THAT’S A WRAP
By
Tooki
Starsky, dressed in running clothes sat on the back of the park bench, his feet resting on the seat. He check his watch, Hutch was late, worry crease his brow only for a moment then he relaxed, he wasn’t that late-yet. Starsky looked up and down the walk away that bordered the large pond in the park, he didn’t see his partner. After all it was there off day so maybe Hutch was just taking his time. Starsky’s attention was drawn to a filming crew; he had been watching them since he had arrived at the park. He wondered if they were filming a television show or a movie; neither were an uncommon sight around town.
There were cameras set up and several dozen people milling around, he had no idea what they were doing. Finally he heard who he guessed was the director yell, “ACTION!”
Starsky didn’t see anything happen he looked around but nobody was moving. Suddenly a woman on a bicycle came hurtling down a small hill headed straight for the water. She looked like she was frantically trying to break but nothing was happening. As Starsky watched the front tire of the bike hit the lip around the pond, the young woman flew over the handle bars and landed face first into the water.
He watched shocked wondering what kind of movie they were filming, probably some horror flick. Starsky waited for a monster to come up out of the water and eat her.
“CUT, CUT, CUT,” the director screamed. “Christ Sylvia, you were supposed to stop at the edge not fall in! Stop screwing around.”
The woman still lay face down in the water, only seconds had past but Starsky’s gut feeling told him something was wrong. He looked toward the movie crew again, nobody seemed to be doing anything and the director was still yelling. Starsky stripped off his tennis shoes and socks running to where the woman was laying in the water.
He waded in after her, it was only waist deep, he touched her as he asked, “Miss are you alright?” Getting no response he rolled her over in the water. Her eyes were closed and there was a big gash in her forehead. Starsky picked her up from the water and carried her to the edge laying her on the sidewalk.
Once the crew and director realized that their star was actually hurt, they rushed to her aid. Starsky had started to administer mouth to mouth after checking her vitals. It only took a few times before she started coughing and the pond water came up. Her eyes fluttered open and Starsky was looking into the most incredible green eyes he had ever seen.
“Hi,” he grinned at her.
She managed a quick smile as she tried to sit up. A blanket came out of no where and was placed round her shoulders. “Sylvia,” the director knelt next to her. “Are you alright?”
“I-I think so,” she said as she gingerly touched her forehead.
“You should really get that looked at,” Starsky advised as he stood up, water was dripping from his dark curly hair.
“T-thank you,” she said looking up at him.
“No problem,” Starsky said as he turned to go back to the bend and retrieved his shoes, no jogging today. He would have to wait for Hutch to arrive then he would head back to his apartment for dry clothes.
Starsky was just putting his shoes back on when Hutch also dressing in running clothes jogged up to him. “Hey buddy sorry I’m late, Cindy called just as I was leaving.” He then noticed Starsky was all wet, “What happened too you?”
Starsky jerked his head toward the group of people that had surrounded Sylvia. “Some chick took a header into pond I dragged her out, that’s all.”
“My hero,” Hutch said in a mocking voice. “Are they filming a movie or something?”
“Or something,” Starsky said annoyed that his off day was officially ruined. “I need to go home and change; you want to meet later for lunch?”
“I’ll wait on you to get back if you want.”
Starsky shook his head, “I’m kind of out of the mood to run now.”
“Suit yourself.”
Starsky emitted a loud sneeze, he sighed and took a sip of coffee, he thought he felt a little feverish. Hutch looked up from the report he was typing. “You feeling okay Starsk?”
“No,” he snuffed, “Caught a cold from that damn pond.”
“Starsky you can not catch a cold from getting wet, it’s caused by a germ.”
“Well maybe that germ was taking a swim cuz I was fine until I jumped in that water.” Starsky stifled a cough.
“Why don’t you go home I can finish up here.” Hutch suggested.
“It’s not even noon Hutch, I can’t leave you with all this paper work.” Starsky patted a large pile of files.
“It would be better than being coughed and sneezed on. Didn’t your mother ever teach you to cover your mouth?”
“As a matter of fact she did,” Starsky snapped. “Sometimes it just kind of sneaks up on you, ya know?”
Hutch sighed and tossed a tissue across the desk. “Let’s not have anymore sneaking; you are going to infect the whole department.
“Thanks for the sympathy,” Starsky said picking up the tissue and taking a swipe at his nose.
“Hey I offered to let you go home, what more to you want?” Hutch asked.
Starsky shrugged and picked up one of the files. Neither of them noticed the leggy brunette walk into the squad room carrying a large bouquet of flowers. “Excuse me,” She said to one of the officers, “I’m looking for a Dave Starsky.”
Too stunned to speak the officer pointed to where Hutch and Starsky were sitting, when she had thanked him and walked away, he poked the officer next to him. “Do you know who that is?”
Starsky didn’t notice the woman standing next to him until she spoke, “Dave Starsky?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Starsky said absently as he rubbed the tissue under his nose again.
“Are you the man that pulled me out of the pond yesterday day?”
This got Starsky’s attention and he looked up into those green eyes he had seen the day before. He got to his feet jamming the soggy tissue into his pocket.
Hutch was watching his partner with amusement as he tried to pull himself together. But Hutch was totally amazed when he recognized the woman who was holding the flowers. It was Sylvia Adams one of Hollywood’s top leading ladies and box office draws. He had even seen a few of her movies. Starsky hadn’t told him that was who he had fished from the pond.
“Y-yes I’m Dave Starsky,” Starsky stammered.
She held out the flowers to him. “I’m Sylvia Adams.”
“Nice to meet you,” he accepted the flowers. “You didn’t need to go to all this trouble.”
“I think they would have let me drown if it hadn’t been for you pulling me out,” She smiled a dazzling smile at him. “But I guess it’s really my fault, I’m a bit of a prankster on the set. They thought I was goofing off.”
“How’s the head?” he asked.
She had a small bandage on her forehead, “Nothing, a couple of stitches couldn’t take care of it. Manny isn’t too happy with me, he had to postpone the filming until it’s healed. Good thing I’m a fast healer.”
“Starsk?” Hutch said standing up.
“Oh I’m sorry, Miss Adams this is my partner Ken Hutchinson.” Starsky introduced them.
“Nice to meet you Ken,” She rewarded Hutch with a smile too. “Please call me Sylvia.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Sylvia.” Hutch shook her hand.
“Where are my manners, sit down,” Starsky grabbed a chair from one of the other desks. “How did you find me?”
She sat then winked at him, “Oh I have my ways.”
Hutch was making signals behind Sylvia trying to get his partners attention. He knew that Starsky had no idea who she was, since Starsky’s idea of a great movie were old black and white westerns on the tube.
“Are you alright Hutch?” Starsky asked. Sylvia turned around to look at Hutch who promptly stuck his hands behind his back.
“Yeah sure,” Hutch finally gave up trying to be subtle, “Would you excuse us for a moment Miss…I mean Sylvia?”
Hutch grabbed Starsky by the arm and hauled him out of their guests hearing distance. “What is it?” Starsky asked. “You are being rude.”
“Do you have any idea who that is?”
Starsky hiked up one eyebrow, “Yeah her name is Sylvia Adams.”
Hutch rolled his eyes, “Christ Starsky you really need to get out more.”
“WHAT!”
“She is like the biggest actress around right now. She has a movie out at the Movie Plex.”
“Oh come on Hutch what would a big star be doing sitting at my desk.”
Hutch just looked at him.
“You are serious aren’t you?”
Hutch spied a movie magazine one of the secretaries had left laying on top of a filing cabinet. Sylvia Adams just happened to be on the cover. He grabbed the magazine and held it up for Starsky to see.
Starsky looked at the magazine then looked over at woman sitting patiently at his desk. “Holy crap.”
By the time Starsky confronted her again he was more than flustered. He looked at her not sure what to say. Hutch came to his rescue, “He’s a little out of it…caught a cold.”
“Yesterday when you jumped in after me.”
Hutch rolled his eyes but didn’t comment; he had already had this discussion with his partner.
Starsky nodded, “It’s nothing.”
Every eye in the squad room was on Sylvia and the hall out side the doors was starting to fill up. “I guess news travels fast,” Hutch commented when he noticed the growing crowd.
“Oh my, I didn’t mean to interrupt your day. I’m so sorry.” Sylvia was clearly upset as she looked around.
Impulsively Starsky asked, “What about dinner?”
Her attention came back to Starsky, “That would be lovely but this is what happens when ever I go out.” She gave a deep sigh, “Being famous has it pit falls sometimes.”
“What about my place.” Starsky wanted to suck the words back in his mouth the moment he said them. But it was too late as she was grinning brightly at him.
“Really?”
“Sure why not.”
“Ok sure, I have some dailies to go over but I’ll be free by eight.” Sylvia got up. “It was nice to meet you Ken.”
“Hey, I didn’t give you my address.”
Sylvia flashed him a dazzling smile, “I’ve got it.” As she stepped out in the hall she was bombarded with note books and pens. Graciously she signed autographs for everyone before she left leaving the two detectives with one last wave.
The moment she was out of sight Starsky panic, “Hutch what am I going to do? I can’t cook and I doubt she is the take out kind of girl. She probably eats all the fancy food.”
“Calm down Starsk the woman puts her pants on the same way you do, one leg at a time.”
“But what legs she has,” Starsky said giving Hutch a sheepish grin.
“I’ll come by and cook something for ya okay?” Hutch offered sitting back down at his desk.
“Thanks Hutch you are a life saver.
“Okay Starsk, it’s all warming in the oven, you just have to take the chicken out and put it on the plates, the salad in the fridge.” Hutch instructed.
“You are a life saver.”
“So I have been told,” Hutch grinned at Starsky. He had been getting ready the whole time Hutch was cooking. “Kind of dressed up aren’t ya?” He eyed Starsky’s button down shirt and tweed jacket. “Looks like you are going to court.”
Starsky shot him a look of contempt. “It’s bad enough I can’t cook for her I can at least dress up.”
Hutch shook his head as he looked at his watch, “I better get out of here, she will be here any time.” Hutch opened the front door just as a white stretch limousine pulled up. “Too late, she’s here.”
“Out the back,” Starsky exclaimed.
“Starsk you don’t have a back.”
“Oh yeah…well…”
“No, No I am not climbing out the window.” Hutch walked out the front door giving Starsky a wave over his shoulder. Sylvia got out of the limo and met him as he was coming down the walk. “Miss Adams.”
“Now I told you to call me Sylvia, Ken.” She grinned at him. Her hair floated around her face and her green eyes sparkled at him. She had on a long fur coat and high heeled sandals.
“You and Starsky have a great time uh?” Hutch said as he headed toward his beat up brown heap. It looked even worse sitting in front of the limo.
Starsky was standing in the doorway waiting for Sylvia, “Hi.”
“Hi yourself,” she said as she kissed him on the cheek. She turned and waved at the limo driver, the car pulled away from the curb. “He’ll come back when I call, don’t want to draw any attention. We don’t a repeat of what happened at the station.”
She took off her fur coat, under it she had on a simple white t-shirt and jeans. Starsky was a bit surprised by her casual attire. He hung the coat up in the closet and as he turned to ask her if she wanted something to drink Sylvia was taking off her shoes. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Make yourself at home.” Starsky said as he stripped his jacket off and tossed it onto one of the kitchen chairs. He went to get a bottle of white wine that Hutch had picked out earlier; when he got back she was sitting on the floor leaning up against the couch. Starsky stood staring at her; this was not what he expected from a rich, beautiful movie star. “Wine?”
“Sure, unless you happen to have beer.” She said.
“Beer it is,” After he returned with a two bottles of beer he joined her on the floor.
“I’m not what you expected am I?” she giggled at his expression.
“Well, no not really.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“Hell no… I mean no not at all.”
Sylvia tilted her head back and laughed, “Dave I’m just an old farm girl from Kansas that got a lucky break. This is the real me, that coat in your closet is the movie star. And I’ll tell you a secret, it’s not even real.”
Starsky relaxed and smiled at her, “I think I like the farm girl.”
“Good,” she said taking a big gulp of beer. She sat the bottle on the coffee table and leaned toward Starsky, at first he though she was going to kiss him instead she undid the top three buttons of his button down. “Some how this just doesn’t look like you.”
“It’s not, Hutch told me I looked like I was going to court.” He winked at her. “Since we are making confessions, I have one.”
“Oh?”
“I had no idea who you were when you came into the station, well except that you were the woman I pulled out of the pond.”
“Ah so that is what all the arm waving Ken was doing behind my back?”
“You saw that uh?” Laughing she nodded.
They talked for over an hour when suddenly Sylvia exclaimed, “I smell something cooking.”
“Shit!” Starsky exclaimed as he jumped up and ran to the kitchen. He opened the oven and took out the meal that Hutch had prepared. The whole meal was so dried out it was unfit for human consumption. “Hutch is going to kill me.”
“Got a good pizza place that delivers,” Sylvia was standing in the doorway.
“Ah a woman after my own heart.” Starsky said as he tossed the pot holder on top of their dried out meal.
They were almost finished with their paper work for the day; Starsky had sped through his with a smile on his lips, humming under his breath. Hutch had questioned him several times about how the night had gone with Sylvia but Starsky just mostly grinned at him. The only real conversation they had was over the meal Hutch had prepared for them.
“Was the chicken good?” Hutch had asked when Starsky had arrived that morning.
“Good,” Starsky said avoiding Hutch’s eyes.
Hutch sighed, “You left it in the oven too long didn’t you?”
Starsky shrugged noncommittally.
“So how was the pizza?”
Starsky jerked his head up and looked at his partner, “How did you know?”
Just as they were about done for the day the squad room door opened and a bag woman, stooped over, with ratty blonde hair and a skirt so long it drug the ground shuffled toward them. She stepped next to Starsky, “Young man,” She said in a quivering voice, “Could you give me a ride home?”
Starsky glanced at her, “I’m sorry ma’am I’m not a taxi service. Is there something else I can help you with?”
A disagreeable noise came from the bag woman, “Well I was told that you helped little old ladies.” The voice was a bit different this time. And a smile spread across the woman’s face although she tried to hide it.
“Is this some kind of joke,” Starsky asking peering under the ratty wig. Mischievous green eyes met his and the smile got bigger. “Sylvia?”
“Shhhhhh,” She whispered.
Hutch had been watching with an amused expression on his face as Starsky was handling the old woman he still had no idea who it was and was startled when Starsky grabbed the woman by the arm and propelled her toward Dobey’s office knowing the Captain had left for the day.
As soon as the door was closed, he grabbed the wig from her head allowing her dark locks to fall from under it, “Got ya,” she chuckled.
“What are you doing,” Starsky grinned at her.
“Well I wanted to come and see you without causing a commotion.” Sylvia said blushing slightly.
“I guess I could give a little old lady a ride home after all.” Starsky winked at her.
“Thank you kid sir,” She giggled as she plopped the wig back on her hard and tucked her dark hair underneath.
As Starsky escorted the bag woman from Dobey’s office the entire squad rooms eyes were on them including Hutch’s. “Starsk?” Hutch called after him.
“I’m going to take off ‘k Hutch?” He walked out before Hutch could answer him.
Suspicious Hutch grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and followed his partner and the woman to the elevator. He caught up with them just as the doors were siding shut. “Starsky, what the hell are you doing?” Hutch jumped in with him.
Both Starsky and the bag woman began to laugh. “Hutch, its Sylvia,” Starsky revealed, as Sylvia pulled back the wig.
“You had me going,” Hutch laughed.
“Me too,” Starsky admitted.
“Well I wouldn’t be much of an actress if I couldn’t pull this off, would I?” Sylvia winked at both of them. “I was actually coming to see if you two would like to escort me to a movie premier tonight.”
“Wow really?” Starsky was rather impressed. “What movie?”
She shrugged, “I’m not sure. I get invited to a lot of these things if I’m in town and can find a date I go.”
“I can’t believe you ever have a hard time finding a date,” Hutch interjected.
“You would be surprised.” Sylvia answered. “It’s formal, so you both will have to wear tuxes.”
“Well I guess that leaves Starsk out.” Hutch said putting his arm around Sylvia’s shoulder.
“You don’t have a tux Hutch.” Starsky snapped.
“Well I most certainly do, all cultured gentlemen have a tux.”
“Give me a break!” Starsky blustered.
Sylvia stood watching the banter between the two detectives. “Don’t worry about it Dave. I have it all taken care of.”
Starsky gave Hutch a smug smile. Hutch rolled his eyes as the doors opened onto the ground floor. “Well I’ll see you boys around 7:30.” She shuffled out of the elevator across the lobby and out the door.
“Well I guess she didn’t need a ride after all,” Hutch said as they saw her slipping into the same white limousine she had arrived at Starsky’s apartment in the night before.
“Man that’s a hell of a ride for a bag lady.”
When Starsky arrived at his apartment he started to panic, he knew that Sylvia said the tux problem was taken care of but he wasn’t sure what she had meant by that. He keyed opened his front door and was taken off guard by a black garment bag that was lying over the back of his couch.
Starsky looked around the room then approached the bag carefully. There was a white piece of paper lying on top of the bag. He picked it up and read out loud, “Dave, didn’t think you would have one. Love Syl.”
He unzipped the bag and pulled out a beautiful black tux with satin lapels, a classy white shirt was on a separate hanger and a small dark blue velvet box was in the pocket of the pants. Starsky pulled open the lid of the box and found a pair of gold cuff links with his initials engraved on them. Starsky was a little taken back as he stared at the cuff links, some how he suspect that they were probably real gold.
Starsky had showered and just finished dressing when there was a knock at the door. When he opened it Hutch stood there in his tux carrying an arrangement of flowers. Hutch let out a low whistle when he saw the tux Starsky had on. “That is some tux,” Hutch said as he checked the label. “Man this is a designer original.”
“A what?” Starsky said trying to turn to see what Hutch was looking at.
“Stop that,” Hutch commanded you are going to wrinkle. “This isn’t some off the rack tux my friend. I’m betting she had this made for you…and a rush job at that.”
Feeling suddenly self conscious Starsky pulled down the jacket sleeves to cover the expensive cuff links on his shirt.
“You my friend are a kept man.” Hutch joked. Starsky was seeing little humor in it.
“Crap I didn’t get her any flowers,” Starsky once again looked panicked.
Sighing Hutch handed Starsky the flowers he had, “Here you can give her these.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hey you are the one she gave the tux too.”
“She didn’t give it to me.”
“Think what you want buddy but I’m betting she had this baby made for you.”
They heard a horn honk, Starsky opened the front door, this time it as a black limo sitting in front of his apartment. Hutch ran his hand down the back Starsky’s jacket to make sure it was all straight and they went out to meet their movie star escort.
The chauffeur hopped out and opened the door for the two detectives. Sylvia sat inside; she had on a red low cut dress and neck full of diamonds.
“Wow,” Starsky said star stuck as he climbed into the limo, he wasn’t sure what to look at first his beautiful date or the inside of the limo with its leather seats, tv screen, and bar. He plopped down next to Sylvia, he handed her the flowers. “Hi! These are from Hutch and me.”
“Thanks,” She grinned at him, “See the tux fits.”
“It’s very nice,” Starsky said feeling the sleeve with one hand.
When Hutch got seated, he smiled at Sylvia, “Thanks for inviting me along.”
She returned her smile. “Well why should I go to the premiere with one handsome man when I could have two? Hey why don’t you open a bottle of champagne Ken? It’s in the fridge there next to you.”
“A fridge too? Man you would never have to leave your car.” Starsky exclaimed as he leaned to get a look at the mini refrigerator Hutch was extracting the bottle of champagne from.
“Starsky stop acting like you are two,” Hutch admonished then he looked at Sylvia, “You will have to excuse my partner, he doesn’t get out much.”
Sylvia laughed and looped her arm through Starsky’s, “I find him refreshing.”
“See I’m refreshing,” Starsky said turning his nose up at his friend.
Hutch rolled his eyes as he popped the cork on the champagne. Sylvia handed him three glasses and Hutch pour the bubbly for them all. “Here’s to a great evening!” Hutch toasted.
They all clinked glassed, “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Sylvia said then she turned to Starsky. “You found the cuff links, didn’t you?”
He cast a glance at Hutch then nodded, “They are beautiful Sylvia, thank you.”
“Cuff links?” Hutch asked and grabbed Starsky’s arm, pulling up his jacket he check out the gift. “Nice.”
Starsky jerked back his arm. “Yes they are.”
“I’m glad you like them. I wanted you to have something to remember this evening by.” She kissed him gently on the lips.
“Oh I think I’m going to remember this evening,” Starsky said.
When the limo came to a stop and the driver opened the door a dull roar greeted their ears. Everybody posed out side ready to see who stepped out of the newest limo that had just pulled up.
Sylvia looked at them. “You guys ready?” They nodded; she smoothed her dress, then touched her hair to make sure every thing was in place. She put on foot out the door and stretched out her hand which the driver took.
As she emerged, the flashes of dozens of cameras went off at once. Sylvia smiled and waved at her fans as they screamed her name. She stood waiting on the red carpet as her two escorts also got out of the limo. Hutch and Starsky each took an arm and escorted her up the carpet. They could hear whispers in the crowd about them as they walked Sylvia to the door. Everybody wanted to know who they were, were they famous, which one was dating her, were they both, dating her?
Once inside the theater, Sylvia visibly relaxed happy that the walk down the carpet had been an uneventful one. “Are you alright?” Starsky asked.
“Yes,” She nodded. “It’s just you never know what might happen as you are walking in. I have had fans try to get to me before. There is always a lot of security around but once in a while somebody manages to get though. It can be scary.”
The movie seemed far too short and before long they were all three back safely in the limo heading back to Starsky’s apartment. As they pulled up to the curb Hutch said, “Sylvia thank you for a wonderful evening.”
“You’re welcome Ken, and thank you for coming.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“See you tomorrow Starsk,” Hutch said as he got out. He figured they would want to be alone together.
“Well I guess this is it,” Starsky smiled at her. “Thanks, I’ll get the tux back to your tomorrow.”
“Wait Dave,” She said grabbing his arm. “Do you want to come back to my hotel with me?”
“Yeah if you don’t think it’s too late.”
“I asked you remember?” she grinned at him, “Close the door Thomas.” she called to the chauffeur.
The next morning the limo pulled up and let Starsky out; he stood and watched until it disappeared out of sight. He was still standing on the sidewalk in his tux when Hutch pulled up.
“I can see you aren’t ready for work,” Hutch said to his partner, “Are you just getting home?”
“Yeah, we went back to her hotel last night.”
“Did you now?” Hutch said with a mischievous look on his face. “So when is the next big date?”
Starsky shrugged and headed toward his door without answering.
Hutch jumped out of his car and followed his partner. “Hey buddy what’s the matter.”
“She’s leaving this morning.” Starsky said as he opened the door. “She has to be in France to finish filming the movie.”
“Sylvia will be coming back soon.”
“Sure sometime. She has another movie right after she finishes this one and then one after that.”
“Hey pal I’m sorry.”
“It was fun while it lasted,” Starsky quipped but he face didn’t show the casualness of his voice.
“You really liked her didn’t you?”
“Yeah…I could have gotten use to having her around.”
“You still got me,” Hutch said as he gently punched him in the arm.
“Yeah what would I do without ya Hutch?” Starsky gave him a grin.
“I’ll tell Dobey you are sick, why don’t you take the day off uh?”
“Thanks Hutch.” Starsky went in and closed the door.
“He’s what?” Dobey growled when Hutch told their captain that Starsky was sick.
“He’ll be fine by tomorrow,” Hutch promised.
“He better be,” Dobey said as he handed the paper he had been reading to Hutch. On the front page as a photo of the two of them and Sylvia Adams walking down the red carpet.
CUT
THAT’S A WRAP