One hundred and seven

The florescent-green neon sign above the small diner read 'Gilligan's Open 24 hours'. It was nearly three o'clock in the morning and the parking lot was empty except for the two cars parked in the far corner of the lot. Presumably, these cars belonged to the workers at the restaurant.

As Wally, Kali, Marty, and Margo entered the diner, the metal door squeaked open announcing their arrival. A tired-looking cook in need of a shave looked up from behind the counter.

"Gladys, we've got customers!" he called out. "Hi kids, just have a seat and the waitress will be right out," he said warmly, waving a spatula in the air as he spoke.

Wally nodded and led the group to a booth near the window. "How's this?" he asked his companions.

"This is fine," Kali replied, sliding across one of the seats to make room for Wally.

Margo and Marty took the seat opposite Kali and Wally.

"I've never been here, but I hear they make delicious buttermilk pancakes," Margo commented.

"Have you seen their commercials?" Marty asked grinning. "I hear they serve an 'all you can eat' pancake meal."

"Hmmm," Wally responded, debating whether this was merely a passing comment or one of Marty's challenges to 'out-eat' him.

"Marty…" Margo warned, "Don't even go there. Remember what happened the last time you and Wally had an eating contest? You had a belly-ache for three days afterward!"

Margo must have noticed the tone in Marty's voice, Wally thought, but she should have known better than to tell him not to do it. She might as well pour the food down his throat herself now that she put his pride on the line. Why don't women get it? he wondered.

"That wasn't because I overate; the shrimp was bad, I had food poisoning! You know, if we saved one and took it to the lab to have it tested, we'd be sitting pretty with the money we would have won through the law suit, Margo," Marty argued.

"It was not food poisoning Marty. Plain and simple, you got sick from the 47 shrimp you tried to stuff into your 12 shrimp capacity stomach!" Margo retorted.

"It was 48," Marty said proudly.

"And you think you couldn't possibly get sick from eating 48 shrimp unless they were 'bad'? I don't think so. I ate some shrimp that night too and felt perfectly fine the next day," she added smugly.

"Hrumf!" Marty replied, "You just happened to get a good batch," he grumbled.

"Fine. Do what you want, I don't care," Margo answered calmly. "Does anyone happen to know how much Pepto-Bismol stock sells for?"

"Ha-ha, Margo, very cute," Marty retorted.

"Doesn't matter anyway, Marty, you know you can't out-eat me," Wally replied with a twinkle in his eye.

Kali shot Wally a worried look and Wally grew uncomfortable.

"Hi everyone. Welcome to Gilligan's. My name is Gladys and I'll be your waitress," said a friendly, middle-aged woman with bright red hair wearing a bright pink waitress uniform. "Can I get you something to drink?" she asked, handing out menus as she spoke.

"I'll have a large glass of orange juice," Kali answered, glancing over the menu.

"Yes, me too and a large coffee with cream and sugar," Margo added.

"Hi Gladys!" Wally said warmly, "Can I get a glass of milk?" he asked.

"Plain or chocolate?" Gladys asked, scribbling on her order pad.

"Chocolate please," Wally answered smiling.

"I'd like a large coffee, plain: no sugar, no cream, please," Marty ordered, staring at the front cover of the restaurant menu. "Is this 'Gilligan' from the commercial?" he asked pointing to the photograph of a tall thin man standing alone on a sandy patch of a deserted island.

"Actually, his name is Harry and he is our new icon, so to speak. Everyone thinks his name is Gilligan though, but unfortunately, we can't legally use the name 'Gilligan' as our marooned survivor. Apparently, there are some legal issues of possible copyright infringement with the old television show," Gladys explained.

"Really? But that is the name of your diner," Wally replied.

Gladys shrugged. "Who knows?"

"You do still have the famous 'bottomless pancakes'…" Marty asked, searching the menu.

"Yes, we do," Gladys answered. "In fact, we are having a contest. The one who eats the most pancakes wins a trip for two to the Bahamas," she explained.

"Really," Marty answered.

Marty and Wally exchanged a mischievous look.

"Are you interested in attempting to break the record?" Gladys asked.

Kali glared at Wally.

"Uh…. no. Of course not," Wally said sheepishly.

"Chicken," Marty taunted. "What's the record?" he asked.

"The record is 19 pancakes," Gladys responded. "Let me get the drinks and you can look over the menu and take a few minutes to think about it."

"You're not seriously thinking of doing this are you?" Kali asked Wally.

"Why not? Wouldn't you like to win a free trip to the Bahamas?" Wally replied.

"Wally, it's not fair for you to enter this contest; you would be cheating," Kali explained.

"Don't worry, Kali, he won't beat me!" taunted Marty.

"Marty, seriously, think about it… It's not worth it for you to make yourself sick," Kali begged.

"Save your breath, Kali, he won't listen to reason," Margo commented. "The Western Cheese omelet sounds good; I think I'll have that. How about you?"

"I'm famished, 20 pancakes will be no problem for me," Marty boasted. "I dare ya to try and out eat me tonight!" he taunted.

Kali frowned at Marty. "I can't believe you!" she groaned.

Wally sighed. "I don't need to prove anything."

Kali, Margo, and Marty stared at Wally in surprise.

"I can still have a plate of pancakes, though can't I?" he asked the others.

"Yeah, right!" Marty said in disbelief. "I wonder what they're wearing in the Bahamas this time of year," he added.

"Here are your drinks, are you ready to order?" Gladys asked as she set the drinks on the table.

"Yes, I'm ready," Margo answered quickly. "I'll have the Western Four-cheese Omelet with home fries and bacon. Can I get cinnamon toast with that instead of white?"

"Sure," Gladys replied, taking the menu from Margo.

"That sounds good, make that two please," Kali added quickly, also passing her menu to the waitress.

"Well, I'd like a nice plate of bottomless pancakes," Marty said proudly.

"Yes, me too," Wally added.

"Is that for the contest?" Gladys asked.

"I'm afraid not," Wally said apologetically.

"Very well," Gladys said taking his menu. "The food will be right out," she added before leaving the table.

"You are such a wimp!" Marty teased.

"Hey, I just don't need to prove anything to anyone," Wally retorted, grabbing a hold of Kali's hand and squeezing it, while kicking Marty under the table.

Kali smiled at Wally and squeezed back.

Marty kicked him back.

Marty was really asking for it. Just wait 'til I get him alone, Wally reminded himself. He smiled innocently at Kali.

One hundred and eight

"Would either of you care for another plate of pancakes?" Gladys asked sweetly, removing the empty plates from the table.

"Of course, Gladys. These pancakes are delicious," Marty replied enthusiastically.

"You too, sir?" she asked looking at Wally.

"Yes, please," Wally answered with a big smile.

"How about you ladies, would either of you like anything else?" the waitress asked.

"Not at the moment," Kali answered. "Please excuse me," she said, indicating to Wally to slide out of the seat to allow her to pass.

"I'll go with you," Margo added. "I need to freshen up a bit."

"Women's lingo for 'bathroom break'," Marty snickered.

Wally smiled and nodded in agreement, watching Kali and Margo disappear around the corner, in the direction of the rest rooms.

"Hey Wally," Marty whispered, leaning across the table, "Do me a favor."

"What?" Wally asked, wondering why they were whispering.

"Let me win the pancake contest."

"What!"

"Seriously."

The expression on Marty's face told Wally that Marty wasn't kidding.

"You know you owe me…" Marty added.

"I'm not competing with you," Wally answered smiling.

"Yeah right," Marty shot back. "This is me you're talking to. You've never backed down from a challenge."

"Hey, think what you want, I'm just eating some breakfast. I can't help it if I'm hungry and happen to require a few pounds of pancakes to satisfy…"

Marty wasn't buying it.

"Okay, okay!" Wally said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "What's the deal?"

"I really want this. A free trip to the Bahamas with Margo…"

"You want me to just let you win?" Wally asked in disbelief.

"Yes."

"Just like that?"

"Yes. Just like that."

"So you admit that I have to throw the contest for you to win."

"Okay. I'll admit it, if you do it."

This was a surprise. Marty must really want this trip to the Bahamas, Wally thought.

"We don't have much time, they'll be back any minute," Marty explained. "Just do this for me this one time and…"

Wally smiled. He liked being in control. "And what?"

"And… " Marty hesitated, clearly trying to come up with the perfect answer.

Wally leaned back, waiting.

"And… I don't know… um… Can't you just do it?'

"You do realize that you have to at least eat 20 pancakes and even then there's no guarantee that you'll win…"

"Hey, are you going to do it or not?" Marty demanded.

Wally smiled. "What are friends for? But, I'm not going to wimp out… I'm hungry and still need to eat a decent amount of breakfast…" Wally explained.

"Thanks pal! You're the greatest! I'll even bring you back one of those t-shirts that says 'my friend went to the Bahamas and all I got was this stinkin t-shirt!'"

Wally laughed. "Thanks, who could ask for anything more?" he added.

One hundred and nine

Just as they turned the corner and were out of sight from Wally and Marty, Kali turned to Margo. "I'm going to see if they have some cake or something we can surprise Wally with."

"Okay," Margo answered. "Hey Kali… I was thinking…" she said hesitantly.

"Yes? What is it, Margo?"

"I was thinking," she repeated. "Wouldn't it be nice to have a little party for Wally's birthday? I mean with some of his friends from the Justice League."

"That would be nice, but I don't know…" Kali said thoughtfully.

"You don't think they'd come or don't think they do that sort of thing?" Margo asked.

"Well… a little of both I suppose," Kali replied. "I mean, I know they're busy…"

"Personally, I think it would be a nice thing. After all, Wally is one of them. He's not some hero-worshiper begging for his super-hero to make a personal visit to his birthday party!" explained Margo.

"True, but…"

"Besides, I can have Marty call the Watchtower. We can make it a surprise," Margo suggested. "What do you think? It doesn't hurt to ask."

It was clear to Kali that Margo had already made up her mind, but Kali wasn't so sure. Did the Justice League members even socialize? What did they do when they were not working? Superman and Jonn Jonz might come, but would Batman? Did Batman ever laugh, dance, or even, for that matter, smile? If there was one thing she could be sure of, it was that Wally would really enjoy a party. Who better to invite than those people he would be the most comfortable around.

"Okay Margo, let's do it," Kali replied.

"Great! I'll talk to Marty first chance I get," Margo said eagerly. "I wonder if there's enough time to get this together for tomorrow night?" she considered aloud.

Kali smiled. This is going to be a lot of fun, she thought. Won't Wally be surprised!

One hundred and ten

"Where did Marty go?" Margo asked Wally when the girls returned to the table.

"The Men's Room. He wanted to 'make room' for the next batch of pancakes," Wally answered.

"Listen Wally," Margo said, lowering her voice. "Do me a favor, I know you can easily out-eat Marty; and I know you want to, but please, just this once, don't do it. I really don't want to see…"

"Margo, I'm not competing with Marty," Wally interrupted. "I'm here just to eat some breakfast," Wally explained. "Really."

"Wally, how long have I known you?" Margo asked sternly.

Kali, puzzled, looked back and forth between Wally and Margo.

"Look, if he wants to try to out-eat me, there's nothing I can do about it," Wally explained. "I think he really wants to win the contest, whether I compete against him or not," he explained.

"Just don't eat too much, maybe he will have enough sense to stop if he feels that he doesn't have to compete with you," Margo explained.

Wally shrugged and sighed in defeat, pushing his half-empty plate away. "Okay, I guess six and a half pancakes will have to be my limit. But I'm not giving up my dessert!" he warned.

"Hey guys! Miss me?" Marty asked, returning to the table. "I see our second plateful of pancakes has arrived," he said excitedly.

"Yes, I think I've had enough," Wally answered finishing off the last drop of chocolate milk from his glass.

"Heh-heh," Marty chuckled. "Just don't have it in you tonight, do you?" he commented, stabbing a large piece of pancake with his fork and sticking it in his mouth.

"Guess not," Wally answered, leaning back gently putting his arm around Kali.

Kali responded by leaning back into his arm and resting her head into his neck.

"Tired?" he asked.

"A little," she answered, wearily.

"Why don't we call it a night?" Wally suggested.

"Nooooo, I haven't even hit 10 pancakes yet!" Marty replied hurriedly shoving the last bit of pancake into his mouth.

"Can I get you anything else?" Gladys asked removing the empty dishes from the table.

"Another plate of pancakes please," Marty managed to say with a mouth full of pancakes.

Gladys nodded and left with the dirty dishes. "I'll be back in a moment with your pancakes, sir."

Margo shook her head in disbelief. "Marty, you don't even like pancakes!"

"I do so!" he argued.

"Since when?" she asked, sarcastically.

"Since they can get me a free trip to the Bahamas," Marty answered, taking a sip of his now lukewarm coffee. "Ugh, what I really don't like is cold coffee!" he said spitting the mouthful back into the cup.

"Forget the trip to the Bahamas," Margo advised. "I'd rather sit in the deck chair by the lake than spend a night in the bathroom watching to you throw up."

"You don't have to watch," Marty shot back.

"Thanks, that makes me feel soooo much better," Margo said, playfully slapping him on the arm.

"Here you go, sir," Gladys said as she placed the fresh plate of pancakes before Marty.

Margo, Kali, and Wally sat patiently as Marty polished off another two platefuls of pancakes.

"I don't suppose you would like anything else?" Gladys asked tentatively as she reached for Marty's empty plate.

"Of course I would, Gladys. That was only 19 pancakes, I have to make it to 20 to win don't I?" Marty answered.

"20?" Gladys repeated in disbelief. "You're trying to break the record?" she asked looking confused. "I didn't realize you wanted to enter the contest," she said nervously.

Wally, Kali, and Margo exchanged worried glances.

"What do you mean?" Marty asked, "I ate 19 pancakes, don't I just have to eat one more to beat the record?"

"Umm, sir… you said you didn't want to enter the contest. I mean there is a form to fill out and there are rules…" Gladys explained.

"Well, that's no problem. Just give me the form and I'll fill it out," Marty said, looking relieved.

"No… there are rules… Oh dear!" Gladys muttered nervously. "I'm sorry… I didn't know you wanted to enter the contest… Oh dear…" she said as she carried the empty dish into the kitchen.

"What now?" Kali asked.

"We talk to the manager, or owner," Marty answered. "Gladys?" he called out, rising from his seat at the table. "Oh… no…" he whispered to himself and ran off to the Men's Room.