"...The young couple's tale of survival is an unbelievable one. Not only their journey in a canoe but the eight years they spent on an island with five other people. And what of these five others? Mr. Gilligan told reporters that the castaways have a radio with batteries that the clever 'Professor' was able to recharge over the years..."

Ginger and the Professor smiled at each other. It had already been quite a morning and they hadn't been awake even an hour.

They'd woken to the sound of the words, "Ladies and Gentlemen, we interrupt this broadcast with exciting news. Two survivors of the ill-fated S.S. Minnow have turned up after eight years! The young pair, William and Mary Ann Gilligan, arrived in Honolulu sometime near dawn in a canoe. The recent storms to the southeast of Hawaii drove them towards Oahu. They had already been at sea about two weeks. Details are still coming in as we speak but it has been confirmed that the Captain of The Minnow and the four other passengers were alive when the couple left the uncharted desert island. More news as it happens. We now return to our regularly scheduled program."

The Professor leapt out of bed and snapped off Donny Osmond singing "Puppy Love." He turned and looked at Ginger, wondering if she'd heard the news.

"Am I dreaming?" she asked, pulling the blanket up over her naked body.

"I don't think so. We'd better get dressed and wake the Howells."

"Let me go back to my hut and get a different outfit. And freshen my hair and makeup."

He would've objected to this typical bit of feminine irrationality, but he looked at her more closely and realized that she did look like a woman who had made love the night before. "Of course. How long do you need?"

"An hour?"

"Ginger!"

She came over and kissed him on the cheek. "Only kidding, Roy. Ten minutes if I skip eye make-up."

He was completely naked, never having gotten around to putting on his pajama bottoms, while she was wrapped in his blanket. His body responded to her and he wished he could make love to her again. But he tried to put mind over matter. "You'd better go."

"If you say so, Roy." Her voice had never sounded more alluring.

"We'll have time alone later. It's not as if they'll be sending anyone for us today."

"Oh, you never know. Maybe they'll charter an airplane right away."

"Then we'll make love in Honolulu tonight."

"Oh, Roy!" She gave him a big kiss.

He was very tempted to sweep her back to bed, but then someone knocked. "Uh, who is it?"

"Were you expecting someone in particular?"

"No, of course not, Mr. Howell. Uh, give me a moment to wake up properly." He gestured to Ginger to hide, so she quietly ran to the food locker. Meanwhile, he put his pajamas on. Then he went to the door.

"Sorry, to disturb you, Dear Boy, but Mrs. Howell is worried sick about Gilligan and Mary Ann." The Professor could tell from Mr. Howell's expression that he was quite worried himself.

The Professor considered not telling Mr. Howell about the radio announcement, since obviously there would be updates later on. But that would be cruel to make the Howells wait any longer. And they wouldn't have to know that Ginger had heard the news, too. "Well, I was only half awake, but unless I was dreaming, there was a newsbreak just now, saying they've arrived in Honolulu."

Mr. Howell stared at him, speechless for a minute. Then he said, "Sir, you are the most unemotional man I've ever met!"

"I'm sorry. It hasn't quite sunk in."

"Where is the blasted radio?" The Professor pointed. Mr. Howell strode over and grabbed the radio. Then he looked around the room. "Did you have a little party here last night?"

The Professor blushed. Ginger's gown was on a chair, while her high heels and panties were on the dirt floor, not far from his own clothes from the day before. "Uh, yes, well."
"It's about time."

"Please don't tell Mrs. Howell."

"You're very lucky that the Skipper isn't around and you can't have an island wedding."

"Mr. Howell."

"Don't worry, My Boy. And I'll give you some time to pull yourselves together before you come over."

"Thank you." He waited till Mr. Howell left with a wink and the radio before he went over to the food locker. "You can come out now."

"Are you sure you don't want to join me?"

He very much did but "Not right now."

"Party-pooper."

He shook his head. She did put on her yesterday's clothing and leave. They met up at the Howells' hut about ten minutes later, separately. As an actress, she was able to pretend that she hadn't seen him since the previous evening. He felt very awkward and self-conscious. But Mrs. Howell was too focused on the radio to notice.

There were several quick news updates and now this longer report. It was surreal to hear their lives described by broadcasters. And now here came their dear friends.

"The couple are now taking a well-earned nap but we were able to record their greetings to their fellow castaways. This is William 'Willy' Gilligan."

"Hi, Skipper, hi, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, hi, Ginger, hi, Professor, hi, Mary—Oh, never mind."

"And here is his new bride, Mary Ann Summers Gilligan."

"Oh, I miss all of you so much! I can't wait to see you again. And Mom and Uncle George and Aunt Martha. I'll come home to Kansas as soon as I can."

"We need to let the Captain know!" Mrs. Howell exclaimed.

"Uh, I guess I can send off a bottle message." The Professor didn't know if the Skipper would want to leave his own honeymoon bliss but he should know that Gilligan had for once not bungled a rescue.

"Do you need any help writing it?" Ginger offered.

"Uh, yes, thank you."

"We'll let you know if we hear anything more."

"Uh, thank you, Mrs. Howell."

"We'll knock first," Mr. Howell said with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"Uh, thank you, Mr. Howell."

Ginger took the Professor's arm and led him out. Mrs. Howell didn't say another word, just smiled indulgently.

TO BE CONTINUED...

(The next story will be "Starboard Home" and it will also be rated M.)