AGONIZED LABOR

"Now what do we do, Skipper?" Gilligan asked. He was still holding the millionaire in his scrawny arms and grunting from the weight.

"Let's drag him back a little and lay him down, Professor," the Skipper answered, and the three men moved away from the edge of the cliff.

While the men cared for Mr. Howell, Ginger and Mary Ann got closer to Lovey Howell as she looked over the cliff.

"Are you all right, Mrs. Howell?" Ginger asked, and Lovey nodded.

"Yes, my dear. I must say this is a relief! What a dreadful experience! Cooking! And with no manicurist around to fix my nails!"

Both girls giggled at each other.

"I guess you are stuck doing that again, Mary Ann," Ginger teased her roommate, who smiled in relief.

"I'll be glad to! At least then I know it's normal around here," she responded as the three stepped away from the cliff edge as well.

By then Mr. Howell was coming around – Gilligan had waved money from his wallet under the millionaire's nose.

"Gilligan those aren't smelling salts! That bill can't possibly…" the Professor started to say, but Mr. Howell groaned, sat up, and snatched the bill from Gilligan's hand, as well.

"Oh, my sweet babies! You're safe now! Poppa has you!" he cooed to the bill, and the Professor rolled his eyes.

"I take that back! On this island anything is possible!" he said, and Gilligan grinned. He did have some good ideas!

As the girls came closer, Mary Ann let go of Mrs. Howell, knelt down next to Mr. Howell, and to his surprise, hugged him.

"I'm glad you're all right, Mr. Howell! When I found your note…" She trailed off, not wanting to think of any of the castaways dead. Mr. Howell patted her on the back with one hand and she slid away from him. "I'm sorry, Mr. Howell, I just don't want to lose any of you," she apologized quickly. Mr. Howell grasped her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.

"Thank you, Mary Ann, it's nice to know you all care," he said to the group as the men helped him stand up.

"This means things will get to normal again, Skipper?" Gilligan asked, and the Skipper laughed.

"Little buddy, there is nothing normal about this island," he answered, and everyone else nodded. The group trudged back to camp then, grateful that the Howells were unharmed. Gilligan held back, though, sat down and started to write.

Dear Diary,

The howells wer nerly bankrupted, but it was only a mistak. Somone namd Powell isnt gonna be happie. I gess muney means a lot to Mr and Mrs Howell cuse they nerly kiled themselves. Im glad there all rite

Gilligan