Skink—No Surrender

The novel’s most prevalent theme, nature, is especially vital in the final chapters. Though Richard’s actions lead to Tommy falling into the river, an alligator ends him as a threat. The brutality of nature did something that Richard and Skink could not. Richard confirms this to Malley when he shows her “The alligator [that] was already halfway across the Choctawhatchee […] there was no mistaking what was jackknifed in its open jaws. The green of [Tommy’s] T-shirt, the dark blue of the jeans” (263).

Tommy’s death is retribution for several his choices, most notably his eagerness to control Malley. That it comes at the hands of nature, however, suggests that the alligator was punishment for shooting at the heron; those who disrespect nature receive payback. Skink’s obsession with Tommy’s endangerment of the heron suggests that Tommy’s death is no different. It is telling that Tommy dies in the jaws of the same species of animal that Skink survived. It is as if Skink’s defense of nature has given him an almost supernatural aid—good karma for his protection.

Richard’s fishing skills set him up to defeat his antagonist. Skink is unsuccessful at hooking Tommy, but “On my very first cast I snagged the back of Tommy’s shirt” (260). Throughout their journey together, Skink has gifted several skills and tools to Richard. In this instance, he completes his journey by utilizing a tool from his normal world. This signifies that Richard has always possessed strength that he did not recognize. It allows Richard, as the hero of the journey, to overcome Tommy.

Many of the allies that Richard met on his journey arrive after Tommy’s death. Skink, Richard’s strongest companion, is gone. Lesser allies—Tile, Nickel, and Dime—arrive to shepherd the hero to his resolution. The main action of the novel is over, allowing Hiaasen to broaden his focus and include a larger cast of characters. This parallels the novel’s opening chapters. Richard introduced his normal world and the important people in it. The focus narrowed as Richard and Skink journeyed, but it can once again fit more characters after the action has concluded. Resolutions often focus on a novel’s wider cast of personalities, giving significant moments to each before wrapping up the protagonist’s tale.

As Richard and Malley come to grips with witnessing Tommy’s death, they spot an unmistakable ivory-billed woodpecker for the first time. The bird’s arrival provides solace after the horrific event, and they are in awe of it: “I can’t honestly say how long we sat watching that supposedly extinct creature—or more accurately, how long it sat watching us” (264).

The bird’s arrival signifies that Richard and Malley’s ordeal is over. Something Richard once thought impossible has happened, and he is forever changed. In terms of Malley, the appearance of the woodpecker symbolizes her survival. When they saw what Richard believed was a pileated woodpecker, it invited a false sense of safety because Richard and Malley thought their quest was over. The bird, however, was misidentified; they are not truly safe until the ivorybill—also threatened with extinction—proves its survival.

Deception again makes the plot possible. Richard tells his mother that their taxi has again broken down, ensuring that he can resolve his quest on his own terms—namely, by riding with Tile and Malley to exchange final information. They all conspire to leave Skink out of their story. The man does not want to be found, and they respect that by altering the truth of their experiences.

A long-standing lie comes to light, as well: When the police find Tommy’s body, “the dead man was not Thomas Chalmers […] the corpse in the Choctawhatchee River belonged to a person named Terwin Crossley” (270). This is Terwin’s final deception; its discovery allows Richard to move past the threat of his nemesis and to return to his normal world.

Malley takes full control of her identity: “The first thing my cousin did when she got home was rinse the black dye from her hair […] The handcuff marks on her wrists have already faded away” (272). The physical reminders of her ordeal are gone, and with them goes the last evidence of Terwin’s goals.

Malley begins to run at her high school again, illustrating the beginning of a psychological recovery, as well. This time, however, “she’s never really alone when she runs. One of us is always hanging around near the track […] just to make sure there are no fake Talbos on the scene” (277). She has returned from her journey with more protection than before.

The resolution of the novel’s hero, Richard, requires him to make amends for past trespasses. In this case, he returns to the St. Augustine store where he stole the skateboard and pays back the owner. The owner knows that Richard took the skateboard but paying him back still affords Richard a cleaner conscience. Because of this, he can finally ride the skateboard with his father’s wheels. In doing so, Richard accepts the death of his father and the important role of his father’s memory in his own identity. Richard has changed.

The scholarship opened in Talbo Chock’s name proves to Richard that Skink survived his wounds. However, they are not physically reunited. Whereas the skateboard represents the importance of Richard’s dad in his life, Richard is not without reminders of Skink. His new skills, tools, and self-confidence are irrevocable. In the context of the hero’s journey, Richard doesn’t need Skink anymore because he has grown stronger.

The novel ends on the same beach where it began. In the first chapter, Malley’s absence from their routine alerts Richard to a changing world. In its conclusion, Richard and Malley take part in their original routine together. Their journey has changed them, though. As Richard narrates, “I’ll never forget the color of the sky because that was the first night my cousin and I found a mother turtle on a nest” (280). For the first time, Richard and Malley are successful in completing their routine because they have amassed the necessary tools. In the resolution of the novel, they are rewarded for their successful completion of their quest.