American Gods: Airports, A Place To Avoid

In the first chapter of Neil Gaiman's *American Gods*, the character Shadow Moon is released from prison and arrives at the airport. Here, he remembers a story his cellmate, Low Key, had told him about a man named Johnnie Larch, who, after being released from prison, tried to exchange an expired ID at an airport. When the woman at the counter refused to accept the ID, Larch became aggressive and was subsequently arrested. The moral of the story, according to Larch, is: Don't piss off those bitches in airports.

Johnnie Larch's expired license

In the first chapter of Neil Gaiman's "American Gods", the protagonist Shadow is released from prison and arrives at the airport. He tries to exchange a ticket but is met with an unhelpful airline attendant. Shadow then remembers a story his cellmate, Low Key, had told him about Johnnie Larch, who had been released from prison after five years.

Johnnie Larch had arrived at the airport and presented his ticket to the woman at the counter. When she asked for identification, he handed over his driver's license, which had expired a couple of years earlier. Larch insisted that it was still valid identification, as it had his photo, height, and weight, but the woman at the counter disagreed and refused to give him a boarding pass. Larch became agitated and started to make threats, refusing to leave the airport quietly when security was called. This resulted in an altercation, and Larch ended up back in prison.

The moral of the story, according to Larch, was "don't piss off people who work in airports". Shadow, however, questioned whether the moral was more about how behaviors that work in specialized environments like prison can become harmful when used outside of that environment. Despite this alternative interpretation, Larch was adamant that the lesson was specifically about not disrespecting airport staff.

This incident with Johnnie Larch and his expired license served as a cautionary tale for Shadow, who was dealing with his own soon-to-be-expired driver's license. It highlighted the potential consequences of running into issues with airport staff, who hold a significant amount of power in their specialized environment.

The moral of the story

In the first chapter of Neil Gaiman's "American Gods", the story of Johnnie Larch serves as a cautionary tale for the protagonist, Shadow. Larch, a former prisoner, finds himself in an altercation at an airport. This altercation arises due to Larch's expired driver's license, which he tries to use as identification to obtain a boarding pass. When the woman at the counter refuses and calls airport security, Larch becomes agitated and asserts that he will not be disrespected, especially not after his time in prison. This leads to a confrontation that lands him back in prison.

The story of Johnnie Larch serves as an introduction to Shadow's character and provides insight into his background and experiences. It highlights his time in prison and his ability to stay out of trouble due to his intimidating appearance. The story also introduces the theme of the consequences of one's actions, a theme that is further explored through Shadow's own experiences in the novel.

Additionally, the story highlights the potential pitfalls of assuming that behaviours acceptable in one environment will be equally effective in another. Larch's prison experience has shaped his response to the airport employee, and he fails to recognise that his aggressive reaction is inappropriate and counterproductive in this new context. This leads to negative repercussions, reinforcing the idea that adapting one's behaviour to the specific environment is crucial to avoiding undesirable outcomes.

The altercation with airport security

Johnnie Larch had an important lesson to share about airport security: "Do not piss off those bitches in airports." This lesson was learned the hard way, as Larch found himself in an altercation with airport security staff after trying to board a plane with an expired driver's license.

Upon his release from prison, Larch arrived at the airport and handed his ticket to the woman at the counter. She asked to see his driver's license, which had expired years earlier. Larch insisted that it was still valid identification, as it had his photo, height, and weight. When the attendant refused to give him a boarding pass, Larch became agitated and began to raise his voice, stating that he would not be disrespected. The attendant pressed a button, and airport security soon arrived on the scene.

They tried to persuade Larch to leave the airport quietly, but he refused to cooperate. The situation escalated, and Larch found himself in a heated argument with the security staff. It is not clear from the source material what exactly happened during the altercation, but it is implied that it was a tense and potentially violent encounter.

This experience left a lasting impression on Larch, who shared his story with Shadow, his fellow former prisoner. Larch's advice to Shadow, which also serves as a moral of the story, was a warning to not cause trouble with airport staff. Shadow took this lesson to heart, especially since his own driver's license was close to expiring.

Shadow's credit card flight purchase

In the novel *American Gods*, Shadow Moon is a 32-year-old man with a don't-fuck-with-me demeanour, which keeps him out of trouble in prison. After his release, Shadow takes a flight to meet Mr. Wednesday, who offers him a job as his bodyguard.

Additionally, in the novel, Shadow demonstrates his resourcefulness and adaptability by using his credit card to make other purchases. For example, when he needs to take a taxi to the airport, he offers the driver an extra $5 if he can get there in silence, showing that Shadow is comfortable with negotiating and using his credit card to get what he wants.

Furthermore, in the TV series adaptation of *American Gods*, Shadow's cellmate, Low Key Lyesmith, mentions that he is impressed by Shadow's ability to use his credit card to buy whatever he wants. This suggests that Shadow is indeed using his credit card for various purchases, including his flight, and that he has a level of financial freedom and independence.

Overall, while the specific details of Shadow's credit card flight purchase are not mentioned in the novel, it can be inferred that he uses a credit card for the transaction based on his characterisation, his modern understanding of the world, and his demonstrated use of credit cards for other purchases.

The story's relevance to Shadow

In "American Gods," the story "Don't Fuck Airports" is relevant to Shadow as it serves as a lesson and a reminder for him. Johnnie Larch, Shadow's former cellmate, shares a story about his experience at the airport, where he got into an altercation with a ticket counter employee and airport security due to his expired driver's license being rejected as a valid form of identification. Larch's moral of the story is "don't piss off people who work in airports," specifically referring to them as "bitches."

This story holds significance for Shadow as it prompts him to reflect on his own situation. He considers the potential pitfalls of certain behaviors and attitudes that may work in a specialized environment like prison but could become harmful or ineffective outside of it. Shadow's ability to recognize this distinction showcases his adaptability and awareness of context, which becomes crucial as he navigates the challenges presented by the New and Old Gods in the novel.

Additionally, the story serves as a practical reminder for Shadow to ensure his own driver's license is up to date before heading to the airport. This small detail highlights the story's impact on Shadow's immediate actions and demonstrates his foresight in avoiding potential issues.

The narrative also provides insight into Shadow's character and his ability to form connections. Despite his intimidating physical appearance, which helped him avoid trouble in prison, Shadow demonstrates a thoughtful and analytical side. He engages in a conversation with Larch, offering a nuanced perspective on the situation. This exchange reveals Shadow's capacity for introspection and his understanding of the complexities of human behavior.

Through this story, the reader gains a deeper understanding of Shadow's character and his ability to navigate different environments effectively. It showcases his intelligence, adaptability, and awareness of the nuances that define social interactions, whether in a prison setting or the wider world he encounters beyond bars.

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