli Watkins are business rivals in the oil industry, competing for land and resources.

Bunny Ross

Bunny and Dad Ross share a close, often tense father-daughter bond marked by his protective yet controlling nature.

Bunny Ross

Bunny and Dad Ross share a close, often tense father-daughter bond marked by his protective yet controlling nature.

Paul Watkins

Dad Ross views Paul as a threat to his daughter and family, leading to open hostility and manipulation.

Harvey Manning

Dad Ross and Harvey Manning are business partners or employer-employee in the oil industry, with mutual respect.

Paul Watkins

Dad Ross views Paul as a threat to his daughter and family, leading to open hostility and manipulation.

Eli Watkins

Dad Ross and Eli Watkins are business rivals in the oil industry, competing for land and resources.

Aunt Allie

Aunt Allie and Dad Ross are siblings who share a strained but familial bond, often disagreeing on family matters.

Oil!

The father figure, involved in oil dealings and representing pragmatic capitalism.

I: The Ride

J. Arnold Ross, oil operator, reflects on his past and teaches Bunny about business and life.

I

The father, a disciplined driver who maintains a strict speed of fifty miles per hour and embodies the ethics of motoring.

II

The father, a powerful man driving fast to a business meeting with Ben Skutt, embodying the force of capital and industry.

III

The father, a meticulous and determined driver who challenges speed laws and has a history with Judge Larkey.

IV

Drives the car, shares maxims about machinery, tips generously, and joins the chase with sporting spirit.

VI

Drives, discusses oil and land, tips the waitress generously, and complains about speed traps.

VII

Drives the car, explains the tricks of real estate and roadside commerce, and has a scheduled business meeting with Ben Skutt.

II: The Lease

Gives a speech at the lease meeting, threatening to take his business elsewhere to pressure the landowners into agreement.

VII

Leads the lease negotiations, using tactics to pressure the landowners into agreement.

IX

Decides to abandon the lease deal after the fight and plans to pursue another lease.

III: The Drilling

Teaches Bunny the oil business, oversees the successful Ross-Bankside No. 1 well, and comments on the Bonanza Syndicate scandal.

I

The impatient boss waiting for the drilling rig to arrive; he has signed a lease and is overseeing the operation.

II

Negotiates with Mr. Ascott and bribes Mr. Benzinger to expedite his drilling plans, teaching Bunny about business pragmatism.

III

Mentioned as being out in the field with the geologist; Bunny knows Dad is emphatic about offset wells and won't take a small lease.

IV

Supervises the drilling operation, teaches Bunny the business, and gives the signal to start the engine.

V

Quickly leases a beach house and manages the family's move; proud of his mother's painting.

VI

Fusses over drilling mishaps, fires and rehires workers, and frets about the shiftlessness of his men.

VII

Brings in the Ross-Bankside No. 1 well, explains the oil game's risks, and deals with drilling troubles at Lobos River.

VIII

Dad is the experienced, hands-on operator who manages the drilling, prevents accidents, and insists on careful core-sampling and cementing to ensure the well comes in safely.

IV: The Ranch

Discovers oil on the ranch and buys it from the Watkinses for a low price, instructing Bunny to keep the oil a secret; dismisses Paul's concerns.

I

Mentioned as the father who avoids discussing his ex-wife and keeps his affairs private.

II

Expands his oil operations after the success of Ross-Bankside No. 1, but agrees to Bunny's request for a trip.

III

Drives the car, gives Bunny advice about not mentioning oil.

IV

Leads the camping trip, cooks the meal, and diplomatically handles Abel Watkins' religious questions.

V

Sets up camp, lies about the Church of the True Word to silence Mr. Watkins, dismisses the earthquake as local, and avoids the Watkins' religious excitement.

VI

Hunts with Bunny, discovers the oil seep, and schemes to buy the Watkins ranch without revealing its value.

VII

Offers to buy the Watkins ranch and pay off the mortgage.

VIII

Executes the purchase of the Watkins ranch and begins a secret land-buying campaign in Paradise.

IX

Dad is preoccupied with oil deals and dismissive of Paul, referring to him as a 'queer-looking chap.'

V: The Revelation

Profits from war by selling oil to both sides, gives Bunny a car and a serious talk about smoking, drinking, and women.

I

Gives Bunny a serious talk about driving, smoking, drinking, and women, revealing his own past struggles and double standards.

II

Expands oil operations, becomes the biggest independent operator, and waits to drill at Paradise.

III

Profits from war by selling oil to both sides; goes quail hunting; proposes starting a new religion to prevent girls from being beaten.

IV

Attempts to preach the Third Revelation to the Watkins family, suggesting Paul as its messenger, but is challenged by Eli.

V

Inspects the domain, plans improvements, and dismisses Eli's preaching as degrading lunacy.

VI

Negotiates with Paul to work the ranch, shows interest in scientific ideas, and plans to build a shack on the property.

VII

Negotiates the Bandy ranch purchase, decides to drill on the Watkins place after hearing about Excelsior Petroleum, and shows his protective and strategic nature toward Bunny.

VI: The Wildcat

Laughs off the burned derrick, hires Paul, manipulates road repairs, and reveals his bitter views on women and money.

I

Decides to drill the well, negotiates with contractors and county officials, and justifies bribery as a necessary business practice.

II

Negotiates a corrupt deal with Jake Coffey for a road to the Paradise tract, explaining the realities of political machinery to Bunny.

III

Plans the bunkhouse, signs the road petition, and pays Paul five dollars a day.

IV

Explains to Bunny his harsh views on money and women, rooted in his wife's abandonment; his drive for success is motivated by proving himself.

V

Oversees the well and invites Eli Watkins to speak.

VI

Takes charge of the accident scene, retrieves the body, and tries to teach Bunny about the costs of the oil game; shows his care for his men.

VII

Orders equipment and manages the well, showing both caution and excitement.

VIII

Takes charge of the firefighting efforts, retrieves dynamite, and comforts Bunny after the well is capped.

VII: The Strike

Dad is financially constrained by the Employers' Federation, unable to grant concessions despite his sympathy for the eight-hour day, and struggles to explain the realities of business to Bunny.

I

Busy with the expansion of the oil field, Dad is pragmatic and focused on technical and financial details, leaving social issues for later.

II

Debates unions with Paul, admits to belonging to the Petroleum Employers' Federation, but is too busy with business to engage deeply with labor issues.

III

Attends the Federation meeting, argues for the men's side but is overruled; explains to Bunny the financial realities that bind him to the open-shop crowd.

IV

Defends the need for guards and insurance, is preoccupied with the financial losses from the shut-in wells, and makes a concession to let strikers stay in the bunkhouse.

V

Offered to keep Paul on during the strike but accepted his resignation without hard feelings.

VI

Returns from the strike scene, tries to mediate between family and workers, and faces financial strain.

VII

Insists on the harsh realities of capitalism and the law of strikes, pressuring his men to return to work despite the consequences.

VIII

Referenced as being tied to the operators and financially troubled due to the strike.

IX

Receives the news early in the morning, expresses relief that wells can resume production, and acknowledges he couldn't have held on another week without the intervention.

VIII: The War

Happy with new oil gushers and development; tactfully sympathetic to Bunny's distress, but avoids direct discussion.

I

Mentioned as the giver of Bunny's new car, indicating his wealth and generosity.

II

Bunny's father; questions Bunny about Eunice and advises him to 'take it easy.'

III

Cool, slow-moving father focused on settling the strike and selling oil to the government, skeptical of grand ideals.

IV

Offers to get Paul exempted from the draft, has power over the exemption board.

V

Notices Bunny's declining health and confronts him about his late hours.

VI

Happy with new oil gusher and development plans.

VIII

Expresses horror at the Bolshevik Revolution and its consequences, urging Bunny to consider his responsibilities.

IX

Arranges temptations to keep Bunny at Paradise; is gentle and sympathetic, understanding Bunny's turmoil without speaking of it.

IX: The Victory

Reluctantly accepts Bunny's wish for college, organizes family excursion to visit Paul, discusses Russian Revolution with Paul, arranges for Bunny to avoid overseas service, moves to a palace in Angel City and plans Ross Consolidated.

I

Organizes the excursion, debates Paul about the Russian Revolution, defends American and allied perspectives.

II

Influences Bunny's placement in officer's training camp; his forebodings about the war are mentioned.

IV

Deeply moved, he asks Bunny to stay and help; begins negotiations with Vernon Roscoe for a merger.

V

Drives Bunny to Paradise; compares war to a fire in a tank-farm; debates the Bolshevik Revolution with Paul.

VI

Quietly influences Bunny's assignment to military transportation to keep him from going overseas.

VII

Has moved the family to a palace in Angel City and is finalizing the Ross Consolidated corporation, justifying the complex financial structure as standard business practice.

IX

Dad wields mysterious power to secure Bunny's furlough, becomes vice-president of Ross Consolidated, and offers Bunny a position in the oil business.

Chapter X

Takes charge of finding Paul by calling Jake Coffey and using his political influence to get a War Department inquiry; jokes with Ruth about her geography knowledge.

XI

Initially shocked and disappointed by Bunny's announcement, he fears college will alienate Bunny from the oil industry and family values, but ultimately concedes.

X: The University

Wealthy oil man who worries about his son's education and political views; probes Bunny's mind and blames the university for his idealism.

I

Visits the university, impressed by its buildings and President Cowper, and approves of the institution's money-conscious ethos.

III

Explains the Allied intervention in Russia and the need for censorship; later becomes disturbed by Bunny's revelations about the secret treaties.

IV

Referenced as someone who might be able to help the soldiers in Siberia if he knew the truth.

V

Worried about Paul's letter but preoccupied with oil wells and market gyrations.

VII

The elder Ross is dissatisfied with Wilson's diplomacy, prioritizes oil interests, and suspects the university is corrupting Bunny's practical sense.

VIII

Hosts Irving at Paradise, proudly shows off the refinery and chemist McEnnis, discusses oil politics and the need for a business president.

IX

Makes a jest about Bertie's possible wedding to Eldon, but is frozen out by Bertie.

XI

Attended President Wilson's speech in Angel City with Bunny.

XI: The Rebel

Attends a Socialist meeting with Bunny, horrified by the radical crowd and its implications for his oil business.

III

Mentioned as having gone to Lobos River, missing the first meeting with Paul.

XI

Supports Bunny without question, understanding his son's mind and the inevitability of generational mistakes.

XII: The Siren

Continues to run the oil company, longing for Bunny's interest; defends the oil business as necessary; agrees to fund the purchase of the Republican convention.

I

Seen as an old horse in a treadmill, devoted to the oil business, unaware of Bunny's doubts.

II

Present at Paradise, greeting Roscoe and discussing development on the Bandy tract.

III

Hosts Vernon Roscoe and agrees to fund the political scheme to secure oil rights.

IV

Present at dinner, teased by Roscoe about needing a girl, blushing like an old maid.

V

Defends his actions as necessary for survival in the oil industry, argues that politics is just part of the game.

XI

Dad Ross navigates the financial panic, lays off workers, and reluctantly gives Eli Watkins $500.

XII

Alarmed by Bunny's request, he is skeptical of the labor college and fears it will promote socialism.

III

Explains to Bunny the domestic arrangements at the Monastery, including Annabelle Ames's role as Vernon Roscoe's mistress.

II

Refuses to intervene in other departments' firing of union men, prioritizing organizational harmony.

III

Mentioned as one of the voices echoing 'Why not?' in Bunny's mind.

VI

Bunny's father, who is delighted by the news of Bunny's relationship with Vee and sees her as a good match.

IX

Reluctantly agrees to Bunny's plan to post bail, though worried about publicity.

Chapter X

Uses his wealth and connections to bribe Ben Skutt for Chaim's release.

XI

Dad Ross telephones Vee and pressures her to keep Bunny away from socialists, promising to remember her in his will.

XII

Mentioned as having presented Vee with a pearl collar and headdress.

XV: The Vacation

Plans a vacation to Canada with Vee and Bunny to keep Bunny away from the labor troubles; trusts Vernon Roscoe completely.

I

Carries the burden of the campaign, swears outrageously, and wishes he had left politics to others.

II

Implied as a powerful figure who could intervene for the prisoners but won't; previously gave Eli $500.

III

Mentioned as having a copy of the new wage schedule; Bunny acts without telling him.

IV

Ailing and manipulated by Verne, he asks Bunny to accompany him to a New York conference.

V

Accompanies Bunny and Vee, paying all bills and lending his respectable presence to legitimize their arrangement.

VI

Sent home in a taxi after the theatre; likely behind Vee's efforts to distract Bunny from labor politics.

VII

Attends to business in the East, planning a Canadian corporation to bribe government officials for oil leases; defends Vernon Roscoe and the scheme.

VIII

Bunny suspects he may have known about the arrest; he is out when the telegram arrives.

IX

Accompanies Bunny and Vee to the camp; mentioned as part of the vacation group.

Chapter X

Arranges the tutoring and approves of Vee's flirtation as good business.

XI

Travels to Toronto to finalize his Canadian corporation; receives telegrams about the strike's end.

XVI: The Killing

Dismisses Carberry's lease, negotiates with Pete O'Reilly, and later reveals Ben Skutt's fraudulent title-scheme.

III

Profiting immensely from the oil boom, scheming to make tens of millions.

IV

Acts as intermediary between Bunny and Vernon Roscoe, showing discomfort with the situation.

V

Dad appeals to Vee to keep Bunny away from radicals, showing his concern over Bunny's political leanings.

VI

Negotiates with Old Pete O'Reilly about new leases; reveals the financial and political difficulties of securing government oil leases.

VII

Mentioned in relation to his business affairs and political pull in Washington; Bertie hopes to use his influence to secure a diplomatic post for Eldon Burdick.

VIII

Dad is worried about the Navy's move on the Sunnyside reserve but later announces the leases have been approved and plans a trip with Bunny.

IX

Explains to Bunny how Ben Skutt extorted money from lot owners through a quitclaim deed scheme.

Chapter X

Thrilled by the new oil development, dismisses Bunny's concerns about corruption as 'jist politics' and refuses to investigate Vernon Roscoe's dealings.

XVII: The Exposure

Reluctantly supports Bunny's demands, conveys ultimatum to Vernon Roscoe, and arranges a fund for education.

I

Has spells of bad health and relies on Bunny to drive him to Paradise.

II

Reluctantly conveys Bunny's demands to Vernon Roscoe, secretly proud of his son's nerve.

V

Listens to Eli's sermons during his daily walks; originally inspired Eli's religious ideas.

VI

Dismisses government corruption as proof that business should control oil lands; suffers anxiety over the blackmail threat.

Chapter X

Shocked and saddened by Bunny's decision, tries to dissuade him but ultimately cannot.

XI

Suffers a severe flu that keeps Bunny home; later proposes a compromise giving Bunny a thousand dollars a month for educational work.

XVIII: The Flight

Recovering from illness, anxious about the oil lease investigation, fleeing to Europe.

I

Slowly recovering from illness, reads Bunny's paper with loving censorship, manages oil business from home.

II

Takes malicious delight in Eli's scandals and discovers Eli's hotel tryst.

III

Alarmed by the Congressional investigation of oil leases, which threatens his interests.

IV

Flees to Canada to avoid Senate investigators and subpoenas related to the Canadian corporation.

V

Flees to Canada and then Europe, holds court with businessmen on the train, defends the leases, shows signs of weakening.

VI

Arrives in London a poor sailor, forlorn, but is revived by Vernon Roscoe's boisterous encouragement.

VII

Shows no interest in historical sites; is impressed by Rachel Menzies's writing.

VIII

Ill and bored in Europe, contemptuous of the idle rich, prefers company of other American businessmen.

IX

Enjoys Paris, meets Annabelle Ames, and is urged by Verne to remain in Europe to suppress the Canadian corporation scandal.

Chapter X

Old, tired, and sick, he finds comfort in Spiritualism after Aunt Emma's marriage, attending séances and believing he spoke with his mother.

XI

Discusses the disappearance with Bunny and recalls seeing Eli at the beach hotel.

XIX: The Penalty

Marries Alyse, gives Bunny a million dollars in stock, then dies of double pneumonia while Bunny is at sea.

I

Enjoys the premieres with enthusiasm and attends a séance in Vienna with Mrs. Olivier's letter.

II

Mentioned as being involved in the lease of a Romanian oil field to an American syndicate, a fact Bunny conceals.

III

Unworried about legal troubles, absorbed in spiritualist sessions with Mrs. Olivier and a new medium.

IV

Mentioned as someone who would have called both Paul and Eli crazy.

VII

Used by Bunny to distract Vee with a séance invitation.

IX

Gives Bunny a million-dollar stock gift, marries Alyse, and plans a Spiritualist honeymoon.

Chapter X

Dies of double pneumonia; his spirit is said to have passed on, and he forgives Bunny and Bertie.

II

Dad Ross is deceased; his estate is in chaos, with no will found and his business holdings in jeopardy.

IV

Deceased; his missing securities and alleged arrangements with Mrs. Olivier are central to the legal dispute. Bunny recalls his secretive financial habits.

VII

Appears posthumously through a séance transcript, with a specific detail about gold teeth that unsettles Bunny.

I

Mentioned in Bunny's memory of Paradise and quail.

XII

Mentioned as having been drunk at the Admiralty Hotel with Bunny.