Paperwork

It was a Thursday. The fourth day of the working week. Four days of cases and the related paperwork that was beginning to be overwhelming. Literally - in Starsky's case.

As they walked into the squad room, Hutch could see the tower of files, papers and notes teetering on the edge of the desk. His own pile was high, but organised. Starsky's pile looked like a whirlwind had picked everything up, twirled it around and then dumped it higgledy piggledy.

"You'd better get that lot tidied up today," Hutch observed.

Starsky was pouring coffee, but he turned to see where Hutch was pointing and raised an eyebrow.

"How come your pile looks so neat?"

"My natural administrative skills," Hutch said, with a shrug.

Starsky rolled his eyes as he handed Hutch the coffee and poured another.

"We'd both better make a stab at finishing the reports or Dobey will be complaining."

As if summoned by his name, the door to the office flew open and Dobey strode in.

"Where's the report on the Harris case?" he demanded.

Hutch quickly opened a file while speaking: "We're just crossing the t's and dotting the i's on that one, Captain."

"Hmmf."

Dobey stared at Starsky's desk as the curly haired detective took his seat.

"Detective Starsky, do something about that desk! It's a disgrace! I will not have a sloppy squad room."

"No, sir. I mean yes, sir."

"Hmmf."

Dobey glared a moment longer then about-turned and went back to his desk.

"We'd better get the Harris file done first," Hutch said. He closed the file he was holding and searched his pile for another one. "Ah, here it is." He looked through it then asked, "Have you got the witness statement?"

Starsky contemplated the pile in front of him.

"It's here somewhere."

"Well, look for it, Gordo!"

"I'm afraid to move anything. The structural integrity might be compromised."

"I'll compromise your structural integrity if you don't find that witness statement!"

"Actually, I know where everything is. It may look haphazard but there's a system."

"Oh really?!"

Starsky grimaced but carefully lifted half of the papers and split them into two piles. Then he slowly unstacked the first pile.

"Found it! See."

"Great, give it here." Hutch slipped it into the file and stood up. "I'll give this one to Dobey. You decide which file we're tackling next."

Starsky took a sip of coffee then said, "Eeney, meeney, miney, mo."

He pulled a loose sheet from the second pile and regarded it. Then he rifled through the manilla folders with a frown.

As Hutch came back past, he said, "I got a witness statement from that guy Jenkins but no folder."

Hutch scanned his own pile and pulled out a slim folder.

"Here's the file."

"Why have you got the file?"

"Probably trying to save it from getting lost in the abyss you call your filing system."

"Hey, Blintz, I told ya I know where everything is and didn't I just prove it?"

"Lucky guess, Gordo. "

Starsky grinned. "Okay, have you got the ballistics report or have I?"

"No idea."

They both rifled through their papers and Hutch came up with it while Starsky found the autopsy report.

"That everything?" Starsky asked.

"Yeah, think so."

"Great, I'll give this one to Dobey." When Starsky came back, he said, "He's thawing."

"Good. Right, which one next."

"I'll just get a snack and then-"

"-Nope! No snacks until we've finished at least one more report."

"What?"

"Starsky, we've got a brief lull. We need to get this done. I don't want to be in at the weekend catching up. Do you?"

"I guess not," Starsky mumbled.

They found all the papers for the third report. Hutch finished typing up the summary sheet then Starsky went to take it to Dobey. As soon as his partner went through the door, Hutch practically ran out of the squad room - much to the amusement of his colleagues. He rushed back in just as Starsky was returning to his desk. Hutch dumped a bag of chips and three candy bars on his partner's desk.

Starsky grinned at him. "Hey, what's this?"

Hutch settled back in his chair and opened another file.

"Fuel. I know you'll be saying next you can't work on an empty stomach."

"Well, it's true. I can't. Thanks, pal."

Hutch nodded.

"I'll buy you lunch," Starsky offered.

"Thanks. Okay, which case next?"

"Denning?"

"Denning, it is."

The two of them worked steadily and reduced the paperwork by a considerable amount. Starsky raised an eyebrow at Hutch. Hutch nodded.

"Cafeteria?"

"Cafeteria."

The two of them headed downstairs, chatting as they went. They might get called out before they finished all of their paperwork but at least the majority was done and, as with everything, it was made bearable because they'd done the work together.