Mike and Lily looked out on the immense sea of people in amazement. Every one of them were expecting to hear of a story of tragedy and triumph. They looked at each other. Mike took Lily by the hand as they took their seats at the conference table.
Reporter 1: So Mr. Nesmith, what have you missed the most?
Mike: My television ( Mike gave a nervous giggle. The crowd laughed with him.) No seriously, I've missed my friends... my mother... even my landlord. Mostly I've missed three very special friends; Davy, Micky, and Peter. These guys, as most of you in the club circuit know, are collectively The Monkees. I know them as great musicians, great roommates, and great friends. (Mike waves to the guys and they wave back, though Mike can't see them through the crowd.)
Reporter 2: Same question for you, Miss Vanguard.
Lily: Well, other than my mother and father, I really didn't miss all that much. (Everyone gasps in shock.)
Reporter 2: Miss Vanguard, you come from one of the wealthiest families in Malibu. You mean to tell us you didn't miss your luxurious lifestyle: rare jems, fine dining, exspensive clothes, hired help, or even world travel and entertainment?
Lily: Oh, of course I missed those things, at first. It took me several months to just appreciate the fact that I was still alive after our ordeal. I was very ungrateful to my hero for saving my life. Instead I whined that I was dirty, hungry, and tired, and that if I wanted the situation fixed I had to do it myself. Mike is the one who made me see just how selfish I was. ( Without reservation, Lily gently kisses Mike on the cheek for the whole televised world to see.)
Reporter 3: It looks like you two became pretty close. There is even a rumor of a child that was a by-product of your affair. Any truth to that?
Mike: Yes we have a child! He's a baby, a special miracle, not a by-product! I'd also appreciate you not referring to the love between my wife and I as an affair! (Mike felt heat rise up his neck. As he stood, he eyed the questioning report, throwing daggers with every glare. The third reporter, a tabloid columnist, was removed from the premises by two guards.)
Reporter 4: No one has asked, so I will. What was it like on the island?
Mike: Beautiful! That is once you get used to being surrounded by miles and miles of ocean. The sunsets were the best. You could almost write music to it, it was so beautiful.
Lily: Yes, and the botanical life was amazing! That island had some of the most gorgeous flowers I've ever seen. They had so many uses too: dyes, antacids, decorating, and some even for eating. They also made great purfumes for the soaps I made.
Reporter 1: You made things?
Lily: Yes! We hadn't been on the island long when the Nagali tribe discovered us living there. It's a funny story how we met. I was kidnapped by the tribe leader, and Mike followed to the village at the sound of my screams. I thought I was going to die, but all they wanted to do was help us. Mike was presented with a knife and we were fed. Since that night, the Nagali people had helped us with every survival tip we have used to this point.
Mike: It's true! It's really true that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Shatzu, my friend, was pretty scary looking. He has a good heart though. It taught me something too. No matter how little you have, you always have something to share. These people were naked, had no clue what money was, and had no concept of what a modern conveniece was. Some people think the first thing Shatzu gave me was his knife. The truth is, the first thing he gave me was his friendship.
Lily: I can't forget Miha and Kiki either. They both taught me how to make soaps, ropes, coats, beads, pottery, how to scale fish, snakes, lizards, and pluck birds. Most of all, Miha and Kiki took good care of me while I was with child, and they prepared me with what I should know when the baby got here.
Report 2: I assume these people didn't speak English. How could you have learned so much with such a language barrier?
Mike: Well, some things like true friendship don't need alot of words. They had their own way of speaking to us with symbols and signs. They did learn a few words from us, like our names. Lily and I also paid very careful attention to what we were being shown, so as not to miss anything. It wasn't easy. Sometimes we did get our wires crossed, so to speak, but it was usually for minor stuff like a messed up recipe or something.
Report 4: How has being on that island benefitted you? You both seem pretty happy.
Lily: It had benefitted me alot. I learned so many lessons. For one, I use to look down on others who were poor, or didn't dress the best. I use to think they must somehow be flawed or failed somewhere in life not to be able to live like the rich do. When I landed on that island, I became just as much a pauper as Mike and his friends were. Though I hate to admit it, I treated Mike and his friends terribly just days before being thrown overboard. You see, they were poor and struggling, but they were happy. I couldn't see it at the time. I also realized that just because you have alot of money, the whole world shouldn't be your footstool. On that island, I had to learn to do for myself. I knew Mike couldn't do it all. He spent most of the days hunting so we would have food in our stomachs. I'll tell you now, it wasn't champaine and caviar, but it kept our tummys satisfied.
Mike: I learned that you don't know what you have until it is gone. I use to be jealous of people like Lily and her family, always wanting to be rich and make it big. When I was on that island, I would have given anything for something as simple as my toothbrush. It really made me appreciate my life more. I learned to do things I could never do before, and I got to know the real Lily; the one behind the haughtiness. On the S.S. Emerald, I was in love with Lilly's attractiveness, and the challenge of trying to win someone out of my league. Now I love Lily for herself, which is a far better deal. I know Jesus too. He lives in my heart, and Lily's heart, thanks to Reverend Randolph Mitchell, who also arranged the phone calls to our families, friends, and the Coast Guard. You see, it's amazing. Christ loved me when I took credit for the daily survival He provided, He loved me when I dismissed the Gospel as hogwash, and He loved me all those years I was jealous, ill-tempered, and just plain onory. Put bluntly, He loves me, He loves Lilly, He loves the Nagali tribe, and He loves all of you. ( The crowd was a buzz with murmuring. The media became nervous at Mike's comments. He had taken God out of generalization and identified Him as a specific deity. They decided to move the questioning to a "wrap up" question, one to close the press conference out with. Micky smiled and nodded his head at Mike's responses. He could tell his friend had experienced something genuine by his responses. Micky wasn't prepared for what Mike said next.)
Report 1: Well, I guess we all want to know what is next for you two?
Mike: Well, in a couple of weeks we will be having a church wedding for our family and friends to attend. Then, in about six months, we will be heading back to our island home. (Davy, Peter, and Micky's heart sank. Peter shook his head in disbelief as tears streamed down his face. The crowd was silent. Everyone was sure the two castaways were home for good.)
News Caster: Ladies and gentlemen, you have just heard it live. The two castaways who had been shipwrecked and missing for over two years have announced they will return to the island of their desertion.
The crowd began to disperse. Camera crews gathered up their equipment and left, and the reports left last. The only ones left at the airport were Micky, Peter, and Davy, and of course, Mike, Lily, and little Mike.
"How? Why? I thought you were glad to be home," Micky said confused.
"I am, but we belong with Reverend Mitchell and the Nagali tribe. We feel led to go back and help them, like they helped us. There are churches and schools to be built, English to teach, Bible studies to be led.... the list is endless," Mike said.
"Please don't do this to us again!" Peter cried, "How could you be so cruel as to come back and then stab us in the heart like that? We thought you were dead for two years! You have no idea how that affected us! None! Then we find out you're alive and coming home, but you want to leave us again. How could you?"
"Peter... it's a divine calling. It's something I can't disobey, not for anyone or anything. I love you guys and I don't want to leave. Yet, the idea keeps nagging at me and it won't let me alone. It started from the very time we knew we were coming home, about two months back," Mike said.
"Guys," Lily said, laying a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Believe me, Mike talked about you guys constantly. He really missed you, and I know this decision is hard for him. We'll be here for six months. I told Mike that whatever he needs to do or wants to do that involves the four of you, I would not interfere. I know you four need some time to be together. That is why I will be staying with Mrs. Mitchell and Mike will be staying with you for the next six months, until we leave."
"Mike, she's your wife! That's quite a sacrifice," Davy said astonished.
"Well, I figure she's had me everyday for the last two years. She might need a break," Mike chuckled. That comment even made Peter smile in his distraughtment.
"Well, I can't say I like the idea, but you're my pal. Pals support each other, right?" Micky said.
"Right," Peter and Davy chimed in as they draped an arm around Mike.
As they left the airport; Peter, Davy, Micky, Mike, and Lily chattered away, glad to be together once again before fate would separate them once more.