CH16
Although it felt like only a few hours to Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, this is the actual amount of time that passed in the outside world while they were inside the Lotus Casino.
5 DAYS!
During a three-hour stopover in St. Louis, Annabeth insists the group visit this famous 630-foot monument so she can examine its architecture.
THE GATEWAY ARCH!
After falling into the Mississippi River, Percy makes the astonishing discovery that he can stay underwater for as long as he wants without doing this.
BREATHING UNDERWATER / STAYING DRY!
While Charon guards the Underworld entrance and Cerberus blocks the gates, Annabeth bypasses the fearsome three-headed dog without using violence by using techniques from obedience school and this mundane toy.
A RED RUBBER BALL!
This happens to your perception of time inside the Lotus Hotel and Casino, making guests feel like they've only been there for hours or days when years or decades have actually passed.
TIME SLOWS DOWN / STOPS!
To escape the Chimera's fire and poison at the top of the Gateway Arch, Percy takes a leap of faith into this body of water below.
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!
Travelling in public becomes increasingly difficult for the trio because Percy's picture is plastered across national news broadcasts, framing him for this.
SUSPECT/CRIMINAL IN HIS MOM'S DISAPPEARANCE / THE ARCH EXPLOSION
To aid Percy on his quest into the Underworld, a Nereid emerges from the Santa Monica Bay to deliver three magical pearls, warning him that when it comes to the gods, whatever else happens, never accept one of these.
A GIFT!
As a satyr who feels empathy for animals, Grover finds the truck ride to Los Angeles miserable for this main reason.
ANIMAL ABUSE/MISTREATMENT!
Trains are safer for demigods than planes, which enter Zeus's sky realm, or buses, which can get easily trapped on roads by these creatures.
MONSTERS!!
Following the underwater messenger's instructions, Percy and his friends must head to Santa Monica, California, using this mode of transit.
TRAIN (AMTRAK)!
Percy breaks free from the Lotus Casino's trance when he asks a young man playing a game what year it is and receives this alarming answer.
1993!
Percy feels abandoned by Poseidon during his fight atop the Arch because his sword falls, he is poisoned, and this expected divine intervention does not happen until after he jumps.
POSEIDON NOT ANSWERING HIS PRAYERS / SHIELDING FROM THE CHIMERA
According to mortal news reports, the explosion at the St. Louis Arch was caused by a runaway teenager who was allegedly carrying this type of dangerous weapon.
GUN/RIFLE
After talking with Annabeth, Percy realizes his mother married Gabe for a selfless reason: Gabe's foul human stench served this vital protective purpose.
MASKING / BLOCKING PERCY'S SCENT (FROM MONSTERS)!
Disguised as a harmless chihuahua and a middle-aged woman in a denim dress, these two mythical figures reveal themselves at the top of the Arch.
CHIMERA & ECHIDNA
The underwater spirit warns Percy to head to Santa Monica, trust no gifts, and warns him about this specific limitation when using his powers.
CAREFUL WHO HE TRUSTS / LIMITED POWER DEPENDS ON WATER