Skink—No Surrender

As the novel nears its crisis point and climax, Richard and Skink meet a series of clues and mounting obstacles. Their clues help them with their main goal: locating Malley. When they find the white Toyota in the Choctawhatchee River, Skink believes “they got a boat,” which moves the focus of their journey to the river itself. With each clue, the scope of their searching area shrinks.

Skink uses deception to amass more clues and tools. He tells the older couple with the canoe that “we were on a camping trip but that some jerk stole our kayak” (111). When they meet Etta on the river, Skink lies to get Malley’s location. Again, Hiaasen does not judge his characters for their lies. In fact, Skink’s lies in both of these instances push him and Richard further. Their deception earns them rewards.

However, the obstacles against Richard grow in conjunction with these victories. The natural environment becomes harsher. Richard notes, “On both sides of the river the forest cover was thick […] A person trying to dash through it would be constantly tripping” (115). Additionally, “The mosquitoes were ridiculous,” and “As the sun climbed higher, the breeze quit” (116). These natural factors drain Richard’s energy and make the quest more difficult. Skink changes his attitude in accordance, telling Richard that they “need some rules […] Do whatever I tell you, whenever I tell you. No questions” (122).

Skink remains a capable companion as the environment becomes more difficult. In response to the mosquitoes, for example, he “located a wax myrtle and […] mashed them up and smeared the paste on our arms and necks and faces. After that, the bugs stayed away” (116). Skink maintains his role as Richard’s shepherd, assisting with the obstacles as they become more significant.

Nature isn’t the only obstacle. Richard plans to call Trujillo when they locate Malley, but his phone “battery was dead, and obviously there was no […] place to plug in a charger” (120-121). Skink ruined his own phone in his dive for the car. The obstacle is significant enough to change Richard’s goal as a protagonist. He can no longer rely on Trujillo and the police to assist in the rescue because he no longer has a way to reach them. Whereas Richard hoped to locate Malley and find help, he and Skink will now have to “go get her ourselves” (121).

The biggest obstacle for Richard is Skink’s disappearance. While the loss of their canoe is devastating for their chances of rescuing Malley, Skink still functions as Richard’s biggest advantage. Taking away the canoe makes their path forward difficult; without Skink, though, Richard has little chance of success. As Richard notes, “The idea that I could save [Malley] all by myself was crazy, yet I had no choice but to try” (133). However, a hero’s journey is not complete unless they achieve their goals themselves; their mentors cannot do it for them. By taking Richard’s mentor out of the novel at this point, Hiaasen signals that the most difficult obstacle is imminent.

Hiaasen removes Skink just as Richard and Skink deepen their trust of one another. Skink insists that Richard tell him about his St. Augustine secret, which brings them to the closest point of their friendship. They can only function as a successful team if they are honest with one another, a stark difference from their use of deceit with other characters. Richard’s secret—that he stole the skateboard—reminds readers of the depth of his trauma. He views the theft as his biggest mistake, but he stole the board because it is the same model that “my father was riding when he crashed into the UPS truck” (128). The board represents his father’s legacy, something Richard wishes to possess and protect.

When Skink finds the Toyota in the Choctawhatchee, he dives repeatedly into the water to make sure it doesn’t have any bodies or useful clues. Despite his injuries, “The governor dove three, four, five times” (109). There are hints at Skink’s impressive physical strength, and this proves his resiliency. Despite Richard’s conceit that they will have to rescue Malley alone, readers are familiar with Skink’s ability to survive. It foreshadows his eventual return.

Nickel fills the role of a companion by helping Richard. Continuing a trend of morally complex characters, Nickel shows selfish qualities. When Richard can only give him $7, Nickel decides that “Seven bucks git you to the other side of the river, no farther” (137). It isn’t until Richard tells him about the shoebox full of cash that Nickel agrees to take him to the houseboat. However, Nickel is still a source of necessary aid. His greed is an obstacle, and it’s one of the first that Richard must overcome without Skink. Through quick thinking and the willingness to sacrifice their funds, Richard takes more control of his own journey.