The Fix #2

80

The Fix was a long-running, mixed slash and gen (but mostly slash) Starsky & Hutch fanzine. There were a few gen stories in the first twelve issues, which were reissued in The Fix Collected. The Fix ran for 22 issues from 1987 to 2002. It featured original art, stories, poems, cartoons, and articles. This is the second issue.

 

The editor notes it is the first zine done on her Macintosh SE computer.  The zine was published in April 1988.

Archivist Note: The early Fix zines were published before terms like “shipping” had been recognized in the 2010s. Common terminology in fandom for relationship fics included “&” for gen stories and “/” for slash stories.

---

Cover of Fix #2

The Fix No. 2 was published in April 1988 and has 56 pages.

Published by April Valentine‘s Amapola Press in Baltimore, Maryland.

***

Table of Contents

Cover by Judy Jones (above)

Nectar and Ambrosia (editorial) (following)

From Our Readers (following)

Guidelines (following)

The Hit Man by Ellen Morris

The Next Best Place by Ellen Morris

“Lost” Part 2 by Lynna Bright
(originally published in 10 installments in The Fix, it is complete on the archive)

ART: Starsky and Hutch portrait by Judy Jones

Second Sight by  Sue-Anne Hartwick

On Gillian by April Valentine

ART: Hutch portrait by Arleen Geller

For the Bulges in Tandem–Constrictions by Molly D. Brown

ART from the story For Bulges in Tandem: Starsky Getting Dressed by SVE
He wasn’t sure where they were going and had initiated the teasing game as a defense for their deep roots.

ART from the story For Bulges in Tandem: Starsky and Hutch in a Buddy Hug by SVE
They’d have to talk soon, he thought, things were becoming very clear.

Perchance to Dream by Elizabeth Lowry

ART from the story Perchance to Dream: Starsky Joins Hutch in the Police Shower by Merle Decker
Hutch whirled, water spraying from his hair as he whipped around in the shower. He relaxed when the man who stepped up beside him grinned wickedly.

ART from the story Perchance to Dream: Young Officer Hutchinson in Uniform by Merle Decker
He’d been all over town looking for daffodils… He carried them through the hospital corridors, aware of what he must look like, dressed in his navy blue uniform and carrying brilliant yellow flowers.

“Hunger” Part 2 by April Valentine writing as Laura Scott Butler
(originally published in 3 installments in The Fix, it is complete on the archive)

ART from the story Hunger Part 2: Hutch Shrugged into his Jacket by SVE
A nervous chill convinced him to shrug back into his jacket.

***

Nectar & Ambrosia

Welcome once again to THE FIX. This second issue is a bit later than planned. As you may know, the February publication date was pushed back due to the death of my dear friend, Gina. Gina was a Trek fan and artist, a good friend who taped S&H episodes for me from her station in Delaware and lent a helping hand at the Paul Muni Special con. I appreciate everyone’s patience and kind words while I’ve taken time off from fanac to recover from the shock of her sudden death. FIX #3 will appear in mid-July. I hope that will get us back on schedule for #4 in October, just in time for ZebraCon.

You’ll note a slightly different look this outing—this is the first zine I’ve done on my new Macintosh SE computer. I’m still learning so I’ve kept things clean and simple this time, but I’m sure having fun with all the possibilities available for zine producing by computer.

We have a good mix of stories again this issue. Elizabeth Lowry‘s “Perchance to Dream” is the third part of her Hutch-Sweet Alice trilogy, the other stories having appeared in HALF YOU, HALF ME, II and FIX #1. Lynna Bright brings us the second installment of her ship wreck fantasy, “Lost“, and “Hunger” by Laura Scott Butler continues. This one was supposed to end in this issue, but I have a feeling the author either got a bit carried away, or had too much story to write in too little time. She says she’s planning on concluding the sequel to the aired episode “The Fix” next time for sure.

I haven’t received any feedback on whether or not readers prefer to be told whether a story involves the “/” relationship or not. If this unnecessarily gives you more information than you would like to know (or, conversely, not enough) let. me hear from you. For now, I’ll continue to provide hints for those who might not wish to read something that has a premise with which they disagree. However, we do not have any explicit sexual scenes in this issue—eek! (Hope I haven’t turned anyone off by dropping that bombshell!) Nevertheless, the stories by Ellen Morris, “The Next Best Place“, and Sue-Anne Hartwick, “Second Sight“, and Molly D. Brown‘s “For the Bulges in Tandem—Constrictions” include the premise if not the act.

I’m pleased to share some readers’ LoC’s (following), though I wish the column were longer. Readers, let us hear from you—writers and artists cherish the feedback and it’s fun to compare notes on individual episodes. Let’s do our bit to revitalize the lost art of Letters of Comment writing. Thanks to everyone who did write in this time; I enjoyed your comments and know the contributors to whom they are directed will, too.

Thanks also to all the contributors this issue, authors and artists—and especially Judy Jones for her delightful cover.

Deadline for stories next time is June 25. Artwork and LoC’s are due July 15. The Episode-To-Be-Discussed nextish will be “The Plague.”

Now, enjoy your FIX!

April

***

From Our Readers…

Molly D. Brown

Hi! Just when you think it’s safe to look at the calendar—it’s time to write a letter to the newest SH gossip rag forum for discussion. Those with whom I correspond know that it can be easier to get water from a stone then a letter from me. However, here I am, putting pen to paper. I’m doing it voluntarily. There’ s no truth to the rumor that April encourages letter-writing at gun point.

Well, ZebraCon was four-five months ago now, and February’s 80 days loom gray ahead. The mailbox holds its usual fascination and the expectation of the arrival of “The Fix” heightens the excitement associated with that walk to THE BOX (and of course deepens the disappointment on the empty days).

Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you, April for giving us something to look forward—whoops, something to which to look forward (almost dangled a preposition there). “The Fix 1” was a classy looking little zine. Merle, I know I’ve said it to your face but I’ll put it in writing (or typing, rather) here—beautiful cover! The looks on their faces… gawd, but I love comfort and suffering and comfort. Lovely interior art, too. SVE and Arleen, I trust we’ll be seeing more of your work. SVE, I do love to see that man in shorts—you really captured the way he wears them.

Lynna, Lynna, Lynna—I love it. Manfred and Christian—god, they’re priceless! How soon before their clothes are in tatters and they are reduced to fig leaves? Soon, please, please, huh, pretty please!

Miss Butler, we’ve been waiting a couple years here since “No Pants” and here you are stringing us out. It’s certainly worth the wait—so nice to see an exploration of the relationship post-FIX. “Secrets“—a really cute story. Poor Starsk, wonder if he’ll develop a refrigerator phobia, too?

Mary Louise, “The Carillon Calls” was beautiful and very intriguing. From “Passages of Time”, it says—will you be publishing the entirety anywhere? Would love to see it—you write the loveliest poetry.

Ellen Morris—nice debut. There was a real texture to their conversation.

Elizabeth Lowry—fascinating idea and very well written. Loved the interaction between Hutch and Dryden. And the scenes with Hutch and Starsky were perfect—right in character. I understand we’ll see another section in this trilogy in this issue of “Fix”. Wonderful! Really enjoyed your story in “Half You, Half Me II“.

Speaking of stories in other zines, there are a whole bunch of the cutest little stories I’ve read in a long time in “Whaddya Mean I’m Not a Good Kisser“. If you haven’t read this zine, you’re missing some fun stuff!

Well, as for the episode for discussion, it is impossible to pass up mentioning those amazing red longjohns. Arguably one of the greatest moments in television history. Ah… the exquisite one-size-too-small fit that shows off to perfection those amazing curves. Ah, those pecs, those deltoids and trapezii, and those rippling external obliques and latissimi dorsi—oh, be still my heart. And of course, the crowning glory of those gluteus maximi. The man do take care of that body—and fortunately for us he’s absolutely shameless about flaunting it! This scene of SATAN’S WITCHES of course also gives us that wonderful game—exactly what type of undergarment he wearing under there?

This spectacular scene aside, SATAN’S WITCHES is a favorite episode—they’re just so amazingly cute in this one. I love the whole arrival and unpacking scene. God, that spider tickle is priceless. An all-around good fun episode. The Satanists are hysterical. What the hell are they chanting? All I get is something about “God is dead”. The blindman’s bluff scene always makes me wince—they’re hitting awfully hard. And they do look ridiculous in those borrowed robes preparing to defend themselves with their bare hands. But all in all, one of my (many) favorite episodes.

Well, I guess I’ve babbled on long enough. April, thank you so much for bringing us this fix—let us know when you get picked up for pushing and we’ll band together to raise your bail money. Good luck with “Fix.” I hope to see many more issues of it.

***

Elizabeth Lowry

I’m not exactly sure what kind of LoC “The Fix” is soliciting, but then I’m not exactly sure what kind of zine “The Fix” is. It’s a story zine! It’s a letter zine! It’s SUPERZINE! So I’ll just jump right in.

First, some comments on the fiction. “Lost” lost me, but only because I simply don’t like pirate stories of any kind. Purely person preference. “Hunger” is a terrific little examination of that point in any healing process when a person is balanced on the fence between health and sickness, when it would be just as easy to fall back into the often-comfortable confines of sickness as it would be to see the freedom of wellness. (Would that we all had a friend to catch us, whichever side we fell on.) Of course, what makes this story even more interesting are the repercussions Hutch’s physical and psychological struggles have on his and Starsky’s personal relationship. And it looks as if some feelings may have been shaken loose here. More story, please.

“The Carillon Calls.” You never cease to amaze me, Mary Louise. Fandom would be infinitely poorer without your unique vision of Starsky and Hutch. You can create more depth of character, more expression of emotion with a few beautifully chosen words than anyone I know. “Carillon” paints a more complete and detailed picture than many prose pieces. I know exactly where Hutch is, what he’s doing, what he’s thinking, and what he’s feeling. And I feel the depth of his love and the sense of renewal, too.

A final thought: I can’t remember when I’ve seen so many terrific illos from so many different artists in a zine. Everybody got Hutch’s upper lip right!

SATAN’S WITCHES is the episode of discussion (isn’t it?). A wonderful episode for those of us interested in fashion and fashion design. Men’s fashion, in particular. One man’s fashion, to be precise. One precisely, specifically, fashionable man’s undergarment. One red undergarment, worn as an outer garment, in a fashion statement not soon to be forgotten. Never. Ever. Red.

News from Hollywood. Wish I had some rumor-mill grapevine stuff, but all I’ve heard lately comes from the trades. “Secret of the Sahara” still has no American distributor, but keep your eye on ABC. “Appointment with Death” should be out this spring; I read somewhere it could be as early as March. David has a deal to do a pilot in Australia for a possible series, or had; I’ve only seen one blurb on this and nothing else. One of the American networks is doing a pilot about an American detective down under; I don’t know if this is the same project re-cast or not. And I’ve seen nothing regarding Paul’s next project, although I heard somewhere he’s got an office over at Spelling Productions, and Spelling does produce theatrical features…

To anyone who’s interested in putting their 2¢ in, the S&H Concordance Martha J. and I are doing is still in the creative/assembling stages. And suggestions, wishes, desires, etc. are welcome. Otherwise it’ll be what Martha and I want and what we think you want. Trust us?

Love the zine, April.

***

Cheryl M.

I’m not sure what you meant by discuss SATAN’S WITCHES. I’m not very good at writing letters, but I’ll try. I found Starsky’s apprehension in face of the unknown territory very realistic as well as Hutch’s egging him on, e.g. the owl hooting in the blacked-out cabin, very in character. I’ve known people who act as nervous as Starsky the first time they really rough it. This is the only time I can remember Starsky driving Hutch’s car and he does it because gassing up is a very comfortable and familiar thing. After all, he’s probably as lost as he’s ever been; there are no street signs to tell him where he’s been or maps of how to get where he wants to go which is home.

Hutch is having a ball with Starsky’s reaction until it gets real and the threat is lethal as with the snake. I’ve never seen Starsky as petrified as he was when faced with the snake. After all, he could only allow himself to think of cows and horses when he thought of dangerous animals they might meet. Starsky is scared right up to the time when the enemy becomes familiar—man, then he sort of takes over. He puts himself between Hutch (the one who knows the score as far as the country goes) and danger twice and he is the one who does all the talking when they confront the town sheriff.

We see Starsky at his street swaggering best throughout this whole episode until the end. He’s survived the worst danger his mind can come up with and now he’s comfortable enough to stay and do a little fishing; Hutch is ready to go home. Sour grapes? Has the experience been too much for him or is he just jealous of Starsky’s luck at fishing? Whatever the cause of his sudden reluctance to stay, he knows just what buttons to push to get Starsky moving.

One last thought, maybe Hutch’s eagerness to leave has to do with the fact that Starsky is the one who was most threatened here, i.e., the snake. It’s still not one of my favorite episodes but once I started looking at it closely, I found some of the interchanges interesting.

***

Pam P

S&H fandom is alive and well in Maryland.

There’s a wonderful sense of security in knowing something new to read will appear in the mailbox. And much of that is coming from a certain hot little copier in a certain basement in Baltimore.

Saying thank you doesn’t begin to cover the joy of anticipating new words from Laura, Lynna, April, and the other talented writers who keep these guys living and loving.

Best wishes and good luck from the Boston contingent. I’m ready to read more and more and more…

***

Lynna Bright

Talk about an apt title. THE FIX—part letterzine, part writer’s workshop, part catch-all—is what we need to tide us over the mean times. Though its editorial policy is lenient, it shoots for quality. It’s not just a throwaway zine. In my opinion, very little S&H is “throwaway” these days. Most of our writers are writing hard and producing stories at a uniformly high level. This does not mean that our stories are uniform.

Hunger makes for a snug fit between “Some Kind of Love” and the series episode, “The Fix.” Hutch’s shame about being hooked—conquered—by Forest is very nicely delineated and very painful. He still wants the drug. In true Hutch fashion, he blames and hates himself for a perceived failure of character. He is wounded. But Starsky defends him from himself and cares for him. Their sexual relationship is not problematical here: this is not foremost a “will they won’t they” story. They already “have,” and have—apparently—made their peace with it. The story is compactly written, says what it has to say cleanly. Pleasing moments of mental, and physical, understanding.

By the Sea, By the Sea: I love this story. I can smell the salt air. Molly D. Brown (I suspect this is a pseudonym) is a very promising writer. She has a lovely way of expressing earthiness. She evokes passions, amusements, delights, that feel immediate and real. Molly, this is not a skill to be taken lightly. Not everyone can do it.

Death Dream: A well-crafted non-slash story, told with some imagination, it primarily explores the characters and relationship of Sweet Alice and Hutch. Sweet Alice has her fans, though I can’t for the life of me understand why exactly.

Secrets: Kind of a “scenes we’d like to see” story—what happened after Pine Lake, and by inference, what Hutch may have had in mind for their weekend. Those red longjohns must have been murder on a guy slightly and secretly hung up on his partner. Great closing line.

My story “Lost,” will be continued in this and coming issues. This story is just for fun; kind of an exercise, too, in trying to keep “our” guys in character while they are busy being other characters.

To Know: Needs a story, needs something—a context, you know; nothing fancy. Could be a word or a phrase… a hook to hold us in place. But I think I “know” what she meant.

Carillon Calls: Real, high-class poetry here. Doesn’t even rhyme or nothin’.

To close, a good job, all. There’s even artwork, and in this format, there didn’t have to be. It’s a bonus and it tells me somebody cares.

In the “Give-Yourself-A-Big-Kiss” Department: Anybody who hasn’t read GOOD KISSER is missing the biggest little book of S/H fiction ever. Do yourself a favor, by owning it. GOOD KISSER is not just for fun, though it is fun, and warm-hearted. More importantly, it is truly excellent, a nearly perfect gem of a zine with polished short-short stories ranging from the clever—like Katherine Robertson‘s “I Hear Music“—to the charming—C. Davis’ “Do You Believe in Margie’?” or M. Decker’s “Double Dip”—to the powerful—J. Elizabeth Ginty’s superb “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.” You’re a fine writer, Ginty, as you probably already know, and “Tell Me Something… etc.” is one of the best stories of any length to come along this year (1987). If only every zine could be at least as good as the sum of its parts. If only every zine had parts as good as this one. Fortunately for the editors, it’s a one-shot. It would be hard to match the range and quality of these sweet, simple vignettes. So, if you haven’t even heard of this zine, you’ve proven one thing: not everybody appreciates a “good kisser. ”

***

Guidelines

LETTERS OF COMMENT

LoC’s are welcome… encouraged! The only editorial guideline I’d like to offer is: be constructive. Let’s keep it friendly and remember to allow for differences in individual tastes. Please keep your letters to 2 typed pages. Discussion of any aspect of SH, including news of the actors, is fine.

EPISODE OF THE ISSUE

For those of you who prefer a specific topic, take on the Episode of the issue. Analyze it, critique it, mention your favorite scenes. Writers and artists, listen to your muse and do something creative. Illustrate a favorite moment, or redesign one. Write a scene we didn’t see, a what-if or spin off, tie up loose ends.

WRITERS

The suggested Episode of the Issue is just that, a suggestion. Contributions of stories and art can be on any subject; see the editorial for specifics. Please include SASE with all submissions.

ARTISTS

Pen and ink work is preferred, to keep production costs down. If you want to work in pencil, though, contact me and we’ll discuss it. If you’re available to illustrate stories, let me know—or you may find yourself being asked anyway. Just feel like drawing the guys? Fine. Portraits and especially illos showing both of them are welcome.

CONTRIBUTOR’S COPIES

Artwork, three poems, or a story of three pages or more will get you a contributor’s copy of THE FIX. Submissions will be handled in the same way as for any other anthology zine; if accepted they will receive any needed editing.

The Fix Guidelines were printed within the above illo. We’re presenting them separately to facilitate readers’ different access to print media.