Johnny Smith, the main character of the novel, embodies the potent qualities that have spread New Orleans' arts throughout the world. He calls the Crescent City the fountain of the Mississippi River as it draws America to its soul. He refers also to New Orleans as the heaven of the United States as from its southermost and central location it illuminates with its culture the entire country. When people leave they carry the unique joys and laughter of the Big Easy. Their happiness is overwhelming when they return to the Crescent City. Johnny Smith left New Orleans with his flighty mother to go to Arizona as a teenager. As a man he's glad to live with her in the Big Easy and get back to enjoying the city's culture and to reconnect with the rich ethnic backgrounds of his friends.