A Coffin for Starsky (transcribed by Sarah Spearey)

Starsky’s apartment: - Night

Shot of Starsky lying I bed, seen from a mirror above the bed.

Starsky: I can’t. (Rolls over in bed) No, I can’t, I can’t. Please.

(Laughter from off screen, a shadow loams over Starsky’s face. A tall man with a stocking over his head strands over the bed, laughing and pulls something from his pocket. He moves closer to Starsky and holds up a hypodermic needle. He lowers it towards Starsky’s arm and jabs it in his arm. Starsky feebly attempts to stop him)

Stocking Man: You have 24 hours to live pig, count ‘em, 24. (Continues laughing as he walks away.

(Starsky looks over at the clock, the time is 3:58, and he rolls over and reaches for the phone, but falls on the floor. He reaches for the phone and pulls it down. He rolls over and attempts to dial, pausing briefly. Puts the phone to his ear and waits a reply)

Hutch: Hello? Hello? Who is this?

Starsky: (Trying to speak, just above a whisper) Hutch…Help. (Passes out)

(Cut to)

An ambulance speeding down the road: - Night.

(Hutch sits in the back; Starsky lies unconscious on the gurney. Hutch pulls the covers up a little and wipes a hand over his face, rubbing his tired eyes)

(Cut to)

The Hospital: - Night

(The back doors of the ambulance open up; Starsky is wheeled out with Hutch right beside him. The medics wheel the gurney down the corridor and through a set of double doors with the words ‘Emergency Treatment’ written above)

Hutch: Where’s the doctor? Where’s the doctor.

(Cut to)

(Starsky lies flat on an examining table, awake, staring up. A big bright light shines down on him, as does an old doctor with glasses. A beeping of a heart monitor is heard in the background. Hutch enters with a smile)

Hutch: Hi Buddy.

(Starsky smiles back then looks back at the ceiling. The doctors and nurses continue to stare down at him. The doctor looks up at the monitor)

Doctor: There’s no effect on your heart yet. We’ll be sending you up stairs for some more tests. You can sit up and rest for a while now.

(Starsky nods. The doctor moves over to Hutch)

Hutch: I’d like to talk to him.

Doctor: In a minute But first I’d like to ask you a few questions.

(They go out into the corridor)

Doctor: I understand you and Detective Starsky have been partners for some time now.

Hutch: That’s right.

Doctor: Yes he said you were his best friend.

Hutch: Doctor, what are you trying to tell me?

Doctor: I don’t think your friends going to make it. His relatives and any other close friends should be notified.

Hutch: (Disbelief) What? Well of course he’s going to make it. You got him in a hospital don’t you; you’re running tests on him… (A shot of the doctor’s grim face) Does he know?

Doctor: He asked me to tell you. Said he hates soapy scenes.

Hutch: Yeah. (Grim face walks back in to the exam room. Starsky’s sat up on the table. Hutch smiles as he approaches)

Hutch: Hi Buddy. How ya feeling, huh?

Starsky: Okay. Could even believe I dreamed it all.

Hutch: The guy who did it Starsk. Was there anything about him?

Starsky: Nothing. But I wasn’t exactly rowing with both oars at the time. (Sad smile) Doc says I was drugged first. You know something. To make me fuzzy enough so I couldn’t object.

Hutch: But you were clear enough to know what was going on?

Starsky: Oh. Whoever it was wanted to enjoy himself.

Hutch: What about his voice. Did you, did you fix…did you fix a…a pattern.

Starsky: Well…it’s about a dirty laugh as I’ve ever heard. I get a feeling it’s somebody I know.

Hutch: Dr Franklin? What about the 24 hours? Does it hold?

Doctor: If it’s a progressive type poison, yes its term could be predictable. The blood sample take at the puncture indicates a poisonous compound…properly of the organic chloride grouping. Unfortunately it could be any of fifty varieties and we can’t prescribe the antidote with any certainty until we know the exact composition. That plain enough?

Starsky: The part about the poisonous compound was thank you.

Hutch: (Hard) you know it’s amazing. You’re well you think they got a miracle cure for everything, you get sick they can’t even cure the common cold.

Doctor: My best medical advice at the moment indicates a series of tests. We’ll be able to deduce certain things from changes in your body chemistry.

Starsky: Doc, pursuing our on lien, as they say line of expertise…my partner feels he can deduce certain things faster than you can, I mean that’s part of his job.

Hutch: That’s right, but you’re not going anywhere.

Starsky: Look you’re thinking the same thing I am. We’re looking for some mean flake with a mean laugh who knows exactly what was in that shot right?

Hutch: Right

Starsky: Well, while I’m still feeling okay.

Hutch: We find him and ask him.

Starsky: (Slides of the table and stands a little unsteadily) Okay, where are my pants?

Doctor: I can’t forbid things but I think it’s unwise.

Starsky: Doc, I appreciate what you’re saying, but what it really comes down to is one question. Can you guarantee that if I stay here you’re gonna be able to come up with the answer in time? (A look from the doc)

Okay then I’d like to take a shot at it. Now if we don’t score by (glances at clock) 10:00 tonight, I’ll come back and give you another crack at it okay? (A look from the doc, to Hutch) Find my pants.

Hutch: I got your watch. (Hands it to him)

Starsky: You forgot my pants? You mean you want me to hit the streets with no pants, no badge, no gun, no dignity? What’s the matter with you? (To the doc, angry) Can you believe him? (Leave)

(Hutch catches up with him in the corridor as he’s leaving)

Hutch: You know you’re right Starsk. I should have left you lying on the floor while I decided which pair of your equally crummy blue jeans I should pack. They’re all looking at you. (Exit)

(Cut to)

A road: - Day

(The Torino drives down the road, Hutch in the passenger seat, holding the mic, Starsky fully dressed in the driver’s seat)

Hutch: This is Zebra Three patch me through to R & I.

(Cut to - Uniformed officer answers the phone)

Collins: R & I Collins, go ahead Zebra Three.

Hutch: Charlie this is Hutch. Pull every case we’ve worked on in the past five years and have them on our desks when we get down there.

Collins: No chance Hutch. Everybody wants everything yesterday. Have you any idea of our work load.

Hutch: Collins we’ll be there in twenty minutes that’s how long you got.

Starsky: Hey take it easy. He’s got no way of knowing what’s going down.

Hutch: Do it, will ya, Charlie, it’s that important. Captain Dobey will confirm. Have him call Receiving Hospital and check on Starsky.

Collins: (Hangs up with a sigh)

Hutch: Got any second thoughts about leaving the hospital?

Starsky: Do you?

Hutch: I could be wrong, but then I’ll be walking around tomorrow.

Starsky: The doctor was pretty straight about our chances.

Hutch: Yeah,

Starsky: As I see it, it’s ‘who do we trust’ time.

Hutch: (Out the window) is that Huggy?

(Car turns right around and stops on the curb right by Huggy. Hutch and Starsky get out and go up to Huggy)

Huggy: Hey, what it is?

Hutch: Got a job for ya.

Hey, I’m gainfully employed. (They stare at him) Honest. I got a job as a travel agent. It’s a hard buck, but an honest one. Need any airplane tickets.

Hutch: What have you heard about a hit going down?

Huggy: On who?

Starsky: Me (pause) Spare you the grim details some guy got into my house this morning and gave me a shot.

Huggy: Oh you gotta be putting me on.

Starsky: (Shakes head) I don’t think he was putting me on either. Need your help Hug.

Huggy: You gotta ask? I’ll do everything I can. Something’ll turn.

Hutch: Thanks Hug.

(Cut to)

The Police Station: - Day

(Captain Dobey’s office. Dobey’s at his desk, Starsky on the other side, Hutch sat in an armchair, all three searching through files.

Hutch: Starsk, take a look at this one. (Hands him a file)

(Collins enters, with more files)

Collins: Sorry about the static,

Starsky: Okay. (Collins leaves) 11:36

Dobey: Always did think you were a clock watcher. Now come on Dave. There must be something you remember about this guy. Eye, hair, build?

Starsky: Did you hear that? He called me Dave.

Hutch: Some things people will do to get out of first name bases, ah.

Starsky: Really. (Locks eyes with Dobey) All right let’s see, ah…vaguely. White male, 35 to 50, medium build. Any or all possibly inaccurate.

Dobey: Pull the computer cards and run them against that make. This way we’ll eliminate the, short fat black and female. (Gets up and walks to the door) Then we’ll run them against in prisons…hospitals…out of towns. (Leaves. Cheryl enters from different door)

Cheryl: Hutch

Hutch: Don’t got away (Gets up and follows Cheryl into the squad room) Get you some coffee?

Cheryl: Great.

Hutch: What you got, Cheryl. (Walks to the coffee machine)

Cheryl: The hospitals analysis of the chemical traces at the puncture.

Hutch: Black? (pours coffee)

Cheryl: Fine (Reads from her chart) Chlorohydrin and what could be bromoscetone. They couldn’t get a fix on the rest.

Hutch: (Hands her coffee cup) Level with me.

Cheryl: Normal body functioning depends on the central nervous system transmitting automatic impulses. To see, to breathe, to sweat, to swallow, cough. (Pause) Over simplified, certain progressive poisons attack the central system and block the impulses.

Hutch: What happens?

Cheryl: Uncontrolled perspiration, distorted vision, loss of co-ordination, difficult breathing, coma. When it gets back I can help the pain some, but…

Hutch: Cheryl, he’s going to need the best the chemistry field can offer right? How is it with your father?

Cheryl: He doesn’t seem to want to see me. Or anybody.

Hutch: Can you ask him to help?

Cheryl: I’ve already tried, he hasn’t returned my call. Look I’ll go out to the house if I have to.

Hutch: (Squeezes her hand) Thank you. (Leaves her in the squad room and returns to Dobey’s offers. Shares a look with his partner and sits down. Dobey enters with cards, which he hands to Hutch)

Dobey: Twenty possibles reduced to these three primes.

Hutch: (Reading the cards) Vic Bellamy, Janos Martini and Al Wedell. (Gets up from his chair, stands at the desk and goes through the files) Vic Bellamy. We busted him at the university with a suitcase full of red devils. Pimp, pusher, armed robbery, a couple suspected homicides. (A shot of Bellamy’s mug shot)

Starsky: Really hated me, no taste bum.

Dobey: Here’s Al Wedell (passes Starsky a file. A shot of Wedell)

Starsky: Possible. Busted him with six kilos of brown H. Big dealer. Knows something about chemistry from testing his stuff.

Hutch: He promised to waste us both. Cold, calculating type. Really thought his clients were dirt. Didn’t have time for anyone.

Starsky: Janos Martini. Good old boy. Used to run a porno studio for the kinky trade, you know whips chains. Once beat his girlfriend half to death in front of a camera.

Hutch: Yeah good old Janos mixing business with pleasure.

Dobey: Well we don’t have an address on Janos. But he shouldn’t be too hard to find. A nude girl, a brownie and he’s back in business.

Hutch: What about the others?

Dobey: Al Wedell dropped out of action a few months ago. Same for Martini.

Collins: The only address we have is on Vic Bellamy.

Starsky: That makes him our first stop. (Hutch and Starsky leave)

Outside an apartment: - Day.

The Torino stops outside. Starsky and Hutch get out and enter the building. They climb the stairs. They stop at the right floor, Hutch watches Starsky wipe his face and move towards the door. They draw there guns)

Hutch: (Taps on the door with his gun) Open up police.

Vic: (From inside) In a minute.

Starsky: We’re gonna look awfully stupid if he was out the back.

(Clicks the safety off. Hutch kicks in the door. Shot of Vic sitting in a wheelchair, his leg in a cast)

Vic: Don’t shoot, I told you in a minute. (Woman runs in)

Wife: Vic

Vic: Don’t shoot.

Wife: What’s going on?

Vic: I don’t know ask them.

Hutch: How long has he been in that cast?

Wife: Four weeks, why? Hey what is this?

Starsky: (Looks at her, his face covered in sweat) How about strike one.

Hutch: Sorry Lady. (They leave, Hutch closing the door)

(Cut to)

Outside the apartment: - Day

(Starsky and Hutch walk down the steps)

Hutch: You got a feel in him?

Starsky: Same as always, a crumb. (Falls forwards on the last step, Hutch catches him the back of his jacket, keeping him on his feet.)

Hutch: You want me to drive?

Starsky: What and get us both killed. (Walks round the Torino) Why am I trying to make you feel better?

Hutch: You know something Starsk.

Starsky: What?

Hutch: It’s always toughest on the ones left behind.

Starsky: I’ll believe that when I hear it from somebody who went first. (Both enter the car. Hutch picks up the mic. Starsky unzips his jacket and wipes his sweat drenched face)

Hutch: This is Zebra Three to control. Detective Hutchinson. Patch me through to Dobey, will ya?

Dobey: (On the mic) Yeah Hutch.

Hutch: Scratch Bellamy.

Dobey: (Cut to his office, sitting at his desk) Okay. (Sigh) Listen Cheryl’s located four supply houses that handle Chlorohydrin. I’m getting teams out to them.

Hutch: (The car) what about Weddell and Martini?

Dobey: No nothing yet.

Hutch: (Angry) Well, what the hell are you guys doing down there?

Dobey: What do you mean what the Hell am I doing. Listen Hutchinson...

Hutch: You listen to me Captain… (Starsky grabs the mic) wait a minute I’m not through yet.

Starsky: Come on. (Takes the mic) Captain, you’ll have to forgive Hutch he’s feeling a bit skittish.

Dobey: Yeah, well, tell him I am too.

Starsky: Hey, did you hear that? (Hutch tries to take the mic, but can’t) Captain, I think Hutch wants to apologize.

Hutch: Oh come on let’s not get sickening about this huh? (Takes the mic back)

Dobey: What about Martini’s old girlfriend Sweet Alice. Do you have a current address on her?

Hutch: Yeah, I’ve got an address. Why didn’t I think of that? That’s a good idea Captain.

(The car drives away)

A block of flats: Day.

(Some girls sitting by a pool. Starsky and Hutch enter)

Hutch: Ah hang a right. Wait a minute, wait a minute maybe she’s busy. If she is how do we get invited in?

Starsky: What if we slip 20 bucks under the door.

Hutch: For Sweet Alice

Starsky: Yeah

Hutch: Make it at least fifty.

Starsky: Boy you are romantic.

Hutch: Hey I’ll take the back. Wait 20 seconds and then knock.

(Hutch goes round the back, up to the window)

Hutch: Alice?

(Starsky goes round the front, counting while looking at his watch. Then knocks)

Starsky: Open up police,

(Round the back with Hutch and man in half a tux comes out holing his shoes. He sees Hutch and drops his shoes)

Hutch: Do you mind if I go in there sir? (The man stares blankly. Hutch shows him his badge) Sir. (The man still stares blankly. Hutch picks up the man’s shoes and give them to him) Appreciate it. You can go. (The man walks off. Hutch knocks on the window with his badge and enters)

Starsky: (From outside) Hey Hutch

Hutch: Sorry Alice

Alice: Hey Handsome Hutch.

Starsky: Hey, come on let me in.

Alice: Hey (Hutch opens the door to let Starsky in)

Alice: Well, Howdy Starsky, Y’all come in and have a drink. (Takes a seat at her breakfast bar)

Starsky: Hiya, Sweet Alice.

Alice: Hey did you stop by to bust me or just for a little friendly conversation? I know you’re looking for somebody.

Hutch: How do you feel about Janos?

Alice: Oh my, time heals. I just mildly hate his guts now.

Hutch: Well, then you wouldn’t mind telling us where he is.

Alice: Oh, knowing he wouldn’t know it was me who told you about it.

Hutch: Nope

Alice: Okay, Well he’s got a little business ingeniously called ‘sex-sational films’ He bought himself a grocery store and he’s calling it a sound stage. Somewhere on Channing Avenue I think. Hey what’s the matter?

Hutch: Thanks Alice

Starsky: Thank you (They head for the door, but she follows)

Alice: Hey wait what’s the beef? Nothing trivial I hope.

Hutch: No afraid not.

Alice: Hey, are you all right Starsk? Man, you’re just sweating all over the place you got a fever?

Starsky: (Wipes his forehead) Ah yeah. (They leave with a smile and a nod)

Channing Avenue: - Day

(There’s a door with the sign ‘Studio – Enter at rear. The Torino pulls up. Huch gets out first and reads the sign)

Hutch: Oops, we gotta go round back. (They walk to the back, but it’s guarded by two men) Would you mind moving?

Starsky: Does that handle it (Shows them his badge)

Creepy guy 1: You got a warrant?

Starsky: (Mocking voice) No, I don’t got a warrant. You got a warrant?

Hutch: Nope

Creepy guy 1: Well that about covers it huh?

Hutch: Yeah, you know something Starsk he’s right. We can’t go on in there without probable cause. Like stupid here taking a swing at us.

Starsky: Wait a second. Which one of these flakes you calling stupid?

Hutch: (Looks at them) The creepy looking one.

Starsky: Gotta be more specific.

Hutch: Oh it’s the guy who never picks on anyone his own size. Gets his kicks intimidating young girls and old woman.

(One of the guards takes a swing at Starsky; he ducks and punches in him in gut, while Hutch takes the other one into the alley. He slams the guys head in the metal fence. The other guy swings at Starsky again, he catches the guys hand and flips him. The guy lands on the ground. A second later the other guy comes flying out the alley, landing next to his colleague)

Starsky: Now you tow turkey’s better split. If you’re here when we come out… (The two guys walk away)

Hutch: (Entering the alley) can you believe they bought that, huh? (Starsky yelps and falls to the ground, riding out a major wave of stomach cramps) Starsk. Hey easy easy easy. (Pulls Starsky into his arms)

Starsky: (Coughing, gasping)

Hutch: Easy. You gonna make it huh?

Starsky: (Panting) my stomach hasn’t hurt this bad since my Aunt Rosa sent me a special chicken soup.

Hutch: (Clearly upset) Easy, easy now. Come on. Just try to relax. Take it easy.

Starsky: She never could get the hang of it. (Winces) She made great won ton though.

Hutch: You think you can make it huh?

Starsky: Yeah. (Hutch pulls him up to his feet, but keeps his hands on his arm to steady him) Give me a minute please (Tries to control the cramps, sweat now pouring down his face. Still panting. A few more spasms)

Hutch: Okay?

Starsky: How do I look? (Smiles)

Hutch: You look terrible. (With help from Hutch they make there way over to the back door where they stop and face one another)

Hutch: Hey, you okay?

Starsky: Yeah.

(Cut to inside Martini’s studio. Janos sits in a director’s chair, two girls lie on a bed half naked. Studio equipment all around them)

Janos: Okay, Ginger this isn’t a gum movie. Take it out of your mouth. All right can you give us a little feeling? Come on, come on. All right everybody, settle down. Stadn still this will be a take. Roll film. (Silence, the door opens. Hutch enters first and knocks over some equipment on purpose) All right, cut.

(Hutch knocks over everything in his way as he goes over to Janos, who gets up and tries to get away)

Starsky: Hey Janos old buddy. You remember Janos huh?

(Hutch pushes Janos against a fake wall which follows over as does Janos. Hutch grapples with him a little before pulling him up)

Hutch: (Harshly) all right Janos, where were you at 4 o’clock this morning?

Janos: What are you goes crazy? What’s the beef?

Hutch: Don’t answer a question with a question.

Janos: At my apartment we starting shooting at five, I was here at four thirty. Ask the crew.

Starsky: Come on Janos, you expect us to take the word of these flakes on anything? (Pause, Janos fixes his ruffled clothes) Tell him a funny story.

Hutch: I don’t feel too funny this morning Janos. So I want you to pretend that I told you a real knee slapper.

Janos: What do you guys want?

Hutch: I want you to laugh.

Janos: (A small disbelieving chuckle) Oh Jesus. (Hutch goes over to some equipment and picks up a lens) Hey careful with that lens, it cost 2500 bucks.

Hutch: Well, now, that’s funny.

Janos: Yeah.

Hutch: (Looks through the lens) I bet it’s worth every penny too. Gives a great close up. (Throws the lens to Starsky) Laugh Janos.

Starsky: Hey, wouldn’t want to lose my pension at this point. You can laugh better than that Janos, huh? If you’re right about this thing giving great close ups. (Throws it back to Hutch)

Janos: Oh please, please don’t drop that lens I’m in hook to my wife’s brother for that.

Hutch: Laugh Janos (Throws it to Starsky)

(Pitiful laugh)

Hutch: Come on Janos, laugh. (A slightly louder yet still pitiful laugh) Give it to me from the belly. (Laughs louder)

Starsky: Unfortunately that’s not it. (Throws the lens to Janos)

Hutch: Thanks Janos, a great performance, really great. (They walk back through the remains of the studio and exit)

(Cut to out side the studio. Starsky sits on the steps, eyes on the ground, shallow pants)

Hutch: (Sighs) Well that’s 12 hours gone.

Starsky: Yeah. The pessimist says the bottles half empty and the optimist says it’s half full. Oh it hurts Hutch. Oh God it hurts. (Hutch sits down beside him. Starsky falls into his knees his head and shoulders in Hutch’s arms)

Hutch: I know I know. Buddy I’m here. I’m here. (Squeezing his shoulder and neck)

A lab: Night

(A clock reads 9:03. Cheryl pours a liquid into a test tube. Hutch paces behind her, fiddling with a cloth. He walks to the other side to the room where Starsky sits hunched over by a fridge his face pressed up against it. His slight tremble shows he’s still in pain. Hutch stops next to him)

Hutch: How are you doing, huh?

Starsky: I’m scared.

Hutch: (A stunned look, then a sigh) Well I don’t know what there is to be scared about. We’ve still got seven hours.

Starsky: Oh that’s right. Just enough time to catch the double bill at the rivioli and still finish that book I’ve been reading.

Hutch: (A small laugh) Well we know it’s not Bellamy and we know it’s not Janos. All we’ve got to do is to find Wedell.

Starsky: Only he ain’t turning up.

Hutch: Well…

Hutch: We got a whole police force looking in this city and he ain’t showing.

Hutch: That’s because you and me aren’t on the streets. (Pats his knee)

Starsky: Oh

Hutch: As soon as we get back on the streets we’ll turn that turkey.

Starsky: Probably find him in a trash can.

Hutch: Sure

Starsky: Hit the streets, run down a few allies.

Hutch: Bust down a few doors.

Starsky: Get a few snitches working.

Hutch: The guy won’t have a chance.

(A short grunt of laughter followed by a wince from Starsky)

Hutch: Cheryl, will you hurry up with that stuff? (Rubs Starsky’s back)

(Cheryl comes over the a hypodermic needle and a small cotton wool ball)

Cheryl: Here, this will help. (Pulls back Starsky’s jacket, cleans the area with the cotton ball and jabs him with the needle)

Starsky: Boy, that arms been really getting it.

Hutch: You okay.

Starsky: Oh, yeah. I’m fine. The rooms in pretty bad shape, but I’m doing just fine.

Cheryl: I can’t give you anything stronger without knocking you out.

Starsky: Please that’s all I need.

(Cheryl walks back to the other end of the room, Hutch follows)

Hutch: (Angry) What’s the good of all your books and your junk all you toys ad stuff, if it doesn’t do anything. What’s happening here Cheryl?

Cheryl: Nothing very good.

Starsky: You’re doing all you can Cheryl.

Cheryl: (Removes her glasses, wipes her eyes) I did go out to campus. Dad was in a faculty meeting, couldn’t come out. Wouldn’t I guess.

Hutch: What’s the matter with him? How come you have to keep making excuses for him?

Starsky: Softly. Don’t antagonize the people I need.

Cheryl: He’s doing all he can. He sent his assistant to open up the lab and run a spectrograph on the slide from the hospital. He’s a new boy, knows his trade too. But he said even learning the exact composition won’t help unless they know the proportions. There’s no way of testing that from a slide.

Hutch: Yeah yeah yeah yeah.

Starsky: Well that brings us back to finding Wedell.

(Cut to Captain Dobey’s office. Dobey standings in the middle of the room, sleeves rolled up, no jacket)

Dobey: You can stop looking. We just located your last possible.

(Starsky and Hutch stand opposite, holding a file. They look up hopefully)

Hutch: Wedell?

Dobey (Nods sadly) He’s been dead four days. Heart attack.

(Starsky leaves the room first, while Hutch stands there in shock. He slowly approaches the door and leaves)

(Cut to the squad room. Starsky walks to his desk, stands for a few beats, while Hutch gets a small cup of water. He puts it down on the desk as Starsky slumps down on the chair. Hutch sits too. From across the room a woman enters)

Lady: Detective Hutchinson?

Hutch: Yeah

Lady: Oh excuse me, but I’m supposed to look at some pictures.

Hutch: Ah Ted will you help this lady out, please.

Lady: But they told me to talk to you. You see I work at Crawley Pharmaceuticals. I was at the doctors when you folks came around. Bad cold.

Hutch: Ted do you still have those pictures lying around here? (Looks threw some files, picks up the pictures) Here, lady, have a chair. (Rough places a chair down, hands her the pictures. All the while Starsky pokes around in his desk draw and pulls out a blue soft toy. Hutch sits back at his desk.)

(Shot of the lady looking though the pictures of Wedell and Janos)

Hutch: (Softly) here you want this water. (Starsky shakes his head. Hutch drinks to water)

Starsky: You know…if this was a cowboy movie…I’d give you my boots. (Smiles a little. Reaches his hand out to Hutch, who takes it without looking) You’re my pal, Hutch.

(A look of pain crosses Hutch’s face)

Lady: Officer…

Hutch: Lady, lady please I’m busy. Ted, will you…

Lady: But the pictures…I mean the man, I do recognize this man.

Hutch: This man?

Lady: Yes.

Hutch: (A look at the photo) Vic Bellamy. You mean, this man came into your place and bought some chemicals?

Lady: No not chemicals, that’s what’s so strange. I mean that’s why I remember. He wanted to buy all the materials to make a leg cast. (Starsky gets up and stumbles to the door followed by Hutch)

Hutch: Thank you, thank you lady very very much. (Exit)

A dark streets: Night.

(The Torino, screeches up the street and stops out side Bellamy’s apartment)

(Cut to inside the apartment, Bellamy, minus leg cast walks to the window and looks out. He sees Starsky and Hutch getting out of the car. He moves away and goes to the phone, dialing a number)

(Cut to Hutch drags Starsky out of the car, holding him up against the car for he can barely stand)

Hutch: I’ll take it, I’ll take it.

Starsky: (Panting) I’ve, as they say, a vested interest in this case. Besides he’s out only lead.

(Inside Bellamy’s apartment, on the phone)

Bellamy: Listen, I’ve gotta get out of town. I need the money now. (Pause) They’ve got me staked out. (Walks over to the window, looks out) Starsky and Hutchinson. They were here a while ago, they just came back. (Slams the phone down, goes tot cabinet, takes a gun out of the draw. Points it briefly at his wife, before running out of the apartment. He runs up the stairs)

(Below we see Starsky and Hutch making their way up. Bellamy keeps going up, watching them as they come. Starsky collapses on the stairs, Hutch helps him up)

(Bellamy makes it to the roof, where he runs and hides)

(Cut to Hutch half carrying Starsky up to Bellamy’s door. He leans Starsky against the frame. The wife is fiddling nervously with her dress belt)

Hutch: Where is he? (Gun in hand, searches the immediate area)

Wife: I didn’t wanna lie, he made me.

Hutch: (Grabbing her arm) Where is he?

Wife: The roof.

Hutch: (Lets her go, returns to the door. To Starsky) stay here. (Leaves)

Starsky: Has he got a gun?

Wife: Yes. He made me lie.

Starsky: That’s terrific. (Pushes away from the door)

(Hutch gets to the door leading to the roof. He looks through the window first.

(Starsky’s still making his way up)

(Hutch bursts through the door, rolls ad lands on his stomach)

Hutch: Vic? (Looks around) Vic, it’s not murder one yet. What was in the hypo? Vic, give it up. (Looks around, slowly gets to his feet. Walks) Vic?

(Spots Bellamy and dives for cover just as Bellamy fires. He fires again)

(Cut to Starsky still trying to climb the stairs, using the banister for support)

(Cut to Bellamy fires again and runs for cover. Hutch comes out into the open, his gun pointed at Bellamy)

Hutch: Hold it! Hold it! (Realizes that he can’t fire. Bellamy realizes it too. Lowers his gun and makes for cover)

Bellamy: What’s the matter Hutchinson? You lose your piece? (Laughs) Or maybe you’re afraid to shoot, huh? Kill me and you kill your partner. Right?

(Hutch runs for cover, while Bellamy fires)

(Starsky finally makes it to the roof, panting and leaning heavily on the door frame. Bellamy runs closer to Hutch and fires. Hutch ducks and runs to the next place to hide. Bellamy fires again and Hutch runs for the net cover spot. Starsky watches, panting and sweating heavily)

Bellamy: You’re dead Hutchinson. (Runs a little closer and hides where Hutch was hiding a few seconds earlier)

(Starsky raises his weapon to aim at Bellamy, but we see his vision is very blurry and we hear him gasping. He closes his eyes, tries to focus. He sees Bellamy very close to Hutch. Raising his gun, ready to fire. Starsky closes his eyes and fires five times. Bellamy falls back, dead. Starsky lowers his gun. Hutch approaches Bellamy, rolls him over and pulls him up. It dawns on him that Bellamy is dead. He lowers the body, takes the gun and looks back at Starsk, who is clearly having troubles breathing. Hutch comes back to him, takes the gun and leans his head against the wall)

Hutch: Thanks buddy. What’d you have to do that for? He was the only guy that knew.

Starsky: (Still gasping) Seemed to be a good idea at the time. (Looks at Hutch. His eyes roll back and he falls to the ground, but Hutch grabs him and lowers him down. Starsky’s head flops forward)

Hospital: Night.

(Starsky lies on a gurney. An oxygen mask held over his face by a nurse while another nurse dabs the sweat on his face. He looks up at the lights above, but he can’t focus, they’re all a blur. A heart monitor bleeps in the background. Hutch watches the monitor, sadly. The doctor prepares a hypodermic needle. Starsky watches as it’s lowered towards his arm and the substance injected into him. Hutch watches too. The doctor first looks at Starsky then stands up straight to address Hutch)

Doctor: I’m sorry. (Moves around so Hutch can see Starsky properly) We’re gonna have to take him upstairs now. If his time table is right, he’s got less than two hours.

(Hutch leans over, placing one hand on Starsky’s shoulder. The nurse removes the oxygen mask. They look at each other)

Hutch: Hey buddy. I have to go now.

Starsky: (Quietly) Okay. (Hutch nods) Hey.

(Hutch waits for Starsky to talk, but he doesn’t. Just stares, but Hutch knows what wants to say and nods, rubbing his shoulder. The doctor puts a hand on Hutch’s shoulder)

Hutch: Yeah yeah, yeah, okay, okay.

(He moves away as the orderlies move a gurney up to the bed. They lift Starsky on to it, Hutch helps a little. They cover him with a sheet and wheel him out of the room, while Dobey holds the doors open. Hutch looks at the clock, before leaving. Dobey closes the doors and takes off his hat, looking in the direction Starsky just went)

Dobey: Well, that’s it, huh?

Hutch: (Pacing) No, that’s not it

Dobey: Look, Hutch, we only have two hours.

Hutch: I don’t care if we got two minutes, we don’t give up. We’ve missed something Captain. We’ve been in such a hurry we…we’re rushed past something important.

Dobey: Look Hutch we put 200 names in the computer. We get 20 possibles and three primes. It’s not our fault if they all wash out.

Hutch: (Shouting) They didn’t wall wash out, Vic Bellamy didn’t wash out. He was a… (Stops, something occurs to him) Vic Bellamy only had a tenth grade education. How the Hell did he get the smarts to pull something like this off.

Dobey: You think somebody hired him?

Hutch: Absolutely. Don’t you?

Dobey: Right.

Hutch: Somebody’s gotta tell me who. (Leave)

Bellamy’s apartment: Night

(The clock on the wall reads twenty past two. Hutch pulls open a draw and rummages through it)

Wife: (Crying) I’m sorry, I’m sorry

Hutch: (Muttering) Stuff it. (Moves on to another draw, throwing things out)

Wife: Honest I’m sorry. (Hutch enters the living room, searches the cabinet after kicking the old cast away) For Vic and you and me and your partner.

Hutch: Stop being sorry

Wife: I’m sorry honest.

(Hutch enters the bedroom, continues his search there, pulling out a draw and looking through it)

Hutch: Help me. (The wife continues to cry) Vic wasn’t smart enough to do this by himself. He had to have help, who helped him?

Wife: (Sobbing) I don’t know.

Hutch: Who helped him?

Wife: I don’t know.

Hutch: (Grabs her by the arms, shouting) Tell me?

Wife: I don’t know his name.

Hutch: (Dragging her across the room and throwing her into a chair) Tell me?

Wife: He hired Vic

Hutch: Who?

Wife: He has something to do with the university.

The University: Night

(A car parks by a sign that reads ‘Faculty Area Parking’ Cheryl exits the car, walks up to a door and rings the door bell. She rings it again and then knocks. Lights come on and the door opens to reveal and old man holding a book)

Professor: Hello Cheryl. (Looks at his watch) Why, it’s 2:30.

Cheryl: I’m sorry it’s late, but I have to talk to you.

Professor: It’s been quite a while. Come in,

Cheryl: Thank you. (She enters)

(Cut to the Torino speeding down the street and round a sharp corner)

(Cut to, back at the professor’s house. Cheryl sat on the sofa, the professor smoking a pipe, staring blankly)

Cheryl: Dad, why haven’t you wanted me to come and see you? (A shot of a few photo frames of the same young man. The professor stares at them) are you somehow blaming me for Jerry?

Professor: Your brother’s dead. Let him lie.

Cheryl: No (gets of the couch, goes over to his side) Tell me. It’s important to me, you’re important to me.

Professor: I can’t help thinking that when you told the police. (Kisses her on the cheek) you lit the fuse.

Cheryl: Jerry was peddling drugs on campus. I just wanted him to stop I just wanted to help.

Professor: Jerry was a good boy.

(The door bell rings and a knock on the door. The professor sits. Cheryl goes over to answer the door. It’s Hutch)

Cheryl: Hutch, what are you doing here?

Hutch: Cheryl I may need your help. Bear with me. I wanna talk to your father. (Goes up to the desk)

Professor: (Standing) Detective Hutchinson, you’re not welcome in my home.

Hutch: We’ve gone why past that professor.

Cheryl: Hutch, what are you talking about.

Hutch: Ask you father he knows. I just spoke with Vic Bellamy’s widow.

Cheryl: Vic Bellamy?

Hutch: The man that your brother was pushing dope for when he was killed.

Professor: If you don’t leave my house peaceably…I’m going to have to call the campus police. (Goes over to the phone, Hutch follows, but stays on the other side of the desk)

Hutch: You’ll find the busy professor. They and some detectives are opening up you laboratory.

Cheryl: But why?

Hutch: They’ll be looking for a poisonous compound injected into Starsky. Cheryl, your father is the man who wasn’t to kill him.

Cheryl: That’s insane.

Hutch: Yes, I guess it is. At least that’s what the defense attorneys will plead. But you see Cheryl; your father contacted Vic Bellamy a few weeks ago after he got out of prison. The two of them held a grudge against me and Starsky. It was a perfect partnership wasn’t it professor?

Cheryl: Dad, please tell him it isn’t so, tell him.

Hutch: Yes professor go on tell me.

Professor: Why did I make my mistake?

Hutch: The compound itself. It was far too sophisticated for anybody as simple as Bellamy.

Cheryl: (Whispered) Dad…

Professor: You’ll not find anything in the lab.

Hutch: Well, then they’ll come here. They’ll tare this… (Pause, sees the look on the professors face) It is here, isn’t it? (Pause) Of course it is, there’s enough stuff for both Starsky and me.

Cheryl: Dad, Dad, please, what is this all…

Professor: (Harshly) just shut up. Can’t you ever keep your mouth shut? (Hutch looks at the clock. 2:50) So…you have it all figured out.

Hutch: Yes.

Cheryl: But why?

Professor: Because they killed my son. They killed Jerry.

Hutch: Professor you don’t think for…you don’t think we wanted to kill him do you?

Professor: I read your story in the police report.

Cheryl: Dad, Hutch tried to protect you in that report. Jerry was an addict, stoned out of him mind constantly.

Professor: That’s a lie.

Hutch: Sir, his mind had already been taken over. His brain was soup.

Professor: (Sobbing) No

Hutch: We tried to calm him down. We tried to calm him down; we tried to bring him back to the house. It’s in the report. He grabbed my gun it went off accidentally. It’s not his fault. He was spaced out.

Professor: (Slams his fist on the table) Stop it.

Hutch: Professor I’m asking you. I’m begging you please; stop this before its too late.

Professor: My boy is dead. He was a good boy. (Hutch looks a the clocked again) And he’s dead.

Hutch: I’m asking you to save my partners life.

(Eyes dart around, look down, and look at Hutch. Opens a draw at his desk and pulls out a syringe)

Hutch: Professor, give it to me. Give it to me. Give it to me.

Cheryl: Dad please.

(Hutch reaches out and takes the syringe, then bolts to the door and leave. The Professor leans on his desk and cries. Cheryl hugs her father)

Cheryl: (Softly) Dad, it’s all right, it’s all right. It’s over it’s over.

The hospital: Night

(Starsky lays either asleep or unconscious on the gurney, while medic personal stand around shaking tiny jars)

Doctor: Two cc’s hydrochloride. One cc bromoscetone. Four cc’s benzyl cyanide, one cc diphenylamine. Yes, I think you’re friends going to make it.

Hutch: Thank you doctor. (Stands over his partner, watching him sleep with a smile)

The police station: Day

The elevator opens; Starsky looks out, then struts out, holding a cane and wearing sunglasses. He struts and dancing downs the corridor, singing to himself. Stops outside the squad room.

Hutch: Hey hey hey, what are you doing here?

Starsky: The doctor returned me to work as soon as possible.

Hutch: Well sit over here. Watch yourself. How are you feeling? You look awful.

Starsky: Oh I’m okay.

Dobey: You don’t look okay.

Starsky: I’m okay Captain.

Dobey: I’m gonna talk to those doctors, personally.

Starsky: Wait a sec wait a sec Captain. (Takes out a few bottles of pills, Hutch picks on up) The doctors say recovery has to start somewhere. It’s best to become active as soon as possible.

Dobey: You don’t look like you’ll be active much. What do you think Hutch?

Hutch: He looks terrible. You ought to go home and go to bed till you get better.

Starsky: No…

Dobey: How long before the doctor said you’d be fully recovered?

Starsky: Couple of weeks, it’s not that import…

Dobey: Shut up, Starsky. We know more about this than you do. You’re gonna take two weeks off.

Starsky: Well if you insist… (Phone rings)

Starsky: Would you get a glass of water for me?

Hutch: Yeah, sure.

Dobey: (Answering the phone) Captain Dobey here.

(Cut to Huggy on the phone in the travel agency)

Huggy: Hey Captain. Yeah, tell Starsky I got his reservations for him. Starsky’s confirmed for two weeks in the pleasure capital of the Caribbean.

Dobey: Hutchinson get on that phone, it’s important you hear this. (Hutch picks up a phone on another desk) Would you mind repeating that?

Huggy: Well it’s this great little hotel in St Thomas. Yeah all the New York secretaries go there. Yeah, it’ll be full of all the kinds of girls Starsky says he wants. (Hutch and Dobey share a look) It’s got all the other stuff he asked for too. Tennis, scuba, marlin fishing. It’s the greatest.

Dobey: Yeah, we’ll take the proper action. Thanks very much. (Both hang up)

Starsky: Thanks buddy

Hutch: Yeah. (Hutch pours the cup over water over Starsky’s head)

Starsky: What do you think you’re doing? (Stands up) Is that anyway to treat a convalescent?

_________________________

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