THE MATCHMAKER

"Don't give me that look, Thurston! Just look at what a charming couple they are!" Mrs. Howell gushed as the Professor and Ginger came closer to the hut she shared with her husband.

"Lovey, Be reasonable! You can't meddle with the castaways, I forbid it!" Mr. Howell said, stamping his foot.

Mrs. Howell turned and glared at him. "Thurston! Think of the fun of setting up such a marvelous mind with a movie star," she coaxed, but Mr. Howell just left her and went to his bed where he relined on it, crossing his legs, and he started to read the only newspaper he owned.

Mrs. Howell huffed at her useless husband and decided to take matters into her own hands. "Hello, Professor. Hello, Ginger, what a beautiful day it is!" she said, as she emerged from the hut into the couple's path.

"Why, yes it is, Mrs. Howell. The Professor and I were just going to collect some berries for lunch," Ginger answered.

She showed no sign she was attracted to the scientist and Mrs. Howell sucked in a tight breath.

Just then, Gilligan and Mary Ann came into view, swinging large nets. "I think I see a big one over by Ginger, Gilligan," Mary Ann told her butterfly partner, and Gilligan stopped.

"Mary Ann, I think we got a problem - and it hasn't got wings," he said, motioning to their friends.

"What do you mean, Gilligan? It's only Mrs. Howell, Professor and…" she said, and stopped to look at him. "Oh dear! We better stop her before we are settling another fight," she said, and taking his hand, they raced to the group.

"Hi, Mrs. Howell, Ginger, Professor," she quickly greeted them, and all three looked at the two.

"Oh, hello, Mary Ann. Hi, Gilligan," Ginger answered, greeting the two.

"Um, Ginger, can I see you a moment?" Mary Ann quickly asked, and dragged her roommate away before the redhead could speak.

"Sure, Mary Ann, I guess I have no choice!" Ginger said, as she fought to keep her balance.

"Sorry, but I think you and the Professor better get out of here," the brunette apologized.

"Why? You don't think…" Ginger asked trailing off as Mary Ann nodded slowly.

"She already tried and failed to set Gilligan up with me, she may go for strike two," she continued.

"Is this romance, or a baseball game?" Ginger asked with a giggle.

Mary Ann rolled her eyes. "Be serious, Ginger!"

"All right. Personally I think she should try again with you and the Professor. I got nothing in common with him. I mean he's cute, but way too brainy…" Ginger said, trailing off as she looked back to where they left the other three.

"Girls? Is something wrong?" Roy Hinkley or "The Professor," as he was called asked, as he led the two to the girls.

"We're fine, Professor. Just a little girl talk," Mary Ann answered quickly.

"Well, if you two are finished, Mary Ann, I need to talk to the Professor and Ginger alone," Mrs. Howell cut in.

"Actually we all were going butterfly hunting now," Mary Ann cut in, and stood between the Professor and Ginger.

"Yeah! But... we forgot the other nets. Come on, you two, before... they all get away," Gilligan added, as he saw Mary Ann wink at him. He wasn't positive he said it right but Mary Ann looked relieved as she led the two away.

"I have no time for butterflies, Gilligan," the Professor said, and Gilligan covered his mouth. "You don't want to blow a promise to us, do you?" he asked and the two quickened their pace to get their captive friends away from the rich woman.

"That was close. Good cover, Gilligan," Mary Ann said when they were out of sight.

"What was? Was Mrs. Howell...?" Professor asked and then rolled his eyes as Gilligan and Mary Ann nodded. "Well thanks, then. I have no time for silly stuff like this anyway, I have to get back to my hut," the Professor answered, and hurried off.

"Silly? Most men would be flattered to be with me!" Ginger fumed, folding her arms. "Hey wait up, I'll show you silly!" she called, and ran as fast as her heels could go in the soft sand after the man.

"Well, I guess that solved that. Personally, Gilligan, I hope we get off soon, or Mrs. Howell may never stop," Mary Ann said to her partner, who smiled in return.

"Yeah, hey I'll catch up, I'm hungry," Gilligan said, and Mary Ann nodded.

"Lunch will be on soon, Gilligan. Don't get too full," she said, as she went back to get their nets, but she knew even in his skinny body, the boy never would be full though.

When he was finally alone, Gilligan sat with a banana and took his book from his pocket.

Dear Diary,

the iland found cuped. Not realie. Mrs Howell tryed setten ups me and Mary Ann. She and mr Howell endid up fiten, then me and skipper got a new roomie as did the gerls. but we solvded that quikly. Mary Ann thenks she was gunna set up the prafeser and Ginger, but I think we endid that too. lest I hops so, luv is wierd.

Gilligan