CHAPTER 7
Starsky swallowed hard…she was very pretty and had an air of confidence
about her. Women like that always intimidated him…he liked his
a little
less brash. Hutch watched him, as he seemed frozen in place at
her touch.
Not at all the suave playboy image his partner normally reflected around
women…he looked more like he was scared to death.
“I’m Joe Joe…I’m sure the boys have told you all about me…but just in
case
they haven’t…I’m gonna lay it out for you. I only have one rule
here…as
long as you play fair with me…I’ll play fair with you. Make the
customers
happy and you’ll make a lot of money. But, I’m not your pimp
and my
customers aren’t your tricks. This is strictly business…no late
night
rendezvous for extra money…or to satisfy your sexual urges…am I making
myself clear?” She told them.
“Crystal…” Starsky said in a weak voice…as he waited for her to remove
her
finger from beneath his chin. It held him still as if bound by
an unseen
force.
She released him suddenly and he took a few steps back to stand beside
Hutch. Even from a distance she was dangerous…and they both knew
it.
“Now…what do we call you?” She asked in a lighter tone.
“Ken…” Hutch said as he stretched his hand out to shake hers.
“David…” Starsky said as he cautiously reached his out as well.
She shook hands with them briefly and smiled. “Well…lets see what
you’ve
got.” She said not wasting any time.
They looked at each other and then back at her…was she serious?
Right here?
What did she want them to do …just take it off!
“What’s the matter… shy?” She asked them. “Honey when you’ve seen one
you’ve
seen them all…but if you need music we’ll pick something out for you
and I’
ll meet you on stage.” She told them.
“Music…good idea.” Hutch said in a panicked voice. “Can’t strip without
music.” He couldn’t believe the words as they came out of his mouth.
“Oh yeah…that’s right…we can’t strip without music.” Starsky said in
a bit
of a playful but sarcastic tone…as he gave Hutch a devilish grin.
“Alright…Jimmy…set them up will ya…and I’ll meet you out front.” She
told
them as she turned around and walked out the door.
Jimmy walked over to them holding a handful of 45’s. “Take your
pick…they’
re all good to dance to.” He said with a grin.
Starsky grabbed them all and halved them with Hutch. They sifted
through
what they each had and then exchanged stacks…as if they were evaluating
evidence at a crime scene. Nothing really appealed to either
of them for
some reason…how do you pick music to embarrass yourself by?
“Why do I feel like condemned man picking out my own coffin.” Hutch
asked
his partner in a low voice.
“Well…that just about sums it up.” Starsky answered him not taking his
eye
off the labels.
Finally they made their selections and handed them back to Jimmy…letting
him
know what songs they had chosen. Then they walked slowley towards
the door
and down the hallway…very slowly.
Joe Joe waited for them as Jimmy walked across the stage to the sound
equipment to put their music on.
“Who goes first?” Hutch asked suddenly as the thought just crossed his mind.
“Guess we’ll find out when the music starts.” Starsky told him.
**************
An hour and a half later….(Sorry girls…but that’s how things work in
Hollywood…besides, we don’t want to spoil the fun…saving it for later.)
Hutch walked briskly to the car and threw his jacket through the open
window
to land on the seat…then he rested his arm on the cold wet metal top
and
dropped his head down as he waited for his partner. Starsky came
out a few
seconds later carrying two thick garmet bags slung over one arm with
a
serious look on his face as he glanced up at his car and spotted
Hutch.
They both got in without a word and Starsky fired up the engine and
left a
trail of rubber behind them.
Five minutes into the drive home, Starsky spoke up. “I just can’t
believe
it.” He said out loud.
“Well don’t look at me…I never wanted to do this in the first place.”
Hutch
answered him.
“Don’t even talk to me about it…” He said with a hint of anger.
“Since when
did you become so damn popular?” He asked.
“I can’t help it Starsk…I just did what they told me…Hell…I just wanted
to
hurry up and get it over with.” He said in a soothing tone…trying to
calm
his high strung partner.
“Go home and Practice…She says.” Starsky mimicked in a disgusted manner.
“I thought you were pretty good.” Hutch told him.
“Don’t try to make me feel better…She loved you…she practically fell
all
over herself cheering.” Starsky said still disgusted.
“Don’t feel bad Starsk…like I’ve always said …when you’ve got it…Flaunt
it.”
He kidded him.
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