| 1 |
Do you have some ink, friend? I just used up the last drop of mine. I need it quickly before I forget that great twist in the story. |
| 2 |
I apologize. I have not even introduced myself. I am Jules Verne, a writer of adventure stories for a popular magazine. This article here about a voyage around the Earth just sparked my imagination. |
| 3 |
By your outfit, I assume you are a sailor. I am fascinated with travel and foreign lands. You could tell me about your voyages. My wife is an excellent cook. Will you join us for dinner? |
| 4 |
I can’t wait to hear the stories of your journeys. It will be helpful for that new novel about a trip around the world. If you are an able fisherman, how about we catch some fish for dinner first? |
| 5 |
Welcome to my home! So you are a ship captain. How exciting! I was on a few boat trips and enjoyed the experience immensely. I hope you will take me on a voyage one day too. |
| 6 |
So what exactly do you do, captain? Are you an explorer, a merchant, or perhaps a pirate? Either way, I know you have some great stories to tell. What cargo have you brought to Nantes, do tell? |
| 7 |
You have an exciting life. Wait a moment. I think my wife is calling me. She was going to make a dessert too, but we are all out of flour. I forgot to buy it on my way home. |
| 8 |
If you want to earn a lot of money in France, get involved in the new railway construction. A lot of railways are being built all around the world now. Traveling has never been so easy. |
| 9 |
While you were tending to your business, I read the newspaper. They just opened the Suez Canal. Did you hear? That’s great news for you too. It will make sailing to Asia so much faster. |
| 10 |
With the Suez Canal and new railways, I already have a plan for a voyage around the world in mind. I have also figured out the twist at the end of the story. It will be shocking! |
| 11 |
According to an article in the papers, it should be possible to finish a trip around the world in 80 days. I will need your knowledge of ships to figure out the details. |
| 12 |
Before writing a story, I always visit a library and do extensive research. Meanwhile, you could make a few test voyages with some cargo. This way it’ll be profitable for you too. |
| 13 |
How did the voyage go? How much time did you need to travel through the Suez Canal? I hope you had no trouble returning since the war with Prussia broke out. |
| 14 |
I have had some difficulties while you were gone. I have been enlisted as a coast guard during the time of war. But I will still work on my story. I just need a table and a chair to continue my work. |
| 15 |
The heroes of my story will mostly travel on steamships and trains. Can we go to the beach and watch the liners leaving the port? I need to get out of the lighthouse for a bit. |
| 16 |
I should be glad to be stationed as a lighthouse guard. I wouldn't do any good in a battle. I only wish my family is safe. I left them all my money, so I live now on military rations. |
| 17 |
Let’s concentrate on the voyage around the world. I decided that my hero, Mr. Fogg, will be an aristocrat from London. From there, he will begin the journey heading east to the new Suez Canal. |
| 18 |
From Suez, our hero will continue to India, where he will board a train to cross the subcontinent. I got pretty hungry brainstorming the story. How about we catch some lunch for us? |
| 19 |
While we were fishing, a brick fell from the lighthouse. It is so old I fear the roof will fall on me without the enemy ever getting in sight. I wish someone could do at least the essential repairs. |
| 20 |
You don’t have to do all the lighthouse repairs yourself. After all, as a guard, I am responsible for basic maintenance. Let me help you. Where did I put my tools? |
| 21 |
At last, the war is over, I can return home and finish my book in peace. My wife is with her family on their estate in a small shore village. We could use one of your ships to bring her home. |
| 22 |
Our house withstood the war without much damage. The fence got torn down which we need to fix. Let’s hope I will get my royalties paid soon. Then we can fix the remaining issues. |
| 23 |
I decided to buy a boat. My mother came from a family of shipowners and working with you has reminded me of the pleasures of sailing. But I still haven’t been paid yet. |
| 24 |
It’s been a long time since I last sailed on a boat. My mum used to take me aboard when I was just a boy. Could your sailors show me how to sail my new beauty, the Saint-Michel? |
| 25 |
I dream of sailing around Europe one day and experiencing an adventure like those I write about. Maybe I will use one of those new motorboats. They run on oil-based fuel instead of coal. |
| 26 |
I have neglected my writing. Mr. Fogg and his valet have crossed India and are boarding a steamer to Hong Kong. Have you been to the Far East? I could use some of your insight. |
| 27 |
From Hong Kong, my heroes continue to Japan, the land of samurai and sushi. I could eat some fresh seafood. How about you? Let’s take my boat Saint Michel for a short fishing trip. |
| 28 |
My publisher Pierre was urging me to hurry up with the story. He wants to publish it soon. I think he is just being an ass because we had a disagreement about my last book. |
| 29 |
Pierre always had too many requests for adjustments to my stories. Usually, I conceded, but I just couldn’t make captain Nemo a fighter against the slave trade. It didn’t work with the story at all. |
| 30 |
Where were we? Mr. Fogg is sailing on the steamer General Grant across the Pacific to board a train in San Francisco. This will be his longest voyage. How long does it take to cross the ocean? |
| 31 |
In New York, Fogg and his companion board a steamer to Liverpool. From there it is just a short train ride to London. And here comes my surprising twist. Can you guess what it is? |
| 32 |
Fogg will think that he arrived too late. But thanks to the rotation of the Earth, they have gained one day on the London time. So he actually made it! It’ll be explained much better in the story. |
| 33 |
I think the manuscript is ready to be sent to Pierre. But let’s celebrate the finished work first. A true Frenchman always has time for a glass of fine wine. |
| 34 |
The novel will be published in chapters in Pierre’s magazine. I am glad he did not request any big changes. Probably because he has trouble with the printing press, he will need a new one. |
| 35 |
The story is well received by the readers. And I have been approached by a theatre in Paris to convert the novel into a screenplay. I would like to see my story played out on the boards |
| 36 |
The last chapter was published in the magazine yesterday. Many readers thought that Mr. Fogg was a real man traveling around the world. That means it was indeed an extraordinary tale. |
| 37 |
I have submitted my screenplay version of Around the World in Eighty Days. Now, we can finally go for another fishing trip with Saint Michel. It's the perfect relaxation after days of hard work. |
| 38 |
At the port, I saw a few boats with beautiful blue sails. Saint Michel would look dashing with them. Do you know where I can get sails like that? |
| 39 |
My play is having its premiere tonight. We are both invited, of course. My wife wants to go shopping for a new dress first. Will you join us? |
| 40 |
After the play ended, there were standing ovations for half an hour. It’s true the actors were amazing. I am quite proud of my work and your assistance was noteworthy too. |
| Final |
Thank you for your help. I have a small gift for you. Farewell, captain! |