Chapter 4 of "The Lightning Thief" follows Percy Jackson and his friends on their way to Las Vegas to locate the entrance to the Underworld. Here's a summary:
1. Hermes Message: Percy receives an Iris Message from Hermes, who delivers a cryptic warning about a "stolen item."
2. Travel Plans: Annabeth and Grover explain that the entrance to the Underworld is rumored to be in a Las Vegas casino owned by Hades, the God of the Underworld.
3. The Hotel: The trio arrives at the Lotus Hotel and Casino and are enchanted by its luxurious and comfortable environment. They realize it's a magical place that makes people forget about their troubles and responsibilities.
4. The Trap: Percy, Annabeth, and Grover succumb to the hotel's allure and start enjoying its entertainment and free food. They begin to lose track of time, and days pass without them noticing.
5. Realization and Rescue: Tyson, a Cyclops who Percy befriended earlier, unexpectedly arrives at the Lotus Hotel and snaps the trio out of their trance. He helps them escape the casino's spell, and they realize that they have been at the hotel for weeks instead of days.
6. A Message from Chiron: Percy receives another message from Chiron, the camp director, expressing concern about the group's disappearance and urging them to find the Underworld entrance.
7. Departure: The trio embarks on a bus toward Las Vegas to continue their quest to find the entrance to the Underworld and recover Zeus' stolen lightning bolt before the summer solstice deadline.
Chapter 4 introduces the Lotus Hotel and Casino as an enchanting trap that symbolizes the allure of comfort and distraction. It reinforces the theme of heroes facing various challenges on their journey, where temptations can lead them astray from their mission.