Little Girl Lost

episode transcript by Sarah Spearey

The Streets: Day

(A Santa is standing by the road, ringing his bell)

Santa: Merry Christmas. Ho, ho, ho. (A person drops some money in his bucket.) Merry Christmas. Help the poor. (A girl walks past him) Pennies for the poor. Help the needy. (She looks in his bucket.) Merry Christmas. Ho, ho, ho. (She walks on and throws an imaginary ball in the air.)

Pete: I got it! I got it! (She catches it and makes her way round to a sweet shop)

The Torino: Day

Hutch: Nope.

Starsky: Come on, you can tell me. It’s only a couple of days before Christmas.

Hutch: There’s nothing to tell, Starsk. Nothing to tell.

Starsky: You really want me to believe you got me nothing for Christmas?

Hutch: I didn’t. Hey, look, it’s nothing personal. It’s just that this year for the first time, I decided I was not gonna get caught up in that phoney wave of euphoric sentimentalism orchestrated by the clanging of cash registers.

Starsky: Euphoric sentimentalism?

Hutch: That’s right. It’s the principle of the thing. You know, I get so sick and tired of people walking up to me, people I don’t even know and wishing me a Merry Christmas. Don’t you?

Starsky: No.

Hutch: Well, they don’t mean it. I mean, 51 weeks out of the year, they’d rather take your head off or run you down with their cars and then suddenly one week before Christmas everybody gets caught up in that phoney wave of-

Starsky: Euphoric sentimentalism.

Hutch: That’s right. Well, not this kid. No, sir, not me. I’m not gonna be any pinup boy for the Better Business Bureau.

Starsky: A sweater! You got me a sweater. The one I saw…

Hutch: Starsky, I did not get you a sweater.

Starsky: Oh.

Dispatch: All units. All units in the vicinity of 101 South Main, a 211 in progress.

Hutch: This is Zebra Three, we are responding. (The car does a U turn. They stop outside where a crowd has gathered and go inside. A man is standing over the girl, who’s sat in the phone booth.)

Mike: This time you’re going to get it. This time you’re going to jail.

Starsky: You called in an armed robbery on a kid?

Pete: Yeah! And what’s wrong with being a kid?

Mike: You see what she is, huh? She hangs around and rips me off. Cold cuts, peanuts-

Pete: He’s a liar!

Mike: Don’t you call me a liar.

Pete: Liar, liar, liar!

Starsky: Hey! Hey. (They both fall silent) What do you wanna do?

Mike: What do you mean: “What do you wanna do?” I’m telling you she’s been ripping me off. And I’m not the only shopkeeper who will identify her.

Hutch: You, stay out of this. I’ll take care of it. (Leans over Pete) You got anything to say?

Pete: Stick it in your ear! (Shuts the booth door and traps Hutch’s hand.)

Hutch: Ow! (To Starsky) Why don’t you handle this one, I took care of the last big bust. (Starsky knocks on the door and Pete opens it)

Starsky: You ever been busted before? (Sticks out her tongue) Do that again. (Sticks out her red tongue.) Coated tongue, huh? Coated black. My guess, it’s either liquorice or the black plague. We’re gonna have to close you down, Mike. Panic on the streets. Come on, Dillinger. (Takes her arm and leads her out)

Hutch: Congratulations, Mike. You’ll probably get the Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Christmas award for this. (Outside the crowd make a fuss)

Starsky: We give you the law in action. (Pete runs for it) Hey, come back here! (She tries running round a car, but Starsky runs around and blocks her, while Hutch appears behind her. Hutch grabs her)

Pete: Come on, let me go. Where’re you taking me, you Gestapo creep?

Starsky: Where else? The torture chamber. (The crowd boo as Hutch places her in the car)

Hutch: All right, break it up. (Gets in the car) All right, what’s your name?

Starsky: Hey, you play ball? Me too.

Pete: Now, what’s that? Your Barnaby Jones act? Don’t try to con me, turkey.

Starsky: Okay. We’ll take you home. Where do you live? Oh, come on. It’s two days before Christmas. Nobody wants to lock you up. (Silence)

Hutch: Well, Starsk, I guess we’d better go on down to the station and book her.

Starsky: I guess so.

Pete: 560 South Main.

560 South Main: Day

(The Torino pulls up outside a run down building. They look up at the building)

Hutch: Merry Christmas.

(Inside a man is reading a paper in the office. He doesn’t notice as Pete, Starsky and Hutch enter. As she leads them to her apartment Starsky whistles ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas.’)

Hutch: Who do you live with?

Pete: My dad. He ain’t gonna like you guys being here when he gets back.

Hutch: Where is he?

Pete: Out looking for work.

Starsky: This late in the afternoon? (She lets them in the apartment. Hutch picks up the empty bottles on the table)

Hutch: How old are you anyway? Eleven? Twelve?

Pete: I’m almost a teenager. (Hutch looks around and opens the fridge) Hey, what are you doing?

Hutch: This all the food you usually have in the house?

Pete: Well, what do you expect in this neighbourhood? A 20 pound turkey? I told you, he’s out looking for work. (Starsky and Hutch share a knowing look) It’s not like it looks. He means to buy food. Sometimes he forgets and he gets to drinking.

Starsky: You a lefty? Hey, some of the greatest ball players were lefty.

Pete: You know, you’re really corny.

Starsky: Oh. That’s a nice glove. Can I see it? (She throws it to him) Hey, you really got this thing broken in, huh?

Pete: You lefty too?

Starsky: Yep. (Reads something on the glove.) “Molly. Pete” You Molly?

Hutch: Pete your boyfriend?

Pete: I’m Pete.

Starsky: Oh, I see. You’re Molly or Pete. Whichever you wanna be, huh?

Pete: Just Pete. (Starsky throws her glove back) I’m telling you, you better get out of here. (Hutch and Starsky sit down at the table)

Hutch: If it’s all the same to you, I think we’ll just wait for your dad.

Pete: He isn’t gonna like it.

The Singapore Bar: Day.

(A man is sat at the bar with two girls either side,)

Nick: Keep your money right where it is, baby. Hey, hey, everybody, Roy. It’s my party. When we drink up everything that Roy has here, we’ll move on down the street. (Two men enter and approach Nick.)

Duran: Hey, Nick.

Nick: Hey, man. What are you drinking? Fix them up, Roy.

Duran: Let’s go to a booth, huh?

Nick: Duran. It’s been a long time. Hey, Flent.

Duran: Two years and six months, right?

Flent: We heard you was out, Nick. Come on, the booth. (Leads Nick over to a spare booth)

Duran: We been looking for you.

Nick: Yeah, well, I been looking for you guys too.

Duran: Couldn’t have been looking too hard. You been out two months, huh?

Nick: Well, I got responsibilities. You guys remember my daughter? (Blank stares) Guess you don’t. Yeah, you ought to see her. She’s 12. Cute little thing. Tough.

Duran: Where are the stones, Nick?

Nick: First thing I did when I got out of the slammer was to spring her from the foster home. Now we’re both out.

Duran: I asked you about the diamonds, Nick. We’re supposed to split three ways.

Nick: Don’t worry. They’re just as safe as can be. Except for that little itty-bitty one. I have to have some walking-around money so I fenced off that little bitty one. (He takes out some money) It’s your share.

Duran: Where are the other stones, Nick?

Nick: Look, they’re safe.

Duran: Let’s go get them, hm?

Nick: Now?

Duran: Now. (Nick looks nervously around and slides out of the booth)

Nick: Yeah, well, guess there’s no time like the present, as they always say. Hey, everybody. Keep feeding them, Roy. Hey, guys, I’ll be right back. Don’t go away, keep drinking.

Man: Okay.

(The three of them leave the bar. Nick leads them down the street until he reaches an alley where he turns around and elbows Duran in the stomach. He tries to run, but Flent pulls a gun out and shoots him twice in the back. Duran checks the body and finds nothing.)

Duran: You fool! What’d you have to shoot him for? He doesn’t have them on him. He doesn’t have them on him!

Flent: Come on. Let’s get out of here. (They run away.)

560 South Main: Day

(Starsky is looking at Pete’s cards.)

Starsky: Oh, I like this guy. He’s incredible. (The phone rings) You ever see him pitch? (Pete answers the phone)

Pete: Hello? Yes, Peggy? I’ll be right there. (Hangs up) That was my dad’s girlfriend. Something about he’s hurt or something.

Starsky: She give you an address?

Pete: Alley on Main between Third and Marshall. (They leave)

They Alley: Day

(The Torino pulls up in the alley where an ambulance is covering up a body and the police are all ready there. Pete goes over to the body and uncovers it. She puts her head on her father’s chest and sobs. Starsky and Hutch look on.)

Hutch: What happened?

Officer: Some bum. Two shots in the back. Must have been killed instantly.

Hutch: What was the hassle? Robbery?

Officer: This part of town, who knows? Unfortunately, except for her, who cares? (He leaves. Hutch and Starsky watch Pete as she covers up the body.)

The Station: Day

(Hutch is sat at a desk while a woman is on the phone)

Hutch: You’re invited too.

Perkowitz: No, come on, Hutch. If the Williams aren’t home, they’re probably away for the holidays. I have no choice.

Hutch: Come on, Perkowitz, it’s two days before Christmas. Now, how can you put a kid like that into juvie?

Perkowitz: What you’re suggesting is highly irregular.

Hutch: Well, so is being a little girl alone, waiting for your father to come home.

(In the ball pen Pete is sat at a desk when Starsky enters with a cup. He places in front of her.)

Pete: What is it?

Starsky: Hot chocolate. Come on, take it. It’s good for you. (She takes it) Make a pitcher out of you.

Pete: Old Lady Perkowitz ain’t having much luck farming me out.

Starsky: Old Lady Perkowitz is trying to find the people who used to be your foster parents.

Pete: The Williams?

Starsky: Mm-hm.

Pete: I think she’s wasting her time.

Starsky: Why’s that?

Pete: After they lost me, they probably went back to their old line of business.

Starsky: Which was?

Pete: Running a concentration camp.

Starsky: Couldn’t have been as bad as all that.

Pete: You know, my dad was a good guy.

Starsky: Yeah. (Hutch and Perkowitz enter.) Get them?

Perkowitz: They’re not at home.

Pete: Juvie, huh?

Perkowitz: No, Molly, I’m afraid it’s too late to get you booked into juvie tonight. Officer Hutchinson has agreed to let you stay at his place.

Pete: Yeah? (Hutch kisses Perkowitz on the cheek)

Hutch: Come on Molly…uh, Pete.

Pete: Okay.

Starsky: See ya, tiger.

Pete: Yeah.

Starsky: That’s what I like. A man who’s able to resist the euphoric sentimentalism of the season. (Hutch and Pete leave) Okay, Perkowitz, what say we go ‘bah’ a few humbugs together? (Growls)

Venice Place: Night.

(Hutch is searching his drawers when it falls out.)

Hutch: Oh. (Takes out a t-shirt and forces the drawer back in) Here, you can use this to sleep in, huh? (Hands her the t-shirt) Follow me. I’ll show you where the bathroom is. Oh, you knew what I forgot. I forgot your toothbrush. (Leads her into the bathroom) We can pick up your gear tomorrow. Now, look, I got clean towels…

Pete: Hutch.

Hutch: What?

Pete: All that stuff about being too late for juvie, Old Lady Perkowitz just said that, didn’t she?

Hutch: Yeah, I guess she did. You know something, when I don’t have a toothbrush, you know what I do? Take a little toothpaste here on the tip of my finger and then: (He rubs his finger over his teeth. He stares at him.) Well, you do whatever you want to.

Pete: How come you did it?

Hutch: What? (She just stares) Oh, uh…I just thought that juvie was a pretty crummy place to have to stay.

Pete: Well, you don’t even know me. What do you care for?

Hutch: I don’t know. It’s Christmas. Seemed like a good idea at the time. (She smiles) Welcome.

(Later on in the night Hutch lies on the couch listening to Pete cry.)

An Apartment: Night.

(Duran is sat on a chair watching Flent clean his gun. He laughs and moves next to Flent)

Duran: Tell me something. Why’d you have to go and kill the guy, hm?

Flent: I wasn’t trying to kill him. I was aiming at his legs. (Duran grabs him)

Duran: You know something? You know everything about weapons except how to shoot ‘em.

Flent: Hey, hey. We’ll find the stones. He’s got to have them in his room some place. As soon as it cools off, we can check it.

Duran: Patience. Gotta have patience. (Clicks his fingers) He kept-he kept talking about his daughter.

Flent: Sure. Sure, she’ll know where they are. Come on, man. Relax. We’ll find them.

Duran: Sure. Sure. Relax, man. (Sits down and picks up a can) We’ll find them. Right? Go on. Here. (Hands Flent a can. He takes it.) We’ll find them.

Venice Place: Day.

(Hutch is whistling while putting things in a blender. Molly comes out of the bedroom area looking glum)

Hutch: Come on, Molly. Cheer up, huh?

Pete: What’s that? (Looks at a glass in his hand)

Hutch: This? It’s a concoction I whip up every morning. (Gulps it down) Hey, what do you want for breakfast, huh? I have granola and I have wheat germ and I’ve got All-Bran .I got Coconut Stripes, and I…and I got some Blackstrap Squares. Hm?

Pete: What’s in that?

Hutch: Most of the above and some vitamins and minerals. (Drinks some more)

Pete: You’re really weird, aren’t you? You got any salami? (Stares at her, shocked)

Hutch: For breakfast?

Pete: Yeah.

Hutch: Oh, Molly, that stuff will kill you. Here, have some of this stuff. (Puts a bowl in front of her) It’s good for you. (Pours some cereal into the bowl. There’s a knock on the door)

Kiko: Hey, Hutch!

Hutch: Hi, Kiko. Come on in. Door’s open. (Kiko enters) Say hello to Pete.

Kiko: Pete?

Pete: Yeah, Pete.

Kiko: Hi, Pete.

Pete: Hi.

Hutch: Want some breakfast?

Kiko: No, thanks. Just had some huevos rancheros. (Picks up Pete’s glove) Oh, you play ball?

Pete: No, I wear it to keep my hand warm. (Snatches it back)

Kiko: Anyone tell you it’s still football season?

Pete: Football stinks. You have to be a gorilla to play it. (Starsky enters, singing and carrying a Christmas tree)

Starsky: Deck the halls with bows of holly. Falalalala lalalala. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, falalalala lalalala.

Kiko: Hey, you got a tree. Neat. (Places the tree on the table)

Starsky: Yeah. Just the kind of thing you put presents under.

Hutch: Yeah, not if there aren’t any presents to put under it.

Pete: Yeah, who cares? (Sulks off to the bedroom area)

Kiko: Women. Who can understand them?

Starsky: Good point. (Sits at the table) What’s wrong with her?

Hutch: Perkowitz called about a half hour ago.

Starsky: Well, what’d she want?

Hutch: Said she was wrong about the Williams being gone for the holidays. They’re coming back this afternoon. We’re gonna have to take her over there.

Starsky: Oh, that’s too bad. I thought we could have a party tomorrow morning. Open up presents, you know? (Hutch gives him a blank look) I got a partial make on her father. Ex-con, out two months. Spent most of this time in skid row bars. As usual, nobody knows anything. You didn’t make her eat any of this stuff. You’re heartless. Does she know anything? (Hutch shakes his head) You sure? Look, maybe she doesn’t want to go to see her foster parents, but it’s a damn sight better than juvie.

Hutch: We’ll stop by the hotel and pick up her things, huh?

Starsky: Hey, uh, you don’t have any salami or something, huh?

560 South Main: Day

(The manager is mopping up when Pete enters followed by Starsky and Hutch. After they pass he picks up the phone. Upstairs Flent and Duran are going over the room)

Flent: When are they burying Edwards?

Duran: This afternoon at 1.

Flent: Listen, this kid will be there. We ought to go down and try to get her. (Phone rings. Duran answers)

Duran: Yeah?

J.J: Cops on the way back.

Duran: Cops. Come on. (They go out the window, but Flent is spotted when Starsky and Hutch enter)

Starsky: I got him. (He rolls out the window and takes off after them. They run for their car while Hutch comes out the front.) Watch out, Hutch! (Hutch jumps out of the way of the moving car. Starsky fires)

Hutch: Get a look at them?

Starsky: No.

Hutch: Molly! (Runs back to the room where Pete is folding a jacket on the bed)

A Graveyard: Day.

(Pete, Starsky and Hutch are standing by the Torino.)

Pete: I should have brought flowers. (She gets in the car followed by Starsky and Hutch. They drive off.)

The Williams Place: Day

(The Torino pulls up outside. Starsky and Hutch get out, but Pete stays put)

Pete: I won’t go.

Hutch: You have to, Molly.

Pete: No.

Starsky: Well, it’s either here with the Williams or back to juvie.

Pete: I hate them. Why can’t I stay with you, Hutch?

Hutch: I wish you could, Molly. It’s just no possible. I’m a bachelor and I’m hardly ever there. You need a family, Molly. Someone to be there when you get home, you know and someone to cook for you. Anyway, they wouldn’t-they wouldn’t allow it.

Pete: Who’s ‘they’?

Hutch: You know who they are. Now, come on, huh? Come on. (She gets out.)

Starsky: Hey. (Stuffs some money into her pocket)

Pete: What’s that?

Starsky: Call it euphoric sentimentalism. Uh, well, buy yourself some candy canes.

Pete: Let’s go. (They walk up to the door. Hutch rings the bell.)

Pete: “Oh, Molly, my little lamby-pie. You’re just as cute as a bug’s ear.”

Mrs. Williams: Oh, Molly, my little lamby-pie. I must say we’ve been expecting you for hours. The rest of us are already eating. But you come in and sit down and we’ll… (Pulls her in)

Pete: Come on, you guys.

Mrs. Williams: We’ll heat something up for you. Isn’t she as cute as a bug’s ear? Now, thank the nice policemen for bringing you home.

Pete: Why should I? Finks and traitors.

Hutch: Pete, we’ll come back and see you.

Pete: Yeah, who cares? (Walks off.)

Mrs. Williams: Bye. (Closes the door. Hutch is about to knock, but Starsky pats his back. Hutch nods They walk away)

Hutch: Boy that was a rotten thing to do.

Starsky: Well, look at it this way. At least with Mrs. Williams, she’ll get a decent breakfast.

Hutch: That’s not even funny.

Starsky: Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.

Hutch: We can still come back and see her, right?

Starsky: Sure. Take her to the movies, the zoo.

Hutch: She’d probably rather go to the fights. (They get in the car and drive off. They pass a car where Duran and Flent are waiting)

Flent: Let’s grab her.

Duran: I told you. Patience is a virtue. We need time to prepare. Tomorrow morning will be soon enough.

The William’s: Day

(Duran rings the doorbell, dressed as a priest. Mrs. Williams answers the door.)

Mrs. Williams: Yes?

Duran: Good morning, dear lady. My name is Reverend Jonas from the Gospel Mission.

Mrs. Williams: Yes?

Duran: The late Mr. Edwards was a member of our congregation and he wanted so much for his daughter to be in our Christmas pageant.

Mrs. Williams: Oh, yes. Well, please, come in. (He enters the house.)

Dobey’s Office: Day.

(Starsky places a card saying ‘Merry Christmas to Captain Dobey from all the gang on the side of a toilet.)

Starsky: Right like that. That’s great.

Hutch: What’s happening?

(Officers are gathered round the gift and the door)

Starsky: Oh, welcome to euphoric sentimentalism at its grossest.

Hutch: Yeah, well, uh, listen, I don’t want to panic anybody, but I think I saw Captain Dobey in the hallway.

Starsky: What? Oh, jeez. (They all run out, but Hutch stops Starsky)

Hutch: Hey, hey, come here.

Starsky: What?

Hutch: He was in the elevator going down.

Starsky: You really do have a cruel streak in you, don’t you? Mind your own business. What’d you get on Molly’s father?

Hutch: Nicholas Alan Edwards. Small time muscle. Got three years for knocking off a jewellery salesman. $125,000 worth of single diamonds and they were never recovered.

Starsky: You call that small time.

Hutch: Well, there were two other guys in on the robbery and they were never caught.

Starsky: Same Two guys tearing his room apart yesterday. If they were Molly’s dad’s partners she might be able to identify them.

Hutch: Did you ever think about going into police work as a career?

The Williams: Day

(Starsky and Hutch pull up outside the house. Starsky’s singing)

Starsky: …had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows. All the other reindeers. Hey, here’s one for you.

Hutch: What?

Starsky: You know the name of the 12 reindeer Santa that had?

Hutch: What?

Starsky: Well, how about two?

Hutch: Oh, I don’t know. Donder, Blitzkrieg, Spritzen?

Starsky: Forget it. (Knocks on the door.) You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Mrs. Williams: Oh, good morning, gentleman.

Starsky: Good morning, Mrs. Williams.

Hutch: Yes, we’d like to see Molly.

Mrs. Williams: Oh, what a shame. She’s not here right now.

Hutch: Oh.

Starsky: Oh, well, when will she be back?

Mrs. Williams: Probably not until lunchtime. She just left a few minutes ago. She’s going to be in a children’s Christmas pageant. A friend of her late father came by. He wanted her to be in it so much.

Hutch: What?

Mrs. Williams: Yes. A man of the cloth. He said his name was Jones, something like that and Mr. Edwards was a member of his church, the Gospel Mission.

Hutch: Which gospel mission?

Mrs. Williams: Oh, isn’t that funny? I never thought to ask. (They head back to the car.)

Hutch: Who ever heard of a children’s Christmas pageant at a gospel mission, huh?

Starsky: Have faith, my son. (They get in and drive off)

Hutch: This is Zebra Three, I want an APB out on Molly Edwards, age 12. Dressed in a blue denim jacket and pants, wearing a baseball cap, carrying a baseball glove. Last seen in the Corbin Lake district, but could be anywhere. Zebra Three out.

Starsky: Don’t worry. We’ll find her.

Duran’s Car: Day.

(Duran is holding Molly by the neck)

Duran: I’m a very patient man, Molly. I waited a long time for your father to get out of prison. And now I’ve waited to get a chance to talk to you. I want those diamonds.

Pete: You can have them. I don’t want them. Just, please, leave me alone.

(She bites his hand and runs out of the car. Duran runs after her across the road and down the street)

Duran: Stop! Thief! She robbed the poor box!

(She makes it to a building and hides in a hole in the wall. Duran stops right in front of her, but can’t see her. He walks away.)

The Torino: Day.

(Starsky and Hutch are still looking)

Hutch: She could be anyplace. We’d better make some more phone calls. Let’s go back to the foster home.

Starsky: We’re doing everything we can. We got every cop in the city looking for her.

Hutch: I know that.

Dispatcher: Zebra Three, Zebra Three. See the girl at 1027 ½ Ocean.

Hutch: Hey, that’s my place. (Picks up the mic) This is Zebra Three. We read you and we’re on our way. (The car does a U-turn)

Venice Place: Day

(The Torino stops outside, Hutch gets out first followed by Starsky. They rush into the apartment to find Kiko and Pete lounging on the couch)

Hutch: Molly.

Kiko: Hi, Hutch. Hi, Starsky.

Starsky: Kiko.

Hutch: Molly. (She’s watching the TV.) Molly. (Turns off the TV)

Pete: Hey!

Hutch: “Hey, hey,” is that all you can say? You know half the city is out looking for you.

Pete: What do you wan me to say? I called you.

Hutch: Yeah. You okay.

Pete: Of course I’m all right.

Starsky: Who was that man that picked you up?

Pete: I don’t know. Some phoney preacher.

Hutch: You ever see him before.

Pete: No.

Starsky: He’s after the diamonds, huh? (She’s about to say something but stops.)

Hutch: Molly. Do you know where those diamonds are?

Pete: No.

Starsky: Would you tell us if you did?

Pete: No. I mean, I don’t’ know anything about any diamonds.

Hutch: Molly. Molly, listen. That phoney preacher who grabbed you may be the same man who killed your father. Now, if you know anything about those diamonds, you’d better tell us.

Pete: I told you, I don’t. And I’m not going back to Mrs. Williams’ either.

Kiko: She’s not. She told me that before you guys came.

Starsky: Wouldn’t be safe for her anyway.

Pete: I’m not.

Starsky: Okay. Hey, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Maybe we ought to have that party again, huh? I mean, if it wouldn’t get in the way of your principles against the Better Bureau of Business.

Hutch: Nah, I guess not, but I’ll tell you one thing. If you’re gonna hang around here there’s one thing you’re gonna do.

Pete: What’s that? (Hutch gives a throaty chuckle.)

(A little later on Hutch is playing the piano while Pete is in the bathroom)

Hutch: Use soap! (In the bathroom Pete is wearing a towel and splashing the water, but not in the tub)

Pete: I am.

Hutch: Wash your face!

Pete: I am.

Hutch: Hey, Molly, when you’re finished in there, uh, we’ll…

Starsky: Go Christmas shopping.

Hutch: We’ll go Christmas shopping. (To Starsky) I don’t want to go Christmas shopping.

Starsky: Shh.

The Torino: Day

(Pete is sat between them)

Hutch: I thought that pink dress was very nice.

Pete: Pink dresses stink.

Starsky: That’s what you said about the green ones and the red ones and the blue ones.

Hutch: Molly, we’ve been to three dress shops already. Just what is it that you do want?

Pete: You really wanna know?

Hutch: Really.

Pete: Really, really?

Starsky: Really, really.

Pete: Truly, truly.

Hutch: Truly, truly.

An Army Surplus Store: Day

(Molly exits wearing a beige army style jacket. Starsky’s humming as they approach the car.)

Hutch You know something? We’re worse off than when we started. Got us a miniature Marine. Will you stop it with that boom, boom, boom. (Starsky doesn’t stop.) God.

An Apartment: Day.

(Flent is cleaning a part of his gun while Duran is standing by the window still dressed as a preacher.)

Flent: You and your bright ideas. That suit of yours makes me nervous.

Duran: Yeah, well, it didn’t make that kid nervous. Do you think she really knows where those stones are?

Flent: She’s got to know.

Duran: Yeah. We’ll find her. We’ll find her.

Kiko’s House: Day.

(Kiko and Pete are eating tacos while Kiko’s mother is sat at a sewing machine)

Pete: I’m not kidding. These are the greatest tacos I ever ate.

Kiko: You never had handmade tortillas before?

Pete: No, the ones downtown are crummy.

Kiko: My mum makes her own tortillas and her own refried beans.

Mrs. Ramos: (Speaks Spanish) Now, you try them on, no? (Pete puts on her trousers over her jeans)

Pete: Hey, great!

Mrs. Ramos: I don’t know if I can shorten that jacket, you know?

Pete: No, it’s okay. I like the jacket just the way it is. Thanks.

Kiko: How about another taco, Pete?

Pete: No, I better get on back to Hutch’s. Well, bye Mrs. Ramos. Bye, Kiko.

Kiko: Bye. (She leaves) She hasn’t got anyone, mum.

Mrs. Ramos: (Speaks Spanish)

Kiko: Si.

Venice Place: Day

(Starsky’s holding the phone in front of him, while Dobey shouts down the line)

Dobey: I said you two gotta do better!

Starsky: I hear you loud and clear Captain. You don’t have to repeat yourself. Right. I got it. Roger, Wilko, all that jazz. Will do. (Hangs up) Foster home called Dobey and raised hell. (Pete enters behind them) We gotta report to Perkowitz that we got Molly again.

Hutch: How’d he like his present?

Starsky: Well, he wasn’t too excited about that either. (Molly clears her throat and stands before Starsky) Look at this, look at this. Hey, you’re gonna pass inspection. Semper fi.

Hutch: Look at that. Semper fi.

Starsky: Fe Fi.

Pete: Kiko’s mum fixed them for me.

Starsky: No kidding.

Hutch: She’s great, huh?

Pete: Yeah. Makes the greatest tacos.

Starsky: You ought to try her enchiladas.

Pete: I’m gonna go look at this in a mirror.

Starsky: Yeah, take a look, Pete. (She goes off to the bedroom area.) You know, I got a feeling that if she doesn’t know where the diamonds are, somebody might think she does.

Hutch: Well, we can’t keep her with us all the time. (Pete comes back)

Pete: You got any leads on the preacher yet?

Hutch: Uh, don’t you worry about that.

Starsky: We’ll find him.

Pete: Well, you look worried.

Starsky: Worried?

Hutch: Look, uh, Pete, Starsky and I have to take off. So why don’t you go on over to Kiko’s until we get back, huh? Please?

Pete: Yeah, okay.

Starsky: Attakid.

Hutch: You gonna be okay?

Pete: Yeah.

Hutch: Okay. (He leaves and she sits down on a chair, clearly upset. Hutch walks back in a sits beside her.) Hey.

Pete: It’s not fair. It’s not fair if they kill my dad.

Hutch: Yeah, I guess tomorrow would’ve been a special day for you.

Pete: Just probably would’ve been drunk again.

Hutch: Well, he may have had some trouble with his drinking, but I’m sure he loved you.

Pete: No, he didn’t. You’ve been more of a father to me than he ever was. (She gets up and leaves.)

Hutch: Christmas joy.

Kiko’s House: Day

(Pete walks up to the door and meets Kiko)

Pete: Hey, Kiko. I need your help. Could you stay at Hutch’s house for me?

Kiko: Why? Where are you going?

Pete: Fishing.

Kiko: Without a pole?

Pete: What I’m fishing for, all you need is the bait, and that’s me.

Diner: Day

(Starsky and Hutch are sat outside on a bench with Huggy, who’s eating.)

Hutch: So Edwards only fenced the one stone, huh?

Huggy: Mm-hm (Shovels food in his mouth)

Hutch: Huggy, what kind of informer are you with your grunts and you groans? Give me a straight answer, huh?

Starsky: Let him swallow first.

Huggy: Just one small stone. But there was these two other dudes who came into the fence a couple days before Edwards.

Hutch: Yeah, what did they want?

Huggy: They wanted Edwards. They told the fence if Edwards came in, to call.

Hutch: Did you get a number?

Huggy: Did I get a number? (Hands Hutch a piece of paper) Here. The Singapore Bar.

Hutch: There’s nothing on this paper, Huggy. (Hands Hutch another piece of paper) Thank you. What was supposed to happen there?

Huggy: Well, the fence was just supposed to call The Singapore and tell the bartender that the trick had arrived.

Hutch: You know the Singapore Bar is about a half a block away from where Edwards was killed?

Starsky: That’s right. Thanks, Hug. (Hands Huggy some money, but adds some extra) Have a little something extra for your Christmas stocking.

Huggy: My man.

Starsky: Merry Christmas, Hug.

Hutch: You didn’t have to tip the help.

Starsky: Oh, bah, humbug. (They walk away.)

560 South Main: Day

(Pete enters her old building and walks up to the manager.)

Pete: Merry Christmas, J.J.

J.J: How you doing, kid?

Pete: Okay. (Walks around the corner and waits. J.J picks up the phone and dials.)

J.J: This is J.J over at the hotel. You said you wanted to know when that kid came back. (Hangs up.)

The Singapore Bar: Day.

(The Torino parks outside. Starsky and Hutch enter the bar.)

Roy: Yeah, what’ll it be?

Starsky: Uh, a little information on a dead man.

Hutch: One you helped put away.

Starsky: You fingered Edwards. To who?

Roy: Oh, man. Come on, will you, please? I haven’t fingered anybody. Get out of here. (Swings a club at their heads, but they duck, grab him and throw him against the wall. Starsky grabs the club.)

Starsky: Let go. (Hutch stamps on the guys foot and he lets go) See what I mean? Who were those two guys?

Roy: I don’t know their names. (Starsky puts a handcuff around Roy’s wrist) I got a number.

Hutch: What’s the number?

Roy: It’s an apartment building over on Innes.

Hutch: What’s the number?

Roy: 1403. (Starsky handcuffs him to a pipe)

Starsky: Don’t go away.

560 South Main: Day

(Pete is sat on her bed look at a picture of her dad when the door opens and Flent and Duran enter. She runs for the fire escape, but Flent grabs her.)

Duran: I am not a man who likes to play games. Now, you’ve already stretched my patience.

Apartment Building: Day

(Starsky and Hutch burst into the room, guns drown, but there’s no one in.)

560: South Main: Day.

(Pete is sat on the bed with Duran holding her shoulders.)

Duran: Okay, now we’re gonna go to our place because we got all kinds of ways there to make little girls talk.

Pete: Okay, okay. I’ll take you where they are. Just let me go.

Duran: It wouldn’t be smart for you to try and trick me again.

Pete: I won’t, but you’ll have to drive me, way out on Ocean.

Duran: Come on. Let’s go. Let’s go. (The drag her out of the room)

Apartment Building: Day

(Starsky and Hutch are searching the place.)

Venice Place: Day

(Duran’s car pulls up outside. They enter with Pete and find Kiko sitting outside Hutch’s apartment.)

Duran: Hey, you. Who lives here?

Pete: The guy that has the diamonds. Go get the key, Kiko.

Kiko: What?

Pete: I think Hutch has it.

Kiko: Oh, yeah, yeah, okay. (Runs off.)

Duran: Hey, wait. Wait a minute. Hey, who was that kid?

Pete: A friend of the guy who lives here.

Flent: Look, forget the key. (Shoots the lock and kicks the door open.)

Duran: Where?

Pete: The ice trays in the refrigerator. (Duran checks)

Apartment Building: Day

(Starsky and Hutch exit the building and get in the Torino.)

Dispatcher: Zebra Three, Zebra Three. Come in, please.

Hutch: Zebra Three, go ahead.

Dispatcher: I have an emergency patch-through for you from someone named Kiko. Go ahead, please.

Kiko: Hutch?

Hutch: Yeah, Kiko?

Kiko: Pete’s in trouble at your place.

Hutch: We’re on our way. (They drive off)

Venice Place: Day

(Duran and Flent are checking through the ice trays in the sink. Pete moves away, but Duran turns around and grabs her.)

Duran: I warned you about playing games. (She bites his arm and runs. Outside Kiko is letting the air out of their tires. He runs when they come out.) There’s that kid. Get her in the car.

Flent: Let’s get out of here. (Duran find the tire flat.)

Duran: It’s flat! Come on, let’s get out.

(They make a run for it, while the Torino comes up behind them. They turn the corner and are blocked by a car and a pick-up truck. Hutch gets out and jumps over the car, while Starsky drives around. Hutch catches up to Flent, climbs on a car and jumps on him, knocking Pete away. Flent kicks him and aims his gun at Hutch.)

Flent: Forget it.

Pete: No! No! You want the diamonds? (Offers her glove) This time, really. Here.

(Throws the glove at him. Hutch gets up and knocks the gun out of Flent’s hands. He throws him against the car and flips Flent over when he lunges at him. Meanwhile the Torino stops at the railway track just as Duran runs by. Starsky gets out and knocks him into a wall. Duran takes a swing, but Starsky ducks, punches him in the back and throws him to the ground. Duran tries to crawl, but Starsky grabs his leg.)

Starsky: Where you going? (He pulls Duran up.) Come on, up you go. Let’s go for a walk. (He bends Duran over the car and allows a uniformed officer to take over) Merry Christmas, Sid.

(Another uniformed officer is handcuffing Flent. Hutch sits down on a car, exhausted.)

Hutch: You know something, Molly? That was a good stall. (Throws her her glove) Are you all right? (She sits next to him.)

Pete: Yeah. But it wasn’t a stall.

Hutch: What?

Pete: They’re really in here. Hold out your hand. (Tips the diamonds into Hutch’s hand.)

Starsky: Look at that.

Pete: They were my dad’s. The only thing he had left.

Hutch: You know something? You saved my life.

Starsky: Yeah, that’s what happens sometimes when people get carried away with euphoric sentimentalism.

Hutch: I asked for that one, didn’t I?

Starsky: Between the eyes.

Kiko’s House: Day

(Everyone is singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Starsky’s voice coming through clearly. Kiko’s mum is preparing the dinner.)

Starsky: We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas.

Kiko: Merry Christmas Hutch.

Starsky: And a Happy New Year.

(Starsky and Hutch are sat on the sofa. Perkowitz is sat on a chair with Pete on the arm. Kiko is sat on the floor.)

Hutch: Oh, that’s beautiful, Kiko. Beautiful. (Looks at his plant)

Starsky: It eats bugs.

Hutch: Why do I get the feeling the two of you went shopping together?

Kiko: Well, see, we figured it would be just the thing to go along with the ant farm Starsky gave you. (Gets up) You know, in case of an earthquake or something like that, and the ants got all over your apartment. (Picks up a present from under the tree) This one’s for you. (Hands it to Kiko)

Pete: What is it?

Hutch: Well, how you gonna know that unless you open it?

Starsky: See, that one there’s Captain Dobey. (Points to an ant.)

Hutch: Yeah. (Pete opens her gift to find a yellow and plaid jacket.)

Kiko: Kinda icky, huh?

Pete: Yeah. But I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try it on. (She goes off)

Perkowitz: Hey, Kiko. If I can really arrange it, how are you gonna like having Molly as a sister?

Kiko: I guess a sister’s okay. I always wanted a brother, though. (Goes to the tree again.) But Pete-I mean, Molly’s close enough. (Picks up a present) Let’s see. This one’s for you. (Hands it to Starsky.)

Starsky: Me?

Kiko: Yeah. From Hutch.

Starsky: Really?

Hutch: Yeah.

Starsky: I knew it.

Hutch: Yeah.

Starsky: You know, for a while there you had me going. For a while, I thought you really weren’t gonna get me anything.

Hutch: Well, it’s not really much, Starsk. I tried to stick to my principles.

Starsky: Yeah, you old devil. (Rips through the paper. Amongst all the tissue paper he finds an envelope.) You know what this is? This happens to be a clue. It’s gonna tell me where my new caboose to my train set is.

Hutch: Starsk, before you open it. (Puts his arm around him.) Merry Christmas, pal.

Starsky: Merry Christmas. (Opens the envelope.) “A tree has been planted in your name in Westside Park.”

Hutch: Uh, huh. They say it’s only about 50 yards from the horseshoe pitch. (Everyone laughs and smiles except Starsky.) That nice?

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