A sloven-looking, middle-aged man was sitting in a dingy-looking, dirty, rented room. In his hand, was a newspaper. He had the newspaper open to a large article, "Three waitresses dead." On the fridge door, taped to the front, are small pictures of the three dead waitresses.

"Well, this is not such a bad place." Hutch thought to himself. He had been voted to be bartender. He was standing behind the bar watching the club become crowded.

It is the next night and Sharsky and Hutch are settled in the club.

The club was an average looking place. There is a bar along one wall, with bar stools and a mirror along the wall. There was cold beer on draft. The tables were circular in shape and each one was surrounded by chairs. To one side along the left side of the room was a dance floor.

The Bayou was starting to get busy. It was ladies' night and many women were arriving to enjoy the male strippers. The waiters and waitresseswere busy now taking customers' orders.

Backstage, Starsky was getting nervous. He had been against the idea from the beginning, but he knew that this piece of garbage has to be stopped.

Starsky looked at his watch: 9 pm. He would be going on stage soon. "Time for me to get ready," he thought.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Five minutes to show time."

Starsky got into his cowboy outfit. He had chosen a silver and black outfit. His shirt was basically white, but had black fringe. The hat on his head was white.

After Starsky finished his set, he went back to his dressing room and got changed into his street clothes. By this time, Ladies' NIght was over and most of the ladies had left. Many of the usual late night men had arrived and were waiting for the girls to take over the stage.

Off in the corner, some of the patrons were dancing. There was one girl that caught Starsky's eye. She was very young and appeared to be an inexperinced waitress. She was probably in her early twenties. She had short brown hair.

As Starsky watched them. one older guy was trying to make time with the girl. As he tried to get her attention, and tried to touch her in appropraite places, she tried to indicate that she was not interested. Finally, Starsky went over to him and told him, "Lay off the girl, she is not interested."

The guy took one look at Starsky and told him, "Get lost. This is none of your business."

"The lady is not interested," Starsky insisted.

"I told you go get lost, punk." Then the guy took the first swing. Starsky ducked and he came up. One karate chop and the guy went down like a lead balloon.

Krystal, the waitress, tried to thank Starsky, but one of her customers yelled for some service and she scurried off to get him.

The next day, Starsky and Hutch were at he club early. Hutch went to check out on the booze situation and Starsky just went to check out the place.

During the day, some of the employees did come to the club early to do some work. Krystal, who had been rescued by Starsky, the previous night. was dancing with another guy. Suddenly the manager, Tony, told them to stop, "After all this is not Soul train."

Starsky decided to go over and talk to her, but it became apparent to him that she was deaf. He put his hands on her shoulders, and talked directly to her, "Are you deaf?"

"Yes," she responded, using both speech and sign language.

"Hey, that is better," he said, "I know some sign language."

"I attend Wyoming Sign School for the Deaf, part time," she told Starsky.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was lucky to get into that. My parents died suddenly when I was younger."

"Really?'

"Yup."

"I sustained head injuries which explains my deafness."

"Terrific."

Suddenly Starsky overhead something that he did not like to hear, "You know, that new waitress Krystal would make a great stripper."

"Yeah, well, give the kid time. I am sure with her talent in dancing she is going to go places.

Starsky tried to put what he just heard out of his mind.

The next afternoon, Krystal was dancing alone. There was no one at the club except her. Starsky decided since he was not going to be dancing, he would go over to the club anyways.

Krystal saw Starsky come into the club and she stopped dancing.

Starsky gave her his patented grin and asked her, "Can I walk you home?"

Krystal looked at him, "No thanks."

Then he said, "Can I buy you a hotdog or something. I know this great hot dog stand not far from here." as he flashed his 1,000 watt smile.

She took one look at the cute guy standing in front of her, practically pleading with her. "Okay."

He took her hand and took her there.

"Two hot dogs please," he ordered. And just to make his new friend get to know him that much better he made his with the Starsky special - relish, ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, chili, pickles, onions. He also bought pops to wash it down.

"You know, I really like you," he said as he flashed his million dollar smile.

"Yeah," she smiled back.

"How come you never tell people that you are deaf?"

"Cos, over the years, I have learned that people assume too much about you if you tell them."

"Like what?"

"Well, like you are stupid or something."

"You are kidding?"

"Nope."

"Well, I don't think you are stupid at all. You are a very intelligent girl."

"Thanks."

"So, if you are deaf, how come you dance so good? You are a terrific dancer."

"Well, you can feel the vibrations of the dancing so I can sort of hear the music."

"That's interesting. I never thought of that before now."

"Yeah."

"Isn't that Hollywood choreographer supposed to be at the club the next few nights?"

"Yes, she is."

"Why don't you try and get an audition with her? Isn't she supposed to be holding an open audition one of these nights?"

"Yeah."

The next day Starsky heard that Tony, the manager of the club, had a bachelor party at which Krystal would perform.

Starsky looked all over the Bayou for Krystal. He finally found her in the kitchen. He took her aside and and wanted to know,

"I heard that you are doing a bachelor party."

"Yeah, that is true."

"Well, you know, you don't have to do this stuff; you are talented."

"Yeah, I know, David, but I can't make enough money on tips alond."

"Come on, Krystal, you should go to that audition."

Just then Tony called Krystal because he wanted to talk to her, so she left to talk to her boss.

Later that evening, Starsky picked Krystal up at her place. They were both off for the night and Starsky told her, "Come on, I will take you over to the audition."

"David, you don't have to this, if you don't want to."

"Krystal, I want to.. I love to dance and I love to watch other people dance. Besides, you need somebody there for moral support."

"Okay." She smiled at Starsky and he gave her his patented grin.

The dance studio where the audition was held was upstairs above a store. It was crowded by the time Starsky and Krystal arrived. There were both guys and girls there, all shapes and sizes and all ages in all kinds of dance apparel.

Starsky stood off to one side and cheered Krystal on as she made it past the first call. She excitedly went over to where he was and he gave her a peck on the cheek.

The woman in charge of the audition, Brenda Carlson, told everyone who were still there to take a 5-minute break. She looked like she was abou 50 years of age. She had long brown hair that was tied in a pony tail. She had a clipboard in her hand. She was dresssed in a long dark shirt and a matching jacket. She had on ballet-type slippers.

All those dancers left in the running lined up for the second round. Krystal was able to keep up with them and she survived the second round.

In the third round. Krystal started to get confused. The rest of the remaining dancers were able to keep up. However, Brenda did not seem to understand Krystal's circumstances. She started to get frustrated and when Starsky came to her defence, "Don't you understand there is something wrong with Krystal?"

Brenda did not have time to quibble with Starsky and she said, "This is a professional audition."

"Don't you understand that Krystal is deaf?"

"So," was the answer as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Dosn't that mean anything to you?"

"I don't have time to coddle everyone who comes in here. This is a professional audition and we work at a fast pace. Now if someone can't keep up with the rest, then she should just forget it and go back to being a waitress."

Krystal just looked at Brenda, and she left with tears in her eyes.

Starsky was getting ready for his set the next evening. Suddenly there was trouble at the club. He could hear popping sounds. We went out into the room and he could see someone grab Krystal by the neck. He lunged at the guy and the next thing Starsky knew, his assailant had a gun. All of the people started to yell and scream.

In the meantime, he drew his gun to try and hurt Krystal. However, when Starsky grabbed him, the gun went off and Starsky got shot in the shoulder. Suddenly the suspect tried to get away but several of the patrons jumped him and held him down until Hutch came over. Hutch produced his badge and ID'd himself as a cop. While the people were holding him down, he handcuffed him and started to read him his rights.

Someone called for an ambulance and the paramedics came and took Starsky away. After that, the uniformed cops came and took the criminal away.

Hutch drove Krystal to the hospital. They waited in the hall outside the emergency room to find out any word regarding Starsky's condition.

Krystal asked Hutch something while they were waiting, "You are not really a bartender, are you?"

"Nope, Krystal," Hutch told her slowly so she could read his lips. "I am a cop."

"And David is not an exotic dancer, is he?'

"Nope, he is a cop, also."

"How come you were working at the Bayou?"

"Because we were undercover to investigate the three murders at the club over the past few months."

"Oh."

"But, Hutch, she has talent and she should not have to resort to exotic dancing at bachelor parties."

"But, Starsky, she is not your concern"

It was several days later. Starsky had been released from the hospital. He was on painkillers and on sick leave for several weeks to recover from his shoulder injury. They were over at Hutch's place enjoying a couple of sodas, Starsky was not allowed any alcohol, and watching the ball game and talking about the Bayou.

"Yeah, Hutch, I know that our assingment is over, but I'd hate to see her spend the rest of her life as a stripper."

"Okay, Starsky, I can't argue with you. I have seen her dance."

Starsky gave Hutch a shy smile. "Thanks, Hutch."

"Okay, Mother Hubbard, let's head to the club. Maybe we can convince Krystal to give it up."

"Well, you know, at the audition, Brenda told her that if she couldn't keep up with the rest then she should just forget it."

"Well, that's show biz."

"Hutch, come on. Maybe they can give her a second chance."

"Are you going to beg?"

"Not a chance."

Hutch drove Starsky to the club.

Meanwhile, Krystal was still upset about the rejection. She needed th emoney and tips certainly did not make her a millionaire. She was walking around moping.

Suddenly, Toney came over to her. "Kid, I have a job for you." He gave her a small piece of paper with an address written on it.

"Thanks." Her face lit up.

"And don't be late. I had to move heaven and earth to get this gig for you."

"Okay." She left the Bayou.

Starsky and Hutch arrived at the club, but they were too late. Krystal was already on her way to the hotel room.

Hutch went over to Tony and asked him, "Okay, where is Krystal?" He pushed him up against the wall and grabbed him by the collar.

"I have no idea." He said innocently. "Okay, Copper, get out of here. Your job is done." "But, Hutch, you saw Krystal dance. She should not have to waste her time on a bunch of sleezeballs like those guys are."

"Tony I think you know where Krystal is. If you know what is good for you, you will tell us. Otherwise, I will just have to let my over exciteable partner loose. Even though he is injured, there is no reason he still can't do damage."

"Okay, okay. She's out at the Townhouse Motel, Room 416."

"Thanks." Starsky was halfway to the door and Hutch was not far behind.

"Let me handle this alone," Starsky suggested. The had arrived at the parking of the motel and they were looking around for Room 416.

"No, Starsky, this is ours." Hutch disagreed.

"Kay, let's go for it."

Starsky knocked at the door and a guy who looked like he was in his 30s, answered the door. Hutch wanted to know, "is Krystal here?"

"What's it to you?" He groweled.

"Because we are friends of hers."

"Well, if you are friends of hers, you are gonna have to wait your turn," he snarled.

"I am not here for that and I'm not here to play games." Hutch snapped.

"So, why are you here?"

"I know Krystal is here and I want to see her NOW." Starsky demanded.

Hutch was not in the mood the play games and he had had enough of this and he barged in past the guy. Starsky followed. Hutch started to look around the room for Krystal, but he could not find her anywhere. Finally Starsky found her in the bathroom.

"What are you doing here?" he wanted to know.

"I think you know what, David."

"Sweetheart, you don't have to do this."

"David, yes, I do. You know I can't make too much money on tips alone."

"I know that."

"Well, you were there at the audition. You know what happened."

"Come on, Krystal, I think you deserve a second chance."

"But David," she tried to protest.

"You know you have talent. I know you have talent. Hutch knows you have talent."

"But Brenda won't give me a second chance."

"Maybe if she had more time, she could see that you have talent too."

"But, David, she does not have the time to devote to me."

"I know that they were busy the other night, but if they could see you and just you dance, they would see that you have talent, also."

"David, do you really think so?"

"It is worth a try."

"Okay." Krystal smiled at Starsky and he gave her the million watt smile back.

Starsky, Hutch and Krystal went to see Brenda. Starsky tried to plead her case

"But I am a busy person. I don't have time to audition every kid privately." Brenda protested.

Starsky pleaded her case, "Yes, but you said you saw potential in Krystal."

"Yes, I did."

Starsky thought for a moment and then he said, "Don't you remember when you were first starting out? Didn't someone give you a second chance the first time you auditioned?"

Starsky did not know it, but he had sparked something in Brenda. Her mind started to remember when she first arrived in New York. She was just a scared young kid from the Medwest USA She spent many months working at odd jobs until someone gave her a break.

"Okay," Brenda said when she came back to reality. "I don't know who you are, but I should give you the benefitof the doubt." She looked a ther watch. "I have a little bit of time before my plane."

Krystal went over to her and said, "Thank you."

Brenda went and got the music that she had had play at the audition.

"Well, whenever you are ready, Krystal."

Starsky and Hutch found chairs and they watched her. Brenda, who was not familiar with sign language, went slowly with Krystal. Krystal danced the best she had ever danced in her life. It was hard to tell that she nervous, but she had one more chance and she was not going to blow it.

After it was over, Brenda announced, "I have decided I am going to take you in as a student. How soon can you come to New York and enroll?"

"I don't know," Krystal hesitated.

Starsky and Hutch came over to Krystal and hugged her. "Congrats, Kid," Starsky said as he gave her a victory kiss on her cheek. "Don't worry, everything is going to work out."

"But I don't have a job or anything."

"Krystal, I have relatives in New York. They might be able to help you get a job. You could work during the day and take classes at night"

"David, you don't have to do this."

"Well, I like you and I want to go to New York in a few years and see your name up in lights."

"David."

Well, it was another successful case wrapped up. Starsky was on sick leave for the next few weeks recuperating from the gunshot wounds.

THE END