Another day and another entry into a routine as Gilligan was off collecting coconuts again. This time the skipper was with him to keep an eye on him. It was up another tree and the Skipper standing out of the way as Gilligan knocked free more coconuts for the castaways basic staple of food.
"Six, seven, eight...and there's nine." The Skipper counted the coconuts on the ground as he collected them into a basket weaved out of palm fronds. "I said I wanted ten."
"I did send ten." Gilligan had slid down the tree and was looking around on the ground. "Maybe it rolled away or something."
"Rolled away..." The Skipper heaved up the basket ready to return to camp. "Well, after you find it, climb up again and get another ten."
"Another ten?"
"Another ten!" The Skipper ordered. "I'll be expecting to see you back in camp within the hour." He turned and carried the basket of nine coconuts as Gilligan stuck his tongue out at him.
"I'll be expecting to see you back in camp within the hour." Gilligan briefly mocked the Skipper's voice under his breath and scratched his head as he searched for the errant coconut under the tree. Above him, Mary Ann came strolling down the path from the citrus trees and around the hibiscus bushes on the island. She had several lemons and oranges in a basket under her arm as she beamed to the first mate.
"Hi Gilligan." She was back to normal as her heart went out to him after every time the Skipper yelled at him.
"Hi Mary Ann," He was secretly sweet on her too. "Oh, you better stand back, we don't want you becoming Ginger again."
"Oh, I'll be careful."
"I just can't figure out where that coconut rolled to..." He started kicking his feet into the bushes under the tree. As he did, the missing coconut rolled out and he stepped on it, stumbled forward and hit his own head on the trunk of the palm tree. Mary Ann gasped and reached out to catch him as he dropped into the soft sand.
"Oh, Gilligan!!" She rubbed his head. "Are you okay?"
"Mary Ann," The Professor came running out from the tree line. "I was collecting mushrooms from the cliffs and saw Gilligan hit his head. How is he?"
"I think he's a little woozy." Mary Ann replied as they lifted Gilligan up on his feet. The first mate peered sleepily at the both of them and straightened his cap as he stuck his stomach out.
"Gilligan," The Professor looked at him. "Are you alright?"
"Gilligan?" The young First Mate answered in a low voice. "Professor, it's me, the Skipper. Oh, hi, Mary Ann. Now where's my little buddy, I got some chores for him…" He saluted from his cap and marched for camp trying to carry another fifty pounds of weight he didn't have. As he did, Mary Ann and the Professor looked at each other.
"Oh no..."
