At the end of chapter 30, the Warden and Mr. Pendanski learn that Zero occasionally digs holes for Stanley in exchange for learning how to read and write. After testing Zero's knowledge of letter sounds, the Warden states that she does not want "anyone digging anyone else's hole." She also forbids reading lessons. Zero is adamant that he will not dig another hole. He hits Mr. Pendanski across the face with a shovel and runs out into the desert without his canteen. The counselors take turns guarding the shower and wreck room so that Zero has no place to get water.

Between the yellow-spotted lizards and the lack of water, Zero is in a dangerous situation.

After a couple of days, Stanley leaves camp in search of Zero. Eventually, he is found seeking shelter underneath an overturned boat named Mary Lou. Zero is weak but insistent that he will not return to camp. He asks Stanley if he has water, but Stanley's canteen is empty. Zero reveals the secret to his survival on the lake: sploosh.

Zero stayed under the boat for shelter from the sun. During this time, he found jars buried under the boat that contained a "warm, bubbly, mushy nectar, sweet and tangy." This was enough to keep Zero from becoming dehydrated out on the dried-up lake.