Running

Running

episode transcript by Sarah Spearey

Apartment Building: Day

(A woman enters her apartment and just after she’s taken her cardigan off she gets attacked from behind by a curly haired man. She puts up a struggle)

Hutch’s Car: Day

(The car drives over a bridge. In the river is a lot of ducks, Starsky sticks his head out to look)

Starsky: Hey, look at those ducks!

Hutch: We’re not looking for ducks, Starsk.

Starsky: Okay. You know you’re just wasting your time.

Hutch: Well, it’s my time.

Starsky: It’s my time too. In case you’re interested, time belongs to no one man exclusively.

Hutch: Oh, that’s brilliant.

Starsky: Look, Hutch, some people just aren’t worth it. I mean, you can eat your guts out carrying the world for them. (They stop by a small pier where some boys are hanging around)

Hutch: There he is. (He reverses and parks the car) I’ll be right back. (Hutch approaches the boys)

Boy: Come on, let’s split. (They all back away except one, who stays sitting on the pier.)

Hutch: Hey, Kiko. I’ve been looking for you.

Kiko: I’ve been around.

Hutch: Yeah, I guess you have. (Sits on a tire) What happened yesterday?

Kiko: I couldn’t make it.

Hutch: Couldn’t make it, huh? Thought maybe you were sick.

Kiko: No. Did you see my mother?

Hutch: Yeah. She tells me that you don’t want me to be your big brother anymore.

Kiko: That’s right.

Hutch: Just like that? No explanations.

Kiko: You’re a cop.

Hutch: Yeah, sure, I’m a cop. You’ve always known that. (They look back at the boys) They don’t approve of cops, huh?

Kiko: They’re my friends.

Hutch: Well, I guess that just about explains it.

Kiko: You’re not mad?

Hutch: I’m a little disappointed. It’s been two years, my friend. We’ve had a lot of good times together. (Kiko nods) There’s nothing to be mad about. You’re just growing up. You’ll be 12 next month, right?

Kiko: Yeah.

Hutch: Well, I guess it’s just about time that you find out who your real friends are. (Stands up and heads back to the car where Starsky’s waiting)

Starsky: Come on, I’ll buy you a box of nails for dinner. That is, of course, unless you prefer beer cans. (They get in the car and drive away. Hutch’s bumper sticks says ‘Cops need love too’

Dobey’s Office: Day

(Dobey’s sat behind his desk and spots Starsky and Hutch enter the squad room)

Dobey: Hutchinson, Starsky, in here. (They enter as the phone rings. Dobey answers it) Hello? What are you talking about? A hamburger and a chocolate malt? No this ain’t’ the snack bar, it’s Captain Dobey’s office. (Hangs up) If I find out who-

Starsky: Who what, cap? What’s the matter?

Dobey: Who put these all over the station? (Hands Hutch a card)

Starsky: What’s that? “New snack bark number for speedy service, 2268.”

Hutch: 2268? That’s your extension isn’t it, captain?

Dobey: If I find out you two have been-

Starsky: Captain, that’s not fair.

Hutch: You wanted to see us, captain.

Dobey: Yeah. West Side Psycho struck again this morning, about dawn. (Hands Hutch a file) Only this time he’s got a new wrinkle.

Starsky: Yeah, what’s that?

Hutch: He moved into our beat.

Starsky: You sure this is the same guy?

Dobey: Right down to the scratch marks on the strike plate.

Hutch: Oh, this guy’s been busy. Seventeen burglaries and three homicides in 30 days.

Dobey: And not one of them in a house or apartment that rents for over 100 bucks.

Starsky: Sounds like a lowlife with a habit.

Hutch: If it is, he’s gonna have to hit again and soon, according to this after he murdered this morning he panicked and took off without the loot.

Dobey: You can take that with you. (They turn to leave) Not the pen. (Starsky drops it on his desk)

Starsky: Yeap. Oh, cap. (Drops the card on his desk)

Dobey: That, you can keep.

Starsky: Want the door open or shut, cap?

Dobey: Shut it. (Shuts the door)

The Streets: Night

(The curly haired guy from earlier is walking down a not so nice looking street. He stops, looks around and enters a hotel. He goes up to the first floor and down the hallway to a door. He knocks, waits and then tries to pry it open. It’s on a chain and a lady appears)

Lady: What? What do you want?

Vern: I’m sorry, lady. I’m looking for my brother. I thought this was his place. I’m sorry, must be the wrong place.

(She slams the door. He goes back down the hallway and tries another door that’s not locked. It appears to be empty, so he steals some money from a purse on the dresser. He hears a moan and sees someone asleep on the bed. He also notices a diamond bracelet on the night stand. He gets it and puts it in his pocket, but she wakes up. There’s a struggle between the two and he runs out, alerting the whole floor)

Sharman: Stop him! (He runs out of the building.)

Lady: It could have been me! It could have been me! My, God, he came to my door! Someone call the cops.

Sharman: No cops! I don’t want the cops! He didn’t steal anything. (She goes back to her room)

The Torino: Night

(Starsky’s humming to himself. Hutch seems distracted.)

Starsky: You know, we get many more people looking for this guy we’ll all end up bumping into each other.

Hutch: What?

Starsky: Never mind. You still on a downer because of that kid? Forget him. Look, why don’t you take me on a camping trip?

Hutch: You wanna go on a camping trip, I’ll take you on a camping trip.

Starsky: Really?

Hutch: Sure. If and when your Little League Team ever wins the championship, I’ll take you on a camping trip.

Dispatch: Zebra Three, Zebra Three.

Hutch: Go ahead.

Dispatch: Report of men fighting at 747 ½ Forman.

Hutch: That’s packrat.

Starsky: Yeap.

Hutch: 10-4, we will respond.

747 ½ Forman: Night

Vern: You cheap crook, don’t you give me that. That bracelet’s worth a couple of grand.

(Inside the house, Packrat is holding a knife; his house is full of stuff)

Packrat: Stay away from me.

Vern: Give me what its worth, or I’m gonna kill you.

Packrat: You stupid…take the $50

Vern: You cheated me for the last time.

Packrat: Take the 50 bucks and get out.

(Vern hears a siren. Packrat tries to attack Vern with the knife, but he grabs his arm and knocks the knife out of his hand. The two wrestle on the stuff. Packrat reaches for a gun and the struggle for it, just as the Torino parks outside. A shot is fired. Starsky and Hutch crawl out of the car and take cover. Inside the struggle continues until two more shots are fired. Vern gets up, goes to the door and fires at Starsky and Hutch. Starsky shoots at the door, while Vern heads for the back. They go for the front door and bust in. They hear a car start up and Hutch goes for the back door.)

Hutch: He’s long gone.

Starsky: Yeah, him too.

Hutch: Where’s the phone around this place?

Starsky: Over there. (Hutch digs around in some stuff and finds the phone. He dials.)

Starsky: Will you look at this place. It’s incredible.

Hutch: This is Detective Hutchinson at 747 ½ Forman. Would you send over a coroner’s wagon, a lab team and you better tell the property clerk to send over a van. (Starsky finds the bracelet) We’re got what looks like a clearing house for stolen merchandise here. Yeah. (Hangs up) What you got, Starsk?

Starsky: Probably the reason Packrat got himself killed.

Hutch: Well, if it’s real, it’s way over his head.

Starsky: Oh, it’s real.

Hutch: How do you know that? (Hands it to Hutch)

Starsky: Read the inscription.

Hutch: “To Sharman, from Tony” So?

Starsky: You remember a girl by the name of Sharman Crane?

Hutch: Yeah, New York model did a lot of television talk shows. Then, about 6 months ago a missing persons came out on her.

Starsky: And if I’m right, this bracelet is part of the stuff she had with her when she turned up missing.

Hutch: Oh, come on, Starsky. It’s not your style to memorize old property lists.

Starsky: Yeah, well, this is kinda special. Sharman and I went to school together.

Hutch: You don’t say. You and Sharman, huh?

Starsky: Yeah, Junior High School. You should have seen her, Hutch. She was really something special. Especially to a suddenly awakening 13-year-old mind.

Hutch: You’re still in love with her?

Starsky: No, nothing like that. It’s like if you’d gone to school with Joe DiMaggio or something. You know, people you knew when you were a kid get famous and you just sort of take an interest. I’ll tell you something, though she had class. Always did, always will.

Hotel: Night

(Sharman comes out of her hotel, a little dazed and scruffy. She crosses the road, staggering a little)

A Motel: Night

(Inside Vern is sitting on the bed having his arm bandaged by his girlfriend,)

Ella: Vern, I say it’s time we get out of here and head back for Reno. Hey, we’ve got 300 bucks and enough nickel bags to last us a couple of weeks. I’ve got most of the stuff ready. We can be packed and out of here in 20 minutes.

Vern: No. I can’t go yet. There’s something I gotta do.

Ella: Vern, no more jobs in this town. I’m afraid.

Vern: Listen to me, now. Everything’s been going okay this past year, right? (She nods) Moving around from city to city. You know why? Because not once did I leave behind a witness who could put the finger on me. Not once, Ella.

Ella: But if Packrat…

Vern: It ain’t Packrat I’m worried about. You know that girl with the bracelet. She’s seen my face, Ella.

Ella: But we can be…

Vern: Ella, she’s seen my face!

Dobey’s Office: Day

(Starsky and Hutch enter the office. Dobey’s sat behind his desk, on the phone)

Dobey: Okay, thank you. (Hangs up) I just got off the phone the Missing Persons. You were right about that bracelet belonging to Sharman Crane.

Starsky: Parent’s been notified?

Dobey: They say the mother’s not well. Or rather she’s upset by the girl’s disappearance. Maybe we oughta look around the area. Make sure she’s here before we notify anyone.

Hutch: We have already started showing the picture around.

Dobey: How long you think it’ll take you to find out whether of not she’s here?

Starsky: Couple of days, at the most. (Phone rings)

Dobey: Hello? (Covers the mouthpiece) Okay. Do your best, but remember the psycho’s top priority. (Into the phone) No you’re not gonna get a hamburger or French fries or anything else! Why? Because it’s Captain Dobey’s office, that’s why!

Hotel: Day

(Ella runs across the road to her car where Vern is waiting. She gets in)

Ella: No sign of her. According to the manager she hits the bars every night. No telling when she’ll be back.

Vern: Then we’re gonna have to wait for her.

The Torino: Day

Dispatch: Zebra Three, see the woman named Orange at Frieta’s Bar. 12^th and Hudson.

Frieta’s Bar: Day

(Orange is sat at a table with her dog. A man in a sailor’s uniform approaches her.)

Sailor: Can I buy you a drink?

Orange: That would be wonderful. My dog Sandy and I are just agog about seafaring men. (He sits down, but Starsky and Hutch come up behind him)

Hutch: Hey, Popeye, your fleet just set sail.

Sailor: What do you mean? (Hutch shows him his badge. He leaves and they sit down)

Orange: Detective Hutchinson. How do you expect a poor girl to make a living in today’s declining economy?

Hutch: You called us, Orange. Remember?

Orange: Oh, yeah, I did. I did? Oh, yes, that girl you’re looking for.

Starsky: Sharman Crane. Have you seen her?

Orange: If I can see her photograph again, I might be sure. (Starsky shows her a photo) What do you think, Sandy? (He takes it back)

Hutch: Yeah, well, maybe Sandy can think a little better with some dog food under his collar.

Starsky: Really. (Puts some money in Orange’s bag)

Orange: I think I did see her. But she didn’t look too much like that. She looked like she’d been having a terrible time with woe and strife or maybe she had been drinking too much or was taking drugs.

Starsky: Where did you see her?

Orange: Here. But she left about 10 minutes ago.

Hutch: Did she say where she was going?

Orange: My dog, Sandy, he’s so playful. He grabbed her purse. This fell out. (Hands Hutch a hotel key) I guess I forget to give it back to her.

Hutch: Thanks, Orange. (They leave)

Hotel: Day

(Vern and Ella watch Sharman enter the hotel, looking worse that she than the night before.)

Vern: Wait here. (He leaves the car and enters the hotel. In her room, Sharman slumps on her bed holding a paper cup. Vern reaches her floor)

Radio: Here’s what I’ll do. If you decide to ne’er go higher, I’ll take…

(Sharman finishes her drink and lies back on her bed. Vern reaches her door. Outside, the Torino pulls up. They get out and stare up at the building)

Hutch: It’s probably nothing a good drying out won’t take care of.

Starsky: Yeah. (They enter)

(Inside, Vern pries open the door while Sharman stays asleep. Meanwhile Starsky and Hutch ascend the stairs.)

Hutch: What’s her room number?

Starsky: 27 (Vern cuts the chain and enters the room, while Starsky and Hutch look around the first floor)

Hutch: Starsk. (In the room, Vern places a pillow over Sharman’s face. Hutch knocks on the door) Sharman Crane. (Sharman screams) Open up! Police! (Sharman pushes Vern away. He fires at the door. They take cover either side) You all right?

Starsky: Yeah, I’m fine. (Inside Vern smashes the window)

Sharman: Help! (Vern climbs out the window)

Hutch: Go! (They bust into the room, Sharman screams.)

Sharman: Help! Help!

(Hutch climbs out the window just as Vern reaches the bottom of the fire escape. He runs across the road and fires at Hutch. He gets in the car and instantly drives off)

Hutch: H-J-F-5-6-2

(Inside, Starsky helps a crying Sharman up off the floor while whispering reassuring words)

Starsky: You’re okay. (Hutch comes back in)

Hutch: H-J-F-5-6-2, H-J-F-5-6-2, H-J-F-5-6-2.

(Hutch leaves, while Starsky takes a look at Sharman’s tear streaked face. She looks a mess. She staggers over to the dresser, takes out a bottle of whiskey and fills a paper cup)

Starsky: Why don’t you leave that stuff alone?

Sharman: Why don’t you stick it in your ear? (She drinks from cup) What are you a cop or Mother Cabrini? Come to think about it, you look more like Mother Cabrini.

Starsky: Look, Sharman. Yeah, I know your real name, not the one you checked into this dump with. That guy that just ran out of here in such a hurry, who was he? (She picks up the bottle, but Starsky takes it)

Sharman: I don’t know who he is. He broke in here last night.

Starsky: Last night? Is he the one that stole your bracelet?

Sharman: Yeah. How do you know? Hey, where are you coming from? How do you know everything? (She reaches for her bottle, but he grabs her instead)

Starsky: Hey, you’ve had enough. Come on. Come on. You don’t want anymore of this stuff. (Throws the bottle against the wall) Cut it out.

Sharman: You have no right! (She thumps his chest)

Starsky: Come on.

Sharman: You have no right!

Starsky: Cut it out. (Pins her to the bed)

Sharman: No!

Starsky: Cut it out, will you? (Hutch enters)

Sharman: (Sobs) You have no right. (She sobs quietly on the bed)

Starsky: That guy who was here took her bracelet last night. Probably killed Packrat too. She must have been able to ID him so he came back.

Hutch: Well, the pattern fits. Leave no witnesses. Did you take a look at this lock? The woman down the hall has the same marks on her door. Starsky, we were that close to catching our man. Well, let’s get her downtown, huh?

Starsky: Wait a second.

Hutch: What?

Starsky: Gotta think.

Hutch: What’s there to think about? Let’s get her downtown, huh?

Starsky: We can’t take her in, not like this.

Sharman: What are you arguing about? There’s enough of me to go around.

Starsky: Shut up, will you please? (She stands up)

Sharman: Why should I shut up? You come busting in here, break my bottle. Now you’re haggling over me like a piece of meat. (He pins her to the bed again)

Starsky: Shut up, sit down and stay out of this til it’s settled will you please?

Hutch: Starsky. Starsk? (He joins Hutch at the door)

Starsky: What?

Hutch: Its’ okay, folks. There’s nothing to see here. Starsk, there’s nothing to be settled. She belongs in protective custody whether that’s a jail cell or a drunk tank. I don’t care.

Starsky: No.

Hutch: No what?

Starsky: Look, I can’t let people see her like this. She’s a famous lady and if we take her in she’s gonna end up on the front page of tomorrow’s paper, she’s gonna end up on tonight’s six O’clock news. It’d kill her. What’s left of her.

Hutch: Well, what would you suggest we do?

Starsky: I don’t know. I can’t leave her here.

Hutch: Okay.

Starsky: I’m gonna take her to my place. (Picks up a bag and starts filling it with things from the medicine cabinet)

Hutch: Wait a minute, Starsky. I can’t believe you said that.

Starsky: You said yourself, she probably only needs a good drying out.

Hutch: She’s a material witness.

Starsky: Yeah, where does it say a material witness has to spend time in the drunk tank?

Hutch: Starsky, you take her out of here, like this and you could lose your badge and you know it. Now, what happened to all your talk about kicking your guts out for somebody who’s not worth it? I don’t care what she used to be. Right now, she’s a material witness who is a drunk.

Starsky: You all done? (Pause)

Hutch: She means that much to you?

Starsky: Yeah.

Hutch: Well, you better get her out of here. (Starsky takes her arm)

Starsky: Come on.

Sharman: What are you talking…? (She struggles as he leads her out)

Starsky: You’re coming with me, Sharman. Just come on. (They leave)

Hutch: I’ll cover for you. (Sits on the bed)

Starsky’s Apartment: Night

(Sharman lies in Starsky’s bed while Starsky sits on a chair nearby reading a paper)

Sharman: Where am I? (Starsky stands up)

Starsky: How do you feel?

Sharman: Oh, I need a drink.

Starsky: How about a cup of coffee?

Sharman: I don’t want coffee. I want a drink.

Starsky: Not tonight. No drinks tonight.

Sharman: What are you? Some kind of male nurse? Oh, no, wait a minute, I remember. Mother Cabrini. (Starsky goes into the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee, while Sharman puts on her jacket and heads for the front door. Starsky beats her to it and blocks her way.)

Starsky: Where do you think you’re going?

Sharman: I told you, for a drink.

Starsky: And I told you no drinks. You want something to drink there’s coffee, all you want.

Sharman: If I want a drink, I can have a drink! (She grabs paper and throws them at Starsky.)

Starsky: Sharman! (She stops) Did you forget that I knew your real name? Sharman, I’m a cop, and I’m gonna see that you get home. But first I’m gonna clean you up and I’m gonna dry you out. (She runs for his room. He follows.) Sharman! Sharman! (She runs into the bathroom) Sharman, come here. Open that door. Sharman, open up. (Inside, Sharman picks up his razor blades. Starsky busts in just as she’s about to cut herself. What are you doing?

Sharman: No! (He grabs her and she struggles)

Starsky: Put it down.

Sharman: No.

Starsky: Put it down.

Sharman: No!

Starsky: Drop- (It slips from her hands, but they still struggle)

Sharman: Leave me alone.

Starsky: Come on, you’re going in the shower. (He drags her into the shower stall)

Sharman: No! No!

Starsky: Yes, come on.

Sharman: No! (He starts the water)

Starsky: Just come on. (She sinks to the bottom, with Starsky still holding her. She sobs and gasps)

The Squad Room: Day

(Hutch is looking through a filing cabinet with files already open on top. Dobey enters)

Dobey: Good morning. (Goes up to Hutch)

Hutch: Good morning, captain.

Dobey: Starsky’s out again.

Hutch: Yeah.

Dobey: That’s two days in a row.

Hutch: Well, I called him this morning and he’s still sick. (Heads back to his desk)

Dobey: Just like those reports you handed in about that hotel shooting. Now, listen Hutchinson, it just doesn’t make sense. Not when you put them up against the reports of the officers that arrived later.

Hutch: Yeah, well, captain, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I mean these things have a way of working themselves out.

Dobey: I know there’s a girl involved and if I find out you and Starsky are trying to pull something-

Hutch: Yes, captain?

Dobey: Don’t tell me about it. (Heads back to his office and points at an officer at his desk) Where’s your shield? (Enters his office. Hutch gives the guy an embarrassed grin)

Starsky’s Apartment: Night

(Hutch parks outside the house and heads up to the door, carrying some clothes. Starsky’s inside reading when Hutch knocks on the door)

Hutch: It’s me. (Gets up and opens the door)

Starsky: Hi

Hutch: Hey. (Enters)

Starsky: She’s in the bedroom, asleep.

Hutch: Look, Abby picked up some things for her. She had to guess at some of the sizes.

Starsky: Thanks.

Hutch: Yeah. (Hangs up the clothes.)

Starsky: Get you something.

Hutch: Yeah. (Heads into the kitchen area.) How about a glass of milk?

Starsky: How about a cup of coffee. (Takes a cup from the draining board.)

Hutch: Yeah. (Checks on Sharman, who’s asleep in Starsky’s bed) What’s this? (Picks up a Vanity magazine with Sharman’s picture on)

Starsky: My mother used to send me that stuff whenever she saw Sharman’s picture in something. (Puts the cup of coffee on the table and points to his year book) That’s when Sharman and I were in the ninth grade together. (Hutch picks up the year book)

Hutch: “From North to South, East to West, you’re a nice guy, but you’re sure a mess” Vince. That’s pretty clever stuff, Starsk. ”Remember Grant, remember Lee, to hell with them, remember me.” Chester Brown. Starsk.

Starsky: Sharman left school after the ninth grade. Her father had died the year before. Her mother remarried and they moved away. (Opens the fridge, takes out the milk)

Hutch: Starsky, Dobey is screaming. He knows something’s wrong. And by the time he puts all these reports together he’s gonna know that she’s missing. (Starsky pours a glass of milk)

Starsky: Then Sharman’s first husband dies in Vietnam. Then three months later her kid is stillborn.

Hutch: Starsky, Listen-

Starsky: Hear me out. A year ago she remarries. Six months later her second husband commits suicide. They found out later it was because he was embezzling company funds, but by then Sharman’s disappeared. I mean talk about bad luck. Everyone she has ever loved has either moved away or died. What happened to her would be enough to send anyone over the edge.

Hutch: All right, she’s had a rough go of it, but there’s still a psychopathic killer running around on the streets.

Starsky: And she’s the only one who can identify him, I know that. And when she’s well enough I’ll have her look at the mug books.

Hutch: You understand what’s happening?

Starsky: Yeah.

Hutch: I sure as well wish there was some way I could help. (Hutch pats Starsky’s should as he passes and leaves. Starsky stirs his milk, takes a sip and grimaces. He puts the glass in the sink and goes back to his table to look at the year book. Sharman wakes up screaming. Starsky runs to her and hugs her)

Starsky: Sharman, Sharman. It’s okay, it’s okay. Come on now, it’s okay. (She pulls back)

Sharman: I thought you were- (She stares at Starsky) You’re not Tony.

Starsky: Tony died six months ago, Sharman. He committed suicide. Do you know why? (She shakes her head) He was caught embezzling funds. (She slaps him)

Sharman: You liar!

Starsky: I have the records. Newspaper reports.

Sharman: I need a drink.

Starsky: You can’t go on punishing yourself.

Sharman: But everyone is gone. Everyone I touch.

Starsky: Touch me. I won’t go away. (She hugs him) That’s it. You’re gonna be okay.

Police Station: Night

(The janitor puts some money in a pay phone and calls Vern’s motel. Ella answers)

Ella: Yes.

Smitty: This is Smitty. You know, the janitor at the police station. I got that information you wanted. Yeah. And I think you’ll be more than happy to pay for it.

Starsky’s Apartment: Day

(The next day, Sharman is lighting a cigarette, but her hands aren’t steady so Starsk helps)

Sharman: Help. (They light it and she blows out the match.)

Starsky: I better not let the eggs burn. (Goes back to cooking)

Sharman: What class did you say we were in?

Starsky: I didn’t. It was wood shop.

Sharman: I don’t remember you.

Starsky: Oh, that’s understandable. I mean, you know so many people in your lifetime. Besides it was one semester. There must have been 30 kids in the class.

Sharman: But you remember me.

Starsky: Well, you were a bit more developed than us other 13 year olders.

Sharman: Oh.

Starsky: And then you became rich and famous on all those magazine covers and TV shows. I guess everyone wants to know someone famous. Watch their careers, feel a part of their success, vicariously.

Sharman: I might as well have been a Barbie doll.

Starsky: Now what do you say that for? (Comes around to stand next to her.)

Sharman: I would have been rich and famous but I’d be plastic too. Then none of the hurts would matter.

Starsky: You can’t run away, Sharman. You ought to know that by now.

Sharman: What do you want from me?

Starsky: I don’t know.

Sharman: Maybe I do. (Feels his shirt and leans in to kiss him. He accepts, but then pulls back)

Starsky: No. Not this way.

Sharman: Oh, Dave, help me. I’m afraid. (She hugs him.)

Starsky: Now, don’t be afraid. Just keep trying.

The Motel: Day

(Smitty lies dead on the floor while Ella goes through his wallet)

Ella: Twelve bucks

Vern: Twelve bucks. Any credit cards? (Looks through a diary)

Ella: No.

Vern: Cheap fink. Hey, okay here we go. (Finds the front with a name label on) David Starsky, 2000 Ridgeway Avenue. Okay, first we’re gonna dump this guy and then we’re gonna go get the dame.

Ella: What if the cop’s still there with her?

Vern: Then we’re gonna get them both. Either way we’re gonna be in Reno by morning, baby.

Visiting Room: Day

(Huggy’s sat drinking coffee when Hutch enters the room. He stands up to meet him)

Huggy: Hey, Hutch. This ain’t exactly my favourite meeting place.

Hutch: Well, it’s not so bad if you’re on this side of the room, huh? What you got?

Huggy: We were asking around about cats who might have had dealings with Packrat, right? The Texas kid. (Points to a man wearing a cowboy hat sitting at the table) Nobody ever told him Hopalong Cassidy died. (Hutch sits opposite him)

Hutch: Hey, how you doing?

Texas Kid: Howdy.

Huggy: Texas Kid, this is Detective Hutchinson.

Texas Kid: Huggy said you’d talk to the judge for me.

Huggy: You see, the Kid is here on a complete misunderstanding. See, he fell asleep in the back room of this bar and when he woke up the place was closed and there was this burglar inside. Well, being a patron of the bar and a friend to the owner he grabbed the burglar and started wrestling with him.

Hutch: You wrestled him, huh? (The Kid nods) Bet you even got the money away from him.

Texas Kid: Yeah, how’d you know?

Hutch: And then he over-powered you and got away.

Texas Kid: Yeah, that’s right.

Huggy: And that’s when the misunderstanding got started. See, the cops come and he’s the only guy in the place and right away they think he’s the guy who busted in.

Hutch: How shortsighted of them.

Texas Kid: Can you help me? You know, tell the judge we’re old friends or something.

Hutch: Well, that depends what you tell me about Packrat.

Huggy: Well, tell him about your friend from Reno.

Texas Kid: Name’s Vern something, I don’t know the last one, just Vern. I used to run into him up around Reno when I was wrangling sometimes in with the Rodeo. You know, around bars and joints. He’s a bad one. The kind you ain’t gonna feel safe any time he’s around.

Huggy: Well, tell him about introducing him to Packrat.

Texas Kid: Yeah, well, I run into him about three weeks ago in a drunk tank. He was hurting at the time and none of the guards seemed to notice. The next morning his old lady come and bailed him out. Well, I guess he shot something up because later on that day I had a drink with him at his place and he was fine. That’s when he asked me if I knew a fence.

Hutch: Wait a minute, you said you had a drink with him. Where was that?

Texas Kid: Motel over on Marshall, near the railroad yards. The Western I think they call it.

Starsky’s Apartment: Day

(Starsky enters the house with the mail and sits down next to Sharman on the sofa)

Starsky: You gonna call your folks. (She shakes her head)

Sharman: I’m not ready.

Starsky: Yeah. You know everyday of my life, at some time or another, I say that to myself. I guess all people do. But sometimes you just can’t be ready. Sometimes you just gotta do,

Sharman: Once I make that call everything will change for us.

Starsky: Yeah.

Sharman: I’ll probably be going back to New York

Starsky: And I’ll probably go on staying here being a cop. (She kisses him) you make that call. (They kiss and the phone rings)

Sharman: That’s probably what they call being saved by the bell.

Starsky: Probably. (Answers the phone) Yeah.

(Hutch is driving)

Hutch: Starsky?

Starsky: Yeah?

Hutch: I think we’ve got a lead.

Starsky: Western Motel? I can be there in about 10 minutes. (Hangs up) You may not have to look at those mug books after all. (Kisses her nose and goes to the door, grabbing his coat) You make that call. (She picks up the phone and dials while he leaves)

Sharman: Mother, this is Sharman. Please don’t cry. Yeah. Yes, I’m okay. Yeah

Western Motel: Day

(Starsky and Hutch bust open the door. They take a look around. Starsky finds something wet on the carpet)

Starsky: I got blood. (They search the desk and the bed. Hutch finds a book)

Hutch: Starsk.

Starsky: That’s my book. (He grabs the phone and dials)

Hutch: How did they get this out of the office?

Starsky: Got me.

(At Starsky’s apartment the phone rings, but Sharman is in the shower. Outside, Vern’s car pulls up.)

Starsky: No answer. (Hangs up and they run out.)

Starsky’s Apartment: Day

(Sharman steps out of the shower wearing a towel. Outside Vern gets out of the car while Sharman buttons up one of Starsky’s shirts. Vern comes round the front and the Torino is seen speeding alone. Sharman puts on a pair of jeans while Vern forces open the front door. Sharman sees him, but the doors on a chain. She screams. He breaks the window and tries to reach for the chain, but Sharman hits him with something. He backs off)

Vern: Stay and watch the front. (He runs round back while Ella stays in the car. He breaks the back window while Sharman runs out the front door.)

Sharman: Help me! Help! Somebody’s trying to… (Ella pulls out a gun)

Ella: I’ll help you honey. (She fires and misses. Sharman runs while Vern comes back and jumps in the car. The Torino’s siren can be heard. Vern drives after her and Sharman is nearly run over by the Torino. Starsky gets out and drags her to the side of the road)

Starsky: Come here.

(Vern backs up the car and tries to drive away, but the Torino, driven by Hutch, manages to cut him off. Hutch gets out and rolls, while Vern fires and runs.)

Ella: Don’t shoot him! (Hutch shoots him) Don’t shoot him! (She runs to him) Vern. (She kneels beside him) Vern.

Vern: Don’t leave me, Ella.

Ella: I won’t. (Hutch picks up his gun)

Vern: Don’t leave me, baby.

Ella: I won’t, I won’t, I won’t. (Hutch checks the wound)

Vern: Don’t leave me. (Hutch stands up and looks over at Starsky, who pulls Sharman to her feet)

Starsky: Come on.

The Torino: Day

(Starsky’s driving Sharman)

Sharman: Do I look all right?

Starsky: For the 97^th time, you look terrific.

Sharman: Pull over.

Starsky: Is this it?

Sharman: Nope. It’s just through the gate. (The car stops)

Starsky: Oh. (Turns off the engine)

Sharman: I’m scared Dave.

Starsky: I’m scared too.

Sharman: You?

Starsky: Yeah. I’m afraid to let you go.

Sharman: I’m not gonna let you. Once I’m better…I’ll never forget you Dave. You’ll see, we can…

Starsky: We can say goodbye.

Sharman: What if I need you?

Starsky: The key’s always under the mat. You ready?

Sharman: Yeah.

Starsky: Okay.

(Starts up the car and drives her up to the house. They look at each other and Sharman gets out and hugs her mother.)

Sharman: Oh, I almost forgot. I want you to meet Dave. (The Torino is seen leaving the gates)

Hutch’s House: Night

(Starsky’s on the phone while Hutch is softly strumming his guitar.

Yeah, Ma I told you, she’s okay. She’s with her parents for now. No, I did not get her autograph. Yeah, I know you, Ma. Ma? Mum? (Shows Hutch the receiver who laughs) Mother. Mummy. No, nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to tell you something. Are you ready? I’ll call you the regular time next Friday. I love you. Goodbye. (Blows two kisses and hangs up) She’s upset because I didn’t get Sharman’s autograph.

Hutch: Well, it’s the least you could do. (Kiko knocks on the open door)

Starsky: Hey, Kiko.

Kiko: Hi, Starsky.

Hutch: Hey, Kiko, come on in. (They shake hands.) How are you?

Kiko: I made a mistake.

Hutch: Well, it’s part of growing up.

Kiko: Will you be my Big Brother again?

Hutch: I never stopped.

Starsk: Someone wanna lend a hand here. (Starsky’s sat at the table)

Kiko: What you doing?

Hutch: Well, Captain Dobey changed his extension again.

Kiko: Snack bar again?