Welcome to What Pegman Saw, a 150-word weekly writing prompt inspired by the photos found on Google Maps. Yep, that’s really a picture of Manhattan. Inwood Park, at the very tip of the island, is one of the few places on the island that looks as it did three hundred years ago.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
by John Yeo
Gerald stood at the top of the hill transfixed and just stood drinking in the absolute beauty that seemed to reach out and draw him on. Georgina breathlessly caught up, then gasped with surprised wonder.
Suddenly there was a chuckle as a rough looking stranger emerged from the depths of a nearby copse. A middle-aged, rather overweight, bearded man stood before them, he had long greasy black hair, with grey streaks, held in position with a battered trilby hat. His bushy black eyebrows met in the middle, atop a large crooked nose. He suddenly opened his mouth to reveal a blackened set of uneven, crooked, gap-filled teeth.
‘I see both of you young people are overwhelmed with this place. I’m Captain Ted, a hungry man and I’ll thank you to turn out your pockets and give me everything you find in them. Oh! And I’ll take that smartphone you’re clutching’
(150 WORDS)
© Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved
johnandmargaret1607 
That’s certainly a grim turn of events.
A fantastical fright-inducing shock for them. I’m glad you enjoyed this. I have just published a longer version. I’d love to hear what you think of that. Thanks for taking the time to read this. 😊
Ah, the place isn’t so scenic now! Hope they get away with the shorts on their backs or will he take them too? Great story
Thanks Lynn, It seems after a quick-thinking response all turned out well. I have just published a longer version. I’d love to hear what you think of that. Thanks for taking the time to read this. 😊
My pleasure John 🙂
Yes, it’s still New York after all! I love the trilby hat detail.
Thanks J Hardy, You are so right about the location, I’m pleased you enjoyed this. I have just published a longer version. I’d love to hear what you think of that. Thanks for taking the time to read this. 😊
What a scary twist to a lovely scene — and oh, now I see what you did with the title, clever!
Thanks Joy, I’m pleased you enjoyed this. I have just published a longer version. I’d love to hear what you think of that. Thanks for taking the time to read this. 😊
Great to see you on Pegman, John! That character turned out to be much more menacing than I expected. A rough ending for Gerald and Georgina’s little excursion!
Thanks for taking the time to read this k. I’ve published a continuation beyond the 150 words on the same website. I’d be interested to hear what you think of that. 😊🌏
Just when you think all is calm…out pops danger!
Loved this, John.
Thanks for taking the time to read this Dale. Yes there’s usually a cloud on the horizon. 😊
You’ve created an intriguing character in Captain Ted. He looks frightening and sounds aggressive, but it’s a limited level of aggression and a demand made with a justification – I’m hungry, and you have the good fortune to have a great deal – including a smartphone. An interesting write, John.
Thanks for this intuitive constructive comment Penny. I agree there are many hidden interpretations and subjective thoughts embedded here.
I love reading stories where the author has an extensive and vivid backstory, and that seems to be the case with “Beauty and the Beast”
So much for natural beauty. You have to keep your wits about you–it’s still Manhattan, right? Hard to believe the only weapons he needed were a black-toothed smile and a unibrow! He seems to have a bit of the pirate about him. BTW, I like your phrasing of ” his bushy black eyebrows met in the middle.”
Many thanks for this excellent feedback Andy. Yes he could have had a cutlass secreted somewhere.😊🌏