The Professor arrived back to his home carrying his briefcase full of his research papers. His encounter with Ginger was still on his mind. Saying she loved him and how she wanted to be with him. He wanted to believe her but...there was that doubt lurking in his mind. How could she possibly be happy with him with all those other rich famous movie stars out there?
When they were on the island it was different. They were all apart of eachother's worlds. They had to come together to survive. And they did. Ginger was truly amazing. Even though she was a famous movie star, she still pitched in to help no matter what the chore. She would even do laundry for everyone and hang it on a vine to dry. He admired her for her spirit. Making the best of the situation. She was used to luxurious lush surrounding and yet there she was, happily living in a bambo hut on some deserted island in the pacific.
Sighing he set his briefcase down on a table and went over to the bar to pour himself a drink. They weren't on the island anymore. They were back to their old lives. Or somewhat back to it.
Mr. Howell made a fortune selling that perfume the Professor came up with. It had to be tweeked a bit of course now that other resources were at their disposal but it was a big seller. Thurston offered to share the profits with the Professor since it was technically his invention but the Professor politely declined. Thurston insisted that the Professor reap some reward from his work, so he donated the money to the research lab of the university of which the Professor was grateful.
As for the Skipper, he officially was retired from the sea however he couldn't actually stay away from it all together. He got a small job taking people out dolphin watches. He enjoyed himself a great deal.
Gilligan got a job working for Mr. Howell. He hired him as part of the crew of one of his several yachts. Gilligan was in charge of making sure everything was in tip top shape. Made sure the boat shined and gleamed inside and out. He did allow Gilligan to occasionally take his smaller yacht out once in awhile to fish.
The island life that they had grown accustomed to was no more. He could no longer come up with excuses to see Ginger or claim he needed her help with something. That ridiculous scheme to make everyone think Ginger was psychic was just his way of being able to be close to her. Now they were back home, he couldn't be close to her.
No, she was a big movie star. He didn't fit into that life. All those rich famous people. It was better that he made that clean break. Not that he didn't wonder. Wonder what it would have been like if he didn't leave that day. Didn't drive away. Didn't see that redheaded goddess standing there all alone.
The Professor took a sip of his drink and set it down. He sat back on the brown sofa going over it in his mind again and again.
What if he never drove off in that car? What would have happened? It was a puzzle in his mind.
No. He thought to himself. He made the right logical decision. It would never work. It couldn't work. True leaving Ginger was the hardest thing he ever did but it was done. She could go on and be with someone who was worthy of her.
Harry's Bar
"He said what?" said an astonished Mary Ann as she sat at the bar with Ginger at Harry's.
"You heard me." replied Ginger. "He thinks that I would leave him for some rich famous movie star. Can you believe that? I don't want a rich handsome famous movie star. I want my Professor." She pouted.
Mary Ann shook her head. "I don't believe it. How could he be so stubborn?" She frowned. "How could he think you want another man? You made it clear that you love him."
"I don't know." sighed Ginger. "But I'm not giving up. I'll get him back yet. You wait and see."
"How are you going to do that?"
Ginger grinned. "I have an idea. You see my new movie is a mystery/romance. And the main female character is Vivian Worthington. She is a scientist who come up some big formula. Well in order for me to fully prepare for this role, I'm going to need to get some type of background in science..."
Mary Ann smiled. "And that's where the Professor comes in."
"Right." said Ginger. "I'll tell him I need his help understanding science and then..."
"What a great plan." said Mary Ann excitedly then she though a minute. "You think he'll go for it?"
"Of course he will." assured Ginger. "I'll just explain to him that there was no one else I could possibly turn to."
"Very sneaky." said Mary Ann. "Very Ginger Grant."
"Thank you." smiled Ginger. "So what about you? You haven't told me if there was anyone in your life."
"That's because there is no one." sighed Mary Ann resting her face in her hands. "No one interesting. Yeah sure there are some nice guys at school but.."
"But...what? Mary Ann what is it?"
"Nothing." She said blushing.
"Now don't tell me nothing. It's something." pressed Ginger. "Spill it."
"You are going to think I'm weird."
"No I won't. I promise."
"Well...I don't know...I sort of...well...I think I got a tiny crush on..." She hesitated before saying. "Gilligan."
"Gilligan? Really? Does he know."
"No!" exclaimed Mary Ann at the horror of Gilligan knowing her secret. "I couldn't possibly tell him that."
"Why not? He's a sweet guy."
"I know but he's so...I don't know...awkward and clumsy and...he always made me laugh. And I always thought...kind of cute."
"Do you think he could feel the same way about you?"
"What? Think I'm awkward and clumsy?"
"No silly." laughed Ginger. "I mean do you think it's possible he could have a little crush on you."
"Me? Oh heavens no. I'm sure all the men on the island dreamed of you Ginger." She stopped when she realized what she said. "I didn't mean it that way..I..."
"I know what you meant." said Ginger. "Mary Ann you are a very pretty young lady. I'm sure that Gilligan may like you in that way. You should find out."
"I guess so. You know my class is supposed cook dinner for a party at the yacht club next Saturday. I know Gilligan works for Mr. Howell now. I wonder if...You think he would be there?"
"Possibly."
"Would you go Ginger? Please I need your moral support in case..."
"I'll be there." She said placing a reassuring hand on Mary Ann's. "But trust me when I say Gilligan probably feels the same way about you."
Mary Ann nodded and then laughed. "You know being on that island was really life changing don't you think?"
"Yes it was. agreed Ginger. "But in a good way. If I hadn't gotten on the Minnow..if I hadn't decided that a three hour tour away from everything for awhile would be a good idea...I never would have met the Professor. It was fate."
"Maybe you should tell him that." offered Mary Ann.
"Don't worry about me." said Ginger confidently. "One way or another...I'm going to get my darling Professor."
Professor's House
The doorbell rang and the Professor got up to answer it. He opened the door to find his lab assistant Barbara standing there.
"Hello." He greeted. "What brings you here?"
"I'm sorry to bother you." the blonde said. "I know this could wait until tomorrow but I wanted to bring you this additional research I did. Have you take a look at it."
"I will. Thank you." said the Professor taking the file folder.
"Can I come in a minute?" asked Barbara.
"Sure okay." said the Professor holding the door open for her.
Barbara stepped inside and looked around. Not much of a home she thought. Not a lot fo sentimental pictures or anything around. she did spot however one small picture in a frame of the Professor and the other castaways after they were rescued. She picked it up. "Looks like a great bunch of people." She said.
"They were." said the Professor.
Barbara studied Ginger's picture. "She is quite beautiful." She remarked.
"Huh?" asked the Professor absentminded as he looked over the research Barbara brought over.
"Ginger Grant." She responded. "She's quite beautiful. Don't you agree?"
"Yes. She is." smiled the Professor politely not wishing to discuss Ginger. "This research you did it quite extraordinary..."
Barbara sighed. "Forget the research...Tell me...Is there something between you and Ginger Grant?"
"Well..."
"Before you try and say no may I remind you that I saw you two together today in a very uh...compromising position..."
"Look Barbara, it's complicated."
"Complicated? How? She's gorgeous. She's famous. She's a movie star. And she clearly adores you. What's the problem?"
"We have different lives. She has her movies and I...well I have my research in the lab."
"You could have both you know." Barbara pointed out. "Don't you love her?"
"Of course I do." said the Professor. "But..
"But what? You haven't been out with one woman since returning from the island. You drown yourself in your work.."
"I don't..."
"Yes you do." insisted Barbara. "Why won't you give Ginger a chance?"
"I told you. It's not that simple okay?"
"No it is simple. You are just making it more difficult than it needs to be. I'll see you tomorrow."
With that Barbara left shutting the door behind her. It irked her so much to see the Professor do this. She liked him a great deal. Admired his intellect when it came to science. He was like the older brother she never had. Well she had an older brother but he was into other things not science. She enjoyed working with him and thought he deserved a good woman. Ginger Grant could be it but he was being hard headed.
Back inside the house
The Professor thought about what Barbara said. Making it more difficult than it needed to be.
He acknowledged a part of that may be true however he still didn't think their two worlds could ever come together. It just couldn't happen. No matter how much it hurt...He had to do whatever it took to forget all about Ginger Grant. Forget their time on the island. Forget all about that time he saw her...saw her bathing in a waterfall. He knew he shouldn't look but he couldn't help himself. Never in his life had he witnessed anything more beautiful. It caused a reaction he hadn't experienced in a long time.
He sat back down on the sofa and remembered how they all tried to boost Ginger's confidence by putting on that musical production of Hamlet. He never told the others how much it killed him to see her down like that. He wanted to kill that stupid producer..laughing at Ginger like that. She didn't deserve that at all.
He recalled seeing her on the stage they had built. Acting out her part. He remembered thinking how radiant she looked. And also remembered the twinge of jealousy he felt when she kissed Gilligan aka Hamlet during the production. Just like the jealousy that came when "Gilligan" went after Ginger. Kissing her and saying how madly in love they were. Gilligan always claimed there was another Gilligan on the island. A double but they never believed him. No matter, he was going to go on with his life and Ginger Grant just simply would not have a part of it. No matter what.
Ginger's Mansion
Ginger hung up the phone with a smile. It was all set. She spoke with Billy Wildstein, the producer of the movie, and he agreed it would be best for her to have a small background knowledge of science.
It would make her more believable in the role. He agreed to get in touch with the university and set it up so that the Professor could help Ginger prepare.
She pulled out a picture she had of the seven of them. The same one the Professor had in his home. She looked at the Professor's picture. "We are going to be together again my love. You wait and see." She pressed her finger tips to her lips and then touched his picture. She set it down and smiled with satisfaction. "You wait and see."
The thought of being in his arms again was intoxicating. No man ever made her feel the way he did. She wasn't about to let it slip away from her. He was hers. Plain and simple. Whatever it took to make him see that, she would do it.
