Natnwe - Around the World in Eighty Days

In 1872, little was known about Phileas Fogg except that he was a good man. He lived at No. 7, Severn Row, London. It was in that house that the playwright Sheridan died in 1819. But he was the same as the playwright. Phileas Fogg spoke as little as possible. This silence made him a mystery.

Phileas Fogg is never seen in the shops, in the courts, or in any other office. He is a member of the Reform Club. That is all. He is rich. But how rich he is is a secret. Only Mr. Fogg can reveal this. For he is a man of few words.

Has he ever traveled? Probably. Because no one knows more about the world than he does. There is no place, no matter how far away, that he does not know. He has been everywhere.

It is a picture. If it were not for another reason, his name would have arrived.

However, Phileas Fogg had not left London for many years. He only went to the club. He spent his time reading the newspapers and playing cards.

It's a good game. He always wins in this way and gives away all his winnings. Mr. Fudge plays just to play cards, not to win.

He lived alone in his house in Savio. He did not seem to have any relatives. He ate breakfast and dinner alone every day in the same room in the repair club, at the same table. Everything he did was as regular as arithmetic. He returned home from the club at half past eleven. Of the twenty-four hours in a day, he spent exactly half of his time at home and half at the club.

Phileas Fogg had a servant. He was punctual everywhere. On October 2, James Foster was fired because he kept the shaving water at 84 instead of 86.

Because of that. A new servant will arrive that very morning.

Mr. Fogg sat erect in his armchair, waiting for him. His legs were crossed like a soldier on parade. His hands were on his knees. He was looking at the hands of his watch. This was a special watch. It showed the hour, minute, second, day, month, and year. (11) When the clock struck half past eleven, Mr. Fogg would go to the Reformatory as usual.

There was a knock on the door. The dismissed servant, James Foster, entered and spoke.

"A new person has arrived, sir."

A man in his thirties entered and bowed his head in respect.

"You're French, is your name John?"

Mr. Fogg asked.

"Jean-pa, Jean-pa, the name of the Pasi-pa (the one who overcomes every difficulty) is because I have overcome all difficulties. I have worked in various jobs to earn a living, but, sir, I am a good man. For a pittance of the ocean, I have sung in the streets, I have jumped high, I have walked a tightrope in the circus, and I have been an acrobat. I was once a fireman in Paris and have put out many fires. Now that I have no job, and I have heard that Mr. Fogg is one of the coldest men in this country, I have come to you to live in peace and quiet. I even want to forget my name of Pasi-pa."

"Pasipatauk is right with me. You have the experience of being a disciple of a great man. Do you know my rules?"

"I know, sir."

"Okay, what time is it?"

"11 hours 25 minutes"

Pasipatak took out a large silver watch from his pocket and looked at it.

"Your watch is late."

"Don't worry, sir, it's impossible to be late."

"Four minutes late, okay, you are hired as of 11:29 a.m., October 2, 1872."

Mr. Phileas Fogg rose, took his hat in his left hand, and without saying a word, went out.

Pasipatak heard the front door close once. It was his teacher leaving. He heard the door close again. It was James Foster leaving.

Pasipatak was left alone in the house.