The story is set at Máximo’s restaurant, where he has organized a party to welcome back Joaquin Rivera, who has been released from a Cuban prison. Guests include characters from other stories, among them Mirta, Hortencia, and Raúl. The story is narrated in the third person from Ernesto's point of view.

Ernesto reminisces about an afternoon in Cuba before the revolution, when he, Máximo, and Joaquin rode a bus to the coast to dive for lobsters. This memory, “before politics and leaving,” is “like an amulet” against his other memories (110). He recalls how Joaquin had enough life “for the three of them” (110). He was nicknamed “The German” because of his fair skin and unusual strength. He read poetry, became involved in the student movement, and organized marches.

Joaquin’s plane is late, and Ernesto is grateful for the delay, hoping that being tired will take the edge off their meeting. He and Máximo reminisce about the lobster diving trip, after which the police stopped them. Ernesto remembers Joaquin faking an epileptic episode to get away, though Máximo recalls that Ernesto faked an asthma attack instead.

Hortencia and Ernesto are surprised to see each other at the party.