Un gentiluomo d’inflessibile puntualità e il suo nuovo servitore

The young man answers: “Gianni, if that pleases the gentleman.” Then he says: “My name is Gianni Gambalesta.” He explains that “Gambalesta” is a nickname. The nickname stays because he always knows how to get out of trouble, that is, to get out of problems. He says that he is an honest young man. Then he also says that he has done many jobs. He has been a street singer and a horse rider in a circus. He has imitated Léotard in aerial flights and Blondin on the rope. Then he has been a gymnastics teacher and a fire brigade sergeant in Paris, and in his service record there are several notable fires.

Gianni keeps talking. He says: “It has already been five years since I left France.” He says he wants a family life. For this reason he now works as a waiter in England. At that moment he does not have a job. Then he says he has heard something about Phileas Fogg. He has heard that Fogg is the most exact and most sedentary man in the United Kingdom, very precise and someone who moves very little. For this reason Gianni arrives at his house. He hopes to live there in peace and to forget even the name Gambalesta.

The gentleman answers: “Gambalesta suits me.” Then he says: “They recommended you to me.” He also says: “I have good information about you.” Then he asks: “Do you know my terms?” Gianni answers: “Yes, sir.” Fogg says: “Good. What time is it?” Gianni pulls a huge silver watch out of his pocket. He says: “It is eleven twenty-two.” Fogg says: “You are late,” and Gianni answers: “I beg your pardon, but it is impossible.”

Fogg looks at Gianni. Then he says: “You are late by four minutes.” He also says: “It does not matter,” that is, it is not important. Then he adds: “It is enough to know the error.” Fogg continues: “From this moment onward...” He says the exact time: “Eleven twenty-nine in the morning.” He also says the day: “Wednesday.” He also says the date: “2 October 1872.” Finally he says: “From now you are in my service.”

After these words, Fogg gets up. He does not say anything else. He takes his hat. He takes it with his left hand. Then he puts the hat on his head. He does it with an automatic movement, like a machine. Then he goes out of the room. He disappears without adding a word.

Gianni stays there. He listens to the noises of the house. He hears the front door closing a first time. That first time is Phileas Fogg who goes out. Then Gianni hears the front door a second time. That second time is James Forster who goes away. Forster is the fired servant. Now Gianni stays alone in the house.

Gambalesta stays alone in the house in Saville Row. It is the house at number 7. It is the house where Sheridan died in 1814. Now he is the new servant of Phileas Fogg. From this moment he works for this gentleman. In the house, no one else enters. His new job starts here.