--edited for accuracy--

"Well, let's see…. you've shattered the bone in your kneecap and got some nasty cuts on your hands, but other than that, you're fine, Mr. Grumby," the middle-aged doctor said. He looked to be of German descent. "We'll get you bandaged up and you'll be good to go!"

Skipper sat on a cold metal table in a freezing, white hospital room at the Molokai Medical Center's emergency room. When he, the still unconscious Gilligan, and the Hawaiian driver involved in the accident had arrived at the hospital, Gilligan had been taken to a room to be seen right away. The Skipper, having suffered less-serious traumas had sat with the monolingual driver in the waiting room for three and a half hours. Now it was nearly midnight and he had not yet heard a word on Gilligan's condition.

As the doctor unwound a generous amount of a bandage roll, Skipper said, "Do you know if my—" –he searched for the right phrase to clarify his fondness for the boy-
"—my…..little buddy is doing better, Dr……Knapp?"

Dr. Knapp began carefully wrapping the tan bandage around the Skipper's right knee. I haven't heard, sorry. I could ask the nurse to check for you. What's the name?"

"It's Gilligan," Skipper replied. "Will I be able to go see him? I feel kind of responsible for what happened and I'm really worried about him."

"It all depends on his condition, but I'll say probably," Dr. Knapp answered, not taking his eyes off of his work even once. He finished mending the Skipper's hands and said, "Okay, stay off that knee as much as you can for the next week or so, and take it easy. The nurse will be with you in a few minutes with some papers for you to sign and I'll ask her to check on your friend for you."

"Thanks, Doctor," Skipper said warmly.

"You're quite welcome," he said, and left the room.

Skipper glanced at the curtain sealing off the next bed's privacy, and then lay down on the table. He silently stared above him, seeing not the white ceiling, but the black car coming for him. He saw the bright yellow headlights like two cat eyes glaring him down. He saw the deserted street where he knew he would breathe for the last time. He felt the great force that belted him in the side and knocked him down. He saw the gravelly pavement rushing up at him. He felt the stinging pain in his hands and stabbing pain in his knee. He heard the screeching brakes and the quick cry of pain Gilligan made. He felt the terror starting in his stomach and rising to his heart. He saw Gilligan crumble to the ground in an awkward position in front of the motionless beast that had thrashed him.

These images cane to him again and again, sometimes in the wrong order, until the nurse meekly entered the room, startling him.

He sat up quickly and immediately regretted it. His knee seethed with pain.

"Hello again, Mr. Grumpy," she said, teasingly mispronouncing his name.

Skipper smiled. This was the same sweet, beautiful nurse who had first taken him to be x-rayed. She was tall and wore the common white nursing outfit. She had silky blond hair put back in a messy bun. Her impish face tinged with mischief whenever she talked.

"Hello, Nurse Kayla," Skipper said kindly. "They just keep sending you to me. It must be fate."

She laughed. "Must be." She handed him a form and pen on a clipboard. "Just sign at the bottom of the first two pages and we'll go see how your friend is doing," she said.

The Skipper's face brightened. "I can go see him? Oh, that's wonderful news!" he exclaimed, eagerly signing the papers. He then handed Kayla the clipboard and hopped down from the table, another painful mistake. With one hand on the table and one cupping his hurt knee, Skipper drew in an audible breath.

Kayla empathetically drew in some air herself. "Oh, I'll bet that hurt! Are you okay? Do you need me to get your some crutches or a wheelchair?"

"No, no!" Skipper insisted, standing upright. "I'll walk it off! Which way to Gilligan?"

Kayla smiled. "Come with me."

--

NoV: I know you're thinking "What! We still don't know what's happened to Gilligan?" Don't worry! Chapter 10 will be up soon with all the answers!

I was looking at a page on German last names for the doctor, and one of them was Maynard! I was soooooo tempted to make him Dr. Maynard, but I restrained myself so as not to appear so effortless.

One of the things I'm paranoid about. Please let me know if there weren't x-rays in the '60's so I can correct it.

Again, I'm not sure if nurses wore scrubs or if they all wore those white dresses and hats.