December 21st- The Nutcracker and The Prince by Mvernet

Note from Elf Management: It must be Christmas kismet. We received two stories with the Nutcracker ballet subject within two days of each other and were struck with how different the stories were despite the starting theme. The authors, who had not discussed their stories beforehand, agreed it would be fun to have them posted together.

Author’s Note: I watched The Kiev Ballet perform The Nutcracker last night. I love to see the ballet live when I can, but when I can’t I plug in my ancient VCR and watch an old tape with a cup of cocoa and a sigh. For some reason this year I thought the handsome Russian Nutcracker looked a lot like Starsky…

Hutch was halfheartedly working on an overdue report in the squad room at Metro while Starsky was handing out Christmas cookies baked by Minnie. Starsky was bullshitting with Simmons about the annual holiday pool tournament at Huggy Bear’s.

Simmons grabbed a tree shaped beauty, broke it, and popped half in his mouth. It didn’t stop him from mouthing off. “You and Hutch don’t stand a chance this year, Starsky. Me and Babs have been practicing at a real pool hall, Behind the Eight Ball on Ocean.”

“That dump?” Starsky sat on the edge of Hutch’s desk and stuck a Christmas star shaped cookie in Hutch’s mouth. Hutch took it without looking up from his typing. It was just the right size to fit in his mouth. He munched happily while looking around for the white-out. Starsky handed it to him without a word.

Simmons wasn’t fazed by the comment. “We’ve picked up quite a few pointers from the professionals that hang out there.”

Starsky chuckled. “I’m sure you could pick up a lot of unsavory things at that dive.”

Just then a nervous looking boy in a Bay City Theatre page uniform came in and looked around. “Uhhh… one of you guys Detective Hutchinson?”

Hutch licked his lips and swallowed the last bit of his cookie. “That’s me, sonny.”

“Here.” The kid dropped an envelope with the theatre’s name embossed across it on Hutch’s desk. “Sign, please.”

Hutch quickly grabbed the offered pen and signed his name. The kid hesitated and Starsky poked Hutch in the arm and mouthed, “Tip.”

Hutch was suddenly all movement as he searched for a dollar. He only came up with a fiver. He shrugged at Starsky who made no move to offer change. “Happy Holidays, kid.” The boy smiled and offered a small salute as he hastened out the door.

Hutch looked at the envelope, but it revealed nothing about the contents. He then opened it with care. Inside was one ticket for The Nutcracker and a backstage pass. A hastily written note was included.

Dearest Hutch,

I will be in town for just a few days to perform in The Nutcracker for the holiday season. I hope you will be able to enjoy the show and perhaps come to the after party. I would love to see you again.

Fondest Regards,

Anna Akhanatova

Hutch raised his eyes and gave a quick smile to Starsky who was watching him carefully. Hutch handed over the note, ticket, and pass. It was easier than saying how he felt. Starsky would know that anyway.

Starsky read the note first. “Fondest Regards? Sounds like my Aunt Rose when she writes a business letter. One ticket? I feel slighted. Backstage pass? That could be the start of somethin’.”

“She’s just being polite, Starsk.” Hutch took everything back and stuffed it in the envelope.

“Wait! What was the date?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“Hey! Hutch!” Simmons butted in. “You can’t go tomorrow night. That’s the tournament night, Even the Dobeys are coming. I hear Edith has a mean feather shot.”

Starsky crossed his arms and lifted an eyebrow. Hutch remained silent, staring at the envelope. “Starsk,” he said softly without looking up.

Starsky cleared his throat. “Simmons, why would my red-blooded American boy of a partner want to spend a night in your company when he has an offer to get his nuts cracked by a beautiful, blonde ballerina? I’ll ask Minnie to be my partner. She’ll be thrilled and I’ll probably win for a change.” Starsky stood and placed a hand on his partner’s shoulder and squeezed. He whispered so only Hutch could hear. “I get it, Hutch. But if she breaks your heart again, I’ll track her down and deport her permanently.”

“Thanks, Starsk. I can handle this. She’s just a friend.”

Starsky shook his head. “Uh-huh. Sure. I’m headin’ out. Wanna get some chow?”

“No thanks, Starsk. I’ll just finish up. I’m not hungry.”

Starsky hesitated as if he wanted to say something else; he reached out and ruffled his partner’s hair instead. “Don’t stay too late, Blondie.”

Hutch watched as Simmons and Starsky grabbed their coats and left while talking trash about who had the better pool skills, Babcock or Minnie.

Hutch looked like a million in his rented tux, but he felt like a bad penny. The festive theater was crowded and hot. The scent of pretense and expensive perfume had him loosening the top button of his frilly shirt and wishing for a cold one. It didn’t help that he hadn’t slept last night and was dead tired after a foot race with a murder suspect who decided to make a run for it. He yawned into his hand.

An elderly woman in the next seat smiled and whispered, “Don’t worry; they’ll be starting soon. Hopefully the music will keep you awake, dear.”

Hutch smiled back and murmured a “sorry.” He had been dragged to see The Nutcracker many times in his youth. He was able to follow the ballet’s book, and enjoyed Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music. But it reminded him too much of things he left behind, including a blonde ballerina who was dancing young Clara tonight.

He perked up a bit as the orchestra began to play, and the party guests on stage arrived for the Christmas party. Then there she was, looking as youthful and innocent as the character she played. Anna on point lit up the stage.

Hutch grew miserable as the ballet slowly moved forward. Anna was breathtakingly beautiful and thrilling to watch as a dancer. But the story was too familiar. Clara loved the Nutcracker. But when he lay broken and crushed under the tree, awaiting the magic of a Christmas Eve miracle, Hutch knew how the little wooden soldier felt. Clara left the Nutcracker and went off to bed, like a good little girl.

Hutch began to float like an ornament hanging from the growing Christmas tree on the stage. The magic was happening. He fell asleep and began to dream.

Hutch was transformed into an angelic prince awaiting a magical toy from his Godfather for Christmas. He was given a wonderful wooden Nutcracker, his own size, with curly brown hair, who was fantastically, mysteriously alive. The Nutcracker danced for the blond boy, and eagerly cracked a handful of walnuts for him to enjoy. The Nutcracker was dressed as a soldier complete with a sword. He wobbled and creaked down onto his knees where he laid his sword at the prince’s feet swearing his loyalty and fidelity.

The darling prince played with his Nutcracker all evening. He was a sweet child with a good heart. He had never been happier. When he fell asleep under the Christmas tree, the Nutcracker stood guard. Soon, the quiet of the house was interrupted by the squeaks of the fearful Rat King and his rodent minions. The Rat King distracted the brave Nutcracker while his ratty cohorts captured the prince. The King managed to subdue the Nutcracker and leave him broken under the Christmas tree. The Rat King put the prince in a dark place far away from goodness and Christmas cheer. The Rat King enjoyed hurting the prince and his minions laughed and teased the boy cruelly.

Just as the prince was about to give in to the darkness, the tenacious, battered Nutcracker appeared and waved his sword fearlessly at the awful rats. He defeated the minions and vanquished the Rat King. The Nutcracker pulled the abused prince to his side, offering him love and protection. He took him to a place of peace and cared for him till all that was left of the awful nightmare the prince had endured was the dutiful smile on the face of the brave Nutcracker.

The prince was so grateful, he kissed the Nutcracker and watched in wonder as he was transformed to a real live soldier who loved the blond prince with all his heart.

Hutch awoke to the gentle touch of the elegant older lady in the next seat. His head had rested on her shoulder for most of the performance, but she was all smiles. “You best wake up now, dear. It’s almost over.”

Hutch straightened himself out and began to offer his apologies but a gloved hand held him back. “It’s fine, young man. My husband used to sleep straight through to the Dance of the Flowers, but you look more like a Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy type.” She glanced at the empty seat beside her. “I used to go to baseball games with him and always managed to cheer for the wrong team. I never had a clue what was going on. That’s the way a relationship should be, don’t you think? A give and take, learning to compromise and even enjoy doing things for the sake of your partner that we’d never experience otherwise. Each separate yet together. Taking what we lack from the other and giving them what they need. And of course, being there for each other. I’m very lucky I had all that.”

Hutch smiled. “Thank you. I think you’ve taught me a lesson about true love. If you’ll excuse me, I have a real live Nutcracker to meet.” Hutch reached into his pocket and handed the kind woman his backstage pass. Her eyes glowed when she saw what it was. “Enjoy the rest of the ballet. Oh, if you meet Anna, tell her Hutch lived happily ever after.” Hutch took her hand lifting it to his lips. “Merry Christmas, dear lady.”

Hutch glanced at his pocket watch as he left the theater. There was plenty of time to make it to the pool tournament and tell Starsky all about his magical Christmas dream.