CAST AWAY - Part 1:

Cutler awoke with a throbbing headache, and the sounds of the sea roaring a few feet away from him felt like in was inside his head. Groaning, he sat up and rubbed his temples. Then he looked around for Eddie. The faithful coconut sat a few feet away from him, closer to land than he was.

Good morning, Cutler. How's your hangover?

"Doing wonderfully, Eddie," he grumbled back, suddenly angered by Eddie's wily remark. "How would you like to go for a swim?"

What?...hey, what are you-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie went sailing through the air out over the ocean, and landed as a wave swelled and swallowed him up. Cutler just stood there with guilt swelling up in him, seeing if Eddie would pop up after some time, or wash back up on shore. Tears welled up in his eyes after several long minutes passed, and there was no sign of Eddie at all.

"Oh no!" he wailed. "What have I done? What have I done? I lost my temper, and threw away my only friend!" Guilt and regret plagued him for the moment, as he continued to scan the ocean through blurry eyes. Just then, a small brown bump appeared far beyond the great waves that were breaking against the shore. He knew he wouldn't be able to make it, but he could manage. He had to save his friend!

Quickly, Cutler pulled off his shirt, his stockings, and his breeches, and left them in a heap in the sand as he ran out into the ocean in his birthday suit, waving his arms wildly. "Eddie! Eddie! Keep your head above the water! I'm coming, Eddie!"

He dove into the water once it was above his waist, and began to swim towards Eddie. Cutler realized that swimming was not among one of many great talents. He kicked wildly, and pulled the water with all his strength with his arms. The sea water stung his eyes with each pull and kick he made, and his lungs felt as if they were going to burst. Cutler scrambled to the surface, and gasped greedily for air. He glanced frantically about for Eddie, only to find him behind him, even further out in the ocean.

Cutler began to swim towards him in the sloppiest manner, but he was going fast, nonetheless. Inching closer and closer, he found himself getting a little exhausted from all the swimming, but he had to press forward to save Eddie.

Finally, he caught up with Eddie, and found him 'face' down in the water. Cutler wrapped his arm around him, and pulled him close.

"Eddie!" he cried. "Eddie! Speak to me!" Feeling abandoned and alone, Cutler wanted to cry. But he knew that he might have a chance to revive him once he reached shore again.

---

Three cramps, and four rests later, Cutler arrived back 'home', feeling totally drained of any kind of strength or energy. He drug himself across the beach, right past his heap of clothes, and collapsed next to his makeshift tent, which was fashioned out of his tattered and faded 'EICo.' flag.

He turned Eddie's 'face' towards him, and shook him as hard as he could. The milk inside the coconut sloshed around a bit as he shook it, but there was no sign of recovery.

"Eddie?" he whispered, staring at the coconut intently.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! MY EYES! MY EYES! CUTLER BECKETT, DAMN YOU!!

"YOU'RE ALIVE!" Cutler laughed, hugging Eddie close to him. "Thank God! I've thought I've lost you!"

MY EYES!! MY POOR VIRGIN EYES!!

"What in heaven's name are you talking about?" Cutler wondered,...until he glanced down at himself, and then he knew perfectly well what Eddie was fussing about the minute out of his 'coma'.

"Wait here, " he said. "I've left my clothes on the beach when I tried to save you."

You DID save me, you idiot!

But Cutler was already gone, heading out towards the edge of the island for his clothes.

---

Cutler ran his hand across his chin as he tried his best to remember what day it was. How many days was he here? The long, scratchy whiskers rubbed against his hand as he thought. Has it been nearly a week? How long had it taken him to arrive this island from the Endeavor?

You're thinking so much today, it's giving me a headache.

"But, what day is it, Eddie?" Cutler argued. "I can't keep track, anymore! I need to shave, I need to bathe in something other than dirty sea water, I need a fresh change of clothes, I need-"

Fresh change of clothes? I didn't seem to mind what you were wearing when you saved me, yesterday.

"I didn't want to lose those clothes," he answered. "They're the only ones I have, no counting my coat, wig, boots and hat!"

What about that fancy-looking stick that's holding your house up?

"That is my cane," he snapped back. "Don't ever call that a stick!"

It looks like a stick to me! Doesn't it? What use is it?

He thought for a moment about Eddie's input on his cane. Eddie was right. It was useless.

"Who cares? I like it. Every proper gentleman carries a cane, you know!" he kept on arguing.

The only gentleman here, is you. I can't be a gentleman if I tried.

"Good point," he retorted, embarrassed that he had forgotten that Eddie was a coconut. They sat in silence for a while, contemplating the ocean, and the light, refreshing breeze wafting through the 'camp'.

"Well, I'm famished," Cutler stated, breaking the peaceful silence, and getting onto his feet with a grunt. "I'm going to try and catch fish, again."

Good luck!

Cutler stopped, and turned around, glaring at the sharp-tongued coconut. "Would you like to go for another swim?

"I didn't think so." Then he turned back around, and marched towards the beach.