Kitty Chapter #3

Starsky was in the restroom washing his hair in yet another sink. Hutch had told him that he would have to shave his head to get rid of the odor. There was no way that he was gonna let that happen. So he was at it again. Hutch had gotten some shampoo at one gas station; it turned out to be "girl" shampoo. His hair smelled like flowers AND skunk. Or, more precisely, skunky flowers. Damn Hutch. Starsky just hated it when Hutch played those types of jokes on him. So, here he was, washing his hair with hand soap in one more backwater town's only gas station, trying desperately to get rid of not only skunk but now a "girly" flower scent. He looked at his reflection in the dirty, cracked mirror, reflections didn't stink. He shook his head. Too bad that wasn't currently his condition. He shrugged, exited the restroom and trotted back to the LTD.

"Hey Starsk," Hutch called to Starsky as he walked back to the car after talking to the attendant and getting some good news, a nearby motel.

"Yeah, Blintz?"

"You using bleach on your hair?"

"Whadda mean?"

"I think it's getting lighter"

"WHAT!" Starsky yelped. He pulled a curl down to look at it in the dim light of the parking lot. His hair was still dark brown "Smart ass!" he snapped and hopped back into the car.

Hutch pulled out of the lot and informed his partner that there was a motel near by. "I am glad to hear that you aren't talking like you have a bad cold anymore"

And he was, it had been damned difficult figuring out what Starsky had been talking about half the time. Lord knows his friend had said plenty tonight. Hutch had either ignored his friend or grunted noncommittally at some of his incomprehensible speech. Normally, if Starsky was sick, he could understand him but the clogged up, not sick Starsky, with his nearly non stop talking, had been almost impossible to decipher. Though the just of what was being said had to do with NEVER entering the woods again. Hutch knew it would take months of smooth taking and maybe a little whining, but he'd have good ole Starsk back in the woods on another trip. 'Ooops, he's talking again, better pay attention'

"Yeah, either I'm getting use to the smell or all this washing is having a positive effect". He had noticed improvement immediately after washing out his poor eyes for about twenty minutes at the first gas station. Each station and wash up had provided relief and improvement in both eyes and nose. "Are ya sure I need to bathe in tomatoes?"

"Oh, yes. Definitely" And under his breath added "Until I can get a hold of a vet or some one to find out for sure if that stuff really works."

"What was that?"

"Um, nothing, just, uh, humming to myself" 'Whew, dodged a bullet there!'

"Hmmm" Starsky was not convinced, but was too tired to argue. "Where is this motel?"

"Just ahead three quarters of a mile and on the right, according to that guy back there"

"Good, mm tired"

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In that same small town were two brothers that were up to no good. Harry and Duane Biggs were small time B&E "Artists" Harry, the elder of the two, had decided that tonight, they would move up to the next step Hold-up Artists. He liked tacking on the word "Artist", it just sounded more professional. Harry firmly believed in taking small steps to accomplish his goals. And Harry was the brains of the outfit. His fingers drummed the steering wheel. The question on Harry's mind was who to hold up?

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"We're here"

"Some here" Starsky slumped down even further in the seat, sulking.

"Look, Gordo, it's the only place open. And there is a 'VACANCY' sign!"

"Yeah, but no tomato sauce of soup or whatever to bath in. Why stop? Why don't we just go the rest of the way home?"

"Sure. And stink up our respective apartments. No thanks."

"Oh"

"Yeah, oh"

"This looks like a fine establishment" Starsky rolled his eyes.

"Do you honestly think that they would let us in a three star or four star hotel smelling like we do? Huh?"

"Nope"

"Okay then" Hutch pulled in next to the motel office. "I'll go in"

"Why you? What's wrong with me?"

"You took a direct hit from a skunk. I didn't"

"Grrr"

"Did you just growl at me?"

"I'm tired."

"Ooookayy, um, I'll just be a minute. Hey give me some money"

"Why?"

"Um, you're paying for your own room"

"Again, why" He arched an eyebrow and fixed Hutch with hard look.

"I um, don't want to um, smellyouallnightlong" Hutch rushed the words together.

"WHAT!?" Starsky glared at his soon-to-be former best friend.

"Ah, I'll be right back" Hutch dashed off to the office. He entered to office and rang the bell for service, as dictated by the hand written sign on the reception desk.

"Yeah, whadda want?" The sleepy clerk ambled into the reception area, scratching his butt through his night shirt.

'Oh, that's attractive' Hutch thought. "I would like a room with two beds, please" Best to appease his friend or he would never hear the end of it.

The clerk slowly blinked at him then looked him up and down and gave a loud sniff. "We're full"

"The sign says 'vacancy'" Hutch glanced over his shoulder to the nearly vacant parking lot. Only a few vehicles were parked in front of the rooms.

"Oh" The clerk reached down and flicked a switch. "There, that should do it"

"Do what?"

The clerk pointed out to the sign near the road.

The neon sign now said 'NO VACANCY'. The clerk shuffled back into the room he had come out of.

"SHIT!" Disgruntled Hutch stomped off to his car. He got in and slammed the door, stopping the annoying blare of the car horn. He dropped his head tiredly to his chest.

"What happened?"

"A skunk"

"Whadda mean 'a skunk'?" He looked about for another killer skunk that might be out to get him.

"You got sprayed and now we can't get a room at the inn"

"You mean..."

"Yep"

"SHIT!"

Hutch pulled out of the lot and started down the road. In the rear view mirror he saw the the word 'NO' disappear from in front of the neon 'VACANCY'

"Did you see that!" Starsky had glanced back just in time to see the same thing his partner had.

"Yeah"

"Well, we ought ta go back and talk to him!"

"Starsk, I don't think that your brand of 'talk' will get us anything but trouble" Hutch sighed, defeated.

"Well-"

Hutch put his hand up to silence his friend. "Let's just find a place to park the car; I'm just too tired to drive any further tonight."

Starsky reluctantly agreed.

Hutch pulled into an alley (probably the only ally this dinky town had) he thought.

They flipped a coin. Starsky won and got the back seat. Hutch folded himself into the front and attempted to get comfortable as possible to try to get some shut eye until morning. A soft snore came from the back seat, letting Hutch know his partner had fallen sleep.

TBC xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx