"What does it say?"

He hesitated. The Skipper had addressed the note to him and the contents probably weren't meant to be shared with Ginger, or the Howells:

"Professor,

I've been using that little phrasebook you whipped up for me but now I'm in a jam I don't have words for. At first, everything was terrific here. The princess who 'won' me has been a lot of fun, if you know what I mean. And the other Wasabis have been great to me, as their new prince.

The thing is, well, I've lost a lot of weight, through certain activities. And I think the princess wants to divorce me. Or worse! I'm afraid I might be thrown into a volcano or something.

Can you come rescue me? Or at least have a talk with them?

Thanks a bunch,

The Skipper"

"OK, just sum up what it says if you can't share it."

The Professor looked up. The message might've been meant to be private, but a man's life was possibly at stake. He wordlessly handed over the note.

She read it and laughed.

"Ginger, this is a very serious matter!"

"I think you're jumping to conclusions, both of you. Why do you men always assume the worst of the natives? The Wasabis seemed like a very peaceful tribe."

"Well, even if you're right, there's still cause for concern. And since I'm the only one of us who speaks the Wasabis' language, it's up to me to go to their island."

"But we're about to be rescued!"

"Ginger, the note is undated. Who knows how long it was floating out there? It may already be too late!" He wasn't usually this emotional, but he was very worried about the Skipper.

"All right, then I'm going with you."

"Woman, are you insane?"

"I don't see anything insane about it. I'm very good at creating a diversion."

He smiled a little. "Well, yes, that's true." He sighed. "But you should stay here, where it's safe."

"Why? Because I'm a woman."

"Well, yes. Besides, you know how helpless the Howells are. They wouldn't last a day on their own."

"Oh, I don't know. They might if they had to. And the rescue ship should be here soon."

"Nonetheless, I would feel easier in my mind if you stayed here."

"I don't want you protecting me all the time."

"Ginger, I couldn't stand it if anything bad happened to you."

"But I'm supposed to let you risk your life on your own?"

"I thought you said the Wasabis aren't dangerous."

"Well, I might be wrong. And if they are, they'll be just as dangerous for you as for me. Why not let the Coast Guard deal with them?"

"Because there might not be time for that."

"Roy, I don't want you to go!"

"Ginger, I'll be caref—"

"No, you don't understand. I love you! I don't want to be apart from you!"

"Oh, Ginger! I love you, too!"

They threw their arms around each other and kissed passionately, as if they were being separated forever. He hoped they weren't going to be. He hoped that he could interpret for the Skipper and his in-laws, finding a peaceful solution. But what if he were himself killed? Or what if he were captured and their rescuers never found the Wasabis' island? He might never see Ginger again.

"All these wasted years," he murmured.

"Not wasted," she whispered. "We were just working our way slowly towards each other."

"Perhaps you're right." He gently pulled away. "Ginger, you have to understand. The Skipper is like an older brother to me. And it's my duty to help."

She nodded. "That's one of the things I love about you, how honorable you are. I've never met a man like you before. Especially not in Hollywood."

He chuckled and then sighed again. "Ginger, if we are rescued, how am I going to fit into your world?"

"Maybe I'll be trying to fit into yours, going to lectures and symposiums."

"Symposia."

"You see?"

"I guess we'll cross that bridge, or those bridges, when we come to them. But for now, I've got to prepare to get to the other island."

"And how are you going to do that?"

"There's the raft Gilligan built for the wedding ceremony. The Wasabis' island is only a day's journey away. I think the raft can take me that far."

"What if there's another storm?"

"I'll take my rubbers." She arched her thin, red eyebrows and he almost blushed. "In the galoshes sense."

"Ah. There's another danger I hadn't thought of. What if one of the princesses decides she wants to marry you?"

"Why would she want me?"

"Come on, Roy, you're a very handsome man."

"Well, thank you, but I mean they prefer plump men on that island."

"Oh, right. Well, maybe they'll try to fatten you up."

"Ginger, even if I were as large as Jackie Gleason, I would never marry one of the native girls. Not when I'm in love with you."

"Oh, Roy!"

They kissed passionately again.

When they parted, she said, "We'd better go tell the Howells."

"About you and me?" Mr. Howell knew that they were fooling around and Mrs. Howell clearly suspected it, but he wasn't ready to tell them of his love for Ginger.

She laughed. "That can wait. I meant about the Skipper."

"Oh, yes, of course."

"Will you take a bottle and paper just in case we have to rescue you?"

He wasn't sure if she was kidding. He didn't know what a Hollywood actress and a wealthy couple could do against a tribe of hostile natives. Perhaps by "we" she meant them and their own rescuers. "Yes, I can do that."

"If the Skipper does want to leave and you go before we can get there, do you think the raft will be able to carry both of you?"

"I think so. It supported all of our weight when the seven of us held the wedding." That felt so long ago, although it wasn't of course. So much had happened since, and much more was going to happen.

"So it's one day there and one day back. And you'll probably have to stay a day or more. So that's at least three days away."

"At least."

"I really wish I knew what was happening with Gilligan and Mary Ann sending someone for us."

"It's only been a few hours since their arrival. And this isn't exactly an emergency where we need to be rescued right away. After all, it's been eight years, and none of us are injured or ill."

"True. I guess you might get back with the Skipper before they arrive."
"It's possible. We'll just have to see how it goes."

"If you're not back in a week, will you write to me? Just to tell me you're all right."

"Yes, of course." It felt unreal to him that he had won the heart of Ginger Grant the movie star. But she was also his dear friend and he had seen her at her most vulnerable. Even though she was an actress, he could see the sincerity in her eyes. "After we tell the Howells, will you help me pack?"

She smiled. "Of course."