"That's a wrap!" Donald the photographer said as he snapped the last picture of Mary Ann wearing a pair of denim shorts and a light blue cotton blue sleeveless shirt. On top of her head was a wide white hat and she was holding a red and white beach ball. It was set against a beautiful beach background. Sand had been brought in to help create that beach atmosphere. Mary Ann had joked she had no trouble with needing pretending to be on a beach.
"That's it?" She said as she set down the ball.
"That's it." Donald said with a smile.
"Well what do you think?" asked Joy who had been hired as Mary Ann's manager at the recommendation of Mrs. Howell. She insisted that the farm girl have someone to help her navigate the business side of the modeling. The contracts and financial aspect. Already there had been two fashion magazine interested in having her as their cover model.
"I think we have some great shots." The photographer said as he put his camera away. "You are going to have some very happy clients."
"Really? You think?" Mary Ann said her brown eyes wide.
"I do. You photograph beautifully." Donald assured her. "I'm telling you those magazines are going to be pleased."
Joy smiled. "You are going to be a sensation Mary Ann, you'll see."
"I hope so." The brunette sighed. "I've never done this before but I have to admit it is very exciting." She looked down at her outfit. "I guess I should go change."
She headed off to the dressing room when Toby Sterling himself came into the photo studio. He had a grim look on his face.
Joy noticed this. "Mr. Sterling. What brings you here?"
"I need to speak with Mary Ann at once. It's very important."
"She's changing right now." The older woman said looking towards the dressing room door. "Is there a problem?"
"There might be. That's why I need to speak with her. Please have her come to my office right away."
He walked out of the studio and Joy and Donald gave one another worried looks.
Mary Ann emerged wearing a pair of jeans and her pink t-shirt. "I guess I'll be heading out now. I'll see you tomorrow then?"
Joy took a breath then spoke. "Mary Ann, Mr. Sterling was just here."
"Oh? What did he say?"
"He wants to see you in his office. He said it's important."
Mary Ann was surprised. "Important? Did he say what?"
Joy shook her head and brushed aside her graying reddish brown hair. "No he didn't. He just said he wanted to see you and it was important."
"Is it bad news?"
"I'm not sure. But I will come with you."
She put her hand on the brunette's shoulder and they walked out of the studio.
The two women headed up to the 8th floor where Mr. Sterling's office was located.
They walked down the long corridor until they came upon the dark wooden door with the name Toby Sterling on a gold plate. Mary Ann knocked and he indicated for her to enter. The farm girl opened the door and slowly stepped in with Joy right behind her.
"You wanted to see me Mr. Sterling?" She said in an uncertain voice.
"Yes please Mary Ann have a seat."
She complied and Joy said in the black leather seat next to hers.
"What is this all about?" Joy asked.
"This." He said handing her a newspaper.
Joy took it from him and gasped. Her hands shook as she held the paper reading the article. She lifted her head and looked at Mary Ann.
"What is it?" The Kansas girl asked. "What's wrong?"
"This…article…it…It says that well…you…" Joy didn't know how to get the words out. It was quite shocking to say the least."
"It says Mary Ann." Toby interjected. "That there were some, how shall I put this….interesting goings on when you were stranded on that island."
"Interesting going ons? What are you talking about?"
Joy spoke. "This article says that you had a thing for that professor and you only went with Gilligan because well you couldn't have him."
Mary Ann could not believe her ears. "What! That's crazy! I never…I've always loved Gilligan. Never once that I had any interest in…How could they say such things!"
"There's more." Toby continued. "It says that Ginger was quite friendly with the men of the island. That she had an affair with Thurston Howell and also Gilligan."
"That's a lie!" The farm girl exclaimed. "A complete utter lie! Ginger never did such a thing! She has always loved the Professor. Always. You don't believe this..this article do you?"
"No." Toby said. "I do not but I received a call from Glamour Gal and Fashion Girl magazines telling me under no certain terms that do not wish to have you model for them."
Mary Ann could not believe it. "What? They…they are dropping me? Because of this article? But it's not true! I swear!"
The older man looked at her with sympathy. Toby thought Mary Ann to be a sweet girl and also very hard working. He had sat in on a photo shoot she did and he was very impressed by her professionalism. She was just starting out but she was very courteous and cooperative with the photographers. He had been blown away by her test shots.
Mary Ann Summers made one terrific model that was for sure.
He ran his hair through his brown hair that had a touch of gray at the sides. He looked down at his expensive custom made brown sports coat and adjusted the sleeve. Never in all his years in this business had he ever encountered this type of scandal. One that he was certain had no ounce of truth to it. But how could he convince his clients of that?
That was the question. He did not think it right for her to be punished because someone out there apparently has some sort of axe to grind.
"Mary Ann." Toby began. "I do believe you. I met Ginger Grant once or twice and I would have to say that she is a lovely woman. And I have had dealings with Thurston Howell III. I know how he adores his wife. The issue is not whether or not I believe this article which I assure you I do not. The issue is how to get our clients to believe it's not true."
"What are you saying?" Joy asked afraid to hear the answer.
"I'm saying that we are going to have to do some major damage control. A major PR campaign. Mary Ann you are going to have to release some kind of statement in response to these allegations."
Joy relaxed a bit. "So you aren't going to let her go?"
Toby smiled. "Of course not. Mary Ann we are standing behind you. I do not believe for one second that we should allow whoever this is to jeopardize your future. We are going to do whatever it takes to squash this."
Mary Ann smiled. "Thank you Mr. Sterling. I appreciate that."
"Good. Now I want you to work with Bobby Matthews. He's one of the best publicist in the business. If anything he can help you parse a statement that may squash this for good."
"Okay." The farm girl said. "Whatever you think is best."
"Here is his phone number." Toby said handing her a business card. "Call him as soon as possible and hopefully we can put this thing to rest for good."
Skipper's boat
Gilligan was shining up the deck floor when the Skipper hurried over to him.
"Little Buddy…You need to see this…"
"What is it?" He asked putting the mop aside.
"Read it for yourself." The sea captain stated.
The young sailor took the paper. "Tuna for 49 cents. Wow what a deal."
"No Gilligan not that…Turn the paper around."
Gilligan complied. "Now it's upside down."
"I meant turn to the other side." Skipper said folding his arms.
"Why didn't you say so?"
"I did….Oh just read Gilligan."
Gilligan saw the article and his blue eyes went wide. "Ginger? Me? I never with Ginger…She didn't….Skipper!"
"There's more Gilligan read on.."
The first mate's eyes were about to pop out of his head. "You and….Mrs. Howell?"
"Gilligan nothing ever happened between me and Mrs. Howell. This article is maligning us all."
The sailor gulped. "Everyone? You mean….Mary Ann!" He went back to the article and was in disbelief with what it said. Mary Ann interested in the Professor? Since when? Since never that's when. He knew for a fact that his sweet farm girl had zero romantic interest in Roy Hinkley. Why she told him this herself. He recalled her telling him about how when Mrs. Howell wanted to match her with him Gilligan how the older women stated there were three eligible men and how Mary Ann quickly dismissed the Professor saying she had nothing in common with him. The farm girl stated that she could never see herself with someone like the Professor. He was way too serious and too…complex she supposed was the word. What she wanted was someone more like Gilligan. Then she kissed him and well anyway he knew that Mary Ann's eyes were always just for him.
Gilligan was aghast at the things said about the Professor himself. Like he was some sex starved male who hit the jackpot with Ginger because she was some sex crazed woman who just had to have him all the time.
If there was one thing he knew about his favorite star (aside from Lassie) that Ginger was not sex crazed.
She loved the Professor. Many times he had witnessed her with the Professor strolling in the jungle on the island discussing various things. In fact Ginger was the only one who was actually interested in reading the book on tree surgery.
The Professor had presented that as a gift to the Skipper once who assured that he would let everyone read it as soon as he was "through with it." He never did read it but Ginger had asked to borrow the book and she was fascinated by it a great deal. Gilligan did not know what was so great about tree surgery and thought it boring but apparently Ginger didn't.
"Skipper what are we going to do?" Gilligan asked looking up from the newspaper.
"I'm not sure." The sea captain replied. "But we need to think of something. We can't…" He paused as he heard his phone ring. He rushed in to answer it.
"Hello…Hi Mr. Howell….Yes Gilligan and I saw it….Yes we will…Okay…Bye."
"Gilligan." Skipper said hurrying out. "That was Mr. Howell."
"Is he mad at you?"
"No Gilligan he's not mad at me. He know that I never…He wants to see you and me in his office."
"What for?"
"So we can think of something to squash this garbage that was printed in the newspaper."
"Good idea. If anyone can think of something sneaky and complicated it's Mr. Howell."
"Come on let's go."
Gilligan tossed the paper in the nearest trash can where he felt it belonged and followed behind the Skipper.
Toby Sterling's Office
"Yes Sherri?" He asked hitting the button on his phone.
"Mr. Sterling you have a Thurston Howell III on line three."
"Oh" Toby said sitting up. "Thank you." He then hit the button and picked up his phone.
"Mr. Howell?"
"Yes this is Thurston Howell III. I was wondering if you were aware of a certain article that was printed…"
"Yes we saw it." Toby said. "I was just speaking with Mary Ann about it."
"Good. I take it you do realize it is completely false."
"I do believe that to be correct yes. I have hired a publicist for Mary Ann. Bobby Matthews. He's the best. I advised her to contact him so they can release a statement."
Thurston nodded. "I think that is wise but before she does this can you have her meet me in my office. I wish to discuss this in greater detail, in fact why don't you have that Bobby Matthews come with her."
"I think that's a good idea." Toby said. "Actually if you don't mind, I would like to be in on this. How about Mary Ann's manager, Joy and I also help brainstorm."
The millionaire nodded on the other line. "Okay that's fine with me. Just get over here as soon as you can."
"Will do." Toby said as he hung up the phone. "Mr. Howell wants to meet you at his office." He explained to Mary Ann.
"Oh I better hurry." She said as she started to get up.
"Just a minute. Joy and I will come with you. I will have Sherri call Bobby and have him meet us there."
"Okay." Mary Ann said. "That sounds good."
Joy nodded. "I agree. Hopefully all of us together can come up with a way to discredit this story for good."
Diana's House
Diana sat reading the article with a look of smug satisfaction on her face. If only she could have seen the look on Ginger's own face when she saw it! How priceless that would be! She laughed thinking of how Ginger had no way of salvaging her reputation now. It was all out there in the open. People were certain to believe it. How could they not? The woman was a common tramp what was there not to believe?
The phone rang and she picked it up. "Hello?"
"Diana" Charles, her agent, started. "I have some great news. Ginger was fired from the movie."
The blonde sat up. "What!" She smiled. "Fired! You serious?"
"I am. They apparently thought it was too high risk to keep her on. So they are putting out a call to recast her role."
"Oh…you have to get me an audition!'
"Already in the works babe." He assured. "And more great news for you…she was fired from her own movie The Storm."
Diana grinned to herself. This day was just getting better and better. "Wow! That's fantastic!"
"They are looking to hire someone to take her place with the writing and casting…"
"I have to get in!" Diana exclaimed. "I just have to! I know I can create a better movie than that hussy. Is there anyway you can get them to take a look at me?"
"I'll do my best." Charles said.
"Good. In the meantime I'll work on making sure I land that role of Jane! Oh this is too good to be true!" She thanked Charles and then hung up.
Ginger fired! Ha! It was better than she could dream! With that little whore out of the way, she was sure to land the role of Jane McAlister! She bet that the director would love her more than Ginger and declare her the better actress!
The press would go wild seeing her in the role and say how wonderful it was that fate stepped in and gave this unknown a chance at stardom!
As for Ginger Grant, Diana did not care what happened to her. She could spend her life trying to discredit the rumors. The blonde doubted anyone would listen. And they would not care. Why should they? When there was fresh new talent in town by the name of Diana Hart!