“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code.
Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay
Bad Trip
He had a few minutes before his rendezvous with Kathy. Half-concealed in an alley, Simon lit up. While the Bruges authorities tolerated small quantities of cannabis, they came down hard on people who smoked in public. He inhaled and felt the world slow down, the chill of the early morning recede under the caress of the April sunshine.
The carillon of the Belfry chimed the hour. Ten o’clock. He smiled, took one last drag, and ground the joint underfoot. He took a deep breath of the crisp air, blinking at the sudden dizziness. Strong stuff, this Belgian weed.
As he wandered towards Chocolatier Dumon to meet Kathy, he realised he was staggering. It was hot; he was sweating.
A woman approached him.
“Are you okay?” she asked
“Fine,” he slurred, through chattering teeth.
He felt a clattering of bells, and smoke sounding like burning rubber.
Slowly, he slumped to the ground.
Autumn Leaves 
Oh dear. Methinks that’s more than cannabis. Might you continue the tale to tell us what?
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Dear Crispina
Thank you for reading and commenting. I fear you’re right. Simon bought the weed from a small-time dealer in Belgium and it’s probably been adulterated. I hadn’t actually thought of writing a longer story, I’m afraid!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Cut with sump oil? I believe that’s a common practice.
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Ugh! What a horrible thing to do!
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Indeed. All for the sake pf more money. Wouldn’t happen if it was legal, but in UK it’s not
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Your description of the Bad Trip is so vivid, Penny and as Crispina says, makes me wonder what really was in that joint. Hope the lad gets the help he needs. Well written tals
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Dear Lynn
Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. I’m glad you found the description vivid. With any luck Simon will be okay. Poor Kathy, though! Spoiled her weekend break completely!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Very clear, very vivid. You took us right into the moment, Penny. Always a pleasure to read your writing
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A good advert to avoid casual drug use! The setting adds to the mystery and strangeness of his experience. Nicely done.
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Dear Iain
Thank you for reading, and for your kind comment. As regards the setting, I was particularly pleased to find the photo on Pixabay, which feels to me to be both vertiginous and claustrophobic – just what I wanted for the story!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Poor Simon–he got more than he bargained for! I especially like the efficient way you get across the level of his intoxication by way of synesthesia in the line “He felt a clattering of bells, and smoke sounding like burning rubber.”
Great to see you!
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Dear Karen
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. I’m glad you spotted the reference to synesthesia. Without wishing to admit to marijuana intoxication, I’ve certainly experienced synesthesia after drinking too much, and also when ill. It’s a bit weird!
I’m sorry to have missed a few Pegmans recently – I’m working flat out trying to get an agent for my novel. No luck so far, unfortunately.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Sounds almost as if he got ahold of one of those defective vaping things. Great story.
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Dear Bear
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, a defective vaping thing would do it, I guess. Too much booze does as well (oh, my misspent youth!)
With very best wishes
Penny
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