This now sees Miko in Paris, deeply traumatised, once he hears the fate of his lover and seeks out the opium pipe. He finally surfaces from the oblivion and meets her father, Bao Dai, the past Emperor. Bao Dai coaches him in forgiving himself and then mentors young Miko in the ways of the world. Teaching him politics, history, art and philosophy during the day and introducing him to lurid sexual and exotic drug practices at night. He then takes him on a coming-of-age journey around France. In doing so, he becomes the father Miko never had, whilst becoming the father he’d never managed to be. This allows Miko to continue his search for meaning in Croatia and Ireland, where his mother and father came from. Still not enough, he seeks his final redemption back in Australia. Life and circumstance take him down another near-fatal path until he is saved from his addiction by the love of Isabella, a wealthy, beautiful and slightly older woman. The cashed-up lovers travel to France to start a new life.