Lotus Casino
The group stepped through the bright doors into the Lotus Casino. The security guard waved them in, a little too cheerfully, saying they could rest inside, grab something cold, enjoy the air conditioning… and of course, all the amazing games.
Maybe a little too friendly.
Enough for Percy to hesitate for a moment; lately, every "normal" person they ran into ended up being a monster… or a god… or someone who, eventually, wanted to eat them.
But the moment they passed through the doors, it seemed the guard was just pulling in customers, because all four of them immediately lit up as they looked around.
There were all kinds of games. Not just the usual casino stuff like roulette and things like that, but also arcade machines, a huge, incredible slide that seemed to run through a large part of the place, virtual reality games where kids their age were swinging at the air, a climbing wall, even a bungee jumping platform. And there were also… hundreds of video games with giant screens.
Best part?
There were so many, you didn't even have to wait to play them. Waiters and waitresses moved everywhere, handing out drinks and food nonstop.
"I know we're supposed to find the chimney hidden somewhere in here… but we've got plenty of time… maybe while we're looking—"
Before Percy could finish what he was obviously about to suggest…
Annabeth gave him a flat look, cutting him off.
"No, Percy. We can't stay here just to have fun. If the same problem happens again and we lose the chimneys, we could be in serious trouble," Harry added, easily reading his brother; though his eyes drifted for a moment toward some of the games. "…Maybe after the mission…"
Annabeth let out a small huff as she glanced at Grover, who looked a bit too interested watching other people their age having fun, and muttered, "Children…"
But it would be a lie to say the place didn't pull at her too; seeing everyone enjoying themselves so much. Even so, she shook her head quickly, pushing those thoughts away; even as the smell of food and the noise of the games became more and more tempting.
"Alright. We should split up and find that chimney, then get out of here quickly. It's not the best idea, especially knowing some of you will definitely get distracted, but it's the fastest way," she said immediately, her eyes briefly landing on Grover and Percy.
Harry nodded, agreeing with the plan; and also staring directly at both of them.
Grover and Percy noticed right away.
"Why are you looking at us like that? It's not like we'd get distracted from our mission, okay?" Percy said instantly, defensive. Grover looked slightly offended too.
"We'll meet back here in half an hour. Not a minute more, not a minute less," she said, raising her wrist and setting an alarm on her watch. "And don't get distracted and waste time. Every minute counts, okay?" she added again, glancing at Percy for a moment.
"Stop looking at me like that, I get it," Percy muttered with an annoyed expression.
The group split up quickly and began searching for a chimney inside the massive casino, which was honestly much bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside. For a moment, Percy even wondered if expansion magic had been used… and maybe it had.
He walked past the arcade machines, watching kids have fun, and more than once he couldn't help but feel the urge to just try one.
But he quickly forced himself to focus again, looking ahead, searching for a chimney.
"Alright, Percy. Focus."
He clenched his jaw and kept walking, repeating that to himself with every step.
Just then, a waitress approached him with a soft smile.
"Something to eat, dear?" she asked sweetly, placing her tray in front of Percy, where lotus-shaped snacks could be seen. The smell hit him immediately, and for a moment it made him really hungry, his hand already starting to reach out to grab one.
But he snapped out of it.
"No, thanks… I'm busy," he said quickly, pulling his hand back.
The waitress looked surprised for a second before giving him a gentle smile.
"As you wish," she said, turning away. But she barely took a few steps before her tray was completely empty, as the other visitors swarmed it like piranhas, grabbing every last crumb before going back to their games.
That felt strange for a second, but he shook his head and kept moving, scanning the place.
"If I were a magic chimney… where would I even hide?" Percy muttered, looking around carefully.
But his attention drifted strangely toward some of the people around him.
I mean… he had been to the Leaky Cauldron. He'd seen wizards going into the non-magical world dressed in really ridiculous ways. He had even once seen a couple dressed like clowns before leaving the place.
But these people weren't dressed strangely like wizards…
They were dressed old.
Like something straight out of the 70s.
Very old.
Especially the boy closest to him; he looked about thirteen. He was wearing bell-bottom pants, a glittery jacket, an afro, and bright-colored glasses.
"Who dresses like that these days?" Percy couldn't help but say as he looked at the kid's disco style, stepping a little closer out of curiosity.
The boy seemed to notice someone approaching; he even licked his lips for a second, probably expecting a waitress. But when he saw it was Percy, a flicker of disappointment crossed his face before he gave him a quick smile and went back to his game.
"Wanna join? I need a partner to get past this level," the kid said without even looking at him, completely focused on the screen, the flashing lights reflecting across his face.
"Uh… no. I've gotta find something," Percy replied quickly.
But then his eyes drifted to the title above the machine… and lit up for a moment.
It was one of those games he had always wanted to try. His mom had stopped him more than once, saying it had too much shooting, car stealing, and other stuff that wasn't meant for an eleven-year-old.
"Come on, man, this is groovy," the boy insisted, trying to pull him in.
The way he said it… sounded off.
Percy frowned.
"Groovy?" he repeated, confused. The word didn't quite fit the way it should.
"Yeah, come on, just give me a hand. Won't take long," the kid said, giving him a thumbs-up without looking away from the game.
For a moment, Percy hesitated.
"Well… if it's not long, maybe… just one minute won't hurt… right?"
He gave in.
The moment he touched the controls, his focus snapped onto the game, repeating the same thought over and over in his head: just one quick round won't hurt.
And just like that… it was over.
He had really only played one round.
Percy leaned back, hands raised slightly, a grin on his face; genuinely excited that he had finally gotten to try it, even if just a little. It was as good as he'd imagined. He'd definitely keep pushing his mom to let him play it when he got back home.
"Harry would love this…"
The words slipped out; and suddenly Percy blinked.
"Crap… Harry. I got distracted. If he finds out, he's gonna be mad," he muttered quickly, shaking his head in annoyance as he realized he had just wasted time; just like Annabeth and his brother warned him.
"That was fun, Darryl," Percy said as he got up.
"Uh?" Darryl turned toward him, confused. "Who are you, kid?" he asked, frowning, grabbing the lotus-shaped snack in front of him; Percy hadn't even noticed when the waitress left it there.
"What are you talking about? I'm Percy… we were just playing," Percy said, clearly confused.
"Yeah?" Darryl shrugged, taking a bite before giving him a grin. "These games are the best thing I've ever seen. I've been here two weeks, and they just keep getting better."
Percy froze.
That way of talking again… old. Way too old.
"Darryl… what year is it?" Percy asked, something in his gut telling him to.
"Huh?" Darryl looked at him again, annoyed now. "Who are you? Year? 1977. Now quit bothering me, kid, I'm trying to beat this level, but I need another player. If you're not joining, leave me alone," he said, turning back to his game, completely ignoring him.
Percy's face went pale.
Right then, someone slammed into his back, almost knocking him over.
He turned; it was Grover.
And his face looked just as pale as his.
"Percy, thank gods it's you. I found the chimney, but… whatever you do, don't eat the lotus flowers. I think I know this place," Grover said, panic clear in his voice.
"What?" Percy asked, staring at him.
"The Odyssey. Odysseus reached an island where people forgot everything; even their lives. And it was because they ate lotus flowers. Percy… we're trapped with the Lotus-Eaters," Grover said, his voice tight.
Percy's eyes widened.
Now it clicked.
The kind of problem they had just walked straight into.