Gilligan actually had another date before he was to meet Ginger. The Lieutenant carefully put on his uniform, brought along some NASA souvenirs, and caught the morning train to Willoughby, Connecticut. Since he was going the opposite direction of the morning rush, there was plenty of room on the train. A familiar face greeted Gilligan at the train station.

"Lieutenant Gilligan," the man in a Willoughby Prepatory School Blazer called to him. He then introduced himself unnecessarily, "I'm Roy Hinkley, Professor of Science at Willoughby Prep."

Gilligan shook the Professors hand, and said, "Nice to meet you, Professor"

The Professor felt an odd sense of déjà vu, and went on, "I'm pleased that you agreed to be a guest speaker. I put in a request for an astronaut to speak three years ago, and here you are!"

Gilligan said, "What can I say, the government can be slow." The young astronaut didn't even know the Professor had asked for a visit years ago when he had the secretary set up this meeting. He just wanted to see the Professor.

Gilligan told the affluent high school students about the space program, NASA, Gemini, and the upcoming Apollo mission. The students seemed bored, only Gilligan and the Professor seemed excited about the discussion. Every now and then the kids sarcastically laughed at Gilligan's enthusiasm, but not at any of his jokes.

Gilligan finished off with, "We are well on our way to realize President Kennedy's goal to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Are there any questions?"

One girl asked, "Is it true that the space program is just the governments attempt to divert the public's attention from the war in Vietnam."

All Gilligan could say was, "No, it's to benefit all people."

"By taking away money that could feed the poor?" asked a student whose wristwatch could feed a third world family for a decade.

The Professor answered that one, "The scientific advances of space travel could help improve the quality of life for all mankind, not to mention the benefit of weightless research to medical science."

Another student scoffed, "How much does being a spaceman pay?"

Gilligan answered, "With allowances, I make almost a thousand dollars a month."

Another student laughed, "Our housekeeper makes more than that."

Later, the Professor apologized to Gilligan, "Sometimes the most privileged students can be the toughest. I decided to teach at the high school level rather than the university, because I love teaching. At the university level it's publish or perish. But there are times, like now, where I just had freedom to do research without interruption."

Gilligan thanked the Professor for the opportunity to address the class. Even though a handful of students were being little snots, he could tell the Professor sparked an interest in science in most of the students. Gilligan wouldn't be surprised if one of Roy Hinkley's progenies ended up being the first man, or woman, on Mars.

Gilligan took the train back to Brooklyn, and prepared for his dinner with Ginger. Gilligan felt like he was putting on a costume when he donned the dress Navy Lieutenant's uniform. He felt almost like a fraud when he put on the miniature medals and astronaut wings.

The officer of the day knocked on Gilligan's door, "Hey Leprechaun, your rides here."

"Thanks," Gilligan replied.

Now I know why they call him Leprechaun, the Officer of the Day thought as he saw Gilligan get in a Town Car Limousine to his date with a movie star.

When Gilligan arrived at Ginger's apartment, he saw the owner of the familiar voice on the phone.

"Mary Ann!" Gilligan shouted, excited.

"Do I know you, Lieutenant?" Mary Anne Summers asked. She did, though, have an odd sense of déjà vu when she saw the young astronaut.

Gilligan quickly covered, "Umm, you mentioned your name on the phone."

"Did I?" Mary Ann asked suspiciously, adding "Miss Grant will be right down."

Gilligan asked, "So you are Ginger's assistant?"

Mary Ann answered, "Miss Grant and I met in Hawaii. I won a trip on a radio contest, when I saw Hawaii, I knew I couldn't stay in Kansas. Miss Grant needed an assistant, and I wanted a job where I could see the world."

A familiar voice called out, "Mary Ann, you're not boring the poor Lieutenant with your life story are you?" Ginger entered the room with her usual flair.

"Thank you for seeing me," Gilligan said.

Ginger held out her hand and said, "The pleasure is all mine, or at least it will be." Gilligan shook Ginger's hand instead of kissing it. Ginger had this odd sense of déjà vu.

The two went out to dinner, flocked by paparazzi. Ginger mainly talked about herself. Her career found a new boost in soap operas, and she loved New York. Gilligan couldn't get a word in edge ways, and was constantly blinded by flash bulbs.

When the actress and astronaut were back in the limo, Ginger let her guard down. She shut the divider so the chauffeur couldn't hear them. Ginger explained, "You seem like a nice guy. This whole thing was my agent's idea, he felt it would help my career to be seen with somebody who is younger than I am and in the publics eye. Going from movies to soaps wasn't my idea, there aren't many parts for experienced leading ladies. But I really enjoyed my time with you."

Gilligan replied, "I had fun, too. You can have your driver drop me off at the subway."

A bit shocked, Ginger said, "No, he'll drop you off at Bennett Field."

When the OOD at Bennett Field saw Lieutenant Gilligan exiting a limo with Ginger Grant in the back, all he could say was, "Damn astronauts."

Gilligan had just gotten to sleep when he heard a banging on the door of his BOQ quarters. When he sleepily answered the door, he was surprised to see Major Tony Nelson.

"Get dressed," Tony said, "Admiral Grumby is missing."