Rome refuses to yield easily—but determination and negotiation begin to turn the tide. If the Carnival cannot be escaped, it must be met head-on.

In this passage of The Count of Monte Cristo, Albert insists on staying in Rome to witness the Carnival, even if it means seeing it from the street rather than a grand window. Franz takes charge of bargaining with Signor Pastrini, sparring over prices until a compromise is reached. Within the hour, a modest hack carriage—suddenly elevated to private status—arrives at the door, a small but vital victory in a city ruled by scarcity.

This moment matters because it marks their first hard-won foothold in Rome’s chaos: not comfort, but access—secured through wit, persistence, and resolve.

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

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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!