Anniversary on the Island

Gilligan was clutching five suitcases at once,trailing slowly behind Skipper. The two headed to the main lobby of the Castaways resort. There was a grandmother and granddaughter. Gilligan noticed the whole trip up that Skipper tried to get a chance to speak to her. Gilligan followed the two to the hut that the visitors were staying in. Throwing down their luggage, he was out of breath. Jane, who was ten years old, laughed.

"My dear, it is not polite to laugh at others!"

"No problem,ma'am, happens all the time" replied the first kept giving clues for Gilligan to scram. Eventually, he got the hint. Unsure of what to do next, Gilligan wandered off towards the Howell's hut. Today was to be a busy one. Mrs. Howell and her son,Thurston Howell the IV, were making arrangements for an island anniversary party. It was to be 20 years since the group had been marooned on what once was an uncharted desert isle. Entering the hut Lucinda,their secretary, noticed Gilligan.

"Hello,Gilligan! May I help you?"

"Yes,Lucinda, I would like to see Mrs. Howell."Lucinda shook her head in reply.

"I'm sorry but-"

"Not without an appointment, I get it. But it's important!"

"Gilligan, when is it never important?" Gilligan had to stop and think for a second. Lucinda laughed.

"Don't bother answering,Gilligan, and just go inside. They should be there."

"Thanks, Lucinda!"

Gilligan slowly opened the door, making sure that no one was busy.

"Come on in, my dear boy," Mrs. Howell exclaimed.

"You are just the person I wanted to see. It's regarding the anniversary luau tomorrow night. You have everything all set?"

"Yes,Mrs. Howell."

"Of course, there is one thing I have forgotten to tell you."

"What's that Mrs. Howell," Gilligan asked as he sat down in the chair near her desk,fiddling with his thumbs nervously.

"Well, you can't have a luau without bringing a date." Gilligan's face turned red with embarrassment.

"The other luaus weren't like that. Why does tonight have to be any different?" Mr.

Thurston Howell the VI, her son, came up behind Gilligan,listeing in on the conversation.

"Well, it's just customary. A wedding anniversary is supposed to be a romantic occasion!"

"But Mrs. Howell, this isn't a wedding anniversary, it's a shipwreck anniversary! What's so romantic about that?"

"Never mind the questions, Gilligan, just go and find yourself a date and let one of us know when you have one." Thurston cut in. He gave Gilligan a gentle push out the door,shutting it after he left.

"Mummy, Gilligan does have a point. Why a date?"

"Don't you see, it is all part of my plan!"

"What plan?"

"As I told Gilligan, you'll see. Now, as for you, Lucinda is out in the lobby. Why don't you invite her!" Thurston gasped.

"But,mummy I can't! She doesn't even know the value and importance of money," he whispered. Mrs. Howell gave her son a stern look. He shook his head in disagreement,left the office and headed out to the lobby to find Lucinda.

Gilligan found the Skipper in the area where the luau was to be. He was finishing up the last of the decorations.

"Where have you been, little buddy? I've been worried that you got lost in the lagoon and would have to send a search and rescue team to find you."

"I was just visiting Mrs. Howell. She said that there isn't anything left for decorating."

Skipper smiled as he put up the last tiki torch.

"She wants us to bring a date thiugh."

"That's fantastic!"

"It is?"

"Why,yes! Now I can ask Marilyn to the luau. It will give me an excuse to see if her."

Gilligan pouted and sat on a log,looking down at his sneakers.

"Well, what about me?"

"Well,what about you?" Skipper replied.

"I don't have a date. Besides, I'm no good at talking to girls. You should know that."

Skipper went up to Gilligan and sat down next to him.

"That's not true!"

"Really then, name one girl that you can honestly say that they like me more than a friend and not laugh at me for being so clumsy?" Skipper put a hand on his shoulder and grinned.

"MaryAnn" Gilligan replied to himself quietly.