February 8, 1979 1900 EDT
"Please follow me," The aide had said.
Willy Gilligan, Jonas Grumby, Thurstan and Eunice Howell, Ginger Grant, Roy Hinkley Jr., and Mary Ann Summers followed the White House Aide into an elaborate dining area. All seven were dressed in their finest attire.
"I can't believe we are having dinner with President Jimmy Carter!" Mary Ann exclaimed.
Even normally nonplussed Thurston Howell was impressed, "Quite an honor, even though the man is a democrat."
Gilligan said, "Well, we got a phone call from the President when we were rescued the first time, we get dinner with the President after we were rescued the second time, I wonder what we get if we're rescued a third time?"
The Skipper replied, "I hope there isn't a third time…"
Just then the President and his family came in. The seven castaways all rose.
After they started eating, President Carter remarked, "That was quite a feat of survival you seven accomplished."
The Skipper answered, "Thank you Mr. President, we all worked together to make the island a home."
The President's daughter asked, "Were there any monkeys on the island?" Which got a laugh from the group.
Gilligan answered, "Yes, Amy, there were monkeys, and apes."
The President followed up with, "So I hear you are opening up an island resort?"
Mr. Howell answered, "Yes, a Howell's Castaways resort."
Gilligan added, "And we'll all be working there, the professor will even have an island research station."
The President said, "That should be exciting. I am a trained nuclear physicist myself, you know."
The Professor said, "I heard that, Mr. President, that's a very interesting field. Have you read…"
Ginger interrupted with, "I will be the entertainment… Mr. President."
President Carter's eyes got wide and he said, "That should be even more exciting," Which earned him an evil glare from Rosalyn.
Mrs. Howell broke the tension by commenting on the dessert, "Mrs. Carter, this crème briolette is divine."
The First Lady laughed and said, "I thought you might like it, our chef Pierre, is the son of your long time chef Louis."
Mrs. Howell replied, "I'm so glad little Pierre found a nice civil service job."
Mary Ann said, "I still can't believe I'm here… imagine a little old Kansas farm girl having dinner in the White House."
The President replied, "Imagine a Georgia peanut farmer becoming President…"
After dinner, the President and his family excused themselves. The seven were given a VIP tour of the White House by an aide. Gilligan got separated, and the Skipper went looking for him. Gilligan was going down one hallway, and the Skipper was going down another. The two collided. Gilligan slipped on a staircase, and knocked a painting off the wall, breaking its frame and glass.
A secret service agent immediately helped Gilligan up, instructing Gilligan and the Skipper, "Come with me!"
The Skipper looked really concerned at Gilligan and said, "You've done it now little buddy."
They were led down a hall where a secretary said, "Well there you two are. He's waiting."
The Skipper and Gilligan were led into the Oval Office and were once again face to face with James Earl Carter. This time the President looked a lot more serious.
Gilligan cried out, "I'm sorry about your painting sir! Please don't send me to Leavenworth!" At first the President looked confused, then the Secret Service agent whispered something in his ear.
"Oh, never mind about that, the painting can be reframed. I enjoyed having dinner with you, but that wasn't the reason I called you down here. Captain Grumby, it has been a long time since the Wyoming."
The Skipper looked as if he were struck by inspiration, "You were that knuckleheaded Ensign that went off the side!" Realizing who he was talking to, he hastily added, "Sorry, Mr. President."
Carter laughed, "Quite all right, I was a knuckleheaded Ensign. You taught me a lot, Captain, and I was wondering if you would be willing to once again serve your nation."
The Skipper replied, "It would be an honor sir. What did you have in mind?"
The President, Gilligan, the Skipper, and a man in a suit then went over to couches and easy chairs set up in the office.
The man in the suit briefed the Skipper and Gilligan, "Seven years ago two Island Development Corps volunteers disappeared from a small South Pacific island in our Trust Territories." The unidentified man showed photos of an attractive young man and woman, both in their twenties. He then went on, "Then IDC Volunteers 'Aquarius' Jacobson and 'Sunblossom' Horowitz resurfaced six months ago as the 'chiefs' of their own island empire declaring themselves independent to the United States."
President Carter added, "Gentlemen, the island they are on is vital to our national defense. You have demonstrated to the world your survival skills, and Captain, you have demonstrated to me your military skills. We would like you two to infiltrate their group. Captain Grumby, you will be reactivated in the Navy to your previous rank, and if successful I may be able to have you promoted to Rear Admiral after the mission. Is there anything else I can do to sweeten the pot to get you to accept this dangerous assignment?"
The Skipper whispered something in the President's ear. The President showed his famous smile and said, "That I can do. Willy Gilligan, as Commander in Chief of the United States, I hereby commission you as a Lieutenant--Junior Grade in the United States Navy. Your service record will be immediately altered to reflect this direct commission, and as with Captain Grumby, you can expect promotions if you are successful."
Gilligan was surprised, but was able to say, "Thank you Mr. President. I accept the promotion and the mission. If I may ask, why JG over Ensign?"
Carter smiled again, "Because Captain Grumby here told me you've went through your 'knucklehead ensign' stage."
Gilligan grinned at the Skipper, the Skipper chuckled and said, "We'll accept the assignment, Mr. President."