GILLIGAN'S LIVING DOLL

The hero can fall and sometimes the villain does escape. Despite what those children's movies and books say, the kind, unselfish, innocent heroes aren't always praised for their good deeds.

He wasn't a bad person. He knew right from wrong, good from evil. Yet his actions always seemed to deceive him.

Gilligan crawled away under the table as fast as he could from the strong hands that grabbed at him. He came out of the other side, crouched, ready to bolt. As soon as he cleared the table he was off, pushing himself through the jungle.

He ran till there was silence. Gilligan paused and listened but the bushes and trees remained still. He had outrun them again. He fell to his knees, leaned against a large tree, and sighed. He knew he'd have to face them eventually, but the sand was comfortable and warm and his eyes were drooping…

"Stupid rabbit's foot! Some luck you are!" he muttered angrily.

"Don't blame me Willie, you were the one who put it in the robot, it's your fault!" a small three-footed rabbit said, sitting on his legs.

Gilligan looked down and then rubbed his eyes, blinking a few times.

"You're asleep, idiot," the rabbit replied, and Gilligan noticed that the rabbit's voice sounded like a cartoon one.

"It was supposed to bring good luck," Gilligan said, deciding to play along with the dream. It wasn't every day he talked to a rabbit.

"Why do you even bother?" the rabbit retorted, and darted off, pretty fast for a thee-footer, he noticed.

"Wait!" Gilligan yelled, but he was alone when he sat up, awake again.

"Why DO I even bother?" he asked himself, holding his head with one hand and drawing small circles in the sand, with a stick with his other.

"Same reason we all do, Gilligan. We all want off this island."

Gilligan looked up to see that everyone had found him. Mary Ann, who had spoken, lowered herself to her knees and playfully fixed Gilligan's hat.

"We heard you yelling," Ginger added.

"I was chasing the rabbit, the one… who lost its foot. He was pretty mad," Gilligan explained. "I just wanted to help get the robot to Hawaii," he went on, and looked down, avoiding everyone's eyes. His thoughts turned to his idea of the night before…

Flashback
Gilligan pulled up his hat and listened for a moment to the soft snores coming from below him. With a grin, he quietly got out of his hammock and grabbed two items off the table. Cautiously, he made his way to the robot and opened the panel he saw the Professor use.

"This will get you to Hawaii safely, little buddy. I know you'll get us rescued and everyone will be proud of me," he said, proudly dropping the small rabbit's foot inside. He closed the robot up and patted his new friend's metal back. The robot didn't reply, but it did make its usual noises, which seemed to satisfy the brave first mate and he crept back to the hut feeling satisfied…

"Gilligan…" the Skipper's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up and took the Skipper's extended hand.

"I'm sorry…"

"We forgive you," the Skipper interrupted him.

"You mean YOU, Captain," Mr. Howell interjected, and the Skipper glared at him.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Howell. I was worried about what Professor said could happen… and I just thought a little luck could help…" Gilligan said, and Mr. Howell turned to the Professor. "I… I didn't mean… Mr. Howell, I'm the one to blame," Gilligan quickly added, and the Professor laughed.

Walking past the millionaire, he clapped Gilligan on the shoulder.

"You're forgiven, Gilligan. This was just a good idea with bad judgment and miscalculations," he said, and Gilligan nodded.

"Bah! Come on, Lovey! They're all bunch of yahoos!" Mr. Howell grumbled, and stormed off.

"He'll get over it," Ginger said, and squeezed Gilligan's cheek playfully. Then she left with Mary Ann.

The three men followed suit, and when Gilligan reached his hut, he got out his diary. Looking out the window, he imagined the robot was still outside.

Dear Diary,

I fund a robot. He was reely smart too and I got a boat to sale. He buld it but only I lik it I thenk. We sent him to Hawaii and I gave it my rabit foot for good luck. Gess I goofed diary, I thenk the rabit is mad still but everyone forgave me except mr howell. I hop he forgives me…

Gilligan