Editing Written on the Wind (section)

==Plot==
Insecure, [[Alcoholism|alcoholic]] playboy Kyle and his self-destructive sister Marylee are the children of Texas [[oil baron]] Jasper Hadley. Spoiled by their familial wealth and crippled by their personal demons, neither is able to sustain a personal relationship. Marylee has long been in love with Kyle's childhood friend Mitch Wayne, who is now a geologist for the Hadley Oil Company, but he sees her as a sister. She responds to his repeated rejections by pursuing brief physical relationships with various local men. Kyle continually seeks the approval of his father, who instead has long admired Mitch's humbleness and work ethic over that of his own children.

Kyle and Mitch take a business trip to New York City, where they meet Lucy Moore, an aloof [[secretary]] who works at the Hadley Company's Manhattan offices. While Lucy initially expresses interest in Mitch, it is Kyle who begins to court her. Lucy's cool demeanor fails to deter Kyle, and he invites her to accompany him on his private plane to Miami, which she accepts. After the trip, Kyle impulsively asks Lucy to marry him, and she agrees. The two return to Texas after a whirlwind honeymoon, and Lucy proves to be a stabilizing influence on his life throughout the first year of their marriage. Meanwhile, Marylee attempts to forge a romantic relationship with Mitch, whom she vows to marry, though Mitch secretly longs to be with Lucy.

Shortly after Kyle and Lucy's first wedding anniversary, Kyle learns from his doctor that he has a [[Oligospermia|low sperm count]] and could be [[Male infertility|infertile]]. This news sends him into a deep depression, and he begins drinking heavily, at one point becoming severely intoxicated at the local [[country club]] and embarrassing Lucy. At the Hadley estate, Jasper confides in Mitch about his disappointment in his children, who he feels are reckless and irresponsible. Moments later, Marylee arrives at the house, escorted by police following a failed sexual liaison. That night, a defeated Jasper loses his grip on the railing and tumbles down the long front hall staircase. Mitch turns him over: He is dead. Jasper's death further destabilizes Kyle, and Lucy unsuccessfully attempts to help him overcome his self-loathing.

Mitch informs Lucy that he plans to quit his job at the Hadley Oil Company and relocate to [[Pahlavi Iran|Iran]]. Mitch drives Lucy to a doctor's appointment, where she learns that she is pregnant; the doctor also informs her about his prior diagnosis of Kyle's infertility. That night, during a dinner with Mitch and Marylee, Lucy reveals her pregnancy to Kyle. Assuming Mitch is the father and that he and Lucy are having an affair, Kyle enters a drunken rage and assaults Lucy, but is stopped by Mitch, who forces him out of the house. The attack results in Lucy suffering a [[miscarriage]] that night. Meanwhile, an emasculated, inebriated Kyle visits the local tavern, and becoming intent on murdering Mitch, returns to the house and finds a pistol. Marylee attempts to stop Kyle holding Mitch at gunpoint, and during the struggle over the gun, the weapon discharges, killing Kyle.

Resentful of Mitch's love for Lucy, Marylee attempts to coerce Mitch into marrying her by threatening to tell police he murdered Kyle. Mitch denies her, and, at the [[inquest]], she first testifies that Mitch shot Kyle, but then tearfully changes her story and describes events as they really occurred, since she still cared about Mitch. Mitch and Lucy leave the Hadley home together. Marylee is left to mourn the death of her brother and father and to run the company alone, as Mitch leaves and goes to Iran.