Light Action in the Caribbean by Barry Lopez
"Light Action in the Caribbean" by Barry Lopez explores the dark and inexplicable nature of evil through the harrowing experiences of Libby Dalaria and her companion, David, during a vacation in the Caribbean. Initially presented as a routine trip, the narrative quickly shifts to reveal the couple's strained relationship dynamics, marked by David's egotism and domineering behavior. As they engage with local characters, including their boatman Esteban, the story juxtaposes moments of beauty and euphoria from diving in the vibrant Caribbean waters against the backdrop of impending danger. The vacation takes a tragic turn when their boat is attacked by pirates, leading to a violent confrontation that culminates in the brutal murder and rape of both Libby and David. The story finishes on a haunting note, contrasting the chaos experienced by the couple with an idyllic scene of a local fisherman, underscoring the unsettling coexistence of beauty and horror in the Caribbean. Through this narrative, Lopez challenges readers to reflect on the often-hidden realities of evil that can disrupt ordinary life in paradise.
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Light Action in the Caribbean by Barry Lopez
First published: 2000
Type of plot: Realism
Time of work: The 1990's
Locale: The Caribbean
Principal Characters:
Libby Dalaria , a young womanDavid , her companionEsteban , a boatman and diving guide
The Story
"Light Action in the Caribbean," a story about the inexplicable nature of evil, begins routinely with Libby Dalaria preparing to go on vacation with her companion, David. The only background the reader is given about the couple is that they have not known each other long and that Libby has recently broken up with a man named Brad after a two-year relationship.
David, a young professional, has made all the arrangements for their trip to the Caribbean; he prides himself on being competent and cool. Libby is impressed with his abilities and is determined to follow his lead. On their flight from Denver to Miami, David spends most of his time working on his laptop computer, and when they land, he makes a number of calls on his cell phone. However, he resents it when Libby reads a magazine and momentarily neglects him. He tells her he purposely screwed up things in his office before he left to make his coworkers think they cannot get along without him.
At dinner David continues to control everything, ordering the meal for both of them and acting like an expert with the wine list. Libby, on the other hand, feels stupid, with nothing to say. David advises Libby on everything from the nature of her job to what dessert to order. He often ignores her when women with large breasts pass by them. The first night, she worries about sex with him because he has wanted to tie her to the bed and spank her with a grade-school ruler.
The next day at the docks, David tries to get Esteban, their boatman and guide, to take them places where no one else has dived, flashing his money around, doing what Libby calls his Robert De Niro imitation and then his Kevin Costner imitation. She thinks Esteban is the most handsome man she has ever seen and hopes he will make things somewhat difficult for David, for she is growing tired of David's egotism. She feels euphoric diving in the Caribbean water and thinks she could have done this without David.
David continues his cocky attitude, advising Esteban about his business and telling him that he needs to evolve to get ahead and should buy more boats and get a Web site. Esteban says that he has inherited the boat from his father and that he has his own plans for evolving. When a strange boat appears, Esteban thinks it is the military, who are stationed on one of the islands, and says that David may have to buy them out of this, warning him to hide most of his money. David says, "I'm cool" and takes $500 out of an envelope, hiding the remaining $4,500 in his life vest.
When the boat comes alongside, one of the men shoots Esteban with an automatic weapon. The men then come aboard, beat David, and ransack the boat. When one of the men asks if there is more money, Libby opens the life-vest pocket and gives him the remaining $4,500. One of the men knocks Libby unconscious and rapes her. Another man chokes David to death with a fishing line while he rapes him. They tie the three bodies to concrete footings and dump them in the water and then head toward an island with Esteban's boat in tow. After this abrupt and shocking climax, the story ends with an idyllic scene of a local man fishing a few miles away, thinking how he likes bringing fish back and selling them to the hotel.