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merlynh
Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 411
deer park, wa

0 posted 2004-12-10 03:52 PM



                                                            Gilligan In Ohio

Reruns had filled the airways that summer with Gilligan’s Island and it was William’s favorite.  He’d set his alarm watch, the one his parents bought him last Christmas, and come-a running ten minutes before it would start; once near mid morning at eight and three o’clock near day’s end on the Family Channel. At eight-thirty five right after the previews the screen door slammed.

“William” his mom hollered standing at the door.  “You better get use to that corn field being gone. They’ll be harvesting soon.”

William had built a fort-of-sort in the middle of the field out of stalks; the one thing he was proud of in his life.  He had showed some friends and before too long the word got out.  One friend Bobby Jentree was the son of the local anchorwoman.  One day she showed up, camera crew and all wanting to see the hut, they removed several rows of corn around it so it would be distinct enough to be seen by the news chopper filming above.

Now it was on the six o’clock news on the tele-vision, and William was watching.

“That’s right ladies and gentlemen.  Gilligan’s hut in the middle of Ohio.” The camera came in from a hundred feet above, then to twenty feet.  Next the camera went to anchorwoman Jean Jentree who standing next to her son and William. “ The locals are calling William Homes the Gillian of Ohio.”

William ran to get his mom, she was so proud, she had to make fists to keep it all in as they both watched. There was William who looked like Gilligan, his friend Bobby Jentree with a boater’s captain’s hat, William standing next him with a sailor’s hat. Then Bobby the captain started scolding William and hitting him on the head while William was trying to fend him off just like the classic. Of course there wasn’t any Mary Ann, or the Professor or any other castaways neither the shipwreck nor the ocean unless you count it being lost in a sea of corn stalks.  

When the newspaper got wind it was on the front page. It wasn’t long before the out-of town-ers blew in to get a first hand look after the national network picked up the story. Folks from all over couldn’t wait to get a crow’s eye view.  When everyone started asking William how much it cost; it became apparent a profit was to be made, and it wasn’t long before a line started for the next viewing.

That next evening while sitting in his easy chair William senior told his wife. “Those city folk knocked down several stalks this afternoon,” then added.  “Some foolish kid builds a fort.  Ain’t it the darnest thing? Everyone makes a big deal about it.”

“Be kind dear.” Mrs. Homes said, “It’s become more than just a dream to the boy.”  “The world wants to see.”

“See? See my ass.  The whole mess will be gone in a couple days,” Senior sighed.  “I got to get.  That corn in!”

“I know dear.  Lets just let the boy have his fun.”

“Fun? That boy’s making a fortune.  What with charging everyone who wants a look.  I even heard he charges extra if they play out a scene from the tele.” Then chuckled being obvious he was joking.  

William had been in the kitchen after coming from his room, his parents unaware sitting toward the tele in the living room.  After his dad’s statement he went and handed him a hundred-dollar bill. “There,” he said.  “That ought to cover it.”

“You don’t have to do that son.” His father said trying to hand it back to him.

“No.  It’s all right dad,” William waved then replied.  “Besides mom’s been keeping most of the money.”

His father bewildered. “Just how much money is this son of ours made?” Mrs. Homes looked at William Junior with a large smile on her face then back at her husband.

“It’s two thousand dollars,” she exclaimed then ran and got the large jar dumping contents on the coffee table “I started out with a caning jar,” getting excited. “But-it became too small and it wouldn’t fit anymore.”

Senior coughed, “You got to be kidding.  Those folks must be out of their minds.  What the hell are you charging anyway?”

“Well it was really mom’s idea.” William took a breath.  “After the first group I showed got all pushy. Wouldn’t listen to me. I told ma.  She said if people don’t respect you.  Its cause you’re not charging enough.  And, not long after.  A fancy limo comes driving up.  I quickly run outside by the corn.  Then this guy all dressed up in fancy suit.  Comes walking up really fast.  Before I could say a word.  He hands me a hundred-dollar bill and starts making his way through the field.   I’m standing there with my mouth open. Before I knew it the rest of the folks with him.  In that there limo.  Come up and fill my hands up with Ben Franklin’s.  I had to wake up quick. Run after them.  You know to show them the way.  It’s not like I took advantage of them. Pa. I didn’t charge extra for the scenes we did.  Just through-um in.  And.  And when I was through with that bunch. Here comes another limo.  Before I had a chance to talk.  That guy that handed me the first hundred?  Well, he barks out its a hundred bucks.  While he just walks by them. I found myself with my mouth open again and they didn’t even hesitate about the cost.”

His dad stared at him thoughtfully, “Just how much were you charging before all this happen?”

“Five dollars,” William admitted.  “It’s not like I done anything wrong.  They just handed it to me.  Ah, before I had a chance to tell them.  Besides I’ll be lucky if you don’t start knocking it all down in the next day or so.”

“Umm. I guess I don’t see the harm in it.  Besides day after tomorrow we get started,” relieved to break the news. “So you charge what you like.  And if-in them dumb city folks want to turn loose of their money . . . I’m not one to tell them they ought not to.”

William broke out in a cheer, “Thanks dad,” and give him a hug.

“You’re a good father.” His wife added.

“Yeah, I know I’m an old softy.” And motioned her to give him a hug after his son was done.  She did and sat on his lap with her arm around him; “It’s not like the money wont come in handy.  The boy’s going to need a car in few years and what’s left over he can use toward college.”

That next morning worked out better then anyone would have dreamed.  The film producer of that classic castaway series called and offered William a thousand dollars to have special showing, filming the whole thing, scenes and all.  Later afterwards he said that he didn’t know whether he’d use it but came up with an idea about making a reality show about survivors on an island.   He mentioned he’d tell some of his friends, and it wasn’t long William had his hands full of Big Ben’s.  They just keep coming after that, and Williams dad, William Senior give him an extra day because it only seemed fair realizing there’s not a price you can put on a boy’s dreams because they’re special for the time that they last.  That last day it slowed down and no one showed up except a few locals.  William let-um pay five bucks telling them how the fancy city folks in limos insisted on paying top price and they all got a big laugh while slapping their kneecaps.  The next day the harvesting started and lasted all day.  Later that evening William and his dad was standing on the front porch looking out into the field; the corn had been harvest; they were glazing at what was left.  The hut in the middle field of plowed field.  William senior put his arm around his son. “Well son?  Do we let it stand?”

“It just didn’t seem the same.” He paused, “ truthfully it looks like an old worn out.  Outhouse out in the middle of a plowed field.”

“Yeah, your right,” his dad said. “Thought I’d leave it alone.  A farmer has got to wait for the next crop to come in.  Besides it was a moneymaker.  Right?”  Then he laughed and squeezed him with his arm.

“Want-a help me take her down?”  William asked.

“Sure son.”

They both walked into the field with their arms on each other’s shoulders.  And when they had taken the last stalk to the ground William stood staring at the stalks lying on the ground.  As his tilted his head from side to side he noticed some were lying in circles.  “You know they’re talking about coming out with some science fiction reruns.”

“And?” His father added.

“Kind-a odd how some of these stalks are in circles.” William said as he pondered.

“Yeah,” his dad replied.

“I don’t know,” William said, “I got myself a heck of an idea.”

William’s dad smiled. “I bet you do son.  I bet you do.”

Specials thanks to Cathy for sharing her vision of cornstalks.

© 2004 by Merlyn Hearn


© Copyright 2004 merlynh - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2004-12-10 03:59 PM



I love it when poets are inspired by other poets...

Excellent read, Merlynh

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
2 posted 2004-12-10 04:06 PM


Merlyn,
   You're quite welcome!  I'm eager to hear feedback about Take 5.  I so enjoyed this!  It has a total different flavor and is a joy to read.  The imagination just amazes me! Thanks so much!

      cathy

Dautz Write
Member
since 2004-11-16
Posts 96

3 posted 2004-12-10 11:13 PM


They both walked into the field with their arms on each other’s shoulders.  And when they had taken the last stalk to the ground William stood staring at the stalks lying on the ground.  As his tilted his head from side to side he noticed some were lying in circles.  “You know they’re talking about coming out with some science fiction reruns.”

“And?” His father added.

“Kind-a odd how some of these stalks are in circles.” William said as he pondered.

“Yeah,” his dad replied.

“I don’t know,” William said, “I got myself a heck of an idea.”

William’s dad smiled. “I bet you do son.  I bet you do.”


An ending that extends imagination!  Nice touch.

          dautz...

merlynh
Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 411
deer park, wa
4 posted 2004-12-11 06:36 AM


Thank you all for your replies you are far too kind.
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