What Pegman Saw – The Mountie

“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 Resolute, Canada, which is located in the High Arctic.

“What Pegman Saw” is a terrific challenge because the modest amount of research you need to do will broaden your understanding of how people react under all sorts of circumstances. And that, of course, is the life blood of any writer! If you haven’t tried it, do give it a go!

WPS - The Mountie 180825

Resolute, NU, Canada | © Google Maps

The Mountie

The school building stood in a grey, gritty landscape by a grey, gritty road. The July sun did little to dispel the cold.

Ross Gibson, formerly of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and now Resolute’s schoolteacher, glanced up at his class working studiously at their desks. Immediately a pupil raised his hand.

“Sir, may I go to the lavatory?”

Craig. It would be. It always was.

Ross gestured and Craig left the classroom, a smirk on his face. Ross followed him silently. Cigarette smoke crept pungent under the toilet door. As Craig emerged, Ross held out his hand. Craig scowled and handed over a packet of cigarettes.

“You ever been seal hunting?” asked Ross.

“No, Sir.”

“Come with me this Saturday.”

Craig looked startled, then nodded. He stopped slouching and stood taller.

Ross grinned to himself. The Mountie always got his man – but it took the teacher to reform him!

41 thoughts on “What Pegman Saw – The Mountie”

  1. Ross sounds like the best sort of teacher. You’ve efficiently and expertly set the scene and then brought these two characters and their desires to life. I think Craig is in good hands!

    Thanks also for the encouragement to your readers on Pegman. I’d like to add that research is not a prerequisite. Writers are free to envision new or different worlds inspired by the weeks’ location.

    That said, I’ve uncovered so many fascinating places and people via Pegman. For me, it’s been both instructive and entertaining. Plus, I’ve met so many great and generous writers here!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Dear Karen
      Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you feel I brought the characters to life.
      I would love to see more people participate in Pegman – it’s such an excellent challenge! Thank you for organising it every week.
      With very best wishes
      Penny

      Liked by 3 people

      • I also agree that it is an excellent challenge – and what I love is the freedom to pick a picture of our own – even if we choose to use the one suggested – so we get that choice – but then we see the many takes on the “same” location. And Pegman challenge is helping me know my geography better – yes – so I love it – and thanks to k and J
        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    • Dear James
      Thank you for reading and commenting. I think Ross was the sort of man who had a secret sympathy for a ‘bad lad’! He certainly knew he needed to be challenged to do well!
      With very best wishes
      Penny

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Wonderful, Penny! Would that more teachers were like him!

    And I agree with you. I am way more inclined (though not this week) to actually do research as the regions chosen are so interesting and often totally unknown to me.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Dear Penny

    You put a smile on my fac. No mean feat this morning, I would say. Such a cliche to finish with, yet so unpredictable – which is good. I also liked the repetition in the opening paragraph of grey and gritty – really sets the scene. And your comment in your introduction about life blood to any reader. So true, So true, Read, read, read; comment, comment, comment – that’s the way!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Kelvin
      Thank you for reading and commenting.
      I’m delighted to have made you smile on what sounds like it was a pretty trying day. You know what? I am so pleased you commented on the cliché at the end. I wondered whether I’d done enough to make Ross ‘own’ the cliché so I would get away with using it – it just becomes part of the character’s voice. So, yay, it worked!
      I pray you have a good week, Kelvin!
      Penny

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Love the way you create the boy and his teacher, setting up the notion of punishment. Then reveal the kindness and optimism of the teacher instead – so positive. Nice one Penny.
    Regarding the Pegman challenge, I enjoy the research into places new to me – been to some amazing places already ?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Francine
      Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the optimistic tone of my story. I think school-teachers do one of the hardest and most valuable jobs in the world – it’s not one I could do!
      With best wishes
      Penny

      Like

  12. I like Ross – he seems like the ideal teacher to me and I’m sure his time in the Mounties has helped him teach teenage boys! There’s little that will surprise or shock him. You’ve drawn him with a deft touch, saying little but giving us a feeling of his steadying, calm influence. Nicely done, Penny

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Lynn
      Thank you for reading and commenting. When you say “You’ve drawn him with a deft touch, saying little but giving us a feeling of his steadying, calm influence.” I feel really encouraged. Learning how to convey more by implication than by telling is one of the techniques I’m working on.
      With very best wishes
      Penny

      Liked by 1 person

  13. first 0 LOVED that opening line:

    stood in a grey, gritty landscape by a grey, gritty road

    it sat so well in my mind and was refreshing – in a way that playful words can be.
    –
    and I was expecting to maybe have the kid “pee on an ice block” or go to a restroom igloo because I was reading a site where someone said this is what they did in certain areas during their journey to the Arctic.
    But i like where you went – with the smoke under the door –

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Yvette
      Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you liked where I went with the story. Thank you for specifically mentioning “stood in a grey, gritty landscape by a grey, gritty road”. As description, I only needed one grey and one gritty, but I doubled up for reasons of style. I couldn’t pinpoint why it worked, but it felt right, and for at least one reader I now know that it was indeed right!
      With very best wishes
      Penny

      Liked by 1 person

  14. This is excellent! Love the way you brought the characters to life. When I was doing a little research before writing I read about Ross being the first teacher and found it very interesting that he went from mountie to teacher.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Dear Penny,

    Your story made me smile and smile some more. I echo your other commentors…praise well deserved, my dear. That last line is brilliant.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    PS I can’t help myself when it comes to research. More often than not my stories are the result of the Google trail. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Rochelle
      Thank you for reading and for your lovely comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the story so much!
      Your stories are the result of the Google trail, you say. Yes, but they’re also the result of a warm heart, and keen observation both of place and character. An irresistible mix!
      Shalom
      Penny

      Like

  16. I guess you can take theman out of the Mounties, but you cant take the Mounties out of the man! This well-matched duo’s interaction really portrayed teaching at its best. Im only sorry that fewer teachers are willing to go that extra mile these days, for fear of having it backfire on them in some way. Young men can be tough to inspire, and i think the Mountie found the perfect challenge. Well written as always, penny.

    Liked by 1 person

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