Franz and Sinbad recline on the soft circular divan, each taking up a freshly prepared chibouque as Ali lights the bowls and departs to ready the coffee. For a time, neither man speaks—Sinbad sunk into his own hidden reflections, Franz drifting into the quiet visions that rise with fragrant smoke. When Ali returns, Sinbad offers coffee in any style Franz wishes; he chooses the Turkish manner, which his host praises as a sign of “an Oriental life.” With a strange smile, Sinbad muses that once his affairs in Paris are complete, he will retire to die in the East—Cairo, Bagdad, or Ispahan. Franz, already feeling the first effects of the hashish, declares he could fly around the world in a day. Sinbad encourages the dream, promising watchers to ease any fall. A few Arabic words dismiss Ali to a careful distance, and the transformation begins.

New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com

Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo.

If you enjoy this show, be sure to check out Odyssey: A Daily Odyssey through Homer's The Odyssey — wherever you listen to podcasts!