The Las Vegas Strangler
Parts I and II

episode transcript by Sarah Spearey

Las Vegas: Night

(The place is alive with life, the casinos are busy and everywhere people are having a good time.)

Craps guy: Coming out. Ten. The number is ten.

(Two girls are a walking back stage in there dancing outfits.)

Woman: Uh, Grable, Grable, Grable. George Brent.

Iris: Barabra Stanwyck

Woman : Uh, uh, uh. I good. I already used Barbara Stanwyck, remember?

Iris: When did you use Barbara Stanwyck. I don’t remember you using Barbara Stanwyck.

Woman : Yes, I did. I said Helen Twelvetrees, you said Tom Brown and I said Barbara Stanwyck. Get it?

Iris: All right, all right, all right, an S to me.

Woman : Not an S, dummy, a B: George Brent.

Iris: Dummy?

Woman : B

Iris: D, D, Dummy. All right.

Woman 2: B, B,

Iris: Give me a B.

Woman : Brent.

Iris: Barry Fitzgerald.

Woman 2: Hurray.

Iris: Hurray.

Woman 2: Hurray.

Iris: Listen Darling, how about a ride home? Just my feet, not my body.

Woman : I wish I could, really, but I can’t. My sister’s got my car. I’m walking myself. (They walk away and later walk through the parking lot in their non-work clothes.)

Iris: Another day, another dime. All right.

Woman : Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow night.

Iris: All right, then.

Woman : Take care. (They walk off in different directions.)

Iris: Barbara Stanwyck.

(A shot of a pair of feet dressed in white shoes. The woman walks through the parking lot, followed by the feet. She hears the footsteps and stops.)

Woman: Who’s there? Is anybody there? (The man takes a pair of tights out of his pocket) I said is somebody there? (She continues walking, as does the man. The woman streams when she sees the mystery man, but only an arm is seen dragging her off screen)

The Police Station: Day.

(Starsky and Hutch enter the squad room)

Hutch: That’s a fantastic idea.

Starsky: Aw, come on.

Hutch: I’m into poetry. (Starsky sees a man at the coffee machine)

Starsky: Behold the desert prince.

Hutch: Hey, that’s good.

Starsky: No, dummy. (Points to the man. They walk to their desk, Starsky holding a book over his face.)

Cameron: Starsky, Hutchinson.

Hutch: Yeah, lieutenant, what are you doing down here from Vegas, huh?

Cameron: Believe it or not I came down here to see you two.

Starsky: How thrilling. (Dobey enters)

Dobey: Okay, Cameron. We might as well get this thing started. Starsky, Hutch, in my office. (Hutch is up first)

Hutch: Let’s go.

Starsky: I smell a rat. (Starsky enters last and expertly kicks the door closed with his feet.)

Dobey: How many times have I told you about that?

Starsky: Sorry, Cap. I’m working on it.

Hutch: What’s this all about, cap? (They sit down)

Dobey: Lieutenant Cameron here will answer all your questions.

Cameron: Well, I suppose you’re all wondering why I asked you to gather her. (Starsky and Hutch look at each other) Okay, I’ll come straight to the point. It seems we have a maniac roaming our streets in Las Vegas. One who believes that strangling showgirls is a worthwhile hobby. Here, take a look. (Hands Starsky a file. He hands one to Hutch) He’s already killed four. All four girls worked in different shows. All four were found in different locations.

Starsky: Doesn’t leave them very pretty.

Cameron: Killing’s only part of it. You should see what he does to them after they’re dead.

Hutch: Why are you telling us all this?

Starsky: I see two thirsty souls trudging through the desert toward a neon city.

Cameron: Well, in the past, you’ve always been helpful to our department when our cases brought us here. So I thought it was only right that we give you a chance to see our fair city. I filed a request with your chief yesterday afternoon.

Dobey: And it’s been approved. All we need is for you to agree.

Starsky: Wait a second. Just wait—wait a minute, cap. Putting aside personalities and the fact that Hutch and I and the lieutenant here don’t exactly sing in harmony, something doesn’t make sense. I mean, the Las Vegas Police Department is supposed to be one of the best in the country.

Cameron: Yes, but we’re a small department, in a small town where almost everybody knows everybody else. Now, right now, we’ve got a psycho on our hands. And that could be anybody in the city. Fellas, I believe this is a time to put our personalities aside. Look, I need two good men who can go undercover. Two good men that I can be sure won’t be recognized as cops. Well, what do you say? Are you in?

Duke’s Used Clothing: Day

(Starsky is standing in front of a mirror trying on clothes that belong in a 40’s gangster flick)

Starsky: Hug, are sure these are the kind of clothes they wear in Vegas?

Huggy: Am I sure? Starsky, you two guys are gonna look like the flash with the cash,

Duke: That’s right, that’s right.

Hutch: You sure this tie isn’t a little too bright?

Huggy: Bright? Bright? Everything in Las Vegas is bright. Bright is their national colours Hutch.

Duke: That’s right, that’s right.

Starsky: I don’t know, Hug. These shoes are kind of dubious.

Huggy: Oh, man, Starsky, you talking about the George Raft look.

Duke: That’s right, that’s right.

Huggy: In fact if I didn’t know better I’d guess you two guys were a couple of high rollers who just stepped off the plane from Las Vegas this minute.

Duke: That’s right, that’s right. (Hutch pats off the visible dust on his jacket.)

Hutch: Yeah, well, that I can believe. Dressed like this, they probably would’ve run us right out of town.

Starsky: I don’t know, Hutch. Cameron said he wanted us to look like a couple of tinhorn turkey’s on a gambling spree.

Hutch: Yeah, well, all I’m saying… (looks at his hat in the mirror) Oh, man. All I’m saying, Starsky, is do we have to dress quite this loud?

Starsky: Well, ask Duke here. He’s spent a lot of time in Vegas.

Duke: That’s right, that’s right.

Hutch: Is that right?

Duke: That’s right, that’s right.

Starsky: Besides, I’m kind of getting to like it.

Huggy: Mm-hm. (Starsky pays Duke)

Hutch: You look ridiculous.

Starsky: What do you know?

(Duke and Huggy move over to the cash desk)

Huggy: Hey, Duke, just between friends, when was the last time you was in Las Vegas?

Duke: About 1946.

Huggy: That’s right, that’s right.

Duke: That’s right.

A Road: Day.

(Hutch is driving a red convertible on the road to Las Vegas, with Starsky beside him reading a guide book to Las Vegas.)

Starsky: It says here this whole town is open 24 hours a day. You know what that means? That means that nothing ever close. Supermarkets, barbershops, hardware stores.

Hutch: Well, you know, Starsk, they’re probably all waiting for the air-conditioning repairman to show up.

Starsky: Is that a joke?

Hutch: Give me a sip of that, will you? (Reaches for Starsky’s drink)

Starsky: You don’t take sips. Besides, it’s all I got left. Stick to your coconut. You know, the more I read about Las Vegas, the more it seems like my kind of town. (Singing) My kind of town, Las Vegas is. Now, listen to this. It says here that dice were the first things invented…

Hutch: Starsk, would you mind not reading any more passages from that book?

Starsky: I’m just trying to broaden your horizons.

Hutch: Well, you’ve been broadening my horizons for the last 300 miles and I’m getting sick of it.

Starsky: Yeah, well, this is interesting. Listen to this. It says here that dice were the oldest thing invented by man for the purpose of gambling. They were invented by a man by the name of Palamedes. (pronounces it wrong)

Hutch: That’s Palamedes.

Starsky: Oh. (The engine makes a horrible clanging noise)

Hutch: What’s going on?

Starsky: Did you know that of every 100 cars crossing the desert 23.6 of them have engine trouble?

Hutch: Did you get that out of a book to?

Starsky: No, that one I made up. Welcome to Las Vegas, high roller.

A gas station: Day

(The bonnet is flipped up and Hutch is speaking to a mechanic.)

Hutch: You can have it for me later today, huh? Cabbie, we’ll be there in a minute. (Starsky is playing on a slot machine)

Starsky: Come on, baby, come on.

Hutch: Let’s go, Starsk,

Starsky: Just give me a minute, okay?

Hutch: Cab’s waiting.

Starsky: Just give me one minute. I got a feeling. This baby is about to pay off.

Hutch: You really got a feeling?

Starsky: Yep.

Hutch: That’s the suckers cry from here to Timbuktu. It’s a machine, Starsk. Wheels and gears. How can you have a feeling from a machine?

Starsky: Well, what do you know?

Hutch: Oh, come on, we’re due down at Caesar’s Palace. Cameron’s probably for his desert legionnaires waiting for us.

Starsky: Let them wait. (Continues gambling)

Hutch: Starsky. What would your mother say if she say you now, huh? Her little sonny boy, caught in the throes of a gambler’s mania. Starsky, it’s pitiful. You, a grown man. Come on, Starsk, come on. (Puts Starsky’s hat on his head.)

Starsky: Just give it a minute, will you?

Hutch: Come on. (Takes his quarter)

Starsky: What are you?

Hutch: Come on, let’s go.

Starsky: Spoilsport.

(He walks away with Hutch, who turns around, puts the coin in the slot and pulls the handle. As he walks away the machine hits the jackpot. Starsky is not amused and watches annoyed while Hutch collects the coins in his hat.)

Caesar’s Palace: Day

(The cab pulls up outside the hotel. Starsky jumps out excitedly.)

Starsky: Will you look at this place? (People stare at them)Huh, Hutch? I mean will you look at this place?

Hutch: Yeah, I might as well. I got a feeling everyone else in this place is gonna be look at us. (He pays the driver)

Starsky: Don’t be so sensitive. No one’s gonna pay any attention to us.

(As they head on in everyone laughs and stares, but Starsky just tilts his hat, smiling. Inside a man wonders around drunkenly. Starsky enters and is impressed)

Starsky: I mean, will you just look at this place?

Man: Coming out again. Shoot the dice. (All around people are gambling and talking loudly.)

Starsky: Look at it. Hutch. (They walk forwards)

Hutch: Yeah, I’m looking, I’m looking. It’s freezing.

Starsky: Yeah, well, nothing, nothing’s bothering me. I mean, did you ever feel like you’d just died and gone to heaven?

Hutch: This place have that kind of effect on you? (They stop)

Starsky: Yeah. I got it Hutch. I got that fever. That Vegas fever. Look. (He tries to walk off, but Hutch takes his arm)

Hutch: Hey, hey, come on. Come here.

Starsky: What’re you doing?

Hutch: I think you better give me the money.

Starsky: Huh?

Hutch: The $200. I think you better give me the money.

Starsky: I just told you. I got a feeling. I mean, I’m gonna go out there. I’m gonna make a mint.

Hutch: Starsky, you remember why we’re here?

Starsky: Yeah.

Hutch: We’re on an assignment.

Starsky: I know that.

Hutch: Lieutenant Cameron has probably already got us spotted. Now, we’re supposed to take that $200, lose it, get in a fight and get thrown into jail.

Starsky: Yeah, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun. Look, Cameron never said why we were gonna get thrown in jail.

Hutch: Don’t argue with me. In your-in your feverish state, I-I think you better give me the money. I mean, I can be cool and calm and get this thing done easily and quickly. Give me the money. (Gestures) Come on.

Starsky: Okay. (Hands over the money and pouts)

Hutch: You ready?

Starsky: No. You can take care of yourself.

Hutch: All right.

Starsky: Good luck. (Hutch walks off.)

Man: No more bets, all bets are down.

(Starsky takes a bill out from under his collar. He casually makes his way over to a roulette table)

Starsky: Chips please. (Pause) Chips.

Croupier: Chips for George Raft.

Starsky: Come on, come on, come on. (Gets his chips) Seventeen black.

Croupier: All bets down.

Starsky: Come on, roll that ball, roll that ball. Okay. (The ball rolls) Seventeen, seventeen. Come home clean, 17. (Hutch comes up behind him)

Hutch: You just can’t control yourself, can you?

Starsky: Well, we had to lose it and I had this feeling.

Hutch: Yeah, I know this feeling, right? You know the mathematical probability of winning on the bet you just placed is 35 to 1.

Starsky: I know that.

Hutch: Come on over here, let me…

Starsky: What are you talking about? (Hutch tries dragging him a way) Wait a second. Will you just wait one second?

Hutch: Come on.

Starsky: Wait a second. (Drags him away)

Croupier: Seventeen black and we have the winner. (Starsky jumps with joy)

Starsky: Whoa, whoa, we got a winner! We got a winner! We got a winner. Right here, put it right here. Right here, right here, right here. Oh, boy.

Hutch: You won, now we got more to lose.

Starsky: What are you talking…?

Hutch: Now, why don’t you let me handle it? (He picks up the chips and turns away) Come on.

(The drunken man is back again, humming to himself. While Hutch stops at the craps table)

Man: Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen.

Starsky: Hey, Hutch, what are you doing? That’s the whole thing, huh? Can’t we just bleed it out a little at a time? Come on, now. We don’t wanna bet all of…(Tries pull it off the number)

Hutch: Starsky. (Tries stopping him)

Starsky: Hey, what are you doing?

Hutch: Starsky, for your sake…

Starsky: You’re out of your tree.

Hutch: For your sake it’s better this way.

Starsky: For my sake?

Hutch: Yes.

Cowboy guy: Your dice, blondie.

Man: New shooter coming up.

Hutch: All right, watch me lose.

Starsky: You’re gonna bet this whole thing?

Hutch: All of it. (Rolls the dice.)

Gambler: Seven, yeah.

Stickman: Winner seven.

Starsky: Oh, you’re much better.

Hutch: Wait a minute, it takes a little time, you know. I need a few minutes to warm up. It’s not easy to lose it all at once.

Starsky: All right, look, you take all the time you want. Meanwhile, I’m gonna take half the chips and I’m gonna go place some roulette. (Grabs the chips.)

Hutch: Hey, those are his chips. (Points to the cowboy.)

Starsky: Look, why don’t you let me have a little fun, huh? You know, you’re mean. You’re really mean.

Gambler: You can do it.

Starsky: You.

(Hutch taps a rose held by the lady next to him and rolls the dice.)

Gambler: Hey!

Stickman: Eleven.

Gambler: Here we go. Here we go. (They get more chips)

Starsky: Hutch? Hutch? Hey, this is Starsky talking. (Hutch taps the rose again.) Zebra Three. (Rolls again)

Stickman: Winner, eleven. Pay the line. Place your bets. (Hutch continues to roll and continues to win money.)

Hutch: Quinine, the bitter dose.

Cowboy: You can do it, Blondie. You can do it!

Hutch: That’s all right. Keep it coming. Keep it coming. Keep it coming. Keep it coming. (To Starsky) Don’t touch my drink. Don’t you know anything about luck?

Cowboy: Yeah, what’s the matter with you? (Starsky grabs Hutch’s wrist,)

Starsky: Hey, hey. What happened to all that talk about pitiful people in the throes of gambler’s mania?

Hutch: Starsky, that was different. Don’t touch my shooting arm.

Starsky: What?

Hutch: My shooting arm. What do you do, wanna turn me cold? Okay, come on nine, come on. Come on nine, come on. (Taps the rose)

Stickman: Nine. (Cheers)

Starsky: Well, let me ask you something. It’s gonna be kind of difficult to accuse management of cheating, get into a fight and get thrown in jail if we end up breaking the bank.

Hutch: Well, what to you want me to do about it? Throw all this away?

Starsky: Well, it’s not…

Cowboy: Listen, curly top. You trying to break his winning streak.

Starsky: Look, why don’t you go suck on a watermelon or something?

Stickman: Sir, are you gonna continue your roll?

Hutch: Starsky, I’m sorry. I’m on a hot streak. I can’t stop now. One time. Shoot it all.

Stickman: Sir, do you realize how much money you have on the line? You have over $9000 there.

Starsky: He realizes it.

Hutch: I realize.

Starsky: He realizes it.

Hutch: I wanna shoot it all.

Starsky: He’s gonna shoot it all.

Hutch: I’m gonna shoot it all.

Starsky: Yeah, for sport.

Stickman: Place your bets, please. Some lucky shooter coming out. (Hutch taps the rose and shoots)

Gambler: Seven.

Stickman: Seven. (Cheers, Hutch kisses the girl besides him and shakes the cowboys’ hand)

Cowboy: Beautiful, beautiful. (Starsky pours the drink over the cowboy’s head.)

Hutch: Hey…

Starsky: Excuse men, I just thought I was watering the backside of a horse.

Hutch: Starsky. Starsky, what did you do that for?

Starsky: Well, I figured if we couldn’t get thrown into jail for being losers. (Cowboy takes a swing, Starsky ducks and Hutch gets the fist. Starsky jumps on the guys back. He throws Starsky on to the table. Hutch comes up behind him, but is hit and goes crashing to the floor along with a security guard. Starsky jumps up and headbutts and cop and lays a fist in his gut.)

Guard: Pretty good for a little fella. (Throws Starsky on to a another table)

Starsky: I suppose it’s a little late to get a bet down.

The County Jail: Day.

(Starsky and Hutch are led to a holding cell.)

Starsky: Aw, come on, officer. Give a guy a break. What about our rights? Don’t we get to make a couple of phone calls, huh?

Officer: You can make all the calls you want as soon as you get out of here. (They lock the cell door, Hutch is holding a hankie to his nose)

Starsky: You’re a regular warm person, officer.

Officer: You may not like me, son, but Jesus loves you.

Hutch: Oh, brother.

Starsky: That’s a hell of a thing to say to somebody after you’ve locked them up.

Hutch: How are we gonna spend $18,000 in here, huh? (Starsky points to a paper covering a man)

Starsky: Cocoa-butter cream, $1.49 for five ounces.

Hutch: Well, that’s a start. (They walk over to a bench were a bum is already sleeping sat up)

Starsky: Think he’d mind. (They sit either side of him and stop him from falling over, while he coughs) You gotta take short breaths. That’s the secret. (He offers Hutch a cigarette)

Hutch: Yeah, no, thank you. (He takes a close look at the man on the bench beside them, looking at him from the side) Hey.

Starsky: What?

Hutch: Hey, Starsk, I think I know that guy.

Starsky: Him? (Gestures to the man with his thumb)

Hutch: Yeah, I think I went to High School with him. (Looks again) Hey, Jack? Jack Mitchell. (Guys sits up)

Jack: Bob-Ken, Hu…? Hutch.

Hutch: Jack Mitchell. (Goes over to him)

Jack: Hey, Hutch, what?

Hutch: Jack Mitchell, how are you doing? (Shake hands)

Jack: What are you doing? Two minds on a single track.

Hutch: Yeah, I…

Jack: What’s that?

Hutch: I, uh, took a pretty stiff right cross.

Starsky: Hell of a time for a class reunion.

Hutch: What are you doing here?

Jack: Parking tickets or something.

Hutch: Parking tickets? Same old Jack.

Jack: Tear them up, stuff them in the glove compartment. These people aren’t got no sense of humour. (A shot of the mirror on the wall)

Hutch: Tell me about it. Listen, I want you to meet somebody. David Starsky. Jack Mitchell. (The scenes watched from the other side of the mirror.)

Starsky: Hey, who’re you doing?

Hutch: When Jack and I were in High School, we used to be called what?

Jack: Prince and the Pauper.

Hutch: Prince an the Pauper.

Starsky: I didn’t know you were poor.

Hutch: Oh, I wasn’t, but he was filthy rich.

Jack: Yes, disgustingly so. Uh, seriously…

Hutch: What?

Jack: What are you guys doing here?

Hutch: Oh, Starsky and I are down here, uh…

Starsky: Hitting the tables.

Jack: Just gambling and bumming around.

Hutch: Bumming around.

Jack: Oh, for a minute I thought somebody was puting on guys and dolls. (Cameron and some guy are in a room on the other side of the mirror)

Cameron: He almost slipped.

Dr. Cleveland: Well, Mitchell seems to be responding.

Cameron: Keep your fingers crossed.

Jack: I don’t know. With those suits on, I thought somebody was doing Guys and Dolls. If they could only see us back home.

Hutch: Take a look at you.

Jack: Take a look at you. No, really. This guy was class valedictorian. And we was voted the boy…

Both: Most likely to succeed.

Hutch: And you were gonna be a doctor.

Jack: Yeah.

Hutch: Did you ever make it?

Jack: How long you been in town?

Hutch: Well…

Starsky: Well, we just came in this afternoon.

Jack: You’re not settled? Terrific. You can move in with me.

Hutch: Hey, Jack that’s really nice…

Jack: I mean it.

Hutch: We can’t do that…

Jack: I really know this town. I can show you guys a good time. Besides, I’m all alone. (Starsky notices the mirror) I mean, how can you have fun if you’re trying to have fun alone? Look, I mean-I mean it.

Starsky: When do you want us to move in Jack? (Walks over to the mirror)

Jack: Well, as soon as we get…today. As soon as we get out of here.

Hutch: Starsky, you know we got things to do.

Starsky: Well, you get argue with fate Hutch. I mean, even in Las Vegas, what are the odds on a coincidence happening of two old High School buddies meeting in the city tank (Gestures subtly to the mirror he’s now got his back to)

Jack: He’s right. You can’t argue with fate. (Hutch looks at the mirror)

Cameron: He’s gonna blow it. Get him out of there.

Jack: As soon as we get out of here, you can move into my place.

Officer: Hutchinson! Starsky! Front and centre.

Hutch: Yeah. Hey, listen, Jack, it’s really good to see you. Talk to you soon, huh?

Jack: Right.

Starsky: Take it easy.

Jack: See ya. (They leave and enter the other room to watch Jack)

Starsky: Let me get this straight. What you’re saying is that Hutch’s old pal in there, the old High School buddy, the guy that just invited us to stay at his place, you suspect him of being the strangler?

Cameron: It’s more than suspicion. I’d bet my life on it.

Hutch: This whole thing was a set up, wasn’t it? All that talk about us being good cops. You just wanted us to help you bust Jack Mitchell. You know, I oughta tear your head off.

Cameron: When this is all over, is you still feel that way, you can have your chance.

Hutch: Cameron, you’re all wrong. It’s over right now. (He walks for the door)

Cameron: Hutchinson! (He grabs him) Hutchinson. That friend of yours in there, that guy you’re being so loyal to it’s our strong feeling that he’d killed at least four women already.

Hutch: Well, if you’re so sure of that, why don’t you hold him for something stronger than parking tickets?

Cameron: Now, don’t be cute. You know as well as I do that parking tickets was just a convenience to make sure he’d be here by the time you two guys arrived.

Starsky: Well, what have you got, Cameron?

Cameron: Got a lot of things. Not much one by one. But put them together with a cop’s guy feeling…

Hutch: A cops guy feeling, huh?

Cameron: Don’t tell me you never had one? Never played a hunch. Was never sure that somebody was guilty long before you could prove it.

Dr. Cleveland: Mitchell knew all the girls who died, intimately.

Hutch: That’s still not enough to make him as a killer.

Cameron: Okay. Footprints matching his size were found at the scene of two of the killings. Then, of course, there’s his strange behaviour.

Hutch: Strange behaviour, huh? What’s that supposed to mean?

Cameron: You asked him if he became a doctor. He did.

Hutch: Yeah, so what?

Cameron: He’s been a resident for two and a half years. And he just walked away from it all. Then six and a half months ago he came here to Las Vegas. And he’s been a one-man, non-stop party ever since. That’s kinda strange.

Dr. Cleveland: Look, you might ask yourself how we knew he’d insist on you two moving in with him. Now, besides being brought in twice for questioning on these murders, your friend has been arrested seven times since he’s been in Las Vegas. Everything from standing stark naked on top of the Caesar’s Palace sign to almost beating a parking-lot attendant to death for giving him the wrong change. During these periods of arrest we’ve gotten a pretty thorough psychiatric profile of him.

Hutch: Yeah, excuse me lieutenant, who’s he?

Cameron: This Dr. Cleveland, our in-house psychiatrist.

Hutch: How do you do?

Dr. Cleveland: Look, what we found is that your friend suffers from extreme anxiety. One of his symptoms seems to be an almost hysterical fear of being alone. The other is a, uh, penchant for mindless violence.

Starsky: Penchant?

Cameron: Look, Hutchinson. Now, I know I can’t order you on this assignment. And I’ll admit that I tricked you guys into coming here, but I am telling you that that guy in there is a psychotic killer. And only you and your partner, only you two, can stop him, right now. Do you understand that? (Walks back to the one way mirror)

Hutch: Starsk?

Starsky: Hm?

Hutch: He was my best friend.

Starsky: Then I guess we better stick with him. Because whether we prove him guilty or innocent, it’s the best favour we can do for him. (Hutch turns back to Cameron)

Hutch: Yeah, all right.

(In the cell Jack lies down on the bench and we see he’s wearing white shoes just like the killer)

Robert’s Drugs: Night.

(The car pulls up outside the store at high speed, with Jack behind the wheel. He jumps out)

Starsky: Why’d you stop here?

Jack: I, uh, I gotta get some chewing gum, okay? (Enters the store)

Hutch: Why not drive right on in. (Climbs out the back)

Starsky: Really. My kidneys may never be that same, but I’m beginning to think you’re right.

Hutch: About what?

Starsky: About your friend Jack. (Jumps out) I mean, the way he drives, why bother strangling anyone? (They enter the store)

Jack: Mrs. Pruitt.

Mrs. Pruitt: Here comes Mr. Sunshine.

Eugene: Ah, Ma, he ain’t so bad. (Starsky and Hutch look for Jack)

Jack: Hey, Eugene, I’m glad I caught you. (Goes up to the counter and passes Mrs. Pruitt.) Nice.

Mrs. Pruitt: Don’t do that.

Jack: Did you make the deliveries yet?

Eugene: Well, not yet. What can I do you for, Mr. Mitchell?

Jack: I need some gum. I need $100 worth of gum and I want you to make the deliveries.

Eugene: $100 worth of gum.

Jack: Right.

Eugene: Well, uh, we have a couple of cases in back. I could get those for you.

Jack: Let’s see them. Let’s go seem them. You see, I got this buddy and he’s in the county jail. He’s in the lockup for three months and he wants to leave the biggest gob in the world right under his bunk, see? (Starsky and Hutch approach the counter)

Starsky: Ma’am. (Hutch whistles while Mrs. Pruitt checks them out)

Hutch: We’re going to a masquerade party.

Mrs. Pruitt: What are you going as next year? Ballerinas. (They walk away from the counter)

Hutch: “Are you sure these are the kind of clothes they wear in Las Vegas?”

Starsky: Everyone is entitled to a mistake.

Hutch: Yeah, sure. (Starsky sighs) Now what is it?

Starsky: I’m about to float away.

Hutch: Well, hold on to it. (Eugene comes out from the back)

Eugene: I’m going on my run now, Ma.

Mrs, Pruitt: I hate that beard.

Hutch: Hey, excuse me, excuse me. Is Jack coming out?

Eugene: Uh, Mr. Mitchell?

Hutch: Yeah.

Eugene: He went out the back way.

Hutch: What?

Eugene: He flagged down a cab and took off.

Hutch: Oh.

Eugene: Bye, Ma. (Leaves)

Starsky: Some terrific cops we are.

Hutch: Yeah, well, why weren’t you watching?

Starsky: What do you think I was doing? I was watching. You got his home address?

Hutch: Yeah, it’s here someplace (They leave the store)

Starsky: Well, why don’t we go there?

Hutch: Where?

Starsky: His home.

Hutch: Oh, that’s clever.

Starsky: Thank you. (They get in the car) Say, do you mind if we stop at a service station.

Hutch: Yes. (Pulls out) Hold it.

(Back inside the store a woman is paying for her things at the counter)

Mrs. Pruitt: Sixty-five cents.

Dancer: Okay. (Pays) Thanks, Mrs. Pruitt. (Leaves)

Mrs. Pruitt: Tramp.

(The woman goes around the store and down an alley, but she’s being watched by the killer. There’s a loud clang and she stops. She goes to her car and drops the keys. The killer stands on them)

Dancer: Oh, please don’t hurt me! Please!

Jack’s Apartment: Night.

(People are playing in the pool. Starsky and Hutch are being shown around by a man with a beard)

Ace: Like Benny used to say. “If God wanted men to walk around during the daytime we’d all have been born with sunglasses on.”

Hutch: Benny? Benny who?

Ace: Benny Siegel, an old and dead friend of mine. May God rest his soul.

Hutch: Benny Siegel. Oh, you mean Bugsy Siegel, the old gangster.

Ace: If you’re gonna live here with Jack, don’t ever let me hear you say that.

Hutch: Sorry.

Ace: His name ws Ben. Benny, for his friends. I was one of them. I used to cut his hair. I’ve been cutting hair for 47 years. I trimmed a lot of the big ones. Movie stars, politicians, but Benny, he was the best.

Hutch: Yeah. Uh, you were gonna show us Jack’s apartment.

Ace: Oh, right there. But I told you, he ain’t here. If he was here, everything would be open, playing phonograph records.

Starsky: Look, Ace, it’s real important that we find Jack. (Gives him some money)

Ace: Well, why didn’t you say so before? A gal was around her looking for him this afternoon. She wanted to invite him to a party. I don’t know where, but her name is Vicky something or other. She works in the big show over at the Thunderbird.

The Thunderbird: Night.

(Starsky and Hutch enter the dressing room)

Man: Vicky?

Vicky: Yeah.

Man: These are friends of Jack Mitchell.

Vicky: Oh,

Hutch: Hello.

Vicky: Have you seen him?

Hutch: Well, we were kinda hoping that you had. We understand that you, uh, tried to invite him to a party.

Vicky: Oh, yeah, I stopped by his, uh, apartment this afternoon, but he wasn’t around. So I just left a message on his answering service.

Hutch: Um, Vicky, it’s really kinda important that we find him. Do you have any idea where this party might be?

Vicky: Sure, it’s at my place. Well, at least a friend’s across the way. (Looks at Starsky) You know, I think I should like you.

Starsky: Me? Why?

Vicky: You’re embarrassing me.

Starsky: I’m embarrassing you?

Vicky: It’s just that we’re so used to getting dressed and undressed around here. Men come in and they either don’t care or they leer. You’re blushing. (He just smiles and blushes.) It’s okay. Listen, the party is at the Palm Crest Apartments. 118 19^th Street and it’s already started.

Hutch: Thank you very much.

Vicky: Your welcome very much. (To Starsky) Listen, the next time you see me I will be dressed.

Starsky: Don’t do anything on my account. (She laughs and he leaves)

Palm Crest Apartments: Night.

(The party is in full swing and it’s a birthday party. People are milling about either chatting or dancing. Starsky and Hutch enter)

Jack: Starsky.

Starsky: Look who’s here.

Jack: Hutch! Over here.

Hutch: Jack!

Jack: Where have you been?

Starsky: Where have we been.

Jack: You know Glenda?

Starsky: Hello Glenda.

Jack: This is Glenda’s birthday. That’s what this is all about.

Starsky: Happy birthday.

Glenda: Thanks. (Points to Hutch) Doesn’t he talk?

Starsky: Him?

Hutch: Uh, many happy returns.

Glenda: I think my birthday wish just came true.

Hutch: Yeah, well, when you start opening your gifts, you let me know, huh?

Starsky: Hey, Jack, where’d you go to? We were looking all over for you.

Jack: I had things to take care of, all right. Come on, I’ll get you a drink. Come on. You know, this is my best buddy in the whole world. We went to high school together (Leads them to the counter) And then, uh, you know, one summer we worked together as lifeguards at this resort. Hutch, because he thought he had to have a little money to get through high school, and me, because I thought, well, all the girls would be around there. And also I thought it might be a long time before I’d see my old buddy again. And, uh, it was a long time before I saw my old buddy. There’s Janie. I’ll be right back.

Hutch: Hey, Jack…

Jack: Be right back.

Starsky: Where’s he going?

Hutch: Hey, listen, how long has Jack been here?

Glenda: Oh, no long. Maybe 10 minutes.

Hutch: Uh, I don’t…would you have a beer? Please?

Glenda: Sure.

Hutch: Thank you very much.

Starsky: Ten minutes. That leaves two hours unaccounted for.

Hutch: Yeah, well, I don’t think we should press him. He’s liable to run out on us.

Starsky: Mm-mm. What do you wanna do?

Hutch: Well, let’s uh, let’s stick around, enjoy the party, stick close to Jack until we have a chance to talk to Cameron.

Starsky: Do we have to?

Hutch: Well, why don’t you take a nap? (Starsky walks off to meet Vicky at the door.)

Vicky: Oh, hi.

Starsky: Hi. Look at you.

Vicky: You like?

Starsky: Well…yeah.

Vicky: Thank you.

Starsky: You wanna take a walk?

Vicky: Uh…

Starsky: Walk?

Vicky: Sure. (Link arms) Let’s go.

Starsky: Excuse us, please.

Vicky: Bye.

Starsky: Ciao. (They leave)

The Pool: Night.

(Starsky and Vicky are sat by the pool)

Vicky: This is my little girl. (Shows him a picture)

Starsky: She’s terrific.

Vicky: Yeah.

Starsky: Look at those eyes. How come she’s got brown eyes and you’ve got blue eyes?

Vicky: It’s a freak of nature.

Starsky: Okay. Must be really tough working nights and having to take care of her.

Vicky: My mother takes care of her. She has a place out in Boulder City. I keep that apartment mainly because, uh, working nights, 30 miles is too far to drive.

Starsky: You see her a lot.

Vicky: As often as I can. I just wish it was all the time.

Starsky: Hey. You gotta make a living. You gotta put the bread on the table.

Vicky: Or something. Thank you, I had fun tonight.

Starsky: Is that it? Is that the whole shooting match?

Vicky: That’s the whole ball of wax.

Starsky: (Sighs) Walk you up?

Vicky: Well, if you do, we’ll just spend the next 20 minutes to say good night.

Starsky: Who said anything about saying good night?

Vicky: I did.

Starsky: You did. (Stands up) Okay.

Vicky: Good night.

Starsky: Good night. (They kiss)

Vicky: Good night. (Turns to walk away)

Starsky: Hey. Don’t fall in the pool.

Vicky: I’ll try not to. (She walks along side the pool. When she gets to the other side a man jumps out and grabs her.) Help! Help me! (Starsky sees.) No! No!

(Starsky runs over and tackles the man to the ground, knocking all three of them down. They struggle on the ground, the guy getting on top and throwing punch at Starsky. People come out to watch the fight. Starsky manages to punch the guy off him and tackles the man into the pool. Hutch runs up and dives in. He gets underneath Starsky, lifts him up and drops him over his shoulder. He gathers him up and notices it’s Starsky.)

Starsky: Hutch, there! (Hutch punches the man a few times and people drag him out of the pool. Glenda goes over to Vicky.)

Glenda: Oh, god.

Starsky: Somebody call the cops. I think we caught the strangler.

Glenda: I hate to disappoint you, but he’s no strangler. That’s just Lloyd.

Starsky: Lloyd? Who’s Lloyd?

Glenda: Vicky’s ex-husband. Every time he gets a few too many drinks in him he comes looking for her.

Vicky’s Apartment: Night.

(Vicky’s in the kitchen, holding a bottle. There’s a knock on the door.)

Starsky: Vicky?

Vicky: Who is it?

Starsky: Me. David. (She opens the door)

Vicky: Hi.

Starsky: Hi. (He enters)

Vicky: You’ve got dry clothes.

Starsky: Mmm. One of the advantages of living out of a ’59 Edsel. How you doing?

Vicky: I’m okay.

Starsky: Yeah. (They lean into kiss until the kettle whistles.)

Vicky: I was making some tea.

Starsky: With scotch?

Vicky: Well, I figured if Janis Joplin can drink it with Coke, why couldn’t I drink it with tea?

Starsky: That’s what I like. A girl with a logical mind.

Vicky: Would you like a cup?

Starsky: No. thanks. Can’t stay. Jack’s insisting on showing Hutch and me the real Las Vegas. (Taps on the goldfish jar) Hello in there.

Vicky: Well, if there’s anyone that can do it, it’s Jack.

Starsky: Mm-hm.

Vicky: He knows more screwballs. What does that day for us?

Starsky: Well, if that’s what it takes, I don’t mind the company. You know, when I heard you scream, I thought the strangler had got you.

Vicky: One of my closest friends was one of the girls that got killed.

Starsky: Really? I’m sorry.

Vicky: It was really strange. I think Tracy knew she was gonna die.

Starsky: How do you mean?

Vicky: It was like she was having a premonition. She was really scared the last couple of days.

Starsky: Of what? Anything in particular?

Vicky: Well, it was kind of crazy. Tracy said that a couple of different times she got this weird feeling that someone was in her apartment at night. Just standing there, watching her sleep. Then one night, she woke up and was sure that someone was in there. So she just laid there, afraid to move. Till finally daylight came and there was nobody there. But the screen on one of her windows had been opened.

Starsky: Did she report this to the police?

Vicky: No. She said that she’d feel stupid going to the police with it. They’d probably just claim it was her imagination. (Knock on the door.)

Jack: Hey, Starsky?

Vicky: Oh, you have to go.

Starsky: Yeah. Look, don’t you forget. I want you to lock the screens, the doors, the windows and the floors. Capeesh?

Vicky: Capeesh.

Jack: Starsky.

Vicky: Are you kidding. The way my life’s been going.

Starsky: Really. (They walk to the door.)

Vicky: You had better believe it.

Hutch: Come on, Starsk. Jack wants to show us the town. (Vicky and Starsky kiss.)

Vicky: Have fun.

Starsky: Now that’s a very dirty thing to say. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. (Opens the door.) Lock it.

Vicky: I will.

The Town: Night.

(The car is cruising through the streets passed casinos with bright lights,)

Hutch: You know, Jack, it’s 4:00 in the morning.

Jack: Yeah, Hutch, but that’s when the real people come on.

(At a club Starsky sits leaning on a table looking tired and unimpressed. A grooving waitress serves him another drink. Hutch and Jack are on the dancefloor.)

Hutch: Come on, Starsk, liven up. (Starsky still looks bored.) What happened to the guy who was never gonna go to sleep? What happened to ‘my kind of town’? (Jack passes out on the floor) Hey, Jack, come on. Get off the floor. (He lifts him up in a fireman’s carry and Starsky joins them)

Starsky: When your friend runs out of gas, he really runs out of gas.

Hutch: You should talk. (They swing round to leave) Hey, sweetheart. You were beautiful. (Singing) Vegas is my kind of town.

Jack’s apartment: Night.

Starsky: (Singing) He robbed the rich, he helped the poor, he shot James MacEvoy. (They enter through the door carrying Jack) Uh-huh. A terror to Australia.

Hutch: Get out of the way.

Starsky: I’m getting I’m getting. Wild colonial boy. (Hutch takes Jack into the bedroom and dumps him on the bed) One day on the Praise, as Jack Duggan rode a long. Singing a song, singing a song, singing a song. Singing a song. (Hutch exits the room, closing the door) He robbed the rich, he helped the poor. Jack Duggan rode a long.

Hutch: Oh, what are you singing that song for? (Sits at the breakfast bar)

Starsky: That happens to be the song John Wayne sang when he carried Victor McLaglen back to Maureen O’Hara.

Hutch: At 4:00 in the morning?

Starsky: It is 5:00 in the morning. This man does not exactly live in abject poverty, does he?

Hutch: Well, writing checks was on of Jack’s family’s favourite sports. (Ace enters the room)

Ace: Hey, you guys had a pretty good time, huh?

Starsky: Wing-ding. How you doing, Ace?

Ace: Okay, Henderson, okay.

Starsky: Ah, he’s Henderson, I’m Starsky.

Ace: Sometimes I get mixed up with a face, but I never forget a name.

Hutch: Yeah, what’s going on, Ace?

Ace: The cops. They were around looking for you guys. A guy by the name of Macaroon.

Hutch: It’s Cameroon.

Starsky: Cameron, Camer-Cameron.

Hutch: Oh, yeah.

Ace: Well, Camero-Cameron, wants you to see him in his office.

Cameron’s Office: Night.

Cameron: You did what?

Hutch: I told you. We lost him for about two hours. From midnight to around 2:00 in the morning.

Cameron: And I was about to apologise. I want you to see something. (Hands Hutch a file) Take a look at her. Her name was Gretchen Hollander. She was a chorus girl at the Dunes. Se was 26 and beautiful. Until approximately 1:00 this morning, when you to duds were chasing around your phantom friend around this city. Hey, what the hell is wrong with you two?

Hutch: We made a mistake! It won’t happen again.

Cameron: Mistake? Apparently I made a mistake. As far as I’m concerned you can pack your bags.

Hutch: Hey, that’s no good, Cameron. Because if Jack Mitchell is your strangler, we’re still the best bets you’ve got to nail the man.

Starsky: He’s right, you know. I’d say you’re stuck with us either way. Cameron. I mean, who can you find that can get any closer than us?

Cameron: Okay. If he gets away from you again , if he commits one more murder

Hutch: I told you it won’t happen again. If Jack Mitchell is guilty we’ll prove it and deliver him to you personally.

Cameron: Fair enough.

Hutch: All right. (Hutch heads for the door.)

Starsky: Hey, wait a second.

Hutch: What?

Starsky: I just thought of something. One of the girls that got killed, her name was, uh, Tracy. Now, she told a friend of hers that she had a strange feeling a couple of days before she was strangled. Now, Tracy said that she felt someone had been in her apartment when she was asleep. Someone was just standing there and just watching her.

Cameron: That’s fascinating.

Starsky: Yeah. Isn’t it? Tracy said that she felt that someone had perhaps jimmed the screen to her window. Oh, boy. (Goes to the door, but turns back) Look, I’d like you to find out if any of the other girls filed a report with the police to the same effect.

Cameron: That would be a waste of time.

Starsky: Oh, humour us. (Leaves)

Vicky’s Apartment: Day.

(Vicky’s asleep in bed. Her window is open and the strangler’s in the room. He goes for her underwear drawer and takes out a pair of tights)

Las Vegas Strangler Part Two

(Recap of the first part)

Vicky’s Apartment: Night.

(Vicky’s asleep in her bed while the strangler takes a pair of tights from her drawer. He goes over to the window and climbs out)

Outside Jack’s Apartment: Day

(Hutch pulls up outside the building and wakes Starsky up in the back.)

Hutch: Come on, come on, come on. You ever get the feeling we’re doing something wrong? I mean, people come to this town from all over the world to relax and enjoy themselves. (Starsky climbs out of the back)

Starsky: Well, I’m having a wing-ding of a time. Aren’t you?

Hutch: Yeah, terrific. (Starsky heads the wrong way to the apartment) This way.

Starsky: Hm? (They knock on the door. Hutch gets worried when there’s no answer)

Hutch: Jack? Jack? (Enters and goes to the bedroom. No one’s there) Jack? (Opens the bathroom door.) Ja-

Jack: Hey, hey, where you guys been?

Starsky: Oh, we went for a cup of coffee.

Jack: Oh, you got more stamina than I do. I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna get some sleep. (Climbs into bed) Oh, I know there was another reason why I got up. Vicky.

Hutch: Uh-huh.

Jack: She called, said, uh, her car broke down. She wants you to pick her up.

Hutch: Where?

Jack: Harry’s Gas Station on the Strip. And take her to Boulder City. Boulder City, okay? Good night.

Hutch: Yeah, good night, Jack. (Leaves the room)

Starsky: I don’t know about you, but I suddenly had a very cold feeling in the pit of my stomach when we came in and he wasn’t here. (Slumps on the couch)

Hutch: You know, Starsk.

Starsky: Yeah?

Hutch: Maybe you ought to take that trip out of Boulder City. (Starsky sighs and stands up)

Starsky: What about him?

Hutch: Well, I’ll be here. I’ll stick with him. You know, if Vicky knew Tracy, maybe she knew some of the other girls. (Relaxes on the couch) At least maybe some of their friends huh? At least it’s a start. Oh, that feels good.

Harry’s Gas Station: Day.

(The car drives up next to Vicky’s car and Starsky honks the horn)

Starsky: Hi.

Vicky: Hi. This is terrific.

Starsky: Is that your car?

Vicky: I’m afraid so. (She gets in and they drive off)

Starsky: Now I know what Jack was talking about.

Vicky: What?

Starsky: He said that of all the girls he met in Vegas, you were by far the tightest with a dollar. Used your tea bags three times.

Vicky: Four.

Starsky: Water down your scotch.

Vicky: You noticed. I also make my own soap.

Starsky: No kidding.

Vicky: Best in town. And it doesn’t mess up the ecology.

Starsky: What do you do with your money?

Vicky: I’ve got the market cornered on Arkansas pork-belly futures.

Vicky’s Parent’s House: Day

(The car pulls up outside and Vicky gets out.)

Vicky: I’ll be just a minute.

Starsky: Okay. (A little girl comes out with a brace on her leg.)

Cary: Mama, mama.

Vicky: Oh, Cary. (Scoops her up into her arms) Oh, my goodness, you’re getting so big. Give me a hug. (They hug while Starsky watches on)

Starsky: Aransas pork bellies.

Vicky: How have you been?

Cary: Fine. (They kiss)

Robert’s Drug Store: Night

(Starsky’s car pulls up in front of the drug store. They get out)

Starsky: Okay, you give Iris another call and I’ll buy what you need.

Vicky: Okay. Whoops. Forgot my purse. (Starsky tries kicking the door closed. Vicky grabs her bag. Starsky enters the store.)

Mrs. Pruitt: Now, you take Clark Gable and Ty Power. Those were real men. That’s what’s wrong with the world today. There are no real men around. Just sissy boys and perverts. (To Starsky.) May I help you? (Vicky makes a call)

Starsky: Uh, yeah.

Mrs. Pruitt: Well, I haven’t got all night.

Starsky: Well, I’m interested in a pair of stocking hose.

Mrs. Pruitt: I can’t hear you. Speak up.

Starsky: Oh, uh…well, I’m interested in a pair of pantyhose.

Mrs. Pruitt: What size are you sweetie?

Vicky: (On the phone) I’ll meet you at the Circus Circus in 10 minutes. Uh, I gotta go. (Hangs up and approaches Starsky) Need some help? I just need one pair to take with me and about five to go. (Starsky knocks something over while Vicky goes to the counter.) Are these new?

Mrs. Pruitt: Mm-hm. Came in this afternoon. (Vicky looks at the butterfly broach.)

Vicky: This one. Just put it on the bill, Mrs. Pruitt and deliver it.

Starsky: What about Iris?

Vicky: Well, I told her where we’d be. She said she’d meet us there.

Starsky: Good, I can’t wait.

Circus Circus: Night.

(Hutch is playing the slots while Starsky watches.)

Starsky: You been winning again? You know we gotta give that money back. (Hutch takes Starsky’s cup of coins)

Hutch: No, no, no. What do you want me to do? (Coins drop) He insisted the first 50 we drop be my money. Only, I haven’t exactly dropped anything.

Starsky: How much?

Hutch: You still got your nine?

Starsky: Yeah.

Hutch: Well, I got a little over 13.

Starsky: Twenty-two thousand dollars. (Machine rings) Well, that’s just terrific. Well, if you’re not too busy, there’s someone I’d like you to talk to, alone. It’s important. (Glances at Jack) We can watch him from up there. Come on. (They move away from the machine and the money) Leave it.

Hutch: Hey, uh, Jack. Listen, I’ll be right back.

Jack: You wouldn’t, uh, run out on me, would you?

Hutch: No, no, no. I’ll be right back. I’m gonna be up there. Listen, I got another bonanza down there. Why don’t you clean up?

Starsky: Don’t spend it all.

Jack: Okay. (He picks up the money while Starsky and Hutch go talk to Iris.)

Iris: I don’t know. I was the last one to see Sharon alive, you know what I mean? The show was almost over. We were done right? We were walking off stage playing ‘movie stars’ You know, like I’ll say ‘Buster Crabbe’ You have to give me one with a C because ‘Crabbe’ the last name, started with a C…

Starsky: Iris.

Hutch: Constance Bennett.

Starsky: Constance Bennett?

Iris: Yeah, Barbara Stanwyck, that’s it.

Starsky: Iris, look, I’m sure it’s a terrific game, but would you tell him about your friend Sharon, the last couple of days before she died?

Iris: Like what?

Starsky: Like, had she thought she saw someone in her bedroom?

Iris: Yeah, she had this feeling that as she was sleeping somebody was standing over and watching her and it was not the tooth fairy, I’ll tell you that.

Hutch: Did she go to the police?

Vicky: Iris.

Iris: What?

Vicky: Why don’t you tell them who she was dating before

Iris: I’ll show you who she was dating. She was dating Jack over there. (Points to Jack) You know, Jack, your friend?

Vicky: Now tell him why she didn’t wanna go to the police.

Iris: Uh, she really didn’t think it would do her any good, you know? I mean, she knew who was going into her room at night. It was a cop, her old boyfriend. He got, like, uh….he got a little wacky. Because she dumped him for Jack.

Starsky: Now tell him the name of the cop.

Iris: Cameron. C for Cameron. Lieutenant Ted Cameron.

Hutch: Cameron?

Iris: Cameron.

Circus Circus: Night.

(A little later on Vicky is leaving)

Vicky: I’m a big girl. And I’ve gotta go to work.

Starsky: Are you sure you got a ride?

Vicky: Yes, they fixed my car and they’re gonna leave it in the parking lot for me. (Starsky kisses her hand)

Starsky: You gonna be okay?

Vicky: Yeah. I’ll be fine. I guess.

Starsky: If I don’t see you tonight, I’ll call you in the morning. (They kiss and she leaves with Iris. He joins Hutch at the rail) Well…well, that’s one fine kettle of fish. I mean, Cameron isn’t exactly the type to be a psychopathic strangler.

Hutch: No, he isn’t. Maybe he’s not a psychopath. Maybe this is all a part of an elaborate plan to kill his girlfriend and frame Jack in the proce- No, that doesn’t make any sense, does it? I mean, why would a police lieutenant wanna kill five girls just to cover up one murder?

Starsky: He has a motive.

Hutch: It sure would help Jack out, wouldn’t it? No, I can’t buy that. How do we know that Cameron is the only one who had a motive?

Starsky: You mean besides Jack? Okay. What do you wanna do?

Hutch: Let’s stick with Jack.

Starsky: We were supposed to have stuck with him last night. I mean, Vegas isn’t an easy place to keep a tail on someone, but especially someone who doesn’t want a tail.

Hutch: Well, I won’t lose him this time.

Starsky: How do you propose to do that?

Hutch: Let’s move him. Let’s get him out of town. Whatever. It’s the only way we’re gonna prove he’s not the killer.

Starsky: Yeah, but what about Cameron?

Hutch: Let’s start with Jack.

Starsky: Okay.

Hutch: Okay, let’s go.

(Hutch, Starsky and Jack are walking down a corridor in an inside shopping mall.)

Jack: Hutch.

Announcer: Dr. Blue, call the operator please.

Jack: Slow down, slow down. Would you please tell me one thing? Where are we going?

Hutch: Starsk, tell him where we’re going, huh?

Starsky: All right, dog races.

Jack: There are no dog races in Las Vegas.

Hutch: Of course there are no dog races in Las Vegas. That’s why we’re going to Miami.

Starsky: Miami?

Jack: Miami? (Police officers run by)

Hutch: What’s going on here?

Starsky: Something’s going on.

Jack: Something is going on. You know that “Dr. Blue”? That’s security special for: “Police emergency.”

Starsky: Well, I always was the curious type. I’m gonna find out, huh? (Starsky approaches the officers and shows them his badge.) Pal, what’s going on?

Security: We’re waiting for the city police. Who are you?

Starsky: Special assignment attached to Lieutenant Cameron. What’s the problem?

Security: Well, it seems we have the strangler trapped in the emergency stairwell headed for the roof.

Starsky: Are you sure?

Security: I saw him attack the girl myself. He’d have killed her if I hadn’t been there. Almost had the guy too, but he took a shot at me. And, well, he got away.

Starsky: Where?

Security: Take that elevator right over there.

Starsky: Thanks. (Heads for the elevator) Hutch.

Hutch: What?

Jack: Now, where are we going?

Starsky: They got the strangler trapped on the roof. I told them we were cops.

Jack: Cops? You guys are out of your minds.

Starsky: Well, there’s a $10,000 reward on him.

Jack: Yeah?

Starsky: Oh, yeah.

Hutch: Look…why don’t you…? Why don’t you go back and play the machines huh?

Jack: Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world. (Gets in the elevator. Starsky and Hutch follow) Booze and broads. I’m glad you guys turned up. What’s…? (The doors close and Hutch takes out his gun.) Let me see that. Where did you get…?

Hutch: Jack, you stay out of this now. You’re along for the ride.

Jack: Are you cops? Huh?

Starsky: Yeah, we’re cops.

Jack: You are. Cops…

Hutch: There was no way…

Jack: I thought you were my friends. All the time…

Starsky: We are your friends, Jack.

Jack: You were finking on me.

Starsky: We’re not finking and we’ll explain…

Jack: I needed you. And all the time you were stabbing me in the back.

Starsky: No one’s stabbing you in the back.

Jack: Give me that. (Grabs Hutch’s gun,)

Starsky: Jack, come on. (Grabs Jack and tries pulling him away from Hutch.

Jack: Guys, come on. I don’t believe this.

Starsky: Jack, we’ll explain it too you. (The struggle continues.)

Hutch: Jack! (Jack runs out of the elevator and through the door marked ‘exit to the roof’

Starsky: Jack, come back here! (Starsky and Hutch run after him. Jack runs out onto the roof.)

Hutch: Jack! Jack, Jack! Get back! (A man with a gun shoots Jack in the shoulder. Starsky and Hutch take cover) Cover me.

(Starsky fires while Hutch goes to Jack. The gunman takes off across the roof while Hutch drags Jack to cover.)

Starsky: Go ahead. Go ahead.

(Hutch stays low and runs off while Starsky gives cover fire. The gunman takes cover on the other side of the roof. Starsky runs after Hutch. They exchange fire while Hutch and Starsky take turns to move closer. Hutch climbs up a small building on the side and while the gunman and Starsky exchange fire Hutch jumps down on the other side and comes up behind the gunman while he’s reloading.)

Hutch: Don’t even breathe. (He takes his gun and searches him)

Outside the casino: Night.

(A gurney is wheeled out to an ambulance with Jack on. They load him in, while Starsky and Hutch watch on.)

Hutch: Take it easy. (They close the doors)

Cameron: Get me a car and follow this ambulance. I want this man followed for 24 hours a day.

Hutch: Hey! Don’t you ever give up? What the hell are you hounding him for now? You got your strangler.

Cameron: I hope so, for your sake. Meanwhile, we have your suspect in a security room.

Security Room: Night

(The man is sat in a chair while Cameron is sat on the desk)

Cameron: Now, you realize, Mr. Lantz, you don’t have to talk to us. You do have the right to an attorney.

Lantz: I don’t need an attorney. I don’t have anything to hide.

Cameron: You’ve admitted to killing six women.

Lantz: Devils. Six devils. The creatures I killed were of the evil world. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m proud of what I done. I did it for my country. Real Americans will understand that. (A security guard enters and gestures for Cameron to leave)

Hutch: You done anything else for America lately, Mr. Lantz?

Starsky: My partner wouldn’t ask that question if it wasn’t very important. You see, a man like you…we understand the wonderful things that you’ve done for our country. But what’s more important is that we want everyone to understand. So it becomes so important that we get all the information straight before we tell it to the press.

Lantz: You understand?

Starsky: More than you know. A man of your courage. Your name should be in the headlines, Mr. Lantz.

Lantz: I’m the man who blew up Boulder Dam.

Starsky: No, really? Did you hear…? That’s incredible.

Lantz: Also the Empire State Building.

Starsky: Anything else?

Lantz: And the Washington Monument. And…but really, the hardest thing I have for people to understand is how many flying saucers I’ve had to demolish. They’re out there. And it’s an enemy that no one knows of. Sometimes I get so tired.

Starsky: Yeah, me too. Why don’t you rest now? (Hutch opens the door) It’s nice meeting you.

Lantz: You too. (The guard leads Lantz to the door) Hey, thanks a lot. (They leave and Cameron enters)

Cameron: What’s the matter boys? Trouble?

Hutch: Well, this ought to make you happy. You got a copycat killer. Oh, he may have attacked that girl tonight, but he didn’t kill the other six girls.

Cameron: Well, well, score two for the big city detectives.

Starsky: What’s that supposed to mean?

Cameron: We already knew about it. We just got the feedback on our friend Lantz. Up until noon today he spent the past three months at he county funny farm. Which brings us right back to your pal Jack Mitchell.

Surgical Floor: Night.

(Jack is wheeled out of surgery followed by a surgeon who approaches Hutch. Starsky is lying on the couch, asleep)

Surgeon: Excuse me. You’re, uh, friends with Jack Mitchell?

Hutch: Yeah. How is he?

Surgeon: Well, we got the bullet out. It wasn’t that bad.

Hutch: That’s good. He’s gonna be all right.

Surgeon: How well do you know Jack?

Hutch: Well, uh…I went to high school with him. And, uh, the three of us are sharing an apartment.

Surgeon: Did you, uh, know he was dying? (Hutch looks surprised) I guess you didn’t. Um…your friend has a brain tumour. He’s known about it for a year now.

Hutch: A brain t-?

Surgeon: It’s not the easiest thing in the world to detect. I only know because he had to be on record with a physician out here in case the pain became too great and he required special medication. Now, he asked me not to tell anyone and I haven’t until now, but, uh, quite frankly your friend’s in pretty bad shape. The wound isn’t that bad but the trauma, the shock caused by the wound has, uh, accelerated everything. Well, you must have realized his behaviour was, at best, erratic lately.

Hutch: Yeah, yeah.

Surgeon: In any case, it won’t be more than a matter of weeks, maybe even days. I think his family should be notified.

Hutch: S-sure.

Surgeon: Would you know how to get in touch with them?

Hutch: Yeah, yeah, I-I can call them. Listen, doctor, I want to see him.

Surgeon: Well, if you don’t mind waiting. He’s unconscious now.

Hutch: No, no. Thank you. (Shake hands)

Surgeon: Yeah. (Leaves)

Hutch: Oh, damn it. (Starsky wakes up)

Starsky: What?

Hutch: Nothing.

Cameron’s Office: Night.

(Hutch is searching through a box of handbags, while Starsky is sat behind the desk look through a small notebook. Cameron enters)

Cameron: What the hell are you two doing in my office?

Hutch: It’s called a murder investigation, Cameron.

Cameron: You think you’re really gonna find something that we overlooked?

Starsky: Yeah, I think we might. Because maybe we’re looking for something that you didn’t. Or maybe something you deliberately overlooked.

Cameron: That sounds like an accusation.

Hutch: Oh, really? Well, maybe it is. We just had a conversation with a girl named Iris, who told us about you and Sharon Flynn. And how Jack had taken her away from you just a few days before she was murdered.

Cameron: Iris.

Hutch: Yeah.

Cameron: I suppose she told you that Sharon and I had heated arguments during that time.

Hutch: That’s right.

Cameron: Well, did she also…? (Closes his door) Did she also tell you that we had those heated arguments over a period of six months, every time Sharon decided she wanted to have a little fling? No, I suppose not. Because Iris wouldn’t have known about that. They hadn’t been friends that long.

Starsky: Before Sharon Flynn was murdered you had at least half a dozen murder suspects. Afterwards, you concentrated all your efforts on Jack Mitchell.

Cameron: Because I had strong evidence against him.

Hutch: You had foot prints that matched Jack’s shoe size. You had the fact that he dated all the girls. Now, that’s a place to start, Cameron, but it sure doesn’t convict anybody. It stinks. (Phone rings)

Cameron: Lieutenant Cameron’s office. What? (Hangs up) Your friend Jack Mitchell just regained consciousness. He got past the guard and he escaped from the hospital. According to the cab company he’s on the way right now to the Thunderbird Hotel.

Starsky: That’s where Vicky works. (They all leave)

Outside the Thunderbird Hotel: Night

(Vicky’s walking through the parking lot, towards her car. She gets in and Jack appears behind her. She screams, but he covers her mouth)

Jack: Hold the screaming. It’s me, it’s Jack.

(A police car drives down the road with sirens blaring. It pulls up outside the hotel and Starsky and Hutch get out. They enter the hotel.)

Vicky: Jack, you scared me…You scared me to death.

Jack: What do you think you did to me? Screaming like…

Vicky: Jack, you’ve been bleeding.

Jack: I know.

Vicky: Oh, my God.

Jack. It’s Hutch. They tried to kill me. Hutch and his friend.

Vicky: What are you talking about?

Jack: They’re cops. Hutch and his…they tried to kill me. Listen, please you…you gotta hide me before they…before they kill me. (She stares blankly) Please, please, just, just…

Vicky: Okay, okay. All right, all right.

Jack: Just hide me. Hide me.

Vicky: Are you okay?

Jack: Yeah. I’m okay, all right?

Vicky: Yeah.

Jack: Let’s go. Let’s get out of here.

Vicky: You’re sure.

Jack: Yeah. (He lies down in the back. She starts the car)

Inside the Thunderbird Hotel: Night

(Starsky and Hutch burst out of a door, searching the backstage area.)

Starsky: Vicky!

(Vicky’s already driven off.)

Vicky’s Apartment: Night.

(Vicky’s helping Jack along towards her apartment)

Vicky: Okay, okay. Just put your arm around me. Put your arm around me. (He’s stumbling) Oh! Okay, okay. Wait. Just some steps over here. One at a time.

Jack: I’m all right. I’m all right. (They climb some stairs)

Vicky: Okay, okay.

Jack: I got it. I got it. (They continue to stumble along up on the balcony.)

Vicky: Okay. Just lean again…lean against this.

Jack: Okay. Hurry up, hurry up. They’re coming for me. Hurry up.

(She opens the door. The strangler bursts out and attacks Vicky. Jack tries to pull him off her, but he flings Vicky against the wall. The strangler, who can be recognised as Eugene, throws Jack over the railing. He hears sirens blaring and takes off. Outside a black and white pulls up. Starsky and Hutch run out. They find Jack lying on the ground. Starsky takes off with some officers while Hutch knees besides Jack. He checks his pulse. Meanwhile, Starsky finds Vicky upstairs.)

Starsky: Get an ambulance. Somebody get an ambulance. (He strokes her hair) Vicky. Vicky. (Downstairs Hutch listens to Jack’s chest. He lifts his head slowly and looks at Cameron)

Hutch: Why don’t you get out of here? (Cameron leaves.)

Hospital: Night.

(Hutch hangs up the pay phone and Starsk enters from the other side of the corridor. They meet in the middle by the water fountain.)

Hutch: How is she?

Starsky: Severe concussion. Whatever happens she probably won’t be able to go to work for the next three months. (They sit down) You know for the last three years she’s held down two jobs. Her kids had three operations, probably needs that many more. Only she’s so in debt the doctor’s refuse to work until she pays it down.

Hutch: At least she’s alive.

Starsky: Hey, I’ve had it up to here with optimistic views on life.

Hutch: Cameron’s closed the case.

Starsky: Terrific.

Hutch: You want to hear it officially?

Starsky: Sure.

Hutch: Jack attacked Vicky to try to get even with us. When he heard the sirens, he couldn’t do anything else, so he jumped over a banister.

Hutch: Starsky, Jack didn’t attack Vicky, and he didn’t kill anybody.

Starsky: Oh, come on, will you? That’s another thing I’m sick of. I’m sick of your stinking loyalty to your friends.

Hutch: Is that present company included or excluded?

Starsky: You know what I mean. What do you want? Do you want me to go down to the mortuary and get a signed confession from Jack?

Hutch: Starsky, Jack did not attack Vicky. I just got Jack’s doctor out of bed and had coffee with him. It was a miracle that man could walk out of here last night. He was 90 percent paralysed on his right side. He couldn’t attack Vicky, and if he didn’t do it, somebody else did.

Mrs. Pruitt’s House: Day

Mrs. Pruitt: Eugene, hurry up or we’re gonna be late. (Eugene’s putting on a shirt)

Eugene: Coming ma.

Mrs. Pruitt: Every Sunday we’re late for Mass. God knows how he’ll punish us. Things were never like this when you’re father was alive. (Puts out her cigarette) You’re not a boy any longer, Eugene. You’re 28 years old. At the store, they’re always saying, “Oh, you’re so lucky, Mrs. Pruitt. You have Eugene. You’ll never be an old and lonely woman.” Well, I’m 59 years old and I have no grandchildren. They ask, “Why doesn’t Eugene marry?” Well, I can’t very well tell them that he has no taste for decent women. Just harlots and tramps. Eugene, I’ll wait in the car. (She leaves)

(Eugene puts his glasses on and opens a trunk where he’s keeping pictures of the dead women and a gun. The photos are torn and signed. He picks up the gun. He checks it’s loaded and puts it in his pocket. He takes out a picture of Iris. He takes out a pair of stockings. Outside Mrs. Pruitt’s waiting in the car, while inside Eugene is loading a shotgun. He goes outside to the car and closes the garage door.)

Mrs. Pruitt: What on earth are you doing with that shotgun? (She screams A shots fired.)

Vicky’s Apartment: Day

(Hutch and Starsky and looking around)

Starsky: There’s something here, Hutch. I can feel it.

Hutch: Well, what makes you so sure?

Starsky: Well, if you’re right about Jack being innocent then the real guy would’ve had to have been waiting inside the apartment. They would’ve seen him if he was out on the balcony. (Picks up a blue bag on the table.) Look familiar. Some of the other girls had bags like this in their effects. Might not be much, but most of the showgirls shopped there. Closest place to the strip. (They search the bag. Starsky finds the butterfly broach) Hutch, Vicky bought this last night. I was with her.

Hutch: Yeah, go on.

Starsky: Well, she didn’t go right home afterwards. After she left us, she went to work. The drugstore was supposed to deliver this along with… (Hutch snaps his fingers)

Robert’s Drugstore: Day

(Hutch is checking through the delivery book)

Hutch: What’s the next name?

Starsky: Gretchen Hollander.

Hutch: Hollander. (Flips through the book) Bingo. She’s here too. That’s all five of the dead girls.

Clerk: If Mrs. Pruitt ever knew you were going through our delivery book without her knowledge…

Hutch: Shut up.

Starsky: Who’s Mrs. Pruitt?

Clerk: She’s our night manager. Relieves me at 5. And she dispatches all our deliveries.

Hutch: And her son makes all the deliveries.

Clerk: That’s right. Eugene.

Starsky: Where do we find him?

Dance hall: Day

(Iris is take a break while girls behind her are dancing)

Taffy: And kick, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. (The phone rings.) One, two, three, four…

Iris: I got it. (Answers the phone) Hello?

Eugene: Could I speak to Iris Thayer, please?

Iris: This is Iris Thayer.

Eugene: Miss Thayer, you don’t know me. My name is Greene. (Eugene is standing near a pool) I’m currently putting together a new revue, and I’m in dire need of a lead female dancer for my headliners. Uh, you were recommended to me. If you’d be interested I’d like to set up a meeting.

Iris: All right. Yeah, when?

Eugene: If you could possibly make it this morning, how about the convention centre at Circus Circus in half an hour.

Iris: Half an hour? All right, I’ll uh, I’ll drop over. Okay.

Eugene: Bye. (Both hang up)

Taffy: What is it?

Iris: I’m a star. I’m a star. I just got discovered. Some guy wants to see me. I gotta go to Circus Circus and I gotta dance my little heart out. (Starts dancing)

Mrs. Pruitt’s House: Day

(The car pulls up outside.)

Starsky: That’s it, right there. (They get out)

Hutch: I got the back.

(Hutch goes round back. Starsky goes up to the door and knocks. Around the back Hutch takes out his gun and looks around. Out front Starsky looks around and hears a dog bark. He joins Hutch around the back, who approaches the garage. They both open it up and a dog runs out. They approach the car and find Mrs. Pruitt’s blood on the window. Hutch checks the body.)

Hutch: She’s still warm.

Inside the House: Day

(Hutch finds the photo of Iris.)

Hutch: Hey. (Shows Starsky the photo) Constance Bennett. I think we may have found his next victim. (Starsky runs for the phone and dials. In the dance hall the girls are rehearsing.)

Taffy: Five, six, seven and eight. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight. (The phone rings) Take five. (She answers the phone) Hello?

Starsky: Who’s this?

Taffy: Taffy.

Starsky: Taffy, this is Starsky. Give me Iris.

Taffy: Oh, she isn’t here. She left about 10 minutes ago.

Starsky: Where’d she go?

Taffy: Um, Circus, Circus. She had an interview.

Starsky: Oh, my God. Listen. Listen carefully. I want you to get in touch with Lieutenant Cameron. This could mean Iris’ life. I want you to tell him that if he wants his strangler he should meet us as Circus Circus. Go that. Just do what I say.

Taffy: Yeah, yeah. (Starsky hangs up and they leave)

Circus Circus: Day

(Iris enters the lobby)

Iris: …no business like show business. (Hums a little) Kill them today, honey. All right, Iris. Do it up. (Enters the empty convention centre.) Mr. Greene? Mr. Greene? Hey, Mr. Greene. (Walks across the room) Must be seen by Mr. Greene. Mr. Greene? (Takes off her shirt) Don’t know why I’m always on time. Everyone else is late. P for punctual and H for Hot. (Looks at herself in a mirror) One, two, three, four. (Eugene is waiting behind a curtain) Mr. Greene?

(Starsky and Hutch drive fast down the road, narrowly avoiding other cars. They drive up and stop outside Circus Circus. They race inside. Meanwhile Iris gets on stage and kisses into the microphone. She starts dancing)

Iris: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. One, two, three, ah.

(Eugene jumps out and wraps the stockings round her neck. She screams and manages to get loose from him. She runs across the room, but Eugene tackles her to the ground. They struggle and Starsky and Hutch comes running into the room. They stop when they see Eugene’s gun)

Eugene: Turn around. (The don’t) Turn around! (They turn around)

Starsky: Eugene? You wanna talk?

(Eugene runs out of the room. Hutch follows first, while Starsky checks on Iris. Eugene runs into the main casino area with Starsky and Hutch following. He runs up a spiralling ramp. He knocks over the people who get in his way. He finally takes cover around a bend and fires at Starsky and Hutch. He runs through a set of doors.)

Hutch: Get down!

(Starsky reaches the door and kicks it open for Hutch. They pursue Eugene up a stair case. They come out on some rafters. Eugene takes cover and fires at the door. He takes off and Starsky and Hutch enter carefully, and then take off after him. When they lose him they split up. They check around. Eugene fires at Hutch, who takes cover. He fires again and takes off.)

Hutch: That’s six.

(Starsky makes his way across the bridges until he spots Eugene who looks the other way and sees Hutch)

Hutch: Hold it!

(Eugene throws his gun at Hutch and climbs down the walk away. Hutch and Starsky follow. Eugene climbs down some steps and finds himself on a trapeze. Hutch appears above Eugene while Starsky climbs down the other side. He looks down and doesn’t like the sight. Eugene jumps down onto the net.)

Hutch: Well, one of us has to go.

Starsky: Well, what are you looking at me for. You were here first.

Hutch: You know I’m afraid of heights.

Starsky: Well, who do you think I am? Evel Knievel.

(Hutch jumps and wrestles with Eugene on the net. Starsky stars climbing back up, but falls onto the net. Eugene falls off the net onto a stall of cuddly creatures. Hutch jumps down to find an unconscious Eugene. Hutch looks up at Starsky looking over the edge of the net)

Hutch: Well?

Starsky: It’s a long way down.

Hutch: Yeah, for everybody.

Dobey’s Office: Day

(Starsky and Hutch approach the desk.)

Dobey: You did a good job in Las Vegas.

Hutch: Thank you, Captain.

Starsky: Thanks, cap.

Dobey: Really had fun up there, didn’t you?

Starsky: Well…

Dobey: Pretty girls, a lot of wild parties, all expenses paid, gambling. They tell me you really had a streak too.

Hutch: Uh, look, Captain, if you got something to say, why don’t you just make the point.

Dobey: All right, Hutchinson. The point is a sum of money, something in excess of $28,000. The Las Vegas police wanna know where it is and so do I.

Starsky: Twenty-eight thousand dollars. You happen to know where it is?

Hutch: No.

Starsky: Oh. Well…

Hutch: Uh…(Smiles)

Vicky’s Parents House: Day.

(Cary takes the mail from the mailman.)

Cary: Thank you, Mr. Brennan. (Vicky comes out and takes the later)

Vicky: Oh, let’s see what this is.

Cary: Who is it for?

Vicky: Well, it’s… (Opens it and takes out a note) I don’t know. (Reads the note) It’s from some, uh…very special friends. (Takes out a wad of 100 dollar bills)

Dobey’s Office: Day.

(Dobey’s still waiting)

Hutch: Uh…Keno. We lost it playing keno.

Starsky: That’s right. Keno.

Dobey: Keno?

Hutch: Keno.

Starsky: Keno.

Hutch: Easy come, easy go.

_______________

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