Ginger rode up the elevator of Howell Enterprises to the 17th floor where Mr. Howell's executive office was located. They had to enter in a different way as the press was gathered outside shouting questions.
She stared at the numbers on above the door as they increased as each floor went by. Her mind was on that article. The actress did not wish to dwell on the vicious lies in the contents of it but she could not help it.
Being a famous celebrity in Hollywood one would think a person would get used to it but Ginger never did.
She hated being talked about so cruelly. Her life out there on display exposed to the world.
It wasn't the only thing that plagued her. It was the insecurities she battled most of her life. Yes she was a beautiful woman and men adored her however the majority of the admiration she received from them was artificial. They saw her as nothing more than a fantasy that they wanted to live out. Once they had their fill, they left.
When she read the words about Mary Ann having a thing for the Professor, it cut deep into her heart. Now she loved Mary Ann as if she was her very own sister. And she also knew about much the farm girl loved Gilligan. Still a part of her could not help but wonder if there was maybe a tiny possibility…as much as she tried to shake that thought she couldn't. Just like she could not shake the feeling about the Professor thinking that maybe he should have chosen the brunette. It was stupid to think such thoughts but it was not something Ginger could control. That damn Ted Anderson brought those buried doubts to surface.
She gazed down at the ring on her finger. A small smile came to her face remembering the day Roy placed it there. He told her he loved her and she was the only one for him.
Ginger fully believed him and still believed him. It was just those damn doubts seeping back into her mind. More than anything she wanted to be rid of them for once and for all. She knew perfectly well she had nothing to worry about. Time and time again her fiancé showed her how much he loved her. Not a day went without him proclaiming this to her.
As much as Ginger told herself this those insecurities still creeped in.
The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. The Professor took Ginger's hand and lead her to the dark wooden door with Thurston Howell III engraved in gold letters on a name plate. He knocked on the door and a voice said to enter.
The Professor turned the handle and walked in the spacious office. A huge mahogany desk with sleek black phone sitting to the left. A photograph of Mrs. Howell in a silver frame sitting in the front next to a green desk lamp. On the wall was a huge portrait of Thurston's grandfather Thurston Howell I. He was a handsome man with silver hair and twinkling brown eyes and a charming smile.
Ginger and the Professor walked to the brown leather sofa sitting down. The starlet's eyes went over to where Mary Ann and Gilligan stood over by the huge office window that overlooked the city of Los Angeles. She studied the farm girl. A pretty girl she was. Kind to everyone and a great cook and a whiz with a needle and thread. Would the Professor really…No No he wouldn't. Ginger told herself. She grasped the Professor's hand in hers.
Gilligan turned to look at the couple on the sofa. He noted how distraught his redheaded friend looked. That article really did a number on her. The sailor did not like it one bit.
Ginger did not deserve that treatment. Sure when they were first stranded on the island she was flirtatious but she never meant a whole lot by it. A part of him thought it kind of helped him. Helped him stop being so afraid of the female species. Most of his life he shied away from girls as he always felt awkward when he was near them. Somehow Ginger's little flirtations helped him overcome that and he was able to face his feelings for Mary Ann and be with her. Gilligan could not help but wonder if that was her intent all along. After all she did encourage Mary Ann to consider him a boyfriend when Mrs. Howell wanted to match them up. He recalled her little talk with him about not to be fooled by appearances and that sometimes a person can't show what they feel. How a girl would feel a certain way about a boy who feels the same way but she can't show it.
Gilligan had misunderstood her and thought she was referring to herself. It was later he realized that she meant Mary Ann. Ginger had stated to him not too long along that she thought he was as perfect match for the pretty brunette and always thought so.
For this now to be happening to his favorite movie star was just wrong. Very very wrong.
His eyes went to his girlfriend who was mindlessly studying the white drapes. It being implied that she settled for him because she couldn't have the Professor hurt her a great deal. Tears were in her eyes when she met up with him outside the building and she sobbed insisting that there was no chance that it was true. She swore up and down it wasn't the least bit true. Gilligan assured her that he believed her and she had no reason think otherwise.
Skipper sat in a brown chair in total disbelief of everything. Him and Mrs. Howell? How could anyone write such a thing? Never would he even consider that! She was a married woman. Marriage meant something to him. It was to be respected. He had always fully respected the Howells' marriage. It was not in him to ever do a thing to break it.
Lovey Howell was an incredible woman and he did admire her but not in that way. He admired her accomplishments and cherished her friendship. After all it was Mrs. Howell who helped him when he found out Ginger wanted Roy Hinkley and no one else.
Jonas Grumby had harbored admiration for the beautiful starlet when they became stranded however as time went by it became more and more clear to all that Ginger Grant's eyes were directed towards the Professor. He had thought about letting Ginger in on what he felt but Mrs. Howell advised against it. She made him see that his admiration was superficial. He was attracted to her beauty not the starlet herself. Skipper discovered this when the socialite asked him questions about Ginger asking him what he liked about her. His answer was She's beautiful and then beyond that he could not think of anything. Truth be told he was not all that keen about Hollywood and only politely listened to her stories about Tinsletown. Being a sea captain he did not have much interest in such things. This helped him accept Ginger loving the Professor and not him.
The Professor loved everything about the actress. He loved her Hollywood stories and thoroughly enjoyed helping her rehearse when they were on the island.
Now for this all to happen, he could not fathom why anyone would want to be so mean spirited.
The things he read about his little buddy infuriated him to say the least. Gilligan with Ginger? Fat chance. If there was one thing he knew it was that his buddy's eyes were always for that girl from Kansas. Since the day they were sailing on the Minnow.
He had scolded the first mate twice for staring at the girl. And he had to break up a conversation between the two and make Gilligan get back to work making sure the other passengers had everything they needed.
The door opened and they turned their heads seeing Mrs. Howell walking in wearing a stunning white silk blouse and matching slacks. Open toed sandals on her feet and of course her outfit would not be complete without an elegant white wide brim hat from Paris. Her eyes went over her fellow ex-castaways and her heart went out to them.
Especially the younger ones who were like her children. She hated seeing them hurt like this.
Lovey walked to the Skipper and gently patted his shoulder with a smile. He returned her smile and tipped his black captain hat.
A few minutes later Mr. Howell appeared and shut the office door behind him.
"Hello everyone." He said. The millionaire nodded towards Joy and Toby who were standing in front a huge bookcase along with Bobby Matthews, the publicist.
Walking behind his desk, he sat down in his black chair. "Okay. I know we all saw the article and we all know how ridiculous it is so there is no need to get into that. It is a pack of false smears we are aware. What we need to focus on is how we are going to squash these lies."
Toby spoke. "What we need is something to detract from this."
Gilligan was confused. "What do you mean?"
"What he means." Bobby said. "Is that we need to give them another story to latch onto. Like for example if you and Mary Ann were engaged..."
Mary Ann shook her head. "But we are not engaged and the press would most certainly find that out. And besides I can't lie about something like that."
"What if we didn't lie." Gilligan said.
The farm girl looked at him. " What?"
"I mean…what if we did get engaged." The sailor said moving closer to her. "Mary Ann I love you. Would you marry me?"
The girl from Kansas was speechless. Gilligan took her hands in his and asked again. "Mary Ann….would you marry me?"
"I…I…I Gilligan..you don't…..I….We can't just get engaged because…"
The sailor shook his head. "That's not why I'm asking." He stated. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I think that we should get married. I want you to be my wife. Would you?"
A smile broke out across Mary Ann's face. "Gilligan….I….YES!" She shouted. She threw her arms around him. "Yes! I will marry you! I will!"
Gilligan held her tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too Gilligan." Mary Ann said through tears of joy. "I love you so much. I can't wait to be your wife!"
She let go and looked over at Ginger expecting her to be happy but was puzzled by the starlet's expression. There was little emotion.
Mary Ann spoke. "Ginger…are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She replied.
"Don't you think it's great? Gilligan and I are getting married!" She said with a smile.
"It is." Ginger said in a monotone. "Congratulations."
"Something wrong?" The concerned farm girl asked approaching her.
Ginger tried shaking her head and tried to hold back the tears but couldn't. They just spilled out and she could not stop them.
"Ginger…" Mary Ann said gently kneeling down in front of her. "What's the matter? I hope you don't think I'm stealing your thunder…I swear I'm not….Everyone is going to be talking about your wonderful wedding to the Professor…"
The movie star lifted her head and wiped her tears. "It's not that Mary Ann."
"Then what is it? Why are you so upset?"
The Professor spoke up. "Ginger lost her role in the movie and she was let go from working on The Storm."
Mary Ann gasped. "No! Oh Ginger that's horrible!"
Shaking her head Ginger spoke. "No…that's not what's bothering me. I…Mary Ann I can't…." Finally she blurted out. "Did you ever love Roy?"
The farm girl could not believe the question she was asked. "Did I ever…What are you talking about?"
"Please answer me." Ginger said. "I have to know…I can't….I know it's crazy I know that you….Please just answer me….For my own peace of mind I have to know the truth…Did you ever love Roy?"
Mary Ann placed her hand on Ginger's and looked her directly in the eyes. "No Ginger I never loved him. I did not have a crush or anything. I swear to you. Honey why are you asking me this?"
Sniffing the movie star spoke again. "I'm sorry I don't mean to be…I just can't shake these doubts and insecurities. I know they are silly but reading that article and that damn Connie Pearson constantly suggesting….I just had to know."
"Ginger don't you listen to those bitter hateful people. You are the one who always had the Professor's heart. You are the one who always loved him. My eyes were only ever for Gilligan. Ginger you were the one who helped me see that. You remember when I thought Gilligan brought me those flowers and you encourage me to pursue it. I mean I thought he was cute when we were on the Minnow but I never…I swear to you Ginger I never entertained the idea of your love the Professor."
Smiling the redhead hugged the farm girl. "Thank you." She said. "I know I know that I am being ridiculous but I couldn't help it. I just had to know."
"You don't have to apologize to me Ginger. I know it's hard to read that garbage in the papers. People implying things that have no shred of truth to them. I understand. I do."
Ginger let go. "You are a wonderful friend Mary Ann."
"You are a pretty great one too Ginger." The brunette smile.
The Professor put his arm around the movie star. "I love you." He whispered to her.
She smiled at him and rested her head against him.
"Okay." Thurston smiled. "Now let's go let the press in on Mary Ann and Gilligan's big news." He picked up his phone. "Patty, is the press still downstairs?...Good….yes let them in….yes….tell them that we have a big announcement to make. Thank you."
He put he phone down. "Okay are you all ready?" He said.
"Wait." Skipper said. "What are we going to say?"
Thurston smiled. "Don't worry about that. Just follow my lead."
He lead them all out of the office and down to the lobby.
The mob of photographers and reporters was astounding. Flashes from the camera bulbs and the shout of voices each wanting their question answered.
Mr. Howell approached them and held up his hands to silence them.
"Ladies and gentleman….I have a big announcement to make and I want you all to be the first to know…."
He smiled at the two young ex-castaways and then back to the press.
"We have some wonderful news to share.".
At the direction of Mr. Howell, the brunette stood in front and smiled.
" I know you are all wondering why we were all gathered here well there is a reason. I wanted to share this news with my island family. It's the best news." She smiled at Gilligan and continued. "Gilligan asked me to marry him and I said yes."
Jaws dropped and a gasp went through the press.
"We are getting married!" She squealed.
"But Ms. Summers rumors are that…."
"Oh please." She said waving her hand dismissively. "That's ridiculous. I love Gilligan and I'm looking forward to our wedding."
"Do you have a date set yet?" Asked a female reporter.
"Not yet but we will let you know as soon as we do."
"Will the wedding be held here in L.A. or in Kansas?"
Mary Ann laughed. "I'm not sure yet but I think I would love nothing more than to be married on my parent's farm. It's so beautiful…"
Ginger smiled feeling proud of her friend.
A male reporter then spotted Ginger. "Ms. Grant rumors are that…"
The starlet took a breath before speaking. "I know the rumors. I don't really see why our private lives are anyone's business and why it's news but I suppose people need something to talk about. I can deny the rumors but it won't stop anyone from believing them. People are going to believe whatever they want until the next thing comes along and they gossip about that. I am going to state that I love Roy Hinkley. I have always loved him. He and I are going to get married. I'm looking forward to being his wife. You are more than welcome to ask me about our wedding. You are welcome to pictures that we provide of the ceremony and may be welcome to cover the reception and report on that. You are not welcome to barge into my personal life and ask me inappropriate questions. The people I was stranded with are my family. We stuck together to survive on that island. Being stranded was difficult but in a way it was a blessing because these wonderful people were brought into my life. Gilligan is a sweet boy who is like a brother to me. Mary Ann is like my sister. Skipper is a dear man who cared about us all. Mr. and Mrs. Howell were like second parents to me.
I could talk to Mrs. Howell about anything and she would listen. It hurts me to hear and read such things about my family.
I'm sure you all would not like people discussing the ones you care about in such a manner. You probably want to know if Mary Ann had a crush on my Roy. I don't know why you feel that you need to know this and how it is any of your business. I think it's quite clear who Mary Ann loves. It's Gilligan. As for the Skipper, he treated Mrs. Howell with nothing but respect and he values his friendship with Mr. Howell. I assure you that he is a gentleman. You can go on and keep talking about us if that's what you feel you need to do. We do not owe anyone an explanation for anything. "
The movie star pause and then continued. "However if you wish me to answer your questions I will do so. No I did not have an affair with Mr. Howell. I did not seduce Gilligan. Mary Ann did not have a thing for Roy. Skipper never had an affair with Mrs. Howell. Now as for my sex life with Roy, that is completely none of your business. I will not entertain questions about that."
The Professor spoke up. "Ginger Grant is the best thing that ever came into my life. I love her more than I thought I could ever love anyone. It is true that before her I was pretty much clueless when it came to love. Ginger…she is the one who opened up my world beyond science and I will forever be grateful for her being brought to me."
With that he took Ginger into his arms and kissed her passionately.
The press went wild and cameras flashed capturing the moment.
Diana's House (later that day)
The blonde was fuming. She was steamed! How dare that little…she could not get the words out. Diana lifted her hand frowning at the front page of the society page with the picture of the Professor kissing Ginger. It infuriated her. She was seething inside.
Then there was the article. The article with Ginger's entire statement word for word.
Squashing the credibility of the one that Ted had written. And to top it off that twit Mary Ann announces she is marrying that dopey sailorman Gilligan and the press eats it up!
The press gushed over how romantic it was and asked the farm girl a million questions about how Gilligan proposed and then asked about the nuptials, where they would be held and who would design her gown. Then asking Ginger about her upcoming wedding and how the planning was going and where they were going on their honeymoon.
Not one bothered to direct the questions back to the rumors. No they wanted the details about the stupid nuptials.
She slammed the paper down on the table with a fury. The icing on the cake was she heard through Charles that the movie studios apologized to Ginger for not backing her and asked her back. Ginger was now back in the role of Jane and was once again part of the team for The Storm.
Diana plopped down on her sofa with anger. Fine. Let the bitch have the stupid role.
She was still going to try out for the part of Victoria James and she was going to get it.
And once she did, everyone will see what a better actress she is.
A smile came to her face…if both movies came out at the same time….everyone would be able to compare and of course her performance would get all the praise. No one would talk about Ginger's return to the big screen. No they would focus on her. Yes…they would. She was sure of it. Oh she could not wait to show up that bitch! Maybe Ginger won this round but she won't win the second one. Not a chance.