Mr. Norbert Wiley hadn't forgotten those unfortunate people on that island he visited a year ago. He had kidnapped all three women, and all three were beautiful. But he couldn't get a certain sweet little brunette out of his head.
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"Good afternoon, Ginger. My you're looking bewitching." The Professor lay his book down on his desk and crossed over to her. Ginger laced her arms around the Professor's neck and fluttered her eyelashes, and smiled a coy smile.
"You're just a doll, Roy. How did a girl like me get a guy like you?"
"I ask myself a similar question myself every day."
He let her kiss him lightly on the lips. There was a minute of silence as the Professor went back to his desk. Ginger sat down on the stool next to him. She wanted to ask him a question that had been weighing on her mind the past few days. She decided it was best to be frank with him. Besides, approaching a man of science with logic is the only way to go.
"Roy, I was wondering…" She had his attention. "Since you're such a tall, smart, handsome, considerate, and…."
"Ginger, there is no need to become blandish with me. I know when you want something. What is it?"
"We've been seeing each other for almost a month now, and I was wondering if we could finally tell the others about us."
"Oh Ginger, you know why we mustn't."
"Well why not?" She stood, hands on hips.
"Ginger, there is no need for that right now. Why if we divulge our courtship in this premature state, it could upset the balance of our utopian locality!"
"Oooh! Professor I don't know what you said but I, we, are not premature!" With that, Ginger crossed his hut, and left, slamming the door on her way out.
"What on earth had gotten into her?" He stood, and looked out the window. He saw Mary Ann, stirring something over the fire for dinner.
"Perhaps I can speak with Mary Ann; maybe she can make sense of Ginger's outburst. I must be careful to not reveal what Ginger and I have. Why am I talking to myself? Women. I've always heard they made men crazy!"
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She couldn't help but overhear it. When Ginger raises her voice, people can't help but listen.
Why can't she just drop it? I swear. Listening to those two is like listening to Old Doctor Young on the radio! Sometimes I wonder if they really think they're hiding it from anyone. Sure, the Skipper, Gilligan and Mr. Howell are clueless; they're men. Well, maybe Mrs. Howell doesn't know either. After all, she doesn't live with Ginger.
She was interrupted by the sound of the radio being turned off.
"Hey, I was listening to that!"
"Forgive me, Mary Ann, I was merely trying to repose a bit and The Mosquito's is hardly my genre of music."
"That's alright Professor. You need some peace and quiet. Turn it to something soothing if you want."
"Thank you. Dinner smells great. What is it?"
"Something new I've been meaning to try. Just a hodge podge of things lying around." Mary Ann busied herself with cutting fruit.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"About what?"
"Professor, I heard you and Ginger. I've known for about a week. The others don't though." She waited for a response. When she didn't get one, she continued.
"I don't know what her problem is. She's found love even on this island. If she would just…"
"Who said anything about love?"
"I'm sorry, Professor. I just assumed that…"
"I don't love her, Mary Ann." He looked around to see if anyone was approaching.
"It's too early for that strong of an emotion. I honestly don't know what we're doing, and until that time where I know where we stand; I simply can't reveal to everyone the nature of our relationship."
"It's very understandable. I wouldn't want anyone to know for months. Maybe a year. You can't rush into this kind of stuff. It takes time. I agree with what you said. Ginger's the type that doesn't take "no" very well. I don't know why she's being the way she is. If I were her, I….well I just wouldn't push the issue is all."
"Thank you, Mary Ann. You're always pleasant to talk to. I do cherish our friendship." She watched him disappear into the jungle.
If I had someone like the Professor I sure wouldn't be practically throwing it away because of something that shouldn't even matter. She has him. What else could she possibly want?
* Hello folks! Friendly Henry here, bringing you cheery daytime tunes.
"Ha! What's so cheery about it?"
* Now don't get down on yourself out there! Chin up!
"Easy for you to say! You don't know what it's like."
* You may be wondering how I could possibly know what you're going through. Well, I don't know. But what I can do is provide you cats out there with some peaceful tunes. One year ago today our pal Frankie came out with a number one hit! So here he is folks! Old Blue Eyes himself with "Change Partners."
The music began to play. The familiar lyrics hit Mary Ann and had her remembering something that happened a year ago today. She remembers because she heard this song debut the morning it all started. It sent chills down her spine remembering that Wiley and how he had kidnapped her and her two friends. She decided to sit back and wait for the soup to finish cooking and listen to the song to take her mind off of things.
"Must you dance every dance with the same fortunate man?
You have danced with him since the music began.
Won't you change partners and dance with me?
Must you dance quite so close with your lips touching his face?
Can't you see
I'm longing to be in his place?
Won't you change partners and dance with me?
Ask him to sit this one out. while you're alone,
I'll tell the waiter to tell him he's wanted on the telephone.
You've been locked in his arms ever since heaven-knows-when.
Won't you change partners and then,
You may never want to change partners again."
Once the song played out, Mary Ann got up and started to set the table. Her movements were a tad forceful.
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Behind a cluster of trees Mr. Wiley stood, watching her. He couldn't help but notice how graceful she was, or how beautiful she was with her hair down. He would bide his time, and wait for the opportune moment. He was determined that she would be his by nightfall.