The next afternoon, Percy and Annabeth return Iris’s restored staff to the goddess. Percy is relieved to be rid of it because the staff has been glowing, shooting rainbows, and reacting aggressively to delivery services in his apartment. Grover does not come with them because he is downtown doing an odd environmental photo shoot with Blanche as a gift for Juniper.

The staff guides Percy and Annabeth to Iris in lower Harlem, where the goddess is selling crystals among street vendors. Iris is overjoyed to see the staff, which she calls Mercedes, restored and clean. Percy tries to accept Iris’s apology, but realizes Iris is apologizing to the staff, not to Percy or Annabeth.

Annabeth steers the conversation back to Iris’s part of the bargain: information about Ganymede’s stolen cup. Iris is nervous and evasive, offering crystals and bath salts instead, but finally admits she has narrowed the search to Greenwich Village. Iris believes the thief will be there and will be using the name Gary, though Iris refuses to explain his true identity or why he hates Ganymede and the goblet.

Iris then gives them a practical tool for the search: a vial of pure concentrated nectar. Iris explains that the chalice of the gods is designed to mix nectar, so if Percy and Annabeth release a drop or two in Greenwich Village, the nectar should be drawn toward the cup. The nectar is dangerous to drink because it would burn demigods to cinders, but it can help lead them to the chalice.

When Percy reaches for the vial, Iris says there is a price. Instead of another quest, Iris asks for five dollars and mentions that she also takes Venmo. Annabeth pays in cash, takes the vial, and Percy asks again for more information about Gary. Iris refuses, saying it is better they do not know, and sends them away with only a grim warning implied by the word “otherwise.”