"Wow," Passepartout muttered to himself. "I have seen wax figures in museums
with more life than my new master!"
During their short interview, Passepartout had watched Mr. Fogg carefully. He
was a handsome man around forty years old, calm, pale, and perfectly dressed.
Fogg never made a useless movement. He was never in a hurry, yet he always
arrived exactly on time. He lived alone and avoided any drama or stress.
Passepartout, on the other hand, was a lively Frenchman. He was an honest,
friendly, and muscular man. Since coming to England, he had worked for ten
different masters, but none of them suited him. His last boss was a young
politician who spent his nights drinking and often came home carried by the
police. Passepartout hated that kind of chaos. He just wanted a quiet, normal
routine. When he heard about Phileas Fogg's perfectly organized life, he knew he
had to get the job.
Now alone in the house, Passepartout decided to explore. He walked from the
basement to the attic. The house was clean, warm, and highly comfortable. When
he reached his own room on the second floor, he smiled. It had electric bells
and speaking tubes to communicate with the rest of the house. On the shelf sat a
large electric clock, ticking at the exact same second as the clock in Mr.
Fogg's room.
Above the clock, Passepartout noticed a piece of paper. It was a strict daily
schedule. It listed everything the servant had to do, minute by minute. Tea and
toast at exactly twenty-three minutes past eight. Shaving water at thirty-seven
minutes past nine. The list covered all the important details from morning until
midnight.
Even Mr. Fogg's clothes were logically numbered. Each coat, pair of trousers,
and shoe had a label showing the exact time of year it should be worn. There
were no weapons in the house, and no signs of hunting or adventure. Everything
was designed for absolute peace.
Passepartout rubbed his hands together with a big smile. "This is exactly what I
wanted!" he said joyfully. "Mr. Fogg and I will get along perfectly. He is not
just a regular gentleman, he is a real machine. And I do not mind serving a
machine!"