Chapter 4
It took Ginger a while to crawl out of bed. Eva had kept her up way past normal hours, just mainly bickering about the way men treated her on dates. That was just exercise on Ginger's ears, all her old friends used to complain and gossip about the same thing, although they knew better than to keep her up. She muttered all the way to the mirror, except almost tripping over Eva. Seemingly satisfied with the island as she was snoring away. "Oh I'm tempted to leave you here." Ginger huffed under her breath.
"Hey." A voice made her goodness it was just Mary Ann, "The professor wanted me to tell you something."
"Yeah, what is it?"
She spoke in a low whisper, knowing Eva was sleeping right below, "He said us two can 'fix' Eva and Lydia, so that everyone is rescued."
"Oh perfect…" Ginger just about had enough of these ploys, but at least this wasn't as bad as Gilligan getting married to a native.
Breakfast brought no relief to the nagging from Eva, sure she was an intelligent woman and all, but she just wouldn't leave one subject. "I can't believe what he did, just up and left and made me pay the bill!"
A migraine was sure to set in.
"Oh Eva, don't you have any stories from your college years?" Mrs. Howell was a blessing at that moment.
"Or perhaps what you studied." The professor nodded.
Eva promptly answered, "I was first thinking about chemistry, but I like the idea of marine biology."
The professor realizing that Ginger's sanity was on the line at this point, continued to chat with Eva through the morning. Until it came time to work and Ginger seemed well enough to handle Eva again.
"Alright Eva," she swung her hips around to face Eva, "Guys don't want bland, they want spunk. So I think I'll get Mrs. Howell over here and maybe we can discuss how to deal with bland."
"Ginger, that's not necessary. I just want to be left on this island."
"If you really did, you would have forgotten about boys already."
Eva couldn't resist the urge. She really, truly felt like there was something to fix in herself. That was a deep pit in her, and now it was growing more than ever before, especially when facing a movie star who knew just about everything with looks and male appeal. That was just about to all change, new look, new life.
GInger flew the door open, just as Gilligan was walking by and lucky for him was wacked square in the face with the door. "Ow!"
"Oh hi Gilligan."
"Hi Ginger, say, why'd you have to hit me in the nose?"
"I just didn't see you."
"Ok, I'll see you around." The poor boy once again dragged himself off in pain.
She lead Eva out across the sandy pathways and towards the Howell's hut. "What does Mrs. Howell have for me? I don't think I'm one worth her time."
"Oh she'll love you! Don't worry there's mink coats and dresses and jewels! Oooh." Ginger squealed, "I can't help but get excited to see what Mrs. Howell has."
It just so happened that Mrs. Howell and her husband were lounging outside, soaking in whatever rays there were. "Lovey are those birds over there?"
"No no Thurston, those are girls. Ginger and Eva."
"Oh well, I wasn't-"
"Girls! Girls!" Mrs. Howell spoke over husband, "What can I do for you?"
Eva became very timid around these people, they both held so much power over money and the market. What wasn't there to be afraid of these two? "We've come for advice?"
"Advice, dear?"
Ginger smiled, "Yes, I think Eva might need a makeover."
On the corner of her eye, she could see Eva eyeing her, suspiciously in all aspects.
Mrs. Howell gave a quick look over of Eva, "Well perhaps we should focus on her hair. I think she needs a good dye. The professor might have a good recipe for a red hair dye."
"Red?" Both girls were seemingly shocked.
"Yes, red. Oh Thurston, don't you see a resemblance?" She cocked her head back toward her husband, looking for approval.
"Yes yes dear, I see it as much as you do." He said it with such low acknowledgement, rather paying attention to the radio announcer talking stocks.
"Now then ladies, shall we go see the darling professor?"
The professor squatted over a fizzing beaker of who-knows-what, a typical sight for the castaways. Mrs. Howell barged in, with her own manner of announcing her arrival. "Oh professor! We have a scientific request for you dear."
"Oh, hello Mrs. Howell." He turned to see the three women, "What can I do for you three?"
"You know that I enjoy that magical serum for my hair? The one that turns my hair to such a beautiful blonde?" Mrs. clasped her hands together.
"Why yes, do you need more?"
"Yes, but make it red."
"Red?"
"Yes, red. But not firetruck red, more like Ginger's shade."
The professor seemed puzzled, "This is for you Mrs. Howell?"
"Oh goodness no! It's for Eva!"
Eva smiled a bit, "If it's too much trouble..."
The professor understood exactly what was happening, "No trouble at all! In fact it will let me test a few new ingredients that I have found."
"How long will this take professor?" Ginger asked.
"Oh maybe a half of an hour. Possibly sooner, if you're doing this soon I suggest you style her hair first, then dye it." He turned back to his work, "I'll bring it out to you as soon as it's finished.
"Oh thank you professor." They all said in unison.
Midday was swinging around, Mrs. Howell and Ginger had strolled with Eva to the lagoon, they brought all the hair supplies they coud find. Along with them, Mary Ann and Lydia were lounging in the sand watching Eva get transformed into something new. "Alright, shorter, but not too short." Ginger was focusing hard on Eva.
"Guess on the length, I'd say try for your look, Ginger." Mary Ann suggested.
"Be careful dear." Mrs. Howell warned.
Ginger sighed, "I'm trying as best I can."
Eva frowned, "What's taking the professor so long?"
A piece of hair fell to her lap, she gasped at the sight of it.
"Something wrong? Ginger stopped.
"How much are you taking off?"
"Oh maybe a few inches...I think."
"You think?!"
At that moment the professor came walking down the path. "Hi professor!" Mary Ann smiled.
"Hi girls." He placed a bottle on the makeshift table next to Eva. "Well, here's that hair dye that you asked for. It should get Eva's hair the same shade as Ginger's. Oh, I almost forgot..." He set another bottle on the table, "...You'll need this to bleach her hair first. If there's any problems, just get me."
Lydia jumped, "Do you think you could make a brown version of that?"
Mrs. Howell looked to her, "Dear, you're already such a lovely girl. Why would you want to change your hair?"
"Just an experiment..." Lydia mumbled.
The professor nodded, "I can have it done soon." He sauntered back down the trail.
Ginger clipped away some more hair, "Almost done..."
Another snip, and a sigh of relief could be heard from her. "There, haircut is finished!"
Mrs. Howell gladly stepped in, "Ah yes, let us see how this mix works."
By the time the coloring was complete, Mary Ann, Lydia, and Ginger left to make dinner. Night was approaching. "My word.." Mrs. Howell marveled at this new beauty in front of her. Lydia's hair was already colored to brown, it was a faster process due to her already light color of hair.
"Is something wrong Mrs. Howell?" Eva asked anxiously.
"No, not at all. In fact, if it weren't for your glasses, I'd say you could pass as another Ginger Grant."
"You're just being kind."
"I don't think I'll be the only one saying that."
