THE SWEEPSTAKES
It's amazing the things you learn about someone. Their favorite foods, reading materials or even colors can be fascinating.
Gilligan couldn't believe his ears. He had learned a lot of things over the year he spent on the island, but this topped them all. His lottery ticket wasn't worth anything at all, yet Mr. Howell allowed his friends and him into his private club. Of course he banished them first, but who would have ever guessed that the millionaire had a heart?
"Gilligan! Stop daydreaming and find my ball!" Mr. Howell snapped at him for the third time. Gilligan saluted and ran off, not hearing the millionaire's muttering, "Never should have told the boy… oh… if they hear of this, back home, I'm ruined!" he sighed, and followed after his young friend. It took him only another hour before he was tired of the golf game and the boy, and the two trudged back to camp.
Dinner was set in the club area, and soon, everyone arrived. All during dinner though, Gilligan couldn't stop grinning. Four of the six people seated kept pestering him to spill his secret, and finally Gilligan told them the truth.
"I can't believe it. How could you hold on to such a little piece of paper that long, long little buddy?"
Gilligan shrugged. "I found it yesterday morning… Can't remember when I bought it, Skipper," he answered.
"And you still let us join? That's really kind of you, Mr. Howell," Mary Ann said, and everyone nodded their heads.
"Yes, Mary Ann. Until now. But I have just realized how much I have enjoyed the silence of eating alone, with my wife," Mr. Howell said, rubbing his head as though to get rid of a headache. And then, for the second time, he kicked everyone out of the club area except Lovey.
"SO much for that! I'm going back to my hut," Ginger said, disappointed, and wandered off. Mary Ann followed her.
"I have an experiment to finish," the Professor said, and then departed.
"At least we were free guests for a while, huh, big buddy?" Gilligan asked, and the Skipper nodded. The two followed the others else back to their huts.
Gilligan climbed in his hammock and picked up his diary.
Dear Diary,
Nerly a miliionare again. Too bad my lotery tiket was two yers old!
Gilligan