It had been three years last week since the castaways have been stranded on this remote island. They had become used to the seasonal shifts and regular dangers that one faced there. Still hopeful for a rescue the 7 nonetheless prepared for those changes. Relying on the always knowledgable Professor, the castaways met up for their usual breakfast once again.
Mary Ann had prepared the ever constant fruit tray. However, she tried something new this morning. She had discovered spearmint growing, in little sprigs on the far side of the island. Having grown her own in her little garden back home, she did not need the Professor to verify its identity and had already consumed a little in a hot water/mint drink she prepared herself the day before. Since she hadn't taken ill in the least, it was safe for everyone else and would be, perhaps a welcomed surprise.
The pineapple was spread out as usual and all 6 other castaways started making their way to the communal table. Gilligan asked, "Skipper, what's that green stuff on the pineapple there?"
Skipper looked over and narrowed his eyes. He looked back at Gilligan and then bent down to sniff the fruit when Gilligan tried to lean over with him. However Gilligan lost his balance and pushed the Skipper's face into the plate.
Gilligan's eyes widened as the Skipper slowly stood up with pineapple stuck to his face, but licking the side of his mouth. He started to give that look to Gilligan that he better run when he caught the taste of mint. He took a rag and wiped off his face with a huge grin and said, "That's mint. Where did we get mint?"
He and Gilligan started looking around for Mary Ann. The Professor made his way to the table and noticed that Gilligan and the Skipper appeared to be looking for someone. "What's wrong Skipper? Gilligan?"
Gilligan said, "We're just looking for Mary Ann because of what she did to the pineapple."
The Skipper licked his lips with a big smile on his face and said, "When did you find the mint Professor? And more importantly, why didn't you tell us!"
The Professor looked confused, "Mint? I didn't find any..."
Just then Mary Ann came around the corner and took their makeshift plates and sat them down for everyone. "Good morning!" She said.
The Professor asked, "Mary Ann, did you find some mint growing somewhere on the island?" as he walked around to her standing at the end of the table looking quite pleased with how it looked.
She looked back at him and answered, "Why yes, yes I did. Over on the far side of the island. There wasn't much, but I did bring one back with roots and I put it in a little pot I made so we can grow more." She smiled as she started to walk back over to the supply hut to get more of their utensils. The Skipper and Gilligan began to share what Mary Ann found with Ginger and Mr. and Mrs. Howell as the Professor followed Mary Ann. He told them to wait to eat anything until he got back.
He followed her into the hut, "Mary Ann, why didn't you come get me and let me check it out before you put it on our food this morning?"
She was picking up some of the utensils when she looked up at him and answered, "Because I know what it is. I used to grow Spearmint in my little garden back home. I know what it looks like, smells like and tastes like. Besides, just to make sure I boiled some water and added a little last night just to make sure it was safe for everyone."
She started to move past him, but he grabbed her arm and looked her closely in the eyes when he asked, "You mean you consumed some of it first, to determine its toxicity, to make sure none of us would get sick or worse..." Then he blinked his eyes and put both hands on her arms and told her, "Don't ever do that again, Mary Ann. I mean it. I'm right here, just come get me and I can..."
Mary Ann smiled, although she was getting annoyed. She told him, "I know you are right here, but really... I knew what I was doing. Some of us can recognize a plant or two, ok? Really, you aren't the only one."
She got loose and he followed her back to the table. Putting everything down she noticed how happy everyone seemed and were almost drooling over her pineapple this morning. "Dig in!" She told them.
The Professor put up his hand just as the remaining five started to grab it all at once, "Wait!" Then he turned to Mary Ann and said, "Can I at least see this sample you brought back that you plan to grow here?"
Mary Ann rolled her eyes but took him to the pot. The first thing he noticed was the pot, "When did you make this or did you find it?" He almost seemed in awe.
She smiled and said, "Well, it didn't exactly turn out perfectly but I was experimenting with some of the soil or mud and that glue compound you decided to throw out to make a clay pot, and well, it works well enough for a plant I guess."
The Professor was impressed to say the least as he admired it and then checked out the plant inside. Sure enough it was a standard typical representation of a spearmint leaf sticking out of the dirt with a stem going into it.
He told her, "Ok, ok, I see. You were right. This is wonderful Mary Ann. The new flavor will refresh our palates."
He smiled and rubbed her back while saying, "Let's get back and have breakfast, shall we?" He leaned his arm out and she wrapped hers around his as they walked back.
He announced as they arrived back, "Its mint alright, dig in!"
He started to sit down with the others and noticed that she smiled and then started to leave.
Ginger noticed as well, "Mary Ann...aren't you going to come enjoy this with us? You know with Gilligan and the Skipper there won't be leftovers." She shot a quick smile to the Skipper and Gilligan as they both looked up when they heard their names.
Mrs. Howell then chimed in, "Yes dear, do come back and enjoy this marvelous breakfast with us!" She then turned to her husband and said, "Oh Thurston, this reminds me of brunch at the country club."
Mr. Howell smiled and said, "Yes, yes, minus the champagne of course...and the golf course...and the counting of the money in the safe..." He started to get teary eyed and said, "Oh Lovey! The counting...I do miss the counting!"
Mrs. Howell patted his arm and Mary Ann smiled when she said, "I already had some. I started the laundry down at the lagoon and need to go check on it. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Just leave your plates here and I'll clean them when I get back."
They all thanked her but the Professor noticed something about Mary Ann that seemed off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but felt something was wrong. He wasn't able to dwell on the thought long however.
The Skipper asked, "So, Professor...we're coming up on monsoon season again. What have you heard over the radio?" He got a second helping.
The Professor answered, "Well, from what I've heard it looks like we're in for a bad season. Its an El Nino weather pattern this year and that means more hurricanes will hit our region than the Atlantic. The meteorologists are predicting a particularly rough year and my own instruments concur." All six started to frown.
Gilligan then asked, "You broke your instruments?"
The Skipper shook his head and told him, "No, Gilligan, they concur, meaning they agree, meaning..."
Ginger just sighed and said, "Meaning the weather men are right."
The Professor saw how down everyone seemed so he told them, "Look, we've been through these before..."
Gilligan then spoke up, "But not a El Nina or Nino or whatever. You've never said that before."
Mrs. Howell then spoke up, "Yes Professor...I've never heard you speak of this El Nino before."
The Professor nodded his head and explained, "Its an irregular climate phenomenon...I mean its an irregular climate pattern we see every three to four years in the Pacific Ocean. There is also something called La Nina which affects the Atlantic." Everyone still seemed confused so he decided to explain further, "Basically what it means is that the conditions are right in the atmosphere for stronger storms. What that means for us is that we need to prepare better than we have in the past...stock up on supplies and determine a more favorable position on the island should a storm strike."
The Skipper then chimed in, "He's right. We can handle this, we've handled worse, right?" The Howell's, Ginger and Gilligan then seemed to perk up a little bit.
Mr. Howell stepped forward, "Of course we can handle this. Its no different than preparing for an audit from the IRS, you just have to know how to move things around to protect your assets. Right...Lovey, dear..." He started to kiss her as he giggled in her ear to which she moved up her shoulders and squealed in delight.
The Skipper shook his head and before asking the Professor about any plan he had he noticed Gilligan shudder at the public display of affection Mr. Howell was giving Mrs. Howell. Although it was innocent enough his little buddy seemed appalled which made the Skipper chuckle before asking.
The Professor replied, "Well, I think it would be best if I scout for a shelter, probably in the caves and determine its viability. You and Gilligan should do a lot of fishing, Skipper, but don't kill the fish, just catch them and tie them in the lagoon for now. Ginger, I'll need you start packing away some of the supplies and gather more vines. Mr. and Mrs. Howell, I think the two of you should pack yourselves up to be ready to move and help Ginger. Mary Ann, I'll get her to make a couple of more of those pots if they can to hold water."
They all looked at him confused and he then explained the pot she made for the spearmint. Then Ginger asked, "If she can grow mint, why can't we grow some of the other things we eat here?"
The Professor explained, "Most of what we eat are the products of trees, but you're right Ginger. Perhaps we can plant a few of the herbs I find and grow those."
After consuming the entire tray the castaways left their plates and headed off to their respective tasks. The Professor went looking for Mary Ann, as she was the only one not present when they were divided up.