YOU'VE BEEN DISCONNECTED

Gilligan broke the surface of the water, his lungs taking in gasps of fresh air. He trudged out to where the Skipper was standing and took another deep breath. "I'm telling you, Skipper, the cable is gone," he whined as he pulled up his mask.

"Time for number sixty-four then, Gilligan. The cable is down there and you're going to find it!"

"Do I have to?"

"No - you could face them, instead, if you want," the Skipper pointed at the others, who were still scowling.

Gilligan sighed deeply and dived back into the water. He was glad the lagoon was still pretty warm. As he looked around, all he saw was fish, seaweed and more fish, and more seaweed.

The cable had just vanished, just like their rescue - all because of his stupidity. He suddenly felt dizzy as he searched, and his muscles ached from all the swimming. He jerked hard, seeing something, but it was only some shiny pebbles. His lungs wanted air and fast - he raced for the surface. He broke through, but his body cramped up.

"Skipper help! I can't find it…" he shouted, trailing off as his body fell back down into the water.

"Gilligan!" The others yelled out, their anger overpowered by their worry. No matter how mad they got at him, no one wished him dead.

"Skipper! Hurry before he drowns!" the Professor yelled, but he didn't have to. Jonas Grumby was already in the water.

The Skipper dove down, paddling the water blindly. The water stung his eyes but he forced them open and saw something red. He swam harder, grabbed at it, and found a hand. With Gilligan safe in his arms he soon broke the surface.

"Help me drag him in… my poor little buddy!" Skipper cried out, and then ten more hands grabbed at the red-shirted boy. They dragged him onto the beach.

"Oh, Skipper… is he breathing?" Mary Ann asked, wringing her hands. Willie Gilligan may be a pain, but he is still a good man, she thought.

"I think he swallowed a lot of water; I'll do artificial respiration," the Skipper told her, and opened Gilligan's mouth, tilting his chin up. He blew air in and pumped on his chest.
It took a few times doing this, but then Gilligan started coughing. He rolled over and spit up water and began breathing very hard.

"Oh, thank goodness! Gilligan, you gave us such a scare!" Mary Ann said happily, and bent to hug him.

"What… happened?" Gilligan asked, after a few moments.

"You nearly drowned. The Skipper saved you," Ginger explained.

"Oh, that's why I'm so dizzy! I'm sorry, Skipper… please, don't make me go back in there," Gilligan pleaded.

"Relax, Gilligan, let's just forget about the cable. What's done is done. You need to change into dry clothes now," the Skipper answered him, and Gilligan sighed in relief. Then he tried to stand up, obeying his Skipper's orders but dizziness over-swept him. The Professor had to catch him.

"Easy, Gilligan. Skipper you'd better carry him," the Professor said, as he held on to his friend. The Skipper nodded and lifting Gilligan with ease. Roy turned then to the youngest woman. "Mary Ann, can you please make something hot for him to eat?"

"Sure, Professor. Ginger and I will cook something up," she answered, and the redhead nodded.

"Why not? It's a great add-on to the Ginger Grant movie, The Beauty and the Beast of a Kitchen," she said, jokingly.

"Thanks, everyone. I'm… really… I'm…" Gilligan murmured, and then he coughed hard. "Sorry… I just… really weak…" he went on, and held on to his big buddy.
The Skipper just hurried faster and got him to their hut. He helped Gilligan change into dry clothes, ordering him to help, of course.

"Sk… Skipper… I'm not that hungry… can I take a nap?"

"No, Gilligan. You need to warm up! Eat a little, at least," the Skipper said, and Gilligan saluted weakly. Skipper lifted him up and brought him back outside.
On the table was a hot bowl of goop. "It's fish stew," Mary Ann said. Gilligan nodded and grabbed the spoon but dropped it. "Here, let me help you," she added.

After a few bites Gilligan pushed her hand away. He got up and walked into his hut, feeling a little better. He slept three hours and woke up, feeling normal.

"Hi everyone, what's for dinner?" he asked when he came outside and was presented with more fish stew.

"Wow, fish, yum!" he said, but he managed to feed himself. Then he waited till everyone was gone and took out a small book from his pocket.

Dear Diary,

Weird thins kep cumin her, we fund a cabil and it was a phon we had to use a shelll for the phon. I got a operator but she want very smert. I guufed rescue agin tho and I thenk I almost dyed, I wunder if they wuld of mised me?
Gilligan