What Pegman Saw – A chance to serve

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s prompt is the Palace of Versailles, France.

Note This story does not pretend to any form of historical veracity whatsoever!

Word count 150

WPS - A chance to serve 171209

A chance to serve

Galloping music urged on the swirling dancers, covered the sounds of dalliance, and hid the whispers of sedition. Ten thousand candles flared, splendid chandeliers shattering their light into a million shards that sparkled like fireworks on the many-coloured silks and satins of the guests.

The king looked sidelong at the Vicomte de Picardie, beckoned his chancellor and pointed.

“What’s he plotting?”

The chancellor considered.

“Highness, I’ve heard he wishes his son to marry your brother’s daughter.”

“So he’s seeking my mother’s support and forgetting to tell me?”

“It would seem so, Highness.”

“What do they grow in Picardie, Henri?”

“Potatoes, I believe, Highness.”

“Ha! Give Monsieur le Vicomte the chance to serve us by supplying our army with potatoes. Don’t pay him too much. And make sure he leaves Versailles tomorrow. We need the stabling.”

The dancers whirled, their dazzling reflections kaleidoscopic in the many mirrors. The music ground on.

25 thoughts on “What Pegman Saw – A chance to serve”

    • Dear Alicia
      Thank you for reading and for commenting so kindly. I’m delighted you liked the dialogue! The Vicomte will be too busy dealing with the discontented citizens of Picardie who can’t obtain potatoes to do much plotting for a while!
      With best wishes
      Penny

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  5. Enjoyed the story and the good ol potato distraction does it again (kidding) but my fav part was the ending – I like leaving off with dancing –
    “dazzling reflections kaleidoscopic in the many mirrors…”
    ahhh

    we just watched another version of A christmas carol – with George C Scott – and it was noted that the dancing scenes in that version are a treat. – they make us smile and feel the delight – and that was hjow the ending felt here….

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Prior
      Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the ‘good ol’ potato distraction’ (that comment of yours amused me greatly!) and the dancing. Dancing is delightful, of course, but entertainments of this sort have always been places where power is exercised. The ‘dazzling reflections kaleidoscopic in the many mirrors’ confuse most of the participants, and the real power brokers take advantage of this – as the King does here.
      With best wishes
      Penny

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Kelvin
      Thank you for reading and for such complimentary comments. I’m delighted you liked the dialogue; it’s an aspect of writing that I’ve really worked hard at, ever since my brother referred to my ‘monolithic slabs of dialogue’! As regards the descriptions, I was trying to use light in the same way that you might have done, to establish mood and as a dramatic element in its own right (those mirrors are important!).
      Thank you once again.
      With best wishes
      Penny

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  7. As others have said, this really smacks of truth – how often must the kings of any nation plotted to rid themselves of troublesome courtiers. Our own monarchy was terrific at such ploys. I often wonder why people were so keen to get to court – yes there was power and privilege and money, but all could be lost with the wrong word, a perceived slight. A precarious life.
    Wonderful description in that first paragraph too – love the whirlign light with the whirling dancers

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    • Dear Lynn
      Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comments. I’m particularly pleased that you enjoyed the description. It’s so easy to be OTT, but without ‘going for it’ the writing is just dull, don’t you think?
      With best wishes
      Penny

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  8. Dear Penny,

    I’m late to the Pegman party this week and all of the good comments are taken. I can mostly nod and agree…wonderful descriptions that had me looking at my own reflection in the ballroom floor. Lovely.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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