December 5th- Dialog in a Barn by DPPatricks

Okay, the first part of the plan had worked. Joey was out, away, and well into the woods. The other part had been a disaster and Starsky’d been shot. He was holding the makeshift tourniquet in place while I’d slit the jeans from his ankle to the wound, tried to keep my hands from shaking, and did a quick inspection. Shit! Didn’t look good.

“Hey, don’t worry. I tol’ ya, Gene Autry gets it there all the time.”

God! My partner could joke under the most dire of circumstances. I refused to allow the shudder in my heart to surface and scowled. “You said he got it in the shoulder.”

“Shoulder, leg, other shoulder, other leg…” Starsky grimaced and his breath caught. “Seemed like he got shot every other week… and there are only so many body parts acceptable to parents.”

“Yeah, well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, buddy, but this isn’t a Saturday afternoon matinee.”

“I know.”

He didn’t need to say a word, I felt his pain as if I was the one with a bullet in my leg. I dug out my handkerchief, folded it into a pad, and tucked it under the slit in the faded fabric over the still-bleeding hole.

“Listen… Gene’s pals always found him in –”

“Will you please shut up about Gene Autry?” Immediately angry with myself for allowing fear to leak into my voice, I glanced at his surprised face and hunched my shoulders. “Sorry.” I tried my version of his lop-sided smile. “I was a Roy Rogers fan.”

“‘Course you were.” The smile he managed was almost genuine. “Blond horse.”

“Palomino.”

“Whatever…. Trigger, right?”

“Good memory.”

“I never forget a blond.”

I appreciated what his easy tone and simple words meant and sent him a look that told him so. The banter hadn’t solved our problem, but if it kept his mind off the pain I was willing to keep it going. Putting as much lightness in my voice as possible, I patted his uninjured knee. “So, how do we get ourselves out of here, Mr. Bronson?”

“You’ll think of something, Hutch. You always do. I trust you.”

“Don’t forget, Bronson got away. McQueen didn’t.”

“Then you’ll just have to do better than Steve.” The grin he sent me settled my soul. “Won’t you?”

“Guaranteed, Starsk.” I looked up at the tractor and an idea crawled into my rattled brain. “I never liked motorcycles anyway.”

 

Bad guys, bullet wounds
Banter helps ease pain and fears
Until a plan forms

 

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43 Responses to December 5th- Dialog in a Barn by DPPatricks

  1. Anne says:

    This was awesome! I loved the banter between the two of them and how it was helping them cope. Very nicely done. Thanks!

    • pat says:

      Thanks, Anne. The original was a great scene but when the idea of adding Gene, and Roy, into the mix came to me, I couldn’t resist. So glad you enjoyed it. And, yes, banter always helped them cope. I appreciate your reading and then writing. THX!

  2. Mystic says:

    This was a wonderful read. So true to character. I love the line, ” I tol’ ya, Gene Autry gets it there all the time,” and Hutch telling him to shut up about Gene Autry. Perfect!

    • pat says:

      Aw, thanks, Mystic. Your “Perfect!” makes my day. Something always told me Hutch was a Roy Rogers fan (as I was) and this just seemed like a good way to bring out that little item of ‘history.’ I’m really glad you found my story ‘true to character.’ That means a lot! Thank you.

  3. Spencer says:

    Haha. I love dialogue stories – and old westerns. But S & H look pretty awesome on a motorcycle. 😀

    • pat says:

      Yeah, they do, don’t they? But I don’t think Hutch was very pleased when they had to ride one. The old tractor worked better than a ‘cycle’ would have in this instance, anyway. Thanks for reading this one, Spence, and then taking the time to ‘Haha’ with me.

  4. marianrose says:

    Perfect dialogue! You have a talent for writing conversations, especially between S/H. Here you added wonderful emotion in just a few words. Thank you for this gift.

    • pat says:

      You’re very welcome, marianrose. I would have made this a dialog-only if I could have. Alas, that was not to be, so I tried to keep the descriptions as brief and to-the-point as possible. Thanks for thinking I succeeded. I really appreciate your taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it.

  5. Nancy Roots says:

    Once again, your story is so spot on. I love the banter. And how this scene would fit seamlessly into the actual episode! KUDOS!

    Scene within a scene
    Adding a deeper meaning
    Showing much more love

    • pat says:

      Thanks, Nan! I loved writing the banter and am so glad you found it ‘spot on.’ Now, let’s see….

      Bad guys will burn us
      Have to get my partner out!
      But first, some banter

      Not my best but…. I’ll try to do better below.

  6. Nancy Roots says:

    Gene and Roy are proud
    Cheering the guys from Heaven
    With popcorn and beer.

    • pat says:

      Oh, this is so perfect, Nan, I’m not sure I can even come close.

      Friends up there are they?
      S&H remember them
      and the Cowboy Code

  7. Dawn Rice says:

    Sweet. One of my favorite scenes, when Hutch patches Starsky up in the barn.

  8. mvernet says:

    Yippee Ki Yay, Cowboy! Love the Cowboy code. Such a warm and funny scene with an undercurrent of love and tenderness. Happy trails to you… until we meet again!

    • pat says:

      Thanks for your kind words, mvernet, I’m glad you enjoyed this one, too. Happy Trails to you and yours this holiday season.

  9. pat says:

    FLAMINGO & ELVES: Your Gene Autry one-sheet (the ‘fully restored’ made me smile) and his Cowboy Code are PERFECT accessories to my little scene. Thank you so very much for finding them and making them both enlarge-able. You guys are AWESOME!!!

  10. Jennifer C says:

    Great expansion of that scene in the barn. Thanks for sharing! ?

    • pat says:

      I like your word, ‘expansion,’ Jennifer; much better than ‘re-write.’ A little banter never hurts when they’re in trouble and hurting. You’re welcome for the ‘share,’ I thank you for the read and comment!

  11. Shazta says:

    Loving Hutch’s POV. But my favorite line was Starsky’s, “I never forget a blond”. ?

    • pat says:

      Thanks, Shazta. It felt like we were sort of in Hutch’s POV during the scene, since he was the one doing all the running around, but I hoped, with this, to give a little lighter touch to the fraught. You picked up on my favorite line, too. Thanks for reading and then for letting me know you enjoyed it.

  12. Matsir says:

    You weave new depth and emotion through a familiar scene so beautifully. Thank you.

  13. Ragdoll230 says:

    I, as a Lone Ranger fan, thought this was awesome!

  14. pat says:

    Oh, me too, Ragdoll!!! The Masked Man (and Tonto, of course, with Silver and Scout) and Roy (with Dale, Bullet, Trigger, Buttermilk, Nelly Belle and Pat Butrum) were my companions. I’m so glad you enjoyed my little tribute to those olden, golden days. I’ll cherish your “awesome!”

  15. Jenny Conti says:

    Love it! This could easily have been in the script. I especially love the Steve McQueen reference; DS has always reminded me of him – though our Hutch is much better looking!

  16. pat says:

    Thank you, Jenny. I’m glad you could see it as an actual part of the script. I love the kind of cross-pollination that scene with Joey used: the references to ‘The Great Escape,’ and thought Hutch might just continue it in my scenario. And I agree, wholeheartedly; DS is much better looking than McQueen. I appreciate your taking the time to read, and then to leave your lovely comment.

  17. Garrideb says:

    I appreciated what his easy tone and simple words meant and sent him a look that told him so. The banter hadn’t solved our problem, but if it kept his mind off the pain I was willing to keep it going.

    So much love and worry embedded in this banter! The jokes all landed perfectly, even for someone who couldn’t pick Gene Autry out of a lineup. I appreciated that you brought a bit more interaction to this scene.

    • pat says:

      Thanks so much, Garrideb. I’m really glad the love and worry came through. As one who grew up with Gene and Roy, as Starsky and Hutch did, I can’t really imagine someone not being able to pick Gene Autry out of a lineup (what a wonderful phrase!) but it must mean I’m really an ‘old timer.’ I’m happy to have given you more to love in this iconic scene. THANK YOU for your generous words.

  18. hardboiledbaby says:

    Ah, what a perfect missing scene! It’s now completely part of my head canon 🙂 Thanks, Pat!

    • pat says:

      You’re more than welcome, hbb. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I’m thrilled that it’s now a part of your head canon. Thank you!!!

  19. vassalady says:

    This was delightful!

    • pat says:

      Aw, I’m really glad you liked it, vassalady. Thanks so much for reading and then writing. I’s greatly appreciated!

  20. exbex says:

    Love this banter. Iron truly sharpens iron.

  21. pat says:

    I hadn’t thought of it that way, exbex, but you’re right! Thanks for reading then for letting me know you enjoyed. I hope you get a notice that I’ve replied to your kind comment, or that you check back. I try to thank everyone who takes the time to leave a comment. Every one is greatly appreciated! THX!!!

  22. Keri Ann Tomkins says:

    Spot on banter, very much them. I enjoyed this, thank you!

    • pat says:

      I’m really glad you think so, Kerri T; that means a great deal as you’re a master at it yourself. Thanks so much for reading and for taking time to leave your kind words. You’re more than welcome!

  23. Hutcherie says:

    I always love the banter between the two of them! That’s so Starsky &Hutch! Love it! Thank you! ❤️

    • pat says:

      You’re welcome, Hutcherie. I’m really glad my attempt to interject a little humor into what was a fraught scene struck the right chord with you. Thanks for reading, and then taking time to leave your sweet comment.

  24. LauraY says:

    Loved this, Pat. Perfect missing scene.

    Try to keep it light
    Bury the terror for now
    Just get out alive

    • pat says:

      Thanks, Laura; so glad you’re finally managing to get into the calendar this year. I enjoyed writing this one a lot and I hope it reads that way. I appreciate your leaving your kind comment. Love the last line of your Haiku! It’s perfect.

      I had fun with this
      readers seem to like banter
      so I provided

  25. Wightfaerie says:

    Great banter, honey. Perfect missing scene. Thank you.

  26. pat says:

    You’re most welcome, WF; really happy that you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking time to read, and then to leave your sweet comment. Both are greatly appreciated.

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