"I had planned to talk about how we at the Remington Steele Detective Agency resolved some of our more- colorful cases," he began. "But I've decided to change my topic- with apologies to the person who wrote this wonderful speech, I feel that there is something far more important to discuss." He met Laura's surprised - and worried gaze as he deliberately turned the paper before him over.
He braced his arms on the edges of the podium. "I am a fraud- a paper tiger, if you will, dependant on others who have far more talent in detective work than I have to make me look good." He heard the surprised whispers, but forged ahead, knowing that, once started, he had no choice but to finish this.
"In order for any agency to be sucessful- even a small, one person operation, you need a support mechanism. People you know you can count on to do the things you need done without your constant supervision. People you can depend on for your very life, if need be."
"When the Remington Steele Agency first began, at its core were two of the best, the brightest young detectives in the field. One was a brash, dedicated young man who had worked at the Havenhurst Agency, and who has since left to start his own successful agency in Denver. Mr. Murphy Micheals." He saw Murphy shaking his head, leaning over to say something to Laura, who was also in shock.
"The other was fearless, highly intelligent, also from Havenhurst, with excellent investigative instincts. Without her, the Remington Steele Agency would have been no more than a minute footnote in the history of detection. She became the backbone of the agency, and to this day remains as its most able and important associate." He smiled at Laura. "I often joke that in order to keep her from following in Mr. Michaels' footsteps and forming her own agency, I decided to marry her. But the truth is that without her presence and knowledge, there would be no Remington Steele Agency, and, quite probably, no Remington Steele. I am grateful every day for my good fortune in meeting the lady in question - and I hope that she feels the same way. Laura, stand up, please. Ladies and gentlemen, Laura Holt Steele." With no other choice, Laura rose gracefully, then sat back down.
"During the early years in which the agency existed, I found myself quite bored with detective work, and left the lion's share of the work to these two people. Unfortunately, I still received much of the credit when a case was successfully completed, even though I might never had done more than read a report. I think that it is time that Laura and Murphy receive the credit that is their due and just reward for all of the hard work and effort they put into making the agency that bears my name such a success. And I hope that, in the future, I shall remember to give that credit to those I work with now when it is deserved."
"Because without that credit, without that appreciation, that support mechanism of which I spoke will become less supportive, less able to function properly, and could, one day, self destruct."
"So I would like, publicly, to say thank you to Murphy, and to Laura, for all of their help, their hard work, and, most of all, their friendship. And thank you for being such a wonderful audience."
The floor erupted into applause, and Remington was delayed in joining Laura and Murphy by fellow detectives stopping him, complimenting him on his speech. When he finally caught up to them, it was to find the surrounded by detectives asking if what he had said was true. Murphy glanced up at Steele. "Well, it's possible that he's cutting himself a little short. He says he learned a lot from me - I've only just realized how much I learned from him." He held out his hand toward Remington. "Remington. Thank you."
"No, thank you, Murphy. For saving my life earlier, as well."
"I'll be sure to look you up. Kinda like to see you with those babies. Not something I can picture."
"You're just lucky that Remington didn't pull out his wallet and start showing you the pictures," she whispered as her husband came from making certain their luggage was stowed properly.
"Well, are we ready to go?"
"I think so. I was just inviting Murphy to pay us a visit soon."
"By all means. Love to have you."
"Good bye, Remington," Murphy said, shaking his hand.
"Murphy. Have a safe trip back to Denver." They went inside the plane and put on their seat belts. "I meant to ask, Laura, what did Murphy say to you while I was giving my speech?"
She smiled. "That he hated it when you did something so nice, just when he was ready to start hating you again." She sighed, shaking her head. "You took a big chance that they didn't take you at your word about being a fraud, you know that, don't you?"
"It was a chance I thought was worth the risk," he assured her, bringing her hand to his lips as the seatbelt light went out. Remington released his own seatbelt, then reached across to release Laura's before pulling her across to sit in his lap. "Now, Mrs. Steele. We're alone again. No interruptions - I've turned off the telephone. Any suggestions?"
"Oh, several, Mr. Steele," she assured him, her lips finding his as she began to show him exactly what she had in mind.