A City Without Horses (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 32 – Part 7)

Rome’s excitement proves more obstructive than festive, turning even simple plans into negotiations without solutions. Wealth, it seems, has limits—at least for the moment. In this passage of The Count of Monte Cristo, Franz and Albert learn that no carriages or horses can be procured, no matter the price. Feast days, festivals, and long advance bookings have emptied the stables, leaving Albert baffled and Franz doubtful. Still, Albert shrugs off the inconvenience with good humor, confident that money will solve the problem in time, and turns his attention instead to supper and rest. This moment matters because it captures the restless absurdity of Rome on the brink of celebration—where abundance collides with scarcity, and anticipation hums beneath every practical exchange.   ⸻   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!